CAHIR NOTES
LOOKING GOOD FOR TIDY TOWNS
Much to my delight, there were two more people than I had expected at the Tidy Towns meeting held last week, courtesy of Hughie and Margaret, at The Shamrock Lounge. Mind you, my expectations weren’t very high. After the members of the Council team had introduced themselves, we had a good general discussion, during which both particular and general matters were looked at. It is obvious that the Rosemount Area Residents’ Association has taken on a huge job - after all, it is a huge area, where there is great potential for improvement in an important place, much of it being on, or just off, a through road. And there actually was someone present last week offering his help. More of such offers would be very welcome.
The next meeting, which is open to anyone and everyone who wants to offer general help or to assist in their area, is on Wednesday night, 5th March, again at The Shamrock Lounge. I will remind you all nearer the date! One of the useful pieces of information that we were given at the meeting was the name and phone number of the Public Awareness Officer, who attended on the night. She is Bernadette Moloney, and can be contacted on 052 34398. Bernadette will be visiting schools in the area, as this is where awareness of tidiness can begin.
Regarding Illegal Litter or Dumping, there is a Freephone number that can be called to report this: 1800 20 26 27. There is a procedure that has to be gone through so don’t expect an instant reaction, but their methods work and their job is made a lot more effective with the co-operation of the public.
REAL LUNCH
A friend and I had lunch at The Bell last week, on a horribly cold day when Michael Real’s lovely Courgette & Potato Soup was just the ticket. Michael has kept the menu short, but it still covers a wide range of tastes: when you have his Beef Burger in Onion Gravy, don’t think you’re going to get something that might come from a burger bar; likewise, the Roast Sirloin of Beef Bap with Mushrooms & Onions is excellent. However, on this occasion I had Cod Goujons with Tartar Sauce, and with the vegetables were the loveliest, crispiest, roast potatoes you can imagine. And if anyone is getting in trim, a salad is on offer as an alternative to the potatoes and veg. My companion’s Pan Fried Chicken Fillet with Tomato Sauce & Cheese looked great, and she polished off every crumb - although she had no room left for pudding. Or that is what she thought until she saw my Eclairs! They were freshly made, with, I think, a crème patissiere filling, served with cream and beautifully presented. Normally, I am perfectly happy to be offered good ingredients, carefully cooked, but with Real Food at The Bell you get Michael Real’s added extra, which is flair. This can turn the simplest meal into a feast.
Welcome back from your travels, Michael - I hope you have a long stay in Cahir. Tom Shanahan must be congratulated for his prowess in finding good chefs: the first was the late lamented Michael Clifford, who was such a great chef and a good friend to so many people in Cahir, providing Cookery Demonstrations for whoever needed to raise money. Then along came Dermot (and Christine) Gannon, who were a huge success and are now, of course, booked out for months at the lovely Old Convent in Clogheen. And now here is Michael Real, following on in style. I’m looking forward to some Real Food for dinner one night soon.
POULMUCKA FIANNA FAIL CUMANN
The Club would like to extend its deepest sympathy to the family of Denis O’Donnell of Donegal, who was laid to rest recently in old Ballyclerihan Cemetery. Denis was President of this Cumann. May he rest in peace.
CHURCH GATE COLLECTION
The Motor Neuron Disease Association will be holding Church Gate Collections this coming weekend. Please give generously to aid sufferers as well as to fund research into this disease.
SPECIAL COFFEE MORNING
Have your Morning Coffee (or tea) at the Cahir Country Market on Friday 15th February, and the proceeds will go to aid Cancer Research. Your support will be much appreciated. All the usual local produce will be available: fresh eggs and veg; home-made jams and marmalades; cakes etc. So do visit the Cahir Community Hall at 9:30am every Friday, but particularly on 15th. Of course, all will be made very welcome.
JIM O’CALLAGHAN BRIDGE CLUB
Here are the results for Tuesday 22nd January: 1st - Teresa O’Dwyer and Aine Burke; 2nd - Catherine Kiely and Johnny Carrigan; 3rd - Mary Jo Condon and Eileen Ryan.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
Members of Cashel Amnesty are holding their monthly Meeting in Mikey Ryan’s Pub in Cashel on Monday night 11th February at 8:30pm. All are welcome to attend. Friendship Bracelet Day is almost upon us. It takes place on 14th February (very suitable). Boxes are already in place in shops and businesses throughout the area. The bracelets are very colourful and are selling for €2 each. Public support would be greatly appreciated. For further information, ring Helena on 052 66250.
