Discover Duhallow Issue 78

The guidelines will change for both under and over 70s, so everyone is encouraged to check their eligibility. Those who already qualify do not need to reapply. A more comprehensive scope of changes and additional info on how to apply inside:

Minister Humphreys visits the Mother McAuley Centre

Editors Note

The chill is back but that hasn’t stopped the folks in Duhallow rolling out some wonderful events! Check out What’s On In Duhallow on page 7 to see what’s upcoming. We also got a very special insider scoop - Santa’s coming to Kanturk! And he gave us his timetable to make sure everyone can come visit! If you’re getting in the Christmassy mood - We have a competition! Check page 21 to decorate your Christmas tree and send it in to us! If you make a mistake or you want to send another sheet our way, have no fear! The competition sheet is available on our Facebook page.

And Christmas isn’t complete without some delicious hot chocolate - our own personal recipe. Be sure to send pictures of Christmas jumper days, plays, lights, and all things Christmas in time for our final issue of the year, out on December 23rd. Keep cosy!

-Caleb and Tadhg

Email: Discoverduhallow@irdduhallow.com Phone: 029-60633

Keep an eye out online for the latest issue of Discover Duhallow, revisit your favourite articles, and have a look into what we’re doing next. www.facebook.com/ discoverDuhallowMagazine

New Fuel Allowance Scheme

Under 70’s:

• The weekly means threshold for under 70’s is increased from €120 to €200 above the appropriate weekly rate of state pension contribution.

• Disablement benefit and half rate carers will no longer be included in the means assessment for fuel allowance.

Over 70’s:

• A single person over 70 can have income of €500.

• Couples over 70 can have income of €1000.

• Couples where one party is over 70 and the other is under 70 will be assessed as over 70s.

• Over 70’s do not need to be in receipt of social welfare to be eligible.

• The first €50,000 savings and investments are now disregarded.

• Disablement benefit and half rate carers will no longer be included in the means assessment for fuel allowance.

Minister Humphreys announced a new user friendly online application that’s now open. This is the quickest and easiest way to apply but if you cannot apply online, the form is available at www.gov.ie/ fuelallowance or by contacting 081 820 0400. A short version of this form will become available to over 70’s in coming weeks.

Recipients of long term jobseekers allowance (12+ months), farm assist and one parent family payment or job seekers transitioned payments should apply to their local Intreo or

New

Capital

First €50,000 Nil

Next €10,000 €1 per €1,000

Next €10,000 €2 per €1,000

Balance - anything over €70,000 €4 per €1,000

How To Apply

Social Welfare office. Recipient of long term supplementary welfare allowance (12+ months) should contact the department rep at their local Intreo office. The department is expecting demand for this new allowance and those who quality will have their application back dated as

appropriate to January 2nd 2023. More fuel allowance information is available at mywelfare.ie

Duhallow Woman Takes Home Overall Volunteer Award

Congratulations to Ini Usanga of “Love and Care for People”! Ini took home the Overall C103 Volunteer Award and the North Cork Volunteer Award 2022 in 4th Annual Cork Volunteer Awards! These awards, organised by Cork Volunteer Centre, Cork-ETB, C103, UCC, and Cork Credit Union, open the floor to locals to acknowledge the work done by individuals and groups in the volunteer sector.

Not long after this, at the beginning of December, Ini was awarded for her work in Social Inclusion and Community Support by Volunteer Ireland!

Ini is a peace commissioner certified by the Deptartment of Justice, a member of Cork County PPN, and a member of the board of the African Centres.

In her work, she has supported more than 500 young people of Migrant Heritage in Ireland. This aid comes in the form of encouragement to stay in school, further their education, and keep out of street and gang violence.

L-R: Ms. Gullhabhar, Ms. Ini Usanga, Mr. Giovanni Paris,

Ece Aksoy, & Ms. Giorgia Mazzara

Inset: David Ogumefu, Dr. Ado Mazombe, Queen Ogumefu, Princess Victoria, Ms. Gullhabhar, Ms. Ini Usanga,

Giovanni Paris, Ms. Ece Aksoy, & Ms. Giorgia Mazzara

Ini stated the award was “very much unexpected” but as their mark is left all over Cork, there’s no doubt that Love and Care for People will continue to “educate, advocate, and raise

awareness”, and we will not soon forget the recognition they earned from the Cork community.

