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Horkan’s Garden & Lifestyle Centre

George and Mary Glynn, Lydican, would like to take this opportunity to thank Bosco McDermot and his staff for their hard work and assistance to the people of Carnmore, Claregalway and surrounding areas over the past 10 years and to wish them well in the future.

We would like to welcome “Horkan’s Lifestyle Garden Centre” to Lydican and we know that their ambition is to have a 5 star Garden Centre in Claregalway.

Also a big thank you to our loyal and dedicated customers over the past 25 years—there would not be a Garden Centre but for them and Horkan’s Lifestyle are looking forward to seeing you all in the future.

Opening Monday 14th April 2003

-George and Mary Glynn.

Raftery’s Centra Supermarket of the Year

John and Marie Raftery of Raftery’s Centra, Claregalway have been awarded the Centra Supermarket of the Year 2003 Award, having faced tough competition from two other excellent finalists from around the country. This is the first store in Galway to receive this award. The National Award was presented to John by Martin Kelleher, Centra Sales Director and Michael Nason, Centra Managing Director at the Group’s National Conference recently held in the Great Southern Hotel, Killarney.

All 335 Centra stores throughout the Republic of Ireland are adjudicated as part of the Centra Store of the Year competition. Independent competition judge, Professor Paul Freathy, a professor in retail Studies at the University of Sterling carried out the third and final audit which focused on pricing, customer care, shop presentation, fresh food, store cleanliness and hygiene, staff facilities, overall ambience and staff training. He chose Raftery’s Centra as the overall winner in their category, the Provincial Supermarket category.

“It is a worthy winner of the Centra Provincial Supermarket of the Year 2003 category”. Professor Paul Freathy said of Raftery’s Centra Claregalway, “This is an excellent store and one which as a customer I would certainly enjoy shopping in. The fact that this store has been open only two years is testimony to the excellent operational management. The store layout is clearly defined and designed with the consumer in mind. The meat, fish and wine displays are particularly attractive and the in store butcher, Albert Connors, demonstrates a high level of competence and expertise.

The store has a wonderful atmosphere and has a supportive culture in that the company, management and staff display a level of common understanding and purpose. Staff were the key differentiating factor where motivation and performance are apparent with good communication, delegation and leadership. Overall, Raftery’s Centra, Claregalway is a well managed, well run store that utilises its space very well and provides an excellent service to its customers.”

John Raftery paid tribute to the commitment of Manager, Paul Greaney and to his staff and said, without hesitation, that their constant dedication and professional approach was what singled out the Galway store for the award. When asked about the store’s prestigious win, John Raftery explained that in his business, quality is paramount, and everyone working in Raftery’s Centra shares that view. “Everyone working here shares the ambition to be the best and to serve our customers to the best of our ability. We feel that we have a good working relationship with the staff and no matter how good a store is, if the staff have not got the right attitude, the business is not going to realise its potential”.

Michael Nason, Managing Director of Centra said the group’s auditing standards in all areas of the business are second to none and are important to the overall success of Centra as a group. “Centra stores such as Raftery’s Centra work hard to make a difference, to be the best. It is important that every operator in the food sector has their kind of commitment, for the sake of the Irish food sector but most importantly, for our consumers. We must ensure Irish consumers are 100% confident and happy with the quality of the food and service we provide, “Michael Nason said.

Raftery’s Centra is now part of a group with a total of 335 franchised outlets in the Republic of Ireland, representing total retail space of 67,000m2. Twenty-seven new stores joined the independent group during the past year, with a further twenty additional stores already ear-marked to open in early 2003.

Compántas Lir Farce Comes with a Laugh Warning from the Pulpit

Massgoers in Claregalway were warned from the pulpit to stay away from the Town Hall Theatre in Galway next week if they are allergic to laughing, such is the hilarity in local group Compántas Lir’s new production of the classic John Chapman farce Dry Rot.

The play which this week qualified the group for their 10th All-Ireland final appearance with a whole host of acting and set awards, will run in the Town Hall on Friday and Saturday April 11th and 12th.

In fact the group are performing a third corporate charity night on Sunday April 13th free of charge with all proceeds going towards the Special Olympics campaign.

