CAHIR NOTES Wednesday 30th May AN EXTRAORDINARY RESULT! Having made no secret of the fact that I am a great fan of Mattie McGrath I am, of course, overjoyed with the result in South Tipperary.  What is, perhaps, quite extraordinary, is the fact that Martin Mansergh got through too. During and since the count, I have lost track of the times that everyone (on TV) was agreed that two FF seats could not be won in this constituency. However, at the launch of Mattie’s campaign in Cahir, someone, I think it was Carrie Acheson, stated that this was a distinct possibility.   Perhaps it is time people at FF party headquarters listened a little harder to what is going on “down country”. There is a world, with intelligent people in it, beyond the pale. Another thing that has interested me is the way all the commentators have talked about people voting “for Bertie Aherne” or “for ~Enda Kenny”.  I don’t know about you, but I am sure most people go for the individual who they think will do the most good in their constituency, or at least the one from the party they espouse who will do so.   There was, of course, a distinct fear of change involved, too. What do the next five years hold for us?  Mattie McGrath is well known for his commitment and hard work and we can only benefit from him becoming a Deputy.` Mr Mansergh is not familiar hereabouts, but one cannot ignore his work in the North. He has an academic background and I will be following his progress with interest.  Tom Hayes is an established figure and I would like to congratulate him on retaining his seat with such a clear majority. It was sad that some really good candidates were squeezed out, and I hope they will continue their good work in South Tipperary. *     *     * The above was written on Sunday morning and since then Mattie McGrath has visited Cahir to thank everyone for the huge share of the vote that he received from this area.  The Square was so crowded on Sunday evening that it looked like the Fair of Cahir.  A huge cheer (several, actually) went up for Mattie, when he described himself as honoured and humbled by the support he had been given.  Everyone was invited back for a cup of tea upstairs at “Hughie’s” – the Shamrock Lounge – though I hope for the sake of Health & Safety that the invitation wasn’t taken up by too many! CAHIR DAY CARE CENTRE The Annual General Meeting of the Centre will be held on Wednesday 13th June at 8:30pm, in the Centre.  All are welcome to attend. LADIES’ MINI MARATHON Lena Lonergan is taking part in the Mini Marathon on Bank Holiday Monday, on behalf of the South Tipperary Hospice.  If anyone wishes to support her effort, sponsorship can still be handed in to her at the Business & Training Centre.   WHAT’S ON AT DUNESKE? There is something very special on this Sunday, and everyone at Duneske is really hopint that you will give them all your support.  Ice Cream Sunday, in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland, will be held on 3rd June from 1 to 3pm, do go up there, have some delicious HB icecream and support this fantastic cause with a small donation. The Teddy Bears’ Picnic started with style, running every Satureay from 1 to 2pm for ages from 3 to 6 years.  It is quite the social scene for the active child.  They are treated to stories, arts and crafts, games and a rather nice tea party to finish off.  €4 per child and don’t forget Teddy! Please keep your calendars free for the Festival Weekend, 7th and 8th July. It promises to have something for everyone – lots and lots of fun, a ctivities, games and brilliant social events for all to get involved in. Summer Camp dates are also available now from Duneske, so contact Amanda and Mark for details. Tennis Squad for kids is now starting, but they need you to put their names down asap.  Kids from 5 to 7 ytears and 8 – 13 are welcome to join up so contact Mary now. Tennis Ladder for adults is setting up again so the names of all those who are interested are needed now.  They will also be running a League throughout the summer, for those of you who wish to add a little competition to your game. Tennis Membership is now available in Duneske for the summer. There are adult individual 3-month prices and for kids and students too and they even have a brilliant family package to allow you to play all summer without hassle. Here is a reminder that Boxing has beenchanged to 6pm every Tuesday evening . Places are very, very limited, so you need to ring to check availability.Summer Body Boot Camp has started and will run from 7pm to 7:34 every Monday night, so get signed up. For details on all the above, please contact 052 45517. CASHEL BRANCH, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL Members of the Cashel Amnesty local group are holding their final meeting before the summer break in Mikey Ryan’s pub, Cashel at 8:30pm on Monday 11th June. All are welcome to come along and if you want more information, please ring Nuala on 052 62887. The final total of monies raised with the Friendship Bracelets is €2,805.26, which has delighted us all.  