meath herald february 2013

Feb

. 201

3

Check out our Wedding Feature pages 19-23

TAX ASSIST ACCOUNTANTS:Giving Tax The Axe! - see page 2

The ViTamin ShopSee pageS 8 & 9

Hotel ‘insolvent’by next week

by Louise WalshTHE OLD Darnley Lodge in Athboy will go into insolvency next week, it has been claimed. Sinn Fein TD Peadar Toibin says he understands that all the staff at the premises should get their statutory entitlements once this happens on Tuesday, February 5. He congratulated all the staff for their efforts to date and said both they and local groups should “do all they can to work together to resolve this situation.”

However, he described as a “major blow” the news that the Bank of Scotland is refusing to allow the central hotel to be taken over as a going concern. Deputy Toibin stated: “It has become clear that despite earlier communications, Bank of Scotland is refusing to allow a going concern to take a lease out on the building. This is a major blow as, given the interest in the hotel, this would have allowed it to reopen within days.”

“Any obstacles to the selling of the business, such as the significant arrears of rates and water rates needs to be sorted out immediately but the owner of the building and the local authority.” He continued.”No impediments should be allowed hang over the sale of this otherwise healthy business. The Old Darnley Lodge is in many ways the beating commercial heart of Athboy and its reopening is of the utmost priority.”

Deputy Toibin criticised the Government’s stance on employment rights protection, adding, “we have worked with Vita Cortex, Lagan, La Senza, Game HMV and countless others who were in similar situations. It’s a

disgrace that in this day and age, workers have to sit in and fight for their legal entitlements such as wages and redundancy.”

Deputy Toibin, says if legislation he proposed was adopted in the Dail last year, this situation would not have been necessary. He added that he again raised the matter in the Dail last week. “The Minister for Small Business John Perry said, and I paraphrase, that workers had sufficient rights and when I pressed him on the matter, I did not get a satisfactory response. In my view, these workers deserve more than sympathy.”

He concluded: “I had the honour to join with the workers in the sit-in at the start of the Athboy campaign and I will continue to work to see that they get their just rights and that a new operator opens the hotel as soon as possible.”

http://www.kvisoft.com/pdf-merger/

February 2013 The Meath Herald / www.meathherald.com To Advertise 087 316 7013 or email: [email protected]

The first meeting to establish the royal Meath branch of O.N.E for ex-service men and women was held in the silver tankard on the Kells road Co.Meath on the 15th of January 2013.

OFFICERS ELECTED WERE :President of the branch - C. Ashe,, Chairman - C. Swords,Vice Chair -L. Perry, Secretary - P.Rogers,Assistant Sec - P. Price, Treasurer - C. Rogers,Treasurer - S. Toban, P.R.O.- N. Cloak .P.C.Assistant PRO - B. QuinnThe meeting was chaired by Mr.Oly O’ConnorC.E.O of O.N.E Ireland

The Royal Meath Branch of O.N.E

www.meathherald.com / The Meath Herald February 2013 To Advertise 087 316 7013 or email: [email protected]

The NorTh Meath Photographic Society are currently welcoming new members to join their group. The recently formed society has already had plenty of interest from people wishing to become members and promises to provide everyone many opportunities to improve their photographic skills, learn new techniques, and to participate in fun activities.

The society aim is to encourage all members to achieve great photography through friendship with like-minded photographers but most of all to get out and about to great locations and meet with other photographers who can share the benefit of their experience.

Chairperson Leo Murphy is no stranger to helping people learn and develop their skills “photography is a passion of mine there is nothing I enjoy more than sharing

the knowledge I have built up over many years to help people improve their techniques to take that great photo”

The society will concentrate on helping members understand the settings on their cameras, composition, trick photography and also plan to go vintage and explore film photography! The key to great photography is to get out to interesting locations and practice, there is nothing like getting up early to capture the sunrise this can’t be beaten and brings a great sense of achievement.

Meetings are held each fortnight (Wednesdays) at the Iona Hall Kells, Bective Street, Kells at 7.30pm for further details you can contact the society on: 086-4514740 or email: [email protected].

www.facebook.com/#!/pages/North-Meath-Photographic-Society

IT’s oNly January, yet nearly 7,000 people worldwide have already applied to see the winter solstice at Newgrange next December. Over 30,000 applications were received last year for one of just 50 coveted places in the Co. Meath chamber which fills with dawn light between December 18 and 23.

The magic stirs huge emotion during the solstice last year, one man placed a ring in the beam of light and on bended knee, asked his girlfriend to marry him! It’s not the first engagement at Newgrange and it certainly won’t be the last, according to manager of the Bru na Boinne centre Clare Tuffy.

She said: “In 2010 there were two marriage proposals as well. There’s something magical about the whole event - you’re sharing a unique experience with people who lived over 5,000 years ago.” Each year under strict supervision, children from three local primary schools pick 100 winners from all the applications received. 50 of these are invited to see the solstice at Newgrange (10 on each day) and are allowed to bring a guest.

The remaining 50 are on a stand-by list in the event

that some of the original winners can’t make it. Built in 3200BC, the magnificent structure is older than Stonehenge in England and the Egyptian pyramids at Giza. So accurate is its time-keeping that Ms Tuffy explains: “Over all those years, we’ve only lost four minutes in 5,000 years. It used to be 21 minutes of sunlight that filled the chamber and now it’s 17 minutes.”

It is thought that it took 40 years to build Newgrange, which is one of 40 passage tombs in the area. The passage tomb is one of the few tourist attractions that doesn’t seem to have been affected by the recession and all tour spaces for large groups around Bru na Boinne are completely booked up in July and August. Other visitors are advised to arrive early but, says Ms Tuffy, “Newgrange’s time is now! There’s something about winter that just enhances it.”

The nearby Knowth structure, which is often overlooked, contains 30pc of all European neolithic art at just one site, she estimates. Further information can be obtained at www.heritageireland.com.

The North Meath photographic Society plan a busy 2013 with an

action packed programme.

7,000 in to win place at Newgrange Solstice

by Louise Walsh


NEARLY 80 new jobs are on the way to Meath, thanks to expansion plans at Largo Foods, outside Curraha. The positions, announced by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny at the complex recently, will boost the number of staff to 798.

Largo Foods was established by Ray Coyle 30 years ago and was expanded to include the hugely-successful Tayto Park three years ago. To date, nearly €15m has been invested in the park, which attracted close to 500,000 visitors last year. Among over 100 attractions are the wigwams, playground, amusements and zip wire as well as a number of top-quality restaurants and shops. Even an exclusive Tayto chocolate bar has sneaked its way in among the crisp packets at the park!

Largo Foods at Kilbrew make most of the nation’s favourite snacks including Tayto, Hunky Dorys, Snax and King and source 30,000 tonnes of potatoes from Irish farmers annually in order to make two million bags of crisps each day. Over €20,000 is also spent weekly in high season on buying local produce for the park’s restaurants and eateries.

At the announcement, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny said: “Ireland’s food industry is a vital part of our domestic economy and is central to our export orientated recovery. In addition I’m delighted that Tayto Park continues to attract in more visitors especially in this year of The Gathering.”Mr Coyle described the announcement as “an investment, not only in this great Irish family attraction, but also in the people who work here.”

MEASURES HAVE been taken to reduce the impact of odours and noise from the Indaver incinerator on local residents near Duleek, a local councillor has claimed. Cllr Wayne Harding said the news was relayed to a recent meeting of the Slane electoral area through correspondence from Indaver.

