CAHIR NOTES OF COOPERATION & MEETINGS On the first, and every ensuing occasion, that I watched the National Tidy Towns Awards being presented on television, I was terribly envious of the towns that had such huge support from their County or Town Councils. And now, here we are in exactly that situation. Not only that, but Niall Grogan and his Grangemore Landscaping have added what may well be a unique ‘extra’, by providing the superb planting that we see throughout Cahir, at no cost to the County Council or to the people of Cahir, It was great, a few days ago, to be sitting around a table with the Town Manager and the Area Engineer, Ann Ryan (whose exact title I always forget) plus Eleanor Morrissey, and Tim Shanahan, from Cahir Development. I would not be at all surprised if the long list of jobs to be done is not dealt with in its entirety this year, as there is a limit to the time and finances available. But I have no doubt that it WILL all be completed, as expeditiously as possible. There is one point that may need clearing up:  the work being carried out at the moment in the Market Yard, around the Enterprise Centre, is not being paid for out of the area budget, but through the Community Grant Scheme, applied for by Cahir Development jointly with the County Council. This work will provide many Brownie points in the competition. At the meeting, there was some discussion about the Mall, and particularly the condition of some of the oldest trees there. The County Council has employed one of the leading tree surgeons in the country to conduct a Tree Survey.  There are several important specimen trees here, particularly a 300-year-old beech and its neighbours, which are endangered by some of the others, that are diseased. These diseased trees will be felled, not only to aid the healthy trees but to prevent accidents, as they are in a potentially dangerous state. The question of new planting was left until it is possible to see what is needed. If anyone wants to discuss any of the above matters, or has other concerns, do come along to the Annual General Meeting of Cahir Development Association, which will take place on Monday 12th May in Cahir Development’s Duneske Leisure Centre, at 8pm. Only paid up members can vote, but anyone and everyone can have their say. And why not join us, while you’re at it? CONGRATULATIONS, STEVE Steve’s Barber Shop is opening in Old Church Street today - publication day. I had a look in on Monday, and it is very smart and very comfortable. Isn’t it great that more businesses are moving into this street? It is beginning to look very kempt (?) and smart. Steve will be having an Official Opening in a few weeks, but as I said, is open for business now. Good luck, Steve, not that you need it. ANNUAL TRACTOR RUN & FAMILY DAY This is just a reminder that the Ardfinnan, Ballybacon and Grange Hospice Committee is holding their Fourth special day on Sunday 14th May in Ardfinnan. They are sponsored by Cahir Steel and Agri, and are providing another marvellous day of spectacle and entertainment. No wonder they are going from strength to strength. FAIR TRADE CAHIR It is two months now since Nimrod Wambette, a Fair Trade coffee producer in Uganda, attended an open meeting in Cahir to explain the benefits of buying Fair Trade products. His presence with us was a living reminder of the vital role Cahir Bubusinesses and shoppers can play in alleviating poverty and supporting marginalized producers in a manner that promotes dignity and self-sufficiency. A Fair Trade option is available in so many of the everyday products that we purchase: coffee, tea, chocolate, wine, bananas, cotton etc. The members of Cahir Fair Trade Committee can only do so much! We need YOU - the Cahir business - to stock Fair Trade branded products and Cahir consumers to be deliberate in choosing a Fair Trade-labelled product when doing your shopping. Come on, let us change today and be intentional about opting for Fair Trade and do our part to guarantee a better deal of Third World producers. [My apologies to readers for not getting any usable photos at this meeting - I snapped away, but the room was rather dark, my flash isn’t exactly bright, and the results were unusable]. BARNORA COMMUNITY HOUSE The Committee ran an eight-week Art Course, with two sessions each night for children aged 6 to 15 years old. On the last night, they children were presented with Certificates, and the tutor, Tina Looby, was presented with a Plaque from the children. All concerned would like to thank Bernie O’Brien of the Spar Shop in Church Street, for donating drinks and crisps. Also Tina for her time. From Bernie Long, Lily Maher and all in Barnora. TREVOR / BOWEN SUMMER SCHOOL The Mitchelstown Literary Society, the organising committee of the above Summer School, is pleased to announce that the 2008 event will take place over the weekend of 23/25 May in Mitchelstown. The following lectures will take place: By William Trevor on Fintan O’Toole By Elizabeth Bowen on Martin Mansergh By Sean O’Faolain on Prof. Maurice Harmon By Mary Lavin on Caroline Walsh Growing up in wartime Ireland, by Louis (?) Humour & the legal profession, by