< Previous© April 2018 The Meath Coaster40Réalt na Mara cailini celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge le ceol, ceolcho-irm & craic.Bhí Seachtain na Gaeilge ar siúl idir an 1ú - 17ú Márta agus bhí na cailiní i Realt na Mara á cheíliúradh le dramaíocht, ceol, damhsaíocht & amhráin. Rinne said sár iarracht “cúpla focal” a labhairt tim-peall na scoile agus d’éirigh go maith leo go léir.A very exciting programme of events and activities was planned starting with a “Trath na gCeist” for 4th,5th and 6th classes. The children made a great effort to answer the questions as Gaeilge. The winning team was Ella Heavey, Abbie Hickey, Anna Clifford and Katie CollierLá Glas took place on Wednesday 13th March. The yard was filled with children wearing 40 shades of green, from top hats to trilby hats, sequined hairbands and shamrock accessories, lepreachaun t shirts and stripy green shirts.The girls performed the “Haca Gaelach” with ener-gy and enthusiasm and the yard resound-ed with cheers and cries of Bualadh Bos, Bualadh Bos. How well do you know our Irish sayings and seanfhocail? bhuel the girls in Réalt na Mara held a Comórtais Seanfhocail. to improve their knowledge. Pupils illustrat-ed their favourite seanfhocal. Competition prizewinners are proudly displayed along our school corridors this week. © April 2018 The Meath Coaster41Piano, Keyboard, Ukuele, Guitar - Classical, Acoustic, Bass And Electric, Violin - Traditional / Classical, Piano Accordion, Viola, Drums, Singing - Voice Coaching - Classical And Musical TheatreJunior And Leaving Cert Music.Private one to one classes also availableTel Olive On 087 2603079 for detailsEstablished Since 1990.Lessons Based In Drogheda Grammar School, Mornington Road, Drogheda.Toccata House Music School, Drogheda.Need help with your Music Exam for end of May or Junior or Leaving Cert Prep?We have centres here at Drogheda Grammar School for Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin and Victoria College, UK and teach for Associated Board and London College too.Classes Available Inslimmingworld.iewithSlimmingWorldTUESDAYLaytown/Bettystown Golf ClubGolf Links Road9:30am, 5:30pm & 7:30pmTel:Sarah 0834856646On Thursday 15 Márta we had a ceilí in the hall and great fun was had by all. Mu-sicians from Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann provided the music and teachers and pu-pils joined in the dancing.Finally on Friday 16 Márta we had a ceolchoirm in the halla, First up was Ms Mc Guinness’s 2nd class with a dráma beag titled “An Tornapa Mór .“ This was fol-lowed by some well- known Irish tunes from Ms Ward & her music students in-cluding “The Kerry Polka” and Oro sé do bheatha abhaile 5th classes entertained us with a rendition of Hail Glorious St Pat-rick 4th class recited the poem “An Mac Tíre” while 3rd class played a tune on the tin whistle. We had reels and jigs from the many talented dancers resplendent in their wonderful costumes . We finished off with 6th class singing “Amhrán na bhFiann”, a fitting and appropriate way to finish our Seachtain na Gaeilge. All that remained was to wish one another a Lá Fhéile Pa-draig .We are already looking forward to next year’s Seachtain na Gaeilge and we have our dancing shoes on. ...§© April 2018 The Meath Coaster42Please mention The Meath Coaster when replying to advertisementsCOMPUTER PROBLEM?Contact Oliver 041.988.7526 087.797.0740iPhones Smartphones RepairLaptop/Desktop Repair & UpgradesUnderstanding WifiIn my previous article on this topic I out-lined some terms and concepts to help you better understand Wifiand some of the issues you may encounter. This arti-cle goes under the skin of wifito help you grasp the concepts.Promises PromisesMany moons ago I attended a sales semi-nar where the teacher coined an adage I’ve tried to adhere to it went “promise a lot and deliver more”. This unfortunately is not an adage any internet provider I’ve encountered adheres to rather its com-pletely the opposite. Take your pick of any of the providers you’ll get the same “promises” while the delivered product falls far short of that. What consumer would sign up to a broad-band service if the provider admitted “Our broadband service is patchy, oversub-scribed, running on outdated and poorly designed and maintained infrastructure and will disappoint you more that elate you”. So they spin it with promises of speeds and service that would knock your socks off. I’ve yet to see any such service provided on a sustained basis.So given the above you can be sitting on top of your broadband modem/router and have a 100% wifisignal and still have a terrible internet experience. If you un-derstand that you are well on the way to coping with wifiin Ireland. Incidentally phones and tablets account for this in their design so don’t be