He said: “Residents have been very angry with the levels of odours and noise at the plant and rightly so. This is a highly complex plant and these issues should not occur. It is unacceptable.” The letter referred to the implementation of increased odour reduction systems in the waste holding area, he said.

“We were told that new vents will be installed this month and a filtration system has been proposed to the Environmental Protection Agency for installation.” He continued: “The company also stated in the letter that the noise issue has been resolved through a tailored and more powerful silencer for the main fan in the facility. “All these must eradicate the issues for residents as the plant should have as minimal an impact on the surrounding area as possible,” he concluded.

According to Indaver, the first waste-to-energy facility at Carranstown cost over €140m and at present processes 200,000 tonnes of waste annually. The company has applied to An Bord Pleanala in recent times, to extend the opening hours of the plant and increase the tonnage accepted.

A pRESENtAtioN was made recently to the Village Inn Slane for twenty five years of sponsorship to Slane GFC. In his speech Chairman Jim Mullery thanked the Harding family for all their support not just in sponsorship but in making rooms available for meetings on an ongoing basis. Wayne Harding from the Village Inn thanked the club for their recognition and said he was delighted to have the relationship and it was a two way street, as the club had been very good to the business over the years.

Crisp new jobsa-peeling to co.

Work to stop odours at Carranstown plant

Slane GFC presentation to the Village Inn Slane

by Louise Walsh

by Louise Walsh


Shogun Martial Arts have been established in Navan for the past 15 years and are very proud of our reputation for excellence. New students can enjoy the benefits of experiencing the welcoming and teaching beginners, both adult and children. New members are always welcome and classes are structured to suit everyone. The new Shogun training centre and oriental gift shop in the town centre is a fully fitted facility with make and female changing rooms specifically designed and built as a traditional Japanese dojo.

All instructors at the Shogun centre are Garda vetted and first aid qualified. The instructors are trained by Kyoshi Martin O’Reilly and have all trained in Japan with Grandmaster Shoto Tanemura. This means that all instructors carry the correct level of teacher qualifications in an ancient Martial Arts system ordained only through a Grandmaster with an unbroken and proven lineage in the most exquisite of Japanese Martial Arts.

It is a rare thing to see so many students and instructors in one place that have trained and studied in Japan and hold authenticated proven qualifications in the world’s oldest Martial Art. Traditional Martial Arts are based on strategy and time honoured techniques that are both proven and practical. When you learn basic techniques you give yourself an advantage. You have the chance to defend yourself.

Shogun Martial Arts

www.meathherald.com / The Meath Herald February2013 To Advertise 087 316 7013 or email: [email protected]


PROTEINEvERy day, one must consume a sufficient

amount of protein. This is a nutrient that is essential if you want to have that energy for each day’s activities. Other than playing a big part in building your muscles and stronger bones, protein can also repair your cells as well which can fight against certain diseases.

However, for many reasons such as lifestyle, lack of enough money to buy foods rich in protein, hectic schedule and so many others, many people today no longer consumes the right amount of protein needed by the body. This is when the protein supplements can be helpful. There are so many protein supplement benefits and these are not just limited to the people who are trying build muscles. Protein supplement benefits can also be useful to those who just are very active as well.

One of the most sought after protein supplement benefits is its ability to rapidly increase lean muscles mass. This is the main reason why the

common users of protein supplements are athletes and bodybuilders. Although they can get protein from natural sources such as meat, egg and milk products, they would have leaner and bigger muscles in a shorter time if they used protein supplements.

The more protein they consume, the faster they will build muscles. As a result, they would get more than the average amount of energy. This is used not only for the activities that they do on a daily basis. They would also have more of that extra energy to do intense workouts that help them build stronger and leaner muscles at the same time.

Of course, your muscles would surely need help after lifting weights. Another of the numerous protein supplement benefits is to heal those muscles that were worn out after the workout. Because of this, you do not have to bear muscle soreness for several days. It would also help you to be prepared sooner for another day of weight lifting so you would start building more muscle.

PLUS MUCH MORE!

MONTHLy advICE COLUMN


AS A mum of a child who doesn’t sleep much, I no longer have bags under my eyes. I have skips! My laughter lines now swallow my make-up whole and my neck has disappeared into my jowls! It was time to take action and CACI was the name of my new surgeon. The non-surgical facelift is the must-have for A-list stars and is being hailed worldwide as the secret to almost eternal youth.

Jennifer Lopez has been so impressed that she recently bought her own machine, so I thought if it’s good enough for JLo, it’s good enough for me. The procedure is even more attractive considering it’s non-evasive, so no bruises, scars or recovery time needed. No chance of infection and being very reasonably priced, it also kept my wallet plump too!

Any nerves I had quickly were dispelled quickly by Emma Skelton at the award-winning Balance Medi-Spa in Johnstown, Navan. Since opening, the beauty spa has gained a huge reputation for having all the latest in treatments, given by highly qualified and professional staff under the directorship of Pauline Lynch. I was in good hands, so I relaxed as Emma explained that CACI was originally developed to help the effects of Bell’s Palsy but the taut effects it had on the skin propelled the revolutionary technology into the beauty industry.

The treatment involves micro-current facial techniques which restores and redefines facial muscles as well as plumping out lines and wrinkles to give an overall-smoother appearance. To be honest, I didn’t really have great expectations. As long as I got a relaxing hour away from the kids anything else was a bonus. I was told to

maybe expect a tingle here or a buzz there as my muscles responded to the low-currents but in the end, I didn’t feel a thing apart from the lovely warm sensation of fluffy towels and a facial glow.

After a thorough cleanse with Dermaquest products, a gel was applied before probes were used to tone from my next up. Pads were then added to boost circulation and the lymphatic system (which, Emma informed was the main reason for my puffy eye ‘skips.’) Facial muscles, like everywhere else in the body have to regularly toned or they lose tautness and sag, according to Balance Medi-Spa. After a repeat of the probes on the muscles, my beauty therapist produced a wrinkle comb to tackle the furrows around my lips, eyes and forehead.

The comb combines the synergy of LED red and blue light therapy stimulation to plump out my skin and ‘fill in’ the lines. A dermabrasion stripped the dead cells from the outer layer of my skin before a silicon gel mask was applied which cooled and rehydrated the skin down to the inner-most dermis or layer. CACI also works at diminishing acne scars and aiding sun-damaged skin and expert advice on this can be obtained at the Balance Medi-Spa.

CACI left me very relaxed and with the added bonus of being very surprised. Wrinkles (especially on forehead) were visibly reduced, my eye bags were gone and my skin was rosier, softer and cherub-ish again. I definitely had that flush of pure youth again!

Not only did I look great, I felt great and I now finally had something in common with Jennifer Lopez!

No more Pandy Eyes – Anti-Ageing at its BEST!!!by Louise Walsh


CrossFit NavaN is a new wing of our Fitness Centre at MyStudio & is coached by Alan Fitzpatrick, a certified CrossFit trainer & experienced CrossFit coach & double Ironman Triathlete. It is in a functional strength and conditioning program done on an individual basis but in a group environment. I.E. it’s like personal training but in a small group.

Our program delivers a fitness that is, by design, broad, general, and inclusive. Our specialty is not specializing. At CrossFit Navan we train all 10 general physical skills. Cardiovascular Endurance, Stamina, Strength, Flexibility, Power, Speed, Coordination, Accuracy, Agility & Balance

The CrossFit program is designed for universal scalability, making it the perfect application for any committed individual regardless of experience. We use the same routines for elderly individuals as experienced sports people. We scale load and intensity; we don’t change programs. The needs of Olympic athletes and our grandparents differ by degree not kind. Tri-athletes, skiers, mountain bike riders and housewives have found their best fitness from the same regimen.

