Discover Duhallow Issue 87

Bealtaine in Duhallow kicks off for 2023

It’s that time of year where we leave the dreariness of winter behind us as we head into the summer. What better way to launch the season then with the Bealtaine Festival 2023!

You can see the list of upcoming events for the festival inside. There’s something for everyone, whether it’s indoor or outdoor, perennial favourites

such as Jack’s Mystery Tour as well as some new events and courses that might interest you. Whether you want a day out, a day in, or a new skill, there’s something for you during Bealtaine! Full calendar inside;

■See pages 14&15

This issue sees the Bealtaine Festival 2023 kick off throughout Duhallow. You find out more about it on the inside. Amongst the news and features, Kanturk AFC gave us an update regarding their Easter Camp. A big congratulations to the Banteer Sportsfield and Park for their win at the Mayor’s Community Awards. And the charitable spirit of Duhallow shines through with the great success of the various vehicle runs over the last few weeks.

-Tadhg Index Community News..................................4-10 Community Photos.................................11 Funding Opportunities..............................12 Credit Union Throwback........................13 Bealtaine Calendar..............................14-15 Maurice O’Keeffe Round Up............16-17 Andy’s Reverse Run Success..................18 Tragedy Commemorated.......................19 Give Up Being Perfect..............................20 The Holy Sacrifice of Mass....................21 Weeds: More Friend Than Foe................22 Film Review: Lawrence of Arabia.........23 Communicating Europe............................25 Kids Page................................................26 Crossword................................................27

Email: Discoverduhallow@irdduhallow.com

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JOB VACANCIES

Powerwasher Technician x 1

Experienced or Trainee Agri Parts Counter person x 1: Competitive Salary for the right person

Next Steps ·CV to sales@technix.ie

Farm & Industrial Spares Mallow have a busy Parts department providing parts for tractors, attachments, and a wide range of complementary industrial and Agri products. Located in Newberry, Mallow, P51 DE98.

Annual Diocese of Kerry Pilgrimage to Knock

The first Annual Diocese of Kerry Pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Saturday 26th August 2023. While many families will travel by car it is hoped that many buses will travel and that each pastoral area will coordinate parishes locally.

The Diocesan Eucharistic Adoration Retreat will take place on the 27th of April 2023 at The Church of the Resurrection, Killarney with Registration @ 10.00am. Presented by Fr. Jim Lenihan. Bishop Ray Browne will conclude the Retreat with the celebration of Holy Mass @ 3.00pm. Lunch will be served. Registration fee €30. Your support will be very much appreciated.

To book, contact: Maureen at 087 9514352 OR Margaret at 0872976304.

KISKEAM GAA CLUB

A sincere thank you to our 322 members who supported the Club by joining the Rebels Bounty Draw for 2023. (Increase of 14 from last year) Wishing you every good fortune in the forthcoming draws.

Darkness Into Light

Online registration is now open for Darkness Into Light 2023.

May 6th at 4.15am

Biggest Rally In Kerry Returns

The 42nd running of the biggest rally in Kerry will take place on April 29th and 30th.

So far over 220 crews have entered, setting an all-time record for the event and beyond doubt proving the rally’s popularity. Along with a high volume of entries, there is strong representation across all the categories, including the Juniors and Historics who will run separately from the main field, allowing for an extra 50 cars to take part in the event.

The rally returns to the Beara Peninsula on Saturday for the first time since 2019 and the route will include the favourites like Cod’s Head, Ardgroom and the Healy Pass. Sunday’s route also features some new roads, and after two runs over Moll’s Gap and Ballaghbeama the rally heads to east Kerry.

The sting in the tail includes two runs over Gortnagane and a stage that has not been used for rallying since the 1983 Circuit of Ireland – the last time the famed five-day event visited Kerry.

Fatima Limited Spaces

9th - 15th May

Canon Noel Spring will lead this trip to Fatima, one of the greatest Marian Shrines in the world. A full programme has been arranged, and a cost breakdown and itinerary is available on Premiertravel.ie/offers/holiday/24/

For booking or more info, contact Premier Travel on 021-4277700.

Golf Classic Fundraiser

Kanturk and District Community Council are having a Golf Classic as a fundraiser for the maintenance and upkeep of the Edel Quinn and temperance halls in Kanturk. Both halls are in need of roof repair and a revamp inside. We’re trying to ensure these buildings remain available for events for this and future generations.

We are delighted to have Kanturk Credit Union onboard as our main sponsor. Kanturk Credit Union are great supporters of Kanturk and District Community Council throughout the years and are themselves celebrating 60 years serving the people of Kanturk and beyond.

For more info on any of the topics discussed on this page, visit the HSE website.

Men and Mental Health

HSE Health and Wellbeing, along with their men’s health partners, are hosting a webinar on Men and Mental Health on 25th April at 12noon.

