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Generation Emigration

Cathy Donohue — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:20:43 +0000

Why are so many young Irish people leaving the Emerald Isle for sunnier climes, and what effect does their leaving have on those left behind? Cathy Donohue investigates.

Over the last couple of years so many young people have left Irish shores in search of a new life. Some are looking for employment – increasingly scarce here – while others leave simply because taking “a year out” to “find yourself” is the done thing. There are others again who just want to travel and see new things, gaining valuable life experiences along the way.

The old saying “pride comes before a fall’ most certainly applies to the economic situation here in Ireland. The Celtic Tiger saw the country experience a boom period when industry flourished and there seemed to be no end to the money. Perhaps it was the typical Irish laxidisical attitude that got the better of us. Political figures became engrossed in bettering each other instead of bettering the economy. Now we see harsh budget measures, further job losses and cuts to public services in the news everyday. Faced with this bleak present and future, it’s of little surprise that the youth of Ireland are choosing to up sticks and leave.

For them it might well be the happiest time of their lives! Wonderful experiences, new people and sunnier climes. It sounds like a dream come true for most of us who grew up in Ireland, home of rain, rain and well…rain. What is the first thing we say to each other on the street, in the shop or the bank, when you get in the door from work? “Isn’t the weather shocking?” is the usual greeting. This may create a sense of camaraderie as everyone is experiencing the same predicament, but if push came to shove, warm sun and comfy flip flops would win out over bonding about the weather. Too many times the flu has gotten the better of us due to getting caught in a shower on your lunch break and suffering for the day in damp clothes. This would never happen in New Zealand or Australia or Canada…well, that’s what we like to believe anyway.

Young adults are entitled to explore new countries and carve out a new life for themselves. Ideally the home country should be the number one choice, but this is not a feasible option for so many due to the big bad R word. While it may be a huge adventure for those involved, the same cannot be said for the families and friends left behind. Too many Irish mammies have had to wave goodbye to their children at the airport as they leave to seek fortune and fun in faraway lands. This became glaringly obvious to me this year when so many friends returned home from far flung lands for Christmas. As much as they enjoy their lives abroad, it seems the holiday period is a time for family, a time to be at home. Of course, having them back for a short time only makes it harder for families to say goodbye again when they are leaving. Some parents have to say goodbye to more than one child and most parents don’t know how many months or years it will be before they see their children again. After all, overseas flights are certainly not cheap. When your offspring lives on the other side of the world you might be lucky to see them once a year.

Skype only came on the scene recently but suddenly it is everywhere. “Are you free to Skype?” or “I’ll Skype you this evening” have replaced “I’ll give you a bell later”. Skype being free has eliminated the stress of paying for long distance phone calls. Skype allows you to see the person you are calling by using a webcam to make voice calls over the internet. You would think this would be every parents saviour but for one mother, using this new-fangled invention only makes the situation worse. Seeing the grainy images of her children on a computer screen only exacerbates the sadness. Mary, 57 may be able to see them but it is a cruel virtual reality. Her husband regularly talks on Skype to their son Mark, 25 and daughter Triona, 27 who are living in Australia on but she refrains. “I have tried Skype before but to see them only upsets me more”. It’s not fair on her and it’s not fair on her children who are simply not in a position to comfort her living thousands of miles away.

Mary may find it difficult at times but she knows that her children are better off in Australia while our country is still in the throes of recession. They have good jobs, steady incomes and packed social schedules. Sun and sand only adds to the attraction of Australia, Canada and New Zealand – the top emigration destinations for Irish. Sinead ,49, whose son Cian, 22, is an electrician by trade and struggled to make a living in Ireland has established himself in Canada. The building industry hasn’t encountered the same problems as Ireland and Sinead is delighted Cian is doing so well. “I was worried at the time, but hearing how happy he is I’m just delighted he made the break. Fair play to him, it wasn’t easy to leave his family and friends behind.”

Emigration may not be everyone’s cup of tea but for some, it’s the right move.

10 Tips from Car Medic!

admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:36:59 +0000

Keep your Car on the Road for Longer for Less!

There is a record 2.5 million registered cars on the roads in Ireland but due to recessionary times, people are changing their cars less often and need to keep cars on the road longer. Whether it’s a used or a new car, there’s one thing pretty much guaranteed – it’s going to fall in value. New cars depreciate from the moment they leave the showroom and used cars, particularly those bought in affluent times, are most often now in negative equity. Unfortunately, there’s no way of stopping depreciation but there are ways to boost the value of a car so the resale value is optimised with these top 10 tips from Car Medic, Ireland’s fastest growing automotive franchise.

1. Choose the right colour
Believe it or not, having a more desirable car colour could add €200 to €500 onto the value of a car. Unusual colours such as yellow, orange, or pink are generally regarded as less desirable in comparison to colours such as silver, black or currently white.

2. Sort out those alloy wheels
Badly scratched or tarnished alloys wheels can take €50 to €100 per alloy off the car’s value. Alloys are one of a number of things that make your car stand out from the crowd. Scuffed and kerbed alloy wheels can be painted and lacquered to the original pristine condition. Car Medic offer a mobile alloy wheel repair service so alloys can be repaired at your convenience, to the highest quality and in cost-efficient manor.