How do i start?You must start with learning the ‘fundamentals’ of all the lifts & exercises associated with the program. This is done one-to-one or in a group. After successfully navigating the fundamentals you may then join the program. All members keep a journal of all data & workouts. The workout of the day (WOD) is constantly varied, except for the warm up & mobility routines. The basic functional strength moves are always included; dead lift, squat, press. Equipment we used can include bars, plates, dumbells, kettlebells, high boxes, med balls, pull up stations, jump ropes, pipes, mats & more.

Routine is the enemy! Alan Fitzpatrick

Workers Party spokesperson Seamus Mc Donagh spoke to a meeting of supporters in Kells on Saturday 19th January on the proposal of the Government Minister for Environment Phil Hogan to introduce legislation to abolish without any consultation 80 city, town and country councils.

Seamus McDonagh stated this proposal is not reform but a blatant attack on local democracy. This so-called plan of Minister Hogan has all the hall marks of a rush to judgement with no thought given to the consequences of his actions.

Local Democracy has a unique place in Irish society and to remove 80 democratically elected bodies without any reference to the citizens of the state is the act of a dictator not democrat. No fair-minded person would dispute that local government has over the years, in a number of instances, been guilty of mismanagement-charges of corruption-self serving politicians but in the main the system was properly, managed and most of all it was democratic.

In County Meath we are going to loose Kells town counsel, along with other counsels to be amalgamated in the county counsel which will become more remote from people. The Worker Party is calling on the Government to halt this

distruction of local democracy and to hold a referendum on this issue of local democracy and let the people decide.

In our view today it must be a priority to have councillors and managers accountable to the citizens not to embark on the wholesale destruction of Local Democracy. As part of the system of accountability we are calling for the system of Recall of councillors and TDs where it is clear that they are not doing their job serving the interests of the voter.

Yours Seamus Mc Donagh

Statement from Workers Party spokesperson

Seamus Mc Donagh

There’s No Show Like A Joe Show!

oN Friday 1st February, you can relive the songs and stories of the much-loved entertainer Joe Dolan at Solstice Arts Centre with Ben Dolan’s ‘My Brother Joe’.

Throughout his singing career, Joe Dolan’s energetic and charismatic stage performances thrilled audiences throughout the world. His brother Ben shared the stage with his younger brother for 47 fun-filled years. Who better than Ben to tell the stories behind Joe’s songs, and highlight Joe’s successful singing career.

The Show features Ben’s daughter Sandra, and his two sons, Adrian and Raymond and their own band Karen and The Dolans. Joe’s backing band, and compere comedian Shaun Connors complete the line-up.

‘My Brother Joe’ had its world premiere last year at the Joe Dolan festival. The sold-out show had the audience dancing in the aisles with hit after hit of famous Joe songs. This special show comes to Navan for one night only!

Tickets €20. Contact the Box Office on 046 909 2300 or see www.solsticeartscentre.ie for bookings and information.


2013 at Navan Racecourse brings new additions for the whole family. The new coffee shop which opened last November has been well received with the racing fraternity and also with those who come racing on a more social capacity. Ideally located close to the paradering, bookmaker and tote account, the café boasts a full glass fronting for perfect viewing, modern and comfortable furnishings make it a superb spot to for a cappuccino or latte accompanied by delicious cakes and sandwiches.

A fantastic indoor play area is now open and is suitable for all ages from 2years old. The very latest in touch screen interactive games are both education and fun and will keep children entertained for hours, for the younger children there are numerous hands on games. Located beside the new café, the play area is a bright and safe environment as parents can have a coffee whilst keeping an eye on the little ones. And it doesn’t stop there, Navan Racecourse have installed an outdoor playground which they hope will be huge success with children (once the weather improves). General Manager Darren Lawlor says, “We are delighted to be making Navan Racecourse a more family orientated place to visit, and with the new additions of the indoor children’s area, outdoor playground and ring side café we hope

a visit to the races will be an enjoyable experience for the whole family”.The next racemeeting at Navan is the Ladbrokes Boyne Hurdle Race Day featuring 3 graded

Cheltenham Trial races and with over €160,000 in prize money there will be plenty to get the heart racing. It looks set to attract the cream of National Hunt Stars making their final appearance before Cheltenham. To celebrate the opening of the new childrens facilities, a special family ticket is available for only €20.00 (includes 2 adults and any number of children). Racecourse membership is still available for 2013, exceptional value at only €125.00 and with 17 meetings in 2013 it is represents an average admission price of €7.35 per meeting. Add to that complimentary admission to 13 race meetings at 11 other tracks, members carpark and access to the Arkle Pavillion (home to the owners, trainers & members), it really is the ideal club to be in.

To keep up to date on all racing events join Navan Racecourse’s facebook page, just follow the link on the website. For further information contact the team on 0469021350 or email on [email protected] or visit www.navanracecourse.ie

New family facilities at Navan Racecourse


FAIR CITY fans will be surprised to hear that the soap’s actress Sorcha Furlong is a WAG - in a loosely-termed way!

Carlanstown resident Sorcha, who plays disaster diva Orla Kirwan in the show, is transformed into a footballer’s wife in her latest theatre role. The highly-acclaimed one-act black comedy has already been performed at a number of Dublin venues which were sold out and where it has received rave reviews.

However, Sorcha is bringing the show to Kells next month, so the people of this area who have fully-supported and ‘adopted’ her since her move to the area in recent years, wont have so far to travel to see the show. WAG is the 50 minute story of a footballer’s wife (Sorcha Furlong) and her husband’s mistress (Gemma Doorley) with a number of dark turns along the way.

The play’s writer, Gemma, played Sarah O’Leary for over a decade in Fair City and is one of Sorcha’s close friends. Sorcha admits that her transformation to a WAG is spectacular, even if she’s a little too pretty in pink!

“I have to wear some very tacky costumes and

accessories but the play is fantastic and I’m really enjoying it.” She says that Gemma got the idea of the play from 2010 when a lot of footballers made the headlines for extra-marital affairs.

As for the Kells show? “I wanted to bring it to Kells. Everyone in Nobber and Kells have been so supportive of me”, she said. Sorcha moved to Carlanstown a number of years ago after she met Nobber man Gordon Weldon, who she plans to marry later this year. The couple have a two year old daughter, Stella.

Ironically, WAG in Kells will be staged in a pub - alike McCoys in Fair City where Sorcha’s character Orla has recently become manager. At present Sorcha is filming full-time on the soap wand she promises fans can expect a lot of storylines involving Orla over the coming months.

But for now, WAG takes centre-stage in Meath when it is performed at the Railway Bar in Kells on Friday and Saturday, February 8 and 9 and tickets, at €10 each, can be obtained from the venue or from 087-6842356. It’s only a 60-seater venue and tickets are selling fast, so get yours early!

Fair City actress now a Kells WAGby Louise Walsh


AurA NAvAN is putting people on the right road to feeling better about themselves in 2013 with an offer to join the leisure centre and to get started on exercising. Aura’s attractive membership offer is aimed at helping locals to stay true to their New Year’s resolutions of making 2013 their year for developing a new exercise routine and for getting into shape.

“Taking up exercise is all about taking that important first step. People should not be put off by price which is why everyone who joins Aura in January and who signs up to a direct debit membership can enjoy their first month’s membership for just €20,” said Alison Dunne, General Manager at Aura Navan. “We want to help people to get started on realising their fitness goals for 2013. This offer gives them a great opportunity to experience what Aura has to offer, to start as they mean to go on and to stop making excuses that don’t add up,” said Alison

Those who sign up will receive their first month’s membership for €20. The standard monthly membership rates will apply thereafter. Everyone who becomes a member at Aura Navan will receive a free fitness assessment with Aura’s fully trained gym instructors. “The assessment will help to determine their fitness level and abilities and we will work with each new member to set goals to improve their fitness. Their progress will be monitored from week to week by one of our fitness team,” Danny Mc Cormack Fitness instructor assures us.

