Working, Living & Travelling In Ireland

Tag: Co.Galway

My 2021 in review
This is a long blogpost with my 2021 in review

January : #100daysofcycling & #Keepwell and #KeepActive

#100daysofcycling

With the 2nd(!) lockdown announced just before the new year, I really needed something to keep me going, and started my #100daysofcycling in January. I saw it through and saw amazing places. And I stayed sane..this then motivated me to explore further… once the lockdown was eased, I couldn’t wait to go explore.. All I remember are bright sunny days and incredible landscapes- oh- I want to go back!! To check out the places I visited, click here.

#Keepwell and #KeepActive

Galway Sports Partnership organized this exciting programme – I became the leader for the Peterswell/Gort Community and combined cycling with walking every day!

February : #RedRoute5

Back in January 2021, I saw a Bridge that Gap posted a note on Facebook that there was a public consultation to get feedback from the public to connect Athlone with Galway by means of Greenway/Cycleway.

Announcement Public Consultation

When I saw the map, I noticed that one of the proposed routes, the Red Route ( because it was coloured red), was routed via Gort. I admit when I saw that, If had been on a bike, I would have fallen off it. But then I started to dream …..

Back in 2019 I cycled a lovely, safe route from Gort to Coolepark, I wrote about it here, and called it the #GortMiniGreenway – if we can have a Mini- Greenway, why not have a REAL Greenway

It was clear to me this was not an obvious choice, as all the other routes pretty much go via the middle of the country, some of them via old railway lines, and it was also the longest option, and there was also the added confusion with the yellow corridor… so we were outliers.

I recommend you read Malcolm Gladwell’s Book Outliers: the Story of Success ( Affiliate link)

The other communities had campaigned before, and as this outlier would be pretty much a Virgin Greenway ( as in not using previously made infrastructure) it nearly had a holy meaning to it all.

Still, having been part of the community here in South Galway for almost 20 years, there is an immense beauty, heritage, history, music and major potential for the development of the area and there are strong community groups! Rural regeneration must be prioritized before communities die( I hate to use that word, but the reality is that services in most of the smaller villages have been phased out with post offices and local shops closing and public transport tailed back) so except for the fact that people still live there, it has an eerie feeling at times.. ( sorry for the negativity here).

There is however the lifestyle factor, people wanting to exercise, get fit, and learn and explore their area — cycling and walking is ideal for that. Also, Failte Ireland seems to think this, and there is this massive shift from a far more experience bases experience, connected with places… and their people …

This time the development would have to be of a different nature, as constructing a huge factory up the Aughty Mountains just isn’t going to work is it.. So what else is there???

I guess I don’t have all the answers, but clearly Slow Tourism, sustainable tourism is high on the agenda of many.

For the next 6 weeks, we campaigned to create awareness of the opportunity/potential of the Greenway to come via South and East Galway.

Looking back ( as at the time it was all very agile as they say) 🙂
1. I organized a zoom call with the 5 local councillors to formulate our plan to promote and advocate this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of investment in our region and to ask for their buy-in
2. Set up a meeting with the project office, to understand what their priorities were and the scorecard used
3. Set up a FB Group ( not a page)
4. Set up a Free Website
5. Set up Twitter/Instagram
6. Agree on a few # to use #RedRoute5 #RedRouteCycleWay and later on #Route5IsAlive
7. Engage with the community, their leaders , groups, Schools and not to forget, Businesses
When I say “we”, there were a few drivers ( and a lot of supporters!!!!) that decided to give this a go and pull out all stops to have a go at this opportunity – sure, what’s six weeks …

David Murray, who has done/is doing tremendous work on various local projects, including South Galway Vision, South Galway Floods Bio Gas Plan, and the very exciting Gort River Walk. He has long been involved with projects to do with water and rivers and has a large number of personal connections with farmers and locals in the area. His knowledge and expertise in this area, coupled with his ability to visualise and connect the proposed Greenway as a way to connect communities and other existing initiatives such as the Shannon Master Plan, really helped us to shape our vision. David created the website, added content, wrote blog posts and as the FB Group developed, added content that was being shared in the Facebook Group.

Katleen Bell-Bonjean ( Me), blogging on this website for 10 years, self-confessed social media addict, with an interest in business, enterprise. nature, tourism, and a newfound love for cycling. I set up a Facebook Group called Gort Cycle Trails to document Safe Cycle trails in the region of the Burren Lowlands. Languages are also my thing and have always worked in Pan European Enterprises, primarily looking after customers, using my languages( Dutch, French, German and English).I had been made redundant in November 2020, and had just successfully completed a Diploma in Digital Marketing. I had time, time I wouldn’t have now, as I recently started a new job:)

I looked after the Social Media Channels, created content and had a taste of what it must feel like to head up a fully-fledged social media campaign and also what it must feel like when you are canvassing ( for votes). The lockdown really limited our ability to really talk to people on the ground as the furthest we could travel was 5 km and there were Garda checkpoints in various places. Living where I live, this barely brings me to my nearest petrol station. I had brochures that were destined for Gort and Oranmore. To avoid the Garda checkpoints, I travelled from Gort via Kinvara and Ballinderreen to Kilcolgan, Clarinbridge and Oranmore. I was never so happy to make it to Oranmore where I handed over the brochures to Mairin O’Reilly from Bridge That Gap that would distribute them to some of the estates there. It gave me a taste of what it must feel when you are a fugitive.I called into as many businesses as possible and talked to anyone that was willing to listen. Though our Facebook group was hopping, people on the street that were not on Social Media had not heard about it or needed help to read the map with the 5 routes.

Karen O’Neill – Up until recently, I was volunteer secretary and Social media person at the Burren Lowland CLG, whose objectives are to make the region of the Burren Lowlands a better place to live, visit and work. During my time volunteering there I worked ( and still do) very closely with another gem of a person Karen O’Neill. Grassroots community activist and a master at connecting with so many people, built relationships, achieving a true shift in the region. Karen also loves cycling and took me on my earlier trips around Ardrahan. In 2019 Burren Lowlands was successful in applying for funding for an Enterprise Business developer, who recently opened the first Remote working, Covid proofed Enterprise hub in Gort called Forgeworks. Karen also drove the completion of the rejuvenation of the Gort Market Square. ( And other projects, Karen never runs out of ideas!!)

Our 5 local councillors supported our maverick campaign, and as the Facebook Group grew, people were adding stories and most importantly images of places, places that most of us, had never heard about before. There was a fervour in the area that I have never experienced, all rooting for the same aim…. Promoting the potential of the Greenway, which David Murray wrote about on our website here.

Some of the highlights for me were when Hilda O’Grady suggested we’d reach out to the schools in Gort and Kinvara. Northampton school did a great project on the Red Route.

An outdoor meeting in front of Sullivan’s hotel at the Gort Market Square that was only meant to be with 1 or 2 teachers, turned out in a much bigger event with several teachers, including the principal Brian Crossan, Aoife Lynskey Keane, Marian Gardiner and Clora Neilan with their Transition year students, all supporting the Red Route 5. I had asked Susanne Wunsch to call over to do one video. Suffice it to say Susanne did a few videos, below are just a few of them!

