A major new prostate radiotherapy trial, INSPIRE, launched
Sponsored by Cancer Trials Ireland, and supported by the Irish Research Radiation Oncology Group, the study aims to reduce treatment side-effects while maintaining excellent cancer control for men with prostate cancer. With more than 5,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer across the island of Ireland each year, there is a clear need to continue improving treatment and reducing its impact on quality of life. The trial plans to recruit more than 130 patients across Ireland.
Precision Targeting
The INSPIRE trial is for men with localised prostate cancer who are suitable for treatment with Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR). This advanced form of radiotherapy represents an important step forward in prostate cancer treatment and has been shown to be an excellent treatment option in the highest quality trials2. A precise form of radiotherapy is delivered in just five sessions over two weeks, rather than the standard 20 sessions.This treatment offers comparable cancer control
in a significantly shorter timeframe, reducing side-effects and improving patients’ quality of life.
Building on Progress
INSPIRE builds on that progress by focusing on reducing treatment-related side-effects. The main aim is to reduce urinary side-effects, while also examining bowel and sexual side-effects. Advanced scanning and highly targeted radiotherapy will better protect nearby healthy tissue, while keeping treatment to just five sessions. A gel spacer moves the rectum away from the treatment area, helping to reduce bowel-related side-
Prof. Brian O’Neill, Radiation Oncologist at St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network in Beaumont Hospital and Co-Chief Investigator
“Prostate Stereotactic
Ablative Radiotherapy is an exciting new development but it can mean a higher risk of bladder side-effects. The INSPIRE trial is aimed at reducing these side-effects while maintaining excellent cancer results.
Specsavers Limerick featuring prominently at The
Specsavers Limerick, with its three convenient locations in the Crescent Shopping Centre, Cruise’s Street, and Castletroy Shopping Centre, proudly marks over three decades of dedicated service to the people of Limerick.
Offering comprehensive optical and audiology services, Specsavers Limerick is committed to providing unparalleled care and expert advice for the community's sight and hearing needs.
At the core of Specsavers' presence in Limerick is a unique structure where each of its three stores is owned and run by local opticians and audiologists. This ensures that every Specsavers in Limerick is deeply rooted in its community, fostering a genuine commitment to customers' eye and hearing health. While benefiting from the robust support and resources of a national brand, the day-to-day operations and patient
In addition, we hope to reduce bowel and sexual side-effects.”
The trial will also examine whether genetic and biological factors can help predict which patients are more likely to experience side-effects.
Trial Locations
INSPIRE is the first radiotherapy trial to bring together radiation oncology teams from across the island. Supported by the Irish Research Radiation Oncology Group, this connects radiotherapy centres across Ireland making trials like INSPIRE accessible to patients regardless of where they live. The study will open across multiple centres in Dublin, including St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network, Beacon Hospital and Mater Private Dublin, as well as at Bon Secours UPMC and Cork University Hospital in Cork, University Hospital Galway, the MidWestern Radiation Oncology Centre in Limerick, Whitfield Hospital in Waterford, Belfast City Hospital, and the North West Cancer Centre in Derry. Patients will be followed up for five years.
For more information, visit www.cancertrials.ie
50 Plus Show
care in these Limerick stores are managed by dedicated local professionals who are personally invested in their community's well-being. This commitment to local ownership and management underscores Specsavers Limerick's dedication to delivering high-quality, accessible, and community-focused eye and hearing care right here in Limerick.
"Our commitment to Limerick runs deep," says Sinead Clohessy, one of the local store directors. "Being locally owned and run means we are part of the community, not just a business. We understand the needs of our neighbours, and we're passionate about providing the highest standard of eye and hearing care. Our team lives and works here; that personal investment translates directly into the quality of care our customers receive. We're incredibly proud of the relationships we've built over the past three decades."
For more information about the services provided by Specsavers Limerick, or to book an appointment, please contact the stores directly:
• Specsavers Castletroy: 061 516 480 Appointments can also be made conveniently online by visiting www.specsavers.ie/store/limerick.
Sinead Clohessy
Spring Cleaning Your Finances: Is Your Savings Account Still
Doing Its Job?
There comes a stage in life when your relationship with money changes. The focus shifts from protecting what you have built over taking unnecessary risks, and seeking reliable income over speculative growth. Yet, despite this shift, many Irish savers still have large portions of their cash sitting in accounts that pay little or no interest.
Irish household deposits reached record levels of €170.3 billion last autumn. A significant share of that continues to sit in overnight accounts. These are convenient, certainly, but they often deliver returns close to zero. Over time, inflation quietly reduces the spending power of money that may have taken decades of disciplined saving to accumulate.
Old Habits in a New Environment
Eoghan O’Hara, Country Manager at Raisin, believes many savers simply have not revisited long-standing habits.
"For years, keeping savings in a demand deposit account felt like the sensible, safe option," says O'Hara. "But the savings landscape has changed significantly. April is the perfect time for a bit of financial spring cleaning. We regularly hear from customers who aren't necessarily looking to save more, but
simply want to know exactly where they stand. Having a clear, organised view of your savings, and ensuring they earn a fair return, can make a real difference to your confidence and peace of mind.."
For those approaching retirement or relying on savings to supplement income, staying in low-interest accounts means missing out on returns that could help offset rising living costs.
A Measured Approach to Spring Cleaning
Reviewing your savings does not mean sacrificing access or locking money away long-term. A sensible strategy for many households is to:
• Keep a comfortable buffer (two to three months of essential expenses) in an instant-access account.
• Place surplus funds into shorterterm fixed deposits lasting three to twelve months.
• Maintain flexibility as these deposits mature regularly, allowing you to adapt to changing circumstances.
"It is not about taking unnecessary risks," O’Hara explains. "It is about making sure that money which is sitting idle has the opportunity to work harder for you."
Starting Small with the Starter Account
For those who prefer to start cautiously, short-term options provide a practical first step. Raisin’s Starter Account currently offers 3.10% AER for three months on deposits between €1 and €100,000.
There are no fees involved. After three months, savers can withdraw their funds or move them into another available product from a range of European banks, all managed securely through a single online account.
Take Control Today
This spring offers a natural moment to pause and ask whether your savings are truly working for you. Even a modest adjustment can make a noticeable difference to your financial independence over time.
Visit https://www.raisin.com/enie/st to open your Starter Account and see how much more your money could earn in just three months.
Raisin announce their continued support of Mind It! –The
Raisin comment: "We’re delighted to be back for a second year with Senior Times, continuing our support for Sinead Ryan and the wonderful ‘Mind It’ series. Last season showed us just how much listeners value Sinead's down-to-earth advice on a host of really important topics. It really hit home that people are looking for clear, impartial, honest guidance.
At Raisin, we’re all about giving Irish savers more choice and better options, so we’re proud to partner with a trusted
voice like Sinead and Senior Times to help people make the most of their hard-earned money."
Extensive programme for Blackwater Valley Opera Festival
Over 5,000 people are expected to attend the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival taking place across Waterford and East Cork from 26 May - 2 June. With over 100 artists and more than 75 hours of live music, the programme spans opera, concerts and recitals across the region. While some events are sold out, tickets are still available for some
The festival will present two opera productions featuring internationally renowned artists at Lismore Castle and St Carthage’s Cathedral, alongside performances in Dungarvan, Lismore, Youghal and Castlemartyr. With over 100 artists and more than 75 hours of live music, the programme spans opera, concerts and recitals across the region.
Mozart’s Don Giovanni at Lismore Castle is now fully booked, with limited availability remaining across other festival events. From operatic masterpieces to much-loved classical works, brought to life in some of Ireland’s most historic and atmospheric venues, the programme promises an unforgettable experience, complete with bespoke dining and relaxed summer hospitality.
Festival highlights include: Opera at the Castle
Few operatic experiences can rival an evening at Lismore Castle. The evening begins with a drink at the opera bar, time to wander through the castle gardens in full bloom in late May, and dining at the festival hospitality village in the castle grounds, before taking seats in the purpose-built covered auditorium - in place for four nights only. This year’s production is Mozart’s Don Giovanni, featuring a predominantly Irish cast with the Irish Baroque Orchestra. Conducted by Peter Whelan and directed by Tom Creed, it moves between comedy, danger and seduction.
In Conversation: Don Giovanni
An In Conversation event at Lismore Heritage Centre on Tuesday 26 May offers insight into Mozart’s Don Giovanni ahead of the Lismore Castle performances. This free event, with pre-booking required, features Dieter Kaegi, alongside Tom Creed, Peter Whelan, Aedín Cosgrove and Catherine Fay
Opera in the Cathedral
With projection and lighting design, St Carthage’s Cathedral in Lismore provides an evocative setting for Handel’s Acis and Galatea, presented as opera after dark during the festival week. Daytime events over the June Bank Holiday weekend include the Irish Writers’ Series: Samuel Beckett, Irish Salon Opera: The
Deserted Village by John William Glover, and the RDS Collins Memorial Recital. Wordless Opera Wordless by design, using sound and the idea of the forest to communicate without spoken text, When Forests Sing promises to be a very special performance. The opera brings together musicians and performers living with disabilities and emerging professional artists from the Open Youth Orchestra of Ireland and the Royal Irish Academy of Music, alongside young people from the local area. Technological instrumentalists, choir, composed and recorded forest sounds combine to form a large-scale ensemble and engaging theatre experience.
Concerts at Dromore Yard
A romantic, semi-restored 19th-century farmyard on the banks of the River Blackwater provides the setting for some of the festival’s most anticipated performances by celebrated Irish pianists Dearbhla Collins and Finghin Collins, mezzo-soprano Niamh O’Sullivan and pianist Gary Beecher. It’s a great opportunity to see some international talent perform such as Magdalene Ho, Pierre Génisson and Elias David Moncado.
Unique Recital Locations
Throughout the week, a series of classical music recitals will take place in historic homes and venues across the Blackwater Valley, giving audiences a unique opportunity to experience Ireland’s cultural heritage through the magic of live performance.
Emerging Talent
The festival supports emerging talent through its Bursary Awards programme, which in 2026 will support 10 artists and performers with €50,000 in funding, made possible through festival donors.
Limited tickets remain for selected events, contact the BVOF Box Office on 087 407 9250
For full programme details, including opera, concerts, recitals and events across the week, visit blackwatervalleyopera.ie
New Aer Lingus routes take to the skies
Aer Lingus will expand its summer schedule this by introducing three new short-haul routes. A new service from Cork to Nice will commence on Saturday, while two new routes from Dublin to Norway’s capital Oslo and Asturias, a hidden gem in the north of Spain, will also take off for the first time. Seasonal routes from Dublin to Pisa in Italy’s Tuscany region, Catania in Sicily, Nantes in France, and the Greek islands of Santorini and Corfu, will also return this weekend, offering Aer Lingus customers a wide range of options for summer getaways. On its long-haul network, the airline’s Dublin-Denver service is also back for summer 2026, offering direct flights to the ‘Mile High City’. Situated at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Denver is growing in popularity with outdoor enthusiasts keen to explore the spectacular scenery, hiking, and outdoor activities.
As well as the three new short-haul routes taking off this weekend, Aer Lingus will introduce a further two new short-haul services this summer from Dublin to Montpellier, from 19 May 2026, and from Cork to Santiago, from 1 June 2026. For those hoping to explore the Scottish Highlands, a new Aer Lingus Regional flight, operated by Emerald Airlines, will also begin service to Inverness from 21 May 2026, while a new route to Tours in France will fly from 6 June.
Aer Lingus will operate a total of 24 routes from Ireland to North America in 2026, including two new routes to RaleighDurham, which took off earlier this month, and Pittsburgh, from 25 May 2026. These new routes build on the airline’s Dublin Hub strategy, which supports seamless connections between North America and the airline’s extensive European network. Aer Lingus is the Irish flag carrier, founded in 1936. Aer Lingus operates over 100 routes from Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Knock to Europe, the UK and North America. The airline will fly 24 direct routes from North America to Ireland in 2026, including new routes to Raleigh-Durham and Pittsburgh.
Aer Lingus is a 4-star airline, awarded by Skytrax, the international air transport rating organisation. Aer Lingus is a member of International Airlines Group (IAG), one of the world’s largest airline groups. As part of IAG, Aer Lingus is committed to a more sustainable future by investing in fuel-efficient aircraft, increasing the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and enhancing operational efficiencies across our network.
Sinead Ryan with Eoghan O'Hara Country Head Ireland of Raisin
St Carthage’s Cathedral in Lismore provides an evocative setting for Handel’s Acis and Galatea
West Cork Literary Festival Announces 2026 Programme
Featuring Sara Baume, Jung Chang, Paddy Donnelly, Elaine Feeney, Anton Hur, Charlie Mackesy, Charlotte McConaghy, Miriam O'Callaghan, Louise O'Neill, Katriona O’Sullivan, Ian Rankin, Jessica Traynor, Djamel White, Nussaibah Younis and many more.
The West Cork Literary Festival is delighted to unveil its 2026 programme - an exciting, inspiring, and truly jam-packed 8-day celebration of literature set to take place in Bantry from 10 – 17 July 2026.
As the brighter days arrive, so too does one of Ireland’s richest literary line-ups. After months of preparations behind the scenes, the Festival team is thrilled to share a programme filled with internationally acclaimed authors, outstanding Irish voices, emerging writers, and a wide range of events designed for readers and writers alike.
This year’s Festival will feature 3-day writing workshops, masterclasses, readings, in-conversation events, and an even stronger focus on translated literature, showcasing work translated from Dutch, Flemish, French, German, Irish, Korean, and Swedish. Attendees can also enjoy unique experiences such as a Pop Up Gaeltacht, the beloved annual trip to Whiddy Island, yoga on the lawn of Bantry House, and a refreshing sea swim for anyone seeking a moment of calm during the week.
https://www.westcorkmusic.ie/literary-festival
The 2026 line-up includes an extraordinary roster of writers across genres - novelists, short-story writers, poets, essayists, illustrators, historians, memoirists, and more. Among the distinguished authors joining the Festival this summer are Sara Baume, Jung Chang, Jonathan Coe, Paddy Donnelly, Elaine Feeney, Karl Henry, Ashley Hickson-Lovence, Anton Hur, Charlie Mackesy, Charlotte McConaghy, Dearbhla Mescal, Annemarie Ní Churreáin, Laureate for Irish Fiction Éilís Ní Dhuibhne, Miriam O'Callaghan, Louise O'Neill, Katriona O’Sullivan, Ian Rankin, Jessica Traynor, Sarah Webb, Djamel White, Nussaibah Younis, and many others.
The Festival also remains deeply committed to nurturing a love of literature among young audiences. All events for children and young people are free of charge, offering families an opportunity to explore books, storytelling, and creativity together with writers such as Sarah Bowie, Paddy Donnelly & Sarah Webb.
Key Dates:
Festival Dates: 10–17 July 2026
Friends Priority Booking Opens: Tuesday 7 April
General Booking for Workshops Opens: Tuesday 7 April
General Booking for All Other Events Opens: Tuesday 14 April
Age as inspiration..
Colette Sheridan meets an artist with a perceptive viewpoint
Sitting at her kitchen table drinking strong coffee in a cosy apartment in Kinsale, American digital artist, E Alana James (72) talks about her journey from the US to the county Cork gourmet and sailing town, which has been her home and that of her partner’s for twenty five years. Alana, who creates larger-than-life-sized digital portraits of people in their seventies, eighties, nineties and even into their 100s, was born in California and spent most of her professional life in Denver, Colorado.
She has a Bachelor's degree in fine art from the University of Colorado. She has a master’s degree in nonprofit management and a doctorate in educational leadership from Colombia University in New York. Her wideranging career has seen her working with children who were early school leavers. She also worked around the plight of homelessness.
She credits Colombia University for teaching her how to do research. “I taught master’s and doctoral students how to get their dissertations done. That was online. I did that here in Kinsale. It was part of my technology business, Doctoralnet which I ran for a decade. I
closed it in 2023, thank heavens, just as AI was coming into the world. AI would have dumped my business and it would have been miserable.”
Twenty-five years ago, Alana and her partner, Margie Milenkiewicz were on holiday in Ireland, trying to see the whole country in a week. “We were going from Kilkenny to Dingle in one day; it was crazy but we loved it. When we got to Kerry, I looked at Margie and said ‘I could live here.’ She said: ‘Ok, orchestrate it. I’ll come.’ Those thirty seconds changed my life. Back in the US, I started looking at all the cities in Ireland. I wanted to live by the water.”
A little concerned about an incident in small town Ireland where Alana and Margie dined at a local restaurant that was not recommended by the host of their B&B, Alana learned that not supporting one of the B&B owner’s family restaurants was disloyal.
“We were having breakfast, discussing the restaurant with some other people who’d been there, when the host came in and asked us where we’d eaten. When we told her, I swear to God the room got ten degrees colder. Her displeasure was so strong that I got the chills. So
I’m saying to Margie, ‘how big do you think a town needs to be for a lesbian couple like us that won’t cause the local Supermarket to get ten degrees colder?’ We wanted to be safe moving into Ireland which was a Catholic country. But being lesbian was never an issue. The marketing material about Kinsale said what a cosmopolitan place it is. We figured ‘cosmopolitan’ would probably be OK. We visited it in February, the worst time of the year. The daffodils were blooming and the dolphins had come to the inner bay. So it was a sign that we could live in Kinsale.”
The couple have been living in the apartment for two years. Before that, Margie ran it as an Airbnb. Alana and Margie lived nearby in Castlepark before moving into the apartment.
Alana, who has “a gimped leg” uses a walking stick and says she has no worries about having to use a flight of steps to the apartment as the steps have sturdy railings on both sides.
She says she has been an artist since her teens and in the 1970s, wanted to be “a famous artist.” But her brief brush with fame, when she created a quilted art piece made up of underwear that rock star Frank Zappa collected on tour,
Visit the Spain stand at the 50 Plus Show Limerick May 12th & 13th
The Arts
soured her. The quilt was for Zappa but someone said ‘oh, it’s you who did this’ while looking pointedly over her shoulder. It made Alana feel hollow.
“So I went about my life, doing other things. But I always wanted to come back to art, in a professional sense, because it feeds my inner life like nothing else does.” Alana started her Life Story portraits when she was sixty-five, painting and using other art forms in the early days. It was when she turned seventy that she was “struck by how little I knew what the next thirty years were going to be like. All my life, I had known what was coming next. All of a sudden, I’m seventy and don’t know how to manage it, or what other people my age are doing. That’s when I decided to start doing portraits (which include interviews) of people aged seventy-five and over.” Being au fait with technology, Alana’s portraits –that include key aspects of the subjects’ lives – are digital. The subjects, usually nominated for portraits by their adult children, send Alana a photograph of themselves which she blows up with the largest works measuring 6ft x 4.5ft.
They also give her photographs of the important elements of their lives, usually family members and friends, allowing Alana to make a collage. Alana felt something more could be added to the portraits so she creates abstract art as a backdrop to them.
She uses an iPad, a graphic App called Procreate, while having ‘conversations’ on her multiple monitors with AI, generating abstractions to capture feelings. The components are dropped into a film
A lifetime of long life
editing suite where, through animation, they engage the viewer differently.
Alana, who exhibited some of her portraits at Gallery 23 in Kinsale earlier this year, is very proud of her work which helps her on her own journey. The portraits are also part of her research into growing old in Ireland. She cites one woman whose portrait she captured.
“This woman was a physical therapist. She died recently. At the funeral, everybody was talking about how every day she was still doing her exercises until she died. You have people who maybe have had a few serious hits in their lives. Three of the people I studied for portraits, had experienced elder abuse and two were abused as children. These are people who have suffered and who have been resilient. People find them inspirational.”
Digital domain: E Alana James creating with keyboard and screens..
E Alana James has lived and found inspiration in Kinsale for the past 25 years.
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The work, while hugely personal to the subjects, is all part of Alana’s inquiry into the latter years of life’s trajectory and the reality of ageing in this country.
“First and foremost, it is personal research. But it has broadened. Ireland has some really good things going on for the ageing population. We have Age Friendly Ireland and Age and Opportunity. I’m a member of the active retired group here in Kinsale. So the basis of this art work has made me keenly aware that isolation is the biggest challenge that older people face.”
Alana believes the Irish government is “pushing very hard” to keep older people in their homes rather than in nursing homes. She and Margie recently participated in the Age Friendly home grant programme. “They came out and looked at our place and saw what we would need in order to stay here. The government provides a partial grant which is means tested.”
Not having family here to fall back on, Alana feels it’s her responsibility and that of Margie, to be “interwoven in our community so that we’re not alone at home all the time. We will get older. None of us gets out of here alive.” She teaches water-aerobics in Acton’s Hotel in Kinsale where her oldest pupil is in her mideighties.
Alana hopes to live until 108. “I had an intuitive moment when I was thirty-six that I had lived one third of my life. I don’t know if this is going to happen but I’d better treat it like it is going to happen so I can be who I want to be at 108.”
The subjects of the portraits agree to allow them to be shown in the public realm. They are created free of charge. If a subject wants to buy the portrait of themselves and their life, the fee is €950.
www.ealanajames.com instagram: @ealanajames
Portraits that tell a story..
Artist with subject and finished portrait
Plan your next short break
Hook Lighthouse: 25 Years of Welcoming Visitors to the World’s Oldest Operational Lighthouse
Perched proudly at the tip of the dramatic Hook Peninsula in County Wexford, Hook Lighthouse has guided sailors safely to shore for more than 800 years. This remarkable landmark holds a unique distinction: it is the oldest original operational lighthouse in the world.
This year marks another important milestone in its remarkable story, as the Hook Lighthouse Visitor Centre celebrates 25 years of welcoming guests from across Ireland and around the world.
For readers of Senior Times, Hook Lighthouse offers the perfect opportunity to slow down, savour the scenery, and experience a truly special place at a relaxed and enjoyable pace.
A Journey Through 800 Years of History
Consistently ranked as one of Ireland’s most beloved attractions, Hook Lighthouse was voted Ireland’s Favourite Hidden Gem in the Irish Travel Awards. It is also the most visited attraction in County Wexford, drawing visitors yearround who are eager to explore its rich history and spectacular coastal views.
The award-winning guided tour brings the story of the lighthouse vividly to life. Visitors climb the 115 well-worn steps of the ancient tower, moving through thick stone chambers that have stood for eight centuries. Along the way, engaging storytelling and immersive displays transport guests through the centuries.
Your journey begins with the story of St. Dubhán, the 5th-century monk whose community once kept a warning beacon burning on the headland to guide ships safely through dangerous waters.
Further up the tower, visitors meet the legendary William Marshal, the great medieval knight who commissioned the lighthouse in the 13th century. Marshal built the tower to guide ships trading with his bustling port at nearby New Ross, part of the powerful network of settlements he established throughout the southeast of Ireland.
Higher still, the story turns to the lives of lighthouse keepers who dedicated their working lives to maintaining the vital light that protected generations of sailors navigating the coastline.
At the top, visitors step onto the balcony where fresh sea air and breathtaking views await. The panorama stretches across miles of spectacular coastline and out across the meeting point of the Irish Sea and Atlantic Ocean. The lightkeepers’ watchroom also provides a comfortable panoramic viewing space where visitors can pause and take in the extraordinary landscape.
A Relaxed and Welcoming Visitor Experience
For those who enjoy exploring at a gentler pace, Hook Lighthouse is an ideal
destination. Friendly guides ensure tours are informative and enjoyable, while excellent facilities make it easy to spend a leisurely few hours at the site.
