Issue 156: 23rd January, 2026
Newmarket Ladies GAA Celebrate
Great Achievements in the Hiland, Newmarket
Newmarket Ladies Football Club had a fantastic night celebrating the girls and their achievements in the Hiland, Newmarket, recently. Their 2024 Abhainn Dalla U16 & U18 teams, along with their 2025 U13, U14, U15, U16 and Abhainn Dalla U18 teams, received their medals following their respective final successes
The club wish to give a huge thank you to Michael and Trish Hourigan for the use of the Hi-land for their presentation night, Deirdre
O’Reilly for presenting the medals and for her inspiring words to the girls afterwards
A special thank you to their committee for all their hard work in organising such a great night which was a huge success. The night showcased the dedication, commitment and hard work put in by their players and trainers throughout the season. They can’t wait to see what the 2026 season brings for the club!
The Newmarket u15 team and coaches who won The North Cork Summer League
2026 Submission and Live Dates
On the eve of his departure for Australia, David Collins (Back Row, 7th from the left) was joined by his father Ger (Back Row 5th from left), and brother, Eoin (Back Row 6th from left), neighbours, and friends for a wonderful send-off in Healy’s Bar, Kilcorney.
We wish David a safe journey and prosperous experience in the land down under!
Photo by Tadhg Curtin
Empowering Young Voices: Duhallow Students Public Speaking Programme
By NOLLAIG MURPHY Development Officer, IRD Duhallow
In October 2025, IRD Duhallow’s Youth and Education Working Group was delighted to welcome young students from national schools across the region who had completed a series of public speaking workshops funded through the SICAP Programme. These workshops were part of a dedicated programme designed specifically for primary school children, making the skills of public speaking accessible, engaging, and fun. Through the programme, students were encouraged and supported to speak confidently about issues of local importance and topics that held personal meaning for them including people who are inspirational. In the coming weeks, Discover Duhallow magazine will feature a selection of the children’s speeches, showcasing their uplifting presentations.
So, Have You Ever Been To Ballydesmond? By Beth Howard
Ballydesmond is a rural village in Co. Cork. It lies on the Blackwater River (near its source in Menganine) on the Cork–Kerry border. It was established in 1833 as a model village, and it was firstly named Kingwilliamstown.
In 1951, it was officially renamed Ballydesmond.
The Tureengarriffe ambush occurred near Ballydesmond, where a number of British army officers were killed during the Irish War of Independence.
So, what is my little village of Ballydesmond most famous for? I would say, its people and culture!
Regarding our culture, Ballydesmond is located in the heartland of the Sliabh Luachra musical region. It has produced and is still producing some of the most well-known and renowned musicians and poets. Many famous musicians from the locality have featured in programmes such as “Bring Down the Lamp” & “Ceili House”.
Many national tunes are associated with Ballydesmond including “The Ballydesmond Polka”. The Ballydesmond Fleadh Cheoil was known the length and breadth of the country, as well as the song “Sweet Kingwilliamstown” which is known all over Ireland.
I will now talk about the historic people from our village, Daniel Buckley, Hannah Riordan and Bridget Delia Bradley all came from Ballydesmond and they all survived the sinking of the Titanic in 1912.
Nora Herlihy was born in 1910 in Ballydesmond, she was an Irish schoolteacher and one of the key founders of the credit union movement in Ireland. She died in 1988 and is buried in the local graveyard. Only last week a plaque was unveiled of her at our local community centre to honour Nora’s great work.
Now, let me tell you an interesting fact about Ballydesmond:
There were two primary schools in the parish. Ballydesmond National School sits beside the local church, overlooking the village. This is where I attend, and I am currently in 4th class.
Foyle National School used to operate in North Ballydesmond, for students who lived a long distance from the village. This is where my Granddad, my own Dad and his siblings attended school. It closed at the end of the 2008 school year.
We are a very proud sporting village of great footballers and handballers most notably, Donnacha O’Connor & Caitriona Casey who have both put Ballydesmond on the map with their fantastic sporting achievements. I may be only 10 years old, but I am so proud of the village where I come from! I hope you all learnt something new about my home village of Ballydesmond.
