CAHIR NOTES VISITORS GALORE FROM SCARBOROUGH I received a very welcome e-mail from Mike Manning in Scarborough today.  In it he itemises the THREE dates on which our Twin Town will be bringing friends new and old to Cahir. First of all, Mike himself will be bringing 40 visitors over, arriving in Cahir on Tuesday 4th September, staying for a week.  They are all looking forward to meeting all their friends again. Then over the weekend of 14th September, a team of twelve Golfers are coming to Cahir. This has been arranged by Matty from the ‘New Tavern’ in Scarborough.  I am sure, as Mike is, that they will have a great time. And presumably there will be a return bout involving Cahir Park members. On 20th October, Mike is bringing 22 children and eight helpers for another fun-filled week.  This has long been an annual event and we enjoy having the children here as much as they love the trip.  Mike says that he is hoping to meet all the regulars who make this week a great memory for all the children, who would not otherwise have had a holiday. WELCOME BACK SHAUNA … and well done for being awarded ‘Student of the Year’ in Irish College in Coláiste na nOileán in Galway, where she has been studying for the last three weeks.  Shauna has also been invited back as a Group Leader next year.  She is a great ambassador for Cahir and was greatly missed at Bingo, which is going well in the  Community Hall every Tuesday at 8:30. CALL TO GET INVOLVED In recent years, Cahir has practically doubled in size. New housing estates have been built, bringing many new families to the town. Established estates are settled in by now and the Celtic Tiger is calming down, so it is time to work at a better sense of community in Cahir. If you want to get to know the people, or just to get out for an hour or so, join the Choral Society. This Society is totally amateur:  no joining fee; no audition;  no competitions; no knowledge of music necessary, but just a love of singing.  If you sing in the bath, you can sing in Choral!  We sing for fun, raise lots of money for charities each year, develop a good singing technique painlessly, learn and perform beautiful music and enjoy a lovely social outlet without any pressure, in the process. Cahir Choral has members from Cahir, Clonmel, Cashel, Rosegreen, Clogheen. Ardfinnan, Burncourt, Skiheenarinka and Tipperary, and is looking for new members.  We meet in New Haven every Friday at 8pm, restarting on 7th September.  You can telephone Maureen Ahern on 087 231 9639 for details.         Choral Members – see you all on 7rth at 8pm!      Past Members – please come back – you have been missed!      New Members – a ‘cead mile failte’ to you!      People New to the Area – come and join now – we are a very happy bunch, who sing to relax. The Choral Society will not survive without new members. Open to all age groups, we have members as young as six years of age, and men and women ranging from 16 to 80 years young. Many of our longstanding members have died and have not been replaced. ~We need you to join now to keep this Society viable.  It would be a pity if we have to disband for want of commitment from the musical people of the area. A big concert is planned for April 2008 and work on the repertoire will begin on the first night back, plus there will be some treats to welcome you back.  Don’t hesitate, get involved.  Join now. See you on 7th September. MAJORETTES STAR IN PARIS A bus-load of Majorettes from Cahir, Clonmel and Cashel went to Paris for the week of 28th July to 3rd September.  They strutted their stuff on stage in Eurodisney, and their performance was excellent, playing to a packed stadium.  Well done girls, and thanks to Clare and Marcella for taking them. PRIDE OF THE MARKET! Maria Mulcahy and her Knockara Pate products have recently been featured on the Farmers’ Journal and on RET 1’s Farm Programme, on the radio.  On both she described how, out of the necessity to improve the farm income, she got into pate making. She provides a top quality Home Made product, that is on sale weekly at the Farmers’ Market in  Cahir.  Her range includes Chicken Liver, Duck Liver, ‘Esprit de Foie Gras’ (not the real thing, which is often considered a cruel produce, but the taste is sublime!). Salmon Pate, Mushroom Pate – and she has recently added Red Pepper Hummus (which I loved) and Basil Hummus.  She also sells Home Made Torque – a quiche-like product. Maria puts a lot of hard work, thought and effort into her products.  She has a very high standard and her stall at Cahir Farmers’ Market is highly visual and appealing. This is the only market that she attends, so go along this Saturday for this delicious range of goods – and much more. CALENDAR GIRLS? This is the title of the Fundraiser that is being put on in Kendrick’s on 18th September to raise funds for Maria Shine and her efforts for Special Olympics Ireland.  