The Douglas Post #1910

By Brendan Larkin

“I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, his greatest fulfilment of all he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle – victorious”.

VINCE LOMBARDI

The recent death of Dermot Keane has robbed those of us who knew him of one of nature’s gentlemen. Der endeared himself to everyone he came in contact with. This was evidenced by the massive crowd which attended his wake in the local GAA club recently, and by the huge attendance of Douglas people at his burial in St. Gobnait’s Cemetery, Ballyvourney last week.

Born in the Gaeltacht area on September 3rd, 1940, he was the eldest of three, his sister Mary and brother Dan. Dermot often spoke of his schooldays in Ballyvourney where he had to make the four mile journey on foot each day through the fields, very often in his bare feet, to Shievereagh NS. “Times were tough then but it hardened me for what lay ahead”, he used to recall at get togethers in the GAA Club. Having lost his father in a motor bike accident in July 1956, Der was forced out into the workplace at a very young age and he made the journey into the city as a 16 year old later the same year, and came to live in Douglas and became an integal part of the community.

He lived with the late O’Riordan family on the South Douglas Road, who has strong Ballyvourney connections, and took up employment in the bar trade with O’Sullivans West Douglas, O’Driscolls East Douglas and Coughlans Douglas Street. While living with the O’Riordans in 1959, I first met Der and our friendship lasted up to his recent passing, a total of 64 years. He later moved in with Holland family in Grange Park, supposedly for a night, while he looked around for digs. However he stayed with that family for 31years and became a son and a brother. Der eventually moved out of Hollands and took up residence at 20, West Douglas, where he spent the last 20 years of his life.

His involvement with the GAA club is legendary. He served as President, Chairman, Treasurer, was an outstanding fundraiser and it is estimated that he raised close to £700,000 over a 25 year period as club coordinator of the County Board draw. He was also a key member of the Friday Club when it was set up in 2006.

He was an accomplished football coach and in 1965 steered the club’s under 15 team to championship honours. It was a team that included a number of outstanding players who went on to bring great adult success to the club.

His ability to organise was unique. His pitch and putt outings, golf tournaments, foreign holidays and trips around Ireland were hugely supported, . highly successful and entertaining to be involved in.

Der had many strings to his bow. He was a Peace

Commissioner, was elected to Cork County Council in 1970 and became known as The Councillor, a nickname that stuck to him up to the time of his death.

A lover of driving Der bought his first car in 1960, and it became legendary in Douglas. Distance was no object to him. A great story told about Der and his driving. In the mid 1970s Douglas qualified for the city junior football championship final against Passage. Having lost to them the previous year, a second successive defeat was unthinkable.

The same year American President Richard Nixon was in Ireland and all garda leave suspended as they were called to Dublin for protective duty. The Douglas coach was a member and also an integral member of the football team. The team also had two Presentation Brothers teaching in Waterford who had to be brought back for the Saturday night final. What a dilemma for the club. They managed to get the Garda released provided he was in Dublin by midnight on the Saturday.

Enter one Dermot Keane. He volunteered to go to Waterford for the two players, and after the match which Douglas won, drove the garda to Dublin and had him there by the midnight hour.

No one else would have undertaken all that driving, but Der Keane did. There are several other stories about Der’s incredible work for the GAA club in Douglas, and other organisations such as Meals on Wheels and Young at Heart.

Der loved many things such as travel, the GAA and his family but his greatest love of all were people. He had time to chat, time to listen and time to care.

He was the epitome of a true gentleman. Too dearly loved to be forgotten.

As dheis Dé go raibh a Anam Dílis.

Dermot Keane

Cllr. Ben Dalton O’Sullivan

Carrigaline Municipal District Updates

Dear Reader,

It is hard to believe another month has passed since the latest edition of the Douglas Post. I’m including a few local area updates from the Carrigaline Municipal District which may be of interest to you.

Carrigaline Garda Station:

Uncertain opening hours remain a concern within the Carrigaline community. Lately, as Chairman of the Carrigaline Municipal District, I wrote to our three senior Ministers in Cork South Central urging them to prioritise this on a national level. It is vital that this issue is pushed and raised at every level. As a local councillor, I will continue to highlight and raise the issue, however, National prioritisation is also required.

Cataract Bus:

I am continuing to organise buses to Belfast for those on cataract waiting lists throughout March and April. At this point, all my March clinics are now full. However, if you wish to access cataract surgery in April or May, please do get in touch with me as soon as you can as demand is extremely high for spaces in these clinics. I am also facilitating urgent Hip/ knee replacements and Carpel Tunnel surgery through the Belfast hospital.

