Discover Duhallow Issue 108

Editors Note

Ever wonder about the exact science of Leap Years? Well because we are going through one, I delve into the subject in this issue. I also write about Banteer Drama Group taking on a controversial John B. Keane play.

Elsewhere, friend of Discover Duhallow, Kevin O’Connor, continues his series of great interviews. This issue, Kevin got to talk to presenter Darragh Ó Caoimh. A perennial favourite is also coming up which is the annual Dawn Mass held at the source of the Blackwater. Details about that event are inside. Most certainly a date for your calender as well as being a great unofficial launch to the season of spring.

- Tadhg

Want to send us something? The next issue of Discover Duhallow releases on March 8th!

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Monday

Banteer Community News

Banteer And Area Water Supply Disruption

The recent line breakage on the Millstreet road west of Banteer village was the 4th such interruption to the water supply locally in the last 3 months and areas such as Rathcoole, Dromcummer, and Banteer areas were left with no water again.

The local Community Council has called for the installation of a water reservoir to serve Banteer and surrounding areas with the water supplied from the Poulgorm water source.

The Poulgorm scheme was developed by Cork County Council many years ago and is a pumped system with no water storage system in place to cater for planned or unplanned outages at the Poulgorm pump station.

In the last 3 months we have now had 4 unplanned water outages to Banteer due to:

• Failure of a turbidity instrument in Nov 2023 with an outage of up to 8 hours

• On 11th Jan 2024 for 5 hours due to water supply pipe damage, caused by machine work at Banteer bridge on Clonmeen road.

• On 14th Jan 2024 due to a problem with turbidity of water

• On 31st Jan 2024 due to line breakage west of Banteer

This is not acceptable in these times especially when you have many areas depending on the water supply from a pumped system including schools, childcare centres, businesses ,farmers etc. Banteer is believed to be one of only 2 village areas in Cork County with no reservoir water storage system.

Community Text Alert Scheme

Text alert money €10 due by end Feb latest for 2024, please pay to your local Community Council members. Note; non-payment will mean you will no longer get Comm Alert texts from end of Feb. Please forward €10 to Norah O’Riordan Nadd, Eleanor Duggan, Denis Withers, Mary Cahill, or John Buckley

Banteer Community Sportsfield/Park

Please support The Green Bean Café, open Wednesday, Thursday, and Fridays 10am till 2pm for granola pots, selection of toasties, sandwiches to go, ice creams, scones, treats and coffees. Also opened on Mon Tues Weds Thurs Fri evenings from 6pm to 8.30pm. Any volunteers who wish to help in café please contact Denis Withers 087 2820001

‘A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall’Banteer Drama Group Tackle Controversial Play

By TADHG CURTIN

Of all his works, John B. Keane’s The Rain at the End of The Summer seems to be his most unknown. Indeed, when asking my father, a John B. Keane fan, had he ever seen the play performed, his answer was not only had he not seen it, he had never heard of the play. The reason for this becomes apparent when looking at the play’s controversial subject matter.

Released in 1968, its story is set during an exceptionally hot Irish summer. It deals with an unplanned pregnancy that brings disorder to the otherwise amicable O’Brien household. The various characters are torn apart by their beliefs in the best way to deal with the pregnancy.

A scenario like this was – and still is – familiar to many. If one was lucky to be wealthy, the problem could be sorted in England but we’re all aware of how a lot of women were treated here in the 20th century when it happened, the Magdelene Laundries still cast a shadow.

Society’s attitudes have thankfully changed but this was

one of the biggest taboos over half a century ago. This is why the play may not have been staged with such frequency as John B.’s other works. The subject proved just too much in an era still tinged with a puritanical attitude to the sanctity of marriage and sexual liberation. It hits hard in places. It shines a light on human frailty and its flaws. The grand notion of the class system; the upperclass not only looking down on the working class but treating them with such disdain. Audiences will certainly be in for a wild ride.

Director Tadhg O’Keeffe noted there are number of scenes and

phrases that will shock audiences. An interesting night is guaranteed. There’s definitely a storm coming.

Directed by Tadhg O’Keeffe

DATE: Sunday and Monday, March 17th & 18th TIME: 8pm

VENUE: The Glen Theatre, Shronebeha, Banteer P51 NX28

The cast of ‘The Rain at the End of the Summer‘ in rehearsals.

Olivia Lehane, Sinead Guiney, Maureen O’Brien, Philip Linehan, and Diarmuid Cronin, with their director, Tadhg O’Keeffe, overseeing the production. Missing from photo is Tadhg Curtin.

John B. Keane’s play was published in 1968.

