Spraoi’s ‘String of Sound’ to surround Kite Studios

Kite Design Studios, in Henrietta Street, will certainly be busy during this year’s Waterford Spraoi weekend as the studio sponsors a new event, String of Sound, on the festival’s opening evening.

On Friday, August 2^nd, a group of selected Waterford musicians and bands will create a unique music trail in the Viking Triangle, performing a series of intimate music recitals, with evening performances at the Kite Design Studios in Henrietta Street.

With hundreds of free events peppered throughout Waterford City Spraoi has become synonymous with delighting locals and visitors alike over the August Bank Holiday weekend. 

Sean Egan, Master Engraver at Sean Egan Artglass, which is housed in the Kite Design Studios is enthusiastic about the performances.  “It’s hard not to draw parallels between Spraoi and Kite.  Spraoi has cultivated some phenomenal talent in Waterford over the last 21 years to the delight of the people of Waterford and the South East.”

“The Kite collective consists of local artists creating exciting and innovative craft pieces, from glassware to jewellery to ceramics.  Our artists have a shared vision in promoting exceptional craft, artistic talent and design in Waterford, in many respects similar to what Spraoi does.  That’s why we felt it would be a perfect fit to get involved with Spraoi this year and are happy to be associated with the ‘String of Sound’ trail”, Sean added.

T.V. Honan, Director of Spraoi, was delighted to have the support of the Kite Design Studios during the festival.  “Each year we strive to make Spraoi bigger, better, wackier, more off the wall and zanier.  Without the support of businesses like Kite we wouldn’t be in a position to do so.”

“The fact that the connections between Spraoi and Kite are so strong makes the fit even better.  In fact, we take great pride in the fact that both enterprises have, as such, been ‘forged in Waterford’.”

‘String of Sound’ will feature emerging and established Waterford bands and musicians performing an eclectic mix of music across all genres, while at the same time animating some of Waterford’s more unusual spaces.  The sessions will commence at 8pm on Friday, August 2^nd around Henrietta Street / Viking Triangle and finish as darkness descends on the city.

For further information about Waterford Spraoi pick up a brochure from any Maxol or Supermacs outlet in Waterford City or visit www.spraoi.com.  You can find Kite Design Studios on Facebook or by calling 051 858914.

Carlow’s Liam counting down to Run for Life!

Carlow man recounts impact of cancer on family 

When Liam’s brother, Joe, died at the age of 46 from cancer, the impact was devastating. At the time, Liam was living in England and after Joe’s death, he felt adrift with nowhere to go for support.

14 years later Liam will participate in the Solas Centre’s South East Run for Life in order to ensure that any family touched by cancer as he was can avail of the cancer support services from the Solas Centre.

According to Liam, in an interview with Beat 102-103’s Gail Conway, the funds raised from the sixth annual South East Run for Life will go a long way to benefit those who are affected by cancer and their immediate families.

“After we lost Joe I felt as if I had lost my right arm”, Liam said.  “When he was diagnosed with cancer it came as a complete bolt out of the blue.  Up to that point, cancer was always someone else’s problem, but now it was ours, deeply affecting the family as a whole and Joe’s children in particular.”

“It’s not just someone else’s problem, it affects so many families every day.  My initial reaction when Joe was ill was to pedal like mad to find out as much about cancer as I could.  But sometimes your initial reaction is just too late.  There is no getting away from the fact that so many people are affected by cancer and I just want to try to do as much as I can to help the Solas Centre cancer support services for those with cancer and their families”, Liam added.

Every year across Waterford, Wexford, Tipperary, Carlow and Kilkenny 2,000 people are diagnosed with cancer. That is why the organisers are hoping to garner the support of at least 2,000 participants to take part in aid of the Solas Centre.

Last year Liam raised over €1,500 for the Solas Centre’s South East Run for Life with great support from his colleagues at Lisduggan Credit Union, friends and family and this year he is as determined to take part in the 10 mile road race.