Ms.

Mr.

“For God And Country!”

On November 26th, Bruach na Carraige, Rockchapel hosted the launch of Paddy Mulcahy’s book entitled For God and Country Pat has lived a colourful and eventful life, and this collection of stories and memories details his recollections spanning his beginnings in Jersey in WW2, life in the US in the army and NYPD, as well as returning to his native Rockchapel in County Cork with the many wonderful friends and characters he encountered along the way.

Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Francis Foley, officially launched what he described as “a wonderful book written by my cousin Pat Mulcahy in Rockchapel. A great evening of song, stories, and entertainment was had by all.”

The proceeds of the book will be divided between Rockchapel NS and Bruach na Carraige, and the book is available in Murphy’s Shop in Rockchapel and Terry Eddie’s in Newmarket.

Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Francis Foley, spoke on the night

Pat and his daughter Ellen Mulcahy

The Mulcahy family joined Pat at the launch

Pat Mulcahy and Jack Roche

“A wonderful book!”

What’s On In Duhallow

Castlemagner

Sinsir Club

The Annual Sinsir Christmas Party will be held on Sunday December the 11th in Springfort Hall at 1:00pm, anyone wishing to attend please contact any member of the Sinsir Club or contact 086 8521808.

Coming Up In The Culturlann

Friday, December 9th 8pm: Boherbue Culture Night Students of Boherbue Comprehensive School showcase Irish culture with their traditional music talents. Saturday, December 10th 8pm: Rambling House; Come and join in, or sit and appreciate all the talent on show Thursday/Friday 15th/16th December; Christmas Play Boherbue National School will stage their play in the Cultúrlann.

Dedicate

a Remembrance Ribbon

Calling all Ó Sullivans, and all those interested in Irish history!

Spectacular Christmas Floral Arrangements”

“Demonstrating

to be said for the intentions in January Kanturk Flower and Garden Club Christmas Floral Demonstration

On Monday, January 2nd, at 2 pm, we commemorate the desperate and heroic march of Ó Sullivan Beara through Duhallow / Newmarket and the hospitality and support received from the McAuliffe Clan. There will be pageantry, music, food and celebration. Free admission to all Sullivans!

Duhallow Choral Society Return For Festive Line Up

Duhallow Choral Society extends a very warm welcome to the many new members who have joined the choir since the lifting of Covid restrictions. Singing has been on the “bucket list” of many, and all new members bring with them huge interest, energy and enthusiasm for performance. Training has resumed for all members under the expert direction of conductor, Sharon Reidy, accompanied by Aine Murray. An exciting line-up of

Church Gate Collection

musical events is planned for the festive season and rehearsals are now well underway. In addition to performances in Milford, Newmarket and St John’s Cathedral in Tralee, Co Kerry, the seventy-five member choir will be joined by members of Kerry Choral Union for the Annual Christmas Concert in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Kanturk, on Sunday 18th December 2022. This will be the first time the choir

Annual Food Appeal

will sing in Kanturk Church since the untimely passing in July 2020 of the exceptionally talented soprano, Miriam Murphy. Over the years Miriam’s guest appearances in Kanturk brought so much joy and were central to the experience of Christmas for so many. Remembering her very specially, the choir are very pleased to perform this year with Soprano, Gemma Magner from Cork and Leicester born Violinist, Lucy White. Photo by Janusz Trzesicki.

Open Night Success

Rathmore

Before All Masses

Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th December

Shrone

Sat. 10th Dec. 6pm

Knocknagree Sat. 10th December 7.30pm

Gneeveguilla Sun. 11th December 9.30am

Rathmore Sun. 11th Dec. 11.30am

Ballydesmond Sun. 11th December 11.00am

All our local schools will be involved in our annual food appeal which has been very successful in the past. Items will be collected from schools on Fri. 9th December. These donations of non-perishable food items and toiletries help to fill hampers at Christmas for needy families in our area. We thank you for your continued support.