Congratulations to Amy Brosnan who recently won 15 and under Irish National Championship . Amy’s win also books her a place on Team Ireland for the Worlds Handball Championships later this year.

Community News

John Dineen

Aubane Social Club Treasurer and John F Kelleher Aubane Social Club Chairman presenting the presenting the Proceeds of the Annual Christmas Day Climb to Maureen Buckley for upcoming trip to South Africa on the 10 March 2024

John F Kelleher Aubane Social Club Chairman presenting Linda Desmond with a slate in recognition of her winning a gold medal and becoming a Elite Champion last year.

Green Glens Arena Unveils Exciting Lineup of Equestrian Events for 2024

The Green Glens Arena in Millstreet, Co. Cork is proud to announce its stellar lineup of equestrian events for 2024, promising an action-packed calendar that will captivate horse enthusiasts and spectators alike.

Millstreet International Horse Trials: May 29 – June 2 (Eventing)

The equestrian calendar kicks off with the much-anticipated Millstreet International Horse Trials, showcasing top-tier eventing from May 29 to June 2. This world-renowned event will also host the Irish leg of the Nations Cup, bringing together elite riders from across the globe to compete in a thrilling display of

skill, precision, and horsemanship.

Millstreet Pony and Young Rider Show: July 18 – 21 (Showjumping)

Following the success of the Horse Trials, the spotlight shifts to the Millstreet Pony and Young Rider Show from July 18 to 21. This showjumping extravaganza will feature talented young riders and their ponies, offering a platform for emerging stars to showcase their prowess in the arena

Millstreet International CSI2 Horse Show: July 31 – August 4 (Showjumping)

The equestrian excitement continues with the Millstreet International CSI2* Horse Show,

scheduled from July 31 to August 4. This event, a highlight in the showjumping circuit, promises world-class competition with a starstudded lineup of riders and their equine partners.

For those unable to attend in person, the Green Glens Arena has partnered with Swiat Koni and Clip My Horse to provide live streaming coverage of two major events: Millstreet International Horse Trials and the Millstreet Horse Show. This initiative allows global audiences to witness these prestigious events from the comfort of their homes.

For more information, and the latest updates, please visit www.millstreet.horse.

The Discover Duhallow Team would like to extend our apologies to the Tullylease and Dromtarriffe drama groups for a mix up in Issue 107. Tullylease (Right) have just finished their run of The Two Loves of Gabriel Foley and Dromtarriffe will put on their production of the same play on the 8th, 9th, and 10th of March.

A Spot Of Prevention

Measles are making a comeback. In a post-Covid lockdown world, we know just how difficult it can be to be to operate with a contagious virus afoot.

Unfortunately, Measles is one of the world’s most contagious diseases, even more so than Covid.

Measles spread through the air through coughing or sneezing, or by breathing the same air as an infected person. This includes kissing, shaking or holding hands, or sharing food or drink. The virus remains active for two hours in infected spaces and surfaces, and during that time, it is contagious. The measles are so contagious that if 10 unvaccinated people were in a room with an infected person, 9 of them would contract it. Children are especially vulnerable. Infected people remain contagious from about 4 days before a rash develops to 4 days after.

Thankfully you can get vaccinated at any age!

We have all fallen off of our masks, hand-washing, and distancing, but it is key to safety as such viruses make their rounds.

Other symptoms

• Sore throat

• Muscle pain

Symptoms

The most common symptoms are much like the common cold;

• High Fever

• Tiredness

• A barky cough

• Runny nose

• Red or bloodshot eyes

After these, a red, blotchy rash develops, and spreads from the face to the rest of the body. The rash lasts 7 - 10 days

• Sensitivity to light

• White spots in mouth

The infection can lead to a variety of complications, some more severe than others;

• Diarrhoea

• Ear Infection

• Eye Infections

• Pneumonia

• Voice Box Inflammation,

• Airway and lung infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and croup

Additional complications can present for people who are infected while pregnant.

Recovery:

Like a cold or flu, there is no real cure for measles - the virus must run its course.

Symptoms can be managed with rest, fluids, pain killers, and by gargling salt water.

Given just how contagious it is, staying home is advised when suffering measles. In most cases, recovery is excellent but there can be severe complications.

Minister O’Gorman Launches Public Consultation On New Child-minding Regulations

The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman has announced the launch of a public consultation on new regulations governing the child-minding sector. This step marks a key moment in efforts to improve and enhance the quality and assurance of child-minding services across Ireland.

