DUNGARVAN
OBSERVER Vol. 105
Friday, 8th December, 2017
SOUTH-EAST CAR & VAN HIRE DUNGARVAN NISSAN Call us first for Van and Car Hire
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THINKING OF BUYING, SELLING OR LETTING? CONTACT SHERRY FITZGERALD REYNOLDS TODAY Please go to page 9 for further details
Clodagh Dunne wins Irish Poem of the Year
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Engine failure due to ice likely cause of fatal plane crash By Paul Mooney
41 Grattan Square | Dungarvan | Co Waterford t (058) 41130 f (058) 41154 e murrayspharmacy@careplus.ie w www.careplus.ie
STRADBALLY WINS BEST FINAL IN DECADES
AN investigation into a fatal plane crash which happened near Dungarvan last March has concluded that engine failure due to induction icing was the likely reason behind the tragedy. Induction icing is the build-up of ice in the fuel induction system of piston-engine aircraft. Pilot Dave Ryan (84) was killed while attempting to make an emergency landing of his amateur-built light aircraft, a Rutan Long-EZ, EI-CPI, in a field at Knocknagranagh / Knockahavaun, on the outskirts of Dungarvan, on 27th March,
2017. The formal report, published by the Air Accident Investigations Unit (AAIU) last Monday, noted that Mr. Ryan, the sole occupant of the aircraft, was undertaking a short local flight from Waterford Airport towards Dungarvan and back. Approximately 16 minutes into the flight Mr. Ryan issued a Mayday distress signal, advising that his engine had stopped, that he was near Dungarvan and he had selected a field for landing. Witnesses who provided observations to the investigation, reported hearing loud bangs / backfires or splutters a few times as the aircraft proceeded across Dungarvan Bay towards the coast at Ballinacourty, after which the engine stopped and went silent
as it made a definite turn in a westerly direction towards Dungarvan Golf Course. The aircraft was completely destroyed in the collision with a clump of trees just metres from the N25, near to Cushcam junction. The report noted that there were no significant pre-existing mechanical defects when the aircraft was inspected in July, 2016 for the purpose of Flight Permit renewal and it was maintained correctly. Mr. Ryan, from Sandymount in Dublin, was a member of the Waterford Aero Club which operates out of Waterford Airport, as well as a member of the Irish Light Aviation Society (ILAS). c Continued on page 2
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Lismore-based TQS Integration announces 100 new jobs LISMORE-based TQS Integration, the new sponsors of Waterford GAA, have announced they will create 100 new jobs in an expansion of the company, writes Paul Mooney. TQS Integration is a global data intelligence consultancy group with its Corporate Headquarters in Lismore. It currently employs up to 100 consultants and support staff, who are spread across offices in Lismore and Dublin, as well as abroad in USA, Switzerland, Britain, Spain and Singapore. Stephen Quinn, HR Manager at TQS Integration said the company’s expansion will provide opportunities for the right applicants both locally in Lismore and on a global basis. Mr. Quinn pointed out that the company is due to launch a careers page in the coming weeks and applicants are encouraged to apply for jobs at TQS Integration.
It is understood that the company’s expansion will create job opportunities in various areas including software consultancy and development, business development, special data analysts, general management and administration. (Check out their website www.tqsintegration.com). Mr. Quinn, who is a Lismore native, returned to Ireland to work for TQS Integration, after living in Canada for a period of time. He said that while the company is based in Lismore, there are also opportunities to work for TQS in other countries and experience other cultures. Máire Quilty, Global Managing Director of TQS Integration said the company has been in business for the past 18 years and they are now developing into different countries. c Continued on page 2
page 3
December 8, 2017
A new Text Alert system goes live page 5 49
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Jess Collins pictured at the opening of Dungarvan Aglow 'Elf's Garden'. SEE PAGE 31
[Dan McGrath]
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re Engine failu cause to ice likely e crash an pl l ta of fa
ARDMORE ACHIEVES MUNSTER HURLING GLORY
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By Paul Mooney
| Co Waterford 41 Grattan Square | Dungarvan41154 t (058) 41130 f (058) s.ie w www.careplus.ie e murrayspharmacy@careplu
by the report, published 2017. The formal Unit (AAIU) the sole Air Accident Investigations
THINKING OF BUYING, SELLING OR LETTING? CONTACT SHERRY FITZGERALD REYNOLDS TODAY
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ABBEYSIDE DESERVIN G WINNERS OF BACK-TO-BACK TITLES Abbeyside
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TQS NEW SPONSOR SHIP DEAL SECURED FOR COUNTY TEAMS
Page 10
turn in a westerly Course. as it made a definite Dungarvan Golf direction towards completely destroyed in just The aircraft was a clump of trees
that Mr. Ryan, the collision with Cushcam last Monday, noted N25, near to undertaking a metres from the into a fatal plane of the aircraft, was AN investigation happened near occupant flight from Waterford Airport junction. no siglocal that there were crash which March has con- short Dungarvan and back. The report noted mechanical defects the flight towards pre-existing Dungarvan last 16 minutes into failure due to inspected in July, signal, nificant Approximately a Mayday distress that when the aircraft was of Flight Permit cluded that engine the likely reason Mr. Ryan issued was purpose engine had stopped, induction icing 2016 for the correctly. advising that his he had selected was maintained of ice in behind the tragedy. renewal and it Dungarvan and in Dublin,
GIFT OF CLIFF
he was near is the build-up Sandymount Induction icing Mr. Ryan, from Aero Club to system of piston-engine a field for landing. of the Waterford as provided observations the fuel induction loud was a member out of Waterford Airport, Witnesses who while operates reported hearing Light aircraft. (84) was killed the investigation, splutters a few times as which a member of the Irish Pilot Dave Ryan emergency landing as or an bangs / backfires Dungarvan well (ILAS). attempting to make light aircraft, a Rutan proceeded across Aviation Society at the aircraft the coast at Ballinacourty, after c Continued on page 2 of his amateur-built in a field towards silent on the Bay Long-EZ, EI-CPI, stopped and went / Knockahavaun, which the engine Knocknagranagh on 27th March, outskirts of Dungarvan,
ration d TQS Integ jobs Lismore-base s 100 new announce
create job expansion will that the company’s software consultancy and It is understood of various areas including data analysts, general the new sponsors opportunities in development, special out their website d TQS Integration, will create 100 new jobs (Check LISMORE-base they development, business . administration. have announced Waterford GAA, writes Paul Mooney management and to of the company, returned to Ireland intelligence consultancy www.tqsintegration.com). in an expansion is a global data is a Lismore native, Canada for a period of in Lismore. It currently TQS Integration Mr. Quinn, who after living in there Corporate Headquarters who are spread for TQS Integration, company is based in Lismore, and group with its and support staff, in USA, work while the 100 consultants in other countries as well as abroad employs up to time. He said that to work for TQS Lismore and Dublin, also opportunities across offices in said the are Spain and Singapore. cultures. of TQS Integration Switzerland, Britain,HR Manager at TQS Integrationthe right experience other Managing Director years and Stephen Quinn, will provide opportunities for Máire Quilty, Globalbeen in business for the past 18 has basis. company’s expansion in Lismore and on a global a said the company into different countries. locally is due to launch applicants both they are now developing 2 out that the company encouraged on page Mr. Quinn pointed and applicants are c Continued the coming weeks careers page in at TQS Integration. to apply for jobs
9 Please go to page for further details
Clodagh Dunne wins Irish Poem of the Year page 3
December 8,
A new Text Alert system goes live page 5
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CHRISTMAS SEE PAGES 11, 12, GIFT 13 & 14 VOUCHERS
2017
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Christmas Special
2017
Stradbally's the Conway Cup Captain Tommy Connors holds by Paddy Joe Ryan, high following the presentation Chairman Waterford
GAA Board. budgets beat the holders To suit all Stradbally Nire 1-15 extra-time in the to 1-14 and tastes. afterCounty Waterford Senior Football Final. 0 [Sean Byrne//Deise Call 024-8780 Sport] or
Jess Collins pictured
at the opening of
Dungarvan Aglow SEE PAGE 31
'Elf's Garden'.
[Dan McGrath]
ie www.cliffhousehotel.
STRADBALLY WI NS FINAL IN DECADE BEST S
SECTIONS .........................……………………………………... PAGES News .............................…………..……………………………….. 1–27 Classifieds ..........................…..………………………………. 28–30 Pictorial .............................…………..………………………………. 31 Waterford PPN Community & Voluntary Awards .. 32-33 County News ...........………….………………………………...34-48 Schools ...................................................…………………... 49-54 Letters/Obituary .…….…………………………………………...... 55 Farming .....................………….………………………………...56-59 Entertainment ........………….………………………………... 60-63 Déise Newsround ..............………………………………………... 64 Includes your 24-page Sports pull-out
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WEATHER OUTLOOK RAIN on Wednesday morning. The rain will continue for the rest of the day and on Wednesday night and will be heavy at times. It will clear overnight. Highest temperatures of 12 or 13 degrees with fresh to strong southerly winds, which will veer northwesterly as the rain clears. Forecast for Thursday/Friday – There'll be sunny spells on Thursday and it'll turn cold. Fresh northwesterly winds will become strong and gusty bringing isolated showers, but on the whole it will be a largely dry day. Daytime temperatures on Thursday will range 6 to 8 degrees. There'll be clear spells on Thursday night with isolated rain, hail and snow showers, with accumulations of snow possible on any hills. Lowest temperatures between zero and plus 2 degrees with frost and icy patches on untreated surfaces. Fresh and blustery northwest winds will continue. Another cold day for Friday with sunshine and it will remain mainly dry with just a low risk of scattered wintry showers. Temperatures of 5 or 6 degrees in gusty northwesterly winds. Any showers will die out on Friday night as the blustery northwesterly winds will abate. Widespread frost and icy patches will return as temperatures fall to between minus 1 and plus 3 degrees. Forecast for Saturday/Sunday – Saturday will be mainly dry with some sunshine early in the day but with increasing cloud through the second half of the day. Winds will be light and variable in direction, becoming southwesterly on Saturday night with rain on western coasts, spreading eastwards overnight on Saturday night. The current indication for Sunday suggests wet and windy weather advancing from the Atlantic.The rain will be heavy early in the day, and as it clears to showers the winds will change direction to the northwest. Outlook (Monday/Wednesday) – The further outlook to the early days of next week is for a return of the cold northwest wind bringing wintry showers at first, and a spell of rain by midweek.
WED 13º
THUR 8º
FRI 6º
SAT 7º
SUN 8º
Lismore-based TQS Integration announces 100 new jobs c FROM FRONT PAGE TQS Integration is aiming to expand in Ireland by increasing its workforce with more engineers and by growing its business development team. TQS Integration specialises in the management of real-time data from manufacturing assets within organisations, working in partnership with best-in-class technology companies, such as OSIsoft and Operating across all industry verticals that include Life-Sciences, Chemical-Petrochemical, FoodBeverage, Energy and Utilities. TQS facilitates transformation of data into Business Intelligence to maximize effectiveness and productivity within these organisations through digital transformation resulting in increased profitability. SPONSORSHIP OF WATERFORD GAA Last week, TQS Integration was announced as the new sponsor of the Waterford GAA County teams. The sponsorship covers all of the Waterford hurling and football teams from U14 to senior level in both codes and will be performance bonus-related. Speaking at the sponsorship launch, Ms. Quilty said she was particularly honoured, as a Waterford native, to be sponsors of the county teams and is delighted to support them into the future. She said TQS Integration holds a special pride in being an Irish success story, and it is the ideal opportunity to promote the company on a national and international level.
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Santa’s post box
Members of Dungarvan Men’s Shed, who constructed Santa’s Post Box, pictured last week outside Dungarvan Post Office. Left to right: Dungarvan Men’s Shed members, Gerry Dalton; Aidan McCarthy; and Dick Clancy; with Scott Lennon, representing Dungarvan Post Office; and Oliver Whelan, Chairperson Dungarvan Men’s Shed. Aidan McCarthy, who made the post box on direction from Santa Claus and An Post, said it took around two weeks to make. Local children can post their Christmas letters to Santa at the post box outside Dungarvan Post Office. Children are encouraged to write their letters to Santa early and include a clearly written name and address. Santa’s helpers at An Post will make sure children receive a reply from the great man himself just before Christmas. Letters should be posted to Santa Claus, North Pole and affix a €1.00 stamp.
Engine failure due to ice likely cause of fatal plane crash c FROM FRONT PAGE Mr. Ryan was the holder of a Private Pilot Licence (Airplane) - PPL (A) - for 43 years; had 542 hours total flying experience (120 hours with the Long-EZ type); had passed a relevant medical examination just a month previously and was in good health, the report found. The flight carried out by Mr. Ryan on that fateful day in March, 2017 was for the purposes of Flight Permit renewal. Prior to the accident, the aircraft was last flown eight months previously, on 30th July, 2016. However, the AAIU said it was satisfied that despite a lack of flight for some months, it did not contribute to the engine stoppage. The AAIU report said the engine did not stop as a result of a mechanical failure, and concluded that engine failure was likely caused as a result of the induction air being restricted by icing. The report stated that local weather conditions in the vicinity of Dungarvan were such that there existed a risk of serious induction icing at any engine power setting.
The report stated that conditions were compatible with the formation of ‘fuel icing’ where ice forms in the carburettor as a result of moisture in the intake air freezing due to the effects of the fuel vaporisation. The report noted that witnesses observed that the stoppage was accompanied by two or three loud backfires and spluttering, which could be symptomatic of the ignition of an over-rich mixture as a result of the induction air being restricted by icing. The report stated that on the evidence available, it was not possible to determine the circumstances which led to the final flight path of the aircraft before it collided with the trees during the attempted forced landing. The pilot, Mr. Ryan was fatally injured and the post mortem concluded that the cause of death was from multiple injuries sustained in the aircraft crash. He was predeceased by his wife Betty in 2000; and is survived by his children, David junior, Gillian and Robbie, grandchildren, brother Gerry, and a wide circle of family, relatives and friends.
Ronan Mulcahy, Knockeylan, Leamybrien, who recently graduated from DIT with an Hons. Degree in Business Studies and is currently studying for his Masters.
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Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
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Dungarvan poet wins national Christmas Madness accolade at Irish Book Awards DUNGARVAN writer Clodagh Beresford Dunne has won ‘Irish Poem of the Year’ at the Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards for her poem ‘Seven Sugar Cubes’. Clodagh was announced as the winner at the 12th annual Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards held at the Clayton Hotel, Dublin last Tuesday week, 28th November. The event recognises and celebrates the very best in Irish writing talent. The gala award ceremony was attended by over 600 people, many of whom included big names in Irish writing including Marian Keyes, John Banville, Roddy Doyle, Eoin Colfer, ‘Ross O’Carroll Kelly’ writer Paul Howard, comedian David Walliams, BBC reporter Fergal Keane, writer Cecelia Ahern and her father, former Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern,TV presenter Ryan Tubridy, models Roz Purcell and Vogue Williams, RTÉ reporter Caitríona Perry and food writers, Rachel Allen, Neven Maguire and other VIPs and celebrities. Clodagh, who attended the awards, was overwhelmed at being acknowledged in front of so many well-known writers and poets and said she was very honoured at being announced as the winner of the Irish Poem of the
Year Award. “I was stunned at winning the award and to get that recognition,” Clodagh told the Dungarvan Observer. “I’m extremely grateful to the people of Dungarvan and County Waterford for all their support. I am particularly grateful to Arts Officer Margaret Organ for her support,” Clodagh said. There have been a phenomenal amount of congratulations and messages of support and well wishers from across the globe, as Clodagh’s poem went viral on Twitter and Facebook. BBC Reporter, Fergal Keane tweeted about the poem: “This poem stopped me in my tracks beautiful”. Clodagh’s poem ‘Seven Sugar Cubes’ was one of four poems shortlisted from a hundred entries across the country for the prestigious award. Seven Sugar Cubes deals with the loss of her father and the tragic circumstances of his death in December 2015. The poem was published in the Irish Times in April, 2017. Clodagh was the recipient of the 2016 Arts Council of Ireland emerging-writer bursary. She is married with four children and holds a degree in English and Law and is a qualified solicitor.
Her poetry has gained attention on a national and international level. She is currently working on assembling her first
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Pictured at the 12th annual Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards is Clodagh Beresford Dunne, Dungarvan, winner of the Listowel Writers’ Week Irish Poem of the Year for her poem Seven Sugar Cubes. [Patrick Bolger Photography]
31 beds to re-open in Dungarvan Community Hospital - Coffey A TOTAL of 31 beds will reopen in the Dungarvan Community Hospital, a Fine Gael Senator has said. Waterford Senator Paudie Coffey said the reopening of the beds in the Sacred Heart Unit and St Aidan’s Ward will secure the future of the hospital. Senator Coffey said: “I have received an update from HSE management on the status of the Sacred Heart ward in the hospital. “The HSE has confirmed to me that in total 13 new nursing posts have been filled since their advertising campaign. “This means that the Sacred Heart Unit now has 12 of its beds re-opened and a further 7 beds will re-open in the ward in the coming weeks. “Following my strong representations on this issue, along with the campaigns from the action group and local representatives, a nurse recruitment drive was arranged earlier this summer and I am glad now that nurses have been hired and services are
Senator Paudie Coffey being restored at the hospital at last.” Senator Coffey commended the local Action Committee for its work and its role in helping restore the service. He also commended HSE management for responding to the concerns that were raised when this issue arose and the ire and concerns of locals who
full collection of poetry. The Irish Book Awards ceremony is available to view on RTÉ Player.
feared the closure at the time would be permanent. Senator Coffey continued: “I have also been informed by the HSE that St Aidans ward in the hospital- which has been closed for some time- will be reopened early in the new year- meaning a further 12 beds will becomes available. “There will be 31 beds in total re-opened in the hospital as a result of the recruitment of the new nursing staff and this secures the future of the hospital which I’m sure will be welcomed by campaigners and the wider community. “These are critical respite and care beds for the Dungarvan and entire West Waterford areas and it was essential that they be reopened as soon as possible. “I will continue his engagement and work with the HSE to ensure adequate plans are put in place now for the future provision of additional respite beds in the city and county of Waterford as there will be a rising demand for such beds into the future.”
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Waterford sports groups benefit from nearly €1.5m FORTY three sporting clubs and organisations around Waterford City and County will benefit from nearly €1.5m in funding as part of this year’s Sports Capital Grant allocation from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The funding comes from a pot of €56m which is to be distributed to clubs around the country. A record number of 2,320 applications were received this year. The funding will provide financial assistance to local clubs and encourage people to participate in sport - the benefits of which are well documented for both physical and mental health - as well as improve the quality and quantity of sporting facilities in those clubs. The funding was welcomed by both Senator Paudie Coffey and MEP for Ireland South, Deirdre Clune. Senator Coffey stated: “I was eager to see clubs and organisations benefit as much as possible from this funding and worked closely with many of them to ensure that they were successful”. “This grant will assist with the building or refurbishment of dressing rooms, showers and toilets, building or refurbishment of sports halls and gyms, non-personal equipment including lawn mowers and defibrillators and any other capital projects that are clearly sporting in nature and that will increase participation in sport or improve performance,” he said. “This is good not just for the clubs but for the local economy. This additional funding can help to further transform young lives locally, build communities and help bring our clubs sports facilities to a high standard. “The Sports Capital Programme was re-instated by the last Fine Gael Government in 2012, after it had been cut by Fianna Fáil in the wake of the economic crash. It represents an excellent value for money investment. “It is crucial we invest in sport and the health of our population, particularly with obesity is on the rise. Investing in sport is good for the health of the nation, both literally and economically,” Senator Coffey said. “Fine Gael in Government is using our economic progress to invest in communities
around the country and ensure that everyone can benefit. Sport is just one important element of this. The development of sports facilities and the purchase of sports equipment through the excellent Sports Capital Programme is always welcome and a critical investment in citizens health and welfare,” Senator Coffey added. MEP for Ireland South, Deirdre Clune, also welcomed the funding. “The Sports Capital Programme is designed to foster an integrated and planned approach to developing sports and physical recreation facilities throughout the country,” said Ms. Clune. She said it is a particularly important fund to help to develop sporting facilities and infrastructure in disadvantaged areas of the country. “The grants will help voluntary groups, community groups and sporting organisations to build new and develop and improve existing facilities and I welcome the funding,” she added. Minister for Sport, Shane Ross, described the funding as “a great day for Irish sport”. “When we originally invited applications under the scheme, we had just €30m to allocate and the record level of applications would have left a large number of good projects unsupported and many clubs disappointed,” Minister Ross stated. “Happily, following the conclusion of budget discussions, I was delighted to secure the required additional resources to enable me to allocate €56m in total to local sports clubs and organisations throughout the country.” It is understood that a further allocation of €4m has been set aside for Regional Grants, which are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Minister of State, John Halligan, also welcomed the funding, saying it will have a huge impact on the development and improvement of high quality, safe, well-designed and sustainable facilities across Waterford. He said the 43 groups who were successful in receiving funding under the capital grant “represent a broad cross section of local sporting interests that cater for all ages”. “This cash injection will greatly contribute to participation in sport and physical recreation in the locality and is well-deserved recognition of the excellent work done by club volunteers,” said Minister Halligan.
Chamber Vouchers support local jobs ACCORDING to figures from Retail Excellence Ireland, small local businesses employ a large proportion of the 282,000 people who work in retail nationally. They also estimate that each euro spent in a small local store generates €4 within the local economy. Quality employment and a strong local economy make life better for everyone in our community all year round. Our voucher scheme encourages people to shop locally and has kept over €2 million in our area over the last few years. When you choose to support Chamber Vouchers at Christmas or any other time of year, you are not just choosing a thoughtful, useful gift, you are also choosing to safeguard and secure the future of West Waterford.
Once again we are imploring you – if you are rewarding your staff for their hard work and loyalty this Christmas, or indeed any other time of year, please use Chamber Shopping Vouchers. Why would you and your business choose Chamber Shopping Vouchers? • No administrative fee charged for Vouchers
• Vouchers are available from the Chamber office, in €10, €25 or €50 denominations • Vouchers can be used for products and services in over 120 local businesses (list provided) • Under the Revenue Commissioners approved 'Small Benefit Exemption' scheme, from 2015 your company can award staff up to €500 as a once off payment. This €500 payment is completely Tax and PRSI Free requiring no return on payment when you avail of Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber Gift Vouchers. For more information, or to place a voucher order in advance, please contact us on 058 45054, email info@dungarvanchamber.ie or call to our office.
ORGANISATION
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
PROJECT TITLE
ALLOCATION
Ballyduff Lower GAA Club
Ball Wall, Astroturf, Lighting & Siteworks Project Ballyduff Soccer Club Main pitch (full size playing pitch) drainage Ballyduff Upper GAA Club Upgrade of Dressing / Shower Room & Training Facility Ballygunner GAA Club Community Walking Track Ballysaggart GAA Club Ballysaggart GAA Hall & ancillary developments Brideview Utd AFC Playing Field Upgrade and Supply Of Generator Cappoquin Community Development Company Ltd Gymnasium extension at Cappoquin Community Centre Cappoquin Rowing Club Support equality safety with upgrade equipment Celtic Squash Club Celtic Squash Club Facilities Refurbishment CLG Micheal McCraith (Tramore GAA Club) Ground Improvements at Tramore GAA Club, Waterford Cunnigar Pitch and Putt Club Purchase of Grass Cutting Equipment Dungarvan Gymnastics Club Tumbling Track & Landing Area Dungarvan Rugby Club Pitch refurbishment Dunhill GAA/Sports Centre Gym Equipment Finisk Valley Athletics Club Finisk Valley Athletics Club Gaultier GAA Club Floodlit astro turf training pitch John Mitchells Field Development John Mitchells GAA (Waterford) Kilbarry Gymnastics Club Upgrading and renewal of equipment at KGA Kilmacthomas GAA Club Upgrading Field Facilities & Security Kilotteran Riding Club (A.I.R.C.) Dressage, Showjumping and Cross Country Equipment Kilrossanty GAA Club Astroturf pitch, Hurling wall & Fencing Mount Sion GAA / Social Club Mount Sion Hurling and Football Club Park Rangers FC Park Rangers Soccer for all Clubhouse Extension Pat Rockett Martial Arts Academy Sports equipment,and storage Portlaw GAA Club Portlaw GAA Dressing Room Facilities Rathgormack GAA Club Rathgormack GAA Club upgrading of floodlights Saviours Crystal Boxing Club Extension for dressing rooms Splashworld Sharks Swimming Club Swim Training Equipment St Anne's Waterford Tennis Club St-Anne's - Phase 1 of 3 Redevelopment Boxing for All - Gym Equipment Tramore Boxing Club Update/Upgrade Tramore Rangers Fooball Club Improvement of Facilities Tramore Tennis Club Essential Repair and upgrade to facilities Tried & Tested Triathlon Club Dungarvan Equipment grant for Tried & Tested Triathlon Club Villa Football Club Villa Football Club - Astro Pitch Development Villierstown Education & Culture Project Ltd Safety Upgrades Waterford Boat Club Renewal of Equipment for Waterford Boat Club Waterford City Viqueens Waterford Viqueens Fresh Meat Recruitment Waterford Crystal Football Club Sporting Equipment (Four Portable Goals) Waterford Harbour Sailing Club New Rescue/Safety RIBs & Dinghies for WHSC Waterford Harbour Sub Aqua Club Rigid Hulled Inflatable boat with engine Waterford LEDC Ltd Cill Barra Community Sports Centre Extension Waterford Riding Club Show Jumping Equipment Waterford Sports Partnership Sports Equipment 2017 TOTAL ALLOCATION TO WATERFORD
€57,500 €26,500 €9,000 €23,000 €105,000 €15,500 €50,000 €24,000 €22,000 €73,000 €13,288 €5,000 €20,000 €11,500 €2,500 €48,500 €10,500 €5,000 €73,000 €3,000 €92,000 €7,500 €100,000 €13,000 €70,000 €10,000 €48,000 €7,000 €150,000 €7,000 €5,000 €5,704 €11,000 €114,000 €6,000 €31,000 €2,000 €1,000 €34,000 €32,000 €104,000 €7,000 €14,000 €1,468,992
NEWS
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
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A new Text Alert system goes WESTGATE STORAGE offers self storage facility for your live in Ring and Old Parish business or home storage needs
A NEW community-wide 24 security service will go live this month throughout the Ring and Old Parish area bringing solace and relief to many who feel vulnerable in their own homes. With over 600 residents signed up, twenty new Text Alert signs erected throughout the Ring and Old Parish area and a new management company secured to provide a round the clock automated service, the stage is set for the area’s first Text Alert system to come on stream. The occasion will be marked with an official launch taking place in Halla Cholmáin in Old Parish on Monday, 11th December, at 8.00 p.m. The local four-person Community Alert (Pobal ar Aire) committee of Padraigín Ní Chadhla, George Young, Mary Tobin and Tony Tobin, have worked zealously throughout the Gaeltacht area over the past year attending over 20 meetings to get this community-based initiative up and running. Their aim was to ensure the continuing safety of all members of their community in this rural area. Their first meetings followed the escalation of burglaries in the west Waterford area as reported in the media. Following these wellattended public meetings, the local committee grew in its resolve to take matters into their own hands and they began gathering names and phone numbers, investigating the range of services on offer, meeting people in the area and assessing the level of interest and the desire for such an initiative. Members of An Garda Síochána will be present on the up-coming night in Halla Cholmáin in Old
Parish to speak about the scheme and demonstrate how it works.These will include Garda Inspector Larry Ryan, Garda Sergeant Brendan Roche and Garda Christine Keniry, the community liaison guard at Dungarvan Garda Station. “It’s very important for people in the local community, particularly in rural areas, to watch out for each other,” says Pádraigín Ní Chadhla, chair of this local Pobal Ar Aire committee. “Having a text alert system provides reassurance for people,” she explains. The presence of such a network means that individuals are more aware of the danger and more inclined to monitor and report any suspicious activity to the Garda Síochána. Also, she adds, “it’s been found that the rural crime figures have been brought down in the areas where the system has been introduced.” The committee has found that “the vast majority of people are very pleased that the service is in the area and they are very glad to sign up because they realise we are all dependent on each other in our own community.” “I became involved in the Text Alert project because I felt this had to be done,” says Tony Tobin, another member of the committee. “My wife and myself are living alone and we’re not young people any more. But what drew me really was what was happening to older people up the country,” he adds. “You’ve got a few people living on their own and they tend to be nervous so having the Community Alert in the area gives them peace of
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Pictured (l. to r.): George Young, Tony Tobin, Mary Tobin and Pádraigín Ní Chadhla viewing one of the new Text Alert Signs erected recently in Baile na nGall. mind. Also I feel it will bring people together, which is a good thing,” adds Mary Tobin, another member of the committee. “It’s a total community project,” says her fellow committee member, George Young. “Looking at the social aspect, it engages with everyone in the community,” he adds. All the houses in the Ring and Old Parish were invited to participate in the system over the last six months. If the Gardaí believe there is a threat in the area and deem it necessary to alert people then an alert will be sent out by Pin Point Alerts Ltd to all those who have given their phone number to the committee. The majority of the 600 plus who have registered with the committee will be alerted by a text on their
mobile phone. However, with poor mobile coverage in parts of the area over 100 of those who have signed up will be contacted on their landline. The committee secured funding from the Waterford County Council and point out that the system will remain free of charge for a period. However the service will, ultimately, comprise an annual fee of €10. This, the committee points out, can be paid on the night of the launch in Old Parish. As part of the initiative approximately a dozen people opted for a personal alarm pendant. These are generally provided to people on their own who are over 65. This service will costs €66 per annum but the first year is free, says the committee.
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NEWS
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Déise roads set for further deterioration as road maintenance grant slashed Funding for road maintenance to fall by 30% in 2018
Left to Right - Sen Paudie Coffey, Minister of State John Halligan, Minister Simon Harris, Sen Grace O’Sullivan, Deputy David Cullinane, Deputy Mary Butler.
Waterford Oireachtas members hold constructive meeting with Minister for Health on cardiac care WATERFORD Oireachtas members Minister John Halligan TD, David Cullinane TD, Mary Butler TD, Senator Grace O Sullivan and Senator Paudie Coffey tonight held a constructive meeting with the Minister for Health Simon Harris on the future of cardiac care in the South-East. The meeting focused on the planned National Review into Cardiac Services, current cardiac wait times at University Hospital Waterford, data from the deployment of a mobile Cath Lab and an ongoing review of cardiac services in UHW by the National Clinical Programme.
In a joint statement this evening the Waterford Oireachtas members said: “The meeting tonight was useful and constructive. We reviewed the updated wait times for cardiac procedures at University Hospital Waterford and significant progress was reported. As a consequence of outsourcing and the deployment of a mobile Cath Lab wait times have dramatically reduced with very few patients waiting longer than six months. This is good news and evidence that increased capacity reduces waiting times. “The Minister informed us that he will shortly announce an
Independent Chair to oversee the national review. It was accepted that any review must be thorough, truly Independent and based on the best clinical and medical advice and the most up to date data. The Minister acknowledged the need for extensive and genuine consultation with all stakeholders and committed to ensuring that everyone will have their say. “The Minister also acknowledged the reduction in wait times and the demand for increased services at University Hospital Waterford by Oireachtas members, regional clinicians and campaigning groups. He committed
to patient voices being front and centre in the review process. He also understood the regional significance of this issue and committed to further engagement with Oireachtas members in the region. “As Waterford Oireachtas members we are deeply conscious of the emotiveness and urgency associated with this issue. We stand resolute in our desire to see enhanced cardiac services and delivery of 24/7 PPCI at University Hospital Waterford. We will continue to act in unison and with one voice for Waterford and the region.”
Reduction in cardiac wait times makes case for second Cath Lab unassailable – Cullinane SINN Féin TD for Waterford Deputy David Cullinane has welcomed the huge drop in wait times for cardiac procedures at University Hospital Waterford. Deputy Cullinane was responding to figures released to him by management at University Hospital Waterford which show that the number of patients waiting 6 months or more has been dramatically reduced. The figures released are timely as Waterford Oireachtas members will meet with the Minister for Health this evening to discuss the terms of reference for the planned national review. Speaking recently Deputy Cullinane said: “Through a combination of outsourcing patients to Cork and the deployment of a mobile Cath Lab the cardiac wait times at University Hospital Waterford
have dramatically reduced. The number of patients waiting between 6-8 months has reduced from 87 in April to only 3 in November.The numbers waiting 8-12 months has reduced from 80 in January to 5 in November. The figures show that no patient is now waiting for over 12 months. “It is obvious that the need for a second Cath Lab exists. A HSE Month Jan. Feb. March April May June July August Sept. Oct. Nov.
0-3 Months 175 148 292 260 343 316 230 271 147 368 395
3-6 Months 130 111 153 151 123 122 190 135 235 87 63
review carried out by the Acute Coronary Syndrome Programme looks set to be favourable to University Hospital Waterford. The case for a second Cath Lab is now undeniable and backed up with clear clinical data. “Waterford Oireachtas members will today meet with the Minister for Health. We will do so with a single voice and a single message. The people of the
6-8 Months 50 58 75 87 59 20 31 15 31 17 3
8-12 Months 80 70 60 59 22 21 26 18 20 8 5
12-15 Months 39 15 15 15 9 8 7 5 9 6 0
15-18 Months 15 1 23 19 7 2 5 6 7 3 0
South-East deserve the same level of cardiac care as all other regions. "The Minister for Health must review the reduced wait times and the content of any report from the ACS Programme. With the right political will and underpinned by the medical and clinical facts the Minister can and should act and agree to a second Cath Lab at UHW.”
18-24 Months 0 0 20 21 13 7 7 7 1 1 0
24-26 Months 0 0 17 14 7 0 0 0 0 0 0
36-48 Months 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Total 489 403 656 627 583 496 496 457 450 490 466
FIANNA Fáil TD for Waterford, Mary Butler has said that she is shocked to learn of extensive funding cutbacks for roads maintenance Waterford in 2018. Deputy Butler was commenting after Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) took the extraordinary step of writing to all Local Authorities, including Waterford City and County Council to warn them that the Ordinary Maintenance Allocation for roads will plummet by 30% in 2018. The overall national road current expenditure budget for 2018 is set to fall by 15% when compared to 2017. “This revelation is truly shocking. A cut of this nature will only exacerbate the already poor roads network in the county. “The Minister and the Government can trumpet the national increase in funding for the department, but it’s clear from this letter than local authorities will see their allocations drop next year. “Waterford roads are already
in a severe state of disrepair. It’s beyond belief that when this was raised with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Transport, they were oblivious to it, and its implications. “There is no doubt about it; this cutback will have a damaging impact on Waterford’s roads. Road users can expect to see more potholes and increased damage to their cars and higher repair costs in 2018. “Road maintenance budgets have already suffered from significant cutbacks in recent years and this has had a detrimental impact on transport infrastructure. Minister Ross should be dramatically increasing the funding allocated for roads maintenance, but instead he is overseeing the implementation of damaging cutbacks. “Minister Ross needs to review this issue as a matter of urgency. Where exactly is the additional money he secured in Budget 2018 actually going towards? It’s perfectly clear from the TII that it is not going towards roads maintenance budgets,” concluded Butler.
Family Library Week at Waterford Libraries 11th - 16th December WATERFORD Libraries are delighted to host a week of events for Family Library Week 11th-16th of December. Ever wanted to join a book club that you could bring your baby to or see what a being part of a parent and toddler group would be like? Now is your chance! In Libraries all over Waterford during the week of the 11th to the 16th of December there are open days, coffee mornings, story times, parent and toddler groups to join, book clubs to meet (with and without a baby!) and other activity clubs to explore ranging from scrabble to knitting to language clubs. Library staff will be on hand to introduce you to the services we can offer and to show you how to get the best out of your local library. Our Reader in Residence,
Lani O’Hanlon will be in attendance at events in Dungarvan Library, Central Library, Tramore Library, Carrickphierish Library, Tallow Library, Kilmacthomas Library and Browns Road Library and will read stories and poetry and talk to library users about creative ways to use the library service. Contact your local library for full details of the events in each branch. Family Library week is part of our work under the Right to Read campaign, Right to Read is a national initiative which aims to greatly enhance literacy levels throughout the country. Library membership is free to everyone; you just need photographic ID proof of address to join. Call in to your local Library, see what we have to offer you and join the library family!
Dungarvan Observer
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
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LIONS CLUB CHRISTMAS 2017 DUNGARVAN LIONS CLUB invites Applications from individuals and families living in West Waterford who feel that they need help and would like to receive a Christmas Voucher As a Lions Club we are very aware that, apart from the people that we have traditionally helped, there has been a substantial increase in recent years in the number of people experiencing hardship, coping with difficult circumstances and struggling financially to make ends meet. We would encourage and welcome applications for assistance where a genuine individual or family need exists. If you feel that you need help this Christmas and would like to receive a Lions Club Christmas Voucher, please send your APPLICATION* in writing to : CHRISTMAS APPEAL, P.O. BOX 600, DUNGARVAN POST OFFICE or Email: dungarvanlionsclub@gmail.com Applications should include the following information : • your name and address • contact telephone number • details about your particular circumstances which you believe will be helpful to us in assessing the level of assistance we can provide (we always seek to distribute available funds in the West Waterford area to optimum effect). *ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE The CLOSING DATE for applications is
Monday 11th December 2017
An out of control trawler collided with a pilot boat at Dunmore East Harbour, County Waterford which in turn collided with the mooring pontoon of the RNLB Elizabeth & Ronald causing the lifeboat considerable damage. [John Power]
The Fresh Food Courtyard to open its doors in Dungarvan this week THE Fresh Food Courtyard is a new business coming to Dungarvan that will provide top quality food and meats at very reasonable prices. Operated by proprietor, Jimmy Burrows, formerly of Cribbins Butchers Block, this is a unique food retail model that will bring fresh quality food and meats to the customer – with a full butchers shop in-store operated by qualified butchering staff and a delicatessen that really differs from the rest offering healthy fresh food options for all. The business is located in a very prominent location opposite Starbucks and SGC Dungarvan, which makes it very accessible for shoppers with ample parking outside its front doors. Jimmy Burrows brings over 25
years of experience in the butchering and food retail trade to offer fresh food products that will meet the needs of busy modern families. This business model is based on a retail concept whereby shoppers, consumers and families seeking quality, healthy, nutritious and affordable food can call in and buy a diverse range of fresh cooked or uncooked food products as they desire. The shop will stock a range of modern quality food products, prepared to very high standards and specifications by trained staff. Traditional and specialised product range:• Quality Meats and Butchering • ‘Ready to Cook’ range of products
• ‘Ready to Heat’ range of products • ‘Ready to Eat’ range of products • Convenient meal solutions • Healthy food options • High in protein, Low in fat Healthy Fitness Range • Artisan product ranges • Seasonal specialities • Hot/Cold Food Delicatessen • Teas/Coffees – seated café area The Fresh Food Court Yard will be open this week so call in and see for yourself what this unique food hall can offer. Taking orders immediately for your Christmas needs offering a wide range of meats – turkeys – hams – lamb and beef roasts and so much more!
PLEASE NOTE: We may not be able to process your application if - It does not include all the above required information, - It is not sent in writing to the P.O. box / e-mail above, or - We receive your application after the closing date.
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Pictured at the 2017 Ireland Best Young Entrepreneur competition with Waterford Local Enterprise Office at Dooley's Hotel. Pictured are Mayor of Waterford Cllr. Pat Nugent, Bébhínn McGrath runner-up in the ‘Best Start-up' and Paul Curley LEO. [Patrick Browne]
Pictured at the 2017 Ireland Best Young Entrepreneur competition with Waterford Local Enterprise Office at Dooley's Hotel. Pictured are Mayor of Waterford Cllr. Pat Nugent, Conor Walsh runner-up in the 'Best Established Business' and Paul Curley LEO. [Patrick Browne]
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Pictured at the 2017 Ireland Best Young Entrepreneur competition with Waterford Local Enterprise Office at Dooley's Hotel. Pictured are Mayor of Waterford Cllr. Pat Nugent, Robbie Skuse winner of the ‘Best Established Business' and Paul Curley LEO. [Patrick Browne]
Pictured at the 2017 Ireland Best Young Entrepreneur competition with Waterford Local Enterprise Office at Dooley's Hotel. Pictured are Mayor of Waterford Cllr. Pat Nugent, Anthony Cronin winner in the ‘Best Start-up' and Paul Curley LEO. [Patrick Browne]
Robbie Skuse ‘Kollects' Waterford's Best Young Entrepreneur 2017 title THE shortlisted candidates in the 2017 Ireland Best Young Entrepreneur competition gathered for the muchanticipated County final on Friday night (November 24th) at Dooley's Hotel. Founder of the waste collection service ‘Kollect’, Mr Robbie Skuse was announced as Waterford’s overall winner in Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition 2017. 17 of Waterford's young entrepreneurs were shortlisted for the Waterford final and three winners and runners-up were announced on the evening in each of the categories ‘Best New Idea', ‘Best Start-up' and ‘Best Established Business'. Head of Enterprise at Waterford's Local Enterprise Office Richie Walsh announced each winner and runner-up and the presentation of awards was made by the Mayor of Waterford Councillor Pat Nugent. Each category winner was awarded with a financial investment fund
from Waterford's Local Enterprise Office. Robbie's business Kollect was launched in 2015; its business model is an on-demand waste collection service for bin collections, junk and skip hire. Their company mission is to create simple, convenient and efficient ways to collect and recycle waste, innovating customer service and creating consumer delight. Customers book waste collections through Kollect's booking engine and they then subcontract to their waste collection partners. The company employs 14 people locally. In the ‘Best New Idea' category, Marc Power was announced as the winner for his idea ‘Mohecan Male Grooming' a business developing advanced skincare solutions for the male skincare market. Marc identified a growing trend and shift in the male grooming industry. Mohecan is the first company of
its kind in Ireland with an accessible product line available exclusively for men. Chloe Hehir was announced as the runner-up for her business idea, ‘Vitaease' a fruit flavoured drink, which has beneficially added functional ingredients targeted for the elderly consumer. Chloe holds a Food Science degree and has worked in a nursing home where she has witnessed how the eating habits and attitude of the elderly person to food greatly changes. In the ‘Best Start-up' category, Anthony Cronin was announced as the winner for his business Flexiwage, an employee financial wellness application which offers a great new benefit to employees by empowering them to schedule their income payments to suit their circumstances while at the same time reducing employers costs and increasing cash flow. The company has in twelve months in
existence broken down borders as they expand into the US, Australia, and the UK. Bébhínn McGrath was announced as the runner-up in the ‘Best Start-up' category. Bébhínn launched her ethical Womenswear label in May 2017. The brand BÉBHÍNN specialises in Irish Linen and Merino Wool with all the pieces made to order by Bébhínn McGrath. The aim is to create contemporary classics, made using traditional Irish fabrics merged with modern tailoring techniques for a unique expression of Irish Design. In the ‘Best Established Business' category, Robbie Skuse was announced as the winner for his business Kollect, later in the evening, Robbie was also announced as the overall county winner for 2017. Conor Walsh was announced as the runner-up in the Best Established Business' category. Conor founded ENCON a
construction business in the energy-efficient construction sector for new and existing buildings. Conor has invented a product with a Patent filing in the United Kingdom's Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO). This filing when granted will offer protection in the UK, with a provision to file for global Patent protection within twelve months of the IP being granted by the UK IPO. This product will concentrate on supplying prefabricated walling systems to the domestic housing market both here in Ireland and the UK. Encon has five full-time employees. Commenting on the occasion Head of Enterprise at the Waterford Local Enterprise Office, Richie Walsh said, "Working through this process over the last number of months and meeting 100's of very talented young entrepreneurs has been incredible. In Waterford, there is a huge
appetite for growing business and creating employment amongst all of these enterprises and all of the team at the LEO in Waterford are proud to support all of the entrepreneurs in their endeavours. Each of the winners and all of the shortlisted candidates should be very proud of reaching this stage of the competition, the standard was world-class." The Best Young Entrepreneur competition is now in its fourth year and is run by Waterford Local Enterprise Office. The three winners from the county final, Robbie Skuse, Marc Power and Anthony Cronin will all now go forward to the regional final which will be held in Cork in January 2018, to battle it out for a place in the prestigious national final. Updates for ‘Ireland's Best Young Entrepreneur' competition is available through www.ibye.ie, www.localenterprise.ie/Waterford
NEWS
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
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Pop-up shop for Helvick Lifeboat in Dungarvan Shopping Centre THE annual Christmas Fair in aid of the RNLI Helvick Lifeboat will take place in Dungarvan Shopping Centre this Friday, December 8th from 10.30 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. “We will have a fine selection of RNLI Christmas cards, clothing and merchandise for sale” said Anne McCarthy, Hon Sec of the Fundraising Committee, “and we are grateful to DSC for their support!” “There are RNLI Christmas cards also available in the following locations: Kelly’s Pharmacy in
Dungarvan and Abbeyside; I Eye Opticians; Dungarvan Harbour Sailing Club; Eurospar; Abbeyside Centra; Abbeyside PO; Ballinroad Convenience Store; Oifig an Phoist agus SPAR An Rinn” added Hon RNLI Fundraising Treasurer Dolores Walsh. The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Visit us on Facebook: Dungarvan Bay and Helvick Head RNLI Fundraising Branch. Info: (058) 46314; 087-1740141.
Clashmore Health Centre concerns raised By Christy Parker WATERFORD Council has agreed to refer the issue of Clashmore’s Health Centre to its community directorate following representation made by Cllr. Siobhán Whelan, on behalf of Clashmore community group, at November’s Dungarvan-Lismore Municipal District meeting. Cllr. Whelan explained that the Centre had been closed for “quite a while, since the doctor in Ardmore passed away.” With no doctor visiting it had become a major issue for the elderly and those who don’t drive,” she elaborated. Matters would only get worse in winter time. The Councillor wasn’t sure if the council had a role to play but senior environment office Ray Moloney said he would refer it to the directorate. Director of services for Housing Ivan Grimes promised a further response in due course. CCTV IN ESTATES In other matters, Cllr Whelan sought clarification of the council’s policy on CCTV being deployed in estates to counteract anti-social behaviour and whether it was a Council or a Garda matter primarily. Mr. Moloney said the council use CCTV to investigate illegal dumping and littering offences but wouldn’t be using it within his department for anti-social
behaviour matters. Mr. Grimes described the query posed “an interesting question in a number of different contexts about neighbours using CCTV to film neighbours.” He didn’t think there were any restrictions “from a planning perspective” as regards to having CCTV on private properties” and the council had “inquired about the legality of it.” Essentially, he concluded, it was “a civil matter between individuals.” In regard to the housing department using CCTV to address anti-social behaviour, he said it “hasn’t been very effective” in terms of policing or gaining convictions. CLONEA DOG BINS Cllr. Whelan also tabled an inquiry as to how “often the bins in Clonea are emptied?” She didn’t specify that whether it was regular or dog litter receptacles, as she recalled visiting the area and finding dog litter “left in bags around the bins.” She advised that as people are doing their best to clean up after their dogs, “it would be handy if the council followed through.” Senior executive engineer Josephine McGrath said the bins were “checked weekly” but if the council got a report they would “review how often we check them.” Cllr. Damien Geoghegan said he had received a similar report that morning.
Miriam Foley MacLeod, Deirdre Doocey, Joan Clancy, Dolores Walsh and Nicky Hannigan at the RNLI Christmas pop-up show in Dungarvan Shopping Centre in 2014.
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EDITORIAL
Common sense at last ECHOES of Henry the Eighth’s plaintiff cry: ‘Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest?’ must have swirled the corridors of Government Buildings last week, as the Minister for Health finally conceded to a persistent Cork mother, who has been actively and gently aggressively campaigning to have medicinal cannabis made available for her young daughter suffering from a catastrophic form of epilepsy. Two years of personal hardship and the dedicated work of family and friends was brought to an end with the stroke of a Ministerial pen last week when the life-saving drug was finally made available to the eight year old patient who desperately needed the treatment to prolong her life. Without the persistence of this mother, it is most unlikely the drug, based on cannabis, would have been made available to the ill child. Two years of a most disruptive and most demanding lifestyle was brought to an end for this Cork family as a licence was issued for the import of the life-saving drug. Having gone to live in Holland where the drug was more easily available, the family returned to Cork last week asking the obvious question ‘where was the compassion in all of this?” The sick child’s dedicated mother ran a very demanding campaign, necessarily disruptive to family life, to seek the necessary licence to import the drug. The mother set out on a walk from Cork to Dublin involving great hardship to herself and disruption to her family. There are many more even more addictive and
Incorp. Munster Industrial Advocate dangerous drugs already available in this country under controlled conditions, drugs which have to be kept under the strictest control and heavily secured lockers to preserve their safety from thieves. Why medicinal cannabis cannot be added is beyond the understanding of the wider population. In a week when a second patient suffering from genetic emphysema died, possibly because of the suspension of the availability of a necessary drug, denied because of procedural wrangling over who pays what, the breakthrough in the medicinal cannabis case is most welcome. Whether this treatment will be made available to other sufferers is not clear, but at least one family will have reason to celebrate Christmas in a happier fashion.
Changing the clocks SEVENTY countries in the world, including Ireland, use the ‘New Time / Old Time’ system of changing the clocks in Autumn and Summer, or as it is known in the US and elsewhere, Daylight Saving Time. This has been in operation since the foundation of the State and a proposal to not implement the changes comes up every few years. On one occasion about forty years ago, the annual Autumn change was not implemented in this country, but
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
the experiment was not found advantageous enough and not pursued. One of the primary reasons for retaining the old system was that the vast majority of children would travel to school in bright conditions, but, of course, the hour of darkness was transferred to their journey home instead. There was no advantage there. Two reasons for not changing the clocks in Winter were that the extra hour of daylight could be used for outdoor recreation like golf, soccer, hurling, athletics, etc. That way, the additional light may counteract the sedentary lifestyle of modern living. It was also felt that the tourism industry would profit from brighter evenings as people would have more time to go shopping, to restaurants, or other events, boosting the local economy. However, as these are mainly indoor pursuits, they could as easily be followed and enjoyed in the dark. Perhaps the greatest consideration is the impact any change would have on traffic patterns and road safety, especially for cyclists and pedestrians and the possible effect it would have on collisions or other motoring or cycling mishaps. There is, logically, probably as much traffic in the mornings as in the evenings, but a year’s trial and a comprehensive survey would be necessary to establish a benefit or otherwise. Over a century on from the establishment of this practice, social life is vastly different; leisure and work patterns have changed; transport to and from school has also advanced and working days have become shorter. If a beneficial effect in regard to safety, commerce, leisure and work-practices can be established then it should be implemented. One survey suggests that two-thirds of the population would favour the retention of Summer Time all year round. So, if the European authorities agree to standardise these proposals, we may well see changes in our activity times.
Reg. in GPO as a Newspaper • Shandon, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford • 058-41205/42042 • www.dungarvanobserver.ie • news@dungarvanobserver.ie
Portlaw takes top spot in category three at the IPB Pride of Place Awards Population Category 1000 – 2000
THE winners of the IPB Pride of Place Awards in association with Co-operation Ireland were announced last night at a gala awards ceremony in Letterkenny. The awards acknowledge the achievements and the invaluable work undertaken by volunteers and those involved in local community development. Portlaw, County Waterford took the runner-up award in Category three, which is for villages with a population of between 1000 and 2000 people. During the ceremony 49 awards were announced in the main competition, the cities competition and special awards, ranging from groups supporting small rural communities to those involved in large inner city housing estates. Donegal County Council hosted the evening and celebrated Irish musicians Donal Lunney and Paddy Glackin entertained the audience before the winners were announced. RTE presenter Aengus MacGrianna was MC for the ceremony, which was attended by over 800 people. Sponsored by IPB, the Pride of Place competition was initiated 15 years ago through a Co-operation Ireland programme to acknowledge the invaluable work undertaken by volunteers and those involved in local community development. It has grown into the largest competition recognising community
development achievements on the island of Ireland. The winners were presented with their awards by Minister Joe McHugh TD, Government Chief Whip & Minister of State for Gaeilge, An Ghaeltacht and the Islands, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Gerry McMonagle, Dr Christopher Moran, Chairman Co-operation Ireland, Michael McGreal, Vice Chair IPB Insurance and Tom Dowling, Chairperson, Pride of Place Committee. Tom Dowling, Chairperson of IPB Pride of Place Competition said, “This unique competition is
about showing respect and inclusion for every sector in our communities, young, old, rich or poor and creating communities to which the people are proud to say they belong”. He added that he was delighted that this year’s gala ceremony was held in Donegal. Peter Sheridan, Chief Executive of Co-operation Ireland said, “The Pride of Place Awards ceremony is an ideal opportunity for organisations to come together and learn from each other. This will be important as we prepare for the inevitable changes Brexit will
bring to the island of Ireland. This evening, we have witnessed some of the finest examples of people working together to create a positive future and we all must continue to build on this so Irish society as a whole can benefit. I congratulate everyone who was nominated but I extend special congratulations to those groups who were triumphant this evening”. Michael Garvey, Chief Executive Officer of title sponsor IPB Insurance, reaffirmed his company’s support for the competition, he said, “The IPB Pride of Place awards is an ideal plat-
form to recognise the positive social impacts being made in communities across the island of Ireland. I would like to take this opportunity to commend all the communities involved for their spirit of collaboration and camaraderie in making it to the finals. It is also important to recognise the role of local authorities across the island of Ireland who work closely with their communities to support inspiring voluntary initiatives. These awards serve as one of the important ways that we can recognise those involved in working to make a difference in society”.
Cathaoirleach Cllr. Gerry McMonagle said “I am delighted that Donegal has been chosen to host of this prestigious awards ceremony and that we welcomed over 800 people to celebrate and recognise the wonderful contribution that community groups make to life in their own local areas all across the island of Ireland. This has been a great opportunity to showcase what Donegal has to offer and I hope all our visitors have had a wonderful experience and that they bring home with them fond memories of their trip to Donegal”.
Co-operation Ireland/Irish Public Bodies Pride of Place Awards Ceremony 2017 – Representatives from Portlaw, Co. Waterford, receive their award. Included are Dr. Christopher Moran, Chairman [Lorcan Doherty] Co-operation Ireland; Tom Dowling, Chairperson, Pride of Place, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr. Gerry McMonagle and Michael Garvey, CEO IPB Insurance.
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
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Helen’s Lingerie Boutique 27 O’Connell Street, Dungarvan. Tel. (058) 44193
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MELLERAY GROTTO Cappoquin, Co. Waterford Mr. Thomas Fenton, Brook Lodge, Modeligo, and Catherine Grennan, Haggard, Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, who were recently married in St. James’ Church, Glenmore. The reception was held in Faithlegg House Hotel. Pictured with Fenton family members Maeve Fenton, Stella Fenton, Bride and Groom, Daniel Fenton, Caitriona and Neil Fenton.
Successful 61st Friary Sale of Work THE 61st Friary Sale of Work held last Friday night in Lawlors Hotel proved the most successful in recent years. Despite various other attractions, including the Late Late Toy Show, a bumper crowd turned up for the event and there was brisk business at all the stalls. The Wheel of Fortune as usual was the main attraction and with Tony Coffey advertising the prizes, urging the crowd to get their tickets early and spinning the wheel with gusto, he managed to send people home happy in time for most of their favourite TV programme. The Sale of Work was opened
by the Prior Provincial, Fr. John Hennebry, OSA, who thanked the supporters of the event for coming in such numbers and supporting the work of their missions in Nigeria. He also thanked those who had organised the improvement works at Fr.Toomey’s Well which was blessed a rededicated to the memory of one of the best known and most generous Friars in the history of the Order in town. Fr. Patrick Toomey was a six-time Prior of the Dungarvan Friary between 1836 and 1867. He was remembered and honoured for his work among the poor, the hungry and the sick
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who were numerous in his days in the town. Fr. Hennebry thanked all the Mission workers for their continuing efforts and recalled that he had recently visited Fr. Jackie Power from Main Street, Dungarvan, now resident in Dublin and the oldest Augustinian in the country. “I remarked to some of the wonderful volunteers who are here tonight that this is the last location in the country where there is a Sale of Work,” said Fr. Hennebry. “We are delighted to see so many people here this evening despite the cold, despite the Panto and despite the Toy Show and many other attractions.You are absolutely wonderful to come out. “The support you give to the Missions, which our Mission Director, Fr. Francis Aherne spoke to you about is invaluable and provides the funds which he
Candlelight Vigil FRIDAY, 8th DECEMBER Prayers from 8–9 p.m. Prayer Leader Fr. Pat Gear, P.P., Cappoquin
allocates to those areas most in need. “It was unfortunate that at the same time as the bomb exploded in Egypt some weeks ago with great loss of life, a similar bombing took place in Nigeria which nobody seemed to notice. “I know you keep all of these unfortunate people in your thoughts and prayers as well as in your pockets,” he said,” and we will make sure that all of your donations will go to the most needy of places.” He then led prayers for the safety and success of the work of their Mission priests and workers, the Missionary Sisters of Mercy and the people of Nigeria. Fr. Tony Egan, Prior also thanked those present for their support which so greatly assists their Mission work and declared the Sale of Work open for business.
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Locally made Gluten Free Christmas Puddings, Cakes & Mincemeat now in stock Some of the workers at the Friary Sale of Work held in Lawlors Hotel last Friday night. Back row from left: Kate Douglas, Fr. John Hennebry, OSA, Prior Provincial, Fr. Francis Aherne, Mission Director, Tony Coffey, MC, Fr. Tony Egan, Prior, St. Augustine’s, Dungarvan and Ann Donnelly. Front: Marie Forde, Sheila Veale and Áine O’Riordan. [Tom Keith]
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Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
30 lives saved in dramatic near-drowning incidents Irish Water Safety honours remarkable rescuers . . . THIRTY lives were saved from drowning thanks to the brave actions of thirty rescuers who received recognition at the Irish Water Safety’s National Annual Awards Ceremony at the Hibernia Conference Centre, Dublin Castle on Wednesday, 29th November. Mr. Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural & Community Development presented the “Seiko Just in Time Rescue Award” to rescuers in appreciation for saving so many lives. Minister Ring said ‘It is an honour to pay tribute to these courageous and deserving award recipients. Tragically, an average of 133 people drown in Ireland every year and although that’s 133 too many, the figure would be even higher but for the dramatic efforts of these individuals who saved others from drowning and the ongoing work of volunteers teaching swimming and water rescue skills.” “Complacency around aquatic environments is simply not an option”, remarked Mr. Ring, adding that “thirty children aged fourteen and under drowned in ten years, reflecting the importance of constant uninterrupted child supervision. The work of Irish Water Safety’s volunteers in teaching and assessing Lifeguards pays dividends at our waterways every year, reflected in the fact that Lifeguards rescued 302 people from drowning nationwide this summer, administered
first aid on 3,777 occasions and reunited 298 lost children found wandering unsupervised near water.” “I appeal to all adults to make themselves more aware of the dangers in, on and around water”, continued Minister Ring. “It only takes seconds for tragedy to strike and this can so easily be avoided if people learn about the hazards and take responsibility for their own safety. I ask that people encourage friends and family to read Irish Water Safety’s guidelines at www.iws.ie so that they have the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to avoid becoming a drowning statistic. Drownings can happen quickly and silently so it is very important that people take training before pursuing aquatic activities.” Long-Service Volunteer Awards were also be presented to 43 volunteers, recognising a combined total of 895 years of personal service teaching swimming, water rescue and survival skills in communities nationwide. RECIPIENTS OF THE SEIKO JUST IN TIME AWARD... Presented to those who came to the assistance of person(s) in difficulty in water and in danger of drowning. INCIDENT OCCURRED IN YOUGHAL, CO. CORK David Slattery (Cork) and Sean Slattery (Cork) On the 18th of June 2017,
Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural & Community Development (left) and Martin O'Sullivan, Chairman of Irish Water Safety (right) present the Seiko Just In Time Award to Cork's David Slattery and Sean Slattery (Cork) at the annual IWS Awards Ceremony. [David Branigan/Oceansport] Sean and David Slattery were having lunch near the Quays in Youghal when they were alerted that a fourteen year old boy was in danger of drowning. Both Sean and David rushed to the scene and entered the water to search for the boy.
Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural & Community Development (left) and Martin O'Sullivan, Chairman of Irish Water Safety (right) present the Seiko Just In Time Award to Waterford Garda Michelle Power at the annual IWS Awards Ceremony. [David Branigan/Oceansport]
Visibility was very poor and it took a few minutes to locate him. They managed to find him and bring him up to the surface and out of the water. The boy was unresponsive. They performed CPR successfully and
Emergency services took the young boy to hospital where he made a full recovery. INCIDENT OCCURRED IN WATERFORD Garda Michelle Power (Waterford) On the 22nd of July 2017,
Garda Michelle Power was driving along by the River Suir when she noticed a man in difficulty in the water. She immediately left her car and ran to the quay side where she grabbed a ringbuoy and used it to successfully bring the man to safety.
Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural & Community Development (left) and Ronnie Horan, Chairman of the IWS Rescue Commission present PJ O'Shea, Bonmahon CRBI, Waterford with an IWS Long Service Award at the annual IWS Awards Ceremony including the Seiko Just In Time Award. [David Branigan/Oceansport]
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
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DUNGARVAN SHOPPING CENTRE 058-24650
Stallholders at last Saturday's Christmas Craft Fair at Blackwater Garden Centre enjoyed an exceptional turnout. Watch out for other seasonal events at Blackwater; Families will love the Gingerbread House Building Day on December 16th.
Upward trend apparent in housing application figures By Christy Parker HOUSING UPDATE Figures released show 15 housing applications lodged in the Dungarvan-Lismore municipal district in October, a 50% increase on the same period in 2016. It brought the total for the year to date to 167, of which 87 to date had been approved. Just one house was allocated in the district for the month, similar to October 2016 with the number allocated for the year to date at 45. Presently the council’s housing stock for the area stands at 978, with 39 having been re-furbished for re-letting. Five houses had repairs completed, work had commenced on a further three and a 12 were at the survey/tender stage. Of 158 maintenance requests for the year to October 31st, 70 had been resolved and 88
remained open. CAPITAL PROJECTS Waterford Council Projects: Tallow Alms houses (4 units): Tender being prepared and following Stage 3 approval by central government, due to go to tender in November 2017. Cappoquin: (4) Under construction and completion imminent. Ballinroad, Dungarvan (20): At design stage, part VIII (public consultation) approved, tender drawings being prepared and stage 3 application imminent. Kilrush (39): Approved; stage 1 approval for turnkey acquisition gained in first quarter and construction in progress. Approved Housing Body Projects – Co-operative Housing Ireland: Shandon, Dungarvan (20): Under construction, with planning retention application
required and completion date expected in second quarter of 2018. REPAIR AND LEASE SCHEME Approximately 100 owners have expressed interest, with 51 in process. The number of committed properties stands at 19. HOUSING ADAPTION GRANTS SCHEMES Housing Adaption for People with a Disability (Max €30,000): One approved application – €8,000 granted. Mobility Aids Scheme: (Max €6,000): Two approved applications – totalling €10,199. Housing Aid for Older People (Max €8,000): Two approved applications, amounting to €10,326. The accumulative total for 2017 to end of October was €245, 385, across 42 approved schemes.
County’s planning applications increase by about 10% in a year By Christy Parker WATERFORD Council received 55 planning applications through October in what was an exact equivalent of the number received for the same period in 2016.The total for the year to the end of October stood at 758, compared to 693 for the same period in 2016. In terms of the DungarvanLismore District, there were 14 planning applications lodged in October, bringing its total for the year to 241, which compares favourably to 224 for the year to
October 31st, 2016. There were 14 applications in October from the Comeragh district too (178 for the year) and 27 in the metropolitan area (343 for the year). HERITAGE SCHEMES In other planning matters the council has revealed that it distributed €50,000 under a Structure at Risk fund between the Bishop’s Palace, St. Carthage’s Cathedral Lismore and Cappoquin House. Under Built Heritage Investment Scheme, it has spent €212,700 on 26 projects county-wide. The schemes,
funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs concluded at the end of November. KILMOLASH CHURCH A conservation report is being conducted on the Kilmolash Church (near Cappoquin) to assess the required restoration works to stabilise its stonework and monument. The multiperiod church, which has a nave and chancel plan, contains both Romanesque and medieval features. It is hope that the report will assist with the quest for funding.
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Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Waterford wins on the double in food and drink awards!
Bord Bia announces 2017 Food and Drink Industry Award winners #BordBiaAwards
NINE Irish food and drink companies, including Waterford based Dawn Meats and Pip & Pear, received top industry honours at Bord Bia’s Food and Drink Industry Awards in the RDS, Dublin. The awards celebrate businesses who have demonstrated excellence in the production, promotion and growth of the Irish food and drink industry in Ireland and overseas. More than 350 Irish food and drink industry leaders gathered for the awards ceremony which was hosted by Broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan. The awards were presented by Tara McCarthy, CEO, Bord Bia said, who said “Bord Bia’s Food and Drink Awards provide us with an opportunity to
acknowledge the trailblazers in the Irish food and drink industry who have proven their commitment and ambition to drive the sector forward. These companies have demonstrated excellence and innovation in their use of marketing principles and consumer insight and provide an example of best practice which new and emerging businesses can aspire to. I would like to congratulate and applaud all winning companies for their vision and determination to succeed which is helping us to develop the positive reputation for Irish food and drink on the global market.” The ‘Innovation Award’ went to Pip & Pear, based on George’s Street in Waterford,
who demonstrated a very impressive and well thought out marketing strategy to create a new category within the baby food sector for chilled fresh baby food. The company demonstrated a consumerfocussed approach to developing a new product based on a core insight that parents want to feed their baby the best. Dawn Meats in Grannagh received the ‘Sustainability Award’ for the development of a sustainability strategy in conjunction with key stakeholders including farmers and customers. A member of Origin Green, the food and drink industry’s sustainability programme, the company has illustrated progress in operations and a commit-
Pictured at the Bord Bia Food and Drink Awards – Tara McCarthy and Michael Carey, Bord Bia, presenting Irene Quelly and Clodagh Phelan, Pip and Pear, with the Innovation Award.
Pictured at the Bord Bia Food and Drink Awards – Tara McCarthy and Michael Carey, Bord Bia, presenting Paul Nolan and David O’Flynn, Dawn Meats, with the Sustainability Award.
ment to the future through Sustainable Sourcing; Animal Welfare; Resource Management; People and Community; Innovation and Nutrition. Dawn Meats is a second-generation family owned Irish company with operations in nine European countries marketing quality beef and lamb products to over 40 countries. Other award winning companies, encompassing some of Ireland’s best known brands, family businesses and export successes, included The Happy Pear; Gallaghers Bakery; Silver Hill Foods; Kerry Foods; Monaghan Mushrooms; Diageo and Butlers Chocolates. In addition, Bord Bia presented the
inaugural ‘Industry Champion’ Award to Denis O’Riordan of Kerry Foods in recognition of his outstanding contribution in delivering global success for the Cheestrings brand. The overall winners were chosen from an original shortlist of 24 companies which were selected by a team of seven independent judges* with extensive experience in business, global markets, media, marketing, and sustainability. Pip & Pear – Innovation Award - Judges Comments – “Pip & Pear is an excellent example of a new product based on a core insight that parents want to feed their baby the best. The team have managed to
create a new category within the baby food sector for chilled fresh baby food; and have demonstrated a very impressive and well thought out marketing strategy. Their focus on the consumer is very apparent, delivering a solution which meets the evolving needs of parents and their little ones.” Dawn Meats – Sustainability Award Judges’ Comments – “Dawn Meats illustrated excellence, innovation and impact in corporate sustainability in their entry. There was a clear link with all stakeholders including farmers and customers – their progress in operations and their commitment to the future.”
Councillor’s minor amendment to minutes fails to gain support Barriers on West Street, Tallow as colleagues vote to retain meeting as recorded A COMERAGH Councillor’s attempt to make a minor amendment to the minutes of a recent budget meeting failed after other Councillors voted to keep the minutes as they are. At the November meeting of Comeragh Municipal District Council, new Meetings Administrator, Honor Dunphy, said Cllr. Declan Clune sought a minor amendment to the minutes of Comeragh District’s budget meeting which was held on 23rd October, 2017. While Cllr. Clune was not present at the November meeting of the District Council, he had emailed his request for the amendment to Ms. Dunphy. The matter centres around what Cllr. Clune said at the budget meeting on 23rd October, when he asked whether there had been any study into what a nominal charge would yield for the Council from the Greenway car parks, as there is no direct income from the Greenway for the Council. At the time, Chief Executive Officer, Michael Walsh, said the Council hasn’t examined the possibility, but did not rule out the idea.
Ms. Dunphy told the November meeting of Comeragh District Council, that the minutes of the budget meeting as recorded state: “Cllr. Clune asked could car parking charges for Greenway be considered...” She said Cllr. Clune sought to have the word ‘could’ replaced with the word ‘had’ so the sentence should read: “Cllr. Clune asked had car parking charges for Greenway be considered...” Cllr. Michael J. O’Ryan asked if there was any way of checking out what was said at the budget meeting. He acknowledged the minutes were taken by former Meetings Administrator Eddie Ruane (now retired) and said Mr. Ruane would have felt justified in writing what he did in the minutes. Director of Services, Fergus Galvin said there was no way to check-out what was said verbatim because the meetings are not recorded, except for the minutes taken by the Meetings Administrator. “The minutes are basically a record of what the Meeting’s Administrator would have taken at the meeting. He would have written the minutes to reflect what his
understanding of the meeting was and what took place at the meeting,” Mr. Galvin said. Cllr. Liam Brazil said Mr. Ruane wasn’t usually prone to making errors in the minutes of meetings. “From my recollection, I think the minutes are as stated,” Cllr. Brazil said. Cllr. Ray Murphy agreed, saying he believed the minutes are a true reflection of what was stated at the budget meeting at the time. “I am certain Eddie Ruane would have recorded the minutes correctly as he understood them and as I understood them at the time,” Cllr. Murphy said. Cathaoirleach Cllr. Seanie Power noted that the amendment was not being advanced by Cllr. Clune because he was absent from the meeting. He pointed out that in addition to the minutes recorded by Mr. Ruane, the press were also present at the budget meeting to record what happened. Cllr. Brazil proposed that the minutes be left “as they are”. “Eddie has been at all our meetings since 2014 and I don’t feel that Eddie
would, or could make a mistake, even if he wanted to. I propose we leave the minutes are they are. I don’t see what the big issue is about over one small word,” Cllr. Brazil said. His proposal was seconded by Cllr. John O’Leary. Cllr. O’Ryan queried if the minutes are adopted, can they be re-examined. Mr. Galvin replied that once adopted, the minutes are not open for correction afterwards. “The opportunity to correct the minutes is now, that is why it is the first item on the agenda at every meeting. It is an opportunity for Councillors to correct any errors, omissions, or whatever from the previous meeting. “The minutes are then adopted by the Council as is, or changed. They are then signed off by the Mayor / Chairperson and put into the permanent record at that point,” Mr. Galvin added. The five Comeragh Councillors all agreed to adopt the budget meeting minutes as originally recorded with no amendments.
are permanent By Christy Parker
BARRIERS were erected on West Street, Tallow are to be permanent fixtures and were installed because vehicles were mounting the footpath senior executive engineer Josephine McGrath told November’s Dungarvan-Lismore Municipal District meeting. Ms. McGrath was responding to an inquiry from Cllr. James Tobin who was also informed that there had been no objection lodged against the measure. The engineer also reassured the councillor that a driver feedback sign (flashing) and incorporating a build-out, would be installed further along the street. Cllr. John Pratt said he supported the bollards before adding that there was “another area”, which he didn’t identify, whereby a house was “actually cracked from lorries mounting the footpath.” He called for “something” to address the matter.
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Bolands Citroën were delighted to host a Night at the West End fundraiser in aid of Solas Cancer Support Centre, Waterford, in their showroom last Friday, 17 November 2017. Pictured at the event were: Bolands Citroën team members, JP Byrne, Adam Heaslip, Rebecca Doyle, Kevin Hillard, Noel O’Sullivan, Lar Collopy, Donna Blodwell, Jamie Burke with Citroën Brand Ambassador, Shirley Lane
Bolands Citroën were delighted to host a Night at the West End fundraiser in aid of Solas Cancer Support Centre, Waterford, in their showroom last Friday, 17 November 2017. Pictured at the event were: Rebecca Doyle, General Manager, Bolands Waterford with the New Citroën C3 Aircross, Compact SUV.
Bolands Citroen host a night at the West End in aid of Solas Cancer Support Centre C3 Aircross, Compact SUV which was launched earlier this month. Speaking about the event, Rebecca Doyle, General Manager, Bolands Wateford, commented, “We were delighted to host this fantastic muscial event in aid of such a worthy local good cause, the Solas Cancer Support Centre. We would like to thank everyone who attended for their support in helping us raise as much funds as possible for the Centre and we really hope everyone enjoyed the night.” €2,460 was raised for Solas Cancer Support Centre by proceeds from ticket sales for the event.
Bolands Citroën were delighted to host a Night at the West End fundraiser in aid of Solas Cancer Support Centre, Waterford, in their showroom last Friday, 17 November 2017. Pictured at the event were: Eleanor, Ellen and Francis Power.
Bolands Citroën were delighted to host a Night at the West End fundraiser in aid of Solas Cancer Support Centre, Waterford, in their showroom last Friday, 17 November 2017. Pictured at the event were: Liam and Angela Fahy with Peggy Brett.
Bolands Citroën were delighted to host a Night at the West End fundraiser in aid of Solas Cancer Support Centre, Waterford, in their showroom last Friday, 17 November 2017. Pictured at the event were: Mary Kelly with Tara Kelly and Valerie Leahy.
BOLANDS Citroën were delighted to host a Night at the West End fundraiser in aid of Solas Cancer Support Centre, Waterford, in their showroom recently. Attendees were treated to an unforgetable night of music from well-known West End Shows performed under the direction of Dominic Finn, who is the Director of Music at St. Colmans Cathedral, Cobh. Performers on the night included John Daly, Pa O’Donoghue, Leah Ahern, Valerie Hunt and Jim Quinlan. Guests also enjoyed a selection of canapes and refreshments and had the opportunity to check out the exciting New Citroën
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
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Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Cullinane selected as Sinn Féin candidate for General Election brought forward legislation on progressing workers rights and achieving greater public accountability. "I have also robustly challenged this Government on their complicity in the housing and health crises. The recent scandals in An Garda Siochana and the Department of Justice are proof of a dysfunctional system and a dysfunctional Government. "Successive Governments have
turned a blind eye to corruption, wrong doing and shameful treatment of citizens. The people deserve good Government. "Sinn Féin will not simply demonstrate empathy with citizens on these issues. We want to go further and transform the system.We want to end the crises in health and housing. We want to end exploitation of workers on low pay and in precarious employment. We want to hold
those in powerful positions to account. "I am seeking a mandate from the people of Waterford to allow me continue in this work. I am deeply honoured and humbled to represent the people of Waterford City and County. I look forward to an election when one is called and engaging in constructive debate about the future of our county and our country."
SINN Féin held a General Election selection convention for the Waterford constituency last week. Deputy David Cullinane was unanimously selected as the party candidate. The party also selected Louise Brierely as an area Representative for Lismore and its environs and Leslie Hughes-Cusack as a party representative for the Waterford City West electoral area. Michael
Doyle was selected as the Director of Elections. Speaking after the convention Deputy Cullinane said: "I am delighted and proud to have been selected as the Sinn Féin candidate in any upcoming General Election. I will continue to represent the people of Waterford to the best of my ability. "I will contest any general election based on my track record in Leinster House. I have
Three lights at Ardmore Pier expected to be operational before Christmas
Company predicts minimum disruption and considerable community benefit with Drumhills grid and route application
INDEPENDENT Waterford Councillor Seamus O’Donnell said he is pleased to announce that three public lights will be installed and working at Ardmore Pier sometime before Christmas. “I’m happy to say that three lights for Ardmore Pier should be operational in the coming weeks,” Cllr. O’Donnell said. “It was more than 12 months ago when I sought public lighting for the Pier in Ardmore. “However, due to an objection, those lights were delayed from being put in place. I’ve been working on this since the objection went in. “The three lights will be installed before Christmas, but they won’t be as high as initially proposed,” Cllr. O’Donnell pointed out. “It is a health and safety matter and it is dangerous for the fishermen because there is no proper lighting there. Those three lights are badly needed at the pier,” he said. Cllr. O’Donnell also noted that there is work currently going on to repair the pier. “The workers have to work with the tides in repairing the pier from the outside,” Cllr. O’Donnell said. “That work is going on at the moment, so the fishermen can’t tie up to the pier, but I am told the work on the pier will be finished at the end of February.”
Annual Christmas Carol Service in Youghal YOUGHAL Choral Society will hold their 34th annual Christmas Carol Service on Sunday, 10th December in The Parish Church, Youghal. The traditional and highly popular event will include Christmas carols, music and readings. Guests on the night include visiting Cork R.T.A.I (Primary teachers) Choir, Cantabile Vocal Ensemble and the Youghal Youth Choir and Orchestra, along with soloist soprano and harpist Una Whyte. Youghal Choral Society will also perform the ‘Oh Holy Night’. Service starts at 7.30 p.m.
By Christy Parker THE wind energy company planning to operate an eight-turbine wind farm in west Waterford says fears of major disruption to communities or infrastructure on the haul route to the site at Knocknamona near Aglish (Drumhills) are unfounded. The company also says the local community will be enriched annually through a benefit package associated with the development. Kilkenny-based Ecopower Ltd is preparing a planning application with Waterford City and County Council (WCCC) for a grid connection and haul route. The move follows instruction arising from a judicial review of the original planning permission. Bord Pleanála had earlier overturned WCCC’s refusal of planning. The review was undertaken by local residents Michael and Giancarla Alen-Buckley. Their action failed to have the development abolished but Mr. Justice Robert Haughton instructed the company to apply to WCCC as the grid and haul route had not been included in the original planning application. Ecopower could have sought a Strategic
Infrastructure Development (SID) from the Bord had not the review been undertaken The proposed grid connection will run underground to the Woodhouse wind farm which lies within two kilometres. The haul route is expected to traverse such townlands as Mount Stuart, Villierstown, Ballinameela and Carriglea. AWARENESS AND CONCERNS While the court’s decision offers opponents of the windfarm a further opportunity to halt the scheme entirely, the haul route proffers issues removed from the usual concerns centred on shadow flicker and noise. Spokeswoman for the Drumhills, Aglish & Dungarvan Wind Awareness (DADWA) group Niamh Reynolds, says transporting the 126.6 m (415 ft) turbines will have inevitable and unwelcome repercussions. She says the local community is particularly worried that the route will pass close to Glenbeg National School. The awareness group also believes narrow roads will be widened and altered and is sceptical that they will be restored thereafter. These and other concerns were expressed at an information
night in Aglish this week. Ms Reynolds says the three-hour event was “very well attended” and reflected strong opposition to the scheme. Amongst the attendance was local Fianna Fáil TD Mary Butler who was, apparently, the sole public representative to do so. WEEKEND WORK Meanwhile, Ecopower executive director Phil Kenealy says transportation will be confined to weekends and non-school days. She says the work will also operate under a “one-way system” due to a reluctance to “interrupt the school” and an awareness of it being a narrow roadway. “We will also control speed on the route and all that will be part of the planning application”, she assures. Ms Kenealy cites two bends, one of which is at the entrance to the site, as perhaps needing to be widened. That said, the director adds that an alternative, shorter route may also be considered. Either way, she insists that traffic and structural discomfiture will be minimal. She did not confirm that the company had entered into any negotiations with landowners on any proposed route, advising that such issues “would be confidential” in any
case. Ms. Kenealy says the windfarm would take “about six months” to build, with one day being allocated towards intensive concrete pouring per each turbine. “The blades will be transported complete whereby the tower will arrive in three parts”, she informs. Strongly aware of the volume of opposition to wind farms, Ms Kenealy stresses that her company “passionately believes in clean energy” and is “a founder member of the Irish Wind Energy Association and very committed to contributing to climate change policies.” She recognises that of late such schemes are being more strongly contested, as opponent groups become better organised and have access to more information. “But people have a right to protest of course”, she agrees. COMMUNITY BENEFIT AND FREE ELECTRICITY The director reflects that it is now normal, recommended practice to include local community benefit packages with planning applications. In this instance local projects and sports interests within a few kilometres of the wind farm should expect to gain from “a €1,000 per megawatt installed” bursary, totalling
Waterford Sinn Féin Deputy David Cullinane.
€34,000 per annum. “Again this will be included in our EIS”, she reminds. Furthermore, the estimated eight homeowners living within a kilometre of the turbines are being promised free electricity, “based on average consumption”, says the director. On a broader front, Ms Kenealy says recent advancements means that sensors on turbines can switch off blades at preset times when conditions are anticipated to cause shadow flicker. “There will be no flicker at Knocknamona”, she insists. The director also points out that the nearest house to the turbines will be 750 metres away and that generally speaking at least, there will be very little noise intrusion. UNFAIR Ms Reynolds, on behalf of DAWDA is unhappy that “the original planning application outlined a specific grid connection and haul route that has now been changed retrospectively.” She deems this “unfair to the local community and residents living in and around the windfarm location, on whom it will impact greatly.” Ms. Kenealy says the planning application will be lodged in the New Year.
Council carried out 920 inspections on houses last year WATERFORD Council carried out 920 inspections in more than 770 dwellings in 2016 and they expect a similar figure for this year. Cllr. Eddie Mulligan had queried inspections of the Council’s housing stock, and noted there were no comparison figures in the management report. Director of Services for Housing, Ivan Grimes, said the Council carried out 920 inspections last year, in more than 770 dwellings, approximately ten percent of which was privated rented stock. “Of the inspections last year, approximately 50 percent were found to be noncompliant with regulations,” Mr. Grimes revealed. “The most common issues of noncompliance were fire issues, specifically
smoke alarms and fire blankets, and there were also issues with dampness, mould and ventilation,” Mr. Grimes said. “As part of our inspection process any deficiencies are highlighted to both the landlord and the tenant in writing and we follow up on inspections until the matters are resolved,” he said. Cllr. Declan Clune noted that there were 16 inspections of HAP (Housing Assistance Payment) properties in October, 2017, and out of that 16 only five were compliant. He queried if the Council can inspect properties before HAP is approved and whether a tenant can break the HAP agreement if the landlord does nothing about sub-standard accommodation. Mr. Grimes said the Council doesn’t
have the resources to inspect properties before HAP is approved, but pointed out that the Council is required to carry out an inspection of all HAP properties within a certain time frame, once agreed. He said it is not possible at the moment for a tenant to break their HAP agreement because of non-compliance by the landlord. “However, it is something that we look at on a case-by-case basis, if the landlord is not willing to comply with the findings of our inspections,” Mr. Grimes said. DUBLIN MODELS Cllr. Mulligan asked whether there is an update from the Department of Housing in relation to the roll-out of the Dublin HAP model which allows money to be paid in advance to landlords consisting of
a deposit and up to two months’ rent. Mr. Grimes said he has no update in relation to that matter, which had also been raised by Cllr. Mulligan at a previous Council meeting. Mr. Grimes said he had not received any correspondence about the matter from the Department to date. Cllr. Clune said that Dublin Council also have a system where someone on the housing list can log onto the Council’s website and view their position on the housing list. He asked if Waterford Council could do something similar? Mr. Grimes said he was not aware of Dublin City Council’s facilities for applicants who are positioned on the housing list. “I can have a look into it and report back to you at a later date,” Mr. Grimes said.
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New art exhibition at Gourmet House IF you are looking for that truly unique Christmas present, a new exhibition of artwork will be on display above The Gourmet House, Grattan Square, Dungarvan. The group of artists’ work includes paintings by Mick Mulcahy, Miriam Twomey and Margaret O’Brien; textiles by Clare O’Sullivan; ceramics by Laura McNemara; as well as jewellery and much more! The exhibition begins this coming Thursday, 7th December, and will be open from 11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. every day for the following ten days. Call in for a browse and pick up something truly unique for your loved one. The Gourmet House is a Coffee Shop and Tea House, based at Grattan Square, Dungarvan, offering barista coffee, a variety of teas and hot
chocolate, fresh homemade scones and cakes, breakfast, lunch, salads, toasties, wraps, beer and
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THE Labour Party has selected Cllr. John A youth club, two hall committees, badPratt to stand as its candidate for the minton, tennis, the GAA, the Credit Union Waterford Dáil constituency in the next and a local community council were spheres of activity in which I met a lot of people and general election. Delegates from branches in the City, got involved in getting things done. Despite Tramore, Dungarvan and elsewhere around a good vote received in my first local election the county gathered at Connolly Hall in in 2004, I didn’t make it on to the County Waterford on Thursday evening last, having Council.” “I kept working away with people in the been contacted earlier in the week with news of a convention brought forward due to the meantime and was elected a County national political situation applicable at the Councillor in 2009. Then, in the expanded local authority set up in 2014, I was voted on time. Two names went before the convention for to the merged City and County Council. the single candidacy recommended by the Inbetween, of course, Ireland went through a National Executive. Cllr. Pratt, who has been difficult time and Labour paid a heavy politthe Labour Party’s sole member on the ical price for its efforts in putting the country merged Waterford City and County Councils first. We are, however, attracting support for since the last local elections in 2014, won the our current campaigns, such as arguing for the nomination ahead of Brendan Byrne – the construction of more public homes and the latter being an area representative for the funding of a national strategy to build up our party in the Ferrybank, North City and public healthcare system. On the ground, I have been agitating for the provision of 24 / Tramore electoral area. Speaking after his selection, Cllr. John Pratt 7full cardiac care at University Hospital said that he was delighted to get the oppor- Waterford and helping to bring people tunity to now put his and the Party’s case to together in what has proven to be a successful the Waterford constituency to become one of campaign to re-open beds at Dungarvan its four TDs. Cllr. Pratt also paid tribute to his Community Hospital. In the Waterford conCllr. John Pratt, who was selected as the Labour party colleague Brendan Byrne, whom he stituency, when it comes to arguing for the Party candidate for the Waterford Dáil consaid he would be working closely with and creation of jobs and investment in infrastrucstituency. hoped to see become a new Councillor at the ture, for improvements in local services and amenities throughout City and County, I am efforts to be elected a TD that will serve next local elections due in 2019. In the meantime, Cllr. Pratt said he would at the table as the only Labour Councillor.” everyone from Tramore to Tallow, from “I look forward, along with my Labour Fourmilewater to Fenor, from Ballygunner continue to diligently serve the Dungarvan and Lismore electoral area as a Councillor but Party colleagues to meeting as many people and Ballybeg to Ballinacourty and all points would also be ready to represent the Labour as I can across the city and county in my in between.” Party whenever the general election was called. Cllr. Pratt added that being the sole Labour Party representative on the merged city and county authority afforded him considerable insight on matters important to fellow Waterford people throughout the city, the bigger and smaller towns, villages and rural parishes throughout the constituency. Having been declared the Party’s candidate for Waterford, Cllr. Pratt said: “There is a strong tradition of Waterford being represented in Dáil Éireann by a Labour Party TD. My own father, during his lifetime, was a great supporter of the late Tom Kyne and I worked closely with Brian O’Shea for a number of years and more recently with Ciara Conway. The Labour Party has been rebuilding over the last year or so and I am one of the new faces, in terms of Dáil candidates. Initially, I was involved in my Members of the Labour Party from branches in the City, Tramore, Dungarvan and elsewhere around the own community in Tallow in West Waterford. county gathered at Connolly Hall in Waterford on Thursday evening last for the selection convention.
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Labour Party selects John Pratt as Dáil candidate for Waterford
C HAPEL STREE T
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
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NEWS
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Jail sentence for youth who damaged Garda patrol car Dungarvan District Court & Waterford Circuit Criminal Court
Suspended jail term for ‘technical assault’ A DUNGARVAN man who ‘squared up’ to two people during an argument with his former partner was handed a suspended jail term last week for a ‘technical assault’. Damien Coward (24) with an address at 51 Cathal Brugha Place, Dungarvan, had pleaded guilty at a previous sitting of the District Court to two charges of assault at Dungarvan Shopping Centre on 25th May, 2016, and using threatening, abusive language and behaviour in a public place at the same location and date. The court heard at the time that the accused had been insulting towards his former girlfriend and her mother on the afternoon in question at the Plaza. The argument continued into Dungarvan Shopping Centre and on seeing the argument develop, two members of the public intervened. The accused ‘squared up’ to the man and woman who intervened. While there was no physical assault, it was described in court as more of a ‘technical assault’ due to the nature of accused’s threatening behaviour. The incident was captured on CCTV. The case was adjourned to monitor the accused’s behaviour
and for a victim impact statement. Solicitor David Burke said his client acknowledges his behaviour “was out of order”. At last week’s Dungarvan District Court, Mr. Burke said a report on his client is “optimistic”. “He is making efforts and is engaging with the Probation Service and is engaged with the Treo project. He is also registered with a recruitment agency to seek work,” Mr. Burke said. “He is also doing very well on the local soccer team. He has made a dramatic change in his behaviour.” Mr. Burke said the incident at the shopping centre “was a huge embarrassment and he apologises to the people involved”. “He is well aware his behaviour was out of order and there will not be a repeat of such behaviour,” Mr. Burke added. Judge Finn handed a four month jail sentence on each of the assault charges, to run concurrently with each other, and suspended on condition the accused keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two years. The public order offence was marked as proven and taken into consideration.
A COUNTY Waterford youth who caused damage to a Garda patrol car on Hallowe’en night, as well as other criminal damage and theft offences, was handed a total of 19 months imprisonment last week. Elijah Ducey (20) who had addresses at 9 Boher Mochuda, Lismore, 16 Byrneville, Dungarvan, and 2 Paddy Browne’s Road, Belvedere, Lisduggan, Waterford, pleaded guilty to criminal damage of the patrol car at Abbeyside, Dungarvan, on 31st October, 2017; criminal damage at 3 Convent Lodge, Mitchel Street, Dungarvan, on 21st November, 2016; no insurance on 14th February, 2017; theft from Garvey’s Supervalu, Dungarvan, on 2nd March, 2017; theft from Lawlor’s Hotel, Dungarvan, on 20th December, 2016; theft from Eurospar, Abbeyside, on 31st October, 2017. Inspector Larry Sheahan told Judge Terence Finn at last week’s Dungarvan District Court that at 12.20 on 21st November, 2016, the accused and two other individuals damaged an apartment door at 3 Convent Lodge, Mitchel Street, Dungarvan. He said €300 damage was caused to the door and one of the other individuals had already been dealt with by the court. The third individual was said to be deceased. Insp. Sheahan outlined that on 14th February, 2017, the accused was driving a vehicle at high speed from the Cappoquin direction. He was followed by Gardaí and arrested. The accused admitted at the scene that he had no insurance or licence to drive. On 2nd March, 2017, the accused entered Garvey’s SuperValu, Dungarvan and took a
bottle of vodka, valued at €27, placed it under his jacket and left the store without paying. On 20th December, 2016, the accused was staying at Lawlor’s Hotel, Dungarvan. At around 2.00 a.m. he rang down to reception and spoke to the night porter, seeking milk for the room. “The accused went to reception to collect the milk. He went behind the reception desk and took the petty cash box which contained €15 and €50 in postage stamps,” Insp. Sheahan said. He said the accused was identified by CCTV in the theft incidents. Last Hallowe’en, 31st October, 2017, Insp. Sheahan said the accused entered Eurospar, Abbeyside, with another male and took cans of cider, valued at €14, and left the store without paying. He was later observed in Abbeyside with a group of other individuals who had gathered for a drinking session. When Gardaí approached the accused, he began throwing stones and rocks, causing €250 damage to the windscreen and wing mirror of the Garda patrol car. Solicitor Martin Lavan said his client pleads guilty to all the charges. The accused has nine previous convictions. Mr. Lavan said his client “grew up in difficult circumstances” and lived with a foster family. “The foster family arranged for him to work in Dublin. He took up that work and remained out of trouble while in Dublin,” Mr. Lavan said. He said he got a better opportunity abroad in Scotland, but when he lost that job, he
returned home to Ireland. “He arrived back locally and became involved with his peers, taking up drinking and getting into trouble,” Mr. Lavan said. “When he is around his peers he seems to get into trouble. He has been in custody for three weeks now and it has refocused his mind.He is trying to address his issues. “When he was working in Dublin and Scotland, he didn’t get into any trouble.There are two issues which hold him back – his peer group and alcohol. He is trying to address his alcohol issues and is on a list for a residential treatment centre. He is welcome at his mother’s home in Lismore,” added Mr. Lavan. Judge Finn handed down a three month jail sentence for the damage caused at Convent Lodge. A two year disqualification was handed down for driving without insurance, while the charge of no driving licence was marked proven and taken into consideration. A six month jail sentence was handed down for the theft charge at Lawlor’s Hotel. A four month jail sentence was handed down for the theft charge at Garvey’s SuperValu and a three month jail sentence for the theft at Eurospar. A three month jail sentence was handed down for the damage caused to the Garda patrol car. The sentences, which total 19 months, are to run consecutively with each other. Recognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal.
