Cork Age-Friendly Newsletter and Slob Walk this Friday!
Read more about resources and actions for older people in the county in this month’s Age-Friendly Cities newsletter. You can read it here: Age Friendly Ireland Newsletter_23072021
Also, remember our Slob nature Walk this coming Friday at 12 noon – call Hayley to book your spot!
Resources from Age & Opportunity
Age & Opportunity have a variety of resources available for people ranging from building your resilience, keeping active while staying at home and getting creative in new and inventive ways. They also want to make sure you are up-to-date with the latest news on Covid-19 from reputable sources and have access to the helplines that you, or those you know, may need for extra assistance.
They conducted a report on The impact of Covid-19 on physical activity in older people’s groups based on 700 survey responses and four focus groups. Full details of the report, including recommendations, can be found here.
For more information or support speak to their team:
These include
Building Resilience
Keeping Active
Getting Creative and
Support & Information
You can visit their full website at https://ageandopportunity.ie/
Spring Chickens Walking Group: our next date!
Age & Opportunity June E-Zine
Looking back at Bealtaine at Home and more: with links!
Dear Bealtaine Friends,
Thank you for joining us!
We can’t believe this year’s festival is over. Thank you for tuning in from all over Ireland to our online events, and thanks to our network of organisers around the country for putting on their own fantastic events.
Miss out on some of the events? Many are still available for you to watch on the Age & Opportunity YouTube channel if you missed them the first time around! Read on for details.
Best wishes,
The Arts Programme Team, Age & Opportunity
Age & Opportunity YouTube Channel
Here are some of the highlights, with links for you to watch!
Discussion: Dawn to Dusk
Post-film premiere discussion
Chaired by Grainne Humphreys, featuring Therry Rudin, Catherine Marshall, and Aideen Barry.
Discussion: Intersectional Identities
On being older and LGBTQIA+ in Ireland
Chaired by Rory O’Neill, featuring Ailbhe Smyth, Will Kennedy, and Daithi Clayton.
Discussion: Of Scent & Song
The aesthetics of sensory memory
Featuring artists Ceara Conway, Catherine Hayley Epstein, and Erin Quinn.
Discussion: Cultures of Ageing
In association with Mother Tongue Festival & Mercer’s Institute for Successful Ageing
Chaired by Tom Scharf, featuring Kieran Walsh, Tura Arutura, Evan Furlong, and Safinez Bousbia.
Discussion: Care
Exploring the issues and politics of care in Ireland
Chaired by Patrick Freyne, featuring Marie Louise O’Donnell, Donal Behan, Margaret Oryang, and Sheila Robertson
Writing 1921
With Doireann Ní Bhríain, Cathy Belton & David Herlihy
Readings from the National Library’s collections by Cathy Belton and David Herlihy, narrated by Doireann Ní Bhríain, and presented in partnership with National Library Ireland.
Dusk Chorus
With Ceol le Chéile, Aspiro, and Ireland Unlimited. A special Dusk Chorus collaboration between flagship choir Ceol le Chéile, Aspiro, and Ireland Unlimited. Produced in partnership with Sing Ireland and in association with Donegal Age Friendly Programme.
…As If Trying Not To Own The Earth
A dance and food activism project
Spring… As If Trying Not To Own The Earth involves two residencies; one with a food grower and one with a food preparer. Via online sessions from her base in Cloughjordan Ecovillage and Cloughjordan Farm, dance artist Rita Marcalo teaches these collaborators to dance, and they teach her to grow and prepare food.
Two final film showings were shown at from May 28th – June 10th.
Catch up on their journey by watching the rehearsal series published on the Project YouTube Channel.
Spring … As If Trying Not To Own The Earth is co-commissioned Age & Opportunity’s Bealtaine Festival and Dublin Dance Festival, in association with SIRIUS. Supported by Dublin City Council Arts Office. Additional support by Cloughjordan Community Farm.
An Instant Dissidence production.
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Age Friendly Ireland Newsletter…& The Bullman in Dermot Hurley!
Age Action are working with University College Cork to understand how people want to Age in Place. If you are over 55, live in a rural location and have 10 minutes to spare, please take the survey here: https://cacsss.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6tbEZ5aITrhBx0W
What do you want?
The purpose of the study is to explore the views of people living in rural Ireland about where they choose to live, including what would enable them to remain in their homes and community as they age and the barriers that they face in doing so. The research aims to inform the work of civic, voluntary, and state organisations to support older people in rural areas.
You can read the full Age Friendly Ireland newsletter here: Age-Friendly-Ireland-Newsletter_18062021
The Bulman: Theatre at Home
After a sell-out success at last year’s Kinsale Arts Week, and as part of a ‘theatre at home’ Covid-safe tour, The Bulman came to Dermot Hurley on the last Saturday in May.
The Bulman is part maritime yarn, part ghost story, and tells how the infamous Bulman Rock got its name. “It is 1860, and the trade routes between Cork and Italy are worked hard by a tall ship called The Bulman. One night, off the French coast, she hits a storm of montrous proportionsthat throws her crew together in an epic battle between life and death; between right and wrong; between loyalty and betrayal. But worse things happen at sea… even worse than the most terrifying storms. Death and redemption battle through the night, but when the dawn comes and the fog lifts things will never be the same…”
Written by Donal Hayes and performed by David Peare – co-host of the renowned Kinsale Ghost Tour. Production Lead and Tech is by Scott Duggan.
Residents enjoyed the show, which was performed on the green with the audience listening in on their radios to catch every word!
Spring Chickens Walking Group & Holding Hands Project
Spring Chickens Go Walking!
This Wednesday, 16th June, the new Spring Chicken Walkers Group will meet Karen Loxton of SECAD for a nature walk along the Town Walls. Karen has a great reputation for her knowledge and ways of sharing information, so we’re looking forward to the event! This week’s walk is fully booked: we will meet at the walls on Raheen Road (by the care parking spaces) at 12pm for an hour’s gentle walking. Our next date for a walk will be announced later this week and you’re welcome to book a place by ringing or texting Hayley on 0879890336.
[photograph from Megalithic Ireland]
Holding Hands Project
The postbox is filling up with decorated hands reeady to be part of our Holding Hands display, showing how we’ve managed to stay connected during the pandemic. Both Spring Chickens and TY students from Pobalscoil Trionide were given cardboard hands to decorate and they’re looking so beautiful! If you havent yet sent your hand back (in the stamped addressed envelope included with your newsletter) please send it back as soon as you can – I’m so looking forward to putting them all together! When it’s completed, the dispaly will be launched at Youghal Library and displayed there over the summer.
Art Demonstration from Grace Duncan
Get Creative with Grace Duncan! Here is an arts demonstration crafted especially for Spring Chickens and all you viewers…Grace Duncan shows us how to make use of materials to hand to inspire our creativity, with useful techniques and ways of working.
We hope Grace will conduct a live demonstration when we can meet again: until then, if you or a friend would like to get a DVD of this demonstration, please let Hayley know on 087 9890336.
Watch Grace’s demonstration here:
Nature Walk and Holding Hands
Fancy a nature walk around the Town Walls? Join the Spring Chicks and Karen Loxton of SECAD on Wednesday 16th June from 12-1pm for a leisurely explore of the walls and see what’s growing there. We’ll be following Covid guidelines so please book your place with Hayley on 087 9890336 or with your weekly caller.
Holding Hands Project
As you saw in your newsletter, we have a colourful arts project underway – you will have received a cardboard hand with your newsletter – please join in by decorating it, then pop it into the stamped addressed envelope and send it back to Hayley. They’ll be arranged, together with some from the TY students at Pobalscsoil, into a wall display that you’ll see first in the library and later in the year in Cumann na Daoine.
I’m looking forward to holding your hands!
Storytelling event & Spring Chickens Newsletter
Our art packs were delivered last week, we hope you’re enjoying getting creative!
Bealtaine At Home Festival
The Bealtaine Festival (‘At Home’ during the pandemic) is a huge range of online events brought to you by Age & Opportunity throughout the month of May. We’re now going into Week 4, and here are some highlights to whet your whistle!
You can find details of all the events happening this and next week at http://www.bealtaine.ie
From the Studios: A Slow Look and Chat About Art
Together we will take a mindful look at selected artworks from the studio artists at Temple Bar Gallery + Studios. Enjoy taking time to consider and talk about each work over a virtual tea or coffee! Temple Bar Gallery + Studios is home to thirty artist studios providing professional artists, from recent graduates to internationally recognised artists, with a vital place to work in Dublin City. This online event will be facilitated by our Learning and Public Engagement Curator, Orla Goodwin. No background knowledge is needed for this relaxed reflection on diverse contemporary art.
25th May, 11am – 12 noon. Booking link: https://www.templebargallery.com/whats-on/events/from-the-studios-a-slow-look-and-chat-about-art
January to May, Stories from the Calendar
Silver Thread celebrate Bealtaine
In January 2021, Silver Thread issued their first calendar, sending it to participants, friends and partners. Many have written stories from the calendar prompts every month and shared them on an online platform. To celebrate 5 months of writing, and many memories, we will read some stories and invite our audience to share the memories sparked by those and to tell their own stories.
26th May, 2-3pm.
Book here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/dcu-afu-marks-bealtaine-festival-2021-tickets-151034222425
Music at the Garden Gate
Acclaimed musicians Laoise Kelly (harp) and John Hoban (fiddle, mando-cello, song and more) present a performance of traditional music and song online from the Linenhall Arts Centre. This performance will be available to view free of charge on Thursday 27 May and Saturday 29 May from 2:00pm to 7:00pm at the Linenhall Arts Centre webpage: www.thelinenhall.com Over a 6-day period in May, Laoise and John will bring the joy of music to the garden gates of a number of older people in the Castlebar area who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience live music. This performance marks the final element of the project. About the Artists: Castlebar man John Hoban is a musician, singer, songwriter, and poet. He has played and taught music all his life and has travelled internationally with his music, playing alongside music greats including Christy Moore and Sharon Shannon. The ultimate multi-instrumentalist, John plays fiddle, accordion, mandolin, mando-cello, harmonica and more. His songs and music bridge the worlds of improvisation, experimentation and tradition. Laoise Kelly is one of Ireland’s leading traditional harpers. She has performed and recorded with the foremost artists in Irish music from The Chieftains to Kate Bush. She represented Ireland at the World Harp Festival in Paraguay. She has three critically acclaimed solo albums and is the director of the Achill International Harp Festival. In 2020 Laoise was awarded the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Musician of the year. This KEEP WELL campaign is brought to you with thanks to Healthy Ireland, an initiative of the Government of Ireland, with funding from the Healthy Ireland Fund and the Sláintecare fund delivered by Pobal. Music at the Garden Gate is an initiative of Mayo County Council in partnership with the Linenhall Arts Centre with support from Age Friendly Mayo and the Arts Council.
