local artisan food producers will be showcasing their wares on home turf next weekend when they participate in A Taste of Offaly at the Tullamore Court Hotel.

Commencing at 12 noon next Sunday February 26 and running all afternoon the event is an opportunity for food producers to test new flavours and products.

Among the local participants will be Ralph Haslam of Mossfield Cheese, Ballybryan Bronze free range turkeys, Derryvilla Blueberry Farm, Slievebloom Farmhouse Foods (which incorporates the only cranberry farm in Ireland), the award-winning O’Donohue’s Bakery from Tullamore, Ballyshiel Chocolate spreads from Ferbane, organic vegetables from Lough Boora farm, organic oats from Ballard Farm in Kilbeggan, beef and lamb from Deverells Farm Factory Direct, home baked goods from Annaharvey farm and Tyrrells, along with delicious sausages from Pigs on the Green and Tullamore Meats.

Local chef Yvonne Carty of Hey Pesto will also be using ingredients from the area during her cookery demonstrations over the course of the afternoon whle anyone who likes Thai food will welcome the cookery demonstrations during the afternoon by chef Numb of Bang Thai in Loughrey’s of High Street.

A Taste of Offaly will feature over 40 exhibits ranging from gourmet jams to cheese, various types of bread to granola, handmade sausages and fine wines, hand made paper products, crafts and it is truly is a celebration of all things local. The event is co-ordinated by Midlands 103 with the assistance of Offaly Local Development Group and sponsored by JA Lumley & Son Ltd. On the day there will also be cookery demonstrations, sampling opportunities and a chance to try out all the goods before purchasing.

]]> 1.3549578 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:25:25 +0000 http://www.offalyexpress.ie/moves_like_jagger_fashion_extravaganza_in_tullamore_1_3546479

teen models showed their dance moves and catwalk prowess at St Mary’s Youth Club recently at the Moves Like Jagger fashion show which raised funds for St Vincent de Paul and the youth club’s new P2B Youth Café.

The event was a major success and attracted widespread compliments for the manner in which the youthful models behaved, for the stunning set (again created by the youth centre’s wonderful volunteers Mark Quinlan and Simon Farrell) - which incorporated festive red and white balloons and for the lively pace of the evening.

In fact one member of the audience described it as the “best fashion show ever”.

See this week’s Offaly Express for full report and two pages of photographic coverage

The XJ220 remains the fastest Jaguar ever produced and when launched in 1992 and, at 213mph, had the highest maximum speed of any production car. Constructed using advanced aluminium honeycomb, the car was immensely strong and, despite its size, weighed just 1,470 kg.

Originally conceived as a concept car, the XJ220 debuted at the 1988 British Motor Show. Designed by Keith Helfet, the car was signed off for production in December 1989 with TWR selected as the partner for the project.

Powered by a 3.5-litre, twin turbo V6, the XJ220 channelled its drive through the 18-inch Speedline rear wheels shod in specially developed 345/35 Bridgestone Expedia tyres via a five-speed gearbox and an AP Racing twin-plate clutch. The XJ220 developed 550 PS and 475 lbs ft of torque to allow it to accelerate to 60mph in under four seconds. Braking was supplied by a set of AP Racing discs and four pot callipers.

Built by hand in an all-new factory in Bloxham, Oxfordshire, prototype 001 was completed in 1990 while car 002 achieved 186 mph at Bruntingthorpe in September of the same year. The first customer car was completed in June 1992 with a retail price of £470,000.

Production ceased in 1994, by which time 275 cars had been built.

The silver car in attendance at the recent Jaguar Experience Day held at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon is chassis 004, one of 10 pre-production vehicles. This example was used for extensive tyre and high speed testing at Fort Stockton, Texas, in 1991. Andy Wallace achieved a maximum speed of 213 mph in the car during the testing process.

Once these duties were completed the car was converted to race specification and was campaigned by Justin Law in the British GT Cup. On being retired from racing it was returned to its standard, road-going specification.

The yellow car is an XJ220 S - chassis ‘220-803’. This is the very first XJ220 S, built using spare parts from the Le Mans cars, including single-piece carbon fibre front and rear clamshells, revised springs and dampers and a claimed 700 PS. The luxurious interior of the road car was dropped in favour of Kevlar bucket seats and pared down, carbon trim.

The car was unveiled at the Autosport Show in 1993.