Join them for an engaging webinar with great guests discussing how men can improve their mental health. With former international athlete and mental health advocate, David Gillick, HSE Senior Psychologist, Mark Smyth and Keith Kelly mental health advocate and founder of Jumpers for Goalposts as well as a very varied panel, this webinar is sure to have something for everyone. You can find more information and register here:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/ WN_3j9dgI7xTyChTZy7qmkmnQ

Community News

Parents Urged To Ensure Children Are Protected Against Measles

The HSE is urging parents to make sure children are up to date with their MMR vaccines before travelling outside of Ireland during the Easter break. The MMR vaccine protects against measles outbreaks which are being reported around the world. Already in 2023, measles outbreaks have been reported in a number of countries like the United States, South Africa, Nepal and Austria and the World Health Organization (WHO) recently warned about the risk of measles in children as a result of low MMR vaccine following the pandemic, says Dr Suzanne Cotter, Specialist in Public Health Medicine, HSEHealth Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

Information about the MMR vaccine is available on the National Immunisation Office website. Further information on measles and the symptoms to look out for are available on the HSE website.

New HSE Free Hepatitis C Home Test Now Available

Thousands of people in Ireland are living with hepatitis C and don’t know it.

The free Hepatitis C home test allows adults to order a free hepatitis C test online and carry out the finger prick test at home. The test is to detect hepatitis C in people with no symptoms who may be at risk of hepatitis C infection.

Users complete the tests at home and post the sample to the laboratory in a pre-paid envelope provided. Results are issued by text or phone. Those who require follow on treatment will be referred to participating clinics or hospitals. Treatment for Hepatitis C is free, tablets are effective and welltolerated, with over 95% of people cured in as little as 8 to 12 weeks. The new home testing service could help people unknowingly living with Hepatitis C to get a lifesaving diagnosis and treatment sooner.

Order your free hepatitis C test today on www.hse.ie/hepc

The HSE led Dementia: Understand Together campaign’s dementia inclusive community symbol sends an important message that you are supporting people with dementia and working towards becoming more inclusive. The HSE and its partners are calling for more people to get involved and to join the many people and businesses across Ireland who are already taking action. People and organisations can learn more about the campaign and sign up to get involved at www. understandtogether.ie/get-involved

COVID-19 Community Testing Centres and PCR Self-Referral Portal Close

The Public Health advice for COVID-19 has been updated, and COVID-19 testing is no longer recommended for the vast majority of people.

In line with this new advice, community testing centres across the country and the self-referral portal for ordering PCR tests are no longer required, and both closed on 30th March 2023. Both PCR and antigen testing will continue to be used by doctors in hospitals and General Practice settings for the purpose of diagnosing and deciding on the provision of treatment for COVID-19 to a patient. Public Health teams may also decide that COVID-19 testing is required in the management of an outbreak in a high-risk setting where they believe that further transmission is likely and could have serious impact, based on Public Health Risk Assessment.

COVID-19 information in other languages

Visit hse.ie/translations for a range of COVID-19 vaccine information videos and resources that have been produced in other languages, including information on COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy Information videos on COVID-19 vaccination for parents of children aged 5-11 are available here.

Football Celebrations

Congratulations to Rathmore U12 footballer who played the Blitz in Croke park recently, very enjoyable day was had by all! Congratulations to Ross Moriarty who ref’d his first game in Croke Park. Ross previously represented the club playing hurling (u12 2017), football (u12 2019) and now as a referee (2023) in Croke Park.

Kerry Camogie

Congratulations to Kerry Camogie team and Rathmore native Danielle O’Leary who won the 2A National League in Croke Park.Ciarraí Abú!

GAA Lotto Jackpot

Congratulations to Kieran Fitzgerald of Rathmore, the winner of Gneeveguilla GAA Lotto jackpot of €18,400!

ASTI Election

Congratulations to Donal Cremin, of Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra on his Election as Vice President of the ASTI at their Annual conference.

Duhallow Round-Up

Sliabh Luachra Mens Shed

A Shed is place where men can meet to chat,coffee, get involved in a Project, play cards, and generally socialise. The Sliabh Luachra men’s shed has formed a committee to further develop the men’s shed. New members are welcome.

For further information contact 087 6676817.

World Triathlon

Best of Luck to Declan O’Donoghue of Beheenagh, Headford who will be representing Ireland at the World Triathlon MultiSport Championships in Ibiza on the 7th May 2023. Declan has also been selected as the Irish Triathlon Team Captain. Best of luck to all.

Kanturk Tidy Towns

Would you like to help?

Just come along to Tidy Tuesdays! Meet in the Town Park @ 6.55pm

Duhallow Gig Guide

Cultúrlann Newmarket

Thursday April 27th 7pm

Candlelit Tales

More info to come

Saturday May 6th 8pm

Ye Vegabonds in concert ticketstop.ie

Wednesday June 21st 8pm

Sarah Curran Tribute

Friday July 28th 8pm

PJ Murrihy in concert

Glen Theatre

All shows start at 8pm

Saturday April 22nd

Eleanor Shanley

Sunday April 23rd

Stage Play - Separate Beds

Saturday May 13th

The Great Singalong Songbook

Star Traxx Music Venue

Sunday 23rd April, 3-5.30pm

Barry Doyle and Stevie Hamilton

Kiskeam Community Centre

Friday 5th May, 8pm

Seán Moylan, Irish Revolutionary Tickets on door. €15.