Starts 27th May, 2-7pm. Book here:
http://www.thelinenhall.com Event details
Cork County Community Helpline; Bealtaine Festival Week 3 and notes for Spring Chickens!
Spring Chicks News
Our next newsletter will be with you very soon, and we’ve some exciting plans now that we can start – slowly – to see each other. Your art packs will be with you soon (sorry for the delay – we had to return one delivery that was damaged). We have some new volunteers on our weekly calls, so some of you will be making another new friend thanks to this!
Bealtaine [At Home] Festival
The Bealtaine [At Home] Festival, run by Age & Opportunity, runs throughout May with a wide range of online events, many of them free. You can see the full programme at http://www.bealtaine.ie and below is a list of this week’s events.
Feel Good Friday from Youghal Community Health Project
It’s not too late to join in the fun this Friday and feel good while you do it! Details below of how to take part.
Climate Stories: The Changes We Have Seen
A collaborative project between Cork County Council’s Climate Action Unit, Cork County Age Friendly Programme and Cork County Older Peoples Council is inviting the older population in Cork County to share their climate stories. When it comes to discussing climate change, older people may have one advantage: they have watched it happen and have experienced its impacts.
Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Mary Linehan Foley, said,
“Storytelling has always been a strong part of our culture and our learning. We remember and trust stories told to us by our parents, grandparents and elders. Anyone aged over 55 has lived through climate impact. This project hopes to capture their stories. If we make the changes needed, we’ll look back on it as a watershed moment. If we don’t, it’ll be a record of what could have been. While these are individual perspectives, the collective stories have the power to shift the narrative and contribute to positive change.”
Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey, commented,
“Climate change is a complex issue that can feel far removed from our everyday lives. Sharing personal experiences can help put it into context. This project recognises older people have unique knowledge, insights and wisdom to share. This inter-generational climate action is part of a wider awareness campaign being undertaken in our Climate Adaptation Strategy. Stories will be compiled and made available online and, in our libraries, later this year.”
Elizabeth Maddox, Chair of Cork Older People’s Council said,
“I’d like to congratulate the Climate Action Unit of Cork County Council’s Environment Department on this exciting climate change project. The members of the Older Peoples Council are looking forward to hearing the stories on climate change over the decades and are delighted to be part of, and of support, to this project going forward”.
Mayor Linehan Foley added “Cork County Older People’s Council has a key role in this initiative, and I commend them on their vision. No matter the issue – be it in response to COVID-19 or a challenge such as climate change – older people have important contributions to make. I look forward to the perspectives they will bring to the table.”
A climate story is an account of climate change from personal experience such as: How have I noticed climate change in my life? Has there been a change in nature or in my locality that has been affected by climate? How have I been affected by climate change? Maybe through storms, flooding or extreme heat? What would older people like to say to generations coming after them?
The initiative is targeted at older people (over 55’s) in Cork County and the submission details are available on our Customer Service Portal, YourCouncil.ie. Entries, in the form of a poem or a story of up to 700 words, are invited before 30th of June 2021, and photographs are welcomed.
Here at Cumann na daoine, we’ll be inviting all the people on our Community Call list to take part, starting next week. If you like, we can compile all your stories, poems and photos into one submission of that makes it easier for you to take part. Your caller can tell you more or call Hayley on 0879890336.
Feel Good Friday on May 14th – join in the fun!
Virtual Dementia Cafe and Bealtaine Age & Opportunity Festival events
Community Newsletter, Mindful Musings and Living Well Advice!
Mindful Musings from Sean Fargo
Guided Meditation For Creating Mental Space. This guided audio meditation is designed to increase calm, clarity and spaciousness in the mind. We’ve received a lot of great feedback about it. I hope you like it!
The Four Buddhist Mantras for Turning Fear Into Love. “We have a great, habitual fear inside ourselves. We’re afraid of many things — of our own death, of losing our loved ones, of change, of being alone. The practice of mindfulness helps us to touch nonfear. It’s only here and now that we can experience total relief, total happiness… In the practice of Buddhism, we see that all mental formations — including compassion, love, fear, sorrow, and despair — are organic in nature. We don’t need to be afraid of any of them, because transformation is always possible.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
Healthy Eating
Course; Engaging Dementia Training & Mindful Musings!
Engaging Dementia are delighted to launch their new training event
‘A Garden to Remember’ on Earth Day.
Date: Thursday the 22nd of April
Time: 10am – 1pm
By Joyce Fitzpatrick
Early bird tickets at €40 are available until Thursday 15th of April.
Hear from our tutor Joyce Fitzpatrick:
On Earth Day April 22 I look forward to hosting a special Masterclass called “A Garden to remember”, where you can find out how to set up a garden, and/or special outdoor and indoor spaces for garden activities throughout the seasons.
It is no secret that the garden can be a haven for relaxation and reminiscence, and recent research proves the healing and therapeutic benefits of spending even short times surrounded by nature.
Why not be the person who introduces these moments of joy and calm for your residents?
Some gardening experience is an advantage but not essential, only the passion to make a difference.
Joyce has 30 years’ experience setting up garden spaces for schools , nursing homes, and community spaces, and is particularly interested in sensory gardens and vegetable plots, and has a particular interest in improving the life of people living with a dementia. She is qualified in Botany, Horticulture and Nature Therapy.
Tel: 01 260 8138
Address: Mounttown Community Facility, Medowlands, Fitzgerald Park, Lower Mounttown Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, A96 KR65
Engaging Dementia™ is the new name for Sonas apc. We deliver dementia training services focused on communication and engagement, and are involved in a range of collaborative projects in the community. The Sonas® Programme continues to be a central part of our work and is currently in 280 care centres across Ireland.
Engaging Dementia (formerly Sonas apc) is a registered charity. Registered Charity Number 20033439 CHY 11839
Engaging Dementia is a partner of the Dementia Understand Together Campaign
Mindful Musings from Sean Fargo
How I’m Finding Perspective
Remembering things are Imperfect, Impermanent & Impersonal. When we feel stressed, it’s easy to forget these 3 truths of the way things are. The Buddha called them the 3 characteristics of human life. When balanced with feelings of caring curiosity, we can discover a whole new lightness of being in the world.
What I Am Considering Learning
Scaling Intimacy. In the age of Zoom, it’s hard to feel connected with others on video conferencing platforms. This online course gives you tools and strategies for bridging the gap between hiding in the dark and feeling genuinely connected with one another – even if you don’t have a nice video background. 🙂
What I Am Practicing
How To Increase Self-Compassion. Dr. Chris Germer offers insight into how we can increase self-compassion. He notes how we can help others to feel more self-compassionate, too.
Chris goes on to share three questions we can ask to cultivate self-compassion:
1. How would I treat a friend?
2. What do I need?
3. How do I already care for myself?
20 Mindful Questions To Ask Yourself
Mindful reflection is a skill that requires presence, patience, non-judgment, curiosity, and compassion. It is a skill that, when fully embodied, has a range of benefits, from broadening our thinking to improving our relationships. Yet reflecting mindfully is not as easy as it might seem. How do we reflect on ourselves and our experience while remaining open? How do we self-reflect without getting in our own way?
Smoke Alarms Available and Active Community Awards are open!
Free Smoke Alarms from Cork County Fire Service
Smoke alarms are a sensible precaution to have in your house, and Cork County Fire Service can get you one free of charge if you;re not already equipped with them. Please call Hayley on 0879890336 if you need a smoke alarm and I’ll get an application form to you!
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Active Community Awards – Nominate now!
The Active Community Awards were established by Cork Sports Partnership under its Active Cork Communities Initiative to honour, recognise and celebrate the individuals and groups in our local Cork communities that go above and beyond in their efforts to promote community sport and physical activity opportunities, while equally promoting positive health and wellbeing for all.
This is the first year of the awards, which seek to highlight the important role that community groups, organisations and individuals play in promoting local community health and wellbeing through physical activity. This last year has been particularly challenging but communities have come up with unique and innovative ways to keep people engaged in physical activity and sport, supporting them to look after their physical and mental health.
Through the Cork Healthy Ireland fund with the support of local partners, Cork County Council and Cork City Council, we can now begin to recognise these efforts across the many communities in Cork with our Active Community Awards 2021.
Nominations are welcome across the following four categories:
- Active Community Group: This award is to acknowledge a volunteer group/team of people working in the development and/or promotion of locally-led physical activity and community sports programmes.
- Active Community Campaign: This award is to acknowledge and recognise community campaigns, events, or initiatives that encourage people to be active.
- Active Community Champion: This award is to acknowledge an individual’s work in the development and/or promotion of locally-led physical activity and community sports programmes.
- Active Community Inclusion: This award is to acknowledge groups/
organisations that provide a leading role in the area of inclusion in their communities.
Cork Sports Partnership is delighted to announce the launch of these awards and would encourage communities across Cork to nominate individuals, groups and organisations they feel are worthy receipts for 2021.
You can nominate here:
https://www.corksports.ie/active-communities-awards
New Initiative from Youghal Library!
New Start Date for our Crochet Course!
As you see in our newsletter, we have a 3-week beginners Crochet Course coming up. We have put back the start date until next week to give a few more of you a chance to join in! Hooks and wool can be dropped safely to your house. Now starting Tuesday March 23rd 11am till noon with tutor Catherine Foley. Please get in touch if you;d like to take part – also, we have our Art Therapy Taster Session on Wednesday 24th March. No art experience necessary and again, we can drop materials safely to you id you need them.