This year also volunteers from the Vincent DePaul group will fundraise outside Kearney’s Centra, Ballydesmond on Friday 9th December from 10am to 2pm and outside Kelly’s Londis, Hickeys Centra and O’Keeffe’s Circle K forecourt, Rathmore on Saturday 10th December from 10am to 2pm. Your donations will make a difference way beyond the Christmas period when we receive requests for help which range from food vouchers to help with fuel, health, daily living expenses and school. We would be very appreciative of your support.

Dromagh National School is celebrating the success of its first Open Night since before Covid 19 engulfed the country and meandered into every corner of our community.

The school extended a warm welcome to parents and their young children from the Dromagh area. The warm and dynamic rapport between the staff, pupils and parents of Dromagh National School was palpable. The excellent standard of teaching and learning was clearly to be seen within the classroom environments. This is a vibrant rural school striving to achieve excellence for all its young talented children.

The school wishes to thank all the young families who attended on the night.

Offer a Home Programme

Cork and Kerry County Council are appealing for offers of houses, apartments, or holiday homes for use as temporary accommodation for those arriving from Ukraine. Ideally, properties would be available for at least six months.

Property owners can offer homes online at www.offerahome.ie. Owners unable to register online can also contact Cork or Kerry County Council directly on 021-4386637 or 0667183609

Owners can expect to be contacted within 5 working days of making an offer and an assessment of the property will be carried out shortly after. Cork County Council will match suitable properties to Ukrainian beneficiaries and can support in agreeing licence agreement and other arrangements.

Rent is not payable as the property is offered instead of leased, but a tax-free payment of €800 per month (from December 1st) per property is available through the Government’s Recognition Payment Scheme. The payment is available to anybody who provides accommodation to Ukrainian people. This scheme is managed by the Department of Social Protection, and you will have to apply for the payment separately. The payment is tax-free and is disregarded for meanstested grants/payments.

Full details of the call for properties are available at www.offerahome.ie where offers can be made.

Kiskeam GAA Club

Congratulations to Paddy H. O’Connor, Dromscarra who won the top prize of €20,000 in the Rebels Bounty Draw for the month of November.

Sliabh Luachra Journal

Santa Claus is coming to Kanturk!

Santa will be visiting Kanturk on Friday the 16th! He will be led by a small fire van with sirens and blue lights, so keep your eyes and ears open for him!

His planned route is below. Time’s may vary - he’s a busy man this time of year!

Leaving Kanturk Fire Station: 18:45

Lidl car park: 18:50

Rear of SuperValu: 18:55

Market Place: 18:55

New link road

O’Callaghan’s park: 19:00

The Sliabh Luachra Journal

No. 20 is now on sale in all local shops. Available from Mrs. Eileen Fleming, Gneeveguilla Village for €12 This edition makes for beautiful reading of stories from the past steeped in the culture, tradition and history of the Sliabh Luachra area. An ideal Christmas gift for family and friends at home and abroad.

Knocknagree

Knocknagree Community Development Group CLG would like to thank everyone who came and supported our Fashion Show on October 27th in Rathmore. We would like to thank all our volunteers who helped out on the night and all our sponsors for their kind gifts.

Attention Carers

IRD Duhallow has a few hospital beds available for private use. These may be useful for older people or people convalescing at home after an operation. These beds will be given free as a donation and priority will be given to the Elderly in our area.

Contact: colm.oconnor@irdduhallow.com

Cul na Greine: 19:00

Kanturk Hospital: 19:05 -19-15

Aisling Gheal: 19:15

Pairc Muileann Mill: 19:20

Egmont Woods: 19:30

Cope: 19:35 -19-50

Dun an oir: 19:50

Curragh Court: 19:55

Curragh Grove: 19:55

Up the Tech Hill ( all main areas will be covered)

Highfield Cresent: 20:00

Ard na Greine

Pairc an tobar and surrounding places

St Teresa’s place and surrounding: 20:25

Sally’s cross area (bowling green): 20:30

Kevin Goes Back To The Olympics

By KEVIN O’CONNOR Special Olympian

We are so proud of IRD Duhallow’s STRIVE Participant Kevin O’Connor, who will proudly represent Ireland in golf the 2023 Special Olympics in Berlin. IRD Duhallow’s STRIVE programme supports young people, with a wide spectrum of abilities, to improve their employment prospects and social skills through a range of person-centred supports and participating in community life.