Gerald Kean Living a Contemplative Life - the Spiritual Life Institute Workshops on Creative Writing in short story form - by Nuala ni Chonchuir and Practical Meditation - the Spiritual Life Institute. The venues are the Mitchelstown CBS and Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown. Admission (excluding workshops) will be €15 per person per individual event, and a Weekend ticket will cost €60. The Workshops will cost €60 per person for both. Tickets and further details are available from The Mousepad, Lower Cork Street, Mitchelstown; telephone 025 85972 or 086 242 0411. And of course you can look at www.mitchelstownliterarysummerschool.com. CAHIR PARK LADIES’ SOCCER CLUB The girls played their first game in the County League at Nenagh on Saturday 26th April. Due to injuries and also to other commitments, Cahir Park travelled with just 11 players. Eight of them were under 17, playing against one of the top teams in the League. Cahir performed well in the first half, with the defence under a lot of pressure. The score at the interval was Nenagh 3, Cahir Park 0. Cahir created a couple of scoring chances in the second half. However, Nenagh’s experienced team was too strong for the youthful Cahir team and 3 late goals gave a false look to the effort put in by Cahir. Impressive for Cahir were Louise Carroll; Sinead O’Donnell; Dominique Hallinan and newcomers Olivia McCarthy and the goalkeeper, Ania Gordzieyczyk, who gave a very courageous performance, with some outstanding saves in the second half. She was nominated the Player of the Match. Cahir Park’s next game is a Home Cup Tie against Killenaule. More details later. CASHEL AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL Members of the Cashel Amnesty Group are holding their monthly meeting on Monday 12th May in Mikey Ryan’s pub in Cashel, at 8:30pm.  All are very welcome to attend. CAHIR DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY LOTTO The Jackpot stands at €3,700 for this week’s draw. Last week, the numbers drawn, witnessed by Lil Davis, were: 5, 14, 18 & 25. The five Lucky Dip winners, each of whom received €30, were  Dermot O’Brien, The Square; Christy Griffin, Beechpark; Maria O’Donnell, South Clonmore; Kittya Burke, Rooska; Maureen Ryan, Grangemoor. Tickets for the draw can be purchased up to noon on Wednesday, when the draw takes place, from the Business & Training Centre. All the profits from the Community Lotto go to the Duneske Leisure Complex. CAHIR DIVE CLUB Fundraiser Success. Last Sunday afternoon saw members of the Cahir River Rescue Unit and Cahir Dive Club take the ‘Guardian Angel’ for a spin up and down the river, in a bid to raise money for young local boy Eric. The weather couldn’t h have been nicer and helped the attendance enormously. A substantial amount was raised and a big huge thank you goes to all who joined in and donated so generously. Club News. Training is taking a front seat in the Club at the moment. The eight new recruits (Ocean Divers to be) are currently being put through their paces with the pool sessions on Sunday nights. With only one more session to go, plus a few more theory lessons, next stop the sea! With the weather improving slightly, the new boat was taken for it’s first diving trip on Monday. Training, again, was the name of the game with the ‘big boys’ trying out their new twin sets. Tess aws so eager to get into the sea after the long break that she did a backward roll on top of Johnny. Where were the Cronins with their camera? The training continued when the boat was brought back to Cahir, where Mary washed the boat under the supervision of the Equipment Officer, Maurice. BOOK LAUNCH AT LEINSTER HOUSE A book on Irish politics co-authored by local Political Scientist Dr Anthonty O’Halloran was officially launched in Leinster House, Dublin, on Tuesday 29th April by An Leas Cheann Comhairle, Brendan Howlin TD. Titled Politics in a Changing Ireland 1960/2007: A Tribute to Seamus Pattison, the book explores aspects of Irish politics over a period of fifty years. Adopting a thematic approach, the book records and analyses significant shifts in contemporary Irish politics through the eyes of former Cean Cdomhairle Seamus Pattison. Published by the Institute of Public Administration, it is currently available in local bookshops. Two hundred and fifty guests packed into Leinster House for the historic launch. The guests included Anthony’s parents Patrick and Mary O’Halloran. Local politicians present Included Senator Phil Prendergast, Tom Hayes TD, Seanie Lonergan MCC and Mattie McGrath TD. Other notable politicians present included Aqn Ceann Comhairle, John O’Donoghue TD Labour Party Leader, Eamon Gimore TD and Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny TD. A local celebration will be held in early June. Anthony’s many friends from Cahir are most welcome to attend this celebration. He is particularly keen to invite his contemporaries from St Joseph’s College, Cahir, most of whom Anthony has not seen in over twenty years. CAHIR ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION The trip to the Glen Eagle Hotel in Killarney turned out to be an