CAHIR NOTES FOR 30TH DECEMBER ISSUE CAHIR PARK AFC CENTENARY Cllr Seanie Lonergan along with the Cahir Park AFC Centenary Committee would like to remind all that they are invited to attend the unveiling of the Centenary plaque, at the main gates of the park grounds on January 1st, 2010, at 12 o clock. The plaque will be unveiled by the oldest surviving past player, Mr. Tom Kelly and all past and present players are invited to attend. This is an historic occasion that should be witnessed by as many people as possible. The unveiling will be the start of a myriad of events that will take place during the year. The Park was founded in 1910 and has been going strong for all of those years. Every month during the year 2010 an event will take place that will be remembered for the next hundred years. The Cahir Park AFC calendar is on sale in most outlets right now. This is a one off piece of history and has many original and interesting photographs and facts included. Winners of the Cahir Park special draws of €100 for Christmas were; Steven Conran, Noel O’Donnell and Susan Burke. Congratulations to all and a Happy New Year. CAHIR ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION The next Card game will take place on Friday 8th January at 8 pm in The Catharine McAuley Room. Many thanks for all supporting our ever popular card game. Please have your list of suggestions ready for the next monthly meeting Wednesday 6th January 2010. This list will facilitate the committee to plan the activities early for next year. It is also the time of the year to renew membership of our Retirement Association. This is our organisation and it is we the club and individual members who are Active Retirement Ireland. We must take pride in and ownership of our organisation, and make it do what we want it to do and be fully reflective of our aspirations. Information regarding Cahir Active Retirement Association may be obtained by contacting The Secretary at cahiractiveretirement@gmail.com Phone or by phone on 052 74 441892. CREDIT UNION DRAW The 41st Annual General Meeting of Cahir Credit Union Ltd took place at Cahir House Hotel on Wednesday night 16th December. A large attendance was given detailed reports on the activities of their Credit Union for the year ended 30th September, 2009. In the Director’s Report, Chairman Mr. Jim Haide spoke of the impact of the current financial downturn on the Credit Union and the steps taken by the Board and Management to protect the Member’s Assets. Many Members experiencing difficulties with their Loan commitments were assisted and it was stressed that any members experiencing problems should contact the Credit Union at an early stage so that remedial action can be taken before the situation became too serious. New regulations from the Financial Regulator meant that all Credit Unions had to increase their Reserves to 10% of all Assets and he was happy to report that Cahir Credit Union had reached this target in 2009. The Treasurer Mr. Michael Berry gave those present a detailed explanation of the Annual Accounts and recommended a 2% Dividend on Shares and a 5% Interest Rebate on Loans which in the current low interest rate environment was a very attractive return on demand savings, while many other institutions were paying very much lower rates on savings. Reports on all other aspects of the Credit Union were given by other members of the Board and Management. The Auditor Mr. Patrick O’Gorman delivered the Auditors Report to the meeting. To celebrate forty years since the foundation of Cahir Credit Union the launch of a special member’s only draw took place at the AGM for €1000 for members present on the night. Cahir Credit Union is pleased to announce that this draw will take place every month, for the next 10 months. The winners will be randomly selected by computer. So, good luck to all credit union members. TIDY TOWNS AND ENHANCEMENT GROUP The Tidy Towns & Enhancement Group have announced that they will strive to make improvements in the town of Cahir in the coming year, as they hope to increase their marks for 2010. The graveside of Jimmy McNamara from Barrack Street in Cahir (who was a member of the Tipperary football team that played on Bloody Sunday) has been cleaned up immaculately by our local funeral director “Wally” much to the approval of Billy Loughnane, who has canvassed for this move for years. This is a very historic grave and one among many graves of other stalwarts of the GAA who have been laid to rest in Cahir. If there are other historic attractions in town that readers think would should receive attention, they should forward their suggestions to Cahir Tidy Towns Committee, c/o the Enterprise Centre. Maybe during the year these could be looked at with a view to making improvements. CRUMLIN CALENDAR The Calendar is selling very well at