CAHIR NOTES RETURNING GLORIES It has been fascinating to watch the new management of Cahir House Hotel coming to grips with the problems they faced when they bought the premises. I have very happy memories of the ‘old’ Cahir House, and had been saddened by the gradual slide into mediocrity of the previous few years. Anyone who was expecting a wand to be waved, with an instant magical result, will have been disappointed. But, bit by bit, the important jobs are being done, and done really well. And there is a happy, buzzy atmosphere that is most appealing. So I was really looking forward to dinner there  a couple of weeks ago, and the whole experience lived up to my expectations. There have been no major changes to the Dining Room, which was already very nice, but the addition of single tall silver candlesticks on each table, with the candles burning; the fire in the elegant fireplace alight; and more mirrors; has created a particularly welcoming ambience. Prepared to be picky, I was soon eased into a more positive mood by the lovely, freshly made (in-house) bread and rolls, the butter dishes (I hate wrapped butter pats in places like this) and the excellence of the starters. My companion had asked for her main course of lamb to be well done, so there was a short wait. And lo and behold, we were presented with complimentary sorbets to fill in the time. Again made in-house, this tropical fruit sorbet was delicious. All the dishes were beautifully presented, without being over-elaborate, and we both enjoyed every mouthful. And to top it all, the charming waitress is properly trained and has a lovely smile. Congratulations to one and all on the return of fine dining to Cahir. While on the subject of Cahir House, I didn’t mention last week that the Ballroom, where the Wedding Fayre was located, has been renovated. Not sure what has happened to the dance floor, but it seems larger; the walls have a very nice paper that pulls the whole place together - I always thought it used to look a bit like an aircraft hangar  with chandeliers; and the loos at the back are now  really nice - love the basins! I am now looking forward to the replacement of the chimneys. I have no idea how Planning Permission was granted to have them removed, as they were an integral part of the Georgian design of the building. However, they are to return! DAFFODIL DAY COFFEE MORNING A Coffee Morning is in aid of the Irish Cancer Society / Daffodil Day is to be held in the Community Hall, Ballylooby, on Thursday 28th February, from 9:30am to 12 noon. All are welcome. Knowing the community and the Community Hall in Ballylooby, this will be a wonderful morning, so don’t miss it if you can help it! CAHIR DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY LOTTO The Jackpot has now reached €2,200, and the next Draw takes place this Wednesday at 12 noon in the Business & Training Centre. Tickets can be bought there up to the last minute. Last week, the Draw was witnessed by Maggie Slattery, and the numbers that came up were: 7, 10, 15 and 17. The five Lucky Dip winners, each of whom received €30, were Ann Hannessy, Ballydrehid; Brendan English, Garryclogher; Fr M Knight, Rockwell College; Tony Vincent, Clonmore and Liam Wall, The Square, Cahir. All the profits from the Community Lotto go to the Duneske Leisure Centre. EASTER MONDAY HUNTER TRIALS Here is something a bit different to do on Easter Monday - if the weather is kind! The Tipperary Farmers’ Hunter Trials will be held at Kedrah on 24th March, and spectators are welcome, at no charge.  The money raised from entry fees will go to Cystic Fibrosis, the Tipperary Hospice and the Hunt. Three tracks will be used: one for the Under-12s and the Parent & Child event; another for Novices, which make up about 70/80% of the entry; and the third for the Seniors. There will be a 9:30am start, with the action continuing throughout the day.  SPORT CAPITAL GRANTS AVAILABLE Deputy Mattie McGrath is urging sporting organisations in South Tipperary / West Waterford to submit their applications for funding under the Sports Capital Grants 2008 as soon as possible. Speaking recently, Deputy McGrath said that the deadline for applications is this Friday, 29th February for paper-based applications, and Friday 7th March for on-line applications. “Special priority will be given to the development of facilities in disadvantaged areas, in line with Government policy, targeted at increasing participation in sport and physical recreation across all communities”, he writes. … “I urge all sports organisations, clubs, community groups, VECs and Local Authorities who wish to apply for this Grant to do so now”. MAUREEN’S MODELS Having been informed that the small and informal agency I have started is probably the