]]> 1.3535557 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:40:41 +0000 http://www.offalyexpress.ie/up_the_airy_mountain_1_3524972

The forecast said no rain, but a steady drizzle still fell for much of Sunday morning in Kinnitty last week. The enthusiastic group of seasoned walkers who met at Kinnitty Community Centre weren’t put out by the damp day, kitted with gear like gaiters, waterproofs, raincovers for their rucksacks, metal walking poles and woolly hats.

The Slieve Bloom Walking Club are experiencing a surge in popularity, and have doubled the number of guided walks they provide every weekend. Lynda Kiernan put on her walking boots to find out what the attraction is

Leader for this walk was Gerry Hanlon from Mountmellick. No fancy equipment for him, a stout hazel stick and welly boots were enough for the shopkeeper, who has a reputation for powering on over any mountain, without any need for rest or food.

With gaiters (leg covers) kindly loaned to us by Ann Lanigan, rural recreation officer with Laois Partnership, myself and my friend were ready to join the convoy up to Glendine West. The group of 35 - head counted on the way out, but rather worryingly, not on the way home - set off at 11am for a hike that would take almost four hours to complete.

Our route initially followed the Glendine river, occasionally crossing through it, slowly climbing through ancient dripping forests coated in thick moss. There is a real ‘lord of the rings’ atmosphere in these woods. There are no paths here, just small tags tied in trees to stop everyone getting lost. The going can be rough, definitely unsuitable for small children, but the child is still alive in every one of these walkers, who happily splashed through the river, and slipped and slid their way down muddy inclines.

One of the walkers was Sr Ríona McHugh, who at 69 years old, was still well able for the pace.

“I am very fit. I spent my childhood jumping over gates, it’s a challenge, I would be afraid of knees though,” she said.

Originally from Galway, she says she has been somewhat converted from the sea to the mountains.

“I love thinking back and imagining life in the mountains, and wondering why and how they left,” she said.

The mountains are dotted with abandoned dwellings, tumbled down stone houses now cloaked in soft green moss. One we passed has a headstone made from the fireplace mantle, with the date 1868 carved on it. Someone spotted a native red squirrel in the trees, and Gerry explained that they are more common now since the pine marten has been reintroduced, a predator of the larger, once dominant grey squirrel.

We left the cover of the woods, and began a climb up to the top of Fear Bréag, a 345 metre hill coated in blanket bog, heathers and mosses, one of the areas in the Slieve Blooms protected as a SAC - Special Area of Conservation.

The name means ‘hardy man’ or ‘wolf man’, as 250 years ago these mountains were home to packs of wolves. Now there’s just wild goats and deer.

“There are still some stone boley huts up here, for farmers who would bring their cattle up in the summer, and stay with them to protect them from the wolves,” explained Gerry.

Up to a few years ago, locals still travelled by cart up here to cut their turf. The 4 foot high walls of black cutaway bog are still visible, but spongy sphagnum moss is again coating the ground, soaked in water, the perfect recipe for a new bog in a few millennia.

“This place brings you back in time. It hasn’t changed much since the famine. The old tracks are still there, nature’s taking them back now,” Gerry says.

At the top of the hill, a striped post and a quick rest await. The view is spectacular enough, but on a clear day the lakes of the Shannon can be seen from here.

Many of the walkers have a keen knowledge and love for the flora and fauna of the Slieve Blooms, like retired teacher Gloria Carter from Ballyfin, who points out the aptly named ‘devils matchstick’ lichen, and ‘drowned kitten moss’.

The colours of the terrain constantly change, with stretches of brown heathers turning to rust coloured mooregrasses. We don’t stay long at the exposed top of Fear Bréag, but begin the long trek down towards the shelter of the woods, for a much needed rest and lunch.

Out come the flasks and sandwiches, some even have foldout seatpads. A married couple from Birr tell me they have been enjoying the walks for ten years now, while two friends, Siobhán and Kathleen from Ballacolla started a year ago.

“We are completely addicted. It’s the peace, the connection with nature. Your thoughts can get so far away from normal humdrum life,” says Kathleen, who got the wrong shoes to start with, but now is kitted out for all conditions.

“You’re guaranteed a good walk with Gerry. There’s many a Sunday i went home and said ‘never again’,” she laughs.

We continued on downhill completing the looped walk. The landscape changes from high pine Coillte forests to small cleared fields and copses of birch trees, crossing back over the Glendine river.

The walks are occasionally used as training for bigger adventures, explains Paul Dunne, who is also a walk leader.

