CAHIR NOTES CAHIR BOYS NATIONAL SCHOOL Due to rising costs over the years and dropping enrolments up to 2006 the school has had difficulties meeting the basic running costs of the school.  Increased grants were negated by the coinciding drop in enrolments, rising costs and maintenance of old buildings.  Consequently the school is making a once-off appeal to past pupils asking for donations.  A donation exceeding €250 is eligible for a variety of tax relief in the form of a Deed of Covenant.  In the case of a self-employed contributor the donation is tax deductible.  In the case of a PAYE worker the school can claim a tax rebate as a charitable organisation.  Any donation of course is most welcome. Letters have been sent to many past pupils and we thank most heartily all those who have already helped the school in its current situation.  We shall be replying to each one personally.  If you have received a letter, or it is at your homeplace in Cahir, we would ask you to consider this once-off appeal.  The decision to run this form of fundraiser was not taken lightly and is a reflection of the need. The Bank details are: Account:   53927336 Bank Sorting Code: 90-59-34 IBAN: IE 76 BOFI 9059 3453 9273 36 Certificates for Tax Relief can be got directly from the school and have been posted to past pupils in residence in Ireland. Regards, Brendan Horan, Principal and past pupil of Cahir Boys NS. SUCCESSFUL SENIORS’ PARTY I now have lots of information about the super party that was organised by Cahir Gardai in conjunction with Community Alert and Neighbourhood Watch for the area’s senior citizens. It was held on Friday 19th January in Cahir House Hotel and 338 people attended.  As I was laid low with ‘flu’, Joe O’Sullivan took lots of photographs, which appeared in last week’s issue. The setting up of the Hall and the seating arrangements were carried out by Transition Year students from Coláiste Dún Iascaigh, supervised by their teacher Joanne Treahy and also by Cahir Venturers under the supervision of Ger Niland, their leader.  The staff of the Hotel also assisted in these preparations. The Speakers, on this occasion, were Sgt Peter Butler, Supt Pat Clavin, both from Cahir Garda Station and Margaret Quinn of Muintir na Tire. Members from Cahir Garda Station, Ardfinnan, Clogheen, Ballyporeen and members of Community Alerts in the Cahir area gave assistance. The Spot Prize Draw was won by Mary Phelan, 10 Castleview, Ardfinnan. The Clogheen Set Dancers provided entertainment and Bridget Ryan, who is the Manager of the Duneske Leisure Centre, gave a demonstration of exercises for senior citizens, of which more later. The music that was played while people were arriving was provided by Pat Buckley and Denis Fogarty.  The band for the evening was the Sheehan Brothers. As people left, they all received a Fluorescent Jacket which was supplied by Tipperary County Council, as well as a Community Alert and Neighbourhood Watch Information Sheet with a lot of valuable information, that had been put together and laminated by Cahir Development’s Business & Training Centre. Of course, everyone who had requested transport was facilitated. Many congratulations to all concerned on another really well organised night - the seventh of these parties to be held in Cahir.  I am sure only those involved in the planning are aware of the amount of time and effort that goes into it.                                       CHAIROBICS ANYONE? This is what Bridget Ryan has called the specially designed exercises that can be performed sitting down, and are ideally suited to the elderly and/or disabled. Chairobics is recommended because it helps with arthritis and mobility problems; it increases your blood flow and so keeps you warmer;  it helps you lose a little weight;  it is gentle yet gets straight to the muscles, helping you to get a little strong; it helps regulate your blood sugars, helping with diabetes, and, most importantly, it is great fun. If this idea appeals to you, classes will start at Duneske every Tuesday morning at 10:30am, as soon as there are enough people interested.  Normally, a 4-week session would cost €20, but the first 40 to sign up will only be charged €6.  So get together with your chums and get going.  And afterwards you can enjoy a hot drink (or a Smoothie!) and some of the lovely treats that are available at Duneske. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROSIE! Rose Enright celebrated the big 4 0 last Saturday night at the Shamrock Lounge, with Pablo’s Karaoke and a great time was had by all.  Congratulations and many happy returns. REWARD OFFERED Three telephones and a camera were stolen at a recent teenage disco and a reward is offered for information leading to their return - please telephone 052 42793     COFFEE DAY Marian Duffy is holding a Coffee Day in aid of the Irish Team that will be attending the Special Olympics in China.  