Sustainable Development Goal 1: Ending Poverty in All Its Forms by 2030
By CIARAN
CARMODY
The key aim of Sustainable Development Goal 1 is to end poverty in all its forms by 2030. It highlights that poverty is not just about a lack of income, even though that is often what people associate it with. Poverty can also mean limited access to education, healthcare, or other basic human rights. In today’s challenging economic climate, it can feel manageable to get your wages into your bank account and try to save for necessities, but actually having the substantial amount needed to pay for certain services can be very difficult. These struggles often go unnoticed, especially when the
national economy is performing well, as Ireland’s is at the moment. However, the risk is never far away. One unexpected event or difficult period in someone’s life can push them close to the poverty line, and it can take a long time to recover from that.
Some of the main objectives of SDG 1 include creating social protection systems that support our most vulnerable, ensuring equal rights to economic resources, and building resilience against economic and social shocks. We need to protect people who are most at risk from downturns or climate-related challenges. Although Ireland’s climate is not considered extreme, certain sectors—such as farming— are already feeling the impact of environmental changes. Farmers are being forced to adapt longstanding family practices and diversify, and even with modern technology, it cannot undo the physical changes happening to land and weather patterns. Building resilience across all sectors is crucial to allow for future growth, no matter what challenges come our way.
In our IRD Duhallow, we work hard to address the issues raised in SDG 1 - combatting poverty. Vulnerable groups such as seniors, carers, and people with disabilities are often at higher risk of poverty and social exclusion, and we focus on providing access to supports that reduce these risks. Our Meals on Wheels programme, delivered through Duhallow Food Services, plays a key role in this by ensuring that people who may be isolated, unwell, or financially stretched can still receive affordable, nutritious meals. This service not only supports physical wellbeing but also helps maintain independence and dignity for those who need it most. Alongside this, we run support groups, host information sessions, and deliver affordable training through programmes such as SICAP and DAF Carers, all of which give individuals lasting skills, confidence, and wellbeing supports. Through our various programmes funded by the Department of Social Protection, we also help people access their entitlements and connect them to supports they may not realise are available to them
Don’t be hungry just for nutritional sustenance, services like the DCFS Meals On Wheels Service offer an emotional support to those who may feel isolated and unwell. There is someone out there that can help you in so many ways.
So, How Are Those New Year’s Resolutions Going?
By SHANE MCHALE Rural Community Health Worker
Here’s one resolution worth keeping in 2026: Taking steps to care for your wellbeing and mental health.
The best part of this resolution is that you don’t have to do it alone. Here in IRD Duhallow we have several opportunities to connect with others who are doing the same.
The Rural Community Health Project runs a variety of groups and programme, so there is something suitable for everyone.
The Walking & Social Club meet every Monday at 12 and Wednesdays at 11. All levels of fitness and experience are welcome.
The Reading For The Brain Bookclub meet every Tuesday afternoon. Stimulate your mind with engaging reading and conversation.
Need to get something off your chest? The Listening Service is
available Mondays between 9am and 1pm, providing one to one, confidential, sessions where you are free to speak and share on anything that may be on your mind.
In addition to the Rural Community Health Project, IRD Duhallow also provides the Wellbeing & Recovery College. This is a peer to peer mental health initiative built on the
principles of adult education. Anyone over the age of 18 with an interest in mental health is welcome to attend.
All of our groups and initiatives are free to attend. For more information, or to register your place, call us on 029 60633 or email shane.mchale@irdduhallow. com.
Congratulations to Newmarket’s Hugh O’Connor on being selected on the Cork Senior hurling panel for this year’s national hurling league.
Margaret Murphy, Sheila O’Connor, Noreen O’Connell, Eileen Leahy, Gertie Casey, Celine Drew, and Sheila O’Leary of Boherbue ICA presenting a cheque for €1,275 to Dan Murphy, representing Cancer Connect. The proceeds from a recent fundraiser held by the Guild.
Millstreet Moments
Committee Members and Organisers pictured at the first night of the annual Weight Loss Fundraising event held on Monday nights at Cullen Community Centre in aid of Cullen and District Special Needs Association.
The hugely impressive RSA Roadshow recently attended Millstreet Community School for two days providing all-important road safety advice for Senior Students in a most interesting manner which undoubtedly has such valuable farreaching and vital positive influence for everyone.
Photos by SEANIE RADLEY
The first night of the annual Weight Loss Fundraising event held on Monday nights at Cullen Community Centre in aid of Cullen and District Special Needs Association.
