CAHIR NOTES REMINDER!! Hospice Coffee Morning at the Lazy Bean this Thursday! Raffle Prizes Galore! COUNCILLOR HAILS SUCCESS Councillor Andy Moloney has welcomed the results of the Tidy Towns as the best yet for the town of Cahir. After an absence I in 2007, the Councillor said that the 253 points scored is 22 points higher than the last recorded results for the town. He said that it was down to co-operation by many groups and individuals, along with the South Tipp County Council, Grangemore Landscapes and Cahir Development Association. The latter three groups came together in April to launch a landscaping plan for the town of Cahir over a 3-year period. In its first year, this was an unbelievable result. At a recent meeting to discuss where we can improve for next year, he thanked the Area Engineer, Paul Mulcahy, Director of Services Sinead Carr and Niall Grogan, landscaper. He also paid tribute to those in the Residents’ Groups and the individuals who work silently in their areas. He hopes that these results will encourage more people to get involved in the new season, the first meeting of which will take place in November. There is plenty of new blood getting involved now, but we must not forget those who kept it going in the lean years, he said. At the meeting, Cllr Moloney also announced a local competition for the town which has been judged. Dolan’s SuperValu will present prizes in 8 categories while Munster Protiens will present Gardening Vouchers in the 8 categories too. He thanked them for their generous sponsorship of the event. This awards ceremony will take place in the Castle on Thursday 25th September at 7:30pm. Those nominated will be notified by post, but winners and runners-up will not be announced until the night. Cllr Moloney finished by saying that it is up to everyone to take ownership of this fine town and raise the bar to a new level next year. ART CLASSES TO START Caroline Nugent’s paintings are currently on display next to the Lazy Bean, and certainly add something to the streetscape. They are changed every few days, so there is always something new to look at, and people seem to take advantage of this, stopping to have a good look. When I met Caroline recently, she told me that she has painted all her life, using oil on canvass, acrylics and watercolours. She varies her style - possibly according to the medium in which she is working? - some are vibrant and dramatic, while others are quite contemplative. All her pictures are on sale, starting at about €100. For some strange reason, artists nowadays seem to price according to size. Maybe this is why there are no more miniaturists? (Joke). Anyway, Caroline is now starting Beginners’ Art Classes in the Catherine McAuley Room on Wednesday 24th September from 7:30 to 9:30pm  She will supply all the necessary materials, and the cost is €10. To book a place, please telephone 086 891 7509. DO YOU WANT A DOG? Some kind people found a small female terrier two or three weeks ago. She appeared to have been dumped by the roadside, and they took her in and cared for her. However, they don’t really want to keep a second dog, and if anyone can give this little thing a happy home, will they please contact me and I will pass on the message. NEW AUTUMN COURSES New Autumn courses are starting at the Cahir Business & Training Centre. There are a few places left in the following:  Typing; Absolute Beginners; Beginners Plus; ECDL. An ECDL Advanced Course is also starting, for those who have completed their ECDL core module. Please contact Jennifer on 052 43224 or 052 42616 for further information and to book.   WHAT’S NEW AT CAHIR P.O. Rural communities want to support their local Post Office Network - FACT! Postbank has given customers the perfect opportunity to prove this with simple, straightforward, cost free banking. Together with high interest Deposit Accounts, the latest Current Account offers Free Banking with ATM-Debit Card facilities that can be used worldwide, which also removes the danger of overspending on the holiday credit card! Anybody with even basic computer skills can avail of Free Internet Banking, which comes automatically with this new account. Customers can also avail of the regular state-guaranteed Savings Certs and Savings Bonds. These are Government based Tax Free investments and anybody concerned about the Revenue’s latest obligation on individuals to declare bank balances should definitely consider these tax free schemes. The One For All Gift Voucher, which is accepted at many major outlets, is proving very popular for birthdays, weddings and all special occasions. Brown Thomas is the latest big name to be added, along with many