Marian Hall, Ballinhassig:

I am delighted to see exterior and interior painting now complete at the Marian Hall, Ballinhassig following grant assistance from Cork County Council. Further improvements are now planned following recent successful grant applications. Watch this space!

Ballygarvan Traffic Calming and Village Enhancement:

I’m delighted to say plans are finally progressing towards the installation of traffic calming in Ballygarvan. This has been long awaited by residents. Also, plans have been activated towards enhancing the village realm this year. More details to follow.

Grants for Older Persons:

Household grants are available to people over the age of 66 to assist them with the following; Replacement of old doors and windows (particularly single glazed windows), rewiring, roofing repairs (where no insurance exists), installation of wet rooms and level access showers, installation of grab rails etc. If you require an application form, feel free to get in touch with me.

In the meantime, if I can ever be of any assistance to you or your family, feel free to get in touch with me.

Regards,

Cllr Ben Dalton O’Sullivan Chairman of the Carrigaline Municipal District 2022-2023

Douglas Community Association - Runners up in Pride of Place Awards in Dublin. Thank you to Anne O'Hanlon for representing DCA.

Douglas Hall AFC - Our club president Dinny Carroll pictured with some of our young players to remind you all about the 50/50 draw

Awards Ceremony, Discover Cork Schools’ Heritage Project 2022/23

A recent award ceremony of the Discover Cork Schools’ Heritage Project 2022/23 took place at the Old Cork Waterworks Experience. A total of 30 schools in Cork City took part in the 2022/23 school year, which included schools in Ballinlough, Beaumont, Blackrock and Douglas and with a reach to Glanmire, Ballincollig and inner city suburban schools as well. Circa 1,000 students participated in the process with approx 250 project books submitted on all aspects of Cork’s local history and it cultural and built heritage.

The Discover Cork Schools’ Heritage Project is in its 21st year and is a youth platform for students to do research and write it up in a project book on any topic of Cork history. The aim of the project is to allow students to explore, investigate and debate their local heritage in a constructive, active and fun way.

Co-ordinator and founder of the project, Cllr Kieran McCarthy noted, “It’s been a great journey over twenty years of promoting and running this project. Over the years, I have received some great projects on Cork landmarks such as The Marina to Shandon to villages such as Douglas but also on an array of oral history projects – students working closely with parents, guardians and grandparents. I’ve even seen very original projects, such as this year I received a history trail on streets of Cork pavements. The standard of model-making and in recent years, short film making – to go with project books – have always been creative”.

The Project is funded by Cork City Council with further sponsorship offered by Learnit Lego Education, Old Cork Waterworks Experience and Cllr. Kieran McCarthy. Full results for this year’s project are online on Cllr. McCarthy’s heritage website, www.corkheritage.ie. This website also has several history trails, his writings, and resources, which Kieran wrote up and assembled over the past few years.

Ask your Pharmacist

with Garvan J. Lynch

Streptococcus A (strep A)

Group A Streptococcus (GAS), also known as Strep A, are bacteria commonly found on the skin or in the throat. Under some circumstances these bacteria can cause disease. Group A Streptococcus - GAS infection commonly presents as a mild sore throat ('strep throat') and skin/soft tissue infections such as impetigo and cellulitis.

Phone 999 or go to your nearest A& E if:

• your child is having difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs)

• there are pauses when your child breathes

• your child's skin, tongue or lips are blue

• your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake

Contact your GP if your child:

• is getting worse • is feeding or eating much less than normal

• has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration. • is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38°C

• is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39°C or higher

• feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty • is very tired or irritable

Group A Streptococcus - GAS bacteria can cause a wide variety of skin, soft tissue and respiratory tract infections ranging in severity from mild to life-threatening. These include:

• Tonsillitis • Sore throat • Scarlet fever • Impetigo

• Erysipelas (a type of cellulitis) • Cellulitis • Pneumonia

In rare cases, patients may go on to develop post-streptococcal complications, such as:

• Rheumatic fever • Glomerulonephritis (heart and kidney diseases caused by an immune reaction to the bacteria)

Group A Streptococcus - GAS can very rarely cause more serious conditions, known as invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) infections. These can include:

• Bacteraemia (an infection of the bloodstream)

• Septic arthritis • Meningitis

• Necrotising fasciitis (a severe infection involving death of areas of soft tissue below the skin)

• Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (rapidly progressive symptoms with low blood pressure and multi-organ failure)

iGAS infections tend to happen in the elderly, the very young, or people with an underlying risk fac-tor such as injecting drug use, alcoholism, immunosuppression or cancer.

