Designed
and Maintained by Niall Farrell
© Nuacht Chláir
A Monster
Craft Fair was held in the Leisure Centre on Sunday 19th November.
This was a new venture for the committee and was undertaken with some
trepidation. However, thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of everyone
involved, the event proved to be a huge success.
All the available exhibition space was taken up, with a total of 40 stalls displaying a huge variety of crafts – candles, ironcraft, woodcraft, decoupage etc.
The organisers ran a cake sale and raffle which were highly successful. The face painting, hair braiding, nail art, lucky dip etc. for the young people attracted a steady interest for the duration of the entire day. Refreshments were served and the seasonal decoration of the venue all combined to present the centre in a totally new light.
The committee would like to thank all those who came along to help out both on the day, and in the preparation and clean up of the hall. A special thanks to the sponsors of the raffle – Cregmore Construction, Potbelly’s, Hughes and Centra, and to those who helped in any way, baking cakes, supplying tables etc.
The event
attracted people from far and wide, as well as locals and hopefully we
will see this venture repeated next year.
Mary Casserly.
Prize-winners for draw held in conjunction with Claregalway Craft Fair in the Centre—Sunday 19th November
1st Prize - Hi-fi - sponsored by Cregmore Construction, Liam Egan
2nd Prize - Hamper of Drinks, Mary Cribbin
3rd Prize - Decoupage picture, Emma Grealish
4th Prize - Meal for 2 in Potbelly’s Restaurant, Claregalway, Tom Storan
5th Prize - Bottle of Whiskey, Darren Grealish
6th Prize - Presentation set of 2 bottle of wine, Aoife Newell
QUAILTY LEISURE CLUB - NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS
After Christmas and New Year’s festivities, most of us make resolutions in good faith of improving our health, fitness and nutrition. If you have decided to adopt a more healthy lifestyle in the new year, concentrate on sticking with it. You know maintaining good health requires a balanced diet with regular physical activity, month after month, year after year.
Many make unrealistic goals that cannot be reached, so we fail. If you have had this problem in the past, start off gradually. Do not try to change your whole lifestyle in a week. Start by committing yourself to the Gym for an aerobic workout at a moderate intensity for at least 20 minutes, three times a week. Weight training should be added for a all-round work out.\
A balanced diet is also an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Balancing the food you take in is very important to give you energy which you use up through physical activity. This is the key to being a healthy weight. So choose foods that provide lots of nourishment but are low in fat:
Best of
luck from all at the Quality Leisure Centre, Oranmore.
INTERIOR DESIGN - HINTS AND TIPS
Lighting:
From earliest times, a lot of energy has gone into finding cheap ways
of providing light and in decorating the light source. But it is only
in the last 50 years or so, that light has become an integral part of
interior design.
The first artificial light was firelight, i.e. pieces of burning wood from campsite fires, which made torches to be carried around. Throughout the centuries interior light has been provided by flame torches, oil lamps, wax candles, paraffin lamps, gas and right up to electricity. Once electricity became available (Edison opened his first electric light factory in 1880) it was seen as a new way to add to the decor of the home. At first the fittings copied the Victorian gas lamp, but from the 1920s on designers came up with new ideas. In recent times there is a wide range of light fittings available due in part to the developments in the commercial world of shopfitting, Art gallery illumination, and stage lighting.
Planning:
A lighting scheme should be both practical and decorative. The correct
lighting will facilitate cooking, cleaning, sewing, reading, and everyday
tasks. Decorative lighting will help to create different atmospheres e.g.
restful feeling in a bedroom or excitement at a party. It should also
complement your colour scheme and furnishings. It can highlight attractive
features of a room and distract attention away from its faults.
To achieve
a good lighting scheme for a room it needs to be planned; just like getting
the colour scheme you want (See June ’00 issue).
The following points are some of the things to bear in mind:-
Room’s function: How will it be used and what type of lighting would be suited to its activities e.g. reading, dining, children doing homework etc.
