Aine Art,Killashee

Cheltenham is the Mecca for both Irish and English racegoers in the month of March. Trainers and owners of both sides of the pond pit their best horses against each other for big prize money and trophies.It takes a year of hard work and perseverance to ready a horse for Cheltenham. Thousands of Irish punters descend on Prestbury Park with dreams and hopes that their favourite horse will be in the Winners enclosure after the race.If not there is always another race. Every evening during race week you have the traditional Poker Tables where many a good man has lost his shirt, even if he hasnt lost it on the racecourse.This year Longford businessman Philip Reynolds hopes to lift the Cheltenham Gold Cup in a little over six weeks time, with his star chaser Presenting Persy. Percy won at Gowran last week and was immediately cut down to 11-4 for the Gold Cup in March.Certainly one to watch and might be worth a trip to Prestbury Park to cheer on.It could be Longfords year. Come on Percy.Aine...

Christmas mania has well and truly taken off.Looking around the queues at tills, and the traffic on the roads hysteria has set in already.Retailers await a bumper spend this year with delight.Set a budget, make a list and stick to it.When you have spent the money,come home and regroup before setting out again with another list. Is there any need for this mania? Instead of getting embroiled in mad trolly dashes and wrestling at the tills for the last of the special offers,take time.Take a leisurely stroll down main street,look up, admire the Christmas lights,admire the lit Christmas trees,listen to the carol singers,and greet neighbours and strangers with Christmas cheer. Christmas is for giving yes, but more importantly, its a time for family and friends. It is also a time for yourself to enjoy some peace and joy.Let us remember that as the mania goes on around us.I would like to wish all my readers, and patrons a Very Happy Christmas.