However, the plug from the pulpit has seen ticket sales soar. Having seen the play the night before, PP Fr. Noel Mullin recently told the congregation of Compántas Lir’s stint in the Town Hall Theatre, but warned that anybody who might be in danger of suffering cardiac problems from over laughing should consult his/her doctor first!.

The hilarious play stars Philip Cribbin, Carmel Kenny, Bernadette Prendergast, Liz Hession, Declan Varley, John Heneghan, Paddy Greaney, Simon Kavanagh, Fidelma O’Rourke, and Seamus McNulty.

It had the honour of being the first home performance to win in Claregalway for nearly a decade and it was highly placed in festivals in Glenamaddy, Cavan, Scariff, Holycross, and Claremorris with acting awards granted across the board with additional awards being won for best set, lighting, and sound.

It now qualifies for the All-Ireland drama finals in Gorey, Wexford at the end of the month.

Directing this year’s production is Ann Greaney of Carnmore who has been a long time fan of the Chapman farce. “I read the script years ago and realised that the play would be better in an Irish setting than an English setting as it was more suited to an Irish sense of humour.” Consequently, she has transferred the location and the characters to an Irish setting, basing it in Galway during race week.

“However, it retains many of the elements of traditional farce, but the Irishness gives it something extra,” she said—and this view has been shared by the many judges and audiences who have seen it so far.

The play is set in a rundown country hotel in rural Galway. It is run by a retired English colonel, his beleagured wife, their daughter and an erratic housekeeper who was in the place when they bought it. However, their peace is shattered when three crooks come to stay with the intention of using the hotel as a base for an elaborate horse switching scam. Throw in some raging hormones, some rampaging French jockeys, secret panels and collapsing woodwork and you have the ingredients for a classic farce which has already entertained more than 3,000 people around the country in the past month.

For last year’s Compánas Lir run at the Town Hall Theatre, hundreds of disappointed patrons were turned away because it was sold out in advance, so early booking is essental.

Tickets for the shows are €14 and €12 and there are concessions available for groups who block book. To book now, contact the box office at the Town Hall Theatre at (091) 569777.

Tickets for the corporate charity night in aid of the Special Olympics are available at €40 each and for that patrons will get complimentary wine, and a meal as well as prime seats for the performance. The contact number for the corporate night tickets is (086) 2467325

Gardener’s World

with Paraic Horkan

April remains one of the most important months in the gardening calendar. The perfect spring weather over the past month has stirred many garden plants into full growth & flower. The beautiful magnolias, superb camellias and bright flowering dwarf azaleas are a welcome sight in many gardens at present.

The wonderful free flowering cherries will show great colour very soon and many early flowering cherries have already awakened with our early spring sunshine.

Our attention now focuses on summer colour, plants for the vegetable garden and caring for your lawn. It is also the ideal time to plant new fruit trees and a wonderful time to plant summer flowering trees & shrubs. So April is a very busy month in your garden.

We profile some of the key gardening topics for you to focus on this month.

Vegetable & Herbs to plant now
Vegetable plants ready for planting now!

Choose from a wonderful selection of quality garden vegetable plants which are now ready for planting directly into your garden soil.

Six week old vegetable plants are now available for planting directly into your garden soil for tasty crops in mid and late summer.

Look for the wonderful F1 varieties of both salad and vegetable plants including Lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, onions and radish.

Herbs
Fresh garden herbs are also available for planting directly into your border soil or better still into window boxes or patio containers.

Choose now from a wide selection of quality fresh herb plants which if planted now will reward you with lots of fresh pickings from June onwards.

Garden herbs are so easy to grow and very un demanding. Plant them now.

Glasshouse Crops
April is the month to start some glasshouse crops like the easy to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, peppers and aubergines.

Simply pot them into large pots or grow bags and place them into a bright location indoors in your greenhouse, polytunnel or patio and enjoy a bumper crop of tasty fresh homegrown fruit this summer.

For tasty tomatoes look for the excellent F1 Shirley variety or the dwarf variety called totem.

When planting tomatoes plant some basil plants at the base to give additional flavour to the developing fruit.

