CAHIR NOTES WOMEN EMPOWERING WOMEN This unique and exciting day, organised on International Women’s day, is being created entirely by women, for women. It is packed full of everything in which women are interested, from Make-up and Fashion to Yoga, Tai Chi and and Relaxation Techniques, Personal Empowerment and more. A special guest speaker will open the day with a talk about their journey and the key moments that empowered them to create the success that they enjoy in their lives today.. The main body of the workshop is presented by Margaret Denmead-Kinney, am experienced NLP Life Coach and Hypnotherapist. She is dedicated to empowering her clients and is now utilising her skills and expertise to deliver The Empowered Woman training as the corner-stone of this exciting training. The Empowered Woman training is supported by a mini-workshop on goal-setting, focusing on using VISION BOARDS, a particular technique , as championed by ‘The Secret’ (Rhonda Byrne). The Vision Board workshop is delivered by Claire Boyles, Director and founder of Life Matters, an experience HR Manager, who has been working in the field of personal development for over a decade. This day is a wonderful opportunity, not only for you to treat yourself (you are worth it) but also for men to show just how much they appreciate and support their women, ideally timed as a give for International Women’s Day, or just as a reminder to say !I’m your biggest fan”. Hosted by the Radisson SAS 5 star Hotel in Stillorgan, this day is set to be both tranquil and inspiring. Refreshments and a light lunch are included in the full day package. Usually costing €250, as this is a celebration of women, by women, Life Matters is offering a special rate of €150 for the full day. This is an offer not to be missed. Tickets are already in high demad, so book now to ensure you take this wonderful opportunity, which is not only a fun day, but also a great way to invest time and energy into you - your greatest asset. Radisson 5 star Hotel, Stillorgan - 10am to 6pm on Saturday 8th March. This event may be of particular interest to Cahir, as Margaret Denmead-Kinney lives here. OUR LADY OF MERCY GIRLS PRIMARY SCHOOL The Parents Council would like to thank sincerely all those who gave so generously to their recent Church Gate Collection. Your generosity was gratefully appreciated. All the money was given directly to the School on the day of the collection. Go raibh mile maith agat. CAHIR YOUTH CLUB The Club held a fundraising Bag Pack at Dolan’s SuperValu recently. The organisers express their thanks to all the Junior Leaders and Club members who helped and to the Dolans and their staff, and all who contributed to raising the massive amount of €979. Over 60 Youth Club members had a Valentine’s Day Disco recently, at Cahir House Hotel. They were joined by clubs from Clonea Power, Killmackthomas and Ballyporeen.  All who attended are to be congratulated on their great behaviour. The organisers wish to express their thanks to the Management and staff of Cahir House Hotel and to Brian Mulcahy, who supplied the music.Thanks, too to all the adults who gave u p their night to supervise and Club Junior Leaders who did a great job of decorating the Hall. AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL The local Group will meet on Monday night next, 10th March at 8:30pm in Mikey Ryan’s pub in Cashel. The Group would like to thank all the shop-owners and businesses around the area, who very kindly displayed our Friendship Bracelet boxes over the last few weeks. Members can bring along any money raised from the sale of the bracelets to the meeting on Monday. All are welcome to attend this meeting. JIM O’CALLAGHAN BRIDGE CLUB Here are the results for 19th February:  1st - Pattie Gavin & Nancy Downey;  2nd - John Roy croft & Eamon Murphy; 3rd - Brid Roy croft & Teresa Curran. BREAKTHROUGH ON CE SCHEME SITUATION Following a number of high-level meetings between Deputy Mattie McGrath, Deputy Martin Mansergh and Senator Labhras O’Murchu with Departmental Officials, a three-month derogation has been agreed for all participants on CE Schemes in South Tipperary who were due to finish on 29th February, and indeed the coming weeks. Deputy McGrath and his colleagues would like to thank and compliment Minister Micheal Martin and his officials at the Department for agreeing to delay the proposed capping, and indeed to thank Local FAS Officials, Sponsored Groups, Supervisors and Participants for their forbearance and co-operation on the matter. This will now afford a three-month window of opportunity to get a final solution that will be acceptable to all the groups.  ‘THE STEAK HOUSE ROCK’ ROCKS! What a treat it was to visit Joe Og Ahern’s new establishment in Cashel, The Steak House Rock. He has acquired the building next to the Rock Shop and created a most attractive, welcoming and even romantic setting for his new venture. As well as a vast range of steaks on offer:  from 200g to 500g in weight in four different cuts (and of course an equal range in prices) there is a good choice of Starters and Main Courses, with a range of Sweets that changes daily. My fresh fruit Pavlova was the best I have had for years. It took ages to choose from the small but very well-balanced menu which is, thank goodness, written in plain English without adornment.  I finally settled on Smoked Irish Salmon, in which the fish is marinated  in single malt Bushmill’s whiskey & cracked pink peppercorns and served on hot potato cakes with crème fraiche. My companion had the Warm Salad of Cherry Tomatoes & Ardsallagh Artisan Goats’ Cheese. This was shared with me - well, I had a bite - and it was delicious. For Mains we had Piri Piri Chicken, which I love and have missed since coming to live here, and Lamb Burger, respectively. Again, both of us thoroughly enjoyed our choices. As well as the Accompaniments and Sauces for the steaks, of which there is a good choice, there is an interesting range of Side Dishes from which to choose. We had a glass of the House Red Wine, as the driver could only have a little, and I didn’t want her to have to pour me through my letter-box after drinking the rest of a whole bottle. This was a delicious Merlot, very full-bodied, that stood up to the Piri-Piri very well. Congratulations, Joe, on a lovely setting for lovely food. I know you will do very well there. Congratulations also to Liam, the creative Chef, and to the charming waitresses. By the way, there is also a very nice Bar and, for the Summer (fingers crossed) an attractive seating area outside. On top of all this, there is a private pathway into the Restaurant from the Rock Car Park - clearly marked, of course.  HATS GALORE The make room for new stock, Teresa O’Callaghan is selling off Hats at €15 each. They’d be ideal for ladies in Day Centres to decorate if they would like to be in with a chance for a Special Prize for Most Attractive Hat. Why not call to Teresa from 11am to 1pm or 2pm to 6. There is a large quantity to pick from. PIONEER T.A.A. NEWS The annual Pioneer Retreat will take place in the Presentation Convent Chapel on Palm Sunday, 16th March, at 2pm. The annual Pioneer Dinner Dance wkll be held on Friday 28th March at 8pm in Hotel Minella. Music will be by Johnny Barrett and all are welcome. Tickets are obtainable from 052 42145 or 052 41927. Congratulations to the members who recently received Gold and Silver badges at a special ceremony in St Mary’s Church. Badges were presented by Fr Michael Ryan to Peggy Loughman and Alec Quinn (Gold); Joan and Kathlees Loughman, Bosco Keane (Silver); and Sr Ambrose O’Neill, who received her Gold Badge at a special ceremony in Bramleigh Nursing Home. FATIMA: 20th MAY A week of peace and prayer. A seven day pilgrimage will depart Clonmel on Tuesday 20th May, with pick-up points in Cahir and Horse & Jockey. There will be full board accommodation in The Avenida, a 3-Star Hotel 400 ;yards from the Sanctuary. All rooms are en suite, with air conditioning, direct dial phone and satellite TV. There is also a comfortable bar. The cost of the trip is €704 per person sharing, with a single room  supplement of €20 per day.  Optional tours will be available during the week. For enquiries or to book, telephone Maureen Ahern in Cahir on 087 231 9639. CALL FOR DEFERRED IMPLEMENTATION Deputy Mattie McGrath has called on the Minister for Health & Children to defer the implementation of the proposed changes to Pharmaceutical Pricing. The Deputy has been contacted by numerous pharmacists and constituents, expressing their concerns about the availability and supply of medication if the proposed changes were implemented as of 1st March. Depity McGrath has requested that the Minister considers deferring any changes in relation to pharmaceutical pricing until such time as the results of the independent report, currently under way, has been completed and reported to the entire Houses of the Oireachtas. Although Deputy McGrath acknowledges that this matter has been well publicised and publicly debated, he believes that more time is needed to ensure that the Government’s final proposal represents the findings of the independent study that are expected within the next two months. FAIR TRADE WEEK IN CAHIR We enjoyed a very formative afternoon in Cahir House Hotel last Friday, with Nimrod Wambette, a coffee producer from Uganda, and Peter Gaynor, who is