Accused broke window of chipper because they ran out of chicken A DUNGARVAN man who broke the window of a local chipper because they had ran out of chicken was handed an eight month jail sentence last week. Luke Rio (24) with an address at Ballinamuck, Dungarvan, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and using threatening, abusive language and behaviour in a public place, at Kebabish takeaway, O’Connell Street, Dungarvan, on 7th April, 2016. Inspector Larry Sheahan told Judge Terence Finn at last week’s Dungarvan District Court that
Gardaí were called to Kebabish takeaway on the date in question following a disturbance. The window of the takeaway was smashed. “The accused had consumed alcohol and was in the company of two others. He had sought chicken but was told there was none left,” Insp. Sheahan said. “He left the premises and punched the window, breaking the glass. The accused was identified from CCTV.” The court heard that the accused has previous convictions.
Solicitor David Burke said his client has been in and out of care most of his life, and he also spent a great deal of time in jail. “He had no support from a parental point of view,” Mr. Burke said. He said when the accused was residing with foster-type parents, he was doing well. Mr. Burke said his client is in no position to give compensation for the damaged window. He said he apologised for his behaviour on the night. Judge Finn noted the accused’s
previous convictions “are sprinkled with criminal damage” and said he appears to have anger management issues. “He became irate at not being served, due to a lack of product, and took it out on the owner’s property,” Judge Finn said. He handed down an eight month jail sentence for the criminal damage to the window, while the public order offence was marked as proven and taken into consideration. Recognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal.
Driving disqualification for no insurance Jail sentence for criminal damage to property of housing agency
A DRIVER was put off the road for two years last week for driving without insurance. Daniel Mulcahy (25) with an address at 3 Coast Guard Cottages, An Rinn, pleaded guilty to not having insurance at O’Connell Street, Dungarvan, on 9th October, 2016. At last week’s Dungarvan District Court, Inspector Larry Sheahan said the accused was stopped driving a vehicle on the night in question. A lawful demand was made of him to produce his insurance, which he failed to do. Solicitor Niall King said his client accepts he had no insurance policy. “He had taken out a policy and paid a deposit, but that policy was cancelled,” Mr. King said. However, Judge Finn noted that
the reason the policy was cancelled by the insurer was due to some facts not being disclosed to them. “He was aware his insurance policy would be void because he received a registered letter from the insurer prior to October,” Judge Finn said. “He should have sought a different policy insurer.” The court heard that Mulcahy has seven previous convictions, but none for any insurance offence. Judge Finn handed down a €400 fine and disqualified the accused from driving for two years. The charge of failing to produce insurance to Gardaí within the required time frame was marked as proven and taken into consideration. Recognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal.
A DUNGARVAN man who spurned an opportunity from the District Court to pay for criminal damage he caused was handed a ten month jail sentence last week. John Keenan (22) with an address at 18 Convent Lodge, Mitchel Street, Dungarvan, had pleaded guilty at a previous sitting of the District Court to three charges of criminal damage at the Focus Ireland building ‘Convent Lodge’, Mitchel Street, Dungarvan, in July, 2016. At the time, the court heard that Keenan had caused holes in the wall at his address, 18 Convent Lodge, which were caused by a fist and foot; as well as damage to a post box which was pulled off the wall and damage to the main front door of the building. The case was adjourned to allow the accused to pay compensation to Focus Ireland. However, at last week’s Dungarvan District Court, solicitor David
Burke said his client has no funds. Mr. Burke said his client only gets €100 a week on social welfare, and was attempting to put some money aside. Judge Finn said the accused pleaded guilty to the charges back in February, 2017, and the court has now lost patience with him. Mr. Burke sought one further opportunity for his client. However, Judge Finn said the court has already given the accused an opportunity, and nine months later, “he hasn’t one brass farthing to offer!” “He has spurned the opportunity and thrown it back into the court’s face!” Judge Finn said. He handed down a ten month jail sentence on each of the three charges of criminal damage, to run concurrently with each other. Recognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal.
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Man remanded on bail for assault and robbery JOSEPH McGoey (22) with an address at St. Thomas’ Tce., Dungarvan, pleaded guilty in the Circuit Criminal Court in Waterford last week, to assault causing harm to Kay Fitzgerald at No. 15, St Thomas Tce., Dungarvan, on May 10th, 2017. A plea of guilty was also entered on a charge of robbing Helen Curran of a handbag containing €150 at Dungarvan Shopping Centre on the same date. Judge Eugene O’Kelly directed the preparation of a probation and welfare report and remanded the accused man on bail to January 11th next.
Coroner expressed sympathy with family A 25-YEAR-old County Waterford woman lost her life in a fatal road traffic accident in “terrible weather conditions in Stradbally, an inquest heard in Waterford last week. A verdict that Rachel Hennessy of No. 2, Whitewall, Stradbally, died of multiple traumatic injuries on December 8th, 2016. Garda Tom Daly said he received a call that a girl was trapped in her car at The Five Cross Roads. It had been raining continually that day and driving conditions were very bad. Dense fog limited visibility and the cen-
tral white line on the road was the only landmark. At the accident scene a man named Adrian Power was standing at the side of the car. The deceased was unconscious and was removed to hospital by ambulance. In a post mortem report Dr. Ruth Law said the deceased’s injuries were unsuitable for surgery. Waterford City Coroner John Goff, solr., returned a verdict that death was due to multiple traumatic injuries. He expressed sincere sympathy with the Hennessy family.
Waterford woman fatally injured A COUNTY Waterford woman was fatally injured when the wheels of two race cars “clipped” when passing, an inquest was told in Waterford last week. Mairead Darcy of Ballyvooney, Stradbally, was seriously injured when competing in a two car race at The Pike, Dungarvan, in 2016. The inquest was told that Ann Maguire, the other competitor in the race, noticed that the wheels of the cars “clipped”. The Race Marshal, Stephen Healy said that after the collision Mairead Darcy’s Nissan Micra “jumped slightly” and he immediately called an ambulance. All safety procedures were adhered to during the race. Garda Shane O’Sullivan said he reached the accident scene
within five minutes after receiving the call regarding the fatality. Attempts at CPR were unsuccessful. Consultant Pathologist Dr. Rob Landers said a post mortem examination was carried out by Dr. Ruth Law and found that neck fractures as well as a number of other fractures to the ribs and bleeding from the brain were the cause of death. Waterford City Coroner John Goff, solr., returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence. He expressed sympathy with the bereaved family. He said it was particularly tragic as the deceased was doing something she liked that day and was competing to the end.
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Dungarvan man found guilty of late night burglary A MEAT cleaver was used to terrify two men during a late night burglary of their home in Dungarvan, the Circuit Criminal Court was told in Waterford last week. One of the occupants jumped from an upstairs bedroom window and landed on a parked car in a desperate bid to escape after being struck a blow of the meat cleaver. A pitbull terrier pup had its throat cut by the cleaver during the violent incident. One of the raiders, Luke Fennessy (22) with an address at No. 4, St. Bridget’s Well, Dungarvan, was found guilty of burglary at No. 61, Cathal Brugha Pl., Dungarvan, on June 4th, 2017. The Jury of six men and six women found him not guilty of aggravated burglary. Barrister Noel Whelan, BL., for the DPP, said the accused man was accompanied by another man who cannot be named.They both entered the house late at night and assaulted the two occupants, Michael McKevitt and his nephew Sean Franklin. There was shouting and car keys and a phone were taken from the house. The Gardai were alerted and the burglars were arrested a short distance away. The Jury was told they would have no difficulty in finding that the accused man trespassed in the house and participated in the burglary. One of the occupants of the house knew Luke Fennessy and he described the incident as a “joint enterprise” with a “common design” and both men were guilty of each other’s actions. The prosecution alleged the accused was involved in the aggravated burglary even though he was not the one that wielded the weapon. It was possible to be found guilty of assault without striking a blow because of “joint enterprise”, he said. In evidence Michael McKevitt, the owner of No. 61, Cathal Brugha Place, said he stayed up late playing video games and went to bed at 4.00
a.m. Before retiring he checked the front door but not the back door. He had five Pitbull Terriers in the house and their barking woke him at 6.00 a.m. He shouted at them to be quiet and looked out the window and saw nothing and went back to sleep. A short time later he heard a door slam and he got up and went out on the landing. He was half asleep and heard footsteps coming up the stairs and managed to change from his boxer shorts into track suit bottoms. The “other man” came around the corner and he panicked. The intruder was armed with a small triangular piece of a pavement slab and demanded money which he claimed was owed to him. “He struck me a blow with the paving slab and I hit the floor”, said the witness. “I saw Luke Fennessy coming into the room. I used to work with him on the Oyster Farm in Dungarvan. He demanded valuables and wanted my iPhone and the log book of one of my cars. He also asked about a taser but the Gardai had taken possession of it. The accused man shouted for money and I told them I could get money for them”. The accused man threatened that there were people outside the house and they would be coming in to get him if the money was not handed over”, he added. While Luke Fennessy searched about the bedroom the “other man” searched downstairs and came back with a meat cleaver. He came into the bedroom and picked up one of the Pitbull pups and tried to cut its throat. But Sean Franklin, his nephew, woke up and attempted to rescue the pup and stop it from being harmed. Then the “other man” started swinging the meat cleaver. The blade of the meat cleaver hit his hand when he raised his arm to protect himself. “I jumped out the window and landed on the bonnet of a car below and ran down the road to my girlfriend in Congress Villas”,
he said. The Jury heard that Ml. McKevitt purchased a VW Passat from Luke Fennessy for €400 a couple of months prior to the attack and changed the ownership of the vehicle. He had “so many” cars that during the raid he could not find the log books. The keys of one car were taken from a bedroom cabinet. The entire incident lasted four to five minutes. In reply to question by John O’Kelly, SC., instructed by Niall King., solr., defending, the injured party confirmed that at no stage during the incident was he struck by Luke Fennessy. The “other man” behaved in a violent manner swinging the meat cleaver. The second occupant of the house, Sean Franklin said he also stayed up playing video games until 4.30 a.m. Around 6.00 a.m. he heard the dogs barking and people with loud voices shouting at Michael McKevitt. He recognised the voices as those of Luke Fennessy and the “other man”. The “other man” asked about money and Luke asked for house keys, an iphone, a car log book and a taser gun. “At one stage I saw the “other man” holding up a puppy in Michael’s room and he was trying to cut its throat. I shouted at him to leave the dog alone. In the doorway he headbutted me above the eye and on the back of the head. He swung at me again with the meat cleaver and at that stage Michael jumped out the window. Luke Fennessy ran down the stairs after Michael”, he said. The witness said he wrapped a towel around his head and succeeded in escaping and ran down the road to Michael’s girlfriend. An ambulance took him to hospital. Later his mobile phone was found abandoned during a search of the area. Garda Shane O’Sullivan said he responded to a call at 6.40 a.m. and drove the patrol car to Cathal Brugha Place and arrested
two male pedestrians as they left the area. They were highly intoxicated and were frothing from the mouth and their speech was slurred. Det. Garda Martin Keoghan said on the following morning he found the meat cleaver hidden in a hedge about 100 metres from the housing estate.The blade was nine inches long and four inches wide. He also found a key to a VW Passat car hidden under a rock. In his closing speech Noel Whelan, BL., said the accused man went into the house as a trespasser and continued to take part in the burglary when the meat cleaver was introduced. It was a “joint venture” by the two men who were involved together in the incident. Senior Counsel John O’Kelly said burglary was not denied but “aggravated burglary” was contested.There was one issue in the elevation of the crime to aggravated burglary. While the accused was looking for items of value and picked up the phone and asked for the keys and log book, the “other man” went downstairs and found the meat cleaver and threatened the dogs with it. The two occupants of the house admitted that the accused committed “no violence”. The one thing that was absolutely clear was that the “other man” had the cleaver at all times and the accused never touched it. During the course of the burglary something happened that changed the nature of it so dramatically. That was when the “other man” went downstairs and brought up the meat cleaver. The evidence supported a charge of burglary but not aggravated burglary. The Jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict of burglary and found the accused not guilty of aggravated assault. He was remanded on bail to Waterford Circuit Criminal Court for sentence on January 11th next.
Youth bound to the peace for twelve months A 15-YEAR-old County Waterford youth was bound to the peace for 12 months in the Circuit Criminal Court last week, when he pleaded guilty to stabbing another youth in the face during an unprovoked assault in Cappoquin on St. Patrick’s Day in 2015. The incident occurred outside a chip shop on the Main Street when the defendant threw the contents of a bottle of coke over others and the injured party intervened and was stabbed on the left cheek. Garda Sean Moynihan said the defendant was intoxicated and there was a dispute over the implement used to cause the injury.The Gardaí were not notified of the weapon until later when it was stated that it may have been a hunting knife or an e-cigarette. Barrister Elaine Morgan, defending, said her client had five half siblings all of whom were in State care. His father was living in
Dungarvan but played no part in his life. For three years he was in care and was returned home to his family when he was aged 12 years. He had a very difficult start in life but had come a very long way since then. He had returned to education and alcohol was no longer a feature in his life. Recently he developed an enthusiasm for running and he was now ashamed and remorseful for his action even though he had no memory of it. Judge Eugene O’Kelly said the victim in this case was the subject of an entirely unprovoked attack. Since the incident the defendant had not come to the adverse attention of the Gardaí and he dealt with his alcohol issue.
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Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Tributes paid to popular departing administrator at DungarvanFurther Education Lismore municipal meeting Courses
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY THIS QQI level 5 course is ideal for students who are considering pursuing a degree or an apprenticeship in the engineering field. Both the theoretical and practical aspects of engineering are studied along with the development of good work practices which includes adherence to health and safety regulations. Modules include Engineering Workshop Processes, Engineering Workshop Theory, Engineering Drawing and Safety and Health at Work. Additional qualifications to QQI include Manual Handling Training, Safe Pass Training, Abrasive Wheel Training and a Certificate in Welding. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Graduates of this course would be suited to employment in many of the engineering fields and gives the graduates an excellent foundation for those wanting to pursue an apprenticeship. PROGRESSION OPPORTUNITIES Our 2016 Student of the Year, Lucy Cunningham graduated with full distinctions and went on to study Quantity Surveying at WIT. Successful graduates can also apply through the CAO for places on many of the other Degree courses in WIT including: B.Eng in Civil Engineering and BSc in Construction Management. COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN This course is designed to give students a firm foundation in Computer Aided Design (CAD). CAD is used in a variety of areas including aeronautical, automotive and maritime engineering, electronics and architecture. Students gain hands on experience of the latest technologies currently in use in these industries. This course blends design with physical engineering skills and opens options into either the engineering or design fields. As well as a module in CAD, the course includes modules in Design Skills, Mathematics, Engineering Workshop Practices and Engineering Workshop Theory. Students also have the option of completing Safe Pass Training. PROGRESSION OPPORTUNITIES When students have gained a full QQI qualification they are able to progress onto Degree courses such as BEng in Sustainable Energy Engineering in WIT, BSc in Architectural Technology in WIT and BSc in Interior Architecture in CIT. Follow us on facebook at Coláiste Chathail Naofa – College of Further Education @ccnplc for the latest updates.
By Christy Parker COUNCILLORS at November’s DungarvanLismore’s Municipal District meeting signed off the day’s business with tributes to the departing meetings’ administrator Eddie Ruane. The affable, humorous, obliging and ultimately very capable official was leaving the Council after almost 47 years’ service. Cllr. James Tobin opened the tributes, reflecting that when Eddie first came to Dungarvan from the city council under the 2014 amalgamation, both sides found it a strange arrangement. While Cllr. Tobin remained “unconvinced” by the amalgamation, he realised that the administrator did his best and “worked well with the
Councillors.” Cllr. Tobin believed that anyone in Eddie’s position “has to be a magician” because they have to see matters from both an executive and councillor standpoint. Cllr. Damien Geoghegan concurred, noting that as cathaoirelach he had been “lucky to be sitting alongside Eddie” on three occasions. “That’s when you see Eddie at his best”, he informed “because it is important as chairperson to have someone like Eddie at your right hand.” He believed the official would be “a hard act to follow and will be missed by the members” as he thanked him for “everything you’ve done for us.” Current Cathaoirleach Tom Cronin echoed Cllr. Geoghegan’s comments, though
he could boast having had Eddie to his right on four occasions. “The experience you brought to the top table will be missed. I wish you the very best with your retirement and I hope you’ll have a long life with your wife and family”, he concluded. Cllr. Séamus O’Donnell said the councillors would “thinking of you” and wondered who would say the meeting’s open prayer now?! Cllr. Pat Nugent recalled how Eddie was “a stickler for discipline but that was no harm!” He said he would be “much missed” and had performed “a great service to Waterford City (and County) since 1971. Cllrs. John Pratt and Siobhán Whelan asked to be associated with all that had been said as did Cllr. Declan Doocey, who said the administrator had been
Councillor concerned about ‘rotten’ trees in Lismore graveyard By Christy Parker
Cllr, Damien Geoghegan, Deirdre Clune, MEP and Brian Hayes, MEP.
Clune meets with Cllr. Damien Geoghegan in the European Parliament Engineering Students testing electrical componenets.
put in “a tough position with the amalgamation.” However, noted Cllr Doocey, Eddie adopted a policy of “‘it’s your county as well as ours’ – had “made it all work.” Cllr. Doocey also praised Eddie for a “sensible, no-nonsense approach.” and he believed Eddie’s efforts would “go into the history books as a great contribution to the amalgamation.” The Councillor described the official’s friendship to the councillors as “phenomenal”, with everyone meaning “the same to you”, adding that “that means a lot to us.” In response Eddie, almost blushing, said it hadn’t been “a hard job because you made it easy.” He hoped he had “got on well with everyone” and wished all present “the best of luck in the future.”
IRELAND South MEP Deirdre Clune welcomed a delegation of County Councillors to Brussels recently. The programme, organised by Deirdre Clune MEP, saw councillors meet with representatives from the IFA, ICO, the European Investment Bank, the Committee of the Regions, as well as the Fine Gael delegation in the European Parliament. The group also received a briefing from
Commissioner Phil Hogan in the European Commission headquarters in Brussels. Clune described the event as a great opportunity for local representatives to learn about the impact of EU decisions on their daily work. Clune said it affords the councillors an opportunity to question EU officials on important local issues and to develop lasting connections in Brussels.
WATERFORD Council needs to be alert to the danger of weakened tress in Lismore graveyard, Cllr. Declan Doocey informed November’s Dungarvan-Lismore Municipal District meeting. The Councillor made his observation after Cllr. John Pratt had thanked the council for removing some trees that had been more obviously damaged during storm Ophelia. Cllr. Doocey said about year ago there had been five “rotten” trees in the cemetery, two of which had “broken like a match” in the storm. He suspected the rest of them were “just as bad” and warned that the best case scenario would be a headstone getting broken under a fallen tree, while the worst case would be a person under it. “They are catching the wind and it’s really negligent if we don’t do something about it”, he insisted. “Any tree that’s dodgy, take it out. Don’t bother with surveys or a conservation officer, just knock it and we’ll fill in the forms afterwards. There were two funerals over that storm and we don’t want any more”, he concluded. Meanwhile, Cllr. Pratt added that “a way needs to be found against the danger of trees on private land “falling the wrong” way on to houses.
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Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
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UPMC Whitfield Cancer Centre welcomes Chinese Nursing delegation
Members of the Chinese nursing delegation which recently visited UPMC Whitfield Cancer Centre along with Clodagh Duggan (UPMC Whitfield Cancer Centre), Karen Fagan (UPMC Whitfield Cancer Centre) and Deirdre Chapman (WIT). [Noel Browne]
FOLLOWING a highly successful and informative visit to UPMC Whitfield Cancer Centre and Whitfield Clinic during the Summer, a second delegation of 25 Nurses from China recently visited the state-of-the-art healthcare facilities in Waterford. The delegation of Specialist Nurse Managers was given a tour of the Advanced Radiation Therapy Centre, and Karen Fagan, UPMC Clinical Nurse Manager, gave the group an overview of UPMC’s approach to patient care. “We pride ourselves on the multidisciplinary approach we offer our patients from the minute they walk through our doors,” said Fagan. “Everybody’s cancer journey is very
different and very personal to them, but we believe that education and communication are key to taking the fear out of what lies ahead.” “More often than not, our patients deal with the same staff, and they build a rapport with them. It’s important that during a particularly trying time in their lives, our patients feel comforted and have an advocate in UPMC as they receive the best, evidence-based treatments.” This is the second visit of the Nurse Managers to Ireland this year, as part of a collaborative education programme devised by the Abraham Trust. The trust facilitates the exposure of nurses to specialised medicine at different centres
of excellence. Deirdre Chapman, Nurse Allocation Officer, Department of Nursing and Health Care at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT), spoke of the strong links and excellent relationship that exist between WIT, UPMC Whitfield Cancer Centre and Whitfield Clinic. “WIT works closely and regularly with UPMC and Whitfield Clinic, as they provide clinical placements for undergraduate nursing students and applied healthcare students. The hands-on experience afforded to nursing and healthcare students is invaluable as they gain a great insight into the operations and processes at a centre of healthcare excellence.”
UPMC Whitfield Cancer Centre, part of world-renowned medical centre UPMC, has been offering the most advanced radiation therapy to public and private patients from the southeast region for over 10 years. As part of the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, with more than 50 locations in the U.S., Ireland and Italy, UPMC Whitfield leverages innovation and expertise from around the globe to deliver world-class care to patients close to their homes. For further information, call UPMC Whitfield Cancer Centre on 051 337444 or visit www.upmcwhitfieldcancercentre.ie
Illegal dumping by far the highest concern amongst complaints to Council By Christy Parker FIGURES released by Waterford Council’s environmental enforcement sector indicate that complaints about illegal dumping in the year to end of October measured approximately 180 incidents. The figure was more than twice that estimated for the second element, which was littering. Other approximate statistics, in diminishing order, were: control of dogs (60), abandoned vehicles (30), dog fouling (15), dog pound (15), fly tipping 20 bags under Local Planning Authority (10), backyard burning (10), graffiti (Zero), fly tipping 20 bags under Waste Management Act (Zero). Meantime, the Council’s energy bureau has issued details of two established community schemes, run by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for which it is inviting applications for 2018. The SEAI Better Energy Communities Scheme offers grants of up to 50% to community groups that implement from a range of energy efficiency measures or renewable energy technologies in their buildings. Businesses can benefit by 30% for the same criteria.
The SEAI Sustainable Energy Community initiative offers funding of €10,000-€25,000 to community groups who develop “an energy master plan” for one year and between €32,000 and €128,000 for one to three years involving other reports and studies. Funding is also available “under initiatives for energy efficiency upgrades/installations”, says the bureau. Smart Lighting Pilot Scheme meanwhile, offers grant aid of up to 40% for LED lighting upgrades as it aims to assist small and medium enterprises (SME’s) in reducing their energy use and lighting costs. Deep Retrofit Pilot Programme comes with a €5m budget available to improve the energy efficiency of housing units.The bureaus advises that “a total of 95% funding is available for housing units that meet the poor fuel criteria, which must make up 25% of the housing unit component of an application.” It adds that “housing upgrades must achieve a minimum of A3 to be eligible for grant assistance.” The bureau, finally, reminds the public that a survey of public lighting in presently in progress, with all of the county’s 14,000 public lights being surveyed prior to the commencement of a national LED lighting retrofit programme in 2019.
Orla Morrissey, Paddy Geoghegan, Cllr. Damien Geoghegan, Ben Morrissey and Emma Morrissey pictured at the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Dungarvan and the start of the Dungarvan Aglow Festival. [Dan McGrath/Editorial Images]
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Waterford County Council presents good practice case study to other Local Authorities THE National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC), in association with local authorities, held a Good Practice in Local Government seminar on Tuesday, 21st November, 2017 in Kilkenny Castle. Welcoming the seminar, Minister John Paul Phelan stated that the seminar was addressing a selection of the many initiatives taken by local authorities that highlight interesting, diverse and often highly innovative approaches to addressing the challenges that both local authorities and our communities face. It demonstrates the ability by local authorities to adapt to the many reforms and how it manages demands and constraints, while continuing to deliver excellent services. “Local authorities in Ireland continuously strive to deliver top-class services. This Good Practice Seminar was an opportunity to showcase examples of solutions-oriented approaches to providing public services,” said Pat McLoughlin, Chair of NOAC. “The case studies that were presented illustrate the sector’s desire to improve efficiency in the service delivery, engage meaningfully with citizens and regenerate urban and rural areas.” Speakers from local authorities across Ireland presented case studies, including:Many would be familiar with Waterford Greenway. In addition to a tourism product this is part of an initiative being driven by Waterford City and County Council to implement a smarter travel initiative in the County. Dungarvan was selected as a Smarter Travel Demonstration Town, and following investment funded by the Department of Transport,Tourism and Sport, the town has been transformed to support commuters who are walking and cycling to work and school.
Pictured at the seminar is Paul Daly, Waterford County Council, at the Good Practice in Local Government seminar in Kilkenny recently. [Dylan Vaughan]
Monaghan County Council reduced the turnaround time for re-letting its housing from nearly 20 weeks to just 8 weeks thanks to changes in work processes and procedures. This included simple measures such as transferring to a paperless file system and using mobile devices to ensure nonoffice based staff had instant access to accurate information when and where they needed it. Louth County Council has had some success factors in addressing vacant and derelict homes in private ownership. Louth County Council decided to acquire the housing by the Compulsory Purchase Order process. Once acquired, the Council refurbished them. This solution to dereliction and anti-social behaviour in a housing estate also made more homes available for people on the Council’s housing list. On foot of the initiative, some property owners in the community have renovated and rented out properties that were vacant up to now. The introduction of solar powered compacting smart litter bins to address an inefficient litter bin service, had excellent results for Dun Laoghaire Rathdown
County Council. Web-based technology allows its team to monitor real time capacity and litter levels at each of its 400 smart litter bins. The number of litter bins was reduced but the overall capacity of litter bins was increased.The system has resulted in up to 85% fewer bin collections and operational savings of up to 75% for the service. The social and economic regeneration of Kilkenny’s Abbey Quarter involves developing the former Smithwicks Brewery site adjoining Kilkenny’s medieval quarter. The project will create both jobs and high quality public spaces and is an example of the work of local authorities in cities, towns and villages throughout Ireland to regenerate their local areas. Since 2014 the Skellig Region has been designated as an International Gold Tier Dark Sky Reserve. This is seen as a key attraction for an area that has experienced economic and population decline. Kerry County Council is working with stakeholders to enhance the quality of the experience. The Council itself is retrofitting the street lighting with dark sky LED lighting in the 700 square kilometre reserve. Other projects showcased included innovative approaches to budgeting by South Dublin County Council and digital engagement with citizens in Cork County Council, along with examples of evidence based approaches to policy development being used by the sector. The research conducted by Kildare County Council, who worked in partnership with NUI Maynooth, to ensure their policies are informed by data, is a fine example of the approach to evidence based policy taken by local authorities throughout Ireland.
Pat, Ciara and Amelia Donnolly, Emily and Lorna Lonergan pictured at the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Dungarvan and the start of the Dungarvan Aglow Festival. [Dan McGrath/Editorial Images]
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Portrait of an artist …
By Donal Buckley
Una O’Dwyer and Moritz Schurmann WHEN I was young, going in to a jewellers shop was a scary experience. It was dark and eerily quiet in there. After being warned by mother, "Don't. Touch. Anything", I stood in the middle of the shop valiantly trying not to set off one of the many creaking floorboards.Transactions were done in hushed tones and the item was boxed, wrapped and bagged. It was only as we left the shop that I realised I had been holding my breath the whole time. As I entered the door of Lismore Goldsmiths, I was immediately struck by the contrast with those old jewellers premises. Large picture windows allow the world to light the interior. The layout is bright, spacious and accessible. Customers were openly discussing the merits of a wide variety of Irish made products on display. I didn't feel like holding my breath, even once. In full view of the visitors is a workshop of precision instruments for making bespoke accessories of Gold, Silver and Platinum.You can observe these precious metals being manipulated, polished and garnished with a variety of gems and stones by experienced gold and silversmiths Una and Moritz. Una O'Dwyer and Moritz Schurmann are a husband and wife team who produce some of the most beautiful and unique jewellery, anywhere. Moritz's ancestry is Czech and German, though he has lived in Ireland all his life. His parents were both sculptors of renown and opened the first foundry in Ireland. Moritz is a self taught artisan with gold and silversmith apprenticeships under his belt. Una is a graduate of the National College of Art and Design, who has studied in Dublin, Thomastown and Letterkenny. She is currently studying at Crawford College in Cork to expand her skills in design. Both Una and Moritz have, at least, 20 years experience in their craft. They source the materials, design and create each piece themselves. I met them at their shop, Lismore Goldsmith and Craft, for a chat and maybe get some gift ideas for the upcoming season. IS THERE A PARTICULAR METAL YOU LIKE WORKING WITH? We have worked with most metals, but the best to work on are higher carat gold and platinum. Silver is always popular and with a professional design and finish can be very stylish. UNA, WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE DESIGNER OF ALL TIME? Apart from Moritz, obviously, I love the work of Evie Hone (1894-1955). She was an Irish painter and stained glass artist.With Mainie Jellett, she was influential in the modern art movement in Ireland and was one of the prime instigators of Cubism. Her stained glass work can be found all over Ireland and Britain.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE BOOK, UNA? I read "Exodus" by Leon Uris, some years ago. When it was published in 1958, it was the biggest selling book since "Gone With The Wind" in 1936. Exodus is a big book with a big story but it’s well worth reading. If you're going to ask Moritz the same question, it would be anything to do with Land Rovers. Manuals, catalogues or a history of Land Rovers and he's happy. IS THAT CORRECT, MORITZ? It probably is. MORITZ, DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE GEM OR SEMI-PRECIOUS STONE? Aquamarine is a very cool blue stone. It is said to have cleansing properties and to be the treasure of Mermaids.Tourmaline is a semi-precious stone that comes in a wide variety of colours; red, black, blue, yellow, purple, green, etc., depending whether it was compounded with elements of any one of numerous metals such as aluminium, iron or magnesium. A virtual rainbow of colours. Una O'Dwyer has exhibited her work across the country including craft fairs such as the R.D.S. She is an infinitely talented designer who is constantly stretching the boundaries of her abilities. Moritz Schurmann has had his work shown in England, Scotland and the U.S.A. He has twice won the EBS Crafts Competition. He also won The Goldsmiths Craft Council of England Award in 1999. His work is comprised of unique pieces incorporating gems like Aquamarine,Tourmaline, Ruby, Opal and Sapphire in to precious metals. Unique and unusual pieces, but very classy and wearable. Una and Moritz are available to consult with customers on creating individual items of jewellery. Earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings aren't just accessories, they are a personal sentiment. In 2002 Moritz created the unique birth gift in The Treasurering. It’s a silver pendant that contains a birthstone, a diamond (for eternity) and the name and date of birth. www.treasurering.ie. Lismore Goldsmiths and Craft also has a vast range of high quality craft items by other Irish artists and crafters. There is pottery and ceramics, wood carvings, textiles and sculpture, glassware and giftcards. Una and Moritz are wonderful and talented individuals. As a couple, they are more than that. I appreciate the time they gave me and I hope Una's cold gets better soon.
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
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Donnacha Fahey setting up the AED at the Dungarvan Sailing Club with Micheal Whelan and Oksana Gucmeryte.
Launch of the Public Access AED at Dungarvan Sailing Club – From left to right: Johnny Fraher, Anna-Maria O'Donnell, Donnacha Fahey, Lorraine Dixon, Tommie Murphy (McDonald's Dungarvan), Oksana Gucmeryte (McDonald's Dungarvan), Austin Flynn (Dungarvan Sailing Club), Michael Whelan (Dungarvan Sailing Club), Chris Foley, Eileen Dee, Katie Buckley, Alice Dee. [Karen Dempsey Photography]
Irish Red Cross Dungarvan provide 3 public access defibrillators to the town THE Irish Red Cross Dungarvan Branch reformed in 2013 and over the past four years it has grown from strength to strength. The Irish Red Cross mission is guided by the fundamental principles of Humanity, Impartiality,
Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality. At present, we have 27 members and regularly train to ensure our skills are up to date.This year alone we have provided first aid
cover at numerous local events such as the St Patrick's Day parade, Greenway Train Rides with Deise Day Care and the Switching on of the Christmas Lights to name but a few. Thanks to Eurofins Food
Ireland Ltd for their donation of an AED which has been located in the garda station for the last few years and has been successful resuscitating on a number of occasions. Abbott Ireland Vascular
Katie Buckley from Irish Red Cross Dungarvan placing the AED in the cabinet at Kelly's Pharmacy.
Launch of the Public Access AED at Kelly's Pharmacy, Abbeyside – From left to right: Donnacha Fahey, Anna-Maria O'Donnell, Eileen Dee, Johnny Fraher, Lorraine Dixon, Katie Buckley, Chris Foley, Alice Dee, Oksana Gucmeryte (McDonald's Dungarvan), Tommie Murphy (McDonald's Dungarvan), Brigitta Power (Kelly's Pharmacy). [Karen Dempsey Photography]
Division has kindly donated two AED's to Dungarvan town, over the last number of months both the past and current committee of the branch have been working behind the scenes to secure a location for these two AED's. We are delighted to announce that two locations have been secured for these AED's at Dungarvan Sailing Club on Davitts Quay and Kelly's Pharmacy on the Causeway in Abbeyside. It was important to us that these two AED's were positioned in easily accessible locations in the town and covered areas of high footfall. We are grateful to both premises for facilitating this service. These 3 AED's will be maintained by the Irish Red Cross Dungarvan volunteers on a weekly basis to ensure they are available when needed in the hope they will save a life. A special mention to McDonald's Dungarvan for their sponsorship of the installation costs of both AED Cabinets. We would also like to take the opportunity to thank McDonalds for their generous donation made earlier this year towards our Ambulance fund and to GSK Dungarvan for their continued donations over the past number of years. Also a huge thank you to David Whelan of Clantech Electrical Services Ltd for installing the two cabinets.
It is the aim of this branch to set up a Cardiac First Responder Group for Dungarvan and Abbeyside in the very near future. This will operate on a 24/7 basis and will be manned totally by our volunteers. All our volunteers are certified in various levels of pre-hospital emergency care from CFR-C to EMT levels. All of these volunteers give freely of their own time to come to training and cover duties. All our activities and initiatives are entirely dependent on financial donations and are not state subsidised, therefore, we are extremely grateful to the continued support of the local community and local businesses who contribute to ensure we can stay running every year. We would like to express our many thanks to our committee and volunteers, past and present, for their continued dedication and look forward to working with them in the future. As is the nature of volunteering, it is up to each volunteer how little or how much involvement they can commit to. We are always on the lookout for new members so anyone interested in donating some of their free time can contact us through our Facebook page, Irish Red Cross Dungarvan or on 087 679 23 28 for further information.
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Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Government criticised for not fully funding national wage agreements THE Government came in for stinging criticism at Waterford Council’s budget meeting held last Thursday for its decision to only fund 80 percent of recent national pay agreements. Chief Executive Officer, Michael Walsh, told Councillors at the budget meeting, held in City Hall last Thursday evening, that there is a net cost imposition of around €1.1m in the Council’s 2018 budget, in relation to payroll and pensions of Council staff. He said it was disappointing that the
government will only fund 80 percent of recent national pay agreements – such as the Haddington Road Agreement, which means Waterford Council must foot the bill for 20 percent (€320,000). “We are left to face that 20 percent shortfall,” Cllr. Joe Kelly noted. He said it is costing the Council over €1m to pay the increments in relation to payroll and pensions, “which they are due and entitled to” he said. “But the fact that we have to pick up that €320,000, which effectively equals
a €320,000 cut in our budget is unfair. National agreements are made at Government level, why are local Councils expected to ‘carry the can’ for a significant amount of money,” Cllr. Kelly said. “We should never have to pick up national pay agreements. If the Government want to make an agreement on pay, then that tab should be picked up nationally,” he said. Cllr. Michael J. O’Ryan expressed his worry about the Council funding 20
percent of a national wage agreement. “That should have been covered by the government,” Cllr. O’Ryan said. “It is no surprise, going back to the Winter of 2015 / 2016 when we sought money for the damage caused by the severe weather and we only got 24 percent of our allocation. I hope this is not a trend, that we have to start coughing up for things that are not due to our own direct fault,” Cllr. O’Ryan said. Concurring, Cllr. Eddie Mulligan said he was disappointed that Waterford
Council had to fund 20 percent of the national wage agreement. However, Cllr. Damien Geoghegan slammed the negativity voiced about the pay increases for Council workers. “It is being spun that the increase under the national wage agreements is somehow a negative story for this Council. I say the best of luck to those workers, they are entitled to pay increases because they’ve taken enough of hardship over the last ten years!” said Cllr. Geoghegan.
Councillors welcome 2018 budget WORDS such as “positive”,“progressive”, and “reasonable” were used to describe Waterford Council’s budget estimates for 2018 by all Councillors who were present for the budget meeting at City Hall last Thursday, including the Councillors who did not support the passing of the budget. Cllr. Davy Daniels complimented the management team for putting together the budget and agreed it was “a positive budget” with a lot of effort gone into it. “I would have no issue with supporting the budget were it not for the proposed increase in rates,” he said. “I appreciate there may be uplift in some areas of business, but not in all. I’ve checked with some businesses and they expressed concern that the Council would chose to increase the rates. Some businesses were taken aback at the proposal,” Cllr. Daniels said. “I welcome the extra funding for roads maintenance, but I make no apologies to anyone, because I will be making representations on roads issues, despite the fact I won’t be supporting this budget,” Cllr. Daniels said. He pointed out that the people of Waterford paid over €10m in motor tax last year. “Where is that funding going?” he questioned. “Here we are getting an extra €500,000 for roads and you are all getting excited about it!” He also hit out at the Council borrowing heavily to fund capital projects, saying it is the people of Waterford who are paying for those loans. RURAL INVESTMENT Cllr. James Tobin said he was delighted to see that there was provision being made in the budget for further investment into rural towns and villages, which, he said “are under serious pressure”. Cllr. Michael J. O’Ryan said the budget is not just about maintaining the level of services, but is increasing them. “Waterford is on the up, you can see it there from the rates and rent buoyancy,” Cllr. O’Ryan said. “Coupled with that is the money coming to the Council under the Local Improvement Schemes (LIS) and CLAR funding, which we didn’t have during the recession, which is good for rural areas and I welcome that, as well as the extra funding for local roads,” he said. Chief Executive Office, Michael Walsh replied there is a balance and the urban centres in Waterford have to succeed because they are the employment centres and economic drivers. He said over the next few years, there will be more emphasis placed on the rural towns and villages regarding investment. Cllr. Declan Doocey welcomed the positive message from the budget and the investment into rural towns and villages. He made an appeal to the public living in small towns and villages to support their local shops and businesses this Christmas which provide the services and infrastructure in those rural areas. REASONABLE INCREASE IN COMMERCIAL RATES AND LPT Cllr. Joe Kelly said the rates increase was reasonable considering there was no increase in the rates for ten years. Cllr. Eddie Mulligan said the 2.5 percent increase in the commercial rates is the first increase in ten years, but that Waterford “is at a pivotal stage for moving forward economically”. Cllr. John O’Leary welcomed the increase in the local roads maintenance and said it was “a very progressive budget”. He said passing the budget was much easier thanks to the increase in the Local Property Tax which will bring in an additional €233,000 for 2018. Mr. Walsh said the increase in LPT was a commensurate increase which, he said was relatively minimum per household – €5.00 extra per household for the year. “We have to cut our cloth based around what our citizens, our commercial community and otherwise, can bear. “Our assets have to be invested in. In relation to roads, we can see that while we are managing to keep together the roads generally, the level of investment has not been good enough,” Mr. Walsh said. However, Cllr. Jim Griffin said: “If we need the citizens of Waterford to get us out of bother for €233,000, it is a poor state of affairs”. “It shows how badly we are represented at government level when
we have to constantly make up the shortfall for poor representation from this government.” Cllr. Griffin said he was aware of many people where the €5.00 in their pocket would make a huge difference. “While this isn’t the worst budget since I became a Councillor, I think there is a lot more we could do and I think we should be doing our sums a lot better. It is just a shame I can’t agree to this budget for the sake of €233,000.” Sinn Féin Councillor Declan Clune hit out at Cllr. O’Leary, saying his party (Fianna Fáil) promised to cut the cost of living for families in their 2016 General Election manifesto (page 37). “But obviously the party seems to still suffer from a bout of amnesia, because they did [increase the cost of living],” Cllr. Clune said. He accused Cllr. O’Leary of cowardice by not sticking up for working class families, when he voted for an increase in the LPT. Cllr. O’Leary responded that he was “no keyboard warrior” and “anything I have to say, I say here [in the Council chamber]”. RATES PAYMENT SHORTFALL Cllr. Griffin queried the shortfall in the payment of commercial rates and whether the Council will collect what is budgeted for. Head of Finance, John Murphy said the Council will collect the majority of rates due. “Obviously, there will be some ratepayers who will have some difficulty paying us. We will come to some arrangement with them where they can pay over time,” Mr. Murphy said. “There are some aspects of the rates which are not collected, such as where a business has gone into liquidation, but in general we will be collecting most of the amount of rates due,” he added. WATERFORD BADLY REPRESENTED AT GOVERNMENT LEVEL Cllr. Mary Roche said Councillors have a lot to be proud of because they have all worked for the betterment of Waterford. She concurred with Cllr. Griffin that Waterford is badly represented at government level. Cllr. Roche pointed out that the 2017 South East Economic Monitor report by Dr. Ray Griffin and his colleagues shows that under every possible heading of funds from central government, Waterford has faired badly. “The only agency which doesn’t let the people down and has never under-invested in Waterford is this local authority,” Cllr. Roche said. “I am very proud of that and of what we’ve achieved in the teeth of a very deep recession and I applaud the risks the Council has taken,” Cllr. Roche added. APARTHEID Cllr. John Hearne agreed it was “one of the most impressive budgets I’ve seen since I’ve been on the Council” and acknowledged there are “a lot of very good things” in the budget. “We’ve a lot to be proud of - we have Winterval and the Greenway,” Cllr. Hearne said. “But I think there is apartheid in this country. We are arguing and bickering over small money, but look at the likes of money the Government won’t collect from Apple (€13bn) and the likes of Bono and those guys who tax exempt their money abroad. “If we could collect that money we could do an awful lot for all of our services, there is no doubt about it,” Cllr. Hearne said. He said the area he represents Larchville / Lisduggan has been described as “the most deprived area of Ireland and that is a badge of shame for the city”. Cllr. Hearne slammed the Council for doing away with the waste collection service, doing away with Community Support Officers and the decimation of the fishing industry. “For the first time in the history of Waterford City – the oldest city in Ireland - people are sleeping on the streets because we don’t have any place to put them. It is shameful in such a rich country.” Cllr. Hearne said he had a huge issue with LPT, “because Fianna Fáil said at the last local elections that they wouldn’t increase family taxes. I made a promise and I certainly won’t be paying any property tax or supporting anything with property tax in it!” he added. PROGRESSIVE BUDGET Cllr. John Pratt said he commended such a progressive budget and the fact that there was extra money for local road maintenance. He said he was hopeful that a footpath programme would be put
in place as part of the budget in 2018. Cllr. Jason Murphy said the 2018 budget has to be seen in the context of the three previous budgets passed by the Council. “They were extremely difficult budgets to pass and Councillors had to make brave political decisions to pass them,” he said. “I’m delighted to see a buoyancy in the rates. No-one likes a rise, but a 2.5 percent is modest and has to be seen in the context of the improvements to the public realm and urban renewal scheme.” Cllr. Murphy said he was delighted to see the increase in rental incomes, which shows the green shoots of recovery reaching into the working class communities. Cllr. Liam Brazil welcomed the budget and said the investment in rural communities and roads “is fantastic”. “I welcome this budget, unlike my Comeragh colleague, Cllr. Clune. I think when we have a good news story, we ought to sell it, because we’ve been coming in here over the last number of years and arguing about a few pennies here and there.This is a very good budget and I thank the management team who put it together,” Cllr. Brazil said. Cllr. Cha O’Neill said there are many businesses struggling and not every shop is doing well. “At the same time, to ask for a 2.5 percent increase is not too bad. If it was anymore, I might have a different opinion of it,” Cllr. O’Neill said. “It is nearly one of the best budgets put in front of us and I will be supporting it,” he said. GREENWAY Cllr. James Tobin noted that Dungarvan “has come on in leaps and bounds” and described it as “one of the finest towns in the south, helped in no small way by the Greenway”. He said the Greenway “was put there by us, the 32 Councillors”. Cllr. Tobin said the idea for the Greenway was first mooted in the old Council (Waterford County Council) by Councillors “who were brave enough to vote for it, when other Councillors who took pleasure lying out in the sun at the opening of the Greenway had voted against it!” “We, the 32 Councillors, with the Council executive agreed to put that Greenway there. I, as one Councillor who voted for it in the initial stages, am very proud of that Greenway and I will also be proud when I see our rural villages brought back to life,” Cllr. Tobin added. Cllr. Kelly concurred that the Greenway “is a great facility”. “We expected more money than they [the government] gave us, and we had to subsequently finish it out of our own budget which is stretched like an elastic band,” said Cllr. Kelly. He also noted that there is no extra money from the government to fund the maintenance of the Greenway. “We have to fund that out of our own existing budget,” he said. “We now have to budget for significant money, in the region of €100,000 to €150,000 to keep the Greenway maintained,” Cllr. Kelly said. However, Cllr. Damien Geoghegan hit back at the negativity being voiced around the Greenway. “Any money we spend on the Greenway is money well spent,” Cllr. Geoghegan said. “It is one of the best projects this Council has ever undertaken and it is something that has transformed the economy in West Waterford, particularly in Dungarvan and Kilmacthomas, where a number of businesses have sprung up on the back of the Greenway. So, to spin the Greenway as a negative story is something I would reject out-ofhand completely,” said Cllr. Geoghegan. Cllr. Geoghegan said he was “willing to take ownership of the budget and commend the Councillors in the Chamber”. “This budget reflects the discussions which have taken place in this Chamber over the past 12 months,” he said. “It is a positive budget, it reflects our discussions and keeps the Council on a sound and financial footing,” Cllr. Geoghegan added. PLAYGROUNDS Meanwhile, Cllr. Mary Roche queried the investment into playgrounds. Director of Services, Fergus Galvin said there is additional €60,000 in the budget for 2018 for a phased refurbishment and equipment replacement programme in the most heavily-used playgrounds, such as the People’s Park in the city and Walton Park in Abbeyside.
NEWS
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
27
Council passes 2.5% increase in commercial rates
Izzy and Leo Cunnage pictured at the opening of the Dungarvan Aglow's 'Santa's Elf Garden'. [Dan McGrath]
BUSINESSES across Waterford City and County will pay 2.5 percent more in their commercial rates in 2018 after a majority of Councillors voted in favour of the increase at a meeting which lasted just over an hour and twenty minutes last Thursday evening in City Hall, Waterford. Councillors agreed to a General Annual Rate on Valuation at 0.2583, which will bring in an extra €733,000 for the Council; while the increase in Local Property Tax, which was agreed at a meeting earlier in October, will bring in an additional €233,000 in 2018. The 2018 budget allows for an estimated expenditure of €126m. The Council expects to bring in nearly €77m in income in 2018, while the shortfall of €48.9m
will be funded by income collected from the Local Property Tax (€18.9m) and the commercial rates (€30m). The 2018 budget was proposed as presented, by Cllr. Damien Geoghegan and seconded by Cllr. James Tobin, and was passed by majority vote of 23 in favour and 8 against. An amendment to the proposed budget by the Sinn Féin Councillors was declared not valid, because their suggestion included an amendment to offset the €233,000 collected from LPT for 2018. In their proposed amendment, Cllr. Declan Clune said Sinn Féin couldn’t support a budget with the inclusion of the LPT on a point of principle. They suggested a three percent
increase in the commercial rates and take ten percent from the festivals budget, which would offset the LPT and the balance to be used to fund a full-time Mental Health and Suicide Awareness Officer for the Council, to go out into communities and promote mental health. However, Chief Executive Officer of Waterford Council, Michael Walsh, pointed out that a decision has already been taken regarding the LPT and can’t be changed. Mayor Pat Nugent declared the amendment as not valid. In a roll call vote, Councillors who voted in favour of the budget were: Liam Brazil (FG); John Carey (FG); Joe Conway (Ind); Tom Cronin (FF); John
Cummins (FG); Declan Doocey (FG); Damien Geoghegan (FG); Blaise Hannigan (Ind); Joe Kelly (Ind); Eddie Mulligan (FF); Jason Murphy (FF); Ray Murphy (FF); Pat Nugent (FG); Seamus O’Donnell (Ind); John O’Leary (FF); Cha O’Neill (Ind); Michael J. O’Ryan (FF); Lola O’Sullivan (FG); John Pratt (Lab); Eamon Quinlan (FF); Mary Roche (Ind); James Tobin (FF); Adam Wyse (FF). Councillors who voted against the budget were: Breda Brennan (SF); Declan Clune (SF); Davy Daniels (Ind); Pat Fitzgerald (SF); Jim Griffin (SF); John Hearne (SF); Sean Reinhardt (Ind); and Siobhán Whelan (SF). Cllr. Seanie Power (FG) was absent from the meeting.
Council’s 2018 estimates seen as a “positive budget” CHIEF Executive of Waterford City and County Council, Michael Walsh, told Councillors at the budget estimates meeting held last Thursday that he saw the 2018 budget as “positive” and “the first real indication of economic recovery, generally speaking”. He said the proposed 2.5 percent increase in commercial rates was the first increase the Council has sought in nearly ten years. “I would consider this to be a proportionate increase in all the circumstances and would assure the Council and the commercial community that I do so only with the long term intent of ensuring Waterford’s cost com-
petitiveness,” Mr.Walsh said.“I do not intend or view this as a start to creeping increases of substance in charges but as a necessary increase in income to begin to meet some of the compelling needs of our citizens.” Mr. Walsh said the budget also reflects an ongoing improvement in economic circumstances in Waterford as a whole, with improvement in all income streams envisaged for the year ahead. He pointed out that an additional sum of €605,000 in rates buoyancy expected for 2018 reflects the increased uptake of vacant properties and the addition of new properties to the
rates book. He said an increase of €730,000 was envisaged from housing rents in 2018, reflecting a significant increase in employment amongst the Council’s housing tenants and the addition of new housing stock. Although there are income increases expected, Mr. Walsh pointed out that there are also cost increases for the year ahead, such as payroll and insurance premiums. He said the continuing rise in the cost of insurances means the Council will have to fork out an additional €302,000 in insurances for 2018, “which is reflecting the claims activity over the
last number of years”. A sum of €100,000 has to be provided for legal fees relating to judicial reviews being sought against the Council. Mr.Walsh said that while there are increases in the payroll for staff, the vast majority of that money will come from central government. He pointed out that only 80 percent of the recent national wage agreements (under Haddington Road) are being recouped from the government, meaning the Council has to pay for 20 percent (€320,000) of those wage agreements. “The substantive natural increases in income are sufficient
to cover increased costs, but in no way cover necessary investment in our assets,” Mr. Walsh said. He said the 2.5 percent increases in the commercial rates and local property tax and other limited income will be assigned to cover investment in the following areas: Provision of matching funding under the Towns and Villages Renewal Scheme. Mr. Walsh said there will be €238,000 and €115,000 respectively provided under the scheme to be spent on vital measures to ensure the sustainability of rural towns and villages. Roads Maintenance. An extra €572,000 is being provided
by the Council for local roads maintenance. Housing maintenance. An additional €406,000 will be provided by the Council to move from reactive maintenance to having maintenance delivered through a planned programme. Cultural Quarter. A sum of €150,000 will be provided for investment in Waterford City’s O’Connell Street, as part of plans to build a Cultural Quarter. “All in all, I consider that the increased charges levied are moderate and the benefits to be gained from different areas of investment more than justify the increases,” Mr. Walsh added.
Heated moments during Council’s budget meeting WATERFORD Council’s estimates for 2018 wasn’t without its drama as Councillors discussed the budget at City Hall last Thursday evening. At some points the meeting became politically heated with accusations and raised voices. It was Independent Councillor Seamus O’Donnell who first came under attack from Sinn Féin. Cllr. O’Donnell had welcomed the budget but also expressed concerns for businesses who may be struggling to pay rates. He said there were many businesses in Dungarvan which closed their doors last year. “Will some of them be able to pay the rates at all next year?” he asked. Cllr. O’Donnell, who owns a public house in An Sean Phobal, worked out that he would be paying an extra €63 a year or so on his commercial rates. “At the same time, the Council cannot run on hot air. I am in favour of the budget and I will vote for it, because I know there is no use in me coming into the Council and asking the engineer to
fill pot holes or repair a road if the money is not there,” Cllr. O’Donnell added. However, Cllr. O’Donnell came under attack from Cllr. John Hearne (SF) who said: “fair play to you for paying your extra €63 in rates a year - what a hero ... but you didn’t say you are going to give yourselves a €1,000 increase in this budget and a €5,000 increase in unvouched expenses! You didn’t say that!” “You [Councillors] are well able to look after yourselves, but not look after the poor,” Cllr. Hearne added. However, it was Cllr. Damien Geoghegan (FG), who came to Cllr. O’Donnell’s defence. Cllr. Geoghegan, who is also President of the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG), said he makes no apology for seeking to improve the terms and conditions which Councillors receive. “Sinn Féin Councillors who serve on the Executive at the AILG were fully supportive [of the improved pay and conditions for Councillors], so I think it
is wrong of you to come into this Chamber and try and make cheap political capital on the back of it,” said Cllr. Geoghegan. “Your party are fully supportive of it and you should make that quite clear!” Cllr. Geoghegan added, to calls of “hear, hear” from other Councillors. According to the 2018 budget, a sum of just over €1.3m has been set aside for Councillors’ pay and expenses under the heading local representation and civic leadership. In a breakdown of that figure, €563,826 is for Councillors’ representational payments; €66,000 is for chair / vice-chair allowances; €30,000 is for annual allowances; €327,462 is for Councillors’ expenses, while €115,064 is for ‘other’ expenses; €60,000 for retirement gratuities; and a €60,000 contribution to members associations, with €97,145 for service support costs. There was no funding allocated for ‘conferences abroad’. Later during the budget meeting, it became heated again after Cllr. Pat Fitzgerald (SF) said the Local Property
Tax should be called a ‘Home Tax’. “It is actually a home tax because there is a lot of property in this State which is not taxed at all,” he said. He accused the Council of forcing tenants to pay the LPT on top of their rent. “Let’s get away from calling it a property tax, it’s a home tax and that is what it is,” Cllr. Fitzgerald said. He accused the two parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil of being “in collusion”. “You increased the property tax on people that can ill afford it!” Cllr. Fitzgerald said. However, CEO Mr. Walsh clarified that the Council “has not increased rents in the last three years since the property tax was put in place”. “We have not charged local authority tenants for LPT,” Mr. Walsh said. Cllr. John Cummins called on Cllr. Fitzgerald to withdraw his comments after Mr. Walsh clarified that tenants don’t pay LPT. “I won’t withdraw my comments, because the local authority is paying LPT – that is money which could be
spent on roads or housing!” Cllr. Fitzgerald responded. “If you increase the LPT you increase it on the Council,” Cllr. Fitzgerald said, raising his voice. And in response to other Councillors calling the budget “positive”, Cllr. Fitzgerald said it was a negative that there are people sleeping rough on the streets and families living in hotels. “Another negative is that people are lying on hospital trollies out there in that hospital because of those two parties over there, colluding,” Cllr. Fitzgerald accused in a raised voice. Cllr. Cummins asked Mayor Pat Nugent to uphold Standing Orders. “People can’t start shouting like that,” Cllr. Cummins said. Another Councillor could be heard saying: “there’s no need to be roaring”. Cllr. Fitzgerald said Fine Gael “showed it today to the people – you haven’t got the guts to go to the people ... you ran from the people!”, referring to the political crisis last week which brought the minority Fine Gael Government to the brink of an election.
IN MEMORIAM †
O’RIORDAN (7th anniversary) – In loving memory of Mary O’Riordan (nee Corbett), late of Upper Curragh, Ardmore, and Farranree, Cork City, whose Anniversary occurs on 7th December. R.I.P.
†
DALY (19th and 5th anniversaries) – In loving memory of our parents Kitty Daly who died on 6th December, 1998, and Tommy Daly who died on 19th November, 2012, late of Ballymarket, Dungarvan. A SMALL PRAYER This is my small prayer to you, You’ll have someone to always care for you, In your every need be there for you, And darker days be rare for you. May the road be always straight for you, And have someone to always wait for you, To open every gate for you, And the storms of life abate for you.
By John Daly
–Sadly missed and always remembered by all your family at home and away.
HANSBERRY (16th anniversary) – In loving memory of Angela Hansberry, late of Ballintaylor, Dungarvan, who died on 7th December, 2001.
KEANE (8th and 34th anniversaries) – In loving memory of our dear parents Bridget (nee Hennebry) and Bobby Keane, late of O’Connell Street, Dungarvan, whose Anniversaries occur on 8th December and 4th January. R.I.P.
We hold you close within our hearts, And there you shall remain, To walk with us throughout our lives, Until we meet again. So rest in peace dear Angela, And thanks for all you have done, We pray that God has given you, The crown you’ve truly won.
–Lovingly remembered by all your family. Anniversary Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, 7th December, in Colligan Church, at 7.30 p.m.
Your lives were love and labour, Your love for your family true, Loved and respected by all you knew, We will always remember you. Always willing, helpful and kind, What beautiful memories you left behind, May the God of love and mercy, Care our loved ones who are gone, And bless with consolation those left to carry on.
–Sadly missed by her husband Paul and sons Liam and Tony. Anniversary Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, 7th December, in Ballinameela Church at 7.30 p.m.
CAREY (4th anniversary) – In memory of James (Jim) Carey, late of 31 Hillside Crescent, Kilmacthomas, who died on 14th December, 2013. Will those who think of Jim today, A little prayer to Jesus say.
–Always remembered by your family. Anniversary Mass will be celebrated in St. Ann’s Church, Ballylaneen, on Thursday, 7th December, at 8.30 p.m.
DIXON (1st anniversary) – In loving meomry of our beautiful grandson Eamonn Dixon, late of Murphy Place, Abbeyside, who died tragically on 4th December, 2016, aged 22 years. R.I.P. Mass offered. How can we live without you, How could we let you go, You that we loved so much, You that we worshipped so. Love you Mon.
–Very sadly missed and will never be forgotten by your heartbroken grandparents Mary and Eddie Dixon.
Dungarvan Observer
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FENNELL (4th anniversary) – In loving memory of Patrick Fennell, late of The Lodge, Garranbane, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, who died on 20th December, 2013. Fourth Anniversary Mass for Patrick will be celebrated on Sunday, 10th December, at 10.00 a.m. in Ballinroad Church. During our daily lives, but particularly on the Anniversary of Patrick, we remember him in a meaningful way rather than a mournful way. We remember the lessons we have learnt from him and the talents we have inherited from him. We remember how we loved him and he loved us and made us what we are today. More importantly we remember that he has found rest, just as Jesus promised. “We are blessed to have memories, they are a permanent connection to those we love.”
–Sadly missed by his wife Minnie and family.
DEATH NOTICE O'MAHONY, Nina (Catherine Mary) – Died aged 85 years. Born October 15th, 1932, at the Beeches, Dungarvan. Sadly passed away on Sunday 12th November, in Gloucester, UK, surrounded by her loved ones. Grand-daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Croker-Hackett of The Beeches, Dungarvan; daughter of Patrick and 'Bobbie' Brazil; sister to Anne, Derek, Fintan, Richard and Jacqueline. Darling Mum to Marian, Laura, Sean, Rory, Tracie, Kerry, Marsha, Siobain and Patrick. Much loved Ninny of 8 grandchildren. Will be desperately missed by all family and friends.
MEEHAN (1st anniversary) – In loving memory of a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother Brenda Meehan (nee Crotty), late of Murphy Place, Abbeyside, who died on 2nd December, 2016. HEALY (6th anniversary) – In loving memory of Nora Healy, late of Old Parish, Dungarvan, whose Anniversary occurs on 30th December. Anniversary Mass will be celebrated in The Church of the Nativity of Our Lady, Old Parish, on Sunday, 10th December, at 10.30 a.m. It broke our hearts to lose you, But you did not go alone, For a part of us went with you, The day God called you home. So keep your arms around her Lord, And give her special care, Make up for all that she has suffered, And all that seemed unfair. You left us beautiful memories, Your love is still our guide, And though we cannot see you, You are always at our side.
–Always remembered by your husband Michael, family and friends.
KEEVERS (25th anniversary) – In loving memory of my dear mother Liz, late of Coolbagh, Clashmore, who died on 9th December, 1992. R.I.P. Quietly today your memory we treasure, Loving you always, forgetting you never, Will those who think of her today, A little prayer to Jesus say.
–Always remembered by your loving daughter Margaret and son-in-law Denny.
Grieve not for me, I have not died, I am merely asleep, In the arms of the Lord.
First Anniversary Mass will be celebrated at 10.00 a.m. on Sunday, 10th December, in Toor Church. –The Meehan family.
JAMIE O’GRADY 3rd anniversary 7th December, 2014 Remembering Jamie on his Anniversary, late of Ballygagin, Dungarvan.
I know all my life I will miss you, For you meant the world to me, I have such great memories of you, That others cannot see. There is no way I could forget you, I’ll never even try, I will even love you more, As time goes by.
–Always remembered by your loving brother John.
SHINE (2nd anniversary) – In loving memory of Maureen Shine, late of Killishal, Cappagh, who died on 22nd December, 2015. Anniversary Mass will be celebrated in St. James’ Church, Ballinameela, on Saturday, 9th December, at 7.30 p.m. O’DWYER (3rd anniversary) – In loving memory of Paddy O’Dwyer, late of The Grove, Abbeyside, who died on 10th December, 2014. R.I.P. Mass offered. As each day dawns Dad, We think of you, As each night falls, We pray for you, And throughout our lives, No matter where, In our hearts, You’re always there.
–So sadly missed by his loving wife Una; daughter Mary; sons Philip, Tom, Patrick, Paul, Denis and their families. Anniversary Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, 10th December, at 12 o’clock in Abbeyside Church.
Dungarvan Observer
Memories are special, They don’t fade away, We think of you always, Not just today.
–Always in our thoughts and prayers – your loving family. STONE (53rd anniversary) – In loving memory of Constance Mary Stone, late of St. Hilary’s, Tournore, Dungarvan, who died on 9th December, 1964. R.I.P. Masses offered. Will those who think of her today, A little prayer to Jesus say.
–Always remembered by her loving family. WALL (12th and 6th anniversaries) – In loving memory of my mother Tess who died on 15th November, 2005, and my father Matt who died on 10th December, 2011, late of Killongford. R.I.P. Along the road to yesterday, That leads me straight to you, Are memories of happy days, Together we once knew.
–Sadly missed by Marian, Jack and family.
It doesn’t take a special day, To bring you to mind, For days without a thought of you, Are very hard to find.
–Billy and Sinead.
The Samaritans Beau Street, Waterford Tel. (051) 872114. Freephone 116 123. Lonely – Suicidal – Despairing? Talk to us any time, any day in complete confidence Phone – write – visit
REVISION COURT The Revision Court will be held by the County Registrar in respect of the Register of Electors at 10.00 am on Thursday 7th December, 2017 in the Council Chamber, Civic Offices, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. M. Quinn, Director of Services, Corporate, Arts, HR & IS
1st December, 2017
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Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT † JOHN FLYNN Riverview House, Cappoquin 10th December, 2016 Acknowledgement and First Anniversary On the First Anniversary of John’s passing, his wife Evelyn, son, daughters, grandchildren and all of his extended family, would like to express a heartfelt thanks to all of those who helped us through that difficult time. Your support and kindness has been most greatly appreciated. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the staff of CareChoice, Dungarvan, who treated him with such warmth and professionalism. Our thanks go to Father Gear who celebrated his Funeral Mass and to those who sang so beautifully. A special thanks to Aidan and all at Walsh’s, Funeral Directors, for their compassion and professionalism. We wish we could thank individually all of those who sympathised with us and provided support during those difficult days, and indeed in the days since. However, as this is not possible we hope that this acknowledgement will be accepted as a token of our appreciation. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for your intentions. We miss your smile, your joking ways, We miss the things you used to say, And when the past we do recall, That’s when we miss you most of all.
SITUATIONS VACANT
PLANNING PERMISSION
PART-TIME YARD PERSON REQUIRED FOR BUSY EQUESTRIAN YARD – Duties include feeding, cleaning stables, handling horses, etc. Experience with horses essential. Tel. (087) 7857807.
WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY COUNCIL – Permission is sought by Kenneth Hennessy Architects Ltd. on behalf of our client, Don and Maura Thornhill, for the following development at Boolabrien Lower Ballymacarbry, Co. Waterford: Construction of new single-storey extension to side, alterations to existing roof and associated site development works. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority (Menapia Building, The Mall, Waterford) during its public opening hours (9.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.). A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the Planning Authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.
Practice Nurse WANTED IN LISMORE, CO. WATERFORD Fully computerised practice. Four days a week, may suit job-sharer. Informal enquiries to Imelda on 058 54811. Email C.V. to drnoreenbarry@lismoreclinic.ie
† EILEEN SULLIVAN (nee Buckley)
Aidan Walsh & Sons
Ballybrack, Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford The family of the late Eileen Sullivan (nee Buckley) would like to thank most sincerely all those who sympathised with them on their recent sad bereavement; all who attended her funeral, sent Mass cards and floral tributes. Also staff at Dunabbey House and Dungarvan Community Hospital for their kindness. Thanks to Fr. M. Kehoe, P.P., who celebrated Eileen’s Funeral Mass. Also Kiely Funeral Directors for their kindness and professionalism. First Anniversary Mass will be celebrated on Friday, 8th December, at 11.30 a.m. in All Saints Church, Newtown, Kilmacthomas.
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Funeral Directors & Monumental Works Cappoquin and Tallow REQUIRE
Part-Time Assistants • Candidates who are highly motivated, with good communication skills and interested in working in all aspects of the business. • Assisting in funeral directing, trade and internal monumental services.
WATERFORD CITY AND COUNTY COUNCIL – We, Joe and Anne O'Keeffe, wish to apply to the above Authority for planning permission for the localised modifications to our dwelling – to include for the removal of an existing single-storey conservatory to be replaced with a new, two storey extension with pitched roof to match existing ridge level, revised entrance door and porch enclosure detail, revised front projecting bay windows with revised roofs (all to front elevation of dwelling). Also, a New dormer window to existing Garage roof and all associated site works at Scart, Ballynacourty, Co. Waterford. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority at Menapia Building, The Mall, Waterford, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the Planning Authority on payment of the prescribed fee (€20) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.
• Evening and weekend work will be required.
BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE
Send CV to aidanwalshandsons@gmail.com Member of the Irish Association of Funeral Directors
James Kiely & Sons Prop. DAVID KIELY David & Margaret, ‘Garrán Mhuire,’ Kiladangan (058) 42200 / (086) 2525663 (Est. 1919) Irish Association of Funeral Directors
†
McCARTHY – Birthday remembrance of our wonderful daughter Catherine McCarthy, late of 55 Glendine Drive, Seapark, Abbeyside, whose 28th birthday occurs on 6th December. Today we send a Dove to Heaven, With a parcel on its wings, Be careful when you open it, It’s full of lovely things. Inside are lots of kisses, Wrapped up in lots of hugs, To tell you that we miss you, And send you all our love. God must have thought you special, To take you the way He did, They say He only takes the best, And this He surely did. Look around your garden Lord, For an Angel with a smile, She won’t be hard to recognise, She must stand out a mile. We think of you in silence, You were the world to us, Our love for you will never end, As we remember how much your birthday meant.
†
Loving memories are now all we have, Of a brilliant daughter that should not be gone, Catherine you are always on our minds.
–Always remembered and loved and never forgotten from Mammy and Daddy, XXX. –––––––––––––– McCARTHY – 28th birthday remembrance of Catherine McCarthy, late of 55 Glendine Drive, Seapark, Abbeyside, whose 28th birthday occurs on 6th December. Remembering you is easy Catherine, We do it every day, Missing you is a heartache, That never goes away. We had a special granddaughter, But we had to say goodbye, Your death has left a vacant place, This world can never fill.
–Remembered on this special day, from grandparents Sean and Maggie and family, XXX.
Funeral Home Embalming & Cremations Arranged We attend to all the details: Church & Cemetery
Floral & Artificial Wreaths Supplied Obituary Notices
SHANDON STREET & KILADANGAN, DUNGARVAN Phone: David (058) 42200. Mobile: (086) 2525663 Fax (058) 48712. www.kielyfunerals.ie
DAVID KIELY MONUMENTAL WORKS KILADANGAN, DUNGARVAN Showroom at Kiladangan (near Radley’s Engineering Ltd.) over ONE HUNDRED headstones on display Telephone: (058) 42200. Mobile: (086) 2525663. Fax: (058) 48712. www.davidkielymonumentals.com
HEADSTONES IN LIMESTONE, MARBLE, POLISHED GRANITE We restore existing headstones, kerbs, graves, chipped, inscriptions, etc. FULL RANGE OF COMPUTER OPTIONS + DESIGNS
Distance no problem to us – Member of Guild of Master Craftsmen Ring for appointment: Open Saturday and Sunday
CLASSIFIEDS Telephone: (058) 41205 / 42042 | e-mail: adverts@dungarvanobserver.ie | Deadline for all adverts is 10.00 a.m. each Tuesday
SERVICES AVAILABLE MUNSTER TRUCK, TRAILER AND BUS SERVICES – Tachograph Calibration and Installation • Speed Limiter Installation and Repair • DOE Preparation • Servicing • Sand Blasting • Spray Painting • Contact: Gerard on 058-68855 or 087-2884113 • www.truckrepairs.ie • info@truckrepairs.ie • Garryduff, Colligan, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. (ind.)
WALL’S CHIMNEY & BOILER SERVICE – Chimney & Boiler Services. Gutters and Drains Unblocked. Contact us on (087) 9931571.
TREE FELLING
RE-UPHOLSTERY
HEALY TREE FELLING AND LANDSCAPING – Fully insured and certified. Specialising in tree felling, tree pruning and reducing, chipping and removal, landscaping and garden construction including grass and hedge cutting, lawn laying, gravel gardens, paving, decking and fencing. Contact: Eamonn (085) 7784335. (22-12)
RE-UPHOLSTERY, CARPETS, CURTAINS, FURNITURE – Free estimates in your own home. Collection and delivery. Sofas and Couches made to order. Curtains and Pelmets made to measure. Extensive range of fabrics to choose from. Colour co-ordinating service free in Showrooms. A visit to our Showrooms is a must. Open Monday to Saturday incl. All work guaranteed. Ned O’Connell, Seafield, Youghal. Tel. (024) 93106.
FERGAL COLBERT TREE CARE EXPERIENCED AND QUALIFIED TREE SURGEON – Available for all aspects of tree surgery. • Identification and removal of hazardous trees. • Tree reduction and pruning. • Hedge cutting and wood chipping. Contact your local professional Fergal Colbert (087) 7933481 / www.fergalcolberttreecare.com (ind.)
PAINTING & POWERWASHING PAINTING & POWERWASHING – Interior, Exterior, Woodwork, Wallpapering, etc. Powerwashing of Houses, Farm Buildings. Also all Farm Buildings Spray or Hand Painted. Also Window and Chimney Cleaning (brush and vacuum) available. Contact: Mike Scanlon (087) 6198876. (ind.)
TARMACADAM TARMACADAM & TAR & CHIPPINGS – Drainage and Kerbing. Michael Fennell, Stradbally, (086) 8342233 / (051) 293943. (ind.)
SAMARITANS WORRIED? DISTRESSED? SUICIDAL? – Whatever you're going through, we're here to listen and help, 24 hours a day, every day. Call SAMARITANS in confidence Freephone 116 123, or e-mail us jo@samaritans.org (ind.)
ORDERS TAKEN FARM FRESH HEN TURKEYS FOR SALE – Orders taken. Contact: (087) 4161768. (15-12)
A TASTE OF MUSIC PIANO + KEYBOARD LESSONS – Is Santa bringing a Keyboard this year? Avail of this wonderful Special Offer – First 4 Lessons ONLY €40! See if Piano or Keyboard is for you without getting tied into a term. Children and adults welcome. Individual Classes – mornings and afternoons. Vouchers available for Christmas, Birthdays, etc. Qualified Teacher. Phone: Catherine (087) 3121201. “You’re Never Too Old To Learn Something New.” (8-12)
PRESERVATION NOTICE TAKE NOTE that the lands in my possession at Ballygambon Upper, Ballygambon Lower, Ballinameela and Bridgequarter are strictly preserved from all forms of trespass. Signed: John O’Donnell. TAKE NOTE that our lands at Clonegegaile, Touraneena, are strictly preserved from fox hunting. Signed: James Cullinane and Patrick Hallinan.
John Phelan Skip Hire MURRAY’S ROOFING DUNGARVAN – Re-roofing specialists. Slate/Tile • flat roofs • guttering/downpipes • chimney work • chimney cowls • ridge tiles • lead flashing lead valleys • supply/fit roof velux windows • UPVC fascias/soffits • insurance work undertaken • all work holds a full written guarantee • all areas covered • For a free written quotation and emergency work call Paul on (058) 43992, mobile (086) 2109547. (ind.)
Call us on 051 645445 • 087 9677797 Skip Hire and Waste Collection Services in Dungarvan and surrounding areas • Domestic & Commercial Skip Hire • Wide Range of Skip Sizes from Mini to RoRo • Mattress Collection • Contaminated Soil Collection • Sludge Collection
STONEWORK STONEWORK, BUILDING AND RESTORATION – Patio, block an bricklaying, construction works. Polish professional with years of experience. References available on request. Mobile 087-7916261, text please. (8-12)
BRIDGE
CLEANING SERVICE
STAIRS CUSTOM JOINERY 087 2420124
All jobs • House Cleaning completed • Office Cleaning to a high • Surgery Cleaning standard • Ironing Irish lady available – own transport References Available
ABBEY BRIDGE CLUB (28/11/2017) – 1st Rita Harnady & Sheila Towey; 2nd Joan Mansfield & Hilary Browne; 3rd Julianne Morrissey & Agatha O’Connor; 4th Alice Dwyer & Patricia Murray. HARBOUR BRIDGE CLUB (30/11/2017) – 1st Margaret Clancy & Mary Navin; 2nd Maureen Ryan & Nuala Condon; 3rd Declan O'Keeffe & Anne Fitzgerald; 4th Cathy Connolly & Tish Baumann; 5th Mary Ashe & Mai Mernin. KILMACTHOMAS BRIDGE CLUB (29/11/2017) – 1st Mary Flahavan & Claire Cummins; 2nd Tess Cusack and Mary Prendergast; 3rd Anna Harney & Catherine M. Power; 4th Anne Curran & Anne Marie Brown; 5th Bertha O'Connor & Elayne Kirwan.
Tel. 087 9283822
New Husqvarna Walkbehinds From €299
DEISE BRIDGE CLUB (4/12/2017) – 1st Nuala Harty & Justin Spratt; 2nd Nuala de Paor & Una O'Dwyer; 3rd Brigid Burke & John Mansfield; 4th Brid Killigrew & Maureen Power; 5th Kay Kirwan & Maeve Carthy. AFFANE BRIDGE CLUB (Ham competition: 20/11/2017) – 1st Nellie Moloney & Andrew McGrath; 2nd Beckie Keevers & Margaret Clancy; 3rd Betty Kelleher & Mary Fives; 4th Maureen Arrigan & Una Mason.
TO LET
FIREWOOD FOR SALE – 5 bags of logs and 3 bags of kindling €20. Free delivery locally. Call: Mike (087) 1681096. (8-12)
SHERRY FITZGERALD REYNOLDS LETTINGS – Urgently require Houses and Apartments TO LET in all areas of Dungarvan and West Waterford. Please contact Gerardine Reynolds on 087 2458848 / 058 23444. (ind.)
GRINDS New Husqvarna Ride-On’s From €1,699
Troy &&CoCO. BOBBob TROY
38 O’Connell Street, Street, Dungarvan 38 O’Connell Dungarvan Ph. 058 41590 Ph. 058 41590 (ind.)
FRENCH & GERMAN – Grinds available for Secondary School students. 1-to-1 and small groups. Experienced Teachers. Contact: The Language People 087 9753783. (8-12)
COMPUTER REPAIRS
DUNGARVAN BRIDGE CLUB (30/11/2017) – 1st Catherine Tuohy & Ann Heffernan; 2nd Claire Meaney & Mary Mitchell; 3rd Mary Casey & Marienne Mulcahy; 4th Sadie Uí Mhiacháin Colin Carthy. CUNNIGAR BRIDGE CLUB (29/11/2017) – 1st Doreen Keane & Therese Ryan; 2nd Viola Rej-Mielczarek & Mary Murphy; 3rd Margaret O'Brien & Kay Shanley; 4th Sheila Lane & Concie Christopher.
FOR SALE
Youghal, Co. Cork.
COMPUTER REPAIRS – Virus, Spyware and Pop-up removal. Speed up slow computers. Internet problems. Call: Shane Deevy 087 987 2006. (ind.)
Tel. (024) 92850 / 93469 blackwaterblindsltd@eircom.net
HUGE SAVINGS CALL TODAY FULL RANGE OF QUALITY BLINDS, CURTAINS AND ACCESSORIES Quotes, Measurements & Fitting Free of Charge You’ll be “BLINDED” by our SPECIAL PRICES & SERVICES
DON’T DELAY! CALL TODAY ON 024 92850/93469
The person who doesn’t advertise knows what they’re doing – but no one else does! Call … 058-41205/42042 e-mail: adverts@dungarvanobserver.ie
CAPPOQUIN – 4 Bedroom partly furnished semidetached house. Long/short term let. Immediate availability. Tel. (087) 2895003. (8-12)
2 BEDROOM COTTAGE NEAR CLONEA BEACH TO LET – OFCH and solid fuel stove. Suit professional couple. Rent €750 per month. Immediate availability. Longterm let. Tel. (085) 8583689. (22-12)
FOR RENT COMMERCIAL OFFICE IN SEXTON STREET FOR RENT – Suitable for Professional Practitioner, Accountancy, Finance / Insurance. Apply to Box No. 6060. (15-12)
† Drohan Monumentals † Headstones in Marble, Granite & Limestone Inscriptions Cut Existing Stones Cleaned & Restored Graves Chipped Tel. (058) 43211. Mobile: (087) 2540295. www.drohanfuneraldirectors.ie
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
PICTORIAL
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Brid Fennessy and Shelia Veale pictured at the Wine & Style Night in the Cunnigar Room at Crew’s Restaurant, Dungarvan, co-hosted by the Wine Buff and Willow & Oak in aid of the RNLI. [Dan McGrath]
Mary and Diarmuid Ryan pictured at the Wine & Style Night in the Cunnigar Room at Crew’s Restaurant, Dungarvan, co-hosted by the Wine Buff and Willow & Oak in aid of the RNLI. [Dan McGrath]
Paul Culliney and Brian Alfred pictured at the Wine & Style Night in the Cunnigar Room at Crew’s Restaurant, Dungarvan, co-hosted by the Wine Buff and Willow & Oak in aid of the RNLI. [Dan McGrath]
Joel and Jane Mahon pictured at the Wine & Style Night in the Cunnigar Room at Crew’s Restaurant, Dungarvan, co-hosted by the Wine Buff and Willow & Oak in aid of the RNLI. [Dan McGrath]
Olivia modeling an outfit from Willow & Oak at the Wine & Style Night in the Cunnigar Room at Crew’s Restaurant, Dungarvan, co-hosted by the Wine Buff and Willow & Oak in aid of the RNLI. [Dan McGrath]
Aoife modeling an outfit from Willow & Oak at the 'Wine & Style Night' in the Cunnigar Room at Crew’s Restaurant, Dungarvan, co-hosted by the Wine Buff and Willow & Oak in aid of the RNLI. [Dan McGrath]
Opening of the Dungarvan Aglow's 'Santa's Elf Garden' which was constructed by Dungarvan Men’s Shed and is located beside the Civic Offices, Dungarvan. Included are Ray Moloney, Waterford City & County Council; Michelle Daly, Waterford City & County Council; Ann Marie Rossiter, President Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber; Colette Bannon, Dungarvan Aglow; Jenny Beresford, Dungarvan Aglow; members of the Dungarvan Men’s Shed and the Kelly family, who are the Dungarvan Aglow Festive family. [Dan McGrath]
Ann Marie Rossiter, President Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber; Oliver Whelan, Dungarvan Men’s Shed; Ray Moloney, Waterford City & County Council; Nicky Sheehan, Dungarvan Men’s Shed, and Jenny Beresford, Dungarvan Aglow, pictured at the opening of the Dungarvan Aglow's 'Elf's Garden'. [Dan McGrath]
The Kelly family, the Dungarvan Aglow Festival family, Mossy, Mary, Morgan, Marley Kelly and Ann Curran pictured with Joe O'Reilly and Aidan McCarthy, Men’s Shed, at the opening of the Dungarvan Aglow's 'Santa's Elf Garden'. [Dan McGrath]
Ryan Sullivan, Daniel Sullivan and Jess Collins pictured at the opening of the Dungarvan Aglow's 'Santa's Elf Garden'. [Dan McGrath]
Wine & Style Night in the Cunnigar Room at Crew’s Restaurant, Dungarvan, co-hosted by the Wine Buff and Willow & Oak in aid of the RNLI (l. to r.): Michael Sheehan, The Wine Buff; Roisin Horsom, Crew’s Restaurant; Kevin O Morchoe, RNLI; Marian and Pat Keane, Willow & Oak. [Dan McGrath]
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PICTORIAL
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Annual Waterford PPN Community and Voluntary Awards
Gallows Hill Community Group winners of the Arts & Culture Award - Sponsored by BHP Insurance. Pictured are: Nick Ryan and Andrew Madden, BHP Insurance; Waterford PPN Secretariat members Thomas Phelan and Nathaniel Ademoye and members of Gallows Hill Community Group.
THE annual Waterford PPN Community and Voluntary Awards was held at a gala ceremony in The Woodlands Hotel Waterford recently with a packed house of over 250 people attending which included Cllr. Pat Nugent, Mayor Waterford City & County Council, Senator Paudie Coffey, Senator Grace O’Sullivan, Michael Walsh, CEO Waterford City & County Council, Council officials, sponsors, adjudicators, Secretariat/staff members of Waterford PPN and representatives from all nominated for this year’s awards. Mary Foley O’Hanlon of Waterford PPN opened the ceremony by welcoming everyone and thanked all the sponsors for which without their support the awards would not be possible. Following dinner Pat Nugent, Mayor of Waterford City & County Council spoke highly of the communities in Waterford City and County and congratulated those groups and individuals who show leadership to enable groups grow from strength to strength for the benefit of their communities. WLRfms Mary O’Neill & Oliver Carroll presented the
evening interviewing the winners on stage. Winners on the night were: • Gallows Hill Community Group • Carrick United FC • Waterford in your Pocket • Ardmore Tidy Towns • Ballinroad AFC • Tramore & Waterford Arch Club Des Whelan Managing Director of WLR, friend and colleague of the late Billy McCarthy introduced and announced the worthy winner of the inaugural Billy McCarthy individual Volunteer award, Derek Delaney from Portlaw. Mayor of Waterford City & County Council Award winners were Tramore & Waterford Arch Club who will represent Waterford in the 2018 All Island Pride of Place Awards. Also present on the night were Portlaw Task Force prior to their trip to the All Island Pride of Place Awards in Letterkenny on the 2nd of December where they represented Waterford in this National competition. Clodagh Duggan & Fred Kelly highlighted the work the group does in the community, the positive impact it
makes and they also expressed gratitude to Waterford PPN and Waterford City & County Council on the support and recognition they have received. Andrea Galgey Secretariat member of Waterford PPN presented commemorative artwork to former members of the Waterford PPN Secretariat Mary Foley O’Hanlon and Karen McCarthy for their dedication and work for the last number of years to Waterford PPN. A collection for the Mens Sheds was held on the night and €1,100 was raised. Special thanks to the adjudicators of this year’s awards who had the unenviable task, Carlow PPN, Fingal PPN, Kilkenny PPN, Limerick PPN, Wexford PPN and Wicklow PPN. Brochure was designed and printed by INKA Design & Print, Lismore; winners Trophies were made by IONA Crystal, Dungarvan and commemorative artwork by The Irish Handmade Glass Company, Waterford. For full photos of the ceremony please visit Waterford PPN Facebook
Ballinroad AFC winners of the Healthy, Active & Youth Award sponsored by Glanbia. Pictured are: Michael Keane, Glanbia; Pat Nugent, Mayor of Waterford City & County Council, Waterford PPN Secretariat members Andrea Galgey, Thomas Phelan and Michael J. Walsh and members of Ballinroad AFC.
Tramore & Waterford Arch Club winners of the Mayors Award. Pictured are: Pat Nugent, Mayor of Waterford City & County Council; Mary O'Neill & Oliver Carroll, WLR; Waterford PPN Secretariat members, Alan Walshe, Nathaniel Ademoye, Lynda O'Shea, Andrea Galgey, Colette O'Connell, Peter O'Connor and Michael J. Walsh and members of the Tramore & Waterford Arch Club. Ardmore Tidy Towns Winners of the Environment Award sponsored by Waterford City & County Council. Pictured are: Pat Nugent, Mayor of Waterford City & County Council; Waterford PPN Secretariat members Peter O'Connor and Colette O'Connell and members of Ardmore Tidy Towns. Carrick United AFC winners of the Community & Civic Pride Award sponsored by Local Link Waterford. Pictured are: Cllr. Pat Nugent, James O'Donoghue, Caroline Cartwright and Teresa Fennell, Local Link Waterford; Waterford PPN Secretariat member Lynda O'Shea and members of Carrick United AFC.
Waterford in your Pocket winners of the Community & Social Enterprise Award sponsored by Waterford Local Enterprise Office. Pictured are: Paul Curley, David Walsh, Bríd Kirby and Richie Walsh of Waterford Local Enterprise Office; Waterford Secretariat members Andrea Galgey and Nathaniel Ademoye and members of Waterford in your Pocket.
Derek Delaney from Portlaw winner of the Billy McCarthy Individual Award. Pictured are: Des Whelan, WLR; Waterford PPN Secretariat member Karen McCarthy and Muriel Tobin, Waterford PPN.
Dungarvan Credit Union sponsors of this years Brochure. Pictured are: Gabriel Foley, Orla Dawson and Pat Breen, Dungarvan Credit Union and Muriel Tobin, Waterford PPN.
COUNTY NEWS NEWSREEL … Anxious or Depressed?
COME to our Support Group Meeting in Dungarvan.Venue: Deise Day Care, Dungarvan, Community Centre, Mitchel Street. Date: Every Tuesday at 7.30 p.m. Helpline: 1800 804 848. You are not alone! Please note change in time.
Youghal Choral Christmas THE Youghal Choral Society will hold its ever well-attended 34th annual Christmas Carol Service on Sunday next (December 10th) at 7.30 pm. in the Parish Church hall. Joining the hosts for this year’s celebration of carols, music and readings will be the Cork Retired Teachers (Primary) Association of Ireland choir, the Cantabile Vocal Ensemble and the Youghal Youth Choir and Orchestra. Guest soloist soprano and harpist Una Whyte will also perform. Event starts at 7.30 p.m.
St. Michael’s Hall Ballyduff Upper Card Results 29/11/’17 – 1st Stephen Cunningham & Nellie Devine; 2nd Sean Higgins & Eddie Byrnes, Christy Higgins & Joan Hannon. Lucky Tables: Tom Casey, Hugh Geary, Rita Leamy, Ann Geary, Mary & Aaron Pratt, Pat Ryan, Sheila Lonergan. Raffle - John Conway, Helen O’Keeffe, Mary Pratt, Pat Kirby, Joan Hannon, Nellie Devine, Larry Byrnes, Dan Howard, Mary Allen.
Kilmacthomas Day Centre Super Christmas Party KILMACTHOMAS Day Centre will hold a Super Christmas Party on Thursday, 14th December, 2017, 12.30 p.m. – 4.30 p.m. Carol Service, Full Christmas Lunch, Music and Raffle. Cost €12.00. Bookings taken on Tuesday and Wednesday on 051-294828.
Nire Valley Voices represent Ballymacarbry in Praque
ONLY FOOLS ON SCOOTERS . . .
Scooter Club 10th Anniversary Toy Run THIS year is the 10th Anniversary of Dungarvan based Scooter Club – ONLY FOOLS ON SCOOTERS Annual Toy Run to University Hospital Waterford with toys for the Children’s Ward. Each year they leave a collection box in Dungarvan Credit Union for people to drop
in Toys they don’t need and these are then loaded up on to the back of their Scooters and brought to UHW Kids Ward. The run this year is on Saturday, 9th December, so if you have any unused Toys, please drop them into the Credit Union by Friday 8th.
Also if you are driving between Dungarvan and Waterford on Saturday, be sure to give them a wave if you pass them on the way. Later that night they return to Downey’s Bar with music by Kieran Eaton and all are welcome.
Abbeyside Scouts
NIRE Valley Voices choir have just returned from representing Ballymacarbry and The Nire in the Czech Republic at the International Choral Festival. The group who are made up of members from Clonmel, Ballymacarbry, The Nire, Ballinamult and Clonea, enjoyed a very busy weekend of singing in the beautiful city of Prague, along with Director Marji Maxwell.
Kilbrien National School Parents’ Association - Defibrillator WE would like to thank the people of Kilbrien and surrounding areas for their huge support and generosity for donations and supporting the table quiz which took place on November 17th last. Over €2,300 was raised and will go towards the purchasing and maintenance of the outside defibrillator which will be located in Kilbrien School. If anyone is interested in becoming a first responder or currently is one and would like to volunteer to help when the call comes through, please let Una (087) 2182372, Padraic (087) 6253808 or any other committee member know.
Last week, we decided as the weather was dry we would go for a hike. It was quite cold but as soon as we got to the beach, the Scouts collected some drift wood for a fire. It warmed the coldest of us, and some sausages that we put in bread rolls with ketchup. We were also lucky with the weather on the previous Saturday, when we hiked up Cruachan. There was considerable ice in the puddles and some snow in spots, enough for some snowballs even! As you can see from the photos, it was a stunning day for a walk in the country.