Summer colour in Baskets & Patio planters
For lots of summer colour in baskets & containers plant some of the easy to grow and free flowering Trailing petunias which are now available for planting. (Surfinia Petunias Pic)

Petunia million bells
Trailing petunias are always popular but a neater and more useful plant is million bells.

As the name suggests this plant produces an abundance of small flowers from June to November.

Million bells is more suitable for mixed plantings and window boxes as it is less vigorous and is less competition for other patio plants.

Available in a wide range of colours million bells can be highly recommended for many uses.

Horkys tip: plant up your containers now and place in sheltered areas or under cover in a green house until late April

If frost is promised cover containers with garden fleece to protect them.

Petunia surfinia
Trailing petunias are easy to grow and are resistant to light frosts.

Planted in hanging baskets, window boxes and patio planters they will flower from June to late November and can be held over to flower the following season.

Horkys tip: plant five trailing petunias into a 14” basket to create a ball of colour.

Summer flowering Climbers

Clematis summer flowering
For lots of summer colour plant the free flowering clematis, the spring flowering Clematis Montana is starting to flower now and will continue to flower until early summer.

Clematis Early sensation is another beautiful early flowering clematis which is very free flowering but is unique in that it has a glossy foliage which it retains all year round – yes indeed an evergreen flowering clematis.

Clematis Pixie yellow is another outstanding free flowering clematis, its bright yellow flowers are produced in profusion, a wonderful variety and so easy to grow.

Wisteria
One of my all time favourite flowering climbers is the prolific Wisteria Sinensis which produces masses of wonderful lilac flowers on walls or trellis.

Wisteria is easy to grow and quite vigorous – a brilliant free flowering wall plant ideal for many gardens and excellent when mixed with other climbers like clematis.

Easy to grow summer shrubs

April is also a great month to plant some foliage & flowering shrubs.

Three of the very best include:

Exochorda the bride
As the name suggests Exochorda the bride is a pure white free flowering garden shrub ideal for all locations and so easy to grow.

The brilliant white flowers are produced on mass covering this dainty medium sized shrub with an appearance of snow flakes covering the leaves and stems of this wonderful garden plant.

Exochorda is certainly one for your garden this summer. Plant it now.

Syringa or Summer lilac
One of the greatest border shrubs is the beautiful early summer flowering lilacs. So easy to grow and yet so free flowering year in year out.

The large blooms are covered in a brilliant scent and followed with apple green fresh foliage.

April is the perfect month to plant lilacs, which are available this year in white, pink, red and purple.

Remember lilacs will grow in all soil types and on existing plants a dressing of sulphate of potash will encourage strength and additional flowers..

Corylus contorta. Spectacular Contorted Hazel
Cork screw hazel is indeed a spectacular plant with attractive twisted branches treasured by flower arrangers and admired by everyone else.

This easy to grow and hardy border shrub produces wonderful structure and interest in shrub beds. The foliage is twisted and has a deep green colour, the stems twist and contort naturally producing a strong full shrub with spectacular contorted limbs which can be cut and used indoors in arrangements or left alone to make the ideal structure to hanging festive lighting on in mid winter.

All in all a wonderful easy to grow garden plant, ready to plant now.

Attractive trees
For a real splash of early summer colour plant the Snowy Mespelis or Amerlanchier. This beautiful garden tree is ideal for both small or large gardens.

In late spring & early summer it is covered with snow white flowers and attractive spring foliage.

It is a simple tree to grow loving all soil types and rapidly growing into a small to medium tree suitable for most locations.

In autumn the foliage turns a brilliant red & scarlet and reward’s you with a striking splash of autumn colour which is a sight to behold in mid autumn.

Plant the snowy Mespelis now for instant colour.

Horkan’s Garden Centre will open in Lydican, Oranmore (formerly Glynn’s) on Monday 14th of March.

Hay Fever Treatments

As many as 12 % of the population are believed to suffer from hay fever, and the incidence is thought to be increasing. Non-prescription treatments for hay fever are available in both oral and topical formulations. Antihistamines, decongestants and topical steroids are the main treatments used to combat the symptoms.