Aura’s wide range of fitness classes such as Aqua Aerobics and Indoor Cycling, have something to suit everyone including calorie killing, muscle conditioning and body toning workouts as well as classes which concentrate specially of problem areas like the bottom, legs and tummy.

“Anyone who is serious about taking up exercise and getting into shape no longer has an excuse for not discovering how Aura can help them to achieve their goals. It could well be the best €20 that they spend in 2013,” said Alison

No excuses not to honour New Year’s get-fit resolutions thanks to €20 Aura membership offer


Out & About In Ryans Bar& Beggys Bar, Navan


Welcome to another wedding season for 2013 and congratulations to you if you just got engaged over chrisitmas. According to local knowledge more people got engaged this year than previous years. This of course has been helped by the many people working abroad who came home for the festive season. One local hotel wedding co-ordinator has advised me that 52 percent of there bookings for 2013 and 2014 are being dealt with by e-mail rather than visits or phone calls to the hotel personally. This months subject is on booking your entertainment for your wedding reception and how to avoid the pit falls. Most bride and grooms book their wedding band and dj from bands they have seen at other weddings or from information they have heard from their friends.

Couples tend to steer away from a band they have seen at a friends/family wedding as they want their band to be different. Here are my tips on how to book a good wedding band. Before you start looking have a budget in mind,because wedding bands vary greatly in price. From What i have learned wedding bands start at 1000 euro and go as high as 2500 euro. Why such a difference,some bands are made up of people who work full time and playing in a band is

their part-time job. Some bands members are full time musicians and therefore the band is their living. Can i suggest that when booking a wedding band book it through an agent.

There are three reasons for this,agents will issue you a contract once you confirm the band,they will do their best to replace your wedding band should your choice of band not turn up, cancel at short notice, or can’t make it because they are sick.An agent will ensure that your band does what they say they are going to do. Also my advice, its very important for you to go and see your wedding band play at a gig so that you are are happy thats what you want on your wedding day.

What are you looking for in a wedding band, 1)That they are not too loud, 2)that they can sing, 3)That they are well dressed 4)that they sing your first dance, 5) interact with the crowd, 6) play a variety of music to suit all ages.7) that they play at least 2 hours min. 8) that they play live, 9) that they sing live, 10) that they have good sound and some lights.Once you are happy with all of those you have the makings of a good wedding band for your reception. When discussing your price with the band do not allow them to tell you that they will do the disco.

Bands play music with instruments not cds. Normally the roadie in the band becomes the dj and he more often puts on a long playing cd on while he takes the bands gear off the stage. From experience of working weddings and being a guest at weddings you need separate entertainment after midnight. Next month i will discuss your wedding dj. Its vital you get to see your band playing before you book them, that does not mean you look them up on u-tube. U-tube is never a reflection on how your wedding band will perform on the night. There are some great wedding bands out there so don’t be afraid to send me an e-mail and i will happily give you a list of good wedding bands a guide line of prices, my e-mail is [email protected].

Stevie dee, Wedding entertainment specialist and wedding planner. 086 2504212.

Wedding Season 2013


The ClinTon name has been synominous with hair dressing in Navan for over 25 years. Ambrose Clinton is the Head of Hair Care in the Navan salon and has many years of hairdressing experience. He managed a busy, well renowned Salon for over 25 years so he earns his title as head of hair care.

Ambrose and his team will ensure every client will leave satisfied with their new look and offers great advice to those still unsure of what they want when they enter the salon. The friendly and efficient staff at Clinton Hair by Design, Beauty by Nature are always on hand to help you relax and enjoy the experience while being safe in the knowledge that you are in experienced hands.

The team have worked with many brides over the years in all areas across Ireland. Our friendly team will take care of all your needs for that special day. From the latest Up-Styles to Make Up we have all you need to look great on the big day. Our Wedding Service is also “Mobile” so we will come to you if necessary.

Special offers from Clinton Hair by DesignBlowdry €15 Mon-Fri, Colours from €47 Mon-Thurs, Full head highlights & Cut €99 Mon - ThursT&C apply

Fancy something with a bit of staying power then the 16 week blow dry from QOD is long lasting and eliminates frizz and leaves hair more manageable. It adds high shine and smoothness to the hair (formally known as 12 week blowdry) Call now for a quotation or call in for a free consultation & information leaflet. Also if your looking for fuller and thicker hair with added length why not try our Great Length pre bonded 100% human hair extensions. They are also great for adding different colours.Call in today for a free consultation with our Great length specialist.

Find us on Facebook for more great offers on hair & beauty.


Ideally sItuated in the Meath countryside, yet on Dublin’s doorstep, Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa offers acres of stunning grounds, the luxurious Seoid Spa, spacious bedrooms and a fine reputation for quality food and service.

The magnificent gardens, sweeping tree-lined approach and historic architecture are a wonderful addition to your special day. The dedicated team offer unobtrusive yet uncompromising service and will do everything to facilitate your every wish. The stunning Tara Suite with floor to ceiling windows will set the tone for a spectacular backdrop to the top table.

Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa hosts its bi-annual Wedding Fair on Sunday 24th February 2013 from 1-5pm. This event is always extremely popular with newly engaged couples ; meet the Events Team, have a tour of the venue, and visit a wide variety of suppliers. All are welcome!

Our great value Wedding Packages are priced from only €57.75pp for 2013 & 2014 and from €59.75pp for 2015. A special Wedding Package for January & February is available at only €50.70pp. Please call our Events Team for further details.

www.dunboynecastlehotel.com, Tel: 01 8013500, Dunboyne, Co. Meath.


ONE IN four women give up sport due to “embarrassing leaks,” but a Meath mother-of-three has decided to scoff that statistic with revolutionary new sports wear. Navan native Yvonne Brady is about to launch her new line of innovative running shorts which are especially designed for women with weak pelvic floor muscles.

She decided on the new range when she experienced the problem first-hand while training for the Dublin marathon - just months after giving birth to her third child. Yvonne, who hails from Blackcastle said: “The nurses will tell you to do the pelvic floor exercises after having a baby but you don’t realise the consequences of not doing them. I never ran before in my life and it was half-way through the training programme that I began to suffer embarrassing leaks.

“At the time, I thought I was alone and didn’t realise that it happened to others. It was an unnerving time and I felt like giving up.” She continued: “It was only after a lot of research that I learned one in four women stop sport because of this. In high-impact sports, there is nothing out

there with that support that women need, to allow you to run confidently and discreetly.”

Just six months after finishing the marathon, Yvonne used her engineering background to design the new sportswear, with the help of Enterprise Ireland. Her new shorts will provide compression uplift to support the pelvic floor muscles and contain a discreet pouch to hold a pad in place. “They will hold you up and in, in all the right places,” she said.

“My eyes were open. Even though no-one talks about it, it’s a huge problem for women in sport and we need to get the message out there about the importance of pelvic floor exercises. It’s never too late to rehabilitate yourself as it gets worse later on in life and can severely affect your quality of life.”

Yvonne has just returned from Portugal where her new shorts are to be manufactured alongside the latest ranges from designer Stella McCartney and huge sports names Nike and Adidas. She aims to launch the revolutionary new wear in mid-March and more information can be obtained from EVBsportsshorts.com.

