Edmund Buckley – The Project Syndrome

 

The Death of a Socialite explores the subconscious concerns of the protagonist Gareth Rafter as he feels helplessly propelled into the new millennia by an overwhelmingly corrupt society that he would rather not be part of.

Gareth’s artistic ability seems to set him apart from his family and friends but his social circumstances and the emotional pit he has been digging for himself since he was a child seems too deep a plot for his escape into the riches and success that he obviously desires and so rightfully deserves.

As we move through this life determining fortnight that leads up to Gareth’s plan to leave home and the social responsibilities he has been forced to adhere to we find out just how much emotional baggage has been weighing him and his social circle down.

Edmund ran a successful fundit campaign to enable him to print the book.

This first novel by Edmund Buckley is the second commercial exploit by The Project Syndrome.

How I learn by Helen Bullock.

How I learn is a collection that was put together by Cork woman/Limerick resident teacher, Helen Bullock. The cover is illustrated by Thurles woman, Rachael Cooke.

We learn something new everyday, or so the saying goes, but this new collection of personal stories proves that old adage to be true. A broad range of people inside and outside of Ireland have come together to explain what they learn and how they do it, and how we can learn from their experiences.

#HowIlearn is a crowd sourced book featuring work from teachers, pupils and life long learners. #HowIlearn looks at different learning styles and personal experiences.

Contributors include Rick O’Shea from 2fm, Catherine Cronin, lecturer in NUIG, Pam O’Brien and Bernard Goldbach lecturers in LIT Thurles and regular users of ICT and technology in learning and many more.

Proceeds from How I learn will be donated to Barnardos, a charity which all contributors felt would benefit hugely from this project. Barnardos helps and supports children and families who are most at risk. Barnardos focuses on the increased emotional well-being of the child and family as well as improving learning and development. How I learn felt that Bernardos was the ideal fit and are delighted to be able to support them in all the work that they do.

“We all learn differently and the work Helen Bullock has done in How I learn brings that to the forefront of education, How I learn is a vital reminder to educators, parents and learners alike, to find their unique learning style and embrace it.” Ciaran Cannot TD, Minister of State, Department of Education and Skills.

“How I learn is one of those brilliant and passionately put together ideas that should be recommended to everyone” Rick O’Shea, presenter 2fm.

“I think How I learn is a great initiative – showing that, with regard to education, one size does not fit all.” Hazel Larkin, Dublin, Mother of two.

“Teachers can forget their students might learn differently to themselves. This book is a collection of the varied learning styles that might surface in a classroom, and which need to be met.” Caroline Carswell of Irish Deaf Kids.

Contact: hb.bullock@gmail.com

Twitter: HowIlearn

Website: http://www.anseo-a-mhuinteoir.com

The International Charity Bazaar Cookbook

The International Charity Bazaar was founded in 2006 by the wife of the then Pakistani Ambassador to Ireland in order to raise money to provide relief to the victims of the devastating earthquake in Pakistan. Since then, the Bazaar has evolved and is now a firm future on the social calendar in Dublin. It had long been the wish of the organising committee to publish a cookbook of international recipes in order to raise funds.

This week I caught up with the woman who led the project, Siobhan Denham. I asked her where the whole idea started.

“As I had been involved in 2 similar projects previously in San Francisco and Lithuania — my husband is an Irish diplomat — I volunteered to lead the project,” Siobhan says. “I became involved in the Bazaar in 2011 following my return to Ireland.  We started contacting all the resident embassies in Dublin during the summer asking them to submit recipes for the book. We were delighted with the response, with almost 50 embassies contributing over 150 recipes.”

The Embassies are assisted in their volunteer efforts by a group of Irish ladies known as the Irish friends. “The Bazaar patron is Norma Smurfit – well-known for her fundraising efforts,” adds Siobhan. “I submitted what I consider very traditional Irish recipes and which I have served with great pride when I have lived abroad.  The recipes are Colcannon, Irish Stew, Guinness Chocolate cake and Irish coffee as well of course as delicious recipe for Brown Soda Bread.”

What caught your interest in the project? Have you always loved cooking? “I love simple food made from really fresh ingredients.  We are so lucky to live on an island and to have access to fresh fish.  I love to cook all kinds of fish with baked in the oven or pan fried and served with fresh vegetables.”

Why self-publishing? Siobhan says it was a straightforward decision: “We were very anxious to have a print copy of the book – the first idea was to produce a CD, but as someone who loves to cook myself, I felt that people want to have something to flick through. Thanks to Google, Lettertec popped up in my search. I was impressed by Frank’s immediate response and enthusiasm for the project and the fact that he had so much experience of producing charity cookbooks, so really after that I didn’t shop around. My first impression was a lasting one!”

All the funds for the cookbook, raised both last year and this, go to Irish charities.  For more information on the Bazaar’s history and mission, see their website www.internationalbazaar.ie

You can also find them on LinkedIn and Facebook.