Antihistamines: Antihistamines are generally effective in controlling symptoms of hayfever, including sneezing, nasal itching, rhinorrhoea (‘runny nose’) and to a lesser extent, allergic conjunctivitis. They are regarded as the treatment of choice. For maximum effect antihistamines should be taken when symptoms are expected rather than after they have started if possible. Antihistamines available without prescription include Zirtek and Clarityn, which are non-sedative and Piriton, which may cause drowsiness. If you are taking any other medication you should tell the pharmacist or consult your doctor.

Nasal Preparations: The products available include decongestant drops or sprays, corticosteroid sprays and sodium cromoglycate. Corticosteroids inhibit the response of the body to allergen exposure and are effective in relieving all nasal symptoms including congestion. If symptoms are already present when treatment is started it may take several days before an effect is noticed and weeks before full relief is obtained. Decongestant preparations are useful to begin treatment when the nose is badly blocked. Sodium cromoglycate is a useful prophylactic agent and is available as eye drops- e.g. Opticrom or Vividrin eye drops.

To assist selection, oral antihistamines- the non sedative products are taken once daily while Piriton (sedating) is taken up to four times a day, they are the common first line treatment. If nasal congestion is severe nasal products should be considered and for severe eye symptoms sodium cromyglcate eye drops are useful.

John Duffy MPSI Claregalway Pharmacy.

Reflexology

Would you like relief from:

  • Stress/tension
  • Headache/Migraine
  • Fatigue
  • Digestive problems
  • P.M.S.
  • Insomnia

And much more…

Yes? Then it is time you tried an alternative method!

What is Reflexology?
It is one of the most popular of all complimentary therapies today. Rooted in the past, it was used therapeutically in the ancient civilizations of China, India, Egypt and Africa as far back as five thousand years ago.

It involves the gentle massage and manipulation of the reflexes of both feet which correspond to the various organs and parts of the body for the purpose of clearing blocked energy, thereby restoring balance.

What does it do?

  • It stimulates sluggish areas and calms overactivity.
  • It regulates body functions.
  • It reduces the body’s dependence on drugs etc.
  • It eliminates toxins and restores vitality and well-being.
  • It induces a state of relaxation.

If you wish to reap the benefits of a well proven alternative treatment for many ailments, contact Geraldine, a final year student with limited number of client places available (at reduced costs) to meet diploma requirements.

Telephone No. (091) 799710

Scalp Massage

Stress has a detrimental effect on our physical and mental well-being. Therefore a scalp massage is your chance to take over the healing and restorative powers of deep relaxation. Restorative powers of deep relaxation muscles are relaxed which results increasing blood supply and nutrients to the scalp.

This massage can be carried out by yourself at home or attend your beauty therapist.

Use coconut oil or olive oil to massage the scalp. Circling your thumbs along the hairline to loosen the scalp.

Leave the oil on the scalp for a couple of hours, then wash thoroughly. A teaspoon of cider vinegar can be added to dark hair and lemon juice to fair hair on the final rinse, this will restore sheen afterwards.

For further information, please contact Evelyn Kitt.

Easter and its Traditions

Most Christians celebrate Easter between March 22nd and April 25th. Others celebrate it between April 3rd and May 8th. But, whenever Easter comes, it’s the oldest, the most important, and the most joyful of all Christian holy days.

Easter around the World
Who brings the coloured eggs at Easter? It all depends on where you live. Children in the United States and Canada say the Easter bunny or rabbit brings eggs at Easter. Children in England and Germany say the Hare brings coloured eggs at Easter.

In Italy, Belgium, and France, children say Easter eggs are brought by the church bells. There, church bells do not ring from Good Friday until Easter Sunday because of this. The ancient Chinese, Greeks and Persians dyed coloured eggs for their friends. So did the ancient Egyptians.

Not all Easter eggs are real eggs. Many are of wood, paper, glass and other material. A favourite of children is made of sugar. The large sugar egg has a peephole. Inside the egg you can see a picture.

People in Russia eat an Easter bread that is full of plump white raisins and tastes like cake. They also eat Easter cake in Italy which is shaped like a rabbit. This is a symbol of birth and new life. In many countries people bake Easter cookies and cakes shaped like a lamb. A lamb has long been a symbol of Jesus. Hot cross buns are another favourite food for Easter. These buns have icing in the shape of a cross which is another important Easter symbol.

