More than 30 women who participated in the Dublin Women’s Mini Marathon alongside dementia advocate Helen Rochford Brennan from Tubbercurry, Co Sligo have raised over €8,000 for The Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland.
CHEQUE: Helen O’Brien, Helen Rochford Brennan and Carine Quinn holding the “Still Helen” cheque presented to The Alzheimers Society of Ireland by the friends and family of Helen Rochford Brennan at Cawley’s Hotel, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo. Photo by Richard McCarthy/eventcapture.ie
The team, who donned their trainers and completed the famous 10k marathon in Dublin last June, are all friends and supporters of dementia advocate Helen Rochford Brennan who was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 62, and has been working tirelessly to advocate on behalf of people with dementia.
The funds will be split between the The ASI and its Irish Dementia Working Group (IDWG).
Helen is chair of The ASI’s IDWG, an advocacy group populated by people living with dementia who are working tirelessly and voluntarily to give voice to the person with dementia and lobby for change.
The marathon team, who called themselves #StillHelen, was delighted to present the cheque for €8,141 to Tina Leonard, Head of Advocacy and Public Affairs at The ASI at Tubbercurry on Tuesday.
Tina said: “We would like to express our sincere thanks to this fundraising team. The funds will go a long way to help us continue to raise vital awareness of what life is like with dementia and to get the voice of the person with dementia both heard and understood.
“Helen was one the first dementia advocates in Ireland to talk about the struggles she overcomes every day as a person with dementia and has raised awareness of life with the condition exponentially. She is an inspirational advocate and has done more for awareness raising than she knows. We are hugely lucky to have someone of Helen’s calibre on our advocacy group.”
Helen Rochford Brennan, who also participated in the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon said: “it’s fantastic to see people running marathons to raise money for Alzheimer’s, in the past that didn’t happen when the condition was shrouded in stigma and shame.
People with dementia have such a valuable contribution to make to society but they must be given the correct supports to live well. Every person with dementia has a right to live in their own homes for as long as possible, as I always say there is no ward like home.
“As Chair of the Irish Dementia Working Group we are working every day to speak out on behalf of people with dementia, these funds will go a long way to facilitate us to continue our valuable advocacy work. I would like to thank every member of the #stillHelen team for all their hard work.”
Concerns for services in rural areas of Sligo were voiced by councillors at Monday’s special meeting to decide on the Local Property Tax.
Elected members were given an outline on the possible repercussions for services that a vote to decrease property tax could have by head of finance Marie Whelan. As projected in the current financial plan (still to be confirmed by the Department of the Environment), should the property tax remain at its current level, Sligo should get close to €9 million in revenue.
This comes from both the tax itself and also the Equalisation Fund which brings revenue in from other counties in Ireland to spread the revenue gained through property tax.
There was a warning given to councillors from Marie Whelan that a reduction in property tax could compromise services such as libraries which are provided by the council.
Independent Cllr Margaret Gormley asked for clarification on whether the vote for the property tax to remain the same would result in the services at Tubbercurry Tax Office, Ballymote Library and Tubbercurry Library all being retained.
“I don’t want to see theses services going. A year ago I abstained [from a vote on property tax] to see what services would improve and if anything services got worse,” she said.
Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services would not give a commitment on the services remaining in place but did say that she and the council were doing all they can to keep them going.
“We want to retain the services and maintain them in rural areas. We have come up with different options at least and if we get approval [for the financial plan] it will give us some form of stability over the next number of years and that is as much as I can say,” she said.
Margaret Gormley did ultimately vote for the the property tax to remain the same, however independent Michael Clarke chose to abstain due to the lack of clarity over services and the hard economic times in his area of Dromore West.
“It is a difficult situation in my area with pubs and shops closing because they are unable to pay rates. I would like to be in a position to support the motion [to reduce the tax] but I do not want to see cuts to older people. I want to sit on the bench,” he said. Cllr Margaret Casserly admitted that she and her elected colleagues were “stuck between a rock and hard place.”