Thanks for the support in Cahir.   CAHIR ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION The results of the 25 Card Game on Friday 25th May are as follows: 1st, with 11 games – Teresa Duggan & Anne Lonergan;  Joint 2nd, with 10 games – Margaret Quinlan & Me Phelan;  David White & Willie O’Neill.  The Lucky Table winners were Tom O’Mahony & Tom McGrath and Betty Collins & Ciss O’Neill.  The Raffle was won by Elle Whelan & Bob Condon (Nice to see you occasionally get something out of it, Bob!) The next game will take place this Friday, 1st June in the Catherine McAuley Room and all are welcome.  The Monthly Meeting will be on Wednesday 6th June at 2:30pm, when arrangements will be finalised for the trip to the Cork Greyhound Track.  There will be music and refreshments, and once more, all are very welcome. CAHIR DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY LOTTO The Jackpot is rising steadily, and this week’s total is €5,050.  Tickets can be purchased up to noon on Wednesday from the Business & Training Centre. The numbers drawn last week, witnessed by Tom Burke, were:  3, 13, 14, and 22.  The five Lucky Dip winners, each of whom received €30, were Aine Keegan, Shanrahan, Clogheen;  Dermot O’Connor, Cahir Abbey Upper;  Maurice Hyland, Knockaboha, Cahir;  Jean English, Beechpark, Cahir and Catherine Purtill, Kilcommon, Cahir. All the profits from the Community Lotto go to the Duneske Leisure Complex. MONEY FOUND A small amount of money was found in SuperValu last Friday evening.  Anyone who wishes to claim this should telephone 052 41978. “ANNIE” I have heard rave reports of this show, which was on at the Excel in Tipp Town.  Staged by the Tipperary Stage School (Pat and Fran Murnane) the performers were given a standing ovation, with everyone clapping and cheering.  In particular, the little girl in the plot was played by a 3 ½ year old, who was fantastic. Well done to you all.   COCKNEY REBEL DOES IT AGAIN The brilliant 3-year-old that won the Englished 2,000 Guineas did it again at the Curragh, in style. One way and another, Cahir is really being put on the map. NEW EXHIBITION The Craft Granary is pleased to announce a new Exhibition by North Tipperary visual artist Elaine Hurley. She has exhibited her work nationwide and has recently organised a Community Photography Exhibition in North Tipp. Her Exhibition, “that’s just the way a woman should sit” consists of limited edition, medium format and 35mm photographic prints. It will also show photographs from her series “How do you feel?” and “something kept him up there”. (The artist insists on the somewhat quirky capitalisation, or lack of it). Her photographs deal with issues ranging fromortality and loss to the relationships between mothers and daughters, and runs from Monday 4th June to Monday 25th June.  The Craft Granary opening times are 10:30am to 6pm from Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays. RDS NATIONAL CRAFTS COMPETITION The Craft Granary has had the honour of being chosen by the RDS as one of the three venues outside Dublin to exhibit the winners of this competition. The RDS National Crafts Competition has been held annually since 1968 to promote Irish craft and design.  Growing in stature each year, it is the mamor Irish crafts industry competition, allowing both professional and amateur craft designers to exhibit and promote their work. There are 20 categories and over 40 prizes awarded in the compeptition, ranging from ceramics and jewellery to felting and woodwork.  The prize fund is one of the largest in Europe, with a total fund in 2007 of €28,350. The competition is open to craft workers living in Ireland and to Irish designers based abroad.  You can find out more at www.rds.ie/home/index.aspx?id=149  and there will be more here, too, nearer the date. CAHIR CAMOGIE CLUB Cahir camogie club would like to thank most sincerely all who gave so generously to our church gate collection last weekend. Our U12 have a very busy week ahead of them with games on Tuesday evening at home to Moyle Rovers and on Thursday evening away to Carrick On Suir. Full report in next weeks eddition. LATE NOTICE I received an invitation to a meeting that was to take place on Monday night, in the post on Monday morning. Surprise, surprise, I am doing something else, although I would like to have attended, as it is to review the 5th Tipperary County Development Plan.  You would be surprised – or perhaps not – at how often this happens. SOME THOUGHTS On the other hand ... you have different fingers. 42.7 of all statistics are made up on the spot. 99 % of lawyers give the rest a bad name. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges? Light travels faster than sound. That’s why some people appear bright until you hear them speak. Readers’ news and views are welcome at 10 Market Yard / 086 840 5020 and at the e-mail address above.