CAHIR NOTES 25th  NOVEMBER Christmas Issue CHRISTMAS LIGHTS FOR CAHIR                                       A meeting took place in Cahir House Hotel on Monday 16th November to discuss the practicality of erecting Christmas Lights in Cahir this Christmas. Despite a relatively poor turnout, there were a few new people there and ideas were discussed. The following is a brief summary of what was suggested – With the ‘tiger’ economy well and truly gone, it was felt that we may be able to negotiate a better quotation for the erection and removal of the lights, and we are happy to disclose that already a local electrician has thrown his hat into the ring. Once again the businesses in the town will be targeted for contributions, and to this end, they can expect a visit from members of our business community who have agreed to collect these contributions. It should be noted that these business people are giving of their time on a voluntary basis, and therefore would appreciate that you could give them your contribution on their first visit, as a second and subsequent visits are time consuming. Christmas Lights in Oxford Street, London The beneficiaries of Christmas Lights are not just the businesses, but also all the residents of the town and we have secured the services of a number of volunteers who have agreed to call to people’s homes to secure further donations. These collectors will carry official photo ID’s. Only when all monies have been collected, will it be decided what the lighting plan will be for the Christmas. The budget will decide how extensive the lighting will be, and preference will be given to those areas were the majority of money has been collected. What was also brought up at the meeting and is a point that requires clarification was the misapprehension that Cahir Development Association make a surplus on the Christmas Lights each year. Nothing is further from the truth. The Christmas Lights were bought by Cahir Development Association some five years ago, and were financed by way of a loan which cost the Association approximately €8,500 per annum – which is funded out of the local Lotto. In addition to this, there has been a shortfall between the monies collected for the lights and the actual cost of erecting the lights and running same of approximately €2000 per year. So the net cost of the lights to Cahir Development Association runs at approximately €10,000 per year – a figure that cannot be sustained again in these hard times. So we ask that you look out for the collectors coming to your businesses and your homes, please give generously and help to light up the town for Christmas. CHRISTMAS TOY APPEAL? Please don’t forget Boys & Girls. You can help make another child happy this Christmas. You can donate all your old Toys, Games & Books (That are in good condition). Come along and give them to Santa Claus who will be visiting on Sunday 13th December in Kilcoran Lodge Hotel, from 1pm – 5pm. In Association with Cahir & District Lions Club Santa will Not be giving out Christmas presents to children on this day, but he will take all Your Christmas Letters back to the North Pole to add to his list. So far children are being very generous and Santa says Thank You and Ho, Ho, Ho! CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS WORKSHOP There will be a Children's Art & Craft Christmas Workshop in The Craft Granary, Church Street, Cahir on 12th December 2009. Time 10.00am to 11.30am. Age: 6 - 10 years. Cost €10.00 per child. Limited place’s available. For booking please contact the Craft Granary, Church St., Cahir on 052-7441473. SANTA TO VISIT CAHIR BABY AND TODDLER GROUP We would like to invite new members to join our group as new members are vital for us to survive. We meet each Thursday morning from 10.30am to 12.30pm in the Community Hall, Church St, Cahir. There is no charge until January 2010. We have a large free space play area for older children and a smaller safe area for the babies and younger children. We will be having a visit from the public health nurse over the next few weeks for 'an open question time. We have organised a Christmas party for the children and Santa will be arriving on Thursday 17th December. So please come along and check it out. We are a friendly bunch and would love to see you there. If you have any queries please contact Belinda on 087 9619158. ANNUAL HOSPICE MORNING Cahir Country Market will host its Annual Hospice Morning on Friday 4th December. All proceeds will be in aid of South Tipperary Hospice. Your support is greatly appreciated. CHRISTMAS COUNTRY MARKET Friday 4th December will be the first of the Christmas Country Markets. The 11th, 18th and 23rd December will also be Christmas Markets. Christmas Cakes, Puddings, Mince Pies, Holly Wreaths and Flower Arrangements will be available. If you would like to place an order for any of our Christmas fare, you can do so from now on, but the sooner, the better. The usual produce will also be available at Cahir Country Market. Fresh garden vegetables, handmade home crafts, aprons, greeting cards, gifts, accessories; jewellery and Franchesca’s Cahir Calendars