Coming up at the North Leitrim Women's Centre

What's happening in your Women's Centre this September;

Monday 3^rd September – A Jobs Club will run from 3^rd Sept. – 28^th Sept.  10am-4pm daily.  

To book your place contact the Leitrim Development Company on 071 9641770.

Monday 3^rd September.  Well Woman Clinic.  

Thursday 6th September at 11am. Lurganboy Nature Walk. The walk leads through speckled shade across the beautiful river Bonet Bridge. Guides Tina Pommer and Nuala McNulty from Leitrim Landscapes Guided Walks will point out the flora and fauna of interest, the edible plants and herbs and even give you a cooking tip or two! Suitable for the not so fit, walk will last 1.5 hours and will be slow pace and stop/start by nature. Cost €5

Thursday 6^th September 5.30-7.30pm Meditation.   Explore different meditation techniques including chakra, guided meditations and breathing.  Weekly charge €8

Wednesday 12^th September.  Mind Matters Support Group.  This group will meet the second Wednesday each month at 7.30 -9.30 in the North Leitrim Women’s Centre. If you are  interested in supporting positive mental health issues or would you like to meet and chat with other people to promote women’s mental well-being. Have you experienced mental health problems, or want to understand more about them?  Then this may be the group for you.

Tuesday 18^th September.  Health and Fitness Seminar.  The Women’s Centre has joined up with the fantastic team of Leitrim Sports Partnership and Leitrim Development Company to offer women this opportunity to get information about nutrition and the benefits of exercise.  Following a talk by a nutritionist there will be an opportunity to partake in a 20 min taster fitness programme so don’t forget to wear a tracksuit.  The week after the seminar we will be running a 6 week boot camp programme and if there is enough interest we hope to set up a walking group. 

Monday 24^th September.  Well Woman Clinic.

Monday 24^th September 7pm-9pm.  Happy Talk, Happy Tales Writers Group.  If you can talk you can write.  Come and enjoy sharing light hearted stories, even if you never wrote anything before now.  Try it out, bring a friend. 6 sessions - €24

Tuesday 25^th September 7pm-9pm.  Digital Photography Course covering digital camera settings, composition and creative techniques and how to use computer photography software.  Course of  8 sessions €65

Thursday 27^th September 8-10pm.  Living with Teens.  Introductory session on positive parenting for parents/guardians of teenagers.

To book a place contact the Women’s  Centre on 071 9856220 email nlwrg@eircom.net or simply call into the Women’s Centre, Bee Park, Manorhamilton.

A Giant Leap for a Dromahair Connection?

I love genealogy. Over the last few years I have managed to trace my ancestors on both sides of my family back a couple of hundred years. I have even managed to locate long-lost cousins and solve one or two family mysteries, Who Do You Think You Are? style. The biggest mystery of all though is not in my own family tree, but in my husband's.

Neil Armstrong 1930 - 2012

My mother-in-law's mother was a lady called Florence Armstrong. I have been able to trace her family back two hundred years here in Dromahair, and have traced some cousins in the U.S. and in Australia. The family legend persists however, that there is a connection to the great and recently departed Neil Armstrong. As yet, I have not been able to find any evidence for this, and I'm sure every Armstrong family in Ireland has a similar legend, but the absence of evidence is not necessarily evidence of absence, as they say, and so the search continues.

It is known that Neil Armstrong's great-great-grandfather was born in Ireland about 1730. The family originated in Scotland, but settled in or around Irvinestown in County Fermanagh. Is it such a stretch of the imagination to suggest that the Dromahair Armstrongs might have had similar origins? Genealogy in Ireland is not always easy, as our records would not be as intact as those of our nearest neighbour, but the idea of being related to the first man on the moon is enough to encourage the most faint-hearted of researchers. Perhaps one day I will find that evidence.

I, along with many others, well recall that day in July 1969 when Neil Armstrong uttered his immortal words "That's one small step for man.....one giant leap for mankind." He was one of a small band of men to have walked upon the surface of the moon. He was a self-effacing hero, an inspirational figure to many of my generation. Wouldn't it be wonderful if he were also a man with Dromahair connections? Either way I think it fitting to salute Neil Armstrong as his family requested, with a tribute called Wink At The Moon. The next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink. 

