CAHIR NOTES ‘SWISS’ OFFICIALLY RE-OPENED It was good to be at the official re-opening of Swiss Cottage last Friday, by Mr Noel Ahern TD. He is Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works - quite a mouthful! The first time I was down there was for the very grand opening of this lovely cottage orne in 1989. This was the first outside catering job for the new owners of Cahir House Hotel, where I was chef-ing. Those who know me won’t be surprised to hear that I tripped over one of the pots of flowers decorating the entrance to the marquee and damaged my right hand, so thereafter I had to serve the food with my left. Some things never change. After 20 years the cottage needed refurbishing, and the OPW took the opportunity offered by the tree falling across the bridge and damaging it to do a great job. Just one season was lost, and the bridge and the entrance to the cottage look great. I didn’t have the energy to climb all those steps, but Bernie Cummins was there for the paper too, and she will have the ‘inside story’ elsewhere. The entrance to the Swiss Cottage, when it was built, was intended to be hidden. Indeed, the secrecy was so effective that, even with signposting, modern-day visitors sometimes complained about not being able to find it. So a compromise has been made, and there is now a paved area and some raised beds, which guide people towards the steps. There will also be some tubs of flowers here, and I have no doubt that when the planting in the new beds has matured, the effect will be softened and  the hard edges will blend in well. The re-opening took place on a lovely morning, and everyone enjoyed being in that beautiful setting. The bridge looks superb, and some great work has been done. It was good to see the men who had worked on the site among the invited guests, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. John Malone’s Galtee Inn supplied the nibbles, which were delicious - especially the stuffed chicken, wrapped in bacon, dipped in batter and deep-fried. Press Release 21st April, 2008 McGrath welcomes the re-opening of the Swiss Cottage Deputy Mattie McGrath in a statement today, Monday 21st April, has expressed his delight that one of South Tipperary’s most popular tourist attractions, the Swiss Cottage in Cahir was re-opened for the public to visit on Friday last, 18th April by the Minister for Public Works, Mr Noel Ahern T.D. Deputy McGrath said, “Cahir possesses some of the most spectacular tourist attractions in the whole of Ireland. The Swiss Cottage which is now known as the Jewel of the South is a spectacular asset to the Cahir Area, County Tipperary and indeed the Country.” Deputy McGrath continued, “Extensive repair work to the access bridge over the River Suir has been completed. The wooden shingles on the roof of the veranda and some of the oak tree trunks which support the veranda have been replaced. The exterior of the Cottage was also painted. The car park has been resurfaced and a new CCTV system has been put in place. This work was completed at the cost of €0.5 million.” Concluding Deputy McGrath thanked Minister Ahern for performing the re-opening and for visiting the Cottage and he urges the public to visit this spectacular attraction. Deputy Mattie McGrath Newcastle Clonmel  052 29155 086 8184307   MATCH ATTAX TRADING DAY This Saturday, 26th April, children are invited to go along and trade their Match Attax card at the Duneske Leisure Centre Fitness Studio from 3 to 5pm. Also, one of the All-Weather apitches will be available for children to have a kick-around if they wish. Parents are reminded that a responsible person must accompany children. Children from all schools are invited, so go along and join in the fun. My congratulations to Chris Richards, who had this great idea and is organising the Match Attax trading. CAHIR FLOWER & GARDEN CLUB The Club is holding its monthly meeting in the Catherine McAuley Room on Wednesday 30th April at 8pm. A Bring and Buy sale for plants, containers and bric-a-brac will take place, and all items are welcome except books. Everything will be shld by auction. At the meeting, names and deposits will be taken for the outing in 3rd June. New and ‘old’ patrons are most welcome. VOLUNTEERISM IS NOT DEAD It was a good thing I was able to attend the last Cahir Enhancement/Tidy Towns meeting, that was held in the Shamrock Lounge (many thanks to Hughie and Margaret) last week. I had missed the previous meeting, and an awful lot has happened in the meantime. What has become most obvious to me is that, since I became unable to walk all over the town and keep an eye on what was going on, is that littering has taken on a whole new dimension. When an area is cleared one day, it is almost as bad again the very next. So my apologies to all those who are working hard, trying to keep the tide of rubbish at bay. But why has everything got so bad? Have parents any idea what their children are up to when they are out of the house? Drinking outdoors (illegal) by minors (illegal) seems to be prevalent, and their cans and bottles are everywhere. However, on a happier note, there is an unprecedented number of volunteers giving their time to help to keep Cahir as it should be. If there is anyone reading this piece who would like to help too, please give me a ring - or contact anyone in your area who you know is already at work. Vandalism is on the increase, too, with the Earl of Glengall’s tomb, at St Paul’s Church, being the most recent target. And less than a month ago, the lovely wildlife sign by the river was burned to a crisp. The artist and her husband, who makes the signs, ‘put it out of its misery’ by removing the remains. They were in Cahir at the time, repairing the other vandalised signs, one of which was so bad that the artwork had to be removed to be cleaned and retouched, and then replaced and re-perspexed. The Perspex used is industrial weight, so it is no easy job to smash it and it must take a very