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and Maintained by Niall Farrell
© Nuacht Chláir
Compántas
Lir “take a break” with mammoth Carr
play
Having wowed
audiences around the country last year with Mike Hession’s stunning
production of Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband, one could have forgiven
Compántas Lir for taking some time out from the competitive festival
circuit and putting their feet up this year. However, their idea of a
break is to ambitiously stage the powerful Marina Carr play By the Bog
of Cats, produced by experienced newcomer to the group Margaret Martin
from Oranmore and set for three performances in Claregalway and Galway
City this month and next.
In terms of cast, this play, like An Ideal Husband, has 13 characters
and is another mammoth undertaking by Compántas Lir. The fact that
they can stage two plays on consecutive years, using 26 different actors,
only underlines the strength of the company and it is particularly heartening
this year to see some fine young actors coming through, the youngest of
whom is 14-year-old Ailbhe Hession, daughter of Liz and Mike, so it’s
not from the wind she took it.
By the Bog of Cats catches a momentous and tragic day in the life of Hester
Swane (Lilyann Hannon), a troubled soul about to witness the marriage
of the man she loves to another woman. And if that's not bad enough, two
rich farming families are determined to evict her from her home and take
her young daughter from her. Her only allies are equally outcast or displaced
women, like Catwoman, (Evelyn Casserly) a blind clairvoyant with a taste
for mice and lapping her wine from a saucer.
Carr conjures a churning, bigoted society for which land and money are
all that really matter, a society in which anyone dim enough to put their
faith in other values is likely to receive brutal treatment. The playwright's
intent seems to be satirical, but her satire is an imagistic one, filled
with burning calves, poisoned dogs, black swans and blood-drenched ghosts.
The success of By the Bog of Cats is that it manages to fold these bizarre
images into the action, performing little miracles of balance, never letting
the audience cosy up to any particular tone.
Even while heading inexorably towards a classical tragedy, Carr stylishly
detours into a hilarious ensemble wedding scene in which the cast's full
arsenal of spite and delirium is on show.
Miss Carr is the current darling of Irish theatre, so it is a great opportunity
for local audiences to see this, one of her best plays. Indeed, when it
is staged in Galway, it will be the first time it has been performed in
the city. The cast also includes Fidelma O’Rourke, Mike Hession,
Bernadette Prendergast, Simon Kavanagh, Sean Kavanagh, Patricia Carton,
Padraic O’Connell , Peter Talbot and Alan Feeney,
Compántas Lir will stage By The Bog of Cats on April 2nd and 3rd
for two nights at the Town Hall Theatre, Galway, shows for which there
is already intense demand in the city.
Tickets for the Town Hall Theatre production are on sale at £8 each
at (091) 569777 and this represents an ideal opportunity for locals to
see their pride of the parish perform on what is the finest stage in the
west of Ireland.
Declan Varley, P.R.O.
Monthly
Update on Mortuary Chapel/Meeting Room/Car
Park Project
You can’t
but have noticed how well the building programme, which commenced on February
5th, is progressing - thanks in no small way to the very welcome dry weather
during much of February. Tosach maith leath na h-oibre.
The total amount contributed during the month of February come to £7,510.
This includes a very generous donation of £1,000 from a family-run
business in the parish and is in addition to their monthly contribution
by Standing Order. The total amount contributed during the past four months
since the fund raising was launched in November, comes to £44,090.
Arís, tosach maith leath na h-oibre.
The Members of the Fund Raising Committee wish to say a very sincere thanks
to all who have faithfully contributed to the project and they appeal
to those who have not yet come on board to consider doing so now. They
are more than happy with the response to date - £44,090 in the first
four months - That’s almost 2 of the contract price - so they are
now very confident that the total amount will be realised during the remaining
22 months.
