CAHIR NOTES
LEFTOVERS
As the notes in the Christmas Special were cut off in their prime, I am including those that didn’t make it into print here.
CAHIR CHORAL AT CHRISTMAS
Cahir Choral always sings at the Farmers’ Market, and this year will be doing so in aid of St Vincent de Paul, so please give us lots of support. This special Market takes place this Saturday, 6th December, when you can also place your Christmas orders.
There are Cards of Lines @ €2 available from members and in some businesses in Cahir, and people will be collecting on Saturday. This year in particular, St Vincent de Paul needs every cent that can be raised to help those in need.
We also take part in the Christmas Service in St Paul’s Church, the date to be confirmed. And of course, there is our performance in St Mary’s Church on 28th December too, which attracts more people each year. There is no charge on this occasion and, for me, it is the perfect end to Christmas.
Next year, we are off to the Nice Choral Festival from 16th to 19th October, and Maureen Ahern, our Musical Director, is organising a few extra days to make the most of the trip. Some lovely visits are planned! And in 2010 we are away to the Budapest Choir Festival from 18th to 21st June, with the same extra days as in Nice. The very good news is that these are NOT competitions. If people want to come on these trips, they had better start coming to Choral soon, or they will miss out in a major way.
“HARD DAYS AND HAPPY DAYS”
This is the title of the recent book written by Ed O’Riordan and Karol DeFalco, and is a fascinating history of Skehennarinky National School from 1858 to 2008. A great read and a great gift for history buffs.
Another book that is coming out before Christmas is the next in the series with photographs of Cahir. The Launch is taking place in the River House on Friday 5th December with Brian Buckley its authour in attendance, it is another anthology of times past in Cahir, to compliment his earlier edition which sold very well.
NEW BUSINESSES
There are quite a few new businesses open in Cahir now, and congratulations to you all. A completely new name to me is Katherine Hally, who does laser tooth whitening as well as being the only person in the county trained to fit Advanced and Extreme Lashes. These are applied one lash at a time, and it’s pretty skilled work.
And of course Allure Hair & Beauty has just opened in Castle Street. This is “Steve the Barber’s” new venture, and I am sure it will be as successful as he has been. I had a look around the salon, the lovely upright tanning booth that came from Poland, and the treatment rooms, and was impressed. Shelley, Michelle and Emma are charming, and isn’t it great to see new businesses opening at the moment?
There is a new Coffee Shop in the Business Park too, opposite Casey Tiles and Lonergan’s Hardware: “Gretta’s Kitchen“. Gretta is open from 8am to 5pm and specialises in delicious Full Irish Breakfasts. She also offers Carvery Lunches, Afternoon Teas and take-aways, including a take-away dinner for when you don’t feel like cooking. Best wishes Gretta.
Jason and Jen are opening the Butler Arms (one-time Castle Arms) on Friday 5th December, which should be quite a night! Good luck and best wishes for continued success.
And I really must congratulate Brian Costigan on what he has done with and for Morrissey’s. It looks stunning and “right” on the outside and he has redesigned the interior using all his know-how, so that it works better. It is already very inviting and retains so many lovely features. Happy Christmas to Brian, Baby Bat and everyone else.
Karen Coughlan’s physio centre is now open below the Craft Granary - next to Folke’s Veterinary practice. I wrote about this highly qualified lady recently - she is Head Physio to the Ladies’ Olympic Hockey Team.
KAREN MURPHY, IMAGE CONSULTANT
As readers may have noticed in the Christmas Special, Karen Murphy has added another string to her bow, as an Image Consultant. To find out more, call down to Interior Concepts this Friday or Saturday, when Karen will be demonstrating what she does and Jennifer Grace will be creating ‘new faces’, for that new Image.
