muskerrynews
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FREE Vol 15, Issue 3
January 2017
Blarney Community First Responders want learning to save a life to be your New Year Resolution
See pages 24 & 25
incorporating northcitynews www.muskerrynews.biz
Make sure YOUR voice is heard!
See page 19
Smiles all round at Whitechurch and Waterloo active retirement Christmas party
See pages 30 & 31
… and much, much more Tria has arrived at
Blarney Auto Centre
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Win 500 litres of Kerosene Oil to celebrate the opening of Tria Osborne Oil Blarney! To enter just email ‘Blarney 500’ with your name, phone number and email address to info@tria.ie T & C’s apply • Draw date February 14th 2017
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muskerrynews
2 | Muskerry News
incorporating northcitynews
FREE
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incorporating North City News Church View, Blarney, Co. Cork t: 087 2330398 / 087 2513126
e: muskerrynews@eircom.net
www.muskerrynews.biz
The February edition of The Muskerry News, incorporating The North City News, will be published on Thursday February 9th and closing date for submissions is Thursday February 2nd. Thanks to O’Brien’s Eggs, Whitechurch, for their generous donation of eggs to St. Vincent de Paul last month, just in time for the distribution of Christmas food hampers. Congratulations to Darren Murphy who made his move to Cobh Ramblers FC Official U19 side for the 2017 season earlier this month. Darren came through Ballincollig AFC Academy and Schoolboys roots, and captained the U18's to the famous All Ireland Youths title last year, as well as playing for Cork City U19's and Ballincollig's senior team.
Congratulations to the Donoughmore Macra senior debating team of Seán Wallace Sarah-Louise Horgan Heather Ní Éalaithe and Alan Twomey on winning their debate last weekend, proposing the motion that ‘Wind turbines should be banned from the Irish country side’. Also congratulations to Alan on winning best speaker.
Abbie Hyde, Zoe English, Norma Hyde, Zach and Niall English were at the Flannery's Bar ‘King of the Road’ bowling competition at Waterfall. pic Mike English
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Great turn out before Christmas for the MD mince pie coffee morning. Thanks to O'Connor's Muskerry Arms and O'Leary's Centra Tower for their help and donations.
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Only three minutes from Blarney village.... Take the bridge after the Waterloo Inn, follow the road for 800yds, Casey Motors in behind the first house on your left after the turn up onto the Mallow Road.
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Thank you!
Thanks to the big hearted customers of O'Connor's Muskerry Arms who donated their 'Christmas drink' to our local primary schools. Scoil Chroi Iosa Junior and Senior schools were delighted to receive €500 each, as was Gaelscoil Mhuscrai.
The many fans of Blarney born Elaine Cremin, author of ‘Waiting for a Star to Fall’, will be delighted to know that Elaine has published another novel, ‘Somewhere Out There’, a story about love, loss, belief, courage, friendship and hope. ‘Somewhere Out There’ is the story of Katie Brown who has given up on finding love in London. No man ever lives up to her expectations, which aren’t even too high. So when love finds her she is slow to give it a chance, and is afraid to believe it has finally happened to her. Things seem to be going her way at last, but life has a way of throwing a curve ball when you least expect it, and for Katie, it was a devastating one. She finds herself alone, and in a predicament. Her friends rally around and before she knows it she’s off on a trip to Italy to find her lost love. But she finds something else instead, something that may be a solution to her problems. Never knowing what to expect from life, Katie decides to do some soul searching and finally manages to find peace – that is, until her hard won peace is threatened by the biggest shock of all. ‘Somewhere Out There’, is a story about love, loss, belief, courage, friendship and hope. You can follow Elaine on Twitter @ElaineCremin and facebook https://www.facebook.com/Elaine-Cremin395650717281865/
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Santa brought lego to the boys and girls of Clogheen Kerry Pike national school before Christmas as the school celebrated the arrival of the new Smart Board for the resource room which was purchased from the proceeds from the school raffle and bag packing events organised by the parents association.
A huge well done to all the men who took part in ‘Movember’ at O'Connor's Muskerry Arms and raised in excess of €5,500 for The Mercy Hospital Foundation.
Congratulations to locally owned Cinderella's Closet which is a finalist in the Irish Wedding Awards of the year. Good luck ladies!
Whitechurch Macra held their now annual timber appeal on the Deane family farm in Carrignavar. 20 members of Whitechurch Macra loaded, cut, split, bagged and delivered an unprecedented 266 bags of timber, there could have been more but they ran out of bags! The timber was then house delivered by their members. They paid thanks to all who helped make the day possible, especially their hosts who provided some very much appreciated food and plenty of tea afterwards to the well exercised members. Interested in joining Whitechurch Macra? Find them on facebook and find out what they are up to next!
For Sound Legal Advice Efficient, confidential service 24/ 7 Serving family, community & business First consultation free
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Anita O'Mahony, Alanna O'Mahony, 10, and Adrian Chambers from Blarney and Noreen Chambers from Fairhill pictured at the Faculty of Engineering and Science Awards at CIT. pic Diane Cusack
Peter Davidson manager of CPH Cork presenting a cheque for €1000 to Marymount Hospice following their Movember campaign.
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Ciara is a lifesaver!
Young St John’s Ambulance volunteer Ciara O’Callaghan from Vicarstown has urged everyone to learn CPR. In an article in the Cork Independent Ciara also said, “Don’t vandalise the defibrillators, you don’t know how important they are in saving a life.” As reported in The Cork Independent, Ciara O’Callaghan was working in Hallmark on Christmas Eve when a man fell ill nearby and passers-by called for help. Ciara arrived to the scene at Winthrop Street and realised the man’s heart had stopped beating. She quickly bounded into action and started CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). “I just went into autopilot and began CPR. I had trained so much for it. Other people who knew CPR joined in and we took turns. “Then somebody brought over the defibrillator and I set it up. I gave him two shocks and the ambulance arrived. I just gave him the best possible chance when the paramedics arrived on the scene,” she said. Following the incident, Ciara has urged every member of the public to learn CPR. “Everyone should know CPR. Early CPR and early defibrillation gives a person the best chance in the chain of survival.”
Blarney Community First Responders will be holding Heartsaver AED courses on January 21st and 28th giving training and certification in CPR and defibrillator use. All are welcome to come and train. The course will be held in Blarney, starts at 10am, and lasts for approx 4 1/2 hours. A subsidised fee of €65 will apply and places are strictly allocated on receipt of booking and payment of fee. To find out more, or to book your place, see Blarney Community First Responders feature on pages 24 and 25, visit their facebook page or call Kate on 087 2330398.
Cork Potato Growers came together in an initiative to support St Vincent de Paul for the Christmas season and donated 20 cent from the sale of every bag of potatoes that carried the ‘Cork Potato Growers Support SVP’ sticker. Pictured at the presentation of a cheque for €3,000 are growers John Griffin, David Flynn, Kate Durrant, St Vincent de Paul and Nora Sheehan, Chairperson, North Cork IFA Potato Committee. The growers also donated over two tons of potatoes. pic O'Gorman Photography Lovely local lady Lena Power won the Pharmacy First Plus Tower incredible 12 days of Christmas prize. Congratulations Lena!
Lucy Dorney and her classmates from Ovens National School with their project ‘How can paper hold so much weight?’ for the 2017 RDS Primary Science Fair which takes place in Dublin and Limerick. pic Clare Keogh
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6 | Muskerry News
A sea of red and white at Firmount Blarney Lodge opens its’ doors The beautifully appointed Blarney Lodge has opened its’ doors to those National School Santa Run looking for short term accommodation in the heart of the village.
Whether you are on holiday, visiting family or friends locally, or working in the area, Blarney Lodge offers luxury accommodation within a 2 minute walk of the village and all it’s amenities. A gated property with ample parking, the newly refurbished lodge has four spacious ensuite bedrooms and a large residents lounge. Run by local ladies Andrea and Vivienne O’Callaghan, bookings are now being taken on 087 614 5116.
Ballincollig Family Practice would like to wish you a happy and healthy 2017.
Family friendly GP Practice offering high quality personal care
New patients welcome including medical card (GMS) and private patients Please make an appointment to book your travel vaccines
Rosewood Estate, Ballincollig (next to Costcutter Shop) Tel: 021 4870808 Web: www.ballincolligfamilypractice.com
Blarney School of Motoring
DRIVING LESSONS
Beginner / Pre test ADI approved instructor • Very patient. Test routes covered • Car available for test. Gift vouchers available.
087 2796008
www.blarneyschoolofmotoring.com
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ardtech@eircom.net T: 028 31410 www.ardtech.ie
New range of black gates now available
For PVC Gates, Railings & Fences Available in Golden Oak, White & Black colours
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8 | Muskerry News
Coachford College students celebrate Christmas holidays in style!
Finally, Berrings Macra are very busy preparing for their 60th anniversary dinner dance. The dinner dance will take place on January 21st 2017. The four course meal will be served in The Blarney Hotel, followed by music by the Laughing Shamrocks. Tickets are €40 and are now officially on sale. Contact Aileen for further information on 087 7698110. A great night guaranteed!