The consultation process, starting on 08 February 2024 and running until 02 May 2024, will be an opportunity for childminders and parents to see the proposed draft regulations and have the chance to voice their opinions. People will be able to learn about the regulations and give their feedback through an online survey, webinars and in-person focus groups, ensuring comprehensive feedback from all stakeholders. This consultation will build on previous consultations with child-minders, such as the consultation on the draft National Action Plan for Child-minding.

The National Action Plan for Childminding, first introduced in 2021, commits to elevating the status of child-minders and enhancing the quality of care and early learning they provide. The plan, along with the phased introduction of reforms, is designed to ensure a smooth transition for childminders, offering them increased status, access to public funding, and extensive support.

Child-minder and parental feedback and insights will play an important role in creating a regulatory framework that not only meets the highest standards of care and early learning but also respects and acknowledges the unique home-setting and critical role childminders play in children’s development.

Speaking about the consultation, Minister O’Gorman said:

“The regulation of the childminding sector is not just a policy priority; it’s a commitment to our children’s future. Child-minders are recognised as a cherished part of the lives of many children and families in Ireland. New structures for child-minding will mean better supports for child-minders, families and children.

Minister O’Gorman continued:

“Since the National Action Plan for Child-minding was published in 2021, my Department has been working tirelessly to ensure that children continue to be cared for in safe, nurturing environments in a home-setting. This public consultation is your opportunity to help shape the future of child-minding in Ireland. I urge childminders and parents to join this consultation. Together, we can ensure that our children continue to grow up in environments that are supportive to their development and learning.”

The introduction of regulations is aimed at offering parents using childminders the assurance

of quality childcare and early learning, and to open access to the National Childcare Scheme. The new regulations will also open financial and quality supports to childminders.

The aim is to open registration to childminders and access the National Childcare Scheme from autumn in 2024.

Acknowledging the need for a reasonable adjustment period, the draft legislation proposes a transition period of three years. This period is designed to give child-minders the time and space to become compliant with the regulations, allowing them to register without being immediately obligated. Child-minders are supported in the registration with training and practical guidance by the County Childcare Committees, supported by Tusla and Childminding Ireland.

Make your voice heard by joining the public consultation at https:// www.gov.ie/en/consultation/2071dpublic-consultation-on-the-draftchildminding-regulations/

Minister Roderic O’Gorman with Jacob Yu, Amelia Scafari and Darius Popa ( behind L-R) with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Jack Chambers TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport & Department of the Environment, Climate & Communications in February of 2023. Photograph: Maxwells

Scheme Information

Minister Humphreys Meets With Epilepsy Ireland To Announce New Free Travel Scheme Extension

To mark International Epilepsy Day, Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, met with Epilepsy Ireland to announce details of a New Free Travel Scheme Extension.

From July, the Free Travel Scheme is being extended to people who have never been able to drive due to a disability, and to drivers who have a licence and are medically certified as not fit to drive for a period of 12 months or longer.

This measure was secured by Minister Humphreys as part of Budget 2024, and is expected to benefit 32,000 people this year at a cost of €8.5 million.

The scheme will allow eligible people to access free travel on all public transport provided by the State. This includes bus, rail, Local Link and the Luas, along with some services operated by private

bus and ferry transport operators.

Epilepsy Irelands Campaign focused on the impact driving restrictions has on people with epilepsy and how the changes to the scheme will benefit people with

epilepsy.

As more details about the new scheme and the process involved in applying become available, visit www.epilepsy.ie for information.

Streetscape Improvement Scheme 2024

Cork County Council are running this scheme again in 2024 and Kanturk Tidy Towns Committee are encouraging business`s and town dwellers to avail of the generous grant aid that is available through the scheme.

Eligible premises can avail of 50% grant aid towards the full cost of painting the main street facade. Two quotations from registered contractors must accompany the application. Where the property owner /leasee does the work themselves 100% will be paid toward the cost of materials In this situation a disclaimer form must be completed along with one quotation for the materials.

Tenants in the town centre can avail of up to 50% grant aid for the replacement of existing plastic, neon, and printed signs with heritage type signs.

To avail of this grant aid apply before March 1st 2024.

Application forms and terms and conditions can be got by emailing KanturkMallowMD@ corkcoco.ie or phone 022 21123

Minister Heather Humphreys meeting with Epilepsy Ireland CEO Peter Murphy and Advocacy & Communications Manager, Paddy McGeoghegan

Kevin Interviews:

By KEVIN O'CONNOR 2003 & 2023 Special Olympian World Athlete

Darragh Ó Caoimh from Kanturk is a past Coláiste Treasa pupil and award winning UCC Law Student. In 2022, his name made headlines as he co-presented the TG4 Junior Eurovision with Louise Cantillon. In June of 2022, Darragh received the Fulbright Scholarship to teach Irish in the US and went on to be a Foreign Language Teaching Assistant in the University of Montana in Missoula. He is now a regular on TG4.