Next to food, new clothes are important for Easter. This custom may come from early Christians who wore white robes when received into the Church at this time.

A parade is held on Easter in St. Augustine, Florida. It’s called “Parade of Horses and Carriages”. There are men in armour on horseback, and people in costumes in carriages pulled by horses. This parade is part of an Easter festival that lasts for a week. Easter festivals go back to ancient times. In northern Europe, the goddess of spring was Eostre. Some people say that Easter may have gotten its name from this goddess.

So what ever the Easter tradition in your home, here’s wishing you a happy Easter from the Nuacht Chlair Team.

Interior Design Hints & Tips

Give your Bedroom a Facelift

The bedroom is one room, in which you will spend a lot of your time – about a third of your life, so it should be one of the most comfortable and pleasant places in your home. The main function of the bedroom is to provide calm and restful surroundings for a peaceful night’s sleep, but is can also be used for other activities such as reading, watching television, breakfast in bed or a working area for study or doing paperwork etc. This is one area where we should please no one but ourselves, when it comes to decorating it. Although some people may go for soft colours and quite patterns, because they’re considered easy on the eyes and can help create a sense of rest and relaxation.

If you have two people sharing a room with very different tastes, the best way to overcome this is to choose colours and patterns mid-way between the two. A neutral colour scheme can be used as a background for relaxation to highly pretty bed linen, stylish furniture or unusual accessories etc. This is one room where you can use items, which may not be practical in other rooms e.g. the delicate coloured carpet.

Lace is a great way to create a romantic bedroom. It is light and airy, fresh and cool, whether it is handmade crochet, antique lace or modern machine made. Lace curtains creates a dreamy mood with the light shining through. In winter they brighten a room by letting the weak daylight through, while in summer they filter out the harsh light, creating a soft effect. You may need to use them in conjunction with a roller blind for privacy. Creamy lace bedspread will soften a wrought iron bedhead. You could complement this with a touch of rose colour in the walls and carpet. Lace also goes well with floral fabric, if you want to create a cottage style bedroom. You could cover a duvet or blanket with a fine lace bedspread, which would allow a hint of colour to show through, highlighting the lace pattern. Accessories such as coat hangers, tissue box covers and scented sachets etc can all be trimmed with lace.

Make the bed the centrepiece of the room by dressing it up with eye-catching bed linen, there are plenty to choose from. Some of the co-ordinated ranges include bed linen with matching curtains, as well as other items such as wallpaper, borders, paints, accessories etc. But avoid over doing it with too many items from the same range. Pick a few of the items and add other pieces to it. You can transform pillowcases by sewing a patterned panel and matching ties along the open edge. Bedheads have a practical function, protecting the wall behind the bed and can also provide an element of comfort. But bedheads can add to the décor of the room and help transform a modest bed into a focal point. You can spend a great deal of money on a bedhead or you can use your imagination to create one and give your bedroom a unique style. A wall hanging can act as a bedhead; it could be an oriental or ethnic rug, a patchwork quilt or exclusive piece of fabric etc. Make your own bedhead with MDF and cover it with upholstery fabric, you can re-cover it when it gets grubby, or decorate it with a paint effect such as stencilling. You could attach a cushion with loops to a pole above the bed to create a different type of bedhead. For other ideas, checkout such places as garden centres, you never know what you might find.

If the bedroom is big enough, you could drape the bed with fabric to resemble a four-poster. There are different ways of doing this, you could suspend rods or poles from the ceiling and drop fabric from these. If you find fabric all around the bed too much, you could instead copy a tester bed, which has curtains at the head of the bed only. Secure the curtains on either side of the bed with tiebacks or holdbacks.

Don’t forget the other end of the bed, it is often space that is wasted. Transform this space into a show place for a storage chest, low-level table or comfortable chair or sofa. A storage chest can double as a table for books, a bowl of pot-pourri, or a vase of flowers. It can be used to store out-of-season clothes or household linen. Cover it with cushions and it becomes an extra seat. The cushion covers can repeat or contrast with the fabric used elsewhere in the room. The space at the end of a small child’s bed could have a toy chest. Whatever you choose to put at the end of the bed, make sure there’s space to walk comfortably around it.

