CAHIR NOTES !!!!!!!!!!Stop Press Stop Press Stop Press Stop Press  !!!!!!!!!! FUN DOG SHOW!  August  17th in Newcastle, Clonmel CANCELLED DUE TO BAD WEATHER OPEN GARDEN FOR BETHLEHEM TO BE REPEATED Maureen Ahern sends her sincere thanks to all who visited New Haven Garden during the open weekend, and to all who sent donations for the Christians in Bethlehem. A total of €971 was collected and sent immediately to Bethlehem. The money has been divided between the poorest families there, some of whom were moved to tears that the Christians in Ireland cared enough to help them financially in their time of need. Donations are still coming in, and be assured that every cent is going direct to the most needy families in this besieged city, who struggle to survive, but will remain there to keep a Christian presence in the birthplace of Christ. Twenty years ago, 95% of the population of Bethlehem was Christian. Now only 10 - 15% are Christian, the rest are Muslim. Officially, pilgrims to the Holy Land do not visit Bethlehem and the city is surrounded by a ten foot high wall with restricted entry and exit only through a check-point. Christians here depend totally on pilgrims, who have dwindles to a trickle, hence the extreme poverty. Due to the positive reaction to this event, the garden will be open again this coming weekend for the same charity. Times of opening will be 2pm to 8pm on Saturday and Sunday, 16th and 17th August. Maureen found it wonderful to observe all the people peacefully soaking up the serenity of the garden on the many seats in various location in New Haven. Come and relax in the garden - all are welcome. The Location is on the Convent Road, under the railway bridge, first gate on the right at the speed-limit sign. Admission is €5and children under strict adult supervision are welcome.  Enquiries to 087 231 9639. NEW ZEALAND ‘ROSE’ HAS CAHIR CONNECTIONS Colm and Geraldine O’Flaherty have just heard from Michael Hickey, in New Zealand. Michael Grew up in Cahir and lived where the River House Restaurant is now. His father had a shop there. Ger and Colm have stayed with him and his wife Ann when they visited New Zealand and his hospitality and generosity to anyone from Cahir is well known. In his e-mail, Michael says: “Well, I am heading to Ireland again and I shall be there in a week or so. We had planned to come later in the year, but my God-daughter, Aislinn Ryan, has become the New Zealand ‘Rose of Tralee’ and I am coming to support her in Kerry. Ann has decided not to travel this time so I am just making the trip a four week one. Aoslinn has been in Riverdance for the last four years, travelling the world. She was lead dancer for the last two years, but she always intended to return to start her University studies - which she has done this year. I have followed her to all the Feiseanna since she was seven, and this is a big thrill for us all. Willie Ryan, Ailsinn’s father, is a brother of Paddy in Bengurrah. Willie joined the Irish army band from school and from there developed a love for classical music. He eventually followed his older brothers to New Zealand and we have been friends here ever since. He spent 35 years in the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and retired three years ago. They live in Wellington, so we don’t get to meet as often as we would like. You can see Aislinn on www.roseoftralee.ie. She is a very talented girl, who was also a New Zealand Gymnastics Champion, a water polo star for her collect and also topped her school academically. Aislinn has been to Cahir several times. By the way, I have got my All Ireland ticket, so I hope Tipp will do the right thing for me against Waterford. I was at their last game against Waterford in Croke Park two years ago and we were out-hurled on that day. However, I sense that there is a different purpose about the Tipp team at present. GOOD LUCK DONAL!!!! JUDO COMPETITOR FOR MOSNEY Donal O'Donnell will be hoping to maintain the tradition of previous Tipperary Judo players when he takes part in the -25kg catogery  in the Community Games Finals in Mosney next weekend. Over the years Tipperary has won many medals in this event, including several for Cahir thanks to his older brothers and sister. This is Donal's first Community Games and he has been watching the Olympics closely to get inspiration for Saturday. Donal trains at Koga Judo Club in Clonmel, and with the Munster and Irish Judo squads. Tipperary has a good history in this sport and he will he hoping to make Tipperary and Cahir proud.     All ready for action Donal's hoping to bring a medal home from Mosney Best of luck Donal CAHIR ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION At the Monthly Meeting in the Catherine McAuley Room last Wednesday, a lively and interesting discussion too place, with many ideas put forward for plans in the months ahead. Members will be informed of destinations, dates and times well in advance, to enable them to plan their excursions - a sign that Active Retirement is indeed active and need to plan to take advantage of all events. The date for the Autumn Break is nearly upon us, as it takes place on 31st August. The Next Monthly Meeting will take place on Wednesday 10th September. The change of date is due to members being away on holiday. CHURCH GATE COLLECTION Cahir Meals on Wheels is holding its Annual Church Gate Collection over this coming weekend, 16th and 17th August. Please continue to give generously to this vital service. The Members of Cahir Meals on Wheels would like to take this opportunity to thank those kind people who contributed to and helped with their recent collections in Burncourt and Ballyporeen, to which towns they also deliver. MORE NEWS FROM ABROAD “Hello from Cornwall! I was also surfing the net and came across your site, where I was delighted to read that my dearest friend, John O’Brien of 30 Mountain Road, Cahir, was mentioned. What a small world! I also have a connection with that address, as I was born in John’s house in 1965. “Having just returned from my home town and missing the place terribly, I feel very proud to have been born there and cared for by such a warm and thoughtful individual. A Rockwell student, with many other talents and attributes, John has seen and been through more than some could imagine, army service being one of them. “Returning to his home some years later and now tending to and contributing to the magnificent display of flowers at the Memorial in Cahir for all of us to share and remind us of those times and our lost loves ones, which makes us grateful for our lives. May the Memorial be a lasting contribution to Cahir. “I am in constant contact with John through letters and visits and he is like a father to me. I am always saddened to leave John and the wonderful people of Cahir. God bless you all. “I have three beautiful children of my own now, who love John too. Always in our thoughts, a true Irishman with a heart of gold. A bit part of my heart is in Cahir too, especially 30 Mountain Road.” This touching tribute is from Mrs Sandy Carpenter, daughter of Catherine Smith (nee O’Gorman) of Cahir. CAHIR PARK LADIES’ SOCCER Tipperary First Division League. Sunday 27th July.  