Come Dine With Me Dromahair

More Dromahair from the Air

A few more of Trevor McDaid's wonderful aerial shots of Dromahair. When these finish in a couple of weeks, they will be put in a slide show on the Diary.

Chess Blitz

Stanford's Inn is hosting a Chess Blitz on Saturday 1st September. Games begin at 1pm and there should be a minimum of 4 games per player. Entry is just €5. Why not come along and test your wits against the local hotshots in the ultimate war game?

Inspirational Homes "At Home"

Inspirational Homes Leitrim hopes to facilitate the sharing of experiences, knowledge and skills amongst anyone with an interest in making sustainable the future of building in Ireland. We do this via our website and the Green-Door Leitrim weekend, which is a unique opportunity to visit some of the buildings and homes featured on our website. This year it will be held from 14th to 16th September.

In the run-up to and during the Green-Door weekend we will be running a series of at home courses, the aim of which is to complement the website by giving hands-on training in some of the techniques and expertise featured in the builds.

Many of the courses will be held at one of the featured homes on the website and will employ the expertise of the people who worked on that house...in some cases the architect, in others the builders or suppliers. Courses include Wind, Sun & Rain - Living Off Grid, Building with Cob and go through to Cooking from a Straw-Bale Kitchen!

Most of these courses are subsidised by Leitrim Development Company and, where applicable, the small charge is simply to cover the booking fee; however booking is essential. Please go to www.inspirationalhomes.ie/courses.html or telephone 071-9134847, 087-7781914 or email info@inspirationalhomes.ie

Feely wins Dromahair run

On your marks.....

The annual Dromahair 4 Mile Run/Walk took place on Sunday, August 19. There was a great field of 140 runners and 35 walkers for the eighth running of this race.

Weather conditions were ideal for the start of the race, which was excellently organised this year again by Tom and Violet Cullen, Danny and Dolores Hannon, and Trevor and Imelda McDaid, in conjunction with North Leitrim Athletic Club. The race has gained popularity and stature and is now a key event in the Sligo/Leitrim athletics calendar. It is also part of the Filan's Centra Sligo Credit Union Road Race League series. 

Liam Feely, winner of the men's race

Win Koenck, runner-up in the men's race

Sligo AC, North Sligo AC, and North Leitrim AC were particularly well represented in the main race, and it was North Leitrim AC runner Liam Feely who took top honours in an impressive time of 21.15. In second place was a visiting runner from USA, Win Koenck, who finished in 22.05, with Raymond Byrne from the Sligo Triathlon Club coming in third in 22.27. 

Aisling van Rensburg, winner of the women's race

North Sligo AC’s Aisling van Rensburg ran a great race to take the senior women’s title in a time of 25.44 with fellow club mate Una McCool taking second place in a time of 26.08. Third woman home was Elizabeth McCabe in 27.44. 

The weather changed dramatically in the latter part of the race, when the skies opened and rain fell incessantly. Despite the heavy rain, the runners and walkers alike battled on, in the knowledge that there would be the usual excellent Dromahair post-race refreshments waiting for them when they finished.

The main event was preceded by a series of children's races for U-6s, U-8s, U-11s and U-14s. The presentation of prizes took place afterwards in the function room in the Blue Devon. Proceeds from this year's race will go to Dromahair Community Playschool.

Diaspora DNA

The Diary recently received the following email;


Hello...

I just now came across your blog entry about members of the Dromahair diaspora.  I am one of those, although my family emigrated quite some time ago.  We have traced our first ancestor in America as coming into Philadelphia in the early 1730s (the height of the penal law era).  His name is recorded as "Thady Rorke," though that was likely a misspelling of what his name actually was.