“We got three teachers from Dublin last year who were training to go to Peru. Two others were training for the Alps,” he said.

By the time we got back to our cars, clouds of mist had drifted down over the hills. the cold and wet had soaked in, and all dispersed quickly to get back to the comforts of home. Not a day for the faint hearted, but definitely one to repeat.

See www.slievebloom.ie for more.

It has been well known as an award-winning new car since its UK launch in January 2008, but now the Fiat 500 is attacting used car honours too. The multi-award winning city car was last night (15 February) crowned Used Car of the Year at the glittering AM Awards in Birmingham.

The car’s cute looks, excellent residual values and widespread popularity were all praised by the award’s judges, while special mention was made of the speed at which 500s are sold on as used vehicles.

“Single handedly re-invigorating the Fiat brand since its introduction to the market in 2008, the popularity of the Fiat 500 has not waned, enjoying massive popularity on the used market,” says Jeremy Bennett, editor, AM. “Demand for the car is still strong, ensuring 500s only share brief encounters with dealer forecourts before being whisked away to customers looking for fun in a cute and funky little package.

“With part-exchange values at £4,500 to £5,500 after three years, depending on the model, the 500 depreciates extremely slowly for a small car.”

“Fiat 500 has been a wonderful success story for us over the last four years or so, both as a new buy and as a used car,” says Jonny Miller, group remarketing manager, Fiat Group Automobiles UK. “Its ‘must have’ looks, reliability, character and fuel efficiency, have all helped to ensure its residual values are kept high, which is good news for owners and dealers.”

Available with a choice of ultra-low emissions Euro 5 engines: 85bhp 0.9-litre TwinAir, 69bhp 1.2-litre and 100bhp 1.4-litre petrol, and 95 bhp 1.3-litre MultiJet turbodiesel, the Fiat 500 can be ordered in a number of different trim levels – Pop, Sport, Lounge, TwinAir, TwinAir Plus and TwinAir Lounge.

And with a starting price of just £9960 OTR for the 1.2 Pop, the Fiat 500 represents outstanding value for money.

PEUGEOT’S 206CC was successful beyond the company’s most optimistic projections and its 207CC replacement aimed to continue its dominance of the small cabriolet market.

Steve Walker checks out this improved version.

The British have an irrational love of convertible cars. Just look at how many of them there are on the roads then at our average rainfall figures and you’ll have all the evidence you need of that.

Peugeot has tapped into this yearning for wind-in-the-hair travel more successfully than most manufacturers with its range of affordable folding hard-top models and today’s 207CC is aiming to fight off competition from a number of pretenders to its throne.

When launching the 207CC in 2007, Peugeot aimed to retain the basic ingredients of its 206CC predecessor but at the same time, improve virtually every aspect of this landmark car.

It did so, but the end result seemed a little clinical compared with more characterful rivals like MINI’s Convertible. Hence a series of styling revisions aimed at injecting a little street presence into an impressively designed package - and the model we look at here.

The 206CC from Peugeot can rightfully claim to have popularised the folding hard-top roof in the modern car market and the 207CC is the caretaker of that noble bloodline.

Today, folding metal roofs are everywhere but before the 206CC, if you wanted one you had to get a rather expensive Mercedes or dig way back into the annals of motoring history for one of the old classics that chanced its arm with such an arrangement.

By now, they’re certain to be rather more expensive than the Merc.

Keen drivers won’t thank the 206CC for its efforts in making complex overhead metalwork the preferred choice over lightweight canvas.

Fans of budget convertible cars, however, have taken the security and durability of the folding hard-top to heart.

You’d better like 1.6-litre engines because the 207CC has three of them and that’s as far as the choice goes.

At least there’s some decent variety within this outwardly samey line-up.

The entry-level petrol engine is a 120bhp normally-aspirated 1.6-litre designed in partnership with BMW no less.

This is the engine that will rack up most sales and the only one on offer with automatic transmission.

It’s also a variant of the next engine in the line-up, the 150bhp turbo 1.6, albeit shorn of the turbocharger.

Nevertheless it still looks quite punchy, delivering its maximum power at 6,000rpm and its peak torque figure of 163Nm at 4,250rpm.

The 150bhp turbocharged variant gets THP (turbo high pressure) branding and features a beefy peak torque figure of 244Nm from only 1,400rpm.

The twin scroll turbo and variable valve timing system combines with direct injection to offer a decent compromise between performance and fuel economy.