After the tour, visitors can relax in the welcoming onsite café, enjoy freshly prepared food, and soak in the peaceful atmosphere of the peninsula. The visitor centre also hosts a variety of festivals, events and special experiences throughout the year.
For something truly memorable, keep an eye out for the popular Sunrise and Sunset Tours, offering visitors the chance to experience the lighthouse and its spectacular surroundings at the most magical times of day.
Discover One of Ireland’s Great Coastal Treasures
As the visitor centre celebrates its 25th anniversary, Hook Lighthouse continues to enchant visitors with its blend of history, storytelling and natural beauty. Whether you’re fascinated by Ireland’s past, love dramatic coastal scenery, or simply want a relaxing day out, this iconic landmark offers an experience unlike any other.
Guided tours operate seven days a week, and bespoke or private tours can also be arranged.
Hook Lighthouse
Hook Head, Fethard-on-Sea, Co. Wexford, Ireland
Tel: 051 397055
Website: www.hookheritage.ie
Follow @HookLighthouse on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates on events, tours and seasonal experiences.
Shed & Buried
On Two Wheels
John Feehan regularly looks towards the darkest garages for motorcycling treasures...
Perhaps the ultimate hoped for 'usable' barn find - a Vincent Black Lightning from the early 50's
Across Ireland, behind creaking shed doors and beneath tarpaulins in quiet farmyards and garages, there are motorcycles waiting. Some are relics of racing glory, others everyday machines parked “just for a while” and never ridden again. Time gathers around them in layers of dust and rust, but also in stories—of owners, families, and eras now fading.
The rediscovery and respectful sale of these bikes is not just a niche hobby; it’s a bridge between generations, preserving mechanical heritage while helping families navigate change.
The Irish “Barn Find” Phenomenon
The term “barn find” has become almost mythical in motoring culture. It refers to vehicles discovered after years— sometimes decades—of abandonment in
Forgotten Steel: Finding and Passing On Ireland’s Hidden Motorcycles
barns, sheds, garages, or even overgrown gardens. These machines can range from near-complete treasures to little more than frames and memories. Ireland, with its deep rural roots and long motorcycling tradition, is fertile ground for such discoveries. From small farms in Cork to outbuildings in Donegal, motorcycles were often tucked away with the intention of “getting back to them someday.” That day rarely came. One striking example emerged in Northern Ireland, where a collection of eight historic motorcycles belonging to legendary racing tuner Joe Ryan was found hidden in a barn. These bikes, some dating back to the early 20th
century, had been carefully stored for years, effectively frozen in time before being brought to auction. One particular bike in the collection went on to make £20,000. Stories like this aren’t rare— they’re just rarely told.
Why Bikes Get Forgotten
Motorcycles often outlive their usefulness in quiet ways. A rider retires from the road, a mechanical issue becomes too complex, or life simply moves on. In Ireland especially, older generations may have kept bikes as practical tools rather than collector’s items. When they stopped working—or when the owner stopped riding—they were parked and left. In some cases, collections grow unintentionally. A rider accumulates projects, spare parts, and incomplete machines over decades. What begins as passion can, from the outside, look like clutter. As a mate of mine bluntly put it when discussing large collections, “It’s not maybe, it is hoarding.”
Yet that perspective misses something important: many of these bikes were preserved, not discarded. Without that quiet storage, countless machines would have been scrapped long ago.
Finding these hidden motorcycles is rarely a matter of luck alone. It involves networking, local knowledge, and patience. You really need to know what you are looking for, and what you are looking at. Rural communities often know exactly what’s sitting in which shed, and someone usually “knows a lad” with an old Honda or Yamaha sitting in a shed - it just takes the right moment, and the right approach, to open the door.
Finders describe the process as a mix of persistence and timing. Some discoveries come through inheritance, others through chance conversations, and some through years of building trust in communities. In Ireland, word-ofmouth is particularly powerful. When a motorcycle is rediscovered, it is rarely just a machine. It is tied to a person— often someone who has passed away or can no longer manage their collection. Families are then faced with difficult questions: What is this worth?
Should we restore it or sell it as it is? Who would appreciate it properly?
For many families, the process is overwhelming. Old bikes can be complex to assess, and memorabilia—helmets, photographs, trophies, tools—adds another layer of uncertainty. This is where ethical buyers and specialists play a crucial role. A good restorer or dealer doesn’t just see value in parts; they see the story. Businesses dedicated to classic restoration often emphasize rescuing bikes “from sheds and scrap heaps” and returning them to the road. Handled well, a sale becomes more than a transaction—it becomes a continuation.
Selling with Respect
The best outcomes happen when the process is collaborative. Families who work with knowledgeable collectors or auction houses can ensure that bikes are:
· Properly identified and valued
Sold to enthusiasts who understand their significance
Documented, preserving the owner’s legacy
Auctions can be particularly powerful for historically significant machines. The Joe Ryan collection, for example, wasn’t just sold—it was contextualised as part of Irish racing history, increasing both its value and its cultural importance. Even modest bikes can find meaningful new homes. A small commuter motorcycle from the 1980s might not fetch a high price, but to the right buyer, it’s a piece of living history.
Motorcycle collections rarely consist of bikes alone. They often include: Old logbooks and registration papers
· Racing leathers and helmets
· Tools and spare parts
Photographs and trophies
These items can be just as valuable— financially and emotionally—as the motorcycles themselves. They provide context, authenticity, and a tangible link to the past. For families, sorting through these items can be one of the hardest parts of the process. What looks like clutter may hold significant historical or collector value.
Once a bike is found, a key decision also arises: restore it or leave it as-is? There is growing appreciation for originality. A dusty, untouched motorcycle can sometimes be more desirable than one that has been heavily restored. The wear and patina tell a story that cannot be recreated. At the same time, restoration can bring a machine back to life, allowing it to be ridden and enjoyed again. Skilled restorers can rebuild engines, source rare parts, and return bikes to their former glory—sometimes from little more than boxes of components. Not every shed find is a goldmine. Some bikes are worth more as scrap than as restoration projects. Key factors include rarity, completeness, and engine condition. A complete but seized classic bike may still hold significant value, while a heavily modified or incomplete machine might not justify the cost of restoration. The
right choice depends on the bike, its condition, and its historical significance. Motorcycling holds a special place in Irish culture, particularly in the north where road racing has deep roots.
Machines associated with legendary riders have become part of national heritage, preserved in museums and collections for future generations. But heritage isn’t limited to famous racers. Everyday bikes—the ones used for commuting, farming, or weekend rides— tell a broader story of Irish life. Saving these machines, even in small ways, contributes to that narrative.
Every rediscovered motorcycle represents a second chance. Whether it ends up in a private collection, a museum, or back on the road, it continues a journey that might otherwise have ended in silence. For families, letting go of a collection can be emotional—but it can also be a relief. Knowing that a loved one’s bikes are appreciated, restored, and used again brings a sense of closure. For buyers and restorers, the responsibility is clear: treat each find not just as an object, but as a story entrusted to them. Despite the challenges, the search for forgotten motorcycles continues to attract a dedicated community in Ireland. It combines elements of history, mechanics, and entrepreneurship. Each bike carries a story—of past journeys, abandoned plans, or changing times. For those willing to put in the effort, these machines offer more than just financial return.
Ireland’s sheds and garages still hold countless forgotten motorcycles. Some will never be found, but many will— through curiosity, persistence, and respect. The process of finding and selling these bikes is about more than value. It’s about connection: between past and present, between families and enthusiasts, and between machines and the people who loved them. In rescuing these bikes, we don’t just recover metal— we preserve memory, craftsmanship, and a uniquely Irish piece of history.
Return
2 nights Dinner, B&B at Dooley’s Hotel, Waterford
Guided tour of Lismore Castle
Gardens, Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens, Mount Congreve Gardens & Altamont Gardens
Scenic drive along the Copper Coast
Visit to Arboretum Carlow
Local Tour guide
Transform your smile with advanced dental care in Latvia
From preventive check-ups and painfree cavity treatments to complex smile restorations and orthodontic alignment, these advanced solutions are designed to ensure long-lasting health, functional bites, and confident, radiant smiles. Experience dental care where innovation meets comfort and precision at Latvian Health Tourism Cluster Dental clinics..
Pain-free precision- laser dentistry at Era Esthetic Dental
With advanced laser systems, it is possible to treat both hard and soft tissues effectively and painlessly. The latest-generation lasers can remove cavities without anesthesia, perform
precise root canal treatments, clean tartar non-surgically, and prevent gum-related tooth loss—all without a scalpel.
At Era Esthetic Dental Clinic, cuttingedge laser technology ensures highly effective, comfortable, and minimally invasive treatment of teeth and gums and ability to avoid surgery significantly enhance the quality and safety of dental procedures.
Advantages of laser dentistry:
• Caries treatment without pain or drilling
• Gentle and fast teeth whitening
• Comfortable, non-surgical oral hygiene
• Highly precise root canal therapy
• Prevention of gum-related tooth loss without a scalpel
• Contactless treatment reduces the risk of spreading infections, including COVID-19
Consultation about laser procedures: €50
Laser dental filling (1 surface): €124.50
Laser root tip resection: €265
Laser removal of soft tissue formations: €230
Transform your smile with Ceramic Veneers at Sky Dream Clinic
Veneers are ultra-thin, custom-made ceramic shells bonded to the front surface of your teeth. Unlike standard fillings, high-quality ceramic mimics the light-reflecting properties of natural enamel, creating a look that is indistinguishable from real teeth.
It offers distinct advantages:
• Stain Resistance: Unlike natural enamel, ceramic is highly resistant to staining from coffee, tea, or red wine, ensuring your smile stays permanently bright.
• Minimal Intervention: Preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible. The process is far more conservative than fitting crowns.
• Complete Correction: Effectively close gaps (diastemas), align minor irregularities without braces, and restore worn or chipped edges.
Our distinctive advantage is our onsite dental laboratory. Our dentists collaborate directly with technicians under one roof. This ensures every veneer is sculpted to perfection under the doctor's supervision and significantly speeds up your transformation.
It begins with a precise plan. A full 3D X-ray and a detailed diagnostic assessment. You will receive a transparent treatment plan that clearly distinguishes between medical needs and aesthetic goals with absolutely no hidden costs.
Dental Check-up €144.90
Smile in one day - the future of full smile transformation at LAVA Dental Studio
LAVA Dental Studio offers Smile in one day concept, based on the internationally recognised All-on-X implantation method, is designed for patients who have lost multiple teeth or whose remaining teeth are severely damaged and no longer predictably restorable. Instead of placing an implant for every missing tooth, four to six
strategically positioned implants are used to support a full arch of fixed teeth. Through detailed digital planning, CBCT diagnostics and guided implant surgery, each case is individually engineered for maximum stability, aesthetics and long-term function. In many situations, angled implant placement allows doctors to utilise existing bone, often avoiding complex grafting procedures and significantly reducing treatment time.
The result is immediate fixed teeth on the day of surgery, restoring not only appearance but also bite strength, speech clarity and facial structure. The procedure can also be performed under full sedation, allowing you to comfortably fall asleep and wake up once the surgery is completed, with your new fixed smile already in place. Behind every transformation stands a highly skilled team of dental professionals,
Latvia Health Promotion
Smile in one day procedures are performed by Dr. Myroslav Skydan and Dr. Vladislavs Aleksejevs, combining surgical expertise with an artistic approach to smile design and extensive clinical experience.
All-on-X treatment of one jaw (upper or lower): €8000*
* The final cost may vary depending on the individual clinical situation, and a comprehensive diagnostic assessment is required to establish a precise and personalised treatment plan.
Stress-free dental care under general anaesthesia and IV sedation at Dr. Apines Dental Clinic
For many people, visiting the dentist can cause significant anxiety - especially when complex treatment is required. At Dr. Apines Clinic in Riga, patients are offered dental treatment under full (general) anaesthesia as well as intravenous (IV) sedation, ensuring a calm, safe, and comfortable stress - free experience.
It significantly reduces stress and perception of discomfort.
General anaesthesia, first hour €235
Under general anaesthesia is ideal for children and adults who require extensive procedures, such as multiple restorations or oral surgery, or for those with severe dental fear. During the procedure, the patient is fully asleep and feels no pain or discomfort. A certified anaesthetist continuously monitors vital functions, guaranteeing the highest level of safety.
For adults who experience anxiety but do not require full anaesthesia, intravenous sedation is a popular choice. IV sedation induces deep relaxation while allowing the patient to remain responsive.
General anaesthesia, every next hour €120
Intravenous sedation, first hour €125
Intravenous sedation, every next hour €95
Dental hygiene under sedation €130
Dr. D. Petrosyan’s clinic
Dentarium - aesthetic dentistry CEREC and iTOP hygiene training methodology.
With CEREC technology, we can create a single tooth restoration in a single visit. CEREC uses advanced CAD/CAM 3D
imaging and computer-aided technology to design and create restorations with incredible precision and natural appearance. The fabrication time for one unit is 1.5 hours. CEREC ceramics closely match the color shades of natural teeth. CEREC artistic restorations are fabricated right in the dentist’s office.
For high-quality and long-lasting prosthetics, it is important to correctly
select the design of a dental implant that corresponds to the individual clinical case. In our clinic, we ensure that implantation is fast, convenient and practically painless. Thanks to advanced methods, the rehabilitation process is quick and painless.
Ceramic restoration (CEREC): €800 IPS e.max® crowns (CEREC) on implants: from €1000 Implant system: from €900
Dental implantology at SIROWA Riga Dental Clinic
Dental implantology is a carefully planned and goal-oriented process that allows missing teeth to be replaced safely and long-term. A dental implant is a titanium or ceramic screw placed into the jawbone, where it serves as an artificial tooth root. A crown is then attached to the implant, visually and functionally indistinguishable from a natural tooth. Implants are suitable for replacing a single tooth or multiple teeth, regardless of the patient’s age.
During consultation with an implantologist, oral health is assessed and an individual treatment plan is created. At the following visit, the implant is placed into the jawbone. This is followed by a healing period, which usually lasts 4 to 6 months and causes no discomfort for the patient. Once the implant has fully integrated, a permanent crown is placed, ensuring a stable, natural-looking, and aesthetic result.
Why choose Riga, Latvia?
Brighten your smile at Aesthetica Clinic - advanced Fläsh teeth whitening
Everyday habits such as coffee consumption or smoking can gradually affect tooth shade. While a full professional oral hygiene session helps restore the natural tone of teeth, those seeking a visibly brighter smile often choose whitening treatments. One of the most popular solutions today is Fläsh teeth whitening – a modern, clinically tested method that can deliver noticeable results after just a single visit.
Orthodontic care at Medical Center ARS
At Medical Center ARS, orthodontic treatment focuses on correcting misaligned teeth and jaw relationships to achieve a healthy, functional bite and a confident smile. The clinic provides personalised plans using both removable plates and fixed braces to guide tooth movement safely and effectively.
Orthodontic care begins with examination of the oral cavity and diagnostic impressions to plan the most appropriate treatment approach.
• Procedures available within 2 month time
• Riga is the perfect place to relax and recover
• Hassle-free offers for peace of mind
• A little holiday on the side - explore Riga’s beautiful Old Town, relax by the sandy seaside and enjoy delicious food from Michelin's list of recommended restaurants!
Book a free specialist consultation and get answers to your questions!
Depending on individual needs, treatment may involve preparing the mouth, correcting existing dental issues, and creating space for proper alignment. Once ready, braces are applied, and regular follow-up visits are scheduled to adjust the wires and monitor progress.
Different types of braces options are available:
• Metal braces – durable and reliable, with colourful elastic bands to personalise your look.
• Aesthetic braces – made from ceramic or transparent materials for a more discreet appearance, often preferred by adults.
After active treatment, a retention phase helps stabilise teeth in their new positions. This typically involves wearing a retainer for a period recommended by your orthodontist to maintain long-term results.
During the procedure, a whitening gel is applied to the teeth and activated using LED light from a Fläsh whitening lamp. The activation cycle is typically repeated two to three times within one session 60–90 minutes. The method is gentle, performed without UV radiation, and associated with a minimal risk of tooth and gum sensitivity.
Placing of an implant: from €800 Placing of a crown (porcelain, cermet, zirconia, coated or uncoated): from €700
Fläsh teeth whitening + full oral hygiene for a package price of € 406
Book a service or consultation. Share your needs with us, and we’ll connect you with the most suitable clinic for your situation.
info@healthtravellatvia.lv
Discover the full range of services and opportunities at www.healthtravellatvia.lv
“There was nowhere left to run”
Little Ivana’s escape… and how a lifeline from Ireland is reaching Lebanon’s wounded children.
The morning the missile struck, Fatima was preparing breakfast.
Her daughters were playing on the balcony. Her car already packed, just in case they needed to evacuate.
This is the kind of fragile normality families in southern Lebanon live with every day.
But this time, there was no warning. There could be no planned escape.
In an instant, Fatima and her daughters were fighting to survive.
“The house was burning. I was burning. There was nowhere left to run,” she recalls. The bomb blast tore through the building, swallowing her home in smoke and flame.
Instinct took over. She ran to the balcony, grabbed her daughters — seven year old Rafah and two year old Ivana, and did the only thing she could.
“I threw the first one, then the second, and then I threw myself.”
Her daughters survived the fall. Rafah spent 20 days in hospital. But little Ivana, suffering from severe burns now lies in a hospital bed. Her limbs and face wrapped in bandages, having had to undergo skin graft surgery.
When Fatima touches her; she feels her daughter tense with pain.
“I’m exhausted, broken, and my heart aches for them,” she says.
Fatima’s story is just one among thousands in Lebanon.
UNICEF is delivering medical supplies where it’s needed most
Since the escalation of the conflict on 2nd March, 177 children have been killed and 704 injured in Lebanon. Behind each number is a child like Ivana — wounded, frightened, and suddenly dependent on a health system pushed far beyond its limits.
Lebanon’s hospitals and clinics are dealing with a surge in burn injuries, shrapnel wounds, fractures, respiratory complications and psychological trauma.
UNICEF is central to the medical response in supporting the Ministry of Health and has delivered over 140 tons of essential medications and medical supplies to primary healthcare centres and hospitals.
Our lifesaving organisation has supported the admission of 184 newborns and children to ICUs across 11 governmental hospitals. It has delivered vital equipment, including incubators to neonatal and paediatric intensive care units as well as pain killers, bandages and medical supplies. UNICEF has also helped set up mobile health centres for families who are displaced and convoys of aid is delivering vital supplies into dangerous areas where the risk of deadly attacks remains..
Our teams are treating outbreaks of scabies and lice in overcrowded shelters. They’re also protecting children from
Ivana sits quiely on her mother's lap despite the pain from the raw burn wounds.
preventable diseases like measles and polio, and have already vaccinated nearly 20,000 children.
A lifeline for Lebanon’s wounded children
At the heart of UNICEF’s medical response is the Assistance and Care for War Wounded and Affected Children (ACWA) programme which is Lebanon’s most critical lifeline for children injured during the war.
Since 2nd March, ACWA has provided life-saving surgical interventions for 30 severely injured children, including seven critical paediatric cases. Under the programme children will have a tailored pathway of care providing physiotherapy, disability aids as well as the mental and psychosocial supports to support their recovery beyond their surgery.
For a child like Ivana, severely burnt, traumatised and months of recovery ahead of her, access to the ACWA is the bridge between injury and survival, giving her the treatment she needs for as long as she needs it.
A lifeline from Ireland delivering for generations
Since 1948, UNICEF has worked through conflict, displacement and economic hardship to protect children and support families in Lebanon. That long standing presence has only been possible because of people who believe every child deserves protection and hope.
And among the most steadfast supporters are the people of Ireland.
Irish peacekeepers, Irish aid workers and Irish donors who have stood with Lebanon’s children for decades. That unwavering support in sending generous donations, including gifts left in Wills, has helped fund clinics, strengthen hospitals and ensure that when emergencies strike, UNICEF teams already on the ground, can respond quickly and save children’s lives.
And as Ivana begins her long recovery, UNICEF’s work will continue, just as it has for more than 75 years in Lebanon. And UNICEF is offering Irish people to continue to be that lifeline in the decades to come, by inviting you to join our Bucketful of Dreams community.
Get your Bucketful of Dreams legacy pack
UNICEF’s Bucketful of Dreams makes creating or updating your Will easier. In Ireland, many people first think about making a Will for practical reasons: to spare family difficult decisions later, to tidy loose ends, to make sure wishes are clear. UNICEF Ireland’s Bucketful of Dreams begins there, but it also offers something more meaningful.
James Elder UNICEF Spokesperson, playing with two-year-old Ivana when he visited the hospital in Beirut where she is being treated for burns.
UNICEF Ireland’s Legacy Gifts Manager. “It’s part journal, part keepsake, and invites you to consider leaving something extraordinary to help children.”
“It is a free, no pressure invitation to reflect on your life, your values and your next chapter,” says Pauline Murphy,
[Please detach form]
Get in touch with our Legacy Manager to talk in confidence about your Will.
You receive a journal where you can reflect and record what matters most to you, capture your dreams, as well as personal memories and messages. It also includes practical sections for the details families often search for later. And in your pack, you will receive a Legacy brochure and Will Planner which will be useful
when preparing to meet with your solicitor.
What to do next
To start filling your Bucketful of Dreams and receive your legacy information pack, visit unicef.ie/bucket. If you’d prefer to talk to someone, you can call Pauline Murphy, UNICEF Ireland’s Legacy Manager, on 01 878 3000 or complete and return the form below.
I would like to receive updates on how my support has helped children and information on other ways to help:
If you prefer not to be contacted by post in the future, please contact us at info@unicef.ie Visit unicef.ie/about/privacy-policy for information about UNICEF’s data management practices. Phone Email
Details you need to include a gift in your Will to UNICEF:
The Bealtaine Festival, an initiative of Age & Opportunity and Ireland’s national celebration of the arts and ageing, has returned this May with a dynamic nationwide programme. The festival which officially opened on Sunday, 3rd May at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) with its most anticipated event –The Big Bealtaine Tea Party.
The Tea Party is an intergenerational gathering blending music, storytelling, live performance and delicious food and refreshments. Curated by Bealtaine’s Citizen Curators Joe Maguire, Madge O’Callaghan, and Peter Clarke, this year’s event celebrates creativity at every age, shining a light on late-life debuts, artistic reinvention and practices sustained across decades.
Audiences can expect an afternoon of performances, with contributions from debut writer Tom Dredge, storyteller Ruth Marshall and acclaimed actor Bríd Ní Neachtain. The event also features powerful choral performances from the Bealtaine Dawn Chorus Flagship Choir, Hands in Harmony (Limerick) alongside guest choir Terenure College Community Choir, creating a shared musical experience that reflects the festival’s spirit of participation and connection.
Following this opening, Bealtaine Festival continues throughout May with a diverse schedule of visual art, film, and community engagement across Ireland.
The celebration culminates in an ambitious flagship weekend (28th–30th May) centred at Project Arts Centre as the festival’s HQ. From this hub, the celebration extends across Temple Bar’s cultural venues, including Temple Bar Gallery + Studios, the Irish Film Institute, the National Photographic Archive, and Photo Museum Ireland.
Flagship Finale Weekend Highlights: Friday, 28th May Sax, (No) Drugs & Rock ’n’ Roll! (28th May): This much anticipated event with three icons of Irish music: Mary Coughlan, Barry Devlin (Horslips), and Keith Donald (Moving Hearts). Expect
tales of professional success, life "on the road," and personal reflections on addiction and recovery.