A further group attending the hugely impressive RSA Roadshow, with its four dedicated Instructors, which recently visited Millstreet Community School over two days.
Following forty-six supremely dedicated years of service in her role as Millstreet Community School’s Secretary. Marion Buckley (née Linehan) of Dooneen, Millstreet was especially honoured at a reception in the School Hall in the presence of her Family, Staff, Students and Friends. Marion (third from left in red) is here seen being presented with a framed letter from President Catherine Connolly by Principal Pól Ó Síodhcháin.
Millstreet Moments
Following a wonderfully successful Millstreet Vintage Club event held at Drishane in 2025 coordinated by Aidan Dennehy (fourth from left) and his dedicated Committee a magnificent cheque for €7,088.39 was recently presented to two representatives of Kerry Mountain Rescue Team.
On 15th Dec. 2025 Minister of State at the Dept. of Education, Michael Moynihan T.D. officially opened a superb Sensory Room at Scoil Mhuire, Millstreet B.N.S.. Senator Nicole Ryan and Aindrias Moynihan T.D were also in attendance. Margaret Corkery, Chairperson B.O.M. and Frank O’ Connor, Principal welcomed the dignitaries as well as Sinéad Twomey from the Parents Association.
Seanie Radley presented a twenty-seven track programme at Millstreet Gramophone Circle held on the 16th of Jan. 2026 in the Canon O’Donovan Millstreet Day Centre. Pictured here is a selection of the very many attendees, including two special Guests from Brazil. The Millstreet Gramaphone Circle’s next presentation will be on Friday, 20th Feb. and will be given by Con Kelleher, Cloghoulabeg, Millstreet.
Pictured attending the recent AGM of Millstreet Town Park held at the Canon O’Donovan Millstreet Day Centre.
What’s On In Duhallow
Newmarket
An Chultúrlann
Weekly
Writers’ Circle
Time: 7:30pm
2nd Wednesday of Every Month
Share your stories, get inspired, and connect with fellow writers.For details, contact 087 640 6705
Rambling House
Time: 8pm
2nd Saturday of Every Month
An evening of traditional storytelling, music, and craic!
Newmarket Dementia Café
Time: 11am – 1pm
1st Thursday of each month. A welcoming place for people with dementia, their family and friends.
Social Dancing
Time: 9pm
Last Friday of Every Month –Dance the night away and meet new people!
Gneeveguilla
SHARE THE BUCKET
Time: 8:30PM, Every Friday Evening Cost: Tickets €2 each or 3 for €5 Tickets: Are available at Teach Fáilte and can be bought online at https:// tinyurl.com/y2ade5om or in local businesses where you see the Green Share the bucket
Rathmore
The Marian Players Rathmore Present: Treasure Island, in The Community Centre, Rathmore. Night Shows are at 7:30pm on Jan 24th, 28th, 29th and 31st. Matinees at 3pm on Jan 25th and Feb 1st. Booking Office 085 2031730 (next door to Christy’s Takeaway). Proceeds to Kerry Parents and Friends.
CYMS Hall
Newmarket Knitting And Crochet Group
Time: Fridays 10.30 to 12 All welcome
If you require anymore information please call Rita on 0862059745
Newmarket Bridge Club
Time: Every Tuesday at 7.30pm All members and newcomers are most welcome. Contact Eugene on 086 3247041 for more information.
Taekwando
Time: Mondays at 5pm. Contact Niall on 0831106501 for more information.
Drama with Mike
Time: Every Thursday
1st &2nd class as 5pm. 3rd &4th 5th & 6th classes 6pm. Teen Drama classes 7pm. Creative Writing Teen Classes Wednesday at 5pm. Contact Mike on 0874124741 to book a place.
Julie Nolan School of Irish Dancing
Time: Every Tuesday classes from 4.15 to 7.30. Contact Julie on 086 3516386 for more information.
Catherine O'Reilly Exercise Class
Time: Tuesdays from 10 to 11am Contact Catherine on 087 6800280 to book your place.
Better Balance Staying Fit For The Future
Time: Tuesdays 11am to 12. with Cork Sports Initiative. Contact Catherine 087 6800280 to book your place.