Ned’s Tractor Run Raises €11,500

The Ned Tarrant Memorial Tractor Run proved to be a huge success, managing to raise a fantastic €11,500 for Marymount Hospice. It was a massive turnout on the day with approximately 230 tractors taking part. A great afters was had at Healy’s Bar, Kilcorney with a BBQ and music by the Kelt. Special thanks to the Ned Tarrant Memorial Tractor Run Committee, Banteer Macra Na Feirme, the sponsors, and the people of Kilcorney for organising such a wonderful event for a great cause. Marymount do incredible work year round - to follow them, fundraise, or donate, visit marymount.ie.

L-R: Paddy Ahern, Mary Brady, Patrick Buckley, Dan Joe Collins, David Murphy, Pat Cremin, and Ned’s sister Mary Ahern.

Kanturk AFC Update Community

Kanturk AFC held their very own Easter camp on April 5th and 6th, over 100 children from Under 8 to Under 13 attended both days. Each day was filled with fun and games.

This successful event was only possible with the help of the club volunteers, coaches and older players. They would like to thank everyone that made this event such a success. Thank you to all the boys and girls that attended.

Training will continue next week, with fixtures scheduled over the weekend and weekday evenings, best of luck to all teams.

Kanturk AFC will complete their season at the end of May 2023.

LEFT: Ciara Kiely, Eimear Vaughan, Sophia Abernethy, Aoife Aherne, Aine O Connell - U17 players volunteering.

RIGHT: Mark Dennehy, Ronan Harrington - Youth players volunteering.

Coach John Reihill with the under 10 boys. Olivia Harrington, Lexie Higgins, and Abbie Browne.

Leah Noonan, Louise O Callaghan Maloney, Amy Green Lenihan - U17 players volunteering.

Banteer

Cúl Camp

Banteer Lyre Juvenile GAA Cul camp takes place on 3rd to 7th July

Soccer

Banteer under-age soccer camp takes place on 19th, 20th and 21st July

Your Wellbeing Is Important

Free talk at Banteer Sportsfield café Sat 22nd April at 11am Be kind to your mind; come along and find out how.

• Do you struggle to manage your stress at times?

• Is anxiety getting in the way of your enjoyment in life?

• Are there times when you feel down?

Well, just as tradespeople need a toolbox to do their job, so too do we need a toolbox of mental health tools to manage the ups and downs of daily life.

Alice O’Brien and Sharon Bailey can provide you with those tools. Two psychotherapists from the local area, Alice and Sharon recently set up Churchview Therapies where they provide counselling and psychotherapy for depression, anxiety, stress, panic as well as addiction counselling.

Alice and Sharon will be hosting a mental health coffee and chat session in Banteer Sportsfield Cafe on Saturday 22nd of April at 11am.

Come along and join in the chat. Learn some new skills to deal with life’s daily struggles. This informal coffee morning is for everyone, there is no pressure to speak or share your issues. So, join us, you never know what you might learn.

Community Sportsfield Win

Well done to Banteer Community Sportsfield and Park for their win at the Mayor’s Community Awards! They took home overall winner for the North Cork area for their brilliant work over the years. The project was completed with the support of the Rural Regeneration Fund, IRD Duhallow, LEADER programme funding, Sports Capital Funds, and Cork County Council, as well as a beyond impressive effort from the local community. The work undertaken by the committee will leave a long lasting impression on the community in Banteer and the wider area - congratulations!

Banteer Lyre Nadd and Districts Community Council Elections 2023

Get involved in your Community!

Nominations can be made between 1st and 5th May next and will be followed by an election if the number of nominations received exceeds the number of Community Council members required

What’s involved?

• Persons will be elected for a 3 year term

• Attend a 1 hour long meeting 8-10 times a year approx.

• Actively discuss on-going issues in the community and action any items as required. What has the Community Council done lately?

• Responsible for kick starting the Ballymaquirke junction upgrade with a public meeting in 2018

• Worked with Vodafone since 2013 to deliver in 2022 an improved mobile phone and broadband service to the local community

• Installed and maintain defibrillators in Banteer Lyre and Nadd.

• Worked on the installation of much needed speed ramps in the community

• Collaborate with local voluntary groups on various community projects.

• Regularly liaise with TDs, County Councillors and other statutory bodies.

• Working on ensuring local road, footpaths and lighting improvements are progressed

• Progresses the installations of social alarms for people in Banteer Lyre and Nadd areas

• Submissions to County Development plans

How do I become involved?

• Nominations can be submitted online using the link on our Facebook and Instagram pages or fill the nomination forms at the below locations:

• Banteer Sportsfield Cafe, E Tarrant & Sons Garage, Lyre Hall and Nadd Pub.

• Nominees must be over 18 and living in the area.

• Nominate yourself, or someone with their consent

Badminton U11 Banteer Open competition

Great sporting games of badminton were had Friday 7th of April at our first U11 Banteer Open. 30 children in total took part from Clare, Ladiesbridge and Banteer, in what was a great day of fun and games and of course plenty of treats too!