Berrings Macra na Feirme enjoying spreading Christmas cheer at their annual carol singing in O’Leary’s Centra, Tower. They raised €1,000 in aid of Marymount Hospice. Pictured are Niamh O'Shea, AIleen Sheehan, Philip O'Leary, Colm O'Leary, Elaine O'Reilly. Club members including Norma Downing, Caroline O'Regan, Norma Hurley, Mairead O'Connell, Mags O'Leary rang in the New Year at Carrigaline Macra’s New Year’s Eve, ball at the Rochestown Park Hotel. A great night was had by all!
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All stars at Cloghroe National School
On Sunday December 11th eight children from Cloghroe National School competed in the final of Cork’s Teen and Junior Idol Competition in the Firkin Crane in Cork City. All of the children involved rehearsed every day and spent countless lunch times in school rehearsing and preparing. The school would like to congratulate Laura Murtagh, Sorcha Monaher O’ Sullivan, Ellie O’ Driscoll, Tim Breen, Rebecca Scanlon, Nina Drummond, Sasha Rumianstava and Tadhg Kelly for making it to the final this December. In particular we would like to congratulate Tadhg Kelly who came 3rd overall in the Junior Idol competition! Congratulations to all of the children involved. What bright futures you all have!
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Children from three local preschools visited Cloghroe National School on Tuesday 13th December for a festive morning of singing, dancing and fun. After watching the First and Second Class plays, the children wandered around to the various Christmas areas, where they decorated Christmas cookies, made Christmas decorations and reindeer food, coloured Christmas pictures and posted them to Santa, made playdough decorations and listened to Christmas stories. All of this entertainment was supplied by Sixth Class children who are truly a credit to the school. We hope all the pre-schoolers enjoyed their morning and we are sure Santa was watching and saw how good they all were!
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Nuacht na Míosa ó Ghaelscoil Mhuscraí
10 | Muskerry News
We were an extremely busy school in December - Rath Dé ar an obair! Each class performed a Christmas Show to family and friends. We celebrated Christmas Mass in the school. Every class visited the Christmas Panto. There were many
winners, amongst our students, in our annual Christmas bumper raffle. We received a visit from Daidí na Nollag who gave generous presents to the pupils and our Student Council organised a 'Geansaí na Nollag' day before the holidays.
Our Oíche Oscailte/Open Night will occur on February 9th from 7pm. We are currently taking enrolments for the 2017 classes. Fáilte roimh chách.
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Thanks to Damian Boylan and Caroline Kirwan Northgate Vehicle Hire, for donating their vehicles and their time to help deliver 2,400 essential food hampers to families in need throughout Cork City and County for Christmas.
Frederic Pascale, Billy macGill and Stephen Murray on behalf of Lodge No3 Wolfe Tone, Cork presenting a cheque to Aileen Spitere of the Samaritans.
Blarney Tidy Towns have had enough!
Dumpers beware! Blarney Tidy Towns have erected CCTV signs throughout the village and surrounds, so you have been warned. DO NOT dump, you will be caught and you will be embarrassed by the footage, which will be posted online.
pic MacGill
Great turn out to the last Blarney Tidy Towns clean up of the year on December 31st. A huge thanks to everyone. When the volunteers were finished the village and all approach roads were spotless. A great end to the year.
Special thanks to the wonderful Carmel Ring who cleaned Tower playground earlier single handedly after it was reported by parents to be badly littered, much appreciated.
Michael Walsh, President, making a presentation to Brigid Murphy, Ovens, following Brideview Timmy's win in the Castle Hotel Macroom/Cork GOBA A1 525 at Curraheen Park. Included are Con O'Brien, Brian Collins, Racing Manager, Tom O'Neill Jnr., Lucy O'Neill, Marguerite o'Donoghue, Breda O'Neill, Sheena Murphy, Pat Walsh, Treasurer Cork GOBA and Tom O'Neill, trainer. pic Mike English
Thanks so much to Adrian, Tim and Michael at Blarney Tidy Towns for their Christmas present to the residents of Killeens which they cleaned up. Here’s just some of the rubbish they collected!
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Santa arrives in style as Christmas lights go on in Blarney
Thanks to Liam and Donncha for the photographs
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BLARNEY PERSON OF THE YEAR muskerrynews AWARDS 2016
14 | Muskerry News
Blarney & District Chamber of Commerce
Barry McPolin, November
FREE
Who will be the 2016 Blarney Person of The Year?
Mick Forde, October
The Blarney Person of The Year Award 2016 celebrates Blarneys’ greatest asset, our people. The award aims to encourage achievement, leadership and altruism so that others may be inspired to follow.
Claire Sands, September
The Person of The Year will be announced at a ceremony on
Martina & Tricia Cronin, August
Friday, February 10th at 8pm at The Castle Hotel, Blarney.
Donal O’Donovan, July
Celeste Foley, June
incorporating northcitynews
www.muskerrynews.biz
Jennifer Dowler, January
Sean Foley, February
Charles Glavin, March
Eamonn Pitts, April
Petra Collins, May
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Ballinora Guild Betty Brosnan, Cecily Lyons, Marie O'Toole National President, Imelda O' Connor, Marie McSweeney, Sheila Brosnan, Angela Galvin, Muriel Ahern and Annette Crowley pictured at the 80th anniversary of the Cork Guild last month.
MONARD MONTESSORI PRE-SCHOOL
Muskerry News | 15
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IRISH MONTESSORI EDUCATION BOARD ACCREDITED
Bill Murphy, Chairman, making a presentation to David Walsh, Ballincollig, following Hilight Maestro's win in the Cork GOBA A3 550 at Ballincollig Guild enjoying the celebrations; Josephine O' Shea, Teresa Joyce, Noeleen Mc Cormack, Liz Mc Sweeney, Marie O' Toole, National President, Curraheen Park. Included are Brian Collins, Racing Manager, David Burke and Pat Walsh, Cork GOBA. pic Mike English Cathie O'Neill, Mary Norton, Maureen Ellis, Mary McCarthy, Betty O' Callaghan, June Barry, Alice Kirstein, Marjorie O' Leary and Mary Twomey. And all because a child is born.....where there is goodness and kindness there's magic, and throughout December the wonderful staff at Griffins of Dripsey worked as a team to give everyone 'their ethos’ of Christmas. Marie O'Toole, National President, Esther Cahill, Regional President, and Caring, sharing and going that extra mile for everyone, they worked pictured with Alice O' Neill, Marie O' Toole National President, tirelessly to make everyone’s visit to Santa so special, and received literally Kathleen O' Sullivan and Ann pictured with Margaret Healy, Frances hundreds of emails, cards, phone calls and comments telling them so. Sheehan. Murphy and Helen Creedon.
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Busy year ahead at Berrings National School December was a very busy month for the children of Berrings National School. Christmas spirit was felt throughout the school, with each class busy preparing for their festive performances. The Junior and Senior Infants, along with the children from Rang Áine, performed the wonderful nativity play ‘Born In a Barn’. The nativity was told through the perspective of the animals in the barn. The children had great fun pretending to be all types of barn animals. Their favourite part was welcoming the special baby Jesus into their stable.
1st and 2nd class and the children from Rang Áine and Rang Nóra gave an excellent performance of the Christmas play ‘Ralph the Reindeer’. With poor old Rudolph sick with a cold Ralph saves Christmas by guiding Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve.
Dawning’ tour. The concert held in the school halla was a festive treat for all who attended. St.Vincent De Paul were very thankful to the children and their parents who generously contributed non perishable goods and toys to their annual Christmas collection.
There was a very special visitor to the school on December 21st. Santa himself donned his red suit and kindly gave a selection box to each child. He was greeted by Christmas songs and dances and excited children who couldn’t wait to tell him what was on their Christmas lists.
Senior classes had the privilege of performing with Seán Keane at his ‘Christmas by the Hearth and New Day
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Busy year draws to a close in Dripsey It has been another great year for Dripsey as they now look forward now to 2017. Congratulations to Dripsey GAA Club for their continued wonderful achievements, and to the Dripsey Ladies Football Club in recognition of their success. Add to that the great work being done by Dripsey Tidy Towns and the recognition they received, and the year has been one of continued success. Particular credit to Conor Corkery and Liz Porter for their stewardship of Dripsey Tidy Towns and Dripsey Community Association respectively. Tidy Towns has made a significant contribution yet again, and the Community Association continues to beaver away behind the scenes to make our lives better and safer. The two defibrillators they had installed this year was a terrific achievement. Keep up the good work! Finally, we congratulate Sinead Mac for the success that she had during the year, and hope that it will continue in the years to come.
Thursday evening 7pm - 8pm Blarney Woollen Mills Hotel. All welcome.
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18 | Muskerry News
Smiles all round at O’Leary’s Centra Tower annual customers night
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Your village! Your future! Make sure your voice is heard! With the ongoing recovery in economy, we are going to see changes in Blarney and surrounds in the coming years. Already, plans have been submitted for new housing in Blarney Village, and we can expect to see much more of this in the greater Blarney area in the next 5 to 10 years. Much of what will possibly be coming is set out in the Cork County Council Local Development Plans. Local man Eamonn Pitts has taken the time to review the Plans. If anyone is interested in making a submission, you need to do it without delay.
A local area Plan shows what the Council envisages will happen and how it looks at certain issues, such as where will housing, industrial development and shopping be located. It sets out to express locally the County Development Plan. It is prepared by Council officials but is finally approved by councillors.