The event is to take place this Saturday in her own home, The Homestead B&B in the Mitchelstown Road, from 10am to 5pm.  She’s a brave woman and deserves everyone’s support, let alone the cause is so important, as we were all made very aware when the Special Olympics were held here in Ireland. CAHIR CHORAL SOCIETY We are back to work this Friday, 8pm at New Haven.  As always, new members are made very welcome and anyone wanting more information can telephone our Musical Director Maureen Ahern on 052 41508. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SHORTFALL Cahir Development Association is more than a little disappointed that the contributions that have been collected from traders in Cahir towards the Christmas Lights have fallen considerably short of what was collected the previous year.  What is specially disappointing is the fact that it is less than the cost of running, erecting and removing the lights. This being the case, the organisation faces the prospect of having to sell the lights - newly purchased last year - to another community, and leave the responsibility of lighting the town for Christmas 2007 to someone else. This is an action they do not want to take, but unless there is a considerable improvement in contributions for 2006, unfortunately the debt is not one that Cahir Development can service. Things were made even worse for the organisation this year as both the Church Gate Collection and another very innovative fundraiser were rained off. CAHIR LADIES’ SOCCER CLUB The Club has training at Duneske at 8pm this Thursday. CAHIR & DISTRICT LADIES’ CLUB The next meeting of this Club is next Monday, 5th February at 9pm in the Community Hall. Members would like to thank Sarah Burke, the new Florist in Cahir, for her lovely displays of flowers that she created for them.  They raffled two, which were won by Sharon Cagney and Catherine Walsh.  They wish her every success in her new business. Numbers attending the last meeting were down, but it was a cold night.  So, girls who were missing - come back and join them again. SUPPORTING BÓTHAR  Fifth Year students from LCA 1 at Coláiste Dún Iascaigh put on a Coffee Morning for staff and students recently.  They made a great effort, cooking delicious cakes and buns that were gobbled up with gusto.  The students involved left their customers salivating with delight and did a great job.  A lot of time and effort was put into preparing the food, as well as turning the Home Economics Room into a high class Tea Room for the occasion. The students raised a great amount of money for Bóthar, a worthy charity, who will, no doubt, greatly appreciate the proceeds.  The students involved were Leanne Coonan, Catriona Coughlan, Kelly Bunn, Marie Cleere, Jack O’Brien and Owen ? (whose name didn’t make it through the e-mail).   SISTER HILARY GRIFFITH, RIP. 1906 - 2007. Sr Hilary (Catherine Griffith) was born in Cranna, Cahir, Co Tipperary on 3rd May 1906.  She was one of eleven children, with five sisters and five brothers.  She is survived by her sister Molly. Sr Hilary entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St Paul at Selly Park on 1st July 1924. Following her First Profession on 5th February 1926 she began a life-long ministry of house management and hospitality, catering for the elderly, children, the sisters and all who visited the many local communities in which she lived, both in England and in Ireland. Throughout her long life, Sr Hilary inspired all who knew her by her great faith, strength of character and utter commitment as a Sister of St Paul.  She had a tremendous capacity for work and a most generous spirit, sharing her gifts and her time with others and showing a special care for the young and the elderly. Sr Hilary loved her family and her homeland and often defused a difficult situation by the apt use of some old Irish saying.  She had a great love of nature and observing the different phases of the moon always thrilled her. She maintained her independence and good health well into her old age and made full use of her free travel permit to visit family, friends or to go shopping. Sr Hilary retired to the Infirmary in October 2002, where she experienced the great care of the sisters and staff and enjoyed many visits from her family and friends, especially her friend Sr Rita Cox. When she celebrated her 100th Birthday on 3rd May 2005, she acknowledged all the attention, the telegram from the Queen and her cheque from President McAleese with a gracious smile. Sr Hilary died peacefully on 9th January 2007, surrounded by the staff and sisters.  IRISH IN HERE PLEASE. TUESDAY NIGHT BRIDGE CLUB Results.  Tuesday 9th January:  1st N/S Graham Scott, J Carrigan;  2nd N/S Eileen Ryan, Mary Jo Condon.  1st E/W Albert O’Dwyer, J Roycroft;  2nd N/S Brenda Kerins, Peggy O’Donnell. Tuesday 16th January:  1st Nancy Downey, Patty Gavin;  2nd Teresa Curran, Brid Roycroft;  3rd Mary J Condon, Eileen Ryan. SCARBOROUGH FOR ST PATRICK’S WEEKEND The trip to Scarborough is proceeding as planned.  