A big thank you to organisers Emer O’Keeffe and Marianne O Brien and not to forget their helpers Ava, Sive, Beth and Caoilfhionn. Thanks also to all the parents who provided food and refreshments for all.

Coffee morning

Thanks to all for support!

Thanks to all who supported the Coffee morning in aid of Cliona’s Foundation at Banteer Sportsfield café on Sat last with almost €3,000 raised Lana Dugdale, Louise O Brien and Roisin Murphy will be walking the Camino walk during the month of June in aid of Cliona’s Foundation who support families with seriously ill children. The walk consists of 120km over 5 days. For more information about Cliona’s Foundation please visit clionas.ie website

Banteer

Community Childcare Awarded A Grant Of €61,404

Funding of 61,404 has been made available to Banteer Community Childcare. This is part of a Department scheme to help childcare services upgrade, renovate or refurbish Early Learning and Childcare settings to improve the quality of learning environments for children as well as energy efficiency of the settings.The grant is part of a wider Building Blocks Capital Programme for Early Learning and Childcare under the National Development Plan.

The grant will be used to complete insulation works, LED lighting,electric car charging point ,solar PV panels, and air to air heat pump works at the Centre.

The Green Energy Strand supports the Climate Action Agenda and the Programme for Government, which aim to transition to a carbon neutral economy by the end of 2050 and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030.

Ger and Kathleen White with their children Teagan and Riley pictured with Alpacas Roscoe and Shadow at the Alpacas Easter celebration the family hosted at their Fine Oaks Farm in Kilcorney on Easter Saturday.

Photo by Sheila Fitzgerald

Jack O’ Shea from Nadd who was made an honorary Garda at Kanturk Garda Station in conjunction with the Little Blue Heroes Foundation is pictured with Garda Clement Sillery, Sergeant John Bowen, Inspector Debra Marsh, Sergeant Mark Daly, Garda Philip O’ Neill, Garda Kathryn Canty and Garda Linda O’ Leary.

Photo by Sheila Fitzgerald

Community Photos

Ballydesmond handball club members with All Ireland champions Paul Kerins, Mike Linehan, Brendan Fleming, and Donnacha O’Connor, in Croke Park Sunday 16th April

Our Ukrainian Community celebrated Easter on Sunday 16th April. Special thanks to Fr Fitzgerald in Millstreet who included a special Ukrainian Easter blessing as part of Sunday’s mass and blessed their Easter Bread made by Duhallow Community Food Services

Michael Moynihan TD congratulating Donal Sheehan, Knocknagree, who has recently been appointed a Peace Commissioner

Donal Cashman, Ger Greaney, Councillor Bernard Moynihan, Noel Keating, Sergeant Michael Kelly, Tommy O’ Neill, Anthony Murphy and Deputy Michael Moynihan gathered at the Monument in Kanturk Square on Easter Sunday morning to commemorate the Easter Rising, the 100th anniversary of Liam Lynch’s death and to honour men and women of Kanturk Battalion and local companies for their incredible bravery and dedication.

Photo by Sheila Fitzgerald

Funding Opportunities Funding Opportunites

Streetscape Improvement Returns

The Streetscape painting, signage, and improvement scheme has now opened for 2023. With the goal to improve the overall appearance of buildings, they have a number of grants available to tenants and owners alike.

Contributions of up to 50% are available for individuals and up to 60% is available for full street applications. In Cases where the tenant or owner is undertaking the work themselves, up to 100% of contribution is available to cover materials.

Shop signage - painted, plastic, neon, or otherwise - falls under the Heritage Type Sign category.

Priority is given to applications received by May 5th at 4pm.

For applications and additional info, visit; https://www.corkcoco.ie/sites/default/files/2023-04/paint-scheme-2023application-form-1.pdf

Sustainable Business Impact Awards Open

and medium business category, entry to all categories is open to small and medium businesses. For applications and more info, visit https://chambers.ie/event/ sustainable-business-impactawards/

Categories:

• Diversity, inclusion, and equity

• Sustainable Impact by Small or Medium Business

The closing date for applications to the sustainable business awards is getting closer. The final deadline will be 12 noon April 28th. These awards showcase the best practices and achievements in sustainable development and social responsibility. They are not defined by business size, and small and medium businesses are encouraged to partake. The UN Sustainable development

are at the heart of the awards, celebrating sustainable business practices and championing Chamber’s Ireland’s alignment with these goals.

Businesses located in the Republic of Ireland can enter as many categories as they like. However, they are limited to one entry per category, and specific projects may only be entered once. While there is a specific small

• Partnership with charity

• Volunteering

• Community Programme

• Environment

• Workplace

• Communication

• Partnership with a Social Enterprise

An Post, the 2022 Oustanding Achievment in Sustainable Business Impact winners, receive their trophy

Credit Union Throwback

Kanturk Credit Union has sharing memories through the years in celebration of their 60th Anniversary.