COUNTY NEWS
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
SUCCESS FOR GALLOWS HILL COMMUNITY PROJECT AT CUMMUNITY/VOLUNTA RY AWARDS 2017 Well done to our Gallows Hill Community Archaeology Project, winners in the Culture & Arts category at Waterford Public Participation Network Community & Voluntary Awards 2017. The awards were hosted by WLRFM at the Woodlands Hotel on Thursday, 23rd November. There were over 250 people in attendance including Cllr. Pat Nugent, Mayor of Waterford City & County Council Senator
Paudie Coffey, Senator Grace O’Sullivan, CEO of Waterford City & County Council Michael Walsh, council officials, sponsors, adjudicators, member of Waterford PPN and representatives from all groups nominated for this year’s awards. Our thanks to all the dedicated volunteers and supporters of the project since 2015. The project is supported by Waterford City & County Council, the Heritage Council and Adopt a Monument Ireland. Many thanks to Waterford PPN, Waterford City & County Council, Adopt a Monument Ireland, WLRFM and sponsors BHP Insurance for
OBJECT OF THE WEEK
Oil Portrait of Rev. James Vincent Cleary (1829-1898) C.1881, Artist Unknown
JAMES Vincent Cleary was born in Dungarvan on 18th September, 1828. His father Thomas (1792-1871) was a merchant and ship owner of Main Street. His mother was Margaret O’Brien (1800-1858) who was related to the Fenian F.X. O’Brien. Rev. Cleary was appointed Parish Priest of Dungarvan on 13th February 1876. In 1881 he was made Bishop of Kingston. This painting hung in the convent of the Presentation Sisters in Dungarvan.
an excellent evening. DVDS FOR SALE IN THE MUSEUM Dungarvan’s Hospitals – A Walking History and Grattan Square – Social History Documentary of Dungarvan ‘Dungarvan’s Hospitals - A Walking History’ is a wonderful documentary film made by Eddie Cantwell and Fionn Mac Giolla Chuda, starring Michael Brennan for the Christmas Market. This was shown to two packed houses at the SGC Cinema in Dungarvan, and for all those people who requested copies a DVD is now on sale for €12 at Waterford County Museum in Friary Street. Eddie has decided to use the income from the sales to advance further research at Gallows Hill. Apart from dealing with St. Joseph’s, the documentary which was produced by Eddie and filmed and edited by Fionn, also deals with St.Vincent’s which was standing at the time of filming. Michael Brennan, who Eddie says ‘is the real star of this documentary’, was born at the Gate Lodge back in the 1930s, and his memories of growing up there have now been recorded for prosperity. Eddie continued ‘Michael is clinical, humorous and displays an almost photographic memory about life there. I hardly had to ask him a question he just took off with me in tow. Fionn and I spent some four hours filming and I don’t even want to think about the number of hours that I sat and watched Fionn edit it with clinical precision’. Also ‘Grattan Square – Social History Documentary of Dungarvan’ is available on DVD for €10 at the Museum. This is an extremely popular film which was also shown to full houses at the SGC Cinema in Dungarvan. Along with the DVDs we also have a great selection of books for sale with local connections. YOUR CHANCE TO SUPPORT THE MUSEUM Museum membership is available for an annual fee of €15 if you would like to support the work of the Museum. The Museum relies heavily on membership fees, donations and fund raising activities, so we would be delighted if you would join us as a member. As a member you will benefit from knowing that you are supporting the important work of the Museum in County Waterford, plus being informed
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Pictured at Dunphy's Bar, Kill for the launch of the Michael Power Christmas Day Memorial Swim in aid of Touching Hearts, which takes place at Kilmurrin Cove on Christmas Day at 12.00 noon were Neil Flynn, Darren Power and Donal Flynn. [John Power]
of various talks, new exhibitions and activities taking place throughout the year. There is also a member’s annual trip and Christmas meal. Please do consider joining us as a member. You can see the very varied and interesting work of the Museum on our website www.waterfordmuseum.ie including volunteers taking part in local archaeological digs. Call in to see us in Friary Street, or ring us on 058-45960 for more information. DONATION OF OBJECTS AND OLD PHOTOGRAPHS The Museum relies on donations of objects from members of the public. We do not have funds to purchase objects, so we would be very grateful for any objects of local historic interest which you may have in your possession which you would be willing to kindly donate to us. Also if you have any old photographs of people, places, ships, sports events etc. with a County Waterford connection we are very happy to accept them. We can scan them to add to our extensive photographic archive and give you back the originals. By donating items to us you will be playing your part in helping to preserve local history for future generations. You can drop items into us in Friary Street, or call us on 058-45960 to discuss any items you are thinking of donating. VISITING THE MUSEUM We welcome visits from schools, community groups, and local history societies. Please contact us at 058-45960 to arrange a visit. Let us know if you are interested in a particular subject and we will focus on that during the visit. OPENING HOURS Monday to Friday 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. Admission is free.
FIRST WORLD WAR WATERFORD CASUALTY LIST FOR WEEK ENDING 6th DECEMBER, 2017 Surname Flynn Day Nolan Ryan Casey Forde O’Neill Power Organ Power Aylward
First Name Charles Christopher John Edward Michael Michael J. Henry Thomas John Michael Michael Hubert
Age 30 30 17 18 22 25 31 59 18
Service No. Rank 1475 Pr. 5228 Rifleman 43040 Cpl./4666 3640 Pr. Mate (Act.Master) Capt. 10063 Pr. Sailor Able Seaman Donkeyman 6427 Pr.
Service Army Army Army Army Merc.Marine Army Army Merc.Marine Merc.Marine Merc.Marine Army
Unit H’hold Cav.8Hussars R.I.Rifles 6Bn. R.Dub.Fus 2Bn./R.I.Re R.I.Reg.6Bn. S.S. Ship Unknown Yorks.L.Inf.2Bn. I.Guards 2Bn. S.S. Dowlais S.S. Dowlais S.S. Livington Court R.I.Reg.6Bn.
Where Born Waterford Waterford Portlaw Lismore Waterford Waterford Kilrossanty Abbeyside Abbeyside Waterford Waterford
Death Category N.S. Wounds Wounds Killed in action At sea Killed in action Killed in action At sea At sea At sea Wounds
Date of Death 11/30/17 11/30/17 11/30/17 11/30/17 00/12/17 12/2/17 12/3/17 12/3/17 12/3/17 12/6/17 12/6/17
KILL KILL GAA LOTTO At last week's lotto draw in Dunphy's Bar, we had no winner of the €10,000 lotto jackpot. On the night we had one match 3 winner which was a combined ticket of Heather and Michael Power.The numbers drawn were 14, 25, 29 & 30. The lotto was sponsored by Jones Oil. CELEBRATE Looking at all the events and happenings over the year and indeed this weekend just gone, here is a big shout out to all the volunteers behind these events: whether it's promoting the Arts whilst also raising funds for charity with Tom Power's wonderful event in the Gealach Gorm Theatre and Sean Corcoran's Sand Art exhibition launch; the Christmas Power Memorial Christmas Day Swim or putting together the Christmas in Kill Dinner for the elderly and family event. Only made possible by countless hours of dedication and passion, with Marie Cleary, Ray Power and Grace Colbert more literally running on air, and the committee of the Community Centre pulling out all the stops, featuring the Kill Choir under the guidance of Brendan McCarthy, to name but a few. We all know that sponsors and organisations are essential for these events and are very grateful for their input and support. The backbone of any such community event however are
the volunteers of all the organisations. We should all be very proud of what we can achieve when we work together with the common goal of bringing out the best of our community. Well done to each and every one for each and every minute given to your community. KILL NATIONAL SCHOOL A big Thank you to all who held on to their bags of rags for our recent collection. An amazing €1,200 were raised from you making the effort to bring in your unwanted clothes, shoes, handbags and more. These funds are being put to good use, alleviating the expenses of school tours and many extra activities designed to broaden the pupils' horizons. From all the parents in Kill NS, a big thank you. ST. MARY'S AGM Please be advised that St. Mary's Juvenile Club are holding their Annual General Meeting on 12th December at 8.00 p.m. in the clubhouse. Indoor hurling continues to take place every Friday from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. in Kill Community Centre. All are welcome! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Big Birthday wishes to Enya Eccleston for this week - all your family and friends are wishing you a great day and a fabulous year ahead. Keep up your fantastic outlook in life and the great attitude!
BONMAHON BONMAHON LIFEBOAT Congratulations to the members of Bonmahon Lifeboat whose long standing service was recently recognised with a Citation by the Irish Water Safety Authority. Well deserved. Thank you all for your outstanding service and dedication! NEWS FROM KNOCKMAHON N.S. Our annual Christmas Fair is taking place on Sunday, 17th December from 12.00 noon to 3.00 p.m. in the school. Lovely
hand-made crafts, chutneys and bakes will be for sale - put the date in your diary and come along. Tea and Coffee will be served and all are welcome. BONMAHON COMMUNITY SOCIETY The numbers at our recent lotto draw were 7, 11, 14 and 21. There was no jackpot winner but we had one match 3 winner: congratulations to Mary Kearns who receives €100. Our next Jackpot will be €9,350. Make sure you're in with a chance to win!
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COUNTY NEWS
STRADBALLY MASS TIMES FOR THE 8th DECEMBER Vigil Mass Thursday, 7th December at 7.30 p.m. - Holy Cross Church, Stradbally Mass on Friday morning, 8th December at 9 a.m. - Sacred Heart Church, Faha Mass on Friday morning, 8th December at 11 a.m. - St. Ann’s Church, Ballylaneen. WISH UPON A TREE Wish Upon a Tree is a Stradbally School Children’s Project where the children will decorate ornaments that includes a wish to hang on the Christmas Tree. The large ornament is selling at €5 and the smaller ornament is selling at €3.The children are making the decorations and will also choose the charity to where the funds will go. Please watch out for their stall at the Christmas Market. FUNDRAISING NIGHT A fundraising night in aid of the Dialysis Unit of Waterford Regional Hospital will take place
at Whelan’s Bar, Stradbally on Saturday next, 9th December. A raffle with attractive prizes will take place, tickets are currently on sale. This fundraiser is being organised by the Flynn family, Cove Cottage. Do drop along and support if you can. CHRISTMAS FAIR On Thursday night next, the Stradbally Market Christmas Fair takes place in the Cove Bar beginning at 7 p.m. The producers have been very busy preparing for the Fair for several weeks. There will be Christmas puddings, cakes and decorations, jams and chutneys. The newly launched Stradbally Calendar, cards, photographs and pictures. Also there will be wood-turning, crochet, knitwear and flower arrangements, orders will be taken for your Christmas requirements. Mary Power Kelly will have her latest book and attractive designer cards and much, much more. The Market will take place as
usual on Saturday morning from 10.30 a.m. until 12.30 p.m. in the same venue. CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations and well done to our gallant footballers for bringing home the Conway Cup to Stradbally for the 19th time on Sunday, 3rd December. It was a nail-biting finish against the Nire and kept us on the edge of our seats. Well done to team Manager, selectors and backroom support and all involved at our local GAA Club. CHRISTMAS SWIM The Stradbally Soccer Annual Christmas Day Swim this year is being held in aid of the New Wheelchair Accessible Bus for the Irish Wheelchair Association. Sponsorship cards are now available from Cunningham’s XL Shop, Glanbia, Durrow; the Fitzgerald family, Rockville, Stradbally and the Soccer Club committee. LOCAL SOCCER NEWS There was no jackpot winners
in our club lotto draw recently. The €25 winners were Mike Fennell, Kiko Casey and Ger Connors. The promoter’s prizewinner was Richard Hickey. The next draw takes place on Sunday night in Whelan’s Bar with a jackpot prize on offer of €1,200. Thanks to all who continue to support our lotto. Munster Junior Cup action on Saturday when Carrick United B provide the opposition, kick-off at 2 p.m. Please come along and support our boys in blue. STRADBALLY WHIST CLUB Stradbally Whist Club met last Wednesday when the overall winner was Betty Coffey, well done. Our last Whist for this year is on Wednesday, 13th December at the Barron Hall. We will then close over the Winter and open again in March - let’s get the cold weather out of the way! We wish every past and present member 'A Happy Christmas and Healthy New Year'. Ellis & Carol Anne
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
11th Waterford (Dungarvan) Scout Group SCOUT SECTION Well another busy weekend for the Scouts on Saturday, 25th November. A small group of Scouts were out in the woods helping on the logistics for the SEMRA Long Way Round fundraising event. We met in the hall for 3.00 p.m. and made our way to the wood and set up a food stand to provide food and water for the runners. The tent was up and before it got dark we set up the tables and made a cuppa while we waited for the first of the runners to come through. The runners set off from the start point at 6.30 p.m., as we were at the half way mark and we took bets on what time we would see the 1st runner come though. Mary Murphy from SEMRA was spot on with her estimated time of 7:09. The runners and walkers came through in over the next two hours and we got to see some familiar faces from the Scouting and Walking community. When the last of the walkers passed through, we tidied up the area, packed up the tent and we treated the Scouts to a KFC, this caused some debate as when we got to KFC it was about 10.15 and they were closing-up but the sign said that they would be open until 11. Not to be done out of his KFC, Jamie effectively argued that they would be in breach of his consumer rights and that they had a legal obligation to stay open until 11, which thankfully for Jamie’s sake they did. We would like to thank Jamie, Farlie, Dylan, Dominic and Muris for helping out on this event with SEMRA team members Mary, Brian and Ursula. It was a long evening and cold as well, but thanks for helping in your community. Also last weekend we had two scouts, Cian and Marylou, who took part in the Crean training weekend.This was a hiking weekend where they went to the Wicklow Mountains. They had to hike up Lugnaquilla and over to Scar Mountain and back then to the campsite. It was a 16km hike in tough conditions and snow was on high ground. Well done to the two scouts on completing this weekend.
DUNGARVAN LIONS CLUB
Lions Christmas Appeal in full swing across West Waterford
Barron Hall Presentation PICTURED from left to right: Dave Pollock (Chairman); Fr. Jerry Condon, P.P.; Fr. Michael Enright (former P.P.) and Tom Hickey (Secretary), unveiling a plaque in recognition of "Holy Cross Church, Stradbally, generous donation to Barron Community Hall, 2009". The Barron Hall committee was formed in 2005. The original idea for the Barron Hall project came from an open meeting in Stradbally GAA Club, organised by Stradbally Tourism and Enterprise Group in 2004. The intention was to put a submission together for WCC Development Plan 2004-2009. From this meeting two projects stood out, a Creche and Pre-school. What better location than Barron Hall.The Girl Guides were the only occupants.The hall was in a bad condition, so bad the Bicentenary of the Hall 1806-2006 could not be held there (held in Holy Cross Church
and GAA centre) for safety reasons. The Girl Guides committee was most supportive.To our surprise nobody or group had title to the property. Fortunately, we had a copy of Pierce Barron's will 1810 which read,: “I leave my lands in Carrigahilla to......except the school and the area behind the school I leave for the education of the poor of the parish". The Will made legal paperwork more affordable. Plans were drawn up. The Barron Hall is a Listed Building which meant the original type slates, Victorian windows etc. were to be fitted in the restoration. We were also very fortunate for the good advice we received from our own chairman Dave Pollock (Archaeologist) and Rose Ryall, WCC with responsibility for Listed Buildings, and others. Everything was in order, except we had little or no money. Out of the blue, we were advised that a substantial
sum of money from the sale of parish property by the Holy Cross Church was in a bank account to help with any capital expenditure with the Barron Hall.That money with funding from Waterford Community Forum (Jimmy Taaffee and Oliver Coffey) and also our very good friends in the community greatly helped in the facility the community has today. A lot done and more to do. Fr. Ml. Enright when P.P. in Stradbally also put a cut stone plaque on the outside wall dated 18062006. Today the Barron Hall is a registered charity, a company limited by guarantee, now the facility for a Pre-school, Active Retirement, Whist, Thi Chi, Yoga, Pilates, Acupuncture, Panto and many other community committee meetings. The Barron Hall committee is most greatful for the substantial sum of money donated by the Holy Cross Church. [photo courtesy of Richard Cutbill]
OUR Christmas Appeal is in full swing now and once again we have been heartened by the generosity of the people of West Waterford.The coming week is a busy one. Our monthly meeting will be held early in the week. The Gold Coast Golf Club continue their Open Competition for the Appeal between 4th and 10th December. On Thursday evening in Ballymacarbry we will have a presentation of funds from the GAA. Friday 8th sees the last in our series of Pub Quizzes; the venue will be the West End Bar in Lismore, with a start time of 8.30 p.m. Bob O’Brien tells us that he has some special questions to trip us up on the night; there are some great prizes for the Raffle and we are looking forward to a large crowd of supporters from Lismore and further afield. Next Saturday is the date for our Annual Christmas Party in Padre Pio Nursing Home, Cappoquin and on Sunday 10th we will have another Music Night Fundraiser, with the venue this time at Kiely’s Cross. Ticket selling for our Monster Raffle continues on Saturday at EuroSpar, Abbeyside. There are some fabulous prizes for the Monster Raffle which will be held on Thursday 21st, so you still have time to get in on that action. Tickets are available from any members of Dungarvan Lions. Other events to look forward to are the “Shamrock Breakfast” at the Shamrock Restaurant on Thursday, 14th December and the Dungarvan Lions Club Sponsored “Wear Red to Work” events on 15th December. Fundraising for the appeal in the local schools will be running in top gear over the next two weeks, so there will be ample opportunities for you to contribute to the Appeal. Of course, we must remember that the Appeal is all about helping out families and individual who are finding it difficult to make ends meet with all the additional demands of the season. If you wish to receive assistance from the Appeal, please write to Box 600, Dungarvan Post Office or email dungarvanlionsclub@gmail.com. Please see our Facebook Page or recent editions of this paper for further information.The closing date for applications is Monday next, 11th December. More updates in next week’s paper.
COUNTY NEWS
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
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Tionól Niocláis Tóibín 2018
9-11 Feabhra Rinn Ua gCuanach
The victorious Ardmore team celebrate their Munster Final win over Ballybacon, Grange of Tipperary.
ARDMORE Ardmore Tidy Towns ARDMORE WIN THE BATTLE OF MALLOW Ardmore was the deserted village last Sunday as men, women and children from the parish made their way to Mallow to cheer on our local heroes in the Munster Final. Indeed, I saw Ardmore and Grange people from all over the country there and others who flew in from overseas to lend their support. We’ve heard of diaspora from all over the world who were tuned into the live commentary from CRY online. The early stages saw Ardmore well in the ascendancy and leading 1-5 to 0-2 after 15 minutes. Our opponents, Ballybacon-Grange were showing unnecessary aggression and intimidation from early on and we were doing all the hurling. And then it all changed when a couple of our lads took the law into their own hands and saw red, leaving us just 1 point in front at half-time and down to 13 men. But ‘twas then Ardmore showed their true colours. The game was all square on 1-7 apiece when Seamus Prendergast blasted a rocket past Brendan Cummins. The Tipp men hardly knew what hit them when a couple of minutes later young James Flavin
showed real class to place David Gartland who again blasted past Cummins. Quick points from Seamus (2) and James now had the scoreboard reading 3-10 to 1-8. We lost another man to a second yellow just before the end but it didn’t matter. This was Ardmore’s day 3-11 to 1-8. They were all brilliant. Young Jack Walsh in goal and a crucial and brilliant save from sub keeper James O’Donnell just after coming in at half-time, when a goal would have put Ballybacon in front. Niall and Richie Hennessy and Daniel Power and Gavin Williams were great in defence where Stephen Keating had another fine hour and Declan Prendergast was a man mountain, especially behind depleted forces in that second half. Eoghan O’Shea was drafted in at full back at half-time and helped steady the ship and finished with the score of the game from over 100 yards. Wayne Hennessy, while he was there, was again excellent in midfield where Kenny Murphy had another massive game as he hunted and harried all over the pitch. David Gartland was immense at centre forward and got great help from brother John and James Kennedy, Kieran and Eoin Conway. Minor star James Flavin
Wayne Hennessy shares the joyous moment with his wife Eileen and daughter Ella after Ardmore’s win over Ballybacon/Grange in Mallow on Sunday last.
showed his class throughout but Seamus Prendergast was again the daddy of them all at full forward where he caused havoc and finished with a personal tally of 2-5. In reserve on Sunday we had loads of talent too, all of whom have contributed during the year and earned their Munster medal viz. Joseph Murphy, Stephen Keating, Christopher Power, Cathal Hennessy, Sean Barron, Alan Stenson, Tom Power and Richie Stilwell. I witnessed emotion when many of their fathers won the senior football county final 40 years ago and saw all of these lads wonderful achievements over the years since a young teenage Seamus Prendergast helped Ardmore win an intermediate football 20 years ago, but I’ve never seen emotion like this Munster Final victory with their own club under such adverse circumstances. The ould lads can rest now – these lads have emulated them. On now to an All Ireland semi-final against the Donegal champions in mid January. POKER AT ROUND TOWER HOTEL Last week’s results saw a good mix up in winners again with ultra consistent Mary Ann Troy heading the poll this time from Trish Fitzgerald and James Bryan. These results have further tightened the league table with as many as a dozen players now right in the mix. We had a few extra last week to make three tables and hopefully we’ll get a few more again this week. Heading nearer to Christmas now we are hoping for a few extra players and we’ll spring a €15 game one of the nights before Christmas as well. PROGRESSIVE 45 AT KEEVERS John Cronin and Tony Keane won the 45 Drive last week at Keevers with Gerry O’Brien and Des Fitzgerald 2nd and Brian and Willie Keane and Terri McGrath and Anne Halley sharing 3rd. Michael and Ann Keane were best of the last 5 and Thomas Power and Liam Foley won the last game.
Is í seo an 21ú Tionól a thosnaigh i 1990 go dtí 1994 agus ansan ó 2002 ar aghaidh. Is mór an fhorbairt agus an fhás atá tagtha uirithí ó thosnaigh an Tionól i 1990 agus táimíd fíor bhródúil as an 21ú Tionól a bhaint amach. Is ar an Aoine, 9 Feabhra a thosnóidh Tionól Niocláis Tóibín na bliana seo leis an oscailt oifigiúil ar siúl i dTigh an Cheoil an oíche sin. Bronnfar Gradam Niocláis Tóibín ar John Dwyer i mbliana ag an ócáid seo. Tá ceoltóirí agus amhránaithe den scoth bailithe le chéile do na ceardlanna maidin Shathairn i Meánscoil San Nioclás & Scoil Náisiúnta na Rinne. Beidh beothaifeadadh den gclár Togha agus Rogha ar Radió na Gaeltachta ón Meánscoil chomh maith. Beidh deis ag daoine tuilleadh ceoil agus amhránaíochta a dh’aireachtaint le seisiún amhránaíochta i dTigh Uí Mhuirithe tráthnóna Dé Sathairn. Buacphointe na deireadh seachtaine i gcónaí ná an ceolchoirm a bheidh ar siúl arís i mbliana i Halla Pobail na Rinne oíche Dé Sathairn. Tá slua an-mhór d’amhránaithe agus de cheoltóirí bailithe le chéile don cheolchoirm agus oíche iontach ar fad geallta. Is i dTigh Uí Mhaonaigh a bheidh club an Tionóil oíche Dé Sathairn. Craolfar an tAifreann beo ar RnaG ó Shéipéal San Nioclás maidin Domhnaigh ag 11.30 agus beidh deis ag daoine cuairt a thabhairt ar uaigh Niocláis ina dhiaidh. Críochnóidh an deiredh seachtaine i dTigh Mhuirithe le seoladh dlúthdhiosca agus ceol is amhráin den scoth. (Táimid buíoch don
tacaíocht ón Oifig Ealaíon, Comhairle Contae agus Cathrach Phort Láirge, Ealaín na Gaeltachta agus Údarás na Gaeltachta). Tuilleadh eolais ó Mac Dara Mac Donncha 086-8565569. GRADAM NIOCLÁIS TÓIBÍN 2018 – JOHN DWYER John Dwyer, the recipient of Gradam Nioclais Tóibín for 2018, was born in Caolrua, near Castletownbere in West Cork. He was a member of a very musical family, with his brothers, Finbarr, Richie and Michael all accomplished musicians, with the accordion and fiddle the most prominent instruments in the house. John joined An Garda Síochána and indeed was stationed in An Rinn in the early 1970s, so he makes a welcome official return this year! He was a member of the Shannonside Céilí Band in the late 1950s, with whom he played the accordion and later he joined the Castle Céilí Band, before moving to New Ross, where he still lives. As well as being a marvellous fiddle player, John is a superb composer and one of his reels, simply named John Dwyer’s is one of the most loved for all traditional musicians. He was rightfully honoured by TG4 in 2010 when he was awarded the Gradam Ceoil TG4 Cumadóir na Bliana. It is a great honour for Coiste Niocláis Tóibín to present John with our own Gradam this year. Is as Caol Rua, gar do Bhaile Chaisleáin Béarra in iarthair Chorcaí do John Dwyer, a bhfuil Gradam Niocláis Tóibín á bhronnadh air do 2018. B’as teaghlach
John Dwyer, the recipient of 2018 Gradam. thar a bheith ceolmhar é, agus ba cheoltóirí cumasacha a dheartháireacha Finbarr, Richie agus Michael, agus an bosca ceoil chomh maith leis an veidhlín na huirlisí ba choitianta sa teach. Chuaigh John isteach sa Garda Siochána agus go deimhin bhí sé lonnaithe sa Rinn luath sna 1970adaí agus is deas go bhfuil cuairt oifigiuil á tabhairt aige i mbliana! Bhí sé mar bhall de Bhanna Ceoil an Shannonside sna 1950adaí agus ina dhiaidh sin sheinn sé le Banna Ceoil an Chaisleáin, sular bhog sé go Ros Mhic Treoin, áit a bhfuil sé fós ag cur faoi. Chomh maith le bheith ina veidhleadóir den scoth, is cumadóir iontach é John agus tá aithne forleathan ar cheann dá ríleanna, dar teideal John Dwyer’s. Bhí sé cuí, cóir agus ceart gur thug TG4 aitheantas dó i 2010 nuair a bhain sé an gradam Gradam Ceoil TG4 Cumadóir na Bliana. Is mór an onóir do Choiste Niocláis Tóibín go bhfuil John ag glacadh lenár nGradam i mbliana.
TOURANEENA ANNUAL COLLECTION The local annual collection for St.Vincent de Paul will take place at St. Mary’s Church,Touraneena next Saturday night, 9th December at the church gates. The St.Vincent de Paul works to fight poverty in all its forms through practical assistance to people in need and they offer a wide range of services to local communities. At this time of year leading up to Christmas, they are under greater pressure and greater need than ever. The fact is that many of the people who need the support of St.Vincent de Paul would not be buying this newspaper, that would be considered a luxury. It’s diabolical that in 2017, Ireland still has such levels of poverty and we hope people will give generously for the church gate collection as there are many people in need this Christmas, just for the basic things that many of us take for granted. COMMUNITY CENTRE The newly installed lights on the drive way up to the community centre were turned on for the first time last Friday evening.
They are a wonderful addition both to the community centre and the village as the path up to the centre was very dark and was a safety risk. Thanks to all involved and to the county council for all their hard work. SCAM LETTERS It appears that the scamming incentive in the locality includes not only phone calls but now letters are arriving at many homes. The letters inform people that they have won a large amount in a lottery and in order to claim your prize, all you have to do is to fill out the enclosed form. The form of course asks for your personal details including your bank details. The letter asks that you keep news of your win 'strictly from public notice until your claim has been processed'. In order words don't tell anyone until after we have illegally taken your money. If you receive such a letter, please just throw it in the bin. SYMPATHY We extend our sincere sympathy to Sarah McCabe, Knockaun on the recent death of her grandmother Valerie Keady, Australia,
who passed away recently at the age of 92. We extend our sincere sympathy to her son-in-law Kieran McCabe; grand daughter Sarah and great grandchildren Ben, Lucy, Josh and Issie. May she rest in peace. SLIABH gCUA / ST. MARY’S The annual club trip for 2018 is a trip to Dingle on Saturday, 13th January. The match will be followed by dinner and a night out. It is an overnight stay. A €50 deposit is required to secure your place on the bus. For all queries and bookings, please contact Kay on 087-6698339. SLIABH gCUA LOTTO Numbers drawn for week ending 3rd December, 2017 were 3, 27 and 30. There was no winner of the jackpot. The 5 x €20 winners were Kate Mannix, Theresa Butler, Mick O’Mahoney, John Hennebry, Mike Power.The promoters prize of €20 was won by Thomas Keane. Next weeks draw will be held in Hanrahan's Bar Ballinamult for a lotto jackpot of €2,400.
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COUNTY NEWS
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Gathering at refurbished Fr. Toomey’s Well, Dungarvan for the unveiling of commemorative plaque by Cllr. John Pratt, Leas-Cathaoirleach, Dungarvan/Lismore Municipal Council, Fr. John Hennebry, Prior Provincial and Fr. Tony Egan, Prior Dungarvan. [Pat Crowley]
Fr. Toomey’s Well restored and dedicated LAST Friday afternoon, a very pleasant ceremony was held at the refurbished Fr. Toomey’s Well on the road named for the Augustinian Friar who served in Dungarvan from 1836 to 1867. The Holy Well which was named in his honour a century and a half ago was blessed and a commemorative bronze plaque was unveiled to remember the exceptional service he rendered to the people of Dungarvan and district during his years in Dungarvan. Among those present were the Leas Cathaoirleach of the Dungarvan / Lismore Municipal District Council, Cllr. John Pratt, Fr. John Hennebry, Prior Provincial of the Augustinian Order; the Prior of St. Augustine’s, Dungarvan, Fr. Tony Egan, Fr. Seamus Humphreys, OSA, Fr. Michael Brennock, OSA. and William Fraher, Waterford County Museum. Also present were Chairman, Dan Murphy and other members of the Committee as well as adults and children from the various estates whose residents make up Fr. Toomey’s Residents Association. At the outset, Tom Keith, who acted as MC, welcomed the representative
group and gave a brief outline of the story of how the victims of the cholera and famine were brought on carts through the door in the high wall from the then Workhouse to the road. He detailed the harsh, inadequate regime inside the walls which did not favour families and which gave only minimal relief to the suffering and dying. WELCOME Welcoming the people, Cllr. Pratt said that it was fitting that the site of the well was refurbished this year which marks the 150th anniversary of the death of Fr. Toomey. “Little is known about Fr. Toomey other than he was a member of the local Augustinian Order and was Prior from 1835 to 1867. He is long remembered for the work he did during the Famine. It was said that he used to wait for many hours here at the well just across the road from the back gate of the Workhouse when the carts carrying the dead were being removed. “Having checked the corpses to ensure they were dead he blessed them with water from this well. The remains were then taken to the graveyard at Reilig an tSléibhe for burial.
“In recent years,” continued Cllr. Pratt, “the walls around the well had fallen into disrepair, but following, representations to the Council from local residents and the local Augustinian Community through Fr. Tony Egan, efforts were made to halt the further decline of the well and complete the refurbishment this year to coincide with Fr. Toomey’s anniversary. “I want to acknowledge today the efforts of the late Clare Hallahan in seeking the restoration of the well,” he continued. “Clare and Fr. Egan made the case to the Council’s Chief Executive for the well to be restored. Regrettably Clare passed away before the work commenced but thankfully her efforts did not go unrewarded.” Cllr. Pratt also acknowledged and thanked Fr. Toomey’s Residents Association, one of the oldest in the town, under the Chairmanship of Dan Murphy for their ‘active and valuable’ contribution to the project. He also paid tribute to the Council’s Dungarvan Presentation Team for delivering the project to a very satisfactory standard. PROVINCIAL Replying on behalf of the Augustinian
Community, the Prior Provincial, Fr. John Hennebry said that it was a great honour to be present at such a lovely occasion. “I speak, not just as a Waterford man but also as the Provincial of the Augustinian Order here in Ireland. It is wonderful to see that the presence of the Friars is being marked historically here in this very significant location. “I can sense the appreciation which the people of this area have today for the Friars who are still serving the community and also for this Holy place. I congratulate and thank them and the Council for the enormous work they have done to preserve this well and site, a very valuable monument for the town.“The challenge today is as Fr. Toomey practiced, to look after the poor and the disadvantaged. It is a challenge for the wider society and also in Dungarvan today, to look after the poor, the sick and the dying.” Fr. Hennebry also thanked the Council led by Raymond Moloney for responding to the challenge and for the valuable work of preservation they had done. “It will stand for the coming
generations,” he said,“and I am delighted to see so many children here who will remember this day and this occasion.” A TANGIBLE REMINDER Speaking on behalf of the Residents’ Association, Dan Murphy thanked the Council, Fr. Tony Egan and all who had a part in bringing the project to fruition, especially the dedicated members of the Committee and residents of the estates. “It is important that we remember those tragic years and the millions who died or were displaced at that time,” he said. “This monument will be a tangible reminder of those times, a reminder of those who suffered and died and also those who laboured among them to ease their hardship especially Fr. Toomey. We are pleased to honour him today for the essential spiritual care he rendered to the least of society of the time.” The happy celebration was brought to a conclusion with the recitation of W. B. Yeats’ poem, ‘The Ballad of Fr. Gilligan’ by Antoinette Walsh. This detailed the trials and hardships of the Priest in Famine times and the suffering of his flock through hunger and destitution.
Dungarvan Men’s Shed WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY IN PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS The Post Box made by Aidan McCarthy for Santa’s letters is located at Dungarvan Post Office and all the children should post their letters to Santa in plenty of time before Christmas. The fantastic Santa’s Sleigh which we made two years ago is located in the Grattan Square as part of the Dungarvan AGLOW
2017 and we are so happy to contribute to making Christmas in Dungarvan one of the most magical and festive of all! Nicky Sheehan, Joe O’Reilly, Aidan McCarthy along with Aaron Leggett and Leigh Kelleher of Youthreach have been collaborating with the Dungarvan AGLOW committee to design and make a new ELF VILLAGE which is located adjacent to the Civic Offices in Dungarvan.We are very proud of this project which includes Santa’s Workshop, Elves, Reindeers, Fairy doors, Trees, seats and magic toadstools. Thanks to Dungarvan Dramatic Club for donating the timber last week and some of it has been used to make Santa’s Workshop. All working together
to recycle the timber and contributing to a better community. CHRISTMAS DINNER Our annual Christmas meal is in Lawlors Hotel on Friday, 15th December at 6.30 p.m. Cost for members is €5 each and the balance is funded by The Shed. Members please put your name on list in the Shed where you can view menu. Every member of the Shed
will be most welcome to join in the festivity. ABOUT THE SHED You are very welcome to call in to the Shed at Wolfe Tone Road to see what we are about. We are open from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Monday-Friday or contact Oliver Whelan Chairman at (087) 1856067 for further information. Follow us on Facebook at Dungarvan Men’s Shed.
POEM Snowflakes, snowflakes in design unique. Across the Deise in blizzard sweep. Let children’s laughter echo round. Let snowmen here again be found. Snowflakes, snowflakes make my Christmas white. Resurrect the fun of a snowball fight. Snowflakes, snowflakes in design unique. Across the Deise this Christmas sweep. Ger Dalton
Santa’s Workshop made in the Shed from timber donated by Dungarvan Dramatic Club and used in the Elf Village for Dungarvan AGLOW.
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
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BALLINAMEELA By Donal Buckley
Heart and Soul IRELAND has a long, varied and interesting musical history. We can proudly take our place among the world’s greatest in almost every genre of music. From Percy French, Count John McCormack,Val Doonican, The Batchelors and Gilbert O'Sullivan to Thin Lizzy, Boomtown Rats, Clannad and U2, we have punched well above our weight. Even in the field of commercial manufactured pop, we have outdone ourselves having produced B'witched, Boyzone, Westlife and, dare I say it, Jedward. Ireland has also contributed members to world famous groups like Girls Aloud, The Saturdays and One Direction. Unfortunately, we also have to lay claim to Dustin The Turkey and Crystal Swing. But then the balance is restored with The Cranberries,Van Morrisson and Phil Coulter. One genre of music that we, not only invented but excel at, is Celtic Rock. The greatest exponents of that category were Moving Hearts. Long before the Travelling Wilburys, Moving Hearts were the supergroup. They were made up of some of Ireland’s most talented and accomplished musicians. Uilleann piper, Davy Spillane has provided music for the films, "Eat the Peach", "Titanic", "Gangs of New York" and "Michael Collins". Wexford man Declan Sinnott was a founder member of the original Celtic Rockers, Horselips. Tullamore native Donal Lunny parked a career as a goldsmith to wend his way through The Bothy Band and Planxty to play the Bouzouki with Moving Hearts. Long before Christy Moore of Kildare was a grumpy old man, he was a grumpy young man. If he didn't have a protest to go to, he'd write a song about a protest. Declan Masterson played the pipes for Van Morrisson and John Denver before he joined fellow Dub, Davy Spillane in providing the music for Riverdance. Then there was Anton Drennan from County Luton(!) who cut his teeth playing with the likes of Mike and the Mechanics, Chris Rea and Genesis. Having a band full of Irish musical legends can sometimes be fraught and artistic differences can lead to a fractious relationship. Therefore Moving Hearts had line up changes from time to time. Crusty Hoor, sorry, Christy Moore was replaced by Limerick man Mick Hanley. Incidentally, Mick was described as 'one of the best songwriters ever' by Garth Brooks. To add some depth to their sound, Flo McSweeney was brought on board. Along with Leslie Dowdall, Flo was one of the poster girls for the modernisation of Irish Folk music in the 80's. She later presented the RTE holiday programme No Frontiers where she was a weekly favourite for four years. Then RTE, in their undoubted wisdom, decided to replace Flo with Kathryn Thomas because she was younger and far less pregnant. But back to Moving Hearts. Their first album, in 1981, showcased their best songs and the cultural mindset of the time. The 80's were a time of poverty and low employment. This was reflected in songs like "Landlord" and "Irish Ways and Irish Laws". Environmental issues were dealt with through the songs "Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Russian Roulette" and "Before the Deluge". Sectarianism and Internment in Northern Ireland was the theme in "No Time for Love". Over dependence on alcohol, allied with the oppressive regime of the church was the foundation of Ireland's low self esteem as portrayed in the song,"Faithful Departed". The album also contains hauntingly beautiful instrumental pieces in the tracks "McBrides", "Category" and "Lake of Shadows" Moving Hearts burned brightly but not for very long. The original lifespan of the group was four years. Just like their former songstress, Flo McSweeny, they were surplus to requirements. Though there were several attempts to regroup, revamp and revitalise the band, their protest songs had gone out of fashion. Everything has its time. Similarly with people, as was recently seen with the prolonged presidency of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe. There was a time when he was a necessary evil for the emancipation of his people. But that time has long past. We can also see this in Ireland, with most of our political leaders staying beyond their usefulness. People like Eamon De Valera, Charlie Haughey and Enda Kenny were undoubtedly key components in the growth of the state but rose to positions beyond their capabilities. Gerry Adams recently retired from the Sinn Fein leadership. His particularly limited skillset was never anything to shout about but its application hasn't been a sectarian requirement for many decades. I'm sure the party faithful will applaud him long and loud, but really he's been holding them back for 30 years. Ego is an insidious thing. Those that have it, don't recognise it. Those that haven't it, don't have the confidence to check those that have. Know your limits. Remember, "No matter what life brings you, always learn a lesson from your dog.....Kick some grass over that s**t and move on. Ballinameela Creatives enjoyed our Christmas party last week. But, the decision has been made, what goes on at the Christmas party, stays at the Christmas party.
CURRENT EVENTS ON IN THE HALL AND LOCAL COMMUNITY ST. OLIVER’S RACE NIGHT St. Oliver’s GAA club will be holding a Race Night this Saturday night. December 9th in The Deise Brú House in Aglish starting at 9.00 p.m. All support for this event is greatly appreciated as it’s the clubs main fund raiser for the year. PIANO LESSONS Thérèse White has two spaces free for anyone who is interested in piano lessons in the new year. For information on times and courses please call 087-9348879. BODY CONDITIONING AND CIRCUIT TRAINING CLASSES Body Conditioning and Circuit Training Classes on in Ballinameela Community Centre every Monday night between 7.00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m. Classes cost €5. All levels of fitness catered for. Enquiries text or call 0878229762. LADIES INDOOR SOCCER Ladies Indoor Soccer on every Tuesday night at 7.00 p.m. in the Community Centre. Contact Noirin Kelly on (086) 836 2695 if interested. BALLINAMEELA ADULT & TODDLER GROUP The Ballinameela Toddler Group meets every Thursday from 9.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. in the Halla of Whitechurch National School. New parents, childminders, grandparents with toddlers very welcome. For more
information contact Janice on 0879718945. FINISK VALLEY AC NOTES Any children in our community who are interested in running, jumping or throwing and would like to get involved in athletics, call down to Ballinameela Community pitch/hall, training times are Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m., Minimum age limit is 5 years old (Child needs to be School going). Full programme of events can be obtained at our training session. BADMINTON If you fancy a sociable game of Badminton come along to Ballinameela Community Centre on Tuesday nights from 8.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. Contact Mairead on 0877681975 if interested. COMMUNITY ALERT There is a Community Alert text system in place - text your name and mobile number to this number: 0873538347. It works in 2 ways. Firstly a message regarding any suspicious activity is sent to your phone so you can be on the lookout. Secondly you can send details of suspicious activity to this number where it will be re-sent around to the community and to the Gardai who treat it as serious and act immediately. Follow on facebook - www.facebook.com/parish.communityalert.ie
BOOKING THE HALL If you would like to start your own indoor soccer game for the Winter or other activity you can book the hall through our booking officer Alison Curran on 087-8289147.The centre is also a great place for kids parties etc and can be rented for €30. Anyone renting the hall, please pay the person who opens up the hall for you and please take away your own rubbish. If you are borrowing anything from the hall, contact Alison Curran also. William Buckley is responsible for the month of December for opening and closing the Community Centre and can be contacted on 087-6104634. LOTTO RESULTS 5/12/17 – Numbers drawn were 8, 19 and 27. There was no Jackpot winner. €20 winners were Aoife McHugh, Ballinameela; Tom Ahearne, Scart; Karen Ryan, Cappagh; Laura Ahearne, Graigue and Mike and Kathy c/o Maureens. Next week’s Jackpot is €5,150 and the draw will take place in the Welcome Inn. NOTES FOR INCLUSION If you have something you would like included in the Ballinameela notes you can email Brigid Byrne on brigidmhallahan@gmail.com or phone 087-9194287. You can also Follow and like us on our Facebook Page Ballinameela Community Centre.
Draíocht na Nollag Christmas Exhibition in Joan Clancy Gallery THERE was a very nice gathering in Joan Clancy Gallery on Saturday afternoon December 2nd for the opening of Draíocht na Nollag, the Christmas exhibition.
Joan Clancy Gallery is best known for showcasing paintings by some of Ireland’s finest established and young emerging artists. Draíocht na Nollag does not disappoint. Featuring exciting new works by John Cullinan, Ciara Gormley, Damaris Lysaght, Andrea Jameson, Katarzyna Gajewska, Blawnin Clancy, Noeleen Crossan, James O’Donoghue, Rayleen Clancy and Sinead Ni Chionaola, it is where you are sure to find the lasting gift of a piece of fine art. The show is open 11.00 a.m. - 5.00
p.m. on the weekends of December 9th-10th; 16th-17th. Phone for an appointment outside of opening hours. Located in Mweelahorna, Ring, between the Cunnigar Beach and Coláiste na Rinne overlooking Dungarvan Bay in the scenic Waterford Gaeltacht, the renowned gallery is sometimes featured on radio and TV arts and culture programmes. Tel. 086-8134597 info@joanclancygallery.com joanclancygallery.com FB: Joan Clancy Gallery
KATARZYNA GAJEWSKA © Initially Magnetized (Acrylic on canvas 30x30cm).
NOELEEN CROSSAN © Abbeyside Church from the Lookout (Oil on canvas 29x33cm framed).
Joan Clancy fourth from the left, with some of the exhibiting artists at the opening of Draíocht na Nollag in Joan Clancy Gallery: Blawnin Clancy, Noeleen Crossan, Rayleen Clancy and Ciara Gormley. [Clare Morrissey]
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Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Santa Secret Woodland Ballyduff Upper WHAT a weekend. Santa and his friends landed safely back in the North Pole.With only a few weeks left until Christmas, Santa needs to get those elves back to work making all the toys the boys and girls requested at the weekend. We have so many people to thank, of all ages, it would be impossible to do so individually.To everyone who played a part in transforming the woodland into a magical setting ,in a big or small way, we would like to say thank you. Your willingness not only meant many families created memories to treasure but also, you help raise funds for the much needed maintenance of our local comAttending a workshop on Volunteering hosted by Waterford City and County Council are from left Mary O’Brien, Lismore Tidy Towns; Ella Ryan, Environmental Awareness Officer Waterford City and County Council; Mike Holden, Workshop Facilitator; Sheila Roche, Lismore Tidy Towns and Sean Daly, Lismore Tidy Towns.
Lismore Tidy Towns project management, citizenship and communication skills among students through the design and implementation of an anti-litter and waste campaign. Lismore Tidy Towns members Sean Daly,Willie Henry, Michael McBride and Mary O’Brien recently attended a presentation by the Neat Streets project coordinator to the Green Schools Committee and all were very impressed with the ideas put forward by the committee from the group work activity and Tidy Towns are delighted to be involved. Our two CES workers continue with general maintenance and litter picking and everyday have a full work schedule to get through. The planning commit-
tee continue their work behind the scenes getting ready for the 2018 season and thanks to those involved who have given up a lot of personal to organise meetings and contacts during the day and at night. On Thursday last, 30th November, the Environment Awareness Officer Ms. Ella Ryan hosted a workshop on Volunteering in Dungarvan. It was a follow up on last year's workshop which was organised to help voluntary groups to get new members. The workshop was presented by Mr. Mike Holden, a freelance teacher, trainer and facilitator specialising in environmental and sustainability issues Sean Daly, Mary O'Brien and Sheila Roche rep-
resented Lismore Tidy Towns. Only one other group who hope to form a tidy towns committee in Dungarvan attended the meeting. Lismore Tidy Towns extends its sympathy to one of our community litter volunteers Mrs. Veronica Troy on the recent death of her mother Mrs. Alice Burke, Touraneena. May she rest in peace. ECO TIP OF THE WEEK Bug hotels are a great way to attract pollination insects. Create your own bug hotel as follows-- an upside down pot half buried in the ground makes an excellent bug hotel. Fill it with straw and connect it to the surface with some hosepipe.
Parish of Lismore and Ballysaggart HONESTY is a valuable social and personal value. Truthfulness is a similar social and personal value. Our use of language can either create contacts between us or create barriers. Advent draws us into the waiting experience for God’s chosen ones. We relive that waiting experience of God’s people but we also give eye to the final coming of Christ Jesus in glory. ‘He will come again to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. We are living at the in between times. Our language about our experience of Advent can seem remote at times. On the 8th of December we will celebrate the Feast of the ‘Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We are saying that there was no alienation in the life of Mary from her God and Creator. Her life was not easy but she came up to every demand made on her life of faith. Her ‘Yes’ to God was complete and free. Sin or what ever other word that may appeal to you is an absence of what should be
there. When we examine our lives we are faced with all the untruths in our lives, all the resentments even little ones. We are faced with all the closed minds we have towards others. We will have our vigil Mass on Thurday, 7th of December in St. Carthages’, followed by 11.00 a.m. Mass in St. Carthage’s with the 7.00 p.m. evening Mass in Ballysaggart. Our congregation in Ballysaggart has grown in the change we made. The families preparing for Confirmation will be involved in the 2nd Sunday of Advent. Community happens when individuals leave their comfort zone of grand isolation and take ownership of their Faith in a meaningful way. We all need to take an honest look at our lives.There is so much hardness, petty dishonesties, petty meanness’s that make us unloving and distant from others. We have celebrated Advent many times. The reason it makes little difference to us is our lack of relationship with Jesus Christ. We
Senior Citizens Party THE party was a great success, where 140 dinners were served. A great evening was enjoyed by all. The committee would like to thank the junior dancers, Bachelors in Trouble, the musicians, Lismore Golf Club, Kearney’s Catering for a beautiful meal, all our sponsors, the ladies and men’s committee and finally all our patrons. We wish you all a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
LISMORE IT is great to hear that a Green School's Committee has been formed at Blackwater Community School Lismore. An Taisce's Green Schools Programme is Ireland's leading environmental management and education programme for schools. It promotes long-term, wholeschool action for the school's environment. It is student led with involvement from the wider community. Recently Blackwater Community School was chosen by An Taisce to participate in its “Neat Streets”' programme.This initiative is an Anti-Litter and Waste campaign run within secondary schools across Ireland. The programme is designed to facilitate and develop leadership,
munity buildings and facilities. A special mention to all those who have been planning this event for months and gave up so much of their time to do so.Thank you. Huge thanks to all of you who booked in to come and see us, your kind words and enthusiasm made it all worth while. Our first visitors to the woodlands on Friday night were the lovely families originally from Syria, now living in Dungarvan.Their Joy excitement and enthusiasm had a huge impact on us all and really illuminated the message of Christmas. We hope you all have a very Happy Christmas and wish you the best for 2018!
take the liberating message of Jesus Christ to heart when we recognise the presence of Christ Jesus in every person and we relate to the person as we would to Jesus. If your post is like mine you must be snowed under all the begging charity letters from such a vast array of charities. Is it time that charities doing similar work should be amalgamated. Whether I respond or not they will persist in sending very expensive packages. Just to remind you that we will have our parochial penitential service on Sunday, 17th December at 7.00 p.m. Are you expected to come? MASS TIMETABLE Weekday Mass at 10.00 a.m. Saturday, 9th December - Vigil Mass in Lismore at 6.15 p.m. Sunday, 10th December - Morning Mass in Ballysaggart at 9.30 a.m. Sunday Mass in Lismore at 11.00 a.m. PRO(E) Pastoral Council Parish Radio Link 103.9FM
Reminiscence Journal at the Heritage Centre, Lismore A NUMBER of reprinted copies of the Reminiscence Issue of the Lismorian journal (The Lismoreian III, 2013) edited by Eugene Dennis have arrived at the Lismore Heritage Centre. In a journal of over 300 A4 pages there are close on 50 stirring reminiscences by, for example, Mary Coughlan on Church Lane in the 1930s-1940s, Rural Electrification by Pat ‘Ringy’ Foley, a memory of John Hobson V.S. by Edward Lyunch V.S., Mickser Ahearne on Botany in the 1950s, two recently deceased Lismore ‘Greats’ Billy Hogan and Joe Duggan, farmer Dick Doocey and a reminiscence by Gordon Keyes who worked as a spalpeen nearly 80 years ago before leaving for Australia. The journal is now considered one of the finest works of reminiscence ever done in small town Ireland. It’s available at a Black Friday price. Hurry! When they’re gone they’re gone, then you’ll regret it, son! Nollaig shona.
Lismore Annual Toy Appeal 2017 FRIDAY, 8th DECEMBER FROM 9.30 a.m.TO 12.30 p.m. ALL PROCEEDS AND TOYS DISTRIBUTED BY LISMORE ST. VINCENT DE PAUL OUR toy appeal continues this year and we are appealing for donations of new toys or gifts for children in our area. Start the Christmas season with good cheer and giving, by donating a simple toy for deserving children – all toys donated will be distributed within the Lismore general area. Gorgeous coffee, tea, scones and cakes will be served as usual in the St.Vincent de Paul hall (to the side of St. Carthages Church - you’ll see the banner). We would be so grateful if you could bring a gift or a toy for any age group (girl or boy) 2-5 years, 5-8 years, 9-12 years, young teenagers or 16s plus and then
join us for hand-baked refreshments afterwards. Thanks so much for your continued support!
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Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
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CAPPOQUIN Cappoquin Health Cappoquin Community Centre Phone (058) 52746 – email ocappdev@eircom.net – Facebook – Cappoquin Community Centre €50,000 SPORTS CAPITAL FOR GYM EXTENSION Cappoquin Community Development Company is delighted to announce that its application under the Sports Capital Programme for financial assistance towards the extension of the gymnasium in the Community Centre has been successful. The Company has been informed that it will receive €50,000 towards the cost of the extension. This extension will increase the size of the Gym by over 75%. It will allow for the separation of the aerobics and cardio equipment from the weights area. It will also provide much needed space for additional equipment to meet the demands of Clubs and Groups. The extension will be a single storey construction adjoining the existing gym and we will retain the delightful view of the turning Blackwater. Planning Permission is already granted and it’s hoped to begin construction early in the New Year with the works being completed by Summer of 2018. There will be some disruption during construction, but this will be minimal, and the gym will remain fully operational during the construction period. The Company wish to sincerely thank Senator Paudie Coffey FG for his outstanding assistance in processing this application. Lastly to our hardworking Projects Committee who are the driving force behind this required expansion, well done one and all. CAPPOQUIN CHILDCARE FACILITY Did you know you may now avail of up to two years free Preschool? Now taking enrolments for free Preschool starting in January 2018.To avail of the free Preschool placement in this enrolment children must be three years of age by Sunday, 31st December 2017. Please contact Maria on 058-52746 for further details. HALL BOOKINGS With December here, all users of the Community Centre individuals, clubs, groups are reminded to book
Attending Community Centre Opening 2007 was Ms. Monica Ryan, HSE; Sr. Eileen, Sisters of Mercy; Mr. Paddy Lavelle, WWETB and Sr. Annunciata, Sisters of Mercy. their preferred time for using our facilities. Demand this year is higher than ever with the great success of the Waterford/Wexford ETB classes. 4 WEEKS LEFT TO GO TO THE FIRST CONCERT OF 2018 Monday, January 8th - The Three Amigos: With Santa now almost upon us we are only four weeks away from our first big event in 2018. The Three Amigos are to play live in concert in the Community Centre on Monday, 8th January, 2018.Tickets are now on sale at our Company Office (058) 52746, Feerick’s Pharmacy Cappoquin (058) 54165 or from Anthony Prendergast (087) 7657769 book early, an excellent Christmas present indeed! GYM Fancy doing your training session before you go to Work/School or College well now you can as our ultra-modern Gym. Our Gym is equipped with Irelands most ultramodern equipment which can cater from all Cardiovascular equipment to all Resistance training machines and loose weights.You can pay as you go or join up as a member. Our prices are most competitive with yearly membership is €200, 6 months €100, 3 months €60 and monthly €25. QUIDDLERS The popular Quiddlers group
The Three Amigos – Monday, January 8th - Cappoquin Community Centre.
from 10.00 a.m. - 12.00 noon on Wednesdays mornings and all are welcome for play for the kids and chat for parents. WEEKLY EVENTS IN HALL Gym opening times are 8.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m, Gym Instructor Conor Prendergast available to offer every assistance on (087) 1247025. Ladies Exercise Classes 10.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. with Paul Murray, Monday Affane Bridge. Quiddlers from 10.00 a.m. - 12.00 noon on Wednesdays Thursday morning 10.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. Ladies Exercises with Paul Murray, Community Soccer 8.30 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. Friday evenings Gymnastics 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. MARY BUTLER TD Mrs. Mary Butler TD Fianna Fail will hold a Clinic on the first Saturday of every month at 12.30 p.m. in the Community Centre, all are welcome. WATERFORD WEXFORD ETB Just a reminder anyone interested in doing a wide range of courses contact Edel Walsh (058) 52570 First Floor of the Community Centre. Community Centre Lotto Jackpot hits €4,500. LOTTO DRAW 4th DECEMBER 2017 JACKPOT €4,400 Numbers drawn 15, 17, 21, 29. No Winner. Consolation Prizewinners: Alice Mackey, Abbeyglen; Alice, Caroline and Michael Tobin, Melleray; Ned Heffernan, Barrack Street; Margaret Troy, Main Street; Betty Kelleher, Carrigeen. Next week’s draw is on the 11th December, with a jackpot of €4,500. Remember anyone looking to buy our Lotto tickets, call to any of the local shops in Cappoquin, the Community Centre, Miriam Coughlan or Carmel Prendergast will look after you. If you wish you can also buy the popular annual tickets, if you’re not in you can’t win!
Cappoquin ARA 10th Birthday A GREAT morning was had by all who attended our Birthday party on Monday, 27th November in the Community Centre. It was great to see friends from other groups around - Tallow, Lismore, Knockanore, Dungarvan and Ring and Carriglea, who came to enjoy “the chat” and wish us well. We had some apologies from friends unavoidably absent but with us in spirit.The Regional ARA Secretary Margaret King travelled from Cashel to wish us well. Our President Angela O’Reilly welcomed everybody and Joe White spoke on behalf of the Community Developement Company who are very good to us. Without the wonderful facility of the Community Centre our ARA could not carry on. Our oldest and much loved member Rose Sargent cut
the gorgeous birthday cake, which was made by Barrons Bakery. Bernie Glavin and friends did a great job catering for a much larger crowd than anticipated. Well done! We had promised “Refreshments Fun and Games”, but things got much too busy with the chat and catching up for the games. So any Monday at 2.30 p.m. feel free to join us for that.You will be very welcome. A special thanks to Rev. Fathers Gear, Arthure and Kiely for joining us. Earlier and more privately we had a special Remembrance Mass for our deceased members in the Parish Church.We give thanks for their time on earth and hope and pray for continued good health for all our Members. Mile buiochas go leir.
Centre launches new website for patients JUST over 12 months since moving to the surgery at Cappoquin Health Centre, Dr. Noelle Quann and team are delighted to announce their practice website is now online. www.cappoquinhealthcentre.ie provides useful information about the health centre as well as the extensive services provided, and offers registered patients of the practice the facility to safely order repeat prescriptions and request appointments online. The website will be of particular benefit to those with busy schedules, especially parents of small children and those working fulltime who may find it difficult to contact the health centre by phone during normal surgery hours. The ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ and ‘Useful Websites’ pages offer a wealth of information about the practice and contains links to many supplementary services such as Medical Card applications, Citizen’s Advice, HSE websites etc. As part of the website design,
local Graphic Designer Val Mangan took inspiration from the Mill Wheel located at Twigbog, Cappoquin for the new Cappoquin Health Centre logo. She compared its likeness to the ‘wheel of life’ and the lifelong care that a GP Practice provides to its patients through the generations. In 2015, thanks to funding from Waterford County Council and the craftmanship and work of local man Patrick Halley and colleagues, the beautiful mill
$BUIBSUIB $FBQBDI $IPJOO D T B /
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON The Christmas lights are up and awaiting switch-on this Friday night, December 8th.That evening, from 7.00 p.m., there will be entertainment at the Square, to include a Wobbly Circus, face painting and a Christmas carol performance by the local cubs and beavers. There will be appropriate refreshments, including mince pies, other goodies for the kids and mulled wine on offer for the adults. This event is being hosted by Waterford Area Partnership, in association with Cappoquin Civic Link which funds and organises the Christmas lights and tree at the Square, and the Melleray Vintage Club's Christmas extravaganza. It should be a great family fun occasion, so do come along and enjoy. REMEMBRANCE RIBBONS In keeping with Christmas tradition, Civic Link will have Remembrance Ribbons on sale over the Christmas period, with all donations going to support local community efforts, Christmas lights and insurance
cover for events like the carnival and St. Patrick's Day Parade. All the ribbons will go up on the Christmas tree at the Square. The ribbons will be on sale, for whatever contribution you wish to make, outside Kelleher's SuperValu in Lower Main Street on December 8th–9th and in Murray's shop and at the Credit Union up to December 22nd, as well. CHRISTMAS ART & CRAFT FAIR Many thanks to everyone who
wheel was installed at Twigbog. The mill wheel pays homage to the history and heritage of Cappoquin. The new website emphasises the community spirit that is alive in Cappoquin and surrounding areas. All photography on the site features current patients of the practice. We are very grateful for their participation, some of whom are basking in their newfound celebrity status! www.cappoquinhealthcentre.ie supported the Heritage Group craft fair at Cappoquin library last weekend, both craftspeople and customers. A huge thanks also to Sheila Curtin and our local library management for making the facility available for yet another event. Our own sub-committee for the event also did Trojan work, and a special word for Helen McGrath on the death of her sister, Carmel Ryan in Ballincollig last week. Helen and family were anxious to have the craft fair go ahead as planned, and we offer our deepest sympathy and thanks to the family at this time, naturally. THIS WEEK'S PICTURE This week's picture is of one of local artist, Noel O'Donoghue's festive paintings, depicting the Blackwater House and 'Cornerstone' with appropriate Christmas lighting. No other words are needed, really.
Blackwater House
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Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
KNOCKANORE Check us out on our Facebook pages (Knockanore Area KGK Community Council) and (Knockanore Heritage and History) The Art Group, busy at work in Tallow Enterprise Centre
TALLOW Tallow Enterprise Centre CLASSES are winding down now for Christmas at Tallow Enterprise Centre. Art classes will resume on Monday January 22nd and we would encourage anyone who is interested to come and see what the Art class is all about, you may just find your new hobby for 2018. Sewing for Children will resume on January 22nd and is fully booked for the coming term. SENIOR CITIZENS Tallow Senior Citizens enjoyed a very successful Christmas Party on Sunday last, with over 100 people sitting down to Christmas dinner. Music was provided by Pacific
Blue and a fun evening was had by all. Thanks again to all the committee m embers who work so hard each and every year to make this day so special for the older member of the community. Connie and Elizabeth Henley had the honour of cutting the cake this year and everyone would like to extend congratulations to them as they celebrate their 52nd wedding anniversary. SANTA VISIT The man in the red suit! also paid a visit to Tallow on Friday night to a huge turn-out of excited children. The Christmas lights were turned on and are looking splendid again this year.
Cúrsaí Reatha (Current Affairs) – Tallow has been a hive of activity recently from dancing to drama. It’s wonderful to see the proud tradition of music and entertainment which goes back generations still alive and well in our community. Back in the early 1950’s the Regal Theatre in Barrack St. was the place to be. Pictured is Mick Cunningham, Willie O’Hara, Arthur Hogan, and Jim Prendergast, as the Clancy Brothers.
Tallow Senior Citizens THE results of the last of our last Christmas – First Prize - Phyllis Beecher; Second Prize - Lala Daly; Third Prize - Sheila O’Mahony. Our Christmas Party which was held on Sunday was a very enjoyable affair. Over one hundred people sat down to a delicious meal followed by music, dancing, singing and many spot prizes. The Christmas cake was cut by Elizabeth and Connie Henley who were celebrating their 55th Wedding Anniversary. We also wished Mary Mangan a very Happy Birthday. She is the very popular, hard working and long serving Treasurer of the Senior Citizens Committee. A very special thanks to everyone who helped in any way to make the party the success it was. We wish all our members a very happy healthy Christmas.
BINGO Bingo will continue on Sunday night at 8.30 p.m. so there is still time to scoop some cash for Christmas. SOCIAL DANCE The final Social Dance of 2017 will take place this coming Friday December 8th at 9 p.m., refreshments will be served and music will be by Philip English. CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION The Church of the Immaculate Conception celebrates its feast day on Friday 8th with Mass Friday morning at 9.45 a.m. and Rosary at 2.30 p.m. led by Joan Murray. TAEKWONDO WORLD CHAMPIONS Congratulations to Tallow Taekwondo members Ryan and Neesha Whelan aged 8 and 11 who competed in the I.T.F.U. World Championships held in Killarney recently. Ryan won a Gold medal for sparing and silver for patterns. Neesha won Bronze for sparring and bronze for patterns. A fantastic achievement well done to both of them. CHRISTMAS SWIM Sponsorship cards are still going around for the Christmas swim in aid of the Alzheimer’s unit in Dungarvan Hospital, so please support generously, to this very worthy cause.
KNOCKANORE HERITAGE AND HISTORY GROUP 2017 PARISH MAGAZINE After a fantastic launch in the KGK Sports Hall Knockanore on last Friday night, this year’s Parish Magazine has been eagerly sought by everyone interested in the past and present of our Rural Parish and beyond. Packed with stories of local heroes, memories of individuals, tall tales, at least two murders in the Parish in the last 150 years, childhood recollections, a school writing project, stories of local
volunteers in the Civil War, photos galore, History, Culture and much, much more. Available for only €10 the 64-page book is available from four retail outlets, Keniry’s of Tallow, Forde’s of Tallow, Lombard’s Pub of Newtown and Crowley’s Service Station in Youghal, and also from Heritage Society mMembers Pat Casey and Pat Geary. Part of the profits will go to the Baby Emily Fund. This production will provide the ideal gift for you neighbours and friends, both at home and
overseas. Knockanore History and Heritage wish to thank all who contributed articles, those who placed ads, the Teachers of Knockanore School and anyone who helped in any way. KGK COMMUNITY COUNCIL Santa’s on the way to Knockanore Reminder. The Children’s Party will be held in the hall in Knockanore on Saturday, December 16th, followed by the Senior Citizen’s party on Sunday, December 17th.
Maura and Frank Mills pictured at the launch of the Parish Magazine last Friday night.
Liam Ahearne, Frank Roche and Tom O’Neill pictured at the launch of the Parish Magazine last Friday night.
Liam Power and Mike Smyth pictured at the launch of the Parish Magazine last Friday night.
John Murphy and Carmel Baldwin pictured at the launch of the Parish Magazine last Friday night.
MODELIGO LOTTO RESULTS 2nd December, 2017 – Numbers drawn were 18, 27 and 30. No winner. €25 winners Emma and Laura Quinn, Clashmore; Ellen Gordon, Dundalk; John Durris, Clashmore; Eamon Ryan, Modeligo. Tickets can be purchased from any member of the Community Centre. Next week’s Jackpot €2,600. IRISH DANCING Modeligo Dancing Club will hold their annual Christmas Concert on this Thursday, 7th December at 7.00 p.m. in Modeligo Community Centre. ST. VINCENT DE PAUL COLLECTION The Cappoquin conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society will hold their annual Church
Gate Collection on Sunday next, December 10th at Modeligo prior to 10.00 a.m. Mass. Your support will be greatly appreciated. MODELIGO COMMUNITY ALERT Modeligo Community Alert are in the process of erecting new roadside signs. Anyone interested in sponsoring a sign, please contact Monica O’Byrne. NOTES Anyone wishing to include items in the Parish notes, please contact Monica on 087-4112798 or email marymonicaobyrne@gmail.com before 9.00 p.m. on Monday night. BOOKINGS Anyone looking to book the Astro turf or hall please contact John Power on 087-2834600.
St. Michael’s Church, Ballyduff Upper Pastoral Council ON this Friday, 8th, the Feast of the Immaculaate Conception there will be Mass at 11.00 a.m. The Sacrament of Reconciliation for Christmas will be celebrated in the Church on next Tuesday night, 12th December at 7.30 p.m. All are very welcome. On Wednesday, 20th December, the children from the National School will hold a Carol Service
in the Church at 7.00 p.m. Again, all are very welcome. As Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year, we will have the usual Sunday Mass at 11.00 a.m. and Christmas Eve Mass will be celebrated that evening at 8.30 p.m. Mass on Christmas Day will be at the usual time of 11.00 a.m. The Pastoral Council wishes everyone a happy and peaceful Christmas.
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Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
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BALLYSAGGART CHRISTMAS PARTY SEASON It was a very busy afternoon in Ballysaggart on Sunday, December 3rd, the Community Centre was buzzing with excitement as the children awaited the arrival of Santa.When he did arrive, courtesy of Lismore Fire Brigade, he did not disappoint. He had a lovely chat with every child and gave each one a lovely present and a gentle reminder that his helpers were still watching to be sure that everyone will stay on the nice list. The Festival Committee, hosts of the party, wishes to thank everyone who participated in the organising and running of the party, without them the party would not be possible. While all of this was happening at the Community Centre, Ballysaggart Community Care were hosting their annual Christmas Dinner in The Ballyvera Bar. A great afternoon/evening was enjoyed by all. After a beautiful meal and a surprise visit by Santa everyone danced and sang along to the fabulous Bride Valley Band. It was great to see such a wonderful crowd out having fun and catching up with friends. The Community Care Committee also wishes to thank everyone who made such an enjoyable evening possible. BALLYSAGGART COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Ballysaggart Community Development Company CLG will hold a public metting on Wednesday night next December 6th at 8 o’clock in the Community Centre.The purpose of the meeting is to update on the companies application to WLP for RDP funding to develop the Community Centre.This is an open meeting for everyone to come along hope you all can make it. BALLYDUFF / BALLYSAGGART IFA The Ballyduff/Ballysaggart Branch of IFA held its AGM on Tuesday night last the 28th in St. Michael's Hall Ballyduff. Michael J. Walsh introduced guest speakers, John Coughlan IFA Munster Regional Chairman and Patsy Aherne Glanbia Board member. Both speakers gave an excellent presentation to the meeting and a question and answer session took place.
Chernobyl Aid Ireland Chick Appeal 2017
Mary Geoghegan and Kitty Geoghegan cutting the Christmas Cake at the Community Care Christmas Party. Then election of Officers took place. Michael J. thanked David for all his good work over the years as Branch Secretary. The seat was not long empty when John Leamy was elected Branch Secretary, Alex Heskin's term was up as Registration officer and again Michael J thanked Alex for all his hard work over the years in the Branch. This position was filled by Tommy Moroney and Michael J. welcomed both officers to the top table. With the business of the meeting over there was a moment’s silence for the deceased. At this stage the kettle was put on and refreshments served. Michael J. thanked all for attending and the guest speakers and also a big thanks to Ballyduff community for the use of St. Michael's Hall and heating and refreshments on the night. Another
successful Branch AGM. BALLYSAGGART LADIES FOOTBALL CLUB Ballysaggart Ladies Football Club will hold their medal presentation night this coming Saturday, 9th December at 8.30 p.m. in Meaghers Bar. They were successful in winning the U-12 and U-13 county finals while also reaching the Minor final. A great night of fun and craic is assured. Music by John Stack. COMMUNITY COUNCIL 45 CARDS RESULTS 1st: Kathleen Coleman and Eddie Byrne. 2nd: Fr Cullinan and Stephen Cunningham. Lucky Tables: Peg Murray and Helen Cunningham, Eddie Sheehan and Helen Morrissey, Pat O'Connor and Pat Kirby. Tickets: Pat O'Connor, Helen O'Keeffe x 2, Helen Cunningham and Bill Leady.
Ballyduff/Ballysaggart IFA – Back row left to right: Tommy Moroney, Branch Registration; John Leamy, Branch Secretary. Front row left to right: John Coughlan, IFA Munster Regional Chairman; Michael J. Walsh, Branch Chairman; David Burke, Outgoing Secretary; Patsy Aherne. Glanbia Board Member.
THANK you all so much for your very generous support of our Easter Chick Appeal this year. We raised an amazing €11,338.80 and we could not have achieved this without your help. Every cent of our money is used in the following ways:1. We bring as many children as we can for a month’s holiday to the East Cork and West Waterford area. This time away from Belarus is vital for their health. While staying with host families, the children are benefiting greatly from our clean air, fresh food and beautiful surroundings. They also experience family life which many of them have never known. The children and some of their Irish friends are clearly enjoying themselves in the glorious sunshine we had this year. 2. We sponsor humanitarian aid trucks travelling to Belarus. This aid goes to support the very poorest families in the capital, Minsk. Some deliveries are also brought to specific children’s homes where there is great need. We listen to what is needed there and we send it:
clothing, medical equipment, baby furniture, toiletries, bedding etc. 3. We send volunteer skilled workers in our continuing support of Grozovo, a residential home for people with special needs. Carpenters, plumbers, builders, electricians, all travel at their own expense. We provide them with the materials they need, and with any equipment or furniture which might be needed in the home. Once again, our Chick Appeal has been hugely successful. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your kindness and generosity.
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Dungarvan Flower and Garden Club THE Dungarvan Flower & Garden Club annual Christmas charity flower demonstration took place on Wednesday, 29th November. The proceeds for the evening were in aid of Dungarvan Community Hospital. The evening commenced with President, Maura Kindregan, welcoming a very large attendance, who were treated to a veritable feast of flowers by our guest floral demonstrator, Christine Hughes. Maura asked PRO Mary Gorman to say a few words on what the Flower & Garden club offers to members, Mary did so with her usual aplomb. Maura then introduced our guest for the evening, Christine Hughes. Christine produced fifteen breath-taking arrangements, each one so unique with colours, texture and flowers, eliciting gasps of wonder followed by generous rounds of applause. Christine’s containers were very complimentary to her floral work. She is a tur artist in her ability to see the potential in very normal vases – but with a little magic from Christine they were turned into something spectacular. Christine is a very busy lady and is about to become even busier, as she takes on the role as Vice-Chair Person of AOIFA. She is scheduled to give demonstrations in various parts of the country over the next two weeks. She is also a member of no less than two Flower Clubs, Naas and Maynooth, Co. Kildare, and she also has flower arranging classes in her home in Blessington. During her journey from Blessington to Dungarvan with
her chauffeur, aka her husband, Christine took phormiums and manipulated them into a weave, and this lady never wastes a minute. Christine’s delivery was very straight forward and she regaled us with stories of when she was a young girl and in doing so endeared herself to all present with such a personal insight into her formative years. Christine’s use of form, texture, plant material and sense of colour certainly enhanced her arrangements. Valerie Leo proposed a vote of
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
KILMACTHOMAS SUPER CHRISTMAS PARTY Kilmacthomas Day Centre will hold a Super Christmas Party on Thursday, 14th December, 2017, 12.30 p.m. – 4.30 p.m. Carol Service, Full Christmas Lunch, Music and Raffle. Cost €12.00. Bookings taken on Tuesday and Wednesday on 051-294828. FAMILY LIBRARY WEEK 11th to 17th DECEMBER As part of this programme, Kilmacthomas Library will host the following events: Wednesday 13th December at 2.30 p.m., Reader in Residence at Kilmacthomas Library - A town on the cusp of change share your memories. Kilmacthomas at the heart of the Greenway is attracting more and more visitors and tourists, coming and going. How will this change the village and its people? Join Waterford City and County Libraries, Reader in Residence, Poet and Author, Lani O’Hanlon for a gentle writing and/or storytelling workshop to share your memories of living, or visiting Kilmacthomas. All welcome. Thursday, 14th December at
2.15 p.m. Story time for all. Everyone loves a good story join us and listen to some magical stories. Friday, 15th December at 11.00 a.m. coffee morning with just a hint of Christmas! All events are free and everyone is welcome. DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY John and Anne Power, Ballyvaden, Kill celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary recently, and wish to express their thanks to Tom Cunningham and staff at the GAA Club, Stradbally, and everyone who helped to make our celebration big success. Thank you all very much. We wish John and Anne many more years of good health and happiness. CHURCH GATE COLLECTION St. Vincent de Paul will hold their Christmas Church Gate collection on the week-end of the 9th and 10th December. Please be as generous as you can. LOTTO Kilmacthomas AFC lotto draw results for Saturday, 2nd December. Letters drawn were
D, G, O and P. No jackpot winner. Five winners of €20 each to Eleanor O’Connell, Clonea; Jay Boland, Newtown; Saoirse, Paddy and Rian Hayes,The Pike; Alex Mulcahy, Scrahan and Eleanor O’Connell, Clonea. Next week’s Jackpot €2,700, be in to win. WHIST Ballylanen Whist Club results for Monday, 27th November – Linda Dempsey, Veronica Walsh, Eric Townsend, Stess Connolly, Brigid Power, Orla Keane, Eileen Power, Mary Walsh, Nicola Carroll, Agnes Thomas and Monica Gough. Raffle winners Eric Townsend, Paddy O’Shea, Peggy O’Callaghan and Paddy O’Shea. Whist ach Monday night at 8.00 p.m., new members always welcome. CHRISTMAS CRAFT & ART SHOW Christmas Art and Craft and Family Fun Day in the Rainbow Hall on Sunday, 10th December from 2.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. Free face painting and Balloon art. A packed day of local arts and crafts not to be missed. Admission is free, all welcome.
thanks to Christine on behalf of everyone present. We really hope that we can welcome Christine back to Dungarvan in the future. Recently one of the committee members was asked to help the Dungarvan Orchard Ladybirds who wanted to try their hand at flower arranging. The Ladybirds are aged five to nine and they produced a wonderful Christmas candle arrangement. We may have the beginnings of the next generation of flower arrangers in Dungarvan. Well done Ladybirds.
Dungarvan Orchard Ladybirds with their flower arrangements.
Déise Singers Tea Time Recital THE choir is in the final week of rehearsals for our annual Tea Time Recital. St. Mary’s Church of Ireland, Dungarvan, is the place to be at 6.00 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday, for those of you who were lucky enough to secure a ticket! VoiceOver, accompanied by Daniel Kearney are our guests.We have a full programme of well known songs, covering classical, folk, pop and Christmas genres. Afterwards, please stay for a hot cuppa and a tasty treat. Doors open at 5.30 p.m. and arrive early so you can participate in some carol singing, prior to the recital. We look forward to seeing you there!
SYMPATHY The Déise Singers were saddened to hear of the loss of Philip Cashin, Abbeyside recently.We extend our sympathy to his parents, Eddie and Jacintha; his brothers, Éamonn and Thomas; his sister, Cliondha and girlfriend, Emily. Members of The Déise Singers, Lismore Cathedral Choir and St. Mary’s Parish Choir sung at Philip’s requiem mass. It was our way of showing support to the Cashin and Noonan families. “Goodnight sweet prince and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest”.
Aoife, Cian and Muireann Spellman pictured at the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Dungarvan and the start [Dan McGrath/Editorial Images] of the Dungarvan Aglow Festival.
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
COUNTY NEWS
Kilrossanty (1817-2017) Bi-Centenary Photographs by Michael Faulkner
THE unveiling of the plaque, in memory of those who perished in the catastrophe of 1817, was held on Sunday, 26th November. The Chairperson of Comeragh Electoral Area Cllr. Seanie Power gave the opening address and began by welcoming everyone including his colleague Cllr. John O’Leary. He gave an overview of the events that caused the catastrophe which spread across Continental Europe and concluded by reminding those gathered that the plaque was a moving and fitting tribute to the people of that era and all that they endured. Noel Gough unveiled the plaque and in turn folded the flag of Munster into a triangular fold with the assistance of Joe Walsh. Gerard Barron, on behalf of all who had gathered, placed a laurel wreath beneath the plaque, followed by Aóibhinn Walsh reading a short piece about the catastrophe in Ireland and Jamie Quinn read an extract from the sword speech of Thomas Francis Meagher. John P. Quinn gave an overview of some of the worst catastrophes that occurred across the continents. He went on to mention that all of those human induced catastrophes could have been avoided if the Governments
of the day had faced their responsibilities and acted accordingly. Chloe O’Dwyer finished the event with a slow air and Stephen Hennebry played the National Anthem. Apologies: Cllr. Michael J. Ryan Plaque: David Kiely.
Camera roll: Michael Faulkner, also: Helen Guiry, Cathy Walsh, Maire Seo Breathnach and Pat Kirwan. We would like to thank everyone who gathered on this occasion and to all that helped in any way we are forever indebted.
KILROSSANTY BINGO Bingo on December 15th in Crotty’s Inn at 8.30 p.m. Prizemoney €1,200, also cash prizes in raffle, plus extra Christmas prizes. €2,000 Jackpot. FILM Bachelors in Trouble launch their film in Crotty’s Inn on Saturday, 9th December. Music by Southern Pride and John O’Shea of WLR. It will be launched by Paddy Joe Ryan, Chairman of Waterford GAA County Board. Also other guests on the night. Dancing will start at 9.30 p.m. Admission is €12. The proceeds of the door will go to Kidney Association and Parish funds. The name of the film is Cold Shower and Hot Summons. Scenes will be shown
on big screen. PARTY Christmas Party in the hall on Sunday 10th at 1.30 p.m. Names to be given in immediately. HALL Meeting this Wednesday night at 8.30 p.m. sharp. S.V.P. Collection this weekend at all Masses. SENIORS ALERT SCHEME Ages 65 and over. Great security for everyday activities i.e. gardening in case of fall or mishaps. Applicant does not have to be living alone, eligible couples may apply. €10 application, first year of use free. No means test. Contact and application forms from Nuala Harty, Bellaheen.
COLLECTION Clothes collection this Friday for school funds at the school. CONCERT Don’t forget the Christmas Choir Concert next Tuesday night in Kilrossanty Church at 7.00 p.m. All pupils of the school will be taking part. DEISE DRAW Still money outstanding to the Club from members of the Deise Draw which has finished since October. Books have to be finalised before the Annual General Meeting so please pay up as non payments will be read out at this meeting. I.C.A. Kilrossanty Guild of the I.C.A. will hold their monthly meeting on Monday night 11th at 8.00 p.m. All members bring goodies.
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Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
GRATTAN SQUARE HERITAGE PROJECT
Spailpíns, Agricultural Labourers & The Potato PLAQUE LOCATION: ROSSITER BUTCHERS, 88 GRATTAN SQUARE, DUNGARVAN, CO. WATERFORD THE three gentlemen depicted on this plaque were known as spailpíns. Spailpíns were itinerant or seasonal farmworkers in Ireland from the 17th to the early 20th century. Conditions for such workers were very harsh and they endured hard physical labour, low wages and maltreatment by landowners. According to the Encyclopedia of Irish History and Culture, "(t)heir numbers were greatest during the difficult years of the 1820s and 1830s. On the whole, the seasonal workers were people who had close ties to the land: small farmers, cottiers, agricultural laborers, and generally poor people with family responsibilities and no means of earning a living at home." One of the gentlemen depicted in the plaque is from Kerry. The artist, Twogood Roch, made a note on the back of his sketch indicating that he couldn't understand the Irish spoken by one of them. This was on account of the spailpín's Kerry dialect. Roch sketched these men circa 1828 while they were waiting in Grattan Square to be hired. The spade-like tool they are holding is a loy, an early Irish spade with a long heavy handle made of ash, a narrow steel plate on the face and a single footrest. The word loy comes from the Irish word láí, which means spade. It was used for manual ploughing. THE POTATO CROP The potato remained a staple part of the Irish after the Famine. As seen in the Comeragh House photos from circa 1898, harvesting the potato crop was still back breaking work, requiring a team of people out working in the elements. The communal (& manual) nature of setting the potato
The shopfront of the "Liam Rossiter Butchers" showing the heritage plaque at the threshold.
Farmers unloading The SS Cargan, at Davitt's Quay, Dungarvan during the farm labourer's strike of 1923. Free State troops guard the unloading with barefoot boys looking on. crop is also seen in the photo of Abbeyside villagers on their allotments. These allotments were set up during World War One to provide food for the village. The land was sourced by Dungarvan Urban District Council for the purposes of planting potatoes. A circular was sent to 38 owners and occupiers of land within a radius of the town and none of them offered land for the purpose of sowing potatoes. Later Mr. J. F. Moloney offered 12 acres of land at Skehacrine, Abbeyside to the council for setting potatoes in 1917. The council accepted this offer on the 26th January 1917. Some of the people in the photo are using a loy, as used by their spailpín fore-bearers 100 years previously. SUNSET OF THE SPAILPÍN Agricultural labour unrest increased after World War One. During the war labourers had seen an
Threshing at O'Donnell's Farm, Youghal Road, Dungarvan circa 1960. The man at the hand truck is probably Martin Moylan, Dungarvan. 2nd from right: Tommy O'Keeffe.
increase in their wages. After the armistice farmers attempted to reduce wages. This led to a series of labour disputes between farmers and their seasonal employees. Red flags were flown on Co-op lorries by workers and trade union membership in County Waterford exploded. In 1923 a farm labourers strike took place in the county. During the strike, farmers operated Shandon Creamery and Dungarvan Co-op under the protection of the Free State Army. Cumann na nGaedheal Minister for Agriculture Patrick Hogan wanted to maintain agricultural competitiveness by keeping farm wages and social welfare payments low. A series of photos taken during the strike show ships being unloaded by farmers at Davitt's Quay with Free State soldiers guarding them. Ultimately the strike was unsuccessful due to government intervention on the side of the farmers. The farm labourers had to take the terms and conditions on offer to them when they eventually returned to work. Increased use of the horse and the mechanisation of agriculture lessened the need for the army of agricultural labourers as the 20th century went on. In 1939, it was estimated that over 350,000 horses worked on Irish farms. AGRICULTURE ALL AROUND US Today it is difficult for an inhabitant of Dungarvan to realise how closely connected to agriculture the town once was. Many farms were swallowed up by the ever expanding town. If you look carefully while walking around Abbeyside or Dungarvan, you can still see traces of old farms in what are now urban areas. The photo of O'Donnell's Farm, which was on the Youghal Road, is great example of the com-
munal nature of agriculture before mechanisation replaced a lot of the old ways. WHY WAS THIS SUBJECT SELECTED? The images of our spailpíns from 1828 are of huge historic interest. Roch’s sketches are very democratic, including women and working class people, two groupings that are very under represented in our history. In their own lifetimes these men were not noteworthy. They weren't businessmen or professional people.They weren't soldiers performing heroic deeds.They were just ordinary people trying to keep themselves and their families alive. Some of us are their descendents. Considering the huge numbers of agricultural labourers, more of us are probably descended from men like these, than have landed gentry or brave soldiers as our ancestors. Featuring spailpíns on the plaques also acknowledges the part played by agriculture in the development of Dungarvan. WHAT IS THE IMAGE ON THE PLAQUE? The original illustration for the plaque is after a sketch done by famous miniature portrait painter, Samson Twogood Roch. In 1828 Roch took his sketchpad with him while visiting Dungarvan and Waterford and gave us the first colour images of locals. His original sketches are described as "...one of the most significant and yet understated items from the entire Ulster Folk & Transport Museum collection." The volunteer run Grattan Square Heritage Plaque Project was managed by Willie Whelan for Waterford County Museum. Rachael Power drew the illustrations and William Fraher did much of the original historical research.
Abbeyside people photographed at the allotments in Skehacrine, Abbeyside circa 1917. The last two people on the right are Richard and Bridget Burke. Bridget is wearing a "máilín" for holding the seed potatoes. Maudie Burke Dalton is fourth from the right and her son Richard sits in the same furrow.
An illustration by Sampson Twogood Roch of agricultural labourers in Dungarvan c1828. Copyright Ulster Folk & Transport Museum.
The illustration by Rachael Power after Towgood Roch on which the plaque engraving was based.
The engraved plaque at the threshold of the "Liam Rossiter Butchers".
Farm workers on the Comeragh House Estate have a meal break in 1898.
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
COUNTY NEWS
WEST WATERFORD CHRISTMAS BINGO A must for all Bingo lovers Youghal Scout Group will host their annual fundraising Christmas Bingo tonight,Wednesday, December 6th, at the Walter Raleigh Hotel, Youghal. Eyes down at 8.00 p.m. A special feature of the night will be the “Dolly Power Memorial Game” and our Jackpot of €400 on 40 calls or less “check it out!” NEW ARRIVAL Warmest congratulations to Rosie (nee Fleming) and Barry Kinsella, Kilmaloo, on the birth of their baby girl whom they have named Bebhinn. A most welcome baby sister for Seoda, Saoirse and Tadhg. Best wishes to you both from all your family and friends. SYMPATHY Our deepest sympathy is extended to Jennifer Maher and her husband Justin Mulcahy, Ballinamertina, Ardmore, and all her family in Cork and Tipperary on the recent death of her mother Mrs. Betty Maher. May she rest in peace. DEATH OF MICHAEL HICKEY With great sadness we record the death which occurred on Monday evening last following an illness of Michael Hickey, Tinnock. Predeceased by his wife Stella (nee Mullins) in June he will be so sadly missed by his sons Paul, Michael and David; his daughter Sharon; his sister, grandchildren and all his family and friends. Reposing at his home in Tinnock, Youghal from 3.00 p.m. until 7.00 p.m. Wednesday, 6th December. Service at the Island Crematorium, Ringaskiddy on Thursday at 12.00 noon. Family flowers only, donations in lieu, if desired, to Marymount University Hospital and Hospice, Cork. LOVE ACTUALLY Chick Flicks Against Cancer presents a fundraising screening of Love Actually at the Mall Arts Centre Youghal on Wednesday, December 13th at 7.00 p.m. in aid of Cork ARC – (Youghal Cancer Support House). Your support will be very much appreciated. A LIVE! There are still a small number of tickets available for the live performance of our local up-coming brilliant young singer – song-writer from Kinsalebeg, Isaac O’Sullivan. Isaac has recently released his debut album “A Live” and he will be performing here at the Old School House, Clashmore at 7.30 p.m. on December 8th.
Tickets (€5) for Isaac’s live performance with mulled wine reception are now available from Jane O’Sullivan at 087-76221560. CLASHMORE/KINSALEBEG LADIES FOOTBALL A.G.M Calling all parents, players, members and friends of Clashmore /Kinsalebeg Ladies GAA we need your support at our Annual General Meeting on Sunday next, December 10th at 5.00 p.m. in the clubhouse Clashmore. We would love to see some new faces. CLASHMORE COMMUNITY ALERT Turkeys & Hams 45 Drive: 45 Card Drive in aid of Clashmore Community Alert at the Decies Bar, Clashmore. Games begin at 9.00 p.m. sharp! We also have some fantastic prizes in our raffle so please support. Coffee Morning: Clashmore Community Alert will host a Coffee Morning in the Old School House, Clashmore, following morning Mass on Sunday, 10th December. Come and join us for a coffee, a cake, and a chat.We would really appreciate your support. TREE SALE – THIS SATURDAY Shop local for your Christmas Tree this year and support your local Clashmore/Kinsalebeg GAA Club. Clashmore/Kinsalebeg GAA Club are hosting a Christmas Tree Sale in aid of club funds this Saturday, 9th December at the clubhouse from 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.Your support will be very much appreciated. CLASHMORE/KINSALEBEG GAA AGM The Annual General Meeting of Clashmore/Kinsalebeg GAA Club will take place this Saturday evening at 7.30 p.m. at the clubhouse. All are welcome to attend. CLASHMORE/KINSALEBEG SENIOR CITIZEN NEW YEAR PARTY Our Clashmore/Kinsalebeg Senior Citizen New Year Party will take place on January 14th, 2018 in Kinsalebeg Hall commencing at 12.30 p.m. Music on the day will be provided by Pat Daly. We will have a full sit down meal so booking is essential, as spaces are limited. Please ring Joan at 024-94594 by the 5th January to reserve your meal. Looking forward to celebrating with you all again in 2018. CLASHMORE / KINSALEBEG COMMUNITY COUNCIL Healthy Group Report: The Healthy Group met on Tuesday, 28th November in the Rising Sun. This is
a sub-committee set up by the Community Council to plan healthy events. Defibrillators: Pat McCarthy of Youghal First Responders attended and it was agreed that the Thursday Club and the Community Council would fund a defibrillator for Piltown. Pat would also arrange for the existing defibrillators in Clashmore to be checked out. Two further CPR training sessions have been arranged for Saturday, 27th January, one in Clashmore and one in Piltown. It would be great if we could get more First Responders trained for the area and Pat's team meets every Wednesday in St. Raphael's. His telephone number is 086-3861561 if you want more details about what is involved. As an incentive the Community Council will give Free Gym Membership to the first 5 people who register for the full training plan with the Youghal First Responders. Healthy Day: We are running a Healthy Check-up again and this will take place on the 3rd February. This year. We will have the mobile clinic from the Irish Heart Foundation as well as diabetes and BMI checks. More details nearer the time. Operation Transformation: We are running our own Operation Transformation starting the 2nd week of January. Now's your chance to put weight on over Christmas so you will have something to lose in January. Clashmore and Kinsalebeg GAA Community Gym: The equipment is due to be delivered on the 4th December and we hope to announce an introduction day so that people can come along and check it out.The annual fee is €60. More details from Jazz Fitzgerald on 086-1904593. CLASHMORE RAMBLERS WEEKLY ALPHA LOTTO RESULTS The weekly Clashmore Ramblers Alpha Lotto draw took place in Clashmore on Sunday night, December 3rd and the following were the letters drawn E, R, F and L. We had no Jackpot winner so next week’s Jackpot will be €4,450. The lucky winners of our weekly €20 spot prizes – Paul Marks,Tommy c/o Pa, Pat Motherway c/o Eithine. Congratulations to all our winners and thanks to everyone for your support. CLASHMORE/KINSALEBEG GAA LOTTO Clashmore/Kinsalebeg GAA club weekly Lotto draw took place on
Monday night last, December 4th. Our numbers this week were 7, 18, 20 and 29. We had no match four ticket so our Jackpot for next weeks draw will be €1,600. Next week our draw takes place on December 11th at The Rising Sun, Clashmore. Our “Christmas Special” Lotto Draw with eight spot prizes of €50 to be won takes place at the Decies Bar on December 21st. Our final draw of 2017 takes place on December 28th at the Old Still Clashmore. If you are not in you can’t win! Thanks to every one for your support. ARDMORE LADYBIRDS, BROWNIES AND GIRL GUIDES Remember, the next time you are shopping, please take your tokens and drop them into The Ardmore Branch of IGG box at the Tesco supermarket in Youghal. We would really appreciate the support. “Fruit of the Spirit” CD: The Ladybirds, Brownies and Guides worked with the Holy Family Mission, Glencomeragh to produce a lovely CD.The CD is called “Fruit of the Spirit” and is on sale in Mari Mina Pharmacy, Ardmore and Ardmore Post Office. It costs €5 and all proceeds go directly to Crumlin Children's Hospital. CLASHMORE 45 DRIVE This week’s 45 Drive took place at the Decies Bar, Clashmore, on Monday night last, December 5th. Our winners this week on nine games were Tessie Mansfield and Terri McGrath. In second place on eight games were Hanna Lucas and Mary O’Donovan. In joint third we had Margaret Leahy and Una Kenneally, Pad O’Halloran and Martin Lynch, Anne Ledingham and Noel Nugent. Best of the last five were Mary Ann and Bobby Connery, Jim McGrath and Jack Douris. Well done to all our winners and thanks to everyone for your continued support. With or without you we are starting our first game on Monday night at 9.00 p.m. sharp so please be on time. CHRISTMAS THEME TABLE QUIZ THIS SATURDAY Clashmore Ramblers are hosting a very special “Christmas Theme”Table Quiz this Saturday, 9th December in the Old Still Bar, Clashmore starting 8.00 p.m. Tables of teams of four at €40 per table. Be sure to wear your “Best Christmas Jumper” because we have a prize for that too. So come along join in the fun and everyone is welcome and your support will be very much appreciated.