“The 2003 World Summer Games was my first time competing in the Special Olympics. All my family travelled to support me including my brother and his family from San

Francisco. It’s now 20 years later and once again I’ve qualified to participate.

This time I’m competing in golf, after winning gold in St Margaret’s Course in Dublin in September. A draw took place this past week and I was selected to go and represent Ireland at the 2023 Summer Games to be held in Berlin. I am so excited.”

The STRIVE group tuned in to the live selection with Kevin last week and are all so proud of his achievement; they look forward to sharing and supporting him on the road to Berlin.

Do You Live In Kanturk-Banteer?

Life has changed in many ways since Covid hit us. The International Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD) invites you to have your say on about your experience of working and living in the Kanturk Banteer area - everyone is invited to contribute!

ICLRD acknowledges the lack of research on commuting and

the effects on rural places. The questionnaire also questions the locality itself, where it excels and indeed where the failings might be. To view the questionnaire and be put in the draw for €100, scan the QR code (right) using the camera on your phone.

For more information on the InPLACE project, visit tinyurl.ie/ inplaceinformation

Kevin’s friends surprised him with a cake to celebrate his qualifying

Huge Turnout To Praise Dromtariffe GAA

The day finally came to launch Dan Joe O’Keeffe’s fantastic book In Praises of Dromtariffe. On the day, words were given by Michael O’Connell, MC, Sean Feely, Chairman Dromtariffe GAA, Dan Joe O’Keeffe, Mary Browne, Chairperson; Dromtariffe History Committee, Steven Lynch, Chairman; Duhallow GAA. Light refreshments were provided afterwards as well as some great music. Everyone left Dromtariffe Community hall basking in the great history of a great GAA club. Here’s to it’s future. Up Dromtariffe!!!

-

Special presentations were made to John Tarrant, who launched the book, and Dan Joe’s daughter, Maria Buckley, for their contribution in the books production.

Attending

the launch to celebrate and purchase the book were Patsy Barry, Donal Barry and Mick Cremin.

Words and photos by Tadhg Curtin

Dan Joe even signed copies of the book for many of the locals on the day.

The Dromtariffe History Committee.

Kanturk Rugby Club Pt 1

By TADHG CURTIN & YONTEN FLEMING

The Kanturk Rugby Club was founded in the winter of 1925. The country was settling down again after the trauma of the war of Independence and the Civil war and young people were looking around for entertainment and enjoyment. Only a few matches were played in the first few seasons and most of them were lost.

During this decade the club had more success in the cups and leagues. In 1931 they were allowed to compete at senior club level because they were dominating Junior Rugby in South Munster for the previous three seasons.

Rugby was restricted by the emergency conditions in the early second world war years and it was not until the mid 40’s that the club’s activities were again quite intense. However they only lasted a few years before the club went dormant again. The club was revived in October 1951.The coach and guiding light in those days was insurance inspector, Ned O’Connor, captain of Cork Con’s Munster Cup winners in 1946 and wartime inter-pro for Munster. Irish international forward Archie O’Leary also played for the club. Having been dormant for most of the 1960s, the club was once again re-established in 1971. It was during this decade that the GAA did not want Kanturk to play on their grounds. The GAA was a cultural thing. It was created as a direct response to the way in which Irish culture was being eliminated, and they wanted to revive that culture. The GAA’s official guide included a mandate to actively

support the Irish language, traditional Irish dancing, music, song, and other aspects of Irish culture. Any man who played GAA could not play rugby or soccer. There was a small group of men in the local area who wanted to continue playing rugby so they brought Kanturk Rugby Club back to life. It was a long and hard road to re-build the club.

The most famous player ever to play with Kanturk - Dr. Pat O’Callaghan, honoured the club by giving fine displays of first class rugby. While studying at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin in the early 20’s he was first introduced to the game when he was asked to line out for U.C.D. Rugby Club. He played many fine games for that club, he also played Gaelic Football and won a heavyweight boxing championship contest at the University.