Navan woman to launch new sports wear for women

by Louise Walsh


It’s almost curtain up time and the cast, crew and the production team of ’TOY STORY the panto ‘ are busy preparing for opening night and the writer and director John Grant is putting the final gloss on this their 37th production. This year’s panto promises once again, entertainment of the highest standard which is by now the trade mark of the society which is the longest running pantomime in the county. The witty script and characters keep the story line rolling along, coupled with some fine singing and dancing that is sure to bring out the best from both the cast and the audience.

Gavin Murray is the musical director. Brian O Neill is once again the lighting designer with Linda Sheridan is in charge of making the beautiful costumes and will be as colourful and creative as ever. Choreographer for the show this year, Sheila Garvey from the Academy of Performing arts takes charge of her very accomplished and exciting dancers Sheila has come up with new and exciting dance routines. Brian O Neill Jnr and John Grant have designed the lavish and beautiful sets while the stage crew of Andrew Quigley, John Mc Donnell, Brian O Neill jnr have created the exciting sets and the scenic artist is Sean Keelaghan. Daren Mc Connell will be in charge of show effects. Musical Director Gavin Murray. In charge of sound. will be David Molloy, Paul Rogers and Gavin Murray. Catherine Molloy the ever reliable treasurer has all her front of house staff ready to welcome all the patrons to the show. Alice Mulvany, Emer Gogorty and the team are ready to lather on the grease paint.

This year there is a great mix of talent in the cast, some new members and some very experienced actors. There is always a great emphasis on youth in the society and this year there are over 60 young performers in the show along with the usual mix of seniors all full of enthusiasm, ready to spring into action. Some of the main characters are –Woody - John Grant. Buzz Lightyear - James Heary. Barbie Our Dame- Alan Mc Connell. The Empress Zurg - Jeanne Mc Govern. Bo Peep - Andrea Martin. Podge A stupid Muppet - Seamus Ennis. Rodge An Even Stupider Muppet -Callum Mc Donnell. Jessie - Sarah Insley. Ken - Pat Byrne. Robo Cop - Sheila Quinn Sergeant - Barry Murray. Mr Potato Head - Anita Mc Govern. Mrs Potato Head - Veronica Brennan T Rex - Phil Bowden. Hamm - Yvonne Brady. Slinky - Chantelle Neary / Megan Lynch. Andy - Charlie Finucan. Andy’s Mum - Karen Donlon. Sid - Robert Brothers. Sindy Doll - Megan Neary. Dora The Explora - Jessica Farrelly. Sponge Bob - Emilly Lynch. Bob the Builder -Hannah Greene. Fireman Sam - Leah Brady. Go Compare - Zac Brennan.

Soldiers and Dancers Eoin English, Ciara Mc Inerney, Saidhbh Flanagan, Niamh Cole, Nicole Brennan, Jack Rennicks, Amiee Rennicks, Eadaoin Duffy, Erin Duignan, Johnny Mc Inerney, Alex Richardson, Sophie Heary, Amy Hanway, Faith Bowden, Danielle Mc Fadden, Tara Kavanagh, Roslyn Osbourne. Oogly Googlies the aliens and Dancers Ciara O Higgins, Leah Donlon, Katie Sheridan, Billie Mac Namhdhe, Amy Ennis, Shanice Ennis, Megan Rennicks, Saoirse Mc Inerney, Megan Rogers, Shannon Brennan, Ciara O Brien Quinn. Alana Flood, Kate Richardson, Katie Mc Gee, Caithlain Fahy, Holly Mullholland, Amy Ginnity, Lara Grimes Quail.

The fabulous Pantomime dancers from The Academy of performing Arts under the direction of Sheila Garvey. Assistant Lauren Hughes. Juniors – Esha Hughes, Milly Finucane, Laura Mc Cabe, Lauren Murtagh, Rubaemae Hoskins, Lucy Duffy, Lauren Carroll. Seniors – Ciara O Neill, Katie Fitzsimons, Lauren Hughes, Zoe Canavan, Katiemae Farrelly, Aubery Eve Ryan

Solo Singers in panto --- Jeanne Mc Govern – John Grant – Andrea Martin - Barry Murray – Sheila Quinn – Veronica Brennan – Emily Lynch - Sarah Insley - Anita Mc Govern – Chantelle and Megan Neary - Lauren Carroll – Leah Donlon and Ruby Mae Hoskins. Eoin English, Lauren Murtagh. Our show case of singing talent ‘’Imagine’’ --- Katie Sheridan, Ciara Mc Inerney, Sophie Heary, Ciara O Higgins.

With a well established reputation for a great show it advisable to book early and make sure of your seat for a great lively fun filled family adventure. The show runs from Saturday 2nd Feb at 3pm and 8pm. Sunday 3rd Feb at 3pm and 8pm. Tuesday 5th Feb at 7pm [early show ]. Thursday 7th Feb at 8pm. Saturday 9th Feb at 3pm and 8pm and Sunday 10th Feb at 3pm and 8pm. Booking office is open from 10am every morning in St Vincent De Paul theatre Kells Kenlis Place, opposite Kells credit union. Phone 046 – 9252405. Block Bookings now being taken on 087 2079557. Ask for the Special Family ticket !!!! Telephone bookings by Laser and credit card only. See www.kells musicalsociety.com. It’s a Buzz of a Panto!!!!!

Public car park will be open for every performance just 50 meters up from the theatre in Kenlis Place.

Toy Story comes to Kells!


Despite poor weather Conditions and for some short notice - a number of retired Nurses gathered in Trim Castle Hotel for their First Reunion,It is planned to make this an annnual event and if you were not included due to lack of telephone numbers,we hope you will keep in touch and keep an eye out for future events.It was a very enjoyable event and plenty of reminiscing took place, A five Course meal finished of the evening with everybody looking foward to the next time.The Gathering was orgainised by Kay White, Evelyn Maguire, Daphne Brown and Bridie O`Donnell.

Santa in Robinstown

St. Joseph’s Hospital Trim“The Gathering” in The Jules Restaurant

on the 22nd February 2012 Deirdre Lyness from Navan walked into the Slimming World group in Kells and her life changed dramatically. Deirdre said that her bad eating habits has spiralled out of control and that her morbidly obese 5ft frame was killing her. Deirdre took to Slimming Worlds food optimising plan like a duck to water and lost an amazing 7 stone in 10 months. Her consultant Lynne Woods went through the new member pack with her and made sure she knew what she had to do for the week ahead.

Deirdre’s bad habits of snacking at the petrol station was quickly replaced with loads of fruits and fat free yogurts, all lean meat and poultry, potatoes, rice and pasta in unlimited quantities. Deirdre followed the extra easy plan where weighing and measuring are not necessary making life much easier for the busy mum and taxi driver. The one thing that got Deirdre through each week was the support of Lynne, fellow members and her 4 nieces who also attended the Kells Group. Deirdre also stayed to group each week whether she had a loss or a gain and got herself re-motivated and set up for a great week ahead.

As her consultant Lynne always said “ if you have a loss the group will want to know how and what did you change and if you have a gain, the group will support you and get you the loss you want the following week” there was never any humilation or discounting as everyone in the room was there for the exact same reason. Deirdre loved the fun and banter in Image Theraphy and picked up loads of hints, tips and recipe ideas each week to keep her going until she reached her target weight. On the 5th Decem-ber 2012 Deirdre hit her target weight to a deafening applause from her fellow members, Deirdre now maintains her target weight by introducing a small bit of exercise and to tone up as well. Lynne said that the minute Deirdre walked in the door she knew she would succeed as she was so determined and never gave up, Deirdre even went on 3 weeks holidays and came back with 8 pounds off and the extra easy plan fits so easy into every day life. If Deirdre did have a gain she left it at the scales and continued food optimising, never ever giving up “ NO SHAME IN A GAIN”.

