CAHIR NOTES First of all, I must apologise for the brevity of the Notes sent in last week.  I had one of my spectacular falls that Monday morning and wasn’t able to do anything much afterwards.  I have no doubt some readers saw me around town later in the week, in my darkest shades and a bruised nose – nice.  This is the first time I have had a black eye – boxers must be out of their minds! What went in to the paper was all the e-mails that had been sent to me.  Several phone calls with dates of meetings, a Church Gate Collection and so on did not make it into the paper, for which I am very apologetic and I sincerely hope it doesn’t happen again, for my sake as well as yours. This week’s notes will have to be edited somewhat, to try to fit everything in. SUPPORT ACTION BREAST CANCER Danish designer Pandora Jewellery has created an exclusive silver ribbon charm and bracelet for Ireland to support Action Breast Cancer.  These are now available from John Quirke Jeweller at €114, with €33, which is the full value of the pink ribbon charm, being donated to Action Breast Caner. (The charm is not sold on its own, or the bracelet without the charm. WINNERS VISIT THE GRANARY 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 major Irish Crafts Industry competition, allowing both professional and amateur craft designers to exhibit and promote their work. There are twenty categories and over 40 prizes awarded in the Competition, ranging from Ceramics and Jewellery to Felting and Woodwork.  The prize fund is one of the largest in Europe. The Competition is open to all craft workers living in Ireland and Irish designers based abroad. Every year the winners are announced at the Horse Show at the RDS. The organisers select a few galleries outside Dublin so that the winning exhibits can go on tour.  This year, the Craft Granary has been chosen.  The exhibition has just been opened and will run until Tuesday 30th October.  The Granary is open from 10:30am to 6pm from Monday to Friday and from 9am to 5pm on Saturday. GARDA RESERVE The next round of interviews for the Tipperary area will be taking place in November. People interested in joining as Garda Reserves may apply on-li ne at www.publicjobs.ie or by phoning (01) 858 7651. Applications are welcomed from all nationalities. There is one Garda Reserve working in the Cahir District, having started duty at Cahir Garda Station on 22nd September. APOLOGY I would like to say Many Happy Returns to Damien Dalton and I was very sorry to have missed his surprise 60th Party in Cahir House on 30th September.  I have no doubt a great time was had by all. TALK & BOOK SIGNING Local author Susanne O’Leary will be giving a talk “What lies beneath, how personal experience and family history shape the novel”, at the Signing of her book in Knocklofty this Thursday at 11am.  She feels that this may be rather more interesting than the usual ‘author speak’! There is an entrance charge of €12.50 which will go to Independent Age, an organisation which helps older people on low incomes to live with dignity and peace of mind.  A very worthy cause. I was delighted to hear from Susanne that her latest book is going into reprint, which is very good news. CASHEL AMNESTY TABLE QUIZ It’s that time of the year again, when Cashel Amnesty holds its annual Table Quiz. It will take place in Kearney’s Castle Hotel, Cashel on Thursday night 18th October at 9pm.  Tables of four cost €26.  There will be lots of spot prizes and light refreshments will be served. On the following day, Friday 19th October, they will have a Christmas Stall in Donlan’s SuperValu.  Among the merchandise for sale will be friendship bracelets, candles, Christmas cards, and some Fair Trade items – and, of course, a Raffle. The Proceeds from these events will go to the Irish Section of Amnesty International to jelp fund its various Human Rights campaigns. Support from the community would be greatly appreciated. For further information, ring Nuala at 052 62987. WHAT’S ON AT DUNESKE? A new class has been added to their schedule for the tiny people – it’s a Tumble Tots Class, whereby tjheir aim is not only to have fun while exercising, but to improve growth and development in the child.  It runs every second week, for boys and girls aged 3 to 5 years. The next class will be on Tuesday 23rd October at 9:45am. Their Hallowe’en Party is on Wednesday 31st October at 5:30 to 7:30pm.  All boys and girls from 5 to 12 years old can dress to impress in fancy dress clothes.  There will be prizes for Best Dressed in different age groups.  