3. Keep tyres in check and prevent punctures
Balding tyres, or those near the minimum tread limit, are also likely to impact the value of the car – possibly by as much as €100 to €150 per wheel. Tyre Medic’s unique tyre puncture prevention system helps prevent those dangerous and worrying punctures, saving business expenses downtime, whilst protecting vehicles and the passenger from danger. Tyres treated with this unique gel can also give up to 10% extra driving time. This gel is also dyed so dangerously damaged areas can easily be inspected.

4. Check your windscreen
By simply ensuring there are no cracks or chips in your car windscreen, you could boost the value of the car by as much as €300. Stone chips, star breaks, bulls eyes and cracks can be near-invisibly repaired by Car Medic without replacing the entire windscreen.

5. Check for dents
Again, by ensuring there are no bad dents or scratches in your car, you could boost the value by as much as €200 to €300 per damaged panel. Removing any dents or scratches is also likely to increase buyer interest. The Car Medic Repair System complies with the latest EPA (Environment Protection Agency). All paints are water based paints and chemicals meet VOC levels set by the EPA at a fraction of the price of auto body shops.

6. Check the upholstery
The inside of the car is just as important as the outside. Poorly maintained trims and upholstery are not only likely to deter buyers, but they are also likely to lower the car’s value of by as much as €100. Dashboard holes and scratches, holes from mobile phone kits and scratches can be filled and colour matched to suit the original colour of your dashboard. Upholstery and carpets in both plain and patterned velour can be brought back to their original condition often within 15 minutes.

7. Clean up!
Similarly, make sure you keep your car clean inside and out. It may not increase the vehicles value but you will certainly sell the faster by simply cleaning out any litter, grime and dust. Also be careful with pets in the car – if they damage the interior, this could wipe hundreds off the resale price.

8. Get it serviced
Ensuring your car has been regularly serviced correctly could boost the value by around €500 to €1000. Always follow your car’s servicing schedule and make sure you get your service book stamped. If you’re getting your car serviced at a local independent garage, make sure it’s VAT-registered and that the parts used are genuine manufacturer products. You should get receipts and part serial numbers to prove this.

9. Wipe out Bumper Scuffs
Everyday bumper scuffs are the most common offenders on a vehicle. Split or deeply scratched and scored bumper pads can be repaired fast, filled and retextured back to the original finish by Car medic without replacing the bumper or repainting to entire bumper.

10. Sort out the NCT
Finally, ensuring you have an NCT certificate before you sell your car is likely to increase its value by around €500. So avoid selling your car when there are only a few weeks left on the NCT

Car Medic repairs cosmetic damages, scuffs and scratches to vehicles at customers’ homes or places of work. The innovative SMART repair system is up to 70% cheaper than body shops and uses the best quality products available. Car Medic also takes the body shop to the customer at work or at home with their fully equipped mobile units so the vehicle can be repaired in hours rather than days. This innovative, convenient and cost effective business idea has taken the Franchise and car repair world by storm scooping top honours at the Irish Franchise Awards and regional Business awards. Franchise opportunities are now available from Car Medic from €12,995 with a tried and tested business model, a strong promotional package and a comprehensive training and support network. For more information:

Call 1850 300999

or visit

www.carmedic.ie

Castlemartyr Resort off a Golden Egg!

Emer Donlon — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:59:19 +0000

We’re big fans of golden eggs around here, so this press release caught our eye when it came in!

Find the Golden Egg and Stay for FREE!

Charlie Bucket had his golden ticket, now you can join the hunt for the extra special Golden Egg at Castlemartyr Resort, in East Cork, during the Easter Egg- stravaganza weekend this Mid-term.

Parents and children alike will have a cracking time hunting high and low around the resort’s 220 acre natural woodland estate during Easter Sunday for the elusive egg that will win them their entire stay at the stunning five star resort for free!

Arrive at the resort to a chocolate-laden basket of Easter treats including the all-important instructions for Sunday’s Big Golden Egg Hunt which will have the Easter Bunny himself officiating.

Your fun-filled Easter break at Castlemartyr Resort this April 6th-9th will also include; two nights luxurious accommodation with a full Irish breakfast each morning, a Children’s Easter High Tea each evening and a delectable evening meal for mum and dad on one evening of their choice in the resort’s AA Rosette awarded restaurant, The Bell Tower. There will also be a whole host of egg-citing daytime activities including fun and games in the swimming pool and movie nights to keep your little bunnies busy while you escape to the peaceful and elegant surroundings of the Spa at Castlemartyr.

A fantastic two night break at Castlemartyr Resort – part of the Dromoland Collection – this Easter costs from €325 per room per night (valid for 2 adults and 1 child under the age of 12 sharing with parents). Offer subject to availability.

Castlemartyr Resort

Castlemartyr

County Cork

T: 021 421 9000 | F: 021 462 3359

www.castlemartyrresort.ie

Lough Erne Resort | In Focus

admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:47:39 +0000

Check out the March/April issue of GALWAYnow to read all about our Editor’s experience at the wonderful Lough Erne Resort in Enniskillen.