Lynne Woods finished up in Kells on the 27th of December to re-launch the Ardee group on the 2nd of January and she would like to thank all her members and local Kells buisness for supporting her for the 18 months that she was there. Her re-launch in Ardee has gone down really well among her fellow locals with 28 stone lost this week alone, her group meets every Tuesday in St Mary’s GFC @ 9.30am, 11.30am, 5.30pm and 7.30pm. Make 2013 the year that you change your life for health reasons alone, you won’t regret it.

For more info contact Lynne on 087 9839776 or check out the website slimmingworld.com or find us on facebook or twitter.

Taxi Driver Deirdre Ditches the Petrol Station Snacking And Loses 7 Stone in 10 Months by re-fuelling the Extra Easy Way

Before After


Dress to impress at Masquerade Ball in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation

A MAsquerAde Ball in aid of The Irish Heart Foundation is being held in the Ardboyne Hotel, Navan on Saturday 2nd March. Doors open at 8pm and tickets are €15 if you buy beforehand, or €20 if you pay at the door on the night. Tickets can be bought through Danielle Lynam and she can be contacted by email on [email protected] or on 085 2314852. Tickets can also be purchased in Bananas Fancy Dress on Railway Street, Navan. There will be finger food, raffles, spot prizes, a cabaret, and much more so a great night is in store. All money raised will go to the Irish Heart Foundation. This super charity night will be held in memory of Tony Lynam, who died unexpectedly from a heart attack at the age of 44 whilst out walking.

A dedICATed parks department is badly needed to maintain all the public green areas in Meath, a local councillor has claimed. Dunboyne Cllr Noel Leonard is calling on Meath Co. Council to make provision for the service, which he says will save tax-payers money in the long-run.

“At the minute, the green areas in Dunboyne are only cut once a fortnight and if the mower arrives and it’s raining, it can’t cut wet grass and so we have to wait until the mower gets around to us again. “It then takes a full day to cut the grass around the village because it’s so long. It would only take a few hours if it were mowed more regularly.”

He continued: This department could be funded out of the property tax and not only cover green areas but also graveyards all over the county. “There’s only one lawn mower in the Dunshaughlin area and it’s under fierce pressure! A parks department could keep on top of all these issues and keep all machinery maintained and up to date. All this talk about Pride of Place and we struggle to get the grass cut at times,” he concluded.

I would like to take an opportunity to highlight to readers the new licences that are to be implemented January the 19th 2013. The people who will be affected by the new driving licences are:

Those that have passed their driving test and are applying for their first driving licence.• Those that are renewing their learner permit/driving licence.• Those that are replacing their learner permit/driving licence.• Those that are exchanging a foreign driving licence for an Irish driving licence.•

Anyone eligible who needed to apply for the new licence should do so at their local tax office. However, there will not be a facility to issue any licences between 12th January and 19th January as this is the period in which the switch over from the production of a paper licence will take place. The application forms have been revised and can be obtained in your local Tax Office. The cost of licences has also increased. The cost of a ten year licence will be €55 from January 1st. A three-year licence fee will be €35 and a one-year licence will cost €25.

The cost of a Learner Permit is €35. Changes to Existing Licences and Permits such as ‘New Category’ added will cost €35.Under the terms of the EU 3rd Directive, a three-year licence will only be available to those over 60. The new fees are the first licence fee increase since 1989. Licences for the over 70s will remain free of charge.For more information, please visit your local Tax Office or visit http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Licensed-Drivers/Drivinglicence/About-your-license/

New Driving Licence RulesBy Lorne Devine - Lornas School Of Motoring

Tel: 087 228 8060 E: [email protected] www.lornasschoolofmotoring.com

Parks departmentneeded for Meath

by Louise Walsh

Cllr WAyne Harding has welcomed the completion of a footpath at Cockhill Road Stamullen which will greatly increase road safety in the area. “I have raised this issue on a number of occassions as parents have contacted me with real concerns”, Cllr Harding said.

The area would have alot of pedestrian use as both the national school and the GAA facility are on the road and children were leaving the safety of the footpath and stepping out onto the road. I am glad the issue is resolved and would like to thank all staff involved”, Cllr Harding finished by saying.

Footpath completion a safety boost for Stamullen


At a darts exhibition with Terry ‘The Bull’ Jenkins in Jacks Porterhouse, Kells in aid of Suicide Awareness


Car Medic in Meath offers top tips to keep cars on the road longer for less!

Dunshaughlin baseD entrepreneur, Daren Hurry brings a unique new service to the people of Meath with innovative new franchise, Car Medic repairing cosmetic damages, scuffs and scratches to vehicles at customers’ homes or places of work. The innovative SMART repair system is up to 70% cheaper than body shops and uses the best quality products available.

Car Medic also takes the body shop to the customer at work or at home with their fully equipped mobile units so the vehicle can be repaired in hours rather than days. This innovative, convenient and cost effective business idea has taken the Franchise and car repair world by storm scooping top honours at the Irish Franchise Awards and regional Business awards. There is a record 2.5 million registered cars on the roads in Ireland but due to recessionary times, people are changing their cars less often and need to keep cars on the road longer.

Whether it’s a used or a new car, there’s one thing pretty much guaranteed - it’s going to fall in value. New cars depreciate from the moment they leave the showroom and used cars, particularly those bought in affluent times, are most often now in negative equity. Unfortunately, there’s no way of stopping depreciation but there are ways to boost the value of a car so the resale value is optimised with these top 10 tips from Car Medic.1. Choose the right colourBelieve it or not, having a more desirable car colour could add €200 to €500 onto the value of a car. Unusual colours such as yellow, orange, or pink are generally regarded as less desirable in comparison to colours such as silver, black or currently white.2. sort out those alloy wheelsBadly scratched or tarnished alloys wheels can take €50 to €100 per alloy off the car’s value. Alloys are one of a number of things that make your car stand out from the crowd. Scuffed and kerbed alloy wheels can be painted and lacquered to the original pristine condition. Car Medic offer a mobile alloy wheel repair service so alloys can be repaired at your convenience, to the highest quality and in cost-efficient manor.3. Keep tyres in check and prevent puncturesBalding tyres, or those near the minimum tread limit, are also likely to impact the value of the car - possibly by as much as €100 to €150 per wheel. Tyre Medic’s unique tyre puncture prevention system helps prevent those dangerous and worrying punctures, saving business expenses downtime, whilst protecting vehicles and the passenger from danger. Tyres treated with this unique gel can also give up to 10% extra driving time. This gel is also dyed so dangerously damaged areas can easily be inspected.4. Check your windscreenBy simply ensuring there are no cracks or chips in your car