As the campaign grew to a close, Gort Community School produced this video – I loved it . For some reason I can’t embed it, you can check it out here!

The last few days were exhausting, I created lot’s of short videos, all encouraging people to submit their feedback…. It took me about 2 weeks to recover .. Was it worth it???

March & Dangerous driving

Now that I was really getting into exploring, I wanted to record where I was cycling. One of my sons had a GoPro ( he never used it) so I bought it off him and set off. I am glad to tell the tale, as I very nearly got killed. You can check out my article about how to report dangerous driving As a follow-up, I received an update in September that it was indeed a case of dangerous driving and awaiting court proceedings.

April-May-June-July

As there are 18 communities in the Burren Lowlands, I decided I’d go to each and find a loop I could cycle. I wasn’t disappointed. I found many… I started to document them, you can find them here. This was for me a profound experience and really took me to places I‘d seen on the #RedRoute5 such as Ballinderreen. Highlights were cycling from Corofin to Carron, Boston/Kilkeedy via Loughbunny and the Father Ted House, and a bit off the path, Tawin Island – seeing them for myself really made me realize what a beautiful area we really live in. ( written articles in progress) My only reservation was that it’s ONLY accessible by bike /or foot and large throngs of cars let alone coaches wouldn’t be viable.

I raised almost 1000 Euros for Cycle Against Suicide – a tribute to my funky anty Leen Bonjean in Belgium.

Gort Cycle Bus – Aoife Lynskey started an initiative for transition years to cycle from Ardrahan into Gort, I helped out as a marshal.

August – Visit to Belgium

Visiting my parents in Belgium in August, gave me the opportunity to cycle there with them, and see what the cycle infrastructure looks like ( and what e-bikes are all about). A few things jumped out for me… no one was wearing helmets or high Viz jacket, and it looked like everybody over 60 was given an Ebike( no, they weren’t), and only those under 18 were on a regular bike. Cycled a beautiful country route called Trappist route and had a beautiful day too.

Bike in front of trappists Abbey Westmalle

I then went cycling in Ypres, as a friend of mine had asked me about Ypres/Ieper. I didn’t plan this very well( haha) and just caught the train, arrived in Ieper, rented an electric bike for the first time, no maps, no nothing. I followed a marked cycle route ( see markers) for the Vredesroute – 45 km – amazing cycle – great weather — it was an especially fantastic ride, as I had just had my final Zoom interview and was told I was starting a new job in September and that I got funding to set up a #bikeweek event too — hurray – persistency finally paid off. Feast of famine.. when it rains, it pours!

Seeing those marked signs, I thought to myself, maybe I should get markers for ( some) of my loops too – so that is my next plan

Around the same time, I also heard I was accepted on the Cyceright Training course ( evening course with a practical over a weekend)

September : Bikeweek and Cycleright Training Course

Bikeweek takes place in September, 30 people registered, 40 people turned up – it was truly a fabulous day…. Cycling our #GortMiniGreenway reminded me …what if we would get a Greenway ….Check out the write up here.

Completed the CycleRight Training course and took part in weekend practical – I am still dreaming about look – signal – look

November – Cyclist.ie Executive committee

I put myself forward as a new member of the Cyclist.ie executive team, as the voice for rural cycling in South Galway. The AGM took place and I was elected. I really look forward to working with other cycle advocates around Ireland, so much to learn!

December

Cycling the Limerick Greenway

The Limerick Greenway is the nearest Greenway to us, so a few of us got together to check it out. It was a particularly frosty morning, but it was dry.. And it was sunny…Great experience altogether

Cycling on this perfectly smooth surface, with windmills in the background my mind went into overdrive… we could have such views too if we are successful with our #RedRoute. I’ll be setting up an event soon, if you’d like to cycle the LimerickGreenway with others, sign up is here.

Big News #RedRoute5

Oh yes..so this was brewing in the background – the announcement was due on the 8th – I had been following the press, but didn’t have any insights… and then on the 6th of December, seemingly news had been leaked ahead of the “official “ announcement !! David Murray rang me to tell me that our route was chosen and I was sworn to secrecy… If I had been on my bike, I would have fallen off it. I was in disbelief… but also extremely ecstatic …. Omg …. We did it….

Within an hour of that conversation, the news was on Galway Bay FM. It was a Monday and poured myself a glass of wine to celebrate — when communities rally together, great results can be achieved! Check out the Blog article on our website for more detail!

Toasting to Red Route Preferential Corridor

The following day Galway County Councillor were briefed and announcements were made – Congratulations poured in… there were also many, many disappointed communities .. their disappointment was palpable. Really, all those proposed Greenways should be built( where possible) and serious investment and engineering is needed to once and for all have segregated cycle lanes — I am hopeful this will be the impetus for Galway County Council to really seize the day and do just that! I have always wondered if I have done anything to contribute to the next generation – my mind is at rest!

#GortChristmasCycle

Having attended the #OranmoreChristmasCycle, I thought, why not set one up in Gort. So I set up #GortChristmasCycle via Eventbrite.. Sullivans Hotel sponsored hot drinks. I thought there would be a good turnout..I hadn’t expected 143!! People to join… also that day, blue skies and not a drop of rain… I will be forever grateful to Nadine Reichel for taking pictures, Karen and Sean for locating a Santa Costume and the many people that turned up and the marshals that helped out to.

On another note, we had planned to celebrate Christmas in Belgium- It’s been 6 years since we celebrated Christmas there…. Flights were booked… Coronavirus levels were so high again, and as my parents are turning 80 next year, we decided not to go to at Christmas and stay home instead. It’s all a bit blurry, but managed to watch 8 episodes of #MarriedatFirstsightAustralia. I have learnt that even when the “professionals” match you with your perfect partner, they get it wrong…. Before starting to watch episode 9, I Googled to find out about a few of the couples ( that I thought were getting on mighty), and found out it hadn’t worked out, so I didn’t watch the other episodes

It was my big birthday at the end of the year … it wasn’t the tuxedo party with bluegrass music and champagne I have been dreaming about – I am hopeful there will be a time in 2022 to have a garden party to do just that!

Thank you for reading & happy, healthy 2022!

XXX

Katleen

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January 3, 2022
Cycling the #GortMiniGreenway

Hi all,

Back in 2019 I cycled Gort’s Mini-Greenway with a friend so I thought that would be an ideal loop cycling the #GortMiniGreenway for #BikeWeek2021 . It’s a 9.2 km loop starting from the Gort Railway Station, via Glenbrack ( which I renamed the #GortMiniGreenway) into Coole Park and then return over the motorway bridge onto the main road, back into Gort.