When you were growing up did you always want to be a presenter?

No is the short answer. What I wanted to be was something I changed my mind about every week; I feel like I’m still changing my mind! But presenting and the media in general always interested me. One Christmas when I was about 13, I spent a few days making a news bulletin with my cousins on our computer at home. I shot it on my iPad and home

computer and edited it in iMovie, and was one of the “newsreaders”. It was great fun and didn’t turn out too bad. And before that as a young child, I was always fond of the camera when my Mum had the video recorder out. So looking back, I suppose I was always interested.

In your career why did you choose presenting?

Presenting is more something that I have ended up in more rather than something I chose.

I did some social media work for Conradh na Gaeilge during the pandemic, and my name got suggested then when they were looking for a co-host for Louise Cantillon on Junior Eurovision on TG4. They gave me a screen test and to my great surprise, I got the gig.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Where did you get your love for the Irish language?

I get asked this question a lot, but I’m still not entirely sure. My granny on my Mom’s side, Maureen Conran, was from Tralee, and had done Irish at school. She had really enjoyed the poetry they had studied, and talked to me about the likes of Raifteiri and Aogán Ó Rathaille. I liked Irish in school and had some great teachers, but I didn’t get really into it until I was 14.

I spent three weeks in Irish College in Ceann Trá in West Kerry, and had an absolute ball. I loved meeting new people my age, dancing at the céilís and going to the beach, but more than anything I loved speaking in Irish.

I came back electrified and spent a lot of time reading and listening to Irish whenever I could, and returned to the Gaeltacht for

a few weeks every summer all through secondary school. Irish has given me many great friends and so much opportunity, as well as a wonderful appreciation for the history, literature and music of Ireland, and indeed of Duhallow.

You went to school in Coláiste Treasa Kanturk; did they see you as a presenter?

I’m not sure. They did put me on stage for our TY production of Mamma Mia! The Musical. I was in the role of Sam, one of the dads, and I loved every minute of it.

Aside from that, I was never afraid to speak in school, whether that be asking questions in class or doing debating competitions. So they might not be surprised!

If Coláiste Treasa students want to be a presenter, what advice would you give them?

To go for it!

I suppose the best advice I could give them would be to try and practice public speaking and being in front of a crowd as much as possible. There are loads of opportunities to do this: debating, public speaking competitions, acting, playing music, etc.

The more comfortable you are with speaking and performing in front of others the better. I would also say to follow your interests, whatever they may be. If you can speak passionately about something, be that sport, cooking, bird-watching or make-up, that will come across and people will want to listen to you.

Finally, it would be great to have Irish! TG4 is a top class channel and there are loads of opportunities for young presenters, including on the newly launched kids channel Cúla 4.

Darragh Ó Caoimh

When you presented the Junior Eurovision, how did you meet Louise Cantillon as your copresenter?

Louise was helping with her mother Catherine who was running an Irish language summer camp in Ballyheigue. One day they brought the group to Ballyhass Lakes where I was working for the summer. They were delighted I could speak Irish and we had a great chat.

The next time I met Louise was the day of the screen test for Junior Eurovision. We hit it off again and I must say it’s a pleasure working with her. She gave me a ton of good advice when I was starting out and is great craic as well.

In your career in presenting, who is your presenter legend of all time?

In Ireland, I really admire Seán Mac an tSíthigh, a legendary journalist with Nuacht RTÉ/

TG4, and Cormac Ó hEadhra, co-presenter of Drivetime. I learned a lot of Irish listening to the show that Cormac used to have on Raidió na Gaeltachta, and loved his presenting style on radio. Seán Mac an tSíthigh has done some brilliant documentaries; I particularly liked Gaeil Bhoston, where he met Boston Irish and explored their history, and his recent programme on Newgrange, Rúin na Bóinne. They’re both still on the TG4 Player. Graham Norton is also a presenting hero of mine. I’ve spent years watching his chat show on Friday night, and he never fails to make me laugh.

What do you think of Ireland’s entry for this year’s Eurovision contest?

I think Bambie Thug will be excellent. The song wouldn’t be my usual listening, but their level of performance was amazing and they will do well in Sweden I think. And they’re from Cork; what’s not to like!

If you organise a charity event, what charities will it be?

UNICEF and the Irish Cancer Society.

If Ireland’s X factor came back, would you present it?

I’d only be delighted!

What programme would you like to present?

It’s always been a dream of mine to read a news bulletin, on TV or radio.

If Ireland were to host the Junior Eurovision I’d love to host it in Ireland with Louise; and maybe the senior competition too!