There is a local area plan already in existence, which can be accessed on the internet at http://www.corkcoco.ie/co/pdf/906381091.pdf?n ocache=6758854. This pan was drafted in 2009 and 2010 and adopted in August 2011. The plan looks forward to 2020. We are now at a stage where a new plan is being drafted with a horizon of 2022 and the Council officials are consulting with the public. There was an opportunity to do so in Blarney on 7th December. And of course the new proposals are available on the internet. Submissions must be made by 4pm on 16th January.
One complication is that the local area plans are drafted, based on electoral areas. The existing plan was based on the old Blarney electoral area and included all of the areas of potential interest to us in the Chamber- Blarney and its hinterland (excluding Blackpool and the city). Since then electoral areas have been changed. Blarney village and areas to the West including, Tower, Inniscarra, Dripsey and Grenagh are included in the Draft Blarney/Macroom Local Area Plan. However other areas of interest to us, Kerry Pike, Killeens, Carrignavar and crucially Monard are now included in the Cobh Local Area plan. So we need to know what is in two area plans.
The Blarney/Macroom Draft may be accessed at http://corklocalareaplans.com/blarneymacroom-municipal-district/ The details are in a report containing 248 pages! The Cobh Draft may be accessed at http://corklocalareaplans.com/cobh-municipaldistrict/
The key part of the current plan, of interest to us and to all local residents is the proposal to build a new town at Monard with a population of 13,000 and to increase the population of Blarney threefold from 2,500 to 7,500, by encouraging the development of housing, shopping, schools and businesses in Stoneview. New railway stations at Blarney and Monard are envisaged.
No progress has been made on the Stoneview development primarily because of “access issues”, presumably the development of the N20. The Stoneview development, if pursued would mean that more than half of Blarney “village” would be the “other” side of the Mallow Road. All other villages in the area are envisaged to grow much more slowly.
Both the Stoneview and Monard developments are included in the new plans and are seen as part of nine sites around the city, which will permit “urban expansion”. The first of these is at Water Rock. Stoneview is included with three other sites in what the plan calls a “second tranche”. Monard comes later.
The population target for Blarney is 7,533, compared with actual population in 2011 of 2,437, requiring an additional 2,566 housing unit according to the current plan. The new draft plan provides instead for 3,146 housing units, including up to 500 houses east of the village at Ringwood. An expansion of the Blarney Business Park is envisaged, although it is accepted that it is at present not fully developed.
The importance of tourism to Blarney is highlighted and paragraphs from previous plans are repeated emphasising that “Future development initiatives within the vicinity of the Estate should not compromise the landscape and heritage character of the area on which the local tourism economy relies”. It is envisaged that normal shopping will take place in Stoneview with shopping offerings in the current village confined to tourism related offerings. The plan does suggest that there is a need for up market tourist related facilities, which would itself add to the attractions for visitors.
The Blarney Park Hotel site is regarded as “sensitive”, because of its location. The Council wishes to see a mixed use development, but with lots of qualifications.
There are three Natural Heritage areas identified for protection. These are Blarney Castle Woods, Blarney Bog and Ardamadane Wood. (all carry overs from the previous plan). The lake and walk at Clogheenmilcon are surprisingly not included.
In relation to the Stoneview development the biggest problem is the absence of adequate roads. There are detailed proposals for connecting roads from the N 20 and a new road is suggested to connect to old Blarney, as t is felt that Station Rd would not be able to accommodate the increased volume of traffic. It is envisaged that the Stoneview development will take 10 to 15 years and will be in three phases, with the roads provided first.
The number of dwellings in Grenagh is 217. An additional 150 housing units are envisaged in future years. The number of dwellings in Tower in 2015 is 1,161, an increase of 68 on 2005. Planning permission has been granted for an additional 120 houses. A maximum additional growth of 182 houses is envisaged in the draft plan. The population of Tower in 2011 was 3,306, an increase of 6% on 2006.
86 extra houses are envisaged for Courtbrack, 30 for Dripsey and 25 for Upper Dripsey, 16 for Berrings and 10 in Cloghroe. Very limited development is envisaged for Inniscarra or Waterloo areas. There is no discussion about development of Inniscarra Lake as amenity or site with tourist potential.
It is envisaged that the Monard development will provide, in the period up to 2022, 1,727 new housing units, and a population of 3,619. The overall long term plan is for a population of 13,000. While there is provision for retail and other “town centre” activities, the development is predominantly residential. There is no provision for industry or other major employment. There is provision for four primary schools and one secondary school. As a “new Town” there is extensive provision for pedestrian and cycle ways and the whole concept is based on extensive use of a newly built railway station. An extra 100 houses are envisaged for Carrignavar, an extra 30 in Killeens, an extra 50 in Whitechurch, and an extra 30 in Kerry Pike. Development in Clogheen and Killeens is likely to be discouraged because they are in the “green belt area” surrounding the city.
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Blarney Primary School - the Heart of the Community
20 | Muskerry News
The children and staff of Scoil Chroí Íosa are glad to return to school after
the Christmas Holiday. December was very busy and filled with fun. We thank our staff for their hard work in producing Christmas concerts, and for making the time so magical for the children. We look forward to the coming Spring; our sports teams will soon return training, our 2nd and 6th Classes prepare for Holy Communion and
Confirmation and the younger children look forward to playing in our playing fields. Athbhliain faoi shonas is faoi shéan daoibh uile.
Second class flower arrangements Infants at Santa’s workshop in Scoil Mhuire gan Smal Senior infant angels
Ms. O'Keeffe baking cookies with 1st class
Learning about maths through play
Above: Visiting Insomnia coffee Blarney Right: Visiting Scoil Mhuire gan Smal
Taking time out at Starbucks, Blackpool
Laugh & Learn Ltd Toddlers • Pre-school After-School
Childcare excellence since 2009
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Bright colourful purpose built building with a homely feel Large secure outdoor area Looking after children from 2 - 5 years, 50 weeks a year. After school service available Free settling in period • No deposits
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90A, Shandon Street, Cork Times: Fridays 11.30a.m. – 1.30p.m. Saturdays 10.00a.m. – 12 p.m.
Third Friday of Every Month Dripsey Community House 7-8p.m. Second Friday of Every Month Grenagh Community Centre 7.00p.m. -7.45p.m. Conways Bar Burnfort 8p.m. – 9p.m Second Saturday of Every Month Wayside Inn Cloghroe 1p.m. – 2p.m.
Washington House, 33, Washington Street, Cork. 021 4893771 or 01 6183115 Mb no: 087 2592839 E: colm.burke@oir.ie W: www.colmburke.eu
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Muskerry News |21
Berrings Community Association / Berrings Tidy Towns
Congratulations to Sophie Healy, St. Lachteen's N. S. Donoughmore, overall winner of Cork Junior Teen Idol, photographed with PJ Coogan of 96fm.
Santa pictured at Blarney Castle Hotel with two ladies who were definitely on his ‘nice’ list this Christmas!
Thanks Tesco Ballincollig for including Blarney Community First Responders in your latest community fundraising effort as they are currently fundraising to buy an additional defibrillator to strengthen their service. If you're shopping in Tesco Ballincollig please think of them and drop the blue token in their slot. Thank you
Our Christmas Tree Lighting took place early December, the tree was blessed and turned on by Father Tom whilst Berrings School Choir entertained the crowd with their carol singing. Mulled wine and mince pies were enjoyed by the adults, and the children loved their goodie bags. It was a very enjoyable community event, and a great start to Christmas in Berrings. Our annual fundraising pub quiz took place in Blairs Inn after Christmas and was a very enjoyable night. Thanks to all who attended and supported the community. We would like to wish you all a very happy New Year, and thanks to everyone who helped and supported us in 2016.
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22 | Muskerry News Excitement builds as countdown begins towards announcement of ‘Cork Person of the Year’
Excitement is building as twelve ‘Cork Person of the Month’ winners, including local lady Jennifer Dowler founder of Dogs for the Disabled, are in contention for the overall 2016 title, which will be announced at a Gala Awards Lunch on January 20th at the Rochestown Park Hotel. The awards lunch will be attended by more than 250 guests, including the 12 monthly nominees for 2016, with RTE radio broadcaster, Sean O’Rourke performing the role of MC on the day. Guest speakers will include Dee Forbes, Director-General of RTE, and Tom Crosbie, Irish Examiner and Landmark Media. “I’m proud to say that this is the 24th year these awards have been running and with so many worthy nominees this year, our judges, Tim Lucey, CEO, Cork County Council and Ann Doherty, CEO, Cork City Council, have a particularly difficult job on their hands,” according to the awards organiser, Manus O’Callaghan. Jennifer received her monthly award for her work as founder and CEO of Irish Dogs for the Disabled. The assistance dogs at this wonderful local charity really can be called the gift that keeps giving. The pups start their lives in The Dochas Centre at Mountjoy Prison, before leaving at approximately eight weeks to be homed in communities around Ireland, living with families who socialise them, before they move to Shelton Abbey at approximately 16 months to be trained by inmates as part of another unique initiative Dogs for the Disabled started, that of getting young prisoners at Shelton Abbey open prison to become dog walkers. This unique Charity, the only one of it’s kind in Europe, was the brainchild of Jennifer Dowler who has been providing dogs to children and adults with physical disabilities for over a decade now, after releasing she had a natural ability to work with dogs and people with life limiting disabilities. Jennifer, a mother of three young children, has put more than twenty years into perfecting this talent, and has transformed more than 100 lives in the process. As Jennifer said, "Disability can lead to isolation, loss of confidence and feelings of low self-esteem. Not only that but for many people living with a disability being unable to do even a simple task like picking up the post can leave them feeling depressed and dependent. Dogs for the Disabled trains dogs to assist with practical, everyday tasks to help a person with a disability to live life to the full, breaking down barriers to the outside world and helping to improve confidence and stress levels." Over 80% of the charity’s clients are children, between the ages of 6 and 12 years, living with severe physical disabilities which effect their independence and social interaction.These Assistant Dogs are especially trained to assist the physically disabled to carry out a range of practical tasks in order to achieve greater independence. These everyday tasks include opening and closing doors, picking up dropped items, emptying the washing machine and helping a child with severe walking difficulties to walk with greater ease and balance. With 210 dogs nationwide and 120 currently out working, it costs the charity €15,000 to train and support each Assistance Dog. Dogs for the Disabled receive no government funding, relying completely on the generosity of sponsorship, donations and fundraising, and the dogs are partnered with disabled people at no cost to the recipient.