for 2010 too, as well as homemade jams, marmalades, brown bread, pies, cakes, scones, buns and biscuits. Also available are fresh and dried flowers and winter bedding plants. Beautiful pots, filled with winter bedding for your garden or windowsill made to order as well. The market starts at 9am and finishes at 11am, every Friday morning in the Community Hall in Cahir. Call in early for your Christmas shopping and a friendly cup of tea. Definitely worth a visit! Cahir during last snowfall CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR Try not to miss the Christmas Craft Fair that takes place on Sunday on 6th December in Cahir House Hotel. This is always a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. There are tables and tables of all sorts of arts, crafts, gifts, and of course Christmas fare available. This is often a good chance to catch up on your Christmas shopping. For further enquiries please call Mary Jenkins on 052 7442236 or 086 829 8224. ART EXHIBITION  An Exhibition of paintings will be taking place next to the Lazy Bean in Cahir on  Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th November. The paintings will be along the adjoining hall and in the empty shop unit also. The Exhibitor is Alan Walsh, originally from Cahir. Check it out. COLAISTE DUN IASCAIGH MUSICAL This year the Colaiste will run the Musical “Kiss Me Kate’. The Musical Director is Ms. Norma Barry-Hurley and the Producer is 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! Pictured during a recent Oireachtas Outreach Programme in Coláiste Dun Iascaigh, Cahir are South Tipperary Oireachtas Members along with students and staff. CAHIR BOOK CLUB The next meeting of the Cahir Book Club will take place on 25th November in Cahir House Hotel at 8pm. The Club celebrates it first Anniversary this month and members are looking forward to another year of good books and lively conversations. The Club has evolved in its first year too, they started out reading one book per month, but now they bring several choices to the table and then they pick a title, read it, review it and then swop it. They have read popular fiction e.g. John Grisham, Cormac McCarthy, classics such as ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, Local History e.g. ‘King Family of Mitchelstown Castle and who could forget the ‘Twilight Saga’. The Club is ever mindful of the recession, so they try to source their books via the beg, borrow or steal system! If you would like to join the Club, just go along to Cahir House Hotel on the last Wednesday of the month and you will find them in their usual corner of the snug. Well done to them, what a great pastime. OPEN DAY IN CAHIR LIBRARY Do you ever pass the library and wonder if it had anything to suit you? Want to know what the library is all about? Ever feel you needed information and didn't know where to get it? Simple family recipes, gardening techniques, study aids, modern and large print fiction, book CDs and lots lots more, including broadband internet access. Why not come into the library in Cahir and find out. Cahir library will hold an open day on Sat 28th Nov from 10am until 1 pm. There will be storytelling and face painting and games for the children and some spot prizes too. Tea and coffee for the parents as they browse or ask questions about what we do. Tell your friends and bring them along. There is something for everyone in your local library. Children are free to join but need a parent to sign for them. Come along and enjoy a fun morning, with a Christmas theme for the kids. We try to cater for all needs and nationalities. KILCORAN/NEW BURGESS GROUP WATER SCHEME The Kilcoran / New Burgess Group Water Scheme held its AGM in the Ballylooby Hall on 18th November last. A new committee was voted in and is as follows, Chairman John Arrigan, Vice Chair Jim Sheehan, Treasurer Phil Kennedy, Secretary Darren Ward, Assistant Secretary Michael Murphy and Pro. Cllr Seanie Lonergan, other committee members are John O’Donnell and Judy Butler. Any outstanding payments can be paid to any of the members as every euro is going to count from here on. According to EU regulations there has to be a Reservoir and a treatment plant installed and a Group Water Scheme CO-OP formed in order to qualify for any grants available. Barry Deane Development Officer with the NGWS addressed those in attendance. Barry will be on hand for help and advice about the pitfalls. The Group Water Scheme is strictly for Residential and the Farming sector only. The new CO-OP complimented the outgoing team for all the years of hard work and preparation, and of course for giving their time absolutely without remuneration. The Group sends their best wishes to Michael Murphy for a speedy recovery. OLD SILO Cllr Seanie Lonergan informs me that after a short delay, the work has started again on the old silo. There was extra permission needed to dispose of the other buildings. Almost all of the asbestos has now been taken off site. As soon as the weather conditions are right the demolition proper will begin. The Labour Councillor added that everyone will be happy to see the