CAHIR NOTES WE HAVE A JACKPOT WINNER! Eamon Shine, of Abbey Crescent, won the €5,200 Jackpot last week. His lucky numbers, in the draw witnessed by Lil Davis, were 7, 12, 16 and 23.  Well done Eamon. He bought his ticket from Sheila Marnane (and Kathleen Egan) - I believe this is the fifth or sixth Jackpot-winning ticket they have sold. The seller wins €65. The next draw takes place this Wednesday and tickets can be bought up to the last minute - noon - from the Business & Training Centre. The Jackpot has gone back to €1,000 - which I would be perfectly happy to win, if anyone is listening. Perhaps I should start buying mine from Sheila and Kathleen too. The profits from the Community Lotto go to servicing community projects in Cahir. CHEAPER TEXT MESSAGES WHEN YOU GO FOREIGN Tipperary South Fianna Fail TD Mattie McGrath has said that EU measures to slash the cost of sending a text message when abroad will result in big savings for Irish people abroad. “The European Commission plans to cap the price of sending a text message home when abroad at 11 - 15 cent a message” said Deputy McGrath. “At the moment, irish holidaymakers are charged between 29 and 39 cents for every message they send. The new measures, to be introduced in October, will ensure that people are free to text across borders without being ripped off”. “Last year the EU tackled the costs of roaming charges; this new move will ensure that mobile phone users are getting value for money on text messages also. This is particularly significant for young people, given that almost 80% of young people send texts while using their mobile abroad. It is only fair that there is a uniform policy in relation to mobile phone charges across the Union”, concluded Deputy McGrath. “A SPLENDID WAY TO SPEND A SUMMER NIGHT” What a splendid way to spend a hot summer’s night. Four great musicians with golden pedigrees delighted the audience with much-loved classics: Gershwin’s Summertime; Ravel’s Habanera; Swan by Saint Saens; the Derry Air; Debussy’s Girls with the Flaxen Hair; Morriconi’s Gabriel - Oboe. Burncourt Church was the ideal venue, with some enjoying the night in the Choir balcony, every note soaring to the rafters. It was the Group’s return and more people came to enjoy than last year. There is not enough room to list the individual performers’ careers, which are outstanding. Suffice to say that the audience is already looking forward to next Summer. The South Tipperary Rural Arts Committee provided a great reception at Burncourt Hall, everyone enjoying summer treats of strawberries, raspberries, brie, green cheese and wine. Altogether, a wonderful event. [My thanks to Philip Lawlor for his review of the concert, as I was unable to attend. I obviously missed a treat.[ AN GRIANAN From September 15th to 19th, EFA (Flower Arrangers’ Association) is holding demonstrations and workshops at An Grianan.  This lovely and interesting few days costs €425. Anyone who is interested can ring Anne O’Brien on 052 41640 before 30th July. INCREASED PARKING AT COLAISTE Following representations from the Board of Management of the Colaiste Dun Iascaigh, the Cahir Area Engineer has begun work on the additional parking opposite the school gate. Apart from the benefit to the school of parking during the school term, it will also eliminate the illegal parking at this junction that has been common enough in recent times. Cllr Andy Moloney, who is a member of the VEC and Board of Management has also welcomed this development. He says that while school numbers continue to grow, the number of teachers and students driving also escalates and members will continue to seek funds to increase the number of parking bays inside the College gates.  Cllr Moloney has asked Deputy Mattie McGrath to help out in this respect. CRAFT GRANARY ON NATIONWIDE Isn’t it great tohear that the Craft Granary will feature on Nationwide this Friday at 7pm. It is part of a special on tourism in Tipperary. Other attractions being featured are the Rock of Cashel, Bru Boru, GAA Museum, Swiss Cottage, a sailing school and County Choice organic foods in Nenagh. Filming took place last Thursday. Unfortunately, my copy had already gone in to the paper when I heard this, so no one had the opportunity to appear as extras! CAHIR DIVE CLUB What a beautiful morning it was for diving, down at Helvick on a Sunday morning. Conditions were perfect, the water was like a sheet of glass and there was only a mild sea breeze. Looking at the conditions driving down, divers were sure of