On the night, twelve MEN will have their photographs taken for a Calendar, which will be on sale from Kendrick’s and at the Funday Sunday on 2nd September. This promises to be another fantastic night in the tradition of Kendircks, with a lot more going on too. Tesco’s Voucher for €150 to be Raffled.  Maria would like to thank Brian and Lisa, from Tesco, who have been very helpful.  More tickets were sold at Irwin’s Bar-B-Q, thanks to Francesca and Paul.  Jason provided the food and did all the organisation, and it was a great night. Catherine Fitzpatrick of Newtownadam, Cahir, won the prize. Rosie Collins, in Irwin’s made a generous donation on behalf of their business as did Don Keating. CAHIR ACTIVE RETIRIEMENT ASSOCIATION These are the new arrangements for Monday 20th August, when the group will visit the Bru Boru Centre in Cashel, for a full evening of light entertainment. The bus will leave Cahir Day Care Centre at 7pm promptly. The next outing will be to the West Lodge Hotel in Bantry on 23rd September.  This will be for three nights with B&B and evening meals. Enquiries for the above events should be directed to 052 41892 / 41963 / 41213 / 65306. DRAIOCHT Na FAILLE DEIRGE I have had rave reviews of this show from everyone who has seen it, so make the most of the few remaining dates on which it can be seen at the Clogheen Community Centre:  16th, 21st and 23rd September.  Ticket Hotline 086 224 3323. PARISH CHURCH CHOIR New members are urgently needed for the Senior Choir in St Mary’s Parish Church, Cahir, that sings the 11:30am Mass on Sunday.  The weekly practice is on Wednesdays from 7 to 8pm. In recent years, Cahir has practically doubled in size. New housing estates have been built, bringing many new families to the town. Established estates are settled in by now and the Celtic Tiger is calming down, so it is time to work at a better sense of community in Cahir. Men and women are needed and neither knowledge of music nor experience in choirs is necessary.  Please come up the stair to join on Sunday mornings before 11:30am. You will be most welcome. The function of a Church choir is to enhance the Liturgy and give a great feeling of participation in the Mass.  Quoting from a recent issue of ‘Alive’:    “Sing your heart out!  Singing in church is not only good for the soul, but for the body as well.  According to the promoters of a ‘Sing for your Heart’ week, singing increases lung capacity, improves posture, clears the sinuses and boosts alertness by increasing oxygen in the blood. People also look younger because singing exercises their facial muscles”. COUNCILLOR RECOMMENDS CHEMCAR Cllr Andy Moloney is urging all householders in the Cahir Area to avail of the upcoming visit of the Chemcar to Cahir on 1st December from 9am to 12 noon.  He states that the Chemcar diverts all domestic hazardous waste from landfill and disposes of it in a safe and controlled manner. This is a free, annual service to householders in South Tipp and will be based on a first-come-first-served basis, as the truck’s capacity in limited.  The full list of what can be accepted can be obtained from Andy, from the County Council offices or from Freephone 1800 20 26627. He states that 1,700 farmers availed of the free recycling of farm plastics last May, which gathered an amazing 1,451 tonnnes, that was sent to Scotland to make plastic pallets for fencing;  garden furniture;  recycled bin-liners. Cllr Moloney is urging the people of the Cahir Area to have their hazardous waste ready for the Castle Car Park on 1st September atj 9am, as it will be another 12 months before the Chemcar will return/ ANOTHER LUCKY DOG A young yellow Labrador was found in Cahir four days ago and is being cared for by a loving person. If you think it may be yours, please telephone 086 888 5107 and describe the dog. CAHIR PARK LADIES’ SOCCER Tipperary League, 1st Division.  Cahir Park 1, Clerihan 1. The Park travelled to Clerihan last week for an important League game.  Clara Fahy scored for Cahir mid-way through the first half and Clerihan forced an equaliser in the closing stages.  A youthful Cahir Park team performed well against a more experienced squad.  The Player of the Match was Dominique Hallinan, who provided a very skilful and energetic display over the 90 minutes. Tipperary Shield, 1st Round Tuesday 1st August at Convent Road Ground.  Cahir Park 3, Clonmel Celtic 2.  A great victory for Cahir Park in a thrilling encounter.  Celtic led 2-1 at the interval, Alison Lonergan scoring for The Park.  Sinead Tobin equalised for Cahir I n the 80th minute for her first competitive goal. The Park squandered numerous scoring chances. In the 90th minute, Jennifer Grant drove in the winner for Cahir for a well deserved victory.  Player of the Match was Julie McMahon.  