They’ve been encouraging members of the community to send paper clippings or photos through Facebook or email: info@kanturkcu.ie.

L-R: Bernard Kennedy, Myra O’Sullivan, Tim Joe McCarthy, Nora O’Reilly, Peter Walsh, Don Fitzgerald, Con Holland, Noel O’Brien, Denis Fitzpatrick, Donal Hanrahan, and E.P. Hogan(Inset)

Founder members of Kanturk Credit Union who were presented with plaques at a function to celebrate Credit Union Offices on Strand St. Kanturk, and the 21st birthday of its foundation.

Back L-R: P.J. O’Donovan (On behalf of Con Holland), Rev. D.C. O’Connell, Michael Lucey, Noel O’Brien, Patrick Allen, Michael Mannix, Frank Healy, Sarah O’Connor, John Cremin (on behalf of William O’Brien), and John Kealy (on behalf of the relatives of the late John Barry.

Sitting L-R: Peter Walsh, Mrs. A. Walsh (on behalf of Tom Lenihan), P.J. Moore, Denis Fitzpatrick, Nora Herlihy, guest: Rev. P. O’Keane, Donal Hanrahan, and John Fallon.

This picture was sent by Tom Moore of Kanturk with a newsletter dated as far back as 1983 that announced the arrival of the first computer for the Kanturk Credit Union. It was found amongst paper cutting and documents that he has been gathering in scrapbooks through the years. He shared a memory of those days;

“My Dad, Paddy Joe Moore, was one of the founder members. I remember, as a small boy, being brought over to the Edel Quinn Hall on Friday evenings by my father. He’d lodge some of his pay and he’d also give us a pound or two for us to do a lodgement into the accounts he had opened for myself and my two other siblings. Back then, it was just volunteers, a table and two chairs and some timber pigeon holes for the account holders.”

A group pictured at the opening of the Credit Union office in Percival Street in 1971 as the President, Con Holland, hands over the keys to the treasurer, Peter Walsh.

The late President de Valera presenting an autographed copy of the Credit Union Act, 1966, to Miss Nora Herlihy and Denis Fitzpatrick at Aras an Uachtaran on August 29, 1966.

Maurice O’Keeffe Festival Round-Up

The Maurice O’Keeffe Festival was a huge success. While the weekend of song, dance, competition, and craic is finished for this year, the countdown has already begun to the next one.

RIGHT: John Coakley presenting the prizes at the competition

BELOW LEFT: Cllr Bernard Moynahan and Cork Lord Mayor Danny Collins presenting John Walsh with a lifetime of dedication to the music of Sliabh Luachra award

BELOW RIGHT: Doon Road - Simon Crehan (guitar), Conor Daly (fiddle), Pat Fleming (accordion), Fionn O’Hanlon (bouzouki).

The first session of the festival in full swing in The Rock Bar, Newmarket

The Maurice O’Keeffe Festival frame saw plenty action (even from the Discover Duhallow team!)

It proved a favourite for photos with so many we couldn’t include all of them - be sure to check the Maurice O’Keeffe Festival Facebook or Instagram to see them all.

TOP ROW LEFT: Cllr Bernard

Moynihan and Musician Pat

Fleming with Cork County Mayor

Danny Collins

TOP ROW MIDDLE: Margaret

O’Connor , Shelia O’Shea , Eileen

Rist

TOP ROW RIGHT: Sheila Fitzgerald

BOTTOM LEFT: Music Legend

Timmy O’Connor

BOTTOM RIGHT: Kiskeam Set

Dancers

Group piece at the concert by all local musicians, showing the trad is still in with all age groups.

Andy’s Reverse Run Success

A large crowd had gathered in Ballydesmond on Easter Sunday

9th April at 12 o’clock to cheer on Andy Moynihan as he started his Reverse Car Run in aid of Pieta in memory of Michael Murphy. He was led out by Seargent Paul Lynch, a convoy of motorbikes and support cars.

Using only the wing mirrors of the Skoda Enyaq kindly provided by E Tarrant & Sons of Banteer, Andy travelled through Kiskeam, Boherbue, Newmarket, and Kanturk, where the entire team took a break for a while to catch up and take a breather.

Andy continued on his journey with his entourage through Banteer, Millstreet, Cullen, and Knocknagree. He maintained a speed of approx 33km an hour along the route.

Once again, a crowd had turned out to welcome Andy back into Ballydesmond, as he completed his 76km backwards journey by 3:30.

Andy would like to thank everyone who was involved in making this event a fantastic success and a memorable day. With over €16,000 raised so far, people have been beyond generous.

Above: Andy backs through Bally!

RIGHT: Andy Moynihan with his wife Eileen & Daughters Laura and Leah.

BELOW: Jimmy Dasher, Dave Cotter, Johnny O’Connor, Damien Murphy, Micheal Buckley, Kevin Fleming and JJ Buckley.