After winning Ireland’s first Olympic gold medal in the Hammer Throw in Amsterdam he returned to Kanturk and began to train with Kanturk Rugby Club. He captained the side that won the County Cup in 1929. He played senior rugby for Cork County while

also playing junior rugby with Kanturk. He is still the only man in Ireland to win two Olympic gold medals for the country.

In part two of our feature, we will see how the club evolved from 1979 to now and what the great club is hoping to achieve from 2022 onwards.

Special thanks to Yonten Fleming for researching the club’s history with the aid of this wonderful book“Kanturk Rugby Football Club 1925 - 1979”.

L-R: Christy O’Leary, J. Lynch, John O’Connell, Jack A. O’Connor, Dave O’Connell, John Considine, Leo Hyland, Jerry Cronin, Ted Guiney, Michael Brady, Dermot Fitzpatrick, Michael Corcoran, James O’Leart, Tim A. Daly, and Denis McAuliffe.

Reached final of Charity Cup at Musgrave Park.

Standing L-R: Donal McCarthy, Ned Shannahan, Ted Guiney, W. Hegarty, Mossy Herlihy, Dr. Pat O’Callaghan, Jerry Cronin, Jack Guiney, Jack O’Connor, Con O’Callaghan, Dan Walsh, Tim A. Daly, Pat Joe O’Callaghan

Sitting L-R: Dermot Fitzpatrick and Gerome O’Leary

Front

Back

L-R:

All photos taken from Kanturk Rugby Football Club 1925-1979 book

row L-R: Jimmy O’Keeffe, Paddy Smith, Joe Howard, Billy Twomey, Jerome Healy, Dan Daly, T.J. O’Connor.

Row

H. Smith, Mio Mahony, Gerry Goggin, J. Smith, Flaherty, Con Flynn, Neilie Lawlor, Time Guiney, D. Flynn, Dermot O’Connor, John O’Connell, P. Guiney, Sean Goggin, Tom O’Connor, Jack Sheahan, Neili Goggin, J. Shine, J.McCullen

IRD Duhallow Welcomes Return Of Senior’s Conference

The 22nd of November saw the first Senior’s conference since 2019. The event, run by IRD Duhallow, was a day celebrating older people and offers topical talks as well as a lovely day out. SAOI Network Vice Chair Kathleen Moylan opened the event, followed by a welcome on behalf of IRD Duhallow by our vice chair Anna Marie Bourke.

Irish Celebrity chef Darina Allen was keynote speaker on the day, and had a fascinating talk on Forgotten Skills of Cooking. This encouraged avoiding food waste as well as the sharing of family recipes to keep skills and traditions

alive.

The day was one of varietyCognitive Behavioural Therapist Sharon Clernon gave fantastic Mental Health tips and calming breathing exercises. Nicola Lucey, HSE Support Worker and Singing for the Brain Steering group member delivered a presentation on how music can stimulate bodies and improve memories, followed by Kevin McCormack, Singing for the Brain Music Facilitator giving a demonstration that everyone was invited to join.

Duhallow Community Food Services provided a delicious lunch that was followed with a presentation by Garda Sergeant Mark Daly and Garda Catherine Canty in how to

safeguard the home. Community Energy mentor for Cork County, Conor O’Brien gave that all important energy saving advice, and the crowd were reminded of the services in the area. IRD Duhallow Community Services Team Leader Helen O’Sullivan spoke about Services for the Elderly provided by IRD Duhallow including the Warmer Homes Scheme, Furniture Revamp, Community Laundry and Duhallow Community Food Services. To close out the day, Cork Sports Partnership offered an active taster session and welcomed the room to participate. Overall, the day was a huge success and excitement is already bubbling for the next one. Well done to all those involved in pulling together this fantastic day!