Mood: For example if it is a workroom, you need to be more practical than decorative.
Style: The light fittings should complement the room style and if possible add to it.
Highlighting features: Consider which items you like to draw attention to e.g. fireplace, favourite picture, an alcove etc. Also keep in mind the features you like to forget e.g. bad plasterwork.
Budget: Price what it will cost before you start and decide if you want to spend or can afford the money. With a little imagination you can probably find a cheaper alternative to your original idea. You will be much happier with the final result if you didn’t overspend.
Lighting
Types:
There are three main types of lighting: - General lighting provides overall
or background light and should be used in every room. Task lighting gives
you directional light over a small area and is used for particular jobs
such as reading etc. Accent lighting is used to show off items such as
plants, pictures, architectural features etc. They can be used to light
objects from above, below, behind, or at an angle.
Ceiling lights: These include the traditional pendant, chandelier, fluorescent strip, spotlights, recessed or semi-recessed low voltage downlighters and wall washers. The pendant is the most common used light fitting and useful for overall lighting, but as the only light source in a room it can be very limiting. You get a bright central space with shadowy edges. Use a dimmer switch and other light sources in the room. You could use a “rise and fall” pendant over a dining table so that the light can raised and lowered as required. Recessed or semi-recessed lights spaced across the ceiling will give a good level of light. They can spread light over a wide area or in a narrow beam. Spotlights and wall washers can be used to highlight a group of pictures or a large wall hanging. Leave your traditional chandeliers to those with a house that can to it justice, such as a period house with a high ceiling.
Wall lights: These come in traditional or modern styles, so they will complement your decor. Some can be painted to match the wall colouring, making a feature of the light itself. Picture lights should be unobtrusive as possible, blending with the picture frame.
Floor/Table lamps: A table lamp can be an attractive way to light a small collection of items or some family photographs on a table. A desk light with a flexible arm can be used to provide light where you need it. These lights are not fixed to the wall, floor, or ceiling, so you have more flexibility in how you use them and they are very useful in adding atmosphere and character to a room.
Uplighters: Comprised of wall, floor and lamp uplighters. These are lamps which direct light upwards and if well placed can give decorative and imaginative warmth to a room. It can be cheap and easy way to soften the general light coming from the central source. Drum shaped floor lamp can be placed behind a large plant to show the outline of the leaves on the wall. A small floor lamp behind a sofa or armchair will wash the walls with light and make the room seem larger.
Other
things to consider:
Always plan for enough power sockets, particularly in a living room, where
you never seem to have enough. Wherever practical install double sockets.
Before you buy a lamp or other fittings, ask to see it lit, then you can
judge the effect. Shade colours change when the light is on. To select
a suitable sized shade to go with a table lamp, take the lamp to the shop
and try different ones. Make sure that the shade you intend to use is
suitable for the bulb, you don’t want it scorched by a powerful bulb.
Make sure you know how the fitting works and how to replace the bulb before
leaving the lighting shop.
Be careful when you are highlighting a picture with a light, that it doesn’t
fade it or that the heat doesn’t damage it.
Remember dark surfaces absorb light and light surfaces reflect light.
Colours look different under artificial light, so check its effect on
a colour sample.
It pays to
put some time into planning your lighting, there is no point spending
a lot of money and time on curtains, carpets, furniture etc. and the result
is a flat look because of poor lighting. I will cover lighting a particular
room e.g. Living room, Dining room, etc. in future issues.
When we think of Christmas, the lights are one of the items that create
its atmosphere in our minds. Do be careful if you are using candles and
keep an eye on the Christmas tree.
Hope you all have a nice Christmas and a happy New Year.
Mary D. Kelly
Decorating Options
(091) 798224.
This is the
time of year when our thoughts turn to the oncoming festivities, Santa
Claus, friends and family coming home and getting the house ready for
Christmas.
We tend to forget about the garden but yet it can still contribute in
a large way. You can look back on the year and the enjoyment you may have
got from your garden.
