Cures of Ireland by Cecily Gillighan

Let’s move away from the sciency stuff and go back to the traditions. I was glad to come across this book recently and it is a treasury of Irish folk remedies. Many conversations happen at The Urban Co-op about wellbeing. Magic Pills and Cures are often discussed. The hard work of changing diet say from ultra-processed to real involves a certain level of discipline so when we find out about some magical or unexplainable solution it does offer a different perspective but it must be said there is a strong memory in Ireland of traditional cures so I was happy to find out more. More than once I have heard from people that because I am married to someone with the same name I have a cure.. so it was interesting to read this section. There are no recipes as such but the themes of herbalism and faith are involved mostly. Cecily tells the story of meeting these characters and interestingly finds that “ many of the old cures continue to help and to heal people and some are thriving”. 

Anne Maher

For the last month, I have been taking the Terra Nova Digestive Enzyme Complex and find them wonderful.

It was a friend who recommended these and this brand. I take one at the start of each small meal, and two if I am having a big meal.

​I feel so much better, especially after the excess of Christmas eating. Prior to that I was bloaty, windy and bealchy. I was known as the three dwarfs in my house!!!

Not only am I very happy but so is everyone else around me. Review by ANON

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After the celebration season, January is a time of promises to be good. From feasting to fasting! Resolutions and regrets. Must try harder. Why do we do this to ourselves??
 
Personally, I do like January and the new year full of potential. Visions of a positive future…
 
Dreaming ahead we continue to take inspiration from Rob Hopkins's book What If as it fires up the imagination of possibilities. Here goes… what if the Limerick Milk Market was open 7 days a week?
 
What if it thrived with farmers producing locally and finding a viable route to sale? What if there were pop-up stalls of interest that kept people coming back? What if empty buildings became viable places to live so cars weren’t necessary to get your food on the outskirts of the city? What if folk enjoyed meeting each other every day there and each day had a different energy of ideas.. what if the market bustled with life day and evening so that it became a mega tourist attraction and folk considered locating in the city again? What if there were enough local farmers and suppliers to meet the growing demand? What if the market stimulated new artisan ideas and people felt fulfilled that their work was valued? What if it employed a significant group of local people who thrived in the process? What if different food theme days encouraged repeat visits in the week?
 
Sometimes you just have to imagine what is possible...

Anne Maher