Award winning venue 5th on Teeling will this weekend open its doors to a brand new front bar and their sister venue ‘SIXTH’ makes its Saturday late night debut also.
VENUE: Fifth on Teeling
The guys in 5th have completely re-vamped the front bar area and the new look promises to bring a more cosy, comfy experience for customers and will open early evenings on Friday and Saturdays each weekend.
Long established as a venue with one of the most extensive Craft Beer selections in the Northwest, 5th on Teeling will be now have an added list of craft whiskeys and cocktails available for those who fancy a tipple.
5th on Teeling ‘Live Venue’ shall continue as always bringing the best of local, national and international talent to Sligo, but with the ‘5th on Teeling Bar’.
Everyone is welcome this Saturday at 9pm for a Craft Beer/Cocktails and Canapes reception in the new front bar. Once the launch has got going, it is well worth sticking around as a great night is in store with two of Irelands best party bands, Thank Funk and the Mass Band playing an amazing double header from 10pm. As always, it’s free admission and late bar on the night.
Next door from 11pm will see the opening of Sligo’s newest late night, over 21’s, venue. The interior of the venue can only be described as unique and everyone who ventures in will be pleasantly surprised.
“We feel there is a niche in the market for a free late night venue to cater for those who want to party, but in a more sleek, sophisticated setting”, said Manager, Daniel McGarrigle. “Our music policy is one of the key elements to attracting the crowd. We aim to have 80s and 90s discos on a weekly basis and from the feedback we’ve been getting, this is something a lot of people will enjoy.”
Seán Keane and his band will perform his unique blend of traditional Irish and contemporary folk music and song in the intimate setting of Coleman Music Centre, Gurteen on Saturday, October 3 at 9pm.
Growing up in a family of singers and musicians, Seán learned the sean-nós style of singing from his mother and his aunts. Singing was his life, even in early childhood.
By the time Seán reached his teens, he had collected thirteen All-Ireland medals in Fleadh Ceoil competitions. He was by then an accomplished whistle and flute player as well and had taken up the uilleann pipes and bodhrán. Seán Keane continues to delight audiences all over the world with his live performances and recorded work.
The Coleman Centre will be the only venue that Sean will be playing in October and November as he has tour commitments in Austria, the USA, Germany and Birmingham.
Complimentary tea/coffee and biscuits are available at the interval and people will have an opportunity to mingle with Seán and his band.
A great night’s entertainment is guaranteed.
Early booking advisable as this promises to be a sell-out concert – Phone 071 9182599, email info@colemanirishmusic.com or www.colemanirishmusic.com
Three students from St. Angela’s College of Education in Sligo were among the 2015 winners and highly commended entrants at the Undergraduate Awards (UA).
BRAINS: James Devaney, Cian Burns and Eoghan Donohue who will take part in the Olympiad.
Sinead Gaffney as student of St Angela’s College Sligo won the Education category for her paper ‘The Home Economics Teacher as Leader within the School Community: A Reflection’. Two further students were recognised as Highly Commended Entrants, meaning their papers were ranked in the top 10% of all submissions in the Nursing & Midwifery category: Hazel Hevehan and Rose Murray.
This is not the first time the College has excelled at these international awards. Elaine Sweeney, a 2014 nursing graduate and Kim O’Toole a Home Economic Education 2014 graduate rate amongst the top 10% of submission internationally.
In 2013 Michelle Galvin received a highly commended achievement in the Nursing and Midwifery Category. In 2012 Ms Mary Mac Goldrick was selected as an overall winner of the Undergraduate Awards in the Nursing and Midwifery Category.
“This is a fantastic achievement for St. Angela’s and its Sinead,” commented UA’s Executive Director Louise Hodgson. “Only the very top students from each university can submit their coursework, and The Undergraduate Awards identifies the very best of the best.”
Winners and Highly Commended Entrants will receive their Gold Medals at the annual UA Global Summit, taking place in Dublin on November 10-13.
A fashion design student from St Angela’s College in Sligo is a finalist in the Young Designer of the Year competition.
DESIGN: St Angela’s student Emma Curtis stands next to her design work on display at the Yeats Nobel Dinner in June of this year at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sligo.