determined assault. But so too must the Earl’s tomb. Unless there is Grant Aid, it will be impossible to replace the two signs that have been totally destroyed, as it will cost €4,500. The first to go was the gorgeous two-sided sign at the entrance to the Inch, with the swan on it. This vandalism has been going on for years, but does seem to be getting worse. Is there an answer? Apart, that is, from the Cahir Youth Club coming into being. Ann Ryan has been a wonderful co-ordinator for the Cahir Enhancement/Tidy Towns Group. She is about to take maternity leave, and will be sorely missed. Ann has supplied me with a flow of information about what is going on, and where, that will be invaluable for the Tidy Towns competition application - I have never been so well prepared, or had so much help. With more people coming on board to help all the time, so that Cahir will indeed by immaculate, plus the beautiful work done by Grangemore, and the terrific support given by the Council, I have high hopes of the town getting into double figures for the first time for a very, very long time. (Since the days of Gerry Sheehan and his buddies). Because Cahir deserves it! FUNDRAISER FOR CANCER RESEARCH On Saturday 3rd May, Joanne Barrett, of Cahir, is holding a fundraiser in aid of Cancer Research in Kilcoran Lodge Hotel.   The night will include music by the Rebel Hearts, a bar extension, set dancers, finger food and a raffle and will start at 9pm. Tickets are €10 are available from Joanne, who can be contacted on 086 403 0860. You will find her number on the posters that are up around the town. INTERIOR CONCEPTS SALE ! I strongly recommend shoppers to take advantage of the sale at Interior Concepts, as I have just spent a happy quarter of an hour or so trying on scraps of hats, jewellery and so on, which are on sale at ridiculously low prices, and which are absolutely gorgeous. If someone took me racing, I would definitely be in the running for Best Dressed in these lovely things. (And they wouldn't frighten the horses!) MUST-SEE EXHIBITION I strongly recommend that anyone with the remotest interest in art, amd particularly sculpture, should visit the Craft Granary to see the current exhibition there. The people involved with the Sculpture Trail are exhibiting their work, and there are also some wonderful pieces in wood, a gloriously colourful wall hanging, and much more, including all the study work that is carried out to begin with. There is no charge to see the exhibition, which is on the first floor, above the shop, in the Craft Granary.   I will be back to take pictures when there are fewer bodies around. Congratulations to one and all. Seanie Lonergan opened the exhibition with a few well-chosen words, after being introduced by Tina Looby (who taught sculpture when I was on the VTOS course - one of the best years I have had). CAHIR CAMOGIE NOTES This week it was the turn of our U14 players to make their debut in this years championship. Their opponents were our near neighbours, NewInn. With a fine bright evening if somewhat cold for the spectators on the side line, the field at Duneske was awash with the green and white of Cahir and the blue and white of NewInn. We knew we would be in for a hard and competitive game and neither side left us down with the winning of the game only in the final call of the referees whistle.   The opening score of the game came from that unique talent from Poulmucka, Ashling Moloney, who powered over a beautiful point. NewInn left us no time to languish in our lead and answered our score with another very well taken point. A free for Cahir taken by full back Emma Corcoran, found its way into the hands of Kirsty Downey who made no mistake in passing a quick low ball in to Ashling where it was then landed into the back of the net and the first goal for Cahir. Another goal by the wonderful Roisin Howard was again answered by NewInn leaving the score at half time, Cahir 2-1 NewInn1-1.   Back out on the field for the second half it was NewInn who opened the scoring with a superbly taken goal. They were piling on the pressure at centre field and some fine players from NewInn were really forcing the best out of the Cahir team. Emma Corcoran was solid as always at full back while Emma Buckley at centre back was reading the ball with an expert eye.   One of the newcomers to the Cahir side, Heather Lambert, showed great promise and no doubt with a few more training sessions will start really making her mark on the game. Clionagh Higgins was working very hard around the centre of the pitch and a fine pass into Ashling Moloney almost reached the back of the net, except the goal post got in the way, but corner forward Rachel O Dwyer had moved quickly in near the square and was at the right place at the right time to connect with the sliothar and put it away for Cahir's third goal.   But yet again NewInn came back and sent over a succession of points to leave Cahir with only a two point advantage. Somehow, after what seemed like a tremendous amount of work, the ball found its way into the Cahir forward line. And out she came, Ms. Moloney, like a bolt of lightening, bending her back low, scooping the ball into her hand, shortening her hurley and blasting the ball past the keeper.   Another fine point from the stick of Roisin Howard edged the referee's watch on to full time and it was with relief that Anthony, Michael and Sally heard the wonderful sound of the whistle to say it was all over. With a score line of Cahir 4-2 to NewInn's 2-6 it was a wonderful exciting start to this years championship.   