Latest news with #Nuala
RTÉ News
8 hours ago
- General
- RTÉ News
Leaving Cert Irish Reaction: Paper 1 gave everyone a chance to represent their level of Irish
Here is reaction to the 2025 Leaving Certificate Irish Paper 1 (Higher Level) by Nuala Uí Cheallaigh, Irish teacher at The Institute of Education - this content is part of the Leaving Cert Analysis series. Don't forget to rest and relax too - here are some tips on nutrition, sleep and minding yourself. Download the exam papers here - sound files available at Leaving Cert Irish Paper 1 (H) Leaving Cert Irish Paper 1 (O) She says: "This paper gave everyone a chance to represent their level of Irish without additional twists or turns." Read more below and watch her video above. Key points The aural had familiar topics and questions. Broad aiste titles allowed students the scope to adapt their material to fit. Nuala says: "Students facing the first Irish paper will be happy to find something for everyone on the paper. Settling into the aural, students were met with familiar topics like school and TV – things they would have prepared for their oral. As result they will find themselves with a good grasp of the material discussed and capable of discerning the appropriate answers. Those who had practiced previous aural exams will recognise the key questions of "who", "who", "when" and so their ear will be nicely attuned to those details. However, some might have been challenged by the appearance of the Deposit Return Scheme, potentially unfamiliar vocabulary. But those moments of pause are just part a tapestry of marks that students should find quite fair. "Turning to the essays, a wide range of viable choices mean that everyone will have a chance to reflect their work and skill on the page. While some might have anticipated specific topics like education or the Irish Language today, there were ample opportunities to bring these under the other titles. Prompts like "is Ireland a good country to live in today", "people I have respect for" and "big stories nowadays" are brilliantly broad. Students can draw upon so many topics and areas of interest that they will really feel the benefit of their preparation work. Furthermore, the examiner will be able to assess them on their communication skills first and foremost rather than a fixed set of vocabulary. "The two more specific aiste topics fell in line with expectations: Politics around the world and the Environment. The latter may have caused some to pause if they did not recognise the term "comhshaol" (environment). But those who prepared environmentalist material could have repurposed it to fit the broader topics with ease. Students looking to distinguish themselves often avoid the scéal, choosing either the aiste or debates. The prompt on the pros and cons of AI will appeal to those who have put special care and attention into this very contemporary topic. "This paper gave everyone a chance to represent their level of Irish without additional twists or turns. The better students would have the chance to shine, while those who were anxious about topics will have somewhere to present their work."
Irish Times
20-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
‘Dementia is just one part of who they are. My husband's underlying personality hasn't really changed'
Nuala and Gerry Paley first met when she was 21 and he was 23. Their relationship didn't take off properly in the beginning, but they met again eight years later and were married within six months. The couple, now aged 69 and 71, are living with the difficulty of early-onset Alzheimer's as Gerry was diagnosed with it in 2017, when he was just 63. 'I first saw changes in Gerry about a year before his diagnosis,' says Nuala. 'I noticed a change in his mood, and in his outlook on things. He was repeating himself, and seemed less aware of what he was talking about and what he was saying. The changes were subtle, but they were there. At that stage I had lived with him for 30 years, and when you're with someone that long, you notice these things. 'He was diagnosed in 2017 and now, some days it can be difficult to get him out of bed. Although he washes and dresses himself, I have to remind him to change, and I leave everything out for him and remind him constantly to move on to the next thing – for example, if he puts something into the microwave, he will think that he has eaten, so I will have to remind him. READ MORE 'Mornings are busy generally, as he has several activities which I drive him to, and he loves walking our dog, Teddy, in the afternoon. He has the same route every day, and always ends up in the local cafe for a coffee, but, after that, the days can be long. Dementia brings many challenges, as anyone dealing with the condition will know and it is getting more stressful as Gerry's memory problems become more persistent. 