The Park Squad for both games was:  Patricia Healy, L Carroll, S Elliott, J McMahon, S O’Donnell, N Hearne, J Slepcikova, S Tobin, A M Noonan, D Hallinan, A Lonergan, C Fahy, P Hickey, A O’Brien, C Nagle, L O’Sullivan, J Grant, E Carroll, E Devereaux. CAHIR MEALS ON WHEELS Please don’t forget this dedicated Group’s Church Gate Collection this weekend.  They also need more volunteers to help in the kitchen and delivering meals – contact 052 42219. PRIZE-WINNING PRODUCE Cahir Country Market, in association with ‘Easy Food Magazine’, won Second Prize in the All-Ireland Final of the Best Country Market Food Display Competition, held on Sunday 12th August in Tullamore Court Hotel. Entries were judged on the quality of their produce, the best use of seasonal produce and the overall artistic value of their display. Four entries qualified to represent Ireland:  Askea Market, Co Carlow, Naas Market, Co Kildare, Cahir Market, Co Tipperary and Don Mngelan Market, Co Donegal. Well done to all producers at our Market.  Keep up the good work.  All the producers who won this award regularly sell their goods on Friday mornings in the Cahir Community Hall, so go along and visit them.  And it’s not just the food that is excellent – probably the most striking plant in my garden was purchased there, about three years ago, and I am now continuously being asked for cuttings – which, of  course, I am happy to share. ANGELS BEFORE US This lovely book by Carmel Keith (nee Caplice) is now available at €10 from the Business & Training Centre and from the Country Market, where it can be found on Francesca’s stall. SUPPORT SEAN BÁN BREATHNACH This says it all, really.  The Carers’ Association, for which Sean Bán is appearing on this year’s Charity You’re A Star, is doing a great job promoting his efforts.  As they say, he may not be Frank Sinatra, but he is giving it his all and helping a charity to provide essential services for those in need of full time care. Through his entertaining performances, Sean Bán is raising essential funds to allow older people;  those terminally ill;  children with special needs;  and others who require care, to remain where they are most happy, being cared for at home.  Funds raised through this programme will go towards providing essential respite, information, training and support services to family Carers through the Carers’ Association’s 16 centres nationwide. Text Vote Sean to 56300 or phone 1513 7171 04.  You can text anytime! CAHIR DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY LOTTO Another week has passed without a Jackpot winner.  The Draw last week, that was witnessed by Mattie McGrath (he is in the Business & Training Centre on Wednesday’s for his Clinic), produced numbers 4, 15, 20 and 26. The five Lucky Dip winners, each of whom received €30, were:  Frank McLaughlin, Newtownadam, Cahir;  Margaret Lonergan, Bengurragh, Cahir;  A O’Halloran, St Finnian’s Terrace, Ardfinnan;  Eddie Buckley, AIB, High Street, Kilkenny and Darren Ward, Clonmore South, Cahir. Tickets for the Community Lotto can be bought up to the last minute – noon – on Wednesdays from the Business & Training Centre.  The Jackpot going on to this week’s Draw is €22,350.  All the profits from this Lotto go to the Duneske Leisure Complex. “LADIES WHO LUNCH” All those with whom this rings a bell should put Wednesday 12th September in their diaries in RED. This is the date for an entertaining and glamorous venture on the part of Cahir & District Lions Club.. taking place in Dundrum House Hotel.  It would probably be easiest to give a brief run-down on what is going on, so that you can appreciate what you would miss if you aren’t there. 11am – Coffee & Homemade Shortbread, followed by an opportunity to visit the fashion and beauty stands. Next up is Special Guest Speaker Catherine Geraghty, a Director of Collin, talking about serious skincare, and Collin’s needle-free alternatives to Collagen and Botox.  Everyone will receive a complimentary Goodie Bag from Collin. Hilary Thompson, whose Model Agency in Limerick is supplying the models for the Fashion Show, will talk on “What Not to Wear”. A 4-Course Lunch follows the morning’s entertainment, and afterwards there is a really beautiful Fashion and Jewellery Show.  And of course there will be a Special Celebrity Guest/ All the money raised, including the proceeds from a wonderful Raffle, will go to Children At Risk in Ireland (CARI).  There are also super prizes for The Best Dressed Lady, the Best Pair of Shoes, Best Handbag, etc. etc. Tickets are just €75 and should be booked as soon as possible, as numbers are limited to 150.  To book telephone 087 223 6583. READERS’ NEWS & VIEWS These are always welcome at 10 Market Yard / 086 840 5020 and at the e-mail address above.  However, people who wish to advertise in the Small Ads or the In Memoriam columns should note that these have to go direct to the paper and not to me or to the Business & Training Centre.  At the Centre they can scan and send your material if you so wish, for a small charge, or you can drop it in to the paper direct.