Andy’s supporters were over the moon on the day! The cheers could be heard all through Ballydesmond

Tragedy Commemorated

By TULLYLEASE HISTORICAL AND HERITAGE SOCIETY

William O’Mahony (48) Daniel O’Keeffe (39) and Thomas Murphy (24) were executed at Tullylease Village on 27th April 1822. Almost 201 years on, Tullylease Historical and Heritage Society supported by Cork County Council and the local Community will mark this tragic event in the parish with the unveiling of a monument at Páirc na Saoirse.

From the newspaper articles from the 1820s it is evident that life was very tough for the people in this part of Duhallow and that these men and their families had scarcely enough to eat. From official documents their crimes were cited as burglary and stealing clothes. These three unfortunate men were tried in Cork City and sentenced to be executed. They were taken from Cork County Gaol to Mallow Bridewell and

from Mallow to Tullylease in a four wheeled carriage. A circuitous and rugged route was taken in order to strike terror into their fellow countrymen through Ballyclough, Castlecor, Kilbrin, Ballybahallow, Freemount and finally Tullylease. A four wheeled carriage had never been seen in these places before.

A newspaper of the time notes the appearance of one of the men, William O’Mahony ‘He was an old man and in rags’ Minutes before his execution ‘He declared solemnly that he had never been sworn a Whiteboy, “nor ever joined them by day or by night’ that he had never robbed before or “injured any man to the value of a shilling”.

He turned to his fellow accused Murphy and declared “It was you that induced me to go with

you on that fatal night, but I forgive you; and furthermore, I declare I would not have gone with you only myself and my family wanted the necessities of life, and a bit to eat which you knew well”

The Whiteboys (na Buachaillí Bána) were a secret Irish agrarian organisation that defend the rights of tenant farmers. Their grievances related to the injustices meted out to tenant farmers who often lived at subsistence level. These injustices involved extortion in the form of extremely high rents, taxes and tithes demanded from the farmers.

For the commemoration on Sunday 23rd April, guests are invited to assemble at Tullylease Sports Field where Newmarket Pipe Band will open the event at 2pm with a procession to Páirc na Saoirse where the monument will be unveiled, wreaths will be laid and historian Dr Tim Horgan will deliver an oration. Afterwards refreshments will be served in Tullylease Community Hall. All are welcome to attend.

Give Up Being Perfect

By ALICE O’BRIEN Churchview Therapies, Millstreet

Have you ever observed someone else’s energy and wondered where they get it from? Have you ever compared someone to the proverbial Duracell Bunny and watched them keep working on something long after you have called it a day. Bet you chastised yourself, thinking you should have done more - but have you considered that the other person could have done less? Maybe what drives them is not actually a good work ethic but a need for perfectionism that is not healthy for them.

Perfectionism is not always about being perfect. It is often

driven by a feeling of not being good enough, of falling short. Psychologist Thomas Curran covers this when he talks about ‘deficit thinking’ - the thinking that we are never good enough; that if we just keep going, we will reach a better version of ourselves. When we find that version of ourselves we will finally see ourselves as being acceptable, lovable even. Not only do we judge ourselves harshly with this type of thinking, we also fear judgement from others so we set unrealistically high expectations for ourselves - hence the over-working, the severe attention to details and the continuously checking and re-checking - even after everyone else has stopped.

So, how do we stop this pull

towards being ‘perfect’? Well, we can learn to hear our inner-critic and separate ourselves from it. After-all, the inner critic is our thoughts and we know that all our thoughts are not fact. Sometimes our thoughts tell us lies, tell us we are not good enough when we know that we are. Another thing we can do is to start practicing self-compassion. We do this be treating ourselves with kindness, by noticing our strengths and praising them and forgiving any mistake we may have made.

So, when we stop, take a breath and see our strength, then we can see that we are good enough. We can see that our best is enough. Then we can step off the hamster wheel of perfectionism and enjoy life a bit more.

Interest

The Holy Sacrifice of Mass

By TOM DENNEHY

When we attend Holy Mass we join with Jesus in offering Himself to God The Father in atonement for our sins and the sins of the whole world.

When we attend Holy Mass, we are present at all of the amazing events we have celebrated during our Easter ceremonies. We have Holy Thursday when Jesus gave us His Body and Blood; Good Friday when Jesus died on the Cross and shed every drop of His Blood for us; Easter Sunday when He rose from the dead. All are rolled into one event at Mass. That is why our Mass is so powerful and of infinite value.

Our offering is the bread and wine which is transformed into the Body and Blood of Lord Jesus Christ by the actions of the priest through calling on the power of The Holy Spirit. The priest becomes Christ on the altar doing what Jesus did for us on Calvary on Good Friday and also on Holy Thursday night when He instructed his apostles to “Do this in memory of Me.”

Every word spoken by the priest and every action is so important and of great significance.

The greeting of the priest at the start of Mass is,“The grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God Our Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

At the beginning of our Mass, we have an opportunity to acknowledge our sinfulness as we prepare to listen to the Word of God and receive the Holy Eucharist. In the Gloria we give praise and glory to God and thank Him for all He is doing in our lives and in our world.

Readings

We have readings from the Old Testament and the New Testament which are about Jesus. The first reading relates to The Old Testament. We may sometimes think

that these readings are not relevant but they are about God’s love which is fulfilled in the Gospel reading.

