CAHIR NOTES A RESULT! I waited for the National Tidy Towns Result to come in before I wrote this piece - and it was worth waiting for. Cahir won 253 points this year, a whopping increase of 22 points on 2006, when we last entered. The previous highest increase was 8 points! The Judge’s comments are both positive and objective and give the new committee something to build on for next year. These, plus the score sheet, will be posted in SuperValu, somewhere on the Square - Bernie Bowles’ shop if given permission - and in the Business & Training Centre and the Area Office of the County Council. Well done all! Even though we missed a year, this very good score has brought us up level with Cashel - a town that has, so far, never beaten Cahir. Under ’Built Environment’, the Adjudicator makes particular mention of several businesses that “looked particularly well”: Irwins, Cahir House Hotel, Ross Pharmacy and the Post Office. CAHIR ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION There are many people in Cahir who will be delighted to hear that the Association’s Monthly Meetings recommence this week, on Wednesday 10th September at 2:30pm in the McAuley Room. Even better news for the card sharps is that the Progressive “25” Card Game recommences on Friday 19th September at 8pm sharp, at the same venue. All are very welcome. MUST BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE IRISH VISITS Following on from the disturbing news that the Belarusian Government has declared a world-wide ban on Chernobyl children being allowed to travel abroad, Cllr Seanie Lonergan has called on the Minister Martin Mansergh to intervene and seek an exemption for Ireland. The children who have been coming to Ireland have benefited a great deal from their visits. These children live in contaminated areas of Belarus and the health benefits of being away from that environment for a couple of weeks each cannot be underestimated. Cllr Lonergan reminds readers that Cahir, and South Tipperary in general, has a very strong association with the Chernobyl project. GOLD WATCH LOST A gold man’s watch was lost somewhere on the Mountain Road last Sunday. Would the finder, if there is one, please contact me at the number below, so that I can re-unite the watch with its owner? CAHIR FLOWER & GARDEN CLUB The Club’s Gala Night is on Wednesday 24th September at Cahir House Hotel, at 8pm. The Demonstrator will be Ann O’Hara from Nenagh. The Refreshments that will be served and a ticket for the Door Prize are included in the admission price of €12.   REMINDER On Thursday 18th September, the very popular Hospice Morning at the Lazy Bean Café is taking place.  From 9am until noon, visitors can have a cup of coffee (or tea), a scone and cake, having made a donation to the South Tipperary Hospice on the way in. There will be the usual amazing array of Raffle prizes, and visitors can spill over into the next door shop, so there is plenty of room to relax, chat and generally enjoy oneself - while basking in the fact that you are doing so for a great cause. Pictured at the recent opening of "Two Generations" at the Craft Granary are Kathryn O'Brien (artist), Maureen Purcell (South Tipperary Art Group) and Nellie O'Brien (artist). The exhibition was opened by Maureen Purcell and runs until Sept 26th. MUZAK - FOR OR AGAINST? I have decided to take a poll of readers as to their feelings regarding the background Muzak that is provided nowadays in so many venues. Sometimes the background sound is a radio, rather than tapes (of dubious quality), but I find both intensely irritating when the place is full, or nearly full, of people chatting. The Muzak is provided as a ‘space filler’ so that it doesn’t sound as if nothing is going on, but once people appear, should it not be turned right down, or even off? It is perhaps unfortunate that in two of the places I visit most frequently, my favourite seat is directly under a speaker! However, when asked, the sound is turned right down in one of them. I may add that the Muzak can be on as well as a television, and whether I am in a bar, a restaurant or anywhere else, to have that darn screen flashing away, without being able to hear a thing, is the pits. If there is a big match, a prominent race meeting or anything else that merits attention, then have it on - loud - or at least make it audible. Now, who agrees with me and who disagrees? I do seriously want a response to this - even if you disagree. After all, maybe I am just very old-fashioned. CAHIR PARK AFC SOCCER ACADEMY       SOME OF THE BOYS AND GIRLS FROM THE SOCCER ACADEMY PROUDLY SHOWING THEIR CERTIFICATES The academy is back in full swing this Saturday with the following times and groups. 10 - 11 am on the all weather pitch are those born 2001 - 2002. The coach is Jim Buckley. 