Your lawn will need very little care at this time of the year. You can
cut if if you wish at a high cut and when the ground is firm. If ther
are a lot of leaves on your lawn, remove them to avoid them smothering
or thinning your lawn.
The vegetable garden can be tidied at this time of the year. Remove all the old vegetable debris and either dump it or put it on your compost heap. This helps to prevent over wintering pests and diseases, The cleared area can be dug over or rotavated and any kind of organic material (seedweed, mushrooms, compost, “dung”) dug into the soil or just left scattered over the soil.
Bulbs can still be planted into November and December, even though its not the most ideal. They can usually be bought cheaper as well, as most outlets are clearing them at special prices. Most herbaceous perennials can be lifted and divided now also. You can still plant at this time of the year. All the bareroot trees, conifers and hedging can be planted now until March, and these plants are also less expensive than the potted specimen. Polyanthus and winter pansys can still be planted for some winter colour.
At this time of the year, we start getting the heavy frosts. Protect your clay pots by rising them off the ground slightly and letting them dry out slightly. Also if you wish, you can wrap bubble insulation around them and tie it with twine.
A common question at this time of the year is “What do I do with my roses”? Well, basically it is very simple. Roses as a rule, other than climbing varieties, can be cut back by approximately a third now. Some varieties can be quite tall and with all the wind they rock over and back, water lodges in the hole at the base and if you get frost, it can damage the plants. To prevent this happening, cut the roses back by a third and do not be fussy where you cut them. The main pruning and feeding is done in March, around St. Patrick’s weekend and I will detail that in due course.
Fruit trees and Roses can be planted now and most garden centres will have a very big stock of them now.
Christmas
is not Christmas without a nice Christmas tree and nowadays there is a
huge variety to choose from. The most popular nowadays is the Noble Fir.
A beautiful full greeny/blue non shed conifer with a beautiful scent.
These trees are specifically grown by growers for
Christmas. The next is the Lodge Pole Pine. Another non shed light green
tree not as full as the Noble Fir. The third tree is the old traditional
Norway Spruce, not as popular now, as it sheds the needles. Some people
plant a live Christmas tree to have for a few years, bringing it in and
out. Lastly, there is the artificial tree, looks good but like Coca Cola,
you can’t beat the real thing!
For the love of your life, who is gardening mad you never know what to buy them. Do I buy a plant or houseplant or book?? Perhaps the answer is a gift voucher from your garden centre, and let them choose.
During this festive season a lot of people will receive pot plants as gifts and don’t know how to take care of them, I will name a few and outline how to look after them -
Poinsettias—they like average warmth, with lots of light. Water thoroughly but wait until the compost is moderately dry before watering them again. If the room is very humid, mist the leaves occasionally.
Solanums (Christmas Cherry) - these like a cooler room temperature, lots of light and keep the compost moist at all times. Mist regularly.
Cyclamens—they
like a cool room temperature, lots of light and keep moist at all times,
using soft water (rain water) and semi tepid (lukewarm). Put pebbles on
tray or saucer if possi
ble.
Christmas Cactus—they like an average room tempereature, well lit spot, no sunlight. Water liberally when the compost begins to dry out.
Chrysanthemum—bright light is essential, but shade from the midday sun. Keep the compost moist at all times. A cool 50-60°F temperature is ideal. After flowering most plants are discarded, but pot chrysanthemums can be planted out in the garden where, if they survive, they will revert to their natural growth habit.
That’s it for now, happy gardening.
Bosco McDermott Jnr.,
Glynn’s Garden Centre,
Lydican.
(091) 799135
The Clareglaway
Branch I.F.A. held their A.G.M. recently in the Claregalway leisure centre,
Mr Larry Mockler County Secretary was guest speaker. The meeting was chaired
by Ollie O'Connell and he welcomed all to the meeting, Larry Mockler outlined
all the recent changes in R.E.P.S., farm retirement scheme, extensification
etc.. The recent drop in cattle prices owing to the B.S.E. outbreak in
France and elsewhere in Europe was discussed and farmers were concerned
about the future price of beef. Farmers who have any problems with headage
or any of the various schemes should contact the I.F.A. office in the
mart offices Athenry.