Darina Allen

Nicola Lucey

Catherine Canty

Conor O’Brien

Maura Walsh, CEO of IRD Duhallow, and Anna Marie Bourke, vice chair of IRD Duhallow, got copies of Darina’s book signed on the day

Kathleen Moylan, Stephanie Moynihan development officer and Anna Marie Burke, vice chair of IRD Duhallow, presented Darina with a gift basket and flowers at the end of the day.

Above: Kevin McCormack taught the group the benefits of singing for the brain and encouraged attendees to participate.

Left: Garda Mark Daly.

Inset: Catherine O’Reilly gave an exercise demo on the day with plenty of participation!

Helen O’Sullivan

Tim Burke

Sharon Clernon

Kathleen Moylan

The Return of the Christmas Party

By ALICE O’BRIEN Churchview Psychotherapy, Millstreet

It seems like Christmas has woken up this year, after a few years of drinking in the cold or going home at an unusually early hour, we can finally go out, stay out and sit in comfort. We don’t even have to order an €8 meal to enjoy it. Some memories of Christmas past are best forgotten.

With all of these great things comes the return of the work Christmas party. A time where we can party with the people that we spend most of the year with but do the least leisure activities with- so having a meal and a few drinks can be a strange change in the dynamic of the co-working relationship.

So, how do you manage such

events without becoming too stressed- or too drunk!!

Firstly, and most importantly, is to remember that what happens outside the office is not personal, where people sit, who they talk to (or don’t talk to) is not a reflection of how they view each other in the workplace- it’s a party so office politics do not apply.

If you are worried about drinking too much, or saying the wrong thing, it’s likely you are experiencing social anxiety around the event. Make a plan

to limit your drinking, or eat beforehand if there is no meal involved. Drink water between every round, and don’t be afraid to say when you feel you have had enough. Everyone drinks at a different pace- so find a balance that works for you.

When it comes to leaving, do what’s right for you. If you want to leave, say your goodbyes and leave. No one will mind and you are allowed to do what feels right for you. Social isolation and Covid has taught us to do what is right for us, so if you don’t feel comfortable, it is OK to go home.

Most importantly of all- you don’t have to go. You can say nopolitely if possible- but, if you’d prefer to be at home watching The Late Late Show in your slippers then that’s OK too.

"Rainbows are a reminder that every day is a fresh start."

Taken by and sent to us by Gillian Gilbourne.

"I took this photo one morning a couple of weeks ago on my way to work. This is the Carnegie Hall in the West end of Millstreet where the Council Offices and library are housed." - Gillian.

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

IN THE FRAME

Interest

Advent - A Time To Prepare

By TOM DENNEHY

During the Advent season we prepare for Christmas. We enter in to the third week of Advent this weekend when on Gaudete Sunday we light the pink candle which symbolizes the joy the world experienced at the birth of Christ.

Advent is all about preparation as we have our hearts ready to welcome the baby Jesus in to our world on Christmas morning. This is not an easy thing to do as we are so preoccupied with all the other demands on us that we often miss out on that opportunity.

Our Gospel readings during Advent have three distinct themes1. The second coming of Jesus when he will come again and establish his kingdom on earth, a kingdom of joy, peace and love and make all things new.

2. Preparation for our own death and our meeting with Jesus- to be ready when that day comes as we do not know the day nor the hour.

3. Our preparation for the Coming of Jesus in to our world- born as a little baby in a stable at Bethlehem.

Feast Days during Advent. During Advent we celebrate the Feast of St Andrew. He was the first apostle chosen by Jesus and is patron saint of Russia and Ukraine among others. We should think especially of them as they face a winter without electricity and are fearful for their families and loved ones. They have shown tremendous resilience in the wake of such adversity and are deserving of all our prayer and support in what ever way we can.

We also celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception which celebrates Our Blessed Mother Mary’s conception which was blessed from on high. She was born free of original sin and lived

entirely in The Divine Will.

Also on December 14th, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadeloupe when our Lady appeared to Juan Diego, a middle aged Aztec Indian as the pregnant Mother of God in 1531. She left a miraculous image of her appearance on his cactus fiber cloak which still exists today for all to see in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. This miraculous image, to this day, cannot be explained by science. All who have scientifically examined the image of Our Lady over the centuries confess that its properties are absolutely unique and so inexplicable in human terms and claim that the image can only be supernatural.