'I have had my own medical issues over the past while, so it's very hard to keep up at times. It can be like Groundhog Day, every day, and the stress can be intense. I have wonderful friends, but I am very aware they have their own lives too.' But despite the issues the Wicklow couple face on a daily basis, they have a strong relationship. Nuala says the most important thing for carers to do is to take any support offered, as some days are very difficult. 'We love each other, so it's very important to see the person beyond the condition,' she says. 'Dementia is just one part of who they are and Gerry's underlying personality hasn't really changed. He is very sociable, and loves being with other people. He is a very caring and kind person and is always looking out for others – he still has these characteristics. 'Of course, he might not realise that he has spoken to you about the same thing multiple times – but that's just something I have to accept, especially as what he says can be very wise. My advice to other carers is to talk, talk, talk – to whoever can offer help, information and support. I would encourage them to enrol in a carer's course, join support groups and get in touch with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) to learn more about their services and supports. 'Gerry and I avail of the ASI's Day Care at Home Service and, twice a week, Lorna from the ASI comes to spend time with Gerry. They have the chats, play board games, go for walks with Teddy or grab a coffee. This gives me a break and takes away some of my stress; it makes a huge difference to our lives.' Women over the age of 60 are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease as they are to develop breast cancer during their lifetime — Report by Alzheimer's Research UK Gerry and Nuala became members of the Irish Dementia Working Group and the Dementia Carers Campaign Network, advocacy groups that help to raise awareness of issues affecting people and families coping with dementia in Ireland. 'Our advocacy work has been incredibly rewarding – knowing that we are helping to ensure that the voices of people with dementia and their carers and families are heard,' says Nuala. 'Connecting with others who are in similar situations – whether they are caring for a loved one with dementia or living with the condition themselves – it gives you a sense of comfort and strength. Dementia affects so many families across the country, and Gerry and I want people like us to know that they are not alone. 'We need to stand back and admit we are only human and can only take so much – and we need huge supports to keep going day to day.' Gerry and Nuala Paley. Photograph: Karen Morgan Although dementia affects people of varying ages, Dr Laura O'Philbin, research and policy manager at the Alzheimer Society of Ireland says that women are much more likely to be affected by the condition, as figures show that women account for almost two-thirds of people living with dementia. 'A report by Alzheimer's Research UK published in 2022 highlighted that women over the age of 60 were twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease as they are to develop breast cancer during their lifetime,' she says. 'Women also play a significant role in caregiving, with approximately two-thirds of primary caregivers for people with dementia being female – this is supported by Irish census data. And as well as more often providing care, women tend to provide more intense levels of care and, in some cases, experience greater stigma and reduced social support compared to male caregivers.' [ The year of hope: 'Exciting' advances achieved in search to reverse Alzheimer's disease Opens in new window ] In addition to this, Dr O'Philbin says women living with dementia may encounter unique challenges, including the compounded effects of ageism, sexism and ableism. 'These intersecting stigmas can result in social isolation and barriers to care. Traditional gender roles further complicate matters, as women are often seen as caregivers rather than care recipients, which can heighten feelings of guilt or inadequacy following a dementia diagnosis. 