CAHR NOTES TIDY CAHIR COMPETITION Cllr Andy Moloney is pleased to announce that a generous sponsor of Tidy Towns has come forward to co-sponsor a Town Competition. This sponsor will be revealed at a later stage, when all the details of the competition are finalised. He also states that this main  sponsor has been generous in their praise for the works that have been carried out in the first year of the Town Landscaping Plan. However, the Tidy Towns group that meets monthly, and is growing each time, has concerns about areas of the town that need attention. Following their recent meeting, the Council staff have been addressing these issues, and hopefully they can be resolved. Cllr Moloney has said that he is pleased with the appeal for businesses to paint the exteriors of their premises and that a great effort has been made. It is hoped that a Shopfronts Section will be included in the Tidy Cahir Competition and he is seeking sponsors of the individual sections, which will be presented at an Awards Evening in early September. He says that this is an ideal opportunity for anyone to get their name on the list of sponsors, in what will be an exceptional evening. Final details of these sections and the competition in general will not be completed until it is know what areas will be sponsored. The results of the first year of the Plan are to be seen with the lovely flower beds, planters and approach roads. Getting people out talking to each other, too, while doing a litter collection is more important than anything in this changing society. Along with the shop fronts, prizes will be awarded for small front gardens, large front gardens, estates, streets, displays of baskets & window boxes where there is no garden, and approach roads. There will also be a prize for the most improved estate.  It is important that a representative from each area attends the meetings. Anyone wishing to sponsor a category and be part of the Awards Ceremony should drop a line to Cllr Moloney or telephone him on 086 360 9110. The meetings of the Cahir Enhancement / Tidy Towns group will take place on the last Wednesday of the month from now on, making Wednesday 25th June the date for this month. The venue is The Shamrock Lounge, and the time is 7:30pm. CAHIR DISTRICT TOWN DARTS LEAGUE Starting on 27th June, the above Darts League, which is sponsored by Ladbrokes Bookmakers, will take place. The competition will run for 10 weeks and anyone interested can contact 086 869 2110. Watch this space for the results. BUTLER CHARTERIS HALL RE-OPENS Built in 1870 by Lady Charteris as the Parochial School of St Paul’s Parish in Cahir, this is now the Butler Charteris Hall. It is owned by the VEC and is leased to Cahir parishioners and the Historical Society at a nominal rent. A major restoration has been completed, but a toilet has yet to be installed. A new wicket gate has been made in the boundary wall with St Paul’s Church grounds. The Cahir FAS team and John Buckley of the Church of Ireland FAS, Parishioners and Historical Society member Liam Roche are undertaking to continue to restore the grounds by  painting and laying flagstone paving to the wicket gate, to fulfil local contributions to the restoration, which is aided by the County Council. The re-opening event was a Cake & Bric-a-Brac Sale on Sunday 1st June. As always, the Cahir community was supportive and willing helpers acted as sales people with parishioners. Over €900 was raised towards internal painting fund for St Paul’s OUR LADY OF MERCY NS PARENTS’ COUNCIL The Parents’ Council of Our Lady of Mercy Primary School organised a lovely function last Friday morning at the school. Not only did the school win the INTO Mini 7s in Camogie, but they also went on to win the competition in Football too. This was a tremendous honour for the school and the Parents’ Council decided that it was only fitting that the occasion should be marked. Each player on both teams received a framed photograph and along with this, every player from the school who participated in either Camogie or Football during the year received a specially crafted key ring, which were kindly sponsored by Darren Ward Jewellers, here in Cahir. When the Parents’ Council were organising this celebration, they did not realise that the school would go on to win more honours last week, when they brought not only the U-11 A Camogie Cumman na mBunscol title, but also went on to bring the U-13 A title to the school also.  What talent in one school! In recognition of the work put in by Principal Pat O’Malley and school Coaches Martin Halpin, Marie Casey and Mary Howard, the Parents’ Council presented them with engraved pens as a token of their appreciation. Framed photographs of the teams were presented to Pat O’Malley too, to keep in the school for years to come. CAHIR GAA SUMMER CAMP   Cahir GAA Summer Camp will take place in Duneske from 14th July to 18th July, catering for boys and girls from 6 to 16 years of age.  The weeks activities will suit both the beginner and the more experienced.  It has been a huge success every year since it inception. Through the GAA activities, the development of skills and practice matches each day play a large part in its success, it has to be said that the water fight on the last day is hugely popular!   