WW51 2019

TAKE TIME TO… WHY DON’T YOU HEALTH NEWS
Learn Remove a ‘lurker’
something new from your list TAKE THREE:
THINGS YOU
With 2020 almost upon us, What’s a ‘lurker’ you ask? It’s that niggling task NEED TO
there’s never been a better time that you absolutely have to do, but just can’t get KNOW ABOUT
to learn something new. Studies around to doing. Whether it’s organising your MATCHA TEA
have shown that picking up a wardrobe or making a call that you don’t want
new hobby, language or skill can to make, get it ticked off your list this week. e By Liz Connor
increase the rate in which we sense of relief at having it done is a sure-fire way Whether you’ve seen it sprinkled
learn and can boost our overall to boost your mood. on a doughnut or you’ve spotted
emotional resilience. Learning
something new can also help us YRDOERTUINHRKINK it on sale at your local coffee
to have new ideas and insights, shop, matcha seems to
especially when it comes to our Drinkaware be everywhere right
careers and how we approach has reported a now. So what makes
the problems in our lives. massive 78 per matcha special?
cent increase in 1. IT’S HIGH IN
ASK TEAM WW: the number of ANTIOXIDANTS
people using its Matcha is a
What’s the one new thing you’d online Drinks rich source
like to learn in 2020? Calculator during of catechins,
Áine says: I would like to go the first two natural
back and relearn everything I weeks of November this year. Drinkaware, antioxidants
was taught in Tai Chi. I had the the national charity working to prevent that are found in
best sleep of my life when I was and reduce alcohol misuse in Ireland, is plants. Research
doing it. encourage people to visit their website for has widely found
Amy says: I’d love to learn how evidence-based information about alcohol that antioxidants can
to play the ukulele! I think and tools that can help them to understand help to slow the process
it’s such a fun instrument and their drinking habits.
would be a really interesting For more information or to use the online of ageing by stabilising free
thing to learn. Drinks Calculator log on to www.drinkaware.ie radicals, compounds that cause
Michelle says: Next year I would damage to cells and can contribute
like to do more yoga as I’ve to several chronic diseases.
done a few classes in the past Unlike green tea, where the leaves
and really enjoyed them. I know are infused in hot water and then
technically that’s not learning discarded, matcha drinkers consume
something completely new the leaf, giving it a greater kick of
but my goal is to do a couple of antioxidants.
classes a month and practice 2. IT’LL GIVE YOU A LESS JITTERY
myself at home for 2020. ENERGY BOOST THAN COFFEE
Namaste. Matcha contains caffeine, but thanks
Niamh says: I want to learn how to its high L-Theanine content, the
to cook, but the actual basics as ‘buzz’ is much more long-lasting
I am clueless. Being a student for and energising. L-Theanine causes
three years I have gained awful a slow release of caffeine into the
eating habits. New year, new body, and has a calming, relaxing
lifestyle change. Farewell beans effect that counteracts the caffeine
on toast! rush. Basically it should give you
that all-important pick-me-up but
FIVE MINUTE HEALTH FIX – GRAB A BOWL WOITRKS without the jitters and subsequent
LOOKING FOR AN EASY WAY TO UP YOUR energy slump.
FRUIT INTAKE? PUT YOUR FRUIT IN A FRUIT 3. YOU CAN TRY IT IN LOADS OF
BOWL. IT SOUNDS SIMPLISTIC, BUT KEEPING A FULL DIFFERENT FORMS
BOWL OF FRUIT IN YOUR KITCHEN WILL MAKE YOU The great thing about matcha, apart
By Amy Wall MORE LIKELY TO GRAB A HEALTHY SNACK ON YOUR from its distinctive green hue, is
WAY OUT THE DOOR. that it’s a really versatile cooking
ingredient. As well as hot beverages,
powdered matcha can be baked into
cakes, used to flavour ice cream,
whizzed into smoothies or spooned
into pancake batter.

