SOUTH DUBLIN AGE FRIENDLY COUNTY NEWSLETTER APRIL 2016
The Bealtaine Festival continues to grow and develop and a wonderful programme of activities has been developed for this year. The festival kicks off on May 1st and a full brochure can be viewed at http://www.sdcc.ie/events/bealtaine-festival-2016. You can also pick up a copy of the brochure in any of the libraries across the County. Highlights from the programme this year include:
Wednesday 4 May NALA Health and Wellbeing for Life South Dublin County Council in partnership with the National Adult Literacy Friday 20 May Agency are delivering a ten week course on Health and Wellbeing. Senior Games – Lobbers Time: 2.00 pm to 4.30 pm Time: 10.30 am to 12.30 pm Venue: An Cosan, Kiltalown Village Centre, Jobstown, Tallaght, D. 24 Venue: Tallaght Leisure Centre, Tallaght Contact: Maria Finn or Sandra Hickey Contact: Paula Swayne or Alison Silke Telephone: 01 414 9270 or 086 043 1779 Telephone: 086 829 2443 or 086 851 6669
Thursday 5 May Monday 23 May Spring Flower Arranging Mindfulness with Gaye Mullen Time: 10.00 am to 12.00 noon Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of what is going on in the Venue: Whitechurch Community and Youth Centre, Whitechurch Heights, D. 16 moment and has been proven to help with anxiety, depression and stress. Contact: Brigitte Foley Gaye Mullen has been a mindfulness practitioner and mentor for over 25 Telephone: 01 445 7035 years and has taught courses on it’s application in parenting, the workplace and creativity. Join her to learn how it can enhance your life. Time: 6.30 pm Friday 6 May Venue: Clondalkin Library, Monastery Road, Clondalkin Senior Games – Flisk Telephone: 01 45 3315 Time: 10.30 am to 12.30 pm Venue: Tallaght Leisure Centre, Tallaght Contact: Paula Swayne or Alison Silke Thursday 26 May Telephone: 086 829 2443 or 086 851 6669 Trip to Croke Park GAA Museum Time: 9.30 am – 1.00 pm Venue: Meet in South Dublin County Council Headquarters, Tallaght Friday 13 May Contact: Maria Finn or Sandra Hickey Senior Games – Scidils Telephone: 01 414 9270 or 086 043 1779 Time: 10.30 am to 12.30 pm Venue: Tallaght Leisure Centre, Tallaght Contact: Paula Swayne or Alison Silke Telephone: 086 829 2443 or 086 851 6669 Contact Su Clarke or Cian Ó Lonargáin on 01 414 9270 for a copy SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY of the activity planner.
The 55+ Daily Activity was produced by South Dublin County Council’s Community Development Team to help older people find information on what’s going on every day in their local area. The planner is a snap shot of just some of the many activities and community groups for older people, in Clondalkin, Lucan, Palmerstown, Rathfarnham, Rural South Dublin County, Tallaght, Templeogue and Terenure. The 55+ Daily Activity contains information to turn the period from 55 onwards into one of the most satisfying times. Inside you will find opportunities to engage in arts and cultural activities, social events, outings, sport and physical activity as well as details of where you can meet like-minded people for a cuppa and a chat. We hope the information provided will inspire 55+ to reach their full potential as they age. South Dublin Age Friendly Ambassadors Well done to our Age Friendly County Ambassadors who took part in the Clondalkin St. Patricks Day Parade this year. The Ambassadors were promoting the work they do to encourage older people to participate in the many social groups and activities taking place across the County. It looks like a good time was had by all!
Age Friendly County Seminars Active Retirement Ireland is happy to announce WE WANT as part of their Marigold Series: The Annual YOUR IDEAS! Health and Wellbeing Day We will be running a series of Age Friendly County Taking Place in Castletown House, Celbridge Seminars given by experts in locations across 10.30am - 4.30pm on Bloomsday, the County starting during Health and Wellbeing Thursday June 16th 2016 Week in September. Please let us know the issues There will be 20/25 exhibition stands covering crafts/ you would like this series to cover. Would you like home security/hearing tests and many more (including more information about specific health conditions, shoes & handbags for the ladies!!), line dancing safety and security, retirement planning or social lessons/singing groups/walking tours of the grounds at opportunities? We want to hear your ideas to ensure Castletown and comedy sketches. that the seminars will suit your needs and interests. Contact 01 873 3836 for more information, Contact Sarah or Sandra on 01 414 9270 or check out www.activeirl.ie SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL Community Smoke Alarm Scheme
South Dublin County Council is making a number of smoke alarms available to vulnerable and older residents of the county free of charge. This initiative is funded by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. We are inviting applications from vulnerable older people who are living in South Dublin County. This scheme is not available to tenants of South Dublin County Council. Applications will be considered on a first come, first served basis. Please note there are a limited number available in 2016. Alarms are fitted with a 10 year long-life battery and do not require connection to mains electricity.