Enrolment will be on the first day.      A group of Cahir U10 players who travelled to the Cork vs. Tipperary match ROSEMOUNT RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION The next monthly meeting will take place on 25th June at 8 o’clock in the room over the Shamrock Lounge. This will be the last meeting until Sep[tember, when they will resume. All residents are welcome. The Committee would like to thank the County Council for giving them the planters from outside the Tourist Office, they are much appreciated. They would also like to thank Declan Slattery, who was sho helpful last Saturday, for bringing them up to Rosemount. Last, but not least, they would like to thank Brian Jones and Muriel McGuire who gave up their Saturday afternoon to get this work done. STRAWBERRY DAY! Cahir Farmers’ Market will have a Strawberry Day this Saturday to celebrate the strawberry season. Con Trass, of The Apple Farm, will have his vintage tractor at the Market, loaded with strawberries, and this will be the focal point of the Market. The Apple Farm is a great  local producer and has been with the Market since the beginning. Every week their stall has apple juice and many different mixes of apple with other fruits. They also stock cider, cordial, jams, Baylough cheeses and, depending on seasonality - apples, strawberries, plums, raspberries and pears. So go along and visit this Saturday and every week. CAHIR OUTREACH GROUP FOR THE CHERNOBYL CHILDREN’S PROJECT This week, the guests from Belarus enjoyed a lovely Barbecue organised by the 7th Tipp Scouts with Scout Leader Kevin Hubbard and Ellen along with Scouts Marie and Sean Duggan. Thanks are expressed to them all for such a lovely evening, despite the inclement weather. Kool School organised the entertainment for the children and Pat O’Malley, Principal of the Girls’ Primary School, organised the venue. Pictured  is Brid Brennan, a Host Parent, who completed the Mini Marathon for the Project, presenting a cheque for €1,350 for the Homes of Hope Project to Group Leader Geraldine Byron. Also in the photo are children from Petrikov, Belarus, and interpreter Olga Druzhkova. CAHIR FLOWER & GARDEN CLUB The Club’s monthly meeting will be held in the Catherine McAuley Room on Wednesday 25th June at 8pm. This is a Work Night with the theme ‘My Favourite Container’, so take along flowers, foliage, oasis etc, suitable for the container being used. The Bus for the Club outing will be leaving the Castle Car Park on Saturday 28th June at 8:300pm. POULMUCKA PLOUGHING ASSOCIATION This Association, together with South Tipperary Ploughing, would like to extend sincere congratulations to Mr Eddie Hally on his recent appointment as National Chairman of NPA - the National Ploughing Association. No doubt this position will be no challenge to Eddie, with his ploughing experience, and his involvement with local ploughing in South Tipperary.  Eddie was previously Vice-Chairman of NPA, regularly meeting Ploughing Clubs and competitors of all the various classes throughout the country. With such experience and vision Eddie will enjoy and work well with all concerned. At present, all ploughing matches are over and in the not too distant future we will be looking forward to the National Ploughing Championships in Farmley, Cuffsgrange Co Kilkenny from 23rd to 25th September. NO VOTE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GOVERNMENT South Tipperary Sinn Fein spokesperson Muiris O’Suilleabhain has this week described the Lisbon Treaty result as an opportunity for the government to seek a better deal for Ireland. “Brian Cowen will be attending his first European Council meeting as Taoiseach next Friday. He needs to set out his stall for the re-negotiation of the Lisbon Treaty. The No vote, particularly because of the high turnout, gives the Taoiseach a strong mandate on which to return to the negotiating table. “Among the very practical and reasonable issues which Sinn Fein believe can be delivered are: - The retention of a permanent Commissioner; The retention of existing voting strength at the Council; Retention and strengthening of key strategic vetoes on tax, public services and international trade; Maintenance of the absolute right of Irish citizens to have the final say in any significant changes to the EU treaties; Specific article protecting our neutrality; Specific protocol explicitly exempting vital public services from rules of competition and state aid; Opt outs from expenditure on nuclear power and military capabilities; Inclusion of social progress clause and greater protection for workers’ rights; Active promotion of fair trade over free trade; Strengthening of the role of member state parliaments and of citizens. “If these changes can be secured by the Government, they will go a long way to addressing the concerns of the electorate and the reasons they voted against this treaty, and would have the support of Sinn Fein and undoubtedly others who campaigned against the Lisbon Treaty”. MINI MARATHON Pictured is a group of New Inn ladies as they awaited the bus to take them to the Mini Marathon in Dublin recently. This trip was organised by Catherine Flanagan in aid of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin, for which charity approximately €4,000 was raised. The ladies wish to thank everyone who donated.   