first of its kind in the world, as it is an amateur model agency, I am delighted to say that we are under way already, with a booking for four girls on Wednesday 9th April for the Fashion Show in aid of the Autism Support Group, to be held in Cashel. This is exactly the sort of work I intended, as it will help out voluntary organisations by providing trained models. On top of this, I have been asked to compere - or perhaps I should say commere? It should be a fun and very worthwhile night out. I would now like to express my thanks to the Management of Cahir House Hotel, as I am being allowed to hold my training sessions for ‘Maureen’s Models’ in the Ballroom (as long as it has not been booked). This is a great help, as it really IS an amateur agency, with no fees charged, so I could never afford somewhere like this for the girls to practice.  The first date for training is the afternoon of 9th March, from 3pm, and anyone who is interested in talking to me about the possibility of modelling at charity events is welcome to come along, and to have a go too, if they wish. And of course, all those on the Panel should be there if possible. BINGO MANIA What a great night was had at Bingo on 19th February for the Children’s Hospital, Crumlin. A big crowd attended in the Community Hall, everyone was in top form. As a non-player onlooker, it is scare to see the look of excitement on people’s faces as they wait for one number, or despair as someone calls Check. But when young Eoin won the Jackpot, he was in such shock, Patsy Cunningham thought they would have to pick him up off the floor. So, well done Eoin. Patsy continues: “The Hampers went down well and added to the excitement. Thanks to all who played and thanks to all the Committee for running the night. “Don’t forget Kenny C in the Abbey Tavern on Saturday 1st March. It’s going to be a great night, thanks to Bernie Coady and her great staff for all their help. “For all you rockers out 6there, Loose Canons wilal be performing in The Castle Arms on 7th March. These lads are one of the best cover bands in the country. I can’t praise these guys enough and they are great friends of mine too. “The Motorbike Run is on the cards and it could be massive - the biggest gathering of motorbikes and enthusiasts ever to hit the roads of Munster…well, in my head it will be and only you can make it a reality. More information on this Run next. I would like Marshals to contact me - Pat Cunningham on 086 151 1853“. CAHIR PARK F.C. RACE NIGHT The Committee of the Club would like to thank everyone who helped to make their recent Race Night a success, especially all their Sponsors and those who turned up on the night. CHANGE TODAY - CHOOSE FAIRTRADE The focus of Fair Trade Fortnight 2008 is on the simple changes that Irish consumers and businesses can make to help the lives of people in developing countries. Nimrod Wimbette, a coffee producer from Uganda, says:  “Since joining the Fairtrade family, the horizon for us small farmers looks brighter with each harvest. The benefits include a guaranteed price for our produce and a social premium for economic and social projects such as roads and schools, which benefit all the people who live in the coffee-growing areas.” Meet Nimrod at Cahir House Hotel on Friday 29th February. The local Committee is fortunate to have Nimrod come join with us in Cahir House Hotel this coming Friday, from 3 to 5pm. Come along and hear him explain more fully the benefits of Fair Trade branding for himself, his family and fellow producers. Of course, cups of coffee will be available for all! Cahir Farmers’ Market. Come to meet Cahir Fair Trade Committee members, who will be displaying a variety of Fair Trade products at Cahir Farmers’ Market on Saturday morning, 8th March. CAHIR CAMOGIE CLUB Indoor Training will resume this Wednesday evening at 7pm at the Colaiste. It is hoped to start outdoor training for the u-12 team on Saturday 1st March at Duneske, from 11am to 12 noon, while the u-14 panel is requested to come to outdoor training on Sunday morning, 2nd March, also at Duneske, with the same starting time of 11am. School training will also commence this week, with a starting  time of 3pm in the school on Thursday 28th February. POULMUCKA FIANNA FAIL CUMANN The Club would like to express its deepest sympathy to the Quirke family, on the recent death of Patie Quirke of Ballingeary. Patie became Chairman of the Cumann in 1950, having taken over from the late Andy Moloney, Poulmucka. In that year also, Michael Barrett took over as Secretary and his nephew Michael holds that position today. A presentation was made to Patie in 2004 in Moloney’s Bar by Mattie McGrath, TD, at that time a Councillor with years of service to the party.  