Director of Fair Trade Ireland. Many thanks to Barry Maher and the staff at the hotel for all their help. We are delighted to hear that in the next week, Cahir House will have a Fair Trade coffee option available, and are in the process of organising to have Fair Trade tea available on their menu. CAHIR LADIES’ CLUB The ladies enjoyed a Night at The Dogs in Clonmel on Saunday 24th February. Due tl the two Bank Holidays falling together, there will be no Club meeting until Monday 31st March. A meal will be sorted out for Friday 28th, more information later. CHURCH GATE COLLECTION Cahir Outreach Group for the Chernobyl Children’s Project International will hold their annual Church Gate Collection next weekend, on Saturday and Sunday 8th and 9th March in Cahir, Ballylooby, Duhill and Clogheen. Your generous support will be very much appreciated. WHELAN’S FUNDRAISER The Whelan family would like to express their sincere thanks to all who contributed in any way to the fundraiser. The total amount raised is €13,640. Cheques will be presented to Cahir and Carrick-on-Suir River Rescue in the Village Inn, Ballylooby on Friday 14th March at 9:30pm. All are welcome. CAHIR CAMOGIE With a real touch of Spring in the air, it was great to see some of our teams back out training over the weekend. The u-12s were out at Duneske with Mary and Jane from 11am on Saturday morning, while the u-16 girls, alone with Marie and Jo, were using the main GAA pitch for their session. On Sunday morning, the u-14 girls met with Sally, Michael and Anthony at 11am at Duneske. It is hoped to see more girls taking part in the training sessions from now on, as championship games are not too far off. It was also great to see so many at school training on Thursday where 4th, 5th and 6th classes were out with Marie and Mary. We will take a break from Indoor Camogie next week for Easter and we have now been supplied with helmets, which can be bought from any of the Club Officers at a cost of €40, which we can assure you is great value. Club Membership is now due, too., with Adult membership at €20 and Players at €10. Membership Forms can be had from the Club Treasurer, Jo Burke or from any of the Team Management. FIANNA FAIL CAHIR COMHAIRLE CEANNTAIR At a meeting of Cahir Comhairle Ceanntair held on Thursday 28th February, the cumann delegates were informed that a Special Meeting of Tipperary South CDC will take place on Friday 7th March at 8:30 sharp at Cahir House Hotel. All members of the Party in Tipperary South are invited. It is hoped that you will be able to attend. SCULPTURE TRAIL The sculptors were at work at the foot of the steps to the Dovecote on Friday and Saturday, in conditions that were far from ideal. However, they were under cover and working away apparently quite happily. I “made my mark” on a piece of slate, and that was enough to make me realise what a difficult skill this is to acquire. I’m looking forward to the finished work. TIDY TOWNS I really love the planting and the planters that decorate The Square. The small Bulbs growing up through the Violas look lovely. However, the Fountain would be much more attractive if there was an alternative rubbish bin for people to use - at the moment it looks disgusting. And on my walk down to see the Sculpture Trail, after the Fair Trade meeting in Cahir House, I went down past the Dovecote, and was horrified to see the mass of rubbish on the way there, under the hedge. Who is responsible for clearing this area? THE CHELTENHAM CHALLENGE Tickets are now for sale for the bit of Cheltenham Festival Fun that Cahir Development is organising once again. Joe Walsh has very kindly given us the use of the shop front next to the Lazy Bean, and you can also purchase tickets, at €40, from The Heritage, The Bell, and the Business & Training Centre. Just to remind readers, for the purchase of a ticket, either on your own or to share with others, you get to choose a horse from each of the four televised races for each of the four days of the Festival. Points are awarded as follows:  a Winner = 100 points; Second = 60 points and Third = 40 points. The overall winner each day receives €150 and at the week’s end the ticket owner/s with the most points gets €1,000, 2nd received €300 and 3rd gets €200. You may remember that the Caplice Family were the big winners last year, and I am sure they will be having a go again in 2008. Best of luck to you all. If your choice is scratched or doesn’t start, your bet is put on the favourite unless you have expressed another choice. READERS’ NEWS & VIEWS All communications are welcome at 10 Market Yard / 086 840 5020 and at the e-mail address above. Please let me have a contact number if you can.