Preventing GAS infection

GAS are spread by close contact between individuals, through respiratory droplets (moisture in your breath) and direct skin contact.

Cllr Kieran McCarthy (Ind),

Member,

Cork City Council, www.kieranmccarthy.ie | www.corkheritage.ie www.facebook.com/cllrkieranmccarthy

Kieran's heritage work on Facebook: Cork: Our City, Our Town twitter: @cllrkmac | Instagram: cllrkieranmc

To help reduce the risk of picking up or spreading infections: DO:

• wash your hands properly with soap for 20 seconds

• use a disposable tissue to catch coughs and sneezes

• keep away from others if you feel unwell.

DO NOT:

• do not share contaminated food, utensils, cups and glasses, baths, bed linen or towels

For more information, ring Lynch’s Pharmacy in Broadale on (021)4366923.

On Friday, 24 February 2023, SMD Solicitors welcomed friends, family, colleagues, and members of the local community to its new office at Village Green, Church Road, Douglas for a champagne reception. Susan Doyle, the principal solicitor of SMD Solicitors, is absolutely delighted that she has finally relocated her firm to Douglas and left the hustle and bustle of Cork City Centre.

Susan started her own practice in 2019 so that she could focus her professional energy on her first passion - human rights. Susan and her legal executive, Nicola Murray, grew the practice into the thriving firm that it is today. With the recent additions of support staff Shadiah Kasagga, a Ugandan-qualified barrister, and solicitor Dia Silverstein.

SMD Solicitors is off to a flying start in 2023 at its beautiful new office space on Church Road, Douglas West.

SMD Solicitors has expertise in a variety of practice areas including immigration, international protection, conveyancing, family law, personal injury, and civil litigation.

Update on Local IssuesDonnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD

- Congratulations to Douglas Rochestown Educate Together on finally getting to move to their new school, after a long campaign, this is extremely welcome.

- unfortunately, this has been accompanied by traffic and transport difficulties. Initially the delay in processing applications but most recently the decision to rule residents from Mount

I have heard from Bus Éireann that the children of Douglas Rochestown Educate Together living in Mount Oval who were not eligible for School Transport due to a bizarre rule, will now be eligible for the School Transport scheme. I recently raised this issue in the Dáil Great news for the children and their families and a big well done to all involved, in particular the parents who campaigned on this matter and sought an end to this crazy approach to the rules.’

‘I hope that Bus Eireann will now be able to source a bus asap

- I recently met with Cork City Council on variety of issues. One issue I raised is the need for higher targets and more affordable housing, including in Douglas. We need to identify public land, to build Cost Rental and Cost Purchase housing. I will be working on this with the Council for the greater Douglas area. Sinn Féin continue to campaign to ensure fair rent, including a rent freeze, and a month’s rent back in renter’s pockets in the form of a tax credit, but also delivering properly affordable housing by way of cost-rental and costpurchase models. We will continue to do so.

- I welcome that funding was provided by the NTA in their annual allocation for the footbridge from Grange to Tramore Valley park.

- I have regularly been contacted by residents who have raised the need for pedestrian crossing at Scairt Cross at the top of Donnybrook. I welcome that there is funding for additional crossings up Donnybrook Hill but there is not any at this location or nearby, and it is very dangerous and I will be raising this with the Council

- I will also be raising the need for footpaths and safe pedestrian access at Moneygourney to the junction with Garryduff road, which is increasingly a busy road.

Please note that clinics are available by appointment in Douglas or in the Constituency Office on Togher Road. Contact 0214316555 or donnchadh.olaoghaire@oireachtas.ie Other locations by arrangement

Make an appointment at 0214316555 as clinic can be fully booked.

Is mise le meas, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD

A CLUB LOCATED IN THE CENTRE OF THE COMMUNITY FIGHTING ITS WAY BACK TO BEING THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY, THE DOUGLAS HURLING & FOOTBALL, CAMOGIE AND LADIES FOOTBALL CLUBS ARE MAKING HUGE STRIDES IN REGAINING THEIR PLACE IN THE VILLAGE.

Having launched their Development Plan in 2021, the Club has demonstrated the undoubted talent which exists, but more importantly it records its ambition to reach its full potential to become one of the best GAA Clubs in Ireland, both on and off the field of play.