WOMANSWAY.IE 51

HEALTH FEATURE

LET’S TALK ABOUT MENOPAUSE

Great reads and podcasts that can be a source of knowledge and comfort

Benjamin Franklin famously through. Finding nothing Depression. kinds of different women’s By Liz Connor
said that in life, nothing is that spoke to her, she decided Darcey Steinke wellness topics – she often
certain but death and taxes. to pen her own account of is one writer dedicates episodes to the
If you’re a woman though, undergoing a hysterectomy that’s been there. menopause, with various
there’s another natural part of and struggling to come to Initially, she different expert guests.
female life we can all expect to terms with the menopause. began writing Earle is a huge advocate for
encounter – the menopause. Packed with candid humour this book HRT, so it’s a good starting
and brilliant advice, this is a because she point for any woman who is
Typically occurring between lovely book that feels almost couldn’t find much considering the treatment.
the ages of 45-55 (although for like sitting down for a cup of on the process of menopause,
some it can kick in earlier), the tea with a good friend. aside from where it is handled 5. The Menopause Movement
menopause is a big part of the as a ‘disease’ that needs to be Podcast (available on Apple
ageing process – yet it’s rarely 2. The Hot Topic by Christa treated. She was also shocked and Google Play)
a part of public conversation. D’Souza (Short Books Ltd) to discover how little research
It’s often a gradual process over there is around the topic. Using Hosted by Dr Michelle
months or years, but is usually If you’ve ever wondered how her own personal experience Gordon, this US podcast
considered official when a a chic ex-Vogue as a starting point, Steinke delves into the mindful side
woman has gone 12 months editor handles takes a step back and examines of menopause, touching
without a period. the menopause, society’s relationship with on spirituality, holistic
this is the bedside ageing women as a whole, treatments, and retaining
Eight out of 10 women will tome for you. In and the culture of silence your identity after the change.
experience symptoms along this liberating and shaming around the Designed to coach women
with the menopause – like book, Christa menopause. She also posits at not just to survive but thrive
hot flushes, night sweats and D’Souza poses how we can look to animals, through the menopause,
anxiety – and these can have a many of the particularly the way orca Gordon takes an examined
big impact. But with so much questions that women ask later whales treat post-reproductive eye into all kinds of alternative
taboo around the topic it can in life, like what is the point females, to build a new subjects – from aligning your
be difficult to know what’s of us now we’re biologically framework as a society. energy with joy and dealing
normal and what’s not, and irrelevant? Okay, it might with a sense of loss, to hunting
whether these are just things sound bleak, but it’s actually 4. Wellness with Liz Earle out alternative therapies.
you have to put up with, or a surprisingly uplifting read (lizearlewellbeing.com)
something you can take steps on the subject. Written with 6. Menopodcast (Available
to manage. her trademark style and Beauty and lifestyle guru Liz on Apple, Google Play
flair, D’Souza finds plenty of Earle is well known for talking and Spotify)
That’s where arming silver linings to reaching this all things menopause and
yourself with knowledge important life milestone. she’s even released a book on Dubbed ‘two friends chatting
becomes important. From the subject called The Good about the change’, pals Sarah
hilariously relatable first- 3. Flash Count Diary by Darcey Menopause Guide. And in her Auerswald and Julia Frey
person accounts, to medical Steinke (Canongate Books) weekly podcast, Wellness With chew the fat over the latest
experts offering advice, here Liz Earle – which covers all things they’ve heard, seen or
are some helpful menopause Hot flashes. Insomnia. learnt about the menopause.
resources to have on your In the first four seasons,
phone and bookshelf. they chose a book about
the subject and discussed a
1. Confessions of a Menopausal chapter per episode, rounding
Woman by Andrea McClean off the cast with a hilarious
(Transworld) segment called ‘How Hot
Was Your Flash?’. In more
When Loose recent episodes, they’ve taken
Women presenter the approach of deep diving
Andrea McClean into specific topics. All seven
started going seasons are worth a listen, and
through early the chatty half-hour episodes
menopause are perfect background noise
at age 37, she for cooking or pottering
desperately around the house. WW
wished to read a book that
understood the rollercoaster
of emotions she was going