Miriam O’Callaghan in Conversation with Susan McKay (28th May): In a reversal of her usual role, one of Ireland’s best-loved broadcasters discusses her exceptionally honest memoir, Miriam: Life, Work, Everything. She joins awardwinning journalist Susan McKay to share her philosophy on balancing a high-octane career with family life.
Retired? You Must Be Joking! (28th May):
An afternoon of lively conversation on art, ageing, visibility and the ideas that matter now, hosted by Bealtaine Ambassadors, writer and former politician Liz McManus and musician Mike Hanrahan, joined by Fiction Laureate Éilís Ní Dhuibhne and broadcaster and musician Kieran Hanrahan.
Éireann and I present: ‘This Land Bears Our Name’ (28th – 30th May): A major visual arts commission by Beulah Ezeugo and Joselle Ntumba. This immersive project explores older migrants’ relationships with Dublin through soundwalk imagery and personal archives.
Saturday, 29th May
Johnny Got a Bus Pass - Little John Nee (29th May): Iconic entertainer Little John Nee proves that ageing doesn’t mean opting out - it means showing up and playing louder where it matters. A funny, heartfelt musical memoir and a masterclass in the joys of being an "elder punk."
Paul Cleary: Up Close & Personal (29th May): The legendary frontman of The Blades, Paul Cleary, joins broadcaster and musician Tom Dunne for an evening of music and conversation. A deep dive into a
rich songbook that remains as dynamic and relevant as ever.
Sunday, 30th May
Not Dead Yet: Love, Intimacy and Dating in Later Life (30th May): Chaired by Barbara Scully, this candid discussion explores the emotional and social dimensions of romance in later life.
Featuring writer/performer Rory O’Neill (Panti Bliss), singer-songwriter Leslie Dowdall, and neuroscientist Dr. Sabina Brennan.
Bealtaine Mix and Mingle with DJ Dandelion (30th May): A relaxed social space to meet friends old and new. With atmospheric tunes from DJ Dandelion and host Muireann Ryan, it’s the perfect spot to have the craic before the festival finale.
6 O’Clock Rock with Sing Along Social (30th May - Closing Event): The festival’s grand finale! We return to the dance floor for a massive intergenerational boogie celebrating our "Lust for Life." All welcome!
Looking forward to the kick-off of Bealtaine Festival 2026, Dr Tara Byrne, Arts Programme Manager and Artistic Director of Bealtaine Festival at Age & Opportunity, said: “As we begin this year’s festival, we’re excited to welcome audiences to a month of creativity, connection and celebration across Ireland. The Big Bealtaine Tea Party is a joyful way to open the programme, bringing people together through music, storytelling and shared experience and we look forward to the energy building across the month towards our flagship finale weekend in Dublin. Bealtaine Festival continues to celebrate the richness and diversity of ageing, and the vital contribution of older artists and communities to our cultural life.”
Bealtaine Festival is an initiative of Age & Opportunity, funded by the Arts Council and the HSE. Age & Opportunity is the national organisation working to enable the best quality of life for us all as we age. To find out more about the 2026 Bealtaine Festival and to book your tickets, visit www.bealtaine.ie.
Take a guided tour at the world’s oldest intact working Lighthouse
• Open all year
• Enjoy the Cafe and Gift Shop
• Free parking and an extensive picnic area
• Free Wifi
• Relax by the Sea and look out for seals, dolphins and even whales!
Hook Lighthouse is a gem on Ireland’s Ancient East located on the tip of the Hook Peninsula in Wexford, Ireland. 051 397 055 / 051 397 054 For information & bookings call: www.hookheritage.ie
Named by ‘The Flashiest Lighthouse in the World’
Bridge
Michael O’Loughlin has enjoyed teaching bridge for over 40 years; his book, “Bridge: Basic Card Play” is available from the Contract Bridge Association of Ireland (01 4929666), price: €10.
in opener’s suit. Indeed, this is perhaps the strongest reason for opening with a five-card major.
Here are three more hand after 1♠ - 2♣ : (4) (5) (6)
Calling all Novices –Intermediates!
Bridge by Michael O’Loughlin
by Michael O’Loughlin
Bridge Calling all Novices – Intermediates!
For a suit bid twice, six cards are nice
For a suit bid twice, six cards are nice
If you bid and repeat a suit, you should strive to have 6+ cards in that suit. Avoid repeating a 5-card suit wherever possible.
If you bid and repeat a suit, you should strive to have 6+ cards in that suit. Avoid repeating a 5-card suit wherever possible.
As an example, let’s take the auction 1♠ - 2♣ - 2♠. Can you find an opening hand with just five spades that would bid that way –how about these?
You’d rebid 2♠ with (4) and (5). Because you should jump a level when repeating your suit holding 16+ points, you’d rebid 3♠ with (6).
Dealer: South None Vul
Dealer: South
As an example, let’s take the auction 1♠ - 2♣ - 2♠ Can you find an opening hand with just five spades that would bid that way – how about these?
With none of the above should you repeat spades over partner’s 2♣ response. With (1) you would introduce your second suit, rebidding 2♦ . (2) and (3) are balanced (no void, no singleton, not more than one doubleton) and should bid notrumps; with (2) you would open 1NT (12-14), with (3) you would open 1♠ and after partner responds 2♣, you’d rebid 2NT (15-16).
With none of the above should you repeat spades over partner’s 2♣ response. With (1) you would introduce your second suit, rebidding 2u. (2) and (3) are balanced (no void, no singleton, not more than one doubleton) and should bid notrumps; with (2) you would open 1NT (12-14), with (3) you would open 1♠ and after partner responds 2♣, you’d rebid 2NT (15-16).
(2)
Note that if you hold (1) above and your partner responds 2♥ to your 1♠ , with a minimum opening hand you might prefer to rebid 2♠ rather than rebid a forcing 3♦ . [Hence “six cards are nice” not “six cards are absolutely guaranteed”].
Note that if you hold (1) above and your partner responds 2♥ to your 1♠, with a minimum opening hand you might prefer to rebid 2♠ rather than rebid a forcing 3u. [Hence “six cards are nice” not “six cards are absolutely guaranteed”].
A response to 1♠ of 2♣ (and similarly 1♥ – 1♠) allows opener to introduce any second suit cheaply. Provided you are prepared to open 1NT with a five-card major, the auctions 1♠ – 2♣ – 2♠ and 1♥ – 1♠ – 2♥ guarantee six+ cards in opener’s suit. Indeed, this is perhaps the strongest reason for opening 1NT with a five-card major.
(1) Cheaper of two 4-card suits.
(2) Guaranteeing six+ cards (in this auction). (3) Knowing of the eight-card fit. Contract: 4♠ Opening Lead:♥K
On our deal West leads the ♥K (higher of touching honours), then the ♥5 to partner’s ♥A and declarer trumps/ruffs the third heart with the ♠2. Needing to pick up trumps for one loser, she sought to promote the ♠J, leading the♠3 towards the ♠J* (key play).
A response to 1♠ of 2♣ (and similarly 1♥ – 1♠ ) allows opener to introduce any second suit cheaply. Provided you are prepared to open 1NT with a fivecard major, the auctions 1♠ – 2♣ – 2♠ and 1♥ – 1♠ – 2♥ guarantee six+ cards in opener’s suit. Indeed, this is perhaps the strongest reason for opening 1NT with a five-card major.
Here are three more hand after 1♠ - 2♣ : (4) (5) (6)
Whether West rose with the ♠Q or not (she chose not), she would only score one trump trick. After ♠3, ♠7, ♠J, ♠9 was A and ♠K. Then declarer plays out her minor suit winners leaving West to score her ♠Q when she
*Note that actually starting by leading out the ♠J cannot gain, a
More tips for Intermediate players can be https://www.andrewrobson.co.uk/ andrew/tips_for_intermediates/ https://www.andrewrobson.co.uk/andrew/tips_for_intermediates
You’d rebid 2♠ with (4) and (5). Because you should jump a level when repeating your suit holding 16+ points, you’d rebid 3♠ with (6).
Dealer: South None Vul
Free bridge emails
If you wish to receive three times per week free bridge emails which include lessons, videos & quizzes, please email me: michaelolough@yahoo.com
Plans for landmark arts venue and education hub in Bantry
West Cork Music, the non-profit rural arts organisation behind the West Cork Chamber Music Festival which takes place his year from June 26th to July 5th, the West Cork Literary Festival, which takes place from July 10th to July 17th and Masters of Tradition, from August 19th to 23rd, has submitted a planning application for a landmark arts venue and education hub in the heart of Bantry.
If approved by Cork County Council, the development will create a striking destination in the harbour town for audiences seeking to experience worldclass performances across genres and disciplines including music, song, the spoken word, and theatre.
Currently local audiences must travel for over an hour to either Cork or Killarney to reach a purpose-built concert hall. Specialist facilities for music education are also out of reach for local communities, and many of the venues West Cork Music uses for its festivals, and growing concert series, are not designed to support access for all. While the organisation’s festivals, now in their
31st year, will continue to spill out across venues including Bantry House and the West Cork Islands each summer, the new facilities will create a home and hub for the organisation, enabling it to act as a year-round engine for the arts across Bantry and its hinterlands.West Cork Music’s ambitious plans include concerts and community performances, as well as lessons, workshops, and masterclasses across disciplines for musicians, writers, and performers, of all ages and abilities, from beginner to elite levels.
Designed by award-winning Dublin practice McCullough Mulvin Architects,
the concert hall and education hub, with a total floor area of 1,970 sq m, comprising of a 250-seat auditorium and dedicated education and rehearsal spaces, along with a café and public plaza. Sitting alongside Bantry Library, the venue and hub will help shape an emerging cultural quarter in the harbour town, transforming access to the arts in a rural area, as well as supporting Bantry’s vibrancy and year-round tourism appeal.
Local, Irish, and international donors have already rowed in behind the project, helping to raise close to €1 million towards its costs.
Getting started: for Absolute Beginners
Introduction to bridge: Mini-bridge
Minibridge is a simplified version of the game of bridge and is a great route into bridge.
Minibridge was first developed in France and the Netherlands as an introduction to bridge for schoolchildren but has also proven its worth as an entry point for teaching bridge to adults. It is now widely used as a precursor to learning bridge for all ages and is universally found to be both effective and enjoyable.
Playing Minibridge provides a superb environment for beginners to become comfortable with the etiquette and mechanics of bridge, before they embark upon learning the auction phase of the full game.
All forms of bridge teach us important life lessons: patience, self-control, tolerance, perseverance, working towards a goal, the need for self-improvement and objective self-criticism, how to behave as a champion and how to lose gracefully. As a partnership activity, those new to bridge develop the skills and techniques necessary to work together as a partnership in order to beat their opponents.
sit facing each other and are Partners. In MiniBridge each of the four players shuffles and deals one complete suit, one card to each players starting on their left and proceeding in a clockwise direction. Each player should end up with four cards in one suit and three cards in each of the other three suits. Each player then sorts their hand of cards and works out the strength of their hand based on the following:
Each player adds up all high-card points in their hand and announces the result. The partnership with more combined high-card points then plays the hand. If both partnerships have the same number of high-card points (i.e., 20 each), the hand is redealt. Within the partnership with more high-card points, the particular player with more high-card points becomes the declarer
Each player adds up all high-card points in their hand and announces the result. The partnership with more combined high-card points then plays the hand. If both partnerships have the same number of high-card points (i.e., 20 each), the hand is redealt. Within the partnership with more high-card points, the particular player with more high-card points becomes the declarer.
Each player adds up all high-card points in their hand and announces the result. The partnership with more combined high-card points then plays the hand. If both partnerships have the same number of high-card points (i.e., 20 each), the hand is redealt. Within the partnership with more high-card points, the particular player with more high-card points becomes the declarer
Minibridge has proved to be popular and successful in schools as card playing helps children to identify numbers, colours, similarities and sequences. By the age of six or seven, many children own or have access to a computer in the home or at school, and the first thing they will try to do is play the free card games that are available. Children love being clever and working things out – and, of course, winning. These are all possible when children learn to play Minibridge, but the game also introduces the more complex concepts of analysis, deduction, counting and probability. Minibridge also provides a stepping stone from which children can learn to play ‘full’ bridge later in their school career.
As an example, suppose North has 12 high-card points, East has 10, South has 10 and West has 8. North and South now have a majority of the points, 22 versus 18. Therefore, the North/South partnership is tasked with having to win a certain number of tricks. To determine this number, divide their total number of points by 3, ignoring any fractions. Therefore, 22 divided by 3 = 7.
As an example, suppose North has 12 high-card points, East has 10, South has 10 and West has 8. North and South now have a majority of the points, 22 versus 18. Therefore, the North/South partnership is tasked with having to win a certain number of tricks. To determine this number, divide their total number of points by 3, ignoring any fractions. Therefore, 22 divided by 3 = 7. Since North has more points than South, North becomes the Declarer. The player on the left of Declarer which in this case is East leads the first card. After East has led the first card, South (Declarer’s partner) becomes what’s called the Dummy and places all their cards face up on the table for all to see. For the duration of this hand, Declarer (North) selects which card is to be played from Dummy as well as which card is to be played from their own hand.
Since North has more points than South, North becomes the Declarer. The player on the left of Declarer which in this case is East leads the first card. After East has led the first card, South (Declarer’s partner) becomes what’s called the Dummy and places all their cards face up on the table for all to see. For the duration of this hand, Declarer (North) selects which card is to be played from Dummy as well as which card is to be played from their own hand.
As an example, suppose North has 12 high-card points, East has 10, South has 10 and West has 8. North and South now have a majority of the points, 22 versus 18. Therefore, the North/South partnership is tasked with having to win a certain number of tricks. To determine this number, divide their total number of points by 3, ignoring any fractions. Therefore, 22 divided by 3 = 7. Since North has more points than South, North becomes the Declarer. The player on the left of Declarer which in this case is East leads the first card. After East has led the first card, South (Declarer’s partner) becomes what’s called the Dummy and places all their cards face up on the table for all to see. For the duration of this hand, Declarer (North) selects which card is to be played from Dummy as well as which card is to be played from their own hand.
Minibridge is a simplified version of the game of Bridge, essentially Bridge without the bidding phase. It is an excellent way to start learning Bridge without all the complexities of bidding for a contract. Anyone familiar with trick taking card games and the concept of a trump suit, will be up and playing within minutes.
Learn MiniBridge on the NoFearBridge website for free: https://nofearbridge.co.uk/minibridge/
Bridge is a trick-taking game. This means you are trying to win as many tricks as possible. A trick is made up of four cards, one card from each of the four players, played clockwise round the table.
Four players sit at a square table. Using the points of the compass, the four players are designated as North, South, East & West. Bridge is a Partnership Game. North & South sit facing each other and are Partners. Similarly, their opponents, East & West
If you wish to receive three times per week free bridge emails which include lessons, videos & quizzes, please email me:
East would lead the King of Spades. A very good lead is what is called “the top of a sequence”, i.e., when you have three or more high cards in a row. East leads the King in order to drive out an opponent’s Ace should they have it and promote her own Queen, Jack and Ten into winners. North wins the Ace of Spades and works on her attractive Club suit: losing one Club tricks and winning four Club tricks. Add on the Spade trick already won and two Heart tricks to follow to make up her required seven tricks. She has made her required contract of seven tricks
East would lead the King of Spades. A very good lead is what is called “the top of a sequence”, i.e., when you have three or more high cards in a row. East leads the King in order to drive out an opponent’s Ace should they have it and promote her own Queen, Jack and Ten into winners. North wins the Ace of Spades and works on her attractive Club suit: losing one Club tricks and winning four Club tricks. Add on the Spade trick already won and two Heart tricks to follow to make up her required seven tricks. She has made her required contract of seven tricks
• See and speak to your partner and opponents - just like face-
• Connect with everyone at the table. Bid and play and go over the hands afterwards to learn from the post mortem. If you wish to try RealBridge for free, just email me:
just like face-to-face bridge.
• Connect with everyone at the table. Bid and play and go over the mortem.
The Legend of the Duke of Cumberland Hand
Tues 7th july
Tues 14th july
Tues 28th july
Tues 11th aug
Tues 1st sept Tues 8th sept
Bridge
hand that looked mathematically invincible to goad him into a massive, lifealtering wager.
The Legend of the Duke of Cumberland Hand
The legend of the Cumberland Hand stands as the ultimate cautionary tale from the wood-panelled rooms of the Portland Club. Dealt a 30-point hand of near-mathematical perfection, the Duke of Cumberland was baited into a staggering £20,000 wager - £2.5 million in today’s money - only to watch in horror as his opponents took every trick.
The Scene: A Night of Royal Hubris
Imagine the scene: it’s the early 19th century inside the candlelit, wood-panelled rooms of London’s most exclusive card venue, the Portland Club. The air is thick with the scent of expensive tobacco and the quiet rustle of silk.
The Duke of Cumberland (the son of King George III) was a notorious highroller with a reputation for being somewhat arrogant at the table. This made him the perfect mark for a “cold deck” swap.
The Lesson of the Portland Club
The Lesson of the Portland Club
The Portland Club in Pall Mall, London is a prestigious, historic private members' club focused on card games, widely considered the oldest card club in the world. Founded in 1814 as the Stratford Club, it became the pre-eminent authority on the rules of whist and bridge, notably creating the laws for rubber bridge.
As the story goes, the Duke of Cumderland’s opponents bet that he would not make a single trick in his hand. Confident that he was holding an invincible collection of cards he accepted the bet. He was about to be systematically dismantled without winning a single trick.
The Anatomy of a Disaster The Hand
How does a man holding nearly every high card in the deck lose everything? The Duke’s hand (holding 30 out of 40 High Card Points) was a powerhouse:
♠ A K Q
♥ A K Q J
u A K
♣ K J 9 7
The game was Whist - Whist is the direct forerunner of Bridge - and the trump suit in Whist was decided by the last card dealt. The Duke had to make the opening lead and the last card dealt was a Club, making Clubs the trump suit.
The Layout:
The Cumberland Trap Trumps: Clubs ♣ South to make the opening lead
The Trap
His opponents had “stacked” the deck so that every time the Duke led one of his massive Aces or Kings, one of his opponents had a void in that suit and was able to trump/ruff with a low trump card in order to “kill” it.
Following whist principles of the time, the Duke led the ♣7. West won with the ♣8, and after two diamond ruffs and two further club leads through the Duke, North could draw the last trump and cash the seven remaining diamonds.
The Duke was the victim of a “cold deck” (a pre-stacked deck swapped into the game). His opponents didn’t just hope he would lose; they engineered a hand that looked mathematically invincible to goad him into a massive, life-altering wager.The Duke of Cumberland (the son of King George III) was a notorious high-roller with a reputation for being somewhat arrogant at the table. This made him the perfect mark for a “cold deck” swap.
This hand became legendary at the Portland Club not just because of the money lost, but because it proved a fundamental truth about card games: Strength is relative; distribution is so important. The club’s role as the “guardian of the rules” was born from moments like this. They realised that for a game to be fair, the laws must be precise enough to protect the integrity of a wager. They did this by standardising the shuffle, the deal, and the penalties for irregularities—to make the game a test of skill to ensure that if a player lost a fortune, it was due to the luck of the cards or a failure of strategy, not a failure of the game’s framework.
This hand became legendary at the Portland Club not just because of the money lost, but because it proved a fundamental truth about card Strength is relative; distribution is so important. The club’s role as the “guardian of the rules” was born from moments like this. They realized that for a game to be fair, the laws must be precise enough to protect the integrity of a wager. They did this by standardising the shuffle, the deal, and the nalties for irregularities to make the game a test of skill to ensure that if a player lost a fortune, it was due to the luck of the cards or a failure of strategy, not a failure of the game’s framework.
The “007” Twist: Reclaiming the Hand
The “007”
Twist: Reclaiming the Hand
the Portland Club. Dealt a 30-point hand of
Over a century later, Ian Fleming—himself a frequent player at the Portland Club resurrected this “ghost” for his novel Moonraker, with James Bond playing against the villain, Drax. Bond substitutes the rigged pack when it is his turn to deal. Bond rotated the four hands to make West on lead.
Over a century later, Ian Fleming—himself a frequent player at the Portland Club—resurrected this “ghost” for his novel Moonraker, with James Bond playing against the villain, Drax. Bond substitutes the rigged pack when it is his turn to deal. Bond rotated the four hands to make West on lead.
Meyer M. Drax South West North East
While the crafty 007 only has 8 points in his hand, by finessing Drax's Club tenaces and promoting his long Diamond suit, he establishes a whopping 13 tricks!
While the crafty 007 only has 8 points in his hand, by finessing Drax's Club tenaces and promoting his long Diamond suit, he establishes a whopping 13 tricks!
West’s opening lead is the J (top of a sequence). Bond ruffs on the table and drops the K in Drax’s hand.
West’s opening lead is the J (top of a sequence). Bond ruffs the table and drops the K in Drax’s hand.
He leads a club from dummy and Drax’s nine is covered with the ten. Another diamond ruff on the table fells Drax’s ace. A further club from the table catches his jack.
He leads a club from dummy and Drax’s nine is covered with ten. Another diamond ruff on the table fells Drax’s ace. A further club from the table catches his jack.
Then the ace of clubs takes his king. As Drax surrenders this last trump, he sees for the first time what might be happening. His eyes squint anxiously at Bond, waiting fearfully for his next card. Has Bond got more diamonds? Surely Meyer must have them guarded as he led them? Drax waits, his cards now slippery with sweat. At this point in his story Fleming recalls how Morphy, the great chess player, used to never raise his eyes from the board until he knew his opponent could not escape defeat.
Now, like Morphy, Bond lifts his head and looks straight into Drax’s eyes. Then he slowly draws out the queen of diamonds and plays it on the table. Without waiting for Meyer to follow, he puts down the eight, seven, six, five, four of the suit and his two winning clubs. For more information on this hand and other bridge matters see the fascinating book:
Then the ace of clubs takes his king. As Drax surrenders this last trump, he sees for the first time what might be happening. His eyes squint anxiously at Bond, waiting fearfully for his next card. Has Bond got more diamonds? Surely Meyer must have them guarded as he led them? Drax waits, his cards now slippery with sweat. At this point in his story Fleming recalls how Morphy, great chess player, used to never raise his eyes from the board until he knew his opponent could not escape defeat.
“Tales from the Bridge Table” by John Clay, a wide-ranging and entertaining history and an especially vivid and entertaining portrait of Contact Bridge.
Now, like Morphy, Bond lifts his head and looks straight into Drax’s eyes. Then he slowly draws out the queen of diamonds and plays it on the table. Without waiting for Meyer to follow, puts down the eight, seven, six, five, four of the suit and his two winning clubs.
The Legend of the Duke of Cumberland Hand
The legend of the Cumberland Hand stands as the ultimate cautionary tale from the wood-panelled rooms of
Bond
The fascinating world of insects
Like the petals of flowers they fly, weightless on a summer breeze, to love, delight and inspire. They are butterflies, just one of the many orders of insects that enrich our lives in very many way, writes Zoe Devlin
Often, when folk think of insects, they picture a beetle, a green fly, even a blue bottle, none of them beautiful enough for an artist to commit to a canvas. But reflect on the sight of dragonflies, their wings shimmering like shining lace as they dart, zigzagging across the surface of a pond. Consider the larger, butterfly-sized moths, some in the bright colours of the rainbow, sleepily hanging onto a summer window having searched out the light the night before. Ponder on creatures such as the childhood favourites, the ladybirds or big fat fuzzy bumblebees buzzing around the flowers in hedgerows or gardens. And who can remember listening as a child to the magical meadow sound of grasshoppers and watching earwigs, hoping it wasn’t true that they’d make their way into an ear!