If you like cycling for fun ( and love eating cake), join my Facebook Group Gort Cycle Trails

Using EventBrite to set up an event for #BikeWeek2021

I messaged a few people with the registration link, put it onto Twitter and very quickly I had 26 reservations. Towards the end, there were a few cancellations that were very quickly snapped up by others that were interested to join the Cycle. The one headache/concern I had was insurance for such an event. I recently joined Cyclist.ie which put me in contact with many more rural cycling initiatives, and the added perk of insurance… so that part was covered. Definitely recommend using EventBrite so you know who has committed to coming.

RSA & Galway Sports Partnership goodies and Drink Bottles

Thanks to the very efficient team at both RSA and Galway Sports Partnership they turned around my order super fast and I received a number of drawstring bags, high viz backpack covers, safety straps, facemasks. All ready for cycling the #GortMiniGreenway !

Cyclists at the Gort Railway Station, Draw String bags against the wall

I separately ordered Drink Bottles via Printon Galway. I highly recommend them as they got my order printed in time!

Drink bottles for BikeWeek

I’d love to see pictures in my Facebook Group of people using the #GortCyCleTrails bottles – please post them in the group!

Additionally, I also got Wheely Lights for the kids! Did anyone succeed to actually install them? (Click on the image to order)

Image Wheely Lights

Hot Drinks and Bailey’s Chocolate Cake at Coole Park TeaRooms

Part of the funding I received from Galway Sports partnership for cycling the #GortMiniGreenway was for the participants to get treated to hot drinks and cake from the Coole Park Tea Rooms… I pre-ordered for almost 40 people so there was no congestion — it all worked out perfectly. Big thank you to the Coole Park Tea Rooms for having it all perfectly organized and ready .

#RailAndBike

I decided I wanted to invite people to come to Gort by rail and pay for their Return Trip. I had added this as part of the funding, and 5 people came from Galway and 5 people came from Ennis! Check out the video I took as the Ennis Group arrived at the Gort Railway Station.

As I was booking the tickets, I realized there were very limited spaces available to book Rail Tickets with bikes. Turns out that there is a maximum of 2 bikes that can be booked in on the train that comes from Limerick or Galway. Luckily they were all let on, but it does make me wonder if more people would use the train to get into Galway/Gort and bring a bike, if they can’t actually book their bike online, they may not choose that way to travel.

Safety First

Setting up an event requires you to ensure the participants are as safe as they can be, so I did a short safety talk, recorded by Lilya, who has been promoted to the chief photographer for Gort Cycle Trails.

Image taken at the Gort River Walk

Check out the safety talk here before we headed off cycling the #GortMiniGreenway

Thanks to my husband who drove the front car, and Karen O’Neill for driving the back car. Couldn’t have done it without your help!

The hubby and myself

Karen O’Neill and myself

The Back Car following those cycling the #GortMiniGreenway

I am currently taking a Cycle Right course by Cycling Ireland to become a Qualified Safe Cycle Instructor and it’s thanks to this course I was able to talk about some basics, such as when and how to break, what to look for etc. There is more to cycling than meets the eye.

Garda Help

Setting up an event also requires you to do a risk analysis, so I cycled the route again to remind myself where there are risks, and there are quite a few. I contacted the Local Garda Station who were extremely helpful and provided us with our very own escort from the Gort Railway Station to just past the Roundabout.

Gort Garda helping us out to stop traffic at the roundabout

Once we left Coole Park on our return journey, I rang the Garda to stop traffic so we could safely cross the main road back into Gort. Looking back this really made the cycle very enjoyable, the look of surprise on people’s faces as they saw a sea of people cycle on the streets of Gort was priceless.

I had a dream

I think it was when we were campaigning for #RedRoute5 I had this vision /dream of seeing a sea of people cycle in Gort. I hadn’t really given it much thought until I looked back on our way to the roundabout and saw…. A sea of people..

Sea of People on the streets of Gort on their way cycling the #GortMiniGreenway

Also looking back as we were cycling the #GortMiniGreenway, I saw a sea of people cycling and smiling

Happy people cycling the #GortMiniGreenway

Call me sensitive, but I cried….. A dream came through when I least expected it.

Videos taking during the Event.

One of my favourite clips is this one where Amelia – 5 years old, heads up the whole group and we are just turning into the #GortMiniGreenway — the weather was on our side at that point:)

Here is a longer clip I created from the footage I took on my phone.

Thanks also to Joe( Amelia’s dad) for taking this footage on his rear-facing camera whilst cycling the #GortMiniGreenway

Go Pro Footage from Gort to Coole Park cycling the #GortMiniGreenway

What’s next?

Well, I have been talking about the Woodford to Flagmount cycle quite a bit now, it’s 25 km one way, but it is not the easiest of cycles( read = hills). If you are interested to join this cycle, just fill in this form (if you haven’t already ) and I’ll be in touch when we will do this one ( very likely next year)

Another cycle on my radar is the newly opened Limerick Greenway. It’s 45 kms but it’s flat – so that’s the one I’d like to cycle first.. As it’s a Greenway, there is no need for Garda etc, making it quite a bit easier to organize it. All you need to bring is a bike ( or rent one) and bring good humour. I haven’t planned it yet. Register if you are interested to join this one – I do hope to get this done before the end of the year, the sooner the better… just need a semi-dry day for it:)

Come say hello in the FaceBook Group or contact me here.

Thanks all for coming & Thanks for sharing!

Katleen

#GortCycleTrails #SafeCycleTrails #BurrenLowlands

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October 5, 2021
Small Business Interview with Chrysalis Holistic Health and Arts – West of Ireland

Hello readers,

New Year, new start to interviewing small business in the West of Ireland. It started with a new year’s resolution in 2015, and I think I’ll just continue running with it as I am really enjoying it. My last interview in 2016 was with Rose Barrett from Foliodigital in Athenry and today I am delighted to share the very interesting story of Chrysalis Holistic health and arts by Cindy Lund, based in Ardrahan, Co. Galway. I briefly met Cindy at the Labane family day, and as soon as we got talking, I wanted to learn more about her journey! Enjoy! Interested to read the interviews from 2016? Check out my first post of 2017 🙂

So how does this interview work, and how can you get interviewed?

I have learned that people aren’t responding to email anymore, and have gotten most of my completed questionnaires via Facebook or Twitter. The interview exists out of a number of questions that are stored in the cloud via Google docs. I then send a link , the interviewee clicks on the link, enters the answers to the questions and the beauty is there is no need to send documents over email. I love it! I then review the questions, ask for clarifications if needed, and then publish. So if you are up for a close-up 🙂 of your business/startup in the West of Ireland, please drop me an email here or connect me with on my Workinglivingtravellinginireland Facebook Page or Twitter. I do read my email! And remember, the more you put in, the more you get out of it. Please share this interview, as I’d like to start a small movement to highlight the brilliant businesses in the West of Ireland!

Tell us a bit about yourself & where you are located in the West of Ireland.