52 WOMANSWAY.IE

SOOHCSIAOL Love your weekly
dose of fashion,
Investigate our Instagram @womans_way beauty, interiors,

Delve into the team’s love of a motivational quote and, if food, travel, health
you haven’t gotten your weekly issue, learn what’s in the and celebrities?
magazine that week. Plus, we love cake so there’s plenty of
pictures of buns and sweet treats as we try not to reach for Keep up to date with
the biscuit tin in the o ce… the Woman’s Way
team on our social
media channels

Facebook

Instagram Find us on Facebook
@womanswaymagazine
Team up with us on
Twitter @Womans_way Here you’ll get even
more competitions
From news stories than in the magazine,
to celebrity quotes to shows around the
to behind the scenes country, food, health
videos and photos of products and even the
what life really is like odd beauty bit. We
to work on Ireland’s update multiple times
best selling women’s per day to give you a
magazine, our Twitter little extra slice of WW
has it all. Make sure life.
you tweet us too!
Twit ter

Simply divine
Deliciously comforting recipes, made easy

MACARONI You will need Cheddar, Stilton and parsley. Set over a
CHEESE 75g macaroni
FRITTATA 50g evaporated milk medium heat and stir until the cheese
½ tsp English mustard
"One of the ultimate images of comfort- 50g grated Cheddar, plus extra to finish melts into the milk and coats the pasta.
food joy has to be the sneaky picking 40g Stilton, crumbled
of the best bits," says John Whaite. Small handful of parsley, roughly chopped Remove from the heat and allow to
"Whether it's lasagne or macaroni 3 large eggs
cheese, those charred, burnished bits 1 tbsp sunflower oil cool for five minutes. Season with salt
that transform from tender, cheesy Tabasco sauce
pasta, to smouldered and crunchy Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and pepper to taste. Add the eggs to
corners are some of the most happiness-
inducing nibbles we can encounter. the pan with the pasta and beat until

is macaroni cheese frittata, with its › well mixed. frying or sauté
burnished underside, is basically a giant Set a small, deep-sided
crispy corner."
pan over a medium heat. Once the pan
Serves 2-4
is hot, add the oil, then the egg and

Method pasta mixture, and reduce the heat

› Bring a medium saucepan of well- to medium-low. Cover with a lid or a

larger pan, and fry for 10-15 minutes,

salted water to the boil. Add the pasta until the frittata is set. Drizzle with

and cook according to the packet Tabasco sauce, scatter over a little

instructions - normally about eight extra grated Cheddar and serve.

› minutes - until al dente. Drain.
Return the pasta to the pan and

add the evaporated milk, mustard,

Recipes taken from A Flash In The
Pan by John Whaite (Kyle Books),
which is available now

54 WOMANSWAY.IE

RECIPES

› Add the oats to the pan and chunks
100g milk chocolate, broken into
stir to coat them really well chunks
125g salted butter
in the sweet, caramelised 1 tbsp golden syrup
50g mini marshmallows
butter mixture. Once well- 100g caramel/toffee wafers
(stroopwafel), roughly chopped
coated, allow them to cook 100g hazelnuts, roughly chopped
100g salted pretzels, roughly
for just a minute more, crushed
100g dried apple, roughly chopped
› stirring constantly. baking
Pour the oats onto a

sheet and allow to cool for

a few minutes, then toss

together with the toasted

nuts, seeds and buckwheat,

the dried apple and the Method

› cinnamon. cool, tip › Line a 20cm square cake tin
Once completely

into a large storage jar. › with baking paper.
Put both the chocolates,

TOFFEE butter and the golden syrup
APPLE
into a medium saucepan and
and salted pretzel
rocky road set over a medium-low heat.