fooled just because your RTE news page loads like a bullet. Chanc-es are it’s from the phone/tablet cache and not real time. Laptops and desktops don’t generally use this trick hence I will hear my phone works fine but my laptop is dog slow. That is generally not true unless the signal quality differs between devices or there is a problem on the laptop.Poor Broadband or Poor WifiIndentifying if the root cause of your poor internet connectivity is down to your broadband or your wifiis where technical skill and experience come into play. If I had a euro for every person I’ve encoun-tered that has assured me they know the reason their connectivity is poor and were completely wrong Id be sitting on a beach in Jamaica. Wifiis a signal therefore it is subject to a host of environmental factors which can affect it. Likewise not all wifibroadcast equipment is equal and in my experience when it comes to the quality of broadband equipment installed in homes you will not be supplied with top end equipment on your 12 month contract. Investing in equipment that suits your environment and needs can significantly enhance your internet experience.Everyone claims to know everything about wifi– few actually do.Oliver Reidy is a computer technician and has been in the industry since 1981.You can contact him via email at help.desk@reidyonline.com or at the telephone num-bers listed on this page. This article, and all previous articles, are available to view online at http://reidyonline.blogspot.ie/ or www.reidyonline.com/blogspot.htm § © April 2018 The Meath Coaster43Please mention The Meath Coaster when replying to advertisementsA big, warm “Hello” from SonairteIt has been eight months since the cen-tre had to close its doors to the general public but the good news is that we are making our way back! We are very thankful to the wider commu-nity for your support during this period. We would also like to thank the extended Sonairte team and volunteers who have been working away behind the scenes and who have been planning for our future. You can follow our progress on www.sonairte.ie and on Facebook (Sonairte) and Instagram (Sonarite.ie). Sonairte is open for courses & toursSonairte has remained open for our organ-ised, educational programmes, courses and tours. The organic walled garden is still farmed and cared for by Luk, Andru and the great team of TUS programme participants and volunteers who work with us. We continue to supply fresh sea-sonal organic vegetables to local restau-rants and the Dublin Food Co-Op. Looking for a new experience? We always welcome new volunteers in Sonairte. If you would like to enjoy some fresh air, meet new people or learn a new skill by helping in our beautiful organic, walled garden, please contact us at info@sonairte.ie. Announcing the new LMETB funded courses in Sonairte – Book your place today! When: Starting early April 2018Duration: 8-10 weeksWhere: Sonairte, LaytownWho: For anyone interested in learning....• needlecraft, • upcycling, • mindfulness or a • ‘Grow Your Own Food’introduction. Cost: €10 per week or session. Places are limited. LMETB provide an extensive range of educational and training opportunities (more information available at www.louthmeath.etb.ie). If you are interested in joining any of the courses listed above, please visit contact our team on info@sonairte.ie or 041 982 7572 (Mon-Wed). §© April 2018 The Meath Coaster46Please mention The Meath Coaster when replying to advertisementsTHE VIEW FROM THE KITCHEN TABLE, By Geraldine HughesResilience is best described as the ca-pacity to recover from difficulties. The ability to spring back or bounce back-ability! It’s a great trait to foster and en-courage because life is full of adversities, big and small. I’m hearing the word Re-silience a lot lately- makes a change from the word victim, probably one the most disempowering words ever. And we have been victims a little this year. Victims are defined as those who have come to feel helpless and passive in the face of misfor-tune. We have been victims of dramatic weather forecasting. I would never have believed weather could be so fascinating but turn it into a drama worthy of an Oscar (or an IFTA if you want to keep it home grown) and suddenly we become a spellbound audi-ence, waiting to see if we will be allowed out of our houses. We have been victims of Ophelia (disappointing), The beast from the East part 1(not very dramatic along the coast – defo driven to work in worse) part 2 was a bit lame, like most sequels and while I type we are be-ing threatened by the Beast from the east part 3. We had the Pest from the West (was that even a thing?!). Sum-mer is tipped to bring the Drought from the South. Okay,! I made that one up, I wanted to use North but it turns out it’s a word like purple