If you are interested in applying for an alarm, please complete the application form below and return to the Community Services Department, South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24 or by email to [email protected]
South Dublin County Council Smoke Alarm Scheme for Vulnerable and Older Residents
Name of Applicant: What type of house do you live in? Owner Occupied Private Rented Address: Other:
Do you require the alarm to be fitted: I will arrange to fit the alarm myself: Telephone Number:
Email Address:
Please tick the boxes that best describe you: Older Person Aged 65+ Aged 80+
Do you live alone: YES NO Other vulnerable Group (explain):
Signed:
Date: Coffee Mornings Last Friday of each month at 11am in Tallaght Library. Are you interested in learning more about issues affecting older people? Would you like to meet some of our Age Friendly County Ambassadors? Come along to the next coffee morning to find out more, have some fun and meet new friends. Next coffee morning: Friday April 29th at 11am in Tallaght Library.
Recipes by Matt Dowling We had such a good reaction to Matt’s recipe for Tomato Soup his famous scones in the last newsletter that we • 2 carrots have asked him for some more ideas. We hope you • 2 sticks of celery • 2 medium onions enjoy these two new recipes. • 2 cloves of garlic • Oil • 2 chicken or vegetable stock cubes Bread and Butter Pudding • 2 x 400 g tinned plum tomatoes • 6 large ripe tomatoes (1 tin peeled tomatoes) spoon tomato • 1 loaf Fruit bread Round, or 6 fruit scones stale puree (Stale slice pan bread) • Some leaves of fresh basil • 50g/2oz butter, softened and extra for greasing dish • 2 streaky rashers • 600ml/1pt Milk • 2 tea spoons Honey, or sugar • 4 Eggs • 1 bay leaf/ parsley/ pinch of Thyme • 150g/5oz Caster sugar • 1lt stock (water) (vegetable stock from cooked vegetables) • 50 gr sultanas • 3 table flour or rice flour • Pinch of nutmeg/cinnamon • Salt and pepper to season • 100g Packet Shamrock Chocolate Chips Method: Method: To make your soup: 1. Pre-heat oven to 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4. • Peel and roughly slice the carrots. Slice the celery. chop the 2. Grease an ovenproof dish with butter. onions. 3. Slice the round into slices and butter each slice. • Cut rashers in small pieces (lardons) 4. Whisk the milk, sugar and eggs together in a bowl. • Peel and slice the garlic. Put a large pan on a medium heat 5. Place a single layer of the bread in the dish. and add a couple spoons of oil. 6. Pour 1/3 of the milk mixture on top. • Add all your chopped and sliced ingredients, and mix together 7. Sprinkle 1/3 of the chocolate on top. with a wooden spoon. 8. Repeat another layer of the bread, milk mixture and • Cook for around 5 minutes with the lid askew, until the carrots chocolate chips. have softened but are still holding their shape, and the onion is 9. Finish the top with a layer of the round bread slices. lightly golden. Add in the flour. 10. Pour the remaining milk mixture on top and finish with a • Put the stock cubes into a jug or pan and pour in 1.5 litres sprinkle remaining chocolate chips. of boiling water from the kettle. Stir until the stock cubes are 11. Bake for 45 minutes in the oven, until golden brown and dissolved, then add to the pan with your tinned and fresh crunchy on top. whole tomatoes, including the green stalks that may still be 12. Serve warm with cream or Ice-cream. attached to some of them (these give an amazing flavour – 13. Custard sauce trust me!) Give it a good stir and bring to the boil. Reduce the 14. Serve once out of the oven, when pudding is nice and heat and simmer for 30 minutes with the lid on. puffed. To serve your soup: Chefs tips • Remove the pan from the heat. • This pudding is a very economical dish, and is • Correct Seasoning, add the basil leaves. a way of using stale bread/fruit scones/ heals of • Using a hand blender or liquidizer, pulse the soup until smooth. bread/cake pieces. • dividing between your serving bowls, add a dollop of whipped fresh cream or crème fraise. • Optional add grated rind of orange or lemon. • Serve with either garlic bread, French stick, or bread croutons. • Optional use mixed peel or glace cherries. Mixed • Once cooled, this soup will hold in the fridge for a few days. fruit will suffice. • Freeze in soup pouches, for future use. • To bulk up the soup, chopped leftover cooked carrots can be added before serving. Personal Safety Security for the Older Person
Believe it or not - older persons are less Some will keep you talking at the front door needs to be repaired, gutters are blocked often the victims of crime than many of their while their accomplice sneaks in the back door. and need to be cleared, trees need to be younger neighbours. Older persons are, In all cases you need to be wary of strangers felled etc. however, subjected to burglary and thefts calling to your home. Take precautions - as frequently as the rest of the population. • Do not open the door to anyone before Out and About A lifetime of experience coupled with the you’ve checked who it is and what they • Avoid travelling alone, where possible. Go ageing process can make older persons feel want. Use your door viewer and chain/limiter. with family, friends or neighbours. vulnerable and more fearful of becoming a • Check