Lifestyle

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GEOFF and Sue Magee double over, laughing at the memory. Thirty years ago, the husband and wife transported a pair of caravans to Carrigaholt from Cork. They lived in them in nearby Kilcredaun before buying and refurbishing the late Delia Carroll’s house in the same townland. “We arrived in two barrel-topped wagons. We caused a stir alright,” Sue recalled in the office of the couple’s Dolphin Watch and Nature Boat Trip company in Carrigaholt. Originally from New York, Sue moved to Ireland in the late 1970s. She met Geoff, then a fisherman, in Dingle. He’s from Lancashire in England, although his parents are from Cavan and Leitrim, where he spent his childhood summers. After marrying, they moved to the US for a couple of years. Geoff fished in Alaska but they wanted to settle permanently and Carrigaholt beckoned. Geoff had already visited, moving a boat with John Mellet and the picturesque fishing village had left an immovable impression. “We came …

STIFLING heat, humidity and exhaustion. These are just some of the words used by Sixmilebridge’s Laura Gallagher to describe her experiences of volunteering to help build homes in Haiti. The others – amazing, fantastic and unforgettable.Laura first travelled to Haiti in 2009, returning to the earthquake-devastated country in 2011. She was one of many Irish volunteers who travelled as part of Build it Week with Haven, the Irish NGO working to provide shelter, water, sanitation and training to vulnerable people in Haiti. A secondary school construction, woodwork and technical graphics teacher, the 29-year-old says she knew little about the country when she first decided to go.“I had been looking for something interesting and different to do with charities and I heard the Haiti trip being advertised on the radio. I researched it and decided to go. I knew nothing about Haiti at the time, I barely knew where it was but I thought it would be an interesting challenge. It …

A GENTLE breeze bristled through the empty streets of Lisdoonvarna. The setting resembled that of a ghost town that wouldn’t have looked out place in a Clint Eastwood film. Approaching the centre of the village, with a multitude of pubs on either side of the road, it was clear to see where the townspeople were hiding. An unlikely combination of ladies’ pearls, music and a barrage of pints were drawing in the public like moths to a flame.This was the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival, running until October 7 this year, an event where people of all ages have attended for decades, some with hopes of finding a husband or wife. It originated as simply a tourist centre, for people from far and wide to come for the unique Lisdoonvarna mineral spa springs, which gave relief to symptoms of diseases, such as glandular fever. The matchmaking tradition began to take shape in September, the peak month of the holiday season. Today, at …

A YOUNG Clare hairstylist has made it to the final of one of the hairdressing industry’s most prestigious competitions.Ciana Keating, who works at Bridget Haren Hair Salon, Ennis, made it through the Wella Professionals Trend Vision Award Regional Heats and will now compete against some of the UK and Ireland’s top talent at the final in London next month.From over 500 competitors at the initial photographic stage, 144 entrants were selected to present at the regional heats and now only 16 finalists will go on to fight for the chance to represent Ireland at the international final in Madrid later in the year.The regional finals were held in Limerick last week and for Ciana, who moved here from the UK in December, this was her first experience in this competition.“I entered when I lived in England but then I left the salon and moved here so this sort of experience was new to me but it was really good. I …

MUNSTER’S biggest fashion event returns more stylish than ever before to the Crescent Shopping Centre, Dooradoyle from September 19 to 23.The five-day extravaganza, Inspire 2012, will include a host of style events, fashion shows and a wedding fair, all under one roof at the region’s shopping mecca.The feast of fashion will kick off with an event true to its ‘inspirational’ tag. On Wednesday, at 10.30am, there will be a coffee morning in aid of Console, a charity that supports people in suicidal crisis and those bereaved by suicide.On Thursday, there will be a hair and beauty demonstration from 2.30 to 5.30pm, followed by an exclusive style masterclass, hosted by model agent Celia Holman-Lee at 7pm.Then on Friday, September 21 and Saturday, September 22, there will a selection of fashion shows. Friday’s displays will be from 12.30 to 3pm and 6pm to 8.30pm and on Saturday from 12.30 to 2.30pm and 3.30pm to 5pm. Limerick Person of the Year, Richard Lynch …

WAYS for landlords to tackle anti-social behaviour will be just one of the topics set to be discussed at a seminar due to be held in Ennis this month.For the second year the ‘Successful Landlord Seminar’ will take place on September 18 and will feature experts advising landlords on various topics. The free event will take place in the Great Hall, Temple Gate Hotel, from 6.30pm.Organiser Patricia McCarthy has over 20 years experience in the residential property business. Speaking about the seminar she said, “This year I will be discussing Managing Anti Social Behaviour – What A Landlord Needs To Know, which I hope will open landlords’ eyes to best practise. Anti-social behaviour does not always mean breaking the law – it also covers unkempt gardens, barking dogs, abandonment of vehicles, build up of rubbish, excessive noise, intimidating gatherings or parties. I will be advising delegates on how best to handle these situations to ensure the integrity of their property …

NINE Kilrush RNLI crew members travelled to Lahinch recently to carry out an exercise with members of the coastguards from divisions of Doolin and Killaloe. Also joining them were members of the Galway RNLI and Lahinch rescue. This is the first time the Kilrush RNLI joined with the Doolin unit of the Irish Coast Guard for a major exercise.The evening was co-ordinated by Mattie Shannon from Doolin Coast Guard and after a briefing with 43 people in attendance, teams were divided and the exercise began.The exercise involved launching two D-class ribs with crew, heading to a moored boat where members were transferred onto the boat and asked to carry out a capsize drill. In the meantime, the remaining crew went to pick up a casualty from the water and bring him ashore.Lifeboat press officer for Kilrush RNLI station, Pauline Dunleavy said afterwards, “It is most important to keep our training up to speed so that when the time does come …