My wife and I moved back to Ireland from America about a year and a half ago (living in Galway). We've been up to Dromahair to visit on several occasions (including the 2011 Demons Festival).  I've recently acquired the services of a genetic scientist and researcher here in Galway who has been able to use the results of a DNA test I submitted to Family Tree DNA a few years ago.  By using the occurrence of other surnames I matched with in the DNA results and researching where those names were and still are found, he's been able to conclude that my O'Rourke ancestors were indeed of the famous Breifne / Dromahair O'Rourkes.  He's estimated that they were based right near Dromahair, and possibly up around Kiltyclogher.

What I'm looking for now are other O'Rourkes (of that or other close spellings) in that immediate vicinity who might be willing to have their DNA analyzed to search for close genetic connections. This researcher says if there are any farmers with the Rourke / O'Rourke surname still farming some of the land in that area, that would be particularly useful.  I'm hoping to find at least a few who would be willing to submit their DNA, and if any have family records stretching back several centuries or might know where to find them, that would be wonderful.  Hoping you guys can assist me in this great quest.

It would appear Thady left his home near Dromahair because of the extremities of the Penal Laws at that time.  Perhaps his parents put him on the ship?  I have a fairly detailed snapshot of my ancestors and where they lived once they arrived in America, and I'd be glad to fill you guys in on that for the blog (if that's something you'd be interested in).  What I need now is help linking Thady back to where he came from, and determining which branch of the north Leitrim O'Rourkes I come from (and possibly which of the kings!).

Thanks so much...I'll be eagerly anticipating your response.

~ Ryan O'Rourke

p.s.  I had my surname legally changed back to O'Rourke (it was Roark) a few years ago once I firmly established that this was the older spelling...kind of putting right a wrong, if you will.

Dromahair 4 mile race/walk and children's races

Don't forget that the annual Dromahair 4 mile fun run & walk will take place at 3pm next Sunday, 19th August. There will also be the usual series of Children's races (U6, U8, U11 & U14) at the earlier time of 2pm. Registration for all all races in The Blue Devon, Dromahair, from 1pm. Adults €10, Children €3, Family rate €20. Medals for all children. Lots of trophies for the adults in all categories. Contact Trevor McDaid: 087 649 3491.

DARC Update

It has been a little over three weeks since the DARC volunteers began knocking on our doors seeking donations for this wonderful community project. As 96% of the Diary's readers voted in favour of the DARC in our recent poll, we know that this is something the community of Dromahair wants, as well as needs. It is no surprise then that the volunteers have been getting a great response on the doorsteps, and already the donations have begun to arrive. Some €24,000 has been raised as of yesterday, in addition to the €50,000 already raised by last year's scrap metal collection.

Thermometers showing the collection's progress have been erected at Gillmor's, McGoldrick's Londis and in the Park. It is hoped to have all envelopes collected by 24th September. Any donations not collected by this date can be left in to the Primary Care Centre in Dromahair. Receipts for donations will begin to issue shortly.

The DARC project itself has been open for tenders since last weekend and already there have been an amazing 29 expressions of interest from construction companies. The cut-off date for tenders is 29th August next. Once the tendering process is complete decisions can be made about the final shape and cost of the proposed development. Exciting times!

Dromahair from the Air

Here are a few more shots of Dromahair from above, courtesy of Trevor McDaid:

Leitrim's Own Olympians

As the village of Dromahair celebrates Katie's magnificent win along with the rest of the country, spare a thought for Leitrim's own olympians, Colin Griffin and Laura Reynolds, both competing tomorrow.

Colin goes in the 50km walk at 9.30am while Laura's 20km walk will begin at 5.30pm.Good luck to both!.

Go for Gold Katie!

As the country prepares for an evening of celebration, there is only one thing left to say.....

Male Strippers in The Blue Devon

There will be no male strippers appearing on Saturday 11th August in The Blue Devon. Instead you can see one of Ireland's funniest men, my old friend Paul Malone. I first saw Paul on stage about 30 years ago, and he's been making me laugh ever since. Highly recommended for a great night out!

Table Quiz for Avril and Aware

Please support the Table Quiz being held in The Blue Devon on Friday 17th August in aid of Dromahair's Avril Banks, who will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro next month in aid of Aware, the charity which aims to help people defeat depression.

What is a "Blow-In" anyway?

