CAHIR NOTES 11TH NOVEMBER PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION On Sunday next, 15th November, we will all have a chance to look back and enjoy times gone by, when a Photographic Exhibition takes place in Cahir House Hotel. The photographs on exhibit have been collected over the years by Clubs, Community Groups and individuals, giving us all the opportunity to reminisce. A similar exhibition took place some years ago as part of the Fair of Cahir and it is hoped that this proves equally popular. At the moment, we are delighted to have photographs gathered from Cahir Park AFC, Cahir Dive Club, Colaiste Dun Iascaigh, Fair of Cahir, Cahir Bears Childcare Centre, Duneske Leisure Centre, Cahir Business and Training Centre, Scarborough Twinning and Cahir Bingo with lots more to come. And if you have any old snaps that you think people may be interested in, drop them in this week to the Enterprise Centre, where we will scan the photos free of charge, and we will exhibit them for you. There will be a nominal charge at the door on the day of the exhibition of €2 per person, with all proceeds going to the Cahir Christmas Lights Appeal. This is going to be a wonderful Exhibition, so why not try and drop into see it between 1-5.30pm this Sunday 15th November in Cahir House Hotel. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS While on the subject of Christmas Lights, I recently spoke to Patrick Caplice, Chairman of Cahir Development Association about the lighting plan for this Christmas, and he tells me that due to budgetary constraints, that we may not have lights this Christmas. He explains –“Cahir Development Association has long been associated with the provision of Christmas lighting on the streets of Cahir. As Christmas is fast approaching, this project is in danger. The costs of the erection of the lights and the running costs total approximately €12,500 per annum, and at a time when Cahir Development Association are having to watch every cent to protect the jobs of our employees, this is €12,500 that we cannot afford. We are committed to doing everything in our power to keep Cahir lit this Christmas – particularly in recessionary times when we all need a lift. But we cannot carry this cost, and unless we can get the support of everyone – business community and volunteers alike –the streets will be dark this Christmas.” “Cahir Development Association have long been the beneficiaries of quite an amount of grant aid, which not only has allowed the Group to provide such buildings as Duneske Leisure Centre, Cahir Bears Childcare Centre and Cahir Enterprise Centre, but has also allowed the Association to employ 44 people to staff these mentioned premises. Although 17 of these people are paid from monies generated in these Centres, the remaining 28 are dependent on funds from either FAS or Pobal. And any threat to the monies approved by the Government to these agencies results in a considerable threat to the 44 people employed by our organisation.” ” And there is a further threat. Cahir Development Association act as a support network for a lot of the locally based community groups and provide an essential service to the Business Community, through the Business and Training Centre. Over the years, we have also undertaken a considerable number of environmental projects – all aimed at making Cahir a more attractive place to live in and to visit.” “We are all in agreement that lighting Cahir at Christmas is essential, but unless we can provide a new Income source to pay for it, and find voluntary help to generate this money, then unfortunately Cahir will be in the dark this Christmas.” “To this end, we are calling a meeting, which is open to everyone, to see if we can generate a series of fundraising activities that will help to meet this cost. The meeting will take place in Cahir House Hotel on Monday 16th November 2009 at 8pm. Please attend and tell us your ideas, if you care about how Cahir will look this Christmas.” FUNDRAISING IDEA Again in reference to the Christmas Lights fund, one idea that merits consideration is a Charity Auction. How it would work is if individuals and businesses would contribute items – such as items of old stock or old presents that you haven’t used or prizes that you may have won. Anything at all would be of benefit. Once we have collected sufficient items, we would organise a Charity Auction, hopefully in the weeks leading up to Christmas when all items must go. These Auctions do not just generate much needed funds, but they are also great fun, and you might be surprised with some of the items and that are on offer. So if you have anything that you are willing to offer, please contact Cahir Enterprise Centre at (052)7442616, and give us details of your pledge, along with your contact details, and we will arrange to call around to have it collected. Please do not bring any donations in just yet, as we will have to make arrangements for their storage. What