“Running and exercise, in general are of great benefit to relieve stress, which I feel was a prime cause of cancer in Joe’s case. That is why I would urge as many people as possible to run, jog or walk the Solas Centre Run for Life in October.”

According to Dr. Brian Creedon, Chairman South Eastern Cancer Foundation, the success of the Solas Centre is down to the generosity and support of people like Liam.

“Liam was a great contributer last year raising over €1,500 for the Solas Centre, which goes a long way to ensuring we provide the best cancer support services to those who have been diagnosed with cancer.”

“I would urge everyone to think about getting out, getting fit and running, jogging or walking October’s Run for Life.  Funds are vital in order for the Solas Centre to provide the best support services for the 2,000 people who are diagnosed across the region each and every year.”

The Solas Centre is delighted to welcome new sponsors, Eishtec and acknowledged the continuing support of Beat 102-103.

If you want to take part in this year’s South East Run For Life, which takes place on Sunday, October 13th, sponsorship cards are available from the Solas Centre at Williamstown, Waterford or you can visit www.solascentre.ie, Beat 102 103 studios and AIB branches.

For further information contact the Solas Centre on 051 304604 or check out the ‘Solas Centre South East Run for Life’ Facebook page.

Hard Station to debut at Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival, in memory of founder, Vinny Baker

Hard Station, the Midlands based bluegrass and new grass band will make their Waterford debut at the 19^th Guinness International Bluegrass Festival in Dunmore East.

The decision to perform was a heartfelt one for band members Johnny Gleeson, Joe Meehan and Roy Brennan, following the untimely death of founding member Vinny Baker who died last week.

An exceptionally talented musician, Vinny skillfully mastered many instruments and was involved in a number of renowned bluegrass bands including The Tennessee Breakdown Band and Bending the Strings before founding Hard Station six months ago with a group of like-minded and talented musicians.

Johnny Gleeson who played with Vinny for many years said the decision to perform at the 19^th Guinness International Bluegrass Festival was a difficult one, but one that Vinny would have wanted.  “He was so proud of how far Hard Station had come in the last six months.  He loved the music we made and we know he would have been to first to say to us ‘the show must go on’”.

“We are determined to honour his memory by continuing to make music.  Performing on the stages at the Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival is probably one of the most fitting tributes we could give Vinny.”

Lovers of bluegrass and new grass can look forward to a wide assortment of bluegrass fiddle tunes, new grass, swing, jazz, gypsy jazz and plenty of acoustic music with Johnny Gleeson on dobro, guitar and vocals, Joe Meehan on mandolin, guitar and vocals and Roy Brennan on double bass and vocals.

Mick Daly, Festival Founder and Organiser, is happy that a band of Hard Station’s calibre will be debuting at the Co. Waterford festival from August 22^nd to 25^th.

“I know it was a tough decision for the members of Hard Station to perform at the Bluegrass festival, but we are privileged that Johnny, Joe and Roy have decided to play in August and honour Vinny’s memory.”

“Vinny was such a huge influence on the Irish bluegrass and new grass landscape and the whole community is shocked and saddened.  His loss is felt deeply by musicians and music lovers alike who respected his astonishing talent, desire and energy that went into making great music,” he added.

The 19^th Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival commences at 7pm on Thursday, August 22nd at the Strand Hotel and features three days of dozens of bands, playing almost 50 gigs in throughout the Co. Waterford coastal village.

For more information about the 19^th Guinness International Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival in Co. Waterford visit www.discoverdunmore.com.

Button and Co. has the last four years sewn up!

Button and Co., which creates unique and innovative jewellery collections, celebrates its fourth birthday this month.

The business, which was started by Waterford goldsmith Elaine Sarah Comerford, has had an eventful four years; won many awards, received numerous glowing citations from the craft world and has even been backed by a Dragon.

According to Elaine Sarah the inspiration came from her mum who is an avid sewer.  “When I was little my Mum used to make a lot of our clothes and I was always surrounded by bits of fabric, patterns and button tins.  Many years later during a visit home I noticed the button tin as if for the first time and it evoked really strong childhood memories.  From there, Button and Co. was born.”

