CAHIR NOTES “PROMOTING CAHIR” The meeting held in Cahir House Hotel on Tuesday 29th July was, in many ways, reminiscent of that held in the early nineties after the opening of the first motorway. And, like that first meeting, the catalyst was the same - the opening of (another) motorway that enables people to by-pass Cahir, hardly noticing it exists. The biggest difference was the attendance which, in the nineties, was huge. However, this meeting was for business people and interested community groups only. There were more than 20 concerned individuals present and for the first time they have all come together to raise Cahir’s image and bring visitors to the town. (Until this year, the Tourism Group represented the interests of B&Bs and the Business Group was for all the others). The meeting accepted that the interests of businesses, B&Bs, Vintners and other groups are all the same and the Committee that was elected, under the banner of “Promoting Cahir” is composed of:  Chairman - Pat O’Donovan (The Heritage); Secretary - Jennifer Bailey (The River House); Treasurer - Helen Shanahan (The Craft Granary); Committee Members - David Butler; Liam Roche; Mossy Casey. All were agreed that a regularly updated Website is essential, as so much business is done over the internet nowadays. The Website Sub-Committee is composed of: Darren Ward; Johnny Sheehan; Jason Maher and John Quirke. The first job to be tackled is that of Signage, or the lack of it, and a meeting with the National Roads Authority (NRA) is scheduled for Thursday 21st August. Liam Roche showed photographs of the large, well located and striking signs supplied for some towns with a national heritage site - where Cahir has two -  and it was agreed that Cahir ought to have at least the equal of these. Particularly since Cahir has now been designated a “Brown Trout Centre of Excellence”, Cahir Anglers play a big part in the development of the future of Cahir, as it has been accepted for many years that people coming to fish stay for longer than any other group of visitors. It is thanks to the efforts of our Anglers over a long period that this designation has come about. Congratulations to all concerned on taking this logical and very positive step. Working together for the future of Cahir can only benefit everyone, visitors and locals alike. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELIZABETH Baby Elizabeth is the daughter of Michael Houlihan Jr and Jane, of Mountain Road, and a sister to Joseph. Proud grand-father Michael Sr , of Abbey Terrace, gave me a ring to tell me that Elizabeth was born on 25th July. Congratulations to you all and a here’s wishing a long, healthy and happy life for Elizabeth. NO FUNDAY THIS YEAR, BUT … As there is a big match on Sunday 17th August, I decided not to continue with the plans for this year’s Funday. All the other possible dates were useless for various reasons, like Ballylooby’s big day, so I just forgot about it. And then - I had a call from Ann Shortiss and she and her husband came to see me, wanting to know how to organise a Dog Show for their big day in Newcastle, also on 17th August - they have a huge Tractor event plus all sorts of other amusements and the big matches don’t seem to affect them there as much as they do in Cahir. So the Cahir Dog Show team is off to Newcastle. The format is the same as the Fun Dog Show held here, and I am looking forward to seeing some of the Cahir dogs there as well as lots of new ones. There is a Fancy Dress Class, so get thinking. Also one for Veteran in Best Condition, and all the other favourites. What is even more exciting is the fact that our friends in Newcastle have offered to come to Cahir with their Tractors whenever we are holding a suitable event.  Lovely people!  See you there - if you can drag yourself away from the television. Matty McGrath is MC on the day, and has promised to give regular updates on the scoreline. DRAIOCHT NA FAILLE DEIRGE DRAIOCHT na Faille Deirge - the traditional music, song and dance show, continues every Tuesday and Thursday in August at St Paul’s Community Centre, Clogheen. Doors open at 8:15 and the show starts at 9pm. Do not be disappointed. Book your ticket early by contacting 086j 224 3323. This is a great night out for all the family. JACKIE CUTS THE RIBBON At the recent opening of The Bridal Suite, a new and beautiful shop in Cashel, Cahir’s Jackie Mullins was invited to officiate at the Official Opening. I went along and was most impressed with the whole setting - the Bridal Suite itself is positively luxurious and I sank into the deep carpet as I strolled along the display of gorgeous dresses, wondering how anyone could ever make up their mind. Here are a sample of some of the lovely designs available, as you can see it is well worth a visit, as the camera does not do justice  to the intricate designs on offer I was soon to find out though as, to owner Lorraine Brown’s surprise, one of the guests had brought her daughter, who is engaged to be married. She tried on two dresses, and the second was absolutely perfect - I imagine that the only occasion on which she will look happier is on her wedding day. Two other guests spotted party dresses that they loved in the front of the shop, and went off with them - if there is no room for the pictures here, have a look on the community website - www.cahirnews.cahirda.com. The actual Bridal Suite, the large and elegant inner part of the shop, has double doors, a really spacious changing area and a comfortable chair for Mum, so everything can be done in private. The lovely and talented Hester Duggan is Lorraine’s Dressmaker, and they are lucky to have each other. Billy Colville, Cashel’s terrific Hairdresser, was present, with his mother, and the two of them were great fun. Altogether it was a really good party, and I enjoyed every minute. Of course, Jackie Mullins was there in her role as Wedding Organiser - a sort of female Franc. With someone like Jackie handling the details and having the headaches, brides and their families must experience a huge feeling of relief. She looked as glamorous as ever, supporting Cahir in her lovely red outfit from Klassy Lady (THE colour for autumn/winter 2008). Jackie is now Wedding Planning Editor for the magazine South East Weddings, so look out for it in the shops.      