Emma Curtis, a second-year student of BA Textiles, Fashion and Design is one of 12 students from colleges around Ireland whose work was featured in the Dublin Fashion Week ‘Young designer of the Year’ competition outside the bank of Ireland in College Green, Dublin, last month.
Emma’s cape-style coat is one of the three designs which formed her mini degree collection from the second year of her BA in Textiles, Fashion and Design with Business Management degree in St. Angela’s College.
The theme for her work was ‘The Cloths of the Ocean’. The movement and shape of the mussel shell is reflected in Emma’s coat-cape which is made with white neoprene and gold leatherette with a light weight lining with a hand painted print.
The white neoprene drape dress was printed with a hint of gold leatherette and imitates the different shell shapes and movement within them. The three toned chiffon dress with gold leatherette cuff and rolled hem was inspired by the scallop shell. Each piece comes together creating a clean elegant look.
Emma’s designs were also featured in an exhibition in the Radisson Hotel on Thursday, June 12 at the Yeats’ Nobel Dinner, and her dress was one of the final ten in ladies day at the Galway Races this July.
The final 12 designers took part in a spectacular catwalk show outside Bank of Ireland on College Green on Wednesday, September 9.
The designers’ pieces were showcased in front of an invited audience of key fashion influencers including press, fashion buyers and established designers, as they competed for the title of Young Designer of the Year in one of Ireland’s largest and most renowned fashion events.
This is the third year of the three-year BA in Textiles, Fashion and Design with Business Management in St Angela’s College. Although there are other fashion or textile design focused courses in Ireland, this is the first course where students can study fashion, textiles and design along with the much needed business management for this competitive industry.
The expertise of experienced lecturers who have worked in the industry, such as local designers Rebecca Marsden and Anna Faye contributes to its uniqueness. See www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie for further information.
2015 proved to be another year of progress for Sligo Tidy Towns as the majority of the 23 committees around the country received improved marks from last year.
EYE CATCHING: The mural of Maud Gonne, one of several around Sligo town, were highly praised by the adjudicator.
Coolaney was marked as Sligo’s tidiest town. The adjudicator deemed their entry “outstanding”.
The judge added “You have approached your work in recent years carefully and carried it out with great attention to detail. You’ll go far.”
Riverstown and Ballintogher, who were both commended for their work, were also the recipients of €800 and €500 respectively after finishing second and third.
Below is a report for some of the areas who entered this year’s competition.
ACLARE
237 marks (up 7). County placing joint 18th
Aclare, now in its third year in the competition, is being recognised as an area making encouraging progress.
The South Sligo village has enjoyed a significant improvement this year, seeing an increase in marks awarded in four categories, including Tidiness and Litter Control which particularly stood out on the day of marking.
The adjudicator asked “Do you have regular litter-patrols? You must, as car-borne litter alone would have a much bigger footprint than that seen on the day.”
Despite being among their increased marks, Aclare have been told they must do more with regards to Sustainable Waste and Resource Management, with the adjuticator suggesting that Aclare Tidy Towns take on more projects themselves.
The adjudicator concluded by remarking that Aclare produced a great, detailed report and that they are “definitely” heading in the right direction.
BALLINTOGHER
292 marks (up 7) County placing 3rd
Ballintogher has been named as of three County winners in Sligo for 2015.
The adjudicator was particularly impressed with the seed collection and propagation which seen the area rack up an impressive 39 points out of a possible 50 for Landscaping and Open Spaces.
They were also commended for the planting of beech trees.
“Tree-planting is by far the most significant long-term impact you can have on a village and your actions are to be applauded,” the judge said.
The playground was also described as “really gorgeous”, with the landscape planting recieving particular praise. This comes following last year’s criticism that ground was strewn with gravel and other debris.
Overall the adjudicator enjoyed the visit to Ballintogher and was very impressed with their work.
BALLISODARE
257 marks (up 3) County placing 13th
The Ballisodare committee was the subject of great praise for their contributions to the environment.