A bedside table is a must in any bedroom; it takes up very little room and can be used to add to room’s décor. It can hold a reading lamp, books and magazines, a cup of coffee etc. It can also be used to display photographs or a vase of flowers, which is a nice touch in a guestroom. Again you can use other items as a bedside table – furniture borrowed from other rooms e.g. occasional table, an upholstered footstool, elegant dining chair etc. These can be put beside the bed when you have a guest. A bedside table can be given a new lease of life with a drop-over cloth and will also give the bedroom a facelift. You could revamp your room by adding a chair covered with stunning fabric – fabric which could co-ordinate with the bedside table or cushions in the room.

IF you have bedside furniture that doesn’t fit in with the décor of the rest of the room, consider giving it a new look by painting it to tone with the walls or adding a stencilled motif to match the pattern of the curtains or other soft furnishings. Two co-ordinating wallpapers can give an elegant structure to a room – even if it has no moulding or architrave. A border can bring the two together, while a light colour floor gives it a spacious feel. Or use pretty floral wallpaper as the background for floral patterned furniture, china, and accessories. But be careful you don’t over-do this as it’s only suited to some rooms or styles.

When giving your bedroom a facelift don’t forget the all-important lighting and accessories. The quality of lighting you choose makes an important contribution to the overall atmosphere of the room. Soft, low sources of light generate a mood of calm at night and gentle transition to the beginning of the day. A mixture of different fittings can make up the lighting scheme. For example subtle spotlights in the ceiling giving overall light, a standard lamp casts a glow in a corner, while wall-mounted lights above the bed and small bedside table lamps give plenty of light for reading. To give your bedroom the finishing touch display, e.g. perfume bottles, framed photos, or some dainty china dish, or a little bag of pot-pourri tied to the bedpost with a ribbon will enhance a bedroom.

Now that you have your dream bedroom, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy it. It can be a retreat where you can shut yourself away – temporarily – from family responsibilities and cares.

Mary D. Kelly
Decorating Options
(091) 798224.

Special News

Congratulations to Lisa McKenna, Cregboy who got married to Justin Frost, Australia on the 11th April.

Belated birthday wishes to Laura Kenny, Clogher.

Recent Deaths
Murty Grealish, Carnmore.

Thoughts for the Day

No man/women is worth your tears and the one who is won’t make you cry.

Never frown because you are sad, you never know who is falling in love with your smile.

Don’t cry because it is over, smile because it happened.

Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly.

Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you CAN do.

No man is rich enough to buy back his past.

Remember, nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.

Think wrongly, if you please, but in all cases think for yourself.

Vision is the art of seeing the invisible.

Success is a journey, not a destination.

If better is possible, good is not enough.

Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them.

Only those who dare to fail greatly, can ever achieve greatly.

The only thing achieved without effort is failure.

Many receive advice, only the wise profit from it.

Progress always involves risk; you cannot steal second base and keep your foot on first.

All things are difficult before they are easy.

Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice.

Except the challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory.

Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration

Success is simply a matter of luck ask any failure.

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals.

A great pleasure in life is doing what people say you can’t do.

Well done is better then well said.

The difference between success and failure is doing a thing right and doing a thing exactly right.

There is no right way to do the wrong thing.

Claregalway Leisure Centre

Meetings of Claregalway Leisure Centre committee are held in the Centre on the first Tuesday in every month. The committee for 2003-2004 met on April 1st last, and is as follows: Gabriel Kearney (Chairman), Tony Clarke (vice-Chairman), Helen O’Connell (secretary), Carol Steven (treasurer), Mary Forde, Mike Murray, Tom McCann, Gerry Mooney, Paddy Barry, Tom Lenihan, Ger Brett and Siobhán Lynskey (PRO).