CAHIR DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY LOTTO
There was no Jackpot winner last week, so the total going on to the Draw this Wednesday is €1,750. Tickets can be purchased from many shops locally and from the Business & Training Centre, where they are available up to the last minute - noon on Wednesday. Last week’s numbers were: 1, 5, 8, 26 and the Draw was witnessed by Lil Davis. The five Lucky Dip winners, each of whom received €30, were: Pat Meagher, Kedrah; Breda Lonergan, Church Street; Maria Lawlor, Grangebeg; Cris O’Dwyer, Carrigeen and Peig Butler, Pearse Street - all in the Cahir area. All the profits from the Community Lotto go to the Duneske Leisure Centre.
PATSY & ANNE DOING GOOD FOR CRUMLIN
Here is Patsy’s report on their fundraising for Crumlin Children’s Hospital: “Our SuperValu Pack & Wrap Weekend was a great success. A big thank-you to all who took part, especially all the students who helped out. On a really cold Friday evening, they still had smiles frozen onto their faces an hour after they finished. “Thanks also to Mr John Dolan and his staff at SuperValu for all their help. A special thanks must go to Ms Joanne Trehy for her help and organisational skills. “The winning ticket in the Hamper Raffle was draw by Manager Finbar Lonergan and the winner was Miss Aoife Collins. Well done to her - she was over the moon with it. “Well, here is what everyone has been asking about since the Youth Club Reunion - The Disco. The 80s Disco is booked for 15th March in Cahir House Hotel. It will start at 10pm, we have a bar extension ‘til 2am and security will be on the door. Admission is €10 and Raffle Tickets will be on sale inside for spot prizes. Now you have no excuse! It’s over 5 weeks away - book your babysitter and your taxi or bus, get your hair and nails done and sort out the clothes you are going to wear - and that’s just the fellas. Tell all your friends and bring them along. “We have bands getting ready to play in Brian Costigan’s Castle Arms and The Abbey Tavern, Jason Maher’s Irwin’s; Jim Kehoe’s in Clonmel; and a talent night in The Lady Gregory. Dates will follow, so watch this space! We need your support at these gigs. The bands that are playing are the best around and not to be missed! “The Bike Runs will take place between April and June, when the weather is a bit better. I am looking for Marshals now to map out the route for the run, and drive it a few times with me, so that we have a safe run on the day.”
CONGRATULATIONS, KAREN
I wish I had been a fly on the wall when Karen O’Donovan read the report in last week’s paper covering the new Irish edition of the Lonely Planet Guide. This is one of the most popular Guide Books in the world, and takes no prisoners - which, of course, is why it can be relied upon. County Tipperary came out very well, and Cahir, according to its author, is every bit as worthy of a stop as Cashel; ‘a compact and attractive town than encircles its namesake castle’ …The Lazy Bin Café in compact Cahir was also a huge favourite, described as a ‘breezy little café that dishes out loads of tasty sandwiches, snacks and ice-cream’. What fantastic publicity for Cahir and for “The Bean”. (I repeated the piece written by Bernie Cummins last week, because so many people say that they only read the Cahir Notes).
COUNCILLOR’S STATEMENT
European Commission proposals to provide free fresh fruit and vegetables to school children should be fully supported. Cllr Seanie Lonergan understands that Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel is to present detailed proposals to the Commission on this in the coming months, and he will be urging our Government to lend their full weight to the plans. The eating habits of children in Ireland have changed in recent years. There is a general consensus that our youngsters are eating too much junk food that’s high in fat but low in nutrition, at the expense of fresh, healthy, locally produced fruit and vegetables. This European proposal would address the problem in a significant way. Poor nutrition among children is widespread, but he believes that such a scheme would be of particular benefit to families who may be financially vulnerable. It should be remembered that almost one boy in five “always or often goes to bed hungry”, according to recent research. In a country that has such an abundant supply of fresh fruit and vegetables produced locally, to the highest of standards, that situation just should not arise. Of course, the fresh produce alone would not be sufficient to change the eating habits of our children. A comprehensive scheme of education for the children, their families, their educators and indeed their communities, would be required if we want habits to change on a permanent basis.