Within the Club’s plan, the One Club model was introduced with a 99% majority of members. The One Club model creates better cooperation between the three Clubs, gives a combined membership of over 3000 and makes Douglas one of the biggest Clubs outside Dublin. Better cooperation was necessary as the three Clubs share the same facilities, same sponsors, same coaches and within the ladies’ Clubs, share the same players.

The first phase of the development plan was to refurbish the Clubhouse, install an Astro-turf ball-wall area, to re-lay and re-line the car park, and to open a new Club shop, which were all completed in June 2022. An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, cut the ribbon on the completion of phase 1.

The Club is currently in phase two of the development plan, and is happy to announce that in the next few weeks flood lights will be installed on Pitch 2. This will facilitate training and matches to 9pm during March, April, September, and October. The plan is to sell 700 Rebels Bounty tickets @€100 before 30th March 2023 to fund this project. .

This is a big challenge; however all teams are committed to selling 30 tickets each and the Club is also raffling some mouth-watering prizes for Rebels Bounty members as certain milestones are reached.

• 450 tickets sold-5 x €100 refunds.

• 500 tickets sold-€500 shopping voucher.

• 600 tickets sold-€1000 holiday voucher.

• 700 tickets sold-One year use of 2 x Premium seats in Pairc Úi Chaoimh + €500 cash.

Anyone wishing to buy a ticket can do so at https://gaacork. ie/rebelsbounty/ , select Douglas as their Club and remember every €100 donated goes directly to the flood lights project.

There are many other notable achievements of the Club Plan

• A Coaching Committee was set-up to bring the best coaching minds of all three Clubs at all levels together. The Club also hired a fulltime Games Promotion Officer, the first Club in Cork to do so, has a new Player Development Pathway

and has now started a coaching pathway for coaches who which to upskill and develop their coaching ability.

• The GPO is making great progress in local primary and secondary schools with the objective of increasing participation in Hurling, Football and Camogie.

• The gym refurbishment is expected to be completed by early April, which will facilitate group training for squads of thirty players.

• The Club has partnered with One Arena Gym at Underage (12-18), and adult level to provide players with ageappropriate Athletic Development plans ,including Strength & Conditioning Testing and Group Gym Training. At this point all underage boys and girls are doing S&C once per week.

• Douglas also has a new Irish Language & Culture Officer on board,and expects more signs of the Cúpla Focal around the Club over the next few months.

• The completed Function Room now seats up to 200 people and this together with the beautiful members bar has developed into an attractive venue for parties, dancing and believe or not, Comedy acts.

• The club has a new Events Committee who are tasked with running fundraising and non-fundraising events in the Club and Community in 2023 and beyond.

• Douglas now runs a GAA For All initiative for children with additional needs on Saturday afternoons in the Sportshall.

The third phase of the Club development plan due next year is the installation of a full-size Astro turf pitch with floodlights. This gives the players the option of training all year round and eliminates the need to rent external pitches.

“After the 3-year development plan, the GAA recommends that we don’t just stop, we will take a break and use the benefit of the momentum to continue developing the Club, which we will do with the support of our members and the local community.”

“Poignantly, Brendan pointed out that the Club “is in the centre of the community but wasn’t the centre of the community, people didn’t see it as a place to go, one of our main objectives of this plan is to make the Club a part of the community and to make it a place to go for everyone and that is working”.

“The many developments in Our Club are only possible with the contribution of our members through membership and fundraising, however we now ask for your support again specifically to pay for the flood lights through the Rebels Bounty Draw”

Ladysbridge Aggregates Ltd.

plots or raised beds. This black loamy fertile soil will give your crops and plants an extra boost for terrific results in the months ahead. Our topsoil has been screened to remove any lumps,

As the first signs of Spring are all around us and the weather starting to get a little warmer with the welcoming sound of birdsong, many of us are longing to get back out into the garden. It is that time of year when we are thinking of the different projects that we want to start or finish for that matter, in the months ahead.

So, let’s make a plan, big or small, get out into the garden and give us a call.

Whether it is planting bulbs or sowing vegetables with top quality topsoil, building raised flower beds, laying out a new garden in your new home, adding sleepers, or weed barrier, putting down a patio, decorative stone for the beds or driveway and all your small building projects. No job too big or too small, we are here to help.

Here at Ladysbridge Aggregates Ltd, we offer our customers top quality screened topsoil, and it is available for either collection or delivery. Our screened topsoil is dry stored and available all year round. It's now time to get your orders in for topsoil to begin planting.

We also offer an enriched topsoil which is a blend of 70% screened topsoil & 30% compost and is an ideal start for your vegetable

stones, or waste, making the use of the soil simple and quick to use, giving a professional fresh finish.