getting a few good dives in, only to be foiled by the Helvick Bay annual swim. Plans were altered and by the time Plan F was devised, the boat was finally launched. Ciaran Casey and Ciara Cronin enjoyed the first dive of the day. Expecting a very low-visibility dive, they were pleasantly surprised to see quite a lot of life, including a sleepy dogfish, a huge crab and lots of soft coral. Next to follow were the two Johns (Ryan and Cronin), who came across some unusual rocks, where one side was covered in yellow soft coral and the other side with white soft coral. If the twin sets had been taken out, they would never have surfaced. This had left Ciara to her own devices to drive. The boat! Don’t worry, boat is back safe and sound in its resting place. She was so afraid of damaging it that it was a very long, slow, trek back to Ardmore for recovery. TOURISM GRANTS BENEFIT CAHIR Deputy Mattie McGrath is welcoming the announcement by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen TD, that funding of up to €4,329,125 has been allocated under Failte Ireland’s Tourism Infrastructure Fund to 27 tourism projects, including two in South Tipperary. These are:  Cahir Brown Trout Angling Centre of Excellence. Grant Aid of 75% of eligible expenditure, up to a maximum of €69,928, towards the development of ‘Angling Facilities for All’ on the River Suir, downstream from the Swiss Cottage Walk in Cahir, on the left hand river bank. This project is a partnership project between South Tipperary Local Authority, The Southern Regional Fisheries Board (SRFB) and The Cahir Anglers, with the support of Coilte. In the early 1990s, SRFB developed the right bank of the river downstream of Swiss. It is now proposed to develop the left hand band (as the river flows) with similar facilities, with access for all, including anglers with wheelchairs. In the Glen of Aherlow, Grant Aid  of 75% of eligible expenditures, up to a maximum of €369,707, towards the development of 10 recreational cycling routes has been allowed. Deputy McGrath said “The successful projects were approved by the Failte Ireland Authority, following an assessment of proposals received from local authorities and other development bodies throughout the country” From my own point of view, it is obvious that the greatly improved conditions for anglers can only enhance the economy of Cahir. Anglers tend to spend longer in one place while holidaying than any other group of visitors. MORE NEWS FROM THE DEPUTY 1. Tipperary Schools will be able to use funding allocated for the purchase of prefabs to build permanent buildings instead. This follows a decision by the Department of education and Science to allow schools which have applied for Grant Aid for Prefabs to use the same amount of money to provide a more permanent solution. “A number of schools through South Tipperary over the years have asked me whether it would be possible to spend their prefab grant aid allocation on a permanent structure instead” said Deputy McGrath. “Up until now, that has not been feasible, due to the various Department regulations. However, the new Minister has changed the Department’s approach to this issue and now schools throughout Tipperary that are looking at installing a prefab, will now have another option available to them.” 2. The Animal Identification & Movement System (AIM) for livestock Marts will replace the older CMMS from Monday 21st July. “Under the AIM system, farmers can use the internet to register calf births, apply for compliance certificates and access herd profiles” Deputy McGrath said. “Farmers can check their compliance with the new requirements at their District Veterinary Office or on arrival at the Mart. This will make the process of buying and selling at Marts more transparent and accountable, which is good news for all involved“. “Cattle will now have improved trace-ability and give extra assurances to consumers regarding the high quality of Irish beef. The new AIM system is also good news for Marts as they will be able to improve their services to farmers and provide assurances regarding traded animals”. 