CAHIR NOTES CAROLS AT THE FARMERS’ MARKET Cahir Choral had a great sing last Saturday, as the guests of the Farmers’ Market. In fact, this was our main fundraising event for St Vincent de Paul, so for the first time at this venue, we had accompaniment. I wonder if Fidelma Nugent’s fingers will ever be the same again? I don’t know yet how much was raised, as sheets of Lines are out and about in the town, so please give generously if you haven’t done so already. Many thanks to Con Traas and his Apple Farm for the lovely hot Spiced Apple drinks, and to whoever it was who produced the equally hot sausages when we had finished - both very much appreciated. Before I left I had a quick look round the stalls, and was delighted to find a new one (new to me, at any rate, as I have been unable to get to the Market recently) with loads of quiches, a ‘soup of the day’, lasagne and shepherd’s pie, all ready to pop into the freezer if you wish and, of course, all homemade with the best ingredients.  Good luck to this lady, who is becoming more and more busy. However, I understand her sister will mind the stall in Cahir if she is elsewhere. Maureen Ahearn leading the carollers at the Farmers Market BEECH PARK RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION The newly-elected Committee wishes to send a big ‘thank you’ to the hard-working outgoing Committee, as well as welcoming new members. The new Chairperson is Breda Gallagher; Treasurer, Mary Burke; Secretary, Jean English;. The Committee is made up of Julie McGuire, Mae Lonergan, Eamon Elliott, and Michael O’Shea. A very special Get Well wish is  sent to Garreth Saunders. The successful 50/50 Draw is being resumed, with the first one being held on 12th December. There will be an extra prize of a Hamper for their Christmas Draw on 20th December, which will be held at the Christmas Tree. “If you’re not in you can’t win”. The Committee would like to take this opportunity to wish all their neighbours and friends a very happy and peaceful Christmas. ECUMENICAL CAROL SERVICE St Paul’s Church, Cahir, is holding its annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols this Sunday 14th December, starting at 8pm. The Organist will be Dr David Butler and Cahir Choral Society will take part.  All are welcome and there will be tea afterwards in the adjoining Butler Charteris Hall. I was touched to find that five people had forwarded this information to me - nice that everyone feels so involved. THE BELL CHRISTMAS RAFFLE It’s not just Cahir Development that is trying to raise funds for the Christmas Lights - The Bell has a Christmas Raffle with a difference, with the proceeds going to the Christmas Lights Appeal. There are ten envelopes, each naming a prize, with just one drawn each week. The prizes include a Jackpot that stands at €150 this week, with the draw taking place on Sunday night at 11pm. Other prizes include Bottles of Brandy; Bottles of Whiskey; Bottles of Wine; Tins of Roses; Cases of Cans of Beer; Boxes of USA Biscuits (but I’m sure they mean ‘cookies’) Tickets / Lines cost €2 each, so get buying! MESSAGES FROM CLLR MICHAEL ANGLIM Cllr Michael Anglim, at the Council meeting on 1st December, thanked Council officials and workers who had worked for the past fifty years in the Tar Depot on the Tipperary Road in Cahir. He also sent the workers who have changed to the new Depot near Clonmel every good wish in their new workplace. A lot of good work has been done by these men in the Cahir area throughout the years, and it was with regret that the gates closed for the last time on 1st December. Cllr Anglim also wants to send congratulations to Young Carer of the Year - a Cahir girl, Mary Condon O’Connor aged 11 years, who was chosen out of approximately 1,000 entries. Mary helps her Mam Mary and her Dad Pat to care for her younger sister Aine, who is autistic. They live in Church Street, and the Award Ceremony was held recently at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin. The Councillor also wants to thank all of his constituents and friends who sent get well wishes to him during his recent illness. He is now fully recovered from his hip operation and is available, if anyone needs his help or assistance. And finally, Cllr Anglim would like to wish all his friends, neighbours, constituents and supporters a Holy and peaceful Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2009. DO YOU LACK BASIC SEWING SKILLS? Or do your children? Why not check out the One-Day Workshops in the Craft Granary? They are being held on 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st January - all Saturdays - from 10am to 4:30pm and cost €65 per person. This is an essential skill, not too difficult to master in its early stages, and life is much easier when you can “make do and mend” for yourself. For more information, or to register for a place, you can contact Maura Dunne on 086 404 3572 or Kathryn O’Brien on 086 359 3064. BANKING INSTITUTIONS CONDEMNED Deputy Mattie McGrath has severely condemned banking institutions for their delay in allowing small and medium businesses access to credit. “In the current economic slowdown, it is vital for businesses to have access to credit. Access to working capital and finance is of fundamental importance to all businesses and to Small and Medium Businesses in particular. It is one of a number of significant challenges facing businesses today, alongside sharply reduced consumer spending, increased pressure on margins and delays in debtor payments. “I am calling on the banking sector urgently to increase their support for its business customers in these challenging times. The banking sector’s support of Small to Medium Businesses has been severely lacking in the current economic climate.  