UNFORTUNATE FEEDBACK
The Cahir Traders and Cahir Development are working together on the Christmas Lights this year. Maria Taylor has taken on the task of going around to businesses to collect their donations, and on the whole people have been kind and generous. It is much appreciated that small businesses have given what they can manage, instead of saying “no”, and several individuals and businesses who do not benefit directly from the lights seem to appreciate what they do for the town, and have made donations.
However, there appears to be a very mixed reaction locally to the Cahir Development Association (CDA), with many people having no clear idea as to what we do or even who we are! The obvious way to find out is to attend an Annual General Meeting, or even one of the Open Meetings organised by the CDA, such as the one held recently on Suicide in Ireland. Any of the Officers or Committee Members will be glad to answer your questions.
For just €2 a year (!) you can join the Association, see the Company Accounts, vote at the AGM, and even take a more active part if you wish. The only reason there may appear to be a ’clique’ is that nowadays very few people are prepared to stand up and be counted and even, God forbid, do some work.
As soon as Maria Taylor (who is now PRO for Cahir Development) has completed her Christmas Lights collections, she will produce an Information Leaflet on Cahir Development, which will, hopefully, clear up most of the misunderstandings.
For a start, please try to remember that the Association is a Registered Charity; a non-profit-making organisation that currently employs 45 people in Cahir. Top quality training, care and services are supplied at rock-bottom prices. The aim of the Association is to make Cahir a better place in which to live, work and do business. Why not be a part of that? You can join now just by calling in to the Enterprise Centre or to Tim at Duneske, filling in a form and handing over the huge membership fee.
CAHIR PARK SCHOOLBOYS’ SOCCER
On Thursday 11th December, this Club is holding a Table Quiz in the Bar of Cahir House Hotel. Kick-off will be around 9pm and all are welcome. Thanks are expressed in advance to Seanie Lonergan, for agreeing to be Question Master.
FESTIVE CHEER …
…at the Cahir Farmers’ Market. There is to be a Special Market this Saturday and you are invited! Enjoy some festive cheer while sipping warm, spiced apple juice as the kids decorate some seasonal cookies.
David will have some beautiful flower planters that will make lovely gifts.
There will be Carol Singers dropping in and all the customers will be entered into a Raffle for a Christmas Tree. As always, you can get high quality, locally produced, good food at Cahir Farmers’ Market. Remember it’s miles better - and miles closer!
NEW CHINESE RESTAURANT
The nice restaurant in the Castle Court Hotel has been leased and is being run as a Chinese Restaurant. Maria Taylor and myself had a Buffet Lunch there on Sunday, and were both very impressed with what we were given.
There was lovely soup, and a generous buffet that included dishes not usually available in this area. I was particularly taken with the way the menus, both takeaway and A La Carte, offer a choice of sauces and a choice of dishes for the diner to combine as they wish.
There was even one dish that looked as if it would be REALLY hot, for those who relish that sort of thing.
The meal was finished off with lovely fruit salad, that had a very slight oriental tang - don’t know what it was, but it was great. And I love being given Chinese Tea when I arrive - particularly on a day like Sunday. Best wishes to these very nice people. Their restaurant complements rather than competing with existing businesses in town, and there is always room for good quality.
OVER TO MARIA TAYLOR:
EUROSTAR 2008
Tom and Marie Carroll of The Hill Inn hosted the Final of this very popular contest last Friday night. All the proceeds - €1200 - went to the Cahir Scouts Group. Although not all of the 12 finalists were not able to be there, those who did participate really put their hearts into it.
Martine Reilly came first with the most votes, Martin Foy 2nd, Michael Fitzgerald 3rd and Shawna Cunningham 4th, and Patsy Cunningham received a prize for being the most entertaining act.
Michael O’Donnell, for the Cahir Scout Group, wishes to thank Tom and Marie for hosting the event, Pablo for the Karaoke, Paudie Roche for Compering and all the sponsors of the spot prizes. Most of all, a big Thank You to all of the acts that took part, who made Eurostar 2008 such a success.
