Lifestyle

THE voice of 86-year-old Mary Reidy, nee McMahon, a native of Carrigaholt, was heard by a learned gathering of poets, academics and language enthusiasts last Friday  as part of Cambridge University’s 800th anniversary celebrations.One of triplets born in Clouncuneen, near Carrigaholt in 1923, Mary recounted the story to her niece, Mary Courtney, who is an awarded-winning poet, based in Coventry. Pat and Seán McMahon completed the set of triplets, while Motto and Ellen, parents of the triplets, had 11 children in total, including two sets of twins. It’s something of a miracle that this trio of McMahon children survived as they each weighed barely 1lb. “I recorded my Aunty Mary telling this tale of her birth in my kitchen in Coventry this summer,” Mary Courtney explained. “She was over on a visit to see me  and she had, in fact, lived in Coventry herself in the 1950s. The recording was done on a whim  on a crackly old tape held …

SHE has performed in front of tens of thousands of people at Croke Park and played with some of the biggest names in music, but for world-renowned musician Sharon Shannon, it was a visit to the headquarters of Clare County Council that was her most nerve-wracking moment. On Monday, the Ruan-born accordionist was honoured with a civic reception from Clare County Council at Aras Contae and Chláir. She told those gathered, “I am the most nervous I have been in all of my life”.But she had no need to worry, as surrounded by her family, friends and neighbours she was highly praised by all on the council and officials for her contribution to music. The floor of the council chambers vibrated as all tapped their feet along with the tunes she performed alongside Eoin O’Neill. PJ Murrihy also played a rendition of Sharon on the Box, a song inspired by the lady herself.Speaking to The Clare Champion, Sharon explained that …

Occasionally, I feel an immediate connection with someone who would not ordinarily cross my radar. This usually occurs whilst listening to an interview with a radio, TV or other personality.  

More than 300 people came out last week to watch as three new business ventures were launched in Ennis. Parking was at a premium on the Clonroad as cars began arriving from around 7.30pm for an evening of cocktails and canapés at the premises of Louise Brooks Photography, close to the Tesco Roundabout.Louise admits that the turnout was higher than expected.“I can’t get over it. We were in the marquee talking to people. Then we popped out the back where we waited for Marty Morrissey to arrive. He was MC on the night. It was like having a wedding and no priest. When we left the marquee, it was about half full. Then we came back 20 minutes later and there was no room for anyone. It was wedged,” she recalls. “Even though it was a Tuesday night, really the crowd wasn’t hampered.”Award-winning hair stylist Bridget Haren was launching her new hair salon, which shares a building with Louise. Bridget …

You can have the best make-up in the world but without the right applicator, the finish won’t be perfect. Nicola Corless talks to make-up artist Orla Corry about choosing and maintaining make-up brushes Using the wrong make-up brush is like trying to paint a ceiling with a crayon. It doesn’t give a very professional finish and is much harder work than it should be. According to Orla Corry, make-up artist in McLoughlin’s Pharmacy in Ennis Shopping Centre, make-up brushes are an investment.

Connecting communities in the midst of difficulties caused by the current economic recession is the theme for Clare Mental Health Week, which runs from October 5 to 10.Forums will be held throughout Clare to encourage communities and groups to come together to show solidarity and support to each other in times of unemployment and recession.

At some stage in their lives every parent is faced with the dilemma of dealing with what most children consider to be the central part of Christmas – the gentleman in the red suit and white beard.  

Visitors to the National Museum at Collins ­Barracks in Dublin write about our military heritage On display in the Soldiers & Chiefs exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland is a Bofors L60 light anti-aircraft gun, one of the few surviving weapons that opened fire on unauthorised aircraft during the Emergency.