In the adjucation report, it is stated that “You have a healthy number of committee members but you are well-supported when it comes to clean-up and other events. You’ve got a goodly number of supporting organisations too, from the County Council and LEADER to scouts and beavers. Going for over twenty years you can be sure that Ballisodare Tidy Towns group has made a great contribution to the environment here.”
They were also praised for engaging with the national school, but they were asked if adults can also become more involved in different projects to improve their marking for the Sustainable Waste and Resource Management category.
In conclusion, the committee was told “As things turn around and places pick up, your work will continue to be of great importance to your built and natural environment.”
BALLYGAWLEY
237 marks (up 8) County placing joint 18th
The adjudication report has outlined the potential for much progress to be made in Ballygawley.
The report states that “You’ve only been in the competition for four years now but the progress is tangible. Well done on the production of a 3-Year Plan. This will help. As you get the hang of this, your planning and execution will continue to improve. It’s good to read how you feel the competition has helped the community.”
They were praised for the general upkeep of the area, such as painting, weeding and sweeping and the neat appearance of the buildings of local businesses.
Overall the adjudicator is very impressed with the progress being made to date.
PAINTING: Work on Markievicz House was ongoing at the time of the adjudication.
BALLYMOTE
256 marks (up 4) County placing 12th
The Ballymote Tidy Towns Committee are not giving themselves enough credit in their entry forms.
This is the opinion of the judge who believes they are not highlighting the full extent of their work.
“In a nutshell, you are not doing yourselves justice as it is clear that you are doing more work than you are telling us about. A suggestion: get a non-Tidy Towns person to complete it as a dry-run. Tell him/her all about your year’s work and then get them to put it in written form in a succinct way. It’s worth a go as (again) we feel that you are not getting all the credit that you deserve. For now, though, thanks for all the hard work,” the report states.
The adjudicator was pleased with the work carried out at a number of premises in the area including the Art Deco, Corran College and the Fire Station, but felt more work was required around Scoil Muire gan Smal.
The adjudicator praised their hard work and recommended that they concentrate on their efforts in relation to Wildlife, Habitats and Natural Amenities for the coming year.
BELLAGHY
211 marks (not entered 2014) County placing 23rd
Bellaghy made their first appearance in the competition for the first time in five years.
The Tidy Towns committee were praised for their work in painting murals and tackling empty and derelict building fronts and acknowledged that it is early days for the committee in this centre with a lot of work still to come.
Bellaghy was also commended for its litter control, but must do more to promote anti-litter awareness and organise more group efforts such as the annual Spring Clean. Better weed control was also advised.
“You have much to do, there’s no doubt but you’ve done the hardest part by getting organised and back into the competition. The adjudicator suggests that you seek some guidance from the local authority. Perhaps take part in some of the Tidy Towns events and, above all, keep up the good work. Be realistic with what you take on and don’t over-stretch yourselves too soon,” the adjudicator’s report concluded.
CARRAROE
224 points (not entered 2014) County placing 21st
Carraroe returned to the competition after almost three decades, their last appearance coming in 1987.
Despite their absence, the committee has been very busy and their Crafernoon initiative was never seen before by the adjudicator who visited the area.
With a lot of positive work being done on buildings, both derelict and in use, it has been suggested that the next important step for the the Tidy Towns Committee is to work with a Green School.
Being relatively new to Tidy Towns again, they were also advised to seek expert assistance for their work in Wildlife, Habitat and Natural Amenities bearing in mind it is one of the most difficult categories.
It was noted that Carraroe has made a flying start to litter control, carrying out extensive and high profile anti-litter and fly-tipping actions, as well as setting up the See Something, Say Something campaign.
Overall the adjudicator stated that there is a lot to do for Carraroe but they have proven that they are up to the task.
For the full round up from each Sligo entrant, pick up a copy of this week’s Sligo Weekender newspaper – In shops now!
Teams from two schools with strong Sligo contingents have this week returned from Singapore where they took part in the annual ‘Formula 1 in Schools’ competition.
