BONFIRE NIGHT IRISH STYLE

                                Bonfire Night Irish Style

I relocated to Ireland from England in 2004 , My Father was born here.

                   During that time I have become more aware in the Heritage and

Cultural differences between the two countries , more than you would firstly

think , one of those being Bonfire Night .

                   At sunset on June 23rd , another of the ancient fire festivals begins. This

midsummer festival was known as St. John's eve , or Bonfire Night, and not

that long ago, it was a wide- spread tradition throughout Ireland , mainly

confined to the west these days.

                   People would gather in their villages on this day ,young and old . Exactly at

Sunset the Bonfire would be lit which had been built by the locals. Prayers use to

be said to obtain God's blessing on the crops, then at the peak point of summer bloom.

There was much fun , music and storytelling , to neglect this ritual people

believed would be seen as disrespect and lead to a bad harvest or for the fish not

to swim up stream and spawn.

People threw into the fire specimens of the most troublesome weeds in the district

- this was supposed to protect the fields from weeds.

Celebrating this Celtic Festival would continue until sunset the next day , people

would then take the ashes from the fire then extinct on  St. Johns morning to

scatter them on their fields. Some would take them home to bring them good

fortune , others would set a fire in a new house to bless it and bring good luck.

                   People still meet up now for St. Johns Eve but I feel its more to have a drink and

catch up on local gossip whilst watching the packaging burn that you received

your most recent order from Amazon.

   I celebrated St. John's Eve with my Mother ( sadly my Dad passed away 5 years

                                     ago . R.I.P. Dad x. ) and our donkey Daisy-Mae whilst burning the old bathroom

                                     and praying for good weather . I have not decided what to do with the ashes yet ?

                                                      

                                                         LUCKY IRISH ASHES FOR SALE 10 EUROS A BAG !!!

                                                                      ( SOUNDS LIKE A BARGAIN ??? )

                                                                                                              23.06.13

                  

PRESENT DAY: A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BROGUE SHOE

PRESENT DAY: A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BROGUE SHOE

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BROGUE SHOE

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BROGUE SHOE 

By Joe Diamond.

B

rogue is a derivation of the Gaelic word ‘Brog’, taken from the old Norse ‘Brok’ meaning leg covering. The Brogue originated in the Peat bogs of Ireland, first appearing in the late 16^th Century when men discovered that perforations in their footwear helped the shoe drain more quickly after coming out of the bog.

In early 20^th Century England the term Brogue was first used top describe an outdoor or walking shoe with decorative perforations. Through time the shoe has become more accepted as address or business shoe and in more recent times a fashion item.

The modern Brogue is characterised  by multi piece sterdy leather uppers with decorative perforations (Brogueing) and serration along the pieces visible edges. They are most commonly found on the toecap styles ( full or wingtip, semi-quarter and longwing) and four closure styles ( Oxford, derby, guile and Monk).

Brogues have also been associated with Music fashions, for example ‘Mods & Skinheads’ adopted them and became associated with this scene.

Further back, 1930s gangsters also had a great love of the shoe, wearing them with their dapper suits. In the sixties the infamous Kray Twins were lovers of the shoe too.

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   ABOUT ALAN

Alan is a fellow student of mine studying Multi Media in Ireland and specialises in sports writing. If I need info on sports he's the man to ask, be it South America, Australia to UK, USA, basically everywhere and anywhere.

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So check his tips out and enjoy spending your winnings!!!

He's a Newcastle fan , but hey, we can't all be perfect....lol 

            

               

BIPOLAR DISORDER 'A ROLLER-COASTER-RIDE'

Bipolar – A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE.

Biopar disorder is often referred to as the ‘roller-coaster-ride ‘illness,other well known terms used are Manic depression and bipolar affective disorder.

Bipolar is a lifelong condition that can affect both how you feel and how you act. It is a mood disorder thought to be caused by chemical imbalances in the brain that can result in extreme swings in mood—from manic highs to depressive lows.

To be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you must have experienced a high period (mania). Bipolar mania is described as an "extreme high," or feeling unusually great. Most people with bipolar disorder, when ill or when symptomatic, experience more lows than highs.

