CAHIR NOTES Wednesday 27th June 2007 MARIA VOLUNTEERS FOR SHANGHAI It has now been confirmed that Maria Shine, who has been a volunteer worker with the Special Achievers’ Club in Cashel, sponsored by her employers, Alza Ireland, has been chosen as one of the 200 Volunteers to travel to Shanghai in September to help Special Olympics Ireland as a Volunteer.  Special Olympics Ireland needs to raise €5m to train and care for the 142 Irish athletes that are going to Shanghai, which is 50 more than participated last time.  Each athlete has his/her personal carer / manager and all expenses have to be covered. Maria knows that she has a fortnight (29th September to 14th October) of hard work ahead of her, but also that she will have the experience of a lifetime.  Surely everyone who was in Cahir in 2003, when the event was held in Ireland – the first time outside the USA – will remember the excitement and involvement of the whole town. To kick-start her fundraising, the Sports & Social Club at Alza held a Table Quiz, where €1,000 was raised – not a bad start at all!  On 15th and 16th June Maria raffled €150 Shopping Trolley full of goodies in Dolan’s SuperValu, and would like to thank Carmel and John Dolan, as well as everyone who supported the Raffle.  Also, she participated in the Women’s Mini Marathon, and between the two another €1,200 was raised. This Thursday, 28th June, there will be a Table Quiz in the Castle Arms, where Maria is hoping to make loads of money.  Seanie Lonergan is preparing the questions and will be Quiz Master and this should be a night of great craic as well. On 5th and 6th July, Maria and friends will be bag-packing in Tesco – volunteers needed to help, please – then everyone won’t have to work for too long! The Funday Sunday being held in the Castle Inch on Sunday 29th July will be devoted to fundraising for Special Olympics Ireland.  There will, of course, be a Dog Show, ponies and rides, stalls, games and so on, with details to be announced later.  This will not only be the usual great afternoon out for all  the family but is for such a good cause, too.  Anyone wishing to run a stall, sports or games or whatever, should please contact me at the number below, so that I can co-ordinate efforts. Jason  has offered to hold a Bar B Q at Irwin’s in August, and the date will be announced soon, so watch this space. I know there will be huge support for Maria and I have no doubt that she will make that huge target with a bit to spare.  This is a cause that can’t be given too much money. LISTEN TO THE LOCALS! Deputy Mattie McGrath and Cllr Andy Moloney are calling on South Tipperary County Council officials to re-examine their recent decision to close local road number L-3117-1 at Moll’s Cross on the N24 Clonmel to Cahir Road. Many residents and farmers who live on the road, and some who use it on a daily basis, are extremely unhappy that their views, caired at the recent Oral Hearing, were not heeded. Deputy McGrath and Cllr Moloney want the issue of the road closure at Moll’s Cross to be re-visited and to have the views of the locals listened to. SPEECH & DRAMA Congratulations to Kathleen Lynch and her students at The Lynch School of Speech and Drama, where all the students have been awarded First Class Honours in their recent examinations.  The Certificates were awarded by the Leinster School of Drama at a ceremony in Cahir House Hotel The students are:  Emily Linehan, Emily O’Donovan, Sophie ~Sheehan, Caira Grogan, Michelle Sweeney, Tanya Foristal, Keely Halpin, Hilary Grogan, Kirsty Arbuckle, Roisin Costigan, Amy Rowe, Eimer Quinlan, Jessica Rowe, Emma O’Brien, Amy O’Neill, Chloe Carroll, Rebecca Murphy, Edel Linehan, June O’Donovan, Anna Sheehan, Avalene Dalton, Stephanie Cunningham, Dawn Casey, Sarah Mulcahy and Angela English. The students presented work in Speech and Drama; Effective Communication, Solo Acting and Public Speaking. Edel Linehan was awarded a Silver Medal in Grade 5 Effective Communication;  Sarah Mulcahy was awarded a Silver Medal in Grade 5 Speech and Drama and Anna Sheehan was awarded a Silver Medal in her first exam in Public Speaking. All the students are to be congratulated for their wonderful work and well deserved success.  Their teacher, Mrs Kathleen Lynch LLSMD, and their parents, are very proud of them all. Group 1 - Students of the Lynch School of Speech and Drama in Cahir House Hotel at the award ceremony of examinations by the Leinster School of Music and Drama.  Missing from photogrph: Avalene Dalton and Michele Sweeney.   Group 2 - Sophie Sheehan, Emily O'Donovan and Emily Linehan pictured with their first class houous certificates awarded by the Leinster School of Music and Drama.   Group 3 - Pictured in Cahir House Hotel with their teacher Mrs Kathleen Lynch are Edel Linehan, Sarah Mulchay and Anna Sheehan who were awarded silver medals in effective communication, speech and drama and public speaking “DONEGAL ROSE” DIES IN SCARBOROUGH I was really saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rose Watkinson – “Donegal Rose” – on 28th May in Scarborough.  She was born on the Isle of Doagh, Co Donegal, and while service in the British Army during World War II she met Jack, her soul mate.  They were married at St Peter’s Catholic Church, Scarborough in 1948, and they raised two successful children, Rosaleen and Kevin. Rose gained the name ‘Galloping Granny’ in 1978 when she completed the challenging Lyke Wake Walk over the Yorkshire Moors in 14 ½ hours. Following her husband’s untimely death in 1983, she continued her numerous charitable works for the sick, needy and abused.  