The following officers were elected:
Chairperson - Michael Casserly; Vice Chairperson
- Ollie O'Connell;
Secretary - Edward O'Connell; Treasurer - Michael O'Connell;
Dairy Delegate to County Executive - Ollie O'Connell; Cattle
Delegate - Sean Concannon
Work on the bridge has been proceeding steadily all year. The facing of the two wings on either side of the arches and end piers were completed by the stone mason, Paddy Quinn, with FÁS workers assisting. This was done using cut stonework in keeping with the east face of the bridge and pure lime/sand mortar as would have been used historically. This work looks well and the use of the old techniques have been successful. Though easy to work with the lime/sand mortar requires greater care in use and much more protection afterwards than cement/sand work. The success of the work on the bridge is a tribute to Paddy and his team.
The guard wall above the arches was built by the FÁS team using rubble stonework brought to courses, faced both sides, with rubble centre and cement/lime/sand mortar. It was decided to show no mortar on the face. The wall is capped with large stones spanning the width of the wall in the traditional manner (see the earliest part of guard wall on east side). This work took care and attention to detail and the team again made a great job.
A drainage channel was dug at the back of the guard wall to prevent water draining through the wall and down the face of the bridge.
Work is now
proceeding with the construction of steps on the north side of the bridge
and then the hard landscaping below the arches will be done. It is hoped
to flood light the arches from the ground, and install some decorative
lighting at street level. Iron railings and other decorative street furniture
will be required for pedestrian safety and to stop vehicles entering onto
or under the bridge.
Gerry McManus, Architect.
Committee Members— Josette Farrell (Chairperson); Sean Harte (Secretary); Celia Lennon (Treasurer);Josie Concannon, Rose Kavanagh, Larry King, Vincent Lyons & Seamus O’Connell.
Congratulations to Evelyn and Kevin McStay, Cahergowan on the birth of their baby son Thomas born in November. Sincere sympathy to Evelyn on the sudden death of her father Thomas recently.
Congratulations to Paul Concannon, Summerfield, Claregalway, who got engaged to Dympna Ryan of Killoscully, Newport, Co. Tipperary.
Welcome back to Padraig Burke, our Butcher in Hughes Supermarket. Great to see you back behind the counter again!
Congratulations and best wishes for the future to Helen Smith, River Oaks, Claregalway and Martin Keane, New Quay, Kinvara, who got married on the 2nd December. Welcome also to Claregalway and we hope you will be very happy here.
Congratulations to Mary and John Coyle, Cregboy, on the birth of their baby boy, Ryan, recently—a little brother for Andrea, Jennifer and Daniel.
Belated happy birthday to Sarah Gill (Glynn’s Garden Centre). Hope you had a lovely day Sarah.
Congratulations to Caroline Grealish from Carnmore and David O’Connell from Clareview Park, who recently became engaged.
Happy 80th Birthday to Kate Morris of Cregboy, who recently celebrated in style.
Happy 21st Birthday to Paul Casserly of Cregboy.
Congratulations and well done to Edwin McGrath, Cregmore on his wonderful win of a trip to Lapland on the Late Late Toy Show. Have a great time Edwin and think of us all while you’re there!
Claregalway Skin Care and Aromatherapy Clinic, Kiniska, Claregalway. (091)798485 or (087)6783733
This Christmas
if you want to look good for those Christmas parties, and NO time to use
the ‘sunbed’, why not cheat and use a self tanner?
The Perfect
Fake
How to
apply:
Exfoliate first to remove dry dead cells on skin, that could cause
patchy results, use a body scrub or an exfoliating glove.