'This is a double-edged sword because, at the same time, the societal expectation for women to take on caregiving responsibilities, combined with limited recognition of caregiving as a valued role, has contributed to challenges for male caregivers. Some men report stigma which can lead to a reluctance in asking for or accepting help.' About Dementia According to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, there are an estimated 64,000 people with dementia in Ireland. The number of people with the condition is expected to reach 150,000 by 2045. Globally, women account for about two-thirds of people living with dementia. This disparity is likely due to a combination of biological, genetic and social factors. Ongoing research suggests that hormonal changes post-menopause and genetic risk factors, such as the APOE4 gene, contribute to the higher prevalence of dementia among women. Although men and women are equally likely to carry the APOE4 gene, its association with dementia risk appears stronger in women, though the underlying reasons for this difference are not fully understood. Women's longer life expectancy also increases their likelihood of developing age-related conditions such as dementia. Often, the early signs of dementia may be difficult to detect. Some people experience changes in their short-term memory early on, for others changes to mood or to language may be the early signs. Each person's experience with dementia is unique. In general, early signs and symptoms can include: Memory loss, particularly for recent events Problems with language; difficulty finding the right word Changes in mood and behaviour Becoming confused in familiar surroundings or situations Difficulty in following conversations, TV programmes or reading Difficulty managing money and everyday tasks Difficulty solving problems or doing puzzles Loss of interest in hobbies and pastimes, lack of initiative to start something or go somewhere. Repeating a question or story several times without realising If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is advisable to make an appointment with your GP to discuss or contact the ASI's National and Free Confidential Helpline at 1800-341341 or
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Woman's Hour London Grammar's Hannah Reid, Women and Trump, Domestic violence
London Grammar frontwoman Hannah Reid joins Nuala McGovern to discuss more than a decade at the helm of the band, their fourth album The Greatest Love, and what it's been like navigating the music industry as a new parent. With US President Donald Trump reaching the 100 day mark of his presidency, who are some of the women in his cabinet? And what impact have those first 100 days had on women's lives in the US? Nuala speaks to Republican Sarah Elliott and Democrat Kristin Kaplan Wolfe to get their thoughts. April, a new film set in the Eastern European country of Georgia, tells the story of Nina, an obstetrician who faces an investigation, after she was unable to save a baby during labour. But the investigation brings scrutiny Nina doesn't want, as she's concerned it will shine a light on her secret job – providing unofficial, illegal abortions and reproductive care to women in poorer villages, in their homes. Writer and director Dea Kulumbegashvili joins Nuala to discuss her story and what it was like to film. Over a quarter of domestic abuse services in England and Wales are having to turn children away from vital support amid severe funding shortages, according to a new report by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner. Children were recognised as victims of domestic abuse in their own right for the first time by 2021's Domestic Abuse Act. Nuala is joined by Nicole Jacobs, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, to hear more about her report and what she wants to see happen next. Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Sarah Jane Griffiths
Irish Independent
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Feast of song whets the appetite for this year's Wexford Festival Opera
The concert, given in the National Opera House, the National Concert Hall and the Ironmongers' Hall in London, was one of several gatherings that make being a Friend such an "enriching experience', to quote Selina Scott, long-time Friend and volunteer. The Friends I spoke to were unanimous in their praise for Nuala Sheedy, Donor Development Director at the WFO, saying nothing is too much trouble for her. In Nuala's words, 'the Wexford welcome is hard to describe and bottle'. Being a Friend makes that welcome all the warmer. There are five levels of Friendship, rising from Prelude, €80, to Bravura, €2000. The scheme provides one-fifth of the Festival's overall funding and accounts for 50-60% of ticket sales, a contribution 'vital to the Festival', says Nuala. Prelude level is a good introduction to the scheme, being affordable to younger members – some of whom, still in their teens, have received membership as a gift. It's never too early to tick items off that Christmas list! A subscription has the double merit of drawing newcomers to the festival and including those who might not otherwise see an opera, through support for the many community events fostered by Rosetta Cucchi. During the Festival, Friends are invited to welcome coffee mornings and complimentary post-opera parties. The latter, in the Opera House, serve 'excellent finger food and wine galore' according to Alma Hynes, manager of hospitality for the Friends, adding that 'it's a great way to meet other Friends and members of the festival team'. It is a one-stop shop for distributing Friends' pins and programmes, giving directions to an event or recommending a hairdresser. "Volunteers love interacting with the Friends,' says Alma. When Selina Scott first came to Wexford in 1965 she paid someone to sit on a butter box outside the theatre, to ensure that she got tickets for the operas. As a young teacher in St. John's she rented a room from Nellie Walsh, sister of Dr. Tom Walsh, one of the Festival's founders, and a member of the Festival Chorus. No wonder she caught Festival fever. The town was very different then, she says. 