Do book your place – either with your weekly caller or call/text Hayley on 0879890336.
Spring Chickens Newsletter
I hope you’ll enjoy our latest newsletter and that you’ll get involved in one or more activities. We will be distributing craft and knitting packs over the next week, so let us know if you’d like to receive one!
Art Therapy Taster Session (online) & Age Friendly Ireland Newsletter
This week we’ll be posting out your newsletters with details of craft projects, online information sessions and including Fire Safety & Mindfullness packs.
Here today we have details of an Art Therapy taster session with Margaret McCardle coming up on 24th March. Places are limited, so please contact Hayley on 0879890336 or email hayleycumannnadoine@gmail.com to reserve your spot! Materials will be provided and dropped safely to your house.
Also today the latest issue of the Age Friendly Ireland Newsletter: to see the full newsletter click here:
Age Friendly Ireland Newsletter_19022021 (1) (1)
Coming Soon!
A weekend of sunshine has helped us all – and while we’re staying home, we need some new acgivities to keep us entertained, healthy and as happy as possible.
Later this week, we’ll be posting out our spring newsletter with details on our upcomning online sessions; our craft apcks will be ready to be delivered soon and we hope you’ll all enjoy taking part in one or another of our new activities.
These include:
Crochet classes with Catherine Foley. Wool and hooks will be provided (dropped safely to your door)
Art therapy taster session with Margaret McCardle: if you enjoy this we will run a series of sessions.
We also have our poetry project – see last week’s post – as well as Healthy Eating video sessions and some demonstrations from artists and cooks in our area!
If you need a smoke alarm,w e have application forms here that can be sent out to you, as well as Getting Started Online KIT from Age Action. So if you can help your family or friends & neighbours to get online, please order that pack for them! You can email hayleycummannadaoine@gmail.com or call/text 0879890336.
Stay safe and well – and enjoy the sunshine!
Let’s Get Writing!
Continuing our poetry project that we started last year, we’re going to be hosting a few taster sessions on creative writing and poetry, and we hope that you will want to take part in our ‘Poem for Many Voices’ project coming up soon. So to get you in the mood, here are some interesting links from Age & Opportunity with readings, poetry prompts and writers’ voices. Click on the link in each section to find out more!
It is now possible to join the library online and use the BorrowBox app where you can borrow free eBooks and eAudiobooks.
Dublin City Library has posted details on how to access free writing supports and classes using your library account.
Poetry Ireland’s Poet-in-Residence Catherine Ann Cullen is sharing daily poetry prompts on her Twitter using the hashtag #poetryprompt.
Dubray Books are offering free 10 minute book consultations – call 01 280 9917 or your local store to chat about your reading preferences and they’ll ring back with a recommended list of books.
Women’s Writes is an online book club run by women for women. They host two online meetups each week for one book and can also help you set up your own online book club for you and your friends.
Here is a list of 80+ poetry themed podcasts from the UK and Ireland that you can enjoy for free.
The UCD Library hosts an online poetry archive on their YouTube page where you can watch Irish poets read their work.
The Irish Writers Centre has moved some of their creative writing courses online.
Story Club hosts weekly 500 word creative writing prompts. Write and post your own bite-sized story and read everyone else’s, or just do it by yourself at home.
The Arts Council have a series of talks and interviews with Irish writers on their Vimeo page.
Craft Packs & Knitting Projects
We are putting together our latest craft packs for older people, which we can have dropped to your doorstep if you’d like to take part.
These packs include the ‘Colourful Heritage of County Cork’ colouring books (along with paints and markers) kindly supplied by the Heritage Office of Cork County Council.
We also have wool and patterns available for those who enjoy knitting and crochet. And in this weather, a warm lap blanket could be the very thing!
If you, or someone you know, would like to receive one of these packs, please call or text Hayley on 0879890336.
We are hoping to run an online crochet course over the coming weeks: more news soon!
St. Brigid’s Day: Spring at last!
The enduring traditions of St. Brigid’s Day
February 1 is St. Brigid’s Day, also known as Imbolc, and marks the beginning of spring. Imbolc, also known as the Feast of Brigid, celebrates the arrival of longer, warmer days and the early signs of spring. It is one of the four major “fire” festivals (quarter days, referred to in Irish mythology from medieval Irish texts. The other three festivals on the old Irish calendar are Beltane (May Day), Lughnasadh (Harvest) and Samhain (Hallowe’en)
The word Imbolc means literally “in the belly” in the old Irish Neolithic language, referring to the pregnancy of ewes. In ancient Irish mythology, Brigid was a fire goddess. Nowadays, her canonisation is celebrated with a perpetual flame at her shrine in Kildare.
St. Brigid’s Cathedral in Co Kildare. (Getty Images)
St. Brigid is the patron saint of babies, blacksmiths, boatmen, cattle farmers, children whose parents are not married, children whose mothers are mistreated by the children’s fathers, Clan Douglas, dairymaids, dairy workers, fugitives, Ireland, Leinster, mariners, midwives, milkmaids, nuns, poets, the poor, poultry farmers, poultry raisers, printing presses, sailors, scholars, travellers and watermen. What a busy saint!
IMBOLC TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS
Brigid is said to walk the earth on Imbolc eve. Before going to bed on January 31st, each member of the household may leave a piece of clothing or strip of cloth – the bratog Brigid, ‘Brigid’s cloak’ – outside for Brigid to bless. The head of the household will smother (or “smoor”) the fire and rake the ashes smooth and in the morning, look for some kind of mark on the ashes, a sign that Brigid has passed that way in the night or morning. The clothes or strips of cloth are brought inside and believed to now have powers of healing and protection, especially for headaches and sore throats.
Making Brigid’s crosses from reeds is a firm tradition in many households and schools across the country. This year, if you can’t find reeds within 5k, you could try making them with paper!
Oisín Lee, age 12, and Sofia Hannon, age 12, from St. Brigid’s Primary School in Kildare presented St. Brigid’s crosses to President and Sabina Higgins. #LaFheileBride
Brigit, Brigid or Bríg (Old Irish meaning ‘exalted one’) is a manifestation of the Triple Goddess of pre-Christian Ireland. Waking at Imbolc – 31st Jan – 2nd February – the winter goddess, the Cailleach (the hag), returns to her slumber and Brigid brings the spring.
Brigid appears in Irish mythology as a member of the Tuatha dé Danaan, daughter of the Dagda and wife of Bres, with whom she had a son named Ruadán.
Brigid is the bringer of spring and protectress of fertility, healing, poetry and blacksmithing. Glossary, written in the 10th century by Christian monks, says that Brigid was “the goddess whom poets adored” and that she had two sisters: Brigid the healer and Brigid the smith. This reinforces her status as part of the triple deity.
Poem by Caitlín Matthews:
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Online Activities & Resources from Age & Opportunity
We understand that this is a difficult time for everyone but there are still opportunities to enjoy the arts and creativity as we social distance and isolate. Age & Opportunity arts have been impressed by the many organisations around Ireland who have taken their work online and made it fully accessible at this time. So, to make it easier for anyone who wants to taste all of the amazing work out there no matter what age they are, Age & Opportunity have gathered a list of online opportunities across a range of activities – from watching opera to dance classes – which you can take part in without having to leave the house. These are categorised by theme, so we hope there’s something for everyone.
We know that a lot of focus right now is on accessing the outside world through the online world, and that this isn’t possible or easy for everyone. Many of the arts and crafts activities can be printed out so if you know someone who would appreciate it, why not print some off to leave at their door step?
ARTS & CRAFTS:
Glucksman online events: daily creative activities to do at home, including instructional PDFs and videos. They share these on their social media pages alongside examples of what other people are doing.
The Baring Foundation has published a treasury of arts activities for older people. It includes 50 activities, long and short, and is free to download.
Small Things UK are currently offering free access to their Storybox Project for a limited number of groups and families. This includes a number of creative activities for older people and those living with Dementia.
Sign up for two weeks of daily creative challenges starting on the 23rd of March with Create to Connect.
Paper Kawaii has a whole range of origami instructions, diagrams, photo and video tutorials.
Silver Surfers have put together a gallery of adult colouring pages that you can download and print yourself to colour in.
The Hunt Museum has designed a colouring book which features items in their collection, and there are many more museums around the world that have done the same.
THEATRE & OPERA:
The Draoicht have a YouTube channel full of short films, stories and plays that you can enjoy for free.
RTÉ Radio 1 has an archive of radio dramas that are freely available.
AboutFACE will be hosting their Great Plays Gang online via group video chat. Actors who RSVP receive a copy of the chosen play and assigned a part to read. Non-performers are welcome to watch.
The Guardian has a list of theatre and dance shows that you can watch online.
If you are a fan of opera, a number of places have made films available, including OperaVision, Teatro Regio Torino’s #operaonthesofa, Vienna State Opera, and the New York Met is streaming productions each day and making then available for 20 hours.
Irish National Opera doing some as well including Orfeo ed Euridice, Madama Butterfly and La Cenerentola.
Total Theatre Magazine’s archive is now digitised and free to read – it covers 1989-2012, and is a treasure trove of alt performance history
Do you want to learn about the history of old theatres across the UK in exhaustive-and-fascinating detail? Browse through Arthur Lloyd’s collections
Playing on Air is a podcast of contemporary one-act plays performed by actors such as Adam Driver, Audra McDonald, and Michael C. Hall, followed by a conversation with the creative team.
The Curtain Call Theatre Podcast spotlights current shows through wide-ranging interviews.
Join Fishamble’s #TinyPlayChallenge! Send Fishamble your 600 word Tiny Play. Each week they will share select plays on their site that respond to a weekly prompt. More info: CLICK HERE
LITERATURE:
It is now possible to join the library online and use the BorrowBox app where you can borrow free eBooks and eAudiobooks.
Dublin City Library has posted details on how to access free writing supports and classes using your library account.
