Chapel Cross Cakes

Location

Based in Dromiskin and specialising in handcrafted and bespoke Wedding, Celebration and Novelty Cakes.  Martina Morrow has been involved in Sugarcraft for several years now, starting off as a hobby before training professionally at Belfast Metropolitan College and finally establishing Chapel Cross Cakes.

Personal Service 

Offering a personal professional service, all her cakes are baked to order and are available in a variety of flavours.  Using her own special recipes and taking great care to ensure each cake is fresh, mouth-watering and delicious, they are both visually striking and taste as good as they look!  

Large Range

The range of flavours and fillings is impressive so there is something for everyone, something different to tempt, tantalize and excite your guests.  A cake makes every occasion special and Chapel Cross Cakes is delighted to be able to help make your occasions memorable and fun! As Martina makes all her Cake Decorations by hand, from delicate Flowers to Novelty Character Toppers, she can deliver a service to match the theme of your celebration.    Whether it is a Engagement, Wedding, Civil Partnership, Anniversary, Birthday, Christening, Hen Party, Corporate Event or Seasonal Holiday, indulge yourself with one of their amazing cakes.

New Trends

As cake trends change each year, Martin likes to keep up with the new styles and flavours, such as Red Velvet Cake and “Wonky Cakes” with their colourful decoration.   Ever popular though is the speciality Belgian Chocolate Biscuit Cake or signature Lemon Cake with home-made Lemon Curd Filling and of course a traditional Rum Soaked Fruit Cake, amongst others.   Cupcake Cakes are also still very much on trend and again Martina can provide a variety of delicious flavours ranging from traditional Vanilla, exotic Coconut & Lime, right through to Belgian Chocolate. 

Novelty Cake Toppers

Novelty Caricature Toppers are also a very popular way to personalize your cake, whether that is The Bride and Groom or the Birthday Boy or Girl all decked out for their favourite passtime.   A Novelty Cake can be a tasty talking point as a centrepiece for your celebration.

Chapel Cross Cakes professional Wedding Cake service runs from an initial consultation right through to personal delivery and set up at your venue.

Contact

Martina can be contacted by phone at 086 6005306 at www.chapelcrosscakes.ie or on Facebook “Chapel Cross Cakes”.

  If you would like your business to appear here just drop us an email at locohappenings@yahoo.com 
or call us at 087-2557754

Dundalk School of Music

Atmosphere

Dundalk School of Music has recently relocated to a new State of The Art premises in the Blackthorn Business Park on the Coes Road, Dundalk.

2009 was a defining year for Patricia Duffy, when she decided to establish the school, having spent many years teaching in her own home.  Two years on and as a result of the ongoing success of the school, Patricia investigated the possibility of moving into a purpose built facility and the new premises were identified.  The school opened its doors in September of last year and the impact was immediately felt.

 There is a wonderful atmosphere in the building that can only foster any latent talent hidden within its students.  As you pass through the double doors you are met with the faint rhythmic thump and rattle of bass and snare drums coming from behind the soundproofed walls.  Walk further in and the tinkle of notes can just be heard from a piano keyboard.  Violin notes are next and you can almost visualize a bow being pulled across strings behind the closed doors.  Somebody is singing a little further down on the left, but again it’s faint.  Each instrument being played is audible, just, but is identifiable from every other in this quiet cacophony.  This is down to the design and layout of the tuition rooms.  Each is soundproofed and isolated from the large performance area that dominates the length of the building.   Each room is also fitted with a large double glazed window.  As well as containing the sound, they also serve the dual purpose of allowing observation of what’s going on, inadvertently getting students used to being observed when playing.  The obvious benefit of this is less anxiety from the musicians if they have to perform in front of others in years to come.

 

Endorsements

It’s this attention to detail that has set Dundalk School of Music apart and that has attracted the attention of well known music stalwarts.  Jim Corr (The Corrs), Liam Reilly (Bagatelle), John Sheehan (The Dubliners), Sharon Treacy-Dunne (Founding Member of the Cross Border Orchestra), Gerry (Fiddle) O’Connor and Dr. Eibhlis Farrell of DKIT have all endorsed the school and participated in its events.

Tutors 

The school has attracted fine exponents of many musical instruments and now boasts upwards of 10 music teachers who tutor in Vocals, Woodwind, Strings, Percussion and everything in between.

All genres of music are also taught; from Classical right through to Rock ‘n’ Roll, Traditional and the Blues. All of the teachers are committed to the development and growth of their students as artists and individuals. Each has obtained clearance from the Garda Central Vetting Unit.  The school can accommodate beginners and accomplished musicians, children and adults.

Instruments

The school is very well equipped too, with a full compliment of musical instruments available for students use.  There are a number of Roland and Yamaha pianos, throughout the school, as well as Electronic drum kits, guitars, violins and woodwind instruments.

 

Outreach, Exams & Activities

Dundalk School of Music also run a successful outreach programme in local schools and see themselves as playing a key role, acting as a cultural catalyst within the community.  The school can cater for those preparing for grade examinations (R.I.A.M. and A.B.R.S.M.)  In addition, can prepare students for Junior and Leaving Certificate State examinations.