As well as screened and enriched topsoil we also have a vast array of beautiful decorative stone and cobbles to enhance any part of your home, garden, or community space. We supply washed aggregates, blocks, cement, sand, building/facing stone, concrete/ limestone edging, weed barrier, sleepers, posts and panels for all of your building and landscaping needs.

Great value with fast and reliable delivery to your door in tonne bags with our grab lorry, which is ideal for small tight spaces and leaves no mess! Our topsoil is also available in bulk loads, just give us a call on 021 4191820 with your eircode and we will be more than happy to offer you a quotation.

Commercial enquires 0214219809. Or why not pop in and see us P25PK44, just off the dual carriageway between Midleton and Carrigtwohill.

Douglas Ladies Football Club

What a fantastic day! Up there with the 7s win in 2019. Unbeaten in all 5 pool matches. A comprehensive win in the final sealed the deal!

What great ambassadors for their club. Thanks to Den Haag GAA for the invite and well done on organising yet again such a fabulous display of football.

Great to see the Gaelic games family coming together - a great night will be had by all.

Douglas Tidy Towns AGM

Following our AGM in January, Douglas Tidy Towns focus this year to date has mainly been on our Saturday litter picking activities and planning for the coming months.

or reduction. If you would like to participate in this project, please check out our website for a video on how to identify and record.

We have recently launched a community group with our colleagues in Togher, Ballyphehane and Bishopstown Tidy Towns and other local community groups to look at the Tramore River and its catchment area across the south of the City. We are planning a field trip in April with experts on hand to highlight the flora and fauna as well as the water ecology. We will announce the details of this in due course.

Douglas Meals on Wheels

One major highlight in February was the trojan work done by volunteers from Cairn Homes on the Carrigaline Road, where they did a general litter pick and street sweep. They also cleared back leaves at the Independence Park - raking the leaves off the grass to allow it breathe and renew, with the leaves stacked to compost down and sweeping the steps to the Garda Station. They also cut back the edges of the paths which had become quite overgrown. Further up the hill they cleared out a major stand of the Old Man’s Beard (Clematis vitalba) which is an invasive deciduous perennial plant. We look forward to working with them again in the future as they continue the housing development further up the Carrigaline Road.

It was great to see everyone at our invasive non-native species workshop on Saturday 25 February - both old and new faces - and our neighbours from Ballyphehane Tidy Towns! We learned about the four key species of concern in Douglas and how to record them, so that we have a good map of their locations and then make a plan for eradication

A few photos from our Coffee Morning very kindly sponsored by Maryborough House Hotel for all the Douglas Meals on Wheels volunteers. A great morning was had by all and we greatly appreciate their sponsorship.

Douglas Meals on Wheels is operated solely by volunteers who give up their time to prepare cook and deliver meals to our clients in the Douglas area.

Ballinlough Community News

with Mary Cremin

Ballinlough Men's Retirement Club

The Club meets every Wednesday from 2.00pm to 4.00pm in the Community Centre. Enjoy a game of Short Mat Bowls and a cuppa as well. New members welcome

Progressive 45 Drive

Every Thursday night 8.30pm in the Community Centre

Ballinlough Community Association would like to congratulate Angela Cantwell of 'Angela's Shop and Coffee Dock' in Fountainstown on her selection as 'Cork Person of the Year' along with Tony and Dan Linehan of 'Shandon Sweet Factory'.

Ballinlough Community Associa tion - Men's Shed

Ballinlough Community Association are in the process of setting up a 'Mens shed'. We are holding a public meeting on Monday 20th March at 7.30pm in the Community Centre. We will have a number of speakers involved in existing Mens Sheds at the meeting to help and advice on all matters involved in establishing a Mens shed . Come along with your suggestions and ideas. The meeting will be chaired by Cllr

Terry Shannon Chairperson of Ballinlough Community Association

Cork City Fire Brigade

This month Amber Watch said farewell to Firefighter Ger Drievers after almost 28 years of service with Cork City Fire Brigade. Ger also serviced in Cork County Fire Service before joining the CCFB in 1995, he will be greatly missed by all in CCFB.

We would like to wish Ger and his family all the best with his retirement!

Contact Marie: 086 173 2469

Grangevale AFC: Referee Pat Kelly presenting us with signed copies of his book tonight.

Davy Hayes, Pat Kelly and Bernadette Williamson pictured. All money going to charit

Congrats to Douglas Hall U14 players Liam O'Regan, MacDarragh Lynch, Darragh O'Flaherty and Finn Doyle who helped Cork to a 3 1 victory over Drogheda this afternoon in the SFAI U14 interleague.