Music Lessons With John
Time: Thursdays Upstairs in hall. Contact 0872322751 to book
Kanturk
Edel Quinn Hall
Tuesday’s
Dancing with Dan: 8 - 10pm. All welcome
Foróige Youth Club: 7- 8.30pm in the Foróige room located at the front of the hall. Young People aged 12-17yrs. New members welcome. Contact 087-2065296
Wednesday’s
Bingo: 8 - 9.30pm. Single & 3 sheets = €15, Double & 3 sheets = €17, Double & 6 sheets = €22. Jackpot is €1,200 for month of January.
Thursday’s
Taekwondo: 6-8pm. New members Welcome.
Sunday’s:
Christian Worship Service: 11am Fountain Gate Christian Church
Temperance Hall
Tuesday’s:
Kanturk Fly Fishing Club: 79pm. New members welcome.
Wednesday’s:
Kanturk Flower Club: Meet the first Wednesday of every month at 8pm.
Pilates
Monday, Tuesday & Friday Mornings
Glen Theatre Banteer
January
Sat 31st Robbed by Killarney Theatre Company
February
Sun 8th Eleanor Shanley with Ultan Conley and Jimmy Higgins Fri 13th A tribute to the music of John Denver – Marc Roberts
Book online at glentheatre.ie/ contact or Phone 029 56239 Ext 1
Banteer
Banteer Knitting and Crochet Group
Time: Every Monday 7-8pm
Venue: The Green Bean Cafe at Banteer Sportsfield.
Admission: €2 per person. Bring your own materials. All ages and levels welcome. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Any queries contact Denise on 0861025525 or Marian on 0861208749
Banteer Ladies Social Soccer
Time: Every Tuesday 8pm-9pm Venue: Banteer Indoor Astroturf For all ladies 16+. Fun, Exercise and Friendship. Any queries Text Laura: 087 468 1407
Yoga and Pilate classes in Banteer
Wednesday from 7th Jan
6pm - Mat Pilates Beginner/ Intermediate
7pm Yoga - All levels
8pm Yoga -All levels
Thursday from 8th Jan
6:30pm Yoga -All Levels
7:30pm Mat Pilates - Beginners/ Intermediate
Friday
9:45am Yoga/Mat Pilates Mix. Suitable for all levels.
It will be a 5 week block of classes. €50 for 5 weeks. Joanne: 0876578478
Ireland Lights Up
Banteer/Lyre Healthy Club are organising a community walk commencing Wednesday 7th January at 7pm-8pm meeting at The Green Bean Cafe Banteer Sportsfield and continuing every Wednesday for 5 weeks. All ages and abilities welcome
Mushera Platform Dancing
May 17th Ballinagree Village
June 24th St John’s Night Mushera
August 23rd Mushera
September 6th Balinagree village
Tureencahill Community Centre Weekly Schedule
Monday: Yoga 6.45–7.45pm & 8–9pm (Contact Denise: 086 8901234)
Tuesday: Sean Nós Dance (Adults) 7–8pm, 6-week block (Contact Kieran: 085 1731073)
Wednesday: Bridge 1–4pm, Kids Kickboxing 4.30–5.30pm (Maurz: 089 4010475)
Kids Set Dancing 6–7pm (Marie: 083 0045432)
Thursday:
Monthly Pop-Up Gaeltacht Contact (086 3159744)
Friday: Active Retired 12.30–2pm Yoga 7–8pm & 8.15–9.15pm (Men only)
(Contact Denise: 086 8901234) Enquiries: 085 8771949 tureencahillcg@gmail.com
Dance Classes with Norella
Time: Every Wednesday @ 8.15pm Venue: Ballydesmond Community Centre.
Admission: €10 pay as you go. Learn to dance the jive, waltz, quickstep, line dancing and more. Great exercise, good fun. No partner needed.
KNOCKNAGREE LADIES
FOOTBALL CLUB
Underage (ages 4–16): Wednesdays
U6 & U8: 6:45–7:30pm U12–U16: 7:00–8:00pm New players welcome! Adults: Fridays 7:00–8:00pm & Sunday mornings (if no match) Open to newcomers, returnees, and anyone looking to get fit. Interested? Contact Catherine (083 3498778) or Maura (085 1450533)
Gig Guide
For Parents
Donoughmore
Parent and Toddler Group
Donoughmore Community Hall
Stuake, Co. Cork, P32 FP49
Monday 9.30 - 11.30 Millstreet
Parent and Toddler Group
GAA Hall, Millstreet, Co. Cork
P51V577 Monday 9.30am-12pm
Newtownshandrum
Parent and Toddler Group
Community Hall, Newtownshandrum, Charleville. Friday 10am-11am
Newmarket Breastfeeding Support Group
Time: 11.00am to 12.00pm. Venue: Castlecourt, Newmarket, Co. Cork.