The Junior team did not have such a great preformance when they lined out against Moyle Rovers on Thursday night last in Monroe. Rovers proved to be much too strong and experienced for the Cahir girls and came away with a comprehensive victory. CAHIR YOUTH CLUB The recent Church Gate Collection for the Club raised the substantial amount of €890.54. The organisers would like to thank most sincerely all who contributed so generously and also to acknowledge all who assisted at the tables. A small, hard-working and dedicated Committee is working actively to provide a resource facility for the young people in Cahir and the surrounding areas. With the obvious lack of facilities in the town and the mounting pressure facing young people today, this facility is much overdue. The Committee is working closely with the agencies involved and hope to see their dedication come to fruition in the very near future. Any local businesses or individuals who are interested in contributing to this very worthy project should contact the Chairperson, Anne Heffernan, on 086 267 1646 or the Treaserer, John Brady, on 086 306 5822. READY TO GO! The Rosemount Residents are ready for their big Community Clean Up in the area this Saturday, starting at 10am. The meeting place is at the first roundabout opposite the gates of Duneske - near Butler’s Court. They would love everyone and anyone to go along and get involved, and all you need to take is a pair of garden or kitchen gloves. They have the support of the local County Council and the Environmental Department. There are also outside volunteers who are going to help. The organisers feel that it would be great if each area within Rosemount had a representative, so their needs could be met. Take the kids along too - this should be fun. The Group’s last meeting in The Shamrock was very well attended and the Association is going from strength to strength. Pat English is the Community Garda. He attended the meeting and told residents who complained about speeding traffic and boy racers to get the car numbers and report them to the Station. A bit thank you is sent to Niall Grogan of Grangemore, who is going to fix and plant the two roundabouts on the Link Road. Due to bad weather, Wally Costigan has not been able to finish his work on inserting the area names on the big stones. This will be done shortly. Lastly, it is requested that people around the lake look out for the beautiful swans, that have come back. If anyone is seen causing any harm to them, please phone the Gardai immediately. Last year a terrible incident was allowed to happen. Please don’t let it happen this year. [Amen to that] And this seems a good place to announce that the Cahir Tidy Towns Competition will be recommenced this year, with all the usual classes: Best Small Front Garden; Best Large Front Garden; Best Kept Estate; Best Window Boxes & Baskets (for those with no garden); Best Shop Front; Best Kept Road other than approach road; and a new one:  Most Improved Estate. The others are going to have to go some if they are going to beat Rosemount. CAHIR DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY LOTTO Joan Loughman witnessed the draw last week, that produced numbers 14, 15, 17 and 26. The five Lucky Dip winners were:  Edmund Burke Jr, Jamestown, Clonmel; Adrian Condon, Ballydrehid; Liam & Hilary Tarrant, Knockmorris; Lily O’Connor, Bruff, Co Limerick and Win Magner, Avondale Court. That’s quite a spread of addresses, isn’t it? The Jackpot total stands at €3,400 for this week’s draw, and tickets can be purchased up to the last minute- noon - from the Business & Training Centre. All the  profits from the Community Lotto go to the Duneske Leisure Complex. 22nd ANNIVERSARY OF CHERNOBYL DISASTER Chernobyl Children’s Project International was established by Adi Roche in 1991 to improve the quality of life of thousands of children and their communities in the heart of the Chernobyl zone. To date, CCPI has delivered over €73 million-worth of aid and brought over 16,000 children into Ireland on life-enhancing Rest & Recuperation holidays. The overall objective of the Project is to develop medical and humanitarian programmes that facilitate long-term, sustainable community-based solutions. Your contribution will make a difference to CCPI’s Key Programme Areas: Medical Care Programmes, including cardiac, community and hospice care and life-saving operations and surgery; Rest & Recuperation Programmes; Day Care Centre Development; Homes of Hope Project; Aid Direct Humanitarian Aid Programme; Building and Construction Programme. To mark the Anniversary of the nuclear disaster, the Transition Year Students of Colaiste Dun Iascaigh have agreed to sell the Russian Doll pins locally. The pins are €3 each. Please support this very worthy cause. Needless to say, the organiser of all the great work done by the Cahir Outreach Group is Geraldine Byron.   CAHIR ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION Sun Holiday to Portugal this September. Rosemary Morrissey from Fogarty Travel will attend the next monthly meeting to answer questions and finalise travel arrangements. Members and their friends wishing to take up this offer, please leave their names and contact numbers with any member of the Committee. Trip to Killarney, 28th April. The bus leaves the Day Care Centre at 1pm sharp, taking members on a three days and three nights  short break at the Gleneagles Hotel. Results of the last Progressive 25s Card Game.  Winners, with 9 games, were Willie O’Neil and Dave White. Joint second, with 8 games, were Ciss o’Neill, Willie O’Donnell, Chi Chi Caplice, Sadie Caplice, Margaret Quinlan and Michael Whelan.  The Lucky Table was won by Tom McGrath, Tom O’Mahoney and Tom Burke and Tom Morrissey. The Raffle winners were Tom Burke and Tom Morrissey. The next game takes place this Friday at 8pm, when light refreshments will be served, as usual. All are welcome. READERS’ NEWS & VIEWS As usual, I am always delighted to hear from you about whatever is on your mind, or with whatever you wish to publicise, either at 10 Market Yard, on 086 840 5020 or at the e-mail address above. However, if people don’t start increasing the size of the print on their e-mails, I will go even more blind than I am already. Many thanks to Sharon, of the Cahir Ladies’ Club, who does remember, for which I am most grateful.