She was especially active in the Scarborough Irish Society, and was recognized by all who knew her for her craft and culinary skills.  Rose was a unique character; she had a keen sense of humor and tenacious energy. Visits to Scarborough will never be quite the same without the Donegal Rose. LOVELY NEW MENU Having heard that The Riverside Restaurant in Ardfinnan had put on a new menu, I was there like a shot!  And when I arrived I was delighted to find that in the two years that they have been in business, they have received not one but TWO very well deserved Bridgestone Awards. Each course presented difficulties of choice, and only by agreeing with my companion that we would have different dishes and could taste each other’s did I begin to feel happier.  There are five starters,  five main courses and a choice between four desserts or an Irish farmhouse cheese plate and you have no idea how difficult it was to make decisions.  I had Dill Salmon Gravlax for starters, served with a blini, pickled cucumber, lemon and chive crème fraiche.  And had a taste of the gorgeous soup of the evening, which was Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato. Our main courses were Slow Seared Barbarie Duck Breast (me) and Guinea Fowl Breast (friend).  And I was actually asked how I wanted the Duck cooked and it arrived just as I like it – pink and succulent, but not at all fatty.  The sweet blackcurrant liquor sauce was a perfect accompaniment.  The friend’s Guinea Fowl was perfect, and the vegetables were presented perfectly cooked – neither too much  nor too little. I only had a dessert in the line of duty, (of course!), and genuinely thought I would only have a bite or two, but the Crepes Bretonnes were so light and the butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream were so delicious, that I managed every crumb.  The other dessert chosen was Iced Vanilla Meringue with Mango & Passion Fruit Coulis, also super. There are very acceptable vegetarian dishes on the menu as well, which I am sure will be enjoyed by carnivores too. The whole lot comes to €40 a head and is worth every penny.  The Riverside Restaurant is open from Thursday to Sunday and booking is essential.  The restaurant seats 30, and for special parties, they will open on Wednesdays. I cannot recommend this place too highly. CAHIR CAMOGIE CLUB Our Lady Of Mercy Primary school Cahir had the honour of sending two teams to Semple Stadium, Thurles last week to take part in the finals of the Cumman na mBun Scoil competitions. The U13 team played on Monday where their opponents were  Burgess Primary School. Burgess proved to be a much stronger team with some excellent camoge skills but nevertheless Cahir did not give up at any stage and were unlucky on at least two occasions not to score. But playing in a fine auditorium that is Semple Stadium is no mean task and no doubt the tension and vastness that comes with the territory of playing in this fine arena is bound to affect players and how they play the game. Corner back Ciara Lonergan was injured earlier on in the game and we wish her a speedy recovery. The U11 panel traveled up to Thurles on Tuesday and we saw a reversal of the previous days performance. With Presentation Thurles as their opponents and a constant drizzle falling from the overcast sky Cahir had the upperhand from the throw in. Super play from the likes of Roisin Howard, Ashling McCarthy, Aoife Corcoran and Carol Casey ensured that Sadhbh O Donnell in the goal mouth had little or no work to do. A very fine point taken by Rachel O Dwyer was only one of the many great  scores taken that day. Joint captains Ashling McCarthy and Kirsty Downey accepted the Shield on behalf of the school. Well done also to Mary Howard, Martin Halpin and Marie Casey who give of their free time to train the girls after school and to Principal Mr. Pat O Malley for his encouragement of the game in the school. Both the U13 and U11 panel is as follows: Sadhbh O Donnell, Ciara Lonergan, Emma Corcoran, Clara O Donnell,  Fiona Reece, Jane O Donovan, Edel Lenihan, Emer Quinlan, Clionagh Higgins, Ashling McCarthy, Kirsty Downey, Carol Casey, Aoife Corcoran, Roisin Costigan, Rachel O Dwyer, Joye Arbuckle, Caoimhe Hickey, Rachel Brehony, Ciara Quinlan, Kirsty Arbuckle, Laura Casey, Keely Halpin, Katie Farrell.     U11 "A" winning team of the Cumman Na mBun Scoil competition along with trainers Martin Halpin, Mary Howard and Marie Casey. SEAN WALSH MAKES AN EXHIBITION OF HIMSELF It was great to hear from Sean Walsh last week, and to visit his studio to find out what he has been up to recently. I’ve known Sean since I first came to Cahir, (19 years ago, would you believe?) from my visits to the music nights at Black Tom’s.  Then and now, Sean plays up a storm on his fiddle, and could occasionally be coaxed to sing, and I knew he was a teacher, but never knew what subject.  But now I do k now – it was Art.  Sean’s lucky students must have been inspired by his work – if they got a chance to see it.  I didn’t know what to expect – mostly traditional representational I suppose – and was blown away by the variety of styles, of materials and by the glorious colours he uses.  