Insects come in all shapes and sizes but are united by one fact .. they have six legs – unlike spiders which have another two. Many of them have two pairs of wings but in some cases – beetles for instance – the upper pair have been modified over time into hardened wing cases which protect their second wings for flight. They all have bodies that are arranged into three parts – a head, a thorax and an abdomen. Those who study insects –entomologists – divide them into orders (or groups) of which Ireland has twenty-one and, of all the many different species of plants and animals that have been identified in Ireland, insects account for a whopping 60%. So far, those that have been acknowledged as individual species number eleven-thousand – and that’s just on our island – and maybe even more will be found by future generations of scientists, professional or amateur.
Insects – bugs – creepy-crawlies – whatever you like to call them, they are amazing creatures. They work away to keep themselves
alive and produce the next generation, but without them we would be in a bad way. We would have no little beings to pollinate our food plant crops, to help feed bird populations, to break down rotting foodstuffs into compost or to tunnel through soil, aerating it in the process.
Within the twenty-one groups of insects probably the one that we all love to see the most is the butterfly. Who remembers
‘Flitter flutter butterfly, Dancing in the sun, Hiding in the cabbages, Feeling full of fun’...
In Irish, the word for a butterfly is ‘Féileacán’ which appropriately translates as ‘little flying creature’. Soft, silky wings, each with a dusty covering of millions of coloured scales lift these creatures as adults, having gone through four life stages to reach adulthood. Firstly there is the tiny egg, secondly comes the caterpillar, then that transforms into the chrysalis stage from which the butterfly emerges, thrusting its way out to spread its brand new wings, ready to lift into the air.
Of the thirty-five species of butterfly in Ireland, some are more commonly seen than others. There are eight different species of white butterflies and they’re not all easy to tell apart, in fact, as kids we called them all ‘cabbage’ butterflies because they laid their eggs on the underside of those green leaves. It was when the caterpillars emerged, with a taste for coleslaw, that the leaves could be turned to lace!
Top row L-R: Red Admiral Butterfly, Comma Butterfly, Narrow-borded Bee Hawkmoth, Bottom row L-R: Elephant Hawkmoth Caterpillar, Emperor Moth,
Environment
Then there are blue butterflies, for instance the Common Blue, pretty little insects that you might see on a stroll along a coastal beach where the female lays her eggs on the yellow flowers of Bird’s-foot-trefoil. The male and female are quite different – he is the bright blue creature whereas she has more brown in her wings. In springtime, another blue butterfly that often visits our gardens, the Holly Blue lays her eggs, singly, at the base of Holly buds and in autumn she chooses Ivy for her second brood of offspring. Many butterflies only lay one egg on a single plant because if they laid two or three, the first caterpillar to hatch out would eat the other eggs. Charming.
If you think of brown as a dull colour, you might like to have second thoughts should you happen to see a Brown Hairstreak butterfly, particularly if it is feeding with its wings closed. This is quite a rare creature, mainly to be spotted in the Burren and parts of east Galway. Woodland habitat also has its favourite brown butterfly – the Speckled Wood. This is quite a common, dark-brown insect with cream-colour spots on its wings. If you can get a good look at these little beings, either with a hand lens or by taking a photo and magnifying it, you can see that their bodies are covered in downy, silky hairs that help to insulate them.
The brighter and more colourful butterflies are perhaps more familiar – for instance the Small Tortoiseshell – that’s the little lad or lass that likes to overwinter behind a curtain or on top of a cupboard. And then there’s the very handsome, Peacock butterfly. Its distinguishing features are the large, conspicuous eyespots on each of its orange-brown wings. These are meant to deter predators by making them think they are the eyes of an enemy. Possibly the largest of the species is the Red Admiral, a really gorgeous insect with black wings marked by bands of red and splashes of white.
In the last few decades, our resident butterflies have been joined by a few species from outside the country, notably the wonderfully named Painted Lady and the Comma, both looking as if they are here to stay.
Mystery of moths
As a child, I only remember moths as nuisances that ate holes in woolly jumpers but my view was entirely changed a few years ago when I watched an entomologist open a moth-trap (licensed by the NPWS) after it had been placed overnight in a small woodland. There were some real beauties, drowsy little nocturnal beings that sleep during the day.
Apart from the fact that there are far more moths than butterflies in Ireland (over 1,400 species of moths against 35 of butterflies), some are absolutely stunning. Often as big as butterflies, you might ask what is the difference… well, firstly their antennae which, in butterflies, end in club-shaped tips whereas those of moths are feathery. If you came across them side by side, at rest, you could see that butterflies close their wings together but those of moths remain open and spread. Moths are not the easiest to find as they’re awake when we are asleep but sometimes, on a summer night with a window open and the light on, they find their way in and they are totally oblivious to the fact that you are up close to them, admiring their beauty. I’ve only seen a few handfuls but each one caused an intake of breath.
There was the Transparent Burnet in the Burren, a super black and red power-dressing cousin to the Six Spot Burnet; the Humming-bee hawk-moth as it hovered across the shingle in County Wicklow, feeding on the nectar within the flowers of Kidney Vetch. Then there was the Magpie moth that slept on our bathroom window ledge and the surprise Gold Spot moth that I found among the nettles in the wild patch of our garden and the Narrow-bordered Bee hawk-moth that loved the catmint. And their caterpillars are pretty amazing too – for instance the Elephant Hawkmoth with those gorgeous false eyes, guaranteed to frighten off any would-be predator!
Peacock butterfly
Speckled Wood
Small Tortoiseshell
Brown Hairstreak
Humming-bee hawk-moth
Transparent Burnet moth
Magpie moth
Spot moth
Delightful dragon and damsel flies
Dragonflies and their close relatives, damselflies are an absolute delight when you catch sight of their colourful and delicate hovering or as they dart across water like flying jewels, shining in the sunlight. One way to tell the species apart is to look at their wings when they are at rest – dragonflies keep their wings open, straight out from their bodies, whereas damselflies fold theirs down against their narrow little bodies. Damselflies are far daintier and smaller than dragonflies, and the position of their eyes is also different. Dragonflies’ eyes meet at the top of their heads while damselflies wear their eyes either side of their heads. With just twenty-four species in Ireland, both of these groups of aquatic insects are very delicate and vulnerable to being predated upon by birds, spiders, frogs and newts. They typically spend one to two years of their lives as aquatic nymphs, needing good water quality to survive to adulthood.
Shield bugs
Deslime of grasshoppers
Another member of the insect world that I am always glad to see is a shield bug, a small creature that lives in a variety of habitats such as woodland and grassland where it feeds on the sap of plants by using its tube-like mouthparts to suck in the fluid. With seventeen species in Ireland, they are relatively large insects measuring around 7 or 12 mm from top to tail with long antennae and true to their name, their bodies are mainly shield shaped. Frequently seen creeping through long, dry grass, they can also fly. They are often be identified by the host plants they feed on, species such as the Gorse shield bug and the Hawthorn shield bug, both insects that I came across in County Wexford.
Sadly, I don’t hear grasshoppers as often as I did in my childhood, that summer sound that I took for granted a long time ago. Now I have to find a dry, country meadow in order to try to hear it again. In Ireland, there are just five species of grasshoppers and then there are smaller cousins, groundhoppers – two species –and bush crickets – five species. Stridulation is the word for the way that some of these insects communicate – grasshoppers do it by rubbing their long hind legs against their wings. Those legs are pretty powerful, equipped with very strong muscles to ensure they can jump an enormous distance, relative to their small size, up to thirty inches which is massive and for comparison, if I was to make the same leap, I would make it from one end of a football pitch to the other in just one jump!
‘Ladybird, ladybird, Fly away home
Your house is on fire and Your children are gone.’
We used to chant those words, holding a little ladybird on a finger and blowing gently, lifting it up until it opened its wings and soared away into the sky. It was usually a red and black creature, probably the 7-spot ladybird as that species is widespread across our island, usually found on herbaceous vegetation. Useful creatures, they feed on a wide variety of aphids, such as greenflies. In latter years, I have learnt that there are nineteen different species of these little creatures in Ireland, some small, such as the 22-spot ladybird, a mere 3-4mm long, which I found under the leaves of Hogweed, one of its favourite plants.
100 native species of bees
Bees make up one of the largest orders of insects. At present we have 100 native species with 80 being solitary bees and 20 being bumblebees. Most of the bumblebees are easy enough to identify, especially in early spring when queens emerge from their winter burrows to seek nectar and pollen. The study of bees is a fascinating project and in order to get help on identifying these insects, and many others, there are several excellent swatches available from the National Biodiversity Data Centre such as Bees, Dragonflies & Damselflies, Ladybirds, Butterflies and Bumblebees.
Further reading: Insects of Ireland by Stephen McCormack & Eugenie Regan. The Irish Butterfly Book by J.M.Harding –Email: jesmondmharding&gmail.com
Banded Demoiselle Emerald Damselfly
Gorse Shield Bug
Orange Ladybird
Grasshopper
Hawthorn Shield Bug
Yellow Ladybird
Médecins Sans Frontières/ Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is
What does your local park have to do with
Artificial Intelligence this summer?
You’ve probably heard the phrase “Artificial Intelligence” mentioned on the news, in conversation or perhaps from a family member. But what actually is it, and what role does it play in your life?
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
At its simplest, AI is when computers are taught to do things that normally need a human brain: like recognising a face or a flower in a photo, understanding spoken language or identifying a bird from its song. To do these tasks, computers need huge amounts of information to learn from. That information is called data. Data can be words, photographs, sounds or even locations.
Think about the last time you were in your local park and you spotted a flower that you liked, but didn’t recognise. Imagine there was a phone app you could use to identify that flower by simply pointing your camera at it.
There are already apps that can do this. When you take a photo of a blue flower with the app, AI compares this to a library of images containing thousands of flowers. Using image recognition, AI searches for patterns (like the colour and shape of the petals), to match your flower to similar ones in the library of images. Within seconds, it can tell you: “That flower is most likely a bluebell”.
Staying Safe and Secure Online
While online tools like these can be handy, it is important to know that most apps collect some information about you when you use them. For example, if you share a photo of a rose, the app might also note your location to understand where that flower is growing.
At Age-Friendly AI events, we discuss simple ways to keep your information safe. A great tip is to check who runs the app you are using. Remember, if an app is free, it’s always worth thinking about: what does the provider get in return for their service? Being informed is the best way to use technology with peace of mind.
Join the Conversation
Age-Friendly AI is a national initiative dedicated to making technology accessible and relevant for older adults across Ireland.
If you are curious about how AI impacts your world, there are several ways to get involved:
Local Training Workshops: Keep an eye at your local library for upcoming in-person training sessions. Visit: https://agefriendlyai.ie/events/
Online Information Session: Join our first online Information Session on June 17, from 11:45 am to 1:00 pm. This session is an opportunity to meet the Age-Friendly AI team and familiarise yourself with the Age-Friendly AI training material. Register via the AgeFriendly AI website: https://agefriendlyai.ie/.
· Stay Informed: Stay up to date with our upcoming training workshops by signing up for the monthly Age-Friendly AI newsletter via our website: https://agefriendlyai.ie/.
Dublin Dossier
Pat Keenan reports on happenings in and around the capital
The Irish woman who might have prevented World War II
It is now over a hundred years since Dalkey born Violet Gibson made her attempt to assassinate Italian dictator Benito Mussolini as he walked surrounded by crowds of admirers in the Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome on April 7, 1926
Almost beside him, from under her vail, she produced a pistol and shot him at point-blank range. Mussolini had just turned his head, the bullet nicked his nose. On her second attempt, the gun jammed. Police immediately took her into custody and Mussolini was taken to hospital and later reappeared with a bandaged nose.
At this time, before the war, Mussolini was seen in a better light. In Britain, King George V of England awarded him with the Order of the Bath. Here the President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State, W.T. Cosgrave, wrote to congratulate him on his survival. Her father Edward Gibson, Lord Chancellor of Ireland, was a close friend of British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli intervened for her release from prison by Mussolini and her deportation back to Britain where she'd spend the rest of her life in St Andrew’s mental asylum in Northampton. Gibson said her assassination attempt was "for the glory of God." Which some take to mean
she might have had another victim in mind. Her friend, the novelist Enid Dinnis surmised that she may have gone to Rome to kill Pope Pius XI but failed an audience. The year before she had attempted suicide - on that occasion the bullet is said to have bounced off her ribs.
Violet led a sad life and events spiralled out of her control, Constance. Her sister talked of the death of Victor, their brother “found dead, whether by his own hand or that of somebody else, has never been cleared up". Violet became a Roman Catholic convert, attracted to aspects of Catholicism, self-mortification –flagellation and fasting, wearing Hairshirts. She was a troubled woman, despite an early life of privilege at the family home at 12 Merrion Square.
Violet was the second youngest of eight children, the daughter of wealthy Dublin solicitor and politician Edward Gibson, who became Baron Ashbourne, after he became Lord Chancellor of Ireland, the country’s highest legal office. He was a member of the Kildare Street Club, Dublin. He died in England and was cremated at London's Golders Green Cemetery. Later his ashes were returned to Mount Jerome Cemetery in Harold's Cross. Violet attended the funeral service at Mount Jerome, Dublin. If Violet Gibson had succeeded in assassinating Mussolini, World War II might have been prevented Italy aligning with Nazi Germany and a fragmentation of Europe's Fascist movement, even sow doubts for Adolf or perhaps, no World War II ! - now there's a thought.
A plaque honouring Violet Gibson, the Dublin woman who attempted to assassinate Italian Fascist leader Benito Mussolini was erected by Dublin City Council at 12 Merrion Square.
The plaque commemorating Violet Gibson outside her home at 12 Merrion Square, Dublin
Mussolini with his nose wound after Violet Gibson’s assassination attempt
Violet Gibson who almost killed Mussolini
There was a time they brought shame and disgrace to their families
Along with the rest of the country Dublin has changed since independence. Old laws and traditions are changing with time. We live in more lenient and forgiving times.
So looking back on our recent past and further to the Dublin of the nineteen century, then firmly part of Britain and its establishments, to a time when Dublin was seen by many as the second city of the British Empire. In a previous issue, we discussed those times, prompted by the release in 2025 of the Netflix series 'House of Guinness.'
We discussed Arthur Edward Guinness, 1st Baron Ardilaun, who ran a fledgling brewery and also managed to combine that with being the British Conservative Member of Parliament for Dublin in the House of Commons in London. Dubliners who spanned those years often experienced family divisions involving status, religious beliefs and judgements. Let's look at two Dubliners who went through these changing times.
Oscar Wilde born to Anglo-Irish parents in Dublin in 1854, and later won scholarships to Trinity College and to Oxford’s Magdalen College. Oscar
Wilde acknowledged that his parents had bequeathed to him “a name they had made noble and honoured, in literature, art, archaeology and science", but added that he had "disgraced that name eternally.” He married Constance Lloyd, had two sons, but later began his same-sex relationships, one in particular with a 16 year old, ‘Bosie', Lord Alfred Douglas, the son of the Marquess of Queensberry, who publicly accused Wilde of homosexuality – then a very serious charge.
Unwisely, Wilde took a lawsuit against Queensberry who, basically bankrupted Wilde because he became liable for Queensberry’s legal expenses.
A warrant was issued for Wilde's arrest and trial. When the jury, failed to reach a verdict, a retrial was initiated with a less lenient judge, Wilde was found guilty and received the maximum sentencetwo years with hard labour. The judge described his punishment: “as totally inadequate” given the "seriousness of his crime”. The damage to Wilde’s reputation would last for life.
Wilde was imprisoned at Pentonville before being moved to Wandsworth and
later to Reading Gaol in in Berkshire, a place itself immortalize by Wilde in his poem 'The Ballad of Reading Gaol'.
Reading Gaol closed in 2021. Wilde was able to write in prison, although he was forbidden to write poetry or prose - fortunately letter-writing was allowed -and no matter how long. Wilde wrote a 50,000 word letter to his friend and lover Lord Alfred "Bosie" Douglas, which became known as De Profundis - a letter from the depths.
Before she died Wilde’s mother Jane's request to visit her son in prison was refused.
From bringing shame and disgrace to his father’s house on Merrion Square... that house today is proudly named Oscar Wilde House, while a sculpture in his honour lies across the road in Merrion Square Park.
In 2017, after the passing of the Turing Law – named after the gay codebreaker and computer pioneer Alan Turing –Wilde was among more than 50,000 men pardoned for crimes of homosexuality that no longer exists.
The statue of Oscar Wilde in Merrion Square Park and Alan Turing. In 2017, after the passing of the Turing Law – named after the gay codebreaker and computer pioneer Alan Turing – Wilde was among more than 50,000 men pardoned for crimes of homosexuality that no longer exists.
Dublin chef unveils fresh menu at Portmarnock resort
A new chapter in dining has begun at Portmarnock Resort & Jameson Golf Links, the former ancestral home of the Jameson whiskey family, under the leadership Executive Head Chef Peter Limbeck.
A highly acclaimed figure on the Dublin food scene, Peter brings with him two decades of experience at award-winning venues such as O’Connells and the 5* Radisson Blu St. Helen’s Hotel, where he held the position of Executive Head Chef for eight years.
Having joined Portmarnock in June 2025, Peter has spent months planning and refining new menus for the resort’s guests, with a particular focus on The Seaview restaurant. The Seaview has spectacular views of the Irish Sea through huge, panoramic windows, with the resort located on the famous Velvet Strand, a 5km stretch of golden sands less than 30 minutes outside Dublin.
The new menus with all dining options open to both residents and non-residents. From fish caught on the doorstep to locally-grown farm-fresh vegetables, the dishes are inspired by the hotel’s spectacular location. Signature dishes at The Seaview will include Miso-Glazed Grilled Octopus Tentacle, Black Pudding & Scallops, and Risotto Nero.
Whilst the focus is on seafood, there are also wider options available, including meat and vegetarian options. Prices for main courses range from €24 to €48. The resort celebrates its 30th birthday this year, with The Seaview having first opened its doors in 1996. The restaurant underwent an extensive refurbishment in 2024, extending from 50 to 70 seats, and creating booths for a more modern brasserie feel. Higher seating also allows guests away from the windows to take in
the picturesque views of the spectacular coastline.
A reimagined afternoon tea menu is also available in The Seaview, and experienced pastry chef Alberto Borguna has worked alongside Peter to help create magnificent desserts and pastries for the hotel.
Peter has also redesigned the menu at the hotel’s Jameson Bar, which offers a more casual dining experience. New items available include Cote de Boeuf, Prawn Pil Pil and Caprese-Stuffed Avocado, alongside popular favourites such as the Jameson House Burger. The bar is located within the original Jameson House, which belonged to the famous whiskey dynasty, and dates back to 1847.
Peter Limbeck commented: “I joined the team at Portmarnock because I wanted a new challenge, and the opportunity to create a new and exciting food destination. So I took my time looking at all aspects of the food offering – from restaurants to room service and private dining. I’m often inspired by trends in the industry but also by the local community. Ireland has fantastic seafood and fresh produce,
and how can I not be inspired by the magnificent location of Portmarnock Resort? I cannot wait for people to come along and try it out, and for the opportunity to get to know more of our local neighbours.”
Sergiu Healy is the General Manager of Food and Beverage at Portmarnock Resort. He said: “It’s been fantastic having Peter join the team, bringing more than two decades of expertise. He has revitalised our offering and we’re so excited for people to come and experience it for themselves. Portmarnock Resort offers a range of dining options, as well as lots of places to enjoy a drink and watch the world go by, or catch up with friends. The service and the food may feel luxury, but we pride ourselves on offering affordable options, a relaxed environment and something for all tastes.”
Portmarnock Resort & Jameson Golf Links offer a wide variety of dining and drinking options including the traditional An Sibin Pub, The Seaview, The 1780 Restaurant and the Jameson Bar.
For more information, visit https://www.portmarnock.com/
Executive Head Chef Peter Limbeck and his Portmarnock team.
Trading Down Your Home:
How Bridging Finance Is Opening New Doors for Older Homeowners
For many people in later life, the family home can become too large, too costly, or simply no longer suitable. The idea of “trading down” to a smaller, more manageable property is appealing but until recently, it hasn’t always been easy.
A key obstacle has been timing: how do you buy your new home before selling your current one?
That’s where bridging finance comes in and thanks to recent rule changes in Ireland, it may now be far more accessible than ever before.
What Is Bridging Finance?
Bridging finance is a short-term loan that allows you to purchase a new property before your existing home is sold. In simple terms, it “bridges the gap” between two transactions.
• You buy your new home now
• You sell your current home later
• The sale proceeds repay the bridging loan
This type of finance is typically secured against both properties and is designed to provide flexibility during a transitional period.
Why Has Trading Down Been Difficult?
Historically, many older homeowners struggled to access bridging finance, even if they had substantial equity in their homes.
The main barrier was the Central Bank’s loan-to-income (LTI) rule, which limits how much you can borrow based on your income.
This created a problem:
• Many retirees have lower incomes
• But they may have significant wealth tied up in property
As a result, even financially secure homeowners could be declined for bridging finance.
What Has Changed in 2026?
In April 2026, the Central Bank introduced a targeted and important change: Certain bridging loans are now exempt from loan-to-income limits This means lenders can focus less on income and more on:
• The value of your current home
• The value of the new property
• Your overall financial position
Tánaiste, Simon Harris, welcomed the move, highlighting that it would help address the needs of homeowners who are “asset-rich but income-constrained” and support those looking to downsize later in life.
It marks a significant step toward making the housing market more accessible and flexible for older homeowners.
How Does It Work in Practice?
Let’s take a typical example:
• You own a home worth €600,000
• You want to move to a smaller property costing €400,000
• Your current home hasn’t sold yet
A bridging loan allows you to
• Purchase the new property immediately
• Move without stress or delay
• Repay the loan once your original home is sold
Both properties are usually used as security during this period.
Client Case Study: Making the Move with Confidence
Mary and John, a couple in their early 70s, had lived in their family home in South Dublin for over 30 years.While they loved the area, the house had become too large to manage, and they wanted to move closer to amenities and reduce ongoing upkeep.
They identified a suitable apartment,but faced a familiar challenge:
• Their existing home had not yet been sold
• They did not want to risk losing the new property
• Their retirement income made traditional lending difficult
With guidance from Ulysses Financial, a bridging finance strategy was put in place.
This allowed them to:
• Secure their new home without delay
• Move on their own timeline
• Avoid the pressure of rushing a sale
Once their original property was sold, the bridging loan was repaid, and they transitioned smoothly into their new home.
For Mary and John, the key wasn’t just the loan,it was having the right structure and expert guidance from the outset.
Key Benefits for Older Homeowners
1. Removes the “Chain” Stress
You no longer need to sell first before buying,reducing pressure and uncertainty.
2. Greater Flexibility
You can take your time selling your existing home, rather than accepting a lower offer.
3. More Realistic Downsizing Options
Previously, many people couldn’t move simply because they couldn’t access finance. That barrier is now easing.