Access to working capital and firm finance is, as we all know, of fundamental importance to all businesses and to the Small to Medium businesses in particular” concluded Deputy McGrath. OUR LADY OF MERCY PARENTS’ COUNCIL Once again this year, the Council had a very successful Toy and Cake Sale in the school last Friday morning. Without the help of all the parents, who baked such a lovely selection of goodies and all the wonderful toys received for the Bring and Buy Sale, this venture would never be possible. So they say a heartfelt thanks to you all for your great support for all their endeavours. To all the local businesses who gave them super prizes for the Draw, again they say ‘thank you’. They also wish to acknowledge the great help they received from Vice Principal Ann Carroll and the fantastic School Secretary, Michelle O’Brien, who is always so willing and obliging, indeed to all the staff of the school they thank you for your great support. The School Calendar is on sale now and what a wonderful gift idea it is for anyone, with beautiful photographs of each class, and useful to parents too, with all the important school dates throughout the year clearly marked. It is hoped that there will be some Carol Singing from the school choir over the festive period - more details next week. CAHIR & DISTRICT LADIES’ CLUB The ladies had a meeting recently regarding the future of the Club. There was a good turnout and all the ladies voted to keep the Club going, but to have the month of January off. Their AGM was held at the same time and Tricia Brunnick was voted in again as Chairperson, Sharon Cagney as Secretary and Ann O’Connell as Treasurer. Some of the ladies went off to An Grianan in Co Louth with a group on 2nd December. They had a fabulous meal and danced the night away. After breakfast, they travelled back, stopping at Blanchardstown for some Christmas Shopping. Thanks to Ann O’Connor for letting the ladies join in, and they look forward to next year. The Club’s Christmas night out is in Cahir House on Friday 12th December at 8 o’clock. BINGO! The Bingo Lucky Number was worth €170 last night. This was in addition to the Full House Prize of €70!. Plus, there are more Giveaways, as Christmas Sit-Besides are in full swing. This means that if the person beside you wins money for a line, you get a tin of sweets, just for being beside them. There are also Raffle for Hampers, so plenty of opportunity to win something. The Anniversary Bingo was a great success. €400 was won on the Free Jackpot and the Free Raffle saw a few fine Hampers being won. Thanks you all for your support. If you’d like to try it out, Bingo is on Tuesday nights at 8:30pm in the Community Hall, and all are very welcome. CAHIR DAY CARE CENTRE The Committee wishes to give a special word of thanks to the people of Ardfinnan, Grange and Ballybacon for their generous contributions at the Church Gate Collection recently. It was very much appreciated by all. On sale in the Centre are hand-made Christmas Cards and Cards for Special Occasions. Help them to help themselves!. Call at Cahir Day Care Centre between 9am and 4pm from Monday to Saturday. The winner of this week’s Whist was Tom Morrissey with 52 points; joint second Kitty Saunders and Ellen Morrissey with 51 points. I thoroughly enjoyed the Centre’s Christmas Dinner in Cahir House Hotel recently. It is a lovely, spacious venue, the food and the company were good and the only reason I left early was that it hurts to watch people dancing when I can’t, anymore. Many thanks for the invite. UNEMPLOYMENT SHOCK Cllr Seanie Lonergan has described the latest unemployment figures for the Cahir area as truly shocking. During the twelve-month period from November 07 to 08, unemployment in Cahir has risen from 363 to 777, an increase of 414, or 114% According to Cllr Lonergan, this is one of the highest percentage increases in the entire country. The Councillor adds: “I am very concerned at the upward trend in local unemployment. Many families are facing a very difficult Christmas and New Year. But unfortunately the Government is more interested in bailing out bankers than helping ordinary men and women. And what are our local Fianna Fail representatives doing to address this problem? It is time this rudderless Fianna Fail-led Government took action”. OVER TO MARIA TAYLOR: CRAFT FAIR Christmas came early in Cahir last Sunday, in the form of the annual Christmas Craft Fair, organised by Ned Lonergan and hosted by Cahir House Hotel. As usual, I went along to see what would be on offer this year, and found there was even more than usual. I had a nice time, enjoying a cup of coffee and tasting many of the titbits that were given out free - these went down very well with the children. NEWCASTLE VINTAGE CLUB The Club will hold its Annual P J Hyland Tractor Road Run in aid of the Luke McNab fund and the Newcastle Playground on 26th December, St Stephen’s Day. The Run is open to all tractors, and for insurance purposes there can be drivers only, no passengers please. They will be leaving Newcastle at 11am sharp. Please bring a packed lunch with yo on the day. Sponsor cards are available from any of the Club members and Ann Shortiss in Cahir. CHRISTMAS AT CAHIR COUNTRY MARKET Last week, I managed to buy a little cup-sized Christmas Pudding at the Market, to send to a friend in London - it’s the perfect pudding for one. So visit the Market for Christmas Cakes, Puddings, Yule Logs, Mince Pies, as well as all the usual produce. You can order Fresh Vegetables and Holly Wreaths too. Christmas Markets will take place on Friday 12th and 19th December, and there will be a last Christmas Market on Tuesday 23rd from 9 - 11am - always in the Community Hall. Many thanks, once again, to all who supported the Coffee Morning in aid of South Tipperary Hospice, held on 28th November. The final total raised was €1,070. A special word of thanks is expressed to everyone who sponsored prizes for the Raffle. The winners were: 1st - Mrs English; 2nd - Lena Phelan; 3rd - Kay Kiely; 4th - Mattie McGrath; 5th - Mary Fitzgerald; 6th - Betty Hacket; 7th - Sean Lonergan; 8th - Fiona Rea; 9th - Antoinette Murphy; 10th - Catherine Ryan and 11th - W. Traas.