10 - 11 am on the training pitch with Kevin Sullivan, Philip Blake, Noel Cotter and Ger Hally are those born 1998 - 1999. Between 11 -12 on the all weather are those born in 2000, the coaches for this hour are Chris Richards and Sean McKenna. If your child and his/her friends are in different groups because of the school year, we are happy to accomodate this. Registration for the year is five euro per child and then three euro per week per session. Please note, Shinpads are mandatory for every child at the academy. CAHIR DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION COMMUNITY LOTTO €2,050 is the Jackpot amount going on to the Draw this Wednesday. Tickets can be purchased up to noon on the day from the Business & Training Centre. The numbers drawn last week, witnessed by Joan Loughman, were: 6, 15, 17 and 24. The five Lucky Dip winners, each of whom received €30, were: Joe Considine, Dawson Villas, Tipperary; Michael Ryan, Bengurragh; John Slattery, Graigue, Clogheen; Con O’Brien, Clonmore; ChristyO’Dwyer, Woodview. The profits from the Community Jackpot service community projects in Cahir. UPDATE ON CAHIR HOUSE It was horrifying to find that plans have already been laid for Christmas in the Hotel. Quite rightly, of course, as that is the only way to get the best acts. And I suppose businesses ought to be thinking of their Christmas Party Nights, as these get booked up so quickly. The only problem I have with this year’s offerings is that I want to go to them all! On Saturday 13th December, there will be “A Country Christmas” with Louise Morrissey, Trudi Lalor, Johnny Carroll, John Hogan and the band Seabreeze, followed by a Disco. On Friday 19th December Goldstar Promotions present a “Christmas Comedy Cabaret Show”, followed by a Disco. The last time - a few years ago - that I saw these guys in action, I need split my sides laughing. Saturday 20th December is Cahir House Christmas Party Night, with Golden Sound (Eddie Golden’s Band) followed by a Disco. All three nights kick off at 7:30 with a Mulled Wine Reception  followed by a festive four-course meal at 8pm. Get booking! AND there is to be another New Year’s Eve Ball, in aid of  the Tipperary Hospice. I have been watching with interest the progress that is being made on the new Brasserie, and it looks as if it is going to be very nice indeed. There will be a Manager in charge of this eatery, and it may be just what Cahir needs. The glass partitions I mentioned a few weeks are already up between the Lounge and the area above, giving a degree of privacy to those using either place. However, I suppose that the biggest news from Cahir House is that the Spa has reopened under the expert management of Naimh Quinlivan from Clonmel. Niamh has recently returned from some serious travelling, when she spent time in Australia and New Zealand. When in Melbourne she worked at a Salon right next to the studios of Channel 10,where all the Aussie soaps are made, including Neighbours and Fair City. Niamh trained in Beauty Therapy etc in Cork, at the College of Commerce. As well as all the treatments you would expect, she specialises in Sports Remedial Massage and does a great Indian Head Massage. The comprehensive Price List is available in the Spa, which is now open for six days a week: from 10am to 5pm on the first three days of the week, then 10am to 9pm on Thursday, 10 to 8 on Friday, and 9am to 5pm on Saturday - closed on Sunday. Best wishes to Niamh - I am sure her venture will be a huge success. CONGRATULATIONS, CAROLINE The Charity Head Shave and Waxing that took place in the Punters’ Rest on Sunday night was a terrific success, raising €2,300 for the Children’s Hospital in Crumlin. Apparently it was a crazy night, with Karaoke, and Mad Patsy making music. Caroline would like to express her great gratitude to all the local businesses for their support, as they provided some great Spot Prizes.  Well done to you all, and check in next week for pictures and more details. FLOWER ARRANGING CLASSES RESTART Christine Wort is starting her Flower Arrangement Classes again on Thursday 25th September at 7:30pm in the Catherine McCauley Room in Cahir.  You can ring her for more information on 052 65826 or 086 223 7139. MATTIE MC GRATH SAYS: 1. In a recent statement, the Deputy welcomed the news that his local Post Office and all other local post offices have been further enhanced with the provision of a full banking service. This has come about through the services of Postbank, which is a joint venture between An Post and Fortis Bank, a large international Banking group. People will now be able to conduct all their banking in their own locality, at their local Post Office. In this time of increasing travel costs, this can only be seen as a very positive development, and is a shot in the arm for rural Ireland. 2. Deputy McGrath, a Board Member of Muintir na Tire, has welcomed the pilot programme of a crime alert text message service. This is a Community Alert initiative in association with An Garda Siochána. “Members of Community Alert Groups will be in a position, should they observe anything relevant, to notify local Gardai of their suspicions. “Community Alert is the ideal vehicle [for this service], an existing framework for moving forward and implementing community policing. Crime Prevention is the key to effective Community Policing. Through Community Alert, the core values of Muintir na Tire - neighbourliness, responsibility for the needs of others, community serve - are used to raise community awareness and allay fears“. 