Thank you from the Claregalway Show. “Empty, bare and desolate” were the words used to describe race courses around Ireland during the week but it wasn’t the case at the Summerfield race course on Saturday night, March 3rd. With mats in place, all our horses went to post. Just one noticeable difference, instead of the familiar cries of “Apples, pears and ripe bananas”, we opted for mouth watering sandwiches, delicious fruit cake and tasty cocktail sausages and believe me they went down a treat.
Betting was excellent throughout the night. The bookies were kept very busy. The auction race proved to be a “good vintage” for Julie and Tom McKenna and they were presented with a beautiful Galway Crystal Decanter and glasses.
Our sincere thanks to all who supported us on the night, the sponsors, all who bought horses, donated spot prizes and all who helped in any way. Special thanks to Malachy Noone for his superb commentary and to Julie and Tom McKenna for providing the venue.
Calista
Beauty
NOW OPEN
@
Riveroaks Shopping Centre
Claregalway
091 799804
www.calistabeauty.com
Monday - Wednesday 9.30am - 7pm Thursday - Friday 9.30am –9pm
Saturday 9.30am –5pm
Sunday by appointment only
This alternative holistic approach towards a healthy life is of value for everybody.
Body orientated therapy has been used and people have benefited from it for many decades.
There is a growing awareness in the healing professions of the link between Body, Mind and Spirit.
The roots of Reiki reach far back into the ancient origins of natural healing.
Nowadays more and more practitioners, therapists and healers are making Reiki part of their therapeutic program.
Biodynamic Massage & Reiki are both aiming to activate and support the body’s own natural healing process.
Treatments are available at Calista Beauty, Claregalway.
For information, pick up a leaflet or call: Heike Manthey (091-799467) or
Calista Beauty (091-799804)
I have been asked: What do I think of the appearance of Claregalway village? I don’t know whether this is a question that exercises the minds of many people in a collective sense with the notable exception of the Amenity Group and some individual householders. To address the question I will broaden it out to include business, tourism, ecological and heritage perspectives. These aspects have assumed new significance all around the country in the light of rapid changes now taking place. As a starting point I refer to basic guidelines as they have existed locally up to now and potential opportunities for the future.
1. Where we come from is part of what we are, handing down foremost treasures to the next generation, for example, the values of community spirit, physical or historical features of the local landscape, eye-catching structures of artistry or craftsmanship, language, nature, music and culture.
2. Residential settlement in Claregalway up to now was characterised by buildings with relatively low roof lines. The green foliage of the big Sycamores and other broad leaved trees in the village combined with lush hedgerows in adjoining fields (to be seen again in 6 weeks time or so) provided the ideal visual backdrop for a village located on a flat plain only a little higher than the level of the river.
3. The houses in Lakeview estate (where I live) built in the early 1970s were specifically designed to blend into these surroundings and to be unobtrusive on the skyline. So too was the new church, consecrated in 1975, with its design and shape that fits into harmony with the landscape. The church and its grounds, the national school with flower boxes, care and attention very evident, provide attractive centrepieces at the hub of the village.
4. Since the 1980s the village has become a strategic junction for traffic from the north going south to Shannon and Cork and coming from the south to Knock, Sligo and N.Ireland.
5. Tourism experts have strong evidence to show that the more a place is beautified to attract the eye, the more travellers will stop to break the journey for refreshments, etc. and the more tourists can be enticed to pull up for leisure and visit sites of interest. This can be extended to include visitors staying overnight, enjoying the craic, spending money and adding to the income of local hostelries and restaurants within walking distance.
6. Claregalway has untapped natural resources for community-based rural tourism and for attracting visitors. These resources are centred on the unique setting of the river, de Burgo castle and the Abbey. A tourist trail of riverside walks in a quiet setting has amenity value, so also birdwatching (has anybody seen the kingfisher or barn owl in recent times?), the fishing and the local history as reflected by the fortunes of the castle down the centuries. The Burkes (de Burgo), Earls of Clanricarde, were very significant forces in Anglo-Irish history. The glory and stone artistry of the east window of the Abbey is a story in itself. If in doubt, take a close look at the interlacing tracery. Yet over the decades the many overseas visitors who stopped at the bridge to take a photo of these ancient sites resumed their journey with no cultural explanation of what they were looking at. Take-away leaflets at local outlets would help to fill this information gap. Summer schools for language learning, nature, heritage, culture or native crafts are other possibilities.