windscreen, you could boost the value of the car by as much as €300. Stone chips, star breaks, bulls eyes and cracks can be near-invisibly repaired by Car Medic without replacing the entire windscreen.5. Check for dentsAgain, by ensuring there are no bad dents or scratches in your car, you could boost the value by as much as €200 to €300 per damaged panel. Removing any dents or scratches is also likely to increase buyer interest. The Car Medic Repair System complies with the latest EPA (Environment Protection Agency). All paints are water based paints and chemicals meet VOC levels set by the EPA at a fraction of the price of auto body shops.6. Check the upholsteryThe inside of the car is just as important as the outside. Poorly maintained trims and upholstery are not only likely to deter buyers, but they are also likely to lower the car’s value of by as much as €100. Dashboard holes and scratches, holes from mobile phone kits and scratches can be filled and colour matched to suit the original colour of your dashboard. Upholstery and carpets in both plain and patterned velour can be brought back to their original condition often within 15 minutes.7. Clean up!Similarly, make sure you keep your car clean inside and out. It may not increase the vehicles value but you will certainly sell the faster by simply cleaning out any litter, grime and dust. Also be careful with pets in the car - if they damage the interior, this could wipe hundreds off the resale price.8. get it servicedEnsuring your car has been regularly serviced correctly could boost the value by around €500 to €1000. Always follow your car’s servicing schedule and make sure you get your service book stamped. If you’re getting your car serviced at a local independent garage, make sure it’s VAT-registered and that the parts used are genuine manufacturer products. You should get receipts and part serial numbers to prove this.9. bumper scuffsEveryday bumper scuffs are the most common offenders on a vehicle. Split or deeply scratched and scored bumper pads can be repaired fast, filled and retextured back to the original finish by Car medic without replacing the bumper or repainting to entire bumper.10. sort out the nCTFinally, ensuring you have an NCT certificate before you sell your car is likely to increase its value by around €500. So avoid selling your car when there are only a few weeks left on the NCT For more information Call 1850 300999 or visit www.carmedic.ie”


Peugeot’s PoPular 5008 7-Seater range will expand this month, with the introduction of Special Edition Family models. Available with a choice of 1.6 HDi 6-speed manual or Ecomatique, the 5008 Family is available immediately, priced from €31,695 plus dealer delivery related charges.

The Family models are based on the current Active model but gain extra equipment to make family motoring even more enjoyable. Standard specification now includes a panoramic roof with a full-length electric shutter blind, roof bars, privacy glass, two DVD screens integrated into the headrests with Bluetooth headphones, a leather steering wheel and luxury carpet mats. The striking people carrier from Peugeot, an Irish Family Car of the Year award winner, combines space, style, economy and safety to give families affordable comfort.

The 5008 offers drivers a raised driving position giving excellent visibility and all seven passengers enjoy a bright and spacious interior. Second row seats comfortably fit three ISOFIX baby seats and third row seats are easily accessed from the second row with one easy movement. Flat-folding rear seats allow a load area when of up to 823 litres with third row seats folded or up to a substantial 2506 litres when second row seats are folded away.

Standard safety equipment includes curtain airbags to protect all three rows of passengers, ESP, ABS, ASR, electronic brake force distribution, driver / passenger airbags, automatic electric parking brake with hill assist function and fasten seat belt warnings on all seats. The new Special Edition 5008 Family further benefits from Peugeot Ireland’s move to an extended warranty in 2013, offering customers a welcome five year’s peace of mind motoring.

Peugeot 5008 Special Edition Is Packed With Family Values


Best Live Bands To Play Jack’s In KellsEx-Mama’s Boys Pat McManus and his band play Jack’s Sat 2nd Feb

+ support Sal Vitro (who opened for Thin Lizzy in The Olympia)

Trim based Miranda set to release country album

Ruby Smyth Impresses Navan Audience

CROW BLACK CHICKEN PLAY JACK’S 23rd FEBThis band have featured twice in the international Classic Rock Blues Magazine (see picture of a full page feature) and scored 4 out of 5 in the Hot Press Review of their debut album entitled “Electric Soup”These guys not only look the part - they most certainly sound it too! Check out their 75 minute You Tube video of their gig in Whelan’s to see the quality this band really have.They gig all over Ireland , from Clonalkilty to Castleblaney and everywhere in between (120 gigs last year!)”CBC return for their third gig in Jack’s wherealready they have their own followingListen to their amazing single “WhiteLightning” on their comprehensivewebsite www.crowblackchicken.com.CBC are the real deal in Blues/Rock nRoll !

THE LEgENdARY guitarist, Pat McManus, brings his awesome rock band to Jack’s Porterhouse Venue in Kells and kicks off the first in a series of top quality gigs at the venue. Pat McManus is ranked amongst the top guitarists in Ireland and is equally well known in the UK and Europe, where he frequently plays.

Pat and his two brothers formed Mama’s Boys, one of Ireland’s most successful Rock bands in the 80s and 90s with two songs entering the Billboard Top 100 in USA , including “Mama we’re all Crazee Now” which reached No.54 in the American charts.Their top selling single “Needle in the Groove” and the massive success of albums “Official Bootleg” (1980) “Plug it in”(1981), “Turn it Up”(1983) &” Power & Passion”(1985) ensured that they played the biggest Rock festivals such as Reading and Knebworth and toured with the best bands of the time, Horslips, Thin Lizzy, Hawkwind,Ozzy Ozbourne, Alice Cooper & Megadeth. However the death of the youngest brother Tommy (after a bone marrow transplant) saw the band break up in 1994.

Gary Dunne is the promotor at Jack’s and has already welcomed the best in local original bands to the venue. The Radioactive Grandma are a case in point as they recently scooped the award for Best Album at the 2012 MRU Music Awards. He adds “We aim to attract the very best in Irish Rock bands to Jack’s and we’re starting off with two top class acts in Pat McManus (plus Sal Vitro) on Sat 2nd Feb and Black Crow Chicken on Sat 23rd Feb .At the same time we welcome local original bandsfrom the surrounding area.”Tickets for both gigs €10. Doors 9pm

“OPENINg FOR a band with such a massive musical legacy as Thin Lizzy is itself a daunting task, but if young Dublin band Sal Vitro were intimidated by either the big stage or the musical icons they were supporting, they didn’t show it. Instead they tore through a sizzling set of hard rock numbers that felt fresh, yet totally in tune with the classic rock sound of bands like Thin Lizzy. The sold out crowd were more than impressed by the young rockers, chanting their name and roaring in applause by the time they reached their last song.” Bernard O’Rourke – Top Irish Music Website Goldenplec.com

Sal Vitro play support to Pat McManus Band on 2nd Feb

Crow Black Chicken play live in Jack’s on 23rd Feb

The Mama’s Boys with brothers Tommy (RIP), John and Pat Mc-Manus playing Reading Festival

The Pat McManus Band Live

ALTHOugH MIRANdA Thornton is well known on the Pop/Rock circuit in Ireland, she is set to embark on a brand new venture with the forthcoming release of a Country album entitled “ Running Wild”.

The album, superbly produced by Gerry Simpson in Sidetrax studios in Drogheda, is a wonderful collection of Country classics and brand new songs and is set for release in the near future.This is a top quality album with the outstanding songs for me being “Looking like That” , “Little Bit More” , “Why have you left the one you left me for?” and three Gerry Simpson/Martin Byrne/Paul Martin compositions , “ Rock is still rolling”, “Time Goes By”and the title track “ Running Wild”. If you like American artists, Bonnie Rait and Shauna Twain,then Miranda is most definitely a cross between the two!

Miranda was best known as the lead singer with the hugely popular rock band “Tweed” from 1987 to 1995 and regularly featured on “The Late Late Show and “Kenny Live” on RTE. Tweed toured America and the UK and had a big hit with “Why don’t you spend the night?” On those tours Miranda got the chance to sing on stage with Mick Hucknall and Simply Red at The National Ballroom in Kilburn ,London and in America with the legendary “ Empress of Soul”,Gladys Knight.In Ireland Miranda has also performed with Andrew

Strong and Liam Ó Maonlaoi, proving just how versatile a singer she really is.

