DID you hear about the woman who tried to book the Twelfth Week in a hotel on the Isle of Man. “We only have four weeks in July,” came the reply.
“When the hens are in form there are lots of lovely eggs.” That’s the promise of one marketeer at the Kilclooney Country Market in Co Donegal. And let’s face it, hens are always in form in that lovely part of the world.
Of all the markets, this one must have the best view as it looks out across the bay at Narin to the holy island of Inniskeel sitting in Gweebarra Bay with America beyond. Unique colours in the sea and the countryside makes this a very special place. And it’s here every Saturday morning in July and August, from 11am until one o’clock, that the country market takes place in the Inniskeel Hall.
The aroma in the hall invites you to enjoy a wealth of freshly baked breads and cakes, jams and chutneys made from fruit in the hedgerows and gardens, home-grown vegetables and original crafts, from traditional knitwear to book art to engraved slate place mats.
Mark McGrillen was re-roofing with natural slate and wondered what to do with the left overs.
“I decided to make place mats and coasters for my own dining table. They looked good and I developed the range by carving Celtic designs, making bird houses and mirrors.”
Another unique stall close by is that of Susie Hailes Harkin whose paper craft is a talking point. Using books from charity shops she cuts and folds to make a picture along the edge of the pages and then dresses the covers to compliment the subject, maybe a hedgehog or a map of Ireland – hard to describe, has to be seen to be believed.
Friday is a baking fest according to Hazel Barrett, recipes handed down from generation to generation, and I’m thankful to Hazel Stanton whose main meals and side dishes feature plenty for vegetarians to enjoy.
There’s mango and orange zest soap, ‘Breakfast in Bed’ granola, lavender marmalade and proper gooseberry jam.
Entry to the market in Narin is free; there is tea and coffee plus scones and cakes and a great chance to collect beautiful items for your present drawer – and remember there are only 167 days until Christmas...
:: You can get details at Kilclooney Country Market's Facebook page and find out about other markets at Country Market Ireland and Country Market Northern Ireland on the internet.
LIVING IN HELL
Dear Anne,
PEOPLE are often sympathic to those who fall into a life of alcoholism. There are also those who despise these people and blame them for not having self-discipline, even blaming their families for ‘not keeping them under control’.
Does anyone stop to think what it’s like for the family? I’m the wife of an alcoholic. I’m trying to cope with my hellish life, protect my children against their friends calling their father names, trying to be understanding and persuade him to seek help.
Anne, it is a living hell. In the house I’m afraid to leave him alone in the room even though I’ve searched for hidden bottles. If he goes into the garden I know there will be bottles hidden, holes he has dug to bury his alcohol.
My heart chills when I discover his hoard at the back of a shelf in the garage and when I challenge him he makes me feel foolish as if I’m at fault because I am a bad wife. He’s not interested in eating, he’s loosing weight and getting confused.
I don’t want to say anything out of turn because I’ve always believed that when you damage with words it can never be undone but I am in a spiral of despair. I know he has to make decisions for himself, he has wise people around him but what about me?
IT SOUNDS as if you are holding all this misery to yourself, taking all the responsibility – could you not get some wise people around you?
Confide in someone you can trust and lean on – you might be surprised how sympathic and understanding your own friends can be. Alcohol is all around. Witness soap operas: a recent EastEnders had five scenes in the pub, Champagne for two when Gavin kidnapped Cathy – and some seriously bad acting to go along with it.
In 27 minutes a lot of people drinking a lot of alcohol, no matter what time of day – night after night on television this is the norm. It pervades our lives. So, dear lady, don’t be too proud to seek help; you are not alone and there are organisations specifically for you.
I suggest you contact Al-Anon which is made up of people who have experience of alcoholism within the family and amongst friends and are there for constructive support. I will be talking much more about this group in the future but in the meantime you can ring 028 90 682368, the Al-Anon Information Centre for Northern Ireland, and talk to Colette or Angela, Monday to Friday between 10am and one o’clock or between 6 and 11 in the evening when an answering machine will give you the number of an Al-Anon member who will be only too happy to talk to you or anyone in your situation.
Of you prefer, the email is alanon@btconnect.com
Please try this.