7. At the new shopping centre at River Oaks, new goods and services and extra jobs have expanded the commercial well-being of the village.
Having reviewed the general background, let us move on to the present appearance of the village. To say that it is unimpressive is putting it mildly. My criticism relates to three main components: the intrusion of high rise buildings changing the character of the village, the condition of the N17 carriageway and the proliferation of litter and rubble on roadsides.
At one stroke the height of the River Oaks shopping centre has marginalized the Abbey to the edges – the 13th century Franciscan Friary that has dominated the village for 700 years. This towering edifice would suit the city but it now casts its long shadows over the adjoining village streetscape and does not conform with low profile residential settlement. Located where it is, hopelessly out of character with the long established local pattern, its overwhelming spectre, out of proportion design and elevation and box-like windows offer reminders of a 19th century workhouse.
Another way of viewing the local backdrop that is being lost is to take a look at the Abbey across Summerfield as you approach the village downhill from Cregboy. Once visible for miles around, nowadays only the tower and belfry peep above the high roof lines of the new houses.
In the Development Plan for Claregalway, Galway Co.Council state that: “It is intended to protect the visual and natural amenity of Claregalway and its surroundings” (Paragraph 2.6). Current trends are in the opposite direction.
The N17
As we all see, the village has been choked for some years now with relentless
traffic and noise. The village has been captured by the passing motorists
and long distance hauliers. There are no concessions to local inhabitants,
except for a risky set of traffic lights. Their needs in going about their
daily business have been forgotten. Off-peak traffic is characterised
by speeding cars and lorries. Garda speed checks are rare. The rutted
condition of the N17 road surface, the half obliterated line markings
or none, the daily cascade of flying chipstones and surface water drenches
from the main carriageway onto footpaths and up the noses of local pedestrians
all combine to illustrate a litany of incompetence in the maintenance
of one of the busiest primary roads in the country. Its not long since
the widely publicised plans for a village by-pass offered residents relief
in 3 years time or so. The sudden silence now on the by-pass is an ominous
sign. If the history of previous community actions to improve road and
traffic matters hereabouts were ever to be written, the author might wish
to record that the relevant authorities and politicians responded best
to people pressure.
Litter
Although the local roadsides are strewn with litter, again I don’t
know whether it is of community-wide concern. The fact that it is tolerated
suggests not. Ken Olsen, founder of Digital, selected Galway for his European
base in 1970 after touring Ireland with his wife looking for a location.
He stated that “a community which takes pride in its appearance was
exactly the community he was looking for”. This flagship enterprise
led to the fleet of high tech industries that followed on. The same principle
applies equally in importance to a village or town.
A glance at roadside litter offers a good measure of the leading market sellers in take-a-way drinks, confectionary, food consumed on the move, chocolate, you name it, a daily record of the dietary habits of litter louts. Torn silage plastic is also evident. In its Annual Report Board Failte singled out the litter problem as a blot on our reputation. Although a big job, the problem can be tackled at local level. This work could be extended to include the collection of old junk and rubbish from derelict sites, rebuilding broken down stone walls, planting trees where appropriate, etc.
Summary
This analysis is intended to be constructive. If there are alternative
analyses, put pen to paper with a view to positive action.
Interior Design - Hints and Tips
Decorating
Hall / Stairs / Landing
The hallway is the first impression you get of your home, so it’s
important to take time to plan and decorate it so as to make it warm and
welcoming for your family and visitors. It also sets the tone for the
rest of the house. The hall, stairs and landing are the connecting spaces,
through which you view all the other rooms therefore they require careful
attention. Before you start consider what style you like - contemporary
look or a more traditional one e.g. a country cottage. The period in which
the house was built should be taken into consideration, but shouldn’t
limit you. Your likes and dislikes as well as the practicalities, such
as a farm house or will children be using it, need to be considered.