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Parish of Aglish, Ballinameela and Mount Stuart Confirmation Liturgy: Our Confirmation Liturgy for the Aglish, Ballinameela and Mount Stuart Parish Confirmation group was be celebrated last Saturday at the Vigil Mass in Ballinameela Church. World Meeting of Families: The arrival of the Bell & Icon to our Parish will be marked with the celebration of Mass in Ballinameela on Monday next, December 11th at 7.30 p.m. Our celebrant will be Cannon William Ryan P.P.V.G. Tuesday, December 12th – The Bell & Icon will be in Ballinameela School with ceremony there at 10.30 a.m. On Tuesday evening our Parish Pastoral Council will gather with the Bell & Icon. Wednesday morning, December 13th – The Bell & Icon will be in Villierstown School for the celebration of their Christmas Mass at 12.00 noon. On Wednesday evening we will gather in Aglish Church of our Pageant. Thursday, December 14th – Morning mass in Aglish Church at 10.45 followed by adoration. Friday, December 15th – The Bell & Icon will be in Aglish School for morning ceremony at 10.30 a.m. Friday evening the Bell & Icon will arrive in Mount Stuart Church at 6.45 p.m. with the celebration of Mass at 7.00 p.m. Saturday, December 16th at 10.30 a.m. we will gather in prayer with the Icon & Bell at St. Declan’s Well, Toor. The visit of the Icon & Bell will conclude with a special Mass in Aglish on Sunday, December 17th at 11.15 a.m. with Chief Celebrant Most Rev. Alphonsus Cullinan, Bishop of Waterford & Lismore. Holy Day Mass Times – (December 8th) Thursday evening, December 7th – Ballinameela Church Vigil Mass for the Church Holiday at 7.30 p.m. Friday morning, December 8th – Aglish Church morning mass 11.15 a.m. Reconciliation Masses for Christmas Monday, December 18th - 7.15 p.m. Aglish Wednesday, December 20th Ballinameela, Christmas Mass Times Aglish Church Vigil Mass 6.00 p.m. Ballinameela Church Vigil Mass 7.45 p.m. Aglish Church - Midnight Mass Mount Stuart Church – Christmas Morning 9.45 a.m. Aglish Church – Christmas Morning 11.15 a.m.
Clashmore & Piltown Parish Weekend Masses Piltown Church – Vigil Mass Saturday 6.00 p.m. Clashmore Church – Sunday Morning Mass 9.00 a.m. Friday December 8th – Holy Day Piltown Church – Vigil Mass Thursday 6.00 p.m. Clashmore Church – Friday Morning Mass 9.00a.m.
Cheque Presentations ONCE again, Maura, Mags and Teresa would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported their weekly Bingo and Social Dances during 2017. A total of €4,000 was raised for local charities. Last weekend all the money was pre-
sented to the nominated charities as follows: €1,500 was presented to the First Responders Youghal; €1,500 was presented to Pieta House; €500 was presented to Marymount Hospice Cork and the final €500 was donated for the provision
Cheque presentation to the First Responders, Youghal.
of a defibrillator box in Clashmore. On a final note our Christmas Dance with Teddy and Cathal Barry takes place on December 16th at the GAA Clubhouse Youghal and all are welcome.
Cheque presentation to the Pieta House.
Enjoying the Christmas Fare at Cork Arc House, Youghal last weekend.
Thank You! WHAT a fantastic weekend for all at the Cork ARC Cancer Support House which is located here at 29 Friar Street in Youghal (supporting East Cork and West Waterford). We hosted our first “Christmas Open House” to welcome everyone to come and view our festive ideas for the season, ahead in sparkle and style. Thanks to the support of local businesses Broderick’s, Read & Write and Flavin's who came and decorated the house. We had a wonderful Christmas flower arrangement demonstration by Susan Spillane. Susan made some beautiful centrepieces for Christmas and lots of other creative ideas. We had a very popular plant and cake sale with lots of both which were kindly donated over the weekend. We also had a super raffle and all the prizes were very kindly donated. So we would really like to thank everyone who took part and all who donated raffle prizes.Thanks to everybody from East Cork and West Waterford who came and enjoyed their visit to our Cancer Support House and had a lovely tour around with volunteers chatting about what services Cork ARC provides to improve the lives of those affected by cancer. Visitors felt a real warm welcoming feeling when they stepped in to 29 Friar Street. So well done to all involved.
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COUNTY NEWS
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
NOTAI NA GAELTACHTA BÉILE NA NOLLAG Beidh béile na Nollag ag Cairde na Gaeltachta ar siúl ar an 6ú Nollaig, Lá an Phátrúin, in Halla Pobail na Rinne. Cairde na Gaeltachta’s Christmas meal will be held ón the 6th December in Halla Pobail na Rinne. CRANNCHUR NA NOLLAG Beidh crannchur na Nollag ar siúl ag 6 i.n. ar an 20 ú Nollaig i Halla Pobail na Rinne. Príomhdhuais: Hamper Mór.Ticéid ar fáil ón gciste, €5 ar 3 stráice ticéid. The Christmas raffle will be held at 6.00 p.m. on the 20th December in Halla Pobail na Rinne, first prize is a Big Christmas Hamper. CLG NA RINNE – CRUINNIÚ CINN BLIANA Beidh Cruinniú Cinn Bliana CLG na Rinne ar siúl an Satharn seo chugainn 9/12/17 I Halla Pobail Na Rinne. Tosnú ag 7.30 p.m. DRAÍOCHT NA NOLLAG I nDÁNLANN JOAN CLANCY Beidh oscailt Draíocht na Nollag, taispáinteas na Nollag ar siúl i nDánlann Joan Clancy ag 3 i.n. Dé Sathairn 2ú Nollaig agus beidh fáilte is fiche roimh chách. Beidh an taispáinteas ar siúl ar an céad trí deireadh seachtain i mí na Nollag 2-3; 910; 16-17 ó 11 r.n. go 5 i.n. Táimid suite i
Maoil a’ Choirne, An Rinn idir trá an Coinigéar agus Coláiste na Rinne i nGaeltacht na nDéise i Sean-Oirthear na hÉireann. Draíocht na Nollag, the Christmas exhibition in Joan Clancy Gallery will have it’s opening reception at 3.00 p.m. Saturday, December 2nd and all are welcome to pop in for some Christmas cheer!” said Joan. The show is open for the first three weekends in December: December 2nd-3rd; 9th-10th; 16th-17th from 11.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. each of those days and also by appointment. We are located in Maoil an Choirne, An Rinn, between the Cunnigar Beach and Coláiste na Rinne in the unspoilt Co. Waterford Gaeltacht in Ireland’s Ancient East. SPRAOI – GRÚPA SÚGARTHA NA RINNE Tiocfaidh Spraoi, Grúpa Súgartha do thuismitheoirí agus páistí, le chéile i Halla Pobail na Rinne ar an Aoine beag seo ón 10 r.n. go 12 i.n. Beidh comhrá deas agus cupán tae/caifé ar fáil.Tuilleadh eolais: tar i dteagmháil le Bríd: 087-7470428. GRÚPA SÚGARTHA I nDÚN GARBHÁN Beidh grúpa súgartha do leanaí agus tuismitheoirí ag teacht le chéile Dé Máirt i nDún Garbhán. Tá an grúpa lonnaithe i
Leabharlann Dhún Garbhán gach Máirt ón 10.30 r.n. go 12 i.n. Beidh scéalaíocht, rannta, ealaíon agus cluichí. Tuilleadh eolais: téigh i dteagmháil le Cabríní 083-4455914 nó cuir r-phost ag cabrini@glornangael.ie. An Irish language playgroup will meet in Dungarvan Library from 10.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon on Tuesday. Further information: contact Cabríní on 083-4455914 or email cabrini@glornangael.ie AN GHAELTACHT CLG TREALLAMH DARA LÁIMHE Tá An Ghaeltacht ag lorg treallamh CLG dara láimhe atá agat sa mbaile! Camáin, clogaid, buataisí, láimhíní srl. Is féidir linn an treallamh seo a úsáid sna scoileanna agus bheadh sé thar a bheith úsáideach. Labhair le coach do pháiste má tá aon rud agat. Is féidir treallamh a fhágaint leis na coaches ag Halla Pobail Na Rinne aon oíche Aoine. SCÉIM TÚS An bhfaigheann tú an Liúntas Cuardaitheora Poist? An bhfuil tú dífhostaithe agus ag iarraidh obair a dhéanamh ar tograí pobail? Bíonn deiseanna ar fáil faoin scéim TÚS do dhaoine dífhostaithe sa Rinn agus sa Sean Phobal. Más rud é go bhfuil tú faoi 25 bliain d’aois, tá buntáiste mór ar fáil. Déan teagmháil le cigire TÚS Cian O hAileasa
ag 087-3770256 nó Bainisteoir Comhlacht Forbartha na nDéise, Críostóir Ó Faoláin ag 058-46664 nó cfdeise@gmail.com Are you on job seekers allowance? Are you Unemployed and interested in working in Local Community Projects? Tús provides work opportunities for all unemployed people in the An Rinn/An Sean Phobal area. If you are less than 25 years of age there will be a major financial incentive for participating. Contact the Tús supervisor Cian O hAileasa at 087-3770256 or the manager of Comhlacht Forbartha na nDeise, Críostóir Ó Faoláin 058-46664. CAIRDE NA GAELTACHTA Buaileann Cairde na Gaeltachta, Cumann Gníomhaíochta Lucht Scoir i nGaeltacht na nDéise, le chéile an céad Máirt den mhí ag 3 i.n. in Ionad Pobail na Rinne. Tá fáilte is fiche roimh cách. SEIRBHÍS DOCHTÚRA Bíonn an Dr Gráinne Ní Fhoghlú ar fáil i gcomhair coinne in Ionad Pobail na Rinne, Dé Máirt agus Déardaoin ach é a chur in áirithe roimh ré. Déan teagmháil le Strandside Medical i gcomhair tuilleadh eolais, 058-41227. Dr. Gráinne Ní Fhoghlú is available on appointment in the Health Centre in Ionad Pobail na Rinne on Tuesday and Thursday. Contact Strandside Medical for further
information, 058-41227. CUMANN NAOMH UINSEANN DE PÓL Má theastaíonn ó éinne teagmháil a dhéanamh le Cumann Naomh Uinseann de Pól sa cheantar, is féidir teacht orthu ag (058) 46125 nó 085-1422902. The contact numbers for the An Rinn / An tSean Phobail branch of St Vincent de Paul are (058) 46125 or 085-1422902. SCÉIM FOLÁIREAMH DO SHEANÓIRÍ Más maith leat cnaipe práinne agus siogairlín a fháil faoin Scéim Foláireamh do Sheanóirí, tar i dteagmháil linn – 05846664, cfdeise@gmail.com. If you think you could benefit from a panic button and pendant under the Seniors Alert Scheme, contact us on 05846664, cfdeise@gmail.com. MEÁIN SHÓISIALTA / TEAGMHÁIL / CONTACT Is féidir an nuacht is déanaí agus eolas faoi imeachtaí a bheidh ar siúl sa Rinn agus sa Seanphobal a fháil ar an leathanach Facebook atá ag an gComhlucht Forbartha agus táimid ar fáil ar Twitter anois chomh maith – @cfdeise. If anybody has events / news to be included in Nótaí na Gaeltachta, send them to cfdeise@gmail.com or 058-46664.
Funding for works in 77 Waterford Schools FINE Gael Senator, Paudie Coffey, has announced that funding has been granted to 77 primary schools under the Minor Works Scheme. “My Fine Gael colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, has confirmed to me that the Minor Works Grant will be paid to all primary schools throughout the country next week. “Schoolchildren in Waterford are set to benefit from this Government funding; all 77 primary schools are to receive the grant. “They will receive a flat rate Minor Works Grant of €5,500 plus €18.50 per mainstream pupil and €74 per special needs pupil attending a special school or special class. The grant is worth €6,425 for a 50 pupil school and over €11,000 for a 300 pupil school. “I know that our local schools really depend on this grant.The funds can be used for improvements to school buildings and grounds, improvement or replacement of
mechanical and electrical services, the purchase of standard furniture and physical education equipment, the purchase of floor coverings and window blinds, and the purchase of IT related equipment.” Speaking at the announcement, Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton said: “The demographic pressures at both primary and post-primary level mean that our school building programme must continue to focus on delivering additional school places. “In 2017, we have successfully delivered nearly 19,000 permanent school places, of which more than 13,000 are additional places, with the completion of 46 major school building projects. “Looking ahead to 2018, the building programme will continue to be challenged to ensure the availability of a school place for every child. In these circumstances, it will be late next year or January 2019 before we are in a position to determine the prospects of a 2018/2019 Minor
Works Grant.” Senator Coffey continued: “Fine Gael is working in Government to strengthen communities and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Ensuring that our children are learning in a quality environment is a major part of this. This grant will go a long way towards improving the physical condition of our school buildings to the benefit of both pupils and the teachers who work there. “Furthermore I know from talking to teachers and principals across Waterford that primary schools need more certainty with regard to the availability of the Minor Works Grant on an annual basis. I am pleased to hear Minister Bryton confirm that this will be reviewed in the context of the Department’s long term infrastructural planning and the level of resources available under the Government’s 10 Year Public Capital Investment Plan, which is currently under development. This will allow schools to plan better for the future.”
Waterford Local Enterprise Office and Dungarvan Credit Union jointly host their inaugural EnterRISING Lunch in the Cunnigar Room at Crews Restaurant, Dungarvan. (L. to r.): Richie Walsh, Waterford City & County Council; Orla Dawson, Dungarvan Credit Union; special guest Eamon Coughlan; Brid Kirby, Waterford Local Enterprise Office, and Sean Cleary, Manager Dungarvan Credit Union. [Dan McGrath]
Quiz Team Winners – Our two teams from the Clashmore National School who took part in Youghal Credit Union's Schools' Quiz on Thursday, 16th November. Both teams did very well, with one of the teams gaining third place, winning a set of headphones for each team member, and another for the school. Congratulations all.
SCHOOL NEWS Waterford students awarded a JP McManus All-Ireland Scholarship THREE Waterford students have been awarded a JP McManus All Ireland Scholarship toward their third level education. The awards ceremony took place on Saturday, 25th November at the University of Limerick where Minister of State for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell-O’Connor, TD., presented the awards. Special Guest at this year’s Awards Ceremony was Irish President, Michael D. Higgins. This is the tenth year of the Scholarships, which are sponsored by JP McManus. A total of 125 students from both North and South of Ireland were presented with a third level scholarship certificate. Sponsored by JP McManus, the scheme is set to provide financial assistance to many high achieving students who completed their Leaving Certificate in 2017. JP McManus has contributed €32 million to fund the provision of these scholarships each year and it is estimated that over 1,300 students from the 32 counties will benefit from the scheme over its duration. The awards are administered by the Department of Education & Skills and Department of Education in Northern Ireland. Winning Students:• Blackwater Community School – Harvey Trigg (UL). • Newtown School – Daniel Owens (TCD). • Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School – Emily Conroy (UCD).
Blackwater Community School student Harvey Trigg presented with his award by JP McManus and Mary Mitchell O’Connor. Also includes is Mr. Denis Ring, School Principal, Blackwater Community School.
Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School student Emily Conroy presented with her award by JP McManus and Mary Mitchell O’Connor.
Newtown School student Daniel Owens presented with his award by JP McManus and Mary Mitchell O’Connor.
Deadline for Sightsavers Junior Painter Awards just around the corner CHILDREN across Waterford have been working hard, practicing their painting skills and perfecting their masterpieces as the deadline for the Sightsavers Junior Painter Awards approaches. Completed works of art need to be submitted by Friday, 16th December. Each year thousands of budding artists across Ireland create colourful artworks in the hope of being named the overall winner at next spring’s award ceremony. Embracing creativity and education are the core objectives of the competition which is open to primary school students
of all ages and this year’s theme, ‘Put Us in the Picture’, has been inspiring thousands of thoughtful and imaginative entries over the past number of weeks. Sightsavers advocates for people living with disability in developing countries to have the same opportunities as everyone else and invites Irish children to get their creative caps on and produce their very own masterpiece which envisions an allinclusive world where nobody is left out. Don’t be afraid to go crazy and use vibrant colours are tips given by the judges for this year’s Junior Painter
Awards and of course, don’t miss the closing date! The judging panel comprises of disability campaigner and little person Sinead Burke (aka Minnie Melange), Laureate na nÓg and illustrator PJ Lynch, and artist and director of Arts and Disability Ireland Padraig Naughton. Entrants have the chance to win cash prizes for their schools, sponsored by The Book Centre and Barker and Jones bookshop, and memberships and ‘toolboxes’ full of arts and crafts materials from ReCreate Ireland. Fifteen regional winners will be
selected and will have the opportunity to see their work displayed at a special Awards Day in spring 2018 where three overall national winners will be announced. Every child that enters will receive a Certificate of Participation in recognition of their artistic efforts. The closing date for entry is Friday the 16th of December. Parents and children still wishing to get involved can do so by speaking to their school teacher or by visiting the Sightsavers website to request entry forms: www.sightsavers.ie/juniorpainter
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SCHOOLS
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
ÁRD SCOIL NA nDÉISE
Further equestrian victory for Saoirse Curran MILLSTREET Pony Owners and Young Riders Charity Show 2017 was held from Friday, 27th October - Sunday, 29th October, 2017.This is a very popular event in the show jumping calendar with over 3,000 entries and all money collected going to various charities around the country. Congratulations to Ard Scoil na nDéise student Saoirse Curran who received the trophy for the 148 1 metre class on Sunday. TRANSITION YEAR WORK EXPERIENCE Transition years in Ard Scoil na nDéise went on work experience for two weeks in November. The period of work experience extended from Monday, 13th November to Friday, 24th November and students were strongly encouraged to find two different work placements for a period of one week each. The aim of work experience is to try out careers that they are genuinely interested in and see if it might be something that they would like to pursue after the
Saoirse Curran receiving her trophy at Millstreet Charity Show 2017.
DUNGARVAN C.B.S.
Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI) SARI is a non-profit volunteer driven Social Enterprise dedicated to using sport as a medium to promote social inclusion, cultural integration, global development and peace building at home and abroad; while addressing the issues that violate human rights such as racism, sectarianism, homophobia, conflict and all forms of discrimination. Recently Dungarvan CBS received a certificate of participation in Sport Against Racism Ireland’s Anti-Discrimination Football Training Programme on the 9th May, 2017.
Mr. McGrath, Principal Mr. Sheehan, holding the certificate of participation and Mr. Kelly, organiser of the event.
Aeriel view of our new astro pitch.
Leaving Certificate. We were so thrilled to see our Transition Year students push themselves to try new things and we were very proud of their commitment to finding challenging work placements. Some of our students travelled as far afield as Germany and Wales while others were spread across the length and breadth of Ireland. A huge number of local employers supported the Ard Scoil students by giving them work placements. As always, we are very grateful to these kind employers for their support. Some Transition Year students gave feedback to our TY Reporter, Robyn Power on their experiences during the two weeks of work placement. “I started my work experience this Monday and I have been having a great time. I like the structure and it also makes getting up early a little bit easier when you’re getting up to do something you enjoy. Going into work experience, I wasn’t sure
about what I would like to do in the future but I think I might have made my mind up. It has been such a positive experience and I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge” – Shannon Cockwell “I did my work experience in a dog groomers. I loved it because it was always different every day. There were different dogs and different customers coming in all the time. It was never boring and the experience was great fun. I loved all the different types of dogs and all their different personalities.” – Sheenagh Hallinan “I really enjoyed my work experience in Aglish National School, all of the teachers were so kind and helpful. I was allowed to teach some of the children science experiments and it has really inspired me to become a teacher. I would definitely encourage others to do work experience in their own primary schools as it’s a great opportunity to see if teaching is for you.” – Caoimhe Kiely.
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
SCHOOLS
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ST. AUGUSTINE’S COLLEGE
Fionn Bowdren, Ben Power, David Scanlon and Eoin Ruane, runners up in Division 1 in the Waterford County Schools Badminton.
Past pupils who were presented with UL 40 Scholarship Awards: Darragh McGrath, Padraig di Fusco, Gemma Wyley and Niamh Briggs with Príomhoide Ailbhe Ní Neachtain.
Bill Shanahan, Thomas Flynn, Patrick Power and Cian Mulhearne who were runners up in Division 3 in the Waterford County Schools Badminton.
ST. DECLAN’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Schools Badminton THE Waterford County Schools Badminton took place in Lismore on Thursday, 23rd November. Well done to Bill Shanahan,Thomas Flynn, Patrick Power and Cian Mulhearne who were runners up in Division 3. Well done also to Fionn Bowdren, Ben Power, David Scanlon and Eoin Ruane who were runners up in Division 1. A great day was had by all. Thanks to Ms. Martin for organising the event. COLLEGE AWARENESS WEEK Last week we had a very successful College Awareness Week. Each year had a different activity. First Year’s enjoyed a scavenger hunt around the school, search-
ing for the destinations of past pupils. Second and third years had classroom-based activities with the Guidance Counsellors exploring careers and college options. Our T. Y. students attended W.I.T. where they experienced a tour of the college and a talk on the courses available. Senior students visited the Solas Training Centre and returned to school with lots of ideas about apprenticeships. A big thank you to the following for holding lunch time stands: St, Pauls and Colaiste Cathal Naofa, (PLC courses) and Waterford and Cork Institutes of Technology. Thank you also to colleges who spoke to senior students.
Students visiting the lunchtime stands during College awareness week, at St. Declan's Community College, Kilmacthomas.
Lunchtime Sports Club News – Winning Boys Team, Indoor Soccer. J. Kiely (1), E. Flavin, B. Buckley, E. Kiely, F. Regan, J. Whelan, E. Buenaventura.
Lunchtime Sports Club with Mr. William Kelly and TY Students. Indoor Soccer Girls - Winning Team: A. Cunningham, A. Kirwan, A. Metcalfe, S. Kelly, L. Gough, E. Daly.
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SCHOOLS
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
SCOIL GHARBHÁIN
Luisne De Paor: Buaiteoir i gComórtas Réigiúnda Ealaíne an Chomhar Chreidmheasa COMHGHÁIRDEACHAS ó chroí le Luisne De Paor ó Rang 1 le Múinteoir Máire gur bronnadh trófaí agus teastas uirthi sa chomórtas Ealaíne seo le deanaí. Thaistil Luisne go bronnadh na nduaiseanna i gCluain Meala ar an Satharn seo caite i dteannta le Dad fíor bhródúil - Gerry. Bhí an lá acu. Maith thú Luisne táimíd ana bhródúil do deo asat. LUISNE DE PAOR: WINNER IN THE REGIONAL FINALS OF THE CREDIT UNION ART COMPETITION Congratulations to Luisne from Rang 1 with Múinteoir Máire who was awarded a beautiful trophy and a certificate on Saturday last in Clonmel at the award ceremony. She attended this ceremony with her proud Dad Gerry. They had a fantastic afternoon. Well done Luisne. We’re very proud of you. ROTHAIR COTHROMAÍOCHTA I SCOIL GHARBHÁIN Bhí sé go hiontach páistí an Naíonra, na Naíonáin Bheaga, Naíonáin Mhóra agus Rang 1 a fheiscint ag gabháilt timpeall an chlois ar go misniúil ar na rothair. Bhíodar ag lúbadh ag casadh, ag malartú agus ag stad, Tá siad ullamh anois don chéad chéim eile- rothair le trigíní. Míle buíochas le Louise Barry ó Waterford Sports Partnership as an tseirbhís seo a chur ar fáil dúinn agus le
Paddy Morrissey as na rothair a thabhairt siar agus aniar go dtí an scoil. BALANCE BICYCLES IN SCOIL GHARBHÁIN It was a wonderful sight to see the children from the Naíonra, Naíonáin Bheaga, Naíonáin Mhóra and Rang 1 travelling confidently around the school yard on balance Bicycles The children twisted, turned, swopped bikes and stopped when instructed. They are now well ready to take the next step to bicycles with pedals. A big thank you to Louise Barry from Waterford Sports Partnership for offering us this service and to Paddy Morrissey who transported the bicycles to and from the school. COILEÁIN LE JJ AGUS LE JACK AR CUAIRT Bhí ana mhaidin go deo i Rang 4 nuair a thug JJ Ó Riain trí choileán gleoite ar scoil lena iad a thaispeáint do Mhúinteoir Jeaic agus do Rang 4 agus thug Jack na coileáin isteach ina dhiaidh sin chun iad a thaispeáint do Mhúinteoir Siobhán agus do rang 2. Bhí na páistí craiceálta mar gheall orthu. Má tá suim agaibh i gcoileáin a thógaint, cuir glaoch ar an scoil agus déanaimíd teagmháil le JJ agus le Jack ar bhúr son. Ach tuigeann na leanaí go ró mhaith go bhfuil ana chúram ag gabhailt le coileán agus aire a thabhairt do mhadra.
SEAFIELD NATIONAL SCHOOL
Sean Ahearne Football League ON Friday, 1st December we had the conclusion to the very successful Sean Ahearn football league.The standard of football throughout these past eight weeks has been nothing short than incredible. In the “B” final we had Catherine Keane’s team v’s Caoimhe Whelan’s team. After a pulsating 20 minutes of football there was only a solitary goal between the sides. Congratulations to Caoimhe’s team of Mika Froleich, Peter Phelan, and Sasha Keane. Catherine’s team of Darragh McKeon, Shane Weldon, Beibhínn Delaney and David Meighan all played heroically. In our “A” final Ruby Keane’s team was victorious over Ava Battye’s team, after a titanic struggle. The victorious team was Ruby Keane, Liam Organ, Seán Kelly, Elena O’Rourke and John Delaney. Our runners up were Ava Battye, James Lenihan,Tadhg Fitzgerald, Lucy Galvin and Éanna Power. These pupils are now eagerly awaiting the Sean Ahearn hurling league in the New Year. Congratulations to the Stradbally Senior Football team on their victory in the county final.
VISITORS IN RANG 4: PUPPIES BELONGING TO JJ AND JACK We had a fantastic morning on Friday last when JJ Ó Riain brought not one, not two but three puppies to show and tell with Múinteoir Jeaic and Rang 4 and afterwards Jack ó Riain brought the puppies on tour to Rang 2 with Múinteoir Siobhán. The puppies were a big hit obviously and the children doted over them. If you are interested in offering one of the puppies a home, please call the school and we will put you in contact with JJ and Jack. But Rang 2 and Rang 4 are well aware that a puppy requires a lot of love and attention. POP UP CAFÉ Bígí linn ar an Aoine seo chugainn 8ú lá de mhí na Nollag d’ Aifreann Bliantúil na Nollag, le sólaistí ina dhiaidh i Halla Shéamuis,. Aifreann na Nollag i Séipéal Monica 10:30 r.n. ár mbuíochas le foireann an Choláiste – Coláiste Aibhistín as a gcuid tacaíochta Agus sólaistí ina dhiaidh i Halla Shéamuis @ 11:30 r.n. ar aghaidh Comhluadar den scoth, bia fíor bhlasta agus eagrúcháin iontach geallta ag Rang 6 daoibh. An Carthanacht atá roghnaithe acu i mbliana ná ‘Déise Animal Sanctuary’
Coileáin le JJ agus Jack are cuairt sa Scoil Gharbháin. Join us on Friday next for our Annual Christmas mass in St. Monica’s Chapel at 10.30 a.m with refreshments afterwards in Halla Shéamuis. The place to be on Friday next the 8th of December is Halla Shéamuis in Scoil Gharbháin from 11:30 a.m. onwards. Fantastic company, delicious confectionary and top class organisation guaranteed by Rang 6. This year’s chosen Charity is ‘Déise Animal Sanctuary’.
GRADAIM LEABHAIR NA HÉIREANN BUAITE AG CLODAGH BERESFORD DUNNE Comhgháirdeachas ó chroí le Clodagh (Mamaí le Seán, Emily, Charlotte agus William) gur bronnadh gradam uirthi do Dhán na bliana ag oíche mhór a bhí i mBaile Áthar Cliath le déanaí. Is mór an onóir í agus ba mhaith le Clodagh buíochas ó chroí a ghabháilt libh go léir a chaith vóta ar a son.
BORD GAIS ENERGY IRISH BOOK AWARDS: CLODAGH BERESFORD DUNNE – WINNER OF THE POETRY CATERGORY Congratulations to Clodagh (Seán, Emily, Charlotte and William’s Mammy) who was awarded this honour at a prestigious award ceremony in Dublin recently. This is a huge honour and Clodagh would like to sincerely thank everyone for their support.
SCHOOLS
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
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Scoil Mhuire Parents’ Association . . .
4th Class School Quiz Night WEDNESDAY, 29th November was the second in the series of School Quizzes organised by the Parents’ Association at Scoil Mhuire, Abbeyside. 28 teams of enthusiastic fourth class students from many schools in the area packed into the Scoil Mhuire Halla. After 10 rounds of questions, and a double tiebreaker for 1st place, the overall winning team was Dunhill National School. 2nd place went to Scoil Mhuire, Abbeyside with 3rd place to Scoil Naisiunta Na Rinne. Many congratulations to these teams and all the teams which took part. Raffle winners on the night included Cara Hallahan (Abbeyside), Orla Swift (Newtown), Sean McGhearailt (Scoil Naisiunta Na Rinne), Donal Rowe (Abbeyside), Aoife O’Donovan (Abbeyside) and Sarah O’Donoghue (Scoil Gharbhain). The Scoil Mhuire Parents’ Association would like to thank all of their very generous sponsors on the night - Toymaster, Liam Rossiter Butchers, James
Brennan Electrical, Clonea Leisure Centre, O’Brien’s Café, Super Valu, Eurospar Abbeyside and Activate Waterford. They would also like to say a huge thank you to Angela O’Donovan our fantastic quiz-master; and Tony Crowe for all his hard work in preparing the halla on the night. Finally, many thanks to all the parents who brought the students to the quiz night. JOINT 5th/6th CLASS SCHOOL QUIZ NIGHTS The final run of Quizzes will take place on Wednesday, 17th January, 2018, for the 5th & 6th classes in the Halla in Scoil Mhuire, Abbeyside, Dungarvan. All 5th & 6th class students from schools in the county are encouraged to come along and bring a team to test their knowledge in a fun and safe environment, and maybe even win a prize. There’s plenty of time to study over the festive season.
Third placed team from Scoil Naisiunta Na Rinne, with quiz-master Angela O’Donovan
First placed team from Dunhill National School, with quiz-master Angela O'Donovan.
Second placed team from Scoil Mhuire, Abbeyside, with quiz-master Angela O'Donovan.
Kilbrien N.S. Parents’ Association DEFIBRILLATOR We would like to thank the people of Kilbrien and surrounding areas for their huge support and generosity for donations and supporting the Table Quiz which took place on November 17th last. Over €2,300 was raised and will go towards the purchasing and maintenance of the outside
defibrillator which will be located in Kilbrien School. If anyone is interested in becoming a first responder or currently is one and would like to volunteer to help when the call comes through, please let Una (087) 2182372, Padraic (087) 6253808 or any other committee member know.
Cheque Presentation to Carriglea N.S. Ballymacarbry Montessori School – The children and teachers of Ballymacarbry Montessori School were delighted to take part in the Team Hope Project. The children really enjoyed putting together the shoeboxes for children less fortunate than themselves. Back row: Mary McGuinness, Casey Madigan, Cillian Power, Sean Whelan, Jack Doocey. Middle Row: Faye Walsh, Enya Sheehan, Hannah Bourke, Ruby Connolly. Front Row: Brenna Ryan, Darragh O'Gorman, Gavin Flynn, Shane Wall, Lucy Long, Lauren Ryan, Tilly Lynch.
Carriglea National School – Presentation of a cheque by the Board of Management of Carriglea N.S. Shane Curran, Chairperson of the Parents’ Association, presenting a cheque to Jilllian Hayes (School Principal). Thanks to the Parents’ Association for their continued fundraising and support for the school. This money will be used for the school building fund. Also included in the photo are John Harnedy (B.O.M.) and Conor Blackwell (Chairperson of the B.O.M.)
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Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
St. Mary’s Parish Church, Dungarvan
St. Augustine’s College – Victory for our Senior A Ladies Football Team over Loreto Fermoy in the Munster Quarter Final. Well done all not forgetting mentors Ms. Angela Walsh and Ms. Lisa Hanrick.
Second Sunday of Advent: Is 40:1-5, 9-11 - Prepare a way for the Lord. 2 Peter 3:8-14 - We are waiting for the new heavens and new earth. Mark 1:1-8 - Make his paths straight. Let Advent be Advent: There are some who want us to think that it’s Christmas Eve, with just five minutes left before shops close. Has all this replaced Advent? The answer is no. The Advent wreath is before us, the journey is beginning afresh and we’ll take it all with us to the door and straw of the Bethlehem stable and, on Christmas Day, we’ll celebrate as if for the first time the Birth of our Saviour. (Fr. Vincent Sherlock: Let Advent be Advent. P6.) Diocesan Advent Leaflet: There is a beautiful Diocesan leaflet available in the church porches with a Family Prayer for Advent, Praying on your fingers, the Diocesan Prayer for Our Family and the Official Family Prayer for the World Meeting of Families 2018. Please take one home with you and pray the prayers during Advent. Advent Penance Service: The annual Advent Penance Service in preparation for Christmas will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Parish Church on Monday, December 18th at 7.30 p.m. A Year in the Life of
Glencairn Abbey: This beautiful hard cover coffee table style book is for sale in the Parish Office. Feast of the Immaculate Conception: Next Friday, December 8th is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and a Holyday of Obligation. Masses begin with the 7.30 p.m. Vigil Mass on Thursday, December 7th and continue with the 11.00 a.m. Mass only on Friday, December 8th. Advent – Christmas Reflection: An opportunity to come aside for 1 hour to reflect on Advent and Christmas in St. Mary’s Parish Pastoral Room, Presentation Centre, Mitchell St. on Tuesday next, December 12th at 7.30 p.m. each evening. Sr. Angela Kiely of the Mercy Convent will lead the reflection. Parish Office: Located in St. Mary’s Church and is open Monday to Friday office hours. If you want to book Masses or Baptisms call during these times. Phone 058-42374. Daily Mass broadcast on 98.5 FM. Phone No: Fr. Ryan 42374, Fr. Harris 42384, Fr. Cooney 41136. Emergency Phone No: To contact Priest on duty: 0862334282. St. Vincent de Paul Helpline No.: 087-7747870.
The Samaritans St. Augustine’s College – Convincing win for our Junior Camogie Team over Carrigaline Community School in tlhe Munster Quarter Finals played in Killeagh last week. Well done girls and mentors: Ms. Lisa Hanrick, Ms. Laura Green and Mr. Mark O'Brien.
Beau Street, Waterford Tel. (051) 872114. 1850-60-90-90. Lonely – Suicidal – Despairing? Talk to us any time, any day in complete confidence Phone – write – visit
The Snowman By Breda Murray
Eve and Muriel Apatira pictured at the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Dungarvan and the start of the Dungarvan Aglow Festival. [Dan McGrath/Editorial Images]
Natalia Falkowska and Olivia McGrath Kudzmaite pictured at the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Dungarvan and the start of the Dungarvan Aglow Festival. [Dan McGrath/Editorial Images]
Woke up this morning, got a terrible fright, Looked out the window and to my delight, There I saw him, as tall as a tree, A Snowman all dressed up as he could be. His head was all roundy, with a black hat on top, He surely got it in a top hat shop, His smile it was broad, and his eyes they lit up, He looked like a fellow, who had taken a sup. His teeth they were missing - not one in sight, I guess they got broken, during the night. I looked down further and what did I see? A beautiful scarf that was knitted for me! His stomach was large, and so it stuck out, I can only imagine it was full of stout. His shoes they were shiny and closed very tight, I looked at his face to see if he was alright. To my horror and dismay, The sun it shone strong and he went away! So come all you young ladies and listen to me, A Snowman is useless for your company. For as soon as the sun it shines out, He’ll disappear with a great shout!
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
BILLY HOGAN (Musician) East Main Street, Lismore It is with extreme sadness that we record the death of Billy (William) Hogan, of East Main Street, Lismore, Co. Waterford, who died peacefully in Conna Nursing Home on Friday, 10th November. Billy was a native of Lismore, where he lived with his wife Kathleen in happiness for 65 years. Billy’s first love in life was his music, closely followed by his love for Kathleen. From the age of 14 years right up to the time he passed away, Billy was well known for his magical fingers being able to turn his hand to any instrument, be it the piano, organ, saxophone or clarinet. He played in many bands over the years, the most notable being The Brideside Serenaders and The Society Four. He played all over the country and many a pair of shoes was worn out dancing to his music. As well as a keen member of the bands, he was also a life-time member of the Lismore Dramatic Society, the Church Organist which included playing with the Church Choir for weddings, Communions, Confirmations and funerals. He also loved to play in the local Nursing Homes and the Cappoquin Day Care Centre with his good friend Dick Ahearne. Also, he drove the school bus until his retirement and this was something that he had great pride in doing and the children were always on time and have very fond memories of him, always in good form and had a joke to tell. He is survived by his wife Kathleen; daughter Ita and her husband John; son-in-law Sonny McNamara; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, relatives, neighbours and friends. The family would like to thank the staff in Conna Nursing Home, for the love care and attention that they gave to Billy in his short time with them, and also the kindness they showed to the family when Billy passed. To Dr. Carroll and her team in the CUH who cared for Billy.We would also like to thank Fr. Michael Cullinan, for his kindness to Billy over the years and who spoke so wonderful about Billy at his Funeral Mass. To the Church Choir, we thank you for the guard of honour as Billy made his final journey into the church. To Donal Kennefick and Philip McCloskey for the beautiful music and singing at the Funeral Mass. To Aidan Walsh & Sons, Funeral Directors, for the kindness, professionalism and support they provided to the family at this hard time. The family would also like to thank everyone that travelled to pay their respects to Billy. Month’s Mind Mass for Billy will be celebrated in St. Carthage’s Church, Lismore, on Saturday, 16th December, at 6:15 p.m. Mass. (Funeral arrangements were by Aidan Walsh & Sons, Funeral Directors, Cappoquin & Tallow).
Just think of it! THE word Advent means “coming, arrival.” The Liturgical season of Advent is the name given to the four weeks preceding the celebration of Christmas. We are getting ready to celebrate the coming of Jesus, only begotten Son of God, as a member of the human race. He came as a newly born baby in a Palestinian town called Bethlehem. That event took place about two thousand years ago: Jesus is not born all over again in 2017. The emphasis on his birth means that at Christmas the focus is on children, and that’s the part of Christmas which is the main money-spinner for the shops, whether big or small. But Jesus didn’t stay a baby. He grew into a mature man who spent some years teaching people how to respond to God’s love for them. His words and his works are for people of all ages who are willing to learn from, and be guided by him. Because of that we can speak about another coming of Jesus, when he comes into the life of anyone of us. If my thinking is influenced by the teaching of Jesus, if I remember to make an effort to act in any situation in the way that I think Jesus would have acted, if I try to pray sincerely and with attention to God the Father, then I am letting Jesus come into my life. This is a much better response to the birth of Jesus than giving a kind of nod in his direction on Christmas Day and then ignoring him for the next twelve months. One of the names given to Jesus is Emmanuel, which means “God with us.” “O come, O come, Emmanuel” – a very brief prayer, but a very genuine invitation to Jesus to become a partner in my life, walking with me in the events that make up my day. Fr. Robert Arthure, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford.
OBITUARY PAD JOE NUGENT Coole, Ballysaggart It is with sincere sadness and deep regret that we record the recent passing of Pad Joe Nugent which sad event occurred on Friday, 3rd November, 2017, at University Hospital Waterford. Aged 70, Pad Joe was the eldest of eight children born to Patrick and Nora Nugent. A simple and humble man, Pad Joe enjoyed the simple things in life. He worked hard, he loved machinery, whether it was working it, driving it or fixing it, he was gifted and could turn his hand to anything. As anyone who would have known Pad Joe, his machinery wouldn’t have been ‘state of the art’ – if there was a window or something missing, it just meant putting on an extra coat especially in the middle of Winter and breakdowns were part of the day’s work – his motto was anything broke can be fixed and he just got on with the job as best he could. Ploughing was a huge love of Pad Joe’s and his finest achievement came in Carlow in 1996, when representing Waterford he won the National Ploughing Championship, a wonderful feat for Pad Joe and his loyal band of supporters. Point-to-Point racing was another great love of Pad Joe’s and for many years every Sunday, himself, Bill Kennefick, Bill Ryan and Tommy Nugent would head off to whatever venue was hosting racing. He also enjoyed the game of 45 and spent many a night in the schoolhouse or in Meagher’s playing the game. Sadly, over the last number of years Pad Joe suffered from ill health, but he bore it with true dignity and courage and while it was his wish that he could stay at home, this would not have been possible but for the wonderful care given by his family and carers. He idolised his grandchildren, especially D.J. and Rory, who always called up the road to see him on a daily basis. He was also blessed with wonderful neighbours and friends, Mike Clancy, Mikey Nugent, Pad Lenihan, Brendan Meagher, Liam Prendergast and Tommy Lawless, who called on a regular basis to keep Pad Joe in bright spirits and enlightening him on the ongoings in the community and while his passing has left a huge void in the lives of his family and friends, they can cherish the wonderful times they shared. Pad Joe lay in repose at his son Davy’s residence in Coole, where Fr. M. Cullinan, P.P., led all present in the Rosary on Sunday night. Following Funeral Prayers recited by Fr. M. Cullinan, P.P., on Monday morning, removal took place to St. Mary’s Church, Ballysaggart. Pad Joe’s coffin was draped in the Ballysaggart GAA colours and the cortege was met by a guard of honour from members of the Waterford Ploughing Association. At the beginning of Mass, symbols that were part of Pad Joe’s life were brought to the Altar by his grandchildren. D.J. brought a ploughing trophy, Chloe his cap, Rory a digger and Johnny a race card, with daughter-in-law Marie giving a brief description on the significance of each. The readings were read by his daughters-in-law Diane and Marie. The Prayers of the Faithful were recited by Evelyn, daughterin-law Bawnie, sisters Sheila and Mary, niece Caroline and Carer Teresa Ahern.The Offertory Procession of the bread and wine were brought to the Altar by his brother Dick and sister Bridie. After Communion his son Mark delivered a fitting eulogy about his Dad, while music and hymns throughout the Mass were beautifully presented by Kevin Roche. Following Mass, Pad Joe’s coffin, draped in the National Ploughing Association flag, was carried to the adjoining cemetery by his family where, after prayers recited by Fr. M. Cullinan, P.P., Pad Joe was laid to rest beside his late parents Patrick and Nora and baby son P.J. Following the burial, Kevin Roche sang Pad Joe’s favourite song “James Connolly” as a final farewell to Pad Joe, who may be departed this life but whose memory will never be forgotten.The huge turnout of mourners at the funeral was a true testament to the high esteem which Pad Joe and the extended Nugent family are held, not only in the community but over a much wider area. May he rest in peace. To his loving family Evelyn, Mark, Davy, P.J. and Leonard; brothers Dan, Dick and John; sisters Bridie (Lenihan), Sheila (Costigan), Mary (Fitzgerald) and Noreen (Lawless); daughters-in-law Diane, Marie, Rebecca and Siobhán; grandchildren Chloe, Rory, Johnny, Caitlin and Conor; sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and a wide circle of friends, we extend our sincere sympathy. (Funeral arrangements were by Ryan’s Funeral Directors, Lismore).
MARY CROTTY 47 O’Connell Street, Dungarvan With sadness we record the passing of Mary Crotty which sad event occurred on Saturday, 2nd December, 2017. Funeral Mass took place on Tuesday morning in St. Mary’s Parish Church, Dungarvan, and burial took place afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. To her family and relatives we extend our deepest sympathy. (Funeral arrangements were by Tom Drohan, Funeral Director, Dungarvan).
55 GERRY DWYER St. Martin’s Terrace, Dungarvan It is with deep sadness we record the passing of Gerry Dwyer, St. Martin’s Terrace, Dungarvan, which sad event occurred on Tuesday, 21st November, 2017, at Dungarvan Community Hospital. Gerry was a gifted musician, from a very young age he learned to play many different musical instruments, the fiddle being his favourite. One of his favourite tunes to play was ‘The Harvest Home.’ Sharing his love and passion for music, he gave Kenley Street his first musical instrument (the mouth organ) and later taught him to play the banjo. Gerry lived in Jersey Island for many years where he was employed in the operating theatre at the local hospital and also spent some time working in the psychiatric unit. He took great pride in his work and was very well respected by all. On returning to Ireland he took up employment in SuperValu and worked there for a number of years. Gerry was a very intelligent man and had a great interest in electronics. On his retirement from SuperValu he took up the hobby of wheeling and dealing and loved to fix broken radios and portable TVs and he would sell them on. He was also brilliant at reconditioning all musical instruments. He loved nothing more than visiting one of the many coffee shops where he enjoyed chatting to people. Gerry was a quiet, gentle, unassuming man held in high esteem by all who knew him. His passing is much regretted. May he rest in peace. Rosary was recited by Sr. Alice, Mercy Convent, and removal was from Drohan’s Funeral Home on Friday morning to St. Mary’s Parish Church where the remains were received and blessed on arrival by Canon Ryan, P.P. Requiem Mass was celebrated on arrival by Canon Ryan, P.P., and interment took place in the adjoining cemetery. Canon Ryan, P.P., officiated at the graveside in the presence of a gathering of mourners. To the Dwyer family, relatives and friends, we extend our sincere sympathy. (Funeral arrangements were by Tom Drohan, Funeral Director, Dungarvan).
CARMEL RYAN (née O’Donovan) 55 Westcourt, Ballincollig, Cork, and formerly of Lower Main Street, Cappoquin It is with sadness and regret we record the passing of Carmel Ryan (née O’Donovan), 55 Westcourt, Ballincollig, Cork, and formerly of Lower Main Street, Cappoquin, Co.Waterford, loving wife of the late Kevin (formerly of Castlebar, Co. Mayo), which sad event occurred unexpectedly on 28th November, 2017, surrounded by her loving family at Cork University Hospital. Lying in repose at Crowley’s Funeral Home, Ballincollig, Cork, on Thursday evening, where funeral prayers were recited by Rev. Fr. George O’Mahoney, P.E., in the presence of her loving family, relatives, neighbours and friends. Lying in repose at Aidan Walsh & Sons, Funeral Home, Cappoquin, on Friday evening, where Rev. Fr. Arthure, P.E., recited funeral prayers in the presence of her loving family, neighbours and friends, before removal took place to St. Mary’s Church, Cappoquin. On arrival her remains were received and blessed by Rev. Fr. Arthure, P.E. Funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday morning by Rev. Fr. P. Gear, P.P. Symbols representing Carmel’s life were presented to the Altar by her sister Regi O’Donovan-Jones (a walking cane and coffee); nephew Brendan McGrath (a holiday book); cousin Phaedra Begley (a symbol from Marymount Hospice); niece Sheilanne McGrath (wedding photograph); the significance of these were narrated by her niece Gina McGrath. Readings during the Mass were recited by niece Cara McGrath and grandnephew Shane Dunne. Prayers of the Faithful were read by cousin Dan Wade and nephews Tom and Eamon McGrath and Sam O’Donovan-Jones. A lovely selection of music and hymns was provided throughout the Mass by soloist Christina O’Flynn and organist Dina Walshe. The Offertory Gifts were presented to the Altar by Carmel’s sister Helen McGrath and family friend Ann O’Donovan. Following Communion, Gina McGrath paid tribute to Carmel and acknowledged all who supported their family during the funeral. Following Funeral Mass Cremation Service took place privately. May she rest in peace. May we extend our deepest sympathy to her sisters Helen McGrath and Regi O’Donovan-Jones; brothers John and Gerard O’Donovan; brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. (Funeral arrangements by Aidan Walsh & Sons, Funeral Directors, Cappoquin & Tallow).
FARMING Round-up … CAP 2020 – Increased funding essential RESPONDING to the recent address from Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan on the Future of Food and Farming, IFA President Joe Healy said an increased budget is essential for the future CAP to be effective and to ensure a supply of safe, sustainably produced food for European consumers. Joe Healy said “If we don’t have farmers, we don’t have food. Low farm income in many sectors remains the most significant challenge to the sustainability of farming enterprises across the EU, and in attracting new entrants into farming. The CAP post2020 must deliver a fair standard of living for farmers, with an overall improvement in income levels. In addition, Europe must show solidarity with farmers over Brexit by making up the shortfall in the CAP Budget arising from the departure of the UK from the EU”. He said, “In contrast to the economic landscape of the last CAP reform, we are in the position now where the EU economy is growing again. In this environment, securing an increased budget to deliver a positive CAP reform must be the key priority for Commissioner Hogan”. Mr Healy said he was concerned about a reference in the paper that the EU Budget will have to do more to meet new challenges and that the CAP will have to be looked at in this context. “Commissioner Hogan cannot allow the CAP Budget to be raided; any new EU initiatives must be funded by new money,” he said. The IFA President welcomed Commissioner Hogan’s strong commitment to future direct payments under the CAP post2020. He said “The Commissioner has consistently made it very clear that direct payments will be the main CAP instrument to support farm incomes”. Joe Healy said retaining the two pillar model of CAP is critical and he welcomed the new reference to this in the latest document. “The Rural Development Programme, with its diverse range of flexible instruments, is vitally important in supporting targeted programmes that reflect the different economic, social and environmental circumstances in Member States.” The IFA President said in setting the key policy parameters of the CAP post-2020, Commissioner Hogan has a real opportunity to ensure that direct payments strongly support active farmers, based upon relevant and objective criteria. Joe Healy said the delivery of environmental public goods and enhanced production standards have a real value and this must be reflected in the direct payments farmers receive in the next CAP. The IFA President concluded that Commissioner Hogan has identified simplification as a key ambition in this CAP Reform. He said simplification must deliver real practical results with reduced bureaucracy at farm level.
Sustainability support programme is right move but success depends on implementation IFA Deputy President Richard Kennedy has welcomed the Government’s decision recently to establish a sustainability support programme that works with farmers. He said, it must deliver both economic and environmental benefits to the sector and wider rural communities in the years ahead. Mr. Kennedy said, “Delivering compliance through farm advisory, as proposed in this Programme, is always a better option than imposing penalties on farmers. This collaborative approach is a key measure sought by IFA in our on-going talks with Government regarding the review of the nitrate regulations and the river basin management plans. “However, the success of this initiative will depend on a focused implementation and a commitment to work with farmers to reduce the penalties imposed, as well as provide an opportunity to close-out issues identified, rather than exclusively relying on enforcement. This, we believe, will keep money in farmers’ pockets, will have an enduring impact on improving water quality and create greater community engagement when addressing water and wider environmental challenges.”
Dawn Meats was awarded the Sustainability Award, recognising innovation and impact at Bord Bia’s biennial Food and Drink Industry Awards in Dublin’s RDS. Pictured are Dawn Meats CEO Niall Browne, Group Development Manager Paul Nolan and Group Head of CSR David O’Flynn.
Dawn Meats wins Bord Bia Sustainability Award DAWN Meats was awarded the Sustainability Award, recognising innovation and impact at Bord Bia’s biennial Food and Drink Industry Awards. The presentation was made at Dublin's RDS Concert Hall at a ceremony of over 300 Irish food and drink industry leaders hosted by RTE’s Miriam O’Callaghan. The company has ambitious 2025 targets to reduce water and energy intensity by 40% and CO2 emission intensity by 50%. It has also set itself the goal of being Europe’s most sustainable meat company. Sustainability across the wider business has been prioritised by Dawn since it published its first sustainability plan in 2009. As one of the first verified members of Origin Green, Dawn Meats has had its sustainability creden-
tials endorsed by many external agencies, and since 2012 annual progress under Origin Green has been independently assessed to the highest international standards. In 2017 Dawn Meats became the first food manufacturer to achieve BITC Ireland’s Business Working Responsibly Mark for its flagship Carroll’s Cross Plant in Waterford. 2017 also saw the publication of their first Corporate Social Responsibility Report which laid out the five pillars of their sustainability strategy, which included ambitions in the areas of sustainable sourcing and animal welfare. Commenting on the award Dawn Meats CEO Niall Browne said, “We’re delighted to see our commitment to sustainability recognised with this award. At
Dawn Meats we have set ourselves challenging goals to further improve our sustainability performance. None of this would be possible without the commitment of our staff.We have a really strong CSR committee at management level, but the buy-in throughout the organisation has been a credit to every member of the team.” David O’Flynn, Group Head of CSR added; “Bord Bia through Origin Green and it’s 270 verified members, has raised the bar for sustainability across the Irish food and drinks industry and shared progress globally through its world leading Origin Green program. We are honoured to be recognised in this forum for our sustainability work and our commitment to collective action. Our progress has
only been made possible because of the commitment and teamwork across agriculture, sourcing, resource management, workplace, community engagement and innovation.” In their citation the judges for the Bord Bia award said: "Dawn Meats illustrated excellence, innovation and impact in corporate sustainability. There was a clear link with all stakeholders including farmers and customers - their progress in operations and their commitment to the future.” In October Dawn Meats announced the completion of a strategic partnership and acquisition agreement with Dunbia.The combined businesses in the UK and Ireland will process approximately 900,000 cattle and 2.6 million sheep annually.
EU deal with Brazil on beef is toxic IFA President Joe Healy said any EU deal on beef with Brazil in the Mercosur negotiations is toxic. He called on the EU Trade Commissioner Celia Maelstrom to come clean and reject the environmental destruction, failures on food safety and animal welfare, and slave labour associated with Brazilian beef. Joe Healy was speaking following meetings with senior EU Commission officials in Brussels
last week, including with the Chief EU negotiator on the deal, Sandra Gallina, DG Trade, as Mercosur and EU negotiators meet for the next number of days in Brussels. The IFA President said Irish and European beef farmers are very angry at the way they are being sacrificed in Mercosur and there is bad blood over the excessive offer of an additional 70,000t TRQ offered by the EU. Joe Healy said Irish and
European farmers are required to meet the highest food safety and environmental standards in the world. “It is a total contradiction of European policy that Commissioner Maelstrom is now willing to cut a deal for more beef imports from Brazil and sacrifice sustainable production in Europe.” He said Irish beef production is four times more carbon efficient than Brazil where growth is
driven on the back of destruction of the rainforests. In addition, the IFA President said the Weak Flesh corruption scandal in Brazil in March 2017 proved once again the failure of Brazil to meet European standards. He said the EU Commission FVO report in May 2017 clearly stated “the Brazilian Competent Authority is not in a position to guarantee that the relevant export requirements are met”.
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
FARMING
Glanbia MilkFlex Fund wins European Award for Co-operative Innovation THE Glanbia MilkFlex Fund received a major Award at the 2017 European Awards for Cooperative Innovation, presented by COGECA, the Association of European Agri Co-operatives, in Brussels this week. The COGECA Business Model Innovation Award was presented to Glanbia for introducing the Glanbia MilkFlex Fund which offers flexible, competitively priced loans to Glanbia milk suppliers with loan repayments which vary according to seasonality and movements in milk price. The purpose of the Glanbia MilkFlex Fund is to provide Glanbia milk suppliers in the Republic of Ireland with an innovative funding product to support investment in on-farm productive assets (including livestock, milking platform infrastructure and land improvement). Commenting on the Award, Henry Corbally, Chairman of Glanbia said: “We are delighted to receive this Award and with the overall positive response to the Glanbia MilkFlex Fund since it was launched. The purpose of the Fund is to provide
our milk suppliers with innovative funding that helps protect farm incomes from the impact of dairy market volatility. Since its launch in March 2016, the Fund has encouraged renewed debate on the development of innovative funding products for farmers which is positive for the overall sector and to be welcomed.” Since its arrival on the market in May 2016, the Fund has received more than €90 million in loan applications. The average value of MilkFlex loans drawn from the Fund is €100,000 to date. A key feature of this innovative loan product is that it has inbuilt ‘flex triggers’ that adjust the repayment terms in line with movements in Glanbia Ireland’s (GI) manufacturing milk price and seasonality, thereby providing farmers with cash flow relief when most needed. Rabobank, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, Finance Ireland and Glanbia Co-Operative Society are coinvestors in the Fund while Finance Ireland originate the loans and manage all aspects of
the Fund. The interest rate charged on the loans is a variable rate of 3.75% above the monthly Euribor cost of funds (with a Euribor floor of zero). Receiving the Award, Sean Molloy, Director of Strategy & Supply Development at Glanbia Ireland said: “We are very pleased to receive this award and wish to highlight the support of our partners - the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, Rabobank and Finance Ireland - in bringing the Glanbia MilkFlex Fund to market. It is a valuable tool in assisting dairy farmers to manage income volatility, which is particularly challenging for family farms everywhere.” Commenting on the awards, Cogeca President Thomas Magnusson said “These Awards aim to promote practices and innovative solutions designed by co-operatives. Since 2009, Cogeca - the voice of European agri co-operatives - recognizes and celebrates the outstanding innovation practices of European agri co-operatives. I am very pleased with the quality of the projects submitted this year. Agri co-operatives make
sure that innovative solutions are workable at farm level as they take into consideration all aspects of the project from the technical, social, environmental and economic aspects of it.” Other winners at the 2017 European Awards for Co-operative Innovation included: the Award for innovation in the food processing sector which went to the Finnish meat cooperative LS0 Osuuskunta for the launch of its Omega-3 pork project; the Award for Innovation in Governance and Member Services which went to the Italian dairy, arable and forestry cooperative AgriAmbiente Mugello Societa’ Cooperativa; and the Award for Innovative use of ICT and digitalization which went to the Finnish Forestry Cooperative Metsaliitto for creating an online e-Business service for its members to sell wood to the Metsa Group and to buy forest management services. For more details on the 2017 European Awards for Co-operative Innovation, see www.copacogeca.eu
Doyle encourages people to purchase a real Irish Christmas tree this season MINISTER of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, Andrew Doyle T.D. has encouraged people to buy a real Irish Christmas tree this Christmas. The Minister was speaking on a visit to the Christmas tree farm of Christy Kavanagh in Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow. Christy has been in the Christmas tree business since 1980 following a family tradition that dates back to the 1950s and recently scooped two major awards at the recent Irish Christmas Tree Growers competition. The Minister commented “Around 550,000 Irish Christmas trees are harvested each year with 350,000 sold at home and about 200,000 trees exported, mainly to the UK, France and Germany. The industry contributes €21 million to the Irish economy. The professionalism and quality of the Irish Christmas tree sector is epitomised by farmers like Christy Kavanagh and Irish consumers can be assured that they are buy-
Minister of State Andrew Doyle TD with Christy Kavanagh, Kavanaghs Christmas Trees. ing the best when buying from an Irish farm. Real Christmas trees are more environmentally friendly, carbon neutral and everyone who buys an Irish tree is contributing to providing jobs in rural Ireland. At home we always have a real tree. It wouldn’t be the same Christmas experience without one.”
Christy Kavanagh is also the vice chair of the Irish Christmas Tree Growers Association whose “Love a Real Tree Campaign” is now in it’s third year. Christy explained that “the love a real tree campaign” encourages consumers to purchase a real tree as opposed to an imported artificial tree. There is a wonderful oppor-
tunity to produce superior product in this country and export to the U.K. and Europe, as ‘Noble fir’ grows better here than in any other part of Europe. In fact having seen the competition in Germany, Denmark and Britain this year, our standards are far higher than all the rest and there is still room for improvement. The Minister concluded by saying “the quality of Christmas trees produced in Ireland has increased significantly over recent years. Much of this improvement has been driven by investments under my Department’s Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector. This assists growers who wish to make investments in specialised equipment to manage and harvest the crop. While this is the busiest time of year for our Christmas tree growers I encourage them all to consider applying for the Scheme. A real tree is the natural choice. I am delighted to see a steady trend towards people buying real Christmas trees.”
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Kill Agricultural Services Ltd. We are delighted to invite you to our
OPEN EVENING That is taking place on
Thursday, 14th December from 2–8 p.m. We are showing the full range of Fertiliser Spreaders and launching the latest Rauch Axis 50.2 Isobus Compatible machine. Also on display are EMC Technology Spreaders which are TAMS eligible. Refreshments will be served on the evening and all are welcome to attend.
PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT
BALLINAMONA, ARDMORE FOR SALE BY PRIVATE TREATY 24.29 Hectare (60 Acre) Residential Farm Full details January 2018 058-41377 HARTY & CO. Dungarvan, Co. Waterford info@hartyauctioneers.com Licence No. 001888
READER’S QUERIES Question: I am booked on a GLAS course next week. My daughter is flying home for Christmas on the afternoon of the course and I had said I would pick her up. My planner is holding two courses next week so I suggested to him that that I could attend the afternoon session on the following day’s course. My planner wouldn’t entertain the idea so I said I’d seek a second opinion. Can you please advise? Answer: GLAS 6 hour training courses are held in two parts. In the morning a 3 hour classroom session followed by a 3 hour outdoor session in the afternoon. Course attendees are required to sign in at the start of the morning session and again at the close of the afternoon session. This would rule out attending over two days.You could however contact your planner and provided there is availability, or someone willing to swap, you could remove yourself from the course you are currently booked on and attend the full 6 hour course the following day. However, the DAFM must be notified electronically by the planner of any change within 24 hours of the commencement of the course. Not one to be left on the long finger so. I trust this will clear things up for you. Tip of the Week: Reminder to all farmers who exported organic manure in 2017 that the relevant paperwork (Record 3) must be received by the DAFM in Johnstown Castle no later than the 31st of December, 2017.
FA R M E R S ! HAVE YOUR FARMING QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY AGRICULTURAL CONSULTANT
TERENCE MORRISSEY Send your queries to: Dungarvan Observer, Shandon, Dungarvan,Co. Waterford, or to Morrissey & Associates, Mweelnahorna, Ring, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.
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Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Teagasc DAIRYING Messages from the Teagasc National Dairy Conference There was an excellent Teagasc Dairy Conference in Kilkenny last week with much new information from recent research projects. Breeding Results from research on the Next Generation (Elite) Herd in Moorepark show that EBI works and that “it does what it says on the tin” in terms of higher profit.The Elite Herd has an average EBI of 154 and is being compared with a National Average herd with an EBI of 51. The Elite herd has higher solids, better fertility, shorter calving interval and lower replacement rate than the National Average herd.This translates into the Elite herd generating €222 more profit per cow and €613 more profit per hectare than the National Average herd. Young Genomic bulls (GS) have 55-60% EBI reliability and can change by as much as +/- €120. This is of concern to many dairy farmers who manage this risk by using Daughter Proven (DP) bulls. ICBF analysis of 2016 data shows that herds using mainly GS bulls outperformed those using mainly DP bulls for all of the major traits. The most reliable way to manage genetic risk is to use a team of bulls (a team of 8 bulls for 100 – 150 cow herds is now recommended) and most importantly to use an equal number of straws from each bull. Iodine residues in milk Iodine toxicity is especially important for newborn infants, who are more sensitive to iodine toxicity because of an immature thyroid gland. Infant milk formula (IMF) is a key market for the growing Irish dairy industry, but milk produced when cows are fed surplus iodine in supplemental concentrate is generally unsuitable for inclusion in
IMF. Iodine concentrations in raw milk (bulk tank) should be maintained between 20 and 150 µg/kg. This ensures that cows are maintained in adequate iodine status, and that the milk produced is safe for a diverse product portfolio. Iodine levels in milk are high during the Spring and Autumn when concentrates are being fed because Iodine is being supplemented at 60mg per day in rations rather than at 12 mg which is all that is required. Compounders have been advised to reduce Iodine levels to 12 mg per head per day to avoid problems of excessive Iodine in the milk.. Selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) Unlike blanket dry cow therapy where all cows receive antibiotics, selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) involves targeted use of antibiotic treatment only in those cows shown to have an intramammary infection at drying off. In quarters shown to be uninfected at drying off, teat seal only is administered. The addition of teat seal to a SDCT protocol ensures that all quarters have some protection against new infections during the dry period. Strict hygiene is essential in the administration of teat seal since failing to thoroughly disinfect the teats could allow the accidental introduction of bacteria and have disastrous consequences for mastitis control. Herds with bulk tank SCC consistently below 200,000, with <2% clinical case rate in the 3 months prior to dry-off and with routine individual cow milk recording data available may consider SDCT. A research trial to investigate the potential of SDCT is currently on-going at Teagasc Moorepark. Initial results indicate that the SCC of teat seal only cows was greater than those cows that received both antibiotic and teat seal. However, the majority of cows (>80%) in both treatments maintained SCC <200,000.The difference between the two groups across lactation was in the order of
26,000 somatic cells. All herds have maintained a bulk tank SCC <200,000 throughout the study to-date indicating that using teat seal only did not impact at the herd level. Management tips when applying lime to grassland • The target soil pH for grassland on mineral soils is 6.3 and on organic (peat) soils is 5.5. • On grassland soils with high molybdenum (Mo) levels, increasing soil pH above 6.2 can lead to increased Mo levels in the herbage. High intakes of Mo in ruminant animals can lead to an increased risk of copper deficiency. It is therefore recommended to maintain soil pH at 6.2 on these soils or consider supplementing animals with copper. • Apply lime based on the soil test report.Where lime recommendations exceed 7.5 t/ha it is best to split the application rate and apply up to 7.5 t/ha initially and the remainder in year 3. • Lime can be applied at any time of the year, however, mid-Summer and Autumn are ideal as soils are still firm and there are increased spreading opportunities following silage harvesting and grazing. • Ground limestone is the most cost effective source of lime. It will start to work once it is applied and washed into the soil. • Use magnesium (Mg) limestone where soil Mg levels are low to replenish it in the soil. • Granulated limes are a finely ground limestone (<0.1mm) hastening the reaction with soil acidity to increase soil pH in the shorter term. Recent research shows that these products are more suitable for maintaining soil pH (i.e. where the initial soil pH is close to the target i.e. * 6.0). • Maintaining soil pH will result in increased release of soil N from organic matter up to a value of €80/ha/year
• On some heavier and organic soils, it is best to apply a reduced rate of lime on a more regular basis to control soil acidity rather than as one large application as this avoids “softening the soil”. • It is recommended to leave at least 3 months between liming and the application of urea or slurry to reduce the risk of N loss through volatilization.To overcome this, apply urea / slurry first and apply lime 10 days later. TRAINING COURSE Supervising People on Your Dairy Farm Staff Management This Teagasc 4 day + 2 half-days course is designed to increase the skills of the farm owner or manager when managing and supervising people on a dairy farm whether they are full time, part time or contractors. The course looks at the role and responsibilities of a farmer as an employer, and how to achieve the best results for your farm, yourself, your employees and contractors. The course will take place in Teagasc Mullinavat on December 19th, 20th, January 8th and 9th 2018, 9.30am - 4.30pm and a half day on January 16th and in April 2018.The cost is €300, which is subsidised by Macra Skillnet and includes course materials, a copy of the Teagasc Farm Labour Manual, tea/coffee and lunch on the first 4 training days.This Course is certified at QQI (FETAC) LEVEL 6. Register to attend at http://www.macra.ie/dairystaffmanagement, by December 12th 2017. Places are limited to 15 people. TILLAGE New Ploughing Rules New ploughing rules under the Nitrates Directive state that the application of non-selective herbicides (e.g. glyphosate) and ploughing can commence from 1st December for Spring crops.
Average Farm Income up in 2017 – Reasonable Prospects for 2018 THE Teagasc National Outlook conference which took place in Dublin, on Tuesday, 5th December heard that average farm incomes in Ireland have improved in 2017. Dr Kevin Hanrahan, Head of the Teagasc Rural Economy and Development programme said: “Overall average farm income in 2017 is estimated to have increased by about 30% to about €31,900, compared with €23,500 in 2016. This increase is driven largely by the improvement in dairy farm and to a lesser extent in tillage farm incomes.” Irish dairy farms incomes have recovered dramatically in 2017, with farmers finally seeing the benefits of dairy expansion in terms of the money in their pocket. An extended period of slow growth in world dairy production created the circumstances for milk prices to improve during this year’s Irish milk production season. Farm milk prices in 2017 are up an estimated 30% on the 2016 level. Irish dairy farmers also bene-
fitted from a benign input price environment in 2017, with fertiliser and feed price reductions offsetting an increase in fuel prices. Dairy farm input usage volumes have risen in 2017, but this was anticipated given the increase in milk production nationally, estimated to be up by over 8 per cent this year. Family labour is not included in costs. Teagasc Economist Dr Emma Dillon said that the average dairy farm income in Ireland in 2017 will exceed €90,000 – the highest ever figure - representing an increase of about €40,000 on the 2016 level. This is the return for the family labour employed in the business and a return on the land and capital assets utilised. Beef farm prices improved as the year progressed. Spring prices for weanlings in 2017 were down on prices in 2016, but the improvement in finished cattle prices in the second half of the year has seen store cattle prices increase. Finished cattle prices over the year have also improved. With a benign input price environment Dr Jason
Loughrey of Teagasc said that margins on single suckling enterprises in 2017 will remain stable, while cattle finishers will see an 8% increase in gross margin. It was also a better year for pig farmers, who benefitted from significantly higher pig prices in the presence of stable feed costs. Income on sheep farms also improved due to higher lamb prices and higher support payments. 2017 marked a partial recovery in incomes on tillage farms, as they experienced an improvement in cereal and straw prices. Growers in some regions, particularly in the North West of the country, experienced extremely difficult weather conditions at harvest. 2018 OUTLOOK Turning to 2018, the outlook for dairy is not as positive as for 2017, with a weakening in Irish farm milk prices of the order of 10% likely to take place as global milk supply growth begins to outpace milk demand growth. Milk production in
Ireland will remain highly profitable however, and a further expansion of milk deliveries of 4% is envisaged in 2018. Due to contracting EU beef supply, stable EU demand and strong world markets for meat, EU and Irish beef prices are forecast to increase modestly in 2018. Despite some increases in input prices, gross and net margins on both cattle rearing and cattle finishing farms are forecast to increase in 2018. Margins and incomes on sheep farms are likely to drop back in 2018, as lamb prices are likely to be lower than in 2017. Dr Fiona Thorne, Teagasc Tillage economist noted that the prospects for tillage farms will depend on the global harvest in 2018, and the impact that will have on cereal prices in Ireland. Barring adverse weather, tillage farm incomes in 2018 should be in line with 2017 levels. In 2018 Irish pig producers will see their margins drop back due to lower pig prices. Teagasc Economist Trevor Donnellan said that overall,
average farm income is likely to be down in 2018 and is estimated to be just over €29,800. That would represent a 6% reduction on the estimated 2017 figure. However, this will still mean that the average farm income in 2018 will be among the highest experienced in recent years. The main reason for the anticipated decline in 2018 will be the drop in dairy farm incomes. One area of concern for 2018 is the ongoing Brexit negotiation process. It is still too early to speculate whether or not developments in those negotiations will have a significant impact on the UK economy and demand for Irish agri-food exp Environmental sustainability measures were also addressed at the Outlook conference. While Ireland has achieved much in terms of measuring the environmental sustainability of Irish agriculture, Dr John Lynch of Teagasc indicated that there are a range of additional areas of sustainability that could be explored in the future.
Dungarvan Mart Prices MONDAY 4th DECEMBER,2017 DRY COWS 1 Fr. 765 kgs. made €985. 1 Fr. 715 kgs. made €840. 1 Fr. 725 kgs. made €930. 1 Fr. 720 kgs. made €815. 1 Fr. 645 kgs. made €715. BULLOCKS 3 Char. 383 kgs. made €885 each. 4 A.A. 545 kgs. made €1,015 each. 1 Lim. 505 kgs. made €1,040. 1 Her. 580 kgs. made €1,080. 7 Her. 399 kgs. made €855 each. 4 A.A. 458 kgs. made €920 each. HEIFERS 2 Char. 442 kgs. made €945 each. 3 A.A. 453 kgs. made €885 each. 2 Her. 452 kgs. made €870 each. 3 A.A. 378 kgs. made €700 each. Final Weanling Sale this Thursday, 7th December, 2017, at 11.30 a.m. Final Sale at Dungarvan Mart will be held on Monday, 18th December, 2017, and first sale in the new year will be held on Monday, 8th January, 2018.
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
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IFA calls for major media campaign on responsible dog ownership IFA National Sheep Chairman John Lynskey this week said much stronger action is required to address the dreadful problem of marauding dog attacks on sheep flocks. He said with the darker evenings and nights this time of year, dog attacks increase and recent cases have been reported in Wexford, Kildare, Offaly, Galway, Dublin and Roscommon. Some of these attacks are vicious with defenceless sheep flocks savaged by marauding dogs inflicting terrible suffering and pain and in many cases death on the sheep. John Lynskey said dog owners need to take a much more active and responsible approach
towards ownership and towards ensuring that their pets are under control at all times. He warned, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Owners can be held responsible for any losses involved in dog attacks, with serious financial and legal consequences. Farmers have a right to protect their sheep flock and can shoot a dog worrying, or about to worry their flock.â&#x20AC;? The IFA sheep farmer leader said that 85% of dogs are now microchipped, according to the Department of Agriculture. He said a single database must be introduced with controls on change of ownership so as all owners are held accountable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To make microchipping effective Minister Creed must pull together a single database and
Creed confirms â&#x201A;Ź1.1 bn paid to date under Basic Payment Scheme THE Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed,T.D., confirmed that the next installment of payments under the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening has now commenced. The Minister commented that â&#x20AC;&#x153;in mid-October my Department began issuing 70% advance payments under the BPS to farmers across the country. Regular pay runs have been in place since to ensure that these payments are processed as efficiently as possible. I am happy to confirm that the 30% balancing payments under the BPS have now commenced on schedule.â&#x20AC;? The rollout of balancing payments brings the total paid under the Basic Payment Scheme to â&#x201A;Ź1.106bn, and 121,000 farmers have received a payment to date. In addition, over 90,000 farmers have been paid a total of â&#x201A;Ź194m under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme to date. The Minister added â&#x20AC;&#x153;in recent months my Department has been issuing payments to farmers across a range of schemes including BPS, ANC, Knowledge Transfer, GLAS, and the new Sheep Welfare Scheme. I am very aware of the importance of these schemes for the farming community, and they provide a significant financial boost for both individual farmers and the wider rural economy.â&#x20AC;? Payments under the 2017 National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme will also commence in the coming week following payment of the BPS balancing payment. The Minister confirmed that his Department is continuing to prioritise the processing of outstanding cases, saying "I can confirm that every effort continues to be made to clear for payment the small percentage of outstanding cases. Regular pay runs will continue in December in order to process cases as quickly as possible. I am particularly pleased that we have continued to process payments at a rate that compares very favourably to the systems in place in other Member States.â&#x20AC;? The Minister concluded by urging farmers who may have outstanding queries from his Department to respond as soon as possible. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In this way I can ensure the quickest turnaround of cases for payment" the Minister said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;and it remains a key priority for my Department to process these payments in as timely a manner as possible. With this in mind, my Department will continue to roll out online application for BPS to all farmers in 2018. In 2017, some 114,000 farmers applied online and the steady growth in online applications reflects the fact that more and more farmers are availing of the benefits that online application offers.â&#x20AC;?
proper controls on ownership.â&#x20AC;? John Lynskey also encouraged all dog owners, including farmers, to make sure to get their dogs microchipped. John Lynskey called on Minister Creed and the Department of Agriculture to launch a major publicity campaign on responsible ownership. He said a major TV, radio and social media campaign is required to get the message across to the 800,000 people with dogs in Ireland. Statistics collated by IFA indicate that the problem of dog attacks on sheep may be in the order of 300 to 400 attacks per annum, with 3,000 to 4,000 sheep injured and killed. Data on dog attacks gathered by the
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IFA shows an average of 11 sheep killed or injured per attack. John Lynskey said IFA has a protocol to help farmers who encounter a dog attack on their sheep flock. The IFA protocol involves an easy-to- follow, 10point Plan of Action covering what a farmer should do following a dog attack or sheep kill. The IFA Protocol deals with what a farmer should do if they have a dog attack on their flock and also outlines important aspects of the law and how the dog warden service and the Garda can help. It also sets out how to keep a full record of the attack, which can be used as evidence at a later stage.
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Movie Reviews In association with SGC Dungarvan
Paddington 2 By Bill Tubbritt
Reegan, Chloe and Leon Keane pictured at the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Dungarvan and the start of the Dungarvan Aglow Festival. [Dan McGrath/Editorial Images]
Ardmore Christmas Day Swim IT’S hard to believe that it’s that time of year again already, where have the last few months gone on us? Not that we are complaining, we love the Christmas build up and that long run into the icy water of Ardmore Bay on Christmas Day! However, the run won’t be too long this year as high tide will be at 9:45 a.m. so our feet might not be like ice blocks this year! We are celebrating the 21st year of our ever-popular
Christmas Day Swim, which is something that we are very proud to have achieved. We are a constant support to our local R.N.L.I. station in Youghal, raising over €2,300 last Christmas with thanks to all of our wonderful supporters. We really could not do this year in, year out without you all. The swim will commence at 12:15 p.m. on Christmas Day on Ardmore Beach, we would hate to break the tradition after so long!
Drama Circle DURING our November evening we spoke about the three essentials in good drama, which are a story, good characterisation and great dialogue. We had examples of stories from Deirdre Collender, Michael Wright and Michael O’Brien. Annemarie Hayes helped and encouraged us to create a story together there and then. Great characterisation followed with a scene from Fawlty Towers with Marlene Daly, Michael Wright and Michael O’Brien, and the Importance of Being Earnest, thanks to Mary Nagle and Caroline O’Toole. Good dialogue followed with a scene from Stairway to Heaven a film from 1948. To all who came and joined in the fun, thank you! We look forward to your company, and doing it all again on Tuesday, 12th December, 8.00 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. upstairs in Merry’s with thanks to Emilene. Join us! 087 2655645 after office hours for any information.
Sponsorship cards are available from Katherine (087) 1218320, Siobhán (086) 2145833, Ardmore Post Office and Ardmore Pottery. Alternatively, you can send us a message on our Facebook page, Ardmore Christmas Day Swim, and we can arrange to get one to you. We are counting down the days until we see all of our supporters, be it in the sea, on the beach or chatting outside the Sandcastle with a light refreshment!
Set Dancing Classes THE Comhaltas branch in Ballyduff hold weekly classes in Set Dancing and everyone is welcome to come along and dance at these very enjoyable classes. Tuesday evenings are for Primary School children in Araglin Community Hall. Adult classes are held on Thursday evening in Ballyduff at the Carnegie Library from 8.30 p.m. On Friday nights, the classes for Post Primary students are held at 9.00 p.m. in the Carnegie Library. Anyone looking for more information on the dance classes should contact Thomas Hyland at 086-8208242.
PADDINGTON 2 is, of course, the sequel to the very popular Paddington movie that was released back in 2014. The movie was again directed by Paul King who really needs to keep hold of the reins for any future Paddington movies as he really delivers again with this one following the same successful formula from the first movie. It’s definitely a case of if it isn’t broken don’t fix it with the whole movie as nearly all the original cast return for this one. The film stars Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington, alongside Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Brendan Gleeson, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi and Hugh Grant. The storyline is not complicated and very easy to follow which should make it an enjoyable watch for both young and old alike as it is quite funny with the humour catered for all. The plot this time sees everybody’s favourite bear trying to earn enough money to buy a present for his Aunt Lucy’s birthday. After he finds a pop-up book of London that he is certain Aunt Lucy will love, he decides he will earn money cleaning windows to be able to afford the book which is very expensive. When the book gets stolen from Mr. Gruber's antique shop Paddington is the number one suspect and it’s up to himself and the rest of the Brown family to find the real thief so
Paddington can clear his name. This movie really is quite enjoyable to watch, it does paint a very far-fetched picture of life in London where a bear interacts seemingly unnoticed among everyday life and everybody lives in fancy city centre mansions despite selling papers for a living by day. All this adds to the charm of this adorable movie that is sure to entertain. Rating 4/5.
Wonder By Brendan Meehan THE thing about Wonder is perhaps what its message isn't, rather than what it is. The trailer would suggest a dramatic story about the world coming to terms with a boy who has a prominent physical deformity as he learns to deal with the world and while there is certainly some of that in the film that is not all that the film is. Instead, the central message is simply “look beyond the surface and you'll see that everyone has a reason behind their actions”. While the audience is expected to do this through the film's central character, August Pullman (played by Jacob Trembly), Auggie himself experiences this through those around him. This message is reinforced by exploring the lives of Auggie's sister, his sister's friend and a boy at his school; all of whom have their own stories going on. Every other character in the film is suggested to have more going on than what is seen and all of these stories blend seamlessly to create a greater tapestry that takes viewers on a dramatic and emotional ride.The film sets up several characters throughout as villains, only to reveal that their actions are informed by their own problems and it is Auggie's earnest good nature that pulls the best out of them despite these problems, endearing him to all of them as well as to the viewer. By film's end all these stories have folded back in to one scene that celebrates Auggie himself, but also emphasises the film's central mes-
sage. Wonder is loaded with emotion right from the off, and unless you have a heart of stone, will pull tears of joy from you throughout, as well as have you empathising with the insecurities, problems and victories of the various cast members as they try their best to navigate their lives. Rating: 5/5.
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
ENTERTAINMENT
61
'The Shaughraun' in Tallow a great success
Over 500 people came to see Brideview Drama's production of 'The Shaughraun' by Dion Boucicault over the past three weeks.The director, John Roche, was very proud of his cast and crew and was glad to see all the smiling faces leaving the Community Centre each night. Brideview were even paid a visit by a bus-load of drama lovers from Kilmeen Drama Group in West Cork last Thursday night who enjoyed the show immensely. The cast have built up a great rapport with one another over the past eleven weeks and are sad now that the show is over. However, as always, the next Brideview Production is just around the corner as Jack Aherne and his stellar cast of four prepare to take their production of "Stolen Child" around the country on the Three-Act All-Ireland Drama Circuit in March.
Mike Daly and Ciara Hannigan with baby Tadgh pictured at the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Dungarvan and the start of the Dungarvan Aglow Festival. [Dan McGrath/Editorial Images]
Vilma, Lucas and Mark Ronayne pictured at the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Dungarvan and the start of the Dungarvan Aglow Festival. [Dan McGrath/Editorial Images] Helen and Courtney Taylor pictured at the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Dungarvan and the start of the Dungarvan Aglow Festival. [Dan McGrath/Editorial Images]
Kim Nagle and her son Thomas pictured at the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Dungarvan and the start of the Dungarvan Aglow Festival.
Ann and Roisin Lyons pictured at the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Dungarvan and the start of the Dungarvan Aglow Festival.
[Dan McGrath/Editorial Images]
[Dan McGrath/Editorial Images]
Cora Fitzgerald and Aileen Hogan pictured at the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Dungarvan and the start of the Dungarvan Aglow [Dan McGrath/Editorial Images] Festival.
62
ENTERTAINMENT
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Bachelor s In Tr ouble
Santa Express Bus The Santa Express Bus will be starting off at
SALLYFORT MINI FARM on Saturday, 9th December, 12–6 p.m.
Will launch their new DVD
COLD SHOWER & HOT SUMMONS
Santa will be joining children on this night time experience enjoying a bus ride, sing-along with Santa, presents and visit to the working farm animals. FURTHER DATES – • Sunday, 10th December, 12–6 p.m. • Friday, 15th December, 4–8 p.m. • Saturday, 16th December, 12–6 p.m. • Sunday, 17th December, 12–6 p.m. • Friday, 22nd December, 4–8 p.m. • Saturday, 23rd December, 12–6 p.m.
at CROTTY’S of Lemybrien on Saturday next, 9th December It will be launched by County Board Chairman PADDY JOE RYAN
Music by MIKE, HELEN & SOUTHERN PRIDE ALSO JOHN O’SHEA OF WLR-fm • MIKE SCOTT-TREACY AND A HOST OF CELEBRITIES Line Dancers & Strictly Dancers DVD will be shown on Big Screen All proceeds to Irish Kidney Association & Parish Funds Adm. €12 • Dancing at 9.30 p.m. sharp
! WIN
ANDREA CHENIER @ SGC Dungarvan
WIN
!
ANDREA CHENIER from TEATRO ALLA SCALA (OperAfternoons Season) Saturday, 30th December, at 3.00 p.m. Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, ANDREA CHENIER is loosely based on the turbulent real life events of the poet of the same name. Along with the servant Carlo Gerard, Chenier falls in love with young aristocrat Maddalena, and will do anything to win over her heart. First performed at the Teatro Alla Scala in 1896, Umberto Giordano's opera is brought to life by Russian soprano Anna Netrebko and her husband Yusif Eyvazov. The Dungarvan Observer, in association with SGC Dungarvan, has a pair of tickets to give away to the lucky winner of our competition. All you have to do is answer the following question and post your entries into SGC Competition, Dungarvan Observer, Shandon, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, on or before 12 noon on Tuesday, 12th December. Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
The use of indoor play area is included in the price and the Café will be open for refreshments. Ring if you require further information 087 272 9237
e v i t s e F Afternoon Tea
Sunday 10th December 2pm – 5pm (Starts sharp at 2pm)
Solas To book tickets, contact 051-304604 or visit our website www.solascentre.ie
Prosecco on Arrival & Festive Entertainment
Tickets €25
The Park Hotel
Sunday 10th December
Adults Only Event
A Taste of Music
WIN
!
WHERE CAN YOU TRY PIANO AND KEYBOARD ANY MORNING – €40 ONLY FOR 4 LESSONS!
✄ Question: Andrea Chenier is screened at SGC on what date? Answer: ………………………………………………… Name: …………………………………………………..
Address: ……………………………………………………………..……………………………………………
Evening lessons also available for Children and Adults. Qualified Teacher. Phone: Catherine (087-3121201). Vouchers available for Christmas. For your chance to win piano/keyboard lessons all you have to do is answer the following question and post your entries into Music Competition, Dungarvan Observer, Shandon, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, on or before 12 noon on Monday, 18th December. Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. “YOU’RE NEVER TOO OLD TO TRY SOMETHING NEW!”
………………………………………………………………………...………………………..………………... …………………………………………………………… Tel. No. ………………………...….………………...
Question: How much are 4 morning lessons? Answer: …………………………………………………………………………………………
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………………………………………… Tel. No. ………………………...….………………...
Joe Cliffe
Ollie Gillen
Ann O’Dwyer
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Liam McCarthy
087 7935393 /
087
058
087
68101 /
058 44570
7449965
44043
8144777
087 2630666
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Friday 8th – Thursday 14th
THE GAA PAVILION
FILM INFORMATION AND BOOKING LINE 058 45796 www.sgcdungarvan.ie
YOUGHAL
UPCOMING EVENTS – NOW BOOKING DECEMBER 12th LA BOHEME OPERA LIVE FROM OPERA DE PARIS ON SALE! DECEMBER 13th
RAPHAEL: LORD OF THE ARTS
✄
DECEMBER 16th
RAPHAEL: LORD OF THE ARTS ART ON SCREEN PRESENTATION @ 3.00 p.m. ON SALE!
DECEMBER 30th
ANDREA CHENIER OPERAFTERNOONS SEASON ON SALE!
DECEMBER 31st
BERLINER PHILMONKIER NYE GALA CONCERT ON SALE!
STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI (12A) 150 mins. A S O N Y 4 K P R E S E N TAT I O N ! MIDNIGHT SCREENING WEDNESDAY, 13th DECEMBER THURSDAY, 14th DECEMBER @ 4.40, 8.00, 9.00
FINBAR DENNEHY
D I G I TA L ! DAILY 4.00, 6.25, 8.50
Saturday, 16th December
DADDY’S HOME 2 (PG) 100 mins. D I G I TA L ! FRI. – WED. 6.40, 8.55; THUR. 6.40; ALSO FRI. & MON. – WED. 4.10
✄
ART ON SCREEN PRESENTATION @ 8.30 p.m. ON SALE!
Saturday, 9th December
WONDER (PG) 113 mins.
PADDINGTON 2 (G) 90 mins.
Christmas Party TEDDY & CATHAL BARRY Saturday, 30th December
MICHAEL COLLINS
D I G I TA L ! DAILY 4.30; ALSO FRI. 1.40 & MON. 7.00, 9.10; PLUS SAT., SUN. 11.30, 2.20
SEASON’S GREETINGS TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS
THE STAR (PG) 86 mins. D I G I TA L ! FRI., SAT., SUN. 11.50, 2.00
S E V E N DAY DAYKIDS’ K I D SCLUB ’ C LU B SEVEN PADDINGTON 2 FRI., SAT., SUN. 11.30; MON. – THUR. 4.30
DADDY’S HOME 2 SAT., SUN. 11.40; MON. – WED. 4.10
JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE (12A) 118 mins.
THE STAR FRI., SAT., SUN. 11.50
D I G I TA L ! FRI. 8th 1.50, 4.10, 6.40, 9.10; SAT. 9th & SUN. 10th @ 1.50, 6.40, 9.10
MY LITTLE PONY FRI., SAT., SUN. 12.00
CROTTY’S INN
THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS
FERDINAND (G) 106 mins.
MON. – THUR. 4.20
D I G I TA L ! SAT. 9th & SUN. 10th @ 2.10, 4.25
LEAMYBRIEN
WONDER MON. – THUR. 4.00
Saturday, 9th December
LA BOHEME OPERA LIVE FROM OPERA de PARIS TUESDAY, 12th DECEMBER, @ 6.30 p.m.
BACHELORS IN TROUBLE DVD & CD
T U E S DAY E L EVENSES TUESDAY ELEVENSES DECEMBER DECEMBER 12th 12th from from 11.00 11.00 a.m. a.m.
RAPHAEL: LORD OF THE ARTS
LAUNCH DANCING TO
ACTIVE AGE SCREENING:
ART ON SCREEN PRESENTATION WEDNESDAY, 13th DECEMBER, @ 8.30 p.m.
THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS REEL PARENTS SCREENING:
THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS
WONDER
(PG) 104 mins. D I G I TA L ! DAILY 4.20, 6.45, 9.00
BOOK ONLINE @ www.sgcdungarvan.ie
BLOG @ www.sgcdungarvan.com
SPECIAL NEEDS SCREENING:
THE STAR /SGCDungarvan @SGCDungarvan
Spurling Group Cinemas
Saturday, 9th December:– 12.30 p.m. WEST HAM v. CHELSEA 3.00 p.m. SPURS v. STOKE 3.00 p.m. QPR v. LEEDS UTD. 5.30 p.m. NEWCASTLE v. LEICESTER 7.45 p.m. MUNSTER v. LEICESTER TIGERS 10.00 p.m. IN HOUSE D.J.
KIERAN EATON Sunday, 10th December:– 12.00 noon SOUTHAMPTON v. ARSENAL 2.15 p.m. LIVERPOOL v. EVERTON 4.30 p.m. MAN. UTD. v. MAN. CITY Every Tuesday 9.30 p.m. :– FIRESIDE TRAD MUSIC SESSION WITH
SEAN KEARNEY & FRIENDS
With Special Guests JOHN O’SHEA (WLR-fm), PADDY JOE RYAN & OTHERS Admission €12. Proceeds to Irish Kidney Association and Kilrossanty/Fews Parish Funds Sunday, 10th December
CLOTTO €4,800
DOWNEY’S BAR MAIN STREET, DUNGARVAN
SOUTHERN PRIDE
presents
A SOCIAL EVENING & CHRISTMAS BUFFET with
JOHN O’SHEA (WLR-fm) PRESENTER OF ‘GUARANTEED IRISH’ & ‘THE LATE SHOW’
Sunday, 10th December 4.30 p.m. – 7.00 p.m. Admission €10 Booking 087-3810378
Coming Wednesday, 13th December TEDDY & CATHAL BARRY NEW CD LAUNCH with Guests SAM O’DOHERTY, P.J. MURRIHY, SEAMUS SHANNON, PAT DALY, BLUE LACE, MOYNIHAN BROTHERS & QUICK STEP MC John Russell (CRY Radio) Friday, 15th December
Special Christmas Bingo Coming Saturday, 16th December DANCING TO
CHECKERS Crotty’s Inn available for Parties, Meetings and Functions.
Tel. (051) 291254 / (087) 6599126.
Incorp. Munster Industrial Advocate Vol. 105 (Reg. in GPO as a Newspaper) Shandon, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. Tel: (058) 41205 / 42042. Fax: (058) 41559.