Recently I overheard a rather uncharitable remark about blow-ins and foreigners in Dromahair. I won't go into detail about the conversation but the words made me think: I'm sure we all know what a foreigner is, but how exactly is a blow-in defined?

The accepted wisdom seems to suggest that a blow-in is someone who was not born in the locality. This however requires further analysis. If a man is 67 years old and has been living in the area since he was 2 years old, is he a blow-in? If he is Dromahair born, leaves at 7 and returns at 67, has he become a blow-in in the meantime? Are children born in the village of non-Dromahair parents blow-ins? How is the locality defined? Where are the borders? Does the distance "blown" have any relevance? Is a person from Ballintogher more or less a blow-in than a person from Ballydehob? Are they both out-ranked in the blow-in stakes by a Belgian? Is the spouse or partner of a Dromahair native exempted from the blow-in test? Once a blow-in, is it possible ever to achieve true non-blow-in status? What are the time limits? 40 years? 50? 60? It's all terribly confusing and frankly, sounds a little childish (I was here first!) and silly.

So is the term blow-in offensive?

I've been called a blow-in for most of my life. I was born in London, raised in Luton and Kildare, and lived in Dublin and Galway on my way to Dromahair, where my husband's people have lived for hundreds of years. I have blown in and out of lots of places. I also have a hide like a rhinocerous and am completely unperturbed by anything I might be called. Others however are of a more sensitive disposition and can be offended and hurt by what they perceive as unkind remarks. So, is blow-in a derogatory term? Isn't it just amusing banter? The answer, as it is so often, would appear to be that context is all-important. If the speaker uses the term in a derogatory manner, then the term is offensive.

A more important question might be: Why are these words used so often in a pejorative sense?

A foreigner is quite obviously someone who comes from another country. Simple. Or is it? When used as a derogatory term, I believe the word foreigner quite simply means "someone who is different to me". Quite often people see "outsiders" as different and therefore slightly frightening. I can understand their fears - they may feel that their way of doing things will be undermined by new people, with new ideas, seeing them as faintly threatening. Of course later on this seems ridiculous, as the vast majority of people, whatever their origins, are friendly and warm, wanting the same things - and to live their lives in peaceful co-existence with their neighbours. When we get to know each other a little better we soon find out that there was nothing to be frightened of in the first place, that we are not so different after all, that new ways of looking at things, fresh ways of doing things can often mingle well with the old ways, and bring an enriched quality of life for all.

So maybe it's time to worry less about where we all come from, as we all blew in from somewhere at some time, and pay more attention to the wonderful village we live in, to our fantastic colourful neighbours, to our beautiful children and to our shared future.

It's also worth remembering that Dromahair's most famous resident was a blow-in, and also a foreigner.

His name was Patrick.

Know your Onions

Onions, garlic and leeks are all members of the allium family.   I can’t imagine life without onions or indeed any of the other alliums.  Soups, stews, dips, salads, the list of their uses is endless.  There are also health benefits which include being good sources of Vitamins B6 and C and sulphur which is good for the liver.  They are cited as being useful in reducing blood pressure, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral and they are thought to be effective in reducing the size of cancer tumours.

It is possible to have your own onions growing or in storage all year round.  I tend to buy onion sets, which are small onion bulbs, as they are very reliable; but you can also start from seed and there is a lot more variety to choose from if you go down this route; but it is more fiddly.

 I plant autumn onion sets around the end of September to the middle of October, there is a variety called Radar which I have used for many years.  The advantage with these is you can start pulling the onions as soon as they are of a reasonable size around March if you need them, or you can leave them to bulk up and they are usually ready a good six weeks earlier than the main crop.  If you like red onions, there are sets for these available for autumn planting too, look out for Electric Red. 

You can sow White Lisbon Winter Hardy until October, with the later sowings you can extend the cropping period with the use of cloches or the protection of a polytunnel or greenhouse.  There is no reason why scallions or salad onions cannot replace regular onions in most recipes. 