Highlight features which are good and disguise the bad. A floor with a regular outline, could be emphasised by using a border in a contrasting colour on the flooring covering, If the ceiling height is right, a cornice or a border could be used to enhance the line where the ceiling meets the wall. Or a well placed window could be treated to a bold curtain/ blind treatment and become the focus point of the space. An interesting shaped window on the stairs can often be shown-off to its best by fixing the curtain or blind within the reveal. A single curtain draped to one side looks better than a pair of curtains hanging half-way down a wall on the stairway. If you have a beautiful shaped staircase show it off to it’s advantage and try not to lose it’s impact by over-decorating the space around it. You can use stair rods as a decorative feature and also to insure your carpet is well attached to the stairs.
You can disguise features by fading them into the background e.g. painting pipes the same colour as the wall. But remember this same pipe in a contemporary setting could be highlighted in a contrasting colour and become part of the decor. If the area lacks features (which is often the case), you may have to create some e.g. with pictures, mirrors, furnishings, etc. If you are lucky enough to have a fireplace in this space, you can give it ‘star’ treatment e.g. with well thought-out lighting.
When it comes to colour remember the hall, stairs and landing lead off each other and need to be linked e.g. having the same carpet or the walls painted the same colour. Also you don’t want the colours to clash with colour-schemes of the other rooms. But this should not stop you going with bold colour-schemes as long as you link it. Where there is a lack of light you can use light colours, mirrors and reflective surfaces (e.g. glass-top table) or instead use the darkness - paint rich dark colours and use lighting effects etc.
Surfaces
- Wall and Floor covering:
Floor and wall covering need to be hard wearing as they deal with a lot
of traffic and if there are children or pets the surfaces need to be extra
robust. So leave the delicate wallpaper treatment you always wanted to
do, until they are older or consider installing a dado-rail and use a
paint finish below the rail. A tongue and grove wall panelling to dado
height and with a striped or geometric patterned wallpaper on the upper
part of the wall will give a period look to a hall. If you are splitting
the wall into two different colours with a dado rail use the darker colour
on the lower level. If you use the lighter one on the lower level it should
be repeated again above the picture rail and ceiling to give a balanced
effect.
If the walls have attractive angles and shapes, paint all the one colour or tones of the same colour to enhance the effect rather than using patterned wallpaper which can confuse and distract the eye. Bear in mind that silk and satin finish paints reflect more light than matt ones and are a good idea if there is a lack of light.
Wood, stone, marble, terracotta and vinyl are all good choices and look stunning in a hallway. Both stone and terracotta tiles are warmer than ceramic tiles. If using a carpet, use a heavy domestic type and with twist and loop pile instead of cut pile. Have a doormat at the entrance, which is within a well and flush with the rest of the carpet to stop dirt being trampled all over it. Also natural floor covering such as sisal, coir and seagrass are popular in the last few years. Rugs add that extra touch and can introduce colour but keep safety in mind. A wooden floor can be painted in a variety of patterns and also stencilled and part of the pattern used on the walls.
Furnishings:
You are often limited when choosing a piece of furniture for these areas,
because of lack of space, also they will stand-out, so choose wisely.
You don’t want a piece too big and will take from the overall decor.
Remember it will be seen from different angles depending on where it’s
placed and must not get in the way of human traffic. If space permits
you could place a round table in the centre of the hall and use it as
a focal point. Place books, selection of photographs, flowers etc. on
it. Radiator covers help to conceal the radiator and provide a surface
for placing decorative objects. You can buy a ready made cover or have
it made to your requirements (more expensive) some can be painted, which
gives more scope.