Each Assistance Dog is trained to help his or her new partner but is also reliant on them to provide for their needs including exercise, feeding, love and care. As a result, encourages the them to become more active and outgoing in their community by taking their assistance dog for walks and engaging with the public at large. Thus increases confidence, encourages them to take up new activities e.g. returning to work or further education. The charities partnerships have found the experience for getting an assistance dog life changing. “Seeing children and adults lives transformed because they can now walk unaided or go out on their own for the first time is very rewarding”, said Jennifer. “The award was a great boost for all our partnerships,”Jennifer said, “As it recognised the importance of their disability and that they too deserve to live fulfilling lives. It was also a great boost for the charity as we are currently looking for a site on which to build a headquarters so we can move out of our temporary rented base in Abbeyville, Togher, which we are very grateful for but is not suitable for us to train our partnerships in. Dogs for the Disabled is always looking for puppy socialisers, volunteers and fund-raising opportunities as they receive no government funding. If you would like to find out more, or feel you can help change lives, please contact them on 021 431 6627 / info@dogsfordisabled.ie You can find more information about Dogs for the Disabled at dogsfordisabled.ie
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Opening this weekend under new ownership! Fine Dining & Takeaway All ingredients locally sourced
Restaurant and takeaway bookings on 087 964 0234 Wild Orchid Restaurant & Takeaway to open this weekend in Tower
A new up market Thai cuisine restaurant and takeaway is set to open in Tower this weekend, creating several new jobs, and delighting locals. Wild Orchid Restaurant and Takeaway, which will open in Shournagh House, Tower, offers locals unique specialities from Thailand in a beautifully appointed and refurbished restaurant, or in the comfort of their own homes, with takeaway available on all orders. Speaking to The Muskerry news Ning said, “I want to create a restaurant and takeaway that serves excellent food, has great service and an atmosphere that keeps you coming back for more!� With all ingredients, where possible, being sourced locally, including 100% prime Irish beef, and and fish from the East Cork fishing village of Ballycotton all their fresh, healthy, delicious meals are made from scratch. Pay a visit to Wild Orchid Thai restaurant and Ning looks forward to welcoming you to Wild Orchid Restaurant & Takeaway. enjoy a delicious, fresh meal catering to all tastes. Be it subtle or aromatic, spicy or mild, there is something to suit even the most Bookings are now being taken for all special discerning palate. Best of all, you can continue occasions and events on 087 964 0234. your healthy start to the new year whilst eating until you are contented. Wild Orchid Thai Restaurant & Takeaway Ning would like to extend a warm welcome Shournagh House, to you, your family and friends to come and Tower, reminisce about old times and discover new County Cork memories and tastes. 087 964 0234
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Blarney Community First Responders want learning 24 | Muskerry News
Could learning to save a life be your New Year Resolution? If so, then Blarney Community First Responders are here to help you make your resolution a reality.
Founded in October 2105, Blarney Community First Responders Unit became one of nearly 150 volunteer teams dotted across the country, all united behind the same goals; to save lives. Following three deaths relating to sudden adult death in the village local women Deborah Lynch, a committed critical care nurse at CUH, and Kate Durrant got together to turn Blarney into a First Responder Community, a scheme that is known to improve critical outcomes in the event of cardiac arrest, stroke and chest pain. Following months of fundraising and with the purchase of two defibrillators, and nine intensive training sessions, forty five local people became certified in prehospital emergency care, with 13 committed volunteers becoming First Responders and offering a 24 hour, 7 day a week service to all those who live within a 5km radius of Blarney.
Community First Responders (CFRs) are civilian responders who are trained to international standards in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, defibrillation and oxygen therapy. They are part of the local CFR scheme, which is linked to the National Ambulance Service. When the emergency services are alerted to a case of cardiac arrest, chest pain, choking or stroke, a civilian responder from the local CFR scheme is automatically dispatched to the scene along with the ambulance services. The local CFRs can often attend the scene before an ambulance will arrive, and in cases where time is critical such as cardiac arrest, this can save lives.
Blarney Community First Responders are fully trained to train you. Blarney Community First Responders four team leaders Deborah Lynch, Barry Hoare, John Foley and Jeremy Downey have recently undertaken extensive training and are now qualified to teach the gold standard HeartSaver AED course, a 4 1/2 hour training course which, on successful completion, certifies you for two years, and, more importantly, will give you the confidence and the skills to give CPR and use an AED if ever you should need to.
Blarney Community First Responders publicly accessible defibrillator is placed outside Blarney Tourist Office and can be used by all in the event of an emergency. The unit provides recorded instruction to shock a heart back into rhythm before paramedics arrive. It must be noted that those with prior training will be much more comfortable using a defibrillator and giving CPR, but even if you are not trained PLEASE try your best to help as you wait for the ambulance and first responders to arrive. The AED (defibrillator) will talk you through how to use the machine but remember that giving chest compressions is equally important. To do this effectively you need to press down hard with both hands on the chest, between the nipple line, aiming for a rate of 100/120 compressions per minute. How do I contact Blarney Community First Responders? The simple answer to this is that you don’t! In case of an emergency phone 999 or 112 immediately and they will
dispatch the Ambulance services and the First Responders simultaneously. Please DO NOT phone a responder directly, even if you know them, they may not be holding the AED and by phoning them rather than 999 you will delay treatment reaching the patient.
I would love to know how to give CPR but don’t feel this is the right time for me to become a First Responder, can I still train? Yes, training is for everyone, and will give you the confidence and the skills to give CPR and use an AED if ever you should need to. Young people under 18 who are interested can also train with us, and receive a family and friends certificate. A great life skill to have, and a good addition to show on a CV. These are life skills that everyone should possess.
I’m involved in a local sports club and would love to train at least a couple of people from each team. Will you come and train us? Yes please, we would love to! One of our goals is to train at least two people in every business, organisation, club and school in our area, and we are happy to come and train any number of people in any local organisation, business, school or community group. Please call Kate on 087 2330398 for further details, or book into one of our regular training sessions which are advertised on Blarney Community First Responders facebook page. I would love to help Blarney Community First Responders, but I am not in a position to join your group, is there anything I can do? If you cannot train or are unable to go 'Call Outs' we would love your help with fundraising, our ongoing costs are not insignificant so fundraising in an ongoing challenge for us.
You have two defibrillators. Do you need more equipment to help give a better service? We have two defibrillators, one of which is wall mounted and static outside Blarney Tourist Office, and one which remains with our Responders on call. Ideally, we would love if every Responder, or at least every team leader, carried an AED, so we do not have to waste any time retrieving a defibrillator and can get to the person needing our help fast. On a regular basis we need to replace AED pads, face masks and gloves, all of these are non reusable and need to be replaced after each call. It is our hope to purchase more training equipment to train larger groups in the community, currently we have equipment to train small groups, we would love to expand this. I would love to become a Community First Responder, what steps do I need to take? CFR’s must be over 18 years of age and will require the following: Full Driving Licence ID Photo x 2 Proof of Garda Clearance Confirmation letter from Motor Insurance Company Signed copy of NAS Confidentiality Document A reasonable level of fitness is also required to become a CFR, and you should be able to carry a 15/20kg kit bag and perform CPR for 20 minutes. For more details phone Kate on 087 2330398, and we will talk you through the details.
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to save a life to be your New Year Resolution
Muskerry News | 25
Blarney Community First Responders. Missing from our photograph are our responders Helena Fogarty and Rosario Molina. And how much time do I need to commit? As much or as little as you can give, we respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so we’re sure to have a spot for you somewhere! Blarney Community First Responders have access to six AEDS in our community, plus our own mobile unit which is held by our on call team. The AED’s in our community are sited at the following locations; Blarney Tourist Office Blarney GAA Club Waterloo Inn, Waterloo Road, Blarney Blarney Woollen Mills Security Office Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Blarney (School Hours) O'Leary's Centra / Pharmacy First Plus Tower
Thank you! Many thanks to the committed volunteers who have continued to provide 24 hour first responder cover since October 2015. To our four team leaders and trainers Deborah Lynch, Barry Hoare, John Foley and Jeremy Downey.