or orange - nothing rhymes with it! Weather is the new drama. You could watch the fore- ! Oasis Childcare Centre Mornington Co. Meath Crèche Montessori Playgroup After School Telephone 9888135 + Purpose Built + Fully Insured + HSE Inspected + Fire Certified + Intercom Entry + Large Safety Tiled Playground + Large Car Park + Easy Drop Off and Collection + Small Groups + Dedicated Staff + 7:30am to 6:30pm ONE CHILD! ONE LIFE! ONE PRE-SCHOOL EXPERIENCE Limited places remain for our ECCE and PLAYSCHOOL classes for SEPTEMBER 2018. Book now to ensure that your precious child gets the highest quality & happiest pre-school experience possible! East Meath’s Leading Childcare Provider since 2005 cast like it’s the nightly news and after twenty minutes of Isobars, cold fronts, warm winds, weird clouds, hot and cold followed by ice, snow, frost, rain, floods, and iceberg or two and whatever you’re having yourself, its still not really clear what the weather will be! It’s the new fear factor! We need to take lessons in resilience from my dwarf daffodils. They were thrown down last year with very little ceremony and peeped little green buds out of the soil during a cold snap. My advice was to go straight back to wherever they had popped up from as snow was on the way, but re-silient and defiant, every time the snow cleared, there they were, progressing from bud to half open and when the snow cleared, there they were in full bloom! They didn’t bend or break in the wind (they are only about 10cm (5 inches) tall but take it from one who knows - some-times having short stems is an advantage). They stood up to everything thrown at them and looked ridiculously cheerful in the face of it all. There is something to be said for their single-minded pur-suit of their goal to flower against all odds. No-one told them to be scared or that they shouldn’t bloom (well, I did, but they have no ears). Igno-rance was bliss for them and they are thriving regardless. A bit like years ago when we’d wake up to unforcast appalling weather. We adapt-ed, improvised, and with a bit of common sense and a lot of resilience, we dealt with it. . §Please mention The Meath Coaster when replying to advertisementsHOUSEHOLD SERVICESBG PAINTING & DECORATINGInterIor & exterIor25 YEARS EXPERIENCE REFERENCES AVAILABLEFREE CONSULTATIONS & ESTIMATESWALLPAPER ALSO AVAILABLEContact Brian 086 7308449Call Nicky - 041 9887128 087 7734344 A Local BusinessCosmic Cleanwww.cosmicclean.ieT&Cs & Minimum Charge appliesMAJOR DISCOUNTS for Multiple RoomsRug Collection & Delivery Service AvailableProfessional Carpet & Upholstery CleaningSPECIAL OFFER!Noel SavageElectrical Services20 Years Experience • Security LightingFuseboard Upgrades • Rewires, Extra Sockets • Lights, Fully Insured and RegisteredNo Job Too SmallBettystown, Co. MeathMobile: 086 2518898 Bettystown AlterationsCommunion & Confirmation AlterationsPremises located behind the offices in McDonough Caravan Park on Triton Road (Opposite Tesco) Phone: 086 775 3 776Tues - Sat 10am - 5pm Lunch 1:30pm - 2:30pm Close Tue 2pmClothing Alterations•Wedding/Evening Wear • Leather/Suede Repairs •CurtainsSame Day ServiceMoloney Boiler MaintenanceBarry Moloney - Heating Engineer• Oil Boilers Services and Repairs• Aga Cookers• Central Heating Power Flush• Installation of Central Heating Filters• All Aspects of Heating & Plumbing - Commercial / ResidentialFree Quotations, All Work GuaranteedMobile: 087 3337488barry@moloneyboilermaintenance.ie Grant Electrical96 Betaghstown Wood, BettystownPhone: 041 988 6908Mobile: 087 275 4057• Electrical Installation and Maintenance• Extra Sockets & Lighting• Electrical Shower Installed & Repairs• Immersion Heater Installed & Fitted• Free Estimates NO JOB TOO SMALL!TREE SURGERY Trees Topped, Trimmed or Removed incl. root destruction and removal. Stump GrindingHEDGE CUTTING & SHAPING. OLD GARDEN SHEDS & FENCING REMOVED All green waste removed, Driveway, Patio, Power-washed, Gutter cleaningSpecial OAP RatesFree Estimates, Fully Insured, Long Experience4 SEASONS GARDEN SERVICESContact Jim 085 1163631-042 6822585No Job Too Big or Too SmallStamullen, Co. Meathwww.mammydaycare.comCrèche, Montessori & After schoolPhone:01 6905333 Purpose Built Fully Insured Experienced staff Fire Certified Intercom Entry Enclosed safety tiled play area Private car park Nutritious meals cooked in houseWishing all our families a Happy Easter© April 2018 The Meath Coaster48Managing Exam Stress For ParentsDear Bernice . My Doctor has put me on medication as I am very stressed right now . He says I am suffering from Exam Pressure. It is affect-ing my nerves, I feel I am sitting them myself. One doing Junior cert and the other the Leaving cert. What can I do to help them and me ?. Bernice says,Yes parents feel the pressure of ex-ams. Often