CAHIR NOTES CAHIR GARDA “OLDER PERSONS PARTY” New name - but the same entertaining event that the Gardai have organised every year for some time now. It is to take place on Friday 16th January at 5pm for all us oldies in the Cahir Garda District, which since 1st January, includes Newcastle. So the areas covered are now: Cahir, Ballyporeen, Ardfinnan, Clogheen, New Inn, Cashel and Newcastle. After the service of Light Refreshments at 5pm, the first Spot Prize will be drawn by Superintendent Tom Duggan. Thereafter, Sgt Peter Butler with the help of Garda Pat English, Gda Paschal O’Dwyer, Mr Bill Coffey and Transition Year Students from Colaiste Dhun Iascaigh will draw the rest of the abundance of Spot Prizes. There will be an exhibition of dancing by the well-known and talented Clogheen Dancers, followed by Dancing for all to the Sheehan Brothers Band. It is hoped that as many Older People as possible will be able to attend this event, which was a great success again last year. Neighbours / families who bring people to this party are also invited to stay and enjoy the evening if they wish to do so. However, if you require transport, please ring the Cahir Garda Station at 052 45630 and leave your name, address and phone number for one of the above Gards and they will try to arrange transport for you between 4pm and 4:45 pm on the night. The Band will finish at about 10pm. CAHIR ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION The first meeting in the new year will take place on Wednesday 7th January at  2.30 pm in the Catherine McAuley room Cahir.  As usual at the start of a new year,  membership fees are now due and can be paid to the Treasurer on the day.   There are many interesting plans on the agenda for the new year: intriguing breaks around Ireland, days out on various courses, plus the second holiday abroad is on the agenda.   The results of the last card game in the year 2008 are as follows: Winners, with 10 Games: Breda Ryan/Rena O Connor. Joint Second with 9 Games: Betty Collins/Josie Quinlan. Willie O Neil/ Dave White. Maurice Condon/Tim Fitzgerald. Lucky Tables: Kieran O Brien/Red Burke. Ciss O Neil/Willie O Donnell.   To celebrate this festive season there was a bumper raffle with many prizes being won, making this an evening to remember.   Cards will resume Friday 9th January and will continue to be played each Friday evening at the Catherine McAuley room Cahir at 8.00 pm. Refreshments are provided after the game.   All that remains now is to wish members a happy and peaceful New Year. NEW FIRE ENGINE Cllr Andy Moloney has welcomed the news that his representations to the Fire Services, that the Cahir Area fire Services would get priority treatment when purchasing the next Fire Engine.has had a successful outcome.   At the 2007 Budget Meeting, Cllr Moloney said that due to the new M8 now passing through the Cahir countryside, the old engine would not be sufficient to guarantee a service, and that an upgrade was essential.   At the budget meeting of 2008, provision was made for a new Fire Engine for the Cahir Area. Cllr Moloney was assured by the Director of Services, Clare Curley, that delivery of this unit would happen in July/August at a cost of €305,000. Hewould like to thank Ms Curley and her offices for their continued commitment to the fire services in the Cahir Area.   He said that many households had benefited from the free smoke alarms issued by the South Tipp Fire Services and also asked people to check their insurance policies on Fire Cover as there had been some changes by some insurance firms in 2008.Cllr Moloney says that this is the first good news of the new year and hopefully there is more to come.   Happy New Year to all. YOGA IN CAHIR Yoga classes will begin again in Cahir in the New Year on Wednesday January 14th at Duneske Leisure Centre at 11am. Evening classes will also start at Cahir House Hotel at 7pm on Thur 15th Jan. Suitable for all levels. For information, call Mary 086 3593024  SOUTH TIPPERARY RURAL ARTS GROUP presents:- South Tipperary Rural Arts group begin 2009 with two short dramas. On Saturday, January, 17th, “Call Back Theatre” presents “Bonfire Night” and “Arsehammers”. Both pieces are written by Claire Dowie, performed by Cora Fenton and directed by John Sheehy.Though the subjects of this presentation are serious, there is an underlying sense of humour, which results in some moment of great comedy. “Bonfire