Also for the Hallowe’en Games, and there are goodies for everyone who attends. Just a quick reminder that opening times are from 7am to 10:30pm from Monday to Friday, and their new Winter opening times for the weekends are Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm. For further enquiries, contact Duneske on 052 45517. CAPITAL GRANTS SCHEME Cllr Andy Moloney has contacted me about a review of the Capital Grants Scheme which to date has granted over €7 million to various community groups and sports facilities.  He wants your views on new priorities in this area.  These do not have to be detailed submissions, but rather suggestions with reasons for them.  So, ;if you are part of a recreational community or sporting group with ideas for improvements in the Cahir area, you can contact Andy on 086 360 9110 or at Knocknaquil, Poulmucka before 29th October. CHERNOBYL CHILDREN’S PROJECT An Open Meeting about hosting for the Summer Rest & Recuperation Programme 2008, will be held on Tuesday 16th October at 8pm in the Shamrock Lounge, Cahir. If you are interested in the Project, please go along – you will be most welcome. RURAL ARTS GROUPS Congratulations to the hard-working Clogheen Committee for the terrific show they organised in St Paul’s Community Centre on 30th September, when Liam O’Maonlai was the star attraction.  He was supported by an excellent group from Mitchelstown that I would very much like to hear again, too. The next offering in the series will take place at the same venue on Saturday 13th October, when Cor Meibion, a Welsh Male Voice Choir, will be on stage.  Also performing are sisters Caoimhe and Eibhlin Lonergan, who are pianists.  Tickets at €15 and €12.50 for concessions include a cheese and wine reception.  And if it is anything like the one presented on 30th, it will be superb – I have never been offered a better selection of cheeses at such a ‘do’. On Saturday 15th December the Valda Chamber Choir (back by popular demand) will provide a Christmas Concert in Ballyporeen Parochial Hall. The admission of €10 includes a glass of wine and mince pies. CAHIR ACTIVE RETIREMENT GROUP The AGM for the Association will take place in the Catherine McAuley Room, at 2>:30pm on Wednesday 7th November.  All members and interested people are welcome. The Meeting held on 3rd October had a full attendance and many items on the Agenda were covered: the final arrangements for the evening at Cork Greyhound Track were put in place; Sr Mary requested that the Christmas Shoe Box of presents for children of the third world, be in the Hall for the next meeting – last year’s collection was an outstanding success.  Details of this worthy cause may be had from Sr Mary or any members of the Association. Sergeant Peter Butler from the local Garda Station have a very interesting talk on safety at home and within the community.  The information will prove valuable to all members in the future. REPLY TO MOTION Cllr Seanie Lonergan has received the following reply from the County Council in response to a Motion he submitted at the most recent meeting of the Council. The Motion called for the refurbishment of the Library building, to ensure that the Court Service would return to Cahir. Reply:  ‘As the memb4ers are aware, the Council has been in touch with the Court Service in relation to returning the operation of a court service to this building. We have indicated our willingness to work with the Courts Service to address their areas of concern. On the basis of the non-commital nature of the Courts Service’s response, Members have agreed to arrange a delegation to the relevant Minister to discuss their concerns and a letter has been written seeking a meeting with the Minister for Justice in this regard. Once a reply has been received, the Council will revert to the Area Members’. Cllr Lonergan states that there is an onus on the Minister for Justice, Mr Brian Lenihan, to ensure that Cahir has a functioning court service. No excuses should be accepted from Minister Lenihan, he says. MUNSTER BLITZ VICTORY Colaiste Dun Iascaigh collected its first piece of silverware of 2007, winning the Munster “Sevens C” Shield in Fermon on Thursday 26th September. In fact, the Colaiste was able to field two teams for the event, with one team winning one of their three qualifying matches, but giving a good account of themselves. Captained by Sarah Fahey, the panel included Samantha Lambert, Nicola Armitage, Claire O’Dwyer, Aishling Condon, BronaghHiggins, Rhiona Grant, Donna Casey, Jane O’Donnell, Clara Doheny and Emma Tobin. Colaiste’s other team participating in the Shield, under the Captainship of Olivia McCarthy, had early wins over Rosscarbery and Drumcollogher set up a semi-final spot against Croom.  