structure demolished. THE ALDI SITE After a slight delay involving the Planning Department of the County Council, the go ahead has been given to Aldi, finally. Cllr. Seanie Lonergan said that after the normal planning waiting period the work will commence. Cllr. Seanie said that the much needed extra jobs will be a big boost to the town. Cahir and its hinterland will benefit greatly from this new retail outlet. STREET LIGHTS Labour party Councillor Seanie Lonergan has reported 34 street lights to date, that are not working around the town and adjoining villages. Should anyone wish to report lights that are out of order, contact Seanie on his email...Lablon@eircom.net. or 7442094 or on his mobile 086 3913639 and he will do his best to get things right. Christmas Lights in Oxford Street, London CAHIR DIVE CLUB NEWS On Tuesday 10th November, Diarmuid Healy from Cahir Dive Club (CDC) and Mathew Cooper from South Coast Divers dived the Sub U260 which is situated approximately four miles from Glandore Harbour. The Sub U260 was a German Submarine in the 2nd World War which conducted nine patrols in total. On 12th March 1945 it was scuttled after sustaining mine damage. The minefield had been laid by HMS Apollo, an Abdiel class minelayer. In her entire career the U260 suffered no casualties to her crew. Diarmuid and Mathew launched the boat at Union Hall and with the help of the GPS arrived to the site. They descended 45 metres to the sub, only to be very disappointed by the poor visibility. A dive at this site carried out by other divers in clearer conditions can be seen by searching for sub u260 on www.youtube.com. Cahir Dive Club are currently running an Advanced Nitrox Course and pool training for all members and this will take place in Clonmel on Sunday 29th November. CAHIR ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION Results of the "25" card game held in the Parish Rooms on Friday 20th November. 1st with 12 Games were Mary Whelan & Margaret Quinlan. Joint 2nd with 9 Games were Chi - Chi Caplice & Paul Caplice, Josie Quinlan & Joe Ahern, Kieran O'Brien & Red Burke, Breda Ryan & Rena O'Connor. On the Lucky Table were Tom O'Mahony & Rupert Guirey, Tim Fitzgerald & Maurice Condon. Raffle, Josie Quinlan and Agnes Hyland. Next game Friday 27th November at 8pm. All are welcome to come and enjoy this gentle diversion and join us for light refreshments later.   The present Cahir Active Retirement keep fit course that was held each week at the Duneske Leisure Centre has now been completed. The course will resume early in January after the festivities. We will then resume with even greater enthusiasm. In the meantime, any members wishing to use the facilities at Duneske may do so at the same rates.   The Christmas Party will be held on Wednesday 9th December at 2pm in Cahir House Hotel. Music and entertainment will be provided by the very popular Stefan Grace. Information for this event can be obtained from the Secretary or any member of the committee. Information regarding Cahir Active Retirement Association may be obtained by contacting The Secretary on cahiractiveretirement@gmail.com or by phone 052 74 441892. TIPS FOR THE GARDEN NOVEMBER. Here’s 10 ways to introduce wildlife-friendly features to your garden. Choose plants that are more attractive to native wildlife, for example, birds are attracted to berry-bearing plants in winter, such as cotoneasters, holly, pyracantha and skimmia. Also favourites with birds are natives like crab apples, hawthorn, honeysuckle, rowan, and sunflowers. Allow some of your plants to go to seed to provide winter food for seed-eating birds. Seed heads also have an aesthetic bonus, as they provide winter interest in the garden. Look for alternatives to slug pellets and pesticides and reduce the use of herbicides, fungicides and insecticides – instead try to use organic methods of control. Many insecticides kill beneficial species as well as harmful ones. Use bird-feeders or bird tables to protect birds from cats. Provide nesting boxes for birds and even bats. Nest boxes are excellent substitutes for the holes in old trees. In many gardens, there may be lots of food, but nowhere to nest. Plant perennials with broad flower heads to encourage bees into your garden in summer. Avoid too many double flowers that can prevent insects from accessing the nectar. Avoid using herbicides by hand weeding, applying mulch, using weed-suppressant fabric and planting good ground cover. Have a water feature - even a simple bowl can encourage frogs and other wildlife which will feed on bugs and snails. Dragonflies will often breed in them, and many birds may use them to drink and bathe in. If you have room for a pond, site it in a sunny position and ensure the sides are gently sloping, so birds can drink and bathe, amphibians can spawn and hedgehogs can escape if they fall in. Keep a pile of logs in an undisturbed corner of the garden to provide shelter for insects and mammals - if you're lucky a hedgehog or toad may find a home there and feed on all your slugs and snails. A bundle of hollow stems in a quiet spot that catches the morning sun can