My name is Cindy Lund. I am an artist and homeopath, originally from Rosscarbery in West Cork and have come to Galway via London, Dublin, Bantry and Italy respectively! My family and I moved here in 2009 after spending two years in the south of Italy and despite the obvious shock of the weather (which I will always struggle with!) we have settled in beautifully and consider it home. The road to my current occupation has been full of twists and turns and was not what I had envisaged as a fresh-faced 17-year-old leaving school with all the points to study zoology in Trinity college. This had been my dream for many years, having always loved the world of nature. I knew the names of almost all the plants, birds and animals in our area, thanks to an inspiring teacher called Sister Joseph who used to take us on regular nature walks in Primary School. My love of nature was equaled by a love of books and art. As a child I was either reading or painting – I would copy pictures of birds from one of my many bird books. I guess I was a bit of a nerd really! Art was never considered a valid career option (the ones suggested by my careers guidance teacher were: secretary, nurse, teacher or occupational therapist as far as I can remember). During a gap year in which I spent a term in art college in London,I realized that my heart lay in a more creative environment than what I saw as the somewhat clinical laboratory. Much to my parents’ credit and perhaps due to having had a large proportion of family members in similarly precarious careers like acting, they supported my decision to study art. It was actually at the tender age of 26 that I finally obtained my degree (in ceramics, at NCAD) having taken yet another detour via Trinity college for a year (not science this time but Ancient history/ Archaeology and English). What can I say – so many interesting things to learn and so little time….! After college I worked in Dublin for 7 years as a decorative artist and muralist which I thoroughly enjoyed. I even did some work in Padraig Harrington’s (famous golfer just in case you weren’t familiar) swing room at his home and in Michael O’ Leary’s (Ryanair’s CEO) private swimming pool. I met my husband while painting murals in an Irish pub in Tuscany and we moved back to West Cork and started a family. During this time I began painting for myself and exhibited in the Mill Cove Gallery in Castletownbere. It was also at this time that my interest in homeopathy was rekindled, when I was looking for safe and effective treatment for myself and my children. I trained at the Irish School of Homeopathy and graduated in 2014.

Can you provide me with a description of your business?

My goal is to improve people’s health and well-being through holistic healing practices such as homeopathy and through encouraging creativity. I have a premises in Ardrahan with a large studio where I run art classes and workshops and a therapy room where I see my homeopathy clients.

How long have you been in business?

I have worked as an artist and art teacher for 25 years and as a homeopath for 2 years. Last year I and another homeopath set up Chrysalis Holistic Health and Arts.

In this business? Two years

In other businesses? 25 years as an artist

How did you get started in this business?

I was first introduced to homeopathy when it cured a terrible bout of hay fever as a teenager. Throughout my life, I had often used either homeopathy or Chinese medicine for health issues and when my children were small I started learning more about homeopathy in order to help them and my husband with minor issues. I found it incredibly effective and one day, as I sat working out a remedy for my husband who was laid up with the flu, he suggested that I think about studying it. I had been looking for a career change and had also considered studying psychotherapy, art therapy or acupuncture. Suddenly it all clicked into place. I applied to the Irish school of Homeopathy and spent the next four years studying to become a professional homeopath. It was exactly what I was looking for, combining almost all the things I was interested in – science, art, healing and psychology among other things! What I love about it is that it combines my analytical skills and my intuitive skills, left brain and right brain.

Is this your full-time job, a hobby or a bit of both?

At the moment I work part-time as my kids are still at school and I like to be at home when they get back from school. The more independent they get the more I intend to spend at work. It is not just work, or a hobby, it is who I am and I am passionate about it.

How did you get the background and skills necessary to run this type of business?

I have always been self-employed and have learned the hard way about running my own business. It’s tough – you have to do the marketing, the advertising, the admin, the accounting as well as the work itself.

How do the social, economic, environmental, technological, legal and political environments impact your business?

The prevailing values in society are somewhat antithetical to what I do I often feel. People don’t value creativity as much as they should. Everyone is rushing around at a frantic pace trying to make money, buy a house, be successful. Most women I know are constantly doing ten things at once. We have forgotten to listen to what we really need. We have forgotten to listen to our bodies, seeing them as unreliable and often faulty machines which get a quick fix when they don’t let us continue rushing around. Luckily there are lots of people who come to realize that being creative and using alternative medicine are two things that can have a massive impact on their health and wellbeing.

Do you know who your competitors are?

There are many artist and homeopaths in this area. This is good in many ways because it has created an awareness and appreciation amongst the general public of these things. I would rather call them colleagues than competitors! We all have the same goal at the end of the day.

How do you market your business?

Most of my homeopathy clients come as recommendations from other clients. It is quite difficult to market this type of business. People like to have a recommendation, or to know you in some way. It is similar with the art classes but I do put up posters and have a separate facebook page for that.

How are people aware of your business?

Word of mouth seems to be the most effective at the moment. I enjoy writing and try to put regular informative posts on my facebook page and on the website.

Where can people find you?

Website: http://www.chrysalishealing.me

Facebook: Cindy Lund homeopathy and energy healing, chrysalis holistic health, Chrysalis art room.

Where do you see your business in the next year? In the next five years? The next ten years?

When my son goes to secondary school in September 2017 I will have more time to devote to work. I hope my homeopathy practice will have grown. I am considering opening another clinic in another area of Galway maybe one day a week. I would love to develop more workshops and classes in the area of art and health as I feel it is a much undervalued healing practice.

Do you plan to compete in the global market place? If yes, how? If no, why not?

I do treat people homeopathically over the phone both nationally and internationally. I also do something called Akashic readings which can also be done over the phone. These are intuitive readings which can tap into valuable information about the patterns in your life which may be negatively affecting you in various areas such as relationships, health, work etc. They come from a type of energetic ‘database’ which has a record of all your experiences from both this life and past lives. I have found them very useful myself when I am having difficulties and can’t figure out what is going on or how to deal with it!

How has technology, such as computers and the internet, impacted on how you conduct business?

In some ways it has been beneficial in getting the word out about what I do. I still find however that both with the homeopathy and art classes/workshops it is largely word of mouth and recommendations that bring clients.

What do you love about the area you live in/do business in?

As soon as I moved to the south Galway area I felt at home. It is a very creative area and full of homeopaths because there used to be a school here. I have met many like-minded people and find an openness here which is lovely.

Whom do you seek advice from for your business/ do you meet up with other business owners? If so, where?

I meet with other homeopaths and alternative practitioners on a regular basis and we often support each other with ideas and encouragement.

Can you describe your customers?

A varied mix of ages from babies to the elderly come for homeopathy. Some are new to it, some have used it for many years. They are all looking for solutions to health problems in a new way which is perhaps safer than conventional medication. Some have chronic conditions either physical and mental for which there is no ‘cure’ in conventional medicine or where the side effects of medication are too severe.

My art classes attract women mostly who are looking to connect with their creativity often after many years of putting it on the back burner. I also give guidance and instruction to teenagers, often helping them with either junior or leaving cert exams.

Why do your customers select you over your competitors?

Like my colleagues, I have a particular ‘style’ both in homeopathic practice and the art classes and I suppose it suits those who choose to come to me rather than someone else.

What are the biggest challenges for running this business?

Juggling being a mother/wife and work is the hardest thing for me.

What keeps you going, when the chips are down?