The flight will be from Dublin to Leeds Bradford on Friday 16th March at 12:10 (mid-day), returning to Dublin on Monday 19th March at 13:35. Although the current cost of the flight is €70.77 each (including taxes), it is needed to finalise numbers so that best value can be assured.  Currently, negotiations are going on with a number of hotels, so that all options are covered.  There will be a deal on a top quality, a middle of the road and a budget hotel, so that everyone’s requirements can be fulfilled. If you are interested in what should be a very enjoyable weekend, please contact Tim at the Enterprise Centre as soon as possible (052 42616).  A non-refundable €100 deposit is needed to secure your seats.  The few days should be very enjoyable and very relaxing.  There will be nothing official on the trip, just good fun.  And please note - this is not a closed shop - everyone is welcome and the more the merrier. CAHIR DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY LOTTO Another week has gone by with the Jackpot being won, so the total now stands at €2,500 for the draw this Wednesday.  Kathleen Shealy witnessed last week’s draw, when the number that came up were 11, 12, 13, 14.  The five Lucky Dip winners, each of whom received €30, were Anne Cunningham, Ballydrehid;  Lily Carter, Ballydrehid; Eamon O’Donnell, Rosemount View; Karen Shone, Hairanoya, Abbey Street; and Frank McLaughlin, Newtownadam - all Cahir addresses. Tickets can be bought up to the last minute (12 noon) on Wednesday from the Business & Training Centre, and all the profits go to the Duneske Leisure Complex. CAHIR LADIES’ GAELIC FOOTBALL CLUB The Club had its presentation of medals in Cahir House Hotel last Saturday night for the u-16 and u-18 teams that won County A titles in 2006.  The Guest of Honour was County Football star Mairead Morrissey, who made presentations to the teams and management of Derek Higgins, Martin O’Keefe and Liam Shinnick. Team Captains Clara Fahey, u-16 and Loraine O’Donnell, u-18, thanked the Club for all its help in preparing the teams. Enda McDonald received a presentation from Club player Ruth Cummins to mark his appointment as County Chairman for 2007.  A presentations was also made to Mairead Morrissey to mark her selection for the Irish International Ladies’ Football Team in 2006.  She is a great example to all players in her commitment to Ladies’ Football. Other presentations were made to the following:  John O’Connor, who managed Kidalton College to All Ireland success in 2006;  Shane Ronane; Ricky Ronane and Dinny Whelan for their Management of Coláiste Dún Iascaigh Ladies’ Football Team, which earned All Ireland glory in 2006;  Gemma McGuire was acknowledged for being the first Club representative to be honoured to Referee at National level;  and Mary O’Donnell was acknowledged for her part in the 1980 to 1983 County teams. The Club would like to thank all those who generously gave spot prizes, and also wishes to compliments Cahir House Hotel for the excellent meal and facilities. As 2007 is the Club’s 10th Anniversary, it was a great start to the social side. A very successful Teenage Disco was held at Cahir House Hotel last Saturday night. Training continues for all teams, that have been training for the last two weeks. CAHIR ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOC IATION The results of the Progressive 25 Card Game held on Friday 26th January are as follows: 1st, with 12 games, Michael and Joan Ahearne;  2nd, with 10 games, Masie O’Grady, Ted Dillon. The Lucky Table winners were Margaret Quinlan, Michael Phelan, Peg Morrissey and Ben Culligan ;and Mary English (Barnora) and Joe Ahern won the Raffle. The next game will be on Friday 2nd February at 8pm and all are very welcome to the Catherine McAuley Room, beside the Day Care Centre. CAHIR CAMOGIE CLUB This Wednesday night, 31st January, will see the Final of the ‘C’ Group played between Harris’s Heroes and Joye’s Genies.  It should prove to be an exciting contest, as both teams are on equal points going into it. The Heroes defeated O’Gorman’s Girls last week on a narrow enough margin with 2 goals each, coming from Ashling Moloney and Rachel O’Dwyer while the Girls responded with goals from Eadaoin O’Gorman and Caral Casey. Joye’s Genies had a more comprehensive win over Roisin’s Rockets.  Scorers for the Genies were Joye Arbuckle, Roisin O’Donnell and Roisin Howard, who all reached their quote of two goals each, while the Rockets responded goals from Caoimhe Hickey, Kirsty Arbuckle and Dervla Buckley. We will have the play-off between the Rockets and the Girls first, and then the Final between the Heroes and the Genies. In Group ‘A’ last week, Players of the Week went to Lauren Murphy and Sophie Sheehan, while in Group ‘B’ the awards were given to Emily Donovan and Katie Noonan.