To our volunteer responders Kate, Mick, Karen, Rosario, Deirdre, Esther, Betty, Jennifer, Helena and Lisa, who are drawn from all areas of the local community. To Dr Una O’Halloran and Blarney Sergeant Aidan O’Connell who have been on Blarney Community First Responders board with Kate Durrant and Deborah Lynch since the service went live in October 2015.
LOCATION: Blarney
TIME:
10am- 2.30pm (approx)
The life of the person you love could be in your hands!
HOW TO APPLY
Blarney Community First Responders facebook page or call Kate on 087 2330398.
Blarney Community First Responders will be holding Heartsaver AED courses on January 21st and 28th
All are welcome to come and train.
A subsidised fee of €65 will apply and places are strictly allocated on receipt of booking and payment of fee. No place will be held under any other circumstances.
Please note there is no onus on any person completing this course to become an active CFR within our group. While we are always looking for new responders, and welcome all enquiries, this course is open to everyone and anyone willing to learn all aspects of CPR and use of a Defibrillator (AED).
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26 | Muskerry News
Ann Cullinane, Clonakilty with Laura Buckley and Sarah Fitzgerald, both from Blarney, attending the 6th Women’s Little Christmas Afternoon Tea and Fashion Showcase in aid of Breakthrough Cancer Research in the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Little Island. Hair styling was courtesy of The Style House, Tower.
Gillian Canon, Rathcormac, Linda Coleman, Rathduff, Carol Quinlan, Ballincollig and Blarney ladies Liz Buckley, Ann Downey and Betty Norma Fitzgibbon, Douglas enjoying the Dulohery supporting Breakthrough Cancer style! Research.
Dee O'Halloran, Ballincollig pictured with Claire and Aisling Healy, from Ovens,
Ciara McCrann, Carrigaline pictured with Avril, Niamh and Marie O'Mahony, Ballincollig. One of the volunteer models for the Breakthro ugh Cancer Research Fashion Showcase was the lovely Niamh Murphy. pics Jim Coughlan
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Muskerry News | 27
‘Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting.’ (Thomas S. Monson) Like me, you may have occasionally heard or read about Brú Columbanus since it opened in 2005. You may be aware that it describes itself as ‘home from home accommodation free of charge to the relatives of seriously ill patients in Cork hospitals’, and may have thought what a good idea that is. Like me, you may have donated a Euro or two when passing a collection bucket for Brú Columbanus in a street and thought of it no further. It was only when I had need of the hospitality of Brú Columbanus for two weeks last November, that I learnt to appreciate how unique and important a facility it actually is. Having to be referred to the house by a clinical nurse manager at any one of Cork’s hospitals is an ingenious arrangement because it is guaranteed to prevent fraudsters from taking advantage of the generosity of the Knights of St. Columbanus, the donors and volunteers who help to keep the house open. I was astonished to hear that this fabulous facility does not receive any financial support from the Irish Government whatsoever. That’s why fundraising volunteers, and individual donors are the life blood of the day-today existence of this fantastic, independent charity that provides such an invaluable service to people in need of safe, restful accommodation near their loved one’s hospital bed, at no cost whatsoever
Christmas Spirit All Year Round Report by Heike O’Sullivan
(although donations from guests are, of course, gratefully received). ‘Brú’ is the Irish word for ‘hostel’. Yet, Brú Columbanus is so much more than that. Yes, there is a huge room filled with no less than five fully equipped single galley kitchens, each with large dining table and chairs, dedicated dry-goods storage, fridge and freezer space for every single room, thereby enabling guests to cook their own meals rather than having to spend money on restaurants or take-away. The 26 en-suite bedrooms, however, each large and bright, have simple but good quality furnishings and would give any three star hotel a run for its money. They are homely, clean and comfy, and my two weeks there were as pleasant as they could’ve been given the circumstances. During my stay in November, the house was very busy with people coming and going. Some kept to themselves, others were mingling and sharing their burden with fellow guests. I met one lady who called Brú Columbanus her home since her very ill husband was admitted to CUH last July. The daylight-filled chapel on the house’s top floor and
the offer to guests to participate in yoga and meditation classes held in-house made her days a little easier. Another young woman was staying there whilst caring for her two year old nephew whose only 36 year old mum is being treated for cancer in four different parts of her body. She particularly appreciated the Children’s Den, filled with toys for all age groups as well as a football table, large flatscreen TV and couch for teenagers. Hearing these stories puts life’s daily complaints into perspective. Brú Columbanus is a true blessing for people who find themselves in the situation of having to avail of its second-to-none services and quiet, calm environment. And yet, the charity manages to run the large house with only 2.5 paid staff members. The fact that an army of tireless volunteers maintains the property to such high standards of care and comfort is surely a testament to the house itself and to what it stands for. The next time I’ll be passing one of those collection buckets, I’ll be sure to drop in more than just a Euro. Maybe you could do so, too. If you would, you’d be supporting a very worthy cause indeed, and who knows when you might find yourself in a situation when you may need to stay at Brú Columbanus yourself. Hopefully not, but one never knows.
Ballincollig Community First Responders set to go live
Following the drowning tragedy in Ballincollig Regional Park last year, the dream of local man Simon Potter to turn Ballincollig into a First Responder Community is set to become a reality when the service goes live shortly. With a population of almost 18,000, Ballincollig is desperately in need of a group of volunteers to respond to emergencies in the town and surrounding area. Speaking at the time of the drowning Simon said, “ Why I decided to set up the group wasn’t
solely based on the drowning, I also saw that other communities were after setting one up and I saw how well they were doing with it.” He added, “I think that everybody should learn CPR, I don’t think some people realise the absolute importance of it and how much of a difference it could make to someone’s life, it’s
something you could have forever as well.” Ballincollig Credit Union have gifted the scheme a defibrillator and many other local businesses have contributed also. For anyone wanting to join, or interested in helping Ballincollig Community Responder Scheme, you can contact them through their facebook page.
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Dara’s Diary
28 | Muskerry News
In addition to my duties in Brussels & Dublin in my capacity as Minister for European Affairs and Data Protection, I’m always glad of an excuse to attend local events, and to bring events to the area - as my home and heart lie in Cork North Central.
New round of Sports Capital Funding for clubs Just in time for Christmas came the confirmation that the hugely popular Sports Capital Programme is certain to re-open this year, which is welcome news. I’ve worked with a number of clubs on their grant applications over the years and know first-hand the value of this funding scheme for local clubs and communities in terms of improved equipment and facilities. Many local clubs have benefited from the programme and it's important that we continue to build on this investment in communities. Investing in sport is good for the health of the nation. Online applications for grants under the Sports Capital Programme 2017 will be open from 23rd January to 24 February and I really want to encourage local clubs and sports organisations to apply. Ahead of the application period, clubs can get ready and register online at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. For more information, get in touch with my office on 021 4559353 or dara.murphy@oireachtas.ie. Positive news continues on the jobs and tourism fronts It’s great to see the positive trend of job creation and falling unemployment continue right up to the end of 2016, despite uncertainties created by Brexit. Jobs continue to be created across all sectors, with unemployment now down to 7.2% as of December. In the south west alone, over 1,800 additional jobs were created by IDA-supported companies last year, with Cork driving the growth of foreign direct investment in the region. It was also a record year for the Irish tourism sector 2016, where overseas visitor numbers were on the previous year. As Cork airport prepares to welcome new transatlantic airlines WOW Air and Norwegian Airlines, which will finally open Cork tourism directly to the valuable North American market, we can look ahead to another good year for Cork tourism, with Blarney in particular set to benefit. Welcome reopening of Egyptian market to Irish beef I’m delighted to see the reopening of the Egyptian market to Irish beef, which has been confirmed by Minister Creed and comes as good news for farmers at the start of the year. Egypt is one of the largest consumer markets in the Middle East and North Africa, with a population of over 80 million, and is the third biggest destination for Irish agri-food exports to Africa, with exports of €45m in 2015. The re-opening of the Egyptian market comes on the back of other positive beef market access announcements in 2016 and is particularly important as part of the search for new third country markets as the UK prepares to exit from the EU. Help to Buy scheme open for first-time buyers Under the Help-to-Buy scheme, first-time buyers can now recoup up to €20,000 in a tax refund to put towards the cost of purchasing a property. The scheme, which was announced in Budget 2017 last October, allows first-time buyers an income tax rebate of up to €20,000 up to a value of €500,000, from January 2017, to fund their home purchase deposit. The scheme is designed to assist those who were having trouble saving a deposit to purchase their own home. Under new Central Bank rules, first-time buyers need a deposit of 10 per cent, half of which can now come from the Help-to-Buy initiative, meaning that first time home buyers should be able to purchase a property with a deposit of 5%. Those looking for more information on the scheme and how to apply should visit www.revenue.ie Blarney GAA launched their Astro Turf Project last year. The club was a beneficiary of the Sports Capital Programme for this project. I joined Cork Chamber and Minister of State for Financial Services, Eoghan Murphy, in December for an event on attracting financial services jobs to Cork in the wake of Brexit.