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Déise Newsround Patrick Kavanagh remembered tomekeith@hotmail.com
AT the age of four, I was introduced to the delights of formal education. This was an event which did not appeal to me in the least, because, being the youngest of three, I was probably given a bit more notice and latitude than my older siblings and enjoyed sole occupancy of our home and affections after the others had gone to school. Consequently, it took the best endeavours of my mother; a ‘Guard’ who was actually a postman passing along his route and the strong arms of Sr. Oliver to eventually put an end to ‘all that nonsense’ after four days of protest. Instructing my mother to ‘leave it to me’ Sr. Oliver picked me up and brought me at arms length, kicking and
screaming to plop me in a desk with a fist of sweets to ease my grief. That was the last of the hysterics and after an uneventful three years which culminated in my First Communion Day; the May procession and a visit by the Rosary Priest, Fr. Peyton, I was brought to ‘the Masters’, the continuing lay school. There, I found to my dismay that I had to return to school after lunch each day. My first teacher there was Frank Power who came from I know not where, but it must have been somewhere in the Déise for the first song he taught us was ‘Do bhios-sa lá I bPortláirge’ without the benefit of an English translation. We just learned it by heart by rote and loved the
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song because it had an easy, repetitive air and relatively simple lyrics. The second song was ‘Fáinne Geal an Lae’ learned phonetically and again, without a translation, though it has English words under the title ‘The Dawning of the Day’. This was also an easy air and was one of two tunes I later learned to play on the tin whistle in Secondary School. I retained that love of ‘The Dawning of the Day’ through my childhood and teenage years, so when I first heard Luke Kelly singing ‘Raglan Road’ to the same air, it was game over, I loved it. And still do. The song was written by the Monaghan poet, Patrick Kavanagh in voluntary exile in
Luke Kelly
Dublin and the story of how it came about is a lengthy one. In 1979, Luke told the story on RTE of how he was ‘presented’ with the song by the composer, Paddy Kavanagh himself. They were both drinking in The Bailey Pub in Dublin one night and Paddy sang it for Luke. “I’ve got a song for you,” Paddy told him, “you should sing Raglan Road, and Luke said that he was very proud that he had got the imprimatur from the man himself.” Luke made the song his own and recorded the definitive version which, despite many others, is the one most played on radio today. The lady who is the subject of the song was Hilda O Muircheartaigh, (Moriarty) who was born in Kerry in 1922. She was a medical student in Dublin in the 1950s and caught Paddy Kavanagh’s eye. It was love at first sight for Paddy, but less so for Hilda. Despite their meetings – according to the song anyway – Hilda was not disposed to returning Paddy’s love and his efforts were for nought. Paddy did immortalise her in his poetry and also Raglan Road. “I gave her gifts of the mind, I gave her the secret sign That's known to the artists who have known The true gods of sound and
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Patrick Kavanagh stone And word and tint without stint, I gave her poems to say. With her own name there and her own dark hair like clouds over fields of May. Hilda went on to become the wife of Donogh O’Malley, the Minister for Education who introduced free secondary education and the ‘yellow buses’. Donogh died in office at a young age, but when Hilda made a bid for Leinster
House and later, the Presidency, she was unsuccessful. Paddy Kavanagh, poet, raconteur, journalist, columnist and frequenter of Dublin pubs died fifty years ago last Thursday. But he left a rich legacy of poetry and, of course, for the majority of people, his most important work, ‘Raglan Road’. Available on YouTube, Play it today, play it NOW! And that means you too, Nathan Carter.
Traditions of the 8th December ONE of the great Christmas traditions in this country was the start of the festive shopping season on 8th December. Up to recent years, the town Christmas lights were switched on on that day, the Feats of the Immaculate Conception, but due to challenges from neighbouring towns and cities, we have had to advance it somewhat. One of the big visible advances has been replacing the strings of coloured bulbs with a magnificent display of illuminated angels, Santas, sleighs, Christmas trees and many more. It works and the people come in their droves to shop in Dungarvan now, courtesy of the new and spectacular ‘Dungarvan Aglow’. Not everyone waits for the starter’s gun though and one local store, which shall remain nameless, had Christmas goods on their extensive
shelves well before Hallowe’en was over this year. Part of the Christmas tradition and, an absolute must in rural areas, was a trip to the ‘Baile Mór’, usually Dublin, although Waterford, Cork, Limerick and Galway usually attracted an influx as well from their respective hinterlands. It started among rural dwellers who took advantage of the Holy Day - it is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception – as well as the holiday from school and the need for a winter treat, to take off to the city to have a day out and spend some money. Of course, any self-respecting Irish mammy would have had the Christmas Cakes and Puddings made for at least a month by then, liberally laced with alcohol to preserve them, wrapped in greaseproof paper and stored in old square biscuit tins previously containing
Marietta, Coconut Creams or Kimberley biscuits, nonreturnable and acquired from grocery shops. The candle, usually a twelve inch long, inch-thick red candle was placed in a milk bottle with some sand in the bottom for stability. This was to make the stranger welcome to your home, unlike at Bethlehem, though it was probably not lit until Christmas Eve when the youngest of the family held the wavering match or twig from the fire, against the waxed wick. In many homes, it was the day the Christmas decorations came out and though these were sparse enough, they did transform those rooms of the house, particularly the ‘parlour’, where they were displayed. Back then, Christmas trees were found in few enough
homes, contrasting with today when over a hundred thousand trees of all shapes, sizes and varieties will be sold. The advent of the non-shed, nondecay, reusable, unnecessary to recycle, artificial tree has not diminished demand for the sweet-smelling fir and people are prepared to suffer the carpet covered with pine needles to maintain tradition. There are trees in some homes which still have the school-made decorations using crepe paper, some skill and ingenuity with the core of a toilet roll to make a Santa Claus. They are treasured reminders of innocent preChristmas days at school. There are hundreds of stories and dozens of traditions about the 8th December, and it is a loss to us and our young generations, that they no longer have the joy and excitement of many of them.
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SPORT
Vol. 105
Friday, 8th December, 2017
Ardmore 3-11; Ballybacon/Grange 2-8.
ABBEYSIDE DESERVING WINNERS OF BACK-TO-BACK TITLES Abbeyside 1-15; Dungarvan 2-10.
Dec. 27th 1.30 p.m.
TQS NEW SPONSORSHIP DEAL SECURED FOR COUNTY TEAMS
Pages 6 & 7
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
ARDMORE ACHIEVES MUNSTER HURLING GLORY
SEE PAGES 11, 12, 13 & 14 Stradbally's Captain Tommy Connors holds the Conway Cup high following the presentation by Paddy Joe Ryan, Chairman Waterford GAA Board. Stradbally beat the holders Nire 1-15 to 1-14 after extra-time in the Waterford County Senior Football Final. [Sean Byrne//Deise Sport]
KILL GAA LONG PUCK
sport@dungarvanobserver.ie
STRADBALLY WINS BEST FINAL IN DECADES
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WEST WATERFORD AC
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Big performances at Waterford half Marathon
Anthony Flynn up with the top runners at last Saturday’s Waterford Half Marathon.
Catriona Kiely catches a glimpse of the camera at last Saturday’s Waterford Half Marathon
Paul McGrath pictured just after the 2.5 mile mark at last Saturday’s Waterford Half Marathon.
Áine Kavanagh in full concentration at last Saturday’s Waterford Half Marathon
Thumbs up from David Regan at last Saturday’s Waterford Half Marathon.
Jim Fleming gives a royal salute at last Saturday’s Waterford Half Marathon.
THE Waterford half marathon was held in ideal weather conditions for the 2,172 finishers last Saturday. The overall winner on the day was Paddy Hamilton, Slieve Gullian Runners in a time of 1.06.26, Paddy finished 3rd last year when he ran a time of 1.06.20. Last Saturday he beat last year's race winner Clonliffe Harriers AC Sergiu Ciobanu into second place 1.06.34 with third man home from Kilkenny City Harriers AC Thomas Hayes in 1.06.43. First lady cross the finish line was Maria McCambridge, Dundrum South Dublin AC in 1.17.45. from Fiona Keogh Kilmore AC second in a time of 1.21.16 and her team-mate Jackie Cart Kilmore AC was 3rd in 1.21.40. West Waterford was very well represented in this race once again this year as 55 club members took part. First home on the day for the club was Anthony Flynn 1.16.40 finishing 24th overall. Next was Jason Travers 1.21.30 and our third finisher was Walter Drohan 1.26.28, excellent running from our top three runners. Our first lady home was Natalie Sheehan in an excellent time of 1.32.29. She was followed by Deirdre Murphy 1.34.44 (chip time) and third across the line was Sandra Prendergast in 1.34.41 again this was her chip time finish.
Jason Travers set the pace for this small group of runners at last Saturday’s Waterford Half Marathon. There were some brilliant other individual performances and person best recorded on the day also, very well done to all and congratulations to our fiends in Waterford AC on organising yet again another highly successful half in the city. WEST WATERFORD AC FINISHERS AT WATERFORD HALF MARATHON Please note results are per West Waterford Athletic Club listed finisher on official race results. Anthony Flynn 1.16.40 Jason Travers 1.21.30 Walter Drohan 1.26.28 Ray Hahesy 1.27.03 James Whelan 1.28.04 Tom Leahy 1.29.46 Ted O'Leary 1.30.18
Billy Ryan 1.31.56 Tom Hogan 1.32.28 Natalie Sheehan 1.32.29 Micheál O'Callaghan 1.33.18 Deirdre Murphy 1.34.44 Sandra Prendergast 1.34.41 Noel Drohan 1.34.38 Darren Tutty 1.36.28 Éamonn Cashin 1.36.25 Anthony Dwyer 1.37.25 Martin Tobin 1.38.57 Stephen O'Reilly 1.40.49 Peter Cunningham 1.41.08 Kevin Casey 1.42.26 Cathal Gleeson 1.42.26 Jody Hallinan 1.43.23 Bernie Prendergast 1.44.12 Maria White 1.44.15 Ciara Burke 1.45.15 Davy Tobin 1.44.49 Geraldine Lacy 1.45.59 Ann Dunford 1.46.02 Jim Fleming 1.47.11 Claire Kennedy 1.46.58 Liam Fitzgerald 1.46.24 Sharon Nugent 1.49.31 Debra Doherty 1.50.19 David Regan 1.50.16 Una Fennell 1.51.49 Eileen Heffernan 1.51.50 Sharon Higgins 1.52.19 Noel Hogan 1.53.27 Catriona Kiely 1.52.40 Caroline Ryan 1.53.26 Alan Ryan 1.53.26 Kate Bullen 1.54.17 Colm Ryan 1.54.24 Paul McGrath 1.54.05 Fiona Sinnott 1.54.56 Mag Hearne 1.59.14 Linda Garcia 1.58.10 Neva Hodge 2.00.24 Rose Power 2.03.13 Bryan Hallissey 2.03.56 Áine Foley 2.06.25 Caroline Russell 2.09.13 Michael Coakley 2.32.18 Deirdre Clancy 2.34.21
West Waterford Athletic Club Juveniles
Success at Munster B Championships in Kerry JUST three athletes from West Waterford juvenile club were in action at the Munster B championships in Beaufort last Sunday. Angelina Chizhikova was in great form and had a great run to finish 7th in the girls under 13 race. In the same event Cathy Shanley finished in 55th place. In the girls under 15 race there was also good running from Sarah Nyhan who finished in 11th place. Both Angelina and Sarah won their first individual medals at Munster level. Well done also to Niall Blackwell who moved up to com-
Sarah Nyhan who won her first individual Munster medal when she finished 11th in last Sunday’s under 15 race.
pete with the senior club and finished in 2nd in the junior men’s race. TRAINING CONTINUES FOR ALL IRELAND QUALIFIERS Training for our younger athletes will finish on Wednesday, December 6th but will continue for all those who have qualified for the All Ireland in Waterford on December 17th. The following are the West Waterford qualifiers Under 11 Boys: David Gaffney, David Nyhan, Liam Broderick, Joe Kelly, Paddy McCarthy, Ben Qualter. Under 13 Girls: Caoimhe Prendergast Under 15 Boys: Tommy Fennell, Rory Fennell, Oisin O’Riordan, Asier del Rio, Pete Finnegan, Eoin Buenaventura Under 17 Girls: Mary Kate Prendergast, Dani Cunningham, Aoife O’Brien, Orla Keane, Elia Tutty, Lucy Holmes. Under 17 Boys: Cian O’Riordan, Conor Mullany, David O’Connor, Jordan O’Riordan, Luke Power, Kieran Whelan. Under 19 Girls: Rachel Wyley, Sinead O’Brien, Sophie Landers, Caoimhe Dwyer, Dairine Ní Sheanlaoich. Under 19 Boys: Niall Blackwell, Michael Power.
FINAL RACE AND PRESENTATION OF PRIZES FOR ELVERYS INTER SPORT WINTER LEAGUE ON WEDNESDAY The final run of the winter league sponsored by Elverys Inter Sport will take place on Wednesday next at 4.15. Everyone will start at their best time recorded in the league this year. If everyone runs to form we
Cathy Ní Sheanlaoich congratulates Angelina Chizhikova on finishing 7th in last Sunday Munster Cross Country race. should have a mass finish with everyone crossing the line at the same time. Anyone who finishes before the clock counts down to zero will have run a new best time. There are prizes for the first two across the line on Wednesday. There will be a number of individual prizes as well as the top three teams. The captain of the winning team will be presented with the Powersfield House Cup. Prizes will be presented at the conclusion of the league.
Last Wednesday was the final leg of the team competition going into that race only one point separated the top two teams. The final team results will be announced at the prize giving on Wednesday. The prizes will be presented in the hall after the run. Below are the times recorded for all athletes on Wednesday 29th November. Tommy Fennell Luke Power Rory Fennell
6.39 6.53 7.00
David Gaffney Eoin Beneventura Kieran Bueneventura Pete Finnegan Asier De Rio David Nyhan Cal Tutty Ian Holmes Jordan O’Rourke Eoghan Lattimore Abbie Tyrell Sinead O’Brien Mary Kate Prendergast Eoin Prendergast Joe Kelly Liam Broderick Caoimhe Prendergast Kate Killigrew Angelina Chizhikova Darragh O’Regan Caoimhe Dwyer Megan Keogh David O’Connor Rachel Wyley Eve Power Dani Cunningham Adam Fitzpatrick Kate Keogh John David White Cormac Deevy Shima Lannigan Robert Quinn Paddy McCarthy Elia Tutty Elliot Henley Aoife O’Brien Gráinne Moore Mark Blackwell Kieran Dower Cian O’Regan Nicky Fitzpatrick Rody Morrissey Ele McDermott Orla Keane John Power Aidan O’Donovan Sarah Gaffney Roisin Prunty Conor Keane
7.03 7.04 7.07 7.11 7.12 7.16 7.17 7.20 7.20 7.27 7.29 7.30 7.32 7.37 7.37 7.38 7.40 7.40 7.43 7.46 7.46 7.46 7.50 7.51 7.54 7.58 8.03 8.08 8.08 8.12 8.14 8.15 8.16 8.17 8.25 8.30 8.32 8.35 8.38 8.44 8.53 8.53 8.55 8.56 8.59 9.00 9.00 9.01 9.03
Emer O’Neill Thomas Broderick Cathy Shanley Fiona O’Riordan Grace Power Lia Cunningham Aoife Lattimore Cillian Towey Aoife O’Donovan Lia O’Riordan Lara Prunty Eva Nogueira Daniel Coonan Mattie Kupczyk Rhiann Flynn Crea Frisby Michael Horgan Anna Pons Aisling O’Donovan Hannah Power David Horgan Sarah O Riordan Niamh Dalton Abigail Henley Caoimhe Horgan Lily Hallahan Jack Power Doireann Moloney Judit Nogueira Callum Donnellan Isabella Power Ruby Curran Tara Casey Emer Dower Short Lap: Aodan O Raghallaigh Cormac O’Regan Sean Nyhan Simon Power Shauna Deevy Riona Towey
9.04 9.06 9.09 9.13 9.18 9.25 9.27 9.30 9.36 9.39 9.40 9.47 9.49 9.52 10.01 10.02 10.09 10.17 10.21 10.23 10.24 10.33 10.35 11.00 11.00 11.01 11.15 11.22 11.29 11.47 12.02 12.11 12.48 12.58 4.13 4.19 4.27 4.52 4.57 5.31
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The AGM of the juvenile club will take place on Monday, Dec. 11th at 8 p.m. in Minnies Bar. We would encourage all parents and athletes over 16 to attend.
WEST WATERFORD AC
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
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24th ANNUAL FORDE’S DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE
Christmas Charity Night in aid of Dungarvan Lions Club Christmas Appeal Wednesday, 13th December Pictured is week 2 short course winner of a TOP OIL voucher Bríd Whyte making presentation is Kevin Casey sponsor. Pictured is Niall Blackwell who took the individual silver medal when finishing 2nd at the Munster Junior Cross Country Championships held in Beaufort, Co. Kerry last Sunday.
Silver medal for Niall Blackwell at Munster Junior Cross Country Championships HUGE congratulations last Sunday to young Niall Blackwell who had a brilliant performance to take a deserving silver individual medal at the Munster Junior cross country championships in Beaufort, Co. Kerry.
Pictured is week 2 long course winner of a TOP OIL voucher Denis Ryan making presentation is Kevin Casey sponsor.
Indoor entries now open to get season underway HOW the time flies around as its now that time of year when we turn our attentions to indoor track and field and the first of this is immediately after Christmas the Munster indoors when Saturday, January 6th we have the under 23 and Junior men's indoors and on Sunday, 7th January it's the turn of the ladies junior and under 23's. On Sunday, 14th January it's the senior and masters indoors. Please contact Jim Fleming 087-2891151 or Michael Dunford 087-9928887 to be entered, please note no late entries will be accepted by Munster athletics and no entries on the day. Those running indoors please note also that to race you need your membership paid up for 2018 as you will need your registration number to be entered.
Running Quote CONSISTENCY requires discipline. Force yourself out the door.
That's a great smile from Sharon Higgins as she passes the roundabout at last Saturday’s Waterford Half Marathon.
THIS year’s Christmas charity night at the Forde's Daybreak Winter League will take place on Wednesday, 13th December. All proceeds from this year’s charity night go to The Dungarvan Lions Club Christmas appeal when all monies raised will be donated to the less fortunate in our local community over this difficult financial time of year for many. All contributions big and small will be most welcome. So remember your €2 and €3 registration fee will go towards this worthy cause, if you want to contribute a little extra on the night it would be greatly appreciated. Please be as generous as you possibly can and thanks as always for your continued support to our winter league Christmas charity night. Why not get in the festive spirit for the event and wear your Christmas hat. LONG COURSE RUNNERS STARTING TO UP THE ANTE Another big turnout of runners were in action last Wednesday as the Fordes Daybreak winter league continues with week 4 now completed. It plain to see by the times now being recorded on week 4 that the regular league runners are defiantly starting to up the ante with some having knocked off minutes from the first outing at the league four weeks ago. John Joe Hayes was the man of the moment last week as he lead the long course runners home in a time of 35.31, he was followed in by Dermot Gough who recorded a time of 38.48. Our first lady finisher last week was Kate Meskell 45.37 finishing 3rd runner home overall on the night. Our 4th finisher was back to the male species when Patrick Lannen was our 3rd male finisher in a time of 46.57. The 2nd lady home on the night was Ann Moore 44.53 and our 3rd lady across the line after 5.2 miles of running was Niamh Looby in 47.46. There was also some fine running last week from Tom Condon who is well and truly under that 50 minute barrier now after recording a time of 48.12 last week. Now that 50 minute barrier is our challenge in the coming weeks for Linda Bradfield and Onra Power with both needing to knock off a minute to achieve this, they will then join the sub 50 ranks with Linda Flynn who is now down to 49.10. Paul O'Gorman is teetering on breaking the 45 minutes and is now down to 45.41, it won't be long here
either I'd say. Well done last week to Natalie Shaw-Hamilton who smashed the 40 minute barrier when recording an excellent 39.54 and Ciara Burke 39.31 is also now a sub 40 minute long course runner. We have four nights completed but remember we still have another three nights to go before Christmas, so if you think this might be for you why not turn up any Wednesday evening at Dungarvan sports centre and give it a try, you will be glad you did. Well done to all who ran the 5.2 miles and remember keep up your running over the next few weeks, clock starts at 6.50 pm sharp each Wednesday, so check out your starting time which are posted up on our club face book page the day before. SHANE FLAVIN LEAD HOME RUNNERS ON WEEK 4 OF THE SHORT COURSE Cool, clear conditions awaited the runners for week 4 of the Forde’s Daybreak winter league as they gathered at Dungarvan Sport’s Centre before heading out on the 2.5 mile run. There was a great number out again last Wednesday when 93 runners completed the course, and all are to congratulated for braving the cold but ideal running conditions, especially the runners that were trying out the league for the very first time. It is on cold nights like last Wednesday, that we really appreciate all of our stewards that are out in all conditions to allow us to run each week. Once again this week we had more new faces. We hope this year's league will prove to be very exciting in the coming weeks with so many new faces joining up to take on the challenge. This section of the league, which specifically with first timers and beginners in mind is a manageable distance for most as it covers 2.5 miles in total. After registering make sure to check you off time on the sheets posted on the wall. First home on the night was Shane Flavin in 16.17 followed by Seamus lavin in 18.30 with Ann O'Donovan next in 27.20. Catherine Hickey and Joyce Coffey-Wall both had a super runs when knocking off over 3 minutes to clock 22.46 and 19.53 respectively. Orla Forde and Kim Daly finished together in 23.52. Liam O'Droma will have 20 minutes as a target having run 20.15 last week. Other to record good runs included Triona Cosgrave (22.26),
Ciara Donnelly and Roisin Feeney (21.30) and Orla and Mairead Costin (24.38). Fastest time on the night was recorded by Johnny Burkan (15.55) followed closely by Timmy Kiely (15.56). Well done to each and every runner who that took part and remember there is a long way to go and aim to slowly improve. It is important to feel comfortable during the run and as you are coming near the finish line you can increase the pace and finish your run with a push. Just a quick reminder to all our runners to be careful out on the course and obey the stewards at all times. Remember that the roads are not closed so be careful of traffic. For safety, high-vis must be worn. Also the rules of the league prohibit the wearing of watches. Anyone not wearing high-vis or that is caught wearing a watch won't be included in the results. Best of luck to all tonight and why not bring as friend along. HAT TO BE AWARDED TO WINTER LEAGUE PARTICIPANTS A very nice Winter League hat will be awarded to participants of this year's league by kind association of our sponsor Forde’s Daybreak. All you have to do to attain one of these really nice hats come February and league end is complete 9 from the 13 nights of the league, and it's yours. It will be worth it believe me!!! "TOP OIL" - ASSOCIATE WINTER LEAGUE SPONSORS For the 2017/’18 Forde's Daybreak Winter League we have been fortunate enough to have received associate sponsorship from our friends in Top Oil, our own Kevin Casey and James O’Sullivan have come on board to generously sponsor two €20 vouchers, one for the short route and one for the long route each week. We decided the best way to allocate the vouchers was to pick the 50th finisher in each route every week and to date we have 6 winners and they are: Week 1 winners were short route - Sinead O'Rourke. Long route - David Traynor. Week 2 winners were short route - Brid Whyte. Long route Denis Ryan. Week 3 winners were short route - Karen Coleman - Long Route - Ted O’Leary. Week 4 winners were short route - Eoghan O'Neill. Long route - Jack Ahearne.
St. Stephen’s Day Jolly Jaunt Deirdre Clancy and Michael Coakley pictured during last Saturday’s Waterford Half Marathon
No time for a chat from club chairman Tom Leahy at last Saturday’s Waterford Half Marathon.
THE annual charity fun run on St. Stephen’s Day will be held once again this year in association with Dungarvan GAA club. It’s a fun run comprising of a five mile route and everyone is free to run or walk at whatever pace they
feel like. The event gets underway at 11 am. All money donated on the day will go to West Waterford Hospice. There is no set fee as in other races, it’s at each person’s discretion but we ask that runners and walkers give generously.
The entries will be taken at the Dungarvan GAA club where soup and sandwiches will be provided after the run. Do come along and bring a friend what else would you be doing on St. Stephen’s morning.
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GOLF
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
WEST WATERFORD GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB Telephone: 058-43216. Fax: 058-44343. info@westwaterfordgolf.com
www.westwaterfordgolf.com GENT’S RESULTS Weekly Club Competition in conjunction with Comeragh Oil Winter League: Cat 1. (0-8) 1st Sean Drohan (8) 37 pts, 2nd Colm O’Callaghan (8) 35 pts; Cat 2. (9-13) 1st John Fleming (12) 26 pts b4, 2nd Shane Roche (10) 36 pts; Cat 3. (1418) 1st Tommy Butler (16) 41 pts, 2nd Ollie Broderick (18) 35 pts; Cat 4. (19+) 1st. Pat Power (21) 35 pts, 2nd Dermot Murphy (21) 34 pts. CSS 35. Killeagh GAA 25th Annual Christmas Scramble at West Waterford: 1st. Ray Rochford, Marian Sweeney, Ann Rochford - 69; 2nd Patsy Collins, Trish Treacy, Matty Treacy – 69; 3rd Tim Murphy, Adrian Galvin, Brendan Galvin – 69. Congratulations to Ray Rochford who won first prize after 25 years of trying. Killeagh Tuesday Group Outing at Gold Coast Nov. 28th: Winner: Larry Cunningham. FIXTURES Monday, December 4th – Sunday, December 10th – Comeragh Oil Winter league Round 1 – 16 Hole stableford in conjunction with weekly competition – play any day. Saturday, 23rd December – Captain’s and President’s Christmas Breakfast and 13 hole golf competition from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Booking sheet on notice board. COMERAGH OIL WINTER LEAGUE 2018 As in previous years the league will run in conjunction with our weekly club competition. Round 1 is currently underway and continues all this week from Monday 4th to Sunday, 10th December. Members can play any day up to and including Sunday, 10th December. All players, including members not playing in the League are included in the weekly competition which runs from Monday to
Sunday each week. Any round of the Winter league may run over a number of weeks but each week will have its own weekly competition and prizes. Subject to minimum entries, there will be prizes in four categories each week. All scorecards must contain your name, date, handicap and your TEAM NAME. A team’s best 4 scores will count for each qualifying round. The number of holes to be played and any additional local rules will be set at the beginning of each round and will apply for the entire duration of that round. PLEASE BOOK YOUR TEE TIMES Due to the large numbers playing in the league, timesheet booking is essential and players on the timesheet have priority on the course at all times. Tee times can be booked online or by ringing 058 43216. SEAMUS POWER VISITS WEST WATERFORD USPGA tour player Seamus Power is currently enjoying a well deserved break in his home country. As always he paid a visit to his home club West Waterford on Saturday, 2nd December. Seamus took some time to join the kids on the practise green before adjourning to the clubhouse to meet his many fans from the club and from further afield. Seamus was generous with his time to pose for numerous photos with club officers and the general public. Seamus plans to spend some time in Ireland meeting with family and friends before he returns to the US to compete in his next event, the Sony Open in Hawaii January 11th – 14th. All in West Waterford wish Seamus a relaxing holiday and the very best of luck on the PGA tour in 2018. MEN’S CLUB AGM A well attended AGM of the men`s
DUNGARVAN GOLF CLUB Tel. Office 058-43310, Fax. 058-44113, Pro Shop 058-44707. Bar/Restaurant Tom Daly Catering 087 2680597 Timesheets online at www.dungarvangolfclub.com Email: dungarvangc@eircom.net CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS With Christmas fast approaching and wondering what to get that special someone this Christmas? “Gift Vouchers” are the ideal gift. They can be purchased directly from the Pro Shop for golf clothing, equipment and accessories, or Dungarvan Golf Club Vouchers, for any amount, can be purchased directly from the Office and redeemed against any of the following. * 2018 membership subscription (enquire at the office for special introductory rates for new golfers) * Green fees inclusive of food and beverage from clubhouse restaurant * Golf Triangle Pass €69 valid Mon. to Sunday (Play three local
courses for the price of two) * Open Competition voucher inclusive of food and beverage from clubhouse restaurant Also don’t forget the Members Special Green Fee Offer where members can purchase a book of ten Green Fee vouchers for just €100. These vouchers are valid for play with a member Monday to Friday, and represent great value for money. So if you want to treat someone this Christmas or want an economical way to entertain friends, family or business colleagues during the year, why not invest in a book of Green Fee vouchers, on sale from the office. "Gift Vouchers" can be bought over the phone with credit card or
club was held in the Clubhouse on Thursday, November 30th. Outgoing Captain Pat Power opened the meeting by welcoming everyone. Secretary Maurice Hallahan then read the minutes of the 2016 AGM and presented his Honorary Secretary`s Report. Treasurer Pat Power then presented his Treasurer’s Report which was well received. Pat Power delivered his Captain`s Address in which he said it had been a privilege to be Captain of West Waterford Golf Club in 2017. Pat thanked Diarmud Horgan for his two great years in office as President. Pat also thanked the committee and all the members for their help and assistance during the year. Pat wished the best of luck to incoming Captain Willie Lyons and incoming President Pat Murphy. He then invited the new Captain, Willie Lyons, to take over and chair proceedings. After a short but powerful few words and the closing of the meeting, Willie invited the ladies to join the gents for the customary afters. All present agreed that it was another memorable AGM at West Waterford Golf Club. REDESIGNED WEBSITE Thanks to Billy O’Sullivan @QOXS.com our club website is undergoing a major update. Billy is always on hand to keep the site updated and has already started to give the site a bright new look. As we head into our 25th anniversary year we have a number of exciting projects in the pipeline and what better place to keep up to date with events as they happen. So, whether you want to book a teetime, see what’s happening at the club or just enjoy the fabulous array of ariel photographs just log on to www.westwaterfordgolf.com CHRISTMAS GIFTS AT WEST WATERFORD For the golfer in your life how about a gift voucher for green fees. Vouchers can also be used as part payment of your annual sub. Even if you don’t play golf how about a voucher for Sunday lunch n our popular upstairs restaurant. Gift vouchers are available at the office and from the bar and restaurant. CHRISTMAS DINNER AT WEST WATERFORD GOLF CLUB – Saturday, 9th December On Saturday, 9th December our chef John has drawn up an exciting festive menu with choices to suit all tastes. Early booking is advised and you can ring John 086 0477377, or ring the office at 058 43216 to make your reservation. All are welcome. SOCIETY OUTINGS AT WEST WATERFORD
We are offering very competitive society and group rates for 2018. For details and quotations ring Gillian at 058 43216. LADIES AGM Wednesday night last the ladies held their AGM. Our outgoing Lady Captain Mary Herlihy chaired her last meeting of the year and thanked the management and staff of West Waterford, Captain Pat Power, President Diarmuid Horgan, all the sponsors, her committee and members for a most memorable and enjoyable year. The Committee and lady members of West Waterford would like to take this opportunity to wholeheartedly thank Mary for a fabulous year and wish her the best in her golf in the year ahead. Our new Lady Captain Noreen Byrne took over the reins. We wish Noreen the very best for the coming year. LADY CAPTAIN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY The Lady Captain's Christmas Party was held on Sunday, December 3rd. Mulled wine was served on arrival, in front of a roaring fire. As usual the Club house is beautifully decorated. The food was superb of course, thanks to Bridget and her staff. The 13 Hole Christmas Hamper event was very well supported with everybody trying to win one of the beautiful hampers on offer. Results – 13 Hole Christmas Hamper: 1st Jo Swayne (16) 33 pts.; 2nd Ciara Donnelly (31) 31 pts. (on count back); 3rd Deirdre Ruane (17) 31 pts. Well done ladies great scores. Results – November 9 Hole (2 cards to count) – sponsored by
Reena McDonnell: 1st Margaret O’Sullivan (22) 38 pts.; 2nd Una Mulligan (31) 37 pts.; 3rd Mary French (31) 34 pts. FIXTURES December 9 Hole (ongoing) (2 cards to count) – sponsored by Jean O’Donovan. 13 Hole Single round Winter League. WINTER LEAGUE ’17/’18 The Winter League commenced on Monday 4th December; the first round will continue until Sunday, 7th January (incl.), which should give us all plenty of time to get out and play for our team. Some holes may be rested so keep an eye on the notice board for details. First Round: Singles – Entry Fee: €10 (which includes the first round) / Re-Entry: €3. The top 4 scores will count and there are 2 bonus points for each member who plays in the singles rounds. During the Winter League Management may rest some holes. In this situation, the ladies will not be playing these holes. For example, if two holes on the front 9 are being rested; the 13 hole competition will still end on the 13th (but we’ll be playing 11 holes). If it’s a 9 hole competition, we will finish on the 9th (having played 7 holes). PLEASE, PLEASE, put your TEAM NAME on your card, otherwise it’s very time consuming to check the cards. Winter League Schedule – subject to change. 1st Round – Singles: 4th December 2017– 7th January, 2018
(incl). 2nd Round – Singles: 8th January, 2018 – 28th January, 2018 (incl). 3rd Round – Matchplay: 29th January, 2018 – 11th February, 2018 (incl). 4th Round – Singles: 12th February, 2018 – 25th February, 2018 (incl). 5th Round – Matchplay: 26th February, 2018 – 11th March, 2018 (incl). GRAND FINAL –– (TBC). LADIES WINTER LEAGUE TEAMS 2017/2018 Team 1: Curlews – June Whyte 17; Rena Landers 24; Mary Fahey 29; Nora Flynn (Captain) 31; Kathleen Broderick 34; Ann Hallahan 36. Team 2: Lapwings – Jean Conway 20; Catherine Ruane 28; Geraldine Hickey (Captain) 32; Stella Kinsella 34; Joan Ronayne 36; Bridget Blackwell 36. Team 3: Seagulls – Mary Donnelly 19; Ann Rochford 24; Denise Nugent (Captain) 30; Mary French 31; Una Mulligan 31; Mary Curran 36. Team 4: Cormorant – Rosie Murphy 13; Joan Sheehan 20; Suzanne Dalton 29; Ann Laverty 31; Mary Herlihy (Captain) 34; Geraldine Curran 36. Team 5: Oyster Catcher – Deirdre Ruane 17; Marie T. Curran 23; Jean O’Donovan (Captain) 29; Mary Spratt 31; Nell Supple 35; Trish O’Shea 36. Team 6: Kittiwake – Eithne Ashby 19; Marian Hilliard (Captain) 27; Ciara Donnelly 31; Reena McDonnell 35; Joan Nugent 36; Noreen Byrne 36.
laser card and can be posted to nominated address. Please contact Irene on 058 43310 or dungarvangc@eircom.net for further details. DEISE GOLF WORLD WINTER LEAGUE The Deise Golf World Winter League is in the fourth week as teams jostle for position. With the top two teams in each section to qualify, it’s all to play for. In Section A, Jack Nichlaus are in a two point lead with 14.5 pts. followed by Arnold Palmer, and in Section B Ian Woosnam head up the table with 17 pts followed by JM Olazabal on 15.5 pts. Get out as often as you can with your best score of the week contributing to your team effort. With Christmas fast approaching that means party time and the Ladies Christmas Party takes place in the clubhouse this Sunday 10th December and the Sixty.Com Christmas party has been rescheduled to Wednesday, 13th December. The countdown is well and truly on for our dynamic duo. Thursday 14th December is the date for the wedding of Grace and Dave. The scene of the crime is the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel at Newlands Cross and an evening invitation is extended to all our members and friends. All are welcome so why not make a long weekend, take in some Christmas shopping or take the chance to see Grace in a dress and Dave in a suit.
FUN FRIDAY FOURSOMES Frost enveloped the course once more last Friday with play delayed until eleven a.m. Nevertheless we were delighted with the turnout including first time entrants to this competition. We really appreciate your support. Winners - Ann Hennebry and Maurice Cliffe Second - Miriam Matthews and John Moran. It is great to see Ann and Miriam in the prizes. They are both 'Get into Golf' ladies and both seemed to have reached a 'purple patch' with Miriam winning a 14 hole competition last Saturday, Nov. 25th and Ann winning the 9 hole 'Young Ones' competition on Wednesday, (Nov. 29) Well done. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS The annual subscription rates for next season are due for payment. Please contact Irene Lynch Secretary/Manager on dungarvangc@eircom.net or 05843310. We thank members for making payments already. Thank you for your continued support. GENTS RESULTS Mon. 27th Craig Susdorf (16) 32. 29th/30th Nov. 14H Deise Golf Winter League: 1 Mce Conway (11) 34, 2 Martin Lynch (11) 33, Gross Alan Thomas (+1) 31, 3 Pat Curran (13) 33. CSS 32. 1st and 2nd Dec. 14 H: 1 Dermot Walsh (8) 33, 2 Paul Sarsfield (20) 38, Gross Alan Thomas 1) 33, 3rd Ml
Browne (12) 32, 4 John Reynolds (1) 32, CSS 32. 14H Deise Golf Winter League 3rd Dec: 1 Derek Power (19) 34, 2 Paul O’Riordan (11) 34, Gross John Reynolds (1) 30, 3rd Jim Quinn (23) 33, 4 Mce Terry (12) 32. CSS 32. SIXTY.COM The winners of the 60.Com competition on 29th November were: First: Paul Vart (25) 21 pts. Best Gent: Denis O’Brien (18) 18 pts. Our Christmas Party and Scramble has been rescheduled to Wednesday, 13th December. Draw for partners at 10:00 a.m. with tee-off time at 10:30 a.m. We have a very large entry so please ensure that you are in the clubhouse at latest 10:00 a.m. to allow the smooth running of the competition. If you are not a member of the 60.Com we would be delighted to see you. Just come along and join us any Wednesday. LADIES RESULTS Ladies 11 H 28/11 1. Niamh Reynolds (10) 23, 2 Bridget Aherne (17) 23, 3 Irene Lynch (7) 20, 4 Celia Power (21) 20. 14 H 1/2 Dec 1 Niamh Reynolds (10) 27, 2 Colette Power (31) 26, 3 Kate McNamara (27) 25 UPCOMING FIXTURES Wed., 6th Gents 14H Singles S/F Deise Golf Winter League, Youngones. Thurs., 7th Thursday Open Gents 14 Hole S/F Deise Golf Winter
League. Fri., 8th Gents/Ladies 14 Hole Singles S/F Deise Golf Winter League. Sat., 9th Gents Deise Golf Winter League /Ladies 14 Hole Singles S/F. Sun., 10th Gents Singles S/F Deise Golf Winter League, LADIES 9 HOLE S/F HOME ALLIANCE CHRISTMAS PARTY Mon., 11th Open Gents/Ladies Seniors (50+) 16H Singles S/F. Tues., 12th Ladies 11 Hole S/F. YOUNGONES Results 29th: 1 Ann Heneberry (36) 17 pts, Runner-Up Mary Power (14) 17 pts. Next competition Wed., Dec. 6 at 1.30 p.m. Front 9. LADIES COASTAL ALLIANCE Ladies Coastal Alliance Tramore 7/12 10 to 11.30 tee time. PROGRESSIVE 45 Results 30th: Tom Phelan and Ml. Fitzgerald. 2nd Tom Ahearne and Mce. Tobin, Josephine Melody and Bernie Hayes. Last 5 Richie and Billy Ormonde. Lucky Table Vincent and Teresa Hayes. Thursday nights all are welcome. SOCIAL BRIDGE Social Bridge Friday mornings at 11 a.m. All are welcome. JUNIOR NEWS Any enquiries relating to junior activities at Dungarvan can be directed to Junior Convenor, David Hayes. David can be contacted at 05844707 or email at golfpro@eircom.net
West Waterford Golf Club Club Foursomes kindly sponsored by Pat Geaney. Winners John Byrne and Eddie Flavin with Diarmuid Horgan, President and Pat Power, Captain. [Sean Byrne//Deise Sport]
GOLF
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
GOLD COAST GOLF CLUB You can contact us by phoning 058-44055 Our email address is:
goldcoastgolf@cablesurf.com www.goldcoastgolfclub.com LIONS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS APPEAL Our appeal is now up and running and all this week all our competition money will go directly to the Lions Club. Competitions are Opens and visitors are welcome to play any day of the week. Also we have our Hamper raffle up and running with the top prize of a hamper which was very kindly donated by our Club Captain Tim O’Driscoll. Second prize is a turkey crown and 3rd prize is a Ham. The draw will take place on Sunday, 17th December at 3 p.m. GIFT VOUCHERS Looking for something to give as a present this Christmas? Why not purchase a voucher from the Gold Coast. Vouchers can be for any amount and can be used for food in the hotel, golf or leisure membership or the play-loft in Clones Strand Hotel. Vouchers can be purchased from the reception in the Gold Coast or from the kiosk in the Golf Club. GENTS MEMBERSHIP RATES FOR 2018 The following are the rates for 2018 and the GUI levies are included: Full: €550 Husband and Wife: €800 Distance: (Over 40 Miles) €415 Country: €220 Senior Citizen: €415 Student Under 25: €140 Junior: €85 HAMS AND TURKEYS WINNERS SO FAR Up to Sunday, 3rd December the following have won prizes: Alan Landers Turkey. Andy Travers Ham, Barry Power Ham, Bob O’Brien Turkey, Brian Fahey 2 Hams, Conor Clancy 2 Hams and 1 Turkey, Darren O Droma Ham, Darren Power Ham, Frank Waters Ham, Geoff Collins Ham, Jack Moore Ham, Jimmy O’Dwyer Turkey, Joe Meade 2 Hams, Joey Veale Ham, John Flynn Turkey & Ham, John Hughes Ham, John McArthur 2 Hams, John White Ham, Johnny Burns Turkey, Lee Crotty Ham, Mark
Lenihan Ham, Michael Lenihan Ham, Michael Whelan Ham, Micheal White 3 Hams, Neil Dermody Ham, Niall Curran 3 Hams, Pat Power Ham, Paul Lawton Ham, Seanie Lenihan Turkey & Ham, Tom Moore Ham, Tommy Long Turkey, Willie Moore Ham. WINTER RATES ARE NOW OPERATING IN THE GOLD COAST Monday to Friday: Golf €15, Golf and Carvery Lunch €25 Saturday/Sunday: Golf €20, Golf and Carvery Lunch €30 CHANGES FOR TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR 2018 Golf clubs voted this week on a range of motions put to the four provincial annual delegate meetings in relation to a series of changes to the inter-club events that the Union stages. That the form of play for the AIG Pierce Purcell Shield be modified to Scotch Foursomes, (effective 2018). Effective 2019, that the Union introduce a new All-Ireland Seniors Inter-Club team event for golfers over the age of 55. That the lower handicap limit of the AIG Junior Cup be reduced from 5 to 4 effective 2018 That, in the AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield, the handicap limits be adjusted as follows effective 2018: Lowest individual reduced from 6 to 5 Lowest combined reduced from 17 to 15 That, in the AIG Pierce Purcell Shield, the handicap limits be adjusted as follows effective 2018: Lowest individual reduced from 12 to 11 Lowest combined reduced from 27 to 25 That, in the GUI Four-Ball InterClub Championship, the handicap limits be adjusted as follows effective 2018: Lowest individual reduced from 16 to 15 Lowest combined reduced from 36 to 34 PREMIER BUTCHER AT DAWN MEATS WINTER LEAGUE 2017/2018 Another good week for the
LISMORE GOLF CLUB Phone 058-54026. lismoregolfclub@eircom.net
www.lismoregolf.org MEN’S RESULTS Monday, 27th Nov /Saturday, 2nd Dec. - sponsored by James Bennett, Ballysaggart - 1st Donal O’Leary (16) 29 pts B6; 2nd Pa Morrissey (12) 29 pts B3; 3rd John Whelan (10) 29 pts. FIXTURES Mon. 4th / Sat. 9th Dec. 12 hole singles s/f sponsored by: Trevor Sheehan Sun. 10th Dec. 12 hole singles s/f - sponsored by: Timmy Sheehan & Marty Power. STORY OF THE WEEK This week 29 points was enough to get 1st or 2nd or 3rd prizes. It was smooth golf by each of lads overall and visually their score cards were
pleasing to the eye. Donal O'Leary played the steady golf that he is so capable of, and and like the rest of us mortals it doesn't happen often enough. After 6 holes he was one better than level 2s, steady as you go stuff indeed spoiled slightly by a double bogie on the 6th. He did the next 6 holes at 4 better than level 2s. Donal won with a better back 6 from Pat Morrissey. Pat Morrissey was second playing lovely golf. He had 9 pars overall and turned on 14 pts. adding 15 pts on the second 6 to make his final of 29 pts. Pat won the bacon from John Whelan, who featured recently, on the back 3. John had a total of 30 pts
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league. Sunday’s timesheet was the busiest we’ve seen for a long time and credit to all the players for turning out. After studying the league tables it now looks like this will be the toughest league to win in a long time. Nearly all the teams are putting in an extra effort this year, the number of games played is up on last year, and if the weather helps this could be the one of the best leagues we ever had. FIXTURES Mon., 4th Nov. – Fri., 8th Dec.: Winter League Week 6. Tuesday, 5th Dec.: Open Seniors, Ladies & Gents 50+. Friday, 8th Dec.: Open Singles. Sat., 9th/Sunday, 10th Dec.: Winter League Week 6. Tuesday, 12th Dec.: Open Seniors, Ladies & Gents 50+. RESULTS Tuesday, 28th November: Open Seniors 1st: Liam Clancy (16) 38 pts. 2nd: Larry Cunningham (16) 37 pts West Waterford. Monday 27th Nov.- Friday, 1st Dec: 1st: Alan Landers (15) 41 pts. 2nd: John Hughes (12) 40 pts. Gross: Micheal White (1) 37 pts. Saturday 25th/Sunday, 26th Nov: Winter League Week 4, CSS 39 pts. 1st: Jimmy O’Dwyer (10) 43 pts. Cat 0-9: Michael Lenihan (2) 40 pts. Cat 10-14: Darren O’Droma (12) 41 pts. Cat 15-18: Jack Moore (16) 42 pts. Cat 19+: Joe Meade (22) 43 pts. LADIES NOTES Fixtures: 10 Hole Ham Competition. Results: Ham #1: Lorraine Troy. Ham #2: Martina Corkery. Ladies Membership Rates for 2018: The following are the rates for 2018 and the GUI levies are included: Full: €400 Husband and Wife: €800 Distance: (Over 40 Miles) €350 Country: €170 Senior Citizen: €320 Student Under 25: €110 Junior: €75 Winter League sponsored by The Moorings Bar & Restaurant: Our Winter league kindly sponsored by The Moorings Bar and Restaurant over 13 holes is now entering the second week of round 4 which ends on Sunday 10th of Dec., weather permitting - remember a point is awarded for each round played even when your score is not counting! Round 2: Lorraine Troy 28 pts Martina Corkery (on countback) 27 pts Noirin Darcy 27 pts The high scoring continues in
Round 3: Helena Fitzgerald 28 pts Martina Corkery 28 pts Karen Darcy 26 pts Coastal Alliance: The Coastal Alliance is scheduled for Thursday, 7th Dec., in Tramore GC, tee time 9.30-11.30., weather permitting. Any change will be notified by text. Ladies Club Christmas Scramble: The Ladies Annual Christmas scramble took place on Sunday last with a very large num-
ber of players playing in what proved to be a very enjoyable scramble and some excellent scores were recorded. Results next week. Following the golf all the ladies adjourned to the Moorings Bar and Restaurant for a meal. The Moorings very kindly sponsor our winter league and it was fitting that we should return the compliment by having our Christmas Outing there. Well done to our Lady Captain for organising the event.
Membership Offers: If you are contemplating a new activity and making new friends for 2018 we have the answer, why not join us here at the Gold Coast. Please contact Bob or Mark on 058-44055 for some very tantalizing deals on offer at the moment for new members. There are always ladies available to take out new beginners and group lessons are arranged with a professional when the golfing season starts.
but was docked a point for a recent win so picked up the box of biscuits to add to his turkey. John had 8 pars with a birdie on the 9th. Well done to our winners and thanks to all who played over the week. The Parent Committee A.G.M took place at the Clubhouse on Tuesday last, 28th November. It was very pleasing to see a good attendance at the most important meeting of the year. The outgoing President Shaun Power said he enjoyed his 12 months in charge but wondered why it only felt like 6 months. He was proud to serve as President as he was a club member since his early teens and hoped he contributed something to the continued success of the club. He thanked his secretary Maurice Cahillane and Treasurer Nicholas Walsh for their continuing hard work together with the members of the committee. Secretary Maurice Cahillane read his report with praise being given to the ladies section for the success they had in getting a huge number of women to join over the year. He suggested the men could do well to copy these efforts. Treasurer Nicholas went through our income and outgoings to tell us we are ok for another year and that
there are many Golf Clubs would look on our situation with envy. However he did emphasis in the future the club needs to get more members joining plus more members playing golf. This was followed by the election of new officers for the next 12 months. Our new President for 2018 was proposed and seconded and so Cappoquin lady Sheila Denn took over the leadership with great applause. Sheila stated she was honoured to be asked to be president and that she will fulfill the position to the best of her ability. Seamus Beecher will be our Vice President. Lady Captain in 2015 Amanda Power will be our new treasurer, with Nicholas Walsh moving to Gent’s Captain for 2018. THE MALE GOLFER AND HIS PROSTATE The vast majority of us men are in fine health and prostate cancer is probably the furthest thought in our minds. The reason for writing this short note is to remind you that if you haven’t had a prostate check with your GP, do so immediately, especially if there’s a history of it in your family. LISMORE LADIES The Autumn League finished in style, there were 6 points separating
Team E & F at the start of the week and at the end of the week Team F came from behind with a blistering 20 pts a piece from Mag Morrissey, Jennifer Kingston and Ann Lane. Well I don't know about you, but I was not expecting that! What a finish well done ladies and hard luck to Team E who really gave them a battle all the way over the 6 weeks, it really was anyone's guess who would come out on top. The overall Individual winner was Helen Farrow who was very consistent over the 6 week league with 114 pts. First in Category 1 was Mag Morrissey for Team F with 20 pts, Category 2 was won by Lady Captain Mary Ahern with 18-2 = 16 pts and Category 3 was won by Ann Lane with 20-2 = 18 pts. Good scores ladies, well done. Congratulations to our new President Sheila Denn and her committee who have taken over the helm. Our Ladies Christmas party and presentation will take place in the Clubhouse on Sunday, 10th December 2017 at 6.30 pm, all prize winners please be in attendance. Make sure when you are in the clubhouse to read the notices so you don't miss out on any upcoming competitions or any changes that
are taking place. Team A: Patricia B McCarthy, Hannah Lucas, Esther Hornibrook, Mary O'Neill & Mary (Cal) Ahern Team B: Betty Joyce, Sheila Denn, Chrissie Denn, Joan Geary & Ber O'Keeffe Team C: Joan Cahillane, Mary Beecher, Helen Leddy, Mag Cashell & Mary O'Donovan Team D: Katherine Moynihan, Mary M. Murphy, Betty Daly, Theresa McGrath & Katie Dunne Team E: Helen Farrow, Marion Moore, Laoise Ní Chonchubhair, Patricia O'Neill & Avril Doocey Team F: Brid Henry, Mag Morrissey, Alice Henley, Jennifer Kingston & Ann Lane RESULTS Cat 1: Mag Morrissey (24) 20 pts; Cat 2: Mary Ahern (30) 18-2 = 16 pts; Cat 3: Ann Lane (36) 20-2 = 18 pts Team Totals: Team F: 326 pts Team E: 316 pts Team B: 291 pts Team D: 275 pts Team C: 266 pts Team A: 205 pts FIXTURES Ongoing 9 hole Aggregate Competition - please see notice board for more details.
Gold Coast Golf Club Ladies Competition kindly sponsored by Elaine Goss. From left: Mary Kiely (3rd), Elaine Goss, sponsor, Lorraine Troy, winner; Esther McGuckian (2nd) and Gerardine Hallinan, Lady Captain. [Sean Byrne//Deise Sport]
Gold Coast Golf Club Ladies Competition kindly sponsored by John Foley Images. From left: Noirin Darcy (3rd), Gerardine Hallinan, Lady Captain (Winner), John Foley, sponsor and Esther McGuckian (2nd). [Sean Byrne//Deise Sport]
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MUNSTER CLUB JUNIOR HURLING FINAL
Pictured above is the Foley family Ardmore with the Rory Nealon Cup in Mallow.
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Seamus Keating and his dad Nicky pictured enjoying the celebrations in Mallow last Sunday.
Enjoying the speech making and celebrations in Mallow last Sunday were left to right Seamus Keating, Eoghan Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shea, Sean Barron, Kenny Murphy, Jack Walsh and John Gartland. Oisin Langan pictured interviewing brothers Declan and Seamus Prendergast with their children after they had beaten Ballybacon/Grange in the Munster Club Junior Hurling Final.
The Murphys Margaret, on left, and Denise were supporting Ardmore in Mallow on Sunday last.
Richard and Nora Hennessy were in Mallow to see Ardmore win their first Munster Club Hurling Final.
Team manager Tom Cronin pictured with water boys David Walsh on left and Seamus Cronin.
Hurley carrier Seamus Veale with left to right Johnny Hennessy, Tom Power and Niall Power.
Mary Power, second from left pictured with the Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shea family Niamh, Patricia and Pat in Mallow for the Munster Junior Club hurling final.
GAA
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
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Ardmore achieves Munster Hurling glory AIB MUSTER CLUB JUNIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL Ardmore captain Declan Prendergast lifts the Rory Nealon Cup aloft after his team’s win over Ballybacon/Grange in Mallow on Sunday last. Also included are Anthony Walsh, PRO and Gerry O’Sullivan, Munster Council Chairman. Ardmore ……………………3-11; Ballybacon/Grange ……..… 2-8. ARDMORE’S junior hurlers became the third Waterford club in five years to win the Munster Club Junior Hurling title with a well deserved win over Tipperary champions Ballybacon/Grange in Mallow last Sunday afternoon. In deference to Ballysaggart and Modeligo, Ardmore took the difficult route to capture the Rory Nealon Cup, finishing the hour with a dozen players and playing most of the second half with thirteen men. However, this only highlighted the difference in standard between the teams. From the outset Tom Cronin’s charges were by far the better hurling side with their opponent’s poor first touch emphasising the gap in class. Ardmore were ahead by 1-5 to 0-2 after just thirteen minutes and it could have been even more but for inaccuracy in front of the posts. If Ardmore concentrated totally on hurling and not bringing themselves down to the standard of their opponents, this would have been a landslide victory for the seasiders instead of giving themselves and their large contingent of support a nervous ride to the winners’ enclosure. Wayne Hennessy’s 23rd minute sending off for a frontal challenge was dubious by a card happy referee Nathan Wall with a yellow usually being given for this offence. There was no questioning goalie’s Jack Walsh dismissal in added time following his tackle on Ballybacon’s full forward Declan Walsh after he had scored a goal while Seamus Prendergast’s habit of leaving the hurley in when his opponent has delivered the ball saw him leave the
field on two yellows in the 56th minute. Seamus Keating also picked up an unnecessary yellow card as early as the 8th minute and he could have picked up a second ever before any of his team mates saw red. The new Munster champions don’t require this niggly kind of play, they have the hurling to succeed at this level and this is worth considering when the All Ireland semi-final takes place in the new year. David Gartland opened the scoring from play as early as sixteen seconds in with Daniel O’Regan replying for Ballybacon two minutes later. Ardmore took over proceedings at this stage with James Kennedy, who was replaced at the break for tactical reasons alone, pointing before Man of the Match Seamus Prendergast found the net in the 4th minute after James Flavin’s initial attempt was brilliantly saved by Brendan Cummins. The first yellow card of the game was picked up by corner back Philip Walsh for a foul on Seamus Prendergast which the Ardmore man punished on the scoreboard before Brendan Cummins scored the first of his tally of 1-2 from placed balls. Ardmore were in full flow at this stage with the Tipp champions unable to match their momentum. Seamus Prendergast provided for a 9th minute James Flavin minor before Kenny Murphy and Flavin did likewise for Prendergast, 1-5 to 0-2 and thirteen minutes played. Kenny Murphy was outstanding for Ardmore throughout and especially when his midfield partner Wayne Hennessy was sidelined. Murphy worked relentlessly despite shipping a number of heavy tackles
and he was a real candidate for the man of the match. Heading into the second quarter, Ardmore slackened somewhat in a scoreless period that lasted seventeen minutes while Ballybacon/ Grange enjoyed their best form. Aaron Lonergan pointed three out of four free attempts between the 18th and the 27th minutes and Daniel O’Regan lofted over his second minor before picking up his side’s second yellow card, 1-5 to 0-6. Ardmore badly required a reply and it arrived per Seamus Prendergast (f) in the 30th minute as three minutes of added time were announced. James Kennedy immediately added his second before Brendan Cummins’ delivery from a free was latched onto by Declan Walsh who was upended on scoring his goal resulting in Ardmore facing the second half with thirteen men. The Waterford champions led at the break by 1-7 to 1-6 while the Ballybacon/Grange side decided not to exit the field the same time as Ardmore which was needless really. It wasn’t a dirty game by any means with the flashing of cards regularly by the referee instead of just awarding frees. Fair play to the Ardmore camp at half-time per their manager Tom Cronin, trainer Wayne Power and selectors Declan Hennessy, Jay Prendergast and Frankie North, they rejigged their side, concentrating on defence and replacing two of their forwards, James Kennedy and Kieran Conway both of whom were enjoying good games but had to take one for the team. James O’Donnell, a capable goalie in his own right came on
Ardmore players and mentors celebrate their win over Ballybacon/Grange in their AIB Munster Junior Hurling Final. [Maurice Hennebry]
along with Eoghan O’Shea at full back. Declan Prendergast went to number 6 while Seamus Prendergast came further out at the other end. Ballybacon/Grange utilised their two spare men in defence and for the first eight minutes of the new half, they cleaned up every ball that came from Ardmore. James Flavin was wide with a 34th minute pointed effort while stand-in goalie James O’Donnell made a great tackle on Billy Hewitt’s goal attempt at the expense of a ‘65’. The sides were level on 36 minutes when Brendan Cummins sent over that ‘65’ while their midfielder Brian Dillon received a yellow for a similar offence as Wayne Hennessy’s two minutes later. The Ardmore support really got behind their favourites as they had trouped out for the restart and they could be heard even louder when a Seamus Keating free was pounced on by Seamus Prendergast and the net bulged before Brendan Cummins could move inside. It was a classic moment between two old warriors and one minute later the ball was back in the net when James Flavin provided for David Gartland who had some work to do before Cummins was beaten for the third match occasion. The atmosphere was now electric at the Mallow venue as a team that looked in all sorts of trouble since half-time were now in the driving seat and thirteen men were now just two good for fifteen for the rest of the game, 3-7 to 1-7. One would expect a reply from the Tipperary champions but it was Ardmore who drove on with minors by Seamus Prendergast and
James Flavin with Ballybacon’s Craig Carrigan picking up the seventh of the eleven game cards. Entering the final quarter, second half substitute Gavin Whelan spurned a good goal chance for Ballybacon before their best forward on the day Daniel O’Regan popped over his third point, 3-9 to 1-8. Seamus Prendergast’s contribution on the scoreboard was precious throughout as was his 51st minute point from a David Gartland pass. In the space of four minutes, Seamus Prendergast picked up two yellow cards and a further two minutes later, Ballybacon’s Sean Nagle followed him to the dug-outs. David Gartland was wide with a 59th minute free before one of the loudest cheers went up when stand in full back Eoghan O’Shea dissected the posts from all of one hundred yards, 3-11 to 1-8. Like in the first half, three minutes of added time were announced and in the middle of these, Brendan Cummins found the net from a close-in free which put a better look on the final scoreboard from his side’s point of view. Ardmore showed great character in overcoming all adversities in this final and they can look forward to the new year with a certain amount of confidence after this heroic display against all the odds. Everybody who saw action played their part led brilliantly by captain Declan Prendergast while the sideline most definitely got their decision making correct at halftime. PRESENTATION Munster Council Chairman Gerry O’Sullivan and Council PRO Anthony Walsh presented the Rory
Nealon Cup to Ardmore captain amid scenes never to be forgotten by those in attendance. Ardmore’s Top Three: Seamus Prendergast, Kenny Murphy, Declan Prendergast. Ballybacon/Grange’s Top Three: Daniel O’Regan, Brendan Cummins, Michael O’Sullivan. Observer’s Man of the Match: Seamus Prendergast. Number of Scorers: Ardmore 5. Ballybacon/Grange 4. Scores From Play: Ardmore 3-8. Ballybacon/Grange 1-3. Frees For: Ardmore 7. Ballybacon/Grange 14. Wides: Ardmore 6. Ballybacon Grange 4. Score of the Match: Seamus Prendergast’s 38th minute goal for Ardmore. Scorers for Ardmore: S. Prendergast (2-5, 0-2 frees); D. Gartland (1-1); J. Kennedy, J. Flavin (0-2 each); E. O’Shea (0-1). Scorers for Ballybacon-Grange: B. Cummins (1-2, 1-1 frees, 0-1 65); D. Walsh (1-0), A. Lonergan (0-3, frees); D. O’Regan (0-2); A. Savage (0-1). Ardmore: J. Walsh, N. Hennessy, D. Prendergast, D. Power, G. Williams, S. Keating, R. Hennessy, K. Murphy, W. Hennessy, J. Flavin, D. Gartland, J. Gartland, J. Kennedy, S. Prendergast, K. Conway. Subs: E. O’Shea for Kennedy, J.O’Donnell for K. Conway (both HT); E. Conway for J. Gartland (60). Ballybacon-Grange: B. Cummins, P. Walsh, B. Walsh, C. Carrigan (c), M. Barlow, C. O’Gorman, S. Nagle, M. O’Sullivan, B. Dillon, D. O’Regan, B. Hewitt, G. Cronin, A. Savage, D. Walsh, A. Lonergan. Subs: S. Lambert for P. Walsh (15); C. O’Shaughnessy for Dillon (blood 19-22); G. Whelan for J. Cronin (HT); J. English for Savage (49); C. O’Shaughessy for Carrigan (56); J. O’Mahoney for M. O’Sullivan (59). Referee: N. Wall (Cork).
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GAA
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Abbeyside deserving winners of back-toback titles Sean Byrne Photography Western Under 21 ‘A’ Hurling Championship Final Replay
Pat Grant, Chairman Western GAA Board presents the U-21A Hurling Cup to Abbeyside's Captain, John Elstead. The competition was kindly sponsored by Sean Byrne Photography. [Sean Byrne//Deise Sport]
Abbeyside ………………… 1-15; Dungarvan …………………2-10. THIS latest local derby game between Abbeyside and Dungarvan must also rate as a good one with rival supporters again treated to a battle royal between two evenly matched teams at the Fraher Field last Saturday evening. That Abbeyside were deserving winners in the end can be seen from the fact that when they were 0-2 in arrears after 52 minutes, they kept Dungarvan scoreless for the remainder of the action and they went on themselves to score 0-4, three from play by Neil Montgomery (2) and Sean Whelan Barrett with their side’s top scorer Eoin Kiely on 0-11 (9f) striking his final point from a free. As in the drawn game Dungarvan started the livelier playing some great hurling and they led by 0-4 to 0-0 at the end of the first quarter. Patrick Curran claimed all four points, three from frees while defender Peter Queally did extremely well to prevent what looked like a certain Eoin Kiely goal effort enter the net on four minutes. It took Eoin Kiely a few attempts
to find his scoring range from frees but once he did he was a scoring machine for his team starting with the winners’ opening score as late as the 17th minute. He added two more of the same variety by the 24th minute and when Sean Whelan Barrett evaded his marker to make a good run on goal, Neil Montgomery pin-pointed the sliotar to him to find the net expertly in the country end and put the Villagers into the lead at 1-3 to 0-4 and 25 minutes on the clock. Patrick Curran levelled matters for the first time with pointed frees in the 26th and in the 29th minutes, the latter an excellent strike, before Tom Looby looked to have the goal at his mercy only for Blues keeper Brendan Cullinane somehow getting across in time to prevent the sliotar entering the net. Looby made amends in the first minute of added time when he shot a contender for score of the match from underneath the stand to give his side a minimum lead of 1-4 to 0-6 at the short whistle. As in the drawn game, Abbeyside were the stronger outfit in the second moiety shooting
eleven scores (0-11) to six for Dungarvan (2-4). The Blues were over reliant on Patrick Curran for their scores with only one other forward working the board whereas Abbeyside had four different marksmen, not a lot either, but enough to win the game. By the 36th minute, Eoin Kiely, in a rich vein of free-taking form on the night, scored twice either side of a Patrick Curran pointed free, the latter also in form from placed balls as Abbeyside led by 1-6 to 0-7. The spirit that the Blues displayed in this year’s championship surfaced once again when corner forward Conor Duggan pounced for a 37th minute goal and the lead once more. Eoin Kiely levelled one minute later and he then availed of a mistake in the Dungarvan defence to regain the lead with a score from play, 1-8 to 1-7. Kiely (f) stretched the lead further in the 40th minute and when Blues midfielder Mick Devine was redcarded three minutes later, further questions were being asked of Dungarvan’s resolve. Credit them, they answered in style in the 46th minute when a John Devine free
Abbeyside Western U-21A Hurling Champions 2017. [Sean Byrne//Deise Sport]
was gathered by Patrick Curran, who made space for himself to strike the ball low into the right hand corner of the net, a class goal from a player approaching his best form once again, 2-7 to 1-9. Sean Crotty was outstanding in winning aerial possession at this stage and when fouled on one occasion, Patrick Curran (f) extended Dungarvan’s lead to 0-2. However, a more mature and numerically stronger Abbeyside won the remainder of the game by 0-6 to 0-2 with Eoin Kiely punishing frees and Neil Montgomery coming into his own in the final minutes. The teams were level for the third time on 49 minutes courtesy of a further brace of Kiely scores, the first from a free and the second, the result of a key moment in the game when Dungarvan failed to score at one end and Abbeyside immediately worked the ball upfield per John Elsted and Conor Prunty for a superb point from play. There was still a bit more left in Dungarvan, though, and two further Patrick Curran pointed frees by the 52nd minute ensured that this encounter was going down to
the wire, 2-10 (D) 1-11 (A). However, the Blues’ best efforts, it was Abbeyside who struck for the winning scores, first of all drawing the game for the fourth time by the 54th minute from scores by Neil Montgomery and Eoin Kiely (f), 2-10 to 1-13 and then going on to win by two with further minors by Sean Whelan Barrett and Montgomery again, the latter in the 59th minute. Three minutes of added time were announced and Dungarvan were gamely on the offensive when the final whistle sounded at 62.38 to bring another chapter in the sporting rivalry of these neighbouring clubs to conclusion with Abbeyside bringing the cup home for the second year in succession. PRESENTATION Chairman of the Western Board, Pat Grant presented the Abbeyside captain with the Eugene McLoughlin Memorial Cup and wished them the best in the upcoming County final where the opposition will be either Ballygunner, Passage or De La Salle. Abbeyside’s Top Three: Eoin Kiely, Darragh McGrath, Neil Montgomery. Dungarvan’s Top Three: Patrick
Curran, John Curran, Peter Queally. Observer’s Man of the Match: Eoin Kiely. Number of Scorers: Abbeyside 4. Dungarvan 2. Scores From Play: Abbeyside 1-6. Dungarvan 2-1. Frees For: Abbeyside 15. Dungarvan 24. Wides: Abbeyside 4. Dungarvan 7. Score of the Match: Abbeyside’s 49th minute point engineered by John Elsted and Conor Prunty and executed by Eoin Kiely. Scorers – Abbeyside: Eoin Kiely 011 (9f), Sean Whelan Barrett 1-1, Neil Montgomery 0-2, Tom Looby 0-1. Dungarvan: Patrick Curran 1-10 (9f), Conor Duggan 1-0. Abbeyside: Seamus Ryan; Conor McCarthy, John Elsted, Mikey Coleman; Mark Twomey, Conor Prunty, Jack Duggan; Darragh McGrath, Sean Daly; David Looby, James Beresford, Neil Montgomery; Sean Whelan Barrett; Eoin Kiely, Tom Looby. Dungarvan: Brendan Cullinane; Jack Lacey, Aaron Donnolly, Peter Queally; John Curran, John Devine, Kealan Daly; Joe Allen, Mick Devine; Aidan Kirwan, Sean Crotty, John Havens; Luke O’Callaghan, Patrick Curran, Conor Duggan. Sub: Mark Boland for John Havens (40). Referee: Killian O’Sullivan (Cappoquin).
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Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
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Gaelic Jottings Ten Times Winners A HISTORICAL DECEMBER SUNDAY LAST Sunday’s County senior football final ended the championship year on a high note with a final that will remain long in the memory. Part of this too though will be the individual achievements of five Stradbally players who collected their tenth senior football medal, a historic occasion and one that enters the Waterford GAA records out on its own. Of the starting Stradbally side, Michael Walsh and goalie Eoin Cunningham made double figure history and players who also were involved this year, John and Kevin Coffey and Ger Power join them in the medal winning archives. This information which was kindly passed on to us by the Reds chairman Tom Cunningham was a really special occasion in the aftermath of Sunday’s game and neither of this historic quintet have said they are throwing their boots away for 2018. Well done to all.
Munster Champions MILES away from the Fraher Field in Mallow, Ardmore’s junior hurlers were making their own history when winning the Munster title, following the footprints of both Ballysaggart and Modeligo. The seasiders certainly took the scenic route here finishing up with a dozen players with the difference in class standing to them on this occasion. Many memories will be brought home from Mallow by all connected with the club but top of the list must surely be the reception the team got from their followers when the thirteen of them trouped back out in determined fashion for the second half and the rest, as they say, is history. SPECIAL WIN- ARDMORE CAPTAIN Captaining Ardmore to a Munster club JHC title last Sunday was up there with anything Declan Prendergast has achieved in his long playing career. The 36-year-old former Waterford star led by example at full back as Ardmore defeated Brendan Cummins' BallybaconGrange by 3-11 to 2-8 in Mallow. "I had my first game for Ardmore when I was seven. That's 30 years ago now, it's been a long road, but this... look, it's special," To be honest, getting out of West Waterford was probably the biggest thing for us this year because there was a bit of a monkey on our back in that we were favourites for every game, everyone wanted a cut off us. "We've cut loose since coming out of Waterford, we've been able to play with a bit more freedom. We had great days with Waterford, winning four Munster titles, and I wouldn't take anything away from that, but the whole parish is here with us today. "It's really special."
Local Derbies LOCAL derby games between Abbeyside and Dungarvan have enjoyed a life of their own over the years and for some reason when they are close run affairs, they can’t be any closer. For example, the most famous ‘old firm’ sagas have been the Minor hurling trilogy in 1964 with Dungarvan coming out on top by 3-1 to 1-6 in the third game and similarly in 1997 when Abbeyside proved best by 1-8 to 0-9 in the third and final game. Despite being held in darkness and so late in the year, the under 21 hurling final this year, which took two games to resolve, rekindled memories of previous clashes before the Villagers came out on top by 1-15 to 2-10. From a local hurling
perspective, this is a healthy sign of the game in the locality and hopefully the winners can now go on and win out in the County final and bring the Tony Mansfield Memorial Cup home to its rightful place.
This Week’s Fixtures Ballinameela play Portlaw in the final relegation play-off game in the senior football championship this Sunday, December 10th in the Fraher Field at 2 p.m. with the Westerners the slight favourites to come out on top. Earlier that morning at 12 noon out in Bushy Park, Ardmore and Fourmilewater meet in the Western under 21 ‘B’ hurling championship which should be a close run affair with Ardmore’s recent concentration on hurling perhaps shading the verdict against the Conor Gleeson led Fourmile outfit.
Western Board Convention this Thursday THE Western Board was founded in February 1929 and if a Convention was held every year then the 88th one will take place in the very suitable Ballymacarbry Community Centre this Thursday, December 7th at 7.30 p.m. Two positions are to be filled on the Board for 2018 with Clodagh Kearns of the St. Mary’s, Touraneena club nominated as Assistant Treasurer while there are no nominations for the post of P.R.O. The above two positions are being vacated by John Jackson and Emer Barry respectively, both officers who are no strangers for their good work for the Association. Financial Accounts always receive more than a passing glance and rounding off each figure to the nearest thousand, the bottom line this year is that the Board earned a profit of €10,000 following an income of €67,000 and expenses totalling €57,000. The bulk of the income was the €53,000 gate money while stand out expenses include Field Rent €15,000. Referees- €10,000, Grant to County Board- €10,000, Medals€3,000 and club share of gates- €2,000.
Transfer Deadline FRIDAY, January 5th at 2 p.m. is the deadline for transfer applications to be with the Board for the year 2018.
County Convention THE County Convention will be held on Thursday, December 14th in Lawlors Hotel.
Munster Council Awards €1m in Club Grants THE Munster Council has announced details of the 2017 Development Grant Scheme, which has provided €1,004,700 in funding for club and school capital development projects across the province. Under the scheme, Clare received €118,600 from 10 applications, Cork received €344,229 from 38 applications, Limerick received €185,258 from 18 applications, Kerry received €93,308 from 15 applications, Tipperary received €202,413 from 23 applications and Waterford received €60,886 from 7
Last Sunday Kill GAA launched the 16th edition of their Christmas Long Puck, which as usual takes place on December 27th. This year’s event is in aid of the Ian St. John Support Fund and Kill GAA Development and it sees proceedings get underway at 1.30 p.m. It’s a team of three (any mix of male/female/juvenile) with an entry fee of €10 per adult and €5 per U-16. Pictured at the launch were Ollie St. John, Paidi Dunphy (host pub) and members of Kill GAA.
applications. Funding is allocated based on the amount spent and on the category of development. Council Chairman Jerry O'Sullivan said: "I am delighted to announce the awarding of €1 million in grants supporting development projects in 108 clubs and 3 schools throughout Munster." "These grants have supported an impressive range of capital development projects, with clubs investing close on €7,750,000 in upgrading their facilities. This level of expenditure is testament to the strength of the GAA in the province and reflects the impressive vision of our clubs to continually improve facilities for players and supporters alike." He added: "The grants provided would not be possible without the great support we get from the many thousands of people who attend our games each year. We are very fortunate to have such loyal support in the province and we are delighted to be able to redistribute income from games to the clubs and schools." Of the fund available this year, Central Council provided €540,000, with the balance of €464,700 coming from the Munster Council's own resources.
Three Man Full Forward Line Prendergast MUNSTER Junior Club Final Man of the Match Seamus Prendergast would like to see Waterford adopt a more attackminded approach in 2018. The Deise employed a controversial sweeper system this year which brought them to the All-Ireland final where they came up short against Galway. Former Waterford forward Prendergast, believes a more adventurous style could reap dividends next year. "I think they need to probably push up," "I know they got a lot of goals against Cork and that and they got two goals against Kilkenny but I think they need to push up for longer periods of the
game to really threaten a lot of the teams that are winning All-Irelands, you know, keep three lads in the full-forwards for the majority of the time. "I think they'll have to change a little. The system they have, look, it got them to the All-Ireland final so you can't knock it too much. If they can tweak it a little and push up a little further up the field, keep at least two, maybe three, inside in the full-forward line as often as they can, I think that would benefit their cause. "The older generation have seen Waterford playing that kind of open offthe-cuff hurling for 50 years. It's a big change for them and those people always want that style of hurling.
Revamping Walsh Park WATERFORD remain hopeful of hosting Tipperary and Cork in next year's new Munster SHC round-robin series, despite County Secretary Pat Flynn admitting that redevelopment works at Walsh Park are unlikely to take place before then. The Waterford city venue hasn't hosted a major Provincial game since 1996 due to its capacity of just 11,500, and there is speculation that Derek McGrath's charges could be forced to play their 'home' Munster SHC games outside the Province in Nowlan Park. "Realistically it (next year's championship) might be too soon. The plans we're looking at, we might have to wait until after the championship next year to commence with those - after June, probably," "There are negotiations going on at the moment, we're drafting plans about a possible redevelopment. Then we'll be going to costings and see where we can go with those. "At the moment the games are still fixed for Walsh Park, though. That's what we're looking at as the venue. "There may be some remedial works that have to be done to raise the capacity up by a couple of thousand - at the moment it's 11,500 so, depending on health and safety, we may need to put in those
remedial works to raise the capacity by a couple of thousand. But as I say, at the moment the games are fixed for Walsh Park. "We will be discussing alternatives if there are alternatives, but that's our focus at the moment." Meanwhile, it must be said that when the County senior football final was featured on GAA Beo last Monday evening, the Fraher Field venue and its surrounds looked the worst for wear of all the venues on the programme.
In’s and Out’s of the McGrath Cup THREE Munster Counties will participate in the 2018 McGrath Cup football Tournament and the other three will not. Limerick's senior footballers are the latest team to withdraw from next year's McGrath Cup competition. The Shannonsiders join Kerry and Tipperary in pulling out from the January competition, meaning only Clare, Cork and Waterford will partake in it with two games apiece ahead of the final. Munster Council has gone with a group format for 2018 and the first game has been pencilled in for December 30th.
Scór Na Seachtaine SEAMUS Prendergast’s 38th minute goal in the Munster Club Junior Hurling Championship Final against Ballybacon/Grange in Mallow on Sunday last.
Fraher Field Classics THIS week’s Fraher Fields Classics featured game courtesy of the editor of the Dungarvan Observer and from the pen of John A. Murphy is the National Hurling League game between Kilkenny and Waterford in Nowlan Park on Sunday, December 2nd, 1967. “League Hopes Nearing an End’’. Kilkenny 2-11; Waterford 1-6.
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Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Good News for Waterford GAA …
TQS new sponsorship deal secured for County teams TQS Integration announced a new 3 year sponsorship of Waterford GAA county teams in their company headquarters in Lismore last Friday afternoon. The sponsorship, introducing a brand new company logo, covers all Waterford county hurling and football teams from under 14 to Senior in both codes and will be performance bonus related. The new county jersey along with all leisure wear including track suits, polos, windcheaters, training tops and kit bags will carry the TQS Integration logo. TQS Integration, is a global data intelligence consultancy group specialising in the management of real-time data from manufacturing assets within organizations, working in partnership with best-in-class technology companies TQS employs approximately 100 Consultants and Support staff to serve valued clients in offices located in Lismore & Dublin, Ireland, London, England, Boston, MA. USA, Philadelphia, PA. USA, Houston, TX. USA, Chicago, IL. USA, Berkeley, CA. USA, Basel, Switzerland, Madrid, Spain and Singapore. Working in partnership with bestin-class technology companies such as OSI soft and Operating across all industry verticals that include Life-Sciences, Chemical-
Petrochemical, Food-Beverage, Energy and Utilities TQS facilitates transformation of data into Business Intelligence to maximize effectiveness and productivity within these organizations through digital transformation resulting in increased profitability. Company President Maura Quilty, daughter of the late Eamonn and Mai Feehan, Abbeyside stated that TQS is eighteen years in business having started in the kitchen of her house with her husband Tom, a proud Limerick man, moving to the sitting room and now almost two decades later it is a Global company serving up to 500 Pharmaceutical companies world wide, a tremendous achievement indeed. The Quilty’s have two daughters Tara and Nicola who were also present at the announcement. Maura continued, “My executive team and all at TQS Integration are delighted to be launching this new sponsorship with Waterford GAA. This sponsorship is a first for us and feel it’s an ideal opportunity for us to promote our company nationally and indeed internationally now as well. As a Waterford based company operating in the international stage, we hold special pride in being an Irish success story, and as a Waterford native I
Maire Quilty, Corporate Managing Director of TQS with Waterford hurling team manager Derek McGrath and, from left: Jamie Barron, Shane Fives, Maurice Shanahan, Dan Shanahan, Michael Curry and Conor Murray in attendance at the Waterford GAA new sponsorship launch at TQS Integration Systems in Lismore, Waterford. [Matt Browne/Sportsfile]
feel particularly honoured to be sponsors of our county teams who have given us such entertainment over the last few years and we are delighted to support them in any way we can into the future’’. ‘’In particular I want to publically
Waterford footballer Conor Murray, left: with Waterford hurler Maurice Shanahan in attendance at the Waterford GAA new sponsorship launch at TQS Integration Systems in Lismore, Waterford. [Matt Browne/Sportsfile]
Waterford footballer Conor Murray in attendance at the Waterford GAA new sponsorship launch at TQS Integration Systems in Lismore, Waterford. [Matt Browne/Sportsfile]
thank Co. Board Chairman P. J. Ryan and Co. Secretary Pat Flynn for all their help in putting this sponsorship package together. I want to wish all of the county teams and management every success in the future and, yes, we will be celebrating All Ireland success in the near future; Déise Abú”. ‘’Today in Lismore all our international employees are in attendance for an in-house seminar and I would like to take this occasion to publically thank them for the valuable work they do for the company world wide and to also thank our daughters Tara and Nicola. TQS availed of this sponsorship announcement on Friday last to state that one hundred more jobs will be created by the company in 2018 as well as further offices being opened in Spain in January and in Chicago in the U.S., exciting times indeed for the successful Lismore based company. The Vice-President of TQS John O’Shea also spoke to the large attendance about the company and
looking forward to seeing the County teams in action bearing the TQS logo. The organiser of the announcement activities, Kieran O’Connor introduced Waterford Chairman, P. J. Ryan who said ‘’This is a momentous occasion for Waterford GAA and we are delighted to have a company like TQS Integration as our new team sponsors and we wish them the best into the future. They are an outstanding and successful Waterford based International Company and we are so proud to have them on board. I want to personally thank them for being so courteous and professional in our dealings with them and I look forward to a strong working and successful relationship into the future. With the huge costs now involved in running our county teams it would be impossible to prepare them to the level required without their generous support and sponsorship. Thanks to Maura for contacting
Dungarvan business man David Walsh who liaised with the Board and which has now brought this sponsorship to a successful conclusion.’’ Also at the launch were representing of both players and management from both hurling and football county teams as well as Co. Board officers. Players modelling the new impressive Waterford gear included footballers Michael Curry and Conor Murray and hurlers Jamie Barron, Tommy Ryan, Shane Fives and Maurice Shanahan. County senior hurling manager Derek McGrath promised the company honesty of effort to give the company value for their investment with fellow selectors Dan Shanahan stating that he was proud that it was a Lismore based company who were the new team sponsors and Eoin Murphy, who works in the pharmaceutical business, adding that TQS and Waterford GAA will make a good and successful partnership.
Waterford hurlers and footballers, from left: Jamie Barron, Shane Fives, Maurice Shanahan, Michael Curry and Conor Murray in attendance at the Waterford GAA new sponsorship launch at TQS Integration Systems in Lismore, Waterford. [Matt Browne/Sportsfile]
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Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
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JJ Kavanagh and Sons County Senior Football Championship Final
Stradbally wins best final in decades Stradbally ........................… 1-15; Nire ...................................… 1-14. IT WAS a long time coming but for anyone in the 1,500 or so attendance in Fraher Field on Sunday last, it was a final worth waiting for. We have become accustomed to County Finals involving Stradbally and The Nire and this was the eighth between the great modern day rivals of Waterford football. All have produced stirring contests, bringing joy and heartache in equal measure to the respective victors and vanquished as the case may have been, but there will be no disputing that when looking back in coming years last Sunday’s final will stand out as, probably, the most memorable. The greatest pity about this game was that there had to be a loser and in normal circumstances there would not have been one. When referee Anthony Fitzgerald signalled the end of sixty minutes plus added time the crowd was looking forward to what would have been a fifth final replay between the clubs on Sunday next when the announcement was made that there would be extra time. In the case of a drawn county final extra time was unprecedented and unexpected in that there was no Munster Club participation depending on the outcome. As matters transpired both clubs had informed the County Board that in the event of the game ending in a draw they would want extra time to be played and their wishes were acceded to. Playing their fifth knock-out championship game in three weeks it was understandable that concerns would be raised about The Nire’s ability to stay the course against a Stradbally side that had consigned them to the ‘Losers Group’ in September and had since just one championship outing in the previous Sunday’s two point win over Kilrossanty. Such concerns were to be quickly dispelled. As the teams lined-up with The Nire defending the dressing room end it was clear that Shane Lannon’s assignment was to pick up on Conor Gleeson regardless of what position the Nire star would take up. It was to prove a most difficult task for the Stradbally player. Both teams showed two changes in personnel from the official programme with Cathal Cusack replacing Kevin Mulcahy in
the Stradbally defence and Nicky Connors replacing his brother Tommy in attack. For The Nire, James McGrath started instead of Jake Mulcahy, taking up position in midfield with the clear instruction to stick to Shane Aherne as he had done to Donie Breathnach of An Rinn in the previous week’s semi-final while Michael Moore replaced Michael O’Gorman. From the throw-in Shane Aherne put Stradbally on the attack and while the opening two minutes saw play in the Nire half the first score of the game came at the other end with Conor Gleeson being fouled on his side’s first attack before slotting the free over the bar in the 3rd minute. As the game picked up pace the Nire were looking the more likely side on the attack and after Craig Guiry was narrowly wide Shane Walsh sent over a fine score in the 8th minute. Clearly the Nire game plan was to send low balls into Conor Gleeson to enable him to get out in front and win possession and it was proving effective as the county hurling star was fouled and sent over his second point in the 10th minute and two minutes later sent over his first from play. The Nire looked very much in control at that stage though Daniel Weldon opened Stradbally’s account with a fine point in the 12th minute. A minute later Craig Guiry sent a low ball forward to the unmarked Tom Barron and he set out for goal to beat Eoin Cunningham with a low drive to give his side a six point lead. At that stage it might have appeared that the game was going away from Stradbally but their response was swift and decisive. From Cunningham’s kick-out Daniel Weldon won possession and made ground to set up Robert Aherne for a fine point and one minute later, on the quarter hour, Weldon again opened up the Nire defence, picked out Ger Crowley with a perfect delivery and the youngster finished expertly to the Nire net to leave the score at 1-4 to 1-2 going into the second quarter. It was game on. Tom Barron put his side three points clear in the 16th minute while Ger Crowley forced Diarmuid Murphy to save smartly at the other end. The Nire might have gone further ahead had Tholm Guiry and Shane Walsh converted good
Supporting the Nire in the County Senior Football final were Richard Snr. [Sean Byrne//Deise Sport] and Richard Jnr. Harte.
chances but between the 21st and 24th minutes Stradbally drew level for the first time with three excellent points on the bounce from Shane Aherne, Eoin O’Brien and Robert Aherne. Those scores stirred the Nire back into action as a quick free taken by Conor Gleeson set up Shane Walsh for the lead point and in the closing minutes of the half it was Gleeson who completed the first half scoring with two more points from play to give his side a 1-8 to 1-5 halftime lead. The second half saw Tommy Connors on board for Stradbally in place of Nicky and with Shane Aherne fouled on breaking forward from the throw-in Eoin O’Brien sent over the free. A minute later Michael Walsh turned over possession as the Nire attacked and broke forward to place Tommy Connors for a point. The Nire hit back with a great point from a Conor Gleeson free on the right wing and they appeared to be gaining the upper hand again when Eoin Cunningham was forced to save from Shane Walsh and Diarmuid Murphy was called up from goal to send over a free some 45 metres out from goal. Michael Sweeney replied with a point but Stradbally had a let-off when Gleeson pounced on a poor clearance out of defence and saw his shot shave the paint on the upper side of the crossbar with Eoin Cunningham beaten. Stradbally made their second substitution with Andy Doyle replacing Luke Casey and after Dermot Ryan stretched the Nire lead to four points in the 47th minute Ger Power replaced goal scorer Ger Crowley for Stradbally while the Nire sent Michael O’Gorman on for James McGrath. The game was moving on to the last ten minutes now and Stradbally, who had never been able to take the lead, needed to make their move. A lobbing ball towards the Nire goal was broken down to Eoin O’Brien and he sent over in the 49th minute and a minute later it was Shane Aherne who turned provider for O’Brien’s fourth point. Stradbally were now piling on the pressure as Shane Aherne sent over a great point to leave just one between the teams in the 51st minute and the Nire were soaking up the pressure when possession was turned over, and, attacking on the break, Shane Walsh settled Nire nerves with his third point of the game. Two down and three minutes of normal time remaining it was certainly advantage Nire at that stage but with Stradbally there was always going to be another twist in the game and it came with Shane Lannon breaking forward out of defence and setting up Michael Walsh for a great point to leave just one between the sides. Stradbally continued to push forward and the equaliser came in the 58th minute with Shane Aherne, the ball winner, setting up Daniel Weldon. From that point on and into the allotted three minutes plus of added time the Stradbally pressure was relentless with chances of a winner falling to Tommy Connors, Michael Walsh and Shane Aherne
Stradbally's Shane Aherne in possession against Nire's James McGrath during the J.J. Kavanagh & Sons Waterford Senior football final in Fraher Field. [Sean Byrne//Deise Sport] from a ‘45 but the Nire held fast and the game headed into the two ten minute periods of extra time without Stradbally ever having taken the lead in the whole game. The Nire recalled James McGrath for the start of extra time but it was Stradbally who put down the early marker with Jack Mullaney shooting his side into the lead after just forty seconds. There followed an action packed first period of extra time that saw Stradbally forced to defend under strong pressure against a Nire side showing no signs of tiring. Conor Gleeson was almost through on goal but hit the side netting under pressure. The same player was wide again from play before being awarded a free in front of the posts in the 8th minute which looked certain to yield the equaliser but was sent just wide of the post. Though there was no let up in the Nire siege on the Stradbally goal one began to feel at that stage that it was going to be Stradbally’s day as they retained their one point lead going into changeover to the second period. Shane Walsh had an early chance to level but he was again off target. In the 13th minute Ger Power was fouled on the right wing and from a difficult angle Robert Aherne sent over a great point with his left leg. There was now no let up in the excitement and drama as the Nire chased the two point deficit and Stradbally sought to seal the victory. Shane Walsh was brought down outside the penalty area and this time Conor Gleeson sent over with two minutes remaining on the clock. The Nire continued to drive forward and seemed set to equalise when Dermot Ryan’s shot tailed off just slightly at the last second to go wide off the upright. With two minutes of added time allotted the game was in the third minute when the Nire were awarded a free on the ‘65’ and a dissenting voice
caused the ball to be brought forward to the ‘45’. Diarmuid Murphy was summoned up to repeat his earlier strike from almost the same position. This time everything hinged on the result of his effort.The pressure on the goalkeeper was huge and when the shot drifted just wide it seemed that the Nire had reached the end of the road. Another thirty seconds or so of play was allowed to continue with the Nire still on the attack but when possession was turned over the final whistle sounded and Stradbally were champions once again. It was truly a great game to bring the curtain down on a championship that really only came to life with the semi-finals of the previous week. The Nire will look back and feel that they had enough chances to win the game but they will be only too aware that when you do not take your chances against Stradbally they will punish you for it. After such a great final that showed Waterford football to be in good shape it is a great pity that the winners missed out on the opportunity to show their stuff on the Munster stage. That surely cannot be allowed to happen again. Once again, Shane Aherne was the stand out player in a Stradbally side that is never beaten until the final whistle. While Michael Walsh, Robert Aherne, Tony Grey, Shane Lannon and Tommy Connors all brought their experience to bear when the game was in the melting pot and Daniel Weldon showed that he is very much the new kid on the block and with Eoin O’Brien, Michael Sweeney, Ger Crowley and Jack Mullaney looks set to maintain Stradbally’s position at the top table in the coming years. A one point defeat is heart breaking in any circumstances but The Nire can be proud of their performance given the run up to Sunday’s final since the All Ireland
final when they had to complete four rounds and a quarter-final of the hurling championship and then go into those five football games in such a short period. Indeed, it could be argued that the pressure of all those games finally did tell on them. Once again they had their big performers in Thomas O’Gorman, Dermot Ryan and Darren Guiry in defence while Conor Gleeson and Shane Walsh did all that anyone could do in attack. Like Stradbally they too have very talented youngsters coming to the fore to replace some key players moved on from last year and they will be back contesting more finals. Scorers – Stradbally: Eoin O’Brien 0-4 (1f), Ger Crowley 1-0, Robert Aherne (1f) 0-3, Daniel Weldon, Shane Aherne 0-2 each, Michael Walsh, Tommy Connors, Michael Sweeney and Jack Mullaney 0-1 each. Nire: Conor Gleeson 0-8 (4fs), Tom Barron 1-1, Shane Walsh 0-3, Dermot Ryan and Diarmuid Murphy (‘45) 0-1 each. Stradbally: Eoin Cunningham, Cathal Cusack, Kevin Lawlor, Jack Mullaney, Tony Grey, Shane Lannon, Luke Casey, Michael Walsh, Shane Aherne, Daniel Weldon, Nicky Connors, Eoin O’Brien, Michael Sweeney, Robert Aherne, Ger Crowley. Subs: Tommy Connors for N. Connors (HT), Andy Doyle for Casey (45 BC), Ger Power for Crowley (48), Stephen Keane for Sweeney (56), Cathal Cusack for Weldon (8 E.T.), Ger Crowley for O’Brien (E.T. 11), Kevin Coffey for Mullaney (22 E.T.), Nire: Diarmuid Murphy, Justin Walsh, Thomas O’Gorman, Michael Moore, Dermot Ryan, Shane Ryan, Darren Guiry, James McGrath, Tholm Guiry, Seamus Lawlor, Conor Gleeson, Dylan Guiry, Tom Barron, Craig Guiry, Shane Walsh. Subs: Jake Mulcahy for Lawlor (44), Michael O’Gorman for McGrath (48), Shane O’Meara for T. Guiry (54), Stephen Ryan for C. Guiry (60+1), James McGrath for S. Ryan (E.T), Kenny Brazil for Barron (E.T.18). Referee: Anthony Fitzgerald (Gaultier).