Pictured left to right are Geraldine Connolly, Breeda Culleton, Diane Moore, Sandra English, Frances Keating, Phil Ryan, Miriam McGivern, Catherine Flanagan, Anne Doherty, Denise Moloney, Anne Hickey, Sarah Rylands, Helena Buckley, Amy Quinn, Kate Ryan and Michelle McCann.   Missing from photo are Liz Cronin, Siobhan O'Donnell, Bridget Tobin, Denise Moloney, and Janette Blair CAHIR CAMOGIE NEWS Once again, this week has proved another successful one for our U 12  team, with a strong win over Thurles in the B championship. The match was played last Tuesday evening in Duneske. We saw very much improved play from the likes of Roisin Cositgan, Katie Farrell and Heather Lambert, while we were treated to some exhibition camogie from the sticks of Emma Buckley and Ashling McCarthy.   Great scores from Ashling Moloney and Roisin Howard, as well as strong goalkeeping from Keely Halpin, ensured another victory for this talented squad.   The U10 team accepted a very nice and welcomed invitation from Moyle Rovers to a Blitz in Monroe last Saturday. Seventeen girls went, along with their parents and friends, and they played quite a good few games over the course of the morning. It was a very enjoyable morning which saw some great play from the girls with Lauren Noonan, Rachel O Donnell, Lauren Enright and Kirsty Arbuckle working particularly well on the field. CONGRATULATIONS! Susan Foley and Niall Morrisson are getting married this Saturday at Susan’s home in Kells, Co Meath, and after their honeymoon will be returning to Cahir to live ‘over the shop’. I have no doubt that everyone who knows them will join with me in wishing this lovely couple the very best of everything for their future together. (I do hope there will be at least one photo for the paper!) ST. KIERAN’S F.C. This Club would like to notify its Club members as well as anyone who wishes to join, that its pre-season training will start on Tuesday 1st July at 7pm sharp at the Duneske Sports Complex and will continue for 2 hours after players are out on the pitch. St Kieran’s FC has gone from strength to strength in its short history, winning the 3rd and 4th Division Shields and the title in Division 4 last season. Also winning the Peter O’Reilly Cup and promotion from Division 3 this season. They credit their success to the commitment of their players and the great team spirit within the Club both on and off the pitch. The management of St Kieran’s is aware of the improvement in standard between Division 2 and the previous two divisions that they have played in, and they ask that all current and new players realise this too and give their full support to the management team in training. CAHIR ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION Birr Castle. The day tour on Wednesday 11th June turned out to be an exceptional success. Starting at 8:15am, members cruised in comfort to Birr Castle. After light refreshments they set out to explore the Castle and grounds, including the Giant Telescope, the Suspension Bridge, Waterfall Point, the Ice House, the Lake and many other interesting features. Onward to Tullamore Distillery for the grand tour and complimentary drinks afterwards. The next port of call was the Clonmacnoise & West Offaly Railway, where the more adventuress members tried their hand at cutting turf. Last stop of the day was the Dolley’s Hotel for a welcome meal, and then they made their return home to Cahir, arriving at 10:30pm. Thanks are expressed to their Secretary, Bob Condon, for a successful and enjoyable day out. Autumn Break, Galway Bay Hotel. The three-day break will start on Sunday 31st August. Results of the Progressive 25s Card Game. This took place on Friday 13th June and the Joint Winners, with 12 games, were Mary English, Bridget Condon, Agnes Hyland and Peg Reidy. The Lucky Table was won by Sadie Caplice, Chi Chi Caplice, Tress Dugan and Anne Lonergan and the Raffle by Ted Clarke and Agnes Hyland. The Next Game will take place this Friday, 20th June and all are welcome. CAHIR PARK LADIES’ SOCCER CLUB Tipperary Cup, 1st Round. Sunday 15th June at Sallypark. Cahir Park 2 Sallypark 0. In a competitive Cup game, defences were in control, with few scoring opportunities in the first half. Played on a well-prepared playing surface, in blustery conditions, Cahir Park’s work-rate improved and some impressive moves from the left byDominique Hallinan, Claire Peters and Alison Lonergan set up Edith Carroll for the first goal, in the 60th minute. Several scoring chances created by Cahir’s Alison Lonergan, Jennifer Grant and Patrece Ryan were saved by the goalkeeper, with other efforts going over the bar. Sallypark went all out for the equaliser. However, a swift attack by Cahir gave Patrece Ryan the chance to power in a 15 metre shot high into the net for the 2nd goal. A great team effort by Cahir Park. Player of the Match was Dominique Hallinan. The Cahir Park Panel: A Gordzieyczyiek, S O’Donnell,  J McMahon, C Carroll, C Peters, E Carroll, C