Bipolar has quite a colourful history, it is classed as one of the oldest known illnesses. It was recognised as far back as ancient Turkey where symptoms of mania and depression were thought to be linked.

w  These findings went largely unnoticed until 1650 when a scientist named ‘Richard Barton’ who focused specifically on depression and wrote a book ‘The Anatomy of Melancholia’ his findings are still used by many today in the field of mental health, Barton is known as the father of depression.

w  In 1854 Jules Fairet coined the term ‘folie circulive’ (circular insanity) Faret established a link between depression and suicide. He also found a distinction between depression and periods of heightened mood. In 1875 the term ‘Manic depressive psychosis’ was recognised as a mental health disorder. Another find he made was in some families that there was a genetic connection. Around this time Frances Ballarger founded the term bipolar and it received its own classification from other mental health disorders.

w  In 1913 Emil Krapelin established the term Manic depressive studying effects of depression and the manic state. Over fifteen years this ideology was fully accepted into mental health study.

w  Throughout the 1960s many with the disorder were institutionalised and were given little help as the disorder was officially not recognised . It was only in the early 1970s that this changed. During the 1980s research finally made a link between child and adult bipolar disorder.

Even today studies are needed to find the probable causes and the possible methods to treat the illness.

Bipolar is thought to be caused in several ways for example through life changes such as childbirth, medicines such as antidepressants or steroids, poor sleep pattern and overuse of recreational drugs

Bipolar disorder affects men and women equally. It usually starts between ages 15 - 25. The exact cause is unknown, but it occurs more often in relatives of people with bipolar disorder.

In most people with bipolar disorder, there is no clear cause for the manic or depressive episode.

The treatments for people suffering from bipolar are varied according to the individual’s needs. They stretch from medication such as mood stabilisers ie. Lithium, Carbamazepine, also anti-depressants, there are anti-psychotic drugs and anti-anxiety drugs typically known as benzodiazepines .Running in conjunction with these are psychotherapies.

There are also support programs put in place.

Family treatments that combine support and education about bipolar disorder (psychoeducation) may help families cope and reduce the odds of symptoms returning. Programs that offer outreach and community support services can help people who do not have family and social support.

Teaching in how to administer and manage medication correctly,education on correct sleep patterns and helping sufferers recognise the signs and symptoms when there disorder starts to present itself.

There are also treatments for children but these are not that well studied. There are several self-funded support agencies available such as AWARE, Samaritans etc.

Sadly through studies periods of depression or mania return in most patients, even with treatment.

David Hayes is a senior psychiatric nurse who is based in the busy environment of mental health services at Mayo general hospital.

According to David, patients are often referred by their GPs or by other health professionals when they are at crisis point with their illness. David said ‘many patients were treated with medication which are very effective alongside counselling’, He continued ‘trigger points can bring on this manic behaviour such as stress, misuse of drink and drugs, though the illness can appear at any time and in some cases is believed to be genetic

.He added ‘in more serious cases a patient would require hospitalisation sometimes sectioned under the law’

.

It is estimated that one in four of us will experience some mental health problems in our lifetime, from a low period, to a more serious depression, to a small number who will experience severe mental health problems.

Most people use their GP as a first point of contact and are treated by their GP alone. If the GP thinks the person needs more intensive treatment they will refer them to day and hospital services for mental health sufferers where they will receive therapy and more intensive treatments. Some will also access support groups available to them within their area or nationally.

It appears to be that many people still do not seek help with bipolar (depression). They tend to suffer in silence.

 This could be down to several factors, perhaps they feel they do not have an issue and the feeling is natural, that they are unaware of the resources available to them or that they think that there is a stigma attached to mental health problems.

It also appears through sources that the illness is far more common than people think.

It should not be under estimated the burden this illness has on families and in some cases they require as much support as the sufferer.

As mentioned earlier this illness in many cases is recurring and obviously places a drain on family members.

Famous Bipolar sufferers : Vincent Van Gogh, Spike Milligan, Kurt Cobain, Winston Churchill, Jimi Hendrix, Robin Williams, Sting, Robbie Williams, Jim Carey, Richard Dreyfuss, Ozzy Osbourne, Frank Bruno, Adam Ant, Carrie Fisher

References

Wikipedia – History and definitions of bipolar

AWARE website – support available for people with bipolar

Citizen Advice Bureau – Publication on people with Disabilities

HSE – list of services , Interview with Mental health services

Stephen Fry – The secret life of the Manic depressive parts 1&2 (video)

DBSA – Depression and bipolar support alliance

Aware support group

Citizen Advice Bureau

Mayo General Hospital – Mental health services

Interview with Senior psychiatric nurse dealing with Depression

Newspapers – The Independent, Guardian, Irish Times, Daily Telegraph

AWARE, Samaritans, National institute of Mental Health

Youtube : Bipolar overview (6.29), Bipolar: A manic depressive, people discuss their illness(46.40), Stephen Fry : The secret life of the manic depressive(58.48)part1,2(58.53)

Famous Bipolar sufferers : Vincent Van Gogh, Spike Milligan, Kurt Cobain, Winston Churchill, Jimi Hendrix, Robin Williams, Sting, Robbie Williams, Jim Carey, Richard Dreyfuss, Ozzy  Osbourne, Frank Bruno, Adam Ant, Carrie Fisher