Would you like to continue working in TG4 or would you like to work in RTE?

I love working for TG4, which I think is the best TV channel in Ireland. It’s a very dynamic broadcaster and is growing. Súil Eile, having a different view or angle, is at the heart of TG4’s ethos, and I think that can be seen in the quality and variety of programming, be that in sport, music or documentaries. It’s an honour to be working there now on weather and continuity.

Darragh and his co-presenter on Aimsire, Catríona Nic an tSaoir

Darragh and Louise Cantillon presented 2022’s Junior Eurovision

Gig Guide

What’s On In Duhallow

Edel Quinn hall

Kanturk Fitness Classes

Banteer Badminton

Venue: Banteer Community Centre, P51 TX46

Foróige

Mondays 7.30 - 9pm

The Foróige room is located at the front of the hall. It’s for Boys and girls from the ages of 12-17yrs. New members welcome.

Social Dancing with Dan

Tuesdays 8 - 10pm. All welcome

Taekwondo

Thursdays 6 - 8pm. All Welcome.

February

Friday 23rd

Kiddies Show from 5pm March

Sunday 3rd

Scór - Start at 1.30pm

Temperance Hall:

Kanturk Fly Fishing club

Tuesdays 7-9pm.

New members welcome.

Yoga

Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays at various times. Please contact Simon on 0873379121 for further information.

Kanturk Flower Club,

The First Wednesday of every month 8pm

Kanturk Taekwondo Academy

Training every Monday and Wednesday

New students and old students welcome back

Contact: 0892387758

Venue: USA stores, Greenane Street, Kanturk

Mondays

9.30am: Circuits

6pm: Boxercise

Tuesday

6pm: Dance Fitness

Wednesday

9.30am: Circuits

6pm: Dance Fitness

Friday

9.30am: Circuits

€10 pay as you go or 6 classes for €50

Message Deirdre O’Sullivan or text 087 9273672 for details/ bookings.

Beginners Fitness Classes

No exercise experience necessary. Pregnancy & post pregnancy safe. Varied classes - Circuits, HIIT, AMRAPS

Venue: Kanturk GAA Clubhouse

Time: Thursdays 8pm to 9pm

Contact Eilish at 086 1597429 for details/booking.

Award Winning Comedy at Cultúrlann, Newmarket

Award Winning comedy Fred and Alice written by Limerickman, John Sheehy, and starring Cora Fenton and Ciaran Bermingham (The Young Offenders & Game of Thrones) is on its 2024 nationwide tour. This funny and quirky play comes to the Cultúrlann, Newmarket, on Saturday night February 24th. Beginning at 8pm, admission is €15 and tickets are available on ticketstop.ie in local shops in Newmarket and at the door on the night.

Person of the Year Gala

Time: Mondays 8:00pm-9:30pm €3 per night

Over 16s. No experience required. Rackets available.

Banteer Bingo

Venue: Banteer Community Centre

Time: Tuesday nights @ 8:30

Playing for jackpot of € 3100

Banteer Lyre Nadd and Districts Community Council Table Quiz

Friday 23rd February

Venue: The Glen Theatre, Banteer

Price: table of 4 cost €40 €10 each.

Time: 9:30pm

Glen Theatre Banteer March

Sunday 3rd

Declan Nerney and Band

Sunday 24th

Brandon McPhee April

Saturday 6th

Shaskeen Traditional music. All shows start 8pm sharp Book on 02956239 / 0877558752

Rapunzel Children’s Panto

Rathmore Community Centre TICKETS ON SALE NOW.

Saturday 2nd March @7pm

Sunday 3rd March @3pm

Tickets

Adults €12

Children €8.

Contact:

Fiona @ 087 9109 257 or Mag @ 087 9498 344

All Proceeds to the Ronald Mcdonald House on behalf of Brian Lawlor

Last year’s Person of the Month was a hit, and to round it off, Kantuirk Community Council are holding their Person of the Year 2023 Gala in Kilbrin Club. Voting closes for ballot papers in Twohig’s Supervalu, Kanturk Credit Union, and The Post office at 12pm on Feb. 23rd, and online votes close at 6pm on the same day. To cast yours, visit kanturkcommunitycouncil.ie.

Best of luck to everyone involved!

Gig Guide

CYMS Hall Dancing

Venue: CYMS Hall Newmarket

P52 V596

Admission: €10

Time: 9:00pm to 11:30pm

Organized by

John Doe Dances 087 9735113 March

Friday 1st

Declan Angier Band

Friday 8th

Paudie Coffey Band and Eddie Lee.

