Lifestyle

Some 750,000 Belgians are the latest TV viewers who will be given an insight into the Banner County the Wild Atlantic Way. A crew from one of the most popular weekly travel shows, Vlaanderen Vakantieland (Flanders on Holiday), on VRT, a national Belgian TV network, travelled on the invitation of Tourism Ireland to film along the Wild Atlantic Way this summer. They captured footage for four different episodes, which are airing this month in Belgium. Two well-known Belgian actors are featured enjoying the relaxed pace of a holiday by horse-drawn caravan along the route. Filming was carried out at various locations, including Clare Heritage Museum, the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher. The TV show will also feature sea-kayaking at Ballyvaughan and Dolphinwatch conservation in Carrigaholt. The episodes filmed in Ireland are also being promoted by Tourism Ireland on its website, www.ireland.com, by email marketing and social media activity; as well as on the Vlaanderen Vakantieland website.  

Members of the public with family links to the 1916 Rising are invited to join and attend the 1916 Relatives Association special general meeting in Dublin on Sunday next. The 1916 Relatives Association was set up so that those who had family members who participated in the Rising would be informed about events planned for 2016 and, as much as is appropriate, be part of the preparations for and commemorations of the centenary. “We are an unfunded voluntary group with no affiliations to any political party,” said secretary, Una McNulty. The special meeting, which will take place on Sunday, at the Alexander Hotel on Fenian Street, Dublin 2, will commence with registration at 2pm and will continue until 5pm. Amongst the topics for discussion are 1916 Commemoration Plans, an update on the properties on Moore Street, the Irish Government’s update, Kilmainham Gaol 1916 antiques roadshow, the hosting of commemorative 2016 concerts and plays at Kilmainham Gaol. To contact the 1916 Relatives Association, email: …

County Clare features prominently in a new website containing 25,000 photographs of life in Limerick and surrounding areas during the 1970s. The site, www.fromlimerickwithlove.ie, contains images from the archives of The Limerick Leader, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, and is the result of months of digitisation work by its staff and Limerick Museum and Archives. The new online archive coincides with the launch of an exhibition of 125 selected photographs from the archive in the Glazed Street of Limerick City and County Council offices in Merchant’s Quay and also in the Limerick School of Art and Design (LSAD). Entitled From Limerick with Love, the exhibition contains dozens of images created by students of the LSAD in response to the collection and was launched recently by former minister and Limerick native, Des O’Malley. “The exhibition and website title perfectly encapsulates the archive images, which are an affectionate portrait of 1970’s Limerick, as well as surrounding counties. From holy communions …

SCARIFF doctoral student Lorraine Lynch is leading the way for a new study on Dyspraxia/Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD). Lorraine’s background is in psychology and while studying abroad, she began researching developmental psychology and came across dyspraxia. She noted that little research had been done on the condition and although statistics are not readily available, she noted it is quite common. Dyspraxia, is a condition that affects a child’s physical co-ordination and results in many difficulties with daily activities, as well as academic, social and sporting achievements. Although no consensus has been confirmed for the cause of dyspraxia, it is associated with a number of physical (obesity and hypertension) and psychological (depression and anxiety) problems that extend into adulthood. According to Lorraine, it manifests in children in different ways but one of the commonalities is that it can affect a child’s gross motor movement, such as poor posture and balance, which makes activities such like sports difficult for them. It can …

COMMUNITIES across Clare are being encouraged to get out, get active and Connect for Console over the October Bank Holiday weekend. Voluntary organisation Muintir na Tíre has joined forces with national suicide prevention charity, Console, to promote a weekend of community physical activity, while raising awareness of positive mental health. “From biking to bog snorkelling, our groups around County Clare will be organising all kinds of fun activities and encouraging the people in their communities to take part and get talking,” said Niall Garvey, CEO of Muintir na Tíre. The organisation operates the Community Alert programme, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána, and supports community development, with over 1,000 community councils and community alert groups affiliated throughout Ireland. “Our Connect for Console weekend is not just about raising funds, we are also making sure it’s an opportunity to create good neighbours and make new friends,” said Niall. Founder and CEO of Console, Paul Kelly, is delighted with the organisation’s new …

IN an effort to raise awareness of the escalating threat of homeless in the region, the Mid West Simon Community held a sleep out at Kilrush GAA Club last Friday night. Thirty five people took part by sleeping in a box, which formerly held a fridge or a washing machine, while some opted to sleep in an army-style tent. Each participant has until the end of October to raise €250 for the Mid West Simon Community. While organisers were grateful to everyone who raised money, Geraldine Lambert, chairperson of Board of Directors of Mid West Simon Community, stressed that increasing awareness of the spectre of homelessness is equally important. “Just as important is raising the awareness. It could be a neighbour, a friend or a work colleague. Somebody that you wouldn’t expect to be going throught a trauma. It’s good to be able to say to them ‘why don’t you give Mid West Simon a ring and see if you …

MAYOR Johnny Flynn is set to ask Clare County Council to back a Seanad reform proposal that would relocate the Upper House of the Oireachtas to Ennis. Cllr Flynn will ask the municipal district to back his proposal, in line with the electorate’s decision last year to see the Seanad reformed rather than abolished. The questions surrounding the future of the Seanad remain a year later, Mayor Flynn said, and he is set to put a possible solution on the agenda of next week’s Ennis Municipal District meeting. Noting the recent reform of local government, he will call on Clare County Council to seek urgent and meaningful reform of central Government, starting with the relocation of Seanad Éireann. The Seanad in the west would act as a counterbalance to the Dail in Dublin, he believes. Senator Martin Conway agrees the proposal has merit. “I welcome Mayor Flynn’s extremely interesting proposals on Seanad reform. The people voted in October 2013 to …

A YOUNG Ennis mother, who is planning to take part in a rugged charity cycling event in Uganda in November, has been given some inspiration by a local life coach. Life coach, Conor J Flynn has offered to host a fundraiser seminar and workshop for Marta Kubik at the Roslevan Community Hall on October 12. Marta is taking part in the World Vision Uganda fundraising cycle, from November 13 to 22, and plans to cycle a total of 315km through the mountainous region of North Rukiga in the south-west of Uganda. The money she raises will go towards helping the communities she meets along her journey to create a better future. To take part and to help the Ugandan communities she will meet, Marta needs to raise as much money as she can and Conor has stepped in to help her. Conor will host the workshop in Roslevan from 6.30pm on Sunday week. The motivational one-off event will inspire, challenge …