CASTLE COURT HOTEL
The Hotel Management would like to remind people that tickets are now available at the Bar for the New Year’s Eve Ball. As they are selling quickly, get them while you can. The tickets for the Raffle at the Ball are also on sale now. The First Prize is a Holiday for Two in Southern Spain and Second Prize is a Plasma TV. There will be lots of other prizes too.
CAHIR COUNTRY MARKET
A very successful Coffee Morning was hosted by the Market last Friday, in aid of the South Tipperary Hospice. It was lovely to see so many people come to support this very worthwhile cause. The Raffle had some wonderful prizes, there was plenty of tea and coffee and lots of lovely homemade cakes and buns to eat. (My favourite bit).
To date €1,050.07 has been raised, with more donations to come in. What a fantastic result. Well done to all concerned and Thank You to all who donated, including the sponsors of the Raffle Prizes.
While at the Market, I had a chance to see the beautiful Cup Hilary Carter received at the Iverk Show in Pilltown, Co Kilkenny last September. Hilary was presented with The Kitty Blackmore Perpetual Cup for the Best All Round Jam. (No surprise there, I’m one of Hilary’s fans - you should taste her Rhubarb Jam [and my fave is her marmalade - MC].
Since last Friday was also the first of the Christmas Markets, don’t forget that you can now pre-order any of your Christmas Fare - not forgetting all that is always available, from fresh fruit and vegetables to all of the other homemade, handmade or homegrown produce.
MIDWAY TAKEAWAY
This new Takeaway on Abbey Street opened last week. It is a traditional takeaway, specialising in Fish & Chips, Pizzas, Burgers and Kebabs. They also offer a delivery service. Good luck to them.
THAT’S IT FOR MARIA - TOGETHER WE SEEM TO BE COVERING CAHIR PRETTY WELL AND I HOPE READERS ARE ENJOYING THE NEW TEAM?
CAHIR CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR
This popular Fair will take place next Sunday, 7th December in Cahir HoHotel. A good variety of local and other crafts will be available, and Cahir Craft Granary has a display. This is a great place for good value Christmas Gifts, etc.
(It is always nice to hear from the Organiser, Ned Lonergan, who excelled himself this time, with really big print - in colour!
OUR LADY OF MERCY NS
The annual Bring & Buy Sale, Coffee Morning, Toy Sale and Monster Raffle will take place in the school hall on Friday 5th December, so start baking. Clear out your used toys and go for a coffee on 5th. This great event runs from 9:30 to 11:30am, in the School. Calendars will be on sale too.
The Monster Raffle has prizes from a Mobile Phone, MP3 Player, Gifts, Vouchers, etc. Tickets cost €2 for one strip or 3 strips for €5. They are on sale each morning in the School from 9 - 9:30am.
Finally, the first ever Our Lady of Mercy Primary School Calendar is now available. Each class is “a month” for 2009. What a happy, smiley bunch. This is a brilliant Christmas present for Grandparents, Godparents, Aunties and Uncles and is also a keepsake of passing time, to have forever. These calendars are now on sale from the school at €15 or two for €25.
KNOCKGRAFFON OPEN COURSING CLUB
The Annual Mass for deceased members, landowners, sponsors and relatives of the Club will be held in St Michael’s Chu7rch, Clerihan on Sunday 7th December at 7:30pm.
The Annual General Meeting will be held in Ballingeary School on Friday 12th December at 8:30-m.
The Secretary is now accepting entries for the McCarthy Cup (presented and sponsored by John McCarthy, Lavally Engineering Co). The First Round will be held on Sunday 14th December with the Draw on Friday 12th December. Entries can be made to 086 212 6849 after 6pm.
COMMUNITY GAMES NEWS
‘History of Tipperary Community Games’. This lovely publication, written by the County’s long-time PRO Peggy Colville, is a must for all volunteers and competitors who have taken any part in the various competitions down the years. It was launched at The Horse & Jockey Hotel last Wednesday evening before a large crowd.