astounding success. Most of the members availed of the bus tour, taking in the Ring of Kerry. Plenty of stops for photo opportunities and tea or coffee. The hotel provided excellent fare and entertainment each evening. Buala Bas to Bob Condon and Bridget Condon for their diligent labour and organisational skills in making this trip a mammoth success. The Monthly Meeting takes place this Wednesday at 2:30pm in the Catherine McAuley Room, to which prospective members are most welcome. Members participating in the recent Computer Course in the Business & #Training Centre received an invitation to the Bru Boru Centre in Cashel to receive their Diplomas from the Minister of State, Maura Hoctor. Many thanks to all the people involved in making the course such a success. The results of the Progressive Twenty Five Card Game played last Friday are as follows: Winners, with 11 games - Willie O’Neil, Dave White. Those with 10 games were: Bridget Condon, Mary English, Red Burke, Kieran O’Brien, Peg Reidy, Kitty Slattery, Maurice Condon, Tim Fitzgerald. The Lucky Table was won by Breeda Ryan, Rena O’Connor, Ciss O’Neil and Willie O’Donnell. The Raffle went to Timmy Fitzgerald and Willie O’Neil. The next game takes place this Friday 9th May at 8pm. Light refreshments will be served as usual, and all are welcome to enjoy a pleasant evening out. CAHIR & DISTRICT LADIES’ CLUB The next meeting at the Hall is on Monday 12th May. Anyone still interested in going on the Summer Trip to Killarney, please take along the full bus fare of €20. The balance from those who paid a €10 deposit will  be collected as well. CAHIR DAY CARE CENTRE The Fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association raised €450 for their morning’s work. I have been asked to express many thanks to all the people who supported this worthy cause. The results for the Whist are: 1st, with 47 points, Tom Morrissey. Joint Second with 45 points were Lena Phelan and May O’Brien. There are only a few places left on the bus for the drip to the Dail on 18th June. Anyone interested in going would need to let Lil, at the Centre, know as soon as possible. BEALTAINE The Bealtaine Festival is, as it suggests, a Festival of Arts which is run over the month of May throughout County Tipperary. Locally, Cahir has its attractions during the Festival and Cllr Andy Moloney is urging people to go along and enjoy the activities over the coming month. On Tuesday, there was  Film Project at 2:30pm. In Cahir Library on 15th, everyone musical is invited to take along a musical instrument at 2:30pm and booking for the event is on 052 24545. The 17th has Print-Making with Catherine O’Brien in the Craft Granary. Booking is necessary, on 052 41473. The Course takes place from 11am to 5:30pm. Cahir Library again on 19th for a Participative Music Making Workshop and on 15th and 19th May, e-mail and internet for beginners from 11-12 each day. The programme of events is being by the Arts Officer for the area, Sally O’Leary, and Cllr Moloney says that the Festival is celebrating creativity in older age, and people should try to support their efforts. CAHIR CAMOGIE NEWS Its been another busy week at all levels on the match scene for our club. On Tuesday evening last the U14 team travelled to Carrick on Suir to take on the home team. While all the Cahir girls gave of their best performance wise it was not enough to overcome Carrick. It was a very though physical game and in reality we were unlucky not to come away with a win and in the end only lost by one goal. In schools camogie both the U11 and U13 teams traveled to HolyCross on Thursday last to take on Nenagh. The first game between the U11 girls saw Cahir win comprehensively while the U13 team had a much more competitive game and lost out to a more skilful Nenagh side. The Junior team traveled to Boherlahan on Friday night and were narrowly beaten by the home side by two points with the final result Cahir 5-5 to Boherlahan's 4-10. Any outstanding membership will be gratefully accepted by treasurer Jo Burke as soon as possible. With a huge increase in the number of U8 girls training we would really appreciate more help so if any of their parents would we be willing to help out we would be most grateful. You can let Martin, Sally or Mary know if you are willing to give a hand, no previous experience necessary just an interest in the game and the ability to have some fun! Pictured at the recent launch in Leinster House of Politics in a Changing Ireland: 1960-2007: A Tribute to Seamus Pattison co- authored by local man Dr. Anthony O’ Halloran are from Left to Right: John Cullen (Director General Institute of Public Administration) An Leas Cheann Comhairle Brendan Howlin, T.D, Seamus Pattison (former Ceann Comhairle) Tom O’ Connor (co-author), Dr. Anthony O’ Halloran, (co-author). READERS’ NEWS & VIEWS Welcome, as always, at 10 Market Yard / 086 840 5020 and at the e-mail address above. PLEASE increase the size of the type you use, if you have not done so already, to save my eyes! The deadline for copy is Monday mornings. The Community Website has been re-activated and can be accessed via www.cahirnews.cahirda.com