4. Helps the Wider Housing Market
Encouraging downsizing can free up larger homes for younger families, improving overall housing supply.
Important Considerations
Bridging finance is a powerful tool, but it must be structured correctly.
You need a clear and realistic strategy for selling your existing home
The timing of both transactions must be carefully planned
The loan structure should align with your overall financial goals and retirement plans
This is where expert advice becomes essential.
A Market That Is Finally Adapting
Bridging loans largely disappeared after the financial crisis but have been steadily returning.
With these new rule changes, lenders are expected to expand offerings and more homeowners may finally be able to make the move they’ve been considering for years.
Final Thoughts – And What to Do Next
For many older homeowners, the decision to move isn’t just financial, it’s about lifestyle, comfort, and future planning.
The latest changes to mortgage rules represent a meaningful shift:
• Recognising that income alone doesn’t define affordability
• Unlocking the value tied up in property
• Making downsizing a realistic option
But the difference between a smooth transition and a stressful one often comes down to having the right advice early.
Speak to an Expert Before You Make a Move, before taking any steps it is essential to get tailored advice.
A specialist advisor can:
• Assess whether bridging finance is suitable for you
• Structure the loan correctly based on your circumstances
• Help you avoid unnecessary risk or delays
• Ensure your move is aligned with your long-term financial plan
At Ulysses Financial, our experts work closely with clients across Ireland who are considering trading down.
We take the time to understand your full financial picture and guide you through
every step from initial strategy to final completion.
If you are thinking about downsizing, now is the time to explore your options. A simple conversation could give you the clarity and confidence you need to move forward. Call us today on 01 564 58 44, or e mail info@ulyssesfinancial.ie
www.ulyssesfinancial.ie.
Adam O’Rourke QFA , Ulysses Financial Services LTD
Lensman at large
Major show of celebrated photographer John Minihan at The National Gallery
Samuel Beckett. John Minihan took numerous portraits of the great man, but this was said to be his favourite
This spring, the National Gallery of Ireland presents Visual Poetry: The Photography of John Minihan. A new exhibition that will give visitors an insight into the extensive career of the Irish photographer John Minihan, which spans over sixty years.
The works on display will explore Minihan’s experience of working as press photographer for the Daily Mail from the age of 16, leading to his introduction to Samuel Beckett, a relationship that blossomed in the mid-1980s, to his eventual relinquishment of media assignments in favour of more personal projects.
Early success came to Minihan during his time as an apprentice photographer with the Daily Mail in the early 1960s. Within just a few months of being appointed to the newspaper’s darkroom, he was awarded best photograph in the Evening Standard’s photography competition for his photograph of the Whispering Gallery in St. Paul’s Cathedral. This was the first of his pictures to be published, instilling in the young artist an ambition to create images worthy of distribution. He began his
‘Whispering
press career by photographing major bands and musicians of the time including The Rolling Stones, The Who and Rory Gallagher, and would eventually seek out significant personalities in the public eye throughout the 1970s and 1980s such as Francis Bacon, Andy Warhol, and perhaps most importantly for Minihan, Samuel Beckett.
The
Gallery’ at St Paul’s Cathedral, London
John Minihan at the exhibition opening
Placing 7th
The Little Museum of Dublin has just broken into the top ten attractions in Europe. The announcement by TripAdvisor, the bible for travellers worldwide, sees the Little Museum of Dublin at number 7 in Europe and number 12 in the world in their 2026 Travellers’ Choice Awards.
This latest achievement puts the handmade attraction in some remarkable company ahead of internationally renowned landmarks such as the Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Van Gogh Museum. It’s the first time that an Irish attraction has featured so prominently in the ‘Best of the Best’ awards, which are given to the top 1% of attractions in the world.
Speaking on the achievement, Dr. Daryl Hendley Rooney, Deputy Curator of the Little Museum of Dublin, said today “This is an extraordinary achievement. It speaks to the generosity of Irish people, who helped to build our collection, and the support of our patrons in Failte Ireland, Dublin City Council and the Department of Culture. Most of all, this
who are simply brilliant ambassadors for our country.”
Located in the heart of Dublin on St Stephen’s Green, the Little Museum of Dublin is a city museum with a collection created through public donation. The museum’s collection is entirely curated
from objects donated by the people of Ireland. Each artefact tells a story, creating a rich and personal narrative of Dublin life across generations. Visitors can explore carefully designed exhibitions that highlight defining moments in Irish history, from everyday life to pivotal national events, including the Easter Rising.
Competition results from last issue
CROSSWORD
Three copies of DánfhocailIrish epigrams in verse
Tom Shortall, Ashbourne, Co Meath
M O’Raffrty, Dalkey, Co Dublin
Bette Roe, Mullingar, Co Wetmeath
success reflects the talent and charm of our team,
When possible, Minihan would persuade his managers to let him travel to Ireland to document momentous events, such as the visits of Pope John Paul II in 1979 and President Ronald Reagan in 1984. Whether in Ireland on assignment or voluntarily, Minihan made a point to return to his hometown of Athy to photograph the people and places he remembered so well. As a result, he has created a broad and unrivalled visual record of Athy that he continues to develop today.
Visual Poetry: The Photography of John Minihan features works from key moments in Minihan’s career combined with work the artist has made in recent years, such as his depictions of Skellig Michael and the environs of West Cork, where he has lived for nearly three decades. This balance between Minihan’s early, perhaps best-known work, and more recent personal projects, will work to trace the evolution of his diverse career.
A thread that unites each of the works, and indeed the artist’s varied practice, is Minihan’s commitment to analogue photography, which he believes conveys the unique impression of the artist. Through the inclusion of contact sheets and test prints, viewers will see Minihan’s process and distinct vision.
One of many portraits John Minihan took of Edna O’Brien in the seventies and beyond
Francis Bacon
Minihan’s ambition to capture seemingly unremarkable moments in the lives of the people of his hometown or the luminaries he encounters is constant throughout his practice.
Visual Poetry: The Photography of John Minihan will have two rotations during the exhibition run, with each rotation made up of approximately 30 wall-based works and about 5 – 10 objects presented in display cases.
Sarah McAuliffe, Curator of Irish Art Post 1900 at the National Gallery of Ireland said: “It has been an honour to work with John Minihan, one of Ireland’s most significant photographers, and to curate this snapshot of his prolific career. For me, what is perhaps most striking about Minihan’s work is his ability to put his sitter at ease and to capture something of their soul on film. Minihan’s photographs are simultaneously poignant and joyous, prompting viewers to consider the world around them and reflect on their own lives in new ways. I am excited to be able to give visitors the opportunity to discover the lesser-known aspects of Minihan’s career, as well as his iconic representations of luminaries like Samuel Beckett and Francis Bacon.”
Dr Caroline Campbell, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, said: “’Visual Poetry: The Photography of John Minihan’ is a thoughtful and intimate exhibition that reveals the enduring power of one of Ireland’s strongest photographic voices. Through two rotations of his work, visitors will trace Minihan’s varied career, a career that has helped to shape a vision of society in Ireland and abroad over the last sixty years and that continues to impact those working with the medium of photography today. We are delighted to share this first retrospective of the artist’s work ever held in Dublin to all who visit the National Gallery of Ireland.”
The Gallery would like to thank the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport for its ongoing support.
Exhibition details:
Visual Poetry: The Photography of John Minihan
Sir Hugh Lane Room (Room 31), National Gallery of Ireland 14 March – 11 October 2026
Free admission
Poet John Montague pictured in Nice, France, July 2016
John Minihan with his daughter Siobhan and his son Bosco
After the Burial of Mrs. Katy Tyrell, Athy, Kildare, 1977
Brontës: Creative Writing Love and Honour
A recent celebration of Charlotte Brontë’s Banagher connection provided a delightful and enriching interlude. In essence, food for mind, body and spirit. Held in April annually, the month of Charlotte’s birthday, it’s a timely reminder how she came as a young bride to the Midlands town of Banagher on the River Shannon in 1854. Her new husband was Arthur Bell Nicholls, her father’s curate in Haworth Parsonage, Yorkshire.
One of the greatest novelists in English Literature, Charlotte’s nuptial bliss was short-lived. Nine months later at the age of 38 she died, more than likely from tuberculosis. Often overlooked by biographers, yet explored in Michael O’Dowd’s scholarly overview entitled Charlotte Brontë: A Medical Casebook, is the fact that until the 1960s milk was not pasteurized and was, as a consequence, a potent source of TB/Consumption from infected cattle. Michael maintains that no verifiable evidence exists that
Charlotte was pregnant at the time of her death. ‘She died from TB/Consumption as written on her death certificate, diagnosed by her two doctors. In women, TB/Consumption resulted in loss of menstrual cycle due to infection of reproductive organs, along with the extreme weight loss in sufferers from TB.’ As well as possessing considerable
medical knowledge, Michael conducted some of his extensive research at the Haworth Parsonage Library. Despite his medically supported findings, persistence remains concerning the claim that Charlotte died in pregnancy.
Subsequently, after Charlotte’s death, Arthur returned to Banagher (having spent his early years there under the tutelage of his uncle Alan Bell at the Royal School) and married his cousin Mary Anna Bell. Arthur lived on in Banagher for many years after his second (happy) marriage. He is buried in St Paul’s Church of Ireland, situated a stone’s throw from Hill House where Charlotte visited on her honeymoon (now Charlotte’s Way, a welcoming guesthouse). Arthur is remembered also by The Banagher Brontë Group (BBG). A wreath laying ceremony takes place at Arthur’s graveside each December, marking the month of his death (1906). Fast forward to 2026 and one of the most exquisite musical interludes I’ve yet to
Eileen Casey reports on a musical tribute by Michael and Christine O’Dowd
A colourised image of Anne by Charlotte and 'Charlotte Bronte, a Medical Casebook' by Dr Michael O’Dowd
The celebrated image of the sisters and brother Bramwell
experience. Brontës : Love and Honour compiled by Michael and Christine O’Dowd (Dowah Productions) more than lived up to the promise outlined in the gorgeous, very collectable, programme accompanying the event (funded by Creative Ireland). Relating both the joys and sorrows of the Brontë family, this tribute brings their story to life. Linking dialogue creates ambience and clarity.
Using a screen to show images such as the Brontë Birthplace (Market Street, Thornton, Yorkshire), photographs of Queen Camilla’s visit to the Birthplace in 2025, showcases the legacy of a unique family, creatively talented yet tinged with the melancholy of illness and early death. As each painterly image unfolded, accompanying music and lyrics authentically charts what can only be described as a cultural phenomenon. ‘Maria’s Lullaby’ strikes a tender note, paying homage to the matriarch of a family where initially there were six children. ‘Patrick’s Blessing,’ honours the Irish born Patiarch. Daughters Maria (named for her mother) and Elizabeth passed away in 1825. Songbook, through masterful artistry both in lyric and music, reveal artists working at the height of their powers. So, let’s meet them!
Michael and Christine O’Dowd, share an artistic partnership but are first and foremost a happily married couple. Christine (née Patterson) was part of a highly successful Donegal family folk band, working throughout the ‘60s and ‘70s. The group released five acclaimed LPs and achieved international recognition in the 1970s. Christine’s
musical nous is a crucial element in the partnership. Christine arranges the music and brings the pieces to the recording studio where, together with her own gorgeously toned voice, she enlists the talents of other musician family and friends who perform them. The ‘sound’ which emerges is elegant, graceful and ultimately engaging. Michael and Christine met at a friend’s wedding and were married within six months. A whirlwind romance that’s still going strong. It’s obvious to any observer that this couple were made for each other. Both agree ‘music is, and was, a major part of our lives, our mutual language, and the lexicon continues to enlarge, thankfully.’
While Christine’s journey has mostly taken her down a musical route, her (Roscommon born) husband’s is uniquely varied. Although he writes the song lyrics, his writing practice is not confined to this arena. Dr Michael O’Dowd has professional qualifications in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and holds a research Doctorate in Medicine and a PhD in Medical History. Such a background proved useful when he came to write Charlotte Brontë. A Medical Casebook published in 2025.
A previous (non-fiction) publication in 2021, Charlotte Brontë : An Irish Odyssey retraces the honeymoon of Charlotte and Arthur. Dr Michael O’Dowd holds a variety of Fellowships in medical colleges and societies all over the world, from Ireland via London to India. He has also published a number of academic papers including The History of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (1924/2001),
as primary author. But if that’s not enough, his historical medical fiction publications include the five-volume set The Scarlet Ribbon Series (2012-2021), writing as Derry O’Dowd with his journalist daughter Katy.
Clearly, here is a man who squeezes the very most out of each day. So it’s no surprise to hear he’s an early riser (6 a.m.), working steadily thereafter, with breaks. Sometime during the morning, in the words of Paul Klee, ‘he’ll take a line for a walk.’ Living in one of the most scenic parts of the country (Connemara) provides plenty of sensory relaxation. No stranger to hard work, when it comes to writing song lyrics, Michael knows the grueling nature of the drafting process…’ until a final draft is achieved.’ Then, Christine’s magic begins. ‘Her areas of expertise come into sharp focus,’ Michael explains. ‘Adding arrangements, instrumentation, additional vocals, etc. all of which meld the final product.’
The Brontë novels are legendary. Wuthering Heights (Emily, writing as Ellis Bell), Jane Eyre (Charlotte writing as Currer Bell), The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (Anne, writing as Acton bell), among others. Who hasn’t seen at least one version of Wuthering Heights? Whether in melodramatic monochrome (1943) or in vibrant technicolour (2026), the story takes romantic love by the throat that continues to have an enduring appeal. Heathcliff survives the generations in terms of desirable male figure. When it comes to versions, Michael prefers the 1943 production of Jane Eyre, starring Orson Wells and Joan Fontaine.
Michael and Christine O’Dowd
It captures the essence of a woman struggling to find her identity in a male dominated world. The novels have been published in every country in the world, translated into myriad languages and of course, who could forget Kate Bush and her spectacular rendition of Wuthering Heights, a song that catapulted her to fame. Both Heathcliff and Rochester are strong, masculine, dramatic, passionate. I wondered if they speak to today’s modern man? Would the fictional and present reality have anything to say to each other were they to sit in conversation? Michael’s advice to today’s man is to ‘treat women well and with respect and equality.’ Wise words indeed. If Michael could travel back in time, could he imagine himself having tea with the Brontës? And if so, what might he say to them? ‘I would tell the siblings of their success and enduring legacy.’
Michael’s grasp of female sensitivities emerge in a forceful way through the song, ‘Emily: I am a Woman’. An introductory note to the lyrics reveals how ‘Emily was a free spirit who cherished her womanhood in an era where equality was not usual in society nor in the sphere of spirituality.’
I am a woman, child of the universe I am a woman; I have a heart to feel with I am a woman and I feel wonderful Not peaches and cream, not somebody’s dream Not a wife not a mum – Goddess to some And I live in the image of a perfect Female God (from Emily, I am a Woman)
It’s easy to see how so far ahead of her time Emily truly was. ‘Charlotte also believed strongly in equality.’ Michael is convinced that if the sisters were alive today, ‘they would be even more influential via social media outlets.
Fascination for the Brontës remains undimmed and will undoubtedly carry forward for generations to come. Michael feels that this is because ‘Patrick, Charlotte, Emily and Anne, all from the same family, were published and acclaimed authors in the early-mid 1800s – which was no mean feat. Is there a similar family now?’ Michael also cites the tragedy of their lives alongside considerable promotion, and some propaganda from 20th and 21st century authors…perhaps there’s been some rewriting of history!’ One of the songs, ‘Branwell’s Lament’ is of particular interest to this listener at any rate.
‘Branwell was lovelorn and melancholic after the ending of an illicit romance.
Days of ‘uppers and downers’ led him to pray for spiritual guidance.’ His story is a sad one. A talented painter and writer, I wondered how his talent might be measured against those of his sisters? Had matters taken a different course, might he also have achieved greatness? Michael believes he would. Branwell’s early unpublished writings ‘showed much promise. His portraits, as shown in the National Gallery and Parsonage Museum are accomplished. Perhaps he may have found fame in the art world if he survived longer.’ ‘Branwell’s Lament’ captures the helplessness this troubled soul must surely have felt as he descended deeper and deeper into melancholy.
Uppers and downers and days in between It seems that I can’t help this state that I’m in My mind is a mess, my life is no dream You know that I need help tonight. (from Branwell’s Lament)
One of my own particular favourites from Brontës: Love and Honour is ‘Forever Free’, wherein is imagined ‘the fourmasted schooner Freedom, out there in the mist, floating on a friendly sea, waiting to carry the family over to the divine otherworld, to be forever free.’
We’ve shared so much it cannot be over Hold onto love and try with me
Remember how it is when we are together Forever we will be set free
(from Forever Free)
Michael and Christine have visited The Thornton Birthplace and Haworth Parsonage on more than one occasion. Michael’s research there is a part of the
process he finds every bit as enjoyable as the creative writing component or the final edit. No doubt it provides creative sustenance being so close to the Yorkshire Moors, a setting that Charlotte and her sisters (and indeed Branwell) relished, finding peace, clean air and contentment there.
Looking to the future, what’s in store for fans of the O’Dowd work projects. In the autumn, a trip to Brussels is planned and a talk entitled ‘Charlotte Brontë : In Sickness and in Health’. This takes the shape of a review of Charlotte’s various illnesses in her final days. There will always be demand for Brontës: Love and Honour and it too will play in Brussels. Tullamore and Portlaoise will also host the programme but I can see it being welcomed with enthusiasm at festivals and literary events in years to come.
To conclude; in the words of Queen Camilla inscribed on a postcard during her visit: ‘Be more Brontë!’
The BBG continues to promote a growing awareness of their town’s rich association with this famous literary family. Committee members include James Scully, Maebh O’Regan, Nicola Daly (Charlotte’s Way), Sean O’Regan, Sean Corrigan, Donie Hogan, Frances Browner, Cora Stronge Smith. To access this glorious Songbook by Michael and Christine O’Dowd: Brontës: Love and Honour - In the YouTube search bar type Brontës: Love and Honour. Click on Video 1 Brontë Birthplace. The other videos will follow in sequence.
A rare image of Bramwell Bronte
Patrick
Maria
Western Ways
George Kegan on happenings and events on the Western Seaboard
Discovering the North Mayo Sculpture Trail
Deirbhiles Twist - stone circle made from local granite stones in form of a twist erected with 22 stepping stones leading up to it
The North Mayo Sculpture Trail (Tír Sáile) was established in 1993 and was the largest public art trail (and perhaps still is) in Ireland. It was set up to celebrate ‘Mayo 5000’ and the project set out to explore several topics including the role of art in the making of place and in the making of community. The same year the Céide Fields were opened to the public. At the start there were 14 site specific sculptures all along the North Mayo coastline. As these were all made using natural materials some have disappeared over time, either worn away or were removed. In 2018 twenty five years after Tir Sáile was launched, remedial work was carried out at some locations and new signage installed. So there are still a large number of sites very much worth seeking out. The trail was originally set up to form linkages between the Moy Estuary through the Barony of Erris ending at the southern tip of the Mullet Peninsula. While travelling along the trail you will encounter some beautiful and spectacular landscapes.
In 2017 Mayo County Council with Áras Inis Gluaire (Erris Arts Centre) commissioned 3 public art residency projects in Erris. The artists chosen included Gareth Kennedy, Noah Rose, Selma Makela and Joanna Hopkins. Again, some of these were not permanent installations. This particular project created an opportunity to re-visit the original trail sites with new artistic
approaches to contemporary public art practice.
A few sites worth noting along the Sculpture Trail are, Tearmann na Gaoithe, Caochain, Acknowledgement, Stratified Sheep and Deirbhle’s Twist. To reach these a form of transport is required but on arrival the visit can be enjoyed on foot.
Tearmann na Gaoithe: A sculpture on a headland jutting into the ocean. Right is Killala Bay and on the left Lacken Bay. The artist has accomplished a really site specific piece composed of sandstone slabs, which the stone in the cliffs is made of. It is a cell made up of these locally sourced slabs inside a ring of flush –laid stones. A place for meditation and sanctuary.
Caochain: This work of art, which is 100 metres long, takes its name from a nearby townland and is located in a remote area of the coast called Carrow Teigue (Cathru Thaidhg), part of the North Mayo Gaeltacht. The artist used earth and local stone in its construction.
Acknowledgement: To view this sculpture you need to visit Claggan Island, on the north eastern corner of Blacksod Bay, just 14km from Belmullet. It is made of earth and gneiss stone bisected by a narrow curved passageway, bringing you through the sculpture, into
the earth, emerging to greet the vastness of the surrounding sea.
Stratified Sheep: is located at the Ballinaboy Visitor’s Farm along the Ballycastle to Belmullet road and was established to celebrate the long tradition of sheep farming in the marshy terrain of this region. The Statified Sheep was constructed with Lacken sandstone and local granite.
Deirbhle’s Twist: This sculpture can be located on a hilltop overlooking Blacksod pier, in the townland of Fallmore (12km from Belmullet). It was constructed by raising the existing granite boulders on site, placing them in an ascending spiral. The artist took the theme from the story of Saint Deirbhle.
A good starting point for a tour would probably be at the Exhibition Site 3 km north of Ballina, on the road to Killala. This site was designed specially to facilitate the work of guest sculptors. Two hundred trees were planted as a backdrop to the exhibition space. The space was dedicated in memory of a former member of the area selection panel for the trail, Joy Reilly. The space has been designed to host outdoor large scale works for periods of up to a year.
Spirit of place
A separate project ‘Spirit of Place’ has been developing over the years and was
realised in 2002. It’s part of a large scale programme taking place worldwide. It was conceived and developed by Travis Price an architectural professor in Washington DC with the idea of working hand in hand with ecology, mythology and restoring the spirit of peace to modern design. The North Mayo part of these projects has been constructed with the help of Architectural students from the Catholic University of America, plus local crafts people.
Upcoming happenings and events
Galway, City of the Tribes
This city is really buzzing during the summer months with many events and festivals to choose between including: Bealtaine Festival 1st – 31st May. A nationwide celebration of the arrival of summer, plus arts and ageing, now in its 31st year. It is funded by the Arts Council and the HSE. Galway is set to host a brand new event ‘Fleadh na Bealtaine’ a traditional Irish music and cultural festival.
Galway Folk Festival - 3-7th June will be held at 9 venues throughout the city. Featured artists include The Divine Comedy, Richard Thompson, Damien Dempsey and Lisa O’Neill.
The city and the surrounding area offer overnight accommodation where dogs are welcome with their owners.
The Twelve Hotel Barna Village, Galway is a 4* Boutique hotel, considered to be Ireland’s most pet friendly hotel. It has a ‘Pampered Pet’ programme plus three exclusive pet suites (recommended to book well in advance).
The 4* Ardilaun Hotel in Taylor’s Hill charges just fifteen euros per night extra for a pet friendly room.
If you fancy a pint where pooch can go as well then check out the Salt House Pub, 4 Raven Terrace, known for their craft beer selection, or perhaps visit The Oslo at Upper Salthill, a coastal seaside resort 3km from the city.
On Arranmore Island off the West Coast of Donegal a Walking Festival will be held from 22nd – 24th May, with guided walks and a ‘Leave No Trace’ workshop.
In County Clare the Doolin Folk Festival is expected to take place from 12th 14th June (to be confirmed). It’s held in Hotel Doolin plus surrounding intimate spaces.
An event to note in Donegal is the Earagail Arts Festival which runs from the 11th – 25th July. Fifteen days of music, theatre, visual arts, literature, etc, etc.