Storage:
One never has enough storage space, (see October ’00 issue). There
can be a lot of wasted space in halls and landings. Books only require
a narrow shelving and can be accommodated easily. There also add colour
and interest to an area. By placing a chair, table and light beside them
you have your own reading space. Space under the stairs is often neglected
and instead could be used to store wine using racks which can be stacked
in different shapes. You may need space to keep outdoor clothing or baby’s
buggy etc. so a door could be added to a recess which in turn can be painted
the same colour as the wall and so improving the overall look of the hall
or landing. The hall often acts as an unofficial nerve centre, it is useful
to organise a place where you can leave messages, mail, keys etc.
Lighting:
Lighting is an important part of interior design (see December ‘00
issue) and particularly in the decoration of hall / stairs / landings
as it will help set the mood as you enter the house. Use it to highlight
items such as a stencilled floor, a favourite ornament or a large bunch
of flowers in a glass vase. Table lamps will give soft light while an
uplighter behind a large plant will cast shadows of the leaves on the
wall. To move through the house safely requires good lighting. Make sure
any change of level is highlighted e.g. the stairway. Two-way switching
allows you to switch a light from different positions e.g. top and bottom
of stairs. External light at the front door gives a warm welcome to visitors
and lights knocker, doorbell and letterbox. Exchange a solid door for
a glazed one to give more light or install a fan-light above the door.
Accessories:
If lighting is important in the decor so is accessories. A picture gallery
can be created along a stairway, while a wall-hanging can form a major
part of the decoration. Mirrors amplify any natural light entering an
area, they can be used to back recesses / niches by being cut to shape
or framed sections can be hung at intervals. Attention should be paid
to such items as door handles, panelling, architrave and cornices, light
switches and socket plates as part of the decor. Often by just changing
door handles a lift can be given to the overall effect.
Decorating a hall / stairs / landing should be like decorating any other room, it should be personal, reflecting individual tastes and choices and look like it has grown over a period of time and not put together during an afternoon in a department store.
Mary D. Kelly
Decorating Options
(091) 798224.
Saint Patrick
was born in 387 A.D. in Britain as Maewyn Succat. His father Calphurnius
was a Roman official. Saint Patrick was kidnapped at age 16 and sold into
slavery in Ireland, according to his autobiography. He escaped by boat
to Britain after six years of captivity and traveled to St. Martin's monastery
in Tours, France, where he studied under Saint Germain of Auxerre and
became a priest. In 431 A.D. Pope Celestine I named him Patricius and
sent him on a mission to Ireland.
In 432 A.D he arrived in Ireland and successfully converted the island
from Druidism (pronounced - DREW-id-ism) to the Christian faith. He wrote
The Confession defending his life of service and also wrote A Letter to
Coroticus attacking slavery and denouncing British King Coroticus for
kidnapping and enslaving his converts. These works are the only documents
to have survived the fall of Rome and are in the Bibliothèque National
in Paris. (12) Saint Patrick became primatial bishop in 455 A.D. at Ard
Macha, a hill away from Emain Macha (pron. EV-n MA-ha), seat of the Ulster
(pron. ULL-stir) Kings. Saint Patrick died on March 17th 461 A.D. The
date of his death is disputed between March 8th and March 9th, so they
were added together. Today Saint Patrick is revered by many christian
denominations and he is the official saint of the Church of Ireland. Many
people go to sacred wells, mountains, and placenames in his honor throughout
the year.
On Friday March 16th the Saw Doctors will be guests on the popular US radio show, Imus in the Morning, which is syndicated to more than 80 radio stations across the States to an audience of 10 million listeners.
As well as the radio broadcast, Imus in the Morning is simulcast on the cable channel, MSNBC, which has a National television audience of 62 million homes in the US.
Don Imus was the guest of Larry King on his CNN show recently.