"While rocky road needs, Stirring frequently, allow
obviously, to have a good
crunch to it, it's important everything to melt together
that we don't neglect
chewiness and fruitiness. This into a smooth, chocolatey
is a triple threat," John states
matter-of-factly. › pool. the remaining
Put all
Makes 12-16
ingredients into a large
You will need
BURNT ½ tsp ground cinnamon 250g dark chocolate (60-70 per › mixing bowl. mixture
BUTTER, cent cocoa solids), broken into Pour the chocolate
PECAN
Method into the mixing bowl and stir
and apple miracle
granola › Preheat a large frying pan so that everything is evenly

"I'm not one for undue mixed and coated in the
hyperbole," says John, "so
when I say this is a miracle over a high heat. Once the › chocolate.
recipe, please do believe me. Scoop into
There's little more gleefully pan is hot, add the oats and the prepared cake
welcomed to a breakfast table
than homemade granola, toast, tossing frequently, for tin, press down to level and
but the oven-baked variety,
while so simple, is a little › a minute or two. refrigerate for an hour or
time-consuming. This is made Pour the oats into
within a matter of minutes, a bowl, until set solid. Cut into the
and the seeds and dried fruit
can be adjusted to suit personal return the pan to the desired number and sized
tastes.” pieces. WW
heat and add the pecans,
Serves 10
pumpkin seeds and
You will need
200g jumbo porridge oats buckwheat. Toast, tossing
70g pecans, roughly chopped
70g pumpkin seeds frequently, for two minutes,
70g buckwheat
60g unsalted butter until everything smells
60g maple syrup
60g light brown muscovado sugar wonderfully roasted and the
100g dried apple, roughly chopped
pumpkin seeds have stopped

popping violently. Pour into

› a separate bowl. on the heat
Put the pan back

and add the butter, allowing

it to melt and sizzle, until

the sizzling stops and you

have a thick foam made of

fine bubbles on top - this

will only take a minute or

two. It should be burnt, so

don't be flapping. Just throw

in the syrup and sugar, and

heat for a minute, stirring to

combine everything well,

letting them bubble together.

Ensure there are no lumps

of sugar lurking about in the

pan.

WOMANSWAY.IE 55

Shaken,

not stirred

Go all out and treat your guests (or
yourself!) to these delicious cocktails

Siúcra x For the cocktail
Catherine 3 passion fruit
Fulvio’s 200ml tinned pineapple rings
Tinsel 80ml vodka
Cocktail
To garnish
“Cause a stir with these Pieces of pineapple
glamorous tinsel cocktails. Ice cubes
Garnish with a bright and
elegant pineapple slice and you Method
are bound to be on everyone’s
nice list.” › To frost the glasses, dip the

Makes 2 rims of the glasses into water

You will need and then into the Siúcra
To frost the glasses
200g Siúcra Caster Sugar › Caster Sugar. place the
100ml water To make the syrup,

For the sugar syrup Siúcra Light Golden Brown
200g Siúcra Light Golden Brown
Sugar Sugar and the water into
300ml water
a saucepan and heat until

boiling, reduce the heat and

simmer for 10 minutes until

a light syrup forms. Leave to

› cool completely. Press both through the sieve tablespoons of the syrup and
Place the pineapple top it up with the pineapple
rings and › to collect the delicious juice. passion fruit juice. Stir and
read a few pieces of float a pineapple skewer to
some juice into a blender and each.

› puree until smooth. pineapple onto a cocktail Recipe courtesy of Siúcra
Slice the passion fruit
in half, › stick.
Add ice
and scoop into a sieve along into the glasses,

with the puréed pineapple. followed by the vodka, 2

Lady Desart You will need bitters, pepper and honey.
Gin and Cider 50ml Ballykeefe Distillery Lady
Hot Toddy Desart Gin Bring the liquid to a high
80ml cloudy apple juice
To celebrate the festive 80ml cider › simmer for three minutes.
season, mixologist Darren 3 dashes Angostura Bitters › Add the gin, stir.
Geraghty has put together 3 dashes Orange Bitters › Use a heat proof glass cup.
a hot toddy cocktail with a Pinch of cinnamon Garnish with cinnamon and
twist using the new Lady 2 peppercorns
Desart Gin from Ballykeefe 20ml honey lemon zest.
Distillery.
Method Recipe courtesy of Ballykeefe
Serves 1 Distillery, see Ballykeefedistillery.
› Bring the cider to a simmer ie. Ballykeefe Distillery
Lady Desart Gin is available
in a small pot, then add nationwide from SuperValu and
the apple juice, cinnamon, selected retailers. Photo credit:
Anita Murphy