be a home for solitary mason bees. SEQUINS AND SPANDEX FUNDRAISER. The Grand Total of €4,244 was raised for the Ronald McDonald House in Crumlin at the Sequins and Spandex Night that was held in The Gatehose on 16th October last. The family of Eric McEniry would like to thank all those who came along on the night, sold tickets, helped to decorate and specially those who took part in the waxing and headshaves. A big thank you also to Steve, the barber and Jenna of Lorna’s Beauty Salon for their help, along with Jason and staff at the Gatehouse, especially DJ Decky for helping make the night a huge success. Finally, many thanks to all the people around the town who donated money and spot prizes, your help is greatly appreciated and they were; Texaco Garage, Eamonn Gleesons Garage, Buttimers, The Phoenix, The Hill Bar, The Abbey Tavern, Hugh O’Brien, Ladrigans, Morris Oil, Haircare, Snip’n’Clip, Hairannoya, Dolans SuperValu, Tom O’Donnell Butchers, Pa O’Brien, The River House, Morrissey’s Bar, The Gatehouse, €2 World, PJ Moloney Butchers, John Quirke’s Jewellers, The Shamrock Lounge, Irwin’s Yard, The Lazy Bean, Kennedys Butchers, The Galtee Inn, O’Brien’s Pharmacy, Ross Pharmacy, New Age Photography, The Punters Rest, Mary Condon’s, Galileo, Steve’s Barber Shop, The Granary, Townspark Petrol Station, Duneske Leisure Centre, The Bell, Little People, Cahir House Hotel, Lorna’s Beauty Salon, Murphy Fuels, ABC Bouncy Castles, Fogarty Travel, Co-op Superstores, Meehan Machinery Services, The Favourite, Liam Wall, Darren Ward Jewellers and Cahir Steel and Agri. SLIEVEARDAGH RURAL DEVELOPMENT EVENTS There will be a Lecture on the Medieval Sculpture in Kilcooley Abbey and the work of Rory O Tunney on Wednesday November 25th in Heritage Centre, Killenaule at 8pm. For details please call 052 9156165. The Cistercian Abbey of Kilcooley is a hidden jewel dating from the 12th century. It contains many interesting carvings including the 12 apostles, St Christopher, a pelican, a mermaid, etc. The monastery is the burial place of Pierce Butler, a member of the Butlers of Ormond family. The lecture will be given by Willie Quinlan, Maura Barrett and Liam Noonan. Willie Quinlan is an Art Historian & member of Athy Photography Society, Maura Barrett is Librarian in Killenaule Library and Liam Noonan is Caretaker and Tour Guide to Kilcooley Abbey. Admission is €5 - Refreshments will be served and a raffle will be held on the night. Proceeds go to developing Heritage Initiatives in the Slieveardagh Region. POULMUCKA SPORTS AND SOCIAL MEETING The next meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday 9th December at 9pm in Poulmucka. TIPPERARY ARSENAL SUPPORTERS CLUB WINNER? Tipperary Arsenal Supporters Club would like to send congratulations to Ronan McGrath, who won the free trip in Cahir a fortnight ago. We all head to the Emirates for the Chelsea game on Saturday November 28th. Our Family Day is in Magners, Clonmel on December 13th for the away Liverpool game. Join us from 3.30pm. As always free quality Arsenal merchandise for all juniors present. Keep in touch with all our activities at www.tipperary-gunners.freeservers.com THE CLONMEL FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP The Clonmel Family Support Group would like to take this opportunity to invite you to the following event. The Support Group have completed a DVD exploring the experiences, feelings and fears of parents of substance abusers and also how they support each other in troubled times. The launch will take place on Monday 7th December in the Wilderness Youth and Community Centre, Wilderness Grove, Clonmel starting at 7 pm. RSVP 086-8557212 or phone 05261-89381. The 7pm Opening Address is followed by, Mr. Martin Hayes: Waterford and South Tipperary Community Youth Services and Ms. Breda Fell: Co-coordinator of Family Support for the South East Region. Official launch: Mr. Con Sheehan European Union Gold Medallist and Senior Irish International Boxer (Clonmel Boxing Club) The Guest Speaker is Mr. Brendan Doyle. Following the official launch refreshments and buffet will be served. We looking forward to meeting you on the night The Clonmel Family Support Group would like to thank you for your continued support. BEECH PARK RESIDENTS The Residents Association will hold their AGM in the Shamrock Lounge, this Wednesday the 25th November at 8.30pm. All welcome to attend. CHRISTMAS MULLED WINE This is a traditional Christmas treat and I love it. It makes a nice indulgent hot drink to sit beside the fire with, after your Christmas dinner (before, if you are not the chef!). Here is a traditional recipe. Enjoy. Ingredients; • 2 lemons • 2 oranges • 1  bottle of medium, to full bodied red wine • Nutmeg (to taste) • Cloves (to taste) • Brandy or Cognac (or to taste) • 1 cup granulated sugar (optional) • Herbal or citrus influenced tea (optional but excellent) • Water (optional softener instead of tea) • 4 large cinnamon sticks • 4 candy canes Instructions for making four large portions. 1. Cut lemons and oranges into slices. 2. Pour the red wine into saucepan and gradually heat. 3. Add fruit slices, nutmeg, cloves and brandy. 