Sligo Life

I met Mark and his amazing dippers for the first time this Monday in Doorly Park. On this episode he shares with us where he got the idea for the fundraiser and why he is passionate about the work the Northwest Stop provide for the community.  This is a charity who provide FREE COUNSELLING with QUALIFIED COUNSELLORS to those who are suffering from their mental health. If you or someone you know needs their services then contact 086 7772009.  Here is some more about Mark and some of his story of life in Sligo. Are you a Sligo Native? If no what is the story of how you moved here?:  Yes, born in Sligo and reared in Strandhill. What do you love about living in Sligo?:  The people, the mountains, Lakes, Sea and overall beauty of it. The fact that if you stand in the middle of main street in the town you are no more than 10 -12 minutes from a Beach, Mountain, Lake , Forrest etc. Very few counties in Ireland can say that. If you could wave a magic wand what would you fix or bring to Sligo ie. facilities, shops, restaurants, culture/arts?:  It would be great to see all the vacant properties being utilised better, businesses, housing etc. What are you looking forward to in the future in your personal and professional life?:  In the future I look forward to getting more events of the ground which bring people/ communities together. I really enjoy coming up with ideas for challenges and then seeing them come to fruition through the efforts of everyone working together. There is a massive sense of camaraderie when a group are working towards a collective goal. The more extreme or different the goal is, the better the craic, banter and fun it is. It is a powerful way for people to raise funds for charity. Professionally I am currently working with TUSLA with children in care and I am enjoying this role . What are your must do Sligo recommendations? Restaurants/Walks etc.:  The walk up Knocknarea (up the steps). The Killaspugbrone loop. There are some lovely beaches and swimmers /dippers are spoiled for choice.The Gleniff Horse Shoe. So many cafés and restaurants I love. First of all Blend in O Connell Street, it's only opened 6 weeks but the owner used to have the Gallery Cafe. Top class coffee and sandwiches. Then the cottage cafe in Rosses point (beautiful pancakes bacon and syrup) Tempo cafe in Ballisodare, Nook in collooney, and also Osta in Sligo Town. The Venue in Strandhill do lovely food as do Langs in Grange. How can people find you online? and if you would like to make a special offer to our listeners that would be great - just an idea. Thank you :) :  A Dip A Day In December on Instagram and Facebook. Also Mark Elliott on Facebook too.

Gavin Meenan - The Modern Warrior Program joined us this week sharing some of his life story with us about why he moved to Sligo, working as a PT and how that has evolved over the years and much more. Here is a bit of background the Gavin shared with us before the show too . . .  Please share your bio and any information about your business:  I'm 37 years of age, self employed since 2012, after I was made redundant from a job. I started a personal training business, which has evolved into online coaching and personal development work with men. I have 2 kids and strive to maintain a healthy work/life balance Are you a Sligo Native? If no what is the story of how you moved here?:  From Donegal originally. Moved here for a job with Elverys Sports in 2009. What do you love about living in Sligo?:  The landscape, the people and the good coffee. I'm in the sea most mornings, so it's important to me to live near the coast. If you could wave a magic wand what would you fix or bring to Sligo ie. facilities, shops, restaurants, culture/arts?:  A central park, with facilities for kids and families. What are you looking forward to in the future in your personal and professional life?:  I've just launched my second book The Art of Self Acceptance, and I'm looking forward to some workshops and seminars from this in 2022, as well as writing my 3rd book. I will continue to do my best to create a positive impact in people's lives. What are your must do Sligo recommendations? Restaurants/Walks etc.:  ROM Gym. Rover Coffee Lab Hooked and Flipside Restaurant Doorly Park and Rosses Point How can people find you online? and if you would like to make a special offer to our listeners that would be great - just an idea. Thank you :) :  Instagram @gavinmeenan Website www.gavinmeenan.com [http://www.gavinmeenan.com/]

Our guest this week is Cassie McVeigh from Vitality Clinic - general practitioner with an interest in menopause management. We talk about her starting out in dentistry then moving to GP and why she specialises in helping women through menopause. Why she moved to Sligo, her love of the sea plus much more. #sligolife  Heres some more information about Cassie she shared. I work with women providing individualised menopause and lifestyle advise with the aim to make the menopausal transition easier and to promote health and wellness into mid-life and beyond. Are you a Sligo Native? If no what is the story of how you moved here?: No I’m from Fermanagh but we often visited Sligo as kids. My husband is from Dublin but a keen surfer since he was a teenager so we loved here so he can be near the waves and still have plenty of time for family. What do you love about living in Sligo?: The sea, the scenery, the outdoor lifestyle, the cafes and the people. If you could wave a magic wand what would you fix or bring to Sligo ie. facilities, shops, restaurants, culture/arts?: A 25m pool to Strandhill. What are you looking forward to in the future in your personal and professional life?:  Getting a better work life balance to spend more quality time with my husband and kids but also to provide a good level of service to my patients. Finding the time to swim more and maybe try to get a dip in the sea every month of the year. What are your must do Sligo recommendations? Restaurants/Walks etc.:  Hazelwood, the cafe culture - the list is endless, Cosgroves deli and dipping at Rosses point pool. vitalityclinic.ie [http://vitalityclinic.ie/] Questionare to discover if you have menopause symptoms https://megsmenopause.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Greene-Menopause-Index-2.pdf