CAHIR FARMERS’ MARKET
There is now a new cheese stall at the Market. Catherine English is the stall holder and her cheeses are very welcome. Thinking towards Valentine’s Day, why not stock up on O’Connaill chocolates and the organic wines at Keith and Jim’s stall, where you will also get Keith’s home-grown daffodils, a sign that Spring has arrived. For something sweet, pay a visit to the Cookie Jar; Stella McKenna and Mary Davis. There is also fresh fish, veg and potatoes, among other things. Go on … indulge yourself … because you’re worth it!
CAHIR YOUTH CLUB
On the evening of Friday 7th February and on 8th February, Cahir Youth Club will be Bag Packing in Dolan’s SuperValu. This is taking place in order to finance their End of the Year Trip. Your support would be greatly appreciated. They would also like to thank Shane for giving up some of his time last week to go in and teach them a few Taekwondo manoeuvres and also for his great demonstration.
COLAISTE DUN IASCAIGH - MUNSTER CHAMPIONS Colaiste Dun lascaigh Cahir claimed their first ever major camogie title by winning the Munster Intermediate C Championship on January 26th 2008. They completed this feat by defeating.Colaiste Daibheid of Cork City on a final scoreline of 4-08 to 5-03. This match served the large crowd of supporters a match full of drama, commitment, skill and tension right up to the final whistle. To get to this final Cahir had to account for Croom (Limerick) in the quarter final stage and Coachford (Cork) in the semi-final. With Colaiste Daibheid having players from strong hurling clubs in Cork such as Blackrock, Sarsfield and Douglas a tough battle ahead was expected. On an excellent playing surface in Duneske Cahir the visitors thoroughly blitzed Cahir in the opening ten minutes scoring two goals without reply. Only the long range free taking efforts of centre back Michelle Walsh and the short range efforts of Olivia McCarthy kept Cahir in the hunt. However, a well executed goal after an equally impressive display of possession and hand passing saw Rachel Doyle net a badly needed goal. But again Col. Daibheid struck the net twice more despite the best efforts of Cahir's resolute defenders. Only the Trojan efforts of Samantha Lambert and Eimear Myles around the centre of the field and several last ditch defensive efforts of Lisa Dillon and Sarah Fahey kept Col. Daibheid at bay. A goal and a point without reply saw Cahir reduce the gap to one point at the interval finishing on a scoreline of 2-05 to 4-00.
On the resumption of play the introduction of Claire 0 Dwyer at midfield turned the momentum in Cahir's favour. But again Col. Daibheid refused to bow down and struck the net for a fifth time. Consequently Cahir had to go to the well once again but proceeded to dominate the latter stages of the second half. Aisling Condon, Olivia McCarthy, Eimear Myles, Samantha Lambert and Rachel Doyle started to apply real pressure on their respective opponents. The move of Niamh Myles from goalie to full forward reaped a two goal bounty. Meanwhile in the backs Michelle Walsh, Jackie Heffernan, Sarah Fahey, Nicola Armitage and Lisa Dillon limited their opponents to three points for the remainder of the game. Yet in reality until referee Willie Barrett blew the final whistle this game hung on a knife edge. One particular incident stands out whereby Olivia McCarthy contested a ball with Col. Daibheid's half back, the battle for possession went back and forth between the two girls right across the field resulting in McCarthy been fouled and the resultant cheer from the crowd seemed to lift Cahir.
On the final whistle great celebrations took place as Col. Dun lascaigh had made their own bit of history claiming their first ever camogie Munster title. Captain Lisa Dillon thanked Col. Daibheid for a very sporting game, Col. Dun lascaigh for the field and facilities, team coach Keith Morrissey for all is efforts, Shane Ronayne for all his support and encouragement and all members of staff and supporters who came out in full voice. Cahir's coach Keith Morrissey said afterwards, "It's a fantastic achievement for the girls and the Colaiste. I'm delighted for them as they're having trained in all conditions since last September without complaint. Also great credit must be given to their respective clubs Brian Boru's and Cahir and also their parents, mentors and trainers."