identification, where appropriate. • If travelling by car, keep all doors locked. Be victim of crime. • Do not leave strangers unattended at your alert when parking and getting in/out of your Good neighbours are a vital component in doorstep. vehicle. crime prevention and reducing the fear of • Ensure your back door is locked when you • On public transport sit as close to the driver crime. This is particularly important for the answer a call at the front door. or exit as possible. older person. They will keep an eye on their • Keep cash to the minimum. Carry only credit/ neighbours’ property and call regularly to Remember debit cards that you need. make sure everything is OK. if in doubt, keep them out • Keep wallets and purses out of sight; hand You too can be a good neighbour, its all about or shoulder bags should be kept close to the awareness of what is happening around you body and not dangling by the straps. and keeping a friendly lookout for the person Cash/Financial Security • Try to avoid walking at night, if you must, it near you. Consider joining a Community Alert Thieves and burglars love nothing better than is advisable to have a companion, walk in or Neighbourhood Watch scheme if there cash. It is therefore important to observe the well-lit streets and as close to the roadside as is one in your area. These schemes may be following: possible. able to assist in getting funding for various • Do not keep large amounts of cash in your • In the event that you are threatened by security systems available for qualifying home. Use banks, building societies, credit physical force do not resist. older persons. Your local Garda station or unions, post offices etc. Try to remain calm and, if possible, concentrate Garda Crime Prevention Officer can provide • Keep all credit/debit cards in a secure on getting a good description of the culprit. more information on the setting up of such location as well as financial statements, schemes. records etc. Elder Abuse • Out-of-date cards should be destroyed. Elder abuse can fall into the following Home Security • Do not give your credit/debit card passwords categories: • Fit a door viewer and a door chain/limiter. to anybody. • Physical abuse These will allow you to safely check callers • When out and about, avoid carrying large • Psychological abuse and retain control over security. sums of money. • Financial abuse and material abuse • Front and rear doors and windows should be • Sexual abuse kept locked day and night. Property • Neglect (active or passive) • Keep a list of emergency numbers that you Mark your property and record serial numbers In many cases, the victim can be subjected to can refer to quickly, if required, e.g. family, where appropriate. UV markers and/or special more than one type of abusive behaviour. neighbours, Gardaí, medical or fire service. etching tools can be used. Use a unique Everybody has the right to be free from abuse • If you have a mobile phone, ensure that you reference number such as your initials and date and neglect. If you are a victim of elder abuse, have emergency contact numbers recorded of birth. Seek advice about marking high value or you suspect someone of being the victim under the ICE (In Case of Emergency) property e.g. antiques, paintings etc. of elder abuse, report it to the appropriate system. It is also a good idea to photograph your authorities. • Keep a Personal Information Pack in your property. Photograph items such as jewellery fridge (Age Action Ireland, tel: 01-4756989, against a ruler or some other common Conclusion for further information). household item (for size reference). If taking Following the advice in this leaflet will help to • Number your house clearly so that digital photos, keep copies of your property stop you becoming a victim of crime. Your local emergency services can find you quickly if photographs elsewhere other than on your own Garda Crime Prevention Officer can also help in necessary. computers. this regard. Distraction Burglary Scams A distraction burglary is where a bogus caller Be alert to con artists. Don’t fall for anything Useful Contacts to your home gains entry on a pretext/lie or that sounds too good to be true. An Garda Síochána creates a diversion so that an accomplice can • In general, do not give out personal www.garda.ie sneak in separately. information over the phone unless you know Unfortunately, older persons are frequently whom you are talking to. This also applies to In case of emergency dial targeted with this crime. Bogus callers will say internet communication. 999 or 112 anything to get into your home - • Do not give out your credit/debit card, bank account, social welfare numbers etc. to Please insert the telephone number “There’s been an accident, can I call an of your local Garda Station below: ambulance?” “I’ve broken down, can I use your anyone over the phone. phone?” • Do not leave old and no longer relevant financial statements lying around. Shred as “I’ve had a fall, could I have a glass of water” appropriate. “I’m from the council, there’s a burst main, I • Be wary of bogus trades people calling to need to turn off your supply” your door and advising you that your roof
Seán Walsh Park Community Garden Are you interested in gardening? South County Dublin Leisure Services Would you like to learn more?