Badminton, Basketball and Indoor Soccer continues. Karate, Scouts, Hip-Hop dancing, indoor cricket, Uni-slim also take place. The committee are still awaiting word on their application for funding towards the refurbishments, which they are anxious to get underway. Thanks to all those who have supported the Centre during the season. It is a vital resource in the area, and if the toilets, showers and kitchen could be refurbished, would be an even more valuable asset to the community. Further updates in future Nuacht Chláirs.

Siobhán Lynskey (PRO)

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant, they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career; however humble, it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is.

Many persons strive for high ideals and everywhere lift is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars. You have a right to be here and whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life.

Keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

Carnmore Hurling News

Hurling Action
The year commenced with outstanding performances from our U 21 team who were narrowly defeated by Rahoon/NewCastle in the County Semi Final.

The senior team kicked off this year’s action with a successful challenge match against Abbey/Duniry on St. Patrick’s Day. This was followed by a Senior League game against Turloughmore on Saturday Mar. 28th. Score Carnmore 1 – 17, Turloughmore 0 – 11. On Sunday Mar 23rd they were victorious again in the City League against Oranmore/ Maree.

Hopefully this good form will prevail in the upcoming championship.

Senior Training continues every Tuesday and Thursday evening.

AGM
At the AGM the chairman acknowledged the success of both our senior and juniors teams in reaching their respective county semi finals. There was a consensus that all look well for the 2003 hurling season.

Club Officers
Joe Fahy Chairman
Donal Devery Secretary
Mike Fox Treasurer

Senior Hurling Team Management
Manager: Malachy Hanley
Selectors: Johnny Greaney, Johnny Duggan and John Feeney.

Social Activities
The annual social was held in the Oranmore lodge on Mar 1st. A good night was had by all.

Presentations were made to the following

  • Minor Hurler of the year Cathal Hynes
  • U 21 hurler of the year George Hanley
  • Junior Hurler of the year Declan Collins
  • Hurler of the year Ronnie Walsh
  • Club person of the year Mike Fox

A special presentation was made to Tom Lenihan for his dedication and commitment to the club over the years. Tom held a number of posts before stepping down this year.

Sponsorship
We would like to thank all our sponsors for their continued support, particularly our major sponsor The Galway Glass Centre.

Further club information can be accessed through our web site www.carnmore.net

Claregalway Footballers Strike Again

A second 2002 county football crown for rapidly emerging Claregalway, and the two cups go to the same house!

Anything Patrick Stephens , captain of the county intermediate championship winners could do, his younger brother Damien could do too. Except injury confined Damien to the dug-out for most of both the North Board and County finals, although he had the satisfaction of being on the field of play when referee Martin Gavin blew the full-time whistle at Pearse Stadium on Sunday.

It was another fine achievement for Claregalway to celebrate, and of course it boosts their prospects now that they’re promoted to senior status too. Clearly a lot of hard work has gone into all this, which readers of these pages will be aware of, and the club is to be greatly admired for the pride they are instilling in their community.

Naomh Anna Leitir Móir couldn’t recover from a bad start, although from 1-6 down they hit two goals inside a minute, coming up to half-time. By then however, Claregalway had the bit between their teeth and there was no stopping them.

It was 1-7 to 2-1 in favour of Claregalway at half-time, their goal coming from Nicholas Fox. Enda O’Connell was showing for the ball cleverly at full-forward—he set up the goal with a perfectly timed pass—and Big Barry Cullinane had caught all around him at midfield.

Leitir Mór had their goals from full-forward Padraig O’Ceallaigh and centre-forward Fiachra Breathnach, a minor who also plays for St. Jarlath’s, but the West attack was otherwise well held by a good Claregalway defence in which corner-backs Michael O’Connor and Anthony Davoren really caught the eye.

The winners also had an ace in goalkeeper Brian O’Donoghue, who is exceptionally talented and he has bounced back confidently after injuries caused him to miss a lot of top action last year.

There was no danger of Claregalway taking their foot off the pedal in the second half and they continued to go hard for their victory, despite valiant effort by the losers, especially hard-working midfielder Padraigh Bairead, one of the best players on the field.

A notable feature of the game was the brilliant freetaking—as in the North final against Glenamaddy—of Claregalway centre half-forward Martin Kelly, he hit six beauties, off both feet, mainly from the hands, and he also fought well for the ball in general play.