local outlets including Cahir House Hotel, Woodies, Easons, SuperQuinn, Carphone Warehouse etc. At Post this month will issue a new stamp marking the 100th Anniversary of Ireland’s Old Age Pension, first introduced in 1908, three years after Cahir Post Office was built. All pensions, but in particular the OAP are people’s reward for hard work and endeavour and these payments are the lifeblood of the Rural P.O. Network. Local Postmaster Henry Reidy has remained very customer-focussed since taking over the Post Office Contract 16 months ago. He wishes to acknowledge the continued support of the Cahir community. Any town in danger of downgrading or losing their Post Office service should follow the example set by the people of Cahir. Finally, customers with an urgent Mail-related query can ring the Postal Team Leader, Tom Coffey, from 7:30am Monday to Friday at 052 41275. The Postmaster and Counter Service number is 052 41229. CAHIR DAY CARE CENTRE All at the Centre are back after their summer break and, after a change of pace, are all ready for the autumn activities. And there are a few very interesting and important developments to report. An amazing donation of €5,250 was made by A.I.B.P. Cahir. This money was raised from a Golf outing. Imelda Buckley and Josephine O’Brien were responsible for the Day Centre receiving this money. Many thanks again, girls. The Management Committee, Clients and Staff are very grateful for this. The 3-day break will be in the Gleneagles Hotel in Killarney from 6th to 8th October inclusive. It is planned to leave the Day Centre at 12 noon. There are very few spaces available at the Centre now, but if there is anyone around the New Inn or Cahir area, a day at the Centre could be arranged on Mondays for you, and there are three spaces for Fridays for people from the Ballydrehid, Bansha side. Anyone interest can contact Lil Davis at the Day Care Centre, or phone her on 052 45484. CAHIR DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY LOTTO The Jackpot for this weeks now stands at €2,200. The numbers drawn last week, witnessed by Joan Loughman, were 2, 5, 6 and 21. The five Lucky Dip winners, each of whom received €30, were:  Elizabeth Jeffries, Mullaney Gardens; Michael & Joan Kelly, Knockgraffon; Sinead Hyland, Outrath; Loretta Shanahan, Ramcats Lane; and Ada McLoughline, Mountain View Drive - all in Cahir. Tickets can be purchased up to the last minute - noon - on Wednesdays from the Business & Training Centre. The profits from the Community Lotto go to servicing community projects in Cahir. CAHIR PARK AFC ACADEMY The Academy is now back in full swing. Confirmation of training times is as follows: Jim Buckley is on the all-weather pitch from 10 to 11am for those born 2001 - 2002. Kevin Sullivan and co are also 10 - 11am on the training pitch, for those born 1998 to 1999. Chris Richards and Sean McKenna are from 11 - 12 on the all-weather pitch. Registration for all players is €5 and €2 per session thereafter. N.B. Shin pads are to be worn by all players. New players are always welcome. POULMUCKA PLOUGHING ASSOCIATION It is a busy time for South Tipperary Ploughing Association, preparing for the National Ploughing Championship at Farmley, Cuffes Grange, Co Kilkenny, which is on 23rd, 24th and 25th September. The following competitors are representing South Tipperary: Senior Reversible - John Casey; Under 28 Reversible - Gerard O’Meara; Intermediate - Larry Bergin; Junor - Noel Howley; Under 28 Conventional - Paul O’Connor; Under 21 - John O’Brien Jnr; Vintage 2-Furrow Mounted - John O’Brien Sr; 3-Furrow Standard - James Murphy; 3-Furrow Reversible - Tom Lonergan. All the competitors are wished the very best of luck and, hopefully, weather conditions will be better - from the Poulmucka Ploughing Association. ST KIERAN’S F.C. St Keiran’s played Borrisokane in the first round of the FAI Junior Cup on Sunday 14th September in Duneske. They were two - nil up at half time, with both goals scored by Willie Murphy.  