Who cares for carers? This eternal and very pertinent question will be addressed at the 11th annual conference of family carers in Furbo, Co Galway, next weekend which will be addressed by the Minister of State for Health and Children, Dr Tom Moffatt.
"Quality and fairness - a health strategy to include family carers" is the theme of the conference, and speakers will include Ms Penny Banks, fellow in health and social care at King's College, London; RTÉ's Northern Editor and European person of the year, Tommie Gorman; Dr Sheelah Ryan, chief executive of the Western Health Board; Ms Brigid Barron, director of the State's first carers' clinic in Ennis, Co Clare; Ms Eilish Smith, chair of Caring for Carers Ireland; and Dr David Evans of the Western Health Board.
Mindful of the need to give a break to the participants, therapies and activities have been planned during the weekend, including Swedish massage, reflexology, relaxation therapies, hand care, nature walks, a tour of Connemara and, for the stress-loving, shopping trips.
Further information is available from (065) 6866515 or (087) 6011971 and (086) 2469764.
- Patrick Carton, self-styled "performance poet" and storyteller who has just released his first compact disc, and the celebrated author, John McGahern, who has just published his latest novel, are among the many participants in Muscailt 02, the second annual arts festival staged by NUI Galway .
The five-day festival opens today with actor Mick Lally, who began his career with Dramsoc and the Taibhdhearc theatre, writer-in-residence Trevor Joyce and the college president, Dr Iognaid Ó Muircheartaigh in the Aula Maxima Lower at 3 p.m. This will be preceded by street performers from Belfast Circus School in the Áras na Mac Léinn at 1.15 p.m.
Highlights of the festival include Inis Theatre Company's presentation of Jane Austen's only novel of letters, Lady Susan, which sold out during last year's Dublin Fringe Festival, and the musical, Fiddler on the Roof, which runs throughout the week in the Black Box Theatre, while there are readings, music, exhibitions, dance and more. Further information from Emily Cullen, arts officer at (091) 512062.
- Pat Hume, from Derry, wife of John, is the guest speaker at tonight's annual candlelighting ceremony hosted by the Galway and District Business and Professional Women's (BPW) Club in the Ardilaun House Hotel, Galway.
Mrs Hume will speak on "a changing world", and the event is for BPW members and friends.
- Visual artist Brendan Grealy has been given the supreme award in the Galway County Council and Bank of Ireland County Art Awards for 2001. "For the professional manner and endlessly enthusiastic attitude, and dedication to whatever project he takes on," the Ballinasloe-based artist was the judges' unanimous choice as the county's "outstanding arts worker" during the past year.
Awards of specially commissioned John Behan sculptures were also given for each of five electoral areas, with Headford Presentation College Orchestra winning it for Oranmore; Deerpark Centre Arts taking it for Ballinasloe; Cats Pyjamas winning in Tuam; the Loughrea Youth Development Project winning in Loughrea; and poet, playwright, writer and broadcaster, Maire Holmes, taking it for Connemara.