3. A special programme targeting unemployed South Tipperary youths in the 18-25 age bracket is to be launched over the Summer. The programme will encourage these young people to gain additional skills and qualifications under the Back to Education Scheme. “Unemployed young people throughout South Tipperary who have been signing on for six months or more will be contacted over the course of the Summer. They will be encouraged to participate in the Back to Education Allowance Scheme. This programme enables participants to receive their standard social welfare payments while they return to their studies in either second or third level education. They will also receive an additional payment of 400 at the start of the academic year.” 4. Deputy Mattie McGrath is continuing to hold Advice Clinics in The Enterprise Centre, Cahir, every Friday morning from 11am to 12:30pm. Appointments can be made to meet Mattie personally by contacting his Constituency Office on 052 29155. OPEN GARDEN FOR CHRISTIANS IN BETHLEHEM New Haven garden will be open to the public from 2pm to 8pm on Saturday and Sunday, 26th and 27th July (this coming weekend). All the proceeds will go to help the Christians in Bethlehem. The large garden of 2.5 acres covers several levels, each with its own character, and has many surprises. There are interesting walks with lovely places to sit;  some 600 roses and four different water features; a hidden Sun Terrace and a Bridal Walk leading to a Gazebo with a seating area on Camomile for tranquillity. Come and relax in New Haven garden for an hour or two this weekend and know that you are, thereby, helping the impoverished Christians in Bethlehem, who badly need our support. Open 2pm to 8pm. Admission €5. Children under strict adult supervision welcome. Enquiries to Maureen Ahern, Cahir - 087 231 9639. DRAIOCHT PERFORMS FOR MINISTER O’CUIV Minister O’Cuiv visited Clogheen last Wednesday and was treated to a special performance of Draiocht na Faille Deirge -  the traditional music, song and dance show - which is directed by Michael Ryan. The Minister was very impressed with the performance and also the wonderful setting that is St Paul’s Community Centre. The Minister went backstage afterwards to congratulate the performers and to wish them well for their remaining shows. Do not miss this opportunity to see this wonderful show. There are two July performances remaining: Thursday 24th and Tuesday 29th. Doors open at 8:ifpm, with the show starting at 9pm. For tickets contact 086 224 3323. You will be disappointed if you miss out! END OF YEAR SHOW Cahir Boys NS’s 5th Class had their End of Year Show last week and the news is that it was a very successful one. Some of the students got together to show off their musical talents. They were Nathan Shine on drums, Joe Martin on guitar and Richie Delahunty on banjo. They were accompanied by teacher P J O’Mara on bass guitar. Classmates, family and friends attended. The boys played a very diverse set of songs from The Irish Rover, Sweet Home Alabama, The Boys are back in Town and Daydream Believer to The Galway Girl, which by all accounts was played particularly well by Richie and Joe. Nathan Shine brought the show to a fantastic end with an enthusiastic and energetic drum solo. There really is a wealth of wonderful emerging musical talent in this town. Well done, lads, keep it up and well done to everyone involved. There may be some photos which, if received in time, will accompany this piece, but which will end up on the Community Website - www.cahirnews.cahirda.com. WHAT’S ON AT DUNESK? Firstly, the 6-a-side Adult Soccer Blitz continues, having started on 14th July. For any queries you can call Duneske Leisure Centre on 052 45517. There is still one more Summer Camp Activity for Children: the Mix & Match Activity 3. There are leaflets with all the details available at the front desk, or phone the above number for enquiries. Duneske Leisure Centre offers a wide range of facilities and here is a reminder of what’s available:  A fully equipped, state of the art Gym with trained staff on hand to offer help and advice; a Coffee Shop with a lovely range of drinks and snacks. A free Children’s Playground on site. There is also a Sauna plus two top-of-the-range stand-up Sun Rooms that cost only €50 for 60 minutes. To remind clients, the use of the sunbeds is regulated for their safety. Birthday Parites have now become very popular. The Leisure Centre will take bookings for them two weeks in advance, for up to 15 children. They offer party food, activities and use of the playground for a cost of €12 per child. As the Centre has just purchased a Bouncy Castle, this will be available too, at the additional cost of €70. This works out at about €15 per child. If you have more than 15 children, the very welcoming staff will be happy to try to accommodate them. This sounds like a perfect alternative option to having your house trashed by energetic youngsters. To book, please call the above number. PAPERMAKING WORKSHOP A couple of years ago I attended a Papermaking Workshop in the Craft Granary, taught by Maggie O’Malley-Brown, and had a ball. I even made some acceptable paper and a picture that I was quite proud of. I was, therefore, very interested to hear that Maggie is running another such Workshop from her home in Ballyvada, Golden on Sunday 27th July.  