CAHIR NOTES ROAD HOGS! Local couple Patsy and Anne Cunningham are off to the States later this year on a “fun run” to raise much-needed money for the Children’s Hospital, Crumlin.  Below is some information that Patsy has given me: “Hi everyone, this is Patsy Cunningham from Cahir. My wife Anne and I are on a big fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital in Crumlin. In September we will join 66 other motorcycle enthusiasts to conquer Route 66. We are going to try to raise4 €14,000 with the help of family, businesses and the people in Cahir and the surrounding areas. The Hospital hopes to raise in excess of €250,000, which will be put to good use. This is a great Hospital and a very worthy cause. Both the children and their parents reap the benefits of the money raised. “How can you help? We have sponsorship cards to fill in and I will also be calling to the businesses, public houses and hotels in the Cahir area. If you want to help out in any way, you can contact Pat on 086 151 1853 or 052 43018 at any time. We would also appreciate your support at our fundraising events. “What do you get from it? You get the pleasure of taking part in some fun events, some of them planned:  a Honda 50, 70, 90 Run; a Big Bike Run; Karaoke; a Darts Tournament; Bingo; Raffles. You also get the feel-good factor of helping the sick children to have a better, healthier life. We will also be holding an 80s Disco, so if you missed the Cahir Riverside Youth Club Reunion, this is another chance.  So, thanks in advance and see you soon”. FLOWER ARRANGING CLASSES Flower Arrangement Classes are being held at the Catherine McAuley Room for six weeks, starting on Thursday 31st January at 7:45. For further details ring Chris on 052 65826 or 086 223 1739. You may know Chris’ work – there were some of her lovely arrangements on display when the Massage Hut ‘Getting to Know You’ weeks took place next door to the Lazy Bean. And, of course, she is a regular member of the Cahir Country Market. PIONEER TAA NEWS I have been asked to extend many thanks to all those who contributed to the recent Church Gate Collection. Also, can I remind you that Gold and Silver Badges will be presented at the evening Mass on Friday 1st February (First Friday).  All Pioneers are invited to attend. CITIZENS’ INFORMATION CENTRE An independent, free and confidential service for all members of the community is provided in Cahir every Wednesday from 10:30am to 12:30pm at Cahir Council Offices, Erasmus Smith House, Cashel Road, Cahir.  The telephone number is 052 41322, At the Centre on Wednesdays you can get information on rights and entitlements, including employment, redundancy, childcare, health, consumer issues, pensions, tax and much more. The staff of the Citizens’ Information Centre in Clonmel provides this service. They can also be contacted directly on 052 22267. MAKE EVERY DAY A FAIRTRADE DAY The commitment to build Cahir into a Fairtrade town continues to make great strides, with more Fairtrade goods available in the local shops; more businesses, schools and organizations supporting the campaign and more people buying the products. Every new day is a good time to remind ourselves as to why it is important to continues to support Fairtrade. 1. Small-scale Farmers and Workers. Fairtrade Certification allows farmers and workers to achieve economic independence and empowerment, while improving their standards of living. Beyond being paid a fair price for their produce, the Fairtrade Premium enables producers to better their communities by providing improved working conditions as well as better education and healthcare facilities. 2. Consumers. The Fairtrade system benefits consumers by giving the option of purchasing according to their principles and values, empowering them to be a player in the solution to global trade inequities, as well as providing them with high quality products while assuring them of the ethical source of their purchases. 3. Environment. Fairtrade rewards and encourages farming and production practices that are environmentally sustainable, such as integrated farm management systems which minimize pollutants, pesticides and herbicides, while encouraging organic agriculture techniques. Every purchase you make is important and a chain of positive effects is set in place every time you make the choice to “Make Every Day a Day to Choose Fairtrade!” CAHIR DAY CARE CENTRE Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Killarney trip has been cancelled until further notice. There is still time to get your name on the list for this popular event. Congratulations to Frank Hogan, who won the Bingo Jackpot - £110 – well done Frank. Whist is really being enjoyed by many, and last week’s winner was May O’Brien with 45 points, and second was Danny Condon with 42 points. MANY HAPPY RETURNS, BRIANA This is a somewhat belated message, as Briana Murphy reached the Big 5 last week, but all her friends at the Lazy Bean join me in sending her