St Francis College, Rochestown: Our All Ireland Winning hurlers are still collecting awards from their big win last year. Here they were honoured as Cork's 96FM sports of the month for March 2022. Thanks to 96fm, C103 Cork & Rochestown Park Hotel.

LILLIAN COURTNEY COACHING

Lets release your greatest potential for 2023

Well how is everyone? You have a second chance to start again with Lent and so much time left if you want to start a challenge..

Do you know you are an amazing piece of machinery so powerful that we as humans invented the telephone that can actually contact anyone in Australia. Do you know you can do that with your mind. Check out Syncrodestiny. Did you ever think of someone and they rang you within afew hours or you see them that day? That is how powerful your mind is, so I am asking you to think of solutions from now on and not problems. Change negative thoughts into positive. Do you know we are always searching for the next best thing and I want you now to look around, put this down and make a list of what you are grateful for, not what you have not got. Below is a coaching exercise I use with my clients and they end up with such a clearer vision of the future plan ahead.

I must say, I just love this time of year. It is a time to reflect on all areas of one's life, a time to recharge and reboot. Today, I want you to do a self assessment of how 2023 is going so far? Take a look at the diagram below and go to each area and 1 to 10 mark each one and see how you got on.

Remember we are all human and feel the same emotions. We are allowed to be H.A.L.T, (Hungry, angry, lonely and sad) WOW, you are normal after all. Look at the diagram below, What area are your low numbers on?

Which area of the wheel are they high?

I want you now to remember you still have time to do something in one of the areas you need to change before Easter and then begin again to the end of the year..

Do you need to make a phone call to friends or family?

Do you need to change something or take up something? If in business or life what do you need to do to increase your income?

Let's take for example from the wheel above, finance, health, career, family etc…..write down between 1…..10 how are you in these areas?

By being grateful you receive more. What your grateful for and thank the universe for you will get more of.

What you think of you will also get. Hence think positive you will get that, think negative you will get that. This year make a decision that 2023 is going to be your year. You can look at it in 2 ways. Either you go with the tribe of doom or the tribe of opportunity it's up to you. I have decided to go hell for leather and work hard for a year. For those in grief from the loss of a loved one you have 5 strings in your heart and it will take time to heal. Your loved ones are looking down and with you. Just like making a call you can call them. You will learn to live with grief and bring them with you. Take your time to heal, everyone is different.

When your body moves your brain groves. So let's get going. Take example from the animals and nature. Spring is in the air and everything is being reborn.

Coach Lil xxxx

Lillian Courtney Coaching

0860339842 | www.lilliancourtenycoaching.com

Free 1 hour complimentary coaching business, career

Douglas

We were delighted to present Linda of Cork

care Centre with a cheque for

The centre has gone from strength to strength, where the centre was now offering a wide range of holistic therapies, support groups like the connect and flourish, retreats with holistic therapies, and art therapy.

We had help from members, staff. @douglaslgfa @passagewestgaaclub in our fundraising efforts and we are very grateful.

We would like to give a very special mention to our own Sarah Sheehan who raised over €1,000 prior to taking part in the ladies mini marathon.

Credit Union:

Cancer

€2,500.

Young at Heart

with Phil Goodman 087 298 7161 | e-mail: philgoodman01@gmail.com

I hope you were all inspired by the documentary shown on RTE last week celebrating old age called Super Ages on how older people embrace life at every stage and examines the positive aspects of ageing. It was great to see them so motivated, keeping fit by exercise ,dancing, running, swimming, they were really enjoying their golden years.

If anyone is interested in staying fit and healthy Young @ Heart Douglas Seniors run a Step-up to Your Health programme, in conjunction with the School of Applied Psychology, UCC. Participants receive a step counter to monitor their daily exercise and health and well-being.

We also have many weekly classes in Dancing, Tai Chi ,Walking, We also have classes to keep our brains active, Bingo, Cards, Knitting etc, most important is social contact, making new friends, never too late to learn new skills.

Our Afternoon Tea Dance featuring Art Supple and guest Artist James Coogan was very enjoyable. Dancing and singing for 3 hours ,I'm sure there were many stiff bones the following day ,thanks to Douglas GAA for hosting this event and to all our volunteers who were kept busy all day ,

We had a trip to Clonakilty visitor centre to see how the Black and White pudding are made and you get to sit and eat the produce after ,it is a place I would recommend to visit.