Students from Colaiste Choilm Ballincollig pictured at the South Cork Schools Enterprise Programme at Colaiste Choilm, Ballincollig.
Nor sure if we were lucky or unlucky not to get snow this year, but I love this photograph taken by local photographer Donncha ÓCaoimh of snow in the village in two years ago. Well done to local boy Matthew Power who sorted out all his toys and donated them to children who will not have too many toys under their tree this year. Can you just imagine the joy his PlayStation and games are going to give to a young boy who has never had a PlayStation? Well done Matthew, that's the true spirit of Christmas with Lena Power.
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Muskerry News |29
Grease is the word at Scoil Mhuire gan Smal, Blarney
Aren't they wonderful? The transition year students from Scoil Mhuire gan Smal worked hard before Christmas making sure that the Vincent de Paul Christmas food hampers were ready to go out to all the local families needing a little bit of extra help.
Santa's Workshop came to life in Blarney when the Junior Infants and Speech and Language class from Scoil Chroì Ìosa visited SMGS before Christmas. They had a wonderful time making decorations in a workshop that is just like the one where Santa makes his toys, thanks to woodwork teacher Peter French and all the teachers and student elves who helped on the day.
Scoil Mhuire gan Smal Green Schools' Committee raised their second green flag for energy on December 13th. The flag was raised by special guest Stephen Mc Donnell, Cork Senior Hurling captain, and Jordan Keohane, Green Schools' Chairperson was M.C for the event. Members of the committee Triona Twomey, Ciara Malone, Barry McCarthy and Robert O'Riordan spoke briefly. The committee has been very active over the last number of years raising awareness and promoting energy conservation in the school and wider community. The Green Schools' committee is now looking forward to working on their third green flag for energy and is lucky to have water ambassador for Cork, Jordan Keohane, on the committee.
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30 | Muskerry News
Smiles all round at Whitechurch and Waterloo active
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retirement Christmas party
pics courtesy Celeste Foley
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32 | Muskerry News Behind the Castle Walls with Adam, Head Gardener Blarney Castle
December was busy here in the gardens. Most of the month was spent doing end of year clean up jobs, machinery servicing and general maintenance. This is the time of year that the vital housekeeping tasks are completed before we enter another new season. Several new projects are underway and we recently completed planting a new arboretum area. Also look out for the newly created entrance to our Jungle area which is due for completion in the spring. There will be a lot of large leaved structural plants going in, which should be quite impressive in the summer. Our Vietnamese woodland is shaping up nicely too, and we have many wild collected seed now starting to germinate in the glasshouses. These will provide some extremely interesting additions to the gardens over the next few years. The last few nights have seen a drop in temperature, but it’s been relatively mild recently. Our snowdrops on the front avenue are starting to emerge and a couple of early varieties are in flower in the winter border. It’s always one of the first real signs of spring for me. The daffodil avenue is already starting to emerge and the first few flowers are open. I expect it will be in full flower by mid February. Our glasshouses are due for a major clean in the next few weeks, not one of my favourite jobs! We will shortly be starting our bedding plants for summer; this is the start of sowing time for seeds in a heated propagator, but wait until February for most. We already have sweet pea growing on and will be trying a few different varieties this year. The seed of early vegetable varieties of lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots and peas can be sown now. Start them in a propagator or a warm windowsill, and grow them on in a greenhouse or poly tunnel. Other jobs for January include pruning and tidying the grape vines, pruning fruit trees and bushes as well as ornamentals but not Cherry or stone fruits, leave these until early spring when they start to bud. Firming up young trees and plants that may have been loosened by the high winds and wet conditions is extremely important and planting of bare root hedging and trees is also ongoing. 2016 was a very busy year for us here in the gardens. We achieved a great deal and I am delighted at the way that the gardens continue to develop. We recently were accepted for membership of the Botanic Gardens Conservation International group which brings us up to another level in our accomplishments. We have a fantastic group of highly motivated and dedicated staff, and I look forward to working with them all in 2017. Wishing everyone a very happy new year from all of us in the gardens.
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B
F
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Extra parking is now available at the rear of Ashdale House to facilitate hassle free access.
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The fabulous volunteers from Blarney Tidy Towns enjoying a well deserved Christmas night out at The Oriel House Hotel.
L
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The fabulous Whitechurch based Blue Hat Productions Amateur Theatre Group competed before Christmas in the One Act Festival Circuit which saw 53 teams from across the country compete for qualification to the All Ireland Final which took place in Dundrum, Dublin. Blue Hat qualified and from the 11 teams competing at the final were the only team from Munster. Their production of ‘Two’ by Jim Cartwright won outright in Dundrum and Blue Hat are now All Ireland Champions putting Cork and Munster firmly on the drama map.
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‘
Stars are born at Vicarstown National School
Stars are born at the Christmas Show! Parents, family, neighbours and friends had a great evening at the Christmas Show on December 15th in Ballyanly. Junior and Senior Infants performed ‘Ralph the Reindeer’ and were followed by Christmas Carols from the Guitar players. 1st and 2nd Class performed ‘Angel Express’ followed by 3rd and 4th Class who did ‘The Star Attraction’. Then there was some Modern Dance. The night culminated with 5th and 6th classes performing a very entertaining version of ‘Red Riding Hood’ with a twist.
Green Schools Committee Our Green Schools Committee have been very busy this term. This year our focus is on Water Conservation and we are very actively competing in the Global Water Explorers Competition, with our team selected as the Water Explorers Team of the month where the teams newsreel will be featured on the Water Explorers home page. We started the year by conducting a manual water audit and realised that our school is wasting water each day, remedial action was taken to eliminate this immediately! We also learned a lot about the impact about flooding in Ireland and found out about what we can do to reduce our carbon footprint. The Committee organised a ‘Swap Shop’ to exchange disused toys and books for new treasurers for their collections of toys and books at home. At the moment children are creating masterpieces using recycled and reused materials, we saw some fantastic work on this before Christmas. The children also composed raps and dances along the theme of water which they performed for us before Christmas. We look forward to 2017 where we will undertake new challenges in water conservation and many more creativity along this theme.
Enrolment Day for Junior Infants September 2017 - School Open Day Vicarstown National School will be delighted to welcome Parents and pupils who wish to enrol in the school for September 2017 on Tuesday January 24th from 1.30pm to 3.30pm Santa visits Vicarstown National School Santa's sleigh crashed into a neighbouring field a couple of days before the Christmas holidays while he was out on a recognisance mission. He was quickly rescued by Garda Seán and while he was under Garda Escort back to Cork Airport he called into the school to see all the wonderful people here. Everyone got a quick chance to say ‘Hello’ to Santa and he had a few goodies in his bag for them too!