As she says, making hand-made paper is a great way of recycling waste paper, having fun turning it into something beautiful - and it’s good for the environment as well. As those who attend will find, it can all be done with items from the kitchen - but do take along an apron. A wholesome organic lunch will be supplied, with plenty of tea/coffee and you can take home your own picture or card, made by your very own hands. Please telephone Maggie for details and/or directions on 086 124 5577 or 062 72999. CAHIR CAMOGIE NOTES - CAHIR GIRL ON TIPPERARY PRIMARY GAME TEAM ON MUNSTER FINAL DAY Emma Corcoran, one of the Club's young talents, had the fantastic honour of wearing the No. 2 Tipp jersey during the primary game at last week's Munster Final between Clare and Tipp. Emma played alongside other school girls from the County and had a terrific game, helping her team to win over the Clare girls. At Club level, Emma has been one of their strongest emerging talents and has held her place at full back, particularly last year when at U12 level she played a vital role in bringing League and Championship titles to the Club. Likewise at school level she had a fantastic game in the U13 Cumman na mBun Scoil final ensuring a fine victory for her school. Emma has a great understanding of the game and her clearances usually find their way well up into her forward line. Her strength and ability makes life very hard for the opposition and her courtesy and manners to both her team mates and her trainers makes her an all round lovely person thatthey are proud to have in the Club. Well done Emma GAA SUMMER CAMP The Cahir GAA Summer Camp took place last week and once more it was a huge success. It was great to see children play GAA games, some for the first time, and really enjoy the whole experience. As with most things in life, the camp does not happen by accident and great credit must go to John O’Connor for the effort he puts into making it such a success. He is very ably assisted by an excellent Chief of Staff in Geraldine Hickey, who burns the midnight oil frequently to make sure that everything is in order. Special thanks also to the Cahir Fire Service crew who supplied water for the ever-popular Friday Water Fight and also to Eamon Murphy who took photos on the day. Some are already on the Cahir GAA website (cahirgaa.com) and more will be added in the next few days. Many thanks also to the staff in Duneske for all their help during the week. Many parents have since enquired as to when training sessions take place for the different age groups, and they are as follows: Under 8, 10 and 12 Girls’ Football - Monday night 7 to 8pm; Under 6, 10 and 12 Girls’ Camogie - Wednesday night 7 to 8pm; Under 8 & 10 boys - Thursday night Hurling 6:45 to 8 and Sunday morning Football 11am to noon. You just have to read the last paragraph to see what an active and dedicated committee there must be in Cahir. I am very sorry that I did not make it to the final day - avoiding the water, if possible - but I would have needed to clone myself last week to include everything I wanted to do. LONERGAN WELCOMES NEW CAR PARK Cllr Seanie Lonergan has welcomed the construction of a new car park adjacent to Colaiste Dun Iascaigh. This work was carried out because of a Motion submitted by the Councillor to a meeting of South Tipperary County Council. Cllr Lonergan believes that this new car park should alleviate the traffic congestion when parents are collection their children from the school. He has received numerous representations from parents about this issue and is delighted that he was able to deliver a positive outcome for parents, teachers and students. The Councillor commends the workers for doing such a fine job and the Area Engineer for ensuring that the job was completed before the new term commences in September. READERS’ NEWS & VIEWS I am always delighted to hear from anyone with news to impart either at 10 Market Yard, on 087 840 5020 or to the e-mail address above. I am still pleading with people using the internet to enlarge the type-face they use - and do keep on getting your copy in asap.