a great idea, I always enjoy the auction at the New Inn Festival, where there are often some very unusual items for sale! CAHIR POST OFFICE Please note that the Post Office will close on Friday the 20th November and will reopen on Monday the 23rd November. It will in effect be closed only for the Saturday. This is to add another teller position, because of the extra business and to speed up the throughput of customers. Cllr. Seanie Lonergan is delighted with this improvement. The Labour Councillor compliments Henry Reidy and his staff for their diligence and hard work in accommodating and handling the extra business. The Post Bank holds a national record for transactions, as well as all the other business. The latest being that Gun Licences can now be attained at your local Post Office. Cllr. Seanie adds “Just imagine that a short time ago the powers that be attempted to close our Post Office, this is a standing memorial to people power. Henry Reidy deserves the highest praise for the efficient way he conducts the business.” SUMMER READING TREE Cahir Library held its medal presentation for the Summer Reading Tree last Tuesday evening. The Summer Reading Tree was sponsored by O'Mahony’s Bookshop in Thurles this year. It is an annual event used to encourage children to do a little reading during their summer school holidays. The book title and name of each child goes on a leaf which is added to the tree, so they can watch its growth over the summer. Each child that takes part reads a minimum of 6 books and they receive a medal and certificate for their efforts. Pat Fox, the proud children with their medals and certificates and Anne Simpson, Librarian One of Tipperary's finest hurlers Pat Fox came to present the medals and certificates to the 36 children, who between them read over 400 books during the summer. Pat signed all their certificates and posed for photographs with all the children. This is a totally free event run by the library, as there is no membership fee for school children and no fee for taking part in the reading tree. The event was well attended and each child was given a goodie bag to take home as well. The library is an important facility to have in the town and has a range of opening times to suit everyone. On Mondays & Tuesdays they are open 2pm - 5pm and 6.30pm - 8.30pm. They are closed on Wednesdays. On Thursdays they are open 2pm - 5pm, on Fridays 10am – 1pm & 2 - 5pm and Saturday mornings 10am - 1 pm. The fees are €7 for adults, €1.50 for senior citizens and all school children are free, though parents must come in and sign up for them. There is broadband internet service available in the library, as well as photocopying. The Library is indeed very important and it is great to see children being encouraged to read. CAHIR ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION The A.G.M. held in the Parish Rooms Cahir last Wednesday proved to be well attended and interesting, with plenty of input and suggestions from members. All noted and will be set for discussion at the next committee meeting. The new committee members are, Chairperson, Ciss O Neil, vice chairperson, Rose Acres, Secretary, Bob Condon, Treasurer, Bridget Condon, vice Treasurer, Lexie Sheehan, Ted Clarke PRO, Anne Lonergan, Kathleen Carroll, Sadie Caplice, Anne Hanrahan. Note for the diary! Christmas Dinner 9th December. Venue Cahir House Hotel, Music followed by our well known musician Stefan Grace. For any enquiries please speak to the Secretary or members of the committee. Results of the "25" card game held in the Parish Rooms on Friday 6th November 2009. 1st place with 12 games were Rena O Connor and Breda Ryan. 2nd with 11 games were Peg Reidy and Agnes Hyland. On the Lucky Table were Ciss O Neil, Willie O Donnell, Mary English and Bridget Condon. Winners of the raffle were, Joe Ahearn and Lexie Sheehan. The next game will take place on Friday 13th November at 8 pm. All are welcome to enjoy this temperate leisure activity and enjoy the light refreshments later. Why not join up with Cahir Active Retirement at the Duneske Leisure Centre and enjoy the keep fit course. They meet at 11am each Thursday morning. Information regarding Cahir Active Retirement Association may be obtained by contacting The Secretary on cahiractiveretirement@gmail.com or by phone on 052 74 441892. ANNE DOWNEY FITNESS The Christmas weight loss challenge has just started as part of the classes. A weigh in, nutritional advice and for each person a goal is set, one that they will reach by Christmas (only for those who want to take part). The classes in Cahir are being held in the evenings, in the new Youth Resource Centre, Church Street, which is at the rear of the old Vocational School and across the road from the Granary Pub. Anne has 10 years experience of teaching classes and in the last month has qualified as a ‘Zumba Fitness Instructor’. This is a mix of Salsa, Meringue, Reggaeton and Cumbia, which she has started to incorporate