On March 16, he will interview Dave Carton and Leo Moran, as well as introducing four live tracks by the Saw Doctors – he has specifically requested My Heart is Living in the Sixties, the song from the second Saw Doctors album All the Way from Tuam.
The March 16th show of Imus in the Morning will be recorded at the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston. After the recording, the Saw Doctors will travel to New York City for their big Roseland Ballroom show that evening (March 16).
They will
play eight shows in the USA in March with their new drummer, Jim Higgins,
including two concerts in Chicago (The Metro) on March 9 and 10, two in
Boston (The Paradise) on March 13 and 14, and a St. Patrick’s Day
concert at the Calvin Theatre, Northampton, Maryland.
Ceistnóir
ón Coimisiún na Gaeltachta
Tá sé ráite le gairid (ag Eamon OCuiv), go mbeidh
deireadh leis an nGaeltacht , mar ata sí faoi láthair, taobh
istigh de ghlúin amhain. Is soiléir go bhfuil an méid
Gaeilge a labhraitear sa Ghaeltacht ag laghdu.
B'fhéidir nach bhfuil fhios ag a lán daoine sa cheantar
seo, go bhfuil conaí acu sa Ghaeltacht, no sa Bhreacghaeltacht,
is go bhfuil go leor Gaeilge taobh timpeall. Ta cainteoirí o dhúchais
anseo is ansúid, agus Gaeilge breá liofa acu. Cloistear
iad uaireanta sa phub no sa siopa. Ta trí naonraí sa pharóiste,
is tá caighdean árd Gaeilge labhartha sna mBunscoileanna
freisin. Cinnte, tá a lan Gaeilge ag na leanaí thart timpeall.
Tabhair seans dóibh an Gaeilge sin a úsaid sa bhaile, i
sli déas nadurtha. Labhair leo as Gaeilge.
Bhí cruinniu i gCairn Mór, idir Coimisiun an Gaeltachta
agus muintir na háite ar 6ú Feabhra. Tá an Coimisiún
faoi lathair ag féachaint ar gach uile ghne de shaol na Gaeltachta,
o ról Udarás na Gaeltachta go seirbhís stáit,
o ról TG4 go deontais labhartha Gaeilge. Beidh an Coimisiun ag
cur sraith moltaí os comhair an Rialtas, maidir le cur chuige nua
a chuideoidh le buanu na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht. Tá siad ag iarraidh
fáil amach ceard a cheapann muintir an Ghaeltacht faoi chursaí
Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht inniu, agus ceard iad na hathruithe ata le déanamh
chun todchai na Ghaeltachta a chinntiú.
Tá
ceistneoir le fáil. Is féidir leat í a líonadh
agus a sheoladh chuig Comisiún na Gaeltachta. Tá suim acusan
i do thuairimi, agus aon moltai a bhfuil agat.
Siobhán Bn. Uí Loinscigh
Ceistnóir
Questionnaire
BEFORE COMPUTERS - A TOUCH OF HUMOUR
An application
was for employment, a program was a TV show,
A cursor used profanity, a keyboard was a piano.
Memory was
something that you lost with age,
A CD was a bank account,
And a floppy disc was something terribly wrong in your back.
Compress
was something you did to garbage, not something you did to a file,
And if you unzipped anything in public, you’d be in jail for a while.
Log on was
adding wood to the fire, hard drive was a long trip on the road,
A mouse pad was where a mouse lived, and a backup happened to your commode.
Cut you did
with a pocket knife, paste you did with glue,
A web was a spider’s home, and a virus was the flu.
I guess I’ll
stick to my pad and paper, and the memory in my head
I hear nobody’s been killed in a computer crash, but when it happens,
they wish they were dead.
The custom
of honouring mothers began thousands of years ago. Myths were created
by people as they began to weave wonderful stories about gods and goddesses
who moved the sun across the sky and twinkled the stars at night. These
stories were added to year after year.