Poetry Ireland’s Poet-in-Residence Catherine Ann Cullen is sharing daily poetry prompts on her Twitter using the hashtag #poetryprompt.
Dubray Books are offering free 10 minute book consultations – call 01 280 9917 or your local store to chat about your reading preferences and they’ll ring back with a recommended list of books.
Women’s Writes is an online book club run by women for women. They host two online meetups each week for one book and can also help you set up your own online book club for you and your friends.
Here is a list of 80+ poetry themed podcasts from the UK and Ireland that you can enjoy for free.
The UCD Library hosts an online poetry archive on their YouTube page where you can watch Irish poets read their work.
The Irish Writers Centre has moved some of their creative writing courses online.
Story Club hosts weekly 500 word creative writing prompts. Write and post your own bite-sized story and read everyone else’s, or just do it by yourself at home.
The Arts Council have a series of talks and interviews with Irish writers on their Vimeo page.
Join the Rick O’Shea Book Club on Facebook to discuss books with over 30,000 people. Rick will also be starting a live chat show on Monday nights at 8PM from March 30th. You can tune in via the Facebook page.
MUSIC:
Meitheal Ceol is hosting live sing songs on their Facebook page every day at 7PM GMT. They also have PDF songbooks that you can download to learn the song in advance. The streams are available to re-watch after.
The Sofa Singers is a free and weekly online singing event – it brings together hundreds of people in real time for 45 minute choir rehearsals. After rehearsals there is a virtual tea break.
Casual Choir is an Ireland based choir that is now running online – send an email to casualchoir@gmail.com for more information on joining.
Singing for Better Breathing Resource is a playlist of videos intended to help you improve and maintain your health through physical, vocal, and breathing exercises to prepare body and mind for singing.
The Philharmonie Berlin is running a free Digital Concert Hall, offering access to over 600 orchestral concerts alongside behind the scenes videos.
Hot Press Magazine are running a series of live-streamed concerts, the Lockdown Sessions, featuring the best Irish artists around. The performances will be streamed via Instagram.
The Grammy Museum has a weekly schedule of online events, including music education activities, a public programme archive, and at-home exhibits.
Rufus Wainwright is performing daily concerts on his Instagram – you can find other musicians doing this through the #TogetherAtHome tag on Instagram and Twitter or via the Stay At Home Fest.
VISUAL ART:
The National Gallery of Ireland have a series of discussions inspired by their collection and temporary exhibitions on their Soundcloud.
IMMA Talks is a series of discussions available on the gallery’s Soundcloud, including seminars on Art & Ageing.
Download the Armchair Gallery app to access artworks and artefacts from the collections of numerous galleries in the UK. There are lots of creative activities to do too, with special features for people living with Dementia.
Explore international cultural landmarks, museums, and galleries with Google Arts & Culture.
Here is a list of more museums and galleries that you can visit virtually.
Look at Paintings provide short audio guides for a range of paintings, buildings, and sculptures.
MISCELLANEOUS:
The Social Distancing Festival is an updated calendar of live streams from around the world including music, theatre, dance, storytelling, and comedy.
The History Hub hosts a podcast that covers a huge variety of topics ranging from the Middle Ages to the new millennium. You can listen online for free.
CoisCéim are running weekly Wednesday dance classes on YouTube.
Dance Ireland has compiled a list of other online dance classes to take part in.
Kerry Museum has a range of online resources available here.
Forget-Me-Nots have put together a guide on doing reminiscence activities at home.
The IFI has over 200 film Q&A sessions recorded that you can listen to for free.
Future Learn have a whole range of free online courses that you can sign up to.
Coming soon: Courses and Activities
We are working on plans for some new online courses, as well as more craft projects to keep us entertained during lockdown!
Between now and March, we are looking at the following:
Getting people online: phone and printed material advice to help get people up and running on the internet.
Online arts demonstrations: We’ll work with local artists to provide a series of demonstrations and provide basic art packs to participants
Online cookery demonstrations: we hope to partner with CnD Community Cafe to provide a series of cookery videos to give you some new ideas in the kitchen!
Healthy Eating & Weight Loss course: an online course to help keep us healthy
Meditation: online meditation sessions to support our mental wellbeing
Crochet: online beginners course
Knitting: continuing our Cosy Corner knitting project, making lap blankets, hats…whatever you fancy!
We will also be continuing with our intergenerational poetry project with Pobalscoil Transition Year students & CRY104fm (CDs of the first Christmas readings are being made and will be sent out as requested).
Your weekly caller will tell you more about all of these: if you have other ideas, please let us know!
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Safety in the Home
In these cold days, while we’re staying at home, we need to be sure that we’re staying safe indoors as well as outside. Remember that household needs such as boiler checks and servicing can still take place under current Covid restrictions.
The ESB has produced a very useful booklet ‘Safe Use of Electricity in the Home’ and you can read it here:
the-safe-use-of-electricity-in-the-home-booklet
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Carols & Poems for Christmas
The Transition year students of Pobalscoil Trionide took the poems you chose, and have made a lovely recording of them: you can listen to it here:
Huge thanks go to all the staff and volunteers of CRY104fm who made this happen for us! We have some CDs available of the recording, so if you know someone who isn’t online and would like a copy, please let us know at 087 9890336.
We can’t get together to sing carols this year, but we can sing at home! So here are some links to carol concerts to warm your hearts and cheer your spirits.
Carol Concert 2020: The Salvation Army
Virtual Carols by Candlelight 2020 – Chapter House Choir, York Minster
Maynooth Christmas Carol Service 2020
Christmas Feast ideas
We probably all have our traditional dishes at Christmas, and for lots of us, turkey is top of the menu! However you might like to try something different this year…so below are two interesting recipes for tasty stuffings to go with roast goose – an old fashioned favourite.
Roast Goose with Black Pudding Stuffing
- 4-5kg oven-ready goose
- 1 bunch fresh sage
- 5 eating apples
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- 250g good-quality black pudding, crumbled
- Finely grated zest ½ lemon
- 1 small knob butter, softened
- 1 heaped tbsp plain flour
- About 600ml fresh chicken stock
- Glug of cider or wine
- Roast potatoes and buttered vegetables to serve
- Remove the goose from the fridge 1-2 hours before you intend to cook it.
Heat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6. - For the stuffing, pick the leaves from half the sage and roughly chop. Peel and core 2 apples, then cut into 1cm pieces. Put in a bowl with the shallots, black pudding and lemon zest. Season, then use clean hands to work the ingredients together.
- Pull the wings and legs away from the goose so the heat can circulate around the bird, then put in a large roasting tin.
- Put some of the stuffing mixture into the neck cavity, pressing it in as far as you can, tucking the neck skin all around it and shaping it nicely with your hands as you go. Secure the skin underneath with a skewer or a few cocktail sticks. Put the remaining stuffing towards the front of the body cavity, then rub the goose all over with the soft butter and season well. Roast in the middle of the hot oven for 30 minutes.
- Carefully baste the bird after 30 minutes and turn the oven down to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 4. Cook for a further 2 hours, basting occasionally and carefully draining away the fat that comes out during roasting (see tip).
- Remove the goose carefully from the oven and spoon out the excess fat. Halve the remaining apples from stalk to base, then nestle them into the tin around the goose. Tear over the remaining sage, then baste and season the apples and return the whole tin to the oven for a final 30 minutes.
- The goose is cooked when you pierce the thickest part of the leg with a skewer and the juices run clear. Remove the bird and apples to a large serving dish, then leave to rest for 20 minutes.
- To make a quick gravy, spoon off the excess fat from the surface of the roasting juices in the tin, then set it over a medium heat. Add the plain flour and whisk into the remaining fat and juices. Cook gently for a moment, then add enough stock and a splash of cider or wine to make the gravy your desired consistency. Bring to a simmer, stir, then season to taste. Pass the gravy through a fine sieve and keep warm, adding the resting juices to the gravy.
- To carve, use a sharp knife to slice down each side of the breastbone and ease the breasts away from the goose, then slice them across the grain into thick pieces. Cut the legs off at the base of the thigh.
- Serve the goose with the stuffing, baked apples, roast potatoes, gravy and some buttered vegetables, as you wish.
Roast Goose with Chestnut and Pork Stuffing
Ingredients:
- 1 x 4kg oven ready goose
- 25 g butter
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 10 juniper berries
- 1 kg rough sausagemeat
- 200 g cooked chestnuts roughly chopped
- 2 large eggs
- 1 small bunch of sage finely chopped
- 100 g white breadcrumbs
- 25 tsp ground allspice
Method:
To make the stuffing, melt the butter in a medium pan and add the chopped onion and juniper berries. Cook without colouring for 10 minutes until soft. Leave to cool.
Once the onion has cooled, remove the juniper berries and discard. Mix the onion with the remaining stuffing ingredients. Season well and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 220°C, fan 200°C, gas 7. Using a sharp knife or tweezers, remove any feather stubs from the goose. With a knife, score very light crisscross lines on the breast and legs.
Lift up the neck flap of the goose and push in as much stuffing as will fit. Fold the flap over and either truss it down or secure with a metal skewer. Push the remaining stuffing into the body cavity. Season well, then place on a wire rack in a large roasting tin. Roast in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Drain off the fat (save it for roasting potatoes in later), then turn the oven down to 180°C, fan 160°C, gas 4 and roast for a further 1-2 hours. To test if the meat is done, pierce the thigh with a metal skewer. If the juices run clear, it’s cooked.
Remove from the oven and cover with kitchen foil. Allow to rest for at least 30 minutes. Drain the fat from the roasting tin, then pour the chicken stock and 100ml of water into the tin. Scrape off all the caramelised juices from the bottom of the tin. Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes, then strain through a sieve into a gravy boat. Serve with the carved goose.
Get ahead: the stuffing can be made the day before; bring to room temperature before using. The stuffing can also be frozen; defrost thoroughly before using.
SOME OTHER TIPS…
- If you have time, it’s worth using the goose giblets to make a well flavoured stock that can simmer away while the bird is cooking. Watch how, here:
- Goose releases a lot of fat as it cooks, so you need to carefully drain away the hot fat into a heatproof container twice during roasting. Leave it to cool, then cover and keep chilled. Use it to roast vegetables in place of other fats. Properly rendered and free from impurities, the fat will last for months in the fridge.