Thinking of the people I have helped and seeing the value they get from what I do. Also encouragement from my husband and my fellow homeopaths and artists.

Do you support local charities? If so which is your favourite charity and why?

The Galway Rape Crisis centre – I am passionate about helping people who have been affected by sexual violence.

Any special things planned for 2017?

Doing a post grad in homeopathy.

Any tips for someone who is thinking of starting their own business?

Make sure you love what you do.

What did you learn from this interview?

I really love what I do even though it can be challenging!

Please share this interview, as I’d like to start a small movement to highlight the brilliant businesses in the West of Ireland! If you would like to be next, please drop me an email to katleen@workinglivingtravellinginireland.com and I’ll be in touch.

Connect with me on Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook!

Thanks for reading & sharing!

Katleen

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January 8, 2017
Connemara Maths Academy : Smallbusiness interview West of Ireland

Hello all,

It’s been a busy weekend as I took part in the 5th Walking Festival on Inishbofin Co. Galway, and had an incredible time. We are regular visitors to Inishbofin, but it’s the first time I took part in the Walking Festival. The weather was amazing, beautiful walks and great company! Check out the Inishbofin website and Facebookpage to keep informed of events, there is quite a few during the year. Below is a video I made of some of the pictures I took !

Read my previous article about Inishbofin here.

My next small business is located in Connemara, which is the area you need to drive through to get to Inishbofin. Let’s hear it from Aengus from Connemara Maths!

Aengus O’Connor B.Sc., D.L.S., M.Phil., P.D.E.
Director, CMA

Tell us a bit about yourself & where you are located in the West of Ireland.

I live in Connemara and run residential summer programmes for teens (10-17) at three centres in absolutely stunning locations along the Wild Atlantic Way (WAW) at Kylemore Abbey, Glenstal Abbey & Killary Centre.

Can you provide me with a description of your business?

Summer Camps for teenagers where learning through discovery, creativity & adventure is the corner stone of our philosophy in a maths centered programme.

How long have you been in business? In this business? In other businesses?

This summer 2016 will be our third season. We started in 2014 with two weeks and 40 students and are now open for 7 weeks. Our summer camps sold out last year and bookings are up three fold already this year. Are you ready to be swept away? Check out this video:

How did you get started in this business?

Having worked as a musician and with qualifications in Maths and Music performance & media technology I have always used music tech and media technology when teaching mathematics. When I returned to Ireland in 2012 I saw an opportunity to offer programmes that had maths at its centre through using creative technologies and adventure activities. It’s a great combination and kids have a ball. We have the latest technologies such as Virtual Reality where students will build their own virtual worlds.

Is this your full time job, a hobby or a bit of both?

Full time.

How did you get the background and skills necessary to run this type of business?

I spent many years studying and working! B.Sc (Maths); DLS (Law); M.Phil (Music & Media Tech); PDE (Maths). I worked as s teacher, lecturer, head of department & principal in UK for three years, Italy (3yrs), Switzerland (1 yr) & Syria (3yrs) while also working as a consultant in Saudi Arabia and UAE. International experience is vital I think.

How do you market your business? How are people aware of your business?

Social Media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest

You may find our website here http://www.connemaramathsacademy.com/

Where do you see your business in the next year? In the next five years? The next ten years?

We see ourselves being the number 1 Summer Camp provider in Europe within the next 5 years.

Do you plan to compete in the global market place? If yes, how? If no, why not?

We already do. 30% of our students are from over seas, US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Russia, Ukraine & Brazil.

How has technology, such as computers and the internet, impacted on how you conduct business?

Our business is dependent on technologies so it impacts is hugely. For example Virtual Reality ( VR) is now available at consumer prices so we can use this to great effect.

What do you love about the area you live in/do business in?

Connemara is in my blood and my family and I can’t imagine living anywhere else!

Whom do you seek advice from for your business/ do you meet up with other business owners? If so, where?r.

My business partner Kim Moran.

Kim Moran, Marketing Executive, Connemara Maths Academy

Can you describe your customers?

Happy students & parents!

Why do your customers select you over your competitors?

We offer a unique programme with the very best teachers and the latest technologies. Our methodologies work and students benefit enormously from our programmes.

What are the biggest challenges for running this business?
Marketing.

What keeps you going, when the chips are down?

Marketing.

Do you support local charities? If so which is your favourite charity and why?

Yes. Learnstorm (formerly Mathletes)

Any tips for someone who is thinking of starting their own business?

Exercise often & consult a mentor regularly. Always know how many sales you currently have & make sure your cash flow is secure. Sales, sales, sales.

What did you learn from this interview?

That marketing is key while quality should never be compromised.

Please share this interview, as I’d like to start a small movement to highlight the brilliant businesses in the West of Ireland! If you would like to be interviewed, please drop me an email to katleen@workinglivingtravellinginireland.com and I’ll be in touch.

Connect with me on Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook!

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April 26, 2016
Hayes Vegetables Gort – Catherine Hayes: #SmallBusinessinterview West of Ireland

Hello all,

It’s time for another #smallbusinessinterview in the West Of Ireland!! Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Catherine Hays from Hays Vegetables. I met Catherine for the first time last year at the Summer Market and I can see she’s going from strength to strength. I arrived home quite late on Thursday, and decided to head to Gort on Friday morning ( before heading back to bed) to pick up some fresh vegetables. I love making soup, and picked up potatoes, leeks, onions and some home baked bread from her stall. I can’t wait now to make some wholesome soup :).

In case this is your first visit to my blog, I have started to interview #smallbusiness in the West of Ireland, as I’d like to give them a helping hand to make them shine and also show to the outside world what the West of Ireland has to offer.

Please share this interview, as I’d like to start a small movement to highlight the brilliant businesses in the West of Ireland! If you would like to be interviewed, please drop me an email to katleen@workinglivingtravellinginireland.com and I’ll be in touch.

Connect with me on Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook!

So far I have interviewed following businesses :

Quickest Fox Marketing Earthwise Micro Biz Awards Dutch Bakery ziplines.ie Meetthewool.com jclearn.ie

I always ask to supply me with a few pictures ( or if you have a video, even better). Catherine gave me a few pictures, and I made a small video using Google Photos.

Tell us a bit about yourself & where you are located in the West of Ireland.

My name is Catherine Hayes & I grew up on a dairy farm just outside of Gort, Co. Galway. I am currently running a market garden business ( free from chemicals) on some land 2 km from Gort and selling my produce at GortFridayMarket every Friday morning.

How did you get started in this business?

I started growing properly about 1.5 years ago (January 2015) and my first market in Gort was July 2015. Previous to this I had studied analytical science to PhD level & had spent a number of years working in research in Sweden as well as Ireland. At some stage I decided I wanted to come home & managed to find a position that would suit me. As circumstances would have it, on returning to Ireland the position fell through & I found myself at a loose end. I decided to take a year out from science & try something new. I got a place as an intern on BeechlawnOrganicFarm in Ballinasloe and remained there for 1.5 years (till Nov 2015) when I took up my own enterprise full time. At present I am also attending a Market Garden Course run by Jim Cronin in Bridgetown Co. Clare to improve my skills in this area, with a view to expanding my business and market.