Apply body lotion or moisturiser to provide a smooth surface. Be generous
over dry areas like knees and ankles or they will soak up the colour.
Smooth on the fake tan using your fingers and finishing with a downward
motion for even results. Apply according to instructions on tube.
NB:
Be patient—rushing will only result in patchy uneven colour. Apply
a few thin layers rather than plastering it on in one go.
For further information contact:- Evelyn Kitt
798485 or 087 6783733
I had the pleasure of talking to a delightful lady recently who nostalgically talked about Christmas when she was a child. “Things were so different then,” she said. “We did not have what the children of today have. We worked hard when we were young. Memories of my Mother baking are still fresh in my mind and she turned out treacle cakes, fruit cakes, soda bread and brown bread effortlessly. The aroma of baking permeated the kitchen and of course there was always the neighbours dropping by for a chat and a cup of tea. Those days are well gone now. We are all in such a hurry and the time for a chat seems well gone. We had our own geese and turkeys and on Christmas Day we would have goose and ham and then on St. Stephen’s Day we would have turkey and ham. For dessert we would have jelly and custard (ice-cream a luxury). We did not know what a starter was. Prayers were said with great reverence in our house and I can still recall us kneeling down saying the rosary at night. Of course there was the odd giggle from us girls but my Father was a firm but kind disciplinarian and one look from him was enough to stop us in our giddiness. My mother brought us in turn to see the Crib in Galway and this was a great experience. We would look in awe at the baby Jesus and Mary and Joseph and come away with a sense of wonderment.
I remember a parish priest we had whom we were all afraid of. If you did not know your catechism, he would pull your hair until it hurt really bad. When he preached a gospel at Mass he would come into the school and ask us to explain it—if you did not do it properly, he would get very cross and the hair pulling would start again. Needless to say, we were very attentive at Mass, just in case!
Christmas Eve was full of excitement. We awaited Santa with such anticipation. Our presents usually consisted of Christmas stockings, which were filled with toys and things to play with. A doll was a rare present in those days. We got balloons in our stockings and played with them for a week afterwards around the house. Children nowadays lose interest in such things after a short time. We always walked to Mass which was the norm in those days—there was nothing like the traffic there is now. On St. Stephen’s Day, the Wren Boys would arrive dressed up in their attire and playing musical instruments and singing. We would all join in and throw a few pennies into their caps before they left. It is different now—so sophisticated.
In those days you could leave the key in your door day and night—now you have to lock your door even if you go out to the back yard. The world is frightening now—every time you turn on the radio or television you hear of a tragedy. My Father used to say that when we got to the year 2000, it would be the end of the world and that people would steal, rob and kill and it would be a daily occurrence. That is what is happening now. Years ago there was such innocence and fun. I remember neighbours calling by for a bit of craic and dancing and music being so much part of our lives. The chairs were pushed back and we would take to the floor and dance the night away. We did not need what people seem to need nowadays. We had our own drug.
I am lucky
to have good neighbours at my time of life—they keep me going and
have adjusted me to the everyday changes which occur. I have been known
to dance and chase balloons even now which evokes a memory of yesteryear
and those days gone by so long ago.”
Agnes McHugh
According to Finnish folklore, Father Christmas dispenses with a sleigh and hitches a lift on the back of a straw goat named Ukko.
Santa Claus was inspired by Saint Nichoas, a rich man who helped out a poor family by dropping sacks of gold down their chimney.
Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of Russia, sailors and children. He was born in 245 AD and lived in Turkey.
SONG FACTS
- Bing Crosby’s rendition of White Christmas, recorded in 1942, is
the biggest selling single of all time.
The hymn Silent Night was hastily put together and first performed on
a guitar when an Austrian church organ was found to be rusty.
If you were to receive all the gifts promised in the song The 12 Days of Christmas, you would get 354 presents.
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer was the brainchild of a Chicago advertising executive who wrote a poem about Rudolph in a free booklet given away to children at Christmas.
Good King Wenceslas was actually a 10th Century Duke of Bohemia.