Music and Poetry
Some music for you today, with a beautiful song ‘The Bells of Norwich’, based on the words of anchoress Julian of Norwich.
Thanks to everyone who has suggested poems, this week students from Pobalscoil Trionide’s Transition year will be recording a series of poems with the help of CRY104fm’s great staff! The recording will be put up on out website and we may even make a CD of it. We’ll let you know more next week!
Irish Garden Bird Survey from Birdwatch Ireland
The Irish Garden Bird Survey is back! Starting from Monday 30th November we want you to count the birds visiting garden and submit the highest number of each species that you see each week. Remember, it’s up to you how much time you spend on the survey, so don’t worry if you struggle to give it much time during the week – there’s always the weekend!
If you know anyone who has enjoyed watching their garden birds during the lockdown, why not let them know about this year’s survey?
https://birdwatchireland.ie/our-work/surveys-research/research-surveys/irish-garden-bird-survey/
You may be used to seeing similar species in your garden from year to year, but have you ever wondered how long an individual lives? How long have you been watching your garden birds for, and how many different individual Robins, or even generations of the same Robin family might you have been watching and supporting? Check out the link below for some facts and figures on the lifespan of our garden birds. Don’t forget, by feeding them over the winter months, particularly during cold weather, you’re making a tangible difference to their survival rates
Click here for more on the lifespan of different garden bird species…
Taking part in the Irish Garden Bird Survey couldn’t be easier! In case you need a refresher, or if you want to take part for the first time, see our website below for some of the most frequently asked questions
Click here for more about taking part…
What can we learn from the Irish Garden Bird Survey?
Formerly in 85+% of Irish Gardens, Greenfinches dropped to their lowest ever level last year at only 59%. They used to be a weekly occurrence in most gardens, with flocks often numbering 10 or more birds. Now they occur in much fewer gardens, often in low numbers and are no longer regularly seen during the winter. This decline is due to a relatively ‘new’ parasitic infection they’re especially prone to, and unfortunately their decline looks set to continue.
We hope you’ll enjoy taking part in the Irish Garden Bird Survey, and don’t forget to pass the word on to anyone you think might enjoy taking part in this year’s survey! The survey starts today, so get your feeders cleaned and filled and get counting!
What’s involved?
Between December and February each year, Birdwatch Ireland asks members of the public to keep note of the highest number of each bird species visiting their garden every week. They also ask for information on the size of the garden being surveyed, the kinds of food, if any, being offered to the birds, and so on. Taking part is fun, easy and an ideal way to get to know your garden birds better; it also makes an ideal school project.
Why do we count garden birds?
As the Irish countryside changes, gardens are becoming increasingly important havens for many species, and it is vital for Birdwatch Ireland to know how their populations are faring. The Irish Garden Bird Survey does this not only by giving us a good idea of how our garden birds themselves are doing, but also an indication of how the environment is faring in general.
You can send them your garden bird records online, by email or by post, and they publish the results of the survey each year in the winter edition of Wings – their membership magazine.
Birdwatching doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking – sitting by your window with a cuppa and watching our feathered friends is relaxing and cheerful!
See this site for details of how to register and submit your results! The site also has tips on feeding birds, identification and other things to look out for.
https://birdwatchireland.ie/our-work/surveys-research/research-surveys/irish-garden-bird-survey/
…and if you take pictures of your birds, why not send them to us and we will put them up on our facebook page! You can send photos via Messenger to @Cumannna daoine or by email to hayleycumannnadaoine@gmail.com
Singing for the Brain & Virtual Dementia Cafe
Keeping in Touch
We are all finding new ways to stay in touch: here at Cumann na Daoine we are still making our regular calls to our Spring Chicks and other older people. Hayley, Mark, Catherine, Oonagh and Brian have been the Caller team and we’re delighted to welcome Anna, who has joined us on her student placement. She’s looking forward to talking to you and I know you’ll make her welcome and find lots to talk about!
On Mondays at around 9.30am, you can hear Hayley on CRY104fm each week. She’ll be chatting about what’s coming up and she’d love to pass on messages from you – if you want to say hello to your friends, or pass on a bit of news, please call or text Hayley on 0879890336 or ask your Caller to pass on the message! We can also ring you from the studio if you’d like to talk on air :-). This week we included one of the songs from the Spring Chickens songbook: it’s a chance to sing along – and singing is good for our mental and physical health!
We’ve come across a great website that provides a ‘singalong’ experience with well known singers leading the tune. Check it out at this link:
http://www.shapeshifter-productions.com/smiling-sessions-covid-19/
Our Zest for Life course is going well – please remember, if you’re not used to ‘getting online’ we can send you out an easy to use guide to get you started (thanks to Age Action Ireland).
News from Age Friendly Ireland
COVID-19 Guidance for Older People and Others at Risk of Severe Disease on Reducing Risk of COVID-19 Infection
The guide, developed in consultation with Alone, SAGE and the National Care Alliance, is for people who live in the community and for those who help them if and when they need help. To download the link, click here Guidance for Older People & Others
Accessibility of Public Transport Survey
The National Transport Authority is asking you to help to provide feedback on how accessible you find the public transport system in your own area. The NTA operate the public transport system by contracts with Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann, Irish Rail, Luas, Go Ahead and Local Link. They also provide licences to taxis and private buses and coaches.
They have created a survey on Accessibility on Public Transport to hear people’s views and concerns. They would be very grateful if you could take the time to fill it out online or by emailing or posting them before Thursday December 3, 2020.
There are three ways you can complete the survey:
You can fill in the survey here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=ouf4PNwQgUGj8N_h1S3mB0zlveX6-3JDg5b8LrBhQS1UM1NLREcwT05OSkRQVzdRM0k5NlRGV1E5WC4u
You can type in your answers to the Word document or editable PDF and email it to us at to accessibility@nationaltransport.ie
You can print out the survey and return it to us by post to: Transport Accessibility Manager, Dún Scéine, Iveagh Court, Harcourt Lane, Dublin 2, D02 WT20.
Assistance: If you would like someone to assist you over the phone to complete the survey, you can ring 01 879 8300 and request a call from Accessibility or email your contact details to accessibility@nationaltransport.ie and they can arrange this for you.
A Message from Third Age SeniorLine
SeniorLine, a national programme of Third Age, is a confidential listening service for older people provided by trained older volunteers. Established in 1998, the service has grown incrementally every year since. The line is open every day of the year from 10am to 10pm. The service supports older people who may be lonely, isolated, ill, bereaved, experiencing family conflict, elder abuse or have suicide ideation. SeniorLine also provides information to callers on a range of services that could help them. Many people phone regularly, and others receive ongoing support if going through periods of crisis. SeniorLine volunteers are trained to listen effectively, to give time and space to each caller and to help them explore any future options. SeniorLine volunteers are trained to answer practical questions, and to support callers to maximise their emotional resilience and mental health. Many older people volunteer for SeniorLine when transitioning into retirement. They receive training, mentoring, ongoing supervision and
We welcome calls from older people throughout Ireland
Our number is Freefone 1800 80 45 91, we are open every day of the year from 10am to 10pm.
You can read the full newsletter here:
Age Friendly Ireland Newsletter_30102020
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Some activities for the next few weeks
Many older people are already online and making use of all that the internet has to offer. For those family and friends who aren’t yet there, we have printed copies of the Age Action Getting Started KIT to help guide them through getting set up. If you know someone who would be helped by these guides, let Hayley know on 0879890336 and we’ll post a copy out.
Also for thgose who arent online – while there are a lot of Mindfullness and mental wellbeing courses online, if you know of someone who would like to meditate and be mindful, we have printed copies of a Mindfullness Workbook and can send a copy to anyone who needs it. Again, let Hayley know at 087 9890336 to have one sent out.
Don’t forget our Zest for Life course is starting online next Monday, 9th November. This will be delivered by Aislinn Cambridge and will run for 6 weeks, from 2-3pm each Monday. You can still book a place – details are in the image below!
and finally today…some lovely singing from the Young@Heart Choir!
Keeping in Touch
We are all concerned at needing to stay so close to home, and it can be a big help to feel connected with others. here at Cumann na Daoine, we’ve decided to restart our weekly calls so we can hear each other’s voices, check all is well and share our thoughts.
Below is the Older Person’s Newsletter from CnD – please call Hayley on 0879890336 if you’re interested in any of the activities, or tell your call buddy!
Also below is a link to the Age Action website: there are great resources on here, including the Getting Started Computer Training KIT. KIT for Keeping In Touch! If you’re reading this, you’re obviously online, but you may have friends or neighbours who would benefit from this. Pass the word on, do, and remember that the weekly calls are there for whatever you need.
Take care and stay well!
Here is the Age Action Getting Started KIT link: if you know someone who needs this, get in touch and we will print a copy and post it to them.
https://www.ageaction.ie/how-we-can-help/getting-started-kit
Zest for Life! Book your place now
We’re delighted to tell you that the Zest for Life course for Older Persons will be starting on Monday 2nd November from 2-3pm for 6 weeks.
This course is led by Aislinn Cambridge and will take place online using Zoom.
If you haven’t used Zoom before, don’t worry – we can get you assistance in getting comfortable with it, and its very easy to use as long as you have an internet connection. You can use it on your phone or on a computer, whichever you prefer.
Zest for Life helps us find ways to be Healthy & Happy and is a fun, enjoyable course.
To book your place call Hayley on 0879890336 or email hayleycumannnadaoine@gmail.com
Spring Chickens Autumn Programme!
We are preparing the Spring Chickens autumn newsletter with news of what we have planned to keep us connected as move into the colder months. With a mixture of online courses (and help to get you online if you need); small group walks and visits (guidelines permitting) and home based craft and exercise activities, we hope there’ll be something for everyone! Your newsletter will come in the post – if you haven’t made contact with us already and would like to be included, please give Hayley a call on 0879890336.
We’ll also be restarting our regular calls to give us all a chance to chat!
