Lifestyle

WILLSGROVE in Cahercalla, Ennis has scooped first place in the Ennis Tidy Towns 2010 Green Areas Award. The awards were presented by the Ennis Tidy Towns Committee at a prize-giving ceremony during the week. Siobhán King of the Willsgrove Residents Association said that they are all very proud of their estate. “Our residents’ association has been in existence for the past 11 years. A large number of residents in the estate contribute an annual fee for the upkeep and maintenance of the estate.  An annual clean-up day is growing in popularity year on year with children’s involvement,” she commented.She said that recognition must also be given to their maintenance contractors, “who do an exceptional job in grass cutting, shrub maintenance and general upkeep of the estate on behalf of the residents’ association”. “We have managed to create a good, close community spirit in the estate over the years, which I feel has given everyone a sense of ownership,” she added.A …

Kilmaley-born priest Fr Christy Burke released his book No Longer Slaves in Dublin last weekend. Fr Christy, who was ordained as a Holy Ghost missionary priest in 1965, was based in Kenya from 1966 until 2002. Prior to his retirement in 2009 he worked as chaplin in the rehabilitation hospital, Dún Laoghaire, for six years.The book explores the contribution to the development of missionary work made by Fr Francis Libermann, a French priest who was co-founder of the Spiritan (Holy Ghost) congregation. The reader is invited by Fr Burke to reflect on the relevance of Fr Libermann for the mission that he feels is required in Ireland today. Jacob Libermann was born into an Orthodox Jewish family in the ghetto of Saverne, Alsace, France in 1804. As a young man, Libermann prepared to follow in the footsteps of his father, the chief rabbi of Saverne. After losing his faith in Judaism he became an agnostic before being given a Hebrew …

NOTHING completes an outfit quite like accessories. Whether it is chains, bangles, cuffs, rings or earrings, accessories just give an outfit the finishing touch. They add punch to the LBD and can transform any outfit from simple to stylish in one little addition.For dresses or tops with heavily embellished necklines, avoid necklaces and chains, instead go for a statement bracelet, cuff or watch or perhaps a gem-encrusted ring.Where the detail is on the cuff, consider earrings that add a bit of sparkle to the upper body or maybe, depending on the neckline, a necklace or chain.Earrings should flatter your outfit and your hairstyle and even the shape of your face. Always try earrings with hair up as well as down.The golden rules as always when it comes to jewellery is to choose colours that compliment your skin tone and use the accessories to highlight your best features.Despite tightened purse strings, there is plenty of jewellery in the shops at reasonable …

AS winter hits the country hard, there are a lot of things people have to worry about. Will they be able to get to work in the morning? Is the heating ok? Who will look after the children if the schools are closed?There are other concerns too, such as how to get the weekly shopping or even make a start on the Christmas presents. Thankfully the internet can be of assistance in this regard at least. Here are a few good online shopping suggestions, which will let you get what you need and have it brought right to your door: Tesco.ieThe website of the retail giant offers online shopping and home delivery to most locations around the country. If there is a Tesco near where you live, there is a good chance they will deliver to you.Bear in mind that the company has seen a spike in online sales since the bad weather set in and has also suffered delivery …

WE have had many rebels down through the centuries, most of whom earned little success. Not so Michael Dwyer. The authorities built what is still known as the Military Road in an effort to capture him. It was one of the first purpose-built roads in the country and stretched 35 miles from Dublin to the Glen of Imaal. They also built five barracks along the route. Even then, they still failed to capture him.Born in the early 1770s, Dwyer joined the United Irishmen and took part in the 1798 rebellion. He fought at Vinegar Hill, Hacketstown and Arklow. Afterwards, he returned to his home in the Glen of Imaal and led a guerrilla campaign for the next five years.One of the more famous incidents involving Dwyer occurred when an informer told the English where he and his men were staying. Their houses were surrounded by 100 redcoats. The men in two of the houses were captured and later executed. Dwyer …

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Her participation in the recent ceremony to mark the 90th anniversary of the Rineen Ambush gave Maureen Connole an opportunity to reflect on the role the Ennistymon family played in the War of Independence.

University of Limerick Alumni Association’s executive director, Kilrush-born Majella O’Connell, tells John Rainsford why parting is no longer ‘such sweet sorrow’ for those leaving the establishment.