Facilitated by PHN. Just drop in or phone 02961500. Breastfeeding mums and expectant mums are welcome.
Dates for Medjugorje 2026
May 13th to May 20th June 24th to July 1st. Sept 9th to Sept 16th. For further information contact Tom Dennehy 0876468658.
Freemount Social Dancing
Time: Sundays 3 to 5:30pm
Venue: Freemount Community Centre P56 P893
Admission: €12.50
Strictly Adults only. Refreshments will be served. For more information: 083 458 9222
Set Dancing in Aubane
Venue: Aubane Community Centre P51 EP49
Time: Every Monday at 9pm
If you want your event featured here, please email: discoverduhallow@irdduhallow.com
The Newmarket u14 team and mentors who won the North Cork Summer League Final
The Abhainn Dalla U18 group with coaches who won the Division 2 North Cork Final
The Newmarket U16 girls who topped the division 3 group and won the North Cork Final
The Newmarket U13 girls and coaches who won the Division 1 North Cork Final
The 2025 Abhainn Dalla girls getting their u16 and u18 medals
Rose Browne Geraldine Foley and Mag Healy
The Hughes family
Tony O Keeffe, Jason O Flynn and Jer Roche
The McAulliffe family
Marie Mccarthy and Triona Duane
Duhallow Students Make A Big Impact at the Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2026
There was huge excitement in Boherbue Comprehensive school when Transition year students; Fionn Murphy and Cathal O’Shea were announced among the winners at the Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition in Dublin recently. They secured third place in the Health and Wellbeing category. Their project was ‘Silent Struggles: Farmers’ Mental Health and the Weight of change which explored the impact of working alone, rising costs, changing technology and training requirements, as well as levels of awareness around mental health supports within the farming community
Colaiste Treasa, Kanturk were awarded ‘Highly Commended’ for their project: ‘Uniform Confidence: Do School Uniforms Reduce Appearance-Related Pressure In Irish Secondary School?’ Aindrias Moynihan TD, is pictured with the project’s runners Sarah Piggott, Holly McCarthy, Amber Moynihan.
ABOVE: Millstreet Community School Students with Teachers Eileen and Francy Lyons participating in the very impressive Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition at the RDS pictured on 8th Jan. 2026.
LEFT: MCS Principal, Pól Ó Síodhcháin congratulating Student Farhan Tijani on being awarded the highly prestigious Re-turn Special Prize at Stripe YSTE 2026.
Farhan Tajani undertook the ReThread project. ReThread is a user-friendly app promoting ethical fashion through a SwapShop, upcycling tutorials, carbon footprint tracking, and insights into fashion’s environmental, ethical, and economic impacts.
Conor Sheehan, Tadgh Sheehan & Mary Farrissey undertook Lost Lines: What happened to Ireland’s railways, and which should be revived? To examine the Irish railsystem 1920 versus 2025. We will develop an index to determine which train stations/lines are worth reviving using Co Cork initially.
Ruby Lehane, Ria Kiely & Andrea O’Connor undertook Who Will Farm Tomorrow: No sowers today means no harvest tomorrow! This project investigated why fewer young people choose farming in Ireland, exploring economic, social, and regulatory barriers, succession challenges, and solutions for generational renewal
Reducing The Mental Load
By ALICE O’BRIEN Alice O’Brien Counselling, Newmarket
We all know the feeling of being over-whelmed. We can easily find ourselves snowed under with family commitments, activities to be racing to after working a full day, households to be organised and people to care for. Managing our responsibilities can be a full time job. So, it’s no wonder that we might reach out to others for a bit for help, outsourcing some of the load is an obvious solution. But, do we really get to fully off load some tasks? For example, you might ask your other-half to bring home groceries and they agree to do so, but only if you “remind” them- leaving you without the job
of the groceries but with the job of “reminding” so replacing one mental job with another.