There is no lack of opportunity for pupils to get involved in a wide range of extra-curricular musical activities which give students ample scope for public performance. These include frequent concerts and recitals, community performances, Arts Festivals and events, and field trips.

Personally Speaking – Editors Note

I’m going to make a bold statement.  If you have a child, send him or her to music lessons.  From a very early age I learned various instruments.  With a little talent and a lot of practice, I became proficient enough to win a few national titles and that grounding in music has stayed with me right through to today.  As a direct result of music, I have been afforded the opportunity to travel and play, I have been welcomed in music venues and bars all over the world and have met so many interesting people, with whom, mostly I still stay in regular contact.  The music connects.  Forever.  Universally.

Unlike some other talents, sporting or otherwise, a musical instrument is something you can entertain with throughout your life and something that you can get better at even into old age.  Try it once.  If you or your children like it, try it again.  It’s simply a wonderful, fulfilling thing to be able to play an instrument.

If any this appeals to you, contact Patricia at the Dundalk School of Music.  
Visit www.dundalkschoolofmusic.com for more information 
or telephone 042 - 9330044 (Landline) 085-7213077(Mobile)

  If you would like your business to appear here just drop us an email at locohappenings@yahoo.com or call us at 087-2557754

Urban Sanctuary

Urban Sanctuary is located just on the outskirts of Dundalk and is a haven for those looking for a little pampering.  Helen Martin, the proprietor, qualified as a beauty therapist in the Fernanda Scappaticci College of Beauty over 10 years ago, with the intention of establishing her own business. 

This intent took second place to family and children for a few years, although Helen kept apace with the latest developments in tandem with life, taking relevant courses, upgrading her qualifications and ensuring her standards and knowledge of the industry were current.  She has a plethora of letters to her name, being ITEC, CIBTAC and CIDESCO qualified.  She is also a member of the AIT (Association of Irish Therapists).  To add even further to her skill set and with the intention of expanding the services she could offer, Helen completed a MakeUp Artist course in 2007, specializing in High Fashion, Catwalk and Bridal Makeup.

All of this in addition to Spray Tanning, Bio-scuplture, Waxing, Exfoliation, Facials, Ear Candling, Indian Head massage, Back massage and Full Body massage.  It’s fair to say that Helen can sometimes literally have her hands full.  Helen recently took the brave step of leaving a secure, pensionable career to establish her home based business.   
Urban Sanctuary opened its doors in July 2011 and has gone from strength to strength, building on a loyal clientele.  The premises itself, as its name suggests is a sanctuary, beautifully appointed and comfortable.  It is equipped with changing facilities, shower room and comfortable chairs.  The soothing décor mirrors Helens own warm and friendly personality.

Urban Sanctuary operates on an appointment only basis and Helen can be contacted on 086 1068663 or by email, helen@urbansanctuarybeauty.com

Go on treat yourself …

  If you would like your business to appear here just drop us an email at locohappenings@yahoo.com  
or call us at 087-2557754

Darling Buds

Siobhan Grehan of Darling Buds

Darling Buds is a burgeoning business based in Dundalk, Co.Louth run by Siobhan Grehan. Siobhan has had a love for gardening and anything floral since her childhood days, when she spent most of her time in the garden with her Dad, an avid and still enthusiastic gardener. This enterprise was borne from a friend’s request for Siobhan to supply flowers for her upcoming wedding. A double marriage almost, the friends marriage and a marriage of love for flower arranging with an artistic twist.

When looking for a name for the business, Darling Buds, camenaturally, as Siobhan refers to her three children as her buds.  Memories of that now famous TV showwere also floating around and Darling Buds was the natural choice.

The attention to detail paid when making her floral arrangements is obvious, whether it be simple table arrangements, wreaths, wedding flowers or bespoke requests from customers.  Siobhan goes to great lengths to find the little accessories to customize her work, whether it is finding little Santa’s to adorn table arrangements or wreaths or snowmen at Christmas or ghosts and spiders for her Halloween wreaths.  These little details set Siobhans work apart from similar pieces available in the highstreet.

Brooch Bouquets

The latest trend comes from America - Bridal BroochBouquets.  Siobhan has embraced these and expanded on the theme to create truly unique, beautiful and lasting mementos of a wedding day.

They can become heirlooms and passed on from generation to generation, from mother to daughter and can be made to include pieces from the brides own jewellry collection or other pieces of sentimental value.

Each individual piece is carefully wired and bound and inserted into the base until the bouquet takes shape.  Being hand-made, each bouquet is absolutely unique.  Bridesmaids and flower girl versions can also be made to compliment the theme. These also make beautiful mementos for the bridal party.  Beware though, they can be heavy and Siobhan does not recommend that these are thrown during the celebrations.

Siobhan can be contacted by email, siobhangrehan@hotmail.com, by phoneat 087-9938720 or via her Facebook Page.

High resolution photos of Siobhans work are available by clicking on the pictures above or here on Lo Co Happenings dedicated FlickR stream.

If you would like your business to appear here just drop us an email at locohappenings@yahoo.com or call us at 087-2557754