Celebrating a half century at Aillwee Cave
Situated in the heart of the Burren in North Clare the Ailene Burren Experience this year is celebrating its Golden anniversary and there will be special promotions and activities taking place throughout 2026.
The Aillwee Cave has been a family run business for three generations and has welcomed some 7 million visitors since 1976. It has been sympathetically developed five times during that period. Visitors take part in an immersive round trip of 850 metres through the Aillwee mountain. At its deepest point there are 90 metres of limestone overhead.
The first event took place last month, ‘Be a Tourist in your own County’, in collaboration with Visit Clare. Next up will be two field trips hosted by the cave as part of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark Academy Weekend. It will also celebrate the contribution of Prof. David Drew researching the fields of hydrology, caving and Karst in the Burren. In the early years the cave became so popular that an award-winning cave access building was designed by Polish architects Andrezj & Danuta Wejchert which blended in with the Burren Karst landscape to house shops, toilets, catering outlets and rest areas. It was completed in 1980.
Awards galore for Burren Gold Cheese...
Five years later another creative innovation was introduced with the development of the Burren Gold Cheese factory and Farm Shop. So, for over forty years cow’s milk from the same dairy herd, grazing just 6km away, has been used to annually produce 12 tonnes of traditional farmhouse cheese, Burren Gold Gouda.
In 2008 the Birds of Prey Centre opened. It is the home to the largest collection of native and non-native raptor species along the West Coast. Visitors can admire and spend time with birds of prey, learn about the art of falconry with interactive flying displays and bespoke one to one hawk walks. For 2026 the Centre has been upgraded with six new aviaries for the raptor residents.
Speaking to Senior Times Nuala Mulqueeney the Managing Director told me that while she watches what is currently happening across the Globe, she realises that celebrating 50 years of Fáilte at Aillwee is something that is more important than ever. “Over 3 generations our families continue to welcome in excess of 7 million visitors and three thousand team members in more or less the same way during 2026 as in 1976. Yes our experiences have expanded and innovated, but our welcome is the same - friendly, full of pride and always ready to share our place and its people, adding “If you do decide to visit, Fáilte mór duit go Aillwee”.
Useful websites
www.northmayoarttrail.com
www.spiritofpeacemayo.com www.galwaytourism.ie
www.aillweeburrenexperience.ie
www.bealtaine.ie
www.thewildatlanticway.com
www.discoverireland.ie
Knock House Hotel extends a warm spring welcome
As spring unfolds across the west of Ireland, there is a renewed sense of welcome and quiet anticipation in the village of Knock. Long regarded as a place of reflection and gentle retreat, the area takes on a particular vibrancy at this time of year, as visitors return to experience both its spiritual significance and its unspoilt rural charm.
At the heart of this seasonal revival is Knock Shrine, where a new season of services, gatherings and events is now underway. For many, the reopening of the shrine’s full programme marks more than a date in the calendar — it is an opportunity to reconnect, to pause, and to find meaning in a setting that has drawn pilgrims and visitors for generations. Whether attending a service, lighting a candle, or simply
enjoying the peaceful grounds, Knock offers a uniquely restorative experience.
Just a short stroll from the shrine, Knock House Hotel provides an ideal base for those wishing to make the most of their visit. Set within beautifully maintained gardens, the hotel combines comfort, convenience and a genuine sense of Irish hospitality. Its location could not be more suitable — close enough for ease of access, yet offering a tranquil retreat away from the bustle of daily activity around the shrine. Knock House Hotel presents a particularly appealing option this spring and summer. The pace here is unhurried, the surroundings welcoming, and the atmosphere perfectly suited to both individual travellers and organised groups. Whether it is a short personal break, a reflective visit, or a group outing, the hotel caters thoughtfully to a wide range of needs.
One of the standout features this season is the fabulous newly refurbished bathrooms in all the standard bedrooms and also the hotel’s newly refurbished Courtyard Restaurant, which offers an inviting space for group dining. Bright, comfortable and tastefully designed, it provides an excellent setting for shared meals, celebrations, or simply enjoying good food in good company. For groups travelling together, don’t rush home, the
option to dine together in these beautiful surroundings adds an extra layer of ease and enjoyment to the overall experience.
Beyond the hotel and shrine, the wider Mayo landscape is coming into its own. Longer days and milder weather make it an ideal time to explore the surrounding countryside, with its rolling fields, quiet roads and fresh country air. Yet for many visitors, the true appeal of Knock lies in its simplicity — a place where one can step back, take stock, and return home feeling refreshed.
As the season begins anew, Knock House Hotel extends a warm invitation to visitors from across the country. Whether travelling alone or as part of a group, this is a destination that offers comfort, connection and a sense of calm that lingers long after the journey home.
Book your stay today, call the team on 094 93 88088 or book online www. knockhousehotel.ie
A warm welcome awaits at Knock House Hotel.
Tips on how to complain to your phone or broadband provider
All phone, mobile and broadband providers must have a Code of Practice for Complaint Handling. This explains how they must deal with complaints and support you as a customer when something goes wrong.
Your provider has to follow a complaints process
Your provider’s Code of Practice should be easy to find on the home page of their website. It should clearly explain how to contact your provider to make a complaint and the process it will follow when handling a complaint. It should also explain how long it will take to respond to you, and how you can refer a dispute to ComReg if you are not satisfied with how your complaint is handled or the response you receive.
Making a complaint
While you do not have to use any particular words to make a complaint, try to be as clear as possible that you want to complain.
Your provider must follow the steps set out in their Code of Practice for Complaint Handling. They must:
• Let you make a complaint using a freephone number, an electronic contact method such as email or an online complaint form, or by post.
• Give you a complaint acknowledgement within 2 working days and a unique complaint reference.
• Respond within 10 working days advising what has been resolved, what hasn’t been resolved, and when the remaining issues (if any) are expected to be addressed.
• Send both the complaint acknowledgment and response in a format you can keep, such as an email or a letter.
• Advise, in all cases, that a dispute can be referred to ComReg for resolution.
Get extra support if you need it
If you have a disability or another reason you need added support, tell your provider. Providers should offer accessible contact methods for complaints and inquiries and allow designating a third party for help. Staff should be trained to effectively address customer needs.
What if your provider doesn’t handle your complaint properly?
Contact ComReg’s Consumer Care team if your provider:
• Ignores or doesn’t acknowledge your complaint.
• Doesn’t issue the complaint response within 10 working days.
• Hasn’t properly considered or addressed your complaint.
ComReg will help make sure providers follow the rules and handle complaints properly.
Who is ComReg?
ComReg is the regulator for phone, mobile, broadband and the postal sector in Ireland.
Consumer Care team
Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm
Phone: 01 8049668
Email: consumerline@comreg.ie
Text: COMREG or ASKCOMREG to 51500 to receive a call or text back (standard SMS rates apply)
Post: Consumer Care team, ComReg, One Dockland Central, Guild Street, D01 E4XO
Webchat / online form: comreg.ie
Irish Sign Language: Facility available on request
Text Relay: Contact us through the Irish Text Relay Service. See more at ITRS.ie
Access Officer: access@comreg.ie
Your chance to win a 2 night stay in the CLONAKILTY PARK HOTEL
A visit to the Clonakilty Park Hotel is more than just a stay; it’s an opportunity to slow down, reconnect, and enjoy life at a more comfortable pace. Clonakilty is a welcoming base for those who value both relaxation and gentle exploration. Whether you’re planning a midweek escape with friends, a family get-together, or simply some well-earned time for yourself, every stay is designed to help you step away from the everyday and focus on what matters most.
Set in the heart of West Cork, the hotel is ideally located for discovering the charm and character of the surrounding area. Within a short drive, you’ll find a stunning selection of beaches perfect for coastal walks, as well as unique attractions such as a model railway village, a renowned local distillery, and a wide range of independent craft shops where you can browse at your leisure. Clonakilty itself is steeped in heritage, known as the home of black pudding, and visitors can enjoy a trip to the visitor centre or explore the fascinating history of the area with a visit to the Michael Collins House.
But beyond the attractions, it is the staff that are the vital cog in making a stay truly memorable. They are thoughtful, warm and genuinely care and it is them, combined with its prime location and unique facilities that make the Clonakilty Park Hotel a wonderful choice.
Guests can also take full advantage of the hotel’s leisure facilities, including a 20m swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi, steam room, and a fully equipped gym—ideal for maintaining an active lifestyle while away. For those seeking a little extra indulgence, on-site treatments provide the perfect way to unwind.
Attractive midweek packages for May and June start from just €105 per person sharing, including bed and breakfast along with a three-course evening meal—offering exceptional value for a refreshing and memorable break.
To book your stay, call 023 8836400 or visit www.clonakiltyparkhotel.ie
Your Chance to Win a 2 Night Stay
Win a two-night stay for two adults in a superior room with a private terrace at the Clonakilty Park Hotel. The package includes breakfast each morning and dinner each evening in Twist Bistro. To enter this fabulous competition all you have to do is answer the following question:
Clonakilty is considered the home of: Tapas? - Black Pudding? - Sushi ?
Emails to: info@slp.ie (putting Clonakilty in the subject bar)
Irish Artisan Gin Continues To Win
Drinks World
Mairead Robinson highlights the award winning Old Carrick Mill Distillery in Monaghan.
Over the past decade I have delighted in sampling and celebrating Irish artisan gin and have seen the industry grow and impress and win award after award. And today I am delighted to highlight Old Carrick Mill Small Batch Gin, winner of Ireland’s best Irish Gin, Ireland’s Best Irish Gin & Tonic, Silver in WSWA and Silver in the London Spirit Awards.
It is also the home of May-Loag Irish Whiskey – May-Loag; the one that stands out from the Crowd! Founded by Vincent Murphy and nestled in the heart of Monaghan at Carrickmacross, Old Carrick Mill Distillery is not just a place of production; it’s a sanctuary of tradition, quality, and community. Their proud journey began with a passion for crafting exceptional spirits, rooted in the rich history of their surroundings and the natural resources at their disposal.
wells tap into the pure mineral-rich waters filtered naturally by the local limestone, which imparts a remarkable smoothness to their whiskey. As Vincent proudly explains:- ‘This pristine water source is more than just a component; it is the lifeblood of our distillation process, ensuring that every drop of Old Carrick Mill embodies the essence of our land. Our commitment to quality starts
refined and complex.’ They are proud of their award winning gin, but indeed justly proud of their whiskey also.
‘Our distillery is also a testament to the spirit of collaboration and shared passion. We are proud to have a special connection with the B&G vineyard in Bordeaux, France. This partnership is symbolized by the 50 wine barrels gifted
Now my love live forever of dogs will
Now my love live forever of dogs will
Now my love live forever of dogs will
“What I love about dogs is that their love is unconditional. So I want my love to live forever, with a gift in my Will.
Now my love live forever of dogs will
“What I love about dogs is that their love is unconditional. So I want my love to live forever, with a gift in my Will.
“What I love about dogs is that their love is unconditional. So I want my love to live forever, with a gift in my Will.
“What I love about dogs is that their love is unconditional. So I want my love to live forever, with a gift in my Will.
When we were making our Wills, it was an easy decision to leave a gift to Dogs Trust. Now it feels really good, to know that when I’m gone I can still help dogs.”
Gifts in Wills help Dogs Trust be there for abandoned and surrendered dogs, through this dog crisis, and long into the future.
Gifts in Wills help Dogs Trust be there for abandoned and surrendered dogs, through this dog crisis, and long into the future.
Gifts in Wills help Dogs Trust be there for abandoned and surrendered dogs, through this dog crisis, and long into the future.
Will you leave a gift in your Will today?
When we were making our Wills, it was an easy decision to leave a gift to Dogs Trust. Now it feels really good, to know that when I’m gone I can still help dogs.”
When we were making our Wills, it was an easy decision to leave a gift to Dogs Trust. Now it feels really good, to know that when I’m gone I can still help dogs.”
Gifts in Wills help Dogs Trust be there for abandoned and surrendered dogs, through this dog crisis, and long into the future.
Will you leave a gift in your Will today?
Ruth, Dogs Trust Ireland Supporter
Ruth, Dogs Trust Ireland Supporter
Ruth, Dogs Trust Ireland Supporter
When we were making our Wills, it was an easy decision to leave a gift to Dogs Trust. Now it feels really good, to know that when I’m gone I can still help dogs.”
Ruth, Dogs Trust Ireland Supporter
Will you leave a gift in your Will today?
To find out more or to have a conversation about leaving a gift in your Will, call Katie on 01 879 1845 or visit DogsTrust.ie/Legacy
Will you leave a gift in your Will today?
To find out more or to have a conversation about leaving a gift in your Will, call Katie on 01 879 1845 or visit DogsTrust.ie/Legacy
To find out more or to have a conversation about leaving a gift in your Will, call Katie on 01 879 1845 or visit DogsTrust.ie/Legacy
To find out more or to have a conversation about leaving a gift in your Will, call Katie on 01 879 1845 or visit DogsTrust.ie/Legacy
to us, which now hold our whiskey as it ages to perfection. Each barrel carries the heritage of fine winemaking and adds unique character to our whiskey, allowing it to develop rich and nuanced flavours that tell a story of both regions. This cross-continental collaboration brings a touch of French elegance to our Irish spirit, enriching the tapestry of Old Carrick Mill.’
What impressed me so strongly with Old Carrig was the range of gins that they produce, with each one having a taste and character unique to them. Besides the Old Carrick Small Batch Irish Gin I already mentioned, there is a range of stunning fruit flavoured gins which are quite stunning. Each to be enjoyed with top class tonic, and Old Carrick Small Batch Irish Gin should be enjoyed served over ice with a slice of pear, one of the key botanicals, which helps lift the gin in the glass.
Next up is Mo Chara Strawberry gin , a sweet fragrant gin full of fruity notes. According to Vincent, legend has it that strawberries were gifts from the gods –sweet, juicy and bursting with love. On
the nose it is delicate and fragrant, led by fragrant red-berry flavours of fresh strawberries, and those flavours are then underpinned by the rich, earthy tones of juniper. In the Mo Chara range is the purple coloured Passion Fruit & Mango gin – perfect for a Pornstar Martini, or simply served with top range tonic. On the nose it is full of fresh and vibrant tropical fruit aromas, and the passion fruit and mango leads to a lingering finish. And so to the yellow coloured Mo Chara Multi Award Winning Pineapple Gin, best enjoyed with tonic or lemon.
It has fresh and vibrant tropical notes with a hint of zest. And finally is the pink May-Loag Irish Gin – the one that stands out from the crowd! This gin is distilled with the Dragon Fruit from East Asia – one of natures most unique plants. Distilled using the finest botanicals, line, lemon, grapefruit, lavender, pear – to name just a few! The key thing about this gin is its pink but not over sweet, best enjoyed with elderflower tonic, topped with raspberries and mint.
All these great gins are in 40CL bottles and come in at 40% alcohol.
The passion and commitment to producing world-class gin over the past decade has resulted in some wonderful award-winning successes for their small batch Irish gin at the Old Carrick Mill Distillery in Co. Monaghan.
And then there is also the Whiskey which is another great success story for this mighty distillery. This is also making its mark on the market.
To find out more about the history and passion that goes into what they do, and how you can find them, check out their website at www.oldcarrickmill.ie You can also give them a call at 042 9662688 to find out about tours of the distillery, and also about their lovely AIRB&B accommodation.
And finally there is lots happening in June that you might like to check out! And so you can take the lead from the company themselves who suggest you might ‘Join us at Old Carrick Mill, where every sip is a celebration of our heritage and a toast to the future. Welcome to a distillery where every bottle tells a story, and every visit is a step into our legacy.’
Vincent Murphy, Old Carrick Mill founder
A great event
– Dr Christine O’Kelly, DCU
So well organised and attended - Joanne O’Boyle, Pamex
So much to see and hear….. Go! You won’t regret it!
- Patricia Gordon
The lifestyle event for older people
2026 Calendar of Events
Greenhills Hotel & Conference Centre, Limerick May 12th & 13th
Radisson Blu Hotel, Sligo July 1st & 2nd
Radisson Blu Hotel, Cork September 8th & 9th
Salthill Hotel, Galway November 17th & 18th
RDS, Dublin March 11th & 12th, 2027
What people said about our Events..
Thank you Senior Times for an amazing day of learning for all of us that are struggling to believe that we are getting older - Breda Campbell
Thank you for (and congratulations on) a great event in Cork - Jan, Goldcore
A really fantastic event at the Radisson Hotel Little Island. Specially loved the cookery demonstrations. Great stands with lots of useful information and very helpful people on hand to answer any query. - Norma
A very good show! Extremely busy both days - Peter Roberts, Select Hotels
I just wanted to say a big thank you for all your help and support at the 50 Plus show, the team that attended were really busy and enjoyed the event so much.Sarah Cox, Revenue
The Cork 50 Plus Show was fantastic! - Jackie O’Brien, Diamond Coast Hotel
The Galway show was a tremendous success and we look forward to next year! - Susan Browne, Dept of Social Protection
A great event - James Hanley, Specsavers Galway
I had a great day at the Senior Times event in Salthill Hotel last Wednesday. Everything was so well organized and very informative, especially the cooking demonstrations!!
- Tom Browne
I would like to thank you for the lovely day on the 22nd of May at Salthill Hotel. It was very interesting and enjoyed the workshops - Geraldine O’Leary
Interested in reaching this market on a one to one basis? Get in touch!
A wonderful event – Aiobhe Ni, Yarn Towers Register for Free Admission at seniortimes.ie
We really appreciated all the support from you to facilitate the huge demand for the services offered and to accommodate the crowd both before and after their tests! - Adrienne O’Keefe, Mater Private Network
Dublin was a fantastic 2 days - Ciara Faherty, Westport Hotel Group
Attending the 50’s Plus Show at the RDS in Dublin, organized by S&L Promotions, was an exceptional experience - Donal, Solarcraft
What a great event the 50 Plus show in the RDS was last Thursday and Friday! - Mary Gowing – HSE
We were very happy with the Dublin event, very professional and ran smoothly - Cara, Laser Medical
Just to drop you a note to say a big thank you for the Dublin show last week, it was a brilliant success and so well organised and attended, so well done - Joanne, Pamex
Crowds at the 50 Plus Show, RDS, Dublin
Crowds at the 50 Plus Show, Cork
Poetry
Rossbeigh: An August Monday
Today was a back-strand day: wandering away from Atlantic waves crashing over the cries of small children, squealing, daring their parents to abandon the safety of sand.
A day when mischievous gusts shoved us into the shelter of our resolute dunes; and we, ambling aimless enough, but to put foot in front of foot.
A day when the warmth of the sun melted into a leeward breeze, when the breeze melted into haze, when haze melted into tide; and tide melted into the ripples of a lone curlews signal song.
A day to use both hands to hang on to your hat a silly kid's game, a giggle, to make sure your brain cells don't ooze out; and melt into muddy sand.
Absent Minds
In the rough cast of the lake heavy memories drift aimlessly, confusing doubtful fishes.
Above the lake, terns wheel, cackle and mew, scratching dry eulogies to noisy battles over oily skins.
Above the gulls, a cruising cloud admires itself, mirrored in the lake below, silently delights in the absence of memory.
Six poems by Mick McGann-Jones
After Reading Muldoon
I scramble up onto Cloud Eight dizzy, after something smacked me in the gob sent me flying off the cloud I was on.
I was next door, on moonshine and happy pills doing some funk grooving to Superstition. Can’t dance, but do do a mean moonwalk.
I didn’t mean moonwalking is anything special, it’s just some days you don’t give a shit.
When shit happens, somehow, it’s like a brick wall swinging from an eighty-foot crane slams the back of your head.
The back of my head smacked me in the gob, sometimes life hits you like that. As I regain consciousness, I try to scramble up
* Superstition: Hit-song by Stevie Wonder, 1972.
Weeding Out
I’ve taken to gardening in the rain; it suits my mood, age and station. Waterproofs may not be chic but they’ll keep you warm enough, even in March.
When it’s bucketing, of course, mowing the lawn is not an option, nor, clearly, using the electric hedge trimmer, but turning compost is soothing and weeding, done carefully,
or hedge clippers used steadily just need a modicum of extra thought; planting up is pure, if messy, delight. The neighbours chat to me slightly less than they used to,
the topic of gardening rarely seems to arise these days. Professionals regard me as eccentric, my kids, both thirty somethings, suspect mischief;
for the neighbours though, frankly, it confirms their worst fears. I’ve taken to gardening, weeding out, hopefully in the rain.
War Memorial – Canberra
The stilling voices of children reading an endless list of names; walls of startling red emblazoned, uncountable poppies pinned to frames.
Here where Anzac softly echoes through Canberra's quietest halls, the slowing of time has firmly frozen the anguish of recall.
Let’s face the burning truth in these young voices, who now, bears the pain of senseless loss? Too many battles where blood still freely rains, too many conflicts still waiting for truce; where stupid men wage stupid wars and children pay the price again.
Mirror World
Do not cross the threshold
Do not look for me
Do not enter that mirror-world
Don’t trust what you see
Do not touch the falling walls
Or speak to the spinning clouds
Don’t breathe those empty words
Or taste those hungry dreams
Do not plan a safe escape
Do not hear what you say
Don’t enter my mirror-world
Don’t trust a single day
Don’t search among the towers
Nor ask for mercy or ale
Don’t cross the buckled bridge
Nor turn the broken shadow-wheel
Chant no darling mantras
Dance only with your eyes
Do not enter your mirror-world
Do not take advice
Mick McGann-Jones, formerly an orchestral viola-player with BBC orchestras, enjoyed a colourful career in music before relocating to Kerry in 2004. Since then he has added poetry as another string to his bow. He has poems published in a considerable number of Irish Journals, and recently won the Jer Lynch Award at the Ballydonoghue Bardfest.
Golf
Dermot Gilleece on some celebrated ‘cheating’ episodes
A helping hand..
In his more serious writings on golf, PG Wodehouse made reference to the emergence of "the cloven hoof." There were cheats, apparently, even in his idyllic world. But could it happen in one of the game’s premier events, such as the Masters or the Open Championship?
Could some dastardly clever cheat, elude the pervasive television camera lens, quite apart from the prying eyes of thousands of spectators? Indications are that he could. One of the most publicised allegations about cheating on this side of the pond, concerned the Scottish professional David Robertson. During qualifying at Prince's for the 1985 British Open, he was disqualified by the Royal and Ancient for allegedly playing his ball from a wrong place.
The PGA later banned him for 20 years and fined him £20,000 allegedly for cheating. Later reinstated as an amateur, Robertson has always denied the charge. The fact is that golf has always had its cheats. Indeed many would argue that the business of massaging a score by deft use of the leather
mashie in the rough or by various other forms of foul play, is probably the great unwritten story of the game.
Hardly a year goes by without some case reaching the media about a tournament professional who has been caught bending the rules. Very often, such infringements are accepted as no more than forgivable aberrations, done more through ignorance than intent.
There have also been situations, however, when the guilty one has been made pay a huge price for his or her indiscretion. More commonly, there is also the belief that many rank-and-file club members cheat on a regular basis, through the manipulation of their handicap. This is perhaps the most insidious form of cheating in that it can be extremely difficult to prove. And when the winner is presented with a handsome prize, it is generally too late to rectify matters.
Handicap manipulation was at the heart of arguably the most celebrated story of cheating in the history of the game in
the US. And though it happened way back in the last century, the full facts of the Deepdale Scandal came to light only around the Millennium.