Here are a few facts and figures to get you acquainted

Lough Erne opened in County Fermanagh in October 2007. It is set on a 600 acre peninsula nestled in between Lower Lough Erne and Castle Hume Lough.

The hotel has 120 luxury Rooms & Suites and features; The Thai Spa, a variety of innovative dining experiences with menus by acclaimed chef, Noel McMeel including; The Catalina Restaurant for elegant dining overlooking the Lough; The Blaney Bar for The Grazing Menu and exclusive Irish Whiskey Collection, The Loughside Bar & Grill, The Halfway House situated directly behind the ninth green with breath-taking views over Lower Lough Erne and The Faldo Course, serving light bites for golfers and guests enjoying The Collop Walk; and The Garden Hall for traditional, chocolate, pink and Cygnets Afternoon Tea.

The Resort has 2 Championship Golf Courses, including The Faldo Course, a Top 100 UK & Ireland Course. The Faldo Academy at Lough Erne is the first Faldo Academy in Europe and is a state-of-the-art practice and tuition facility headed up by Lynn McCool, Director of Golf & Head Professional, Lough Erne Resort.

The Resort also offers The Cygnets & Mini Cygnets Programs (0-11yrs) – The ‘Big’ experience for our younger guests.

Lough Erne Resort is located just five minutes from Enniskillen (St Angelo) Private Airport. It is also easily accessible from Belfast International, Belfast City, Sligo and City of Derry Airports and Dublin Airport, as well as from Belfast and Dublin Ferry Terminals.

Lough Erne Resort, Belleek Road, Enniskillen, Fermanagh, BT93 7ED, Northern Ireland

Telephone: +44 (0)28 6632 3230 www.lougherneresort.com

A Bloomin’ Great Idea

Jo Lavelle — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:22:59 +0000

A bunch of Galway’s Florists have come up with a blooming great idea to raise funds and awareness for the National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI) this Mother’s Day. Maddens Florists, Go Dutch, Flowers By Kay, Branch Florists and Knocknacarra Florists have each created a special ‘Pink Bouquet’ of flowers which will be on sale at their stores this week for €50, with 10% of every one sold going to NBCRI. With this perfect Mother’s Day gift, you will make her day and be supporting a great cause.

Pictured from left to right: Kay Ryan from Flowers By Kay, Shirley Trestin of Branch Florists, Shane Flaherty Knocknacarra Florists, Sheelagh Holland from Go Dutch and Margaret Madden of Maddens Florists have each created a special ‘Pink Bouquet’ of flowers for Mother’s Day which will be on sale at their stores this week for €50, with 10% of every one sold going to the National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI). Photo: Martina Regan

Congratulations!

Emer Donlon — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:27:57 +0000

Well done to GALWAYnow contributor Grainne McMahon, who was recently admitted to the New York Bar!

Beauty Pick of the Day

Emer Donlon — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 11:33:03 +0000

Beauty Pick of the Day

Emer Donlon — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:04:31 +0000

Fashion Innovation Awards 2012

admin — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:27:57 +0000

Galway City will play host to the ultra glamorous Goldenegg Fashion Innovation Awards again this year, with the glittering ceremony taking place on Thursday 5 April at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

Last year’s event wowed guests as the Irish Fashion industry’s up-and-coming talent showcased their show-stopping designs in what is set to become the fashion event of the year. Once again the event will be going online, giving the public a chance to view the innovative work of the young designers. Exciting collections from award winning designers throughout 6 categories, including designs from 5 colleges will be shown at the Awards ceremony which was a sell-out success last year.

The Goldenegg Fashion Innovation Awards sponsored by Lancôme, Hartmann & Sons Ltd, Brown Thomas, MoHH Hair, Radisson Blu, Galway County Enterprise Board is the only such platform for young designers in Ireland. The prestigious awards give visibility, support and a voice to young design talent throughout Ireland, offering a fantastic opportunity for their work to be shown to a jury made up of fashion design experts.

Galway-based milliner Mark Burke will be making a special guest appearance at the awards. Mark won the Goldenegg “Accessory Designer of the Year” award in 2010 and has gone from strength to strength since his big win.

“Designer of the Year” 2011, Una Burke was commissioned to design garments for superstar, Lady Gaga. Since then, Burke’s extraordinary leather creations have been in demand by enthusiastic stylists, fashion agents, photographers and even book publishers with numerous requests for her work.

Enjoy an amazing evening of some of the country’s best fashion talent, with tickets at just €30, buy 4 tickets and get 5th ticket free. Tickets include pre-show drinks and canapes, goodie bags and the awards ceremony along with a fantastic after-show party to start off your Easter weekend in style with great music and loads of fun into the early hours!!

VIP / Platinum tickets are also available for €40. This special package includes reserved seating, goodie bags and much much more.

So get your glad rags on and book your tickets before they are gone for an exclusive night out with the best of Ireland’s fashion!

For more information or to buy tickets click here

Beauty Pick of the Day

Emer Donlon — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:30:21 +0000