How do the social, economic, environmental, technological, legal and political environments impact your business?

It’s hard for me to comment on outside influences on my business as I am not very long “in the game” but if I were to guess the main influences would be social & environmental – people need a certain amount of disposable income to buy fresh vegetables, and its hard to compete with the loss-leaders that the multinational supermarkets advertise on a weekly basis. However environmental issues are making people more aware of what they are consuming & more concerned about buying vegetables that have been grown without the use of chemicals.

Do you know who your competitors are?

At present in Gort the main competitors are the large supermarkets – however I do believe that a certain amount of competition is necessary & if anything people are becoming more aware of naturally grown, organic vegetables and this raises demand.

How do you market your business? How are people aware of your business?

I market my business in two ways at present – FaceBook & word of mouth. I have an active FaceBook page for my stall HayesVegGort & GortFridayMarket, where i post at least twice weekly, with my product range, recipes or updates on how things are going on the farm. But I also find that in a rural community such as Gort, word of mouth is very powerful. I have numerous customers who come & say “I heard you had lovely carrots” or something like that. So consistently good quality & good customer service are working for me as well at present.

Any special things planned for 2016 or further ahead?

I hope to expand in the next year or two. At present I have one large polytunnel (20 ft x 64 ft) and about 1/4 acre of outside veg – this will grow to another large tunnel & maybe another 1/4 to 1/2 acre outside. In 5 years I hope to maybe have grown to 3/4 tunnels & also have one full time person in employment. In 10 years – hard to say, but i should have a very successful veg (and possibly fruit) business with perhaps a shop.

Do you plan to compete in the global market place? If yes, how? If no, why not?

The global market is not a viable option for me as my product is perishable, but I can envisage competing on a national scale within Ireland.

How has technology, such as computers and the internet, impacted on how you conduct business?

Computers, technology etc are very important to me, in all aspects: communications, marketing, sales, record-keeping, finance, research etc. Overall technology is an integral part of my business. Working outside (or inside in the tunnel on a rainy day).

What do you love about the area you live in/do business in?

The satisfaction of seeing something grow, of sitting down to a meal of my produce. I also love the interaction with the public at the market – its my favourite part of the week. The people of Gort & the surrounding area have been very supportive of me in this venture & they show this support by consistently turning up at the stall every week.

Whom do you seek advice from for your business/ do you meet up with other business owners? If so, where?

I have a network of other organic farmers that i have developed over the course of my internship. I am also in the process of setting up a network of small growers in Ireland specifically to cater for people like me who are starting out or are early-stage. We have already met a few times and are currently setting up a schedule of Farm visits around the country so we can chat about successes & problems on small market garden holdings.

Can you describe your customers & why do they choose you over other suppliers.

My customer base, geographically is Gort & its hinterlands. I have every age group and social economic background but the thing they have in common is they all seem to appreciate the taste & quality of my produce. They understand that I sell mostly my own veg and I stand over it all, its grown locally without the use of chemicals, and freshly harvested for the market. It is a physically demanding job.

Is this just about planting and harvesting vegetables? What challenges do you face?

There is also a lot of strategic planning that needs to go into an enterprise like this – for example, April & May are known as the “hungry gap” when the last of the winters crops have finished but the summer crops aren’t ready – this needs to be planned a year in advance to have crops to sell in this time. I am at the mercy of the weather – this year, sowing is very late due to the wet spring that we’ve been having.

What keeps you going, when the chips are down?

When I get down, I either take a walk through my crops or look at photos from last year, especially my tomato plants – that’s enough to make me want to do it all over again this year!!

Do you support local charities? If so which is your favourite charity and why?

At present I am involved in a number of local community groups on a volunteer basis, GaillimhTheasComhalatas and BurrenLowlands. At some stage the stall holders at Gort Friday Market would like to organise a special market day for the town – music, barbecue etc to showcase the market.

Any tips for someone who is thinking of starting their own business?

For someone starting their own business? Believe in yourself – you can do anything you put your mind to.

What did you learn from this interview?

I learned that I have actually achieved quite a lot in a short space of time. Thanks for the interview!!

Please share this interview, as I’d like to start a small movement to highlight the brilliant businesses in the West of Ireland! If you would like to be interviewed, please drop me an email to katleen@workinglivingtravellinginireland.com and I’ll be in touch.

Twitter : @ecotreasure, Find me on Facebook

Katleen

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April 17, 2016
Small Business Interview West of Ireland – Earthwise – Jackie Queally

Hello all,

Last week I interviewed Philip Gleeson from Quickest Fox Marketing, and this week I am excited to share the interview with Jackie Queally from Earthwise. I would recommend you listen to her talk about the Burren, and lot’s of interesting aspects of the Burrenlowlands.

Please share this interview, as I’d like to start a small movement to highlight the brilliant businesses in the West of Ireland!

Tell us a bit about yourself & where you are located in the West of Ireland.

My father is from the coast, close to Lahinch (Moy), and I moved over from Scotland where I lived for about 20 years to be nearer him. He is an elderly widow now. I used to run a very successful small tour company in Scotland that took people to ancient sites – anything from prehistoric to the Middle Ages. It included a lot of Templar places and I also wrote specialist guides, including two to the world-famous chapel Rosslyn just south of Edinburgh. I used to run workshops there too. I have always been involved on teaching adults and healing/therapies.

Can you provide me with a description of your business?

I adapted the knowledge I had used in Scotland as there is some overlap, to create local Irish tours that take people to hidden spots in nature. There we learn to dowse (divining energy lines and water lines), and also experience sound healing, using drums, gongs and voice. It helps people become more present. Most of us need to be more in the moment. These are slow tours as opposed to the speedy ones you can easily find that go to busy tourist spots.

I have written three books on the Burren in the last three years, and in the seven years since I came to Ireland I have written two other spiritual books too (nature photography with my poems and ley lines). Another aspect is the workshops I run along pilgrimage routes I create, using mindfulness techniques, sound healing and dowsing. Dowsing has many applications. You can learn to dowse for healing, or for making decisions. People find it very interesting.

How long have you been in business? In this business? In other businesses?

I started this business in what I call sacred geography in 1999. I’ve been running local and all-Ireland tours as a guide since 2013. However I’ve also trained in sound healing, sonic acupuncture, naturopathic deep massage, tuning fork balancing therapy and gong healing. So I like to incorporate sound into my tours and also workshops. For instance I gave a group a sound healing participatory workshop recently. These were MS sufferers who loved it. I also do one-one sessions with the tuning forks and instruments. Clients find it is a very effective form of therapy. I used to teach reflexology and was a spiritual healer before I started the tours in 1999.

I give talks on many subjects, including the Burren landscape from a more spiritual perspective. This year I am giving a wide range of workshops and talks in Nova Scotia! I gave two talks recently in England too, one of them on the Burren’s mystical landscape.

How did you get started in this business?