into the classes and usually brings a smile to everyone’s face! As part of her Personal Training, Anne is now an ‘Extreme Kettlebell Instructor’, which is fantastic for toning and Cardio. Personal Training can be done on a one to one basis, Group or Half hour sessions. Well done Anne, I hear your classes are going very well. CAHIR BINGO The lucky number at Cahir bingo on Tuesday night last was €1090 plus €70 for the full house. It causes great excitement every week as we eagerly await its arrival and monitor the panel it is in and then try to check on it! It would be a very nice pre Christmas treat. There are lots of chances of winning at bingo every week but not for this amount. The Community Lotto is also available at bingo, but that draw happens in the Enterprise Centre on Wednesdays. There is a Photographic Exhibition of the local clubs in Cahir house next Sunday 15th November. Cahir Bingo will be represented and if you have any queries or want to chat we'll see you there. Finally our Anniversary bingo will take place on the 1st December. Pencil it in the diary. It is usually a very good night. SHAMROCK LOUNGE The Shamrock lounge recently opened the doors on their newly refurbished dining room. It is bright and airy and tastefully furnished and ready just in time for the Christmas Season. The room can cater for up to 45 people and is available for Meeting’s, Private functions, Christening’s, Birthday Parties for all ages and of course Christmas parties. A Buffet or a wide variety of Set Dinners is available. For bookings please contact Margaret or Hughie on 052 7441423. This week the Shamrock Lounge will start their Annual 25 Card Games for Christmas. This will take place on Tuesday nights at 9.30pm for Turkeys, hams or cash. All are welcome. ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SHOP There are new opening hours for the new St. Vincent de Paul Shop on Abbey Street in Cahir. It is closed on Mondays, but from Tuesday to Saturday they are now open from 10am to 6pm and they also stay open during lunch hour. CYSTIC FIBROSIS QUIZ There will be a Table quiz in the Abbey Tavern on Thursday 12th November. It will start at 9pm sharp. Tables of 4 are €20. All proceeds in aid of Cystic Fibrosis. Their aim is to enhance lives and make people aware of the disease. The quizmasters will be the Lonergan/ Fahey combination Spot prize’s on the night. Your support is greatly appreciated. MURDER MYSTERY NIGHT Cahir Lions Club benefited from the raffle on Last Saturday evening at Kilcoran Lodge Hotel. The hotel staged a Murder Mystery Night by Gold Star Productions who kindly gave the Lions Club the proceeds of the Raffle. Jacqui Mullan, the Manager of the hotel, donated some wonderful prizes for the draw and to the winners, who solved the Mystery. They were the very popular Kitty Sanders and Hillary Carter, detectives in the making and congratulations to them. COLAISTE DUN IASCAIGH NOTES KISS ME KATE Practice for this year’s Musical “Kiss Me Kate’ is now well underway, under the expert tutelage of Musical Director Ms. Norma Barry-Hurley and Producer Ms. Deirdre Buckley. The lead actors Sarah Keating, Adam Keegan, Leanne Hickey and Barry Rogers are joined by a large cast and chorus and rehearsals are in full swing both at lunchtimes and after school. This year’s show will run in the college hall from Thursday December 3rd to Sunday December 6th inclusive. The show will begin at 8pm. Concession tickets will be available for Thursday night at €10.Tickets for other nights are priced at €12. Tickets will be available shortly through the college (Tel. 052 7442828) or from The Heritage, Cahir. Don’t miss it! PARENT-TEACHER MEETINGS Parent-teacher meetings for the remainder of this school year will be held from 12.30 to 2.30pm. The Parent-Teacher meeting for Third Year students is this Thursday, November 12th. H.S.E. LETTER Senior students in the College have all been given a copy of an important letter from the Health Service Executive in relation to Mumps in Third Level Colleges. Parents are asked to ensure that they have read this letter. BEECH PARK RESIDENT’S ASSOCIATION? The AGM will take place on Wednesday 25th November at 8.30pm in the Shamrock Lounge. It has been a very good year and the committee is looking forward to meeting as many residents as possible with new ideas regarding the estate for next year. Latest winners of the 50/50 draw are; Linda Healy, Breda Donoghue, Ann Burke and Padjo O’Halloran. Get well wishes to Willie Lonergan. CAHIR DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY LOTTO There was no Jackpot winner of the numbers drawn on the 28thOctober. The draw was witnessed by Peter Fahey. The numbers drawn were 2, 18, 19 and 23.The 5 Lucky Dips winners who each received €30 were; Paul Lafford, College Court, Cahir, Rosaleen Seery, Abbey Crescent, Cahir, Corina Dooley, Newtown, Cahir, Bridie Kendrick, Abbey Tavern, Cahir and Aimee O’Keefe, Sommerville Close, Cahir. There was