Finally, there’s a 1.6-litre HDi diesel with 110bhp and identical torque to the turbocharged petrol unit.

The extra weight of the 207CC’s roof mechanism blunts the performance of the car compared to 207 hatchback models using the same engines.

It’s still pleasantly nippy though, regardless of the engine choice, with even the diesel managing a 0-60mph sprint of under 11s.

The turbocharged petrol engine records an 8.6s sprint time and a 129mph top speed.

The 207CC is a capable cruiser but the absence of a fixed roof can be felt as the body flexes when cornered quickly.

This is hardly a disaster and Peugeot’s effort remains among the best supermini-based convertibles from a driver’s point of view. Engine refinement is also very good.

Peugeot has tweaked the look of today’s 207CC, toning down the sometimes controversial front end styling that has been rolled out across its model range in recent years.

The lines are better integrated around the nose but the main point of reference is that the fog lights which were mounted on the edge of the enormous grille are now housed in their own cutaway sections on either side.

At the rear, LED taillights are an upmarket touch but visually, the overall feel of the car isn’t dramatically different.

The styling is still markedly more cohesive with the roof down than when it’s up.

The standard 207 interior is carried over to the CC model. It’s not the most impressive in the supermini sector from a design or quality perspective but upgraded trim materials that only make it onto plusher 207 cars are standard on the CC and help spruce it up a bit.

There’s also a more modern control panel for the ventilation system on the latest cars.

A retractable metal roof makes packaging a nightmare and although the 207CC copes as well as any hard-top convertible of this size, rear legroom is still in short supply.

The boot is just 187 litres with the roof down but on the plus side, there’s ample space for front seat occupants and holding a button down for 25 seconds is enough to raise or lower the canopy.

Sport and GT trim levels are available, with the Sport getting 16” alloy wheels, air-conditioning, remote central locking and electric windows with full one-touch operation of the driver’s window.

There’s also ABS brakes with brakeforce distribution and brake assist.

For a premium of around £1,500, the GT model adds 17” alloy wheels, ESP stability control and a number of other features.

Hyundai’s i10 has built a formidable reputation as one of the very best affordable small cars. The revised range boasts smarter styling, new engines and an eco-focused Blue model with CO2 emissions of just 99g/km.

The Hyundai i10 has been a very strong contender in the city car segment offering impressive standards of quality and design backed-up by the generous specification you expect from Hyundai and that famous five-year warranty. Now the facelifted little car is on an efficiency drive with an all-new 1.0-litre engine, start-stop technology and a fashionably eco-tweaked green version called, naturally enough, the Blue.

With just 68bhp at its disposal, the new 1.0 i10 Blue just about wings ‘frisky’ in the confines of an urban environment but its rather feeble looking 0-62mph time of 14.8s is actually a whole second quicker than the old 1.1 could manage. Like that car, it struggles a bit out of town but the new three-pot motor is a sweet engine with an engaging off-beat soundtrack that’s fun to work hard. And the precise action of the five-speed gearbox means it’s no chore keeping it on the boil. That said, the updated 1.2 powerplant with 85bhp makes life considerably more relaxed behind the wheel and adds to the fun quotient by actually putting a little heat into a surprisingly nifty chassis. And with a combined consumption of 61.4mpg and CO2 emission of just 108 g/km, you’re hardly going to be branded a climate criminal.

The i10’s cabin design has also been subjected to some tidying but remains simple and appealing. The vibrancy and ingenuity that characterises the best small car interiors doesn’t appear to be in evidence but Hyundai looks to have concentrated on getting the fundamentals right.

The safety-first approach should help maintain the brand’s steady forward momentum. The revised range is divided into four trim grades - Blue, Classic, Active and Style. As before, all models get air conditioning, four electric windows, power steering, central locking, tinted glass, four airbags and a six-speaker CD/radio stereo, but new to the standard kit list is a dedicated connection for your iPod as well as non-Apple MP3 players. The items that make the Blue ‘Blue’ consist of low rolling resistance tyres, an Eco Drive indicator that tells you the most efficient time to change gear, and Hyundai’s ISG stop-start system.

Town car buyers aren’t going short of choice at the moment. Small, economical vehicles that can help motorists sidestep the worst of the environmental taxation burden are very much in vogue and if they can do so with some design flair and a little bit of cheekiness thrown in, well, so much the better. Hyundai’s refreshed i10 might lack the sparkle to seduce the nation’s urban trendies but it continues to put a definite tick in the boxes marked quality, practicality and value.