Miranda’s next local gig is in O’Dwyer’s Johnstown, Navan on Sunday 3rd February, while she also gigs regularly in Dublin, with gigs lined up in “The Shamrock” Finglas on 2nd Feb,Speaker Connolly’s Tallaght on 8th Feb & Sheldon Park Hotel,Ballyfermot on 10th Feb. Video clips from her new album can be viewed on Miranda’s own website www.mirandathornton.com and You Tube with audio clips available on www.reverbnation.com

WHAT A performance this was, Ruby’s first outside of her native Dublin,and so well received by the Navan audience. Still only 16, Ruby was support for The Bogey Boys for two gigs in Beggy’s . Ruby started off with a wonderful rendition of Joni Mitchell’s classic “Big Yellow Taxi”.The local fans were impressed from the very first chords with a repectful silence from beginning to end of each song.Ruby’s second song was equally well received, her own composition entitled “Red Velvet” (which can be viewed on You Tube). Pink Floyd’s “Wish you were here”was another song to captivate the attention of the festive crowd.

Ruby is a refreshing new talent and has a natural presence on stage. It comes as no surprise that both of her parents are very well known in the music world ,with her dad,Jimmy Smyth (guitarist with The Bogey Boys and ex-Musical Director for Van Morrison) and Ruby’s mother,Jenny Newman (ex-Toy with Rhythm). Ruby is very much at ease performing live with this especially evident when Ruby summons her dad Jimmy to join her on satge for their joint composition “Does anybody know?”.

One man who certainly does know is Shay Healy,one of Ireland’s best ever songwriters,who wrote the Eurovision winning song “What’s another Year”.

After seeing Ruby perform at his own concert recently in The Sugar Club, Dublin, Shay remarked “Ruby Smyth is most definitely a talent in the making !”.


Kells CelticTop Div 2 Of MDL

Sporting Community In Kells Unites FAI Schools Meath 5-Side To Kick Off On 4th March At MDL Navan

With only five games remaining, Kells Celtic are top of Division 2 of the Meath and District League and are firm favourites to win this year’s league title. In September the team won the award for Team of the Month after winning all league games and beating top Premier team Duleek, by 4-3 in the Kilmessan Shield.

The club was founded in 1929 and in recent years has consolidated, after previously being relegated from the Premier Division in 2006 and Division 1 in 2007. Reaching the Fitzsimons Cup final last season gave a glimpse of the squad’s potential, which has been realised this season. The team is managed by Paul Clarke and his assistants Paul Smith & John Hogg.

Paul Clarke explains “We have been much more consistent this season and the team is more settled than last year. We’ve started with the same eleven players most weeks but “Beano” Hanlon has been out injured for a long time. We are a strong physical team and have plenty of experienced players such as Eoin McNamara, Beano Hanlon, Declan Smith, Gary Arkins, Martin Barrett and Seanie Curran as well as top scorer Barry Farrelly”.

Paul Smith, who played for more than 20 years with the club, adds “The turning point for me was

beating rivals Boca Rovers away after two successive defeats to Robinstown (league) and Boyne Harps (Kilmessan Shield). We were under serious pressure in the 1st half, but came out all guns blazing in the 2nd. We kept pushing for the breakthrough goal, even as we entered injury time, and were rewarded with virtually the last touch of the game; Darragh McNamara heading home the only goal. There is a great group spirit in the squad which has seen us remain undefeated in our away games this season, winning all but the drawn game against Kingscourt.”

Kells Celtic have impressed many this season with their free flowing football but Newfoundwell and Boca Rovers are hoping to keep up the pressure and avail of any slip-up in the last remaining games. The club have an excellent Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/kellsceltic) with an archives section including match reports as far back as the 1970s!

While the club has been based in the MDL grounds in Navan for most of the past decade since losing their spiritual home, “Red Hills”, chairman Oliver Curran and committee members Patrick and Catherine Rourke have been working hard on securing a permanent return to Kells.With everyone at the club pulling together and working hard, 2013 promises to be a successful year both on and off the pitch.

KELLS CELTIC FC V ROBINSTOWN IN LEAGUE 7th OCT 2012Back row l-r: Gary Arkins, Mark Butler, Paul Smith, David Drew (RIP), Eoin McNamara, Seanie Curran, Darragh MacNamara, Barry Farrelly. Front row l-r: Martin Barrett, Thomas Carry, Seamie Deignan, Declan Smith, Seanie Mahon, Brian Hanlon, Barry Smith.

KELLS CELTIC FC v WOODVIEW CELTIC IN CHALLENGE CUP 25th OCT 2012Back row l-r: Paul Clarke, Mark Butler, Eoin McNamara, Justin Carry-Lynch, Martin Barrett, Seanie Curran. Front row l-r: Peter O’Connell, Seanie Mahon, Declan Smith, Sam Obembe, Barry Farrelly.

Captain Eoin Mac Namara and Assistant Manag-er Paul Smith pictured after Kells Celtic won The MDL Team of the Month for September 2012

the tremendous spirit of the sporting community in Kells was very much in evidence after the passing recently of David Drew. Members of many local sporting clubs turned out in huge numbers to pay their last respects to the 26 year old from Mill Lane in Kells. David was an outstanding goalkeeper, playing soccer for Kells Boys (representing them in the Foyle Cup, playing in the Kennedy Cup for the NECSL team, and also being invited to train with the Republic of Ireland squad), also Drogheda United youths (representing them in the prestigious Milk Cup tournament) and recently with Kells Celtic.

David was one of the best Gaelic Football keepers in the county, playing with Gaeil Colmcille (an U-21 A Championship was amongst his honours) and also representing Meath up to minor level, including being part of the U-16 team that won the Gerry Reilly tournament. David coached the Gaeil Colmcille U-19 ladies team and was a keen golfer, being a member at Headfort Golf Club.The local community rallied around the Drew family immediately after the sad news broke, with Gaeil Colmcille to the fore in offering as much support as possible and utilising the organisational skills of their members to ensure the Drews had all the help they needed.

At the funeral, David’s employers and colleagues, Kelly Brothers, as well as local clubs Gaeil Colmcille GFC, Drumbaragh GFC, Kilmainham GFC and Kells Celtic FC provided a guard of honour, and many club members and officials from Kells Blackwater FC, Kells Tennis Club and Headfort Golf Club attended to pay their respects. David’s parents Tony and Marian Drew, brother Simon and sister Aoife were very appreciative of the community’s support in the most difficult of circumstances, with Marian hoping “that people would not forget that the community is there to support them”.

this year’s competition,sponsored by AVIVA HEALTH, will take place over six full days at the MDL grounds on the Trim Road, Navan on 4th,5th,6th,7th & 8th March with the finals of all five sections being decided on Wed.13th March.

Last year saw the boys from O’Growney NS Athboy being crowned All-Ireland Champions at Tallaght Stadium in June, while the girls from another Meath school,Dunboyne SNS,were magnificent runners-up in the National decider,as they were unbeaten in all of their games. FAI Schools Meath will be celebrating its 21st anniversary this year with the Meath tournament becoming the biggest in Ireland for the past 11 years, with a record 195 teams entered last year.

Entry forms have been sent out to all primary schools with the closing date for entries being Friday 1st February. The TY students from Athboy Community School will again assist in refereeing etc.

Further information fromwww.faischoolsmeath.com

2001 Action from the first ever game on the All-Weather between St.Oliver’s Navan and Bohermeen

All-Ireland Champions O’Growney NS, Athboy, Meath


Enjoying The Bogey Boys Gigs in Beggy’s Navan

ALL PICS COURTESY KIERAN MAGUIRE PHOTOGRAPHY

meath herald february 2013

Documents

meath herald

royal meath branch of

deputy toibin

o of o

hotel insolventby

central hotel

athboy campaign

bank of scotland