Some of the first myths were told by the ancient people of Phrygia in
Asia Minor. They believed that the most important goddess was Cybele,
the daughter of Heaven and Earth, and she was considered to be the mother
of all the gods. Once a year the people of Phrygia held a festival to
honour her. This may have been the first celebration to honour a mother.
The Greek people also had a powerful goddess who was the mother of all
the gods, and she was called Rhea.
Likewise, the Romans had a mother of all the gods, and she was Magna Mater,
or Great Mother. A temple on the Palatine Hill in Rome was built for her.
Each year on March 15, there was a three-day celebration to honour her,
and it was called the Festival of Hilaria. Gifts were brought to the temple
to please this powerful mother-goddess.
With the coming of Christianity, a celebration was held to honour the
"Mother Church." On the fourth Sunday in Lent, people brought
gifts to the church where they had been baptized.
During the Middle Ages another kind of celebration began. Since many children
had to leave home to earn money, and they were only allowed one holiday
a year, it was on the fourth Sunday in Lent that the children went home
to see their mothers. This was called "a-mothering", and thus
the custom of "Mothering Sunday" was started.
Congratulations to Susan & Ian Cooke, River Oaks, on the birth of their baby girl, Jennifer.
Birthday wishes to Samantha Murphy, Cregboy who will be eighteen on the 10th of March.
Happy Birthday to Kate Carr, Cregboy, who will four years of age on the 15th of March.
Congratulations to Ciaran Keogh, Cloonbiggeen and Assumpta Conneely from Mountbellew, who recently became engaged.
Now that
Christmas is but a distant memory, it is time to welcome the month of
change—March. March brings longer days and brighter spells, while
bitter winds and driving rain show that winter has not yet given way to
spring. Despite the cold weather, it is heart lifting to see the daffodils
shooting up and preparing us for the glorious gardening days ahead. Spring
is a rejuvenation period for us—it puts a “pep in our steps”
and with Lent here also, it gives us all a chance to clear the cobwebs
and concentrate on doing something good for ourselves or others. Why not
become more involved in your local community—there is always plenty
to do. This month we have a very interesting article on the changing face
of Claregalway (pg. 8 and 9). Why not become more aware of what’s
happening around us?
Josette.
CLAREGALWAY SKIN CARE AND AROMATHERAPY CLINIC
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a truly Holistic therapy taking into account the mind, body and spirit seeking help.
Aromatherapy has its roots in the most ancient healing practice of mankind. Massage with essential oils diluted in a carrier oil is the most important method of treatment, for it combines the effects of the oils themselves with the important element of human contact between the Aromatherapist and the person seeking help, It is very important for the Aromatherapist to take a case history before applying the essential oils.
Even small amounts of essential oils can build up a toxic level in the body, and some of the essential oils are very toxic indeed.
Essential oils are very readily absorbed through the skin. The Aroma alone can have a very relaxing effect on the mind.
Aromatherapy can be used to compliment many other forms of treatment, both orthodox or unorthodox. Self treatment is quite safe provided that the oils are sensibly and correctly used, self diagnosis is not advisable, nor is self treatment for anything moderately serious.
For more Information Contact Evelyn Kitt on: 091 798485, 776824 or 087 6783733
JUNIOR
BADMINTON
The County championships in ages U11, U13, U15 and U17 were held over
3 weekends in the Galway Lawn Tennis Club. Our club had a big entry overall.
U11 Singles.
All our squad played really well and reports are that everyone had a very
enjoyable day. Joseph Walsh did very well to reach the Final. Congratulations
Joseph.
U11 Doubles
Well done to all our club members who played in this event, especially
Emmett Farrell and Joseph Walsh who reached the semi-finals.
U13 Singles
Michelle Quinn had a very easy passage to the Final, which she won very
convincingly her first gold medal of her two in the championships. Congratulations
Michelle and to all other players who took part in this event.