This was a tough and on occasion a hard-fought match with some top class defending from Michelle Walsh, Niamh Myles and Lisa Dillion. [The rest of this piece is too good to leave out, but it will have to wait until next week]. TUESDAY NIGHT BRIDGE CLUB The results from Tuesday 25th September are as follows:  1st – Catherine Kiely and John Casrigan;  2nd – Ann Corbett and May Geraghty;  3rd – Graham Scott and Peter Humphries. URGENT PLEA! The St Vincent de Paul Shop (First Class Seconds) in Barrack Street is in urgent need of children’s winter clothes. They also take adults’ winter clothes, toys, games, books. bedlinen and homeware, etc. Opening hours are 11am to 5pm (open through lunch) from Tuesday to Friday.  The phone number for collections is 052 42424. SPONSORED CYCLE Michael Kelly has asked me to send a big ‘thank you’ to all of the people who sponsored him for the Sean Kelly Challenge Cycle in aid of the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI), which took place on 19th August in Dungarvan.  The amount Michael raised was €330. SUCCESSFUL COFFEE MORNING Congratulations to Karen O’Donovan, who’s annual Coffee Morning in aid of South Tipperary Hospice on 21st September was a huge success, raising €3,027.98.  Karen has asked me to thank all who supported the morning, the volunteers who helped and particularly the staff of the Lazy Bean, who donated their first 2 hours pay.  Special thanks are due to all the sponsors (all 32 of them) who gave such great prizes – knowing that there are so many very desirable prizes to be won really increases the sales of Raffle tickets. I am happy to say that I won two very nice items:  a much-needed table lamp from an anonymous donor and a nice crystal bowl donated by John Quirke. Lucky me. I know that Karen intends this to be an annual event at the Lazy Bean, and hopes to raise even more next year – this year’s total, I think, was something like €1,000 more than last year. KNOCKGRAFFON OPEN COURSING CLUB The 2007/2008 Coursing season is upon us again and the Club will hold its inaugural meeting of the new season next Thursday night, 11th October at 8:30 in Ballingeary School house. PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE. The incoming Committee is full of enthusiasm nad has lots of innovative ideas for the coming season. The Club has a nomination in the Inter-Club 2 Course Duffer Stake run by Fermoy & Grange Coursing Club on 17th and 18th October. Anyone interested should contact the Secretary immediately on 086 212 6849.  Membership Cards are now available from the Secretary. DEPUTY MC GRATH’S CAHIR CLINIC Mattie’s Clinic is now being held on Fridays in the Business & Training Centre, from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5. CAHIR DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY LOTTO There have been no Jackpot winners for the last couple of weeks, and the Jackpot now stands at €3,550. The five Lucky Dip winners last week, each of whom received €30, were:  Noreen Kennedy, Raheen;  Paul & Imelda Collins, Clogheen; David O’Connor, Bengurrah House; Patricia & Kevin Brunnick, Woodview;  Kathleen Marsh, Ardfinnan. Tickets can be bought up to the last minute – noon – on Wednesdays from the Business & Training Centre.  All the profits from the Community Lotto go to the Duneske Leisure Complex. SAD LOSS IN SCARBOROUGH Just heard that Mike Manning's father died a couple of days ago - at the time of writing I have no details of his funeral, but will have later on Tuesday, I hope.  Mike has had a tough time recently and I know all his many friends in Cahir join me in sending our condolences.   HARVEST FESTIVAL The annual ecumenical Harvest Festival Service held in St Paul's Church in Cahir takes place this coming Sunday and, as always, all are welcome. There will be the usual delicious tea served after the service. READERS’ NEWS & VIEWS I am always pleased to hear from people with news or comments, either at 10 Market Yard, by phone on 086 840 5020 or at the e-mail address above. The Community Website is up and running again, and I have been very pleased to receive all the complaints about it being missing – it’s great to know that it is read around the world. Although my sister in Canada has been known to complain that it’s rather sad that she has to get my news from the computer!