Freemount Social Dancing

Venue: Freemount Community Center, P56 P893

Admission: €10

Time: 3-5.30pm March

Sunday 3rd

Paudie Coffey Band

Sunday 10th

Stuart Moyles

Sunday 17th

Finbarr Dennehy

Sunday 24th

Bernie Heaney

Sunday 31st

Michael Collins Band

Aubane Set Dancing

Aubane Community Centre

P51 EP49

Mondays 9.15pm

Music by:

Feb 26th E Looney March

4th G Murphy

11th R Lucey

18th G Kelleher

25th D Nolan

In Aid of Banteer/Lyre Community

Defibrillators and Irish Kidney Association

Parish Consultation

Bishop Ray has issued an invitation to all parishes to have consultation meetings regarding the formulation of Diocesan Policy for the shaping of our parishes in the immediate future. A number of parishioners have been trained to facilitate our parish meeting which will take place in Teach Iosagan, Rathmore on Wednesday February 28th at 8.00p.m. Everybody is invited and welcome to attend, and we would particularly encourage those who are involved in any ministry or parish committee, to make a special effort to be present. The meeting will consider the following :

• Without the presence of a priest to lead and coordinate, what aspects of parish life could we, the laity, take responsibility for and organise ourselves?

• Where do we see scope for cooperation with neighbouring parishes in our pastoral area?

• Given what Bishop Ray has said about reducing numbers and increasing age, what do we want to say to priests?

Gig Guide

Born After Reading

We at Discover Duhallow are not sure if baby Lukian is our youngest reader but unless our publication pops up in a sonagram picture, we’ll take it that he is!

taken and sent to us by his mum, Mariia Palchak.

Readers are invited to share their photographs with us - the best will feature here. Be sure to caption your image and provide your full name and details of where the photo was taken. Email it to us at discoverduhallow@irdduhallow.com

Photo

Duhallow News Rás Tailteann Returns

Cork will host the start of one stage of this year’s Rás Tailteann, an annual international cycling stage race, held in Ireland. While another stage of the race will pass through the region. The route for the 2024 Rás will see stage two of the road race begin in Kanturk, the hometown of current champion Dillon Corkery.

The 187km stage will depart from Kanturk and travel to Newmarket and then Ballydesmond before crossing over to Castleisland in Kerry. From there, riders will head for the stage finish in Sneem, passing through Killorglin, Waterville and Caherdaniel on the way.

Duhallow News

LAWPRO Launches Photography Competition

On Friday, 2nd of February 2024 on World Wetlands Day Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) launched a nationwide photo competition: “My Favourite Waterbody”. LAWPRO is a national shared service working on behalf of the 31 local authorities in Ireland coordinating efforts to achieve good water quality across the country.

Speaking at the competition launch, Anthony Coleman, Director of Services at LAWPRO said: “I am delighted to launch this nationwide competition on World Wetlands Day to find out people’s favourite waterbodies. The theme of World Wetlands Day is “Wetlands and Human Wellbeing”.

Ireland is bountiful with iconic waterways and scenic landscapes, and we know how important these waters and wetlands are to people. We want you to take part

by submitting a photo of your favourite waterbody to be in with a chance of winning a prize”.

The competition is open to anyone across Ireland, entrants under 18 years of age must be submitted by a parent/ guardian. If your photo includes anyone aged under 16 years of age, only a parent/guardian may submit the content. The overall winner will receive a €500 voucher for Powerscourt Hotel Resort and Spa in Co Wicklow along with an A3 framed print of your winning photo and there will also be regional prizes of framed prints.

along with their prize.

The top photos will be featured in LAWPRO’s 2025 calendar and winners will receive a calendar

The closing date for entries to “My favourite waterbody” is 5pm on Friday the 15th of March 2024. To enter the competition please email a photo to photocomp@ lawaters.ie as an attachment along with your name, age, address and the location of your submitted photo.

For full T&Cs, visit: tinyurl.com/Lawprophotography

Alone But Not Lonely

By ALICE O’BRIEN

Alice O’Brien Counselling, Newmarket

If you were looking at your week as a whole, how much time do you think you spend alone with your thoughts? Ok, you might go for a walk alone but maybe you’re listening to a podcast with the headphones. You may occasionally go to a coffee shop alone but spent the time scrolling on your phone. Have you ever really spent time sitting with your inner dialogue, allowing the things inside your head to be heard. Sometimes we shy away from being alone, preferring to do things in company, in our culture it is seen as more socially acceptable to do things together. We might even view people who are alone as being lonely, when the reality is

we can be lonely in a crowd or feel more connected when in solitude. There are many mental health benefits to being self-reflective and spending time alone.