The boys singles had a very big entry, with some very close and entertaining
games. Mark Loughlin reached the final, but not without having to play
really well to overcome club-mate Shane Brennan in a brilliant three-set
semi-final. Shane played really well throughout the tournament. Mark went
on to win the Final and the first of his three gold medals in the championships.
U13 Girls
Doubles
Michelle Quinn came to these championships with thoughts of another gold.
Her partner, Nicola Newell and herself had earlier in the season won gold
in the Connaght Open. Unfortunately for both girls, Nicola was ill and
could not play. Nicola also missed out in the singles, but had recovered
to play in the mixed doubles at a later date. Rose Griffin and Laura Mangan
had some good games on the day. Carol McKiernan was also unlucky, her
partner Orla Fahy was ill.
U13 Boys
Doubles.
The Boys Doubles was a very competitive event dominated by Claregalway
players. Patrick Farrell and Shane Brennan had to play really well to
reach the final. In the other half, Mark Loughlin (thinking of another
gold) and his partner, Gregory Hehir, had a much easier passage to the
final and had to play much better to beat Patrick and Shane in a very
exciting and well contested match.
U13 Mixed
Doubles
Our club had a fair entry in this section. Shane Brennan and Nicola Newell
teamed up together and had some very good three-set games to reach the
semi-final. Other players in this section were Rory Mooney/Laura Mangan,
Rose Griffin/Gregory Hehir (GLTC) Orla Fahy didn’t play, her partner
Patrick Farrell wasn’t available on the day. Mark Loughlin and Michelle
Quinn both aiming for gold - Mark his 3rd and Michelle her 2nd - reached
the final, and won it in fine style, easily beating the GLTC pair. Well
done to all.
U15 Singles
The Girls singles was played on a Round Robin because of the small entry. Maria Griffin and Catherine Fleming had some good games in this event which was dominated by Maree B/C.
The Boys singles had a good entry from Claregalway. Thomas Walsh did well to teach the final. In the other half Ian Steven played Damien Hehir for a place in the semi-final. This certainly was the game of the day. Played with such skill and determination, Damian won this three-set match by only a point.
Girls
Doubles
This event had a small entry. Maria Griffin and Catherine Fleming played
well to reach the final and were beaten by the GLTC pair in a very well
contested match.
Boys Doubles
Niall Farrell and Gerard Kirrane had to play extremely well to overcome
the Rosmuc pair in a very tense and exciting three-set match to reach
the quarter finals. In the other half, Ian Steven and Damian Hehir reached
the Final and were beaten by the GLTC pair Colm MacDonagh and Kenneth
Walsh.
U15 Mixed Doubles
Our club members who played in this event were -
Maria Griffin/Padraig Hanley
Catherine Fleming/Gerard Kirrane
Ian Steven/K Lawlor (GLTC)
This event had a very small entry. Our players did well to teach semi-finals
against strong opposition from Rosmuc and GLTC.
U17 Singles
The Girls Singles was played in a Round Robin. Grainne Noonan reached
the final. Maria Moran just missed a final with Grainne by one point.
Grainne lost out in a very good three-set final to Suzanne McGrath (Maree
B/C).
The Boys Singles was also played as a Round Robin. Declan Griffin reached the final where he faced his old rival John Lenfesty (Maree B/C). John was the winner in a very well contested mach.
Girls
Doubles
Another Round Robin event, because of the small entry. Grainne Noonan
and Maria Moran reached the final to play Suzanne McGrath and Rachel Clarke
(Maree B/C). The Maree girls won this exciting final in two sets.
Boys Doubles
Declan Griffin teamed up with school made Alan Doyle for this event. They
had to overcome stiff opposition to reach the final where they faced John
Lenfesty and Paul Clarke. This final was very long, exciting and well
contested. Alan and Declan won in three sets 15/10, 10/15, 15/7
Mixed
Doubles
Grainne and Declan again had to play John and Suzanne (Maree) in a tough
final with the Maree pair winning.
Designed
and Maintained by Niall Farrell
© Nuacht Chláir