3. Welcoming the decision to bring forward the Budget, Fianna Fail TD Mattie McGrath said “…An early Budget will help to create a more stable financial and economic climate for the country. There is already a lot of speculation and nervousness in the financial community, as to how the Government would shape fiscal policy in the Budget for next year. “Effectively, the markets were waiting for the Budget to help kick start the economy, so that they could make better-informed financial decisions for the year ahead. Bringing the Budget forward to 14th October will allow these companies and the major financial institutions to plan how they will proceed and will help to eradicate that nervousness. “This is a very forward-thinking measure by the Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan and the Taoiseach Brian Cowen. It bodes well for how they will help us to weather the international economic storm in which our economy is caught up. I look forward to seeing their proposals on 14th October and I hope this will have a positive effect on economic confidence in the meantime. 4. The Deputy has raised major safety concerns regarding the stretch of road between Moll’s Cross and Moorestown, Cahir. In the light of recent crashes, including fatal crashes, in the vicinity, Deputy McGrath is calling on officials in South Tipperary County Council and the National Roads Authority to consult with each other to find an appropriate road design to alleviate this serious on-going problem. Mattie is also to discuss the issue with Department of Transport officials, where he will call for the appropriate amount of funding to be released to make this section of road safer for the public. AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL My apologies to members of the Cashel Branch for not getting the notice of this Monday’s meeting into the paper last week. The Branch resumed it’s monthly meetings on 8th September, after the Summer break. New members are always made most welcome and I will try to get the reminder of the October meeting in on time. SCOUTS’ NEWS All Sections will resume after the Summer break as follows:  Beavers - 6 to 8 years - Tuesday 16th September at 6:30pm to 8pm in the Community Hall; Cubs - 8 to 11 years - will start at 7 to 8:30pm on Monday 15thSeptember, same venue; Scouts - 11 to 16 years - will be on Thursdays from 7:30 to 9:30pm, also in the Community Hall. A date for the Scouts will be given later. CONGRATULATIONS Well done to all members of the Cahir Country Markets who were awarded prizes for produce at Bansha Show and Iverk Show in Piltown recently. Here are the results: BANSHA SHOW In the Fruit & Veg Section, May O’Brien got a second prize for her Tomatoes; Catherine Ryan won a first for her Rhubarb and a third for her Carrots. Hilary Carter won a first prize for her Roses in the Flower Section. In the Bread & Cakes Section, Hilary won a second for her White Soda Bread; May Obrien got a 3rd for her Brown Soda Bread and a second for her Gingerbread, and Hilary Carter won a second for her Madeira Cake. Under James & Preserves, Catherine Ryan won a first prize for her Blackcurrant Jam, Hilary Carter won first for her Raspberry Jam, May O’Brien won a second and the third place was taken by Catherine Ryan; Catherine also won a third for her Gooseberry Jam, Hilary won a third for her Marmalade and a first with her 1lb Jelly. IVERK In the Jams & Preserves Section, Hilary won a third with her Raspberry Jam, while Catherine won a second for her Blackcurrant Jam and Hilary got the third. The first prize for Any Other Variety of Jam went to Hilary Carter, as well as a 3rd for the Best Pot of Marmalade. Once again, well done to the ladies. It is obvious that a visit must be made to the Cahir Country Market for all the produce mentioned above with proven, prize-winning quality. And there is lots more beside, including fresh fruit and veg, home baking and lovely flowers. The Market is open from 9:30 til 11am. I must also add that Hilary Crter’s Rhubarb Jam is to die for! (Many thanks to Maria Taylor for this report). A DISTRICT MEETING You are all cordially invited by the Gardai of Cahir Garda District and the 19 Community Alerts and 10 Neighbourhood Watches to this meeting which will take place at Cahir House Hotel on Thursday 18th September at 8pm. Any people living in Cahir, Cashel, Clogheen, Ballyporeen, New Inn and in the Ardfinnan area are welcome to attend. If you would like to know who the Liaison Garda or Chairperson is for your Scheme; or if you would like to support the Scheme in your area; or wish to know how to set up a Scheme for your area, this is a Meeting not to be missed. READERS’ NEWS & VIEWS These are always welcome at 10 Market Yard / 086 840 5020 and at the e-mail address above.  Don’t forget that these Notes plus more photos than the paper has room for can be found on the Community Website: www.cahirnews.cahirda.com. So keep them coming - as early as possible, please.