Also today, a video just in from St. James’ community group in Dublin celebrating International Day of Older People!
All In It Together: launching our Community Quilt
During lockdown, we wanted to find a way that members of the Spring Chickens Older People’s Social Club and CnD Women’s Group could work together on a project even though we couldn’t see each other. The Community Quilt was a way that people could get involved whatever their level of skill, to make a lasting testament to the community spirit and friendship that exists between people.
Lucy Renard kindly made the centrepiece – a work of art in itself! Sue O’Loughlin gave generously of her time and skills to work the many squares into the final quilt – a cosy double size piece! We received so many squares that Hayley made two hanging banners to go alongside the Quilt, and with the squares we have left we are making lap blankets as part of our next craft project ‘Cosy Corners’.
Today the Quilt and banners have been hung in the window of Youghal Library in the Rivergate Mall. While the library is open, where it’s been hung means you don’t even have to go in to see this beautiful piece.
We are delighted to launch the All In It Together Community Quilt on October 1st, the International Day of Older Persons, and our thanks to Marian O’Halloran and Siobhan Lucey at Youghal Library for helping us make this quilt visible in the community.
A message from one participant really reflects what we aimed for with this project:
“The house is linked to the ‘Stay at Home’ lockdown message. It has flowers because lots of us gardened and I grew sunflowers for the first time in years during lockdown…they are just flowering now. The facemask wearing cat has the ‘stay local’ message on it for the next phase of Covid guidelines. Both squares are backed with old pyjama fabric as we wore pyjamas a lot during lockdown. My mother Patricia is also sending some crocheted rainbow squares for the quilt. She is in Dungarvan – I am in Cork. Normally we see each other every week but we couldn’t do this during lockdown. The Youghal ‘All in it Together’ Quilt is halfway between Dungarvan and Cork so it was lovely to think that even when we couldn’t meet, my ma & I were both crafting pieces for this quilt together” Louise Harrington
International Day For Older Persons is observed on October 1 every year. It is a United Nations designated day to focus on the well-being of the elderly people. The theme for 2020 is “Leave No-one Behind”
Read more about this Day of Note at https://www.un.org/en/observances/older-persons-day and you can watch a short video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPS7UYLlFfI
Indoor exercises for older people
It is important that you keep active during the coronavirus outbreak. Anyone can get active, it’s easy to start and it’s never too late. Anything that gets you moving is physical activity and it benefits you whatever your age. Get motivated to improve your fitness.
It might be hard to get motivated, especially if it’s cold and raining outside. But, you can exercise and get active anywhere – at home or outside in your garden.
Activity for older adults
All older adults should be as active as they can be daily. For example:
- at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity every week such as walking, dancing or even pushing a lawnmower
- muscle-strengthening exercises 2 or more days a week – for example, digging, step aerobics, hand-held weight exercises and yoga
- even daily chores such as cooking or housework to break up periods of sitting
All older adults are at increased risk of falls. Try including any of the following in your daily routine to improve your stability:
Try these exercise routines:
[click on the link to open the page]
Content from NHS adapted for Ireland by HSE
Launch of our Community Quilt
Our quilt is near completion and its first place to hang will be Youghal Library starting on October 1st: the International Day of Older Persons.
We had so many contributions that we are also making some banners, and we’ll be encouraging people to get involved with our latest knitting/crochet project Cosy Corners, making pal blankets (for oneself or for residents at Cois Aibhann).
As the library can only let 5 people maximum in at any one time, we’ll be posting photos of its hanging here and on facebook and hope you’ll take the time to pop down to the library and see it – and maybe pick up a few books then too!
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The International Day of Older Persons is observed on October 1st each year.
On December 14, 1990 the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons as recorded in Resolution 45/106. The holiday was observed for the first time on October 1, 1991.
The holiday is celebrated by raising awareness about issues affecting the elderly, such as senescence & elder abuse. It is also a day to appreciate the contributions that older people make to society.
This holiday is similar to National Grandparents Day in the United States and Canada as well as Double Ninth Festival in China and Respect for the Aged Day in Japan. The observance is a focus of ageing organisations and the United Nations Programme on Ageing.
Spring Chickens Update & Creative Ireland Older People’s Projects
Spring Chickens: sadly, due to Covid19 restrictions and for the safety of all our members, we will not be restarting our weekly activities for the next while. We hope to involve you in some projects to see us through these days – our Community Quilt will finished and launched soon, and we have our Cosy Corner knitting/crochet project underway. We’re also looking at delivering exercise classes and health information sessions online. We’ll be in touch with you later this week to see what we can offer that will support you in these challenging times.
Creative Ireland ‘Creativity in Older People’ projects:
A new programme of creative activity for older people, to be delivered by the Creative Ireland Programme through its strategic national partners and the local authorities, has been announced by the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, Catherine Martin T.D.
The Creativity in Older Age Programme has been designed to counteract the social side effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. It will begin in July 2020 and will be rolled out over the next 18 months.
The following projects will be delivered by the Creative Ireland Programme’s key strategic partners:
Age and Opportunity will deliver a series of creative residencies in six care settings around the country. These creative residencies will last six months and will concentrate on dance, music and performance.
The Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) will deliver a programme of projects designed to give meaning to the difficulties experienced by dying, death and bereavement. These will include the curation of a poetry collection By Your Side that will assist with articulating feelings around dying, death and loss.
The Creative Ireland Programme will support a research project with The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) to measure the effects of participation in social and creative activities on the health and wellbeing of adults aged 50+.
Waterford Healing Arts Trust (WHAT) will develop Renew, a multi-arts (music, art, writing, dance and poetry) programme specifically for older people cocooning which will be part of the Well Festival of Arts and Wellbeing. WHAT will continue its highly successful Healing Sounds on the Wards live music programme at University Hospital Waterford to the end of 2020 and extend its Open Gallery Dementia Friendly Art Viewing Project.
Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA): Included in IMMA’s extensive, creative public programme will be 10 fully-accessible short videos encouraging viewers to take a slow-looking approach to IMMA’s Collection, accompanied by printed guide resources. IMMA will hold monthly remotely-accessible ‘Armchair Azure’ sessions for people living with dementia and their families and friends, as well as providing fortnightly bookable slots for nursing home groups. With Creative Ireland’s support, IMMA will give nursing home activity coordinators an opportunity to access the support of artists and arts facilitators in developing and delivering engaging creative activities for nursing home residents. These and other activities will expand IMMA’s national reach to older people who have been impacted by Covid-19 restrictions.
Mercer’s Institute of Successful Ageing, St James’s Hospital (MISA): An artist-in-residence programme will work with older people who are patients within St James’s alongside the patient’s families and hospital staff. They will create new works to reflect their experience and those of their service users.
The Creative Ireland Programme will support Sing Ireland’s Ageing Voices project to produce resources and best practice training programmes for musicians and carers working with older people when it is safe to do so.
In addition to the national programme, Creative Ireland will also deliver 25 creative projects for older people with local authority partners around the country.
For more information on the Creative Ireland Programme ‘Creativity in Older Age’ programme visit www.creativeireland.gov.ie
Two items of interest today, friends!
Spring Chickens
Following the government’s latest Covid19 guidelines, we won’t be bringing together any large groups for the next while, but have decided to do a series of small group lunches (10-12 people) each Monday so that over a month, everyone who wants to attend can! We’ll be starting them in the next 2 weeks and this week all members will get a phone call to see if they’d like to take part. Each session will include lunch and short chat / info / activity session. Thanks to those of you who filled in our survey, you’ve given us some good ideas for these sessions as well as for when we get back to full day programming!
If you’d still like to complete the survey you can find it here
Community Quilt & Cosy Corner Project
Our quilt is nearly finished, thanks to Sue O’Loughlin. We received so many squares that we’re also making some banners to hang alongside the quilt!
As we mentioned before, we’ll now start our second knitting project ‘Cosy Corners’; making lap blankets either for yourself or a friend, or for residents at Cois Abhann.
Thanks to generous donations, we have plenty of wool and needles available (I know some of you didn’t get them last time but we’ll be sure to get this distributed!).
A basic pattern is below. If you’d like wool you can either call Hayley on 0879890336; email her at http://hayleycumannnadaoine.com or if you’re on the Spring Chicks list, let Hayley know when she calls you!
Lap Quilt Sizes Chart
|
Lap Quilt Size |
Width |
Length |
|
Small |
36 inches |
48 inches |
|
Medium |
30 inches |
60 inches |
|
Large |
45 inches |
60 inches |
Wheel Chair Quilt Sizes
|
Wheel Chair |
Width |
Length |
|
Small Square |
36 inches |
36 inches |
|
Medium |
36 inches |
40 inches |
Crocheted Blanket:
Crochet Hook H/8 or 5 mm hook
Yarn Weight (4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)
Crochet Gauge 16 stitch sets in 4 inches (stitch set: sc3tog, ch1)
16 rows in 5 inches
Finished Size 39 inches by 29 inches; easily customisable
Knitted Patchwork Lap Blanket:
Yarn Weight: medium
Square size: 6” square x 6 across and 8 down (48 squares in total)
Finished size: 36” x 48”
Keeping Fit, Keeping Growing
Although we’ve been told to again restrict our movements due to the upsurge of Covid19, there are still many ways we can enjoy physical activity and keep fit. Cork Sports Partnership and Age Action have provided guidelines on how to take part in sporting activities: you can read them here:
age-oportunity-guidelines return to sport guidelines
sport-ireland-guidance-older-adults SI
Another way to keep fit is gardening, and Cumann na Daoine’s Community Garden Club at the Millenium Park is a great way to enjoy plants and wildlife while having company in safe and socially distanced way. Anyone can turn up for the Garden Club every Tuesday from 12 noon till 2pm.
Library Services Online
Youghal Library has reopened and are providing a safe space for you to browse, pick up a book or find information. However you may prefer to use the online service: Cork County Libraries have a wide range of online services and resources, such as online renewals, digitised local history collections, e-books and e-magazines.