Inspired by the memories that related to the button tin Elaine Sarah created a collection of jewellery that would represent people's memories. The memory bracelet was her first creation and since then Elaine Sarah has produced over 20 further collections, including the Signature Collection, Button and Co. Bridal and the C’est Moi Collection.

In 2009, Elaine Sarah was a contestant on RTE’s Dragons’ Den, which gives Irish entrepreneurs the chance to pitch their business ideas to five venture capitalists. Button and Co. was backed by then Dragon, Niall O’ Farrell and Elaine Sarah hasn’t looked back.

“In the past four years I was honoured to be invited onto the panel for the Young Entrepreneur Awards in Kerry, I have addressed Dublin’s Rotary Club as part of their International Women’s Day Celebrations and we have won several industry awards including Best Product and Editor’s Choice at the London International Jewellery Show.”

July is cause for double celebration as Button and Co. recently moved into its new premises, the Kite Design Studio, a collective of creative and innovative craftspeople producing some of Waterford’s finest crafts in the heart of the Viking Triangle.

Ciaran Cullen, Chief Executive, Waterford City Enterprise Board welcomed Button and Co. to the Kite Design Studios.  “We are delighted to have Elaine Sarah working as part of the Kite collective.  The studio houses a host of exciting and novel craftspeople creating a superb range of glass, ceramics and jewellery. 

In the short time that Elaine Sarah has been at Kite, she has proved herself a natural leader and is working well with the other businesses in the studio in building the profile of craft in Waterford.”

To celebrate its 4th Birthday Button and Co. is giving away a beautiful piece of jewellery.  Find out more details of how you could win by checking out www.facebook.com/buttonandco or call Button and Co. on 051 858914.

If you have a start- up idea talk to Waterford City Enterprise Board by calling 051 852883 or go to www.waterfordceb.com.

Solas Centre launches 2013 South East Run for Life

2012 saw almost 2,000 runners, walkers and joggers raise a staggering €286,000 for the Solas Centre and 2013 promises to be even bigger and better!

It’s time to get active and run for life once more. That is the call from the organisers of the Solas Centre South East Run for Life this week as they announced details of the 2013 event which takes place on Sunday October 13th.

Every year across Waterford, Wexford, Tipperary, Carlow and Kilkenny 2,000 people are diagnosed with cancer. That is why the organisers are hoping to garner the support of at least 2,000 participants to take part in aid of the Solas Centre.

The sixth annual South East Run for Life has become the highlight of the region’s sporting calendar and all funds raised will go towards the Solas Centre, which provides cancer support services for those affected by cancer, their families and their carers.

The Solas Centre moved to its state of the art facility at Williamstown, Waterford almost three years ago and is now regarded as the leading cancer support facility in the country. The centre is a haven for those affected by cancer who can avail of confidential, informal and free support services such as counselling, art psychotherapy therapy, message, reflexology and support groups provided by highly trained individuals in a professional manner.

According to Dr. Brian Creedon, Chairman South Eastern Cancer Foundation, the success of the Solas Centre is down to the generosity and support of the people of the South East.

“Our goal is and will always remain to provide the best cancer support services to those who have been diagnosed with cancer.  In order to do so we must keep fundaising and the South East Run for Life is a wonderful way for participants to get out, get fit, have fun and raise money for a good cause.”

Dr. Creedon added “We are delighted to have support from a dedicated team of volunteers in co-ordinating and organising the run, along with sponsorship from Eishtec and Beat 102-103, two great regional companies, which have done so much to support our cause.”

If you want to do your bit and take part in this year’s South East Run For Life, sponsorship cards are available from the Solas Centre at Williamstown, Waterford or you can visit www.solascentre.ie, Beat 102 103 studios and AIB branches. For further information contact the Solas Centre on 051 304604 or check out the ‘Solas Centre South East Run for Life’ Facebook page.

Home Instead Senior Care urges care for older people during heat wave

The recent heat wave has us flocking to the beaches, seeking out the shade and ensuring we are well protected with effective sun creams.

