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A sad story in the Irish Times of a Dublin based Ballyhaunis native who is trying to make it to payday - he is a journalist (sometimes anyway)

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2012/0124/1224310667976.html

Here is the GAA Fight Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v954WVzDfMg&feature=player_embedded

SuperValu have announced a decision today to install a dedicated OAP chat zone at the entrance to all of it’s 182 stores nationwide.

The zone will be located both inside and outside the entrance door and can only be used by the over 65′s who wish to chat about the weather , death notices , bunions and other such important issues.

CEO said the decision came after numerous written complaints were sent in from elderly men and women over the past few years: “The main problem we found was that people entering the shop with their trolleys were disturbing the old people chatting at the entrance area.

“Some were even asked to ‘move out of the way’ to let the would-be shopper into the store.

“It must be very frustrating. Especially when you’re having such a good chat”

The supermarket chain has also allocated a five minute ‘stop and chat with the cashier rule‘ with all of it’s check-out operators.

“We think it is very important for our cashiers to relate to our customers on a personal level. Five minutes is perfect.”

Seventy three year old Peggy Murphy praised the shop for its OAP friendly atmosphere and said she cannot wait to be able to stand and chat in peace without some younger person nervously fidgeting behind her.

“It’s about time! There’s nothing worse than been hurried up by some impatient whippersnapper.”

X Factor Songs for November 19th 2011

Little Mix – Don’t Let Go, from Set It Off
Marcus Collins – Higher And Higher, from Ghostbusters II
Misha B – I Have Nothing, from The Bodyguard
Janet Devlin – Kiss Me, from She’s All That
Amelia Lily – Think, from Bridget Jones
Craig Colton – License To Kill, from James Bond: License To Kill

TENS of confused people in Ballyhaunis were said to be ‘relieved’ after an elderly woman confirmed there was ‘miserable weather outside’ while waiting in a queue for the post office earlier this week.

Sources say many customers were disorientated when they initially entered the building, not knowing what the hell was happening outside.

One man said: “I remember having my umbrella up as I was walking down the main Street - tThen when I got into the post office I didn’t need it anymore for some reason.”

“I must have been standing there for ten minutes just wondering what had happened. Then Mrs O’Brien said it was ‘miserable auld weather outside’ to one of the post office clerks.

“Nearly everyone took a sigh of relief.”

“Only for her we’d all have been still standing there scratching our heads and wondering why we were soaking wet.” he added.

Mrs. O’Brien said she came into the Post Office to collect her pension before heading off for some messages: “I usually get my money on a Friday and then head up to SuperValu to chat to my friends and block the entrance there.

“When I was in the Post Office I could feel the anxiety in the air. Sure I just had to tell them what was going on outside.” said the 76-year-old.

Since this revelation - dozens more people have come forward with the news of the miserable weather outside.

Business owners across the town have said many customers are now confirming how wet and windy it is when you’re not inside a building.

“Only for people like that we wouldn’t have a clue how horrible it is out there. At least now I know to wear a rain jacket before venturing anywhere without a roof.” said pub owner George Delaney.

These are the Queen and Lady GAGA songs that the Xfactor contestants will be singing tonight…

Marcus Collins – Another One Bites The Dust

Misha B – Born This Way

Kitty Brucknell – Don’t Stop Me Now

Craig Colton – Paparazzi

Janet Devlin – Somebody To Love

Little Mix – Telephone/Radio Gaga

Comeback Contestant – The Show Must Go On

X Factor contestants Rhythmix have had to change their name. They said this week ……….

“When we came up with the name Rhythmix, we had no idea that there was a charity with the same name. We decided to change our name to Little Mix as we do not want to cause any problems for the charity, and we’re happy that this has now been resolved. We’re the same girls as we’ve always been and we want to thank all of our fans for their continued support of us.

“We came up with some ideas for our new name which we discussed with Tulisa and she had some ideas too. We all agreed on Little Mix as it just felt right. We’re so excited to perform on Saturday and hope everyone is impressed with what we do.”

These are the songs to be sung on the X factor on Saturday October 22nd 2011

More details of TV3 X Factor Irish Voting Lines Here

Marcus Collins – Are You Gonna Go My Way
Misha B – Purple Rain
Craig Colton – Stop Crying Your Heart Out
Janet Devlin – Sweet Child Of Mine
Rhythmix – Tik Tok into Push It
Sami Brookes – Turn Back Time
The Risk – Crazy
Frankie Cocozza – Get Your Rocks Off
Johnny Robinson – I Believe In A Thing Called Love
Kitty Brucknell – Live And Let Die
Sophie Habibis – Living On A Prayer
Betting on Xfactor Here

Craig Colton - Best Thing I Ever Had

Johnny Robinson - Can’t Get You Out Of My Head

Janet Devlin - I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You

Rhythmix - I’m Like A Bird

Kitty Brucknell - It’s Oh So Quiet

Sami Brookes - I Will Always Love You

The Risk - Just The Way You Are

These are the songs the acts will sing on Xfactor 15th October

Betting on Xfactor 2011 Here

More about Xfactor TV3 Voting numbers here …

Marcus Collins - Russian Roulette

Frankie Cocozza - The Scientist

Nu Vibe - With Or Without You

Misha B - Would I Lie To You

Sophie Habibis - Wherever You Will Go

SERIOUS concern is mounting in a Ballyhaunis family who have been searching for their missing television remote control since October 2nd

The 4-year-old Mitsubishi Black Diamond television remote has been missing since 1.40pm on Sunday afternoon, 2nd of October and is feared to have fallen down into one of the chairs after being sat on by a large family member who was visiting at the time.

The remote was last seen on the fireplace in the sitting room. A major search of the area, involving up to five family members and a friend, got under way on Sunday evening and has been continuing for the last week. The search also involved help from visiting relations, the local parish priest, and the familie’s dog who has been sniffing behind the curtains and in various other nooks and cranny’s.

Family members firdt became concerned when they sat down to watch Coronation street and realised the device was nowhere to be found.

Daniel Mangan, husband and father, said: “It’s totally out of character. That remote control would always get lost, but we’d always find it again. It would either be down the side of the couch, on the fireplace or someone would just be sitting on it. Everyone is mystified and we are growing anxious.

“I hope its not gone down into one of the chairs. Those chairs are antiques and i’m not going to break them. The sister in-law was over that day and she has an arse that would bury a small country, or suck one in whole. Jaysis I hope tis not gone there.”

The remote is described as 15cm (6in), of medium build, with short black buttons and a faded complexion.

The infra-red plastic cover is gone and the volume and programme + and – buttons are very worn. The remote was carrying one Duracell battery and one cheaper one which was bought in Lidl. Both batteries were kept in place with frayed black duct tape.

Anyone with details is asked to contact Ballyhaunis gardai . Contact can also be made via the facebook page ‘Where is the Mangans Remote gone?’.

While family members are retracing their steps this evening, a service of hope will be held in the local church for the Mangans.