If you’re not already a library member, it’s easy to join. All you need to do is call in to the library with proof of your address and a photo ID, and complete a registration form. Membership is free for all. There’s much more to the Library than discovering the exciting world of books! You can use your library membership to learn a new language, look up old newspapers and access historical collections, as well as browse the extensive catalogues of online books and magazines. Library members are also able to use computers and access the internet in branches across the county.
For more information on the library’s online services, see
https://www.corkcoco.ie/en/library-services/library-online
or call into Youghal Library at the Rivergate Mall. Opening hours are
Tuesday to Saturday, 10am – 1pm & 2 – 5.30 pm (Closed 1 – 2pm)
Closed Mondays and closed Saturdays of Bank Holiday weekends.
In 2018 Cork County Libraries prepared an Age Friendly Strategy in the context of Cork County Council’s Age Friendly Strategy 2016-21 and Cork County Library Age Friendly Policy Dec 2017
You can read this strategy here Microsoft Word – Age Friendly strategyCork County Library _Autosaved_ (1)
Coming Soon: Spring Chickens!
Now that the CnD Cafe has reopened, we’re looking at ways that we can arrange Monday morning sessions with lunch for some of our Spring Chicks. We won’t be able to take everyone at once due to social distancing guidelines, so we’re looking at a ‘taking turns’ approach for the next months, building back up to our full day sessions as things improve within social distancing. We’ll keep you posted! Until then, remember that CND Cafe is open Tuesday – Thursday every week, from 9.30am – last orders at 2.30pm.
Quilt News
We had such a great response to our Community Quilt project that while Sue O’Loughlin has nearly completed the quilt itself, we have a lot more squares and we’ll be using these to start our Cosy Corner project of making lap blankets! We have plenty of wool left for those of you who need it, and we’ll be devising the lap blanket pattern this week.
Here’s a lap blanket Sue made – we’ll all be cosy this winter!
News Updates!
CnD Cafe has reopened!
You can get breakfast or lunch on Mondays – Wednesdays from 9.30am to last orders at 2.30pm. Take away meals are also available! Spring Chickens have a €7 special on Mondays, so please say you’re a Chick if you’re ordering! There’s no need to book a table and the Cafe is taking cash payments only.
Community Quilt:
Sue has nearly finished putting together the quilt. We had so many beautiful squares that we may have two quilts, or a quilt and small blankets – photos will be unveiled here next week!
Cosy Corner Lap Blankets
There was such interest in the Quilt Project that we are starting a new project making lap blankets for Spring Chickens and Cois Aibhann. We’ll post a pattern here next week – blankets can be knitted or crocheted, and we have wool available if you need some.
Face masks
Face coverings are compulsory on public transport and recommended in shops and crowded places from today. If you need help sourcing or making masks, please call Hayley on 0879890336. If you are a mask-maker and have masks for sale, please let Hayley know so she can pass on the word!
Links for mask patterns:
https://thestitchingscientist.com/2020/03/how-to-sew-a-face-mask.html
https://www.sewcanshe.com/blog/simple-step-by-step-tutorial-for-the-olson-mask-pattern
Spring Chickens Autumn Planning
We’re planning an autumn programme for Spring Chickens when we can return to CnD. It may be a little different but we’ll find a way to bring people together safely and within all guidelines. As we plan, we want to hear YOUR voice, so we have a short survey that I hope you’ll complete. If you’re a family member of a Spring Chicken, especially those who don’t have internet, please help them complete it! The survey runs until August 17th, so you’ve plenty of time.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8Z7ZHGR
We’re also going to put our Spring Chickens Songbook up here next week – singing together while apart may seem strange but it will be good for our lungs and our spirits!
Women’s Group Storybook
Just before we had to close our doors for lockdown, the women of CnD Women’s group were re-starting work on a collection of stories from the women themselves. This was a project started with Michael Twomey a few years ago and we revisited it with some success! Development worker Hayley is editing the stories already in hand, with a view to publishing them towards the end of the year (they’ll make lovely Christmas presents!). The group members are also asked to put together more stories, and to encourage women who haven’t participated yet to do so. If women need help writing their stories down, we can arrange someone to listen to the story by phone and put it down on paper for you!
Quilt Square Collections
We’re collecting up all your lovely quilt squares this week – you’ll get a call to arrange collection or you can drop your squares to Youghal Library (or post them there: Youghal Library, Rivergate Mall, Youghal). Please get them ready for collection this week (still time to make one if you haven’t already)…and then Sue O Loughlin will be hard at work putting them together. Soon we’ll be seeing it in all its glory!
Spring Chicks Cosy Corners
There’s been such interest in the quilt project that we thought we’d start another type of knitting/crochet projecct. When we return to our Spring Chickens, we want everyone to be warm and cosy (as we’ll have less of us in the room at a time, we don’t want anyone chilly!) So… we’ve asked Sue Loughlin to find us a pattern for lap blankets. You can make one for yourself – or for a friend – or for someone else to use. We have more wool that’s been donated and we’re looking forward to getting Cosy Corners up and running.
Older People’s Activities and Supports
Youghal Active Retirement Association (YARA), set up in 2019, is a vibrant, busy, practical, social and fun organisation. Set up under the umbrella group Active Retirement Ireland (ARI), Youghal Active Retirement Association (YARA) follows the ethos of ARI in the beliefs that all older people are equal and are entitled to be treated with respect.
YARA is open to persons aged between 50 to 100 years +. All people in this age bracket are welcome to join Youghal Active Retirement Association, to have fun and have their voices heard, regardless of age, gender, culture or any other grounds. Aware that all people have varying interests, needs and talents, YARA sets out to identify and satisfy same.
Check out the facebook page Youghal active Retirement Association for information on all our up-coming events. There is something for everybody.
Youghal Senior Citizens is a voluntary Group which aims to support the independence and well-being of the elderly and vulnerable people in the local community of Youghal. Each week, with the help of volunteers, they provide a Meals on Wheels Service which includes a nutritious and healthy meal which is delivered to each door. For some who receive the meals, it might be the only person they see each week, and the only conversation they may have with another human being.
Richard Lane, Coordinator of the Youghal Senior Citizens Group, explains that meals are delivered three days a week – Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and meals can be ordered to suit an individual’s needs, which can be availed of short or long term.
This is a tremendous service and, for anyone who may not be availing of the Meals on Wheels and would like to do so, there are three different ways in which you can arrange it. You can make your request through the Public Health Nurse, your Doctor, or by self-referral and Richard has kindly given his number for publication so that those who would like to avail of the Meals on Wheels – even on a short period – can telephone him on 087 385 1764.
Community Quilt & Discussions on Dementia
Our Community Quilt is coming on well, with lots of people knitting and sewing squares – it will be beautiful when it’s completed! For those of you making squares, we’ll be starting collections next Monday, 6th July and will arrange a postal address for those who are a bit further out!
If you want to participate, there’s still time – a maximum of 2 squares each, please, and they need to be 8″ square. Sue O’Loughlin of the Knitting Group has kindly volunteered to sew them all together – a mammoth job and big thanks to her! and Lucy Renard has made the beautiful centrepiece below.
When the quilt’s completed we’ll find ways of sharing it with you all through this site and facebook: and look forward to when we can be together and see it in real life!
Dementia Discussions
Thinking ahead to the autumn, we would like to start discussions on dementia; supports and challenges both for people with dementia and their carers. There are already some excellent supports in Youghal and we hope that with your input, we may be able to build on these. One aspect of challenge is for minority communities in their experience of dementia and dementia support. To start the discussion (which we hope we can continue in person through Spring Chickens and other routes), here is a document from the Seldom Heard group.
Get Snap Happy & Get Fit!
SNAP HAPPY East Cork is a new and exciting online phone photography course for Over 55’s.
In recent months, due to COVID 19, a vast majority of older adults were plunged into getting to grips with their smart phones as a means of staying connected with family and friends. Older adults learnt how to face-time, zoom, download apps and optimize their camera phone usage. As we safely ease our way out of lockdown and cocooning the Youghal Community Health Project is offering older adults across East Cork the opportunity to develop their phone skills even further through the provision of a FREE 6 week online phone photography course called SNAP HAPPY.
SHAP HAPPY aims to promote the health and wellbeing of older adults through phone photography in a safe and enjoyable way. Photography has many benefits to our health and wellbeing and even more so for older adults.
Join us at SNAP HAPPY East Cork by taking part in this Free 6 week online phone photography course which will be guided by iPhone photographer Brendan Ó Sé. Brendan is a photographer from Cork who gained international recognition for his use of the iPhone as a camera. Coming from an educational background, Brendan offers mobile photography workshops which are dynamic and fully engaging for all participants. You can read more about Brendan at www.brendanose.ie
SNAP HAPPY information:
The 6 week online phone photography course will commence on Thursday 25th of June via a private Facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/Snap-Happy-East-Cork
101057204985220/?modal=admin_todo_tour
What you need:
- Access to a phone with a camera
- A Facebook Account
- Download the FREE Snapseed editing App (optional)
To join SNAP HAPPY please contact Nicola Lucey on 086 4668484 to get started; she can help you get set up on the course.
Tutorials and videos will be available on the private Facebook page each week so even if you can’t log on for the live tutorial you can watch them in your own time.
Two exercise videos here – seated and standing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fpIva72q_k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ts-deSDnRM
Getting Cosy Together
The centrepiece of our Community Quilt has been completed – thanks to the very talented Lucy Renard!
You can still be part of this project: just knit, crochet or sew an 8″ square (maximum two squares per person, please!)
Let Hayley know you’re involved by calling 0879890336 or emailing hayleycumannnadaoine@gmailcom We’ll be arranging collection of finished squares at the end of June.
There’s been such interest in the quilt making that we’re planning another project for July and August – more details next week!
This Week: Community Quilt & Mask Patterns
A lot of you are already taking part in our Community Quilt project ‘All In It Together’. Knitters, crocheters and sewers are all at work making their squares and we’re looking forward to seeing them all combined to show how we made it through together – while apart! A huge thanks to Sue O’Loughlin who’s undertaken to sew all the squares together and to Lucy Renard who’ll be making the title centrepiece.