One of his stained glass pieces made me think of the Chagall windows in Israel. He creates work which aims for a sense of order, balance and calm. He regards everything that constitutes the work, including the frame, as compositionally important.  To him, composition is everything. His work is vibrant, colourful, some of it three-dimensional and very varied.  Of course he does paint portraits and straightforward (if that is the word) landscapes, but there is so much more as well, that I feel every art lover must make a  visit to the Craft Granary in Cahir on or after Tuesday 3rd July until 24th July. Incidentally, many thanks to the Walsh family for making me so welcome and letting me see the visiting fox, too.  Sean and his son Aaron work in the same building – maybe this indicates nature and nurture. THE DOCTOR’S RIVER The cleaning of the river in front of the Castle has been deferred until the water level subsides.  It was planned to attempt to remove the unsightly weeds last Monday but because of the torrential rain, it was not safe to operate machinery in the river. We have been assured by the town Engineer that as soon as it is safe to enter the water, the matter will be taken in hand. However, I sincerely hope that the rare flowering rush that grown there will  not be completely exterminated, as botanists come from far and wide to see it.   CAHIR JUVENILE GAA Cahir u10 Team - Centerary Hurling Blitz Front Row - Jack Malone, Darragh Howard, Davet Jefferies, Nathan Harding,Evan Dooley, Dlyan Walsh, Michael Slattery, Roisin Howard, Patrick O'Donovan, Colin McEniry, John Alan Lowes Second row - John Hickey, Conor Brennan (Captain), Darragh Conway, Timothy Voss, Dean Cashman, Conor Cashman, Aaron Condon, Keelan Looby, Paul Barrett, Lee Devereux, Conor O' Brien, Brian O'Connor, Alan O'Connor. Back row - Declan Slattery, Pat O'Brien, John Jefferies (Manager)     Cahir u8 team - Ballygiblin Blitz Front Row - Patrick O'Donovan, Michael Slattery, Eoghan Kelly, Nicholas  Reidy, Owen O'Donnell, Colin McEniry, Darragh Conway, Dlyan Fitzgerald, Jack Kelly Back Row - Kieran Lonergan, Paul Barrett, Eoin O'Neill, Tiernan McLoughlin, Tim Hickey, Eoin Rowe, Conor O'Brien, Cavan McKenna, Noel Long, Sean Murphy   CLONMEL JUNCTION FESTIVAL.  This very successful Festival provides nine days of theatre, music, dance and street entertainment.  The Box Office is open from 23rd July and can be contacted on 052 28521 and for information and online booking go to www.junctionfestival.com NEW PROJECT Clklr Seanie Lonergan has informed me of a new project that he and local historian Ed O’Riordan have embarked upon.  This is to erect a Marker near the Famine Workhouse and Mass Grave Site at Tincurry, near Cahir. This Famine Grave Site contains the remains of over 200 children who were cared for in the workhouse during the Great Famine. Most of these children were taken from the Clogheen workhouse and put to work in Tincurry.  There were, of course, a large amount of adults too. The Councillor has secured a small monetary Grant from the South Tipperary County Council as well as donations from a few local business people.  The plan is to secure a five ton stone pillar with a cast iron on bronze plaque near the site to mark the scene of the tragic event.  There will be a public unveiling day when the monument is in place. WHAT’S ON AT DUNESKE? Tag Rugby. All the teams braved the cold and well. Well done, it can only get easier from now on. There were some surprises on the night, when it became obvious that enthusiasm can sometimes mow down experience, so congratulations to the first time players who were exceptional.  A gathering was held in irwin’s later and it is hoped to increase the social group even more next week. It is still not too late to play as an individual – all are welcome. Wednesday nights, 7 to 8:30pm – 10 to play and mighty craic. More Soccer coming up for the Festival weekend – 7th and 8th July.  Sign up now.  And investigate all the fun, celebrations and games that will be going on then. The First Sports Day is being hosted this Saturday at Duneske. They want you and your children competing in such sports as egg-and-spoon, sack races, 3-legged races and much more.  The day will be finished with a Sausage Sizzle for everyone, so go along and join them from 12 noon to 4pm on Saturday 30th June.  It is €5 to get involved in all activities including your sizzled sausage. Another Duneske Ladies’ Night, specializing in summer beauty, health & fitness, with fabulous demonstrations and cocktails to make it all very summer-cosmopolitan.  Tickets and details will be available from Duneske in the next week, so be ready, ladies. Volley Ball is starting on Tuesday 3rd July for teens and on Thursday 5th for adults. This is a game for every age, male and female, and all levels of fitness.  It is something fun and different, so go along and get involved. The Tennis League for Adults is ready to start in Duneske, but you need to get your name in to Mary or Amanda to sign up for a little competitive fun this summer. For details on all the above, contact 052 45517. CONGRATULATIONS IAN! Denis Leamy (Ireland and Munster) pictured with Ian Duffy (Cahir) and mother Marian at presention in Rockwell to mark his selection for Munster Schools in 2006/7. Please let me have any information that you think may be of interest – that’s what makes this page special.  Call me on 086 840 5020,  visit 10 Market Yard, email me at the address above.  And please do so as early as possible!