They were unearthed by Dave Anderson, Pulitzer Prize winning sports columnist with "The New York Times", after some typically thorough research. And as a central figure, it concerned Bill Roberts, a former member of The Orchards club in Massachusetts who, because of the scandal, became what Anderson described as "The Man Without Golf."
Deepdale, we are told, was an elegant golf club which then had a home in Great Neck, New York, before moving to nearby Manhasset after the construction of the Long Island Expressway. An indication of its status in the American golfing world was that President Dwight D Eisenhower was listed as a member.
The scandal involved two threehandicappers masquerading as duffers off 17 and 18. And not surprisingly, it had to do with money. For their annual,
high-society competition, Deepdale held an auction of players or better-ball teams, known as a Calcutta. For the year in question, the auction generated $45,000 ($400,000 at current values) of which the winning ticket was worth $16,016.90. In the event, the winning pair crushed all-comers with net rounds of 58 and 57 to coast home by a five-stroke margin and Roberts deposited three cheques totalling $3,713.99 in a Massachusetts bank as his share of the pool.
Six weeks later, their swindle was exposed by Lawrence Robinson, a golf writer with the now defunct New York Telegram and Sun, after one of the perpetrators had confessed "conscious-stricken" in a letter to the president of the golf club.
It was assumed that Roberts, a popular golfer in the area, would play in the event with fellow Orchards member, Richard Vitali, and their names were duly entered on the auction sheet as "Field R". Explaining his decision to withdraw, Vitali later said: "I didn't have any money to go to Long Island. I also knew Bill, and I knew I would probably end up paying for the while thing."
In his attempts to find a replacement, Roberts eventually came up with Charles (Bud) Helmar, a three-handicap golfer at a municipal course. Helmar, who played under Vitalli's name, always claimed that he never received any money for the win. Said Roberts: "As we walked off the first tee, my caddie said, 'I bet $100 on you.' I said, 'Why did you do that? The fellow with me in a chopper.' But my caddie said, 'I noticed your handicaps, 17 and 18.' I'd put us in for a high handicap, a seven or an eight as I remember. Somebody had put a '1' before the numbers."
Meanwhile, Vitali recalled: "The day after the tournament, Bill (Roberts) called me laughing. 'Hey,' he said, 'you won a golf tournament.' I said 'What do you mean?', to which he replied 'Well, it was too late to
change names.' I said 'Bill, who went?' And he said that he didn't even know Helmar, the fellow who went, but that he was a helluva player."
In his letter to the Deepdale club, Helmar claimed that Roberts had assured him it would be all right to play under Vitali's name and that Vitali had approved of using his 18 handicap. The letter went on: "From the time I teed off, I realised I was doing something wrong and, much to my regret, I continued playing under false pretences. "Upon arriving home, conscience stricken, I contacted Dick Vitali and learned all this was done without his knowledge and consent and that his handicap was only eight (not 18). Upon learning this, I told Dick Vitali the whole story and told him I was informing you (the club president) immediately. "During and after the tournament, I have received no money; and shall return to you immediately, any money or prizes sent to me. This is my story and all I can say is that I'm truthfully sorry I had any part in this." But his partner used a portion of the Calcutta money to buy a new, green Volkswagen convertible, one of the first models of its kind in New England, with a radio and a heater.
The fall-out was profound. Sandbaggers immediately ran for cover and the US Golf Association issued a stern warning on high-stakes club gambling with the result that USPGA Tour events such as the Bing Crosby Pro-Am, stopped holding Calcutta auctions.
Both Roberts and Helmar forfeited their amateur status, leading to an automatic ban on Roberts by his club. Helmar, who pleaded to the USGA "I didn't like it but I agreed to do it", was reinstated after four years and helped his Franconia club to victory in the 1960 New England publiclinks team title.
Roberts's father, Ray, an outstanding amateur in his own right, sent a cheque to the USGA for the amount his son had won
and they forwarded it to Deepdale. But Bill Roberts never applied for reinstatement. Settling for the life of a golfing outcast, he estimated that he subsequently played only about 90 games of golf since then _ two per year.Talking to Anderson some years later, he recalled: "Not long after the scandal, a friend of mine invited me to play at the Springfield Country Club. I had just put my tee in the ground when the pro comes running out yelling 'He's barred. He's not supposed to play in clubs that belong to the USGA.'
"My friend grabbed the pro by the shirt and said 'If he doesn't play, you're out of a job.' It was the nicest thing that ever happened to me. Somebody stood up for me. I played that day, but I never went back."
Then he tried to get a card as a PGA professional. "I needed to get three local pros to sign my application," he said. "I'd known these pros all my life but I could get only one to sign."
In 1958, Roberts drove to Toronto to try and qualify for the Canadian Amateur, which was outside the USGA's jurisdiction, but through over-anxiety, he played poorly.
While there, however, someone turned to him and said: "See that kid from Ohio over there? He's going to be the greatest golfer who ever lived." It was Jack Nicklaus.
Looking back on the ill-fated scam, he concluded: "I take 50 per cent of the blame for what happened. I feel badly, because I never gave myself a chance to be a top player." The other 50 per cent of the partnership would prefer to forget it.
When by phone years later, and asked about his memories of the scandal, Helmar blurted: "No way. I ended up in a hospital and everything. No way am I going to talk about that."
In more senses than one, it proved to be a crime that didn't pay.
Deepdale, New York, scene of the extraordinary and infamous scandal
MIND IT! With Sinead Ryan
Sinead Ryan looks back at her series of SeniorTimes, consumer related podcast series..
I’ve been speaking at the Senior Times 50+ expos for many years now on Fair Deal and Inheritance, along with a big panel of diverse and knowledgeable experts, and it’s always a super turnout of people interested in topics as diverse as retirement savings to solar panels, holidays to e-bikes.
But even with the expansion of venues (Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Sligo), it’s still the case that many people simply can’t get there in person.
So we decided to bring the experts to you, in the form of a new podcast, called Mind It!
where I ask the country’s experts for the low down on the most often asked questions and topics at our 50+ Expos. I’m delighted that we recently launched Series 2 of themes discussed in the first series and the best news is that all episodes are up online now, and are completely free, but if you like, and subscribe, you’ll be sure to be notified as they load.
Some of my favourite episodes have been:
Energy Grants: this is a complex area but one which interests many members, but it’s hard to know what grants are available for things like insulation, solar panels and heat pumps, and how to get them. Speaking to experts from the Bord Gais Energy One Stop Shop, and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, we discovered it’s quite simple, once you know who to ask!
As the host, I’m privileged to speak to people across a huge range of industries and themes, all of interest to older people as they navigate their ‘Third Age’.
Mind It! is a series of 15 – 30 minute interviews with fantastic tips and hints
The grants have recently been increased, so our Series 2 talk with the SEAI’s Brian McIntyre, is enlightening and valuable.
I really enjoyed speaking with the Retirement Planning Council’s Declan Lawlor who side-stepped the topic of pensions, to chat about the joy and freedom of retirement, and the importance of staying in touch with community, keeping up hobbies and interests and how our health and wellbeing is affected by retirement.
I had fun talking all things travel with two special guests: Paul Hackett, CEO of Click & Go – voted Ireland’s most trusted travel agent again this year, spoke about the pleasure and value in longer breaks – up to a month or more e
Thanks to Raisin Bank for their support in making Mind It!
specially when you can travel outside the busy summer months and we had a great chat about the burgeoning River Cruise market.
Andrew Yates is head of Expressway, and told me about the dozens of routes now available in Ireland where a five-star service is provided along the byways and highways of the country for surprisingly good value.
Also up on Mind It! are interviews on making an Enduring Power of Attorney, investing your money, using the State’s new low-cost scheme, buying a new car or e-car and lots more.
Like and Subscribe now – and why not suggest guests or topics you’d like us to cover next time!. You can contact us with your suggestions at info@slp.ie
To listen to any of the Mind It! Podcasts with Sinead Ryan go to www.seniortimes.ie
NEW PODCAST MIND IT! with Sinead Ryan weekly from July 4th
Clown Prince
As the celebrated actor/director Woody Allen hits 90 Aubrey Malone recounts the highs and lows of the comic’s eventful life and career
Woody Allen was ninety last November. The man who once said, “I’m not afraid of dying, I just don’t want to be there when it happens” has dodged the coffin much longer than he imagined. A notorious hypochondriac, he’s said to have a different doctor for every part of his body and to take his temperature every two hours during the day. He also said, “You’ll live to be 100 if you give up all the things that make you want to.”
His horror of death is a motif in many of his films. Another oftquoted gag is, “I don’t want to become immortal through my work. I want to become immortal by not dying.” On the plus side, he allows death is one of the few things that can be done just as easily lying down. And he says, “There are worse things than death. Have you ever spent an hour with an insurance salesman?”
Woody has been writing funny one-liners almost since childhood. He even wrote for Bob Hope. But he also has a dark side. Many comedians are said to possess this a la Pagliacci, the sad clown.
Woody’s sadness has been more in evidence since Mia Farrow accused him of molesting their children. Woody was cleared of this charge in court but it continues to haunt him, especially since the rise of the #MeToo movement. I recently read his autobiography, “Apropos of Nothing” and was disappointed to find a huge part of it devoted to this matter. At times it reads like a court document. He puts forward such a strong case for his innocence I was inclined to believe him but I haven’t read Farrow’s own autobiography. I imagine this puts a strong case forward for the prosecution.
Woody says she’s been on a revenge mission against him ever since he married their adoptive daughter, Soon-Yi. He gave Farrow much of her fame, putting her into six of his films, but their relationship became one of the most bitter in Hollywood over time. Many women who appeared in Woody’s films
over the years now side with Farrow. They say they regretted working with him. This is a pity as people should be presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
Woody brought a lot of his problems on himself. Many of his jokes verge on the “dirty old man” area. We used to laugh at gags like, “Sex is a wonderful thing between two people – if you can get between the right two people.” Now there’s an edge to them.
Woody never married Farrow. Even when they were a couple, they lived apart. He kept friendly with the woman he married in his early days in Hollywood, Harlene Rosen. They married in 1956 and divorced in 1962.
Many of his jokes revolve around divorce. He once said he tossed up between divorcing his wife or going on a holiday with her, eventually deciding upon the divorce because “A holiday would be over in two weeks whereas a divorce lasts forever.”
People like Bob Hope, who Woody incidentally loved, didn’t write their own material. Woody, as Groucho Marx acknowledged, was in a different league. His humour was intellectual.
Who from Hope’s era could have thought up a gag like, “I took a test in existentialism. I left the paper blank and got 100.” Or: “I was thrown out of college for cheating at metaphysics. I looked into the soul of the boy next to me.”
Some of his funniest jokes revolve around money: “What if everything is an illusion and nothing exists? In that case I definitely paid too much for my carpet.” Or: “Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons.”
Woody is an accomplished writer of books as well as screenplays. He’s also a voracious reader. (“I took a speedreading course and read ‘War and Peace’ in ten minutes. It’s about Russia.”) He plays down his intellectual side but it’s evident in anything he writes.
In any case, here’s wishing a happy 90th to the man who once said, “My only regret in life is that I’m not someone else.” He also said he’s bringing a change of underwear with him when he dies in case there's a hereafter.
The question of his faith has always been a rich vein for him for his material, viz., “Not only is there no God, but try getting a plumber at the weekend.” Or: “Today I looked at a beautiful sunset and thought how insignificant I am. But then I thought that yesterday too, and it rained.”
My favourite is, “If only God would give me a clear sign – like making a large deposit in my name in a Swiss bank.” A lot of his jokes revolve around insecurity, like: “I failed to make the chess team because of my height.” The fact that he looks so funny makes you laugh even before you hear what he’s going to say. He’s a ball of neuroses but has managed to alchemise them into jokes that have become famous the world over. I never met anyone that didn’t find him funny but it must be a struggle living inside that convoluted head of his.
Woody also suffers from anhedonia, which is the inability to experience pleasure. In fact “Anhedonia” was the original title of his most famous film, Annie Hall. The producers told him to change it because it was to obscure. Annie Hall is Diane Keaton’s original name. Keaton was of course his co-star in the film. He made her famous. They also had a romantic relationship. Keaton doesn’t believe any of the pedophile charges Farrow has levelled against him.
He made most of his films on a shoestring. The money dried up even further for his budgets after Farrow’s tirade against him. Despite this, he’s been making them consistently through fair weather and foul, and winning lots of awards for them too even if they don’t always become box office sensations.
After finishing a film once he said, “If it makes one more person miserable I feel I'll have done my job..” A lot of ruminations like these are tongue-in-cheek, like his pronouncement, “My idea of the ideal holiday is to lie in bed with the blinds drawn and the air conditioning on at full blast.” Is his claim that he has a “genetic dissatisfaction” with everything in life also tongue-incheek? I don’t know.
Woody got an Oscar for “Annie Hall” but didn’t bother turning up to receive it, spending the evening playing clarinet (another of his obsessions) in a bar instead. He shuns all sorts of ceremonies. His colleague Jack Rollins describes him as the shyest man he ever met. When Woody was 19 he won an award but was too embarrassed to collect it so went home instead. It would be a huge relief to him, he said, if he was informed he couldn't make another film ever again. I doubt that’s true. The pain of rejection is evident on almost every page of “Apropos of Nothing.”
One feels it’s his humour that keeps him going through all the bad times. It also helped him cope with the fear of death. “With a bit of luck,” he says, “I’ll be reincarnated as Warren Beatty's fingertips.”
Senior Times, in association with the publishers, Penniless Publications and the author Aubrey Malone, are offering three copies of Encounters, Talking to Famoud People, as the prizes in this issue’s crossword.
Aubrey Malone, a regular contributor to Senior Times, relates his encounters with a number of well known people in this fascinating book. These include Tony Curtis, Audrey Hepburn, Gay Byrne, Charlton Heston, Dickie Rock and many more. He shoots the breeze with them and tries to discover what made them tick in their chosen fields.
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Email:
Send your entry to Senior Times Crossword Competition, Senior Times, PO Box 13215, Rathmines, Dublin 6. The first four entries drawn are the winners. Deadline for receipt of entries is 10th June 2026
Crossword
Crossword
ACROSS
1 Aromatic resin burned as incense (5)
4 First day of the fifth month (3,3)
7 Theft (7)
11 Portuguese pilgrimage town (6)
17 Dublin maternity hospital (7)
18 La ___, Opera house in Milan (5)
19 Ireland’s festival held on 4 across (9)
20 Beer (3)
21 In short, test to evaluate skills or knowledge (4)
23 Seat for the rider of a horse (6)
26 Island in Bantry Bay (4)
27 Dublin born playwright of ‘The Hostage’ (5)
28 Urban area, smaller than a city (4)
32 First Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, Robert ___ (6)
33 Politician & historian, Conor Cruise ___ (1'5)
34 Capital of Bosnia & Herzegovina (8)
35 They’re at the head of the alphabet (1,1,1)
39 Do the main elite extinguish or destroy? (9)
40 Playing card with black figures (5)
42 Keep from happening, forestall (7)
44 First rate - topnotch - super (3)
45 Continent with 60% of earth’s population (4)
46 Liffey, Lee, Corrib or Slaney (5)
47 Yeltsin, Becker, Karloff or Johnson (5)
48 Magical command of Ali Baba (4,6)
53 Agile or spry (6)
54 Building for car storage (6)
56 Extol, laud or glorify (5)
57 Daughter of your mother (6)
61 Equipment for taking photographs (6)
63 A ___ army knife or a ___ roll? (5)
65 Film about Roy Keane & Mick McCarthy (6)
66 She ran against Trump, ___ Harris (6)
70 Disappointment after previous rise (10)
72 Famed for ‘Rock around the Clock’, Bill ___ (5)
73 Smooth glossy fabric of silk or rayon (5)
75 Ruminant with beard & straight horns (4)
79 Twitch especially in the face (3)
80 Large cushion used as a seat (4-3)
82 Leather with a brushed napped surface (5)
83 One who accompanies a young woman (9)
84 Seasonal Affective Disorder (1.1.1)
86 Greek hero with vulnerable heel (8)
88 Birthplace of St Francis (6)
90 Andre ___, pianist, composer & conductor (6)
93 Eternity, signet or wedding? (4)
94 Shakespeare’s famous lover (5)
95 St Columba’s abbey & island (4)
96 Bicycle made for two (6)
97 Greek cheese made from goats’ milk (4)
101 Tool with heavy blade for chopping wood (3)
102 Make the print look like this (9)
103 Munster county town found in a tennis match? (5)
105 Ardent supporter such as Luke or Mark (7)
107 Thread with glittering foil for Christmas trees (6)
108 Ground seeds of red peppers (7)
109 The monster in Loch Ness (6)
110 Black wood used for piano keys (5)
1
River that flows into Liverpool Bay (6)
2 Groove or furrow (3)
3
Coil of yarn or wool (4)
4 O Ma! look at this New Zealand bird! (3)
5
6
Affirmative found in yesterday? (3)
Lacking professional skill (10)
8 Victoria’s husband or EastEnder’s Square? (6)
9
Bird’s sharp foot (4)
10 Paris cathedral, site of fire in 2019 (5-4)
12
13
14
Help or assist - often in wrongdoing (4)
Pioneer of modern dance, ___ Duncan (7)
Bartholomew Patrick ___, AKA Bertie (5)
15 Fashion doll - male counterpart is Ken (6)
16 Infusion of leaves such as camomile (6)
22 Silvery-white, lightweight metal (9)
24 Schubert’s song in praise of the Virgin Mary (3,5)
25 Does ice occur in this ecclesiastical district? (7)
29 Aromatic herb - ingredient in pesto (5)
30 One of the seven dwarves (5)
31 So Theo can give comfort and solace (6)
36 Smart, mentally quick, apt (6)
37 French Post-impressionist painter, Paul ___ (7)
38 Piazza San Marco is in this Italian city (6)
41 Repent for eating oaten biscuits? (5)
43 First name of Hemingway and Shackleton (6)
44 Gemstone, a form of quartz (5)
49 Rose city in Jordan (5)
50 Sticky stuff (4)
51 They’re a form of private transport (5)
52 U.S. jazz pianist/bandleader, ‘Count’ ___ (5)
55 Baffled or not on dry land? (2,3)
58 Name shared by Lemass, Bean & Ó Sé (4)
59 Can an airman use this dock for yachts? (6)
60 Post-impressionist painter, Toulouse-___ (7)
62 Garret or loft (5)
64 Thin in distribution (6)
65 Kitchen utensil for straining flour (5)
67 Say sorry! (9)
68 Australia’s favourite airline (6)
69 New York City’s nickname (3,5)
71 Venomous snakes (6)
74 Caution! Sale to the highest bidder (7)
76 Monsters found in a gorse bush! (5)
77 Payment of money sent to another person (10)
78 English novelist, Georgette ___ (5)
81 Dancer such as Markova or Fonteyn (9)
85 What has the gnu done in this stronghold? (7)
87 Victory cheer (6)
89 Utterly drenched or wet through (6)
91 Anne ___ lost her head over Henry VIII (6)
92 State of free from danger and risks (6)
93 Respond to a situation or thing (5)
98 Judicious - like the Magi (4)
99 What Michelle is to Barack (4)
100 Can you or me visit this ‘Eternal City’? (4)
104
105
Internally recognised distressed signal (1.1.1.)
Feeling of admiration found in seaweed? (3)
106 Song says a tandem is ‘A bicycle made for ___' (3)
The stuff of dreams..
Mairead Robinson highlights the many benefits of a good nights’
sleep.
How often have we been told of the importance to our health of getting a good night’s sleep? The different stages in our sleep, if all have the required amount of time, will ensure our bodies and brains will reach the morning refreshed and ready to face the day.
When we don't get our correct quota, we will definitely not be able to perform as well at work, nor will we be feeling refreshed and ready to take on all that the new day has to offer.
If you have travelled long distances you will be aware of how jet lag can throw you out of kilter altogether.
Experts say that eight hours of sleep out of your twenty-four is crucial for physical repair, cognitive function and emotional regulation as it allows the body to complete 4 – 5 full sleep cycles, including deep REM sleep. It boosts memory, strengthens immunity, balances appetite hormones and reduces risks of heart disease, diabetes and mental health issues. So in a nutshell eitht hours of sleep is essential for Brain Function
and Mental Health, Physical Health and Immunity, Weight Management, Physical Repair and Emotional well-being. What many people do not also take into account is how getting eight hours of quality sleep every night is key to your beauty regime also, and will impact how you look the next day, as well as how you feel. Along with not looking your best, bags under the eyes, dark circles, bloodshot eyes etc., there are a number of other physical effects that come into focus when you have not had sufficient sleep. But the good news is that there are a number of things you can do, and indeed a number of products on the market which can help you get your beauty sleep and wake up feeling – well, Beautiful!
The great news is that there are many gorgeous products on the market these days that will help you to sleep soundly and wake up looking and feeling
not to skip this step. Find a good cleanser that suits your skin type, and remove all traces of make up. I recommend using a cream cleanser first of all on dry skin, then use damp cotton wool to remove it, together with all debris. The next step is to use a good serum – I find The Ordinary Oils among the best here, and it is important to massage the oil gently into the skin so that it makes a good base for your night time moisturiser. Once again, don’t skimp here, your skin will love you for it! And if you are using an eye cream, remember to massage it gently into the skin below the eyes in gentle sweeping outward sweeps.
And now to the great sleep time products that you might like to try if you have
Health & Beauty
not come across them already. First up I recommend a Pillow Spray. Choose one that is made up of natural essential oils blended to help calm and slow a racing
which invites sleep when you spray a little on your pillow two to three times and natural night time movement releases the fragrance while you sleep.
Having a warm bath before bed is always very helpful when it comes to settling down to a good nights sleep. And what helps even more, is using a night body balm or luxury night time body oil. Ground also produce a night body balm with geranium and jasmine which combines Vitamin E and softening Shea Butter to help nourish the skin while you sleep. Jasmine is widely known for its soothing properties while organic geranium supports the skin’s health and glow by helping skin stay conditioned. Another beautiful treatment before getting into bed is to use a luxury Night Time Body Oil and Jo Browne has just the one with oils including Lavender and Jasmine among other essential oils. It brings calm to your mind and reduces tension and anxiety.
And finally, new to the market from THIS WORKS
and pink pepper, a science-first fragrance which helps reclaim your sleep and support rest and relaxation. Own Time Eau de Parfum is built around the body’s circadian rhythm, bridging the gap between daytime alertness and bedtime calm. A truly beautiful new product to add to the many ways you can ensure your are totally ready for your beauty sleep!
Young at Heart in the Four Seasons Hotel & Leisure Club, Monaghan
A getaway should feel effortless — A chance to slow down, savour the moment, and enjoy the kind of comfort that never goes out of style. That’s exactly what awaits with the Young at Heart in Monaghan experience, a thoughtfully designed escape created exclusively for guests aged 55 and over.
Set against the gentle rhythm of the Monaghan countryside, this two-night retreat invites you to press pause and rediscover the simple pleasures done exceptionally well. Each morning begins with a wholesome full Irish breakfast — The kind that sets you up for whatever the day may bring.