We wish you all a Happy & Healthy New Year. You looked fabulous last year, ladies, we intend to keep you looking fabulous again this year! For a free consultation call 021 4382739 or 086 8240422
Unit 6B, Woodfield, Station Rd, Blarney
follow us on facebook www.facebook.com/josedgehairsalon TUE-THUR • 9.30am - 5.30pm FRI - SAT • 9.00am - 5.30pm Late Night Thurs by appointment
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News from Times Past with Brian Gabriel, Blarney & District Historical Society
The history of Scoil Mhuire gan Smal Blarney
The original school was founded by the late Mrs. Peg O’Connor in the Emer Hall, Waterloo Road in 1952. Among the teachers in those early days were Mr. Aodán O’Donoghue, later to become Cigire in the Dept. of Education, and the late Ms. Marie Hobbs, later a Vice-Principal in St. Aloysius, Cork. After a few years, a new four-roomed building was erected in the Station Road and this was to remain the campus for many years. In 1961, the student population was comprised of thirty students, and the staff consisted of just two teachers, Aidan Muldoon and James Looby. It is sad to record the untimely death of Mr. Muldoon in 1989, who taught in Nigeria and in Singapore after leaving Blarney. When the school was bought by Mr. and Mrs. Gerard O’Beirne in 1962, numbers were still small, and special permission had to be obtained to employ a third teacher. Forty-seven pupils were enrolled in September 1962 and a grand total of four sat their Leaving Certificate in June 1963. This was an era when few continued to Second Level and fewer still went on to complete their Leaving Certificate. The Woollen Mill was still flourishing in Blarney, second-level education was expensive – fees were £25 per annum in 1963, almost a month’s wages then, - so the incentives to continue after PRIMARY School were not great. With small numbers on the roll, the prospects for the future of the school was uncertain and in 1965 the O’Beirnes decided to put the school up for sale again. The Sisters of Charity were aware for some time of the situation. As well as running secondary schools for girls in Dublin and at St. Vincent’s in Cork, the Sisters had seen the need for second-level education in rural areas in Western Ireland and had for many years run co-educational secondary schools at Benada and Foxford, for instance. So, when in February, Mrs. O’Beirne made an approach to Mother General in Milltown, the order was ready to accept the challenge of continuing and expanding the school where they perceived a growing need. Mother General visited the school in March and the sale went ahead in May at a price of £3,000. Sister Ignatius Paul was sent from Milltown to canvass local primary schools on the attractions of secondary education. Paddy Buckley and Maura Horgan were the only other teachers in the school at the time and both remained on to serve under the new management. Paddy recalls: “I remember riding shotgun in a Morris Minor accompanying two nuns on the annual trail to the outposts in Glashaboy, Ballyglass and Barrachauring. The pioneering spirit was very much to the fore, the front seat passenger keeping up the enthusiastic chatter, while behind, the look of apprehension and the tight grip on the Rosary beads told its own story.” In the building at the Station Road the smoky stoves were replaced with central heating and the school was given a general facelift at a further cost of £2,425 before the ‘New Beginning’ in September 1965. A major fund raising drive was initiated to try and reduce the debt. A newly formed Past Pupils Union organised a sponsored walk while a Silver Circle was run over a period of twenty weeks. The new Principal, Sister Joseph Marie brought a determination and enthusiasm which quickly affected the small team she had assembled. A secretarial class was set up and fifth year girls spent an extra hour at their shorthand and typing with Sister Thomas. Ingeberg Schmidt came to teach French and English. The following year a Science Lab and Domestic Science room were added to be followed shortly afterwards by new faces on the staff to teach the expanding curriculum. Neil O’Mahony, Michael Riordan, Gemma O’Keeffe, Bina Hickey, Mary Breen and Carmel Buckley arrived in the early years, some to stay for relatively short periods, some destined for longer service in Blarney. By now winds of change were blowing in Irish Education as the country geared itself for the challenges of Free Trade and eventual E.E.C. entry. In 1967 free secondary education was introduced along with free transport to give equal access to schools to children in remoter rural areas. Catchment areas were drawn up for schools and it soon became clear that Blarney was set for major expansion. The proposed catchment area included Inniscarra, Donoughmore, Grenagh, Whitechurch and Clogheen/Kerry Pike. A bus route was organised to bring children from the outlying areas to the school. It was quite clear that the potential number of new pupils could not hope to be accommodated in the existing building. Mr. Noel Lindsay from the Dept. of Education came to Blarney to inspect facilities and proposed that three prefabricated classrooms be erected as a temporary measure to
accommodate the increase, with the promise of a completely new school in due time. When the doors opened in September, the numbers had doubled to 118. The following year another 60 First Years were enrolled. The sudden expansion brought problems and the little school began to burst at the seams. A caravan parked in the school yard accommodated the staff and two classes were boarded out in the T.A. Hall down the road. At this stage, it became obvious that a more extensive site and a much larger building were necessary to accommodate the ever-increasing numbers. A site opposite the convent on The Hill was investigated but it was finally decided to move to the lowlands and almost six acres were acquired in the old sports field behind The Groves Estate for the modest sum of £5,000. The Department sanctioned a school to accommodate 250 pupils and work commenced on March 19th 1969. It was completed by November and it was blessed and opened by Father Cusack on 9th November. No sooner was it occupied than it was found to be overcrowded. After a while it was back to the T.A. Hall with some of our peripatetic scholars while the secretarial class laboured in the Arctic wastes of the Convent Hall. The newly acquired acres gave scope for the playing of football, hurling and other field sports, while the installation of basketball nets in the tarmac area in front of the school fostered a new sport. So well did the Blarney girls in particular take to it that the school won several Colleges titles and the past pupils formed the Blarney Basketball Club which went on to become the leading club in the country. Indeed, just as we go to press, they have been crowned All Ireland Champions in winning the I.C.S. Cup under the glare of the television cameras in Neptune Stadium. In the seventies, prefabs mushroomed all around the new campus and indeed these were fragile fungi in any school yard. The students and staff who survived their sentence in the prefabs deserve our highest admiration but the years of frustration and wasted effort, not to mention the huge capital investment, could surely have been avoided with some foresight and proper planning. After years of appeals, the Department finally sanctioned further expansion; then the hatching came to an end; the coops were brushed away; and the fledglings occupied the new extension in September 1980. The completed building consisted of 22 classrooms, facilities for practical subjects, a large assemble room, a library, a staffroom and offices. In short full facilities to provide a comprehensive education to the children of Blarney and surrounds. On September 24th 1981, the school was officially blessed by Rev. Dr. John Aherne, Bishop of Cloyne and concelebrated Mass was attended by the staff and students. In September 1981, when her lasting memorial was well established, Sr. Joseph Marie was recalled to Dublin. Sr. Carmel Kelly took the reins to guide the school through a decade which saw many changes in the field of education. Constraints in the discipling of students; in school expenditure; in staff appointments; the abolition of free travel; secretarial help etc. - led to a decade not without its trials and tribulations. Despite the massive cutbacks and general tightening of belts, plans for a further extension were drawn up in 1987. These were given final clearance in June 1990 -just a month prior to the departure of the Sisters of Charity. The above article, written by Mr. John Mulcahy, originally appeared in Issue No. 2 ‘Old Blarney’ Journal. The next illustrated lecture of the Blarney and District Historical Society is on Thursday 2nd February 2017 at 8pm in Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál. Titled ‘The Cycles of Time’ Exploring Irish Folk Belief, ‘Piseogs’, Ritual and Customs’, the guest speaker is Lecturer, Archaeologist, Folklorist and Historian, Mr. Shane Lehane. Piseoga or superstitions are still around in todays’ world. When did they begin and where did they come from? Shane explains all as he takes us back through the centuries to discover their origins. Everybody welcome. The Society would like to thank all its members and friends for your support during 2016 and would like to take this opportunity to wish each, and every one of you a Safe and Peaceful New Year for 2017. Enquiries to Brian Gabriel 087 2153216 / bg1@eircom.net Check-out the web-site for Blarney and District Historical Society at www.blarneyhistory.ie
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From times past...
Lovely to receive these old photographs which must bring back some great memories for some of our readers.
The two rare school photographs are of the pupils of Blarney School, in 1940 and 1939. The teachers at the time were Miss Scantlebury, Miss O'Shea and Miss Forrest. The top picture shows a photograph of Dan Buckleys house on the Old Kerry Road, Tower.
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John Henchion & Co. Boston Scientific, Cork has received the 2016 Shingo Award for ‘Excellence in Manufacturing’ from the Shingo Institute, part of the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University. The Shingo Prize is based on a thorough assessment of organisational culture and operations and was awarded in recognition of the site’s ongoing commitment to operational excellence throughout all levels of the organisation. Boston Scientific currently employs 800 people and manufactures products that treat conditions in the cardiac and peripheral vasculature and gastrointestinal and urinary tracts.
Blarney & District Garden and Flower Club
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The Community Hall, Whitechurch Thursday 26th January @ 8pm. PLEASE COME AND SUPPORT YOUR CLUB
Tel: 021 438 2870 The Bakehouse Waterloo Road , Blarney, Co. Cork Fax: 021 438 2876 Email: johnh@blarneylaw.com
www.blarneylaw.com
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Plenty to celebrate as a busy year comes to an end at Grenagh GAA Club
Well done to Grenagh GAA U21 hurlers who received their mid cork medals from selectors Donie McCarthy and Harry Keating
Fabulous turn out for the annual Grenagh GAA long puc. Thanks to all who attended, and all who helped make this such a great event.
Congratulations to DJ Linehan who was this year’s winner of the Grenagh GAA club man Grenagh Ladies Football & Camogie would like to of the year congratulate Karen O Farrell on being selected for award. Well the Cork U16 Football Team for 2017. We have no deserved DJ. doubt that they will have many more girls to follow Karen's lead in the years ahead. Commiserations to Claire Ahern who was with Karen on the U14 County panel in 2015 but didn't get selected this time.
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70 teams turn out for Inniscarra GAA & Camogie Club 21st anniversary Poc Fada
Muskerry
Golf Club
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38 | Muskerry News
www.blarneygaa.ie
Blarney GAA news
Blarney well represented on Christian Brothers Team that win Munster Well done to the five Blarney players who played on the Christian Brothers team that won the Munster Under 16.5 Munster Final on the 14th of December last in Mallow, defeating Scoil Na Troinide Doon from Limerick on a score line of 1-12 to 1-8. Pictured are Shane Barrett, Padraig Power, Eoghan Doody, Daniel Quill, Declan Hanlon. Well done lads!
Paddy Cremen Memorial Trophy 2016 Winner Congratulations to Eugene McCarthy Blarney GAA adult player of the year 2016 who was presented with the Paddy Cremen memorial trophy by club president Michael O’Leary in the presence of his family and St John Cremen, Paddy’s nephew. Blarney Woollen Mills continue strong association with our Club Freda Hayes presented a sponsorship cheque from Blarney Woollen Mills to our 2016 Chairman Kevin Kelleher in December. Blarney Woollen Mills are great friends of Blarney GAA Club and have provided the main sponsorship to our club for over 40 years. We are most grateful for their continued support on and off the field for all those years.
Sponsorship is vital to run our club and we encourage all our members & friends to support our sponsors.
St Stephen’s Day walk What a great morning we had again this year for our St Stephens Day walk. Thanks to the Blarney Castle for allowing us the use of their fantastic grounds and to The Blarney Castle Hotel for managing the catering after the event. St Stephens Day Poc Fada 23 pocs win this years Poc Fada. Well done to family winners Paul O’Connor, Dylan Linehan and Conor Forde. General - 24 Pocs Jamie O’Connor, David Cremen, Micheal John Shine Ladies - 28 Pocs Oral Cremen, Jennifer Murphy, Emma Power Thanks to all for taking part, monies raised go to charity. Thanks also to Blarney Sofa Factory for sponsoring the prizes on the day.