Team: Niamh Myles, Nicola Armitage, Lisa Dillon, Sarah Fahey, Jackie Heffernan, Michelle Walsh, Olivia McCarthy, Ellen Ryan, Aisling Condon, Eimear Myles, Rachel Doyle, Samantha Lambert, Emma Tobin, Claire 0 Dwyer, Shauna Walsh, Riona Grant, Leanne Hickey, Marie-Claire Murphy, Laura Keating, Teresa Bourke, Subs used: Claire 0 Dwyer for Ellen Ryan, Leanne Hickey for Eimear Myles
CAHIR FARMERS MARKET
Cahir Farmers Market has been trading again in 2008, since January 12th. Having first started up in September 2003, it is now in it’s fifth year, and thriving. It is a great place to find locally produced foods, from Paté to Potatoes, and from Fruit to Fish and much more in between. You needn’t be short of a good home made cake either, or a chocolate or two. And don’t forget your greens,.. The Market stallholders are delighted to welcome another new stall next Saturday. Local farmer’s wife, Catherine English from Garryclogher, has brought together cheeses of the region to add to the range of locally produced foods already available at the Market each Saturday morning. Catherine will be offering Cashel Blue and Crozier Blue from the Grubb family of Cashel, Knockanoor cheese from Lismore, and Knockadrenna goats’ cheese from Callan. Do come along and try a cheese from your own locality.
Also, Catherine’s husband Michael will be selling early potatoes and vegetables at Cahir Farmers Market next July.
Jim & Keith’s stall displayed the first Daffodils of 2008 last Saturday. Not to be outdone, Jim supplied the first lettuces from his tunnels. Spring must be near when the first daffodils are in bloom – ‘Tá Lá Féile Bríd ag teacht.’
The stallholders and customers wish Anne O’Connell a speedy recovery after her recent visit to hospital, and are looking forward to her early return to the Market. In the meantime Mary and Catherine are keeping the customers supplied with their home baking.
SMOKE KILLS!
In conjunction with the Department of the Environment, South Tipp County Council recently promoted an Awareness Campaign on the need for a Smoke Alarm in every house. Cllr Andy Moloney said that while most modern houses are compelled to have them as standard, a lot of elderly people are unaware of such a necessity. Those in isolated areas are particularly vulnerable.
Smoke inhalation can kill, due to the lack of a small device such as a smoke alarm. Cllr Moloney would like to thank Lil Davis at the Cahir Day Care Centre for her help in the recent survey and we would hope that all those attending the Centre are equipped with them. In this survey, it was discovered that out of 320,000 households, 20% had no working smoke alarm. There is a scheme in place targeting 250 households and in the event of that scheme being renewed shortly, people should have their named handed in to him or to the Fire Authority to avail of such a service.
CAHIR ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION
Here are the Cards results for last Friday: Joint Winners with 11 Games: Tom Burke, Margaret Quinlan, Red Burke and Kieran O’Brian. The Lucky Table was won by John Whelan, Mary Whelan, Dave White and Willie O’Neill and the Raffle by Betty Collins and Mary Whelan. The next game is this Friday at 8pm and as usual all are welcome to enjoy a pleasant evening out. The monthly meeting of the Association will take place on Wednesday 6th February at 3:30pm in the Catherine McAuley Room. Stefan Grace will give a very informative talk entitled “From Light to Darkness”.
READERS NEWS & VIEWS
I am afraid my views are being ignored – I am still inundated with e-mails in tiny print, and it really does cause problems for the poor old eyes. It is not difficult to increase the size of the print, and as I said last week, a child or grand-child will be able to do it for you with no trouble at all.
Moan No 2: I am still getting notes through the letterbox and by e-mail that do not include all the information needed, and also do not include a phone number which I could use to check up. Please don’t forget.
And, of course, all your information and comments are greatly welcomed to 10 Market Yard / 086 840 5020 and to the e-mail address above. Keep warm!