our very best wishes. COUNCILLOR SAYS THANKS Cllr Seanie Lonergan wishes to thank the County Council’s Local Area Engineer and the outdoor staff for their prompt action on removing trees from the Weir and eyes of Cahir bridge. Arising from the recent flooding, a substantial number of trees had gathered on the Weir, in particular. The work that was carried out last weekend should prevent major blockages in the arches. Cllr Lonergan reminds the public that the Council’s outdoor staff  have to work in very difficult conditions during the winter months. For example, during our recent flooding crisis, supervisors and staff throughout the entire Cahir Electoral Area worked hard to alleviate the testing conditions. KNOCKGRAFFON OPEN COURSING CLUB The Paddy O’Dwyer Memorial Stake & Dan Fortune Memorial Cup.  The postponed Paddy O’Dwyer Memorial Stake for 8 dogs and the Dan Fortune Memorial Cup for Nominators will be held next Sunday, 27th January. Meet at Rathkeevan School at 12 noon. The Club extends sympathy to the Slattery family, Knockeevan, on their recent bereavement. CAHIR ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION The results from the Cards on Friday 18th January are as follows: winners, with 12 games – Maurice Condon, Ted Dillon;  Joint Second with 7 games – Peg Reidy, John O’Connor, Ellie & Mary Whelan, Bib Condon, Tom Burke, Kieran O’Brien, Red Burke, Sadie & Chichi Caplice, Rena O’Connor and Breeda Ryan. The Lucky Table winners were Margaret Quinlan and Willie O’Donnell. The Raffle was won by Joe Ahern and Ellie Whelan. The next game will take place on Friday 25th January at 8pm and all are welcome to enjoy a pleasant evening out. Cahir Active Retirement wishes to thank the Garda Siochana, Community Alert and Neighbourhood Watch for a lovely Senior Citizens’ Party in Cahir House. Also the Transition Year Students from Colaiste dun Iascaigh and the Cahir Venturers. CAHIR DIVE CLUB Members of the Club are traveling to Cork next weekend to participate in a Skill Development course which will be run by B.S.A.C. [I wonder what that stands for?] On Saturday, members will take in courses that include Compressor Operations and Gas Blending and on Sunday there will be Instructor Preps, Oxygen Administration and AED [?] As the Try a Dive approaches, members of the Club are looking forward to meeting potential new members (and to boasting about their trip to the Red Sea). Unfortunately, there has been no diving in the last few weeks, but members are hoping that the weather will pick up in time for the arrival of the new Cahir Dive Club boat. At the meeting held during the week, the members were trying to think of a name for the 6.7 metre Excalibur Rib which is currently being built by Gale Force Ventures in Cork. If you can come up with a name for the new boat, please e-mail it to cahirdiveclub@gmail.com. The winner will have the privilege of a free Try a Dive on 3rd February. MANY THANKS There follows a list of the good people who made donations to the Cahir Christmas Lights 2007. Abbey Tavern, Mercy Convent, Patrick Caplice, Donal T Ryan, Galileo, John Sheehan, O’Callaghan Butchers, Costigan Funeral, AIB, Liam Wall, Bank of Ireland, Dolans’, Munster Proteins, Buttimers, FDC, Heritage, MBC Timberframe, Doctors’ Surgery, Tom Hallinan, Hairanoya, Celtic Bookmakers, Aiseiri, Hugh O’Donoghue, Weng Garden, Lazy Bea n, J Boyle, Roma Café, Rich Rags, Grangemore, Carrigan Fireplaces, Hylands Equestrian, PJ Moloney, John Quirke, Smith Mahony, Klassy Lady, Galtee Inn, Liam Butler, Morrison’s, Day Care, Gabo, Abbey Service, River House, Ronan O’Donoghue, Casey’s Wooden Tiles, Corbett Concrete, Cahir House Hotel, John Cummins, The Bell, SAP, IFAC, Lonergan Hardware, Stephen Maguire, Shoecorp, Spar, Credit Union, Mary Neill, Willia Devereaux, Duneske, Biotipp, Cahir Motor Company, Dairygold. CAHIR DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY LOTTO Another week has passed without the Jackpot being won, so the total going on to this Wednesday’s Draw is €1,450. Tickets can be purchased from the  Business & Training Centre up to noon on Wednesday, when the Draw is made. The numbers that came up last week, witnessed by Lena Phelan, were:  10, 18, 19, 21. The five Lucky Dip winners, each of whom has received €30, were:  Breda Ryan, Abbey Lodge; Pat Long c/o  Moloney’s, Poulmucka; Clogheen Community Council; Jim O’Leary, Garryduff, Ardfinnan and Denis J Fahey, Curranstown.  A nice spread of locations. All the profits from the Community Lotto go to the Duneske Leisure Complex. TUESDAY NIGHT BRIDGE RESULTS 11th December:  1st Eileen Ryan, Mary Jo Condon; 2nd May Geraghty, Ann FCorbett; 3rd Pat Shanahan, Valerie Walsh. 8th January: 1st Mary English, Bridie Devereaux; 2nd Eileen Ryan, Mary Jo Condon; 3rd Dan Condon, John Carrigan. READERS’ NEWS & VIEWS Keep them coming to 10 Market Yard / 086 840 5020 or to the e-mail address above. Many thanks to those (unfortunately not all) who are now including a contact number.