The second reading from the New Testament tells how we should carry out the message of the Gospel reading in our own lives.

We hear the Homily from our Priest which gives an explanation of the readings and encourages us to live the Gospel message.

Eucharist means thanksgiving so we come together as a community giving thanks and praying for each other and our world in our prayers of intercession.

At the Offertory of the Mass we bring our needs to the altar and join with the Priest as he adds the drop of water to the wine in the chalice. This is a time to include our Mass intentions and should not be missed. We can pray for both the living and the dead.

When the priest holds up the consecrated host before the distribution of Holy Communion, he holds up the resurrected Jesus who has taken away the sins of the world.

Holy Communion

At Holy Communion we receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ in to our hearts and souls which transforms us and strengthens us. We become more like Jesus- more caring and loving of others. When we receive the Holy Eucharist that Jesus gives us we become part of Him - part of the Body of Christ. This is an amazing gift to us. Every Holy Communion we receive makes us more capable of communing with God throughout eternity (Saint Faustina- Diary 1811).

Sometimes this gift to us is a mystery beyond our understanding and we may take it for granted for at Holy Mass we are present, witnessing an amazing miracle. If we could see what is happening at Mass through spiritual eyes we would be amazed. Such love is

being poured out before our eyes. Saint John Vianney, the great saint who constantly preached about Jesus being truly present in the Eucharist said, “After the consecration the good God is there, like He is Heaven. If man knew this mystery, he would die of love.”

Saint Padre Pio experienced this love and it helped him to bear his great sufferings as he bore the stigmata- wounds of Christ - for fifty years. He said “The world would exist more easily without the sun than without the Holy Mass”. Such is the power of the Mass.

Everyone in the whole world benefits from the Mass offered. The grace is poured out on every person present or not.

Our Holy Souls also benefit from our Mass and they depend so much on our presence at Mass praying for them.

The final blessing from the priest is a blessing from Jesus Christ Himself and we should never leave Mass without it.

The final words from the priest instruct us to go in peace and be Christ to all we encounter.

We have witnessed the greatest love story ever; The Holy Mass.

Weeds: More Friend Than Foe

By RACHEL BUDD

There are three things in life that are certain; death, taxes, and weeds. No matter what the weather is like, no matter how hard our seedlings find it to battle through changing temperatures, wind, rain and in some cases snow, weeds will always survive and thrive. As spring turns into summer, by the calendar at least if not by temperature, we will start our annual battle against weeds.

with our insect, bird, and animal life to create ecosystems where all survive.

If you can leave weeds be, please do.

For most people, this is a chore they could do without and even the most hardened gardener can despair at the tenacity of some of our common weeds.

There are ways to approach weeds though that can help us get through it.

Ask yourself if this plant is really a problem where it is. It’s obviously happy and thriving, do we really need to disturb it? Many of our weeds — or wild-flowers to give them their proper title — are also some of our best pollinator plants, and have evolved in symbiosis

We can’t leave weeds everywhere though; they will out compete our vegetable plants and our flowers if not checked. Sometimes a thick renewable mulch will do the trick. Not plastic, and not woven weed barriers however, as these starve the soil and leave it deficient in nutrients and essential soil life. Cardboard and bark mulch are a create combination as they work together to suppress weeds, slowly rotting down to feed the soil and encourage a healthy worm population. They need replacing at least twice a year to keep suppressing weeds.

If you need to remove weeds, do a really thorough job twice a year. A good spring clean-up will go a long way into the summer and an autumn tidy up of the beds will reduce the amount of weeds coming back the following spring.

Remember to put your weeds on a compost heap, let them rot down and add them back to the soil next season to feed your plants. In a good garden, nothing is wasted.

But whatever you do – DO NOT SPRAY YOUR WEEDS! I am shouting this because it is really important. Weed killers are devastating soil life. They are killing pollinators and other insects.

We encourage all communities and households to avoid using such sprays. Communities can erect signage in green areas explaining that these areas are supporting pollination.

This year, it has been great to see such uptake by our communities in our community planting project. We have seen young and old get involved with local schools even taking part in the planting process. This LEADER funded biodiversity project has supported communities across the region to develop an individualised biodiversity plan and purchase a variety of bare root trees, wild-flowers, perennials etc. This project is ongoing all year and for any communities who have yet to take up on this offer there is still time to get involved.

Nothing Is Written

By TADHG CURTIN

Over 60 years on, David Lean’s iconic Lawrence of Arabia (1962) lives up to its epic status as one of cinema’s greatest achievements.

In the late 1950s, director David Lean had just directed the great The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957). It was a massive success so his next project was his for the taking. His decision to film the story of one T.E Lawrence’s time in Arabia would give cinema, according to Steven Spielberg, “a miracle of a picture”. Based on the book Seven Pillars of Wisdom, it tells the story of the real life T.E. Lawrence, an English officer who successfully united and led the diverse, often warring, Arab tribes during World War I in order to fight the Turks.

print the legend.