12 & 13
COUNTY SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Fr. Gerry Condon PP celebrates with the Stradbally players.
Photographs by Sean Byrne/ Deise Sport Stradbally players and supporters celebrate their victory over the Nire in the Waterford County Senior Football Final.
Group of young boys supporting the Stradbally in the County Senior Football final.
Nire beaten by Stradbally in the J.J. Kavanagh & Sons Waterford Senior football final in Fraher Field.
Nire's Dermot Ryan is tackled by Stradbally's Michael Walsh and Jack Mullaney during the J. J. Kavanagh & Sons Waterford Senior football final in Fraher Field.
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GAA
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Stradbally, 2017 Waterford Senior Football Champions
Stradbally who beat the Nire in the J. J. Kavanagh & Sons Waterford Senior Football Final in Fraher Field on Sunday last.
[Sean Byrne//Deise Sport]
Morrissey Family Western Under 21’B’ Hurling Championship
Comeragh Gaels in contention for the double Comeragh Gaels ………… 5-17; An Ghaeltacht …………..…. 1-5. COMERAGH Gaels contained too much resources for an An Ghaeltact side that started this Western ‘B’ Under 21 hurling championship game with just fourteen players in Bushy Park last Saturday afternoon. The four club group side have already won the County football equivalent with a memorable victory over St. Mary’s at the Fraher Field some months back and evaluating them on this dominant display, they may well make it a county double in this age group this year. Fair play to An Ghaeltacht, they battled away to the very end of this encounter though victory was out of their grasp even before half-time.
At this stage the Gaels were ahead by 2-13 to 0-3 and they added another three goals before the long whistle sounded a little prematurely. KEARNS SCORED 3-5 Mike Kearns tormented his opposing defence all through, finishing with a tally of three goals and five pointed frees. An Ghaeltacht were just 0-6 in arrears by the 20th minute but they were destined for defeat in a soon to follow two minute period when Mike Kearns converted a penalty after Keith Hickey was fouled and immediately Reece Stringer got in for a goal at the second attempt after an initial fine save by Seanai Mac Craith. Rian Reddy had the first three points of this game, all from play
while Jason Dunford, Nicky O’Donovan (3), Jack Skehan, Keith Hickey, Reece Stringer, Dan Booth and Mike Kearns (2f) were also on target for the winners. An Ghaeltacht were confined to three first half scores per Brian De Baruin, Jack O Domhnaill and Aodhan Mac Gearailt (f) with victory beyond them at this point. LINED OUT TEMPORARILY The injured Tomas O Cadhla lined out temporarily for An Ghaeltacht on the restart so the game could continue and the Ghaltacht battled away against all the odds with such as Aodhan Mac Gearailt, Conor O Cuirrin, Pauric O Lonain, Darach O Cathasaigh and Eamonn Og O Crotaigh leading the way.
Jack O Domhnaill, An Ghaeltacht heads for goal ahead of Comeragh Gaels' Richard McGrath in last Saturday's Western under 21 'B' hurling championship game at Bushy Park.
The game drew to its inevitable conclusion with Mike Kearns (2) and Nicky O’Donovan raising green flags along the way while An Ghaeltacht had points from Seadhna Mac Giolla Chuda, Jack O Lonain and a goal by Conor O Cuirrin before the latter side exited the championship. Comeragh Gaels Top Three: Mike Kearns, Nicky O’Donovan, Jack Skehan. An Ghaeltacht’s Top Three: Aodhan Mac Gearailt, Conor O Cuirrin, Pauric O Lonain. Observer’s Man of the Match: Mike Kearns. Number of Scorers: Comeragh Gaels 8. An Ghaeltacht 6. Scores From Play: Comeragh Gaels 3-13. An Ghaeltacht 1-4.
Frees For: Comeragh Gaels 13. An Ghaeltacht 9. Wides: Comeragh Gaels 13. An Ghaeltacht 6. Score of the Match: Nicky O’Donovan’s 17th minute point from play for Comeragh Gaels. Scorers – Comeragh Gaels: Mike Kearns 3-5 (2-5f), Nicky O’Donovan 1-3, Reece Stringer 1-1, Rian Reddy 0-3, Jack Skehan 0-2, Jason Dunford, Keith Hickey and Dan Booth 0-1 each. An Ghaeltacht: Conor O Cuirrin 1-0, Brian De Baruin, Jack O Domhnaill, Aodan Mac Gearailt (f), Seadhna Mac Giolla Chuda agus Jack O Lonain 0-1 an duine. Comeragh Gaels: Cian O’Byrne; Richie McGrath, PJ
Coffey, Ronan Gleeson; Gearoid Hallinan, Dan Booth, Killian Tobin; Rian Reddy, Jason Dunford; Gavin Dalton, Nicky O’Donovan, Keith Hickey; Reece Stringer, Mike Kearns, Jack Skehan. Subs: James Walsh, Jack Cullinan, Nicky Walsh. An Ghaeltacht: Seanai Mac Craith; Micheal O Cadhla, Darach O Cathasaigh, Stiofan O Di; Ciaran O Mathuna, Conor O Cuirrin, Eamonn Og O Crotaigh; Aodhan Mac Gearailt, Brian De Baruin; Seaghan O Donnabhain, Pauric O Lonain, Jack O Lonain; Jack O Domhnaill, Seadhna Mac Giolla Chuda. Fear Ionad: Tomas O Cadhla. Referee: Tommy Sullivan (Cappoquin).
An Ghaeltacht's Eamonn Og O Crotaigh solos clear of Keith Hickey, on left and Richard McGrath in last Saturday's Western under 21 'B' hurling championship game at Bushy Park against Comeragh Gaels.
GAA
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
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McGrath’s Newsagents Launch of Dungarvan MITCHEL STREET, DUNGARVAN 058-41661 Newspapers • Sweets • General Grocery
TEAMS OF TIMES GONE BY CORK BEST AT MIDLETON Championship: Oireachtas Cup Hurling semi-final: Venue: Midleton. Date: Saturday, 22nd November, 1997. Half-time score: Cork 1-6; Waterford 0-9. Full-time score: 2-15; Waterford 0-15. Waterford Scorers: K. McGrath 0-6 (0-4 frees), M. White 0-4, D. Bennett 0-2 (frees), G. Harris, D Shanahan, R. McGrath 0-1 each. Waterford: B. Landers; S. Cullinane, J. O’Connor, M. O’Sullivan; T. Browne, T. Feeney, B. Greene; J. Ronayne, R. McGrath; D. Shanahan, G. Harris, K. McGrath; M. White, J. Meaney, D. Bennett. Sub: O. O’Sullivan for Cullinane.
Youghal Road, Dungarvan, Co Waterford. 087 2674890 Dungarvanstatoil@cablesurf.com
Forde’s
FORDE’S DAYBREAK FORECAST CORNER Last Week’s Forecasts: 5 Forecasts. 4 Correct. 1 Incorrect. Success Rate: 80 %. This Week’s Forecasts. SFC Relegation Play Off: Ballinameela v (Portlaw) West U-21’B’HC: Ardmore v (Fourmilewater). To Date: 479 Forecasts. 327 Correct. 152. Incorrect. Success Rate: 68.3%
FROM THE FILES OF THE DUNGARVAN OBSERVER 66 Main Street, Dungarvan
(058) 45590 nicky@mckennacomputers.com FROM THE FILES OF THE DUNGARVAN OBSERVER Saturday, 3rd December, 1997. JUNIOR FOOOTBALL COUNTY FINAL
Western Champions overwhelm Ferrybank at Fraher Field Ballyduff 1-11; Ferrybank 0-3. THIS final never lived up to expectations and long before the half way stage was reached the only thing which was in question was the size of Ballyduff’s winning margin. The Western Champions completely dominated the game from the first minute and being clearly the fitter team never allowed Ferrybank to settle. When a nine point margin separated the sides at half-time it was all over as a contest and Ballyduff, playing a nice brand of football that must have well pleased trainer Mossy Casey, were on their way to Intermediate status. Weather conditions were good but underfoot conditions were poor and made things very difficult for players. There was not the slightest breeze and the Tricolour hung dead at half mast. Within ten seconds of the start John Twomey had a point on the scoreboard for Ballyduff. He had another from a free in the 4th minute and this was followed by a Kevin Barry point in the 7th minute. Points by Tony Scanlon (15th minute), John Twomey (19th minute) Michael Molumphy (22nd minute), Brendan Hannon (24th minute) and a splendid Tony Scanlon goal fisted to the Ferrybank net in the 26th minute gave the Reds a 1-7 to nil advantage before the Eastern Champions opened their account with a John Burns point in the 28th minute. 1-7 to 0-1 at half-time. John Twomey pointed for Ballyduff in the 35th minute and Shane Ahearne had Ferrybank’s second score when Shane Ahearne kicked over from a free in the 37th minute. In the 39th minute
Ferrybank were awarded a penalty but John Burns’ shot was brilliantly saved by Ballyduff’s ’keeper Kevin McNamara. This was the last straw for the challengers and finding it impossible to penetrate the rock-like defence in which Tom Feeney, Michael Drislane, Ken Geary, Pat Molumphy, Donal Hannon and Ger Feeney were more than adequate for the occasion. Ferrybank seemed to give up the ghost and accept the inevitable. Their only other score was a Shane Ahearne point from a 44th minute free. While Ballyduff kicked over points by Brendan Hannon, John Twomey and Tony Scanlon to give the Western Champions a very well deserved title. The game was witnessed by a crowd of about 400 and was very sportingly contested. PRESENTATION After the final whistle the cup was presented to Ballyduff captain Michael Molumphy by County Board Chairman P. J. Ryan. The gate receipts were £925. GREAT CLUB EFFORT Ballyduff Club Secretary, John Jackson, stated after the game that it has been a great club effort and everyone was delighted to have bridged a 44 year gap since the club’s last JFC county title success back in 1953. John paid tribute to the management team of Rickie Walsh (manager), Pat Flynn and Mike Leamy. Team trainer Mossie Casey and former Cork dual All-Ireland star Denis Walsh, who had provided them with valuable coaching expertise. Ballyduff scorers: J. Twomey 0-5, T. Scanlon 1-2, B. Hannon 0-2, K. Barry and M. Molumphy 0-1 each. Ferrybank scorers: S. Ahearne 0-2, J. Burns 0-1. Ballyduff: K. McNamara; K. Geary, M. Drislane, D. Hannon; P. Molumphy, T. Feeney, G. Feeney; M. Molumphy, P. Prendergast; J. Twomey, J. O’Neill, T. Molumphy; K. Barry, T. Scanlon B. Hannon. Subs: A. Martin for K. Barry; B. Cotter for J. O’Neill; J. Scanlon for T. Scanlon. Ferrybank: J. Cummins; B. Ryan, J. Heffernan, P. Fell; P. Griffin, J. Burns, L. Howard; O. Brennan; P. Sharkey; N. Heffernan, S. Ahearne, P. Sutton; P. Hayden, R. Hayden, C. Phelan. Subs: A. Martin for R. Hayden; M. Power for O. Brennan; P. Heffernan for P. Hayden. Referee: Tom Maher (Ring).
Western Board GAA Fixture Morrissey Family U-21B Hurling: Fourmilewater v Ardmore on Sunday, 10th December in Bushy Park at 12 noon. Reminder - Western GAA Board Convention takes place this Thursday night at 7.30 p.m. in BALLYMACARBERY COMMUNITY CENTRE.
WATERFORD GAA RESULTS Eddie O'Donnell Eddie O'Donnell Eastern Under 21 A Hurling Championship: De La Salle 2-13; Passage 1-16 Ballygunner 6-11; Clonea 0-10
GAA History Book THE history book of the Dungarvan GAA, spanning the years 1885 to 2017 will be launched in Lawlors Hotel on Friday, December 15th at 8 p.m. The book contains 370 pages including over 100 photographs and it will be on sale at a cost of €20. Past and present club members and the Public in general are cordially invited to attend. Food will be served and music provided. MINORS WIN FIVE COUNTY HURLING MEDALS IN-A-ROW JOHN KIELY ON ALL FIVE TEAMS John Kiely will always be remembered as one of the best Waterford hurlers in the history of the game as ‘’the grey haired Kiely’’ was on the winning county All Ireland senior hurling team in 1959 and he played in the earlier rounds of the winning 1948 team. However, he showed great promise also throughout his teenage years and he was on all of our five in a row county minor hurling winning sides from 1940 to 1944. We won one county title in 1940, the minor hurling, and in the times that were in it in these years in the Association there was a story behind this one as well. We beat Moorhill (Tallow area) in the first round and then Abbeyside in the semi final by 4-2 to 1-0 with young Moloney from Cuscham outstanding. St. Carthages beat us in the western final by 4-8 to 4-1 but they were later disqualified for fielding an over age player. Clonea Power was the opposition in the county final and J. Duggan scored a late goal with ‘’a stinger to the net’’ to give us the title on a score of 2-2 to 2-1. We trailed by 2-1 to 1-1 at half-time. Our other scorers were Jackie Goode 1-1 and J. Harrington 0-1. The winning team against Clonea was: M. Moloney, T. Power, P. Cashin, P. Butler; P. O’Donnell, P. Mahony, S. Houlihan; V. Morrissey, J. Harrington; M. Houlihan, J. Goode (Capt), T. Riordan; B. Moloney, J. Duggan, P. Stack. Thirteen year old John Kiely played in the earlier rounds. In 1941 our minor hurlers beat St. Carthages in the western final by 6-3 to 3-1 but the western and county boards in turn upheld an objection by the losers that our corner back E. Sweeney was illegal as he played with Tourin the same year. The Chairman of the County Board, M. V. O’Donoghue requested St. Carthages, his own club, to replay the final but their players felt they shouldn’t have to and so pulled out of the championship. Our minors were without county player Jackie Goode for their two finals due to a lengthy illness and our Western winning side lined-out as follows: Mickey Moloney, E. Sweeney, J. Lyons, T. Power; M. Clancy, R. O Brien, T. Cashin; B. Moloney, J. Harrington; M. Houlihan, P. Stack, T. Cullen; J. Hehir, E. Foley, J. Kiely. We played Ferrybank in the county final in the Gaelic Field on Sunday, November 30th, a game we won by 3-3 to 2-2. The Hon President of our club Fr. Walsh donated a cup to the County Board and he was delighted, in its first year in existence, to present it to the winning Dungarvan captain Joe Harrington. This cup is still presented today (2017) to the minor hurling winners in the county. In 1942, our minor hurlers were equally and more so impressive during the year. Led by the chairman of the club’s minor hurling
Waterford’s John Kiely (in forefront) pictured in action in the 1959 Munster Hurling Championship game v Tipperary in the Gaelic Grounds, Cork. selection committee, Bro. Flately, CBS, we started off with a 5-5 to 0-0 win over Fourmilewater in Touraneena with good displays being produced by such as Goode, Moloney, Cashin, Stack Norris and Kiely. Next we played St. Augustines and kept another clean sheet on a score of 8-7 to 0-0. The county final was played, by agreement, in Portlaw against the home club on Sunday, October 25th and our 5-10 to 3-2 win was ‘’attributed to Dungarvan’s speed, fast pulling, better combination and a definite pull at midfield where Moloney and Stack were in control. Best player on the field was John Kiely who won his third minor medal in a row and he was still underage for the next two years. Cashin, Lyons and Donnelly were very impressive for the winners with the latter turning in a wonderful display at centre forward. Jackie Goode was a great goal getter at full forward in the second half and others to figure prominently in this three in a row achievement were Tobin, Norris, Moloney, Clancy, Prendergast, Power, Cullinan and Curran.’’ After the game, the team was entertained to lunch at Harney’s Hotel and the attendance also included Dec Goode, Willie Barron, Paul Lannon, Tommy O’Mahony, Michael Fives, James O’Dwyer and Joe Harrington. Bro. Flately’s under 15 District hurling league for a cup presented by J. J. Crotty, Abbeyside and a set of medals donated by T. B. Boyle, Western Terrace would ensure further hope for minor success in the coming years. FOUR IN-A-ROW MINOR TITLES IN 1943 The minor hurling county final of 1943 was not played in that year as the Eastern championship was delayed and the County Board ruled that unless they had a finalist to play us by the 12th December, the title would be going Westwards. This is what transpired and in the new year 1944, the Board officially awarded the championship to us at a meeting on March 14th. Western Championship: Dungarvan 8-7; Cathal Brugha 0-0. Final: Dungarvan 5-3; Tallow 2-3. County Championship Final: Awarded to Dungarvan. Eastern championship unfinished. 1943 Team: Minor Hurling: T. Cashin; J. Kiely, J. Duggan, P. Hogan; T. Butler, F. Aheane, P. Foley; M. Moloney, E. Phelan; M.
Hallahan, J. O’Brien, M. O’Connor; P. Whelan, M. Wade, N. Power. 1944 MINOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP CAMPAIGN MICKEY WADE SCORES COUNTY FINAL HAT-TRICK Later on in the year 1944, when we were heading for the five in a row, St. Michaels of Ballyduff beat us in the western final in Cappoquin by 3-4 to 3-2 but suspicions were aroused as regards over age players on the winning team and they lost the title in the board room. We played Mt. Sion in the county final in the Gaelic Field on November 5th with F. Hogan on our team regarded as the best performer on the field. D. Barron, M. Wade and E. Phelan were outstanding in the forwards and Barry and the O’Connor brothers, John and Michael were sound defenders. Duggan and Kiely were also conspicuous on the victorious side. We led by 5-1 to 2-0 at half-time and ran out winners by 6-2 to 3-0. Pride of place went to Mickey Wade who hit the net on three occasions, an individual achievement in a county final to remember, while our other goals were struck by Ned Phelan, Terry Donnolly and D. Barron Western Championship: Dungarvan 10-7; Cathal Brugha 0-0. Dungarvan 5-6; Cappoquin 22. Final: St. Michael’s Ballyduff Upper 3-4; Dungarvan 3-2. Result overturned on overage player rule. County Championship Final: Dungarvan 6-2; Mt. Sion 3-0. 1944 Team: T. Cashin; J. Kiely, J. Duggan, P. Hogan; T. Butler, F.Aheane, P. Foley; M. Moloney, E. Phelan; M. Hallahan, J. O’Brien, M. O’Connor; P. Whelan, M. Wade, N. Power. Bro. Flately, who had done so much in the promotion of underage hurling in the town was transferred to Tralee and he was replaced by Bro. Murray, who was destined to carry on his predecessor’s commitment. Not for the first time, tragedy visited the club when one of our early five-in-a-row minor players, Mickey Houlihan was killed in an accident at work in Birmingham just before Christmas. Mickey originated from Shandon and his brothers Sean and Tom also played with the club. Mickey’s remains were carried from the train station to the parish church on his returning home by members of the club and workers at the Leather factory.
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GAA CLUB NOTES
Nire/Fourmilewater Juveniles Juvenile Tournament: Another great night’s hurling played in the centre for the Buckley cup and the Power shield on Wednesday night last. There were some tired bodies evident on the night after a lot of the boys were involved in the schools county final earlier the same day and winning it after extra time, never the less the effort was to the max again. There were wins for Tipp, Waterford and Cork. So with one more round to play the competition is hotting up no end, with the results in next week’s matches vital for any team with their eye on the cup. Well done again to all who took part and helped out. We will be back to the normal slot of Tuesday evening at 18.45. Ballymacarbry Central School claim division 1 football county title: We were all delighted to celebrate a great victory on Wednesday morning last when our schools boys were victorious over a very strong Ballygunner side. A serious achievement from a country school. Special mention to the entire panel - Michael/Billy as captains, Mrs. Byrne, Mr. O Cuirrin and Eoin Wall.
Lismore CATHERINE FULVIO FUNDRAISER On Thursday evening last, a large crowd gathered in Community Centre Lismore to experience a delightful and festive cooking demonstration by internationally renowned chef Catherine Fulvio. Those in attendance were treated to a special display of cooking skills, various ideas and creative recipes to enhance the upcoming festivities with family and friends. Many thanks are extended to the fantastic organising committee and all those who helped in any way in making the night a success, to all those who gave sponsorship and prizes, to those who sold tickets on the night and to those present on the night to help where required. To those who purchased tickets to attend on the night or in your absence, made a contribution, without your generosity, it would not be possible to run such successful events, so on behalf of the Club, many thanks again to you all. A.G.M. Lismore GAA Club will hold their AGM on Sunday, 10th December at 4.00 p.m. in the clubhouse. All are welcome to attend and we would appeal to existing members/players and intending members/players to attend where possible as we will be discussing plans and strategies for 2018 and would welcome your input, support and visions going forward for the Club. Congratulations are extended to near neighbours Ardmore on winning the Munster Junior Hurling Final in Mallow last Sunday. Their win over Ballybacon Grange will see them a step further in the All Ireland Series and we wish the Club, players and mentors, supporters and all involved every success on their journey in 2018. LISMORE LOTTO RESULTS Numbers drawn on Monday night last, 4th December were as follows: 2, 18, 23 & 27. There was no winner on the night and €20 consolation prizes went to Claire Feeney, Mike Bennett, Sadie Stapleton and Emma Khan. Next week’s lotto draw will take place on Monday, 11th December for a jackpot of €18,050. Tickets can be purchased at many local outlets. Many thanks to all who continue to support the weekly lotto, greatly appreciated.
Brickey Rangers LOTTO Numbers drawn 4-16-21-24. No winner of €5,000 Jackpot. €25 to each of the following: Paddy Barron, Nuala Murphy, Terence Condon & Jerry Tobin. Thursday night's draw will be held in The Enterptise with a jackpot of €5,100. AGM Our Annual General Meeting took place on Friday, 1st December. A relatively small crowd was in attendance however a productive meeting was held. The Chairman, Matthew McCarthy in his address welcomed all present and held a minute’s silence for people we have lost in the past year. He began by thanking people who have contributed to the club in any way throughout the year and especially thanked his Secretary and Tresurer and other members of the committee. He then briefly outlined the activities the club undertook during the year. He highlighted the achievements of the Junior hurling team in winning the Western Final and reaching the County final. Matthew then made a special presentation to Jerry Tobin for his years of service to the club. He commented saying that Jerry is seen at all hours in Bushy Park and the club greatly appreciate the effort he goes to in making Bushy Park the great ground that it is. Club Secretary Angela Whelan gave a detailed report on all activities within the club in the past year on and off the field. Angela also thanked Jerry Tobin on his work through the year on keeping our facilities in top condition and to anyone else who helped in the upkeep of our hallowed grounds. Also in her report Angela highlighted the importance of fundraising in the club and thanked
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
everyone who has helped out this year with different fundraising events including 'Picnic In The Park.' Angela also thanked the businesses who have signed up to our sponsorship signs and added that we hope to have them erected before the new year. She also thanked club members who conducted the weekly lotto especially to Kay O’Connell and the club members who sell tickets each week, also the pubs for holding the draws and all the local businesses that sell tickets each week. Thanks was also given to Deise Draw Co Ordinator Mary McGrath for her work in promoting sales. Angela thanked Joanie and John Hanlon for their efforts in helping the club to be awarded as the first club in the county from the Health and Wellbeing Programme. She also thanks everybody for their help at the County Bord Na nÓg Awards on Saturday 25th held in Bushy Park and congratulated Cameron Ashrah and Conor Browne who received man of the match awards. She concluded by thanking her fellow officers and all the executive committee members for their hard work throughout the year in attending meetings, fundraising and all club events, thanking the team mangers who assisted her during the year. Thanked all the members of the juvenile club who are working with all the underage teams that are taking part in all grades and finally thanked Pat Connaughton for this work in coaching within our two local schools. Treasurer Mary McGrath presented an excellent set of accounts which very clearly showed the huge cost associated in running the club. Mary stressed that the fundraising in 2017 was great but another big effort was to be made in 2018 to try and help with the running costs of the club. Reports were given on the activities of the juvenile club by secretary Siobhan Gardiner and she also gave a report on the Ladies football and thanked all the coaches, Juvenile committee, Adult committee, parents and Jerry for their efforts throughout the year. She also gave thanks to Pat Connaughton on his work in the schools; she thanked West Waterford for their contribution to the Juvenile club from their Annual Brickey run and finished by adding the future is bright in the Brickeys. Pat Connaughton gave a report on the Camogie season and added that they hope to have an adult Camogie team next season. Our Child Welfare Officer, Angela reported that all Garda vetting is now done online. Reports were also given on the activities of scor and healty club. The election of officers then took place and are as follows: Life President – Mairead McGrath; VicePresidents – Pat Foley, Jack Cooney, Pat Barry and Lilly Sheehan; Patron – Fr Ryan; Chairman – Matthew McCarthy; Vice Chairman - TBC, Treasurer – Mary McGrath; Secretary – Angela Whelan; PRO – Cian O’Halloran; Development Officer – Brian Hilliard; Membership Officers – Kay O’Connell, Angela Whelan & Johnny Cooney; Healthy Club Officer – John Hanlon; Deise Draw – Mary McGrath; Child Welfare Officer – Angela Whelan. County Board Delegates- Eddie O’Grady & Richard Tobin. Committee – All of the above plus Jacinta Gee, Gerry Tobin, Michael Keohan, Ronan Foley, Darragh Duggan, Anthony Murphy, Conor McGrath & Marc Scanlan & Aidan McCarthy (Juvenile Chairman). John Harnedy retired from the committee after his very long spell involved with the club. The club would like to thank John for his years of service with the club. The Chairman thanked all for attending and the meeting concluded. CHRISTMAS DRAW Preparations are well underway for our Christmas Fuel draw and tickets are available from Committee members, club players and from Albert McGrath’s Newsagents. Also we will be around the town selling tickets this weekend please support our draw. SYMPATHY The sympathy of the club is extended to John Sweeney, New Chapel Street on the death of his mother which occurred last week in Clogheen, and also to the Lenane families, Lauragh on the death of Jim. May they rest in peace.
Ballinameela Ballinameela QUIZ NIGHT Many thanks to all who turned out for our quiz night on Saturday last which turned out to be a roaring success! The crowd was as big as we could have hoped for so thank you sincerely to everybody. Great fun was had on the night and the quiz itself was very competitive with one point between first and second and second and third. Thank you to Michael Culloo for very capably manning the microphone as MC for the night, to John Stack for the sound equipment and to the Welcome Inn for hosting, providing hot food on the night which was very warmly received. Big thanks must also go to our sponsors and to those who provided spot prizes on the night the Flynn hotel group, Topline, The Little Milk Company, Ashleigh Farms, The Country Store,
Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Portlairge Football Co. Finals. Killian O'Reilly, Chairperson Cumann na mBunscol Portlairge presents the Boys A Football Shield to Ballymacarbry's Joint Captain's Billy Byrne and Michael Morrissey. [Sean Byrne]
Seán Power Fuels and the Fogarty family. It was all hugely appreciated and your generosity has gone a long way towards ensuring that the club can run to its fullest capacity in 2018. SENIOR FOOTBALL RELEGATION Our final game of the year will see us face Portlaw in the relegation final on Sunday coming, the 10th of December. Throw-in in Fraher Field will be at 2 p.m. As always, your support is hugely appreciated. When the closing few minutes of the Gaultier game were being played, the crowd played a mighty part in getting every last drop of energy from tired legs - unfortunately it wasn’t to be. CLUB ANNIVERSARY DINNER There will be a celebration to mark 60 years of Ballinameela GAA on January 20th next year in the Park Hotel. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Modeligo WESTERN U21 “B” HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP Comeragh Gaels 5-16; An Gaeltacht 1-5. Well done to all the lads who lined-out with the Comeragh Gaels U-21 hurlers on Saturday last and scored a comprehensive win against an under-strength side from An Gaeltacht. MODELIGO CLUB GEAR Just in case anyone was thinking of purchasing some new club gear prior to Christmas all Modeligo GAA Club gear can now be viewed and ordered online on the O'Neill's website. Simply log on to O'Neill's Sportswear and select the GAA Club section and search for Modeligo. Everything that can be ordered is listed there, with even the replica jerseys added in the past few days. NAOMH BRÍD TABLE QUIZ The Annual Naomh Bríd fundraising Table Quiz will take place on Friday, December 29th at 8 pm in Deckies Bar, Modeligo. On the night, there will also be a kids quiz and a raffle, as well as a great night’s entertainment assured for everyone. The cost of entry is for tables of four priced at €20 per table, so please get a few friends together, come along for a bit of fun, and support our juvenile club while doing so. MUNSTER JUNIOR HURLING CHAMPIONS Congratulations to Ardmore on Sunday's Munster Junior Club Hurling Final win in Mallow where they faced Ballybacon/Grange of Tipperary and put in an unbelievable display to be crowned Munster champions! From us all here in Modeligo, congratulations lads!!!
Kilrossanty Kilrossanty CLOTTO SPONSORED BY KILL AGRICULTURAL LTD. CLOTTO RESULTS No winner of a Jackpot of €4,700 held in Micilin’s Bar, Kilrossanty, on Sunday night 3/12/2017. Numbers were 4, 12, 16, 28. €30 won by the following people: P. J. Comyn Leamybrien; Ger Connors, Adramone. €30 Seller’s Prize Nonie Keating, Comeragh. Next Clotto to be held in Crotty's Inn, Leamybrien on Sunday night 10/12/2017 On duty on the night Liam Brazil & Pierce Whyte. THANK YOU To everyone who helped sell tickets in
Dungarvan Shopping Centre on Friday last, 1st December for the Christmas Draw. Tickets are currently on sale in all local newsagents and local public establishments. We would like to thank all our sponsors for their generous donations of prizes. The draw will take place in Micilin’s Bar, Kilrossanty on Monday evening, 18th December. 1st Prize 500 Litres of Home Heating Oil 2nd Prize Coal to the value of €100 3rd Prize €40 Fuel Voucher 4th Prize €30 Fuel Voucher 5th Prize Turkey 6th Prize Ham 7th Prize Leg of Comeragh Lamb 8th Prize Christmas Cake 9th Prize Bottle of Whiskey 10th Prize Bottle of Brandy
O'NEILL'S SHOP ON-LINE Orders will need to be placed before 12th of December if you are thinking of getting something in time for Christmas. The shop can be found in the club section of the O'Neill's page or just follow the link on any of our social media pages. MONSTER CHRISTMAS BINGO We are holding our Monster Christmas Bingo on Friday evening, December 15th in Crotty’s Inn, Leamybrien. Prizemoney €1,200.
Kill LOTTO At last week’s lotto draw in Dunphy’s Bar there was no winner of the €10,000 lotto jackpot. On the night we had one match 3 winning ticket which was a combined ticket of Heather and Michael Power. The numbers drawn were 14, 25, 29 & 30. SYMPATHY Everyone involved in the club would like to send their sincere condolences to the Martin, Paudie, Terry and all the Dunphy, Hennessy and Thorpe families on the sad passing of Don Thorpe. May he rest in peace. THANKS The club would like to thank Joan Galvin and Paddy Organ for their generous donation of a bench which has been erected and takes pride of place on the bank in memory of a great Kill man Richie Galvin.
Juveniles Mary’s Juveniles St.Mary’s St. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Next Tuesday, 12th December sees the club having their annual review of the season, and planning for the coming year ahead. The venue for the AGM is in Kill’s meeting rooms with proceedings set to start at 8.00 p.m. sharp. We hope to see all coaches and parents attend.
Brid Naomh Naomh Bríd NAOMH BRÍD ANNUAL TABLE QUIZ Our Annual Fundraising Table Quiz for Naomh Bríd Juvenile GAA Club takes place on Friday, December 29th in Deckie’s Bar, Modeligo, starting at 8:30 pm. This event has always been a hugely popular and very enjoyable outing on the Christmas calendar. Entry for tables of four costs €20, with all proceeds raised going towards the running-costs of
our local juvenile club for the year ahead. Kids teams are also welcome to participate, with no cost for entry. We will also hold a raffle on the night with some excellent prizes on offer. Please spread the word and feel free to Join, Like, and Share this Facebook Event as much as possible. Looking forward to seeing you all there!
Tourin AGM We are holding our AGM this Saturday, 9th December. Can everyone try and make the effort to attend. MEMBERSHIP & CLUB TOPS (URGENT) Please contact Daniel Dransfield regarding membership of the GAA. We need to get outstanding monies up to date before upcoming AGM. Please contact Alan regarding the collection of the club tops. We will arrange a day in Tourin community hall for the remainder of these to be handed out. Also any outstanding ticket money needs to be paid ASAP. CLUB TEXT If anyone wants to be added to the club text please contact Cathal Wilkinson 086 8904507. CONGRATULATIONS Well done to Ardmore on winning the Munster Junior Hurling title at the weekend. They beat Ballybacon from Tipperary on a score line of 3-11 to 2-8. BADMINTON NOTES Wedding Bells: Congratulations to Aidan Barry on his recent engagement. Cancelled: Training is cancelled with Aze this week due to the county championships in Cappoquin. Best of luck to all involved. Sympathy: The club would like to express their sympathy to Helen McGrath and the McGrath family on the death of her sister Carmel Ryan who died recently in Cork. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.
Ballysaggart Ballysaggart CLUB LOTTO Draw Nov. 7th: Numbers drawn were 2, 21, 22 and 27. No jackpot winner. Weekly €30 winners: Breeda Clancy, Noreen Hitchman and Finola Hynes. Draw Nov. 14th: Numbers drawn were 3, 5, 10 and 20. No jackpot winner. Weekly €30 winners: Pat Veale, Niamh Fennessy and Lilly Hale. Draw Nov. 21st: Numbers drawn were 3, 6, 15 and 21. No jackpot winner. Weekly €30 winners: Dianne Meagher, Breda Veale and Hannah Kearney. Draw Nov. 28th: Numbers drawn were 4, 18, 20 and 21. No jackpot winner. Weekly €30 winners: Jean Meagher, Helen Roche and Iarlaith Meagher. Next week’s jackpot is €1,875. CAPITAL SPORTS FUNDING ANNOUNCED The club was delighted to hear last week that it is to receive €105,000 from the Sports Capital Programme this year to further develop facilities at the GAA grounds. This was most welcome news for the club and we thank sincerely the great work done by all involved in securing this grant. CLUB ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Keep the date. This year’s AGM will take place on Sunday, January 7th.
GAA CLUB NOTES
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Abbeyside/Ballinacourty Abbeyside/Ballinacourty JACK THE JOKER Our ever popular Jack the Joker fundraiser continues this Sunday night in Alice Connors Bar where the jackpot is €5,800 as on Sunday night Mary Fraher was drawn out of the drum and chose card number 32 which when turned was not the joker but she did win €50. Anthony O'Loughlin and Maurice O’Donnell won €25 each. As well as our group of ticket sellers tickets can be purchased from Village Flowers, Spar, Mousies Takeaway, Minnies Bar, Abbeyside Post Office and Crotty’s Bar. UNDER 21 HURLING On Saturday night last we took on Dungarvan in the Western Final replay in Fraher Field. Similar to last week’s drawn game it was a typical local derby game with nothing between the teams throughout an absorbing contest. Fortunately, at the full time whistle we emerged as winners by two points and now await the winners of the Eastern Championship in the County Final. Team: S. RYAN, C. McCARTHY, J. DUGGAN, M. COLEMAN, M. TWOMEY, C. PRUNTY, J. ELSTEAD, D. LOOBY, D. McGRATH, N. MONTGOMERY, J. BERESFORD, S. WHELAN BARRETT, E. KIELY, S. DALY, T. LOOBY.
WELL DONE On behalf of all in the club we would like to congratulate Ardmore GAA Club on their wonderful victory over Ballybacon Grange in the Munster Junior Hurling Club Final on Sunday last. AGM Our Annual General Meeting will take place in Ballinroad Hall on Saturday, December 9th at 8 p.m. CLUB BINGO Our club bingo session continues in the CBS Hall this Sunday night with a jackpot of €1,200.
Ardmore Ardmore MUNSTER CHAMPIONS ARDMORE ABU Ardmore 3-11; Grange Ballybacon 2-08. There are so many words to describe this marvellous bunch of players after what transpired on Sunday last in Mallow. The game began just the way we would have liked with Ardmore looking sharp and focused and when a Brendan Cummins made a great save from a James Flavin effort, Seamus Prendergast finished the rebound to the net. Our defence were handling their attack with ease and our midfield were in control. We were 1-5 to 0-2 ahead with a few wides to our name as well at the twenty minute mark when the game took a turn against us. Seamus Prendergast who was consistently pulled and dragged all through the game and the referee seemed to ignore, Seamus was in possession and had at least three players hanging off him but play carried on and when Wayne came across one of their players with a somewhat careless challenge, he was shown a straight red. The opposition had their best spell and came within two points of us but the lads struck back with two points to put us four up approaching the break. We were struck with a double whammy on the stroke of half-time. Ballybacon were awarded a free which was delivered long into our defence and when the ball broke one of their players seem to pick clean of the ground and finished to the net but in doing so he was hit by keeper Jack Walsh who was issued with a red card. At halftime, we went in leading by one point but would be starting the second half with thirteen players. At the half-time break Seamus Prendergast didn't allow any of the players to drop their heads and gave a rallying call. Captain Declan Prendergast last words leaving the dressing room was he still believed he would lift the cup at the end of the game. Second half changes saw James O’Donnell come on in goals and Eoin O’Shea came in at full back with Declan moving out to centre back. James Kennedy and Kieran Conway were sacrified to enable these switches. We had an early miss from a free and when James made a great save they equalised from the resultant ‘65. Then we were treated to the greatest display of courage, heart and bravery that warmed the heart of everyone from the parish. Declan was absolutely brilliant at centre back and when Seamus pulled the sliotar out of the sky and buried past Brendan Cummins who hardly saw it and when James Flavin gave a perfect pass into David Gartland who raced in and finished in style. Two further points had us eight in front and playing like men possessed we weren't going to lose this one. Eoin O’Shea had the last say from us when landing a superb point from inside his own half. Every player gave a hundred percent to the cause and we are very proud of their efforts. This will be talked about for many years. The greatest day in our club’s history. Paddy Foley the only surviving member of the men who reformed the club sixty years ago who was in attendance and was very proud. CONGRATULATIONS To David Carlton on predicting the correct score. Well done Dave, you must have been the
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only one in the stand glad to see Cummins scored that free. AGM Our AGM will now take place on the 29th December. LOTTO DRAW Numbers drawn: 6, 16, 19, 27. No winner. €20 each: Ben and Eoin McNamara, c/o Quinns; Danny O’Connell, c/o Kiely’s Cross; Jackie Smith, c/o Kiely’s Cross; Michael Hennessy, c/o Keevers; Gerard and Tony, c/o Flemings.
Dungarvan
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LAUNCH OF DUNGARVAN GAA HISTORY Our club history book spanning the years 1885 to 2017 will be launched in Lawlors Hotel on Friday, December 15th at 8.00 p.m. U-21 HURLING Yet again, we travelled to Fraher Field to play our near neighbours Abbeyside in the replay of the U-21 Western Final. This was again a very tough but fair Physical encounter in which no quarter was asked or given. Yet again we took an early lead and Abbeyside had a purple patch and came back at us and even with 14 men we held on grimly only to come out of this game to lose by 2 points. Well done to all our players who gave their all just to come up short at the end. ACADEMY Dungarvan GAA Club training Academy for boys and girls aged 5/12 years - Football, Hurling Monday Evenings - time 5-6 pm for 8, 9 and 10s and 6-7 p.m. for 10, 11 and 12 year old in the Sport Centre.The small people will be on Friday at 5-6 p.m. Parents and guardians of the children are fundamental to the successful running of the Academy. Each year we invite parents to volunteer to become coaches/helpers in the Academy. No previous experience is required as the club provides resources, training courses and support through its Games Promotions Officer. All the coaches and kids have been very busy with the past few weeks with training and games. LOTTO The club Lotto can now be bought online and also at the following outlets, The Country Store, Hallahan’s Chemists, Paddy Foley's Bar, Quealy’s Bar, John Walsh's Spar, Johnny Lynch's Fruit and Veg and Graham Nagle’s Golf Shop. This week’s LOTTO NUMBERS are 5,13, 17 and 24. NO WINNER. Next week’s JACKPOT IS €7,100. Two winners of Match 3, €50 each Sharon Duggan and Dermot Dee. Next week’s prize is €100. FIRST AID The club is actively looking for volunteers to take first aid courses for 2018, this is a vital roll for all our teams with an emphasis on the juvenile section of our club. ST. STEPHEN'S DAY RUN The club are happy to announce that the Charity for this event is the West Waterford Hospice. FIELD The field is now closed for all training sessions. BIG SHOPPING BONANZA Our raffle tickets are proving to be the hottest tickets in town these past few weeks and we thank our heroic footballers for raising the profile of the club which has really contributed to the goodwill we are seeing on the doorsteps... First prize of €5,000 worth of shopping in Garvey’s is proving very popular for just €5 per ticket but we need to sell as many as possible as this is a much needed fundraiser for the club. Tickets are available from all committee members and we encourage all members to promote and publicise this amazing opportunity to have your grocery bill covered for a year DRAW WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY, 16TH DECEMBER. AGM The club’s AGM will take place on Sat., 30th December, any nominations or motions should be sent to the Club’s Secretary Tony Ryan by 12 midnight Monday, 11th December. Nominations are also sought for Management of Minor, Junior and u-21 hurling and football. NEW CLUB GEAR All Club Bobble hats are now available for collection, Contact Mary Fitzgerald at 087 2918505 or Eleanor O’Dwyer at 0877857814. QUIZ ANSWERS 1. What county are the Slaughtneil Club from? DERRY 2. Slaughtneil centre back Chrissy McKaigue played with which Aussie Rules Club? SYDNEY SWANS 3. Who is the new Offaly Senior Hurling Manager? KEVIN MARTIN 4. What county would you find the St. Lomans Club? WESTMEATH 5. Kerry Legend Brian Sheehan plays for which club? ST. MARYS CAHERCIVEEN
Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Portlairge Football Co. Finals. Killian O'Reilly, Chairperson Cumann na mBunscol Portlairge presents the Girls B Football Shield to Tallow's Captain, Abbie Ahearne. [Sean Byrne]
QUIZ 1. What club does Mayo legend Cora Staunton play for? 2. What Aussie Rules side has she signed for? 3. What club team did Cora's team beat? 4. Who are Galway Senior hurling Champions? 5. How many years have they been waiting to win it?
Melleray/Glenrovers Melleray/Glen Rovers SCOR NA nÓG A great night was had by all in Melleray last Friday night at the County Final of Scór na nÓg. We had great success with the Ballad Group, Recitation and Solo Singing and Novelty going forward to the Munster semi-final in Ovens on December 10th. Well done to all concerned and the very best of luck to you all in the Munster semi-final. LOTTO There was no winner of our lotto for Sunday, 3rd December, 2017. The numbers drawn were: 2, 9, 16, 24. The jackpot now stands at €6,650. Consolation prize winners were Liam Houlihan, Marty O’Donoghue and Mary Hennessy. Our next draw will be held at Cliffe’s Bar on Sunday, 10th December at 9 p.m. Thank you to everyone that bought tickets for our lotto. CONGRATS Congrats to Ardmore on their Munster Junior Hurling Club Final win. NEW GEAR The new Waterford GAA gear has been launched and I am sure Santa will be busy putting these under the tree this Christmas. HOME SECURITY Our local GARDAI have requested that all in the area be extra vigilant especially in the leadup to Christmas. Make sure to lock all windows and doors and keep an eye on neighbours houses if they are away. There have been a number of break-ins in the West of the county lately. Report any suspicious car or persons to Dungarvan Gardai at 058 48600.
Tulach an Iarainn SPONSORED BY McGRATH'S CHEMIST TALLOW GAA LOTTO SPONSORED BY KEARNEY'S RESTAURANT TALLOW Numbers drawn were: 5, 6, 15, 23. No winner. Consolation prizes: Caroline Milward, Tom Goulding, Laurence Daly, Lavinia Connolly. Promoter: Tom Doyle. Next draw: The Corner House, December 11th. Jackpot: €4,200. Our weekly lotto tickets are available to purchase from any of the promoters or any businesses around the town. Please support our local lotto. Tickets are €2.
AGM The club AGM is on the 8th December in the clubhouse. We always welcome new members, so if you are interested come along on the night. Anyone interested in taking on any position within the club or working with any of our teams please contact Chairman Liam Mulcahy. LAST MAN STANDING Kenneth Kearney was the overall winner of the Last Man Standing this year. Well done Ken! Presume the drinks are on you this Christmas!! CONGRATULATIONS Major congrats to Ardmore hurlers who won the Munster Junior hurling final on Sunday last. SCOIL MHUIRE Well done to the boys and girls of Scoil Mhuire, Tallow, who won their football county finals on Wednesday last. A fantastic achievement for the school! FUNDRAISER Knockanore/Melleray Fundraising Committee are holding two upcoming fundraisers for the Emily Byrne Fund. Emily is 6 months old and is urgent need of a liver transplant. They are holding a Monster Tractor Run in Lismore on December 27th and a sponsored walk in Knockanore on January 6th. Your support would be hugely appreciated.
Clashmore/Kinsalebeg COMHGHAIRDEAS Heartiest Congratulations to Barry Dunne & Niamh O'Connell who celebrated their marriage. May you enjoy a lifetime of health, happiness and good fortune. In his role as Games Development Administrator for West Waterford Division Barry regularly visits the local schools and G.A.A. clubs to promote coaching and skill development of hurling and football. His coaching sessions are always an enjoyable learning experience for his young charges. All at the club wish you both the very best of luck. Go n-éirí an t-adh libh. Although Barry now resides in the Rebel County he will always be a loyal supporter of the Déise. CHRISTMAS TREES FOR SALE Date: Saturday next, December 9th. Venue: GAA Clubhouse. Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: €40 each. Please Support your club in this fundraising event. Convince your parents, partner and friends to buy a Christmas Tree from the GAA Club on Saturday. If you want a tree before then Timmy can be contacted - 087 2070715. He will arrange delivery. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Date: Saturday next, December 9th. Venue: GAA Clubhouse. Time: 7.30 p.m. All members and players (past and present)
have such a diversity of skills and so much to contribute to the club that it is vitally important that you attend. Looking forward to seeing some new faces as well as the familiar ones on Saturday night. All are welcome to attend. WELL DONE Congratulations to our neighbours, Ardmore, on their decisive victory over Ballybacon/Grange in the Munster Club JHC final.
Sliabh gCua/ St. Mary’s AGM 2017 The club held our AGM for 2017 last Friday, 1st December. Official positions: Chairman Brendan, Vice chairman J. P. Fitzpatrick, Secretary Marie McDonald, Assistant Secretary – TBC, Treasurer Tom Condon, Assist treasurer James Codon, PRO Tara McGourty, Culture Kay Ware, Development Officer Clodagh Kearns, Children's Officer Paul Ahearne, Healthy club officer Marie McDonald. Committee members Aidan Fitzpatrick, Tom Power, Mike Murray, Daniel Flynn. The club would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their continued support throughout the year and looking forward to a great 2018. CLUB TRIP TO DINGLE 13th JANUARY, 2018 Can those going text Kay by Thursday as we must confirm numbers with the hotel by Friday and make arrangements for €50 deposit it is filling up fast. Total cost of the weekend is €120 which includes bus, breakfast on the way; bed and breakfast in the hotel; shuttle bus back to Dingle on Saturday night and two evening meals, one Saturday and one Sunday. We will guarantee to be back in Touraneena by 6.30 p.m. on Sunday evening. CLUB GEAR DELIVERY All club gear has arrived and will be handed out at Kirwan Park on Sunday, 10th December at 11 a.m. All gear must be paid for before receiving it. ‘THE LOCAL BIG BREAKFAST’ The players are currently putting together ‘The Big Breakfast’ event. On 26th December, after you wake with your Christmas day hangover, we invite you to come along to Touraneena Community Centre where the players will be rustling up an Irish breakfast for you. Breakfast will be available between 11:00 and 13:00 and will be a very enjoyable event. Don’t miss our special guests Dauly and Taylor. They will perform the ‘Gangnam style’ dance! Don’t miss out. Great morning of food and entertainment is guaranteed. We would like to thank the Local Bar for sponsoring this event! Please come along and bring your buddies!! Check out the clubs Facebook page for up to date details.
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GAA CLUB NOTES
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Anne Ryan and Helen and Tom McCarthy at the Waterford Hurlers Holiday Fund Corporate Night in the Granville Hotel recently. [Noel Browne]
Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Portlairge Football Co. Finals. Killian O'Reilly, Chairperson Cumann na mBunscol Portlairge presents the Boys B Football Shield to Tallow's Captain Jack O'Donnell. [Sean Byrne]
Affane/Cappoquin THREE TO ANSWER 1, Who are this year’s All Ireland senior club ladies football champions? 2, Who won this year’s Galway senior hurling championship? 3, Who were the first Waterford club to play in a Munster junior hurling final? LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS 1, Irish golfer Padraig Harrington’s father Paddy played in an All Ireland senior football final for Cork 2, Waterford minor hurlers in 2013 are the only team to win an All Ireland title and lose two championship games on their way to doing so 3, Waterford V Kilkenny in 1974 was the first All Ireland U-21 hurling final played in Thurles. CLUB LOTTO MONDAY, 4th DECEMBER Jackpot €6,500. Numbers drawn out were: 4, 11, 13, 20. No winner. Consolation €20 winners: Paul Murray, Ballywelligan; Colm Looby, Kilbree; Gavin McCarthy, Affane; Tom O’Donoghue, c/o The Central Bar and Mary O’Donoghue, Crowhill. INTER-COUNTY SEASON TICKETS The 2018 GAA Season tickets are now available to be purchased. This ticket grants holders access to all Allianz League Matches including play-offs, semi-finals and finals. The price of this ticket for adults is €120 and for u-16’s is €30. There is also a second option of Club+ available where the holder will be granted access to all Club Championship games in your county. The cost of this ticket for adults is €200. Dare we say - they make a great Christmas gift for all GAA mad family members. See gaa.ie/seasonticket for more information. JUVENILE GAA CLUB AGM Cappoquin Juvenile GAA Club will hold its AGM on Saturday, 9th December at 7.30 pm in the Clubhouse. We would appreciate if as many parents and team mentors as possibly are in attendance for this important meeting. WEDDING BELLS Congrats to Julie Keane and club star Kevin Looby who got married last Saturday in Kilwatermoy Church. May the seeds of love continue to grow through the sand of time and bring plenty of joyous fruits for you both. Wishing you both love, luck and happiness to last you today, tomorrow and ever after. Heartly congratulations on your wedding. CHAMPIONS Congratulations to Ardmore, Munster Junior Hurling Champions 2017 and Stradbally, Waterford county senior champions 2017 both having great victories in their respective finals last weekend over Ballybacon-Grange and Nire.
Stradbally Please like and share on FACEBOOK to help us spread the club news Last Sunday the Stradbally Senior Football team made history by winning our 19th Senior football title in a thrilling victory over the defending champions the Nire. This victory now elevates Stradbally to the top of the Waterford Senior Football roll of honour with Dungarvan. The game was an epic one and demonstrated that Waterford football is alive and well, spectators were treated to a game of skill and high intensity. Both teams played their hearts out for their clubs and after extra time we prevailed by two points on a score line of 1-15 to 1-14. The lads never say die attitude saw us come
back from 6 points down after 13 minutes and take the game to extra time and following two very tense periods of extra time we won out by two points. Shane Aherne collected a deserving Man of the Match award but in all honesty this was a huge team effort from all players, subs and management. Our heroic captain Tommy Connors led by example when he came on. Tommy cut off a cast which had only recently been put on for a broken tumb and put his club and team-mates first, which epitomises the spirit that makes Stradbally the club it is. The players and management deserve great credit for the commitment and hard work which has gone in to winning this championship. This victory meant a lot to the community and it could be seen on the faces of our supporters after, the sight of our youngsters around our Captain as he lifted the Conway Cup was a joy to behold. Last Sunday saw five of our Senior panel collect their 10th Senior Football medal, which is a feat unlikely to be matched by any other club. The ten time winners are Michael Walsh, Eoin Cunningham, Ger Power, John Coffey and Kevin Coffey. The team will now visit the schools in the parish with the Conway Cup. CLUB AGM Notices for our Club AGM, which will be held on Friday, 29th December at 7.30 pm in the Social Centre, were posted to all club members this week. Every member of the parish is welcome to attend and help drive our club into the future. Juvenile Notes: The Juvenile AGM date will be announced in next week’s notes and we hope to see as many of the parents present to help us to drive the club on in the future. Training is now finished until the new year, we would like to thank all the parents and children for their commitment throughout the year. U-15 Football and Hurling – The medal presentation for the successful double winning under 15 team will take place on Thursday, 28th December in the Clubhouse, we hope to see all the players and their families present on the night as the club celebrates their achievements. SCHOOLS FOOTBALL SEAFIELD NATIONAL SCHOOL On Friday, 1st December we had the conclusion to the very successful Sean Ahearn football league. The standard of football throughout these past eight weeks has been nothing short than incredible. In the “B” final we had Catherine Keane’s team versus Caoimhe Whelan’s team. After a pulsating 20 minutes of football there was only a solitary goal between the sides. Congratulations to Caoimhe’s team of Mika Froleich, Peter Phelan and Sasha Keane. Catherine’s team of Darragh McKeon, Shane Weldon, Beibhínn Delaney and David Meighan all played heroically. In our “A” final Ruby Keane’s team was victorious over Ava Battye’s team, after a titanic struggle. The victorious team was Ruby Keane, Liam Organ, Seán Kelly, Elena O’Rourke and John Delaney. Our runners up were Ava Battye, James Lenihan, Tadhg Fitzgerald, Lucy Galvin and Éanna Power. These pupils are now eagerly awaiting the Sean Ahearn hurling league in the New Year. SCÓR/IRISH DANCING The young dancers of Stradbally and Dunhill came together for a Danceathon in Annestown on November 25th in aid of Bumbleance. €980 was raised for this very special cause. THANK YOU to everyone who supported this enjoyable event. NEW CLUB NUMBER Stradbally GAA has a new phone number which is 087 1165549 and if anyone wishes to make contact with the club regarding club matter
can do so at this number. 50:50 Draw - This draw takes place every second Sunday and the tickets are €2 each or 3 for €5. Tickets are available from Cunningham’s shop, Farm Relief Services, Whelan’s Bar and The Cove Bar as well as from any of the club committee. You can now log onto www.stradballygaa.com and purchase your tickets on line. The club would like to thank these local businesses for supporting this vital initiative and all those who purchase these tickets. The next Draw takes place on Sunday, 17th December. Remember if you are not in you can’t win. Congratulations to Nuala Smith from Timoleague, Co. Cork who won €350 in the latest 50;50 Draw. Nuala and her husband are long time Stradbally supporters who play our 50:50 draw every week. It’s people like these who help make our club strong. Social Centre There will be live music and dancing in the club next Sunday night, come along and join in a great nights entertainment. The social centre is available for booking for Christenings, Birthdays, Communions or any type of Social gathering, please contact Breda Kiely on 087-6291930 for further information. Fundraising Ongoing fundraising initiatives which are crucial to the future development of the Club are as follows and we ask that the community get behind these efforts to help us achieve our goals for the coming year. Club Book Our club book “An Illustrated History of Stradbally GAA 1886-2016” is still on sale in the following shops: Cunningham’s Shop Stradbally, Powers Book Shop Dungarvan, Readers Choice Book Shop Dungarvan and Shalloe Shop the Square Dungarvan. You can now log onto www.stradballygaa.com and purchase your book on line. This is a fantastic book and is a must read for all people associated with the parish of Stradbally.
CLG na Rinne
Alan Reynolds, Dan Shanahan and Ian O'Regan at the Waterford Hurlers Holiday Fund Corporate Night in the Granville Hotel recently. [Noel Browne]
Kenneth Kearney being presented with his winners cheque from the Last Man Standing by Tallow GAA team captain Kieran Geary.
LOTTO Torthaí lotto 27/11/17. Uimhreacha: 14, 17, 24, 29. Ní raibh aon buaiteoir den pota óir an tseachtain seo chaite. Bhuaigh na daoine seo a leanas €25: Malachaí Ó Crotaigh, Seán Ó Condúin, Seán Mac Craith. Beidh €10,000 sa pota óir an tseachtain seo chugainn agus is I dTigh Uí Mhuirithe a bheidh an tarraingt. CRINNIÚ CHINN BLIANA Beidh Crinniú Chinn Bliana CLG Na Rinne ar siúl an Satharn seo chugainn 9/12/17 I Halla Pobail Na Rinne. Tosnóidh sé ag 7.30 p.m. COMHGHÁIRDEACHAS Comhgháirdeachas go dtí an Árdmhór a bhuaigh chluiche ceannais Na Mumhan san iomáint sóisir. Maith sibh.
John Mitchels AGM We hold our annual AGM at The Union this Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. We look forward to a big turnout. FEWS NS The Dog Night took place on Saturday night and it was great to see so many members from our Club support their local school. In the modern world we live in a strong community is very important. CONFINED DRAW This week's winner was Maeve O’Connor, Kealfoun. Congratulations Maeve the cheque is on the way.
Nire/Fourmilewater GAA Juvenile Tournament: Another great night’s hurling played in the Centre for the Buckley Cup and the Power Shield on Wednesday night last. Pictured this week is Sean O’Gorman’s Cork Team.
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GENERAL SPORT
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Abbeyside AFC
Professional Golfer Seamus Power visits West Waterford Golf Club. Seamus with Br. Finbarr Spring, Tom O'Connell and James Daly. [Sean Byrne//Deise Sport]
Abbeyside Under 15 team who beat Ferrybank 3-1 away last Saturday
Whitmore on the double
Professional Golfer Seamus Power visits West Waterford Golf Club. Seamus with the newly elected Captain, Willie Lyons; Lady Captain Noreen Byrne and President Pat Murphy. [Sean Byrne//Deise Sport]
U-15 LEAGUE Ferrybank 1; Abbeyside 3 YOUNG REDS MARCH ON The boys travelled to Ferrybank the weekend in search of all 3 points to keep them top of the league. After playing them at home a few weeks ago and coming out on top they were hopeful of the same. The away side started off very well challenging their opposition with beautiful passing and stylish football that they have played throughout their league campaign. Abbeyside went close very early on only to be denied by the keeper on two occasions tipping one shot over the bar and from the resulting corner made a fine save from a header. Abbeyside dominated the opening 20 minutes of the game and were awarded free after free for persistant fouling from the home side. Abbeyside finally found a way at goal after a quick free kick down
the wing and a fantastic cross found Tadhg Whitmore in the box who sent a bullet header passed the helpless keeper. Abbeyside had another chance moments later but for some fine defending off the line kept it at 1-0. Just before the half-time whistle the home side were again caught out wide and another effort on goal saved by the Ferrybank keeper. The half ended 1-0. The lads came out determined to get more goals and Manager John Magoo had the lads going from the off. The boys weren’t letting the persistant fouling or abuse from the sidelines get into their heads as they got on with their football and passing. On 50 minutes Abbeyside were awarded their 12th free of the game and up steps captain confident Tadhg Whitmore who sends a stunning freekick into the back of the net. 2-0 Abbeyside well in con-
trol of this one made a few changes giving the full squad a game. Conor Kent who was again in fine form for his side grabbed another goal with a excellent driving strike to the top corner. Ferrybank who had now given up and reduced to long balls managed to score late on and make it 3-1. But Abbeyside were deserving winners and keeps them top of the lot. Well done to all involved lads. Match finished 3-1 Abbeyside. Goals: Tadhg X2, Conor. MOTM: Tadhg Whitmore. WSFL UNDER 15C LEAGUE p w d l pts Abbeyside 8 6 1 1 19 Carrick B 8 6 0 2 18 Railway Ath. 7 5 1 1 16 Tramore C 6 5 1 1 15 Ferrybank B 8 4 1 3 13 Portlaw Utd. 8 3 1 4 10 Kilmacow 7 2 2 3 8 Bohemians B 6 2 0 4 6 Park Rgs. B 8 0 1 7 1 Stradbally 8 0 1 7 1
Dungarvan Celtic AFC FIXTURES CELTIC EARN HARD FOUGHT POINT Dungarvan Celtic 1; v Piltown 1. LAST Saturday we welcomed a strong Piltown side to Lawn Field Park on a lovely day for playing football. We started well playing some nice ball in the early stages creating a few decent chances and coming close to taking the lead but as is often the case we were caught on the break going behind to a goal we should've cleared. We then let our heads drop and even though we had a few good chances to equalise before the break Piltown went in deservedly 1 to the good. Slight knocks to Josh and Conor meant two changes at half-time with Pedro and Jehad coming on. Piltown continued to be the stronger team until we settled and had some good pressure on the Piltown defense where we hit the bar twice from play from a Gavin shot and a sweet free kick from Pedro. Ahyem came on for Kevin who
again had a great game in defense. With time running out we gambled pushing forward for the last quarter and this brought about the move of the match. A great cross field ball from Mark found Jamie (Man of the Match) bombing down the left wing and squared the ball to the edge of the box to Ryan (not sure if I meant it) Keane who hit the sweetest volley giving their keeper no chance to score the best goal witnessed at Lawn Field Park in our short history so far. There was tremendous celebration to this goal especially from Shane Kelly who sprinted the length of the pitch to celebrate but like the fine captain he is then rallied the team to push on again for a winner. Even though we piled forward time ran out and in fairness a draw was a fair result to both teams. Team: Shane Kelly, Mark Earley, Deane Guiry, Kevin Duhig, Jamie Webster, Ryan Keane, Josh Jenson, Chris O'Donnell, Conor Sheehan, Gavin Joyce, Elliott Coolbear. Substitutes: Ahyam Orabi, Pedro Rodrigues, Jehad
Halel, Alex Murphy. Thanks to Piltown for a well contested and fair match and Brian for a good refereeing performance. FIXTURE At time of going to print we don't have another fixture but any update can be found on our Facebook page TRAINING Training continues every Friday 8 pm and Sunday on the beach when we don't have a game. BAG PACK We have a bag pack coming up in Dunnes Christmas week and would like to thank all that supported our last one. LOTTERY Lottery results will be in next week’s paper. Anyone wishing to play or help in any aspect of the club are very welcome at any stage. Contacts are: Chairperson: Christy Power 087 2357075; Secretary: Ger Murphy 087 6834289. Anyone interested in club gear please contact: Chris O'Donnell 087 7937230.
CHRISTMAS ONE-4-ALL DRAW This years Christmas raffle tickets are now on sale at €2 a line or 3 for €5. Tickets now on sale with all players selling them. Saturday, 16th December tickets will be on sale in Eurospar Abbeyside and draw takes place Sunday, 17th of December. 1st prize €300, 2nd €100, 3rd €50. CLUB GEAR 2017/18 This year’s club gear Christmas order has been sent in. Anyone looking for new gear will be in the next lot of orders in the new year. Thanks again to everyone who did order with us for Christmas. The Village will be a sea of Red & Black... THANK YOU Again thank you for all the support who travel to both the home and away games over the weekend. PARK HOTEL GYM The club has secured a group dicount for club members to use the Park Hotel Gym facilities. For further info please contact or Facebook Page or email liamsheehan85@gmail.com ACADEMY Our Academy and U-11/12 team coaching takes place on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. in the Sports Centre. SPONSORSHIPS A massive thanks to our sponsors for 2017/18: Stephen Drummey Painting & Decorating. Bryan Cosgrave carpentry & building services. TRAINING Training will be on Wednesday night in Ballinroad astro at 9 p.m. €5 per player 1st & 3rd Divison players available.
SATURDAY, 9th DECEMBER U-12 LEAGUE: Abbeysdie v St. Saviours at home kick-off 10.30 a.m. U-16 LEAGUE: Abbeyside v PIltown at Home kick-off 2.30 p.m. 1st DIVISON: Dungarvan Vs Abbeyside away kick-off 7.00 p.m. SUNDAY, 10th DECEMBER 3RD DIVISON Kilmacow v Abbeyside away kick-off 11.00 a.m. All fixtures subject to change due to schoolboy fixtures.
WSFL UNDER 16B LEAGUE Ballinroad Ferrybank B Tramore B Park Rgs. Kilmacow W. Crystal Abbeyside Kilmacthomas Piltown B De La Salle Bohemians B
p 6 7 6 7 5 7 5 8 7 5 3
w 6 5 5 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 0
d 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 2 2 0
l 0 2 1 3 1 5 3 5 4 2 3
pts 18 15 15 10 10 6 6 5 5 5 0
20
GENERAL SPORT
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Dungarvan United FC FAI JUNIOR CUP 4th ROUND Waterford Crystal ...................... 1; Dungarvan United ..................... 2. Dungarvan United marched on to a 5th round tie against Dublin side Booth Road Celtic after defeating Crystal by the narrowest of margins on a perfect morning for football last Sunday in the RSC. The score suggests a tight game, but Dungarvan were in control for much of the ninety minutes and will be pleased with most aspects of their play, except for their lack of clinical finishing, which made for a nervous final few minutes. The Blues travelled with a few players missing due to a variety of reasons: Andrew O’Connor and Kevin Walsh were both injured; Danny Reynolds was on duty with the Youths who were away to Dublin powerhouse team St. Kevins; and stalwart clubman Shane Lannon’s dual duties saw him lining out in the gaelic football county final for Stradbally. Congratulations on the win Shane from all at Dungarvan United. These are important players to Dungarvan, and it’s a sign of the strength of the squad that Dungarvan managed to absorb these losses and remained competitive.
Dungarvan set up in a 4-5-1 with Kian Cliffe in goal and a back four of, from right to left, Tony Fitzgerald, Christy Ross Power, Patrick Lynch and Lee Hyslop. Mark Ferncombe sat deep, with a four in front of him of, from right to left, Robbie Mulligan, Ryan Donnelly, Gavin Crotty and Mikie Byrne, with Nicky Donnelly the sole striker. The first half saw Dungarvan have the better of possession, but both sides were limited to one decent chance each in the opening forty-five minutes, Mark Ferncombe having the best opportunity for Dungarvan, heading wide from a brilliant Robbie Mulligan cross to the back post. The second half was much more open, and Dungarvan dominated most of the play, creating lots of chances. Ryan Donnelly was at the centre of things early in the half, when he first hit the post on fifty minutes after a lovely through ball split an increasingly flat and high Crystal back four. Only a minute later, he hit the cleanest shot of the day, sending the keeper scrambling to his right at full length to keep out a shot from thirty-five yards. The keeper then did brilliantly to get up quickly to dive at the feet of Nicky Donnelly who was trying to knock in the rebound. The chances
Div 4 Sponsorship - Pictured is Sean Cotter, Blackwater Agri Sales & Services and Kieran Cotter, Cotter Agri Contractors presenting Colin Walsh, Dungarvan United Over 35 Player/Manager with a new home kit. Missing from the photo is Michael Hennebry (Agri Contractor) who co-sponsored the kit. A huge thank you to the lads for their very generous sponsorship.
Dungarvan United advance to 5th round of FAI Junior Cup
Pictured are Dungarvan United Division 4 team who had a victorious 3-0 win at home against Crusaders last Monday night. kept coming for Dungarvan, and a couple of crosses and shots flew across the face of the goal, begging to be knocked in, but didn’t fall kindly for any player in blue. There were also several breakaways that Dungarvan will feel they should have got more from. The game was beginning to take on the feel of “one of those days”, and it would have surprised no-one if Crystal had nicked a goal against the run of the play, but Dungarvan finally took the lead on seventyseven minutes when a brilliant move started by a Gavin Crotty ball out of defence to Robbie Mulligan saw Mulligan hit a crossfield ball to Mikie Byrne, who fed the overlapping Lee Hyslop. Hyslop’s cross looped up onto the crossbar and fell to Ryan Donnelly who did well to beat the keeper as the ball came awkwardly to him. Dungarvan continued to dominate, and seemed to have put the game beyond doubt on eighty-four minutes when Mark Ferncombe slotted home from close range, but they put themselves through some unnecessary nervous final minutes, as they allowed Crystal to pull a goal back on eighty-eight minutes,
Pictured is Youth A Manager Kevin Walsh with players Danny Reynolds and Tommy Hyslop gratefully receiving a sponsored match ball from Ossie Fraher of Carry Out Dungarvan. Many thanks for your support.
but they held on for the well deserved win. Dungarvan will be delighted with the result. The strength of the squad was really tested in this game, a test they passed with flying colours, outplaying a Crystal side who had been on a great run that had seen them beat champions HIbs and draw with Carrick in their last two games. Crystal were limited to a bare few chances, whilst the Blues created at least five or six. Their only concern will be that they gave a chance of a result to Crystal, who didn’t deserve it on the balance of play. A great win, and Dungarvan now turn their attention to Dublin side Booth Road Celtic in the fifth round. Dungarvan United: Kian Cliffe (GK); Tony Fitzgerald; Christy Ross Power (c); Patrick Lynch; Lee Hyslop; Mark Ferncombe; Robbie Mulligan (Ciaran Power, 86); Ryan Donnelly; Gavin Crotty; Mikie Byrne; Nicky Donnelly (Piotr Goch, 85). FAI YOUTH CUP ST. KEVIN’S BOYS V DUNGARVAN UTD. We travelled to the famous St. Kevin’s Boys Club in the last 32 of
the FAI Youth Cup on Sunday last. We were short a number of regulars through injury and illness and couple left us down last minute. For those that did travel they never gave up despite conceding a goal after only 6 minutes for the worst possible start. It was obvious from the first few tackles that despite being a good football side St. Kevin’s were ruthless in their finishing, tackling and in the referee’s ear. Everything they did was sharp, snappy and they played some good football. After a lack lustre first half from us we went in 3-0 down with their right winger causing plenty of problems. The second half started very well for the blues when they started winning second balls and tackles and were rewarded with a fine long range effort from Cameron to make it 3-1. We pressed and pushed forward to try get that second goal and were starting to get on top only for us to concede again on the counter attack for a sucker punch. Game over and St. Kevin’s added a couple more to put a gloss on the score line. Five of this team are U-16 but on
Thank You - In recent weeks we did a Christmas Appeal to help local man Aaron Cowming in his shoebox Appeal for the South East Simon Community. We gathered a boot full of goods and helped make a difference to some people in need this year, so thanks to each and everyone who helped and Aaron asked to pass on his own special thanks.
top of that we just didn’t perform to how we can but the effort was there from all 12 players involved throughout the 90 minutes and I think we saw the high standards St. Kevin’s as a club set for their players hence all the past internationals that have come through. We move on quickly with a big Munster Youth Cup game next Sunday v DLS away with the winners at home to Pike Rovers. Thanks to anyone who came up to support and help out, it was much appreciated. Dungarvan: Toby Taylor, Shane Crotty, Gary Crotty, Reece Stringer, Cameron Maguire, Joe Duggan, Danny Reynolds, DJ Melia, Artur Trezciak, Tommy Hyslop, Dylan Swales, Dion Keohan. LOTTO LOTTO LOTTO Numbers drawn: 33, 18, 14. No jackpot winner. €50 Shane Tobin. €25 Josie Flynn and Kevin Walsh. Thanks to all who support our weekly lotto. Next week our Jackpot is €2,700, who would like that in their Christmas stocking? Be in it to win it folks!
Congratulations to Kacper Zajac on his U-16 national debut for his native Poland in their 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland in Belfast last weekend. Everyone in the club are proud of your achievements so far and wish you well with your future career. We welcome Kapi back to Kilrush Park this week from his release from Waterford FC.
GENERAL SPORT
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
CUNNIGAR PITCH & PUTT CLUB THOMAS (FROSTIE) MAHER PERPETUAL CUP Thomas (Frostie) Maher Perpetual Cup 9th December open to members and non-members. This is the second year of the Thomas (Frostie) Maher Perpetual Cup. We would like to invite all of our members and non members to participate in this competition, Frostie was a very valued member of our club and therefore we would like to see ahuge turnout on the day. All proceeds from this game will be going to local charities, the deise day care centre and deise animal centre which has been nominated by the Maher family. We will be playing one of Frosties favourite games, Mixed Foursomes. Names to be entered in the clubhouse before 7th December at 5 p.m. A.G.M. Our A.G.M. will be held on the 10th December at 2 p.m. in Fusion Centre next to Sports Centre. Any motions must be sent in to our secretary Michelle O'Connell no later than one week before the A.G.M. Committee meeting December Thursday 7th at 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY LADIES TOURNAMENTS Names in by 10 a.m. tee-off 10.30 a.m. Nett: Breda Foley, Oliviere Walsh. Gross: Mary O’Neill, Marie Forde.
SATURDAY SPONSORED TOURNAMENTS Names in by 1 p.m. tee-off 1.30 p.m. Nett: Kathleen Foran. Evelyn Torrens, Patsy Hackett. Gross: Oliviere Walsh, Mary O’Neill, Paul O'Riordan. HOLE IN ONE COMPETITION We are now holding the competition for the most hole in ones during the year.Already we have members who have them while playing competitions. Ladies: Mary O'Neill (3), Mary Walsh, Eilish O'Sullivan, Evelyn Torrens, Marie Forde, Eileen Mangan, Kathleen Foran, Maureen Power and Mary Daly has one. Gents: Patsy Hackett, (5), Liam Simms (2), John Foley, Declan Byrne. Michael Havens and John Carroll have one each. Juveniles: Stefan Cllifford has one. Prizes given out at Christmas game to winners DATES TO REMEMBER A.G.M. 10th December at 2 pm in the Fusion Centre (next to the Sports Centre). Thomas (Frostie) Maher Perpetual Cup 9th December Christmas game 17th December names in for 1 p.m. tee off 1.30 p.m. (Let’s all dress up and have some festive fun). BONUS NUMBER Winner of the bonus number 38 was Michael O’Mahoney. DID YOU KNOW Looking for ideas for Birthday or Christmas presents. How about a voucher for green fees or membership to our Club. These are available from our club house between
2-4 any day. WHEN USING YOUR FOB PLEASEREMEMBER TO CLOSE THE GATE WHEN ENTERING AND LEAVING THE COURSE. IF THESE RULES ARE NOT ADHERED TO, ACTION WILL HAVE TO BE TAKEN. PITCH MARKS Leaving Pitch Marks when playing destroys the greens, it takes a lot of care and attention to keep them in pristine condition, so all members and green fees are asked to repair them and use the correct repairer when doing so. Do not use club heads to repair a pitch mark as this damages the green. Always use a pitch repairer. Also do not use the club head to take balls out of holes on greens as this damages the hole. PLEASE NOTE Anyone found to be teeing off onto greens not in play will be dealt with by the committee. If anyone has an hour or two Mondays to Fridays to spare to give a hand helping on the course you would be very welcome. MEMBERSHIP FEES Adults €85 Family €155 Over 60's €55 Juveniles €50 Life Members €35 Extra fob €10 You can get gift vouchers (great birthday and Christmas presents) from any of our committee for green fees or membership. PITCH AND PUTT IS FUN! Remember pitch and putt is only a game so go out and enjoy it.
Stradbally FC RESULTS Under 15 Schoolboys League: Carrick Utd 2; Stradbally 1. JUNIOR No game last weekend, but it's back to action with a Munster Junior Cup 3rd round tie versus Carrck United B on Saturday. Kick off 2 p.m. FIXTURES Saturday, December 9th Munster Junior Cup (3rd Round: Stradbally v Carrick United B 2 p.m. Under 12 Schoolboys League: Seaview Celtic v Stradbally 10.30 a.m. SCHOOLBOYS Carrick Utd. and the locals served up a fine game of Under 15 football last week. Good open play was the order of the day, and the Suirsiders opened the scoring midway through the first half, only for Daire Walsh to equalise with a well placed shot after Conor Organ lofted an accurate pass over the defence. Events continued in a similar vein after the break, Daire Walsh tested the upright with one effort and was inches wide with another attempt. At the other end, stout defending, good goalkeeping from Oran Grant and a bit of luck kept the home side at bay. Alas, with minutes to go Carrick garnered a penalty, which was well saved by Oran, but the rebound was hit home to give a rather fortuitous three points to the home side. Stradbally: Oran Grant, Conor Organ, Ultan McCusker, Darragh Hallahan, John McArthur, Chris
Doheny, Mikey O'Brien, Cormac McGrath, Darragh McGrath, Oisín Leacy, Daire Walsh, Jamie Quinn, Liam Leacy, Jack Quinlan, Rian O'Reilly.
ACADEMY & LITTLE DRIBBLERS Academy and Little Dribblers returns on this Saturday morning at 10.30 a.m. It's a great way of introducing all children to group play and football fundamentals in a safe welcoming environment. If you have children in this age group, why not come along and talk to the group mentors and parents, to see what it's all about. LOTTO Club Lotto Draw takes place in Whelan’s Bar on Sunday night. Jackpot on offer will be €1,200, an ideal pre-Christmas present. Tickets available from shops and pubs locally, as well as regular promoters and club members. ON-LINE CLUB SHOP Our on-line club shop is now open for business. Playing gear and leisure wear, ideal presents for birthdays and other festive occasions, available from www.oneills.com REFEREES COURSE A Referees Introduction Course will take place next weekend, Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th, in the WIT Campus. For full details go to www.fai.ie CHRISTMAS FAIR Stradbally Country Market hold their Annual Christmas Fair tomorrow night (Thursday, December 7th) in the Cove Bar. Fantastic range of items will be on view. Come along and place your orders.
GAELIC FOOTBALL Well done to the Stradbally Gaelic Footballers on their victory over The Nire on Sunday. CHRISTMAS DAY SWIM Christmas Day Swim proceeds this year will go towards a New Wheelchair Accessible Bus for the Irish Wheelchair Association. Sponsorship cards are available from Cunningham's XL Shop and Glanbia Durrow, as well as Fitzgerald family, Rockville or from Soccer Club Committee members. Míle buíochas to Farm Relief Services, Kilmacthomas who covered the production costs of the cards and posters. Don't forget them when doing the Christmas shopping this year, their shop is an Aladdin’s Cave of items for the house and garden, as well as the agricultural sector.
Christmas Day Swim in aid of a New Wheelchair Accessible Bus for the Irish Wheelchair Association.
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Double delight for Dungarvan as both teams record wins Dungarvan (A) ......................… 2; Midleton .................................… 0. THE Dungarvan Ladies Hockey first team (A) faced into this weekend’s fixtures against Midleton Ladies who were leading the way on top of the table in this Division. With Dungarvan lying third in the table before today, This game against league leaders Midleton sure to be a tough test. Dungarvan lined-out as follows, Chloe Shanahan stepped into goal in place of Sarah Landers who missed out due to illness, Anne Marie Tutty at sweeper with Ali O’Donnell in at Centre with Ella Fay at centre back flanked by Lily De Paor on the left. In midfield, Saoirse Hayes and Laina O’Hara were on the wings, with Roisin Briggs in the middle. Up front at centre forward was Meabh Beresford with Jeanne Harrington and Judith Campbell on either wing. On the bench was Clodagh Moloney, Jessica Donnelly, Tess O’Hara and Charlotte Connors. This game got off to a great start for Dungarvan, as they were comfortable as you like and in the process playing arguably their best hockey so far this season. Meabh Beresford was faced with the task of man marking the best player on the Midleton team and she made it a very uncomfortable afternoon for the Cork girl matching her on pace, physicality and skill. Meabh had the beating of her as she didn’t like being pressured and ultimately squeezed out of the game. Chloe in goal was called into action very soon in the game making a few saves and keeping this very dangerous Midleton side at bay. Dungarvan’s first goal was as a result of some great team play, Jeanne as instructed stayed up on the wing and collected a ball, passing to Saoirse who played in Meabh at the top of the circle who then played Jeanne in again as she took her first goal for the first team with great ease! Half-time saw Dungarvan lead 1 – 0 and fully deserved. The second half saw Midleton dominating for a period as they pressed in search of an equalizer, some stern defending from Dungarvan as they kept them out in particular Anne Marie Tutty solid as a rock! Dungarvan piled on the pressure again and won a short corner. The ball was played out to Tutts, who took a shot and was saved but the ball came right back
out to Dungarvan as they went for the re-bound and Saoirse Hayes who wasn’t to be denied on this occasion sent the ball past the Midleton keeper putting this game well and truly beyond the Cork ladies. Final score, Dungarvan 2 – 0 Midleton, this result saw Dungarvan leap from third in the table up to top position. Winning their last four games in a row, these girls know they have to work hard going into the Christmas period stay at the top! Well done to all involved and Coach Martina Landers.
Player of the Match Meabh Beresford PLAYER OF THE MATCH MEABH BERESFORD Well done Meabh, this week’s Player of the Match on a superb performance leading the line for Dungarvan in this victory, and shutting out the oppositions biggest threat. Dungarvan (B) ........................... 2; UCC ............................................. 1. The Dungarvan Ladies second team were also in action against Cork opposition also in the form of UCC. Dungarvan ladies started out with, Isabelle Connors as goalie, Eimear Walsh in at Sweeper and Meabh BeresfordAndrea Hally at centre back flanked by Ella Harrington on the left and Chloe Shanahan at right back. In midfield, Emma Dunne and Elia Tutty were on the wings, with Judith Campbell in the middle. Up front at centre forward was Anna Whelan with Mairead Maye and Ellen Maye on either wing. From tip off, Dungarvan found themselves under pressure as UCC burst straight into action and also going 1 nil up. This didn’t deter Dungarvan as they huffed and
puffed all game long, threatening to level proceedings, UCC the happier of the two teams to see the half time whistle. Dungarvan eager to get back out in the second knew they were having the upper hand and also knew that they needed to take control of this game, Judith leading the way in middle never stopped as she ran the UCC players ragged. The ever-solid Eimear Walsh was also having a great day in defence clearing the lines, a solid display from all in defence. Andrea Hally was taking the ball on as they put it up to the Cork side. Chloe Shanahan was moved up into the forward, a new position for her and causing all sorts of trouble as Dungarvan won a short corner. The ball broke to Chloe at the top of the circle and she unleashed a thunderbolt shot, which flew straight to the back of the goal. UCC clearly rattled as Dungarvan leveled the game. The fresh legs of Dungarvan showed as they mustered up a plethora of short corner attempts. As two minutes remained on the clock, it was another short corner for Dungarvan; Andrea Hally received the ball and fired in an unnaturally fast shot that no keeper would stop! Unbelievable scenes as Dungarvan conjured up a magnificent victory in the most dramatic of fashions. No more than this young side deserved, improving massively in each game they play and today coming from one nil behind to win is a sure sign that this team will have something to say in this division yet. Well done to everyone on a thrilling game! PLAYER OF THE MATCH JUDITH CAMPBELL Well done to Judith who was all over this game from start to finish and the opposition just couldn’t live with her!
Player of the Match Judith Campbell
Kilmacthomas FC KIERSEY’S KILMACTHOMAS CHRISTMAS FAIR Kierseys will be the venue for a Fair on Thursday evening, the 7th December at 6 pm until 9 pm. UNDER 13 Kilmac ......................................... 0; Seaview ....................................... 2. WE faced Seaview for the second time this seson and were hoping for a better result after an earlier defeat. We started well and matched Seaview in all areas of the pitch. The boys played really well but luck deserted them when a defender beat his own keeper. The lads pushed hard for an
equaliser but found Seaview’s defence well marshelled and a keeper in great form. Seaview made in two nil late on to seal the points. UNDER 15 Kilmac ......................................... 4; Southend .................................... 5. Unlucky result today as the lads played their hearts out for the whole match. We took the lead through Ryan Hennessy and then shipped three goals in-a-row. The boys battled on and we were rewarded with another goal by Ryan and a goal to level it up before half-time by James Kirwan. We started strong in the second half but unfortunately went two
goals down. Colyn got us a goal back that made the last few minutes very difficult for Southend as we battered their goal with shots. Unfortunately, the performance wasn’t reflected in the scoreline. We will continue to improve and keep working hard on our game full credit to the boys and well done. THE RAINBOW HALL CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR AND FAMILY FUN DAY On Sunday, 10th December a Christmas Craft Fair will take place in the Rainbow Hall. A great variety of local stalls and entertainment for kids with free face painting and balloon art from 2 pm until 6 pm.
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GENERAL SPORT
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Some of KCK athletes who ran in the Munster B cross country championships in Beaufort, Co. Kerry recently.
KCK ATHLETIC
KCK claim five Munster Medals in Munster Cross Country KCK made the 220 mile round trip when they headed to Beaufort in Kerry to compete in the Munster B cross country championships, where the club claimed five individual medals. This included the three Power sisters Ciara, Aisling and Roisín who all claimed individual medals. First up were the U-9 girls where Abbie Ryan came home in 7th place. This was her highest Munster finish to date, so well done to Abbie. Gráinne, one of our newest members came home a very impressive 34th and Orlaith who was well up the field half way through the race had a fall and got straight back up to finish an impressive 39th. In the U-9 boys Peter came home in 13th place, just one spot outside the medals. Peter had a bad fall in the Munster As a few weeks ago and to finish 80 places better today is a massive achievement for the young man from Rathgormack. His team-mate Tadgh who only took up running this year finished a brilliant 44th in his first ever Munster race. In the U-11 girls race Róisín led the field home and claimed her first gold Munster medal. What made it even more impressive was the comfortable nature in which she won the race. KCK haven't won too many gold medals so this is one to remember. Her team mate Isobel ran a great race and finished well inside the top 60 in abig field of athletes. In the U-11 boys race Darragh led the team home finishing in 42nd place in his first Munster race of the year and he was closely followed home by Barry who was also inside the top 60 and finished a good 50 places better than his last time out so well done to him and also to Joe who finished well inside the top 60 and was running in his first Munster race. In the U-13 boys race Colm led the club home and finished just two places outside the medals in 14th place. Bill, running in his first Munster race finished well up the field in a very competitive race. Despite a very unfortunate start Pauly got up and made his way up through the strong field to finish the race well. Sport is about character building and Pauly showed true character today. We had five girls competing In
the girls U-15 race today. Helena led the team home in 7th place, a massive improvement from her last day out. She was joined in the winners enclosure by Aisling who finished 12th and also claimed an individual medal. Niamh was our third girl home and finished well up the field closely followed home by Orla and Anna who ran brilliant races. Well done to all the parents who made several long journeys this year, so our club could be represented in the various county, provincial and national competitions throughout the year. Well done also to Rebecca and Hannah who represented our club superbly in the All-Ireland cross country finals in Abbotstown recently. Bamlack, Senan and Ronan are continuing to train hard as they prepare for their all Ireland coming up in two weeks time and we wish them the very best of luck. A big thanks to Richie and his coaching team for all their hard work and effort throughout the year. Our club is growing every year and we look forward to working with everyone again including all the new athletes who have recently joined, when we return to training in March. KCK would like to wish all the best to our club member Jenny
Ryan in her new position as County secretary for the coming year. Jenny has taken over from fellow club member John Behan who has served in this position for many years. Along with John's county commitments he has been a brilliant club secretary and has always been on hand to help fellow club officers and the work he does in the background is invaluable and very much appreciated. Our club Treasurer Breda Keane is also retiring from her position after serving us for many years. Breda has done a great job organising all of our fundraisers and taking care of finances over the years and leaves the club in a healthy position going forward and all her hard work is very much appreciated by our club and we wish her all the best. David who has been the assistant treasurer for the last year will be taking over the role in the new year and we wish him the best. We would also like to thank Kilrossanty GAA club for the use of their facilities. It is very much appreciated. Our club gear has been ordered and will hopefully arrive before Christmas. We will send out a message when it arrives to let parents know where it can be collected from.
The three Power sisters who won medals in the Munster cross country championships.
Dungarvan Cycling Club juniors in action in Kanturk last weekend.
NOTES FROM THE ROAD This weekend was positively balmy compared to last and all groups were making the most of it before the weekends get busy with seasonal duties. Here are the reports from the road… Frank had 10 in his flock on Saturday taking in the coast road to Kilmac, the long drag over to look down on Carrick before making a return to Dungarvan via Durrow. 80k at 28 kph. Group 5 had 3 out today as all the rest were Christmas shopping. They went by Kilmolash where they had their first stop to allow the cows pass, then on to Cappoquin where they picked up another cyclist, then on to Lismore for coffee. After the coffee there was a split two heading home and two heading to Deerpark, Cappoquin and home the main road. 50km at an average of 21km G23k: The group started their Sunday spin at the Ballymacarbry Community Centre. The route took the group out of Ballymac towards Clonmel where they turned left and headed for Newcastle. They then cycled through Newcastle and headed for the coffee stop, a bevy of swans led them part of the way to Clogheen. After the refuel the group headed for Ardfinnan, Knocklofty, Clonmel and Dungarvan. The group stopped for a few minutes to gather themselves for the steady climb back to Ballymacarbry. The group then had a coffee at the Community Centre. Thanks Danny for looking after us before heading our separate ways. A great spin enjoyed by all. Dis 57.8km avg 22 kph G4: Some days are nicer on the road than others and Sunday proved to be one of those days. 8 cyclists, some old some new
enjoyed good banter and some new hand signals were passed on at coffee stop in Tallow. The laughter continued on way home as group cycled merrily along by the Blackwater with the sun shining down. After some overheating issues were sorted a smiling bunch returned to the pen with 80K covered at 26K average. G3 returned to higher ground this week after last week’s respite. The climb up the sweep first off tested the heart and lungs and everyone was well warmed up by the time the summit was reached. Off across the back of Strikes in foggy conditions before coming down to Clashmore. Over to Kinsalebeg and then another climb out of Youghal to Tallow in a headwind. Once the group reached Lismore the wind switched to our backs and everyone cruised home at a steady pace in brilliant sunshine. 14 out for 90k with 760m climbing at a steady 26.5kph. G2 had 10 out minus the group captain JD along with a few more regulars. They went up Colligan, Ballymac, Clogheen, The Vee, Lismore, home. The pace was kept steady with one regroup at the top of the Vee. Pace 29km/hr over the 90k. OUR JUNIORS DCC was represented last weekend at the Munster Cycling Academy Training Day in Kanturk. Aoibhe Power, Elia Tutty and Mark McGarry lined up in the U-16 event which involved a 60km road race. Eoghan Lattimore, Cal Tutty and David Gaffney registered for the U-12 event but David was unable to make today’s session. The U-12s has a coached session on Kanturk’s outdoor cycling track followed by some time trials. All DCC riders had great per-
formances and learned new racing skills. All enjoyed soup and rolls back in the club house with the other riders. OTHER NEWS Committee Meeting will take place on Monday, 4th December at 8 p.m. in the Anchor Bar. Please note change of venue and date. CHRISTMAS PARTY Plans are well advanced for this year’s Christmas Party next Friday night, December 8th. Ray and Mick in the Anchor have decked the halls to truly create a festive atmosphere. The boys in Retrophonics are fine tuning and if you like Bowie, Queen, Aha to name but a few, we are in for a treat, there may even be some Christmas tunes. Time from 8 p.m. with band starting at 8.30 p.m. followed by a DJ til late. Finger food will be served and a raffle for some great prizes will take place. It is hoped that all groups will be represented for what will be a great night. All members and friends most welcome! So swap the cleats for dancing shoes and come on down to the DCC Christmas Get together! The Lions Club Christmas Cycle will take place on Sunday, 17th December. Get in festive mode, deck the bike with some tinsel, wear your Santa hat and lets raise some cash for a most worthwhile organisation. A bucket collection will take place before roll out so please give generously. DC Images will be on hand to take a club photo so please make an extra effort to be present on the day. As always if you would like anything published please email me at carolbyrne99@gmail.com Follow us on facebook for regular updates
GAA
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
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Dungarvan Rugby Football Club
U-14s power into Munster League semi-final U-14s V CASHEL Cashel ......................................... 7; Dungarvan ................................ 55. Dungarvan U-14s power into semi-final of Munster league with a comprehensive 7-55 win away to Cashel. Dungarvan travelled to Cashel on Sunday to play the quarter-final in division 6 of the Munster League. The visitors got off to a great start with a try from Andy Phelan off a 5 metre scrum in the 4th minute. Dungarvan prop Tadhg Foley made great ground towards the Cashel 22’ and quick hands from the backline led to Conor Bohane going over in the corner in the 7th minute. A further try followed in the 12th minute with Brayden Carter going in under the posts after a quick penalty tap. Charlie Treen converted. Eighteen minutes in Andy Phelan scored a try after great work by Shane Power. Treen added the conversion. Thomas Byrne crossed the line from close range on the 22nd minute. On the stroke of half-time Brayden Carter went over for his second try. Half-time score 0-36. Dungarvan were relentless and kept the pressure on in the second half leading to tries from Brayden Carter (for his hat-trick) Andy Phelan (for his hat-trick) and Mark McCarthy. Two conversions were added by Edmund Spratt. Final score 7-55. Next up is the semifinal at home against Clonmel this Sunday at 11 a.m. All support greatly appreciated.