56 WOMANSWAY.IE

RECIPES

from prohibition-era slang Spiced Gin
meaning ‘the best.’ with Blood
Orange
Serves 1

You will need “I choose a fairly neutral gin Method
50ml Wilde Irish Gin for this such as Tanqueray –
20ml fresh lemon juice too many botanical flavours › For the spiced gin, put the
20ml lavender-infused Irish will interfere with the spice
honey syrup (or any good hit. You could make this with
honey) other bittersweet oranges out
A spray of amontillado sherry of season and it will still work
a treat, albeit without the
Method reddy-pink tinge of the bloods. spices and orange zest into

› Place the gin, lemon juice e recipe below is for making a saucepan and cook over a
on the day of drinking, though
Wilde Bee’s you could make the spiced gin medium heat until the seeds
Knees ahead of time in a larger batch
cocktail and honey into a cocktail and then leave it to develop pop and the zest starts to
and improve with time.”
A Bee’s Knees is a › shaker with ice. release its oils. is will take
Prohibition era cocktail Shake it up, double Serves 6
made with gin, fresh strain 6–7 minutes. Remove from the
lemon juice, and honey. You will need
It is served shaken and › and serve up in a coupe. For the spiced gin › heat and stir in the honey.
chilled, often with a lemon A spray of amontillado 2 cinnamon sticks, roughly crushed Transfer the spice mix to a
twist. e name comes 1 tsp coriander seeds, lightly
sherry over the top of crushed container and pour in the gin.
Winter 6 cloves, broken up
Warmer the glass and add desired Pared zest of 2 blood oranges Mix well, crushing the spices
cocktail 50ml runny honey
edible flower garnish to 400ml quality gin with a fork as you go. Cover and
“ e winter months are all
about comfort drinks. We’re finish. To finish leave in the fridge for at least
big fans of warm, bold flavours 400ml blood orange juice (from
to sip on as you spend time Recipe courtesy of Wild Irish 4-5 oranges) 2 hours or until ready to make
with family and friends. Gin, see Wildeirishgin.com 1 blood orange, peeled and
segmented › the cocktail.
is is a super easy cocktail 6 thin slices of blood orange, to › Chill six glasses. shaker with
based around the classic - garnish Half fill a cocktail
Brandy and Port. Two bottles Coriander seeds, to garnish
that invariably appear in ice. Strain in the spiced gin
the cupboard in December.
Lengthen with elderberry 1 tsp honey followed by the orange juice.
juice (available online in any
health food shop), a teaspoon Add the orange segments. Using
of honey, and the juice from
a small wedge of grapefruit. Method a long-handled cocktail spoon,
Simmer and serve!” - Andy.
› Add a teaspoon of honey and stir about 20 times, then strain
Serves 1
into the chilled glasses. Garnish

the boiling water into a nice each with a slice of orange and a

› glass and stir until dissolved. sprinkle of coriander seeds.
Add all of the other
Recipe from Moorish by Ben Tish
› ingredients. (Bloomsbury Absolute) available
Stir and enjoy. now. Photography by Kris Kirkham

Recipe courtesy of Andy Posh cream so it floats on the
Ferreira, bar manager at Cask, Snowball cocktail, serve with a small
Cork. See Caskcork.com. Photo spoon and if you like, garnish
credit: Miki Barlok Serves 1 with a sprig of holly. WW

You will need Recipe courtesy of Warninks.
50ml Warninks Advocaat #withoutwarninksitjust
10ml fresh lemon wouldntbechristmas
75ml cloudy lemonade
Scoop of vanilla ice cream