It is great to see the daffodils, a reminder spring is here lots of trips, events to look forward to. We think of departed friends, Pauline Reen, Norma Staunton, Billy O' Riordan, Dermot Keane, Michael Mulcrone and Tony Crone to name just a few who enjoyed so many trips with us, May they all RIP ,

Up Coming events:

Mondays: 1.15 - 3 pm

45 Card game in the Community Centre

3.00 - 4.00 Line Dancing in the Community Centre

Tuesdays: 11.00 am Step up to your Health, Park Walk,

2.00 - 4.00 Knitting /Crochet in the Parish Hall , Wed: 11.00 - 1.00 Kurling in Douglas GAA Hall

2.00 - 4.00 Bingo in the Parish Hall, Thurs: 11.00 - 12.00 Tai Chi 11am in the Library,

March 19th Beginners iPad classes

March 22nd Trip to Dail Eireann, March 24th Trip to Buffalo Farm in Macroom, April 4th Kurling Competition , April 5th Dance Competition St. Columba's Hall .

Music Art Supple

April 17th 4 Day Trip to Galway ,

Treasure your yesterday's Dream your tomorrow's But be Young @Heart And live your Todays

Take Care Phil

Thanksgiving - The Miracle Prayer

-Sacred Heart

Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked for many favours. This time I ask for a special one (mention favour).

Take it 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

JE

Say this prayer for 3 days Promise publication and favour will be granted how impossible.

Thanksgiving - The Miracle Prayer

-Sacred Heart

Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked for many favours. This time I ask for a special one (mention favour).

Take it 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

JE

Say this prayer for 3 days Promise publication and favour will be granted how impossible.

Thanksgiving - The Miracle Prayer

-Sacred Heart

Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked for many favours. This time I ask for a special one (mention favour).

Take it 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

JE

Say this prayer for 3 days Promise publication and favour will be granted how impossible.

Men's Shed Douglas Frankfield - Just in time for the really cold spell, please purchase one of our fantastic valued bags of Kindling.

As the picture shows; the one on the bottom left is €3.79 from a local supermarket while our bag on the right is just €5 only, great value and cut by hand by all our great members.

Our Location is at Frankfield Community Centre -T12 XE20.

Douglas Tidy Towns Volunteers Needed

Find more info on our Facebook Page

Educo-gym: Draw out your perfect shape and health from within

Why is it we are getting fatter and more out of shape than ever?

(Despite more and more people exercising and going on diets?)

Do you ever wonder why health problems are on the increase?

(Despite billions being spent on healthcare?)

Are we getting older, faster and before our time?

Wouldn’t it be great to have a time machine to slow down and even reverse this ageing process? To experience rejuvenation, anti-aging, your ideal shape, fat loss, muscle gain, strength, energy and fitness?

To truly look and feel your best?

Now you can. For the first time in your area is the educogym time machine.

Why We Age

As we age, we lose 30% of our muscle, but not only do we lose the muscle from the body, but we are actually losing it from our vital organs. This means that as we age, our heart, our liver, our kidneys and even our brain are wasting away. And this can lead to cardiovascular problems, poorly functioning organs and reduced hormone secretion.

Why we are getting fatter

Not only can the loss of muscle lead to these problems, but it also reduces your metabolism (the rate you burn food for energy) by up to 45%. So even if your food intake stays the same, it becomes easier to gain unsightly fat where you once had youthful toned muscle.

So what do we normally do?

With great will power and hard work, we may do hours of aerobics or go on a low calorie starvation diet. But what does the research show? Most of the weight loss is muscle tissue which can slow down the metabolism even more. Not the ideal solution.

THE SOLUTION

What if I was to tell you that there is a fast, easy way to solve all these problems? Right now there is already a university validated program, that dramatically transforms your shape – on average losing 7.5 lbs of fat and more importantly, replacing 3 lbs of muscle tissue in less than 2 weeks, only exercising 20 mins a day and without having to go on a starvation diet!

If you are serious about restoring your health and shape, rejuvenation and anti-aging; looking and feeling your best, you owe it to yourself to come along and hear about the most important health and life-changing information ever.

Douglas Credit Union: It was a pleasure to present a cheque for €2,500 to Jill from Féileacáin (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association of Ireland) as one of our partner charities. They provide priceless support to anyone affected by the death of a baby during or after pregnancy.

We would like to thank everyone that helped us raise money in 2022 through our charity 5k, Cork Mini Marathon and charity match with G4MA0. If anyone would like to donate to our charities they can do so at any one of our three offices.