That’s a fun question. In Edinburgh an elderly friend who since has died asked me to research the Picts and the Celts – after writing for six months we decided to offer day tours based on emerging local sites we discovered. I studied human ecology when young and I felt the early Celtic saints embodied the qualities we were advocating for human survival in the future!

Is this your full time job, a hobby or a bit of both?

I would say the talks and workshops are a hobby that pays. The tours pay more but are sporadic depending on when the discerning tourist is here. My aim is to do more tours this year so it becomes more lucrative. I was selling my books at Kinvara market last summer but that was to entice people to come on my unique tours. Unfortunately the market is held on a Friday when often people are returning to where they came from the following day.

Really I am combining various interests (healing, sounds, writing, trave)l into one overall business. The connecting theme is a deep appreciation of our earth as a living entity -so I changed the business name to Earthwise to encompass all that. I am also diversifying into Waterwise with a highly experienced engineer so we can educate people about the ways in which they can purify and enliven their water, as water is not in a good state often these days. Most diseases including cancer derive from the unsavoury water we drink. There is much that could be done using little money to improve our domestic water. We are not just looking at what is killed off in the water, but what healthy elements the water can contain. So many of the current products on the market are expensive and not so good for the water ultimately.

How did you get the background and skills necessary to run this type of business?

I love giving talks and my first one was when someone asked me to talk on the Celtic trees at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1999. I took people through the nature reserve in Holyrood Park and we visited each of the tree types. It’s been a theme I continued. Walking and talking and listening to nature.

How do the social, economic, environmental, technological, legal and political environments impact your business?

I arrived at the time the recession was starting up, intending to take a sabbatical from the tours. Socially there has been and still is a lot of social changes occurring. People in rural Ireland seem to have surplus money to spend on things that are considered luxury items. That is why I am concentrating my writing and talks on the international market more. Tours and workshops are still aimed of course at the local market, but probably more toward Dublin. I also am starting to work with the corporate market but that is slow to take hold, offering them eco-wellness tours on electric bikes for instance. Generally things are slow here as there is not a captive audience like you have in a large tourist city such as Edinburgh where I used to live.

I would not invest in my own transport again as local companies warned me they tried and failed even during the boom times.

Environmentally the lack of access to places can be off-putting. I was used to the right-to-roam in Scotland. However there are places where farmers are very congenial and that helps. Also we don’t walk too far. I remember visiting Holy Island with a group on a sunny Sunday and we had the place to ourselves last Autumn. I prefer to pick a few places and take our time soaking in its atmosphere and interacting with the place more. It’s important to do this.

I find Senator Lorraine Higgins in Loughrea a hard-working local politician who really wants to help her constituents find rewarding work that will keep them here.

Do you know who your competitors are?

I am unique. I do try to help people in businesses that are related if they are starting out and need advice – and for more established businesses or individuals they sometimes ask me for help from a specialist knowledge base.

How do you market your business? How are people aware of your business? Where can people find you? Website, Facebook, Linkedin, Youtube, Pinterest, etc. Please provide details.

www.earthwise.me is the amalgamation of two previous sites.

FB: Natural-Healing-Energies (Natural Healing Energies)

FB Burrenspirit (Spirit of Burren Tours / Creative Ireland)

FB earthwise books (Earthwise Publications)

FB earthwiseconnect (Earthwise)

CelticTrails (Celtic Trails)

Youtube: Jackie Queally

Pinterest: Earthwise Ireland

Linked In – Jackie Queally Dedicated to being Earthwise

Where do you see your business in the next year? In the next five years? The next ten years?

I hope to write a few more books that will be more international in flavour. These will sell more than local topics do. I also would love the waterwise business to take off as I passionately believe in its aims. Since I hope to travel more in the next ten years I have no long term plans for the business. The beauty of what I do is I can live elsewhere and continue my research. I have enjoyed the last seven years here. It’s a quiet and easy-going place to dream and create in.

Do you plan to compete in the global market place? If yes, how? If no, why not?

My customers have always been global for books and tours and talks. I have no plans to expand as I am based here for now due to my father being here. Neither does my kind of work lead to expansion as the product really is myself in various forms! The waterwise business is different- we would need to employ others if it expands.

How has technology, such as computers and the internet, impacted on how you conduct business?

I am not finding Facebook so easy to get actual customers through the door. It is time-consuming. I have heard that other media may be better. It is a full time job and I can’t afford to employ someone to do it… yet!

What do you love about the area you live in/do business in?

Every day is different according to who gets in touch and for what reason. It is demand-led to some extent you see. For instance, since beginning this article an international artist asked me to create an audio meditation for her jewellry website. I obliged with an Imbolc meditation created at a secret site that ties in with Brigit.

Whom do you seek advice from for your business/ do you meet up with other business owners? If so, where?

I use various meet ups in Galway for networking, occasional training from Galway Rural Development, and Enterprise Ireland in Ennis and Galway, and the local Bank of Ireland manager Damien Gardiner holds local business days. He also lets you have a stand in his bank on Friday mornings if you book it. I also meet tour business owners from around Dublin once a year.

Can you describe your customers?

Genuine, loving, intelligent, resourceful, and varied.

Why do your customers select you over your competitors?

Reputation and especially the book Spirit of the Burren

What are the biggest challenges for running this business?

All the admin and time spent on computer. It is hard to eat and exercise properly but one has to. This means the days are full just keeping it all going!

I also like to visit friends and family who live away from time to time and that can break the rhythm of the days.

What keeps you going, when the chips are down?

As a preventative to this occuring: Meditation – right now I am qualifying in mindfulness but have taught synergy meditation for 10 years and also Gaia Touch. If down, a hot bath, a walk or reading a good book, that inspires me with its spiritual knowledge. Also gardening and baking when I have the opportunity. I like mushroom foraging and seaweed foraging too.

Do you support local charities? If so which is your favourite charity and why?

I recently supported a local woman who created and then organised a supply of rocket stoves for refugees in the awful conditions at the camp in Calais. (https://www.gofundme.com/stoves4calais) Also Vincent De Paul here. I dislike extreme poverty and pity those who are searching for a better quality of life and are trapped at a young age due to political or social barriers to success.

Any special things planned for 2016?

Yes I met with a UN official in Gort recently as the creator worldwide of the geoparks wants their artist for peace Marko Pogacnik to start workshops in each of them, starting with the Burren geopark. Since I worked with Marko last Spring in Derry he invited me again to work with him again on this project. He is coming to the Burren as his first port of call and I am running some workshops to introduce people to his Gaia Touch exercises. The first one is on Saturday 27h February from 10am til 1pm and people must book through me at info@earthwise.me. These exercises help people work with the multi-dimensionality of the land as a way of helping the earth cope too with the many changes it is undergoing right now. Marko is well known internationally and this is an honour for me to help him. Also I am very excited about my work trip to Nova Scotia that is so connected to my old work in Scotland too.

Any tips for someone who is thinking of starting their own business?