You will need Method
50ml Hennessy
20ml port › Pour Warninks into a large
30ml elderberry juice
30ml boiling water coupe glass and top up with
Juice of a wedge of grapefruit
cloudy lemonade and fresh

› lemon. of vanilla ice
Add a scoop

WOMANSWAY.IE 57

candlesCHRISTMAS
Is there anything cosier than lighting your favourite
candle on a chilly evening? We don’t think so

Green Angel Lime and Seavite Rejuvenating
Lemongrass candle €19.95 candle €25

Yon-Ka Bougie Aromatic
candle in Cedar-Cypress €35

Rathbornes 1488 Dublin Emma’s So Naturals Spiced Brooke & Shoals
Dawn double wick candle €36 Orange candle €19.50 Cinnamon and Cedar
Christmas Bauble €12.95
58 WOMANSWAY.IE

INTERIORS

VOYA Glow Festive Scented
candle €27

Jane Darcy Just Rituals… Imperial Rose
Me candle €30 Scented candle €29.90

PICKMICHELLE’S Sanctuary Spa Fig and MooGoo Vanilla Cream
Black Amber candle €16, candle €35

available at Boots

Max Benjamin Cinnamon
& Cloves Natural Wax
candle €24.95

By Michelle Newman Brooke & Shoals Frosted Neom Christmas Wish Field Day Fir Tree candle
Ginger and Winter Berries Scented candle €39 from €18.95

travel candle €9.95 Brown Thomas WOMANSWAY.IE 59

Travel news Last
Minute
Escape!

A VERY MERRY TWIXMAS GOING SOLO

Looking to get away at the last minute post-Christmas? The Irish people are three times more likely to
Rose Hotel in the heart of Tralee, Co Kerry has a great Twixmas travel alone than their UK counterparts
package on offer. Take a break between December 27 and 30 and according to recent research by Travel
you can enjoy an overnight stay with breakfast and dinner from Department in the UK and Ireland. A
only €231 for the total stay for two adults and two children. This massive 65 per cent of Irish people said
offer is subject to availability. they take between one and three holidays
For details call 066 719 9100 or log on to per year, while only 35 per cent of UK
www.therosehotel.com respondents did the same. While a relaxing
holiday was the preferred option of UK
ISLAND LIVING residents, Irish respondents said they
preferred a holiday filled with sightseeing,
Start 2020 off on a high with a trip culture and history. The rise in solo
to the sun. You can enjoy seven travellers has prompted the launch and
nights at the three-star Cala Blanca expansion of options for solo traveller tours
By Diamond Resorts apartments in by Travel Department. In the past year,
Gran Canaria on a self-catering basis from booking data from Travel Department
€294pps. Flights depart from Dublin Airport on January 23. shows that bookings from solo travellers
For details call 01 536 0820 or log on to www.travelrepublic.ie were up by over 40 per cent.
For more information log on to
BEAUTIFUL Pure magic www.traveldepartment.ie
VIENNA
Beat the January blues with this SUMMER 2021
Enjoy three nights in the three- perfect little pick-me-up from
star Arthotel Ana Enzian in Vienna, Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel in Killiney, Okay, so we’re not even into summer 2020
Austria, on a room only basis from Co Dublin. With the ‘January magic’ yet, but TUI Holidays have recently launched
€149pps. Flights depart from Dublin package you can enjoy an overnight their summer 2021 packages and if you’re
stay in one of the hotel’s deluxe rooms looking to score some savings, now’s the
Airport for travel in January. with full Irish breakfast the following time to get booking. With TUI you can enjoy
For details call 01 539 7777 or log morning from just €55pps. seven nights at the Holiday Village Seaview
This package is subject in Port des Torrent, Ibiza, on an all-inclusive
on to www.clickandgo.com to availability and basis from €2,779 for a family of two adults
early booking is and one child and from €3,169 for a family of
recommended two adults and two children. Flights depart
to avoid from Dublin airport on June 2, 2021.
disappointment. For details call 1850 453 545 or log on to
For details call
01 230 5400 or www.tuiholidays.ie
log on to www.
fitzpatrickcastle.com