So, what is mental load? We know what the physical load isthe endless jobs, commitments and events. But the mental load can often be a bigger drain on energy than the actual physical tasks. Mental load is the invisible, on-going effort of thinking, remembering and anticipating everything that needs to be done for yourself and for others. It’s not doing the tasks, but managing the tasks in your head. A heavy mental load is exhausting because it is constant, unnoticed and creates decision fatigue.
So how could we lessen this load? Getting things out of your head is a good place to start,
making lists, having a shared family calendar for everyone to see or writing things down is a great help. Delegating can also help but only if the person being delegated to takes full responsibility for the task, so clear communication is needed. Reducing the need for decisions can help also, so preplanning some routines at the start of the week can reduce decision fatigue, maybe planning dinners for the week in advance is one example. Finally, reduce your expectations of yourself, things don’t have to be perfect all the time, things don’t always have to run like clockwork. Sandwiches for dinner never did anyone any harm.
Dublin Herbalists: Skincare Grounded in Nature
By MAIREAD O’KEEFFE New Leaf Health Store
At Dublin Herbalists, skincare begins with the earth and ends with real results on your skin. Guided by generations of herbal wisdom and supported by modern scientific research, their formulations offer gentle, effective care for every skin type. These are products that nourish deeply: rich creams, soothing oils, refreshing waters and botanical blends made with floral hydrosols, natural butters and carefully chosen active ingredients that work in harmony with your skin.
Founded in 2012 by herbalist Claire Brett, Dublin Herbalists grew from one woman’s passion for plants and their healing potential. Claire’s hands-on approach, deep respect for nature and commitment
to quality shaped the brand from the very beginning. What started as small-batch skincare has grown into a proudly Irish, female-led business, now based in Mullinahone, Co. Tipperary, where every product is still formulated with care and integrity.
You may notice that some Dublin Herbalists products look a little different on our shelves. Over the past year, the brand has made a conscious move away from predominantly glass packaging towards sugarcanebased plastic. This renewable, plant-derived material is made using by-products of the sugar
industry and helps reduce reliance on fossil-fuel plastics, while still protecting the integrity and shelf life of the products inside. While no packaging solution is perfect, this is a thoughtful step towards a lighter environmental footprint.
Alongside these changes, Dublin Herbalists continues to refine and expand its skincare offering with the same care and intention. All products are formulated in-house and created to suit even sensitive or compromised skin — and they smell absolutely beautiful too. Here at New Leaf, the staff genuinely love their range and we stock a wide selection of their skincare and body care. We’re especially delighted to welcome the newly launched HydraBoost Serum, a deeply hydrating, plant-rich formula designed to support the skin barrier and restore comfort and balance to thirsty skin.
Interest By MONICA GILMORE Development Officer, IRD Duhallow
Celebrate Women with IRD Duhallow
International Women’s Day is set to be marked in style this year as IRD Duhallow hosts an uplifting Employee Wellness Morning on Friday, 6th March.
The event combines celebration and self-care, welcoming attendees to a delicious breakfast followed by a line-up of motivational speakers exploring this year’s International Women’s
Day (IWD) theme, “Give to Gain.”
After delicious breakfast, life coach and motivational expert Dessie Fitzgerald will deliver the keynote address, offering insight into resilience, purpose, and personal growth. He’ll be joined by panel speakers Sinead Lucey Brennan, an advocate for invisible disabilities, and Julie Helen, a communications professional and disability activist. Together, the speakers promise honest conversation, inspiration, and practical takeaways focused
on wellbeing in the modern workplace.
With its blend of positivity, learning, and community, IRD Duhallow’ s event invites local employees to pause, reflect, and celebrate the achievements and potential of women everywhere, making it a fitting tribute to International Women’s Day.
The event begins at 9.30am and runs until 12.30, all are welcome, tickets cost €25, visit www. irdduhallow.com events page.
HSE Services Winter Update
Take Back Control By Participating In
The 28-Day No Smoking Challenge
This January
HSE QUIT services are now helping more people quit successfully than ever before. Over the past five years, the number of people using the QUIT service has doubled, and the proportion who successfully quit at the end of their programme has increased by 50%.
Sign up today at QUIT.ie. A campaign pack with more information is at the bottom of this email.