Books : I love you, I hate you ‘A Bipolar marriage’- Alison Madison Young , The Bipolar Spectrum ‘Diagnosis or fad’- Joel Paris, I’m not crazy, just Bipolar- Wendy K.Williamson, Bipolar ‘The ultimate guide’- Sarah Owen & Amanda Sanders

Internet : caregivers.com , www.bphope.com , www.leanonme.com , DBSA – Depression and bipolar support alliance – Facebook, www.the balancedmind.org (non-profitable organisation), internationalbipolarfoundation.org, bipolarscotland.org

CYBERBULLYING & Young People

    CYBERBULLYING & Young People.

           By Joe Diamond, The Emerald Isle.

Young people need to be aware of the legal consequences of cyberbullying, also over coming a culture of not reporting such incidents to the legal authorities.

Research shows that one in four girls and one in six boys are involved in cyberbullying, either as bullies, victims or both.
Text messaging is the most common form of cyberbullying used by girls, while boys are most likely to use camera and video clips.

It is becoming apparent that young users of digital and social media should have more awareness, social competence, and strategies, as well as increased responsibility when using these forms of communication.

There needs to be more done to promote a culture of disclosure and to empower young people to report these incidents of bullying.
Young people should feel able to take action when they witness their peers being bullied, comfortable in the knowledge that they are safe doing so.

The recent deaths of Erin Gallagher, 13, in Co Donegal and Ciara Pugsley, 15 in Co Leeitrim, as well as the death of Cork schoolgirl Leanne Wolfe, 18, in 2007, shows just how damaging cyberbullying can be.

Young people need further education so they can understand the causes and effects of such bullying.
Established links are needed between Teachers and parents, youth workers etc. Parents also need a more in-depth knowledge of this matter, to recognise signs of bullying within the young person.

Cyberbullying can differ from traditional bullying in that it is indirect, often anonymous, and has the potential to reach large audiences for an indefinite period, despite the fact that the perpetrator may only have carried out a single act.

GIRL LOSES STOMACH AFTER 'LIQUID-NITROGEN' COCKTAIL

Girl loses Stomach after consuming Cocktail

           Containing ‘Liquid – Nitrogen’.

By Joseph Diamond.

A TEENAGE GIRL has undergone emergency surgery after drinking a cocktail containing ‘Liquid-Nitrogen’.

Gaby Scanlon was celebrating her 18^th Birthday with friends in Lancaster,England, when she consumed the cocktail at Oscar’s wine bar in the town centre on Thursday night. (4/10/12)

Police said she had her stomach removed in an urgent operation, thought to have saved her life.

After drinking the cocktail Miss Scanlon had reported feeling breathless and then developed severe stomach pains.

She was taken to Lancaster Royal Infirmary and diagnosed with a ‘Perforated’ stomach and underwent emergency surgery to remove her stomach, the Police said.

Afterwards she was described as being in a serious but stable condition.

A Police spokesman said “ The investigation is still in its early stages and we are trying to establish the full facts. The premises involved have fully co-operated with all agencies concerned and have suspended the sale of drinks containing ‘Liquid-Nitrogen’.

He Police added that it’s the first incident of its kind that they have dealt with.

The Wine bar management said they were ‘Tremendously concerned’ and passed its best wishes onto the girl and her family.

‘Liquid-Nitrogen’ has become popular for the making of some cocktails due to the visual effect it gives off.

So, what do we know about ‘Liquid-Nitrogen’ ?

Liquid-Nitrogen is scientifically known as ‘LN2’, which is odourless, colourless and Non-Flammable, it’s known as a very cold chemical and it’s boiling point is -196 degrees centigrade.

Liquid-Nitrogen is also used in medicine for the removal of warts by freezing them first. Surgeons use Liquid-Nitrogen to dry out unwanted tissue and in some cases to eliminate cancerous cells.

Chefs are also known to use it in the kitchen for making Ice-Cream and flash-freezing herbs.

Bartenders chill glasses using Liquid-Nitrogen so that super-cooled glasses emanate a dramatic looking vapour, usually a fog when exposed to room temperature. Three years ago a German bartender lost his hand after a canister of Liquid-Nitrogen exploded.

Peter Bonham a professor based at the University of Bristol school of Physics said ‘ The main point being that Liquid-Nitrogen’ must be fully evaporated before serving and should not be ingested until this occurs.’

There are various recipes that can be found on the Internet for Liquid-Nitrogen cocktails but the substance can cause cold burns.

Since this incident bars in Sydney, Australia are now banned from serving Liquid-Nitrogen in cocktails, this came into force on 11/10/12.