TEAM AIB RACING: Aaron Hannon, Enda Flanagan, Robert Grimes and Paul Flynn.
St. Attracta’s Community College, Tubbercurry and St. Muredach’s College, Ballina were both represented at the tourament after ranking among Ireland’s top teams earlier this year.
The St. Muredach’s team, known as Team AIB Racing, which included Enniscrone natives Aaron Hannon, Robert Grimes and Paul Flynn and Enda Flanagan from Mayo achieved an impressive third place finish which also earned them a place on the podium.
In addition, they also won the Best Pit Display award and team manager Aaron Hannon was named among ten students who have been accepted into the Randstead Williams Engineering Academy, who mentor and nurture budding engineers geared towards potential careers in Formula 1.
TEAM VERUS RACING: Niall O’Donnell, Art McCarrick, Eoin Leonard and Gerard Hunt
Meanwhile the St. Attracta’s team, Verus Racing, brought home an award for Best Use of Social Media, adding to their previous success of claiming top spot in the national ‘F1 in Schools’ competition in May, becoming the first three person team to win the coveted title.
“Even though they didn’t follow up their national victory, they were more than happy with how the car performed. They did win the award for best use of social media which was sponsored by ID PR & Marketing. They were one of only 14 teams to step onto the stage and pick up an award. After the competition the guys stayed on and took in the Singapore Grand Prix,” said Art McCarrick, Development Officer for Motorsport Ireland of the Verus Racing team.
They consisted of Eoin Leonard, Gerard Hunt and Niall O’Donnell.
Poignant tributes to the many hundreds of sailors who lost their lives in the Spanish Armada wrecks have prompted political debate and gained widespread exposure in Spain.
A wreath laying ceremony and a tribute consisting of over 1,000 crosses marked in the sand at Streedagh beach, was a focal point of the Celtic Fringe Festival held in North Sligo over the weekend.
And the ceremony was picked up by two Spanish media outlets, leading to calls that the country do more to honour the victims of the Armada who died 427 years ago.
One of the articles painted a picture of the ceremony which many Spaniards found moving, according to comments shared on social media.
(Translated) “Hundreds attended the ceremony, and they gave a silent tribute to the fallen from La Lavia, La Juliana and La Santa Maria de Vision, sank by a storm on September 25th 1588.
“The tribute was done in the same place where last June, artefacts from the second of these ships, La Juliana, were recovered from the sea. This recovery came about due to the major storms which struck the western coast of Ireland last Winter which disturbed the seabed which had hidden the ship for more than 4 centuries.”
Although we refer to the tragedy as the Spanish Armada in this country, in Spain it is called the ‘England Enterprise’ and is still seen as something of a national humiliation.
The Sligo-based entrepreneur who founded the O’Brien’s Sandwich Bar chain said the North West is “alive with opportunities” for new start-ups.
ENTERPRISE: Sligo-based entrepreneur Brody Sweeney. Photo by Gerry Mooney.
Brody Sweeney was speaking to the Sligo Weekender in advance of “Start, Scale, Succeed”, an enterprise event in the Clarion Hotel at which he is the keynote speaker, on October 5.
“We should realise how very fortunate we are to live somewhere like this. The North West is alive with opportunities for new businesses and start-ups,” he said.
“It’s a entrepreneural hub and the amount of festivals and local activities that are run every year in this region are extraordinary. It just shows the entrepreneural feel of the people.
“We all have had challenging times but we all need to change our mindset now: we are coming out of the recession and we are seeing growth again.
“There was a period there when no one was spending or borrowing money or taking risks but we have to change our mindsets and start spending, borrowing and taking risks. People have to realise that there is no better time to start a business than now – and especially here in the North West.”
‘Start, Scale, Suceed’ is part of the Startup Gathering week-long series of events, running from October 5 – 10, with the aim of providing a platform to support and celebrate entrepreneurs and business success.
The Sligo event is part of a series in the North West, organised by Dr Michelle Connolly, and supported by Ibec, IT Sligo, LYIT New Frontiers, Skillsnet and Bank of Ireland, Leitrim Development Company, Leitrim County Council and Leitrim’s LEO (for details, see Business, page 26).