Our Lady came to offer faith, hope and consolation to the oppressed natives of Mexico and to reconcile them with their Spanish rulers. She put an end to the bloody human sacrifice rituals performed by the Aztecs and converted ten million natives in the next ten years.

Our four Advent candles.

First candle symbolizes Hope. Hope is God’s faithfulness. He is a welcoming, merciful and a forgiving God. Hope is keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus no matter what happens in our world.

Second candle symbolizes Faith. Faith in a God who fulfils his promises to us. The third symbolizes Joy and the fourth symbolizes Peace. A peace that only God can give. A peace our world very much needs today.

The white candle placed in the middle on Christmas Eve is called the Christ candle which represents purity and the birth of Christ - The light of the world.

Preparation for Christmas prompts us to embrace the wonderful traditions that surround it with the sharing of Christmas cards and gifts and the decoration of our homes.

How do to we prepare for Advent.

1.We need to spend some time in prayer each day. The rosary is our greatest prayer.

2.Read the first two chapters of the Gospel of St. Luke which gives an account of the events leading up to the birth of Jesus.

3.Avail of the Sacrament of Confession to ensure our hearts and soul are at peace with God.

4.Make a special effort to get to Mass as often as possible even if you have not been there for some time. Come back to Mass now as we need to pray together as a community for each other. Ni neart go cur le cheile.

5. Spend some time in Adoration if possible.

6. Make donations to worthy charities.

7. Be reconciled with that person with whom you may have a misunderstanding. It takes courage but do it now before it is too late.

We can then look forward with a heart fully prepared to welcome Jesus on Christmas morning. He is Emmanuel, God with us.

The First Of Many! Boherbue Students Perform In Culturlann

By PAT FLEMING Sliabh Luachra Musician

Students from Boherbue Comprehensive School are once again preparing a traditional music extravaganza! The concert will be held in Cultúrlann McAmhlaoibh, Newmarket on the 9th of December at 8pm with one of Ireland’s leading ballad singers, Elle Marie O’Dwyer, as MC.

This year, Boherbue Comprehensive’s Sliabh Luachra Musician in Residence, Pat Fleming is working with the multi-talented students. Pat, a past pupil and native of Boherbue, is a regular on the traditional Irish session scene and was a recent recipient of RTE Radio na Gaeltachta’s Album of the Week for his album “Live Music from Sliabh Luachra”.

Some students will dance a set, with Leaving Cert student John Cronin, a scór sinsear medalist with Gneeveguilla, leading them on the dance floor!

The students have gained quite a reputation on the traditional music scene with recent performances with Liam O’Connor, Brian Kennedy and Moya Brennan on their resume. They have also had frequent visits from

Eoin “Stan” O Sullivan and Bryan O Leary (Young Traditional Musician of the year 2014), two well-known flag bearers for the Sliabh Luachra tradition. Many of the pupils have won fleadh and scór medals over the years; some solo and some group and work hard throughout the year with their music teachers and respective Comhaltas groups. Some will be making their Culturlann debut while others are returning, and for some, it will be their final group school concert.

The audience will be lucky to hear the first performance of a jig by fiddler and composer Ciara Murphy – the aptly titled “The First of Many”. The school is fortunate to have a number of world championship dancers in the school, including Ella Forde, Caelann Feehan and Sophie Reidy who will dance on the night. Maria Sheahan will join them before she heads to Montreal for the World Irish Dancing Championships in the

spring.

The school choir will perform a number of pieces with transition year students Aoife O’ Riordan, Ella Vaughan and Emily Nagle, who will be joined by some junior cycle students making their debut.

Principal, Ms. Vera Leader, commented that “students are looking forward to entertaining their Duhallow audience…it’s a great occasion for the school and a fabulous opportunity for our music students, great credit and thanks must go to our Music Teacher Ann Marie O’Keeffe and Pat Fleming for his time and commitment”.Tickets are €10 and are available through the school office at 029-76032.

Boherbue Comprehensive Trad Group

Dancers Ella Forde, Maria Sheehan, Caelann Feehan and Sophie Reidy.