Purplette onion bulbs

This year I found a real little gem, a dual purpose salad onion called Purplette.  They start off as a normal salad onion, but the stems are a nice purple/red colour, as they mature, they form mini red onions and get to quite a nice size, handy if you have a small family or just want a smaller onion for your recipe.  Red onions are normally milder and sweeter than the white ones and are lovely used in quiches and pizzas or they would make an interesting pickled onion.

Onion sets for storing are planted as soon as conditions allow around February or March.  They are ready for harvest in late July to mid August when the tops start going over.  Lift the bulbs and put them somewhere to dry out, they can be plaited or stored in nets and hung up in an airy, dry, frost free place.  If your onions start to form a flower spike, cut it off and then use them as soon as possible, if you allow the flowers to form the middle of the onion will eventually become hard and useless, so better to use it up even if it is small than have to throw it in the compost. Do not attempt to store any onions with thick necks, they won’t keep.  Onions usually respond to stress by flowering, so periods of unusually hot weather like we had back in May can trigger this, you can help prevent it happening by covering with some shading/windbreak material which will keep them a bit cooler.

If you like something a bit unusual, look out for Egyptian or walking onions.  The bulbs are planted and grow like normal, then they start forming more onions on the top of the stalk and then bend over which plants the small bulbs into the ground, they also can produce flowers that turn into tiny bulblets which can also be planted, no two plants seem to do the same thing, they are fascinating. You can eat the small bulbs in salads and the larger parts can be cooked like any other onion.  Of interest to permaculture and forest gardeners as they are self perpetuating.

My main crop onions this year have been a complete disaster.  The weather conditions have not been great, the wind and rain have battered them, a great crowd of rooks came down and pecked lots of holes in them and then they succumbed to mildew.  I am going to harvest what is left and get them dried off in the tunnel, if they don’t look as if they will store, I will peel and slice and put in the freezer for using in soups and pasta sauces.

If you want to contact me with questions or your tips, email me, Nelly Dean on cottagegardenerdromahair@gmail.com

Tours de Force on our doorstep

My nieces are visiting. With ages of 21, 16 and 13, along with my 7-year-old, they present a particular entertainment challenge - how to amuse the girls on days when the weather is not at its best. Yesterday looked like being such a day. After a promising start the dark clouds rolled in, so we abandoned plans for an outing to the beach, opting instead for a trip on the Rose of Innisfree tourboat followed by a wander around Parke's Castle. As it turned out the weather was fine, but I'm so glad we chose the local option for our afternoon's entertainment. It was wonderful. 

Our excursion on the Rose was an hour spent drinking in the most beautiful scenery counties Leitrim and Sligo have to offer while being regaled by George McGoldrick's erudite and enjoyable commentary. We were educated and entertained with poetry and song in the idyllic setting of our own Lough Gill. The adults on board were able to partake of the bar facilities, the Guinness being especially popular, with tea and coffee also served. The younger ones were delighted by their turns on the top deck, wearing the Captain's hat and trying to spot the Lough Gill Monster, conjured up by George. 

Once we had disembarked from the Rose of Innisfree we walked the few steps to the castle. Here I was amazed that the entry charge was only €8 for the whole family - really excellent value. Once again a pleasant hour was passed in learning a little of our local history. There is a guided tour available, along with an audio-visual presentation, but we chose to meander at our own pace, aided by the guide brochure provided at reception by Siobhan. This really is a tour for all ages, with history, high walls and towers against the beautiful backdrop of Lough Gill.

All in all we spent a very enjoyable couple of hours being entertained, amused and informed on the shores and the waters of one of Ireland's most beautiful lakes, at a cost which did not break the bank. The cherry on top of the cake was the fact that all of this took place less than 10 minutes from home!

Normal Service will be resumed.......

Well, my little Dromahairies, I'm back. Refreshed and raring to go after a spell in sunny South Galway, I hope to be posting as normal by the end of the week. The Social Directory is almost complete and some more Focus on Business articles are in the pipeline. The Pillars of the Community profiles should also begin sometime in August. As the Dromahair Diary celebrates its two-month anniversary, thank you once again for reading. And, as always, feel free to contribute your news or views!