This weeks guest is Melanie White from Rebelle Surf. We had a very real conversation about life in Sligo in the times of current regulations and why there is not enough calm discussion from both sides. Here is some more about Melanie she shared with us too . . .   I own Rebelle Surf, a surf and adventure school/company. It's more than just a surf school though. It's a space to return to joy, strength, Connection with our life force and the life force in nature. Incredibly simple but incredibly powerful. Most people are living from a very complicated and burdened identity and I don't believe that's who we are in essence. Immersing ourselves in a fun, pure, unpredictable environment is exactly what most of us need! When done consciously with self reflection and recognition it's a powerhouse of potential. Are you a Sligo Native? If no what is the story of how you moved here?:  No I'm from county down originally. I left there over 20years ago for the love of surfing and the Atlantic. What do you love about living in Sligo?:  The outdoor wild spaces If you could wave a magic wand what would you fix or bring to Sligo ie. facilities, shops, restaurants, culture/arts?:  I'd provide more facilities that support local adventure businesses and those who love to adventure. Simple things like running water, cold showers, toilets. What are you looking forward to in the future in your personal and professional life?:  I don't actually live that way. I find when I'm looking forward I'm never satisfied. I tend to look at the present and play with it in its fullness. What are your must do Sligo recommendations? Restaurants/Walks etc.:  Hazelwood Bridgefoot restaurant Hatch 22 How can people find you online? and if you would like to make a special offer to our listeners that would be great - just an idea. Thank you :) :  Instagram Rebelle Surf Facebook Rebelle Surf Rebellesurf.com website  https://mycompass.ie/

Brian Scanlon  has worked as the caretaker of Sligo Cemetery for a number of years. He has an incredible knowledge of local history. For those who frequent the cemetery, Brian is known for his compassion & kindness and for going above and beyond to help people struggling to deal with the death of a loved one. He also has a terrific sense of humour. I remember reading an article (posted below) in The Sligo Weekender in February about how more people had died from suicide in Sligo than Covid. I reached out to Brian and went to visit him at the Cemetery and recorded our interview in person. Virtual Tour of Sligo Cemetery [https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=18s&v=4K4JxI9ycN0] We mentioned some groups if you or one of your loved ones need support https://www.havinalaugh.com/ [https://www.havinalaugh.com/] https://www.alcoholicsanonymous.ie/ [https://www.alcoholicsanonymous.ie/] https://www.samaritans.org/?nation=ireland [https://www.samaritans.org/?nation=ireland] Article in The Sligo Weekender At Sligo Cemetery, Brian sees aftermath of tragedy. He does all he can to help Brian Scanlon has been the caretaker of Sligo Cemetery for years. He talks about the worrying increase in heartbreaking cases of suicide in the past year – and how he can see hope for the future Brian says he has seen an increase in suicides since Covid struck nearly a year ago. Speaking to the Sligo Weekender this week, Brian said: “We have seen a massive increase in suicides in the last year. To my knowledge we have had four Covid deaths and have had 16 suicides in the same period.” Brian told me that he is speaking out because he sees the devastation that a family suffers after a suicide. He said: “I see people who are great parents who would always have looked after their health – be it out jogging or just minding themselves and their diets. “But once suicide hits, you meet the same people and they are a shadow of their former selves. They are like completely different people. “I know one man all my life and he didn’t agree with taking medication. He was very health-conscious and wouldn’t even take a Disprin for a headache. Now he has to take sleeping tablets to even get three or four hours’ sleep at night. His life has been turned upside down after the suicide of a loved one.” Every case is different. Over a number of years, Brian has seen several scenarios in the aftermath of suicide. He said: “Sometimes the bereaved are surrounded by people for two or three weeks and then they are on their own. “With that deep, raw grief, some people are so shocked and angry it affects their personality and they fall out with their spouses, partners or other family members, with whom they had previously had great relationships. “As time passes and the grief abates a little they are often shocked at how they behaved in the initial aftermath, and they feel remorseful and have to deal with so much regret as well.” Brian says that is heartbreaking to watch. There is a wisdom about Brian Scanlon. You are struck by how easy it is to confide in him. There is a deep kindness to him – he really comes across as non-judgmental. For those reasons, it is of no surprise to hear that on top of his role as caretaker many people pour out their hearts and souls to him in the portacabin which serves as his office. He has shared many cups of tea with people who have no one to turn to and who are ravaged by grief and regret. He said: “Often at the burial of a suicide victim I wouldn’t know the family at all initially. But in the following few months I often get to know them very well as they seek solace at the grave of their loved one.” The rest of the transcript of Brian's interview will be on https://www.sligo.life/