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www.blarneygaa.ie
Blarney GAA news
Home For Christmas Lovely to see some present and former Blarney GAA club players home on holiday for Christmas having a kick about on our new all weather pitch during the holiday period.
Munster Council Grant We were delighted to receive â‚Ź10,713 from the Munster Council towards our club development. This will assist our fundraising efforts towards the cost of the project, which includes a 3G artificial grass pitch and a new ball alley
Santa visits Blarney GAA A big thanks to Santa and all of his little helpers for visiting Blarney GAA on the last Saturday before Christmas. It was a great effort by all. The kids had a great time meeting Santa and running around our new artificial grass pitch.
From all at Blarney GAA, Happy New Year to all our members, sponsors and friends.
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Nearly a goal but saved on the line. Action from the Knockavilla v Rathduff Roinn DGF4 game at the Allianz Sciath na Scol Finals at Mayfield GAA. pics Mike English
Clondrohid girls celebrate their Roinn DGF3 win over Scoil Croi Naofa, Blarney, at the Allianz Sciath na Scol finals at Mayfield GAA.
Scoil Barra, Ballincollig boys celebrate their win of Roinn F3, over Ballinora, at the Allianz Sciath na Scol finals.
To mark Inniscarra Camogie Club winning the senior County Final and progressing to the Munster Final a ‘Blue and White Day’ was recently held in the local schools. Pictured at the presentation of the proceeds from the event to Bróna and Evan from the Cork City Hospitals Children's Club are Linda Hughes, Inniscarra Camogie Club, Emma Hughes, Berrings National School, Molly Lenihan, Vicarstown National School and Elaine Buckley, Inniscarra Camogie Club.The Club would again like to thank all schools for getting behind the Senior Team and for raising money for this wonderful Club.
Wishing all our frinds and customers a very happy Christmas
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Firmount National School team who were runners up to Glenville in Roinn DF5 at the Allianz Sciath na Scol Finals at Pairc Ui Rinn.
Pictured at the announcement of CO-OP Superstores as new sponsors of the Munster Hurling League, were Simon Moroney Munster GAA CEO, Jerry OÕ Sullivan Munster GAA Chairman, Gillian Foley coopsuperstores.ie Marketing Manager and Jim Woulfe Dairygold CEO. pic John Sheehan
Happy Christmas!
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Year ends on a high at Blarney United FC Some of academy players with Cork City player Alan Bennett and the FAI Cup when the FAI cup visited Blarney United.
The annual Kevin Nagle Cup soccer challenge match between The Huntsman V The Castle Hotel was a great match as always, with The Castle Hotel winning on the day.
Former Blarney United and current Cork city player Conor McCarthy brings the FAI U19 cup to O’Shea Park.
The club are delighted to announce the relaunch of the Blarney United website. A huge thank you to Graham Sheehan for all the work.
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Could Tai-Chi improve your life?
42 | Muskerry News
In this fast moving world, lots of us suffer from chronic illness, fatigue and stress causing unprecedented levels of depressions, addictions and suicides. We can improve our physical and mental state with Tai-Chi movements which will help us to destress by changing our body’s fundamentals including our posture, breathing, balance, awareness, concentration and fitness levels Tai Chi offers detailed, serious and comprehensive tuition in the powerful, life changing movement and mind arts of Tai Chi and Qi-Gong giving us a body and mind opening education in the potential of our body for relaxed power and strength, body awareness, balanced, smooth and co-ordinated movement plus a very subtle and beautiful method of
• Promoting memory retention fitness and good health. • Providing a social outlet of sharing a common interest. • A life long pastime which we can practice into our 80’s and 90’s. • We can practice on our own or with a group. • It gives you a feeling of calmness and serenity to start the day. meditation/mindfulness. Suitable for anyone of any age, it can enhance any professional sport and repair many longterm postural problems, as well as providing a wealth of other benefits including
Why not try out a class today? It will probably be the best New Years resolution you will ever make Classes will be held at Christies Health Studios, Blarney, every Wednesday from 11am to 12noon Introductory Offer 6 week term only €50 Contact Liam Griffin @ 085 8609308
Ballincollig GAA Club St Stephens Day Poc Fada attracts more than 80 teams!
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Muskerry Motoring
Grenagh Tyres
New & Part Worn Tyres Wheel Balancing Puncture Repairs Wipers & Bulbs Tracking & Car Batteries Supplied & Fitted Credit Cards Accepted
Great turnout for Blarney Vintage Club's Annual New Years Eve run.
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Thanks to all who supported the vintage car and tractor run in Inniscarra Community Centre on St. Stephens Day. A very enjoyable day with perfect weather for the run.
Cork Penny Dinners were the recipients of the fundraising vintage run organised by Broomhill Vintage Club in Coachford after Christmas. There was a fabulous selection of old cars, tractors and motorbikes to see.
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Why not drop your doggie for grooming whilst you shop at Blackpool Shopping Centre?
All Doggie Hair Doo’s Full grooming service and M: 086 8478762 wash only available
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Area Rep. Bryan O Donovan 087-2640884
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John Canty & Sons (Cork) Ltd.
46 | Muskerry News Open 6 Days
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Muskerry News | 47 Job Opportunities
Dripsey Tidy Towns CE Scheme Vacancy
This position will be located at Dripsey Cross.
This is a developmental opportunity, no experience is necessary. Accredited training will be provided to support your career.
DuTies To incluDe:
Grass cutting Cleaning Litter Picking Painting
...and all other duties as assigned. Hours are 19.5 per week.
Please contact your local DsP employment services / intreo office to check your eligibility and to apply for this vacancy. Applicants must be in receipt of an irish social welfare payment for 1 year or more. employer coachford schools Project ltd Donoughmore community centre, stuake, Donoughmore, county cork Phone 021 7337171 or email; dripseytidytowns@gmail.com
Craftsman's Joinery We are currently recruiting a hardworking, reliable and enthusiastic
APPRENTICE JOINER
The apprentice will work alongside an experienced team of joiners and will expected to follow tasks and be a team member. If interested please email your CV to curvedstairs@gmail.com
Craftsman's Joinery, Watergrasshill Business Park, Watergrasshill, Co. Cork.
Classifieds & Personal
Personal Classifieds Free,Thanksgiving €10 Business Classifieds, prepay €10 for 20 words Name........................................................................ Address..................................................................... .................................................................................. .................................................................................. Contact Number..................................................................... My Classifieds Advertisement is.............................. .................................................................................. .................................................................................. .................................................................................. .................................................................................. Send your classifieds advertisements to The Muskerry News, Church View, Blarney, Co. Cork or email us at.... northcitynews@eircom.net
Services Available
Dog Minding at Home. leave your dog with us while you are away on holiday or overnight, Your pet will be a guest in our home and treated as part of the family. countryside location just outside of Blarney. no kennels. competitive rates. Give Joanne a call for a chat or a visit on 089 9671402. It’s time to clean your Chimney! local chimney cleaning service available. no job too small. 087 6384396
All Doggie Hair Doo’s 086 8478762 Don’t forget your Best Friend! Full grooming service and wash only available. Puppies & large breeds welcome late evening appts on request Gift Vouchers available Why not drop your doggie for grooming whilst you shop at Blackpool shopping centre? 086 8478762 O’Connell Window Cleaning Blarney contact Donal 087 6592697 or 4383407 (after 6pm)
Chainsaw and Log Splitting services available. Have you got any fallen trees you need cut into rings or logs to be split for firewood? Please contact 087 9806639 for more details.
Ballroom / Latin American dance class. classes held in Blarney Woollen Mills Hotel. Beginners course starts Tuesday January 17th at 9.15pm. For further details phone 087 2487696 or email corkdanceclub@gmail.com. Firewood for Sale seasonal firewood for sale softwood €65 Hardwood €95 Free Delivery 085 8178492
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Downey Floor Sanding Floor sanding & sealing old and new floors sanded and varnished. Floor fitting service contact Jeremy at 4516901 / 087 2372213
Services Available
Funky Forrest Old School Disco 087 764 1088 specialising in 70’s /80’s Available for parties, weddings, special occasions, corporate events. Book early to ensure availability. www.martinforrest.com Ballroom & Jive Dance Class. cork Dance club's new autumn classes now enrolling. Blarney & city venues. Phone 087 2487696. e corkdanceclub@gmail.com
Yoga for Women, Men and Kids Cork. Yoga in schools camps Baby Massage classes complimentary Therapies contact Patricia on 087 9721149
Driving Lessons Beginner / Pre test ADi approved instructor. Very patient. Test routes covered. car available for test. Gift vouchers available. Blarney school of Motoring. blarneyschoolofmotoring.com 087 2796008
It’s time to clean your carpets! Blarney & District carpet and upholstery cleaning service. no job too small. 087 6384396
Fencing Specialists All types of fencing supplied and fitted. side Gates, Palisade Fencing, Round Tops, Bow Tops and much more. Fully installed and manufactured to your specification. Paving & Patios Hedge Removal Phone eddie for free quotations 085 2256490
Thanksgiving Novena to the Sacred Heart. Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked for many favours. This time I ask you this very special one. (Mention favour) Take Dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes, it will become your favour not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for three days, promise publication and favour will be granted. Never known to fail (SOK)
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