And in Monaghan, there is plenty to enjoy. For the active retired, the county offers scenic walking routes, tranquil lakes, and beautiful parklands perfect for stretching the legs and breathing in the fresh country air. For those drawn to culture, Monaghan is rich in heritage and character — From historic houses and local museums to vibrant arts, music, and storytelling traditions that capture the spirit of the region. Whether your pace is energetic or easy-going, there’s an abundance of experiences waiting just beyond your door. The beauty of this experience lies in its balance. Spend your days exploring or simply unwinding, knowing you’ll return each evening to warmth, flavour, and a
to indulge, whether that means a relaxed meal or a lively evening with good food and conversation.
For those who enjoy staying active, full access to the award-winning Leisure Club ensures there’s plenty of opportunity to recharge at your own pace. Take a refreshing swim, enjoy a gentle workout, or simply relax and soak in the calm — The choice is entirely yours.
Practical touches make all the difference, too. Complimentary car parking removes any hassle from your arrival, while a flexible 48-hour cancellation policy (prior to 12 noon) provides added peace of mind when planning your escape.
surroundings, and time well spent. With packages starting from just €295 per couple, the Young at Heart in Monaghan offer proves that a memorable getaway doesn’t need to be complicated — Just carefully considered.
Because feeling young at heart is not about age — It’s about how you choose to spend your time — And in Monaghan, there’s every opportunity to make it count.
Contact the Four Seasons Hotel & Leisure Club, Monaghan, team today to arrange your perfect getaway, no matter the season… www.4seasonshotel.ie | +353 (0)47 81 888 | info@4seasonshotel.ie
Meeting Place
QUESTION AND QUERIES
If you have a question or a query regarding Meeting Place, e.g. how to post and reply to an advertisement, email your query to john@slp.ie or telephone 087 2312640
NORTH MIDLANDS GENT, 70, NS, SD. Very active, living alone with no ties. I enjoy the finer things in life such as good conversation and fine food. Like to travel in Ireland and abroad. Like gardening and most types of music and sport . WLTM a kind and caring lady for companionship and perhaps relationship..
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER O1.
CORK LADY EARLY 60s, divorced WLTM nice gent of similar age. Enoy travel and exploring new places. I enjoy lively conversation, all types of music, cinema, meeting for coffee or a social drink. I am upbeat, artistic, and looking for a new connection.
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER O2
NORTHEAST LADY DIVORCEE 65 in good health and with a zest for life. WLTM a gent who has a GSOH. I enjoy golf, walking, theatre, films, and a good book. I also enjoy eating out and nice red wines. I enjoy travel but single supplement is a pain!. So if you are the one to lift that burden, get in touch! It might be one of the perks of getting to know me, ha, ha!
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER 03
SOUTH DUBLIN PROFESSIONAL
GENT 73. Divorced, own home, car, part of a music groups. I sing and play banjo.. Interests Include earing out, theatre, cinema, bridge, reading, social dancing, travel at home and abroad, gardening. GSOH. WLTM outgoing kind lady with whom I could share some of my interests which may lead to a long-term relationship
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER O4
VIVACIOUS SOUTH DUBLIN LADY (country background).60, Kind, caring GSOH. NS, SD, practising Catholic. I like all types of music fromLeonard Cohen to Pavarotti, singing, trad sessions, live theatre and musicals and travel. WLTM a kind, gentle, well-behaved gentleman with a glass half full outlook, aged 50-70 with a view to a long-term relationship. Open to any geographical location.
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER O5 SINGLE
DUBLIN GENT MID 60s fit and healthy, GSOH. WLTM a lady like me who believes that laughter is the best medicine. Have a well-developed funny bone, cheerful with
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a positive attitude. I love sun holidays, 70s music and live concerts. If you’re that lady that love spontaneity and cherishes new experiences I would love to hear from you for a chat.
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER V1
THE WEDNESDAY CLUB
is a social club based in Stillorgan, Co Dublin for widows/widowers, single people age 55 and over. Activities include dining out, theatre, cinemas, golf, snooker, bridge, poker and occasional trips away. We are currently open for applications from those who would be active contributors to the club. For more information email wednesdayclub01@gmail.com or reply to:
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER V2
SOUTH EASTERN LADY, single, no ties, no family. Retired professional, considered attractive. Have varied interests including music, golf, writing, theatre, concerts, dining out and theatre. WLTM a nice genuine gent mid-60S
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER V3
MID 70s DUBLIN GENT, NS, SD WLTM single lady for companionship that brings joy, comfort and connection to share coffee, chats, walks, nature, theatre and concert’s.
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER V4
SOUTH DUBLIN WIDOWER, 70s WLTM a nice lady for friendship and for sharing good times together. Interested in all types music, eating out, walks in the country Looking for friendship and maybe more.
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER V5
CORK GENT LATE 60s l ooking to meet lady with similar interests which include all type of music, cooking, eating out, trips away. I live alone since my divorce some years and miss the company of a nice woman
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER V6
CORK CITY LADY from a rural background, outgoing, sociable. Enjoy all types of music, theatre, nature, and walking, etc. Interested in meeting a gent to share good times.
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER V7
DUBLIN GENT 70s
retired professional, NS, SD GSOH, height 180cm, medium build. I play music and sing. Many other interests include walking , social dancing, travel home and abroad, eating out, current affairs, bridge, reading, gardening, . WLTM kind, educated, lady
with some of these interests.
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER V8
SOUTH DUBLINLADY early 60s, NS, occasional SD, wide range of interests WLTM a good , kind- hearted and good natured gentleman of similar age with whom to share good conversation, pleasant company and quality time together. I’m seeking friendship, companionship, and possible long term relationship.
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER V9
I AM A SINGLE NORTH WEST
WOMAN looking for a gentleman for companionship around the west of Ireland. Friendship to begin with and see where it goes. I would like to meet someone who is interested in similar hobbies as myself, walking, nights out, all kinds of music, cinema, weekends away, cooking and eating out. I am a quiet woman who is retired and wants someone to share life with. If interested, please get in touch.
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER V10
CONNAUGHT-BASED FORMER
SALES REP looking to make contact with former sales reps in the Connaught Region who called to Agribusiness or Hardware Customers. Life on the road was all about deadlines and targets and there was never enough time. But now life is a little less hectic, so if you fancy meeting for a coffee and a chat get in touch.
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER V11
NORTHSIDE DUBLIN WOMAN, LATE
SIXTIES, tall by Irish standards WLTM gent of similar age. Now I am in the process of organising our 1st ever school reunion. As Victor Meldrew would say " I Don't Believe it". 50 years left school. Retired early to look after our mother, worked in a family business for 28 years. When my Mam passed, I joined MovieExtras.ie, I wanted to do something totally different. Still doing the films and the odd TV add. I joined a book club, which thankfully has introduced me to books I might never have read. All my life I have been involved in sport, playing coaching etc I play golf now. Major rugby fan, love to dance when the knees allow, not a big drinker, but like a G&T. The ball is in your court now, cheers.
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER V12.
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RETIRED TIPPERARY
PROFESSIONAL LADY
This was the heading of an advertisement | placed over a year ago. I had a nice reply from a gentleman in North County Dublin. Unfortunately I lost his details. If he sees this and is still interested perhaps, he could reply to the box number below.
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DUBLIN GENT MID 70s fit and healthy, average height and build. Interests include reading, walking, travel in Ireland and abroad, dining out, theatre, films. WLTM lady of similar age and with similar interest’s. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER G2
SINGLE PROFESSIONAL LADY MID60s, RC, WLTM a tall single gent 5ft 116ft, 66-76in. Interests include social outing and dancing and concerts, theatre, world travel, cinema, GAA and all sports. Other interests include charity work, swimming, cooking, baking, current affairs, animals, reading, ballroom dancing. A big plus if you can dance. Must be of a generous nature.
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER C1
CONNAUGHT-BASED RETIRED
PROFESSIONAL LADY 70 active, healthy, widowed, with a very positive attitude to life and enjoys good company. Interests include, golf, bridge, dancing, reading, current affairs and travel. Home and abroad. WLTM a lik-minded gentleman of similar age for friendship, companionship and come shared interests.
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER D1
SOUTH DUBLIN WIDOWER 70 WLTM a nice lady to spend good times together. I’ve had a good life with a lot of travelling. Italy has been my go-to destination over the years. I like all sports and enjoy the outdoors with walks etc. I play music as my main hobby. Get in touch if you feel I can enrich your life.
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER D2
GENT WICKLOW AREA, 60S GSOH, average height, and friendly. Interests include music, theatre, outdoor pursuits such as walking. Easy going, good perople person. WLTM A LADY OF SIMILAR AGE AND INTERESTS, Prepared to travel to meet REPLY TO BOX NUMBER D3
MID WEST WIDOW, caring, a good listener having a positive outlook, enjoying travel, gardening, art, current affairs, armchair sports and socialising.. WLTM a good natured, kind happy and interesting good humoured NS gent 66 - 76 for developing friendship and companionship and shared activities. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER K1
FEMALE WLTM other females to socialize in Dublin and surrounding areas interests include all types of music, walks in th country and fireside chats, and doing things
in general such as meeting for a coffee and chat. Age group 60s to 70s.
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER Q1
DUBLIN GENT 62 Single , healthy, respectful, neat dresser and young at heart. Enjoy socialising, weekends away, sun holidays, concerts and sports and having the craic and always open to new adventures and most important of all a wonderful sense of humour. WLTM a lady who enjoys a full life and laughter. Ladies always remember if you’re not having fun, you’re doing something wrong. So why not put pen to paper! REPLY TO BOX NUMBER Q2
CO CARLOW RETIRED FEMALE 69 WLTM gent for socialising an perhaps more.. N S SD and young at heart. Enjoy muris, films, reading, and travel. . Would like to meet gent with similar interests to share life with.
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER Q3
RETIRED NORTH WEST LADY looking for companionship with man frim north west, midlands or west of Ireland. Interests include DIY, walking, music of all types, travel, cinema and cooking. Lookinh for a gent 60-75 to share life with.
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER Q4
MIDLANDS MAN 73 fit slim looking to meet a lady similar age, for nice times, coffee, music and culture walks/drives, midlands area please REPLY TO BOX NUMBER Q5.
DUBLIN LADY 60 GSOH WLTM lady or gent of similar age for socialising in the Dublin area. Interests includes coffee meetings, dining out, dancing and theatre. Anyone looking for company over Xmas? REPLY TO BOX NUMBER Q6
KILDARE WIDOW 63 Good appearance, medium height and build, NS, SD. Sociable and chatty. Interests include most types of music, current affairsome sports, the outdoors, days out and weekends away WLTM gent late 60S early 70 for friendship, companionship and possibly relationship.
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER Q7
DUBLIN SOUTHSIDE WIDOWER 70s
Own house and car. Very active, nice appearance. WLTM a lady who enjoys driving at home and abroad. Love fun times, dancing meals out, delightful living plus everything else that would make us both really happy. NS, SD and jolly good company! REPLY T0 BOX NUMBER Q8
WICKLOW GENT MID 60s NS , GSOH and coversationist. Interests include music, reading, theatre. walking and the outdoors. WLTM lady of similar age. Am prepared to travel.
REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W1
MIDLANDS BASED RETIRED
professional lady, 65, well- travelled, many interests including all types of music, travel, reading, walking and the theatre. WLTM tall gent 60-70 for relationship, weekends away and holidays REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W2
TO PLACE AN ADVERTISEMENT
If you are interested in meeting someone of the opposite or same sex, send your advertisement, with four stamps (which is the average reply rate) enclosed in the envelope, to:
Meeting Place, Senior Times, PO Box 13215, Rathmines, Dublin 6 Or email: john@slp.ie
NOTE: When submitting advertisements ensure you include your surname as well as your christian name.
IMPORTANT
Ensure you give your approximate age and the area you live, noting your interests. The advertisement should not be more than 60 words.
If you are replying to the advertisement via Senior Time’s email, ensure you include your postal address for those not on the Net. (Only Senior Times will have these details).
Deadline for receipt of advertisements for the next issue is 22nd July 2026. TO REPLY TO AN ADVERTISEMENT
Each reply to an advertisement should be enclosed in a plain, stamped envelope, with the box number marked in pencil so that it can be erased before being forwarded to the advertiser. Send these envelopes in a covering envelope to the address , above, so that we can forward them to the advertiser. There is no limit to the amount of advertisements to which you can reply, provided each one is contained in a plain, stamped envelope. Ensure you give your approximate age and the area you live.
For those submitting their advertisements by email ensure that you also supply Senior Times with your postal address so that we can post replies from those who have replied by post. (Only Senior Times will have your postal address).
Now is the Time to Plan Your Spring Break at Sunset Beach Club!
WELCOME TO PARADISE!
If the winter chill has overstayed its welcome, there’s no better remedy than a dose of Costa del Sol sunshine. Spring arrives early in southern Spain, bringing bright blue skies, gentle sea breezes, and daytime temperatures that often reach 18ºC or more. With regular direct flights from Dublin to Málaga, you can leave home in the morning and be enjoying a sunny terrace by lunchtime. And with Sunset Beach Club just 15–20 minutes from the airport, your Spring escape couldn’t be easier.
Perfectly positioned on the seafront of Benalmádena Costa, the Irish owned Sunset Beach Club combines the comfort of apartment style accommodation with the full services of a 4 star resort. It’s a favourite among guests seeking sunshine, relaxation, and warm Irish hospitality abroad. Whether you’re dreaming of a cultural tour of Andalucía, a gentle break to warm your bones, or simply a few days of sea views and serenity, this is the ideal place to stay.
COMFORT, CHOICE, AND NEWLY REFURBISHED ROOMS
Accommodation options include open plan suites, studio apartments with one bedroom, two bedroom apartments, and penthouses. Every room features a kitchenette, lounge area, and private terrace, giving you the flexibility of self catering with the convenience of hotel services. Choose from Room Only, Bed & Breakfast, or Half Board, or your can simply pay for meals as you go.
The newly refurbished Prime Studio Apartments have guaranteed sea views, and have been redecorated with Mediterranean tones. New sofas, soft furnishings, and stylish terrace furniture give these rooms a bright, modern feel.
DELICIOUS DINING & LIVELY SOCIAL SPACES
Food lovers will feel right at home. Start your day with a generous buffet breakfast in the Oasis Restaurant, enjoy an al fresco lunch at La Terraza,
and sip a cocktail at the Panorama Bar on the 6th floor, where the Mediterranean views are spectacular. Don’t miss the daily Happy Hour, which is the ideal time to meet fellow guests and make new friends. In the Spring evenings, there is regular entertainment with live singers in the La Terraza restaurant and tribute shows and entertainment in the Moonlight Bar.
ACTIVITIES, ADVENTURES, AND RELAXATION— YOUR WAY
Your Spring break can be as active or as laid back as you wish. The hotel’s activities team offers a full programme suitable for seniors, including morning stretching, yoga, cookery workshops, darts, bingo, and petanca. Prefer to explore? The on site Leisure Desk can arrange day trips and provide maps, bus timetables, and insider tips. You can also visit local markets, walk along the beachfront or take a stroll to Benalmádena Marina, explore Mijas village, or enjoy a cultural day out in Málaga’s historic centre. Another popular option is to simply relax by the pool or on your private balcony with a good book.
EASY TRAVEL, GREAT VALUE, AND IRISH HOSPITALITY
With excellent flight connections and a short transfer time, getting here is effortless. And with competitive Spring rates, flexible board options, and the comfort of apartment style living, Sunset Beach Club offers outstanding value for money. Book directly at sunsetbeachclub.com for Best Conditions.
Spring sunshine, a seafront location, great food and friendly faces are waiting to welcome you at Sunset Beach Club!
Spring Breaks
Sunset Beach Club, Spain
· 4* Hotel with Apartments & Suites
· Benalmádena Seafront Location
· 20 minutes Málaga Airport
· Apartments with Kitchenette and Terrace
· Free Activities & Entertainment
STUDIO-APARTMENT MOUNTAIN VIEW
MARCH from 98€* per apt/night APRIL from 109€* per apt/night MAY from 120€* per apt/night
Sea view apartments, suites and other room types also available. Please check prices and availability online. www.sunsetbeachclub.com
prices are subject to change.
BOOK DIRECT for
· Best Rate Guarantee
· Priority Room Assignment
· Free Wi-fi Premium
· Late Checkout* *Subject to availability sunsetbeachclub.com
Fairways in the Sun: Why Senior Golfers Are Choosing the Costa del Sol
For all you golf lovers out there who are looking to get out of the rain and play in the sun one of the most popular areas for golf tourists to stay and play is the Costa del Sol – also known as the Costa del Golf – with good reason since there are over 70 golf courses in the area offering something for players of all abilities and budget.
Two of the most popular towns chosen by visiting golfers as a base for their golf holidays are Marbella & Puerto Banus since they offer a fabulous mix of great accommodation, plus a good number of top rated golf courses within 15/20 minutes travel time. Additionally, both resorts are open year-round with many amenities open even in low season including plenty of bars and restaurants for your ´après golf´ enjoyment. Not forgetting all the nearby beaches, ports and promenades.
Amongst the Marbella Golf Courses we can recommend:
Rio Real – one of the most iconic golf courses on the Costa del Sol this stunning Par 72 course earns its name from the Rio Real river which runs alongside much of the course until it meets the Mediterranean Sea. Whilst not classed as a ´Links´ course it has several holes which border the sea.
Santa Clara – this player friendly Par 71 course is well known for its layout with wide fairways and open greens which offer players of all abilities a fair test of golf.
Higueron Marbella Golf Resort (formerly Marbella Golf & Country Club) – is currently undergoing a significant re-brand and transition from a golf course to super luxury golf resort. The Par 72 course can be challenging in parts with the front 9 holes being tighter and requiring more precision shots, whereas the back 9 is longer and more open.
Los Naranjos – designed by Robert Trent Jones the brief for the course was for a true Championship Course with classic design to feature long wide fairways and greens suitable for international tournaments and intermediate golfers. This Par 72 course is one of the most popular courses in the area.
La Quinta Golf & Country Club – features a 5* luxury hotel and a 27-hole golf course with 3 different loops of 9 available to play. Located 5 minutes from Puerto Banus is well known for its user friendly layout, firmness and speed of the greens and excellent service from the staff.
Atalaya Old & New – The Old Course was first opened in 1968 and enjoys a reputation as one of the nicest courses on the Costa del Sol. Players on the Old course get to enjoy it´s wide generous fairways either walking or in a buggy. It is a good choice for players of all abilities.
The New Course which opened in 1990 presents an intriguing test of golf as it is set in the hills above the old course and requires accuracy of shot rather than just length with a number of fairways and greens which feature slopes and elevation changes. Try it for the challenge with a buggy included in the green fee price.
Along with the some of these great golf courses in Marbella & Puerto Banus Sunshine Golf recommends the following hotel options for you to consider for your golf holiday – all these hotels are well located and offer easy access to both Marbella and Puerto Banus:
4* Guadalpin Suites
4* NH Marbella
4* Ona Princesa Playa Aparthotel
4* Amare Beach Hotel Adults Recommended
4* BlueBay Banus Hotel
4* Park Plaza Suites
4* Hard Rock Hotel
5* Gran Hotel Guadalpin Banus
5* Alanda Hotel Marbella
Our Sunshine Golf team are based here in Calahonda on the Costa del Sol and our staff have over 50 years experience between us arranging golf holidays for our discerning clients. Contact Us at any time for advice, information and prices on where to Stay and where to Play.
W www.sunshinegolf.com E golf@sunshinegolf.com T+34 952 494 161
Crafts
Inspiration from a country lane walk
You will need :
1 piece of strong fabric- ivory or light grey in colour such as linen, satin cotton or twill measuring 30cms x 24cms. Greaseproof paper, a black pencil and a water erasable pen, masking tape and acrylic paints (blue and white)
Scissors, pins, a crewel needle (fine) and a tapestry needle size 24 also a thimble and a paintbrush.
Mount board or stiff cardboard measuring 16cms x 14cms and a spool of no 10 sewing thread.
1 skein of Anchor stranded cotton in each of the following colours (2 strands used throughout) except for the clump of leaves at bottom right of picture.
Stonewall 1 strand each of 397- beige and 392- light brown combined- padded satin stitch, outlined in 273- brownbackstitch and seeding. Pennyworth 279- pale greenbuttonhole loops. Fern 255- bright green- fishbone stitch, 1002tan- stem stitch and bullion knots. Cow parsley white- French knots and 261- turquoise- straight stitches and detached chain stitch. Grasses in foreground green-230, 211, 262, 187 and 269- straight stitches. Dock stems and seeds –1001 and 1002straight stitches and French knots. Flowers- white- straight stitches, pink- 41 and 6- bullion knots, mauve 95- lazy-daisy, all centres yellow- 288 French knots and small flowers foreground – 95 and 1002- French knots. Branch- brown- 273- stem stitch overcast, leaves- green- 924, 246 and 681- needleweaving and detached chain stitch. Clump of leaves- 6 strands yellow- 278- needleweaving, outlined in green- 0845- buttonhole stitch (2strands).
Step 1 - begin by cutting the fabric, ensuring that it is laid on the straight, do not press the fabric unless there are folds visable as a crumpled surface will enhance the appearance of the painted sky.
Step 2 - sprinkle the area that is to be the sky with cold water. Put some blue and white paint on a saucer, mix enough white in the blue to get a nice sky blue and paint the required area with this mix, paint the areas that are to be clouds and the horizon white while allowing some of the fabric to peep through unpainted.
This project was finger-painted but a brush may be used if preferred, put the fabric aside to dry.
Step 3- use the black pencil to draw the design including the oblong shape onto the greaseproof paper, this project is so free in style that it will only be necessary to draw the stonewall as a base for the wild flowers, leaves and grasses which grow at random naturally.
Step 4 - pin the design securely and centrally to the back of fabric, use masking tape to fix with right side of fabric facing to a window or glass with light shining through and draw the design on right side of fabric using the water erasable pen.
Connie McEvoy relates how a walk was the genesis for
commence embroidering your project.
Step 5 -work the stones first, pad each one by working a layer or two of chain stitches before working the satin stitch in varying directions, the stones are outlined in stem stitch and the spaces are filled in with tiny straight stitches or ‘seeding’. Base the pennyworth in a space or two allowing some leaves to hang over the stones, the cow –parsley is worked mainly over the stones with the bulkier flower heads extending beyond to the horizon and sky. Work the branch next- 2 rows of stem stitch worked one over the other in opposite direction form a good base for the overcasting. Use the tapestry needle to work the needlewoven leaves making sure to place some leaves in positions which will allow them to lie on the mount when framed, the smaller leaves underneath are detached chain stitches. The grasses are all straight stitches worked in varying lengths and at varying angles, all small flowers and docks are worked over both stones and grasses as per key- (straight stitches, French knots and bullion knots). Work the 4 fern leaves in fishbone stitch and the stems in stem stitch and bullion knots. As the leaves of the clump are in the foreground and in order to achieve a balanced picture they need to be larger than the other needlewoven leaves, consequently 6 strands of thread were used in the needleweaving and the edges were outlined in 2 strands of buttonhole stitch. At least half of these leaves will need to be positioned so as to facilitate a natural overflow onto the mount when framed.
Step 6- place your finished embroidery squarely on the mount board or cardboard stretch and pin securely from top to bottom and from side to side, use the no10 sewing thread to lace edges of fabric neatly at back of mountboard from top to bottom and from side to side. The project is now ready to be framed; this project was framed professionally as glass was required.
All requirements are available at most fabric/craft shops and I am very grateful to Ronan Hand who has obliged as the photographer