We’ll be in touch towards the end of the month to arrange collection/drop off/posting, so if you want to be part of the project, let Hayley know on 0879890336 so she has your number for collection!
For those of you new to knitting and crochet, and who want to learn, here are some clear instruction videos:
Crochet: from Bella Coco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcOzdAzmtNM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npIsh-o9AM0
Knitting: from Bobbins and Bows of Bare
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTAV-S7Ziys
Knitting: from Knit with Hannah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptCcTCsHIU0
We’re aware now of the need to wear a mask or face covering when we’re in any crowded place, so some of you may want to make your own…here are some patterns. If you have a pattern you’ve used successfully, we’d love to hear from you! Email hayleycumannnadaoine@gmail.com or message @Cumann na Daoine on Facebook!
https://turbanproject.com/patterns
Made with tea towel and laces:
Simple Sock Mask!
https://thumbs.gfycat.com/FeistyGraveLice-size_restricted.gif
https://www.craftpassion.com/face-mask-sewing-pattern/
Easy to machine or hand sew:
https://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Cloth-Face-Mask/
Summer Recipes
Two summery recipes today for the lovely day that’s in it. Tomorrow we’ll have another post with details of our Community Quilt project and some mask-sewing patterns! Enjoy!
Elderflower Cordial
Elderflowers can be picked at the moment – don’t use them from trees on the road though as they can be full of fumes. A delicate, tasty drink for these hot days!
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/homemade-elderflower-cordial
Easy Summer Pudding
Simple and fresh…soft fruits are cheap at the moment and this is a lovely way to get your Vitamin C too!
https://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/international/european/british/summer-pudding
Staying Healthy
Covid-19 & Diabetes – Questions & Answers
People with diabetes are considered a high-risk group because having diabetes causes the body to raise glucose levels during times of illness or stress which makes it more difficult to fight infection. Hence people with diabetes have an increased risk of moderate or severe illness.
https://www.activelink.ie/community-exchange/services-requests/75482
Migraine and Covid-19
In response to an increased number of questions relating to the current coronavirus outbreak and the implications for migraine patients, the Migraine Association of Ireland has put together a list of Frequently Asked Questions.
https://www.activelink.ie/community-exchange/services-requests/75534
Go For Life
We’re planning some Go For Life exercise videos…more next week!
Age Actions’ Getting Started KIT
Age Actions’ Getting Started KIT supports older people to keep in touch with their loved ones during the Covid-19 pandemic. We all are feeling the effects of social distancing, and older people are particularly impacted being asked to cocoon at home. Now it is more important than ever to keep in touch with family and friends so Age Action drew on our Getting Started programme which offered face to face digital skills classes, to created easy How To Guides. These can be found at https://www.activelink.ie/community-exchange/services-requests/75545
We know that many people have had to learn new skills during isolation, and IT skills have never been so valuable.
With that in mind…
The Zest for Life course – see https://www.cumannnadaoine.com/spring-chickens-zest-for-life/ can be run online so we’re looking at starting this in the next month. If you’d like to take part, do get in touch – and if you need help learning how to access video calls etc we can help with that.
See a newspost here https://www.cumannnadaoine.com/mask-making-without-a-sewing-machine-from-youghal-community-health-project/from Youghal Community Health Project about easy-to-make face coverings/masks now that we are in Phase 1 of the Recovery Plan. More patterns to come tomorrow!
There’s been a lot of interest in the idea of making a Community Quilt, with individually made squares. We can arrange materials to be dropped to your doorstep if needed, so later this week we’ll start making arrangements about that.
And to finish today…a sweet-treat recipe to bring a smile!
https://supervalu.ie/real-food/recipes/white-chocolate-and-raspberry-traybake
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Hope you’re enjoying the sunshine!
Today we’ve some project ideas; a recipe and an exercise video…enjoy!
Ideas for Interactive Projects
Cumann na Daoine and Youghal Community Health Project have been thinking about ways we can stay connected during the continuing lockdown. We would love to find something that we can all take part in from our homes that will bring us closer together while still social distancing.
One idea we’ve had is to create a Community Quilt – something that when all this is over we can hang for us all to see, and know we were all a part of making it. We’ll be able to get materials to people who need them, so have a think about this and in our weekly calls we can talk about it more. If you’re not on our call list, you won’t be left out – you can call Hayley on 0879890336 or email her at hayleycumannnadaoine@gmail.com if you’d like to get involved.
Quilt squares could be made of material, or be knitted, crocheted, macraméd – whatever suits each person! Volunteers can drop off materials and collect pieces and we can share photos of the work as it goes on…and on the day we assemble all the pieces we’ll share the pictures far and wide, looking forward to the day we can be together to see it in real life.
We’re also looking at some online tutorials in knitting and other crafts, how-to use online apps and online Mindfullness sessions – plus a Doorstep Garden Photo project where we share photos of what we see each day.
If you’ve other ideas we’d love to hear them! Please contact Hayley (details above). We’d love to hear from you. Stay safe and well, everyone!
Now for a great recipe from Supervalu for a bread that needs no flour! Fantastic if you can’t get hold of flour or if you’re wheat intolerant…Porridge Bread!
https://supervalu.ie/real-food/recipes/easy-flourless-porridge-bread
It’s very important we get some exercise every day, and here is a video from Age & Opportunity to keep you fit! You can also check out their nother videos and health info at https://ageandopportunity.ie/covid/keepactive/
Age & Opportunity Movement Minutes Session 1: Seated
https://youtu.be/mRw9a_cCjV8?list=PLfCQ6OkV7hAiHQ2RIm1iM1TBxNYeUXfqA
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Today we’ve the Age Friendly Newsletter for ye all, along with some thoughts about Spring Chickens, and a quick recipe for easy-bake bread
Age Friendly Ireland Daily News_300420
We’re all missing our Spring Chickens get-togethers. Though we can’t be sure when we’ll be able to meet again, we know it will happen, and at Cumann na Daoine we will make it as safe as possible for us to see each other again.
We’re looking at what would be most useful to include in an autumn programme, and Hayley would love to hear your ideas! For sure, we will want most of all to talk to each other and perhaps we will tell our Covid19 stories…maybe collect them into a book or CD format so that they can be shared far and wide. Until then, let us know in our weekly calls what you would like to see…and we are so looking forward to seeing you all again!
https://supervalu.ie/real-food/recipes/homemade-basic-yeast-bread
Staying Fit for the Future
Over the past few weeks, the Cork Sports Partnership team has been working with several of our partner organisations to create and develop resources to support people of all ages and abilities to keep active during these uncertain times.
With this in mind please find attached several resources that we hope will help you to stay active and healthy.
- Information Letter
- HSE Physio 8 simple exercise to do at home- Demo is also on YouTube Click Here>> https://youtu.be/bPJ3M7dHY5U
- WellComm Active flyer
To help support you to stay active and healthy we are delighted to announce that we have also put in place the WellComm Active Support Line 086 1409 225. This is an over the phone service for ADULTS providing advice around Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL). You can also contact this number should you have any difficulty in accessing any of the information above or on our Keeping Cork Active Resource.
For more information and ideas on how to stay active and healthy Click Here .
HSE COMMUNITY PHYSIO LEAFLET r3 (2)
And another easy recipe from Supervalu – tasty vegetable fritters!
https://supervalu.ie/real-food/cooking/recipe/easy-vegetable-fritters?ref=meal_planner
As we start another week, here are some traditional Irish recipes from Supervalu…and a huge thank you to Brookes Supervalu of Youghal for their care and support for the community in these challenging times.
First, here’s a chicken and black pudding spectacular – yum!
https://supervalu.ie/real-food/cooking/recipe/crispy-chicken-fillets-stuffed-with-black-pudding
And to follow, an old favourite Gur Cake (I used to eat this in Dublin, I hope it’s as popular in Cork!)
https://supervalu.ie/real-food/recipes/gur-cake
And a couple of songs for you to join in with while they’re cooking!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aKvxVYFC3I&list=PLXYZceyypuJf9yw6GlV_WNhukjdZhgjOV
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Hope everyone had a peaceful and safe Easter. Here’s the latest Age Friendly newsletter for you with some interesting and useful information. To follow that there’s a film – for all you Western lovers- The Good, The Bad and The Ugly!
And here’s the film!
Hello again, friends. Hope you’re all managing well and cocooned safely
Today we’ve another yummy recipe from the CnD Cafe, and also some exercise videos to keep you fit and healthy! We’ll continue making our weekly phone calls to our Spring Chickens list – if you know someone older who would welcome the call, please email hayleycumannnadaoine@gmail.com or call/text 0879890336.
Also remember that support is available if you need it – contact Hayley as above and we’ll find a volunteer to help you out!
GENTLE EXERCISES FOR KEEPING FIT!
https://youtu.be/8BcPHWGQO44 https://youtu.be/mQLzNf8VOIc
Hello to you all…today we’ve some information, a video and a recipe…hope you’ll enjoy these. It’s hard being cooped up but it will be worth it – stay safe and well, friends!
We’re all missing our Spring Chickens get-togethers so we’re already starting to plan for September. If you’ve ideas for that, please email Hayley at hayleycumannnadaoine@gmail.com.
First, our tasty and economical recipe from the CnD Cafe!
Delicious Meatloaf
Ingredients
1.5 Ibs of Ground Beef
1 Egg
1 Onion chopped
1 Cup of Milk
1 Cup of Breadcrumbs
2 Tablespoons of Brown or white sugar
2 Tablespoons of Mustard (optional)
¾ cup of Tomato Ketchup
Method
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl combine the beef, egg, onion and milk and add in the breadcrumbs. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Place in a lightly greased loaf pan or simply mould into a loaf shape with hands.
Place into the oven at 350 degrees for 50 mins.
The Sauce Topping
In a bowl place the sugar, ketchup, mustard and mix well. When the 50 mins are up, take the meat from oven and glaze with the sauce. Place back in the oven for a further 15 minutes.
While that’s cooking…you can listen to Buster and Jules…have a singsong!
If you need something, and are on your own, Youghal United can help!
Keeping