4. Keep an eye on the mixture and wait until it becomes hot to the touch. Do not allow to come to the boil. 5. At this point you could blend in sugar or water (if desired). 6. Pour into glasses/mugs and add tea (to taste). 7. Garnish with cinnamon stick and candy cane. 8. Serve 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. CAHIR DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY LOTTO There was no Jackpot winner of the numbers drawn on the 18th November. The draw was witnessed by Joan Loughman. The numbers drawn were 2, 14, 18 and 23.The 5 Lucky Dips winners who each received €30 were; Patrick Ryan, Carrigataha, Ardfinnan, Cahir, Rosaleen Seery, 11 Abbey Crescent, Cahir, Dermot O’Connor, Cahir Abbey Upper, Cahir, Eileen Egan, Clonmore, Cahir and Noel Sweeney, 44 Barnora Crescent, Cahir. The next draw will take place on Wednesday the 25th November 2009, at 12 noon. . The Jackpot will be €4,750. Profit’s servicing community projects in Cahir. The Jackpot would certainly make a lovely Christmas Surprise for one lucky person. Tickets are available right up to the last minute at the Enterprise Centre. CAHIR BINGO Next Tuesday is the Third Anniversary of Cahir Community Bingo. €500 must be won on the quickies. Tickets are €1 each and 6 for €5. There will also be a free raffle and free jackpot. It’s on every Tuesday night at 8.30pm in the Community Hall. All are welcome. CAHIR CAMOGIE CLUB NOTES? There was a treat was in store for us on Wednesday night last with the final two games between our very young players. The opener was provided by Meabh’s Magnets and Emma’s Angels. Now coming into this game the Magnets were ahead by 2 points so the Angels had it hard to catch up. Straight away Meabh Casey was in action, striking the ball down into her forwards. Great goalkeeping from the Angels kept the Magnets at bay and Emma Casey’s girls made their way up the field again and brought off some lovely scores equalising the score sheet. Fiona McEniry of the Angel’s was just super in the back line, striking with great skill. Rosanna Kiely of the Magnets was powerful on her team, bringing the Magnets back into the lead again. Caoimhe O’Brien and Sophie Boyle replied for the Angels and the game was level again. Ciara Quirke and Ciara Brennan for the Magnets were super, while great work was also being shown by Niamh Hickey, Clodagh Malone and Caoimhe Costello. Micheala Fogarty played for a while in goal for the Angels and brought off some super saves while Eva Conway really got into the swing of the game. Micheala Grace Ginty was working very hard in the centre of the pitch, while Niamh Costigan crossed some lovely passes to team Captain Emma Casey, whose scoring ability gave the Angels the edge to go on and win the game. The second game had Niamh’s Nuggets ahead by one point over Erin’s Elfs. Unfortunately the Elfs captain was out ill, so they had to battle on without her. Alana Dohney of the Nuggets showed her experience and skill and had increased their lead substantially, Emma Walsh for the Elfs, is proving to be a lovely player and some gentle encouragement from her Dad Larry on the side line saw the Efls coming back into the game. Katie Halpin worked like a trogon while her Elfs team mate Margaret Reidy caused major trouble for the Nuggets. Grainne White was unbelievable in the Nuggets goal and brought off some great saves. Leah Fitzgeald and Olivia Koxiier were extremely committed to their task throughout the game. Aoife Cashman and Sarah Malone were tremendous in tackling and breaking free with the ball for the Nuggets and their captain Niamh McKenna was showing great skill in her taking the ball around the pitch. The Nuggets went on to win the game convincingly, but both teams gave the appreciative audience a thoroughly enjoyable game. Well done to all. We will be giving indoor camogie a skip over the next few weeks as the Colaiste need the hall for some upcoming musical. CHRISTMAS QUOTES FOR JUST THIS WEEK Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home! ~Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers, 1836 Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time. ~Laura Ingalls Wilder He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. ~Roy L. Smith The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis READERS NEWS AND VIEWS As this is the Christmas Special, I have tried to include any events that are linked to Christmas, including photos of the Christmas Lights on Oxford Street that I took while visiting my sister in London last weekend. They are stunning and show how they really help to make the atmosphere Christmassy. Hopefully, after fundraising, we will have a town with Christmas lights that are an essential part of the festive season. Just a reminder that there are many of shops in Cahir that have beautiful Christmas gifts for sale, so when possible please try to avail of them and shop local. Also do try to think of your elderly or disabled friends and neighbors at Christmastime, sometimes a friendly face is often the best Christmas present. 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.