May Patie rest in peace. We would like all Cumann members to attend a special meeting of Tipperary South Cumanns in Cahir House Hotel on Friday 7th March at 8:30pm sharp.  This meeting will be addressed by Sean Dorgan, General Secretary. There will be a discussion on Local Election planning, followed by an Open Forum.  We look forward to seeing as many Cumann members as possible on the night. CAHIR ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION Here are the results of the Progressive 25s for Friday 22nd February:  Winners - 10 tables - Will O’Donnelll, Red Burke; Second - 9 tables - Joe Ahern, Josie Quinlan. The Lucky Table was won by Dave White, Willie O’Neil, Tom Burke, Tom Morrissey. The Raffle went to Maureen Maher, Willie O’Neil. The next game will take place this Friday, 29th February at 9pm. DAFFODIL DAY Just a reminder that the annual Daffodil Day in aid of the Irish Cancer Society takes place on Friday 7th March. Your support would be very much appreciated on the day, at the various venues throughout the town. CRAFT GRANARY Don’t forget the Children’s Craft Class in the Granary on 8th March! Details were in last week’s paper. Also, there will be a new Exhibition opening on 4th March, by Angela Byrne. It seems that this will be rather different, and should definitely not be missed. For further information about both events, please telephone Kathryn on 052 41473. COFFEE MORNING @ COUNTRY MARKET On Friday 15th February, Cahir Country Market held a Coffee Morning to raise funds for Cancer Research.  All Country Markets took part in this fundraiser. Cahir alone raised €600. A Raffle was held and everyone was treated to some lovely home-baked cakes and buns, as well as the usual seemingly endless supply of teas and coffees. All the proceeds will be presented to Cancer Research at the Cahir Country Market AGM in May. Cahir Country Market would also like to express their sincere thanks to members of South Tipperary Hospice, who helped on the day and also all who gave so generously. The ladies at Cahir Country Market would also like to remind everyone that produce such as rhubarb and daffodils come into season shortly, so make a trip to your local Country Market and you will be surprised at the range of local. Produce available. Many thanks to Maria Taylor for sending me the above, as I was unable to attend myself. MEETING ON CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH Dermot O’Brien, of O’Brien’s Pharmacy in Cahir, writes: “As you may be aware, almost 40% of deaths in Ireland are related to cardiovascular disease. As part of our own commitment to improve health, we at O’Brien’s Pharmacy will hold a meeting on this subject in the Minella Hotel, Clonmel on Monday 3rd March at 7:30pm. The objective of the meeting is to educate you on heart disease, risk factors for the condition, and to provide helpful information on how to lower heart disease. Ultimately, the aim is to empower men and women to take a proactive approach to their cardiovascular health and to take steps to reduce their risk. The meeting will feature a presentation on cardiovascular disease given by a Cardiologist, and a talk on lifestyle factors (diet, exercise) which will be given by a Nutritionist. There will also be a ‘Question and Answers” session, giving you an opportunity to raise any questions or concerns you may have. JOE AHERN'S OPENING NIGHT!! This Friday, Joe Og Ahern is opening his new project in Cashel - teh Steak House Rock.  This is next door to his Rock Shop, and the building has been completely renovated and refurbished.  The Steak House Rock is a lovely, romantic setting, and will be open from Tuesday's to Sunday's.  the hours for Sunday are 12 noon to 4pm and from Tuesday to Saturday they are open from 5pm to 10pm Best of luck, Joe, on what i am sure will be a resounding success. CAT OWNERS BEWARE!! I hear that poison has been laid in teh vicinity of the railway line and the bridge over the line on the Clonmel Road.  one much loved pet has died as a result, and other owners have reported two missing. Unless cats are being targeted (nasty thought) this poison must have been piut out very carelessly indeed.  Please, if you have to use poison, use it in a responsible manner. READERS’ NEWS & VIEWS As always, I am delighted to hear from readers at 10 Market Yard / 086 840 5020 or at the e-mail address above. As I am out and about a lot, it is perfectly safe to drop something in the letterbox - the dogs won’t eat it! I regret to say there has been some backsliding on the part of those who e-mail me - almost all communications this week were in VERY small print - no larger than 9 point. It is not difficult to increase the size, and it would make it much easier on the old eyes! If you can’t do it yourself, ask a child.