October 2022

Dear readers,
A warm welcome to Miriam, Sheila and Mark
on joining our team. We are delighted to see
James back in action after the big op !
Congratulations to John Kelly and family on the
arrival of baby Juno, wonderful news !

Articles by :
Mary Smith
John Farrelly
Robert Byrne
Linda Mac Carthy
Bren O Doherty

Get to know our new

member:
My favourite things
 Gateway Song writing & Jam 2022

Hello!
Where to begin? Maybe my first day? Yeah, sounds like a plan. I first came to Gateway in April of
this year (2022). I had heard of it firstly through a friend named John O’Brien, a mean singer/
guitarist (RIP). Then I heard again through the staff where I live, and it was suggested I pay a visit.
When I got to the door it was not locked but it appeared no one was home! Enter James. James
Fagan impressed me right away with his warmth and humourous disposition, as he asked my sta-
tus. I said I was hoping to join the group and James duly inducted me. We have been friends ever
since. The induction was on a Thursday (I think) which meant music was on the agenda. James
initiated and ran the show, but not in a commandeering way. We had a great time and have had
many sessions since. Unfortunately James had to go for an operation and will have to take it easy
for a while. God bless you James we can’t wait to see you again. The music is every Thursday and
appears to be enjoyed by all.
Here's a rundown of the musicians:
Miriam is an amazing singer and a major contributor to the group. Influence wise Miriam leans to-
ward country and folk which she does very well. Miriam does lead and harmony vocals as well as
percussion. She is always willing to break new ground.
Next up is Ali – Ali is also a major influence on the group with her armoury of self penned tunes.
Ali is an astounding guitarist and singer and is due to record some material soon. Ali is a very pop-
ular performer with an easy going attitude and an abundance of talent.
Vinny – Hailing from the English midlands but now an honorary Irishman, he really is something
else. His vocals and guitar playing are truly extraordinary. As well as these Vinny is an accom-
plished flute player and a percussionist. The man can turn his hand to almost anything musically
and is a vital part of the group.
Clodagh – Clodagh specialises in piano, guitar and vocals. She is modest as the day is long and is
essential to the group. She has a unique song writing style and knows how to carry a tune. A
great player and singer with a keen sense of timing.
Liam – Liam is our chief percussionist and also knows his way around a song. A man who would do
anything for you. Liam is also one for the banter and the craic, a true gent.
Mary – Mary is an astonishing performer who plays guitar, flute and sings. She knows all kind of
songs and enriches the group with her renditions. Mary is a seasoned musician who we can all
learn from. A lady for sure.
And finally to everyone else who has performed with us, sang along, or just listened, you are also
unique, beautiful and essential to the ongoing life of the group. God bless you all.
Bren O’Doherty
My Favourite Things

What is your favourite Food? Bread

What kind of Music do you like? Classical Music
What’s your favourite Hobby? Reading
If you could go anywhere in the World, where would it be? New York
What’s the first thing you’d do if you won the lotto? I’d give Half to Charity
Where is your favourite place to relax? On the Sofa

Nora Dillion

Management committee update

The management committee have recently welcomed John B , Leila , Bren
This means that 50% of the management committee are Gateway members
We are representing you with anything you would like to bring to management
Well done John , Leila and Bren

I love Bray. I love to walk along the promenade with the sea on my right
and the esplanade on my left. The esplanade is planted with colourful
flowerbeds and there are plenty of green lawns for children to play on.
The famous bandstand has recently been renovated and it is the main fea-
ture along the walk. The little kiosks are adorned with buckets, spades,
beach balls and straw hats and you can buy Bray rock or a 99 ice cream.
The seats along the esplanade are very comfortable and a welcome refuge
if you’re tired. The whole promenade has long lines of stone seats with
wrought-iron backing and are very comfortable to sit on.
With the sea on my right and the esplanade on my left, there is the beau-
tiful Bray Head majestically inviting me onwards. There used to be a cable
car that brought visitors up to Eagle’s Nest where there was a restaurant –
the Bray Head Hotel is now closed as is Dawson’s Amusements. The old-
est Fish & Chip shop opened in 1946 and is still in business and owned by
the same Italian family.
John Farrelly
What Gateway Means to Me:
My name is Robert Byrne, I am a new member of Gateway and this is what Gateway means to me.
It is a fantastic social outlet. I found it a great way of meeting people of like minds and interests. Commu-
nication is better than medication. Informal group of people come together to address their common prob-
lems. Peer support improves people’s wellbeing and keeps them out of hospital. Gateway is a place where
people who have a shared experience of mental health can support one another. The greatest key to men-
tal health is friendship. There are people just like me who listen and understand. Gateway gets us out of
the home and meeting people. It is a place where I can relax. There is a lot of support and encouragement
here. Gateway gives a sense of being understood and accepted by others with similar problems.
Robert Byrne

Halloween with a Harvest Theme

‘To Everything there is a Season’ Ecclesiastes

‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’ (Keats)

Without nature there would be nothing to celebrate: nothing to be grateful for: nothing to nourish our bodies/souls/
spirits: we simply wouldn’t exist. The Earth is our Home and our Harvest.

The autumn/winter season ushers in a time of gathering & storing produce. Now the work of the Sower & the Seed, Soil &
the Sun have yielded the bounty of their labours. From fields, gardens and orchards Nature releases her full Fruitfulness.
Hedgerow Harvests are ripe for foraging with blackberries, rosehips, haws and sloe berries free for the picking.

This is a time of preparation, preservation and celebration. The ancient rituals of the Pagan/Celtic/Christian heritage. The
traditional Harvest Festival of Thanksgiving & First Fruits. A time for baking, bottling and brewing ensues. Thoughts turn
to the Three Days of ‘Halloween’ – All Hallows Eve. All Hallows (Saints) & All Souls – But before the time of quiet reflection
& remembrance there is the time of revelry & feasting.

Now there is a reversal of sobriety & the onset of creative imaginings explodes. Children transform themselves into witch-
es & wizards, vampires, ghouls and gargoyles: darkness descends, supernatural visions emerge - & chaos erupts – tempo-
rarily.

There is the traditional fare of Colcannon – potatoes, kale, cabbage, spinach and finely chopped onions, delicious potato
farls for breakfast and the famous Irish Barmbrack for afternoon tea. A festive table with apple, pear, plum and rhubarb
tarts. Homemade jams and fruit conserves for scones, pancakes or Irish Soda Bread. Chutneys and savoury relishes for
sandwiches, soups, and casseroles.

The pumpkin is not an Irish Tradition. Halloween originated in Ireland and spread across the world. It is a Celtic/Irish Fes-
tival and an integral part of our heritage. Instead of the now ubiquitous pumpkin, Irish Homesteads used the turnip to
place in their windows, eyes, nose and mouth were cut out and a candle placed inside to beckon the souls of the departed
to return – temporarily. This turnip emblem of Halloween is the prototype for the now famous ‘Jack-O-Lantern’.

St. Brigid’s crosses were used above the door as protection and blessing.

No sooner has ‘Halloween’ passed that the preparations for Christmas unfold. Even now some people have made their
cakes, puddings, and mincemeat confections. All through Advent excitement continues as children open the ‘windows’ of
their Advent calendars and count the days towards the Coming of Light and the Peace and Goodwill of the sacred season.

Linda MacCarthy