The first was a well-placed shot from outside the bos and the second was from a penalty after he was brought down in the box. The scoring continued in the second half with Ray Allen providing the pass to Seanie Lonergan who slotted the ball past the keeper. Twenty minutes later the roles were reversed with Seanie Lonergan providing the pass fro Ray Allen to finish. With five minutes left in the game, Eamon Darcy skipped past a defender after a great through ball from Davy Allen and slotted the ball under the keeper into the foal, finishing a 5-goal run for St Kieran’s, who outclassed their North Tipperary rivals throughout the game. St Kieran’s continue their League campaign next Sunday away to Vee Rovers. CAHIR CHORAL SOCIETY The Choral season re-started a couple of weeks ago, and I am afraid I have not been able to attend until this week. However, the first outing for the group is to St Paul’s on Sunday week for the Harvest Festival Service. As always, new members will be made most welcome at New Haven. If you wish to enquire about the choir, do telephone our Musical Director, Maureen Ahern, on 052 41508. CHARITY TABLE QUIZZES Now that winter-time is fast approaching, the Table Quiz season proper recommences. During the past twelve years, Cllr Seanie Lonergan and Tom Fahy have organised countless quizzes for local charities. Seanie and Tom are once again available, this coming season, to assist local organisations. The Lonergan/Fahy duo has an excellent track record in organising challenging and exciting quizzes. These are a great night’s entertainment and an ideal way of raising money. Interested organisations can contact Seanie at 086 381 3639. CAHIR ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION On Wednesday 10th September, members met in the Catherine McAuley Room in Cahir. The meeting was well-attended and many items on the agenda were covered. Tickets for the trip to Portugal were dispersed to the members by Rosalie Morrissey from Fogarty Travel. This will be the first trip away from Ireland, and please God the first of many. Music and refreshments followed, the music presented by the well-known singer and musician, Bob O’Dwyer. The weekly card game will resume this Friday, 19th September, at 8pm. A day out to Punchestown races will take place on 29th October. Due to the popularity of this trip, it is fully booked already. GOOD PRESS FOR CLONMEL HOSPITAL Hospitals always seem to get bad publicity, but I was speaking to a friend of mine who spent a few days in hospital in Clonmel and she told me how great the staff were. They treated her with consideration and, although they were clearly run off their feet - especially the nurses - they always had a kind word to say. Top quality Five Star care by the staff of the hospital. And this reminded me that, after I had been sent there by my doctor last year to check out one or two things, I never said a word about how lovely they had all been. I hope it is better late than never? I was also impressed with the new surroundings, and am now as fit as a flea (which does not mean that I am jumping all over the place!) Thanks, Clonmel Hospital. CAHIR CAMOGIE CLUB The u-16 team played Holy Cross in Duneske last Monday night in very unfavourable conditions. The rain was coming down on an already soggy pitch, so it made for a very slippy surface that the girls found hard to keep their footing on. For the first half, Cahir kept within reach of Holy Cross, but the second half saw the opposition slip further into the lead, and come away convincing winners. Their next outing will be against Ballingarry at a date to be confirmed. A reminder to all parents, that you will be asked to support a Draw to be held at the Cahir GAA Field Dau on 28th September. Tickets are €5 each and parents are being asked to take two tickets. Your support will be greatly appreciated. THERE SHALL BE A DOG SHOW I am delighted to say that I have been asked to organise a Fun Dog Show in conjunction with the GAA Field Day on Sunday 28th September. Of course I said yes, particularly as I have been told by many regular dog-showers that they feel really hard done by this year. I know it was all down to the weather, and we will do our best to put on a great show. And, hopefully, the grass will be short enough this year! (One poor little Scottie couldn’t walk through it last time, so she proceeded in a series of jumps. I though this was really gutsy, but the Judge didn’t appreciate it at all). See you there. BACKGROUND MUSIC Apart from all the people who didn’t know what Muzak was, I have had quite a strong response from those who agree with me about the irritation that this unnecessary noise causes. As I said last week, everyone understands that, early in the day, it is a good idea to have some sound issuing from premises, so that it doesn’t seem dead.  But surely, once people have thronged in, it can be turned off? One thing that has been pointed out to me is that those working where there is constant background sound don’t even notice it after a while. But I do, and so do others! Most importantly, I have had not one reply in favour of this nuisance. READERS NEWS & VIEWS Keep ‘em coming. All these notes plus lots of photos can be seen on the Community Website - www.cahirnews.cahirda.com - and back numbers are saved, so you can check up on anything you want to.