60 WOMANSWAY.IE

SUITCASE HOME & AWAY
ESSENTIAL
Hitting the slopes this winter? Don’t

forget to pack Lilikoi Mineral Defense
Sport Sunscreen SPF 30 (€59, eminence.

ie). Snow and ice reflect up to 80 per cent

of harmful UV rays that reach the ground

meaning that skiers and snowboarders are

more at risk of getting sunburned. This

mineral sunscreen is non-greasy, water

resistance and helps to protect and
hydrate the skin so you can zip

Go DWOYHONYU’T down slopes without feeling
the (sun) burn.
explore!
Great gifting Cruise news

In need of a last-
minute Christmas gift?

Adventure travel experts The Hayfield Family Olsen Cruise Lines recently confirmed that its 929-guest ship
Explore have unveiled their Collection has got you Braemar will be returning to the Corinth Canal in September
top five destinations for covered. Comprised of 22, offering even more guests the chance to experience this
2020. So where is on the Hayfield Manor, Great wonderful sailing. The Braemar made history in October
list? With 60 per cent of Southern Killarney and by becoming the largest ship to sail the canal. Bookings for
Explore’s trips already sold the Killarney Royal, Braemar’s once-in-a-life-time 26-night Cornith Canal and
out for 2020, Lebanon is a the Collection has Greek Islands Cruise are now open for travel in September 2022.
must-visit destination. With some fantastic hotel If you’d like a break a bit sooner though, you can hop aboard
the ‘Highlights of Lebanon’ options. Gift vouchers Braemar’s second sailing of the Corinth Canal in spring 2021 on a
trip, you can enjoy eight days are beautifully presented 25-night cruise, sailing from Southampton on April 16, 2021.
exploring places like Beirut, and can be redeemed on For full details log on to www.fredolsencruises.com
Qadisha Valley, Baalbek any service throughout

and more. This package is any of the three hotels. TAKE THREE
available from €1,463pps So whether you want

and includes accommodation to treat someone to THINGS TO dress code and it’s essential
with breakfast and an KNOW ABOUT that you know what it is before
Explore leader. accommodation, a spa GOING ON A you pack for your holiday. For
For details call 1890 747 CRUISE most cruise ships the dress
747 or log on to www. break, afternoon tea or code comes into effect at
exploreworldwide.eu BRING A DAY BAG mealtimes. Make sure you pack
dinner, there’s something appropriate clothing – the last
Explore’s top When on a cruise it’s always thing you want is to be turned
destinations for everyone. so helpful to pack a ‘day bag’ away before dinner because
For details log on to www. containing all your essentials you didn’t get the memo about
hayfieldfamilycollection. like sun cream, swimming ‘smart dress’.
com or contact each hotel togs, a book etc. Why? Well
directly your room is likely to be a bit SAEVAOISDICGKETTING
of a trek away and this will
1. Benin save you time having to go all Few people know this,
the way there to pick up your but according to experts,
2. Lebanon book, for example, and all the the higher up your cabin
way back. It’s also handy to room, the less chance you’ll
3. Albania have a day bag when the boat experience queasiness or
is docking. sea sickness. If you have a
4. Japan NBOOWOK particularly sensitive stomach
5. Botswana (TUHSEUDARLELYSS!)CNOODNE-IS or disposition, it’s worth
NEGOTIABLE upgrading to a strategically
SUPER SKIING placed cabin. And don’t
Most boats have quite a strict forget to pack some stomach
Enjoy seven nights at the four-star Finest Park Piolets soothing essentials like ginger
Mountain Hotel and Spa in Soldeu, Andorra, on a half-board tea and nausea medication.
basis from €1,069pps. Flights depart on January 10, 2021.
For details call 01 653 3501 or log on to www.crystalski.ie

WOMANSWAY.IE 61

OPINION

T here, I said it:

EVERY LITTLE HELPS

Domhnall O’Donoghue is making a concerted effort to

help others - isn’t that what the season is really about?