Cahir Park 2  Nenagh 3. In a very entertaining game, The Park lost to League leaders Nenagh. Both sides created scoring chances in the opening 30 minutes. However, the goalkeepers were in excellent form. A great passing movement involving Sinead O’Donnell and Alison Lonergan set up Patricia Hickey’s goal. A misfortunate own-goal gave Nenagh the equaliser in the 38th minute. Nenagh edged ahead just before the interval and midway through the 2nd half scored their 3rd goal.  In the 78th minute, Ann Marie Noonan volleyed in a great goal, to set up a tense finish. Cahir came close to equalising. However, Nenagh held on to win. Player of the Match was Claire Carroll. The Cahir Squad: Nicola Armitage, S O’Donnell, Juliet McMahon, Niamh Hearne, C Carroll, Patrece Ryan, Edith Carroll, A Lonergan, A M Noonan, P Hickey, Jennifer Grant, D Hallinan. CAHIR DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY LOTTO With no Jackpot winner last week, the Jackpot total now stands at €1,450, and tickets can be purchased up to noon on Wednesdays from the Business & Training Centre. The five Lucky Dip winners, each of whom has received €30, were: Maria Barratt, Beechpark; Gary O’Mahony, Drumcahir House, Lismahon; Marie O’Reilly, Upper Cahir Abbey; Catherine Murphy, Abbey Street; Rickie Rowe, Reiska Road. The (un)lucky numbers drawn last week, and witnessed by Chris O’Flaherty, were: 5, 10, 14, 16. The Profits from the Community Lotto go to servicing community projects in Cahir. MORRISSEY’S BAR – from Maria Taylor It was with a sense of trepidation that I paid a visit to the newly opened Morrissey’s Bar last week. I think that most people locally hold a special place in their hearts for Morrissey’s and I’m no exception. Perhaps one of Morrissey’s only flaws was that it was just too small and cramped in places. However , you have to hand it to Brian Costigan , he  has made every effort to maintain  Morrisseys as it has always been. Firstly, the front of the building has been painted and decorated to a very high standard and in keeping with the town’s heritage status. Once inside, you realise that every effort has been made to preserve all the original fixtures and fittings and yet increase the sense of light and space. The front bar has been moved back, allowing much more room to manoeuvre, while the back bar has been heightened to make it much more efficient and to discourage customers from hanging around in what used to be a tight spot. The building itself seems to have been extended right to the lane that runs down the back of the houses on Castle Street and from the front door to the back exit is a clean, clear space with comfortable seating and some beautiful stonework on the walls. The restrooms are totally new and much more spacious.  The smoking area is a very well though-out space, which for me is  essential. I was also very impressed that Brian sourced more of those beautiful carved stone heads  and has them displayed with LED lighting in niches in the wall of the back bar. Oh and by the way the wonderful suit of armour still takes pride of place in the front bar, encased in glass and once more tastefully lit with LED lights. So folks, why not take a little look for yourselves, it is lovely.  There is not much more I can say except, Well Done Brian and Good luck, see you for my usual tipple at the weekend.   DEPUTY MC GRATH SAYS: 1. In a recent statement, Mattie McGrath TD welcomed the announcement by Eamon O’ Cuiv TD, Minister for Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs and Noel Dempsey TD Minister for Transport, of grants that are being allocated to South Tipperary for works on non-national roads in CLAR areas. “The allocation to each local authority is determined by the county’s percentage of the total population in CLAR areas, with each local authority receiving a minimum grant allocation of €50,000. The individual allocation for South Tipperary, €147,350, ;has been advised to South Tipperary County Council”. Concluding, the Deputy said: “Good roads are essential to combat isolation at a local level and economic disadvantage at regional level. In providing money for improved roads, the CLAR programme is helping to close the infrastructure gap that often exists between CLAr and the rest of the country. This funding will play a crucial role in improving the quality of life of many”. 2. McGrath welcomes to allocation of Sports Capital Grants. Deputy McGrath stated: “This Programme is the Government’s main support vehicle for the building and development of sports facilities and the purchasing of sports equipment. Since 1998, te Programme has supported over 6,700 projects countrywide through funding of some €675 million”. Under the 2008 Programme, proposals from sports organisations, clubs, community groups, VECs and Local Authorities for the development of sport facilities and/or the purchase of sports equipment were considered for funding. “Special priority was given to the development of facilities in disadvantaged areas in line with Government policy targeted at increasing participation in sport and physical recreation across all communities” Deputy McGrath stated. The Deputy would like to congratulate and thank all sports organisations, clubs and community groups in South Tipperary/West Waterford who applied and were successful in this round of funding. AUTUMN VISITORS FROM SCARBOROUGH It’s not long now until our friends from Scarborough visit us once more. I’m not sure whether they leave home or arrive on Monday 1st September - maybe both - but it will be great to see them all once more. “All” isn’t as many as usual, as the price of the coach has gone up so much - I presume because of the rise in the cost of petrol - that quite a few could not make the trip. Maybe things will have calmed down by next year. READERS’ NEWS & VIEWS I am always delighted to hear from readers, whether through a visit to my home at 10 Market Yard, by phone at 086 840 5020 or at the e-mail address above. Don’t be put off by my noisy small dog, as she gave up opening the post a couple of years ago. It’s the big silent one who really minds me, and he never does anything wrong.