Spotting the Signs and Supporting Teens Around Vaping Vaping is now widespread among young people and many parents are unsure how to talk about it to their young person.
The recent HSE Parents Matter webinar, “Vaping Products & Psychoactive Substances: What You Should Know as a Parent?” offers clear practical guidance for parents
and guardians.
Expert HSE speakers Martina Blake (HSE Tobacco Free Ireland), Professor Bobby Smyth (Adolescent Addiction Psychiatrist), and Emer Loughrey (YoDA) explain how nicotine vapes and new psychoactive substances can affect young people’s health and mood, and why early conversations can make a real difference.
Support: www.drugs.ie/parents / freephone HSE Drugs and Alcohol Helpline on 1800 459 459. Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (19 to 25 January 2026) Cervical cancer is preventable and treatable. It will be the first cancer in our history to be eliminated if we all take action.
Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Cervical cancer is almost entirely preventable through HPV vaccination, cervical screening
for #SpringClean26 are now
Join Ireland’s biggest anti-litter initiative and make a difference!
and treatment for those who need it.
Use the HSE toolkit during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (19 to 25 January) to take action in your community.
Let’s start talking about how we can prevent cervical cancer.
Upcoming Training Courses
IRD Duhallow Skillnet
Upcoming Training Courses
Instagram for business 19th February
Start your own business 23rd February30th March
Beginners Excel 26th February
Canva for social media content 26th February
The art of Sugarcraft 3rd March-14th April
Instagram for businessAdvanced 5th March
Tiktok for business 12th March
Overview of Instagram use in Ireland, demographic of users and how to conduct marketing research on the platform. Setting up a business profile, branding, bio, highlights, linking to other apps, privacy and security settings
6-week course which will teach you about business planning, market research, branding, cashflow, record keeping, tax, financial statements and much more
Online delivery, suitable for beginners and those using excel who wish to improve their ability
Overview of Canva as a content creation tool including free v paid versions Best practice for set up and management of Canva account such as creating folders, saving templates, sharing projects, and linking to other platforms Establishing your branding including logos, fonts, colours
Learn how to decorate cakes, including flower making, types of icing, buttercream, character modelling, colouring.
Creating and editing reels, stories and highlights Improving reach and growing following
Setting up a business profile – branding, bio, highlights, linking to other apps, privacy/security settings, building a following. Creating content using images and videos including choosing music/audio, use of hashtags/tagging, and sharing to other social media apps. Setting up TikTok shops Pay transparency webinar 12th March
The EU Pay Transparency Directive (the Directive) came into force in June 2023 and Ireland has until 7 June 2026 to implement the new rules. Find out more on our live, interactive webinar suitable for HR professionals, business owners and managers
Intermediate Excel 26th March
LinkedIn for Business 26th March
Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Early Childhodd Care and Education (QQI Level 8) Starts September (Information session 12 Feb) th
Excel essentials Working with formulas and functions Working with lists / manipulating text. Creating and working with charts. Multiple worksheets / data consolidation
Overview of LinkedIn use in Ireland, demographic of users and how to conduct marketing research on the platform (e g Competitor analysis, keywords, hashtags) Setting up a personal profile – bio, keywords, linking to relevant organisations/groups, maximising SEO Setting up a business page
Suitable for professionals working in Early Childhood Education with an existing Level 7 Major Award Online delivery over 12 months.
These and all our upcoming training courses are available to book on www irdduhallow com events page
Phone: 029 60633
Email: duhallowskillnet@irdduhallow.com Webpage: www.irdduhallow.com
interest
Mother Elvira - Cenacolo Community
By TOM DENNEHY
The Cenacolo Community was founded by Mother Elvira Petrozzi, an Italian nun, in 1993. What would a nun know about addictions? Mother Elvira experienced first hand the trauma and anxieties that come from addiction because her father was addicted to alcohol. She came from a very poor family, was one of seven children and saw the chaos and suffering caused through addiction and how it affects not only the addicts but their loved ones.