Douglas Community School Short

Mat Indoor Bowls Club

Douglas Community School Short Mat Indoor Bowls Club, or D C S Bowls club for short, has been in existence since late 1984 when the game was already being played by several Church of Ireland clubs. They gave generous help and encouragement to one of their members Michael Murray, a Douglas man, to start this new club in the excellent Sports Hall of Douglas Community School. The school too have been ongoing supporters of the club down through the years. We will be celebrating forty years in 2024.

D C S members were very involved in spreading the game throughout the city and county.

The ethos of the club is to provide a social outlet for people of any age to come and enjoy the camaraderie and gentle exercise involved.

Competitions which are optional have developed such as the Cork Zone Inter Club League, The Irish Indoor Bowls Assoc Club Championships, together with some local neighbourhood games with our friends in Douglas GAA Bowls Club and an annual game with Douglas Bowls Club, Canon Packham Hall, which goes back to Cork 800.

Covid took its toll on the game as it did on every sporting activity, but we are back in action again.

We would like to welcome new members; we play on Monday and Thursday nights. This game can be played at any age, our members male and female range in age from 20 to 90.

Equipment is a pair of bowls which will be provided by the club initially, you will need to wear a pair of flat soled shoes, no heels. There will be plenty of help and encouragement to learn the game in a relaxed welcoming atmosphere.

St. Columba's GNS with Facility for Deaf Children - Retired teacher from our school, Betty O’Sullivan dropped by yesterday. She brought some beautifully knitted Easter chicks which she knitted herself. Betty and many other retired teachers knit for our school every Christmas and Easter. We are so grateful. We sell these knitted items to fundraise for new yard toys and sports gear. Keep an eye out for the chicks on sale in the coming weeks. Thank you Betty! It was great to see you!

Crossword

Crossword Sollution on page 23

IT CAN BE DONE!

If someone had said to me this time last year that I would end 2022 4 stone lighter than I started, I would have struggled, as I have for years, on how to make that happen. But I did find a way and having started in July 2023, I have done it and I intend to keep doing it. No one is more surprised but equally happy in myself that I have done it.

Slimming World as a program and Slimming World Classes in Frankfield led by Lynda Deedy, gave me what a new approach to life rather than what even the word ‘slimming’ implies. I had to make something happen with my weight for many reasons and I was not achieving it on my own.

In June 2022, I met a number of ladies I hadn’t seen for a while and they were looking amazing. I asked what they were doing and they all said we started with Slimming World in Frankfield and under Leader Lynda Deedy were on their way to achieving their goal. That goal was feeling well and reaching a target weight that everyone could maintain. Looking fantastic and being so enthusiastic about how they did it got me thinking. What I took form that chat was that no one mentioned the word diet, the key was the change in approach to food we eat and managing your nutrition and yourself.

None of these ladies were as overweight as I was so I said took myself off there at the end of June 2022 and by December 2022, I was 4 stone 2 lbs lighter than I started 2022. It has been a revelation as to what you eat fuels your body. How you eat and nourish yourself is not about a diet, you don’t get told you have to measure everything but you are brought on a program to understand what each food group does for you good, and bad. The Slimming World Classes in Frankfield are a community that is 1 hour of our time on a Wednesday that has kept me accountable to myself, losing my weight and led by Lynda Deedy. Lynda’s deep knowledge of the SW program, her own success and her interest in everyone being the best version of themselves has kept me going over 6 months. I intend to keep

going and if you miss a week, you can go to another class on a different day so you don’t lose you momentum.

Lynda leads with the drive to ensure we make this program a way of life. She is inclusive of everyone, she is my motivation every week to hold myself accountable, has a great ability to know what makes us tick as individuals but importantly she won’t gloss over anything if she feels something needs to change - if you are not losing, she will take the time to get under it with you and for the benefit of the whole class. We all take something away every week that helps us.

I attend mostly on Weds 5pm class or Thursday mornings. I wouldn’t miss my class unless i genuinely can’t make it. It is easy to join, sign up and remember everyone is on the same journey. Slimming World Frankfield looks forward to welcoming you.

“Thank you Douglas PostI received several calls since advertising with you”.

T h e r o a d t o f i n a n c i a l i n d e p e n d e n c e s t a r t s w i t h a D o u g l a s C r e d i t U n i o n S t u d e n t C u r r e n t A c c o u n t

N o F e e s

O n l i n e A c c e s s

O p e n a n a c c o u n t f r o m 1 2 y e a r s o f a g e

C u r r e n t A c c o u n t d e b i t c a r d