Night” deals with the story of a daughter’s revenge and “Arsehammers “deals with a grandchild’s belief that her grandfather’s strange disappearances reveal supernatural powers. This theme has links with the subject of Alzheimer and it is hoped to have a raffle on the night to support the Alzheimer’s A ssociation.This is once again storytelling with a difference by the very talented Cora Fenton. Watch out for posters and next weeks edition regarding venue and ticket price. MAKE IT HAPPEN - CHOOSE FAIRTRADE! This is the theme for this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs fromm 23rd February to 8th March. Fairtrade is a people’s movement for change that aims to tip the balance of trade in favour of poor producers. We all need Fairtrade more than ever and we all have the power to create positive change for people and the planet. More about the Association’s plans for this year in weeks to come. A new Educational Pack has been produced by Irish National Teachers’ Organisation called ‘School Works1 Child Labour, The Right to Education and Fairtrade’. This will be distributed to all Primary schools in the country and includes a resource for Junior and Senior Infant Classes, First and Second Class, Third and Fourth Class and Fifth and Six Class, so as part of Goal 6, towns can encourage teachers to use it. There is also a new Fair Comment DVD and ‘shelf wobblers’ for supermarkets and a Table Talker for Restaurants. These will be available for Fairtrade Fortnight, so prepare to be impressed. KNOCKGRAFFON CARDS Cards Will resume on Wednesday 7th January. The winners from the Christmas Party Night were Bridget Condon / Redmond Burke and in second place were Maurice Condon / Paudie Hartigan. A great night was had by all. CAHIR PARK F.C. CENTENARY MEETING An open meeting to discuss the centenary celebrations of this Club will take place in the Galtee Inn on Thursday 15th January and 7:30pm. All are welcome, so please take along your ideas. GAEILGE - IRISH CLASSES Just a reminder that a short course of Irish classes for Adult Beginners and Improvers will start next Monday 12th January. For further information please telephone 087 278 2071. CAHIR FLOWER & GARDEN CLUB The AGM of the above Club will take place on Wednesday 14th January at 8pm. Particulars of the Clubs’ outing will be discussed on the same night. All are invited to attend. BASIC SEWING SKILLS WORKSHOPS As mentioned towards the end of 2008, these one-day workshops, for students and adults, will take place at the Craft Granary on Saturdays 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st January from 10am to 4:30pm.  The price per person is €65. As the numbers are limited to from 4 to 6 people, booking should be made right away. Please telephone Maura Dunne on 086 404 3572 or Kathryn O’Brien, 086 359 3064 for further information or to register. MARIA TAYLOR SENDS THE FOLLOWING: CAHIR COUNTRY MARKET Just a reminder that the Market will be open again for business on Friday 9th January (that’s this Friday) from 9 to 11am. There will be the usual selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, home baked cakes, pies, buns and breads and all the Handmade cards, gifts, jewellery as well as both fresh and dried flower arrangements. So give yourself a New Year treat and visit the Cahir Country Market. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Belated birthday wishes for Nicola Downey, who celebrated her birthday last week, from all her family and friends. May you have many more of them, Nicola. ENGAGEMENT Congratulations and Best Wishes to Ciaran Downey and Karen Martin who got engaged recently. Good luck for the future from all your families and friends. GALILEO Thank you very much to the Galileo Italian Restaurant in Cahir for the wonderful family meal we had there on St Stephen’s Day. Not only did they make sure that all 25 of us sat together, but all the meals were on time, together and delicious. The service was great and even the bill wasn’t too hard on the pocket. Thanks again. THANKS Thank you to everyone who sent me Christmas Cards - I wish I could reply to you all individually, but I think this way is easier! Happy New Year to you all. READERS’ NEWS & VIEWS I was delighted to hear from an expat in the Isle of Man who depends on the website for most of the news from home. A very happy New Year to you all, and keep on viewing - and sending in your information. www.cahirnews.cahirda.com