• Being alone gives us a chance to check in with ourselves and where we are in our lives. It might prompt us to evaluate the things we are doing and the things we would like to do. This can allow us to make plans, or set goal for our future.

• Scheduling alone time can help us to increase our productivity. As we have fewer distractions which allows us to engage with tasks more.

• Being alone can reduce stress as it gives our mind a break from being constantly stimulated and active.

• Alone time can help us to regulate our emotions. We

can focus on our breathing, meditation and grounding techniques, which all help to recognise and manage emotions more easily.

• Spending time alone means that we may be able to choose what we do when we don’t have to consult others. Allowing us to fit in more pleasurable activities.

• Less likelihood of an argumentunless you are arguing with yourself.

So, try it out. Try a coffee alone after you do the shopping, or leaving the headphones at home the next time you go for a walk.

In the words of Ellen Burstyn“What a lovely surprise to discover how unlonely being alone can be”

Create The Life You Love

By MAIREAD O’KEEFFE New Leaf Health Store

Do you feel that there are blocks to you achieving the life you want?

Are you ready to make changes to help you achieve your dreams?

If yes, you will be interested in an upcoming workshop being held at New Leaf Health Store & Holistic Center on Saturday 2nd March from 10:00 – 14:00

Christina Keane, a Practitioner here at our center who is a Wellbeing Coach and licensed Heal Your Life Workshop Leader will be presenting a workshop which will help participants identify negative beliefs that are limiting them and then learn transformational techniques to

release limitations and go beyond them.

Participants will learn that loving themselves is the foundation for making positive changes. While this is easy to say, it is not often easy to do! Using affirmation, visualizations, and other techniques, they will experience transformation as they heal the past and allow barriers to dissolve.

Every area of life can be improved with this workshop: Relationships, health, career and prosperity.

This is a Heal Your Life Workshop based on the philosophies of Louise Hay, a leader in the Mind/Body/Spirit connection who has helped millions of people heal and improve their lives. She wrote

numerous books including her book You can Heal Your Life which sold over 50 million copies worldwide. Her core message is that we are actively creating our lives with the thoughts we think on a daily basis and if those thoughts are negative and limiting then that is the life we are creating for ourselves. If you can identify with having a lot of negative thoughts it’s time to embrace “Change your thinking, change your Life”. (Louise Hay).

To book your place at this powerful workshop or for more information please contact

Christina at:

Mobile No: 0868177570

Email: openingheartstolove@ gmail.com

What’s Another (Leap) Year?

By TADHG CURTIN

2024 is a leap year. As we all know, a leap year occurs every four years leading to an extra day on the calendar. Instead of the normal 28 days, February will have 29. You may know or even be someone who celebrates their birthday on this unique day. But as much as I knew about leap years, I realised how little I knew after. What is the exact science and why do we have leap years?

A calendar year is typically 365 days long. These so-called “common years” loosely define the number of days it takes the Earth to complete one orbit around the Sun. But 365 is actually a rounded number. It takes Earth 365.242190 days to orbit the Sun, or 365 days 5 hours 48 minutes and 56 seconds. This “sidereal” year is slightly longer than the calendar year, and that extra 5 hours 48 minutes and 56 seconds needs to be accounted for somehow. If we didn’t account for this extra time, the seasons would begin to drift. This would be annoying if not devastating, because over a period of about 700 years our summers,

which we’ve come to expect in June in the northern hemisphere, would begin to occur in December!

By adding an extra day every four years, our calendar years stay adjusted to the sidereal year, but that’s not quite right either. Some simple math will show that over four years the difference between the calendar years and the sidereal year is not exactly 24 hours. Instead, it’s 23.262222 hours. Rounding strikes again! By adding a leap day every four years, we actually make the calendar longer by over 44 minutes. Over time, these extra 44+ minutes would also cause the seasons to drift in our calendar.

For this reason, not every four years is a leap year. The rule is that if the year is divisible by 100 and not divisible by 400, leap year is skipped. The year 2000 was a leap year, for example, but the years 1700, 1800, and 1900 were not. The next time a leap year will be skipped is the year 2100.

For the romantics out there, February 29th is also a day where women can propose marriage to a man. I know we are all hip and modern so that shouldn’t matter to a lot of you but, yes, rather than men, women get to bend the knee on this day. Reffered to as ‘Bachelor’s Day’, the Irish tradition is supposed to originate from a deal that Saint Bridget struck with Saint Patrick. In the 5th century, Bridget is said to have gone to Patrick to complain that women had to wait too long to marry because men were slow to propose, asking that women be given the opportunity. Patrick is said to have offered that women be allowed to propose on one day every seven years, but Bridget convinced him to make it one day every four years. Hence, Bachelor’s Day.