A fabulous range of jewellery is available to add the perfect finishing touch  And a lovely bright option for the ladies to dance the night away CAHIR DAY CARE CENTRE The Centre broke up for the holidays on Friday 1st August. The previous Wednesday Tommy Morrissey won the Whist with 50 points. The Centre re-opens on 1st September, and everyone is wished a happy and safe month. FROM DEPUTY MATTIE MC GRATH 1. He condemns delay in payment of Compulsory Purchase Orders. Having taken the opportunity to boycott the official opening of the new N8 in support of the property owners who have not been paid for their land, Deputy McGrath said: “I am calling on the Department of Transport to make some serious changes to the legislation under which the National Roads Authority operates. I would like to see a statutory provision compelling the Local Authorities / NRA to make up-front payments of not less than 50% of the total compensation payable, on the date of the publication of the Compulsory Purchase Order”. The Deputy went on the say that he is in no way against the most extensive road improvement programme in the history of the state. “We do however, have to be extremely careful in the way many families and communities, who have been severely affected by the new road schemes, are being totally ignored and in some instances even segregated by the whole process”. 2. “It is important to protect election campaign posters, as they are a unique part of our political culture“, said the Fianna Fail South Tipperary TD, following the announcement that the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government’s announcement that it is to undertake a public consultation process on the subject of election and referendum posters. After pointing out how much less colourful elections would be without such posters, Mattie “They also play a very important role in raising awareness of elections, particularly in rural areas. You could say posters play a civic role in that regard, helping to reinforce the candidates and the need to vote. They certainly played a key role in helping me to get elected”. At present, election posters are exempt from the Litter Pollution Acts until seven days after polling day. Members of the public and interested organisations can make submissions on the issue up to 15th September 2008. These can be made via e-mail to electionposters@environ.ie or by post to Election Poster Consultation, Environment Policy Section, Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government, Ardcavan Business Park, Wexford Town, Co Wexford. [I will certainly be writing to say that posters should stay, but that the removal process should be adhered to, and carried out more thoroughly, including the removal of all the straps that retain them. MC] 3. Mattie has welcomed the Government’s commitment to provide the Ombudsman with more powers, saying that it will help to increase awareness and confidence in public administration. His remarks follow the publication of the Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008, which will give the Ombudsman the power to investigate complaints made about the administrative actions of public bodies which have had an adverse affect on individuals or corporate bodies. In particular, the new bodies which will be covered by the amended legislation include:  Vocational Education Committees; Higher Education Committees; The Courts Service; FAS, The National Roads Authority; The National Treatment Purchase Fund; The Dublin Transportation Office. 4. On 1st August, Deputy Mattie McGrath reassured those who receive the Electricity or Gas Allowance from the Department of Social & Family Affairs that additional heating needs and increased fuel prices during the winter season will be met by the Department through revised allowances. CAHIR ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION The Autumn Break at the Galway Bay Hotel takes place from 31st August, and any outstanding costs may be paid at the next Members’ Meeting, which takes place this Wednesday, 6th August. There will be a Day Trip to Russborough House and Powerscourt Gardens & Waterfall on Wednesday 13th August. Members wishing to take up this offer may give their names and payment to the Treasurer at the next meeting - see above. GOING GREEN AT THE FARMERS’ MARKET Green is the colour this week at Cahir’s Farmers’ Market. We are talking about vegetables here. The freshest, just picked broccoli, lettuces, scallions, courgettes, herbs, runner beans are all to be found at Keith and Jim’s stall. They are organic and reasonably priced too. Pat Hartley continues to offer the freshest, top quality fish. He has lemon sole, salmon, sea bass, and lobsters, to name but a few. For the more adventurous he even has shark. Pal always has a recipe to give to help you get the best results while cooking. Call to Michael for new season’s potatoes that are so floury and delicious. He also has other fresh veg and hiswife Catherine runs a cheese stall and has wonderful feta on sale that is so fresh and tasty. If you haven’t been to the Market in a while, call along this Saturday, where you are assured a warm welcome. A DATE FOR LADIES’ DIARIES The next Ladies Who Lunch fashion extravaganza will be held on Wednesday 10th September at Dundrum House Hotel, the perfect venue for this very popular fundraising event. The latest fashions will be on show, as well as stalls with all sorts of accessories. Of course, the day will include coffee on arrival and a superb lunch, as those who attended the last LWL will remember. Once more the event, in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Association this year, will be sponsored by South Tipp Today. MANY THANKS Those who know him will be sorry to hear that Chris Richards was involved in a car accident a few days ago - not his fault, he was driven into. He and his son are OK, but Chris would like to thank everyone who helped at the time. He doesn’t know their names, but this doesn’t lessen his gratitude for their kindness. READERS’ NEWS & VIEWS As regular readers will be well aware, your information and/or comments on what is going on in Cahir will be gratefully received at 10 Market Yard / 086 840 5020 and at the e-mail address; calvertmaureen@hotmail.com If you call at the house, it is safe to put a note through the door, as the noisy dog doesn’t open my post any more.