Whilst we all need to exercise caution during the warm spell, older people are at increased risk of heat related illness, especially if they live alone, have medical conditions or take certain medicines. 

In many cases being frail, not able to move as easily or having dementia can affect an elderly person’s ability to take adequate care of themselves in hot weather. 

Home Instead Senior Care Waterford has issued guidelines and advice to enable people to put together a plan for how to assist an older person to cope during extreme heat. 

• Arrange to check on an older person twice a day if you can during extreme heat, especially if he/she lives alone. If possible, do not rely on just talking on the phone, as you need to be able to make sure they are drinking enough water and assess any changes to their physical condition,

• Make sure the older person has a phone which will work during a power failure. If they have a safety alarm pendant, make sure this will work if the power was off. 

• If an older person seems to be suffering from heat stress, they need to be cooled down immediately. Use cool baths, showers, or place cool, wet towels on their neck and underarms.

• Call a doctor or an ambulance if an older person’s condition does not improve within an hour after taking steps to cool them down, or if they have any heat related symptoms that are causing concern.

• People caring for others also need to look after themselves in extreme heat, or they put at risk their own health as well as their ability to care for others. 

Keeping Cool:

Try to encourage the older person to take simple steps to keep cool such as: rinsing a cloth in cool water and using it to wipe their arms and neck; sleeping with just a sheet over them; putting their feet in a bowl of cool water; making ice cubes from water or cordial and sucking them to keep cool; and/or putting a bowl of ice cubes in front of a fan to create a cool breeze. 

Clothing and personal aids:

Encourage them to wear light coloured, loose fitting clothing. Sunscreen should always be worn by an older person, even if they only go outside for a short time, as their skin is much thinner and can burn easily. A wide-brimmed hat that shades the face and covers the head is advisable if going outdoors in the heat.

Sunglasses should always be worn outside but make sure they are taken off before going inside to prevent an accident. Pausing inside for a few minutes is a good idea to help eyes adjust from the bright sunlight.

Check that wheelchairs, walkers and other metal equipment that may be used by an older person do not become hot to touch, as this can cause a burn. 

Eating and drinking:

Older people may not always be able to tell when they are thirsty so encourage them to drink water regularly, unless their doctor has advised them to limit the amount of fluid they drink.  It is a good idea for an older person to have a water bottle with them at all times in the heat to avoid becoming dehydrated.

Encourage them to eat smaller meals more often during hot weather. Using stoves or ovens less often also keeps the temperature cooler in their home and reduces the risk of accidentally leaving them on. 

Medicines:

If they take prescribed medicines, they must continue to take these during periods of extreme heat.  Some medicines can make an older person more prone to sunburn and heat stress, so extra care should be taken to watch for signs that they are becoming affected by the heat. If you need more advice on particular medicines, speak to a pharmacist or a G.P.

If you are concerned about a senior family member or friend, call Home Instead Senior Care Waterford on 051 333966 or visit www.homeinstead.ie.

Taste Waterford takes to the streets of Waterford

A new culinary collaboration was recently launched by two of Waterford’s most renowned restaurants. 

“Taste Waterford” sees Bodega and La Boheme restaurants combine their passion for good food, fresh local produce and Waterford heritage.  Taking place every Wednesday, the evening consists of a three course meal in one restaurant, a guided tour through Waterford city centre, followed by a further three course feast of flavour in the second restaurant.

The initiative is the brainchild of Christine Theze of La Boheme and Cormac Cronin of Bodega, who have worked together on several projects in the past.

According to Christine, the idea came from their mutual love of local produce. “When it comes to locally sourced produce Cormac and I share the same philosophy.  In Waterford and the South East we are blessed with a wonderful selection of producers supplying the highest calibre of seafood, meat, fruit, vegetables, dairy and breads.”

“These local producers feature prominently on both restaurant’s menus and we decided to work together to promote local produce and also give locals and tourists the opportunity to see and learn a little more about our wonderful city.”