So, happy Leap Year to you all! To deliberately misquote a John Lennon song, “So this is Leap Year, and what have you done?” Well, give us a chance. We’re only getting started...

A leap Year or ‘sidereal’ year is 366 days in length as opposed to the standard 365 days, Earth time.

The Irish tradition of women proposing marriage to men on February 29th is said to have begun with St. Brigid and St. Patrick.

Journeying With The Holy Spirit Through Lent

By TOM DENNEHY

The forty days of Lent are associated with the forty days when Jesus fasted in the desert at the beginning of His missionary life.

“Jesus was now full of the Holy Spirit. As He returned from the Jordan the Spirit led Him into the desert to be tempted by The Devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights and afterwards was hungry.” Luke 4; 1.2.

He was in the wilderness alone with God, His Father in prayer and with all of Creation. At his weakest moment, He was tempted by The Devil but had the resolve to overcome the temptations by quoting from Sacred Scripture.

The Temptations of Jesus.

1. The Devil then said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to turn into bread.” But Jesus answered him, “Scripture says, “People cannot live on bread alone.”

2. Then The Devil took Him up a high place and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment in time, and said to Him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me and I give it to whom I will. If you then will worship me, it will be all yours.”

But Jesus replied, “Scripture says, “You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him alone”

3. Then he took Him to Jerusalem and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you, and on their hands they will bear you

up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.”

And Jesus answered him, “It is said, you shall not put the Lord your God to the test” and when The Devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until another opportune time.

We know that The Devil returned to tempt Jesus during His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, again at his weakest moment. Just as Jesus was tempted so also are we tempted on our journey through Lent to try to persuade us to cease our prayers and fasting. He waits for every opportunity to tempt us away from our path to know and to serve God and our fellow man. Jesus has conquered sin and death by His death on the cross so let us claim that victory in His mighty name.

So during our Lenten journey, let us continue to journey with Jesus as we prepare to celebrate the great Easter Triduum and help us appreciate the great sacrifice Jesus has made for us.

Ways we can come closer to Jesus during Lent.

1. Get to Mass more often especially on Sunday.

2. Spend time in Adoration as this is the best way to get to know the living Jesus. He is really there waiting to pour out His Love and His graces upon us.

3. Spend time reading The Bible every day and get to know the person of Jesus Christ. Read even a short passage and meditate on it. Read the Sunday readings before you go to your weekend Mass. We see the power of Scripture when Jesus overcame the temptations of The Devil.

4. Do the Stations of the Cross - they bring us closer to Jesus and help us to realise the great sacrifice he has made for our salvation.

5. Pray the rosary every day. The rosary is a meditation on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Do it every day for six months and it will change your life and the lives of others.

6. Fasting is praying with our physical bodies and gives great power to our prayer life and gives tremendous control over our temptations.

7. Give donations to the poor during Lent. We are very privileged and when we look around the world we see how much our financial help is needed.

8. Look at our use of our mobile phones. Limit our use especially during evening time. Maintain contact by ringing friends especially the vulnerable.

9. Invoke the Holy Spirit who makes Jesus present to us and invite Him into your heart so that you can develop a personal relationship with Him.

Message of Our Lady of Medjugorje on March 25th 2007. “Dear children; I desire to thank you from my heart for your Lenten renunciations. I desire to inspire you to continue to fast with an open heart. By fasting and renunciation, little children, you will be stronger in faith. In God you will find true peace through daily prayer. I am with you. I desire to take you all with me to Heaven, therefore, decide daily for holiness. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Crossword sponsored by Duhallow Community Food Services

Across

1. Theft (7)

5. Ambit (5)

8. Relating to a city (5)

9. Closest (7)

10. Foster (7)

11. Public square (5)

12. Floor covering (6)

14. Soldiers (6)

18. Percussion instruments (5)

20. Burrowing rodent (7)

22. View (7)

23. Stroll (5)

24. Choose (5)

25. Pull out (7)

Down

1. Curt (7)

2. Watercourse (5)

3. Leave out (7)

4. Distant but visible (6)

5. Acute (5)

6. Aromatic herb (7)

7. Additional (5)

13. Habitual method (7)

15. Oddment (7)

16. Excess (7)

17. Opportunity (6)

18. Stingless male bee (5)

19. Change position (5)

21. Shinbone (5)

Solution: Issue 107, FEBRUARY 9th, 2023

To be in with a chance to win

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, MARCH 1st 2023.

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 Nora Sheehan, Knocknagree who wins a €20 voucher for Duhallow