As well as Brody Sweeney, the Sligo meeting will also hear from Martha Kearns, co-founder of StoryLab; Martin McGeough, founder of Firefly and George Mullan, founder of SIS Group.
Mr Sweeney, who has a house between Grange and Cliffoney, said it is “the start of a great period for Sligo”.
“This is not a forgotten corner of Ireland; there are great businesses here and lots of good job opportunities There are lots of new businesses and start-ups getting set up and jobs being created.”
EACH time you hear about Rackhouse Pilfer, they have passed another milestone on the road to success.
MUSIC ROYALTY: Sligo band Rackhouse Pilfer pictured in the studio with Imelda May (fourth from right) and Tom Jones (third from right) where they recorded songs for Tom’s new album “Long Lost Suitcase”.
Following the success of the band’s album ‘Love Havoc’, released just over a year and a half ago, the band have gone to win Hot Press magazine’s Best Folk/ Trad Band for 2015 in a readers poll, play for the Irish President and more recently, record two songs on the new Sir Tom Jones album- ‘Long Lost Suitcase’.
Fiddle player and vocalist, Fiachra Cunningham took time out of a busy schedule to talk to the Sligo Weekender about recording with the legendary Tom Jones.
“Tom’s producer heard out album ‘Love Havoc’ and we had been in touch with him [the producer] about possibly producing for us. He is a dream producer and after hearing the album he thought it was a perfect fit for what he was putting together with Tom Jones,” he said.
Although the recordings with Tom Jones are only coming to light now, the Rackhouse boys actually recorded it back in March of this year having been offered the chance in January.
Since then, the project was kept under wraps by Fiachra and his bandmates.
“We were the session band for two of the songs left to record on the album. In January they asked and in March it finally happened. We had to sit on it and wait to see if it would actually happened because they [Tom Jones and his team] had about 40 songs recorded so we did not know if ours would make the final cut. We didn’t know if the songs we recorded would actually make it on to the album or not.”
The songs which Rackhouse Pilfer did record have made it and ‘Honey Honey’, a duet with Tom Jones and Imelda May, with Rackhouse as the band is set to be the leading single off the album.
The other song that the boys recorded with Tom Jones on the album is a Rolling Stones cover of ‘Factory Girl’ from the 1968 album ‘Beggars Banquet’ which has a distinct Bluegrass feel in keeping with Rackhouse Pilfer’s sound.
For Fiachra and his bandmates, since the release of ‘Love Havoc’ there has not been time to bask in their successes and with gigs coming up again in October (at Sligo Live on Sunday, October 25 among others), touring has been relentless.
“It has just been a rollercoaster. We are gigging all the time flat out. It has not really sunk in so we will just keep going,” he said.
Despite the successes on the road, it is important to Rackhouse Pilfer to make time to come back to Sligo where it all began.
“It is our home town. It is important we want to keep our feet in Sligo. They are our core audience and they are core fans so it is important to us to keep close to them. We started off in McGarrigles and really out of Sligo everything else has come,” he said.
For the band members there is now the added balance of gigging nearly all of the time, and also having families.
“It is a balance like in anyone else’s working life. You have the hours that you are away from home and then you have the time where you are home so you just have to make it work. It is kind of flipped on its head. I am at home during the week whereas most people are there at the weekends,” Fiachra said.
Although ‘Love Havoc’ is still very much gathering momentum and the Tom Jones album is not hitting shelves until the second week in October, already the band are looking to get back into the studio and record fresh material in the new year.
“That is why we got in touch with Ethan Johns, Tom Jones’ music producer. We wanted to see if he would be interested in working with us. We are coming up with a few demos to show him. He is in such demand. He works with Paul McCartney as well so he is really the dream producer. We have some really good material and we have a good few songs so that is exciting,” Fiachra said.
For full details on the upcoming Tom Jones album see www.tomjones.com. Details on tickets for Rackhouse Pilfer at Sligo Live on October 25 can be found at www.sligolive.ie