Nagle,  J Grant, A Lonergan, A-M Noonan, D Hallinan,  P Ryan. The Referee was Jimmy McCarthy (North Tipperary League). DEVASTATING LIVE REGISTER INCREASES IN CAHIR Local TD Tom Hayes has called upon the government and all TDs to work together to tackle the worrying rise in numbers of people on the Live Register. The increases in Tipperary South were of particular concern, with an increase of 36% in S Tipperary and a particularly unsettling 58% increase in Cahir. The figures, from May 2008, when measured against those of May 2007, are worrying in the extreme and reflect the fact that rising unemployment is not only in the housing/construction sector, but across all areas of the economy. “Cahir has seen an increase of 58%, or 201 people, since last year to 571 in May 2008, while it was only 361 people at this time last year. This figure is simply devastating to the area and indicates a trend that we need to stop in its tracks. With high profile job losses in Clonmel - in Bulmers and Marriott Radiators - a major fall in the number of jobs in the Cahir area and the postponement of the Marlfield project, these numbers are of major concern to me and to all Cahir locals”, Tom Hayes said. “Cahir is a fantastic town, with hard-working people, fantastic connectivity to the rest of the country and a place where people can have a great quality of life. We need to tackle these worrying increases of almost 60% in people on the Live Register and reverse this development I will be doing my all to achieve that aim”. “My first instinct is to ask the IDA to step up to the mark and bring potential investors to our localily, which is perfect for foreign investment from the point of view that it is a  fantastically well-connected location with an educated workforce. In my my opinion the IDA need to counter the fact that they have arranged no visits from investors to the constituency in over two years, and this would be a good start to tackling today’s troubling figures. I have also invited the Joint Dail Committee of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to make another visit to the South Tipperary constituency, which would serve to get all politicians working from the same page on this issue”, Tom Hayes commented. CAHIR & DISTRICT LALDIES’ CLUB The ladies will be meeting for their final night before the Summer break on Monday 23rd June, to finish matters up.  Please can as many members as possible attend, so that they can organise a few things for September. They will be going on their Summer Trip to Killarney on Sunday 5th July, with a stop-off on the way for breakfast and another on the way home for an evening meal. The bus will leave the Castle Car Park at 8:30 that morning. CAHIR DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY LOTTO The Jackpot total is now €4,600 for this week. Last week’s numbers, in the draw witnessed by Joan Loughman, were 2; 4; 23 and 24. The five Lucky Dip winners, each of whom received €30, were: Breda Harper, Lisava; John Murphy, Townspark; Koga Judo Club, Husseytown; Michael Kehoe, Clonmore North and Darren Ward, Clonmore South, all in Cahir. Tickets for the Community Lotto can be purchased up to the last minute, which is noon on Wednesdays, from the Business & Training Centre (in its lovely new setting off the Square). All the profits go to the Dunheske Leisure Centre. SINCERE APOLOGIES When writing about The Punters’ Rest for last week’s issue, I completely overlooked the fact that John O’Loughlan had been the landlord  of this pub for four years, under his own name, during which time he made significant improvements to the pub. Sorry about that John, it wasn’t intentional. A LOT OF GOOD EATING While my son was here last week, we did some serious restaurant-crawling, and he was very impressed with the increased availability of good food in the Cahir area. On one particularly indulgent day, we had breakfast and coffee in the Lazy Bean, (some things never change) lunch at Galileo (love the new Tuna Piri-Piri) and dinner at The Bell. It was the first time I had eaten there in the evening since the return of Michael Real, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. What looks like a straightforward pub-grub menu is turned into something very special by Michael’s skill. I had the best Fish & Chips that I have eaten for years. Even the Sauce Tartare was homemade and there was plenty of it. Just as well as Yain was dipping his chips into it as well. My son is something of an aficionado of burgers, and rated Michael’s very highly. Of course, as we had starved all day (!) we had starters - mine was deep-fried Brie, which is a long time favourite of mine, and there was LOTS - can’t remember what Yain had. And then we had pudding as well! The whole meal was delicious, and the atmosphere at The Bell is so relaxed and friendly that we really enjoyed ourselves. What a great place to have practically on my doorstep. READERS’ NEWS & VIEWS Keep them coming to 10 Market Yard / 086 840 5020 or to the e-mail address above. And do please remember that, as South Tipp Today is now available at various outlets on Tuesday evening, I really do need your news in as early as possible. I HATE working on Sundays.