also no Jackpot winner of the numbers drawn on 4th November. The draw was witnessed by Joan Loughman. The numbers drawn were 2, 5, 19 and 22. The 5 Lucky Dips winners who each received €30 were; Jean Rogers, Upper Cahir Abbey, Cahir, Emer O’ Brien, 9 Rosemount Avenue, Cahir, Tom & Breda Beary, Garrymore, Cahir, Michael Quinn, Knockagh, Cahir and John Quirke, Castle St, Cahir. The next draw will take place on Wednesday the 11th November 2009, at 12 noon. . The Jackpot will be €4,450. Profit’s servicing community projects in Cahir. CAHIR CAMOGIE CLUB NOTES? The AGM of Cahir Camogie club was held on Wednesday night last. Chairman Martin Halpin welcomed all present and the secretary Mary Howard gave a comprehensive account of the year’s activities in her review. Treasurer Margaret O Donnell gave a detailed account of the club finances and Martin then thanked all his officers for their help during the year. He acknowledged the presence of Larry Molan, Chairman of Cahir GAA and thanked them for all their help during the year. All the outgoing officers were re elected for the forthcoming year and after discussing team managers for the next term, the meeting concluded. The first games in our indoor competition were held last Wednesday evening in Colaiste Dun Iascaigh. Emma's Angels and Meabhs Magnets proved to be very much equal on the field and the game ended with a 5 all scoreline. Erins Elfs proved to be a bit stronger than Niamh's Nuggets, but that could all change next week as the Nuggets were missing a few players. We wait with great anticipation for the next game between these teams. CAHIR COUNTRY MARKET The AGM of Cahir Country Markets will take place on Tuesday 17th November at 10.45am sharp in the Community Hall in Cahir. Don’t forget that the Market is on every Friday morning from 9-11am in the newly repainted and re-varnished Community Hall and there is so much choice for your shopping basket. There are handmade crafts, card’s, gifts, accessories; jewellery and Franchesca’s Calendars for 2010 are available now too, as well as homemade breads, pies, cakes, scones, buns and biscuits. Also available are fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh and dried flowers and winter bedding plants. The first of the Christmas Markets will be taking place shortly, so watch this space for details. SCARBOROUGH FRIENDS I received a call during last week to inform me of the death of Owen Coultas, Mayoral Consort of the late Frieda Coultas, who was the Mayor of Scarborough at the time of the Twinning of our Towns. Owen and Freida enjoyed a few memorable days stay in Cahir during the Twinning and kept in regular touch afterwards too. I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Owens family and many friends. May he rest in peace. CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR Mary Jenkins, organiser of the Christmas Craft Fair in Cahir House Hotel has informed me that there are still some tables available. The Craft Fair will take place on 6th December, so if you would like to book a table please call Mary on 052 7442236 or 086 829 8224. BALLYLOOBY CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND On Sunday 6th December 2009 Ballylooby will have a Christmas Wonderland day. It will start at 3pm and there will be games, lots of other activities, choir singing, a cake sale, tea, coffee and hot chocolate and much much more. Admission is €10 per child and €5 extra to have a professional photo taken. CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to Fran Garry Marnane from Kilfeacle, who came second at last Fridays Clonmel Song Contest with her song ‘I Am Music’. Well done Fran. Best wishes to my sister Marie Hallinan and her husband Thomas on the birth of their beautiful baby boy Jerry last week, this comes with lots of love from Gerardine, John, Leanne, Keelan & Caoimhe. Belated Congratulations to Sabrina, Dave and Charlie on their new baby boy Colin who was born on 9th October, Best Wishes from your family and friends. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Happy Birthday to Karen Caplice who celebrates her birthday on 12th November, best wishes from Richard, Lennon, your family and many friends. QUOTE OF THE WEEK Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much. Oscar Wilde READERS NEWS AND VIEWS It is always nice to see how generous of heart people can be when it comes to supporting a friend in need. Last Friday night’s Fundraiser for Veronica O’Meara, Pat (aka Fridge) O’Meara’s wife, was no exception. Thank you to all of the caring people who came to show their support, also to Cahir House Hotel for hosting the event, to all the sponsors of the many spot prizes and to Finbar and Adam Humphries, Pat Buckley and Pablo for the wonderful entertainment on the night. If you have any news, views or notes for the Cahir page, you can contact me on 086 1022014 or email me on caplicetaylor@hotmail.com. By Sunday, because that is when I do the notes. Thank you.