Diners can expect to be accompanied from the first restaurant by a “tour guide” through the city to the next three courses at the second restaurant, with a historical, informative overview of some of Waterford’s iconic buildings and places. 

Cormac Cronin of Bodega continued, “Taste Waterford highlights the provenance of the produce we use in the two restaurants.  Not only will diners get the chance to enjoy a meal prepared from ingredients that are sourced on our doorstep, they also have a chance to take a stroll, mid-meal, through the city centre and learn a little more about the colourful history of Waterford city.”

Ciaran Cullen, Chief Executive of Waterford City Enterprise Board was pleased to support the Taste Waterford initiative.  “Christine and Cormac are great supporters of local food producers, a belief which we share at Waterford City Enterprise Board.”

“We have invested heavily in funding local food producers in the past and will continue to do so.  In fact, one of our most successful projects, the Enterprising Food Network, was founded two years ago with the objective of assisting food producers in the areas of branding and packaging, route to market, distribution and networking.  The group, made up of restaurants, food producers and horticultural groups, now has 19 members and continues to grow.”

If you are want to find out more about Taste Waterford call La Boheme on 051 875645 or Bodega Restaurant on 051 844177.

19th Guinness International Bluegrass Festival makes welcome return to Dunmore East

Fans of bluegrass, honky-tonk, blues, country, rhythm ‘n’ roots are in for a musical treat as the Guinness International Bluegrass Festival returns to the South East this summer.

Now in its 19^th year, the festival takes place in Dunmore East, the picturesque Co. Waterford seaside village from August 22^nd to August 25^th and the festival organisers are delighted to announce headline act, Mary Jean Lewis and the Low Men.

Mary Jean Lewis grew up in a family of musical royalty.  Her mother Linda Gail Lewis has recorded more than 20 albums, and her uncle, Jerry Lee Lewis, an early pioneer of rock and roll, shot to fame with “Great Balls of Fire” in 1957.

Mary Jean Lewis, an established singer / songwriter hails from Louisiana, but now resides in Scotland.  Drawing on a wide range of country, blues and rock ‘n’ roll, her powerful voice and soulful lyrics are testament to her remarkable musical legacy.

According to Mick Daly, Festival Founder and Organiser, this years’ festival promises something special for all music lovers.  “Mary Jean Lewis and the Low Men have left a lasting impression in any of the venues they have played. Their set is a roller coaster of fast paced rock ‘n roll, rockabilly and pop, with a tempo altering segue into country and bluegrass.  Dunmore is going to love her.”

The festival will also feature the return of Land’s End, who debuted at the festival in 2012.

The band, made up of members from Cork, Galway, Dublin, Munich, Liverpool and Canada, perform music strongly embedded in the bluegrass tradition, but each member brings a distinctive sound of their own musical tradition to the musical arrangements of the band.

Dublin based four piece Well Enough Alone, who appeared in 2011, are back to deliver a mix of original bluegrass songs to classics to hot instrumentals.  Tin Box Company, The Pilgrims and the Down and Out Bluegrass Band are just some of the other names on the line up for the country’s favourite bluegrass festival.

The local hostelries; the Strand Inn, The Ocean, The Haven Hotel, The Spinnaker, Powers Bar and Azzurro, will play host to dozens of gigs throughout the weekend. 

Mick added, “All of the gigs are free over the three day festival, with the exception of Mary Jean Lewis and the Low Men.”

“The line-up is top quality and the three day festival will see some wonderfully talented musicians performing throughout the village.  There is also a wide reaching appeal to the acts, playing an eclectic mix of bluegrass, country, swing, blues, rhythm and rock ‘n’ roll.  So you don’t have to be a bluegrass fan to enjoy the festival, you just have to like good music,” Mick added.

The 19^th Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival kicks off at 7pm on Thursday, August 22nd at the Strand Hotel and heralds the start of three days of dozens of bands, playing almost 50 gigs in the villages’ pubs, restaurants and hotels.

For more information about the 19^th Guinness International Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival in Co. Waterford visit www.discoverdunmore.com.