Why Exercise? Come and get involved in • to have fun and meet friends. the Community Garden in • to increase healthy life expectancy. • to improve mobility for daily living. Seán Walsh Park. Please use the entrance beside Tallaght Senior Specials Include: Living the Life Fitness Class & Activities Stadium. Clondalkin Leisure Centre: Thursday 11am. Cost 3 (Includes Tea/Coffee) Tallaght Leisure Centre: Thursday 11am. Cost 3 (Includes Tea/coffee) Lucan Leisure Centre: Wednesday 12pm. Cost 3
Senior Swim/Sauna & Steam: • Clondalkin Leisure Centre: Monday & Friday 10.30am. Cost 2 • Tallaght Leisure Centre: Monday & Wednesday 10.30am. Cost 2
Active Age Membership: Discounted membership rates include the use of the gym/pool and all timetabled fitness and Aquafit classes and personalized fitness programme.
For further information contact: Clondalkin Leisure Centre. www.clondalkinleisure.com Lucan Leisure Centre. www.lucanleisure.com Tallaght Leisure Centre. www.tallaghtleisure.com We meet every Wednesday from 11.00am to 1.00pm. All are welcome! Whist Drive Every Tuesday in Tallaght Stadium • 2.00pm – 4.00pm All welcome including beginners • Come along and meet new friends €3 per week, refreshments included Congratulations to Mary, Tony, May and Darra who recently celebrated the first anniversary of the Whist Drive which has proven to be a great success.
To celebrate Bealtaine 2016
1st May – 31st May the Social Inclusion Unit invites you to tell us: As you age what makes you happy This can include any of the following: Crafts, Poetry, Painting, Photography, Music, Horticultural Skills, Carpentry, Baking, Flower Arranging, Sports and any other interests.
Closing date for entries: Friday 20th May 2016 Lots of prizes to be won. All prizes will be vouchers. First Prize: €50 • Second Prize: €30 • Third Prize: €20 • Runner Up Prizes
Visit our website at www.sdcc.ie For further information and application form contact: sdublincoco Sandra Hickey, Social Inclusion Unit, Housing, Social and Community Development Department Tel: 01 414 9270 or 086 043 1779 Email: [email protected] SouthDublinCountyCouncil Or visit our website www.sdcc.ie To mark the Centenary of celebrations Mary Lyons has selected some music and poetry for you to enjoy.