For years she had been concerned by the destruction she had seen among young people through drug addiction and alcohol abuse and had longed to help them. Eventually she was allowed to leave her order and start to help addicts in the town of Saluzzo in Northern Italy. She learned from them how disillusioned with life they had become; even material things had left them feeling empty. She reached out to them knowing their need to be loved and their response resulted in the setting up of more than 70 communities all over the world. They live entirely on providence and there is no medication, doctors or psychologists to minister to them. They live a daily routine of hard work, fasting and prayer. They pray before the Blessed Sacrament, receive the Holy Eucharist and pray rosary three times per day. They do not look at television or use mobile phones. Mother Elvira regards Cenacolo Community as a school of Life which teaches those who come there to begin again by closing the door on their past life, by healing old wounds and building towards a
brighter future.
Cenacolo gives them hope and an opportunity to live an addiction free life. It offers help to those who have lost direction, living on the streets rejected by family and society. They have reached rock bottom. But in their new community, they find new strength to face the challenges of everyday life.
Sister Elvira proclaims and bears witness that the Eucharist is truly the treasure of the Church, the heart of the world, the goal for which everyone longs for, even unconsciously. She desires to invite all those who today are struggling with life, “Let’s return to the Eucharist. An hour spent before Jesus with our whole heart is worth more than all the psychological therapy the world can offer.
When His light enters our heart, it shows us all our wounds and also heals them, so that each one of us may know himself in truth and love himself. We need the embrace of Jesus more than the air we breathe and that is why He chose to remain with us. This is what sustains the addicts and gives them healing.
I meet them and their eyes are already more alive, with a smile upon their faces and I ask them, “Do you feel the same as when you first arrived?” They answer, “No, I feel changed.”
Sister Elvira began Community Cenacolo in Medjugorje in 1993 when an Italian pilgrim gifted her some land to build her new community. Those who go on pilgrimage there visit the Community and see the fruits of her great work. We meet the young men who come from all over the world, who share their stories and tell how they have managed to turn their lives around. We see the miracles that have happened for
them before our very eyes. They were lost and now they live again with great joy and hope in their hearts.
We see them when they climb Apparition Hill, carrying up on stretchers those with special needs, as they pray at the place where Our Lady first appeared. Each year during the Youth Festival, they perform a live show called “The Resurrection and the Life of Christ” which is very professionally performed by the boys from Cenacolo. During The Youth Festival, Mother Elvira, on so many occasions, led the dancing and singing on stage with great exuberance.
Many former addicts, healed in Cenacolo, have become priests and religious sisters which reveals the power of God working in their lives. They give great testimony to the great work that Sister Elvira has done throughout the world. There are at present four houses in America with a total of seventy communities all over the world, including one in Knock, Co. Mayo. Mother Elvira died in 2023 at age 86. There is no doubt she will be declared a great saint some day for her great work and the great loved she showed.
We give thanks for her life and the great legacy she has left us.
Crossword sponsored by Duhallow Community Food Services
Across
1. Topic (5)
4. Environment (7)
8. Layer (7)
9. Soda water (5)
10. Cheap passage (8)
11. Sport (4)
13. Six feet deep in water (6)
14. Invalidate (6)
17. Artifice (4)
19. Glorious (8)
22. Torpid (5)
23. Quantities (7)
24. Aged (7)
25. Covers a wide area (5)
Down
1. Chores (5)
2. Sincere (7)
3. Outside (8)
4. Respectful deference (6)
5. Computer memory unit (4)
6. Latin American dance (5)
7. Diplomatic (7)
12. Famished (8)
13. Surreptitious (7)
15. Brilliant musical passage (7)
16. Bee house (6)
18. Velocity (5)
20. Measured portions of medicine (5)
21. Celestial body (4)
Solution: Issue 155, January 9th, 2026
Duhallow News Duhallow News Duhallow News
Complete the crossword and post with your name and contact details to:
Discover Duhallow Puzzle Competition, James O’Keeffe Institute Newmarket, Co. Cork
Or simply scan completed puzzle or take a snap with your phone email to discoverduhallow@irdduhallow.com
Terms & Conditions:
Deadline for submissions is noon on Friday, January 30th 2026.
First correct entry drawn will win a €20 voucher, valid for three months from date of issue, to be redeemed for food at the Duhallow Community Food Services. No cash alternative. Winner will be named in subsequent issue of Discover Duhallow. One entry per person. No correspondence will be entered into. Voucher to be collected from Duhallow Community Food Services, Newmarket.
Congratulations to Amie Barrett, who wins a €20 voucher for Duhallow Community Food Services! To be