Squad: Alan Keogh, Andy Phelan, Aran Ronayne, Brayden Carter, Charlie Treen, Conn Williams, Conor Bohane, Conor Davidson, Donnacha Dunphy, Eddie Phelan, Edmund Spratt, Fionn Keane O'Mahony, Fionn Murphy, James Daly, Marcos Guitierrez, Mark McCarthy, Mikey Flavin, Tadhg Foley, Thomas Byrne, Sean Flavin and Shane Power. U-16s V FETHARD The U-16s played Fethard at home last Sunday in Division 5 of the Munster league. Dungarvan scored three tries to Fethard’s two in a tough and often bitter encounter, similar to the senior team last week. It was an improved performance from the home side than of previous weeks. The back line defence and ball handling was better but it can still be fine-tuned. The forwards need to concentrate more in rucks and mauls, and on picking up loose balls. The final score was Carrick/Dungarvan 17; Fethard 12. Squad: Ronan Bohane, Daniel Treen, Phillip Coleman, Sean Dunford, Peter Finnegan, Hugo Harty, Tomas Flavin, Ronan Foley, Conor Mullany, Mikey Mullaney and Eoin Flynn. Training Friday night in Carrick, meeting at 6.15 p.m. Match next Sunday, 9th Dec. in Thurles at 11.30 a.m. MINIS Some coaches and players took a trip to Irish Independent Park on Saturday last to see Munster take
on the Ospreys in the Pro14. They weren’t disappointed as the home side beat their Welsh rivals 36-10. The kids had a great time and were delighted when some of the players stopped for photos after the game. There’s no training this Saturday morning but we’ve a blitz in Waterford City on Sunday morning at 10.30 a.m. All parents are asked to be there early to ensure players are ready on time for kick-off. CLUB LOTTO We launched our new online lotto tool last Friday, which allows users purchase tickets online. The jackpot stands at €4,500 – wouldn’t that be nice for Christmas? Tickets can be bought at http://lotto.dungarvanrugby.ie CHRISTMAS BAG PACK Thank you to one of our main sponsors Garvey’s Supervalu for once again hosting us for our Christmas Bag Pack fundraiser. We’re asking all players from U-14s up, coaches, parents and club members to help out for a couple of hours in order to make this year even more successful than previous years. The dates are Thursday, 21st – Sunday, 24th December. We appreciate any help so please contact Kelly O’Shea on 087 7502578 to get involved. UPCOMING FIXTURES U-16s away to Thurles at 11.30 a.m. Sunday 10th. U-14s Munster league semi-final against Clonmel at home on Sunday at 11 a.m. Minis blitz Sunday morning in Waterford City at 10.30 a.m.
Dungarvan RFC under 14s win over Cashel and march into the Munster League semi-final.
Dungarvan RFC Minis at the Munster match at Independent Park recently to see the Munster match with Ospreys in the Pro 14.
Waterford Raceway final Championship round of the 2017 season WATERFORD Raceway’s 2017 championship season came to an end on November 12th, on what turned out to be a fine, sunny, if slightly chilly, afternoon. There was plenty of interest remaining in the championships; although a few classes had runaway winners, plenty of trophy positions were still up for grabs. The car count was again down a bit from the midseason levels, and another clash with a rescheduled date at Rosegreen took away a few potential entrants, but a turnout of 44 cars and 47 drivers was organised to give the usual close, friendly competition. The three classes of Juniors opened the programme. The Rookies’ ranks continued to grow with the addition of East Cork’s Rookie Champion, Darragh Walsh. The drawn and reversed grid format for the heats resulted in good racing with Tadgh Foley going around the outside of the last corner to snatch heat one from Darragh Healy. Another last lap pass won Tadgh the second heat, this time passing Brian Scannell. Abby Hewitt led the final most of the way but her car lost power letting Ian Kelleher past, before yet another last lap move put Tadgh Foley in first from Ian, Brian, Darragh Healy and Darragh Walsh, with Toby McGuire, Conor Fitzgerald and the unlucky Abby completing the field. The Rookies were given a bonus fourth race; in this one Darragh Walsh held off Tadgh to take his first Pike win. Tadgh, Ian and Darragh Healy had all been in contention for the championship after an excellent year for all the Rookies, but Tadgh’s results wrapped it up for him. The Unmodified class 1B juniors saw Aiden Heney start with a mathematical chance of beating Cathal McGivern for the championship, but Cathal put it out of reach
when he drew pole position for the first race and took a runaway win. Evin Harding took a good win in the second heat, with Aiden picking up another second and Cathal making it to third from right at the back. The final promised one of the day’s best races, and definitely delivered it! Luke O’Donovan’s Starlet and Ben Dunlea took turns in front before Ben Furlong took over while Cathal McGivern moved up to second. Into the last lap Cathal took the inside line and Ben’s defence saw him sideways across Cathal’s nose. To both boys’ credit they sorted it out, both survived and Ben took the win from Cathal and Aiden Heney, with Joey Dilworth taking fourth from Evin Harding, Ben Dunlea and Luke O’Donovan. Just five cars contested the Junior Modified class, and three of them were still in contention for the championship, but we unfortunately lost the third contender, Cian Deasy, when a visit to the bank cost him a bent back axle. That left the title battle between Ronan Foley and Jack Hickey and they took level scores from the two heats, with a win each. In the final Jack Pollard’s Starlet held the lead for a while but Jack Hickey took over and held off Mark O’Connor and Ronan in a typically close finish. This gave Jack Hickey the overall win for the day, but left Ronan at the top of the championship table. The ladies’ championship was also looking close, with a handful of points between the Egan sisters. Again the Wexford girls got a bit too close in the first heat, but the battle was resolved in Katie’s favour when Jamie’s car started cutting out in the second race. In the final all four contenders seemed to be tied together in the closing stages, with Jamie at the head of the group, but a lap down after an early spin.
After a first heat win, Anita Pollard made an excellent job of holding off Anita Lonergan and Katie Egan to take a second win of the day in her Nissan-powered Starlet. A well deserved overall win went to Anita Pollard, one of the club’s most dedicated helpers, from Katie and Anita Lonergan - a fitting end to a season that saw great performances from a group of ladies mostly new to the track. Katie won the championship from Jamie (two dirt racing converts to the fore) with the "temporarily retired" Meaghan O'Daly third and Anita Lonergan's impressive first season bringing her fourth. The format for the class racing was two rounds of split heats, and an all-in third round for the survivors. Class 1 featured four Micras that split up into two battling pairs. Jamie Condon just held off Michael Baldwin the first heat and Michael then turned the tables in the second race. Both did well among the quicker cars in the third round with Jamie securing the class win for the day over Michael, who’d already successfully defended his points championship. The third place battle was no less intense with ex-Autograsser Paul Boland overcoming some engine problems in his newly built Micra to beat Raymond Barry, settling in well in his third Pike meeting. The class 2s went out with the Ones and provided close action between a trio of Fiatpowered Starlets. Kevin Healy returned to the track and held off son Stephen and James McCoy for a while, but Kevin’s car ran out of steam in each race, while Stephen took the win, and the championship, and James put up a good fight in second. Class 3 was treated to its own races, with a couple of shared cars involved.
Unfortunately we didn’t see enough of the continuing battle between Ronan Waters and Alan D’Arcy as Alan had engine trouble in the second heat that sidelined him for the rest of the day. Ronan claimed the overall win from Shaun Lonergan and Kenneth McCoy, who was doubling up with James in their now Fiat 1.2 16 valve powered Starlet. Ronan’s win confirmed him as champion over Alan. Classes 4, 5 and 6 ran together, with two cars in each. Gavin Mullally’s 1.4 Micra took the class 4 award after Peadar Wall’s 1600 Hot Rod 206 came off worse in a brush with the scenery in the second heat, although Peader was well ahead in the championship. Class 5 was again a duel between the two Wexford Andys with their 1500 Hondapowered Starlets; Andy Foley and Andy O’Brien took a win each in the heats, so the overall winner was decided by the all-in third round, in which Andy O’Brien exited on the first lap while Andy Foley had an excellent drive to second overall, giving him the day’s trophy, while Andy O’Brien took the championship. Class 6 provided a great spectacle as the Outlaw Hot Rod cars of Martin Fitzgerald and Brian Whelan battled through the traffic. Martin’s Colt won both the heats but didn’t come out for the all-in race, where Brian’s Nissan Turbo-powered 205 came from the back of the 12-car field to win overall, which also gave him the class win. The championship was closely balanced but Martin Fitz held his advantage to win it. Unfortunately, for the second meeting running there were no Class 1B entries, despite three drivers having been in close contention for the championship. We hope to see the budget class, which has pro-
vided great entertainment this year, catch on properly next year. The other “basic” class, the Stock Rods, laid on their usual excellent racing. Alan Houlihan’s Hyundai heat Marty O’Riordan’s Focus and Joe Fitz’s Almera in the first heat. Brian Weston’s Mazda beat these three in the second heat, setting the scene for an action packed final. Joe Fitz and Jamie Condon’s Mitsubishi both had problems while leading, and just behind them Brian Weston lost ground with a big lockup and Paul Weston’s Mazda took an offtrack excursion. All this helped Marty O’Riordan to emerge as the winner from a recovered Brian Weston and Alan Houlihan. With a first, second and third each, Marty and Alan shared the top step of the podium, while Alan held to win the championship. That just left a Helpers’ Race to complete the Pike season; Aiden Heney’s Micra was entrusted to Rally Hally, who took a runaway win, chased by Andy Foley (in Jamie Egan’s Starlet), Shane Hickey (in Jack’s Micra), Chalky Nolan (in Andy Foley’s Starlet), Mikey Daly in Paul Boland’s Micra and Daire Power in Katie Egan’s Starlet. Another excellent and well-run meeting to round off Waterford Raceway’s season, although there’ll only be a short break before the scheduled St. Stephen’s Day meeting. JEFFREY PARISH AUTOGRASS REVIEW MAGAZINE From all at Waterford Raceway we would like to thank Jeffery for all his efforts to come visit us as often as he does and his super photos paired with fantastic writeups. We hope you have a great Christmas and a prosperous 2018.
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GENERAL SPORT
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 8 December, 2017
Talking Horses First four timer for Walsh
Upcoming Fixtures
FRIDAY was a day to remember for Mark Walsh as the Kildare native enjoyed his first four-timer at Limerick with three of the winners coming for his boss, JP McManus. Walsh began the day on Chris’s Dream for trainer Eugene O’Sullivan who ran out a snug winner of a competitive contest. Walsh later followed up with the McManus treble, the first two of which came for local trainer Austin Leahy who saddled Getoutwhenyoucan to win the seventh race of his career in the Christmas Racing Festival Handicap Hurdle before Wait Here ran out a convincing winner of the rated novice hurdle. Walsh struck again in the penultimate race as Let’s Twist Again backed up his recent Punchestown success to win again for Melbourne Cup winning trainer Joseph O’Brien. Gordon Elliott’s Suitor was a popular winner of the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle as the 8/1 shot was a first winner for the Goldman Racing Syndicate from County Meath. Shauna Larkin enjoyed her first ever winner on the track when she landed the Britain v Ireland Challenge Handicap Hurdle for amateur riders. The Galway native partnered the 7/4 favourite to success for Dermot McLoughlin, while Katie O’Farrell enjoyed her first winner since returning from injury when taking the bumper for Mags Mullins on Motown Girl.
O’Grady’s given a small lift at Punchestown
Dundalk – Wednesday, December 6th (First Race 1.00) Clonmel - Thursday, December 7th (First Race 12.25) Dundalk – Friday, December 8th (First Race 6.00) Navan – Saturday, December 9th (First Race 12.20) Cork - Sunday, December 10th (First Race 12.35) Punchestown - Sunday, December 10th (First Race 12.25)
Apple's Jade and Jack Kennedy winning The Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse. [Alain Barr]
Historic day as Elliott completes Grade 1 Clean Sweep A SECOND consecutive victory for Apple’s Jade in the Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle was the highlight of a historic day for Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown House Stud as the trainer became the first to land all three top level races on the prestigious Fairyhouse card. In a performance described as the best of her career, Apple’s Jade pulled clear of a high-class field to record a nine length victory over multiple Grade 1 winner Nichols Canyon. Elliott’s Grade 1 treble was kick started in the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle by new Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite Mengli Khan who, ridden like Apple’s Jade by Jack Kennedy, was five lengths too good for Early Doors. The highly rated Death Duty maintained his unbeaten
record over fences and made it three from three this season when landing the Drinmore Novice Chase under Davy Russell. Russell went on to complete a double on the card just over half an hour later when Cheltenham Festival winner Presenting Percy bolted up in the Porterstown Handicap Chase for Galway trainer Pat Kelly. Gavin Cromwell appears to have another star juvenile on his hands as Espoir D’allen justified support and his place as market leader in the Bar One Racing Juvenile Hurdle and the concluding bumper could also have thrown up a star of the future as debutant Downtown Getaway pulled 14 lengths clear to win for Mags Mullins and Katie Walsh at odds of 14/1.
Leahy has 24 hours to remember FRESH from his double at Limerick on Friday trainer Austin Leahy took Fairyhouse’s feature race on Saturday with 20/1 shot Nearly Nama’d. Ridden to victory by in-form Luke Dempsey, 20/1 shot Nearly Nama’d was winning the EasyFix Handicap Chase for the second time having previously won the 2015 renewal for former trainer Sandra Hughes and it was a surprise that day too as he was 40/1 on that occasion.
Owner JP McManus enjoyed a double on the card as the well-backed Out Of The Loop won the Kettles Supporting Fingal Ravens GAA Handicap Hurdle for Christy Roche and Mark Walsh. Youcantcallherthat proved to be a blot on the handicap when making it two from two for trainer and jockey Denis Hogan. A facile winner at Cork, Youcantcalherthat was six lengths too good for 6/4 favourite Magic Of
Light. A memorable weekend at Fairyhouse for Gordon Elliott began with The Storyteller coming late to bag the honours of the opening beginners’ chase but the trainer was to go down to a shock winner later on the card as Blow By Blow was denied by the minimum margin as Paul Nolan’s Doscorama obliged in the maiden hurdle. Minella Encore made a winning start for Willie Mullins when taking the bumper under Patrick Mullins.
Total Recall bridges lengthy gap for Irish at Newbury MUNSTER National winner Total Recall made a notable step forward to win the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury on Saturday for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. The 9/2 favourite became the first Irish winner of the race since Bright Highway in 1980 as the eight-year-old stayed on gamely under Townend to
deny Nicky Henderson’s Whisper by a neck. The winning trainer paid tribute to both former trainers of Total Recall, Dessie and Sandra Hughes, in the immediate aftermath. The Slaneyville Syndicate-owned gelding will now get entries for both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Aintree Grand National.
Four on the bounce for Clear Skies at Dundalk AIDAN O’Brien’s Clear Skies won her fourth race since the start of November when taking the feature race at Dundalk on Friday evening. The daughter of Sea The Stars won her first three races under three different jockeys but Donnacha O’Brien made it two in a row on the improving four-yearold. Chris Hayes bagged a double on the all weather with Pillar Mountain impressing in the mile maiden
for trainer Paddy Twomey at odds of 16/1 before Koybig racked up another win and justified his position as market leader to hold Complicit by a length and a quarter. Former champion jockey Pat Smullen was seen at his strongest when getting David Marnane’s Khwarizmi up in the opening five-furlong maiden to deny Snow Patch, while champion apprentice rider Oisin Orr prepared for a winter trip to Australia by
enjoying a winner for his boss Eddie Lynam on Peace Officer in the six-furlong maiden. Apprentice jockey Ben Coen rode the second winner of his fledging career when guiding Mark Fahey’s admirable Oneoveryou to victory in the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Handicap and favourite backers were sent home happy as Tropic Thunder won the finale for Anthony McCann and Conor McGovern.
EDWARD O’Grady’s first runner since the tragic loss of his wife, Maria, was a winning one as The West’s Awake rallied late under Andrew Lynch to win Punchestown’s BETDAQ Rated Novice Chase on Wednesday. The 16/1 chance was a very poignant winner and was given a heartfelt reception by those in attendance after finishing strongly to pick up the 11/10 favourite Woods Well. Champion trainer Willie Mullins saddled a double with Bon Papa putting in an impressive performance to win the beginners chase by 11 lengths in the hands of Barry Geraghty. The highly rated hurdler made a smooth transition to the larger obstacles and instigated a brace that was completed in the finale when Patrick Mullins steered Bang Bang Rosie to success on her first start for the stable. Bon Papa was providing jockey Barry Geraghty and owner JP McManus with a double on the card as a good week for trainer Gavin Cromwell started when Spades Are Trumps came out on top of a thrilling finish to the opening maiden hurdle. Noel Meade’s Minella Fair rewarded favourite backers in the second of the maiden hurdles on the card when he held off the strong challenge of Derrinross and Flynsini was a 16/1 shock winner of the handicap chase.
Ladies Day at Thurles as Love and Blackmore Combine BOYLESPORTS Irish Grand National winning trainer Dot Love and last season’s champion conditional rider Rachael Blackmore combined to take the feature honours at Thurles on Thursday as Dawn Shadow ran out an impressive winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Hurdle. Karalee, Barra and Lesley Dawn all carried lofty reputations into the race but Dawn Shadow proved best of all as she asserted close home and connections are eyeing the Mares’ Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham in March as a long term target. Second season novice Jett finally opened his account over fences in the opening beginners’ chase for Jessica Harrington and Robbie Power. Aided by the late fall of Montalbano, Jett did appear to have the upper hand when the favourite fell at the last and came home alone to record a 16 length success. A mixed day for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend was salvaged by Irish newcomer Real Steel who justified odds-on favouritism in the maiden hurdle to beat recent bumper winner Daly Tiger. The biggest shock so far at Thurles this season came in the Templemore Handicap Hurdle as former jockey Eoin McCarthy sent out 40/1 winner Pound A Stroke to win under Kevin Brouder. The five-year-old was a first winner on the track as a trainer for McCarthy.
NH Provisional summary released for January to April, 2018 THE updated National Hunt Provisional Summary, released by Horse Racing Ireland early last week, sees a continuation of many of the new race types successfully trialled through the summer and early part of the winter National Hunt season, providing additional opportunities for lower to medium tier horses. The new programme covers the period from New Year's Day to the end of the Irish National Hunt Festival at Punchestown in April and has a total of 441 races scheduled, including three new midweek programmes at Punchestown (January), Fairyhouse (February) and Leopardstown (March). 49 of the 62 fixtures have a feature race worth at least €20,000, while the remaining 13 fixtures will have one race worth at least €15,000. There will also be additional opportunities for riders who have yet to reach the 10-winner mark for the season.
December 8, 2017
Christmas Special 2017
CONTENTS Page 3 Printmaster – Your image is our image Page 4 Editorial / Santa Claus Letter Page 5 Chamber vouchers helps retain over €2.2m in Dungarvan over last decade Page 6 FCA Days in the Sixties – World War II
Post early for Christmas
Page 7 Over 600,000 Christmas Trees due to be harvested Page 8 The story of the Angelus Bell Page 9 Unique Christmas Events during Dungarvan Aglow Page 10 A year to remember for Waterford on the Equestrian front Page 11 Them and us … Pages 12 Tony’s Tidal Times Pages 13 ‘Take the floor’ – an Irish broadcasting experience Page 14 ’Tis an ill wind Page 15 ’Tis an ill wind Page 16 Ireland to Iceland, a sailing odyssey Page 17 SuperValu helping to make this Christmas super for local Irish communities Page 18 Forgotten Comrades Page 19 Forgotten Comrades Pages 20 & 21 Remembering ‘The Brothers’ twenty-five years on Page 22 Remembering ‘Le Tour’ twenty years on Page 23 Christmas and New Year Road Safety Campaign 2017 Page 24 The Poinsettia – a gift from Pepita Page 25 Top tips to protect your home this Christmas Pages 26 The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide Pages 27 Ring in the New Year in style at The Park Hotel Pages 28 Remembering the Busby Babes sixty years on Pages 29 Coca Cola’s 2017 Designated Driver Campaign Page 30 How to Dress for Christmas Party Season Page 31 Children’s Boutique in an old world setting Page 32 Kid’s Christmas Puzzles Page 33 Cambodia Laos 2017 Page 34 Birds and their names Page 35 Birds and their names Page 36 Waterford link to John McCormack Recording Project Page 37 Who was Cathal Brugha? Page 38 A beautiful Yuletide with Wild Oats Page 39 A Cut Above Page 40 Graphic Print & Signs – Service with a smile and a wealth of experience!
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AN Post advises the public to ensure they post early to ensure delivery before Christmas and check the last dates for posting, as they differ for each destination worldwide. The public are reminded that posting early can help avoid delays as international packets and parcels may be subject to customs examination at the destination. Remember to pack mail items correctly and securely; always address mail in capital letters or with a printed label; always include a sender’s name and address on the front top left-hand corner of mail items, so that if for some reason the item cannot be delivered, it will be returned to you. Check the correct postage for each destination, mail type and service and include an airmail sticker if posting abroad. People should also be mindful that you cannot send batteries or liquids abroad. Check out www.anpost.ie for the full list of prohibited items or contact An Post Customer Services at 01-7057600; email customer.service@anpost.ie. IRELAND If posting in Ireland, the last posting date for standard post letters, parcels and registered post is 20th December, 2017. For Express Post, the last posting date is 21st December. The last posting dates for sending post to the north is 19th December for standard post letters, parcels and registered post; and 20th December for Express Post. BRITAIN For sending post to Britain, the last posting dates for standard post letters, parcels and registered post is 18th December; and 21st December for Express Post. EUROPE The last posting date for mail to Europe is 13th December for standard post parcels; 18th December for standard post letters and registered post; and 20th December for Express Post. USA Last posting dates for America (USA) is 7th December for standard post parcels and registered post; 12th December for standard post letters; and 20th December for Express Post. REST OF THE WORLD Last posting date for standard post letters, parcels and registered post to the rest of the world is 7th December; and 18th December for Express Post. An Post point out that international mail delivery times are estimates and subject to local postal operator delays. CHILDREN’S LETTERS TO SANTA Children are encouraged to write their letter to Santa early and include a clearly written name and address. Santa’s helpers at An Post will make sure children receive a reply from the great man himself just before Christmas. Letters should be posted to Santa Claus, North Pole, and affix a €1.00 stamp. POST OFFICE OPENING TIMES OVER CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR Post Offices will be open during normal business hours from Monday, 18th December to Saturday, 23rd December; and will be closed on Sunday, 24th December to Wednesday, 27th December, inclusive. The Post Office will operate normal business hours from Thursday, 28th December, to Saturday, 30th December, inclusive; and will be closed on Sunday, 31st December, 2017 and Monday, 1st January, 2018. Post Offices will reopen from Tuesday, 2nd January, when normal business hours resume.
Kieran Hallahan AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTOR & PLANT HIRE Cappoquin 087 2549759 Wishes all his customers and friends a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year
Open 2-5pm Sun 10 & 17 Dec. Xmas Eve 9am-5pm. ALL PURCHASES GIFT GIFT WRAPPED ALL PURCHASES WRAPPEDAND AND ENGRAVED FREE FREE OF ENGRAVED OF CHARGE CHARGE 11 MAIN STREET • Tel. 058 41795 daltonjewellers123@gmail.com
Prendergasts Agri Contractors & Plant Hire Glencorrin, Ardmore, Co. Waterford 086-8136796 • 087-8136496 Would like to wish all their customers and friends a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year
An Linn Bhuidhe An Rinn, Dúngarbhan 058-46854
Season’s Greetings Beannachtaí na Nollaig do ár Cuistimeirí O Áine agus Jacinta
December 8, 2017 | Dungarvan Observer | 3
The Real Spirit of Christmas IT is Christmas time again and perhaps this year more than most, we are called upon to show real Christianity to our fellow humans. Not a limited kind of Christianity, but a love and generosity which transcends the confines of religions and extends to the young and the old, to the rich and the poor, to the haves and the have nots, wherever we find them. Christmas is a Christian feast, but for too many years now, it has been a time of excess, when we relied too heavily on the material things in our lives to make us happy, to impress our neighbours, or to earn us friends. This year, we need to be Christian in
Incorp. Munster Industrial Advocate the proper sense, to show love and generosity to those who are materially poor, or poor in spirit. With the rise in the number of homeless people sleeping on our city streets, it emphasises the need to reach out to those less fortunate. While a baby lying in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes may be the most accurate representation of the religious Christmas, we must go well beyond this to implement the message which the Saviour delivered that night, ‘Peace on earth, goodwill to all’.
Peace on earth is a little too ambitious for our modest means, but we can bring peace to our own sphere, among our family, our friends and yes, to those for whom we do not particularly care or who are indifferent or even hostile to us. This year, let peace and generosity prevail in your life. If you help just one person in need this Christmas, it will be a happier, more fruitful, more content time for you and you will have fulfilled the real spirit and message of the Infant in the Crib who asks nothing more than that you ‘help these, the least of my brothers and sisters’. All at the Dungarvan Observer thank those who contribute to the newspaper each week througout the year, correspondents, photographers, advertisers; also our loyal readers who support the newspaper. We wish all a happy Christmas and a wonderful and prosperous New Year.
Reg. in GPO as a Newspaper • Shandon, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford • 058-41205/42042 • www.dungarvanobserver.ie • news@dungarvanobserver.ie
Michael & John O’Connell Agricultural & Plant Contractors Glenlickey, Grange
Wish all their Customers, Relatives and Friends a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year
Santa Letter Santa’s Workshop North Pole Dear Editor, Season’s Greetings to everyone from the magical North Pole! The elves are working very hard to ensure all the toys are ready in time to load onto the sleigh on Christmas Eve. Letters are pouring in from all around the world so I would like to remind all the boys and girls in Ireland to write and post their letters to me as soon as possible. Mrs Claus and I love reading the letters we receive from all the boys and girls in Ireland, especially when they draw lovely colourful pictures of Mrs Claus and me, and Rudolph loves to see drawings of his bright shiny nose. This is what the boys and girls should do: • Write their letter to me straight away • Put it in an envelope, seal it and address it to ‘Santa Claus, The North Pole’; • Write their own name and full postal address (in very clear handwriting) on the top left-hand corner of the front of the envelope; • Stick a €1.00 stamp on the top right-hand corner and • Post it in a green An Post post box – that’s important! It’s that easy! My friends in An Post are helping me to reply to as many children’s letters as possible. I hope you have a wonderfully magical Christmas. Very best wishes SANTA P.S. Rudolph is on a diet but I have agreed to allow him enjoy his treats on Christmas Eve.
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Wishing all our customers and friends a very happy Christmas and prosperous New Year
Car, Truck & Industrial Tyres
Chamber vouchers helps retain over €2.2m in Dungarvan over last decade JUST over €2.2m has been retained in the Dungarvan area since the Chamber Vouchers began in 2006. When the Chamber vouchers initially launched for Christmas 2006, sales were €57,200 - a great start for the first year. Since then, the sale of the vouchers have grown year-on-year and ten years later, voucher sales topped €400,000 for 2016. Chamber vouchers are no longer sold only at Christmas, but all year round, as they make popular wedding presents, employee bonuses / recognition throughout the year, private gifts and prizes, etc. They are also popular with schools, community and sports clubs. Over 120 shops, restaurants, bars, hotels and services in the Dungarvan area accept Chamber vouchers. Chamber vouchers keep money in the town and support local businesses, therefore support local jobs. The vouchers are only spent in member businesses and only in town and does not leak out of the economy - this is crucial and has been especially important throughout the recession. One of the main reasons vouchers are proving so popular is convenience - Chamber Vouchers
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4 058 23
www.c
rews.ie
27A Church Street, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford Crew's Restaurant and Accommodation would like to wish all our customers a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED CUSTOM.
Newly Cunnigar Roomtoatsee Crew's now available Check out refurbished our all new website www.crews.ie Crew's Restaurant and Accommodation for all your business, conference and event needs. FOR CHRISTMAS PARTIES, RESTAURANT & ACCOMMODATION Bookings call (058) 23422 or email info@crews.ie can be used in over 100 local businesses. They are avail in €10, €25 & €50 so they are flexible and easy to spend and a gift can be made up to any value. Their flexibility and versatility makes them an ideal, practical gift for any occasion and a great tax-free bonus option for employers. Chamber Shopping Vouchers are available from the Chamber Office, The Plaza, Capitol Cleaners, O’Connell St. and the Dungarvan Tourist Office all year round. A full list of participating businesses are provided with the vouchers or check out the website www.dungarvanchamber.ie or find Dungarvan Chamber on Facebook.
Christmas and Sample Menus available on www.crews.ie
D ECEMBER OPENING TIMES OPEN WEDNESDAY TO SUNDAY FOR MORNING AND AFTERNOON TEA WITH FRESHLY BAKED GOODS, LUNCH AND DINNER. DOORS OPEN FROM 11.00 a.m. For Group Bookings please call (058) 23422 • No Service Charge RESTAURANT AND ACCOMMODATION VOUCHERS AVAILABLE
McDonalds DUNGARVAN
December 8, 2017 | Dungarvan Observer | 5
FCA days in the Friary in the sixties By Frank Colbert South Africa
IN April 1945, Stalin’s Russian army had reached Berlin, resulting in the Nazi army, under the command of Donetz, surrendering to the Allies. After the resulting treaty talks at Yalta, the Russians now took over control of all Eastern Block countries to the east of the Iron Curtain such as Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Romania. As a result, for a decade or two afterwards, some western countries, including Great Britain and Ireland, were still nervous that the Russians would now continue to extend their considerable control beyond Berlin into western Europe. The resulting tension between the Russians and the Western powers, including America, was known as the Cold War. In view of this scenario which was feared could result in World War III many Irish farmers, including my own father, decided to keep all their horsedrawn machinery after purchasing a tractor, fearing that there would be a shortage of fuel due to an imminent world war. The closest the Cold War came to escalating into full-scale war was a situation labelled The Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962. For twelve days at that time the whole world suddenly stood on the brink of a nuclear war until American President John F. Kennedy soon pressurised Russian premier Nikita Kruschev into withdrawing from Cuba his ground to air missiles which endangered the very fabric of the USA. One of the effects of this ongoing Cold War prior to that was the decision in Britain in 1947 that all healthy males, with certain exceptions, would now be conscripted into the armed forces for 18 months under
the National Services Act. Up until the scrapping of this act sixteen years later a total of 2,301,000 had been called up for duty. As a result this National service act provided a reserve of troops who at any time could be called up in any future major conflict, or emergency. Subsequent to 1963, with the threat of a World War III now gradually subsiding, many of these recruits were alternatively deployed in decolonisation wars in Malaya, Kenya and Cyprus. THE FCA At the start of World War II in 1939 the Irish Defence Force numbered 20,000 approximately. Despite Ireland deciding to remain neutral for the duration of the war approximately 170 German aircraft crashed or were force landed in the country, resulting in some trepidation among the population. Although Dublin’s North Strand was the primary target, other bombs were also dropped in Dundalk, Monaghan, Carlow as well as The Curragh in Kildare. In 1940 the Local Defence Force (LDF) was formed to support the Permanent Defence Force and as a result of a recruiting campaign the total number of permanent and temporary soldiers reached some 40,000 in 1941. In 1943 the LDF reached a strength of 106,000 and three years later it was renamed the FCA (Forsa Cosanta Aitiul). FCA DAYS IN THE FRIARY In 1961 sixteen students from the Friary in Dungarvan joined the FCA and in addition to regular get togethers throughout the year they attended a Summer Camp both in Spike Island as well as in Youghal. Ardmore-born Paddy Carleton recalls for us that: “The introduction of FCA to secondary schools in the early sixties was relatively new and it was a fantastic opportunity for young
men to become members and as a result to experience life in a different environment and setting. Some of the other colleges involved in our Summer Camps in the early sixties included De Le Salle College Waterford, Rockwell College, Mungret College, Hamilton High School in Bandon, Presentation Brothers in Cork and Crescent College, Limerick. Typical activities included all types of training, marching, drilling, handling various types of guns (especially the 303 Enfield Rifle which was in common use with the regular army), care and maintenance of equipment, as well as polishing and shining equipment and uniform, and attending manoeuvres and preparing for going on parade.Various exercises were organised by the top brass and going out on manoeuvres could be tough and exciting depending on the terrain covered, the location and the actual weather. Everyone got the opportunity/experience of firing live rounds of ammunition.Target practice was a must for all the recruits and attending the rifle ranges was always exciting, provided one knew how to prevent the considerable kickback from the butt of the rifle! Rifle ranges were located in Spike Island,Youghal, Killworth and Crosshaven. Many of us also got to use the Bren Gun and to fire hand grenades, as well as the Energa from the Enfield 303 rifle. In those bygone days we were paid £7 a week with a "gratuity" of £7. Although we could attend a few camps annually, however, this same gratuity was paid out only once a year. For us teenagers this was fantastic pocket money at the time.” In the Youghal camp Paddy and his close Ardmore-born colleague Maurice Colbert were allocated a 2-man bivouac and space was at a
Photograph of the lads in FCA uniform was taken in the FCA Headquarters, Youghal Road, Dungarvan. Front row:- Joe O’Keeffe, Brendan O’Keeffe, Jerry Cronin, Michael McCarthy. Second row:- Paddy Carleton, Paddy Joe O’Sullivan, Johnny Walsh, Maurice Colbert, Michael O’Reilly, Paddy Byrne and Michael Hayes. Third row:- Tony McCarthy, Philip Ward, Tony Harrington, Dessie Crowley and Kieran Muldoon. Waterford-born troops included Michael Hayes (Abbeyside), Tony McCarthy (Affane), Paddy Carleton, Maurice Colbert and Michael O'Reilly (Ardmore).
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premium. Recently Paddy recalled for me: “Much to our bad fortune our camp was located on the side of Cork Hill during extremely wet weather which contrasted greatly with the heat and drought which we enjoyed in Spike Island. The resulting experience in a cramped space under poor quality sodden canvas was not for repeating. During the middle of one night we were suddenly woken up by a torrent of continuous rain which sounded like the Blackwater River had burst its banks and was flowing down Cork Hill.We soon realised that streams of water were flowing around, and sometimes through, our very basic tents which had no groundsheets. As a result, some lads decided to quickly dig some mini trenches in the relative darkness to divert the water away from their tents. Paddy adds with typical good humour that: “Not surprisingly, a few teenage colleagues would invariably get up to pranks whenever an opportunity arose. In the billets at night, it was not unusual for some colleagues who were sleeping by the door to wake up in the morning and find themselves still in their beds out in the corridor, or even outside the door under the stars. On other occasions one could wake up in the morning thinking that it had snowed during the night due to the fact that some bright spark would have tampered with a fire extinguisher during the night and sprayed white foam around the dormitory. Being ordered to get a haircut during an Inspection while on parade could be somewhat disconcerting due to the fact that when one subsequently told the barber that he did not want his hair cut too short, he would be certain to come away fully scalped. One should never tell an army barber what to do! His speciality was the crew cut which had just become very popular at that time. Surprisingly, the quality of the food was acceptable and we wouldn’t be inclined to leave any on the plate. However, our last meal of the day was at 4.30 p.m., for some mysterious reason, resulting in many rumbling stomachs before retirement to our bunks. As a result the canteen shop was very popular for snacks before retiring for the night. A favourite on our mini budget was a glass of milk and a somewhat stale doughnut.” On one occasion a manouevre took place beyond Ardsallagh. All the troops were detailed to carry out various functions and battle positions were taken up and led by soldiers of high command. Due to the seriousness of the manouevres much planning had gone into the overall operation. Not surprisingly the highly respected and charismatic Paddy Carleton had ben appointed Aide de Camp to the Sergeant Major for the week and was therefore required to accompany him everywhere. In Paddy’s own words: “We left base camp at mid-day approximately and a few hours later at the Cork side of the old Youghal Bridge we unfortunately lost contact with everyone else due to a breakdown in our communication
equipment. At about 14.30 the Sergeant decided in his frustration that we would return to base. However, the rest of the troops didn’t return until 18.00 for fear of returning before the Sergeant. Fortunately, however, there was no resulting investigation or public enquiry and no-one had to march around the barracks square at 6.00 a.m. the next morning with a rifle held over his head, which was typical punishment. We all lived to fight another day!” In Maurice Colbert’s book titled “Recollections of a Childhood in Ardmore” he tells us that: “Many of the Friary lads joined up the FCA for reasons that were not very clear. We went to Spike Island for a week’s camp in June 1961 while sporting the latest army gear to find army regulars there to oversee us. With sunny weather every day many of us soon sported crew cuts which we took a fancy to after watching a few American war movies, and in particular Elvis Presley in “GI Blues.” Included in our group were lads from Rockwell College who were generally more streetwise than us. However, we soon learned to cope and to hold our own. Recreation activities would include football games and at night time taking the evening ferry into Cobh to watch a movie, one of which was Dracula.” Paddy Carleton tells us that: “Any lads who missed the last boat back to Spike at night, would be collected by a smaller boat, then put into detention overnight on his return to camp. Every morning the Reveille was sounded by the bugler at 8.00 a.m. sharp. It was now a case of “Rise and Shine” and if anyone didn't rise immediately he certainly would have reason to remember the occasion for a good while afterwards. On two memorable occasions we were privileged to form a Guard of Honour and to Present Arms.The first one occurred on Patrick’s Bridge in Cork during the visit to the city of Cardinal Michael Browne when he received the Freedom of the City on 13th August, 1962. The second one was the return visit to his native Old Parish of the renowned Mayor of Chicago in the sixties, Richard Daley. A monument commemorating the occasion is located in nearby Kiely's Cross.” Maurice Colbert further adds that: “We had come to Spike as young raw recruits but returned home at end of the week as seasoned men. Due to the exceptional sunny Summer weather we now were sporting splendid suntans and soon romance would be in the air!” There were a few other amusing incidents from the Spike Island and Youghal camps such as the night a colleague, in possession of a rifle, fell asleep while on guard duty. However, when he suddenly awoke during the dark of night his rifle went off and shot an unfortunate donkey nearby. It was a scene reminiscent of an incident from a Carry On movie of those times, staring Sydney James.”
KENNETH’S PET & PARTY
52 O’CONNELL STREET, DUNGARVAN, CO. WATERFORD T: 058-41505 • M: 087-9186043
Over 600,000 Irish Christmas trees are due to be harvested before the end of the year Wide range of wild bird foods.
The Irish Christmas Tree Growers launch their #LoveaRealTree Campaign THIS year, the Irish Christmas Tree Growers are encouraging everyone to choose an Irish grown tree by looking for the ‘Love a Real Tree’ label. As part of the ‘Love a Real Tree’ campaign launched by the ICTG, this national labelling system will help consumers to support the local economy and find a tree that has been grown in Ireland with ease. Over 80 Christmas tree growers from across the country are currently harvesting their seasonal crop. The work has intensified recently with growers working to meet deadlines to ensure an adequate supply of trees in ad-
vance of Christmas. Up to 400,000 trees are expected to be sold throughout Ireland and a further 200,000 will be exported to European markets, such as UK, Germany and France. Tony Johnston, Chairman of the Irish Christmas Tree Growers said “It can take between 7 to 10 years before an Irish-grown Christmas tree is in peak condition and ready for harvesting. We are expecting an excellent harvest this year as growing conditions have been particularly good, trees are displaying a good colour so we are looking at an excellent 2017 crop.”
Now stocking Goldfish. We also have a large selection of Dog Beds and accessories at knockdown prices. Ireland’s climate provides the ideal conditions for growing top quality Christmas trees, the non-shed Nordmann Fir and Noble Fir are by far the most popular.The industry as a whole is worth an estimated €21 million to the national economy annually.
Wishing all our customers a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year
The Country Store
Mitchel Street Dungarvan 058-43061
Proprietor: Conor Lannen
Powersfield House Christmas range
WATERFORD HAMPER Powersfield House Christmas Pudding, Cranberry Sauce, Chutney & Mulled Wine Syrup
Hampers can be made to order to your own requirements!
Crinnaughtaun Apple Juice Moynihan’s Honey
Cakes Puddings Mulled Wine syrup Chutneys Jams Bread Scones and Festive Delights!
Knockanore Cheese Barron’s Barmbrack Dungarvan Brewing Company Local Beer McGrath’s Jam Flahavan’s Porridge & Flapjacks Lismore Food Company Biscuits Rustica Bakery Delights Legacy Gold Cider Knockmealdown Honey Julia’s Granola Prices range from €100 without delivery; €110 delivered anywhere in Ireland; €120 delivered anywhere in UK
Locally made WREATHS & SWAGS available We wish all our customers and friends a very happy Christmas and prosperous New Year
Date: To: From: Amount: Signed:
ȨȘɜ XɄɤȃȣȐɑ
The
ɄɤȽɜɑɴ Store
Mitchel Street, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford Telephone: 058 43061 | Website: www.thecountrystore.ie | Email:info@thecountrystore.ie Proprietor: Conor Lannen
EASY PARKING • FREE DELIVERY December 8, 2017 | Dungarvan Observer | 7
The story of the Angelus Bell “And the Angelus Bell o’er the Liffey swell Rang out through the foggy dew.” WE have to wonder how long the ringing of the Angelus Bell on RTE Radio and Television will survive in these increasingly secular times.The ringing of the bell on the airwaves dates back to 15th August 1950, an appropriate day, as it was the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. As the generations go by and more and more young people do not take part in public worship, they will not be interested in ‘saying the Angelus’ either.Very soon, they may not even know what the twice-daily bell-ringing is all about. What exactly is the Angelus? For some, it is a time to check that their watch tells the correct time; for others it is the bell they have waited for to tell them that work is over and it is time to go home. For the Catholic population it is a special sound, a call to prayer two or three times a day.
In previous generations it was a signal to stop work and recite the composite prayer which takes less than two minutes. This is shown at its simplest through the famous 19th Century painting by French artist, Jean-Francois Millet, which shows a humble farming couple praying the Angelus in homage to our Lord and His Blessed Mother as the light fades across the farm landscape. It is a simple, yet iconic work and must be one of the most displayed paintings of all times. One of the longest standing traditions in the Christian Brothers’ schoolrooms was that of saying the Hail Mary by each class on the striking of the hour by the clock. At noon, the Angelus was recited. In the early days under British rule, when this practice was against the law, there was a custom whereby, when an Inspector entered a particular school, the clocks were stopped so that the boys would not rise through force of habit and start praying if the clock struck. “On one occasion this intelligence service nearly failed in
Ennistymon and the first intimation of the inspector’s advance on the school was given when: “.... a lad with eager eyes, A red-cheeked, sturdy, little lad Came rushing in and panting cries, ‘Oh stop the clock, sir, stop the clock.”[i] Mostly people will hear the Angelus Bell at 12 noon and 6.00 p.m. and some still stop whatever they are doing and recite the prayer which has been handed down in this country from generation to generation for several hundred years. It is also rung at 6 am in Religious Houses where they may already be at Prayers. The ringing of the Angelus consists of three groups of three peals followed by a continuous striking of nine peals. The prayer is centred around three Hail Marys interspersed with various declarations and invocations. It is believed that the Angelus as a popular prayer evolved around the 12th Century from a recitation of
The 19th Century painting entitle ‘The Angelus’ by French artist, Jean-Francois Millet.
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Dublin’s Pro-Cathedral from where the Angelus Bell was first relayed for Radio Eireann. the Hail Mary three times following an evening bell to its present form (with morning and midday recitations added) in the 16th century. BROADCAST The three longest running features in Irish broadcasting are the News, the Weather Forecast and the Angelus, which comes in third. The broadcasting of the Angelus Bell on Radio Éireann which began in the Holy Year of 1950 was a major departure from the norm, but was warmly embraced by the population in an Ireland which was overwhelmingly practicing Catholic at the time. When Radio Éireann decided that the best way to honour the Holy Year with the ringing of a bell on air at noon and 6 pm, the then Archbishop of Dublin, John Charles McQuaid, who was pretty much all-powerful in the city, was consulted and he approved and laid down strict guidelines. He specified that: the first stroke of the bell should be at 6.00 p.m. precisely; that the sequence 3-3-3-9 was the correct format, allowing for the recitation of the prayers; that the sound of the bell should be taken from the ProCathedral and not from a recording. Radio Eireann had the problems of relaying the sound of the bells from the Pro-
Cathedral to the GPO (then HQ of national radio) and airing it on time. The bell was automated to exclude human error and the technical problems of conveying the peals were solved. The Radio Éireann engineers were confident enough of success that on Wednesday, May 23, 1950, the Minister of Posts and Telegraphs announced that arrangements were being made to have the Angelus rung over the air each evening at 6 p.m. After some false starts, the date of the Feast of the Assumption, 15th August was agreed upon as the date for the start of the broadcasts, and, true to their word, the first ‘Bells of the Angelus’ rang out on radios around the country that evening and are still continuing to ring to this day. TELEVISION VERSION When TV arrived, the Angelus was broadcast there too at 6 pm, with accompanying religious slides which were changed according to the various Liturgical seasons. Eventually, video clips were used with the same content. In recent years these have been watered down to everyday scenes and, while the quality of the camerawork and editing is excellent, the pictures might more appropriately be used as a Fáilte Éireann promotion. Religious content is gone and, outside of the ringing bell there is nothing to
suggest that it is a religious interlude. For a while it was promoted as a call to prayer, non-denominational of course, but all pretence of a Christian, or even religious, content is gone. Still the only people to object to this public show of religion are the Aetheist Society of Ireland, while some of the Protestant religions participate in the ritual. The ringing of a bell is not solely a religious ritual. Traditionally, public bells – including Church bells – were rung to celebrate some joyful event. Before mass communication arrived, bells were rung to welcome in the New Year; to signal the end of a war or other crisis and in the Middle Ages to announce the curfew, the arrival of evening and that it was time to cover their fires and go to bed. The line from Gray’s Elegy in a Country Churchyard declares that: “The curfew tolls the knell of parting day . . .” The village of Sandwich in England is one of the select few places where the sounding of the curfew still happens. Whatever about the cities, the Angelus will continue to be recited each evening.Those who listen to RTE Radio 1 or RTE 1 TV are more likely to do so, taking the sound of those traditional peals as their cue. How long will it last? Only Heaven knows.
Unique Christmas events during Dungarvan Aglow
THERE are some very unique events taking place this Christmas as part of the Dungarvan Aglow programme, now in its fourth year. This year, there will be ‘Cycle with Santa on the Greenway’, a new ‘Santa’s Elf Door Village’, and Elf Door Trail in shop windows. There will be Vintage Coach Tours (free over two Saturday nights this year). The 1930s bus is sponsored by Dublin Coach, which offers short tours around Dungarvan to see the spectacular Christmas illuminations. There will be a ‘Christmas Photo Booth’ on Grattan Square, so people can create family photos. All this is in addition to the usual popular events, with lots of other activities and events for the whole family. Businesses are offering lots of creative events and attractions - so keep your eyes on Facebook for up to date information about such activities. Dungarvan Aglow is asking families to ‘Be A Star’ and buy a star for €5.00 to help fundraise for this brilliant festive festival. Dungarvan's reputation for being a foodie town, with so many atmospheric cafes, restaurants bars has helped attract many people to the town over the years.This complements the Greenway offering - which is still amazingly popular despite it being ‘Winter’. Combine both these offerings with the fantastic, varied and quality retail offering we have - you get the ideal destination.This then added to the Christmas atmosphere, glow of the lights, festive feeling and stunning surroundings - makes Dungarvan a popular destina-
tion! Launched in 2013 after Dungarvan and West Waterford Chamber accessed Waterford Leader Partnership funding for the spectacular illuminations in Walton Park, and then working in collaboration with the former Dungarvan Town Council, a calendar of events was created to attract people to the town and enjoy the lights and retail offering. This has grown each year, resulting in the formation of a Dungarvan Aglow Team, comprising of representatives from the Chamber, Waterford City and County Council, individual businesses, community groups and other individuals who drive this initiative and organise events, compile the calendar of events, manage the ‘Christmas in Dungarvan’ Facebook page, promote Dungarvan Aglow to the local market as well further afield to attract day-trippers and minibreakers. POSITIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT 2016 A small sample of businesses selected within the town centre, including the Shopping Centre, were surveyed last year. Out of the 20 businesses surveyed, the findings revealed that 17 reported an increase in sales; two reported income stayed the same as 2015; and only one business reported a decline in sales. OTHER INDICATIONS OF SUCCESS Scanlon’s Yard car park was full for almost all of December, as was the car park at the Shopping Centre, who reported never needing their third floor as much as in December, 2016. Chamber vouchers increased in sales by 30 percent. Support for Dungarvan
Aglow 2016 saw 88 businesses make a cash donation; 57 businesses sponsored competition prizes; and 24 businesses bought festive Christmas Trees (also income generating for the festival). All businesses decorated their windows and / or hosted a Dungarvan Aglow activity, such as the Christmas Children’s Duck Hunt, Bonnie the Elf on the Shelf selfie competition, displaying a creative Christmas decoration, colouring competition, Character Saturday, Black Friday, and providing content for the ‘Christmas in Dungarvan’ Facebook page; community groups got involved to provide weekend street entertainment. The marketing campaign ‘Christmas in Dungarvan’ was a success in 2016 and featured on local media, as well as the national stage, such as RTÉ’s Nationwide, and the Irish Examiner, while the promotional video received over 60,000 views and the Facebook page reported increased traffic. The move to switching on the Christmas lights on a Sunday proved a coup for the Dungarvan Aglow Team, as they reported it as extremely successful. This year has seen the biggest number of people attend the switching on of the Christmas lights, with over 4,000 people crowding into the Square to enjoy the occasion and fun fair atmosphere, culminating in the arrival of Santa Claus. Overall, this event has captured the imagination of local families and visitors and has ensured West Waterford is playing its part in making Waterford the Christmas County, keeping locals shopping at home and attracting visitors to the area.
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Wishing all our customers a happy and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year December 8, 2017 | Dungarvan Observer | 9
A year to remember for Waterford on the equestrian front at home and abroad By Brian Hennessy AS another fascinating year of equestrian action draws to a close, County Waterford riders can reflect on yet another hugely successful year on the national and international stage. The annual batte for the Connolly’s Red Mills Munster Grand Prix once again saw one of Waterford’s greatest ever sporting stars rise to the top, as Kill’s Francis Connors was crowned Connolly's Munster Grand Prix champion for the fourth time in the last five years. Francis Connors and Capitol Cruise finished the season with a total of 47 points and afterwards the newly-crowned champion spoke about how important the series is on the competition calendar: "The Connolly's RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix league has been so important for bringing young horses through or for an older horse coming back.The competition is excellent in every way including the quality of the fences and I'm delighted to win. I want to thank the league sponsors Connolly's Red Mills and also my own sponsors and owners for their support." Connors was pushed all the way by Cork’s Timmy Doyle and the league title was not decided until the very last round which was won by another Waterford rider, Tholm Keane. The leading Young Rider trophy also went to County Waterford, with Dungarvan's
Nicholas Connors taking the top prize. The National Grand Prix league saw Francis Connors finish as runner-up behind Tipperary winner Liam O’Meara, while Aglish-born Tholm Keane finished third overall for the Deise. Connors also featured strongly in the TRM/New Heights Champions Series, taking sixth place on the final league table, while Cappagh’s Gemma Phelan also finished in the top 10. Fenor’s Paddy O’Donnell was in excellent form in the Autumn Grand Prix league, including at Portmore where he stormed to victory with Minority Report. Earlier in the season, the same pair came out on top in the Munster Grand Prix at Dungarvan Agricultural Show. Cappagh-born Anthony Condon continued his impressive rise on the international stage, including victory in the biggest competition at Bolesworth’s four-star International in the UK back in June. Condon, produced one of just two double clear rounds with the 11-year-old gelding Balzac, to take a winner’s prize of €33,000. Another victory followed for Condon in October at the 2017 Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham. He partnered the 8-year-old mare Zira VH Kapelhof to victory in the Grandstand Welcome Stakes. Perhaps Condon’s most impressive result of the season
Francis Connors Red Mills 2017.
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came at Lummen’s five-star Nations Cup show back in April. He scored a hugely impressive victory in the feature class with Balzac when first to go against the clock, and produced what proved the only double clear of the competition. Condon finished the year receiving the prestigious FEI Badge Of Honour at the annual Irish Show Jumping Awards, in recognition of his performances on the Irish team. One such performance was in the Spanish Nations Cup in September where Condon helped the Irish team to third place on the podium. Another Waterford rider who enjoyed a brilliant season on the international stage was Colligan’s Peter Moloney. He scored two international wins at Bolesworth in the UK back in June. Meanwhile, in August at the two-star French show in Auvers, Moloney finished as runner-up in the Grand Prix behind British winner Guy Williams. Once again County Waterford riders enjoyed huge success at the world famous Dublin Horse Show, recording two podium finishes in the five-star international classes at the RDS. Fenor Army rider Capt. Geoff Curran and the Irish Sport Horse Dollanstown scored an excellent third place finish in the Land Rover Puissance competition. They made it through to the final round where they lowered the top coping when the big red wall stood at a massive height of 7ft 21⁄2 inches) (2m20). Cappagh-born Anthony Condon guided Balzac to a third place finish in the Sport Ireland Classic behind Shane Breen and Bertram Allen. Elsewhere in the National classes at the RDS, there were impressive performances by Jack O'Donoghue, Nicholas Connors and Orla Queally. It was a remarkable five days for Irish riders at the 2017 Dublin Horse Show – winning eight out of the nine individual five-star competitions. Daniel Coyle and Christopher Megahey shared victory in the Puissance, while Denis Lynch, Bertram Allen, Shane Breen also scored a win apiece. Cian O’Connor and Greg Broderick both recorded two victories each to complete a memorable week for Ireland in Ballsbridge. Broderick was also crowned Leading International
Harry Allen, student at Newtown School in Waterford, winner of the Longines Rising Star Award (centre), pictured with FEI President Ingmar de Vos (left) and Longines' Vice President and Head of International Marketing Juan-Carlos Capelli (right) at the FEI Awards ceremony in Montevideo, Uruguay. (FEI/Richard Juilliart) Rider of the show. Victory eluded Rodrigo Pessoa’s Irish team in the Aga Khan, where the famous trophy was won by an all-girl USA team. Pessoa had made no secret of the fact that his main aim for the season was the European Championships in Gothenburg and the Brazilianborn Irish team manager delivered in the best possible fashion, as Ireland claimed the
team Gold Medal in dramatic fashion in September. Cian O’Connor, Denis Lynch, Shane Sweetnam and Bertram Allen became the first Irish European champions in 16 years, while O’Connor also went on to take individual bronze. Overall, it was a superb year for Irish teams on the international stage, including the Irish pony team who won
team and individual gold at the European championships. This was highlighted at the Longines FEI Awards held at Montevideo in Uruguay in November, where 16-year-old Harry Allen, a student at Newtown School in Waterford city, was the winner of the Longines Rising Star Award as the most promising young rider in world equestrianisim.
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Them and Us . . . By Donal Buckley MY father never told me about Protestants. It’s not that he didn't know any people from Church of Ireland. In our little rural community there were Pattersons, Englands, Bradfields and even a Mountjoy amongst the Riordans, Callaghans, O'Keeffes and Barrys.To my father, they were just the names of friends, neighbours and fellow workmen. As children, we visited each others houses and played in different farmyards. We walked endless fields in search of butterflies and climbable trees. Of course, we all remember our youth with rose-tinted nostalgia. The Summers were scorching and we were ruddy cheeked, wide eyed and innocent. Politics was something that happened every few years and people, more or less, voted the same way for generations without really knowing why. The Civil War was fifty years in the past and "The Troubles" hadn't yet started. We used to visit Pattersons at the top of our boreen. They had a small farm with the milking of about a dozen cows.Willie Patterson was a tall man, who looked even taller in his full length gabardine coat. With his peaked cap, there was the look of a gander about him, though he had the gentleness of a dove. If at all possible, his wife, Mrs Patterson was an even gentler soul (so gentle, I can't remember her first name) and used to bring us youngsters in to the farmhouse kitchen for a glass of red lemonade. We were mightily impressed when the lemonade was served in ornate stemmed glasses. In later years, I discovered they were dessert bowls, but were brought out to make us feel special. She told us that they had arrived in a parcel from America. I had visions of drinking champagne in a Hollywood movie. The parcel from America was one of the most anticipated events in Irish life throughout the 50's, 60's and 70's. Even though the wrapping was festooned with thousands of USA and Airmail stamps, the postman felt a certain deference was necessary as he clicked his heels and whispered, "from America". Because the only relatives
we had in the US were my father's cousins, we had to wait til he came home from work to open it. The waiting was more exciting than the actual contents. When the father arrived home, he said, "ah sure, ye should have opened it".The dagger looks towards mother were brief as shards of brown paper flew in all directions.The twine was saved, 'coz" you never know when it could come in handy". So it was put with the the other 17 miles of twine, rope and electric flex in an old Morris minor we kept out the back, as a shed/chicken house. The contents of the parcel were, more often than not, of less value than the postage stamps. There were belts of all shades and sizes and fashions. There were handbags that must have originally gone over on the Famine ships, only to
return smelling of mothballs. Costume jewellery was randomly thrown in to bring a bit of glamour to the whole proceedings. To keep everything packed in tight, copious amounts of hats, scarves and faux fur gloves were stuffed in. Now and again, a useful piece of clothing would turn up, like a cardigan (with a zipper, not buttons) or a blouse with padded shoulders. Once we got sent this enormous bra. It didn't fit anybody in the county, never mind the village. For years we used it for collecting apples and blackberries. If the "American parcel" arrived prior to Christmas, there would be some nodding reference to the season. It could be anything from a 'Merry Christmas’ oven glove to a Boston snowglobe, or even a wingless fairy for the top of the tree. There was always a homemade Christmas card.We were never sure if it was a personal touch or an afterthought. Whatever it was, it was received with the kind of awe
usually reserved for some famous work of art. A tie turned up one Christmas with Snowmen embroidered on it wearing different coloured scarves. I can honestly say, it was never worn. It was last seen holding an old bicycle against the shed wall. We never met those cousins from Boston, Mass. Over the years, the parcels stopped and my father no longer posted The Cork Examiner and The Holly Bough to the "Yanks" in The States.We all got older and our lives became busier and more complicated. I assume theirs were the same. Maybe nowadays we could have kept in touch through social media on t'interweb.That wasn't possible then. Of course, there was always the phone. Now the telephone was a unique experience. First, after making the brave decision to
actually make a call to The U.S.A. you had to find a phone box. If the phone was working, you "dialled" 0 for the operator and ask her (it was always a woman) could you book a call to a particular address in America and how much would it cost. With all the information written down on an envelope you went home and made all the necessary arrangements. There were clothes to be ironed. Remember, this was a time when people put on
their Sunday best to watch television. Then, mountains of coins had to be gathered, as public phones only took change up to the denomination of 2 shillings (about 10 cent). Depending on the time of day the call was arranged for, all other daily chores, meals and the care of livestock had to revolve around this momentous event. Neighbours had to be informed not to go making any frivolous local calls around that time. Meanwhile, the operator had to make arrangements with the regional and national telephone exchanges to book an appropriate time on the trans-Atlantic connection with their national and regional counterparts across the ocean. After all that, when the call was finally connected, somebody picked up the phone and said, "Sorry, they're out. Can I take a message?" The only possible reply, "Just tell them, Happy Christmas!" Relations or not, the Christmas season was fast approaching and all the the relevant criteria had to be sorted out. We were brought to Pattersons yard every year around this time to pick out a Goose for the dinner. In our innocence we thought we were picking out a pet and even named her. It never occurred to us that the Christmas centre piece was in any way related to the creature we had "adopted". On any subsequent visit, Willie pointed out another bird as "our" goose.Yes, he lied but it was for the sake of our innocent sanity, and our appetites. If there was any sign of us noticing that our goose was now a duck, Mrs Patterson would distract us by producing the red lemonade. Once the bubbles went up our respective noses, nothing much mattered. My father never told me about Protestants because he didn't see any. He only saw friends, neighbours and fellow citizens. They weren't family. They were much closer than that. Happy and peaceful Christmas season to one and all. May the New Year be everything you hope for, and more.
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Wishing all our customers and friends a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous 2018 December 8, 2017 | Dungarvan Observer | 11
Tony’s Tidal Times Tony Gallagher (Irishwaterwayshistory.com)
By Christy Parker LOCAL tourism can breathe a sigh of relief. Tony is staying. Next summer he will dock, load, depart and return as is his custom. Tony is Tony Gallagher, the Ardmore born skipper of the Maeve Óg and the brawns and brain behind Blackwater Cruises, the onevessel passport to peace and serenity on water. Maeve Óg is a 28ft (8.5 metres) fibreglass half decker, suited to ferrying a maximum of 12 passengers, plus Tony’s first mate Louis, a sea dog version of a Jack Russel. Maeve Óg has been negotiating the Blackwater since 2011, having replaced its wooden predecessor the Maeve which succumbed to damp old age. (Louis was later a replacement for Pharaoh, who had succeeded Cleo, as each aristocratically titled dog had, in turn, their day). Tony has been operating his summer cruise service from Nealon’s Quay – a seagull cry from Youghal’s tourist office- since 2001, but at the tail end of last summer, the thought of re-locating to the Waterford side, somewhere, began to occupy him. The reason for this deliberation was a step too far. The step in question was a protruding ‘outrigger step’ that formed part of the quayside structure to facilitate boarding. It had served for many years but, rightly or wrongly, Cork County Council deemed it contrary to the omnipresent health ‘n’ safety criteria and removed it. The result was that elderly or disabled passengers were frequently unable to access his boat. OUT OF REACH This situation persisted on
and off for almost two Summers. Matters reached a nadir point one day when three couples, separately, were unable to board. All had travelled a considerable distance from elsewhere in Ireland and some let it be known how less than pleased they were. “It was embarrassing”, Tony recalls. “I found it very awkward asking
Nealon’s Quay. The support pylons are presently being installed and the structure, estimated to cost around €350,000, will be in place for next summer (MaySeptember). Happily, the County Council has also gone to tender with a new access steps structure which it is hoped, will adequately replace the one it removed. Tony is staying. A SUMMER TO SAVOUR With the future seemingly settled. Tony is happy to reflect on the summer just passed, during which he sailed past his 75th birthday. It was a season boosted by Along Home Shores, a documentary on UTV Ireland (itself sunk) last December in which
Templemichael (Irishwaterwayshistory.com) people when they rang up to broadcaster Bobby Kerr make a booking whether they travelled on the Maeve Óg to were young and/or agile in Ballinatray. “It did help to order to save them an bring up the bookings”, Tony unnecessary journey.” smiles. On another occasion, a High profile visitors like party of intellectually Patrick Coburn and Fergal impaired visitors became Keane frequently extol the distressed when they found Blackwater and the cruise they could not board. As Cllr. experience in print, but the Mary Linehan-Foley television programme introrepeatedly sought a solution duced the river’s scenic and through local authority historical significance to a meetings, Tony was dreading new audience. As the camera another summer of the same settled on landmarks like the and eventually casting his Slob bank, Dromana, thoughts towards the other Strancally Castle and side of the river. Templemichael, Tony PONTOON delivered his familiar spiel on Fortunately, the tide stories of siege, scandal, turned, so to speak. Cork savagery and sometimes County Council assisted celebrity. It is never a chore. “I by grant aid from the absolutely love the river and I Department of Agriculture, love what I do”, the former Food and the Marine, has fisherman states simply. now acquired a 25-metre, Tony’s tour commentary double- sided pontoon for has evolved gradually across
Strancally Castle (Irishwaterwayshistory.com)
12 | December 8, 2017 | Dungarvan Observer
the 16 years and subtle changes continue. “I used to make reference to Molly Keane quite a bit”, he reflects, “but with time, new passengers are less aware of her fame. Now I find if I mention that the goings-on at Ballinatray were once a bit like Downton Abbey, their ears prick up. People become fascinated that a ‘commoner’ like Penelope Smyth eloped with a brother of the King of Italy and got married in Gretna Green in a marriage
Maeve Óg (Youghal.ie) that the king never recognised. It’s a cultural shift I suppose and I’d hope it would incite them to take a keen interest in the area and maybe visit again afterwards.” WEDDING AHOY Besides the 90-minute cruise trips, the Maeve Óg is also available for private charter, by which distant and destiny is flexible. One of his favourite memories from summer 2017 occurred in June when his services were required for the ‘society’ wedding of Portia AlenBuckley at her family’s Strancally Castle. (It is unclear, even from an internet search, who she married and Tony wasn’t sure either). Tony’s role was to anchor the boat in the middle of the river in the company of an uilleann piper - and Louis of course. The piper, from Howth, played ceremoniously as the guests sallied forth in small craft, pausing to listen to the tunes awhile, before sailing on to the further bank and a cornfield, where they would continue their journey on foot. “It happened to be one of the sunniest days of the summer and the entire spectacle was absolutely magical”, Tony recalls. “It was very atmospheric and a fabulous experience.” By and large the Maeve Óg
clientele are “about 85% Irish tourists”, many of them channelled through the Youghal Tourist office, whose staff Tony pays tribute to being “very helpful at all times.” The arrival of the Ireland Ancient East concept and even the Waterford greenway may see more foreign visitors step aboard in
stress and even what I might call an attitude about them. But as we proceed up the river, their mood changes as if merging with the flow of the water. It’s one of those things you don’t want to analyse. It just is.” As the Glasgow poet Charles M. Moore evokes in It’s a River:
Molana Abbey (Irishwaterwayshistory.com) times to come as the promAnd the river washes and otion effect ripples ever the river's clean outward. And the soul remembers CALMING where the river's been As you watch it tumble and Regardless of nationality you watch it flow they will likely succumb to Your life's a river now you that almost indefinable and know, now you know sensory force that the Your life's a river now you Blackwater exerts on its know. visitors once the boat Blackwater Cruises runs abandons shore. “It’s a strange April-September. thing and it’s something I Bookings in advance: See notice repeatedly”, Tony www.blackwatercruises.com considers. “I sometimes get people on board with obvious Tele: 087-9889076.
Pontoon pylons being placed at Nealon's Quay, along with replacement steps.
‘Take the floor’ – an Irish broadcasting experience ‘Lift the latch, open the door, step right in and take the floor’ WITH these opening words followed immediately by a dance tune – often ‘The Harvest Time Jig’ from that week’s featured Céili Band, one of the most popular programmes on Radio Éireann sixty years ago got under way. ‘Take the Floor’ was unique for several reasons, not least that it was an hour long programme – largely unheard of back then – and also because it was probably the first programme in the world to feature dancing on the radio. The BBC might have had lush orchestras to play dance music ‘from the Palm Court of the Ritz Hotel’, but you had to imagine the swish of the ball gowns and the twirls of the couples on the dance floor. With ‘Take the Floor’, the tapping of the dance shoes sent the rhythms across the wires into Irish homes and people could hear the steps of Rory O’Connor and his dancers as if they were in the room in front of them. It was a novel idea, and a very successful and popular one. The weekly series which lasted from Autumn to Spring was introduced by Din Joe (Denis Fitzgibbon) who was a household name with a very identifiable, if slightly upper class, Cork accent. Among his own contributions were some very dry jokes, usually about Cork people; introductions of the various guests and as ‘caller’ for the rhymed instructions for the set dance. Broadcasting was only a pastime for him, as his day job was in sales with the motor industry where he eventually became Managing Director of Toyota Ireland. Take the Floor was one of the most popular programmes on the Radio Éireann schedule, which presented a small problem for many an Irish household. Evening devotions in the churches during October and Lent usually started at 7.30 p.m. and Take the Floor at 8.00 p.m., so there was invariably a rush home from the Church
to catch as much of the fortyfive minute programme as possible. One of the resident singers with the show was Teresa Clifford who had a wide variety of material but who may be best remembered for ‘The Garden Where the Praties Grow’ which seemed to come up several times each season. Another was ‘The Stone outside Dan Murphy’s Door’ which was about a rural shop-owner who played the fiddle on summer evenings as people sat around outside, on the famous long stone which became the seat featured in the song. “Dan Murphy would take down his fiddle, While his daughter looked after the store And the songs that were sung In the days we were young On the stone outside Dan Murphy’s Door.” There is such a shop in Sneem, Co. Kerry, with the name Dan Murphy over the door and a lengthy stone outside. Whether this is the original inspiration for the song is a matter for debate. Another song which was regularly featured was ‘Dan O’Hara’. This was based on an eviction which took place in County Galway in the mid 1800s. Dan O’Hara lived with his wife and seven children in a cottage under the shadow of the Twelve Bens. The family was self sufficient on eight acres of land and lived a simple but happy lifestyle. However, when Dan increased the size of his windows, the rent was
increased and he was unable to pay. Eviction of the family was followed by emigration to America. Dan’s wife and children died on the voyage and he ended up alone selling matches in the streets of New York. Willie Brady singing Delaney’s Donkey, later to be popularised by Val Doonican or ‘Mick McGilligan’s Ball’ was always popular with younger people, while tenor, Edmond Browne sang more for the adults. All were accompanied by Eric Benson on the accordion. Kathleen Watkins, later to marry Gay Byrne cut her broadcasting teeth on Take the Floor, while Seanachai, Eamonn Keane gave us the authentic experience of the traditional storyteller. Larry Halpin from Clonmel was the most famous whistler of his day and a favourite tune of his was the Blackbird. Whether or not his rendition of ‘In a Monastery Garden’ could compare with Dungarvan’s Harry O’Brien whistling ‘Bells Across the Meadow’ is a matter for debate, but unfortunately Harry never made it to Radio Éireann. Looking at that line-up, there is little doubt that the programme format and those taking part could well hold their own with the best. And a last word to the schoolboys of the day who came up with the humourous line of the day: “Why won’t Din Joe be allowed into the Parochial Hall?” Answer: “Because he would surely take the floor!”
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“Tis an ill wind By John Daly
I HAD arranged to meet Johnnie Power, an old friend of mine in Carrick-on-Suir. He hadn’t been home from Australia for more than twenty years, so we had a lot of catching up to do. Over a meal in a pub, we talked of old friends and acquaintances from long ago, of the girls we kissed, and the girls who played hard to get, and wouldn’t allow us kiss them. Those and a thousand other things the remembering and reminiscing had brought bubbling to the surface from the dark depths of times past. But, as always happens on occasions such as this, the clock once again proved to be a traitor. The hours had slipped by on silent feet and all too soon it was time to go. Still deep in conversation as we crossed the car park of the pub, our attention was drawn to a voice that called out to my companion, ‘Hello Johnnie Power, it is yourself that’s in it?’ We both turned round to see who had called and we saw a small wizened-faced little man with a big smile who was waving furiously at my friend. We walked back to where the small man was sitting on a bench outside the pub, drinking a pint of beer in the evening sunshine. He stuck out his hand and said, “tis years since I last saw you, Johnnie. I was still going to school when you left home and went off to join the parachute regiment. But I remember you well. There was nothing safe or sacred from you back them.You were as wild as a March hare, a holy terror they used to say. But ‘tis you that’s wearing well in spite of all the hardship you gave yourself.’ I could see my friend didn’t have a clue who the animated little man was. The same thought must have occurred to the little man because he said ‘Don’t you know me at all, at all? I’m Jimmy Murphy from Stoneyford, one of the Murphy’s of the hill.’ ‘Why wouldn’t I know you’, Johnnie said, recognising the little man at last, and covering his confusion with a parish pump handshake and a one-armed bear-hug. ‘Sure, didn’t we live within a couple of miles of each other many a long year ago, back in the hungry oul times.’ ‘Indeed and we did’, little Jimmy replied, and that’s over forty years ago’. ‘Good God! But you were a wild young-fella back then Johnnie, and by all accounts you never changed. Sure we’d hear bits and pieces of news about you from time to time. I remember your brother telling us how you walked away without a scratch from an airplane that crashed in the desert out in one of them foreign countries. I don’t know how many other quare things we heard about you down through the years. And then you went fishing for sharks off The Great Barrier Reef on the Coast of Australia. Sure ‘tis lucky you are to be alive at all’. ‘I’ll tell you Johnny, you wouldn’t catch me doing any of them desperate things or travelling to all them strange places at the far end of creation. That carry-on is alright for someone like yourself, someone who can’t wait to see what’s beyond the next hill. I’m a home-bird myself. I’d rather
close my own door in the evening and sit by my own fireside and let the whole wide world look after itself. Sure, I suppose it takes all kinds to make a world. There are some for this and some for that.’ The conversation began to lag a bit when Little Jimmy was struck by a fresh topic to talk about. ‘Tell me Johnnie’, he said ‘do you still suffer from the gout?’ My friend was taken aback at the direction the conversation had taken. ‘I never had the misfortune of suffering from gout’, he said. ‘It’s one of life’s little pleasures I was lucky enough to avoid.’ ‘Oh’, said little Jimmy, with a somewhat crestfallen look on his face, ‘I must be confusing you with someone else.’ ‘You’re a lucky man all the same, Johnnie, never to have been afflicted with it. ‘Tis a holy terror and ‘tis I that knows it. I was a martyr to it myself. Had it for years. I couldn’t stand up or sit down with any semblance of comfort. Don’t talk; my feet used to be so sore when I had a bad attack of it, I was like a turkey walking in stubbles, sure I could hardly put a leg under me. I don’t know how many doctors I went to, all to no avail, they could do nothing for me. They gave me every kind of concoction to remedy my problem. Nothing worked. To tell ye the truth, lads, I was at my wits end. Then someone told me about a widow-woman over in Tullahocht who had a cure for the gout. Never known to fail, they told me. There was no knowing how many people she was after curing, they said, At this stage, I was desperate, and willing to try anything. So the next fine day, I cycled over to Tullahocht to try to find the widow-woman with the cure’. ‘Anyway, lads, to make a long story short, after making a few discreet enquiries, I arrived at the widow-woman’s door. I knocked and she called on me to come in. She was just on the point of sitting down to a fine dinner of bacon and floury spuds and turnips and she asked me to join her. Which I did; and why wouldn’t I? Wasn’t she a fine big strong good-looking woman, the kind of a woman who’d stir your heart just to look at her’. ‘But lads, I couldn’t do justice to the dinner. I hadn’t a bit of comfort. I was in a bad way after the journey, my two feed were on fire. So there I was, grimacing with pain and gathering a leg up under me every now and again like a stork in a stream. In the heel of the hunt, I didn’t have to tell her what ailed me at all, at all.’ ‘I can see you’re in a bad way, poor man’ she said. ‘I suppose the way I was shuffling around on the chair, the sheen of cold sweat on my face and the short steps I was taking as I crossed the kitchen told her all she needed to know.’ ‘Make yourself at home, I’ll be back in a little while’ she said. ‘And with that, away with her out the door, and left me sitting at the table in the kitchen all on my own.’ ‘With nothing better to do I cast an eye on my surroundings, and to tell ye the truth, lads, very nice they were. The kitchen was freshly painted with everything spick and span. Shiny blue delph on the dresser, a big fire blazing in the hearth, a couple of comfortable chairs where a person could recline at their ease in the quiet of an evening, and the remains of a good
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dinner left on the well-scrubbed table. Sure, what more could anyone want?’ “There I was sitting in the warm cosiness of the kitchen when I heard footsteps coming across the yard, and someone singing a happy little ditty. ‘Twas herself: she was back: and she had a bunch of yarrow and foxglove and wild flowers under arm. They were all plants I had seen growing along the roadsides a million times before but I had never taken any notice of them and sure, why would I? I didn’t know what a woman with the “know how” could do with them.’ ‘Well anyway, she chopped them all up into little pieces and put them in a big saucepan with a quart of spring water and set it on the fire to boil. As soon as it started to bubble, she left it to simmer away at the side of the fire for the best part of an hour until the spring water and the other ingredients were a kind of soup.’ ‘So there we were, just the two of us together, chatting away in a grand friendly manner while we waited for the concoction to reach it’s full potential. I was sitting on one of the soft, comfortable chairs I had taken notice of earlier with my feet up on a low stool herself and provided, to ease the situation, if ye get my drift, lads. And she was seated on the other one. Eventually the heat of the fire had done its work to her satisfaction, and she stood up, taking a big china mug from the dresser and filled it to the brim with the mixture. ‘Drink that’, she said, ‘as hot as you can bear it, and do the very same thing three times a day for the next three days, and at the end of the three days, all your problems will be solved’, she said, with a mischievous twinkle in her ey. ‘Ah lads, a grand woman altogether.’ ‘She put the remainder of the remedy into a big brown cider bottle, and after corking it with a tightly rolled-up piece of newspaper, handed it to me. ‘There you are’ she said, ‘do what I’m after telling you and you’ll never again have any trouble with the “you know what. ‘I thanked her for her kindness, and secured the bottle to the carrier of the bike.’ ‘Will you come back and tell me how you got on?’ she said as I was gathering myself to go. ‘I’d ask nothing better’, I said, as I mounted the bike with a certain amount of trepidation for the journey home. But for whatever reason, the pain seemed to have eased greatly in my two feet. So much so, I chanced a quick glance backwards, and there she was standing at the yard gate, waving goodbye! ‘Lads, I had an unmerciful urge to go back to her, but I consoled myself with the thought that cure or no cure, I would come back to see her at the end of the week.’ ‘Well! I followed her instructions to the letter and at the end of the three days, just as the widow-woman had said, I had ease and comfort for the first time in more years than I care to remember. I could hardly believe it. I was in the full of my health again, as right as rain.’ ‘Lads, ‘twas a miracle! I didn’t know myself at all, at all with the relief from the years of torture I had endured. The following Sunday morning, I was awake before the sun had peeped over Cleary’s Hill. I couldn’t sleep with the excitement of seeing the widow-woman again.’
‘After a bite of breakfast, I decked myself out in my good suit and with my boots shining like two cat’s eyes under the bed, I mounted my bike without a hint of pain in my feet and headed in the direction of Tullahocht and the widow-woman. Lads! She must have been keeping an eye out for me. Sure wasn’t she waiting at the gate as I progressed up the road. A big soft class of a smile lit up her face when she saw me. ‘You’re very welcome, Jimmy’, she said. ‘Thanks, Nonie’, said I. We had exchanged particulars on my first visit so now we were on first name terms. Lads! I thought her voice was like a mountain stream trickling over the stones, the lovely sound that was in it. ‘I’m glad to see the potion worked’, she said. ‘You’re a new man altogether, and the tortured look is after leaving your features. I was worried about you and in dread in case you mightn’t come back.’ ‘There was no danger of that’, I replied. ‘The thought of coming back to see you and to tell you the good news of my miraculous cure was buzzing around in my brain all week like a bee in a bottle.’ ‘That’s grand so’, she said ‘come on in now the dinner won’t be long until it’s ready. I got a nice bit of smoked bacon yesterday in Carrick-on-Suir. I hope you like smokey bacon, Jimmy.’ ‘Nonie, I’d eat smokey bacon three times a day if I was lucky enough to get it.’ ‘Without further ado, I popped my bicycle up against the wall of the house, and propped myself at the head of the table, while Nonie loaded two plates up with the bacon, floury spuds and white cabbage. Lads, a feast fit for a king. When we had finished the dinner, she uncorked a bottle of stout for me and told me to sit over at the fire and relax while she did the washing-up. It was no time at all until she was sitting beside me in front of the blazing fire. And there we were chatting away as if we had known each other all of our lives.’ ‘This reminds me of old times’, she said ‘when himself was alive. We would sit and chat away for hours, and more often than not, friends and neighbours would drop in. It was then the music and the singing and the dancing would start.’ ‘I used to love the bit of a dance’, she said in a wistful kind of voice. ‘Do you dance at all yourself, Jimmy?’ ‘I haven’t danced for years, Nonie, what with my complaint and all, ‘twas too painful to contemplate. Although to tell you the truth, I was well able to put them under me long ago.’ ‘Would you chance a little “skippeen-arince” now that your affliction has left you?’ she asked. ‘But sure, we have no music’, I said. ‘Nonie said nothing, only got up and went over to the dresser and took a bundle of them CD things from behind the willowpattern plates and inserted one into a compartment in the radio. Lads, in two shakes of a ram’s tail, the kitchen was filled with lovely soft romantic music, it flowed over us like warm honey. And there we were, just the two of us, oblivious to the rest of the world, waltzing around the floor and me singing ‘Give me your smile, the right to love you all the while’ in time with the singer on the record. A magical evening altogether.’
. . .” ‘We eventually sat down again, and there we stayed, chatting and laughing and sometimes drifting into a drowsy, dreamy, comfortable silence until the shadowy fingers of night stretched across the yard outside, and it was time for me to go. I can tell ye, lads, it was even harder to leave the second time than it was the first time. And I knew by the look on Nonie’s face, she felt the same way’. ‘You’ll come again next Sunday, won’t you?’ she said with a kind of a halt in her voice as if she feared I might say no. ‘I’ll be here after last Mass’, I promised. ‘That’s grand so’, she said, ‘I’ll be looking forward to seeing you.’ ‘Well lads, I did go back the following Sunday and every Sunday after that for the next six or eight months.’ ‘Nonie was always standing at the gate waiting for me and a big smile would light up her lovely face when she’d see me peddling up the hill towards the house.’ ‘And me! I was head over heels in love. Every time I saw her she seemed even lovelier than the time before, and every Sunday it was harder and harder to leave, but I never said a world about it to Nonie. To tell ye the truth, lads, I didn’t know how. I wasn’t, as you might say, well versed in the ways of women, so I kept how I felt a secret.’ ‘Then one Sunday, as I cycled up the hill towards the house with my heart tripping over itself expecting to see Nonie waiting at the gate to greet me as usual. But she wasn’t there, there was no sign of her at all, at all and the gate was closed. Lads, I nearly fainted. I was sure something terrible had happened. I threw my bike against the wall of the house, lifted the latch and rushed into the kitchen, dreaded what I might find.’ ‘Everything was the same as it always was, except for the fact that the table was bare and Nonie was sitting by the cold grey ashes of yesterday’s fire with tears streaming down her face’. ‘Nonie! Nonie’, I cried, ‘what’s the matter at all, at all.’ ‘She didn’t say anything for a minute, and when she spoke it drove a nail straight through my heart.’ ‘Jimmy,’ she said in a little more than a whisper, ‘I think it would be for the best if you didn’t call over any more.’ ‘Lads, ye can imagine how I felt. I nearly died with the shock of it. The woman I loved with all my heart, the woman who was the light of my life, who was my Sunday in every week, who made my life worth living, was telling me she didn’t want to see me any more. My legs were starting to give way under me so that I had to hold on to the table for support. The room was beginning to spin around and I was only able to utter one word Why?’ She looked at me with eyes that were like two bottomless pools of sorrow. ‘Jimmy’, she said ‘for the past months I’ve been living for the few hours of a Sunday when you’d be here with me. The whole world seemed to shimmer with a golden glow when we were together, and no matter how long you stayed, it was never long enough. I was always lonely when you left, with no peace or comfort at all, and counting the minutes until the next Sunday, and you ploughing furrows in my
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mind dayand night. It was then that I realised I loved you, Jimmy. I love you more than you can ever know, and I also realised I couldn’t go on like this, with me loving you the way I do, and you not loving me at all. I know we go on so well together and you couldn’t be friendlier or nicer to me, but you never once said you loved me or cared about me. That’s why it would be better if you didn’t call any more. If I kept on seeing you and knowing there was no hope of you being more than a friend, it would break my heart.’ ‘Lads, I didn’t say a word, but walked across the kitchen and knelt down in front of her, put my arms around her and for the very first time, I kissed her. We stayed like that for a long time; just holding each other. When I eventually broke the silence, I said “I love you too, and I feel exactly the same as you do, but I didn’t know how to tell you. I was afraid to say anything in case you might be offended. At this stage, we were both crying with relief and happiness. Then she looked at me with eyes brimming with tears, and said ‘Will you marry me, Jimmy?’ ‘I will, Nonie, and I promise you I’ll love you forever.’ ‘That’s grand so’, she said, ‘I’ll call in to Father O’Connor on my way to town tomorrow and tell him of our intentions. I’ll light the fire now and get you something to eat, you must be starving.’ ‘I’ll never forget how happy I was as I cycled home that night. The bike seemed to fly along the road all by itself. What I thought was going to be the worst day of my life ended up being the best.’ ‘Three months later Nonie and myself were married by Father O’Connor in the church in Tullahocht with Nonie’s cousin and a brother of my own as witnesses.’ ‘Well, lads, that was three years ago, and without the shadow of a doubt they’ve been the three happiest years of my life. To tell ye the truth, lads, we’re more in love with each other than ever, and to think if I hadn’t suffered from the gout, I’d never have met Nonie. I’m sure ye often heard of the old saying “Tis and ill wind that doesn’t blow some good.” With that, he stood up and shook hands with both of us and said, ‘Lads, it was great talking to ye but I must love ye and leave ye. It’s getting late and Nonie will have the supper ready for me when I get home, and I don’t want to keep her waiting.’ With that, he mounted the bicycle he had propped against the wall of the pub and cycled away down the street. The echo of his thin reedy voice drifted back to us as he sang “Give me your smile, the right to love you all the while”. We stood watching him as he turned out the Kilmaganny Road on his way home to Tullahocht and his beloved Nonie. Johnnie Power turned to me with a bemused look on his face and said, ‘Well don’t that beat all.’
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December 8, 2017 | Dungarvan Observer | 15
Ireland to Iceland, a sailing odyssey By Tom Keith ONE of the most travelled sailors in Dungarvan or in the Dungarvan Harbour Sailing Club must surely be Donal Walsh who, this summer, sailed to Iceland in his 12m ‘Lady Belle’ which he purchased in Port de Crousty near Vannes in France and took over to Dungarvan on St. Patrick’s Day 2016. On his passage back to Dungarvan there was some drama when his propeller was fouled by a large quantity of net. This he finally freed and took aboard lest other boats would be similarly fouled. Donal had acquired the larger boat after a cruise in Norway in 2015 and decided that he was ready to venture greater distances. “I felt it might be unwise to undertake a major cruise in our first year,” he says, “and we would do well to familiarize ourselves with the vessel during the 2016 sailing season. A simple plan was devised. We would take ‘Lady Belle’ around the Irish coast, concentrating on calling to places that I had not been to before and also to visit the Outer Hebrides area of Scotland, as this, for the most part, was new territory to me.” Donal registered the vessel in Waterford as ‘Lady Belle’, the third in his Lady series having previously owned ‘Lady Sarah’ and ‘Lady Kate’. Last year, having famil-
iarised himself with all aspects of his new boat, he decided to sail around Ireland diverting to the Western Isles of Scotland and taking in many of the Irish ports on the west coast. “I visited many of the ports and harbours I had not been to before,” says Donal, “and renewed my acquaintance with the magnificent Atlantic coast and the hospitality and friendship of the people of the west.” It was an enjoyable and successful trip which reassured him in his wish to sail to Iceland which he did this Summer. He recounted his three years of adventures with copious photographs to a large and enthusiastic audience at the Sailing Club recently. “The Lady Belle left Dungarvan on June 1st this year,” he said. “Aboard with me were Clare Morrissey and Michael Whelan. Our intention was to sail north through the Irish Sea to the Faroe Islands via Scotland and visit Iceland which we hoped to circumnavigate. Out of Dungarvan they sailed up the East Coast and made their way north to Larne. From there they headed for Iceland via Port Ellen in Islay, the Sound of Jura, Crinan, Shuna Island and Tobermory until they reached Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. Onwards then across 200 miles of ocean to Faroe
Donal Walsh with the disputed Rockall in the background.
16 | December 8, 2017 | Dungarvan Observer
and from there to Tvøroyri where they anchored in broad daylight at 02.30 on 21st June. “Sitting out the gale over the next few days we explored Tórshavn, the island’s capital which was particularly easy as there is free public transport in the urban area. There we met the crew of the German yacht ‘Fellini Days’ also bound for Iceland.” A favourable forecast indicated that it was time to head for Iceland. The 250 mile passage took 50 hours. “Near Iceland the wind died and we motored in flat calm conditions as we closed the coast,” Donal recalled. “Once inside territorial waters I advised the Coastguard of our position and intentions, as required by law.” A few days later Lady Belle with Donal and Clare aboard headed north again, and taking advantage of the settled weather they got to Höfn Borgarfirði Eystri without incident. “The settled conditions allowed us to pass close to Langanesviti, a remote peninsula on the north east corner of Iceland. Our course now took us west and after a long day we got alongside at Raufarhöfn. There was little for us to do here and after a brief spell ashore we set off again next morning. We wanted to cross the Arctic Circle and headed for Grimsey Island, the northern tip of which it is claimed is
Clare Morrissey relaxes on the voyage with Hornbjerg north west Iceland. inside the Arctic Circle. A slight deviation to the north on passage and our GPS showed us to be north of 66°34’. Later along the way we encountered lots of whale activity with many blows, characteristic of humpback whales.” “Ashore next morning we set out to cross the Arctic Circle on foot. At the airport there is a monument with signposts showing distances to American and European cities. The GPS on Clare’s phone indicated that we were still south of our objective.” Despite a lengthy walk to the most northerly point available ‘the GPS refused to accept we were there’. “At the northern tip of the island we gave up,” says Donal, “maybe if you stood on a drying rock at low water with your phone in a northward facing outstretched hand
you could claim you had crossed the line, but we did not.” Along their various passages they met other crews doing the same trip and they made friends with several, meeting them regularly on the water and at night on land. Along the way Donal and Clare caught some fine cod and their meals were regularly of fresh fish. “Fishing is effortless here,” said Donal, “drop the right lure to a depth of more than 40 metres and up comes a cod, every time!” They worked their way along the north and west coasts of Iceland visiting various towns along the way and encountering another gale, losing another day. “We found lots to do in Vestmannaeyjar which was just as well as we were caught again by gales. In all we spent a week there waiting for the weather to improve.” Rounding the south-west tip of Iceland, signalled the beginning of their passage back home. They had to dodge a serious weather depression and decided to forego Faroe and head straight for Ireland passing close to the island of Rockall over which there was a big diplomatic dispute a few decades ago. Their passage down the Irish west coast saw them pass Eagle Island Light in Mayo, followed by Blackrock and then Blacksod Bay and dropped anchor off the pier at 05.20 having covered 650 miles in less than five days. Then it was south again, skirting around Achill and on to Clare Island. “We stopped at Cleggan where we refuelled from a tanker truck. This was my first ever stop here and I was
impressed. Our passage round Slyne Head was by the outer route and we headed for Roundstone, then on to Smerwick Harbour.” “Once through the Blasket Sound we made for Portmagee where we anchored and watched Waterford beat Cork to get their place in the All Ireland Hurling Final.” They rounded Mizen, sighted Fastnet and anchored in Crookhaven. The last leg home to Dungarvan harbour was, in Donal’s words, ‘a most memorable sail. It was to be our last night aboard and we decided to anchor off Ballinagoul pier for the night.” After some mechanical repairs, Donal, Clare and Lady Belle made it safely to Dungarvan the following day where they checked the log. They found they had covered 2994 miles in 80 days and, while there was temptation to round the Black Rock a few times to drive them over the 3,000, they resisted and came home. It was good to be back and they had had their adventures and made memories aplenty. “We visited Scotland and Faroe, circumnavigated Iceland, and put ‘Lady Belle’ north (just!) of the Arctic Circle for the first time,” says Donal. “We encountered gale conditions on 12 occasions which delayed us by over 20 days, but it was worth every nautical mile.” We can only speculate now about Donal and his sailing companions’ next cruise. Towards a warmer place, perhaps? Watch this space. “Home is the sailor, home from sea And the hunter home from the hill.”