The New Year classic Auld Lang Sang actually means Old Long Ago.
GIFT FACTS - In ancient Rome, people exchanged gifts on New Year’s Day as a means of welcoming in the year. When Christianity took hold in Europe, people exchanged gifts in imitation of the Three Wise Men who visited Jesus as a baby.
In Guatamala, adults exchange gifts on New Year’s Day, whilst children swap presents on Christmas Day itself.
CARD FACTS
- Californian Werner Erhard sent 62,824 Christmas cards in 1975.
The first Christmas card was designed by John Callcott Horsley in 1843
for his friend Sir Henry Cole. It said ‘A Merry Christmas and A Happy
New Year’.
The first Christmas card was a depiction of a Christmas scene in three panels—in the centre panel a family raising glasses for a toast was depicted; on the left feeding the hungry and on the right clothing the naked.
English schoolboys used to send Christmas Pieces to their parents before the first card to show off their writing skills.
JUNIOR
BADMINTON
Our Annual tournament with the Artane Beaumont Club took place on November
4th & 5th. As usual, the U13 and U15 Teams and their coaches arrived
by train and arrived in the Hall at 3:30pm to play the Singles Tournament
which was very well contested by both clubs. In the U13 boys event Mark
Loughlin reached the Final and was beaten in a thrilling Final by the
narrowest of margins - 21 points to 20 by the boy from Dublin. In the
U15 Girls Singles Maria Moran reached the final which she lost to the
Dublin girl. In the Boys Singles Stephen Keane was the winner in the Final
which he won easily.
On Sunday at 2:20 the Team events were played. The U13 ended in a draw
at 4 games all. Claregalway were winners in the U15. Congratulations to
Michelle Quinn who was awarded the Trophy for the Most Sporting Player
in the tournament. Thank you to all the parents who helped over the week-end.
CONNACHT
OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Congratulations to all the children from the club who played in this competition.
U11 - Joseph Walsh reached the final of the Boys Doubles. Well done Joseph!
In the U13 event Nicola Newell and Michelle Quinn did very well to win
the final of the Girls Doubles and then had to play each other in the
Girls Singles Final which Michelle won. Both girls played really well
in this Final and deserve a Congratulations and a well done to Nicola
who won a gold medal in swimming on the same day.
SENIOR
BADMINTON
Thanks to everyone who supported our Table Quiz held in Terrys Brennans,
Loughgeorge. Thanks also to the staff of Lackagh Community Centre for
the tables, and a special thanks to all our very generous Sponsors.
Our Division IV Team will play the last game in the First Round of the
league on Sunday 10th December. They have played 4 matches to date and
have won 2 and lost 2. Good Luck to all in the Second Round.
We have moved
to Video Paradiso, Riveroaks Shopping Centre. We would like to thank all
our customers for their patience and understanding while we were making
the move.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our members for their
continued support over the past twelve years. Thank you for all the good
wishes in our new venture. It is much appreciated.
We would like to give a special thanks to Ann Flaherty for her kindness
while we were in her premises and to Niall Devitt and his staff, past
and present for looking after the return videos.
Thanks to our new neighbours at Riveroaks Shopping Centre especially Dermot
and Martin in the Dry Cleaners, John Raftery and Paul Greaney at Centra
and Walter King whom couldn’t have been more helpful
From all at Video Paradiso
Special
Monthly Envelope Collection for Mortuary Chapel/Meeting Room/Additional
Car Parking.
Contributions totalling £18,628 have been received towards the above
to date. This total includes the first monthly envelope contributions,
a sizeable number of bi-annual and annual contributions and also a number
of other donations from organisations and individuals from the parish
and some from outside the parish also.
Tenders from interested Building Contractors are expected to be completed
and with the Architect by now and it is hoped the work will commence very
early in the New Year.
(Source—Church
Newsletter 19th November 2000)
Designed
and Maintained by Niall Farrell
© Nuacht Chláir