Waterford Today | Waterford's free weekly newspaper

Queen Elizabeth and Obama to revive Ireland's tourism profile

While understandably politics took over the national and provincial media over the past three weeks two other events were signalled which could have major positive implications for tourism in Ireland over the next couple of months.

The visit by Queen Elizabeth II on a State visit to Ireland is certainly one of the most historic events which will focus world attention on Ireland. The relationship between Ireland and the UK has often been fraught with tension and the British Royal Family were perceived as the figureheads of British imperialism.

It is a symbol of Ireland's growing political maturity and self confidence as a nation that the invitation to Queen Elizabeth to a State Visit has been extended. There are close ties between members of the Royal Family and Ireland and several years ago Prince

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Endangered Waterford birds

For conservation purposes, the present status of birds in Ireland is now listed into three categories – Red List species, Amber List species and Green List species.

Red List species are those whose breeding population has declined by more than 50% in the last 25 years or whose breeding population has undergone a significant decline since 1900 and so are of global concern. 18 such species are on the Irish list and of these, 12 are known from Waterford. Some like the Grey Partridge, Quail, Corncrake, Twite and Corn Bunting are now thought to be locally extinct as breeding birds, but some others are still here but on the verge of local extinction. These include the Hen Harrier now largely to be found in small numbers at three localities in

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The Waterford Europe Direct Information Centre (EDIC) located at Central Library, Lady Lane is delighted to announce that it is running a free six week Irish Course for Improvers starting on Wednesday 23 March at 6pm. The course will run for two hours from 6pm to 8pm each night.

The Irish Course is free of charge to all learners but places are limited so early booking is essential. Learners must be over 18 and must be able to attend all six classes. If you are interested in securing a place, contact Carmel by email on chughesatwaterfordcity.ie or by phone on 051 849840.

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Waterford & Tramore Flower Club

Our AGM will take place on March 16th at St. Joseph & St. Benildus Parish Centre at 8pm. Demonstration by club member Marie Kavanagh. Competition (Take Five) 24 ins. Hoe to see all members attend. New members welcome.

Sacred Heart Active Retirement Association Enniscorthy trip

18 members of the Sacred Heart Active Retirement Association went up to Enniscorthy for a mid-week break, from 21st to 24th February. They spent 3 nights in Treacy's Hotel, and all were delighted with the care and attention that was given to them by the staff of the Hotel. During their spell there, they made a day trip to Wexford Town. Overall, a great time was had by all.

Waterford photographers snap up awards at the IPF National Print and Projected Image Finals

Waterford photographers have been recognised for their work at the recent Irish

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Student services charge

Question: I am confused about the changes to the Student Services Charge. Why is it more for the first child and less for the second child in a family?

Answer: Currently third-level students pay an annual Student Services Charge (also known as a registration fee) of €1,500. For the new academic year 2011/12 this charge has been replaced by a flat-rate Higher Education Student Contribution of €2,000 per year. Part-time students pay €1,000 per year. All eligible students will have to pay this contribution.

Students who qualify for third-level grants do not have to pay it and families whose reckonable income is below certain limits pay a half-rate contribution (visit citizensinformation.ie to check the limits for your family). You can pay the contribution in two instalments.

You cannot claim tax relief on the current Student Services Charge since it is not

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John Owens graduated from the Veterinary College U.C.D. in 1997. He, along with his wife Susan, recently opened Ani-Pets veterinary clinic in Tramore, which is dedicated to the full time care of all companion animals, including exotic pets. He has a special interest in preventative medicine and nutrition. with John D Owens M.V.B. veterinary surgeon. Riverstown Business Park, Tramore Ph 051 393630 Email: anipetsvetclinicatgmail.com

What are ear mites?

Ear mites are tiny parasites which resemble microscopic ticks and can infest the ear canal of cats and dogs. Their presence in the ear is very irritating to the ear canal, causing vigorous scratching and head shaking. This can lead to secondary bacterial and/or yeast infections, and the possibility of physical damage to the ear. The ear mite is properly called Otodectes cynotis,

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Stan Phillips Clairvoyant - Numerologist - Astrologer To make an appointment for a personal reading at The Athanaeum House Hotel, Christendom, Ferrybank Tel: 085 - 7355683 or log onto stanatreadingsforlife.com for an online reading.

Aries: March 21 – April 20

Travelling can be one of the most stressful things any of us do, what with the luggage, the parking, the children, and the nightmare that airports have turned into these days of essential security, we really need to keep our wits about us. It would be wise for you and yours, if travelling off to exotic parts, that you check everything so as to be certain that everything that occurs is within your control – as much as possible anyway.

Taurus: April 21 – May 21

Plans made around your living space some time ago might need to be re-visited. It is suggested that the

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Waterford news 1939

bianconi - picturesque pioneer

Transport has its place in the Old Dublin Society Exhibition in the Municipal Gallery of Modern Art, Charlemont House, Parnell Square, Dublin. Bianconi - picturesque pioneer - is represented in an account from the firm, dated 1847. THere are pictures of some of his coaches as well at the exhibition.