“Grace” Amhrán na bhFiann To Grace Gifford from Joseph Mary Plunkett, the poet and rebel. He – The National Anthem married his fiancée, Grace, just four hours before he was executed for Sinne Fianna Fáil his participation in the GPO uprising. A tá fé gheall ag Éirinn, buion dár slua As we gather in the chapel here in old Kilmainham Jail Thar toinn do ráinig chugainn, I think about these past few weeks, oh will they say we’ve failed? Fé mhóid bheith saor. From our school days they have told us we must yearn for liberty Sean tír ár sinsir feasta Yet all I want in this dark place is to have you here with me Ní fhagfar fé’n tiorán ná fé’n tráil Oh, Grace just hold me in your arms and let this moment linger Anocht a théam sa bhearna bhaoil, They’ll take me out at dawn and I will die Le gean ar Ghaeil chun báis nó saoil With all my love I place this wedding ring upon your finger Le gunaí screach fé lámhach na bpiléar There won’t be time to share our love for we must say goodbye Seo libh canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann Now I know it’s hard for you my love to ever understand Phonetic Version (to help with pronunciation) The love I bare for these brave men, the love for my dear land But when Pádraic called me to his side down in the GPO Shin-na fee-na fall I had to leave my own sick bed, to him I had to go Ah taw fay yall egg Ay-rin Bween dar slewa Oh, Grace just hold me in your arms and let this moment linger Har tin duh rawnig cooing They’ll take me out at dawn and I will die Fay vode veh sayer With all my love I’ll place this wedding ring upon your finger Shannteer ahr shinshir fasta There won’t be time to share our love for we must say goodbye Nee awg-fur fane teer-awn naw fane trawl Now as the dawn is breaking, my heart is breaking too A-nukt a hame sa varna veil On this May morn as I walk out, my thoughts will be of you Lay gyan ahr gale cunn bahs no sail And I’ll write some words upon the wall so everyone will know Lay gunna schrake, fay law vock nah bill-air I loved so much that I could see his blood upon the rose. Shuh liv conn-ig arawn na veen Oh, Grace just hold me in your arms and let this moment linger The Mother by Patrick Pearce They’ll take me out at dawn and I will die I do not grudge them: Lord, I do not grudge With all my love I’ll place this wedding ring upon your finger My two strong sons that I have seen go out There won’t be time to share our love for we must say goodbye To break their strength and die, they and a few, For we must say goodbye In bloody protest for a glorious thing, They shall be spoken of among their people, The generations shall remember them, A Nation Once Again And call them blessed; by Thomas Osbourne Davis But I will speak their names to my own heart In the long nights; When boyhood’s fire was in my blood It whisper’d too, that freedom’s ark The little names that were familiar once I read of ancient freemen, And service high and holy, Round my dead hearth. For Greece and Rome who bravely stood, Would be profaned by feelings dark Lord, thou art hard on mothers: Three hundred men and three men; And passions vain or lowly; We suffer in their coming and their going; And then I prayed I yet might see For, Freedom comes from God’s right hand, And tho’ I grudge them not, I weary, weary Our fetters rent in twain, And needs a Godly train; Of the long sorrow - And yet I have my joy: And Ireland, long a province, be. And righteous men must make our land My sons were faithful, and they fought. A Nation once again! A Nation once again! I See His Blood Upon The Rose A Nation once again, So, as I grew from boy to man, by Joseph Mary Plunkett A Nation once again, I bent me to that bidding And lreland, long a province, be My spirit of each selfish plan I see his blood upon the rose And in the stars the glory of his eyes, A Nation once again! And cruel passion ridding; His body gleams amid eternal snows, For, thus I hoped some day to aid, His tears fall from the skies. And from that time, through wildest woe, Oh, can such hope be vain ? That hope has shone a far light, When my dear country shall be made I see his face in every flower; Nor could love’s brightest summer glow A Nation once again! The thunder and the singing of the birds Outshine that solemn starlight; Are but his voice-and carven by his power It seemed to watch above my head Rocks are his written words. In forum, field and fane, All pathways by his feet are worn, Its angel voice sang round my bed, His strong heart stirs the ever-beating sea, A Nation once again! His crown of thorns is twined with every thorn, His cross is every tree. 1st May – 31st May As you age what makes you happy
Bealtaine Competition 2016 Application Form
Name:
Address:
Contact Number:
Email:
Title of Entry:
Type of Entry:
Name of Active Retired Club (if applicable): Respond through Crafts, Poetry, Painting, Photography, Music, Horticultural Skills, Carpentry, Baking, Flower Arranging, Sports or any other interests.
Entries to be submitted to: The Social Inclusion Unit, Housing Social and Community Development Department, South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24. Individual and/or group entries are welcome.
If further information is required please contact: Maria Finn or Sandra Hickey, Tel: 086 380 3060 or 086 043 1779 or 01 414 9270 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Or visit our website www.sdcc.ie
Closing date for entries: Friday 20th May 2016