SuperValu are calling on the nation to do something ‘Super’ this Christmas so Santa’s Little Helper Amelia Beggs was on hand in SuperValu to launch the annual Christmas Charity Drive to spark the festive spirit in local communities across the country. [Marc O'Sullivan]
SuperValu helping to make this Christmas super for local Irish communities Annual Christmas Charity Food Appeal will support St. Vincent De Paul, The Simon Community and the Lions Club across Waterford SUPERVALU, Ireland’s leading grocery retailer for quality food and great value, is calling on the nation to do something ‘Super’ this Christmas to spark the festive spirit in local communities across the country. With the festive season getting underway, SuperValu is launching their annual nationwide Christmas Charity Food Appeal in all five of their Waterford stores. The ‘Super’ initiative is held in association with St. Vincent De Paul, The Simon Community and The Lions Club. In a true celebration of this special time of year, SuperValu stores confirmed that they have donated more than €643,000 to local causes in their own communities. This is more than double the incredible €300,000 raised by the network of retailers in last year’s charity fundraising drive. The Christmas Charity Appeal will roll out across 217 SuperValu stores nationwide, whereby shoppers will be invited to donate any non-perishable food product, like pasta, rice, cereals etc. from their shop, to help with those who are less fortunate this Christmas. SuperValu
is making it easy for shoppers to donate to those deserving families, so they can put food on the table this Christmas – just look out for the branded trollies at the entrance to the store until Wednesday, 20th of December. SuperValu, Ireland’s leading grocery retailer, values being at the heart of Irish communities. Commenting today on the launch of Christmas Charity Food Appeal, Des O’Mahony, Marketing Director of SuperValu said: “We understand that Christmas can be a time that puts a lot of families under pressure. Here at SuperValu, we value the importance of giving something back to our Irish communities and helping out in any way we can. On top of this year’s phenomenal fundraising drive from our network of committed and passionate retailers, we’re asking our customers to get on board this Christmas and donate what they can through this worthy appeal we have set up in conjunction with our charity partners – St.Vincent de Paul, the Simon Community and the Lions Club.”
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Forgotten
Michael Flynn, grandnephew of Bill Fennessy at grave of Michael Curran, Corbie, France.
By Michael Flynn A GREEN boreen winds its way through fields of potatoes. A warm breeze gently blows through whispering leaves. Oak trees surround a meticulously maintained cemetery with rows of headstones bearing many Irish names, McCarthy, Curran, Hagarty. An aura of peacefulness and reflection envelopes the visitor. This could be Old Parish, or any parish. It is in fact La Neuville British Military cemetery, Corbie, France. One of the numerous World War One cemeteries which dot the landscape from the Belgian coast to Swiss border. Michael Curran, the eldest son of James and Bridget Curran, Scrahan, Old Parish and William Fennessy, Reana-
coolagh West, Ballysaggart were both serving RIC Constables when they enlisted on January 27th, 1915 for the duration of the war. They joined the Irish Guards, Second Division, enlisting as Guardsman Curran 6619 Private, and Guardsman Fennessy 6625 Private. Bill Fennessy’s departure from Ballyduff is documented, the same train also picked up men in Dungarvan including Michael Curran. They both undertook military training together in Warley Barracks England, before being drafted to France. After being organised and trained as a new formation, the Irish Guards developed a reputation as one of the best formations in the army and remained on the Western
Front in France and Flanders throughout the war. Curran and Fennessy’s exposure to war began at Lens, known as Loos. Then on June 6th they proceeded to front line trenches at Cambrin via a mile-long communication trench and found themselves in an area of enemy fire some 400 yards from a German strongpoint. In mud stained letters home to his sister Kathleen (Flynn), Bill Fennessy does not mention war or trench life but thanks his family for the simple pleasures sent to him such as cocoa and cigarettes. He talks about missing the threshing and not being home for drawing the turf. The Irish Guards played a significant part in the Battle of the Somme, the first day alone, July 1st, 1916 resulted
in 57,470 British casualties. Here in mid-July Curran sustained injuries to his left arm and was moved to a war hospital near the town of Corbie. Bill Fennessy visited him when possible, however his wounds were severe and Michael Curran died on September 15th, 1916 aged 24. He was buried in La Neuville British Military cemetery, less than two miles from the Somme. Fennessy assisted at the burial, and to ensure its upkeep visited the grave several times until his division moved. Michael’s name is recorded in the registers of the Irish war dead in the Round Tower at the Island of Ireland Peace Park, Messines, and on Dungarvan’s WW1 memorial wall. The Irish Guards were in action in various Flanders battles in 1917 including the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele). Even when not at the front line the division suffered many casualties from heavy shell fire, mustard gas, air raids and sniping. On September 7th Bill Fennessy, now Lance Corporal was wounded and reported on the War Office weekly casualty list. He was moved firstly to a field hospital near the village of Langemark which by then was a sea of mud without a single tree or building left intact, and later to Maudsley
Constable Wm Fennessy 1913 war hospital, London where he spent some time recovering. ALL CHANGED, CHANGED UTTERLY In 1918 Bill Fennessy returned to an Ireland where to paraphrase Yeats “All Changed, Changed Utterly”. On discharge from his regiment, like many other service men he struggled to find work. Mainly due to the post war economic depression, changing political landscape and attitudes towards returned soldiers of the Great War. Sgt. Lawton RIC,
Ballyduff, advised Bill not to return to service in the RIC. However, the prospect of a wage and a pension were too much for his new wife from Kilworth to let go, so under duress Bill re-joined the RIC, a decision that would prove disastrous. Now Stationed in Duncannon, Co. Wexford, Constable Fennessy was well known and liked by the locals. He was aware of and sympathetic to Nationalist sentiments and like many RIC turned a blind eye to Republican activity whenever possible.
Ballyduff Upper – A Send Off – January 1915 ON the evening of the 5th inst Constables William Fennessy, Ballysaggart, and Michael Murphy, Ballyduff Village, who have volunteered for the front were seen off by a large gathering of their friends and well-wishers who escorted them to the 7.30 p.m. train, heading for Rosslare enroute to London. The Ballyduff prize Fife and Drum band of which Constable Murphy was the principal founder before he joined the Royal Irish Constabulary also turned out. Before leaving the village Constable Murphy addressed the gathering on behalf of himself and Constable Fennessy, in a few well chosen words explaining their action and the cause for taking the course they did, which was loudly applauded by their friends and the villagers who turned out man, woman and child to bid those brave young men God speed. Constable Murphy again addressed the crowd at Ballyduff Train Station. Among those who saw them off were – Thomas Bracket (uncle), and James Bracket RDC (cousin), Glenbeg Lodge; John Fennessy, Jeremiah Fennessy, Daniel Fennessy, Thomas Fennessy, John Hannon, Sergeant Lawton, Constables Begley and Brien; James Cunningham, Daniel and Patrick O’Connor, and all Mr. Basil Open’s employees at Marston; Philip Cunningham, Scartnacrooha; Edmond Cashin, Black, Moycollop; Edmond Mahony, Michael Ahearn Ballinlovane, Richard Tobin, Michael Feeney, Denis F Tobin, RDC; Jer Sullivan, Patrick Slattery,Thomas Sullivan, Jack O’Brien, James O’Neill, Edmond Higgins, Con Higgins Jnr.; and several others too numerous to mention. There were bonfires lighted on the slopes of the hillside passing Ballyduff Station to the number of over one dozen.
18 | December 8, 2017 | Dungarvan Observer
Michael Curran, third left back row. Bill Fennessy, fifth left third row.
Comrades By 1920 Duncannon Barracks was augmented by “Auxiliary” constables made up of former Army officers from Britain. Intimidation of locals by the hated Auxiliaries began to increase to a point where Fennessy had a serious altercation with an Auxy stationed in the barracks with him. The Auxy allegedly said, “I’ll get him”. The following day while on patrol, Constable Fennessy leant his bike against a low wall at the bottom of the village, smoked a cigarette and chatted with a few villagers. From up the street a shot rang out, the villagers were startled and confused, Fennessy fell over the wall. Death was instant from shock and haemorrhage. The Official report, held in the British Archive, Kew, perfidiously states: “Constable Fennessy, Duncannon, New Ross was accidentally killed by the accidental discharge of
an Auxiliary constable’s revolver. The military court of enquiry held in Duncannon on 24th inst. held that no blame could be attached to anyone.” Bill Fennessy was brutally killed on February 22nd, 1921, aged 29. On receipt of a telegram from Lismore bearing sad news, John Fennessy travelled by train to Co. Wexford to claim his brothers’ body. Every man and woman in Ballysaggart turned out for the funeral when Bill was buried in the family grave in St. Carthage’s Cemetery, Lismore. Some months later, the family received word from the Irish Volunteers, Wexford, that “the matter has been sorted”. While difficult to corroborate factually, records in the British National Archive, taken from Wexford RIC Inspector’s monthly reports to Dublin Castle state: Duncannon barracks, March 7th and 19th,
“Where the kettle is always on the boil”
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Grave of Michael Curran, Corbie France. cases of attempted killing; in April, a sniping attack; and on May 7th Auxiliary policeman killed in the Duncannon, New Ross area. Michael Curran and Bill Fennessy, were two Irish men, friends in service and comrades-in-arms. Two deaths in very different wars.
Old Market House Arts Centre LOWER MAIN STREET, DUNGARVAN INVITE YOU TO VISIT THEIR
Annual Christmas Arts & Crafts Exhibition which continues until 22nd December, 2017 Nollaig shona dár a gCustaiméirí go léir.
Bill Fennessy, standing right with rifle held in his hand.
White Crosses
Waterford City & County Council supporting artists and the arts. See www.waterfordcouncil.ie for details of opening hours and special events. Tel. 058/48944
By John Daly
You sleep beneath a forest of white crosses, In those acres where the seeds of death were sown, Was it worth the little gains and awful losses, To die among ten million; yet alone? From the knee-deep mud of rat-infested trenches, You obeyed the dreaded order to advance, But against death’s sirens you had no defences, And you were chosen by a shell for the last dance. Here where the beast of war once howled in anger, While his fangs ripped flesh from bone round Messines Ridge, Where uncounted corpses lay in lifeless languor, As from life you marched across death’s shadowed bridge. Here I stand amid remembered pain and sorrow, Beneath the benediction of the rain, Where you fought and fell for a better world tomorrow, And ask the question: “Was your sacrifice in vain?” In Memory of Private Maurice Duggan who fought and died in the battle of Messines Ridge on 7th June,1917.
JUST GREAT VALUE 40–42 Lower Main Street, Dungarvan T: 058-42786 • F: 058-42909 E: info@davidwalshdungarvan.com W: www.davidwalshdungarvan.com We would like to wish our customers a very merry Christmas and all the best for 2018 December 8, 2017 | Dungarvan Observer | 19
Remembering ‘The Brothers’ twenty-five years on DUNGARVAN BUSINESS PARK, DUNGARVAN, CO. WATERFORD Tel. 058 43700 Thanking all our customers for your continued support and wishing one and all a joyous and peaceful Christmas and a Prosperous 2018
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IT is now twenty-five years almost to the day since Br. Patrick Duffy turned the key in the door of the Christian Brothers Monastery in Dungarvan for the last time to bring to a close 185 years of service to the Dungarvan community, principally through the education of the boys of the town and district. The Tribute Book to the Christian Brothers in Dungarvan records that “He (Br. Duffy) saw modern buildings of bricks and mortar, fine schools for the education of boys of the town and district, no longer just for “the gratuitous education of poor boys” as had been the wish of the Founder. He saw also some of the fruits of the toil of Brothers and was pleased, that as they left, the Brothers were handing back to the town what the townsfolk had given them in trust for nearly two centuries.” A great deal of water has flowed under the Causeway Bridge in Dungarvan and indeed, under the Bridge over the Suir in Cahir since I first read in my ‘Young Ireland Reader – Preparatory Book’ about a group of conscientious and wealthy young men in Waterford City who were shocked as they surveyed the poverty and deprivation around them. It was 1802 and in the wake of a near century of the Penal Laws, some of which were still on the statute books and in the immediate aftermath of the abolition of Grattan’s Parliament. It was this deed and the Act of Union tied Ireland irretrievably to England to make the ‘British Isles’, confidence and national self esteem in Ireland were at a very low ebb. Recalling the words of my schoolbook story well over half a century later, they ran something like this. ‘A sheet of newspaper blew against the legs of one of a group of young men as they observed the children running around the unpaved street, shoeless and wearing ragged clothes,
unkempt and unlearned with little to look forward to in the future’. It was my first introduction to Edmund Ignatius Rice and the Christian Brothers. This was probably not Edmund’s first musing about the un-Christian conditions and of the poor and the inequality which existed between them and their wealthy neighbours who largely kept well away from the poverty stricken, preferring to assemble in the isolation of the recently built Mall with its fine houses. ‘The Christian Brothers in Dungarvan – A Tribute’ records that: “About the year 1790 an Association of young men was formed in Waterford to promote the spiritual development of its members. They began hearing Mass on week-days, receiving the sacraments of penance and Communion more frequently than was customary and reading pious books. With these young men our Founder associated; mutual good example strengthened their resolutions so that many were induced to follow in their footsteps.”[i] In the early 1800s in Dungarvan, the situation was no less dire than in Waterford city and, as well as the children being ragged, unkempt and uneducated, the condition of the town was no better, consisting in the main of hovels with little formation to streets and even less in services. It would be over a decade later before the 6th Duke of Devonshire commenced his extensive rebuilding and expansion of the town. Over 2,000 men were employed in the fisheries, but, being urban dwellers without land they were entirely dependent on their daily work for food. The Penal Laws of the 1700s had deprived the majority of Irish people of virtually all their rights. This code of laws was enacted variously between 1695 and 1765
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20 | December 8, 2017 | Dungarvan Observer
Brothers Duffy and Joyce pose for one last photo with School Principals, Jim Ryan (Secondary) and Maurice Kearney (Primary) prior to their departure before Christmas 1992. [Tom Keith]
was described by the great Orator and Parliamentarian Edmund Burke as being ‘Conceived by demons, written in blood and registered in hell’. They set a standard of living in Ireland so low for the majority of people which could be no worse, short of famine and the poor suffered terribly. During his visits to the houses of the poor in Waterford, Edmund Rice saw that the root of the trouble was in the ignorance of the people. The neglected state of the boys in the streets of Waterford, growing up without education and of speech and conduct that often shocked him, decided his vocation. He had been seriously considering withdrawing from business and journeying to Rome to join a monastic order and there spending the remainder of his days. However he, and several wealthy companions, decided to take action and came together initially as a conscientious group of lay-men anxious to help in the spirit of Christianity. Their first foray into education was in Waterford City when they founded Mount Sion, but they soon extended to Carrick-on-Suir where conditions were no better. Then in 1807, two brothers, lay-men, John and James Mulcahy came to Dungarvan set up a school in Main Street, suggested to be where the Credit Union is today. A typical flavour of what the Brothers encountered on a first day in school is described in the New Ross History of the CBS School there: “As the morning advanced, large numbers of boys appeared, so large that many had to be sent away. All day, the two Brothers wrestled with the problems of an ill-assorted mob of pupils, for the most part unbroken to any kind of discipline, and almost impossible to classify. Some could read, as was the fashion of the time, with good platform pitch and intonation, but were innocent of figures. Others were excellent ready-reckoners, but did not know their letters. The disparity of age was such that some of the scholars carried pipes and tobacco, while others were in petticoats. Thus began the Brothers first century in the town, with a truly boisterous and rather overpowering welcome from an overflowing mass of raw - very raw - material.” About that time, Edmund decided that their group should be formalised and he petitioned the local Bishop, John Power and Rome to take vows and eventually set up their own religious order. On the 15th. August 1808, the Feast of the Assumption, almost a year after the founding of the Dungarvan House, the brothers took their first formal step towards being a Religious Order. They had modified the Rules of the Presentation Order and it was agreed that the Brothers should take vows for twelve months “with an intention of renewing them every year till the approbation of the
Institute would be obtained of the Holy See . . .” From those modest beginnings there grew a Christian movement which brought education to the needy in countries as far away as The US, Canada and Australia. They taught in Dungarvan for 185 years and gave many young men their first educational and social and sporting start in life. When compiling the book about the Christian Brothers in Dungarvan, I asked various people to reflect on the contribution of the Christian Brothers to the town and district. The then principal of the Secondary, Mr. Jim Ryan wrote the following in tribute: “When Brothers Joyce and Duffy, the last two remaining in Dungarvan, left the monastery for the final time in 1992, an era of service and momentous achievement of 185 years was brought to an end. Br. John Campbell was the last Christian Brother to be a member of our teaching staff. The Brothers in Dungarvan, over all those years, had given of themselves, their energies, their abilities and skills without thought for reward or recompense. Selflessness was their distinguishing mark - as the poet, W.B.Yeats, wrote in another context: ‘They weighed so lightly what they gave’.” Are the Christian Brothers missed in Dungarvan today? Probably not, which is a tribute in itself to the transition and continuity with which the schools and traditions were handed down. It also reflects the quality of the education which is carried on, not only in the schools established by the religious orders, but in all of the classrooms where teachers toil daily. Yes, they are remembered, especially by
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The Commemorative plaque on the frontage of Dungarvan Credit Union Offices, Main Street where the Christian Brothers lived and taught between 1803 and 1807. [Tom Keith]
those who were educated by them. Not all the memories are pleasant, but almost everyone would appreciate and acknowledge the education they received there and the start it gave them in life, especially at Secondary level. ‘Free education’ was established in 1966, an early announcement having been made in Dungarvan during a By-Election
campaign, but the Christian Brothers and other teaching Orders – men and women – had been giving largely free education for 160 years before that. This was freely given, not only in the classroom, but on the sportsfield and on the stage as well. Perhaps the Brothers understood the meaning of ‘holistic education’ long before the phrase was coined.
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Remembering ‘Le Tour’ twenty years on By Tom Keith THE sad passing of well known broadcaster, Jimmy McGee some months ago brought to mind his generous comments in regard to the magnificent presentation of Dungarvan which he saw as he passed through at the head of the Tour de France riders twenty years ago next July 13th. “It’s a wonderful sight,” he told his listeners, with some feeling, “Dungarvan you should be proud of yourselves.” These were the words which warmed the hearts of the Tour de France Committee and the people of the Town and district after all the effort which had been poured into making the route as presentable, as exciting as possible, challenging the efforts of the French on their home ground. The Committee had been brought together before Christmas led by the Cathaoirleach of the Urban District Council, Austin Flynn to plan for the safety and enjoyment of the thousands who were expected to turn out for the international event and to capitalise on the economic opportunity which had been handed to the town. It was representative of the Town and County Councils, the tourism and economic interests and the new Cycling Club which had been launched with some fanfare just three months earlier. It is interesting to
note that in June at the Annual Meeting of the Town Council, Cllr. Lar Hart was elected Chairman while still wearing the Chain of Office as Chairman of the County Council, the only time that a Councillor was Chair of both Councils at the same time. Our two national cycling champions and heroes, Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche had campaigned for some years to have Le Tour come to Ireland and had managed to lure and persuade the Tour authorities to start the event in Ireland the year that France was hosting the World Cup. The two events would overlap and the World Cup Final was played at the Stade de France the same day as Waterford were once more contesting a Munster Final, this time against Clare in Semple Stadium, Thurles. That was the day before the Tour arrived in Dungarvan. Much to our disappointment, our hurlers played a draw as it was felt that Grattan Square – ready and waiting with full facilities for the Tour – would have been a perfect setting for a homecoming. As it turned out, we had to wait another four years for a Munster crown, but when the champions eventually came to Grattan Square in 2002, they were met by a crowd of 8,000 people. Ach sin scéal eile! During the course of the planning for what was to be the biggest public event Dungarvan and the other towns en route had ever
The replica Arc de Triomphe on the Youghal Road Roundabout promoting the arrival of the Tour de France 1998. (Colette Wyley Quill).
22 | December 8, 2017 | Dungarvan Observer
experienced, there were several ‘Familiarisation Tours’ – abbreviated to ‘Fam Tours’ which saw Stephen or Sean, accompanied by members of the international press corps visit those towns. I was at those meetings and reported on one in the following terms: “Stephen was only too glad to put us in the picture of precisely how big this event is so that on the 13th July we can all be prepared for the huge change in the normal pattern of our daily lives. “In everyday terms, if you thought the recent St. Patrick’s Day Parade was big, then you have seen nothing yet, for the cavalcade which comprises the show-biz element of one of the biggest sporting events of the world, is a sight to behold, leaving in its wake goggleeyed children and adults with their mouths still agape.” He told us of the sheer size of the stream of brightly coloured, purpose-built floats, each with a budget which would pay for ten St. Patrick’s Day Parades. That is probably what happens in France, but it was not to be for Dungarvan. The promised hour long cavalcade with all manner of extravagantly decorated floats, music and other moving attractions did not materialise and if there were a few dozen modest vehicles pass by, it was as much. Obviously, the anticipated hundreds of vehicles did not consider it worth the major
Rory Wyley’s photograph taken at the gate of St. Mary’s Church shows the colour and excitement of Tour de France Day.
undertaking it would be to travel from France for three days and then dash back to join the Tour again. For the first time ever probably, the full route of the Tour de France was closed to ALL traffic – no exceptions and even the Gardai had to flex their muscles to fulfil their traffic duties such was the influence of those behind the Tour. There were Ninety-Eight junctions between Waterford City and Youghal to be supervised, a major undertaking. In the weeks before the Tour, even the manhole covers along the route were lifted, the space inspected and the covers welded shut. “If the weather is favourable,” we were told, “the crowds will be measured in their tens of thousands of people, generating many thousands of extra cars at strategic points, all arriving at much the same time and all wishing to get away as soon as possible after the race has passed.” There were Tour parties along the way as people living along the route entertained friends awaiting the arrival of the cyclists. People constructed special platforms in adjoining fields and a large trailer was engaged for a very special group on the edge of town. There was blue, white and red flags and decorations everywhere and some shopfronts were specially repainted for the day. The people really got into the spirit and, despite some early
fears, the weather was magnificent for the occasion. The tiny cavalcade drove to Cork and straight onto the Ferry which would sail that evening. The riders abandoned their bicycles at the finishing line for them to be taken to France as cargo, while the riders travelled by air. It was all over far too quickly and, outside of the few minutes of seeing the riders pass and the continuous entertainment at the stage in the Square, there was little else to enjoy. The local committee had done their part, however and there was a local dividend. The bars and restaurants did very well and there was a certain dividend for the town in that respect and there was the added value of the TV exposure the town got across Europe and farther afield. Our big concern had been that live coverage would not start in time to cover the passage through Dungarvan. Luckily enough, the race was a little late so the pictures went live shortly after Taars Bridge. There were sighs of relief and a cheer from our little group eagerly watching a monitor which Dirk Baumann had set up with the public address system at the viewing stand. Ray Moloney from the Town Council was also there and our next wish was that the aerial cameras would pick up our large feature in Leahy’s field on the Sweep Hill. It was a 75ft X 40 ft
banner welcoming the Tour to Dungarvan. It was painted on a black silage cover in several colours in letters of six feet high. It was not easy to draft and paint it, but the Sports Centre proved an excellent workshop as we projected the individual letters sixty feet across the hall. We asked three of the College students employed at Summer Camp under the Summer Jobs Scheme to come in on a few nights and we easily made our deadline. Not alone did the helicopter pick up the enormous banner, but the TV Director thought it interesting and worthy enough to show it twice. There was major cheering around Dirk’s TV in the Square as we all declared ‘mission accomplished’ seeing our Fáilte banner go world wide and the name of the town with it. Still, as I crossed the Square to have a celebratory cup of coffee with Mealla Fahy, one of the stalwart committee and backbone of the Tourism effort at the time, there was a feeling of unfulfilment that the spectacle had not been what had been promised. However, Dungarvan had delivered on the promises, local and national and we got our international exposure and we can always tell our foreign visitors that ‘the Tour de France passed through the town on a beautiful day in 1998’.
Christmas & New Year Road Safety Campaign 2017 ALCOHOL is a contributory factor in 38% of fatal crashes in the lead up to Christmas, a Road Safety Authority (RSA) analysis of Garda investigation files for fatal crashes in the months of November and December has found.The figure was revealed last week at the launch of the RSA and An Garda Síochána’s annual Christmas and New Year Road Safety Campaign. Another analysis of preliminary Garda data from 2008-2016 reveals that a total of 292 road users were killed in the months of November and December. The average number of fatalities each month for this nine-year period was 16 in November and 16 in December. The new RSA analysis also shows that: • Dublin, Cork and Galway had the highest number of RTC fatalities in November and December and accounted for almost a third (32%) of the total number of fatalities that occurred during this time period. • The most prevalent times of day were between 4.00 p.m. and 8.00 p.m. (33%); 12 noon and 4.00 p.m. (23%); followed by 12 midnight and 6.00 a.m. (22%). • RTC fatalities were more prevalent on Sundays (21%). The most dangerous time of day on Sundays was midnight - 6.00 a.m. • Drivers represent almost half (46%) of all road users killed in Nov/Dec; • Pedestrians represent over a quarter (26%) of fatalities, while passengers account for almost one fifth (18%). Meanwhile, arrest figures released by the Gardai for driving under the influence (DUI) up to end of October 2017 shows that there have been 7,428 drivers arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence compared to 6,637 up to October 2016.This is a 12% increase in DUI arrests in 2017.
Happy Christmas to Everyone
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Wishing all our customers and f riends a ver y Merr y Christmas and prosperous Ne w Ye ar
December 8, 2017 | Dungarvan Observer | 23
The Poinsettia – a gift from Pepita O
NE of the more recent, but very identifiable signs of Christmas is the appearance of the Poinsettia, that very attractive potted plant with its flaming red leaves endorsing the now accepted colour of Christmas. It was the American Civil War cartoonist Thomas Nast who first gave Santa Claus the red outfit for which he is known today and when Coca-Cola decided to represent the generous old gent in his red coat they set a trend which continues to this day. However, back to the poinsettia. Like Guinness not tasting as well abroad as when it is drunk on the soil of Ireland, so Poinsettias grown in Mexico or California, the homes of the beautiful plant do not take kindly to crossing the Atlantic and can arrive a little travel sick or even jet-lagged. So, this creates an opportunity for Irish producers to fill a growing market. The poinsettia is indigenous to Mexico and Central America. The Franciscan Monks in Mexico, whose Order gave many place names to Mexico and California (San Francisco) began the use of the Poinsettia in their Churches. It was brought to the US by Dr Joel Poinsett, the son of a French medical doctor, who was appointed as the first United States Ambassador to Mexico by President Madison. He was also co-founder of the Smithsonian Institute. However, the plant’s association with Christmas goes back even further to the 16th Century and is attributed to a poor Mexican girl named Pepita who did not have the money to buy a Christmas present to lay at the Crib for the birthday of Jesus. She decided to pick weeds from the side of the road as an offering and twisted them into a small wreath, deciding that even so modest a present would be acceptable to the Holy Infant. It is said that when she laid the wreath at the Crib, it sprouted crimson blossoms from the weeds and became poinsettias. The shape of the foliage is also said to be a symbol for the Star of Bethlehem. In Spanish it is traditionally known as known as Flor de la Noche Buena or "Flower of the Holy Night". The use of the plant was popularised first in Hollywood when German immigrant, Paul Ecke, began growing poinsettias and selling them on Sunset Boulevard. They were already very popular in neighbouring Mexico where they grew to about thirteen feet (4 metres). However, Paul Ecke set about trimming it down to size and managed through dedicated cultivation and trials, to reduce it to a more manageable 10 inches. But the modern day Poinsettia is far from easy to grow and needs almost full-time care and attention if it is to
The Poinsettia, a gift from Pepita via Mexico and Hollywood.
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Dr. Joel Poinsett, First American Ambassador to Mexico who gave us the Poinsettia as we know it today.
acquire its imposing flaming red appearance. This is particularly necessary in a climate like Ireland’s when it can become bitterly cold especially in the months before Christmas. So, the plant requires almost round-the-clock care which it gets in the nurseries which produce for the Christmas – and only – market. One nursery in Ireland alone produces over 300,000 poinsettias for Christmas, starting the process about July when they plant the cuttings imported from Holland. They require round the clock supervision and creation of the necessary conditions from heating and feeding, to controlling the twelve hours of darkness. Any serious lapse could result in the failure of the crop. So sensitive is the Poinsettia that Casey’s Florists, the oldest in Dungarvan, do not sell it, as their extensive range of flowers requires a cooler atmosphere than would suit the Californian / Mexican plant. So, the shop remains unheated to preserve their flowers. By the heart of the Christmas season, Poinsettias will be everywhere and will become a standard seasonal present. They will appear in homes and offices and as a gift on the graves of those who have passed away before us. It is a reasonably inexpensive gift, but a colourfully impressive one. It complements the green of the Christmas tree, or can stand alone as a table centrepiece. But this year, when you buy your poinsettia or accept one as a gift, spare a thought for Pepita who started the legend and for the dedicated gardeners who brought it safely and colourfully to the shops.
A poem for Christmas MAI O’Higgins, Songwriter and Poet was born in Dungarvan, but lived for most of her life in Dublin. From an early age she was a prolific writer on a wide variety of subjects and loved the changing seasons, nature as well as Easter and Christmas. She wrote hundreds of poems and songs, many of which became popular countrywide including ‘Beautiful Bundoran’, which was featured in the film ‘The Butcher Boy’; ‘Evening in Mount Melleray’ and the one for which she is best known and remembered, ‘Dungarvan My Hometown’ which was written in anticipation of Waterford’s second All-Ireland success in 1959. As tradition demanded, this was sung by Dungarvan tenor, Neil Hurley at the homecoming for the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Finalists last September. This is one of Mai’s earlier poems celebrating the Christmas story, the birth of the Christ Child, and we print it here in honour of her service as the Poet of the Déise. A DONKEY SPEAKS TO THE BABE IN THE STALL I’m just a little donkey – brown Beside your Crib I’m kneeling down. My simple heart is filled with awe To see you there upon the straw. I have no gifts to offer you But maybe, if I closer drew My hay-sweet breath would warm the air Around your tiny body there. Your little hands need have no fears If you would stroke my funny ears. One day you’ll ride upon my back Along a joyful, palm-strewn track. Your journey done, you’ll leave with me Mark of the Cross for all to see. Little babe from heaven above Accept a little donkey’s love. Mai O’Higgins
DUNGARVAN SHOPPING CENTRE
NOW TAKING ORDERS FOR TURKEYS, HAMS, SPICE BEEF, ETC. Majority of homes will be decorated for Christmas but most will not be prepared for season-related risks - Power cuts, boiler breakdowns and house fires top the list of worries people in Waterford and across Ireland have at Christmas, according to research from Aviva Home Insurance OVER three quarters of people in Munster (79%) will deck their homes out in festive decorations this Christmas with 15% planning to go all out with both indoor and outdoor lights and decorations. However, despite the great efforts that people in Waterford and across Munster go to in preparing their homes for Christmas, the majority (61%) will take no steps to protect their home against season-related risks, such as chimney fires, electrical faults or boiler breakdown, in advance. That’s according to Aviva Home Insurance, who released the findings of their latest research recently. The research, which was carried out by RED C on behalf of Aviva, found that paying for everything is the number one concern for 40% of people in Munster at Christmas. Other key concerns include pipes freezing (24%); power cut (22%); boiler breakdown
(13%); Christmas tree going on fire (12%); and chimney fire (10%). Speaking about the findings, Cathy Herbert, from Aviva Home Insurance, said: “Christmas is a really important and special time for families in Waterford and throughout Ireland and spending time at home with loved ones is a top priority, with the vast majority (86%) of people in Munster planning to spend Christmas either in their own home or in their family or partners’ family home. “With less than five weeks to go, Christmas shopping is in full swing and some homes even have their Christmas decorations up already. While it’s a very exciting time, homes are often at greater risk of damage at this time of year, due to extreme weather conditions and hazardous decorations, so it’s important for people to factor that into their Christmas preparation to ensure their
home is well protected in advance. “Similarly, homes may contain more valuables than usual at Christmas time, putting them at greater risk of being broken into. We were surprised to find that while almost everyone in Munster (91%) said they lock up when leaving the house, just 29% set an alarm, 36% close the curtains and only 19% set lights on timers. These simple steps can be highly effective so we would remind people to be extra vigilant when going out at this time of year, to ensure their homes are protected, so they can focus on having a safe and happy Christmas at home with their families.” Aviva Home Insurance automatically applies a 10% increase to contents cover for the month of December, to give customers extra peace of mind. For more information, visit: www.aviva.ie/homeinsurance/
Wishing all our customers a very happy Christmas and prosperous New Year
For qualit y, value & ser vice
Top tips to protect your home this Christmas: 1. Avoid a chimney fire by having your chimney swept before the cold weather sets in. 2. Have your boiler serviced before the festive season arrives, to prevent a boiler breakdown when you need it most during the cold weather and protect against carbon monoxide poisoning. 3. Develop a safety-check routine to ensure all windows and doors are locked, and alarm is turned on before leaving the house. 4. Don’t over-load electrical sockets with Christmas lights and decorations to avoid electrical fires. 5. If you are leaving your home for an extended period of time over the Christmas break, ask a trusted neighbour or friend to check on the house, take in post etc. 6. If you are going away, make sure not to
announce it on your social media profiles, as burglars could potentially be monitoring this. 7. When you go out shopping or socialising over the holidays, try and give the impression that someone is home by leaving a radio or TV on or setting lights on timers. 8. Make sure to turn off all Christmas tree lights and blow out any candles when leaving the house or going to bed, to avoid risking a house fire. 9. Don’t leave Christmas gifts in plain sight of windows and potentially in view of burglars, keep them hidden away as long as possible. 10. Check your home insurance policy to make sure Christmas gifts are covered in the unlucky event of a burglary. Aviva Home Insurance will automatically increase your contents cover by 10% for the month of December.
December 8, 2017 | Dungarvan Observer | 25
The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide
Make Christmas Magical with Mattel’s Top Toys 2017 M
ATTEL presents the ultimate Christmas wish list for fun at Christmas and beyond! Mattel’s hottest toys will create hours of magical playtime experiences!
• 3 exciting modes of play: Alpha Fun Actions, Think & Move Shapes and Learn & Play Games • 360 degrees of mobility, and over 60 different fun faces RRP €49.99, suitable for age 3+ Available from www.smythstoys.com
Barbie® DreamHorse™ Doll and Horse
Fisher-Price® Thomas & Friends™ Super Station
Hot Wheels® Roto Revolution™ Track Set
The new Hot Wheels Roto Revolution will test your skills in a head-to-head face off with friends, as you launch your Hot Wheels cars into the rotating set. • Includes 2 launchers and 2 Hot Wheels cars RRP €52.99, suitable for age 5+ Available from www.argos.ie
Bring the fun with Barbie’s most interactive horse yet! The exciting new Barbie DreamHorse feautres: • More than 30 realistic reactions, and reacts to touch and sounds • Walks forwards and turns 360 degrees • Plays songs to show off three different dances Little ones can also feed the DreamHorse, who nods yes or no when you ask a question! RRP €104.49, suitable for age 3+ Available from www.argos.ie Justice League™ Ultimate Batmobile™
The largest, most advanced, most authentic Batmobile ever, the Ultimate Justice League Batmobile includes: • Cockpit with a built-in camera that transmits the drivers POV to a smartphone • A movie Batman figure that can drive the car by turning the wheel • Four missiles and smoke effects create real movie action RRP €329.99, suitable for age 14+ Available from www.smythstoys.com Fisher-Price® Think & Learn Teach ‘n Tag Movi
Enchantimals™ Playhouse Panda Set and Doll and Animal Assortment Little engineers can use their favourite Thomas & Friends TrackMaster, MINIS, Adventures and Wooden Railway engines on one track! The ultimate Super Station includes: • Room for holding over 100 engines, and 10 metres of track • Use the adapter pieces to connect to other playsets to create an even bigger playset for hours of fun RRP €116.49, suitable for age 3+ Available from www.smythstoys.com Disney Pixar Cars 3 Movie Moves Lightening McQueen
Relive the action with exciting story play and realistic movie fun with Lightning McQueen! • Features over 65 sounds and iconic phrases • Reacts to motion and goes forward, backward, left, right, upside down • Working headlights and taillights and eyes that move like they do on screen RRP €30.00, suitable for age 3+ Available from www.argos.ie
Barbie® and Ken® Fashionistas
Barbie and Ken are more diverse than ever before! Introducing new dolls and body types to the Barbie Fashionistas range • New Ken dolls include a man bun and corn row looks, along with two new body types – slim and broad along with original • Variety of skin tones, eye colours, hairstyles and modern fashion looks RRP €12.99 each, suitable for age 3+ Available from www.smythstoys.com Fisher-Price® Little People® Caring for Animals Farm
Disney Pixar Cars 3 Jackson Storm's Transforming Hauler Playset and Cars 3 Diecast
Prepare for thrilling new Disney Pixar Cars 3 races and recreate favourite scenes with this transforming Jackson Storm trailer! The highly-detailed Jackson Storm Transform Trailer vehicle is inspired by the exciting new Disney Pixar Cars 3 movie! • Includes multiple areas for enhanced play and built-in launcher • Detach Jackson's cab and fold the playset into a toy trailer for added push around fun RRP €47.99, suitable for age 4+ Available from www.argos.ie Expand your diecast collection with new characters Cruz Ramirez, Jackson Storm and the cool “Next Gen” racers! Cars 3 Diecast RRP €5.99 each, suitable for age 3+ Cars 3 Diecast available from www.smythstoys.com Barbie Newborn Pups
Introducing the lovable new Enchantimals dolls range, who share a special bond with their cute animal friends! • Each 6-inch Enchantimals doll comes complete with her very own animal bestie. Each sold separately RRP €13.99 each, suitable for age 4+ Available from www.smythstoys.com The Enchantimals love hanging out in their friend Prue Panda and cute friend Nari’s Playhouse! • The playset features a nest-shaped lift that moves between floors, fun bestie bunk beds complete with a ladder, a balcony, a kitchen two toilets and two swings Includes exclusive Prue Panda™ doll and her panda friend Nari RRP €36.99, suitable for age 4+ Available from www.smythstoys.com
Little ones can Farmer Jed to look after the animals with the new interactive Caring for Animals Farm, helping to develop EQ in children. • Press the button to open the stall doors or hayloft and activate fun phrases and sounds, or ring the metal bell to let the animals know when it’s feeding time • Fun facial expressions stimulate emotions as little ones learn what it’s like to care for others RRP €29.99 suitable for age 12m+ Available from www.smythstoys.com Imaginext® DC Super Friends™ Batbot Xtreme
For some real family bonding time Barbie dolls pet puppies are on the way! Help Barbie deliver them by using the birthing bed included and pushing down on mummy dog’s head. • 3 adorable puppies • is it a boy or girl? Includes blanket and bottle for aftercare RRP €22.99, suitable for age 3+ Available from www.smythstoys.com Barbie Dolphin Magic Snorkel Fun Friends
Disney Pixar Cars 3 Ultimate Florida Speedway Track Set
Barbie® Camper
Teach ‘n Tag Movi encourages preschoolers to get their minds and bodies moving while teaching them to follow directions and think critically about the world around them. Movi features:
Hit the road with Barbie and transform the RV to campsite playset! • Fitted with rolling wheels and magical pop-up features for the pool, waterslide and stairs • Includes a closet, colourful bathroom, kitchen and a firepit RRP €79.99, suitable for age 3+ Available from www.smythstoys.com
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Get ready for action with this high-octane, 5 foot long epic track set inspired by the Disney Pixar Cars 3 movie. • Includes motorized booster that will propel vehicles around the track • Raised track for increased velocity and use the diverter so they switch lanes Other characters can cheer from the stands, while flags pop up signalling a victory lap RRP €114.99, suitable for age 4+ Available from www.smythstoys.com
The ultimate crime-fighting companion, little superheroes can help save the day with this 2-foot tall action-packed playtime hero • Turn the Power Pad to send the robot into battle mode, extending its wings and arms and preparing for action • Use the super cool voice changer feature to help scare off the villains RRP €109.99 suitable for age 3+ Available from www.smythstoys.com
Bring Barbie Dolphin Magic to life with this Barbie doll and her aquatic animal friends! • 3 Pop on her snorkel, fins and mask to explore the ocean with her dolphin friend • push its tail for real dolphin sounds and fantasy fun! RRP €26.99, suitable for age 3+ Available from www.smythstoys.com
Ring in the New Year in style at The Park Hotel, Dungarvan’s New Year’s Eve Celebration with the Loungeroom Lizards
T
HE Park Hotel, Dungarvan, is hosting its annual Black Tie New Year’s Eve Celebration to ring in the new year, with live entertainment from popular local band, the Loungeroom Lizards; and the Flynn family owned hotel is inviting guests to put their glad rags on and celebrate in style. The evening will begin in the elegant Déise ballroom with its high ceilings, soft furnishings and crystal chandeliers, where guests will indulge in a sumptuous four course dinner made with fresh local produce. As well as a delicious dinner, guests will enjoy a free bar from 8.30 p.m. – 2.00 a.m. It will be a night to remember with the Loungeroom Lizards, the 3-piece band from the Abbeyside / Knocketeemore / An Rinn area getting the party started with their signature style. As the countdown kicks off, guests will be presented with a glass of champagne to celebrate the clock striking midnight and the beginning of a new year. Our House DJ will take over the entertainment, keeping everyone on the dancefloor into the early hours with his
eclectic mix of classic tunes and chart favourites. Declan Moriarty, General Manager of The Park Hotel said “Our New Year’s Eve Celebration event has become a great tradition here in Dungarvan with people coming from near and far to ring in the new year at The Park Hotel. With our free bar running throughout the night, including premium brand liquors, we are very proud of the great value event we are offering our guests, with the cost of your ticket covering your whole night’s festivities. We are also thrilled that the fantastic Loungeroom Lizards will be taking the stage with us for the first time to ring in the new year, and we are sure they will put on a great show. It’s set to be a great night and definitely not one to miss!” Tickets for The Park Hotel New Year’s Eve Celebration are €140 per person and include the four course meal and free bar. Tickets are available to buy from the hotel now, and for more information visitwww.facebook.com/parkhoteldungarvan or call (058) 42899.
NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION AT THE PARK HOTEL • Black Tie Celebration • 4 Course Dinner • Live Music by the Loungeroom Lizards followed by DJ • Celebratory Glass of Champagne at Midnight • Free Bar from 8.30pm – 2.00am
Park Hotel Dungarvan, Co. Waterford
“Let our family look after yours”
140
€
PE R PE RS ON
T: +353 58 42899 E: reservations@parkhoteldungarvan.com www.FlynnHotels.com
LET US LOOK AFTER YOU 41 Grattan Square | Dungarvan | Co. Waterford t (058) 41130 f (058) 41154 e murrayspharmacy@careplus.ie w www.careplus.ie DECLEOR BOX OF SECRETS
ALL REDUCED
GREAT SELECTION OF GIFT SETS
LET US LOOK AFTER YOU THIS CHRISTMAS December 8, 2017 | Dungarvan Observer | 27
Remembering the Busby Babes sixty years on By Tom Keith
Please listen to my story, It’s very sad but true, About the famous Busby Babes I imagine I almost knew. I DON’T suppose there are many Manchester United fans who recognise the first verse of the poem above which was written by ‘An Irish Fan’ in the Spring of 1958 and printed in ‘Liberty’, the magazine which was issued regularly to members of the Irish Transport and General Workers Union (IT&GWU). In less than two months from now, soccer supporters the world over and particularly the loyal fans of Manchester United will commemorate the Sixtieth Anniversary of the ‘Munich Disaster’, the fateful crash of the BEA Flight 609 which was bringing the Manchester United team, the ‘Red Devils’, the ‘Busby Babes’ home on the second leg of their journey from Belgrade. They had just drawn 3-3 with Red Star Belgrade in a European Cup Quarter-Final in Yugoslavia, where they were defending a 2-1
first-leg advantage. The draw qualified them for te Semi-Final. That season, United were trying to become the third club to win three successive English league titles; they were six points behind League leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers with 14 games to go. They also held the Charity Shield and had just advanced into their second successive European Cup semi-final. The team had not been beaten for 11 matches. I was not quite ten in 1958 when the Elizabethan Aircraft hurtled down the runway on its third and fatal attempt at take-off from at Munich Airport crashing in the snow at the end of the runway. When the accident was announced on Radio Eireann on the evening news, many a heart stopped beating, tears were shed in Irish homes and soccer supporters reacted like there was a death in the family. The flight from Belgrade had stopped in Munich for refuelling and poor weather conditions, including snow, meant they were delayed in Germany. Twice the pilot,
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Captain James Thain, tried to take off, but either weather conditions or engine trouble made him call off the attempts. The passengers were taken off the plane after the second attempt and back to the airport buildings. Just minutes after 3.00 p.m., a third attempt was made at take-off. This was to end in disaster with twenty-three of the forty-three people on board losing their lives and many more suffering serious injury. In the subsequent inquiry it was deemed that the plane was unable to get up enough speed and lift and crashed into a fence at the end of the runway. It then ploughed into an empty house. Seven of United’s top players, together with officials and seven sports writers who were household names at the time died at the scene. Twentytwo of the 43 people on board died in the crash. Seven players were among the dead and an eighth, Duncan Edwards, died from his injuries two weeks later, Among the dead were players: Roger Byrne, Captain, Geoff Bent, Eddie Colman,
Mark Jones, David Pegg, Liam "Billy" Whelan and Tommy Taylor who died in the crash. Duncan Edwards lingered in hospital for another fifteen days before he too passed away. Club Secretary, Walter Crickmer; Chief Coach, Bert Whalley and the Trainer, Tom Curry were also killed that day. Much of the damage and most of the casualties were at the rear of the plane where the fuel tanks exploded. One of the heroic stories of the crash concerned Goalkeeper, Harry Gregg, who escaped, relatively unharmed and returned to pull multiple survivors from the wreckage including a mother and child. It was a harrowing experience, but one he faced up to straight away, returning to his goal just days after the tragic event. The plane’s captain survived the crash and a subsequent investigation revealed that there was little ice on the wings but that slush at the end of the runway had slowed the plane at a critical point in the take-off, making it impossible to achieve proper lift. Still, German prosecutors did not clear the captain until 1968. Ironically, that was the year United won their first European Cup title. The team that day included two players who had survived the crash. As is the case today, many Irish people followed the fortunes of Man Utd., particularly as some of the players were Irish or of Irish descent and lots of young hopefuls crossed the Irish Sea to try out for the Club. Some of the more mature of these were drafted in to fill the numbers in the immediate aftermath of the crash. Among the survivors was the Manager, Matt Busby who was severely injured and was twice
given the last rites. For weeks he lay in a hospital bed, famously photographed beneath an oxygen tent. On his recovery and return to the Club, Busby began to rebuild the United team. A decade after the horrific crash, United and Busby scored the biggest success of his career when the team won the European Cup for the first time. He retired as Manager in 1969. He was awarded the CBE in 1958 after the crash and was Knighted following the European Cup victory in 1968. Sportswriter, David Meek wrote of the efforts of Assistant Manager, Jimmy Murphy to put a team together in the immediate aftermath of the crash: “It was certainly a bleak outlook as Jimmy Murphy, Matt Busby's assistant who had missed the trip to Germany because he was involved in an international match as the Manager of Wales, picked up the pieces. He coaxed survivors Bill Foulkes and Harry Gregg back into action, signed a couple of players in Ernie Taylor and Stan Crowther, and then made men out of boys from the junior teams.” United went on to contest the FA Cup that year, but lost out to Bolton on a scoreline of 2-1. Players of that era were not pampered as they are today. Most earned about £15 a week (a little over twice the average industrial wage in Ireland at the time.) There were modest endorsement fees available of course, but they paled into insignificance with the tens of millions some top players ‘earn’ today to lend their name to a particular after-shave, underwear or motor car. It is of interest also that in their path to Belgrade,
United had played Shamrock Rovers and Dukla Prague in the early rounds both of whom they disposed of with ease. From those tentative steps after the crash, Matt Busby and successive Managers, securing and developing the cream of football talent, went on to make the Club an exemplary and spectacular success and become a world-wide brand. Such is their influence in the game that soccer fans could be said to be divided between those who love and those who dislike the Club. And, at Ol Trafford, the United Ground a clock permanently displays the date and time of the crash to be remembered for all time and for every visitor to see. The story of the revival of United’s fortunes since the dark days of 1958 is Phoenix like and an inspiration to all those who are faced with major adversity. (My thanks to Jean Kennedy of the SIPTU College for dipping into the archives for the poem for me – Tom Keith).
t: 058 24527 e: web@cyclesports.ie Located just off the N25 (opposite McDonalds) Dungarvan
WWW.CYCLESPORTS.IE CycleSports would like to wish all our customers a Merry Christmas and Happy Peddling for 2018!!
Pictured are 2017 All-Ireland Football and Hurling finalists and rivals, Galway’s Gearoid McInerney, Waterford’s Austin Gleeson, Mayo’s Aidan O’Shea and Dublin’s Paul Flynn as they get the gift of a lift from Santa’s designated drivers as they launch Coca-Cola’s 2017 Designated Driver campaign.
Coca-Cola’s 2017 Designated asking people to give the ‘Gift Driver Campaign of a Lift’ this Christmas COCA-COLA HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland today launched its 13th annual Designated Driver campaign. 2017 All-Ireland Football and Hurling finalists and rivals, Dublin’s Paul Flynn; Mayo’s Aidan O’Shea; Galway’s Gearoid McInerney, and Waterford’s Austin Gleeson, join Ulster and Ireland rugby star Craig Gilroy to front this year’s campaign. The aim of the 2017 Designated Driver campaign is to encourage people across the island of Ireland to give the ‘Gift of a Lift’ to friends and loved-ones this Christmas, by staying sober on nights out to ensure they get home safely. As we all struggle to find the perfect gift for loved ones at Christmas, one of the most appreciated gestures you can give to family and friends is a ‘gift of lift’, so they can enjoy all the fun of Christmas and get home hassle-free. To support these selfless designated drivers this season, Coca-Cola will once again offer two free drinks from the Coca-Cola range or an alcohol-free ‘Coketail’ that can be redeemed in participating bars and restaurants across Ireland and Northern Ireland. This year Coca-Cola is also making it even easier for designated drivers to claim their free drinks – with digital vouchers that can be stored in the mobile wallet app on their smart phones. The vouchers are available by free texting Coca-Cola to 50015 in Republic of Ireland and 80800 in Northern Ireland throughout the holiday season. You can also scan a QR code displayed in participating bars and restaurants around the region, making it as easy as possible to redeem your vouchers on your night out! Speaking at the launch of Coca-Cola’s Designated Driver campaign Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross T.D. said; “I’m very happy to support the Coca-Cola Designated Driver ‘Gift of a Lift’ campaign this year, which contributes to our aim of keeping roads alcohol free over the Christmas period. This campaign reminds us that it is important to think ahead when travelling to and from festivities, whether by appointing a designated driver, refraining from drinking yourself or making other transport arrangements.
Don’t risk getting into a car if you think you’re over the limit. The deaths and injuries on our roads that have been caused by alcohol intake show that it’s just not worth it.” Aidan O’Shea, campaign ambassador, said, “Christmas is a time when we all like to catch up with loved one. It’s an opportunity to go out with friends and family who you don’t see as often as you would like throughout the year. Nights out are a big part of the season but, let’s face it, getting home can sometimes be a challenge! “Being a designated driver is one of the best gifts you can give over the holiday season to help keep your mates safe, and it doesn’t cost a thing. Given my sporting commitments, I’m often the designated driver but I certainly appreciate it when the favour is returned. “I’m delighted to support Coca-Cola with this campaign; helping to get the word out to encourage everyone to give the gift of a lift this Christmas. If you are the designated driver, be sure to claim your two free drinks – for more information visit designateddriver.ie.” To enhance the experience of a night out for designated drivers Coca-Cola have also created a range of ‘Coketails’ offering more exciting drinks for designated drivers to enjoy when they are giving the ‘Gift of a Lift’ this Christmas.Three enticing mocktail recipes have been created by expert mixologist Ilario Alberto Capraro, featuring the new Coca-Cola Zero Sugar 200ml; the recently re-launched Schweppes range, along with innovations such as Appletiser. These popular drinks will benefit from a unique Christmas twist with ingredients such as clove syrup, star-anise, ginger, cinnamon and more. Matthieu Seguin, Coca-Cola HBC’s Managing Director said: “Our business has taken immense pride in supporting designated drivers throughout the Christmas season for more than a decade and we are delighted to bring an innovative approach to this years’ campaign, with the creation of our bespoke ‘Coketails’ to further celebrate and reward drivers throughout the season. Also new to this year’s campaign is the introduction of a digital voucher which will
make it even easier for people to claim and redeem vouchers using their smart phone – hopefully encouraging more people to keep safety top-of-mind on festive nights out.” In the Republic of Ireland, the Designated Driver campaign is supported by An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority and Drinkaware. It is also backed by the Licensed Vintners Association, the Vintners Federation of Ireland, the Restaurants Association of Ireland, and the Irish Hotels Federation. In Northern Ireland, the campaign is supported by the PSNI, Hospitality Ulster and the NI Hotel Federation. For more information visit designateddriver.ie ABOUT THE DESIGNATED DRIVER CAMPAIGN • A designated driver is defined as someone who drives friends and family home from a night out socialising, while abstaining from alcohol for the evening. • This is the 13th year of Coca-Cola HBC’s award-winning ‘Designated Driver’ campaign in the Republic of Ireland, and 11th year in Northern Ireland. • The aim of the campaign is to promote safe driving practices and reward designated drivers during the festive season. • Designated drivers can avail of one of the three ‘Coketails’ or two free drinks including Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Schweppes, 1783, Deep RiverRock, Fruice, Appletiser from participating pubs and restaurants nationwide. HOW TO REDEEM YOUR COCA-COLA VOUCHER 1. Free Text: Northern Ireland: users to text CocaCola to 80800 Republic of Ireland: users to text CocaCola to 50015 2. Scan QR code on POS materials: iOS 10 and earlier • Open Mobile wallet app • Tap ‘passes’ • Scan QR code to add pass iOS 11 • Open Camera • Scan QR Code Automatically • Tap Link & Add to Wallet
GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE
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December 8, 2017 | Dungarvan Observer | 29
How To Dress for Christmas Party Season "From Lunching to Lounging" CATHY from Cath's Style Appeal loves Christmas, which captures the imagination and opportunity to look festive, comfortable and appropriate. Fashion is one area in your life where you do not have to conform to other peoples' ideas, it is all about who you are, it is where you can truly show your individuality, this is why I abhor ladies borrowing clothes from their friends, as it is not their
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own individual style to suit their personality. When clocks go back it is the start of sequins, fur and jewellery. In the weeks running up to Christmas, there is no such thing as too much, when it comes to embellishment and sparkle. Whether you are a dress & heels or a soft velvet jumpsuit person, whatever gets you through the season. Exuberant dresses and studded ankle boots for maximum impact, high voltage colours to create a sharp silhouette,dive in, get creative and think big. Christmas Eve: light the candles, mulled wine, A little more dressed up than normal everyday wear, but more casual than formal wear, for instance, a pair of culottes with a top, maybe prepare for multiple event dilemma, if you have some running around with presents to do, that calls for different types of dress codes, throw on a leather jacket or pashmina. Christmas Day: One of the best chances to go all out, perfect excuse to wear a fabulous dress, why not opt for velvet, it feels like royalty. Swath yourself in sumptuous velvet. Give a basic leather skirt a glamorous lift with velvet, sequins or glitter. From luxe lace to soft satin, feel incredible from inside out, do not dress up without investing in well fitted underwear. Stephen's Day: This is the day of the wren, many spend the day quietly visiting friends or catching up with family, out and about, where a warm snug cosy coat is worn, plenty of use and wear for the coat from now till Spring. Up the ante on your basics with indulgent accessories. make heads turn with your outerwear, all eyes on you, oversized print will get you noticed. Make your own mark
on your winter coat by adding a belt if shape allows, it will add shape and scream you've got style. Ladies like their money right there where they can see it, hanging in their wardrobes. Christmas Vouchers available for styling, colour, personal shopping and wardrobe weeding consultations, what a great present for your loved one, a fantastic start to 2018. Contact Cath's Style Appeal, 087-2473120. Happy Christmas. All clothes displayed are from local Dungarvan shops, Carraig Donn, Signet, Bella, Dunnes and Shaws, Shoes from Dwyers and Cinders.
Children’s boutique in an old world setting UIRI K Boutique ~ Styling Children, Dungarvan, is a children's boutique presented in an old world setting. Stocking eclectic collections from across Europe with exclusive labels; Kate Mack, Le Chic, A*Dee, Cakewalk, Mayoral and Tuc Tuc to name a few. Boys and Girls ranges from infants all through primary school. Muiri K brings to Dungarvan fun and fabulous pieces that combine smart-traditional for boys and fabulous for girls. Now more than ever, it is so important to get lots of wear from your outfits and so Michelle has chosen with this in mind. Pretty but practical is the name of the game, great for the big day out and yet plenty of wear later and with care, pass onto the next little one to enjoy. Now we are in the middle of our Communion Dress season, early yes but necessary, as re-orders must be made early and in time to arrive for May. We stock the fabulous American designer Joan Calabrese, KoKo, Isabelle and the ever popular Little People. Boys Communion will commence after Christmas with a great range from
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the Irish company 1880 Club who as is the norm, have their finger on the pulse for boys suits and separates, exciting times ahead! No doubt we will be awash with bow ties again this year. We have a great relationship with social media between both Facebook and Instagram where we feature our collections and welcome your response and conversation. Be sure to like our Page and join in especially if you love style and dressing up the little ones and the not so little ones! So, if you are looking for something that will turn heads and if you enjoy the thrill of hearing "Where did you find that!!" Muiri K's collections will entice you to Dungarvan. Michelle looks forward to meeting with you because “For our children only the best is good enough”!
Find us on facebook: www.facebook.com/MuiriKBoutique Instagram: Muirikboutique Email: muirikboutique@gmail.com Ph: 058 48843
December 8, 2017 | Dungarvan Observer | 31
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32 | December 8, 2017 | Dungarvan Observer
Cambodia Laos 2017 IF you are like most people, you will walk by and pretend not to notice. If you are like most people you will pretend the need is not there. If you are like most people you will come up with your excuses of why you can’t help. I am like most people. I walk with blinkers on. The blinkers that keep you so focused on what is ahead, instead of seeing what is going on around you. I have things to do. The time I have is needed elsewhere. Someone else will help. How naïve are we? How selfish are we? How dare we choose to act in the flesh? Is that what Jesus would do? Our everyday walk in life is filled with hurting people. It is filled with people in need. 70% of all malnourished children in the world live in Asia! Three years ago I was able to partner up with Kimeng & Rornh, two men who are trying to live helping the poor, the hungry and orphans in their communities, of which there are many. Both grew up in Northern Cambodia, very poor and as children, they did not know how his next meal was going
to come. Being able to partner and learn from Kimneg, I was able to see 46 boys and girls who are orphans and under the care of Kimneg and who we, at Bad Boy Turned Good have been supporting for the past three years. My prayer coming into this trip was growing these kids faith. Growing my faith as well, becoming friends is easy after practice. We leave and friendships fade, but if I increase their faith that is something they can have for a lifetime. Sharing why I am there is to be an example of love and to show them, there are people all over the world that care for them. So what did we do first, we organised a football tournament? "Yes", Kimeng & I were able to get a field, build some goals and mark out a pitch to make the field somewhat resemble a football pitch in Tropselang Village, in the Kampot district. The next day, (which began at sunrise), we split the youth that turned up in to 6 teams, some local school teams turned up to play in the tournament and we ended up having over 400 people come and watch. Our first task was
to hand out the shirts and shorts we bought so at least they resembled teams. After the tournament kicked off, it was time to set up the street kitchen and buy supplies to feed everyone for the day. Now for those of you who have travelled to rural Cambodia or any part of rural Asia, I am sure you are aware that they cook and eat, almost anything that moves. I guess my repertoire of ingredients that I worked with vastly increased this day. From the basics of rice, pork and chicken on the makeshift cooker, was quickly added too with the capture of some fairly large water snakes, interesting to say the least. But we managed to feed everyone and leftovers were quickly delivered to the poor residents of this tiny village. Next day it was off to Banteay Meanchey Province and into the rural villages. In this area there are forced evictions and land grabbing for sugar cane plantations. Many families have been displaced because of this. “They burned everything… including the rice. They didn’t allow us to harvest first. They said they wanted to grow
Cambodian sunset over the Rice Fields. sugar cane. They destroyed our houses so they could grow sugar cane.” O‘Bat Moan and Bos village have been mostly affected and were completely destroyed in the past because of this. It was in this area I decided on a beans and rice giveaway rather than setting up a kitchen, doing this enabled us to provide 50 families with food for a week. Then on the last leg of the trip it was into Laos for the first time where I partnered with Asang & Ouithai. Laos is one of the world's few remaining communist states and one of East Asia's poorest. Landing in Luang Prabang, I hit the ground with a barrage of questions from immigration at the airport, I finally got my visa and off we went into the mountain villages to meet and serve persecuted Christians and their families. Everywhere we went, there was a police man never too far away.
Indigenous ethnic group Khmer Loeu Northern Cambodia.
our neighbours. Who is your neighbour? STREET KITCHEN CHURCH is an outreach of BAD BOY TURNED GOOD and is changing the world through the tastes of a chef. As a chef, my work in the kitchen improves health, helps with education, teaches career skills, and helps create food business opportunities in the countries I visit. I think it’s inexplicable and sad that there are a billion people living in hunger around the world considering the amount of food we produce and the knowledge we have to grow and harvest food in new ways. Anything I can do to help change that I’m all in. And I believe in this mission! Want to get involved, join me on any of the trips. Get in touch . . . 087-9551227 www.streetkitchenchurch.com ROSS B Bad Boy Turned Good
Mario’s coffee & tea
Typical huts in a Laos Village.
Chan-ti and five more Christians from Dan Sa Vant village, had just been released from prison the previous Saturday. They came back to their village only to find their homes had been taken off them and destroyed and their families left homeless. Seemingly this is a common occurrence in the rural villages of Laos. Again it was decided to feed as many families as we could while in Laos. The greatest need in the villages is food and clothes. And the cost of feeding.. $32 feeds 150 people in Laos. Not a huge figure really. Clothing is not that expensive out there either. We do what we can with what we have on these trips. So let us take our blinkers off. Let us choose not to be the ones who pass by “on the other side.” Let us be the ones who choose compassion and love. Let us choose to love
coffee to go apple strudel coffee beans grinders mugs loose tea Wishing all our customers biscuits a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous french press New Year filters
56 Main Street, Dungarvan 086 1206303 mariandydek@gmail.com December 8, 2017 | Dungarvan Observer | 33
Understanding and Enjoying Waterford Nature By John A. Power
Birds
ASSOCIATION WITH OTHER ANIMALS
VER wonder how birds got their names? There are many different reasons including vocalisations - songs and calls. Birds may be called after other animals or organisms with which they associate or on which they prey. Names may derive from a physical characteristic such as bill shape or leg colour. The country or region where a bird was first observed or identified can become associated with a particular species. Birds are also called after individuals either because the individual first obtained or discovered the species or because somebody else named the bird in the individual’s honour. So, let us explore some bird names and the species to which they relate.
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CATTLE EGRET Cattle Egrets are members of the heron family and are similar to the more familiar Little Egret.They differ from Little Egrets in being smaller, stockier and having yellowish legs and bills. The name Cattle Egret reflects their habit of foraging among cattle. Cattle Egrets are now almost annual winter visitors to Waterford. They have also colonised North America, South America and Australia in the 20th century and are now breeding in England. Hopefully they will colonise Ireland in the near future just as their close relatives Little Egrets did in the late 20th century.
VOCALISATIONS CUCKOO The Cuckoo is described as a bird not requiring a mnemonic to remember its call. Cuckoo is what you hear and what you see. Famous for its practice of parasitizing the nests of other bird species, the Cuckoo is a widespread but uncommon Summer visitor to Waterford.
OYSTERCATCHER The Oystercatcher is a common wader on the coastline of Waterford and very easily seen. Obviously Oystercatchers are so called because they eat oysters. However, that may not always be the case in Ireland where oysters may form only a small part of their diet. Other bivalves including cockles and mussels are very much on the menu. Oystercatchers are large black and white waders with long straight orange-red bills and pinkish legs uttering a loud ‘peep’ call making them difficult to miss. Oystercatcher by Norma Gleeson
Chough by Mícheál Cowming CHOUGH The Chough is a beautiful member of the crow family with black metallic plumage, red legs and a long deeply red decurved bill. The name chough comes from its call which is usually uttered while flying. Choughs are easily seen in coastal areas of Waterford and throughout Ireland in suitable habitat.
Sparrowhawk cloaking prey by Norma Gleeson
Cattle Egret by Colum Flynn
SPARROWHAWK Sparrowhawks are birds of prey (raptors) predating small bird species and even occasionally bats.The name Sparrowhawk refers to House Sparrows as they are a favoured prey species. Sparrowhawks are ambush predators darting over walls and bushes and often seen attacking birds at bird tables. Although this practice may seem repulsive to some it should be remembered that there is a balance within nature. The killing of a single bird is obviously tragic for that individual but has no long-term effect on the prey population and ensures the ongoing survival of the predators. Female Sparrowhawks are larger than males and tend to prey on larger species of birds.This reduces competition between the sexes and presumably reduces the mortality among different prey species. Sparrowhawks are widespread in Waterford and easily seen in flight.
Cuckoo by Andrew Malcolm
GRASSHOPPER WARBLER The Grasshopper Warbler is an uncommon Summer migrant to Waterford arriving in Spring and returning to Africa in Autumn where it overwinters. It gets its name from its song which is similar to the sound of an insect (grasshopper) or the reeling of a fishing reel. Grasshopper Warblers tend to inhabit low thick vegetation where they can be very difficult to see and are best located by their song. Beware however, they are expert ventriloquists and this can make pinning down their exact location very difficult. Once seen, their subtly dark and light plumage can be appreciated. Grasshopper Warbler by Andrew Malcolm
Hoopoe by Andrew Malcolm
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HOOPOE The Hoopoe is a dramatic bird - buffy pink with broad black and white wings and tail and an elaborate erectile crest. In flight it resembles a giant butterfly. The Hoopoe derives its name from its call (as with the Chough and Cuckoo) which is an onomatopoeic form of its cry. Hoopoes are mostly encountered in Waterford as spring overshoots on migration.
Bee-eater by Mícheál Cowming
BEE-EATER Bee-eaters are thus named simply because they eat bees along with other insects. Bee-eaters are beautiful exotic birds breeding in Summer in Southern European countries and occasionally encountered in Waterford as Spring migration overshoots. They have stunningly beautiful plumage with yellow throats, blue underbelly, red-brown back/inner wing and crown complimented by a pointed black down curved bill and long projecting tail.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS SHOVELER The Shoveler is a medium to large species of dabbling duck. It is named for its large spatulate bill which it employs as part of its feeding strategy. It swings its bill from side to side and uses it to strain food from the water.The bill is equipped with lamellae – small, comb like structures which allow the birds to skim up crustaceans and plankton. Male Shovelers are unmistakeable with their huge bill, green head, white breast/belly and chestnut flanks.The female is much more subdued (as with most species of duck) resembling the more familiar mallard but with the huge spatulate bill. Shovelers are Winter visitors to Waterford in small numbers. Male Shoveler by Andrew Malcolm
Fulmars by Mícheál Cowming
FULMAR Superficially like gulls, Fulmars are in fact much more closely related to Petrels and Albatrosses. The name Fulmar is said to come from two Norse words – fúll meaning foul and már meaning gull. Fulmars have the capacity to generate foul smelling oil in their stomachs.They use this oil as a defensive mechanism, spraying avian predators which can gum up their feathers rendering the raiding birds flightless. This oil is extremely foul smelling and persistent and has been used against human intruders near nests. Fulmars are widespread and easily observed along the Waterford coast.
and their names LONG-TAILED SKUA Skuas (Jaegers in American parlance) have a unique feeding strategy. They harass other species of seabirds in flight (mostly gulls and terns) until their victims regurgitate the contents of their stomachs thus ensuring a nice warm, fresh, nutritious meal for the skuas. The skuas are agile enough to intercept the regurgitated fish in the air and often don’t even have to land on the sea to enjoy their illgotten gains. Long-tailed Skuas are by far the scarcest of the four species of Skua occurring off the Waterford coast. Long-tailed Skuas are beautiful birds with a light tern-like flight. Adult Long-tailed Skuas have distinct black caps with pale brown-grey backs and wing coverts, darker outer wings and extremely long pointed tail-streamers – thus Long-tailed Skua by Paul Connaughton Long-tailed Skua. WAXWING Waxwings are an irruptive species reaching Ireland and Waterford in good numbers in some Winters and being totally absent in other years. In good years Waxwings are widespread and often found feeding on red berries along suburban roads, streets and in parks. These irruptions are caused by lack of food availability and/or population explosions. Waxwings are a particularly attractive species in appearance.They are buffy-red in overall appearance with a black bib, eye-mask and yellow-tipped tail. The wing pattern, with a combination of yellow, white and red is said to resemble sealing wax giving rise to the bird’s name.
Waxwing by Andrew Malcolm BARNACLE GOOSE The origin of the Barnacle Goose name is steeped in Irish mythology and folklore. Often attached to driftwood, the Goose Barnacle (Lepas anatifera) looks superficially like the Barnacle Goose. According to legend Barnacle Geese emerged from the Goose Barnacle after drifting at sea for a period and feeding off the sap of the wood. This also neatly explained why the nests of Barnacle Geese were never found in Ireland. Another major plus was that the Barnacle Goose was not truly a bird and was in fact a type of fish. This meant, of course, that they could be eaten during Lent and on other fasting days – very neat indeed! Barnacle Geese are occasional Winter visitors to Waterford.
CANADA GOOSE The Canada Goose as the name implies originates in Canada/North America. Canada Geese are widely kept in wildlife collections and birds seen in Ireland are most likely either escapees or from feral populations derived from these menageries. Occasionally, genuine wild Canada Geese do turn up in this country. Now recognised as a separate species, the Cackling Goose is an annual visitor to Ireland. However, any Canada Goose type seen in Waterford should be treated with caution regarding its specific origin. Canada Geese by Norma Gleeson
INDIVIDUALS
Knot by Andrew Malcolm
BONAPARTE’S GULL Charles Lucien Jules Laurent Bonaparte (1803 – 1857) – what a name! – was the nephew of the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Charles Bonaparte had a very colourful life encompassing extensive travel in Europe and America, political intrigue, great wealth and relative poverty together with huge academic achievement. During his lifetime he became a very accomplished ornithologist and was hugely influential in this regard both in Europe and America, particularly in the academic sphere. Despite his academic prowess, Charles was not adverse to a little nepotism during his lifetime, affectionately naming a genus of doves (Zenaida) after his wife Zenaide. Bonaparte’s Gull is named after him although he had no part in the original discovery of the species. Bonaparte’s Gull is a dainty little North American gull species and an occasional winter visitor to Waterford.
Barnacle Goose with Brent Geese by Mícheál Cowming
REGIONS OR COUNTRIES SLAVONIAN GREBE Most authorities agree that the Slavonian Grebe is called after a region of Croatia. Some argue that this is incorrect and they are actually named after a part of Russia named Sclavonia. Whichever may be the actual case, Slavonian Grebes are beautiful and very tough little birds. Very small numbers occasionally Winter at sea on the Waterford coast particularly at Dungarvan.
Sabine's Gull by Glyn Sellors
Bonaparte's Gull by Mícheál Cowming
SABINE’S GULL Edward Sabine (1788-1883) was a man of many interests, among them, astronomy, magnetism and ornithology. He took part in the Ross expeditions of 1818 and 1819/20 in the quest to find the fabled North-west Passage. During the course of the voyage Sabine obtained (killed) one of our most beautiful gulls. His brother Joseph named it Sabine’s Gull in honour of ‘the original discoverer of a new species’ – so much for local Eskimo/Inuit knowledge and expertise! Sabine’s Gull is a beautiful gull species with the adults showing a contrasting wing pattern, forked tail, blackish-grey head and yellow tipped bill. It occurs annually off the Waterford coast. Interestingly, two other species of gull are named directly after participants on expeditions seeking the North-west Passage. Ross’s Gull is named after James Clark Ross (1800-1862 and a lifelong friend of Sabine) which was obtained on the 18211823 expedition. Franklin’s Gull is called after John Franklin (1786-1847) who led and died on a later disastrous expedition. The two ships involved were the Erebus and the Terror, both of which were rediscovered recently in the Arctic creating great excitement among historians and the general public.
Some links which might be of interest to readers over the Festive Season
Mediterranean Gull by Killian Mullarney MEDITERRANEAN GULL Mediterranean Gulls are so called because they were once largely confined to the Mediterranean Sea. However, in the 1990’s they started to breed in Ireland and are now easily seen in all age groups, on the Waterford coast. The Summer plumaged adult bird is particularly striking with a jet black hood, pure white plumage, red legs and a blood-red sturdy bill.
KNOT Canute (C. 995-1035) was a King of England, Norway and Denmark and was seemingly a good and just ruler. A lovely but unlikely story relates that Canute tried to demonstrate to his subjects that his power was limited by showing that he had no control over the incoming tide. Somehow the Knot which often frequents the tide edge became entangled in this legend.The story gained traction over the years and Linnaeus (who formalised the modern system of naming organisms) formally endorsed the theory by giving the bird its Latin name Calidris canutus. The actual name could be a reference to the bird’s call but let’s not allow formalities to get in the way of a great story. Knot are regular Winter visitors to Waterford.
• Local wildlife at https://www.facebook.com/West-Waterford-Wildlife-718187358205083/ • Pelagic trips and wildlife tours at www.shearwaterwildlifetours.com • Found a rare bird? Check out www.IRBC.ie for more details on how to submit your sighting. Twitter@TheIRBC • Bird photography at www.glynsellorsphotography.com • Irish Whale and Dolphin Group www.iwdg.ie • If you have any comments or questions please email them to japwatntr@gmail.com
Slavonian Grebe with chick by Killian Mullarney
Follow John A Power on twitter on @japwatntr Finally, a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year to everybody December 8, 2017 | Dungarvan Observer | 35
Pictured are some members of The Dungarvan Probus Club who attended the Jeremy Meehan presentation on John McCormack.
Waterford link to John McCormack Recording Project ON Wednesday, November 8th, Dungarvan Probus Club had as their guest speaker Jeremy Meehan, a Youghal man and a John McCormack enthusiast. Jeremy has ‘done the state some service’ by his unceasing endeavours to burnish the memory of a singer generally recognised as among the very greatest on record. He delighted his audience with an informed account of the great tenor’s career, illustrating aspects of McCormack’s vocal mastery with recordings that virtually spanned his adult life – from “Killarney” (1904) to “Bantry Bay” (1941). Jeremy said that a West Waterford man, Jim Morrison from Clashmore, provided the motivation for contributing to a 20-year project - the issuing, for the first time ever, of the complete recordings of John Count McCormack. As the instigator of this mammoth, badly-needed undertaking, Jeremy is quick to acknowledge his debt to Morrison: “Jim was my inspiration for all of this. He gave me and many others an appreciation of the great singers of the Golden Age, and had a fine McCormack collection himself, some of which came from an uncle who had been in the States”. Jeremy explained why this not-for-profit project had to be undertaken, using all the tools that modern science has to offer: “McCormack was our finest international musician – many believe him to have been the world’s greatest lyric tenor. However, his recorded legacy was in danger of being lost to posterity. Many former reissues of his recordings, on LPs and CDs, are very substandard, having incorrect speeds and poor sound quality. We are
incredibly fortunate to have the services of Ward Marston, the American sound engineer – and a passionate admirer of McCormack – in this endeavour. The world’s leading expert on historic recordings, he has won a Grammy award for his work on preserving the legacy of many famous artists, including Enrico Caruso. Marston’s project is in three parts, of which the first two have been completed. Firstly, “The John McCormack Acoustic Recordings”, an 11CD collection, which includes every McCormack recording from 1910-1924 – where we can hear the great tenor better than ever before. Secondly, there followed “The Odeon Edition, a 4-CD release containing all of the 1906-1909 recordings, for which Jeremy coordinated the fundraising. Finally, with the upcoming “The John McCormack Electric Edition”, Mr. Marston is working to restore over 300 individual recordings made by McCormack from 1925-1942. He had access to rare and valuable original recordings from 6 McCormack collections, in the USA, Canada, the UK and Ireland, including the largest single collection in the world, that of Jeremy himself. This 16-CD set, including a large booklet of essays, will be released before Christmas 2018; it will also contain McCormack’s earliest recordings, from 1904-1905. And Jeremy is seeking to raise enough funds to ensure the project succeeds. Jim Ryan, who in 2014 made four 60-minute programmes on McCormack for a Local Radio Station, says: “I never tire of listening to John; I love telling of what my great
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friend, Tommy O’Brien, of RTE Radio fame, said of McCormack: ‘At his best, John McCormack was miraculous’. Muiris O’Keeffe and I were delighted to subscribe in advance to the Odeon Edition a couple of years ago, and what a treasure trove it has turned out to be.” Muiris O’Keeffe, a member of The John McCormack Society, who has given many recitals of the singer’s recordings, advises: “There will only
be 1,000 sets of the new Electric Edition published worldwide. Many have already been pre-ordered. Although they will retail for €159.95 when published, there is an amazing special offer available for a limited time. For just €20 you can reserve a set, have your name or a family member’s name published in the booklet as a subscriber, and pay just €79.95 balance by December 2019 – and you will save €60.
This will be a part of Ireland’s cultural history perpetuating the name of an Irishman who stands at the pinnacle in his chosen artistic endeavour – don’t miss out. It would be an unforgettable 2018 Christmas present!” Anyone wishing to avail of this offer can visit www.johnmccormacktenor.com or contact Jeremy at jeremy.meehan5959@gmail.com or 086-3601624. As proceedings came to an
Pictured is the Box Cover Design for “John McCormack: The Electric Edition”. end, Jeremy thanked Paddy McGrath, Jean McCarthy and Don Mullane for the invitation. All present agreed with Probus President, Paddy McGrath, in wishing that Jeremy would return with more John McCormack in the not too distant future.
Pictured at the Jeremy Meehan presentation on John McCormack were: Left to Right: Muiris O’Keeffe, Don Mullane, Jean McCarthy, Pat McGrath, Jeremy Meehan and Jim Ryan.
Pictured (with McCormack memorabilia) at the Jeremy Meehan presentation were: Left to Right: James McCarthy, Jean McCarthy, Jim Ryan, Nelly McGrath, Pat McGrath, Vera Mullane, Joan Begley, Anne Harnett, Denis Begley and Muiris O’Keeffe.
Who was Cathal Brugha? By Tom Keith MANY people who visit the (relatively) new Offices of the City and County of Waterford in Dungarvan, formerly known as the Waterford County Civic Offices may take note of the old building across the street (part of Davitt’s Quay) which still has its title of ‘Árus Brugha’ on its frontage. Many may not know the person for whom it is named, but a quick search of the history of the foundation of the state and the first Dáil, will give you the full details of Cathal Brugha who was elected a TD for Waterford in the First Dáil which met on 21st January, 1919. Within two days, he became the First Chairman of the Dáil (now Ceann Comhairle) and also First President of the Ministry (Prime Minister) Coincidentally – although it may not have been a co-incidence – on the same date, the first shots of the War of Independence were being fired at Soloheadbeg Quarry, a few miles outside Tipperary Town. Cathal Brugha was born Charles Burgess in Dublin on the 18th July, 1874. He changed his name to the Irish version having joined the Gaelic League in 1899. He was an active promoter of the Gaelic Revival and subsequently in the preparations for the 1916 Rising. He met his future wife, Kathleen Kingston, at an Irish class in Birr, County Offaly and they married in 1912 going on to have six children, the most famous of whom was his only son, Ruairi who stood as a Waterford candidate for the Dáil in 1948 but was unsuccessful. He was eventually elected in 1973, having spent the previous four years in the Seanad. In 1913, the year of the great lockout in Dublin, Cathal joined the Irish Volunteers and became a Lieutenant. He led a group of twenty Volunteers to help with the landing of the arms smuggled into Ireland in the Howth gun-running of 1914. In the 1916 Rising he was second-in-command at the South Dublin Union under Commandant Éamonn Ceannt. On the Thursday of that fateful week in Irish history, Brugha was badly wounded in a charge against British soldiers in the corridors of the Union. He sustained up to 25 wounds and was cut off
Cathal Brugha from his unit by the heavy fighting, He was unable to leave when the retreat was ordered and was discovered later by Ceannt and taken to hospital. He recovered but walked with a limp afterwards. In October 1917 he became Chief of Staff of the Irish Republican Army and held that post until March 1919. He was elected a Sinn Féin MP for Waterford in the famous Khaki (post WW I) election of 1918 and, like the rest of the elected Sinn Féin group who decided not to attend the House of Commons, assembled instead in the Mansion House on 21st January 1919 for what was the First Dáil Éireann. The Dail came together at 3.30 p.m. and the first business was the election of a Chairman or Ceann Comhairle. Brugha was proposed by George Plunkett, a TD for Roscommon who said he was proud to nominate him referring to him as ‘Teachta ó Dhéisibh Phortláirge’ and he was duly confirmed in the post. The transcript of that day’s proceedings records that on taking up his new position he told the Dáil that: “there is an important job to be done here, the most important work done in Ireland since the Gaels came to Ireland”. Father Micheál Ó Flannagáin then recited a prayer asking the Holy Spirit ‘to keep us in charge of our interest on the road we have to take’. After some debate the Declaration of Independence was read out which ratified ‘the establishment of the Irish Republic which said in part: “Whereas the Irish people is by right a free people: And Whereas for seven hundred years the Irish people has never ceased to repudiate and has repeatedly protested in
arms against foreign usurpation: And Whereas English rule in this country is, and always has been, based upon force and fraud and maintained by military occupation against the declared will of the people: It referred to the Irish Republic which was proclaimed in Dublin on Easter Monday, 1916, by the Irish Republican Army acting on behalf of the Irish people. “The Irish people is resolved to secure and maintain its complete independence in order to promote the common weal, to re-establish justice, to provide for future defence, to insure peace at home and goodwill with all nations and to constitute a national policy based upon the people's will with equal right and equal opportunity for every citizen.” It also declared that ‘the Irish electorate has in the General Election of December, 1918, seized the first occasion to declare by an overwhelming majority its firm allegiance to the Irish Republic’. The Dáil, ‘in the name of the Irish nation, ratify the establishment of the Irish Republic and pledge ourselves and our people to make this declaration effective by every means at our command’. This was a very comprehensive declaration for any parliament and a major commitment by the first freely elected assembly in this country. On the 22nd January, the second day of the proceedings, Cathal Brugha was appointed President of the Ministry pro tempore, a position he retained until 1 April 1919, when Eamonn de Valera took his place. Brugha opposed the AngloIrish Treaty and took an active role in the War of Independence. In an engagement with Free State troops in a burning hotel in the centre of Dublin, he was mortally wounded and died in hospital several days later on 7th July, 1922, just days short of his forty-eighth birthday. He is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery. His widow, Caitlín Brugha won a Dail seat for Sinn Féin in Waterford in the 4th and 5th Dail (1923 to 1927) but did not take her seat. Their son, Ruairí Brugha, later became a Fianna Fáil and Clann na Poblachta politician and was eventually elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1973 General Election.
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A Beautiful Yuletide with Wild Oats LISMORE, County Waterford based brand Wild Oats are only around a little while and are still in the start-up phase, but have already picked up several top awards this year so far. Now, it’s time to meet their Christmas collection. The perfect luxury online gifts for loved ones as they pamper and protect the skin and give that ‘warm hug’ to the senses that only naturally-sourced products can. Introducing the Wild Oats Claret and Holly Gift boxes (both available for €24.94 online at www.wildoatssoap.com) Created in converted barns, Wild Oats created by
Karen Cottier and Deirdre Meany create their bath milks using Flahavan’s oats, epsom salts and skinsoothing goats milk. All ingredients are sourced from Ireland and products are produced in County Waterford. So, if you’re looking to support Irishowned / local businesses this Christmas Wild Oats is one to put on the list. THE CLARET CHRISTMAS GIFT BOX This beautiful gift box contains the brand new Wild Oats Gorgeous Bath Milk and matching Neroli and Lemongrass soaps. The decadent bath milk
Jumbo Christmas Crossword CLUES ACROSS 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 14. 15. 16. 19. 20. 22. 23. 27. 28. 30. 31. 32.
Arm or leg (4) --- in Wonderland (5) Religious image (4) Widow ---, Aladdin character (7) Charles ---, A Christmas Carol author (7) Fad (5) 6’s companion (3) Bronze medal position (5) Season’s greetings! (1,5,9) Flavouring (5) Alcoholic drink (3) Pie filling (5) Winter vegetables (7) 15’s adversary (4,3) Amphibian (4) Beanstalk Jack’s enemy (5) Possesses (4)
CLUES DOWN 1. TV watcher (6) 2. 12’s miser (8,7) 3 & 24. Christmas decorations (5,6) 4. A Christmas Carol’s Tiny --- (3) 5. Spirit of the lamp (5) 6. Pantomime (4,11) 7. One of Santa’s reindeer (6) 13. One of the seven dwarfs (7) 17. Grain (3) 18. Family (3) 21. Those piping on the eleventh day of Christmas (6) 24. See 3 Down 25. Performing area (5) 26. Twenty per cent (5) 29. Peter --- of Never Never Land (3) SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 8 Limb; 9; Alice; 10 Icon; 11 Twankey; 12 Dickens; 14 Craze; 15 Cat; 16 Third; 19 A Merry Christmas; 20 Spice; 22 Rum; 23 Mince; 27 Sprouts; 28 King Rat; 30 Frog; 31 Giant; 32 Owns. DOWN: 1 Viewer; 2 Ebenezer Scrooge; 3 Paper; 4 Tim; 5 Genie; 6 Dick Whittington; 7 Donner; 13 Bashful; 17 Rye; 18 Kin; 21 Pipers; 24 Chains; 25 Stage; 26 Fifth; 29 Pan.
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and naturally moisturising soaps are the perfect antidote to the stresses that the run-up to Christmas can bring! THE HOLLY GIFT BOX The Holly Gift Box is ideal for those of us who enjoy a deep musclerelaxing, bone-easing soak – that’s simply heavenly. It contains the cypress and rosemaryinfused Heavenly Bath Milk and lavender and rosemary scented soaps. Perfect for outdoor types who need to take some time out for that extra bit of relaxation. Go to: www.wildoatssoap.com
Wild Oats Christmas Gift Box 2017 – Claret (left) and Holly (right).
A Cut Above Christy Parker considers a time when a haircut was more milestone than mullet . . . THE Ireland of the 1960s and ’70s a trip to the barber was neither a matter of choice nor fashion for a young boy. It was an instruction from his mother, who had become paranoid that the extension of his hairline suggested he was turning into a Communist and the next thing he would start skipping Mass and maybe take up smoking. “Here’ a half crown. For God’s sake go and get a haircut before you shame us!”, she would instruct. In many instances this parental paranoia reached such a level that a boy was sent to get a haircut nor because he needed one at all, but in order to avoid the need to get one in the future. There was also the danger that the neighbours were beginning to notice. In those pre-‘unisex’ days, barber shops (never salons) were bastions of the male species. They usually maintained a high level of insular confraternity by having the windows that bore lettering large enough to obliterate the view from without. This added immensely to a sense of occasion, in the way that one accepts that a visit to the doctor derives solely from necessity and is best done discreetly. Within the shop, the perfumery was a precious amalgamation of Brylcreem, shaving lotion, tobacco (including pipe) and various moistures that had become subsumed into the walls for generations and that probably contained sweat and testosterone. Around the chair de-scalped clippings littered the floor like the evidence of some fierce battle won and lost – mostly lost – which the barber would periodically sweep to one side like someone minimising evidence. One scanned the area for signs of blood. Old barbers never dyed; neither did they 'style' and they certainly never extended. They just cut. They had shelves laden with shampoos, hair treatments and ‘tonics’, but they never used any of them because all anyone ever wanted was a haircut and perhaps also a shave if it was of a morning. Customers had two options of hairstyle. You could have a short back and sides, which amounted to a spit-down, dome-shaped manifestation that would be swept to one side a la De Valera or Prince Charles and which might be rounded off with a ‘cow’s lick’ fringe like Elvis. Alternatively he could have a crewcut, as sported by American marines and bad guys in Hitchcock movies, who didn’t care whether you liked them or not as they were going to torch your car with you inside it anyway. That’s maybe why the look was synonymous with death row prisoners as well. BENCHMARKED Barber shop furniture largely consisted of a long wooden bench with the paint corroded to nearextinction and replaced by a slippery sheen created by the movements of thousands of backsides. Regardless of the time of day, every bench supported a man who was about 150 years old chain-smoked and knew more than anyone ever needed to know about greyhounds, pigeon racing and local politicians. This man never seemed actually to need or receive a haircut but he had found to a niche in life based on waiting for one. He would often let the boy “go ahead” as he was “alright for a while.” The man was probably 93% bald beneath a filthy cap under which the follicle extremities poked out like pigeon feathers. His role as a barber shop accessory demanded he reinforce the barber's views at all times. If the barber predicted (as still applies) that Waterford would never win another All-Ireland, the old man would slightly adjust the peak of his cap and reassure the barber that he could "say that again!". If the barber opined that heavy rain was imminent, the old man would suggest that it was never far away and furthermore, the shores were totally incapable of taking it. He was Robin to the barber’s Batman. Barbershop chat was bountiful, all-inclusive and progressed like a winding road. One senses it would have started out first thing in the morning and changed scene and direction in accordance with whomever arrived as the day progressed.
Hence what started out as a scandalous hike in the price of butter would have arrived at the mysterious larceny of a milk truck, having bypassed the sudden and even more baffling transfer of the parish priest to another jurisdiction. NEXT … All of which was by-the-way to the young lad against whom the clock ticked as he awaited, like a condemned man, his turn for the chair. Having failed to find solace in the pages of an eight month old magazine, he largely bided his time listening to the conversation and growing hungry. His eyes would be drawn inexorably to the chair’s incumbent whose efforts to contribute to the conversation were somewhat stymied by the having his chin interred firmly in chest as the barber’s hairy arms directed his head like a gear stick. When, at last, the boy was summoned to his fate, the barber greeted him with a sharp tug on the ear that nowadays would have him sued for assault and his name vilified across social menu as a child abuser. The barber would inquire as to “how’s the school treating ya?”, and then decline any further consultation with the lad for the remainder of the process. This was partly because children were seen, not heard and considered to be compulsive fantasists if not downright liars. It was also because barbers were conscious that children had more future than past to contemplate and any kind of hypothetical talk was speculative and idle. The barber was content to bide his time until the small boy would grow up and return with more substantiated views. ITCHING TO GO When it was all over and the boy had refused, as always, the jocular invitation to have a shave, he would be invited to nod acceptance to a mirror held to his naked neck as to the quality of the work and its end product. Petrified of any alternative and with what little self-esteem he had possessed now eroded by what he saw behind him, the boy forced a smile and nodded his approval. Everyone knew he was lying but the alternative was unchartered territory and not to be contemplated. In a final flourish of sanctity, the barber engulfed the boy’s eyes, nose, ears and flailing spirit in a cloud of perfumed powder as the prickly residues of hair announced their discomforting presence inside his collar and half way down his back. On exiting the shop, the breeze chilling his over-exposed neck, the boy was conscious that the entire street knew he had just had a haircut and was staring at him with mocking curiosity. His prime concern however was not the haircut itself, but the fact that his peers would see he had had one and deserved to be ridiculed. Many people think the Beatles spawned the decline of the barber and the rise of the hairdresser. Not so. The Beatles merely spurned the haircut. It was the footballer Kevin Keegan who started going into hairdressers. The Liverpool forward emerged onto the Anfield pitch one Saturday afternoon sporting a 'perm' before scoring with two headers. The following Monday young men, some of them Merseyside dockers, abandoned centuries of certainty and booked appointments at places like 'Cute n' Curly.' Men’s perms have long been cut short the cultural parting that grew to extremes appears permanent. There are thousands of men on Irish streets who have never sat in a barber's chair and who think male bonding is all about GAA matches, pubs and chatting to other guys at antenatal classes. Their children have never risen from the chair, itching dementedly but having learned yet again that everything life has is a renewable process and anything can grow on you. There remain a few traditional barbers about but even they have bowed to style at the expense of substance, with a radio presenter filing the roll of an old man with a dirty cap and learned insights. I met a 7 year-old lad last week who said he was looking forward to getting a haircut. I rubbed the back of my neck in dismay.
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