While it appears to be starting rechristened Grafton Quarter, I While I don’t thank God it’s in the world: some 11.7 million
earlier each year, there’s heard the song in a store. them; I’m certainly grateful people require humanitarian
so much about Christmas that it’s not me. assistance - with children
that will always remain the e moment the Dublin particularly vulnerable.
same. Whether it’s garish rock star belted out the line Such blessings, however,
decorations, turkey dinners in his distinctive voice, I was come with responsibilities. It gets worse. ere are data
or the fall-out from those immediately reminded of about children not only being
stressful games of Monopoly; how fortunate I am, being the And so, this Christmas and recruited by armed forces but
every winter, some traditions recipient of so many blessings into 2020, I’ll be making small, also being sexually exploited;
are all but guaranteed. throughout my 37 years. personal efforts to bridge the endless facts about the outbreaks
gap between ‘us’ versus ‘them’ of infectious diseases due to
And that’s saying nothing Unlike millions across the by joining the thousands of unsanitary living conditions,
about the rousing hymns and globe who go without clean other philanthropic Irishmen and statistics about the lack of
jingles that blast from the water. and women who generously basic educational opportunities.
radio in the lead-up to the donate to charities each year in
big day including Band Aid’s When I indulge my the hope that everyone across However, unperturbed,
Do ey Know It’s Christmas? philosophical side, I often muse the world can get a real chance UNICEF is collaborating with
- the famous charity single that before my birth, there was at life. their humanitarian partners to
spearheaded by our very own nothing I did or didn’t do to provide immediate life-saving
Bob Geldof, which has raised deserve such a charmed and ere are few organisations support to the most vulnerable
millions since its first release in healthy childhood: I firmly as successful in effecting children affected by the crisis
the 1980s. believe it was biological luck; change as UNICEF - a and disease outbreaks.
the simple roll of a dice. dedicated band of warriors
It was another Irishman, who work tirelessly in over “Our Christmas campaign on
Bono, who was responsible for In the same regard, there 190 countries and territories to Syria is a very practical one,”
the song’s most controversial wasn’t anything that three- save children’s lives. Aedín reveals.
line: year-old Alan Kurdi did or
didn’t do before his birth “ is year, our Christmas “For instance, we aim to cloth
“Well, tonight, thank God to deserve such a fate that appeal is around the situation children, provide heat units
it’s them instead of you.” resulted in him drowning in in Syria for kids who have now and equip families for the cold
the Mediterranean Sea as his endured almost nine years of winter weather. We’ve had a
e U2 frontman has often family fled from the horrors of war,” Aedín Donnelly, UNICEF great response so far, which
publicly voiced his disdain war-torn Syria. Ireland’s Communications and we hope will continue into the
for this section of the song, Marketing Manager, tells me. New Year - Irish people can well
claiming that he “really, As the song ended, giving imagine how difficult winter
really loathed” what the lyrics way to some Bing Crosby, I While we ramble about to a in a tent in a refugee camp or
implied. couldn’t stop thinking about soundtrack of George Michael sheltering in ruins would be.”
Bono’s contentious lyrics. and Mariah Carey, these
It’s understandable why children and infants will be Of course, this can only be
Bono felt uneasy singing these forced to endure a cacophony achieved with our help.
words - they can appear of guns and explosions owing
self-centred and uncaring to this ongoing bloodshed and Reflecting on that famous
- but every time radio plays violence that, unfortunately, song, I realise that it’s not
the track, its acidic bluntness shows little sign of abating. important whether or not these
serves as an uncomfortable children know it’s Christmas
reminder to us all. Aedín explains that as a as the title ponders. What’s
result of this conflict, the more important, I’d imagine, is
Recently, while we were situation in the Syrian Arab knowing that there’s hope.
getting ourselves into a tizzy Republic remains one of the
over Grafton Street being worst humanitarian crises And a tomorrow. WW

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