Charles Bianconi, "Bian" as they called him in many parts of Ireland, was an example of the success that attends industry and enterprise. Born at Tregolo in Italy in 1786, he came to Ireland at the age of sixteen to earn his living with a print seller named Faroni. Eighteen months later he set up on his own account and travelled through the country selling his prints. With about 100lbs weight in the pack on his back, he realised how desirable it was to have transport

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Cockles are small, edible bivalves that live in the firm sand in sheltered bays. In suitable places they live in enormous numbers, perhaps as many as one million to the acre, and their shells can be found in heaps on the tideline. Traditionally sold with winkles and whelks, cockles have been a popular seaside snack for many years. Live cockles in their shells are available from fishmongers. Cooked and shelled cockles can be bought in jars, preserved in brine or vinegar.

Cockles can be used in seafood pies or tossed into salads. They can be eaten raw or steamed until their shells open, like mussels. Use them in soups, risotto and paella or stew them in a tomato sauce and serve with pasta.

Cockle Soup Serves 8

Ingredients6lb well-washed cockles1/2lb chopped onions6 oz butter2 tbsp chopped parsley1/2lb chopped

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Neven puts together the perfect fundraising recipe for Bóthar

Celebrity chef Neven Maguire helps launch Bóthar's 40 Day Fast, where companies are asked to fast for one day during Lent and raise much needed funds for Bóthar.

Bóthar, the international agency that uses livestock in development aid, launched its '40 Day Fast' campaign this week in Limerick. The '40 Day Fast' campaign is encouraging companies from all over Ireland to choose one of the forty days of Lent, which starts on March 9th, to fast and raise funds for Bóthar.

Bóthar is hoping to raise 40,000 through this campaign and funds raised will go to help 35 families in Mukono, Uganda, who are waiting to receive an Irish dairy cow.

Celebrity chef, Neven Maguire, is getting behind the campaign and

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Are you up for some culinary craic & competitive cooking?

Think you know the key 'ingredients' for a good dinner party?

Do you watch 'Come Dine with Me' and say to yourself...I could do that!

Well, here's your chance to prove it...... Ardkeen Quality Food Store and WLR fm come together to present 'Come Dine with Me in Waterford'

We're searching for four contestants with a passion for food and entertaining, who over the course of a week will take turns to host and attend a dinner party in each others' homes which will then be featured on WLR FM'S Saturday Show with Maria McCann.

Ardkeen Quality Food Store will provide an ample shopping budget but the menu, simple or sumptuous, will all be down to

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With Breda Gardner Homeopath, lcph, mcos, rgnHealth Therapies Clinic13 Gladstone Street, Waterford.Tel: 051 - 858584.Insight Natural Health Clinic19 Upper Patrick St, KilkennyTel: 056 7724429

Breda Gardner runs busy natural health clinics in both Waterford and Kilkenny. She also presents monthly positive living seminars in Kilkenny. A native of Galway, Breda worked as a nurse for many years before studying a range of complementary therapies, including homeopathy, iridology, muscle–testing and nutrition.

Happiness in present times

"Happiness doesn't depend on what we have – it depends on how we feel about what we already have.We can be happy with little and miserable with much." So said William Dempster Hoard. Recent surveys and opinion polls worldwide have shown that happiness levels have declined over the past few decades. In 1957, 52% of people said that they were happy, but

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WIT researchers to work on drug delivery across the skin

A WIT led consortium has been awarded substantial funding to help develop technologies for delivering drugs across the skin. The project, called HIPODERM (HIgh POtency DERMatologicals), will focus on highly potent drugs and will include Waterford-based EirGen Pharma Ltd., Cardiff University and An-eX Analytical Services Ltd., also based in Cardiff.

Dr. Peter McLoughlin, Principal Investigator of the Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre (PMBRC) in WIT and leader of the consortium explained the background to the project.

"Currently, many drugs are taken orally or injected directly into the bloodstream where they travel around the body. This is very inefficient as most of the drug taken does not reach the target organ that you wish to treat. In addition, many of the drugs used today are highly toxic and delivery of these drugs around

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Disturbing decline in the uptake of meningitis vaccines continues

In response to news, from HPSC ,that the latest immunisation uptake data for children at 24 months of age, indicates a decline in the uptake of the MenC vaccine, Hib vaccine and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Carole Nealon, General Manager of the Meningitis Trust, says;

"It is of the utmost importance that parents make sure their children are fully vaccinated according to the childhood schedule. Today's news is a huge concern for the Meningitis Trust.

Meningitis can kill within four hours, and these vaccines can prevent tragedies across Ireland. The findings are particularly worrying, as the children who are not being vaccinated fall into an at-risk group for the disease. Vaccination is the only form of defence against meningitis, but children need to receive all their scheduled vaccines to get the best protection.

There are

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Transition year students in Waterford spend week training as medical students

Transition Year students from the South East took part in the Waterford RCSI Transition Year MiniMed training programme in February in Waterford Regional Hospital (WRH) and Waterford Institute of Technology.  The interactive programme gives Transition Year students the opportunity to experience what it is like to train and work as a doctor.

As part of the programme, students attended interactive lectures, gained hands-on training in clinical skills as well as practical experience in medicine and scientific tutorials. Topics covered included human anatomy; forensic medicine; surgery; obstetrics and paediatrics; psychiatry; and medicine, including emergency medicine, cardiology, respiratory disease, renal disease and family practice.

Professor Hannah McGee, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, RCSI said

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