The book, which is great value at €10, would be an ideal stocking filler for Christmas. It sets out the history of the Games in Tipperary; the volunteers past and present; all of the marvellous competitors and all the various disciplines with the Games itself. Great credit is due to the author for the time and effort that obviously went into the publication of this book.
From a Cahir point of view, we feature a lot and it will be great for all parties who have had a huge input into the games locally to be able to look back at all the memories.
For volunteers, the late John Martin RIP, father of one of our regular competitors Jack, and Manager of our Boys’ Soccer Team in 2004, is remembered with fondness. Read about our brilliant Girls U-12 Gaelic Football Team who made history in 2006 by winning the National title at Mosney.
We also have the memory of our brilliant U-12 Soccer team of 2002, who came so close to success and gave us such great memories. Our marvellous Gymnasts down the years are featured: Gillian O’Keefe, who achieved 5 Gold Medals and 4 Silver Medals in years of competition; Christine Brunnick who also won Gold and Bronze; Brendan Maher who won Silver and Bronze; Andrea O’Keefe who won Silver and a Certificate; Shane Sweeney; Paula Dempsey etc - the list is endless.
The ‘town with no swimming pool’ provided five swimmers in 2000: Eric Rees, Tommy O’Donnell, Molly Walsh, Mark Jenkins and Patrick Regan, amongst the many more marvellous memories. It is also great to look at the many pictures in the publication and ponder on the changes over a few years.
The support of the Community is asked for, to achieve success for this very worthwhile publication. The book can be purchased by kind permission of the proprietors at SuperValu and at the Texaco Garage, Clonmel Road. They can also be bought at the Craft Fair next Sunday.
CAHIR CAMOGIE NEWS
Our Lady of Mercy Cahir make it three in a row! On Friday 28th November, in a well laid-out field in the Durlas Og grounds in Thurles, the Finals of the Mini 7 Ladies Football took place. Cahir beat Mount Bruis and Gael Scoil Clonmel, to play Gael Scoil Thurles in the Final, and what a Final was in store!
Cahir won the toss and the game began. We had some excellent displays of football from both sides. Gael Scoil started with a bang and Cahir was well behind after a few minutes. With Carol Casey and Roisin Costigan in the backs beginning to get on top, we were back to within four points at half time.
With Plan A not going very well, Plan B was put into action! Niamh Murphy took over from Keely Halpin in goal, letting Keely move up into othe forwards with Roisin Howard and at full time we were level. Extra time was decided on, and off we went. Cahir had the better start this time, with Katie Farrell and Aoife Corcoran at centre field doing well. At the turn-around Cahir was one point ahead. The second four minutes seemed to go on forever. Megan Ward and Dervla Buckley played their part in this great victory. Cahir held out to win by four points.
Best wishes to Laura Casey who missed out due to sickness. Great credit is due to the girls for the hard work they put in and never say die attitude that they have. This marks another clean sweep for the school having already won the U13 and U11 competitions and now the Mini 7, Well done to all concerned.
Pictured below are Our Lady of Mercy Girls school Cahir winners of the Mini 7
Back row L-R: M. Ward, D Buckley, R. Costigan, R. Howard, N. Murphy.
Front row L-R K. Farrell, C Casey, A Corcoran, K Halpin (joint captains)
COLAISTE DUN IASCAIGH NOTES
For a few hours over the evenings of last weekend, the students of Colaiste Dun Iascaigh allowed us to drift languidly from the chill of a frosty November night in Ireland to the palm trees, soft sand, sunshine and high seas of the South Pacific.
Colaiste Dun Iasciagh’s annual musical has returned and this year they brought us on an unforgettable journey, back to the last days of the Second World War via the imagination of Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein.
Every turn, every salute, every chorus, every solo was delivered with precision and passion, as always a credit to the perfectionism of Producer / Choreographer Deirdre Buckley and Musical Director Norma Barry-Hurley. They really got the most out of their young cast and their talented orchestra. The orchestra itself was superb; playing with great gusto yet understated empathy for the young voices.