the moment, 2000 have already been sold with 1000 more left to sell. They are available in Finnertys Pharmacy, Nenagh, Friary Chemist, Cashel, Friary Chemist, Thurles, and in Cahir, Liam Walls Barbers Shop, Ross Chemist, Angelas Hair Care studio, the Riverhouse Restaurant and the Gatehouse Bar. I will be in Clonmel Showground Shopping Centre on Christmas Eve, so come and see me there and we will have a chat and I will sing you a song or have a dance with you. Happy Christmas to everyone who is helping me and indeed to everyone out there have a safe and peaceful Christmas. From Pat Cunningham. Well done Pat, keep up the good work and good luck in 2010. “MEMORIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS” Compiled by Colm O’Flaherty and Mattie Hussey, “Memories and Achievements” is a history of the G.A.A. in Cahir over the past 124 years. The book was officially launched by Sean Kelly M.E.P for Munster and former G.A.A. President on Friday the 11th December in Cahir House Hotel. The book consists of approx 300 pages and over 300 photographs, from the oldest photo of 1896 up to the present. Most championship winning teams at underage and adult level are featured, as well as many other team photographs. There are also photographs of other events in the club’s history, including AGM‘s, parish leagues and presentations. In the text, taken from newspaper reports and secretaries’ reports, accounts of each year’s activities are outlined. Where possible, teams that featured in the various hurling and football competitions are listed. Cahir’s involvement in Inter County Activities is also outlined e.g. Bloody Sunday 1920, and Tipperary’s last football title in 1920, through Jimmy McNamara part in these historic events. Also, many other inter-county teams that featured Cahir players are contained in the book 20 former Captains of County Winning teams have all written personal recollections of their era. Some pupils from 6th class in the Boys National School have also written pieces on the subject “What the G.A.A. means to me “. Extracts from these pieces are also in the book. Cahir G.A.A. would like to thank all who attended this important and historic evening. There was a very good attendance by all that have had an involvement in the G.A.A locally and this made the event a night of re-union and reminiscence. Anyone with an interest in local GAA events and history will find the book interesting and as only a limited number of copies have been printed and were available on the night. Sean Kelly M.E.P. commented that the book was the most comprehensive he had ever read on the history of the GAA and added that it was perhaps not surprising that it had been compiled in the very County where GAA was born. I came across copies of the book in The Heritage and after browsing through one decided it definitely deserves another mention and it would certainly interest GAA enthusiasts or indeed anyone with an interest in Irish sporting history. The book is a huge achievement in itself. CAHIR DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY LOTTO Just a reminder to all that there will not be a draw this week on 30th December as The Enterprise Centre is closed for Christmas. It will be reopen again on Monday 4th January 2010. The next draw will take place on Wednesday 6th January at 12 noon. Profit’s servicing community projects in Cahir. Cahir GAA Parish Hurling League Winners of the Horan Family Perpetual Cup (under 11's)   Front row - Nicholas Reidy, Noel Long, Eoin Corbett, Eoin O'Neill Back row - Regina Corbett, Mohamed Eid, Colin McEniry, Eric Colman (Cpt), Davet Jefferies, Conor O'Brien, Ger Quinn, Darren Lonergan, Bridget McEniry. SCHOOL PLAYS Cahir Boys National School held their annual Christmas Play last week in the Community Hall. It was called “The Peace Child” and was performed by the 3rd class students. There was a packed house and the play was both funny and very entertaining with some outstanding acting! Well done to all involved it was a credit to Teachers, Helpers, Parents and students alike. C.B.N.S would like to thank the following sponsors of the raffle prizes; In Cahir, New Age Photography, O’Brien’s Pharmacy, Galileo Italian Restaurant, Lazy Bean Cafe, John Quirke’s Jewellers, Ross Pharmacy, Esso Service Station, The Punters Rest, Cahir House Hotel, SuperValu and Costcutter’s in Knockavilla. Our Lady of Mercy Primary School also held their annual Christmas Play last week. The play was called “Stable Manners” and was performed by 4th class students. Once again the hall was filled to capacity and with lots of excellent songs, dance routines and humour, it was a pleasure to watch. Well done to their teacher Ms. Silvia Sheehan and S.N.A. Sally Casey who worked very hard to get the girls ready for the show and well done also to all the students who looked like they