Despite that, and the fine contributions made by others such as Barry Cullinane and Michael O’Connor, my top rating goes to Enda O’Connell who was a real threat to the Leitir Mór defence every time he touched the ball and, fittingly, he fired over two sweet points late in the game at a time when the gallant losers were making a spirited bid to keep their fading hopes alive.

Claregalway: B. O’Donoghue, M. O’Connell, R. Lennon, A. Davoren, D. Raftery, S. Cunniffe, T. Moran, B. Cullinane (0-1), J.Garrett, J.P. O’Connell, M. Kelly, (0-6, five frees), A. Watson, D. Forde (0-1), E. O’Connell (0-3), N. Fox (1-1), Subs used: D. Stephens, B. Loughlin, M.McGuire.

Leitir Mór: C. O’Flatharta, P. E. O Céidigh, R. O’Ceallaigh, P. Mac an Rí, (captain), M.MacDonncha, D. O’Catháin, M.P. O’Ceallaigh, N.O. Ceallaigh, P. Bairead, M. O’Loinsigh, F.Breathnach (1-0), Cormac O’Conghaile, Ciarán O Conghaile (0-1), P.G. O’Ceallaigh (1-1), M.O’Fatharta (0-2). Subs used: S. Seoighe, S. Mac Eoghagáin.

Referee: Martin Gavin (Mountbellew—Moylough).

Man of the Match: Enda O’Connell.

Tips to Teens – Study

Treat it as a day’s work. Regular hours: a little is a lot if done regularly. FOCUS: there are so many avenues of info that you need a map and plan. Set information targets at the start of the study session. Read what you need. Need what you read. Flick through a pile of books and data to pinpoint and select what you need. Underline the key word(s) in a passage: this helps you focus & aids revision. Make short notes. SQ3R….. Survey, Question, Read, Recite. Recall.

If reading a (heavy) book it is sometimes useful to put a fat cushion on your knee and leave the book on it. Keep a pen, notepaper & dictionary (English) to hand.

Choose 2 associates to work with and discuss topics with them and other students.

It is very useful to be able to touch type on a standard keyboard. Practice this before your programme starts: borrow or rent a computer if necessary & work from a standard “Learn to Type” textbook (borrowed or bought). You do not need the ” speed of a professional secretary, just a good competence.

EXERCISE is extremely important for a student. So much time is spent sitting or just standing that you should build an exercise regime into your week. In addition frequent short walks during a study day helps with clear thinking e.g. 2 hours study should include 15 minutes walk or workout or similar.

Learn to CONCENTRATE… some are good at this others bad or very bad but you can & must learn. Some requirements for good concentration are: quiet place. Enough eaten or drank (water!) Exercise taken. Enough slept. • time-table. .. not only for the work but also for play & social (You can forget the girl/boyfriend for a while if you know you are meeting later at an arranged time!!) An information target. A learned ability to exclude the “rest of the world” from your thoughts and to recognize that right now, for the next two hours, the most important thing for you is this task

Learn to COOK basic meals of good food. Junk food like crisps, coke & coffee are worse than useless.

Learn to recognize your similarities to & differences from other people especially your associates. YOU ARE UNIQUE! YOU ARE DIFFERENT! Some are more intelligent some are less; all have a different upbringing to you, some very different. While not becoming antisocial you must learn not to sheepishly follow the leader. People in the 17 to 22 age group go through many difficult developmental changes (too much to discuss on this card) but you should at least recognize that it is a turbulent time: new friends, new freedom, new home, new job, peer pressure, ‘racy’ hormones, perhaps shyness, lack of social skills, a feeling that others know it all. So don’t worry, have patience, you are not alone. Learn ‘stuff’, learn TO THINK for yourself. This is all part of education whether you are in college or not.

STRESS can result in inefficiency, insomnia, constipation, heart problems & even death. It occurs from overwork, worry and not socializing & relaxing. Strive for a good mixture of work, play & sleep. Do not be afraid to seek advice if plans are going awry. A word of warning: alcohol abuse is too readily accepted in Ireland. Learn when to say “no more thank you” … and mean it