Follow your heart and don’t worry too much. Be prepared to work long hours though. If you have family demands too it is hard as the admin has increased so much compared to even the 90s so you need support in other areas of life to counteract the tedium of the emails etc.

What did you learn from this interview?

My life is busier than I thought, though I don’t do any one thing all the time and only do one thing at a time. I have a lot to be grateful for. Because I love what I do I don’t consider it a drain on my time.

Just a quick reminder, Please share this interview, as I’d like to start a small movement to highlight the brilliant businesses in the West of Ireland!

Connect with me on Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook!

Have a great evening,

Katleen

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February 26, 2016
We are blue we are white, we are dynamite

We are blue we are white, we are dynamite

Hello all,

We waved 2015 farewell and welcomed 2016! My best wishes to you and yours for 2016! Congrats to those that are still sticking with their new year’s resolutions, commiseration to those that have already lapsed, oh well, you are still a good person:). I am back to work, and during breakfast my eldest son asked me if I knew the slogan of the Ardrahan hurlers, and I said I didn’t. He was very quick to remind me that it is: We are blue , we are white, we are dynamite! I choose the above title, as I thought it symbolizes the spirit of the people in this area. We tend to have storms in the winter, and this year we have been “treated” to a few too many ! I wrote about #Stormdesmond in a previous post and since #stormdesmond we have had #stormeve and the most recent one was #stormfrank, and unfortunately #stormfrank was the drop that made the bucket overflow, quite literally, as many were forced to leave their houses and farms due to flooding. We are no strangers to flooding, as some areas (traditionally) get flooded, and you’ll see lakes that aren’t there during the summer.

The floods of 2009

The area of Labane/Peterswell/Kiltartan was badly affected by floods in 2009, and I will never forget the community spirit I saw in 2009. People were marooned in, kids couldn’t go to schools, animals were separated from their owners, and couldn’t be fed. I saw people get together, assist each other to bring food and supplies to those marooned in, offer tractor rides, and get together to pump water out of houses.

Local vet being towed in a boat to see to some sick cattle in ’09

It was one of the most frightening experiences I ever went through, especially when the road that connects us with the main road was flooded and we were effectively marooned in. The road at Kiltartan was flooded and Gort was not passable. My husband wasn’t able to get to work, as all the main roads were flooded. Fast forward to 2016, and unfortunately the same is happening.

South Galway Flooding 2015

I took below video at the same place

A local aerial photographer Sean Brady took following footage, to give you an idea of the extend of the flooding. Click on the next link by Sean Brady Aerial Photography. on Monday, 28 December 2015 that shows the extensive flooding at Kiltartan.

A number of dignitaries visited Labane/Ardrahan today, including the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins. Our youngest son was all set to meet him and get his signature, and his wish got fulfilled, and my husband was interviewed for the radio. Glad to see that some local politicians Ciaran Cannon and Joe Byrne got together to dig a channel to ease some of the flooding in the Kiltartan area , so water can flow into the sea at Kinvara.

It’s not over yet, and hopefully the rain will stay away, the water can flow back to the sea or evaporate and a strategy can be developed to deal with such disasters. If you are affected by the floods, you can apply for emergency funds here ( no longer valid). If you would like to support those affected by the floods, you can donate to the Irish Red Cross here ( no longer valid)

For my part, small business is always on my mind, and is the backbone of many communities in Ireland. Getting your business featured to a greater public or talked about in local media/TV/Radio is difficult, is hard to measure and is very costly. I have decided to start talking to small business in the West of Ireland, listen to their stories , challenges and successes ,and hope that this will contribute to creating more awareness of what small business has to offer in the West of Ireland. if you are a small business in the West of Ireland, get in touch by emailing me katleen@workinglivingtravellinginireland.com. It will be the best email you have sent in 2016:)

Cheers, Katleen

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January 4, 2016
Yeats ‘s activities around Galway this weekend

Hi all,

This weekend there will be hive of activity around the 150th anniversary of the birth of William Butler Yeats. I was at the park during the weekend, and sat on a bench, overlooking the scenery, it was absolutely beautiful!

The below tree, better known as the autograph tree, is located in Coole Park, where the poet spent a lot of time with Lady Gregory and many other famous people that were at the base of the then “literature revival“.

Autograph Tree, Coole Park Walled Garden Co. Galway

It’s called autograph tree, as when the friends of Lady Gregory visited, they carved in their name on the tree. At this stage it’s hard to make out the names, so the above display which is at the base of the tree makes it just that little bit easier!

As for me, I am going to the picnic at the Kiltartan Museum :

Kiltartan Gregory Cultural Society is hosting a picnic in the Millennium Park at Kiltartan Gregory Museum to celebrate Yeats’ birthday on June 13th. Bring your choice of picnic, enjoy a recital by Coole Music Ensemble, poetry reading by local school children, face painting for the younger generation and a Trad session with Gaillimh Theas Comhaltas.
‘ Mr Yeats ‘ is on the guest list. Come in period costume. Time. 12.30 to 2.30 pm.

And after that, I am heading to the official opening of Thoor Ballylee.

The Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society invites you to the re- opening of Thoor Ballylee on the occasion of W.B. Yeats 150th birthday.
With special guests:
Senator Healy Eames, Chair of Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society, Jimmy Deenihan, TD, Minister for Diaspora Affairs, Joseph Hassett, Yeats Scholar and Thoor Ballylee Benefactor
Niall De Burca, Internationally acclaimed story teller will perform at the event
Followed by Community BBQ

So my next quest is, where I am going to find “period” clothing as seen below!! Help!!

Hope to see you there!

Katleen

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June 10, 2015
The Song of Wandering Aengus, read at O’Sullivan’s Hotel in Gort, Co. Galway

Hi all,

When I was at the Auction at Yeat’s tower last sunday, I heard about the initiative from Yeats Galway 2015 to read a Yeat’s Poem a day at O’Sullivan’s hotel in Gort, Co. Galway during the month of June. Maybe instead of an apple a day keeps the doctor away, a poem a day keeps the doctor away 🙂

I decided to head over to O’Sullivan and listen to the reading of Els Van Hout, who read a beautiful poem called “The Song of Wandering Aengus”, written by Yeats in 1899.

I recorded the reading, and you can read the poem below.

“The Song of Wandering Aengus”, written by Yeats in 1899.

I went out to the hazel wood,

Because a fire was in my head,

And cut and peeled a hazel wand,

And hooked a berry to a thread;

And when white moths were on the wing,

And moth-like stars were flickering out,

I dropped the berry in a stream

And caught a little silver trout.

When I had laid it on the floor

I went to blow the fire a-flame,

But something rustled on the floor,

And someone called me by my name:

It had become a glimmering girl

With apple blossom in her hair

Who called me by my name and ran

And faded through the brightening air.

Though I am old with wandering

Through hollow lands and hilly lands,

I will find out where she has gone,

And kiss her lips and take her hands;

And walk among long dappled grass,

And pluck till time and times are done,

The silver apples of the moon,

The golden apples of the sun.

Hope you enjoyed the reading !

Cheers,

Katleen

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June 4, 2015

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