really enjoyed themselves! Both Schools will reopen again on Thursday 7th January 2010. CASINO ROYALE NEW YEARS EVE BALL Welcome in the New Year 2010 with 007 Style at Cahir House Hotel - In conjunction with CARE (Cancer Aftercare Relaxation Energy) The Casino Royale New Year’s Eve Ball will take place on Thursday 31st December, with lots of good food, Casino Games- Blackjack & Roulette tables etc… So why not dance the old year out and the new one in and help raise funds for CARE too. With live Music & a DJ till late. Price €48 per person. Spot prizes & Awards for Best Dressed Bond & Bond Girl!!! Book early to avoid disappointment 052-74 43000. SLIEVEARDAGH RURAL DEVELOPMENT Live healthy, love life. Slieveardagh Rural Development has developed a number of Loop Walks in the Slieveardagh area of Co Tipperary in 2009. These walks are a wonderful amenity, cater to of walker’s of all abilities and are free and easily assessable. So why not shake off those winter blues and get out into nature!   The Lough Doire Bhile Loop Walk begins at the lake car park just outside the village of Glengoole/New Birmingham in Co Tipperary. It is sign posted from the village. This walk is very level and takes in Lough Doire Bhile itself as well as the wetlands and commands excellent views of the Slieveardagh hills. It snakes around this 70 acre site of cut away bog. It is ideally suited to the eco lover as there are unique flora and fauna on this walk. So why not enjoy Ireland’s boglands in a new way and appreciate their biodiversity. Please note that dogs must be kept on a lead.   The Grange Loop starts at the sign opposite Hogan’s Bar & Shop in Grange Village, near Kilcooley and takes walkers northeast to the entrance to Grange Crag Wood. The entrance here brings walkers up into the forest, past the very interesting ‘ice-house’ structure. Follow the path clockwise to a viewing point directly above the village. From here Kilcooly Abbey and the surrounding countryside as far as the Devils Bit Mountain in the west can be viewed. The path brings the walk to the end of the wood and back by a very pleasant road down into the village again. Where refreshments can be availed of! This is loop one of two and is a short and easy exploration of the lower slopes and forms part of a longer circular route (the Crag Loop). For more information see http://www.discoverireland.ie or phone 052 9156165. Sounds like a beautiful walk. KILCOOLEY CALENDAR Slieveardagh Rural Development has produced a Limited Edition Kilcooley Calender for 2010. The Calendar is numbered 1 - 500. (They will be a collector’s item) It depicts scenes from O' Tunney Sculptor including the Butler Tomb and the Apostle Weepers and an explanation of same. The calendar is available for €5 and is excellent value. The Photography is by Maura Barrett, Willie Quinlan and Katy Goodhue and the Text is by Maura Barrett, Willie Quinlan and Liam Noonan. Please let Maura know by email on mawiebarrett@eircom.net or contact Corina by phone on 052 9156165 if you would like a copy. HIGH STEAKS! An Irish steak has been voted the world’s best. The Hereford Ribeye from the AIBP in Nenagh beat eight other countries for the much coveted title, including the United States. It’s true, but somehow I’m not surprised! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Birthday wishes to Paul Sutherland who will celebrate his birthday on 2nd January. With love from Franchesca, Nathan, Jake, your Mum and Dad, Gary, all your family and friends. Happy birthday also to Nicola Downey who celebrates her birthday on the 3rd January. Best wishes from your family and many friends. WELCOME Welcome back to Cahir to Jean, Wayne and Gary Sutherland. Enjoy your stay, with love from Paul, Franchesca, Nathan, Jake and all of the extended family in Cahir. Welcome home also to all of the people who returned to Cahir from abroad for the festivities. I hope you all enjoy yourselves while you are here and safe journey home. NEW YEAR QUOTES. A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other. ~Author Unknown Youth is when you're allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve. Middle age is when you're forced to. ~Bill Vaughn Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbours, and let each New Year find you a better person. ~Benjamin Franklin People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas. ~Author Unknown READERS NEWS AND VIEWS Christmas is over for another year, I hope you all had a good one. It certainly was cold and I think it is going to remain cold for a while, so do watch out for elderly friends and neighbours. Thanks to the outdoor County Council Staff for keeping the icy roads gritted. A Happy New Year to all. 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 of the 3rd January at the latest, as that is when I do the notes next. Thank you.