` KAY’S €UROSAVERS I was delighted to find out that Kay is back with her €urosaver Shop. She has just moved down the road to Bridge Street. As usual, her shop is jam-packed full of things that normally you can’t find anywhere else in town, all at affordable prices. There are beautiful Gift Sets, along with all the Christmas Cards, Paper and Decorations.  Welcome back, Kay! [And so say all of us. MC] CARING NEIGHBOURS On the subject of cold weather, have a thought for your elderly or disabled neighbour by calling in to see if they need anything. It’s not easy to get out and about when it’s cold and frosty and a friendly face is always a welcome sight. BARKING DOGS Residents in Woodview are being kept awake by the constant barking of neighbours’ dogs. Some people work shifts and simply can’t get any sleep when a dog or dogs are put out in the morning and left there all day, shouting their heads off. These residents do not want to take further action, but will have no choice unless the owners of the offending animals read this and takes appropriate action. [In Pearse Street too, there is a dog that barks for hours at night. On Monday night I was woken at 2am and the thing continued with its noise until 3:45 - and I think I got back to sleep at about 6! MC] THE GATEHOUSE From the moment I walked into The Gatehouse last Friday until I left - quite late - I couldn’t help but feel that I was in a bar in a city, rather than a little town like Cahir. As usual, Jason Maher has made a terrific job of doing up what everyone knew as The Castle Arms. It’s not an easy task to blend a protected heritage bar with the sweep and stylish surroundings of  The Gatehouse, but Jason has managed it perfectly. The whole place has been opened up and there are several different areas where you can relax with your drink. Indeed, it needs to be seen to be fully appreciated. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS Thank you to everyone that has donated to the Christmas Lights Fund so far. Everyone will be thanked once all the donations are in. Just a reminder to those to whom I haven’t had a chance to call - you can send any donations to the Business & Training Centre, Market Yard, Cahir and you will be issued with a receipt. All donations, of whatever size, are very welcome. Thank you. AND THANK YOU, MARIA. SUPER RAFFLE FOR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS If you are in the area of The Square, you will see that Bernie Bowles' window has an amazing display of Hampers, Bottles, Chocs and Biscuits etc which are being Raffled to help to pay for the Christmas Lights. The business people of Cahir have been most supportive, and this is the opportunity for everyone else to contribute too. I think the lights across the Bridge are particularly lovely.   Lines are available in most shops and pubs, I believe and, of course, at the Business & Training Centre NEW U.S. WORK & TRAVEL AGREEMENT Senator Diarmuid Wilson has informed Cllr Andy Moloney that, recently, he has signed a new Agreement, on behalf of the Government, with the United States. This Agreement will enable at least 20,000 Irish citizens annually to work and travel in the States for up to 12 months. Cllr Moloney says that the new Agreement contains the following key elements: The US Government will make available at least 20,000 visas for Irish citizens, permitting them to work and travel in the U.. for a period of 12 months. The Irish Government will reciprocate and allow up to 5,000 American citizens to work in Ireland for a period of 12 months. Both Irish and U.S. citizens will be allowed to secure employment on arrival in each country. In order to qualify for the Programme, participants should be either in post-secondary education or have graduated recently. While Cllr Moloney welcomes the new initiative in the area of U.S. Irish migration, Senator Wilson assures him that he is prioritising efforts to alleviate the plight of the undocumented Irish in the United States. BALLINGEARY ICA NOTES Their Christmas Party Guild meeting will take place on Wednesday 10th December at Ballingeary Schoolhouse, at 8pm. Would members please note the change of date and venue. Santa will be visiting the meeting again this year, so please do not forget to bring your gift (value approximately €5) for inclusion in his sack. The Hostesses for this month will be Maureen Finn, Patricia Kelly, Peggy Grufferty and Ann Hyland. Members are wished a very happy Christmas. CAHIR ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION The results of the Twenty Five Card Game from last Friday are as follows: Winners, with 10 games, were Dave White, Willie O’Neil, Kieran O’Brien, Red Burke, Ted Dillon and Lexie Sheehan. The Lucky Table winners were Sadie Caplice, Chi Chi Caplice, Tim Fitzgerald and Maurice Condon. The Raffle was won by Willie O’Neil and Ted Dillon. The next game ;will take place this Friday, 12th December at 8pm, when light refreshments will be available, as usual. All are welcome to enjoy a pleasant night out. PUBLICATIONS DATES OVER CHRISTMAS The issue for Christmas week is being printed on 22nd, so all news will have to be with me or Maria on Friday 19th December at noon, at the latest. Anything coming in after that will go into the issue of 31st December. READERS’ NEWS & VIEWS As always, these are very welcome at 10 Market Yard / 086 102 2014 and at the e-mail address above.