there is peer pressure from the schools as they basically want to have the results of their students to be as good as possible.Some parents apply pressure to do well and do it a certain way, but MOST like yourself get tense. Parents get anxious about how much their children are work-ing, whether they are looking after them-selves, and whether they will get the re-sults they need. Children are often stressed, anxious irri-table, and have trouble eating and sleep-ing. Some parents find their own difficult memories of exams or school return at this time making it harder to help their children.The following tips should help:• Find out what is expected of your child, when their exams will be and when course-work needs to be handed in• Work with your Teen and support them rather than policing them• Encourage children to talk to you if they are really worried they haven’t done enough work. Reassure them that if they do not get their expected grades, there will be other oppor-tunities ahead, and they should just do their best There are many ways to get into their career. . • Show them revision techniques • Encourage your teen to have reg-ular breaks, to do something they enjoy,even for half an hour . • Make sure they eat healthy snacks regularly, and drink enough so they don’t get dehydrated – you can always pop your head in to see how they are doing and bring them a drink• Exercise is also a good way to relax, even just a walk round the block• Respect their body clocks – many teen-agers are more alert during the night and this may be the best time for them to revise even though it makes parents anxious! . • They might not want to talk about it im-mediately so let them decide when Plan something nice for when it’s all over – reward them for trying their best, how-ever l it went. The hardest thing for a parent is to watch their teen going through something they have no control of. Therapy teaches you how to Focus and Concentrate during Study and Revision. Strategies to Improve memory retention and Memory Recall at exams are taught. You learn Stress Release Techniques thus building confidence for the results you want. I can help you in just 2 hours Call me Today on 085 8126677. Bernice Mc Kenna (Adv.Psych. MICHP) Psychother-apist §© April 2018 The Meath Coaster49Jack the PostmanIn our local area with so many new faces coming and going, it is easy some-times to not notice the hu-man aspects of the people who come and go, and par-ticularly those who provide our area with vital servic-es. One such person many of us got to know better than most was our recently retired postman, named Jack Hanratty.Many would only have seen Jack the Postman as the tall 6 feet 8 inches of a man who managed with surprising agility to get in and out of the post van so eas-ily – not an easy task for one so tall in a van so low! For those of us lucky enough to be able to work from home, perhaps we had a better chance to get to know the social graces of the person who drops let-ters and cards through our doors every day. I was one of those lucky people who could look forward daily to a friendly few words with my own postman, Jack. What first caught my attention was how much an effort Jack made to ensure that the en-velope that had to be signed for, or was too big to put through the letterbox, was delivered without the bother of having to chase the goods to the Drogheda Sorting Office, to the extent that this friendly post-man would even allow you to contact him on his mobile phone if necessary.Recently, along with the usual letters, I found a short note dropped into my let-terbox with just four short words “best of luck, Jack”. It was then I realised that Jack was now on his last day’s delivery round. When I contacted him to wish him “good luck in his retirement” he told me a lit-tle about himself and as he described his wife Dolores as “his better half”. Proud as Punch of his family of 4 children and 6 grandchil-dren, and after 45 years working in a range of jobs he now looks forward to us-ing his free travel pass and getting to know our lovely countryside a little better.After 18 years with An Post he told me he started work each morning at 5.15am; had 800 customer delivery points and over 20 km of walking each day. He enjoyed “the crack” in the mails centre and described the customers as “brilliant” and had “no regrets” and would treasure the memories forever.Jack, from all of us in your postal delivery area of Bettystown and Laytown, we too wish you a long and healthy well-earned retirement.John Higgins, Secretary – Laytown Vil-lage Enhancement Committee Pet sitting home from home for your furry friends 087 3877496Grange Rath Pet SittingDaily Beach WalksYour dog has a holiday as wellFind us on Facebook Pet sitter DroghedaDog walking and Pet sittingNext >