'Boats were not coming into the harbour because of silting but the stevedores sat around waiting for them to come in. . . . The Festival was the only big thing in Wexford. There was a sense of ownership among the people, and real knowledge.' She recalls groups going 'to gawk at the glamour' when the opera train arrived from Dublin. Not to be outdone, Selina sports a fetching Flapper-style headband, adorned with all her Friends' pins, and a spray of feathers. At that time, there was a two-year waiting list to become a Friend. Now, Selina is one of the volunteers in the Friends' Hospitality Lounge in the Opera House. Coffee, tea, newspapers and congenial company are available here from 12 to 2.30 p.m. for Friends who need refreshment as they dash from one event to another. 'It's a privilege to be a Friend,' she says, 'you feel part of a family of interested people.' She adds that it would be the last thing she'd let go if money was tight. Selina's enthusiasm is matched by that of Lionel and Susan Rosenblatt, annual visitors from England. 'It's the best weekend of our lives,' says Lionel. They love the 'warmth of people in Wexford and their pride in what the Festival has achieved'. He first came in 1987, having been invited by the WFO's then Artistic Director, Elaine Padmore. Lionel and his friend, David Buchler, had just appointed Elaine artistic director of their not-for-profit venture, the London International Opera Festival, LIOF, whose aim was 'to introduce as many people as possible to opera'. Lionel had been smitten by his first opera. The night his father brought him, as a reluctant sixteen-year-old, to see Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci in Covent Garden he was 'transformed from a boy who liked to dance to one who loved opera'. Lionel joined the Friends in 1988, and he and Sue attend all the Friends' events in London and in Wexford because 'there is a warm atmosphere where opera plays a part. It enhances your time there and you meet likeminded people' and they have made friends through the Friends. Being a Friend makes you 'feel part of the Wexford family', says Mary Mullin, a Trustee of the Wexford Festival Opera UK Foundation. The Friends events in the UK 'try to recreate that family atmosphere. People come from Wexford to give talks. It makes Friends see that they are important.' Indeed, Barbara Wallace, former Chairman of the Wexford Festival Trust, said the contribution of UK Friends equalled that of a sponsor and she always urged them to encourage others to come to Wexford. Mary Mullin first knew Barbara as a sparring partner at the Junior Chamber Debating Society, Mary representing Kilkenny, Barbara, Wexford. In 1986, when the Arts Council withdrew funding from the Festival, Barbara contacted Mary, who had moved to London, to enlist her help in organising a fundraiser. Since then, Mary has been involved with the Friends and is one of only three Honorary Friends. Each year she brings large groups of personal friends, from various countries, to Wexford. Her guests love the way everyone they meet around town wants them to enjoy the Festival. 'Other festivals don't give you the same feeling of being encompassed,' she says. UK Friends' events take place in spring as a reminder to book for the Festival, and again in September, giving Friends a chance to meet Rosetta, Festival Chairman, Paul Cleary and the interim Executive Director, Loughlin Deegan. This makes the Friends feel welcome, Mary says, which is important in the UK, where the 'lines of communication are very extended'. Selina's and Mary's work, and the Rosenblatts' loyal participation, reflect the social value of the Friends' scheme, which, Alma says, 'extends beyond the Festival and is a valuable commodity in Wexford'. Now's your chance to join that community, enhance your enjoyment of the Festival, and share it with family and friends. The first stage of booking for this year's 74th Wexford Festival Opera will open on Wednesday April 23 for Bravura, Cabaletta, Aria and Ensemble+ level Friends of the Festival. The next level opens on Wednesday April 30 for Ensemble and Prelude Friends of the Festival. General booking opens on Wed May 7. Box office opens Mon - Sat, 9.30am - 5pm, +353 53 912 2144