As for the young actors themselves – to say that this is was an outstanding school production is an understatement. This was a magnificent production! The young students delivered very mature performances worthy of any stage. It seems unfair to single people out as this – more than previous productions- was very much an ensemble piece. However......... the chemistry between Riona Burke’s Nellie and Craig O’Meara’s Emile was electric and, as expected, the moving ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ remained in your head long after you left the show. This was Craig’s first time out as a soloist and he shone. Riona’s performance was stunning, worthy of a Broadway or a West End stage. Graham Halley and young Lauren Murphy were charm personified as Emile’s children. Leanne Hickey’s elegance shone in her portrayal as Liat. Kate O’Donovan was outstanding as Bloody Mary, causing ripples of laughter one moment then mesmerising the audience with her hypnotic performance of Bali Ha’i. Barry Rodgers was hilarious as the bored Captain Billis and his uproarious rendition (ably supported by his crew of sailors) of ‘There is Nothin’ Like a Dame’ was truly uplifting.
The sets, as usual, were of the highest standard and it was clear that a great deal of work had gone on behind the scenes from ticket sellers to poster-designers, from make-up to costume, from continuity and sponsorship to lighting and sound. This was a production of the very highest calibre. If you missed this year’s production of South Pacific then you missed out. If you were lucky enough to have seen it then you will have been warmed with a treasure trove of memories to last you through the long, cold winter
CAHIR DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY LOTTO
Another week without the Jackpot being won has brought the total going on to the Draw this Wednesday up to €3,850. Last week’s Draw, witnessed by Carmel Dwyer, produced numbers 9, 12, 16 and 19. The five Lucky Dip winners, each of whom received €30, were Bridget Connolly, Ardfinnan; Cathy O’Brien, New Inn; Laura Butler, Lisava, Cahir; Ger Halley, Woodview, Cahir.
Tickets can be purchased up to noon - the last minute - from the Business & Training Centre. The profits from the Community Lotto service community projects in Cahir.
ERIC MC ENIRY FUND
The Abbey Tavern Social Club held a Black Tie Winter Ball at the Castle Court Hotel on Saturday 15th November in aid of the Eric McEniry Fund. Over 150 people attended and a great night was had by all. The organisers would like to thank the following:
Kevin Curry & Tara Foran, of the Castle Court, for providing the venue and also for all their help leading up to and on the night;
Mattie Buckley and his P24 Club army colleagues for the delicious meal they cooked and served, and their generous donation;
Pat Moloney, the photographer who donated his time and made a contribution to the Fund from every photo bought;
Supermac’s, Cahir, for providing a ‘midnight feast’ of chicken & wedges for everybody, free of charge;
Pat Marnane and his Band for generously donating their time and keeping everyone dancing with the brilliant entertainment;
Robbie Martin, Golden Vale Milk, for his generous donation to the Fund.
There are too many others to mention by name, but we would also like to thank all those who contributed something on the night or for the Raffle. It was much appreciated. And finally, thank you to everybody who turned up on the night and made is such a success.
John and Ellen Orme.
“The family of Eric McEniry would like to thank John & Ellen Orme for the recent Black Tie Ball they organised. It was a brilliant night and we were blown away by the support. To all who were involved in organising it, Thank You. To all who donated their time ane services, food and raffle prizes, Thank You. And thank you to everybody who attended the Ball. A special Thank you to Fr Knight who gave a lovely speech. We really appreciate everything that the people in this community have done for us“.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL
The National collection for this Society will be held at all masses on the weekend of 6th and 7th December. Please give generously to this worthy cause, particularly at the present time, when so many families find it hard to meet the increases in the cost of food, heating and clothing expenses.
READERS’ NEWS & VIEWS
As always, I am delighted to hear from readers at 10 Market Yard / 086 840 5020 and at the e-mail address above. Please contact me or Maria as early as possible.