Peter O’Toole was just a stage actor when he was given the role of Lawrence and he’s fantastic. His co-star, Omar Shariff has one of the great entrances in cinema in this movie. Both actors would find their movie careers launched as a result of Lawrence.

at an impressive 216 minutes, the thing moves. It’s in no hurry getting through its tale but you’re captivated throughout. And certainly, Maurice Jarre’s lush, romantic, and rousing score helps too. It’s now the score of the desert. Exotic, beautiful, mysterious.

T.E Lawrence’s life story now occupies an interesting space between fact and fiction. His public image resulted in part from the sensationalised reporting of the Arab revolt by American journalist Lowell Thomas, as well as from Seven Pillars of Wisdom. On 19 May 1935, Lawrence died, at the age of 46, six days after being injured in a motorcycle accident in Dorset. His death at a relatively young age adds to his mystery leading many to posit conspiracies about it but more than likely, there is nothing to it. It’s that dictum of when the legend becomes fact,

Some have attacked it for being just a film with people riding camels in the desert. I don’t agree. It was certainly unique. In The Making of Lawrence of Arabia, Omar Shariff talked about how odd of a prospect the potential movie was - “If you had told people, at that time, to produce a film that was going to cost a lot of money. Without any big stars. About Arabs, riding camels and jogging across the desert… no girls, no love story. No action. It didn’t seem like it was going to be something that people would want to see and it’s amazing to have had the vision that it could work”. That vision is rare these days, mainly because it’s not allowed. Money comes first.

It is cinematic scope at its biggest; figuratively, aurally, and visually. There are moments where people have never looked so tiny within its large frame. It’s a testament to its editor, Anne V. Coates, that while coming in

I had the great fortune of seeing it on the big screen in 2015 and the mixture of age groups in the audience was staggering. It shows that there’s a thirst for a cinema that doesn’t talk down to us. The character of Lawrence is a true enigma. We’re not sure what his motives are behind anything he does. His belief that nothing is written is a great metaphor for how we approach our own destiny. His stating that it’s going to be fun before he sets off on his adventure could be for life as well. It can be. For this movie, it is. And it’s unforgettable too.

Available on DVD, Blu Ray and to stream on Netflix.

JOB VACANCY

Job title: Development Officer – Employment Focus

Location: Based in the offices of IRD Duhallow

Core Focus:

The core focus of the role will be delivering employment supports and working with people distanced from the labour market to help them progress towards education, training or employment opportunities.

General Key Responsibilities:

Meeting unemployed people on a one-to-one basis in various locations in the region to help them plan for the future;

Working with local employers to identify progression opportunities for people;

Maintain accurate records of work undertaken that contains detailed up-to-date engagement notes, full details of specific interventions, evidence of positive outcomes etc;

Undertake tasks including LEADER/SICAP grant application procedures, processing, monitoring and project file maintenance

To adhere to the operating rules of different funding programmes and keep appropriate and up to date records of all project activities

Organise conferences and seminars and disseminate information in response to community needs including: webinars, virtual and in-person networking events;

Undertake ongoing evaluation of outcomes and impacts of projects;

Carry out risk assessments and manage risks – in conjunction with Team Leader – as required;

Review with Team Leader progress against outcomes against performance targets and reflect on practice; Work in collaboration with our Development Officer teams to maximise opportunities and support across all programmes and initiatives;

Work in an integrated manner with other relevant service providers. Work on any new programmes or initiatives relevant to the role

Person Specification:

Excellent organisation and communication skills.

Knowledge and Experience of working with those experiencing barriers to employment;

Excellent IT skills, including a proficiency in Microsoft office and online communication platforms;

Excellent reporting and writing skills

Essential Requirements:

A relevant 3rd Level qualification, at Level 7 or higher, in the area of career guidance or counselling or Rural Development related field, and or willing to work towards L7 accreditation in career guidance or counselling once appointed

A minimum of 2 years’ experience working in the area of employment, enterprise and or career guidance /job coaching

Full Drivers Licence and own car.

A panel may be established from which future vacancies may be filled.

Application to include Cover Letter and Current CV to: Maura Walsh, CEO

IRD Duhallow, James O Keeffe Institute, Newmarket, Co Cork. Email: duhallow@irdduhallow.com

Closing date: Friday, 5th May 2023

Communicating Europe

Ireland EU50

By HANNAH KELLEHER Communicating Europe Participant

As someone who can remember the poverty and mass emigration in Ireland pre EEC accession, I am proud of our transition to the strong, credible nation that is Ireland today. On the world stage Ireland has become a confident EU member-state capable of influencing policy on a European basis. Fifty years of Ireland’s membership of the EU are evident throughout every strand of Ireland’s society from the development of child-care, education and research in all sectors, agriculture and fisheries, to the creation of high-tech jobs, environmental improvement and protection, and supporting rural communities.

By AIDAN BARRY Communicating Europe Participant

Just look at what has been achieved by IRD Duhallow. Jobs, crèches, environmental protection, and much more. Young people staying where beforehand there was flight and rural population malaise, a transformation due substantially to local community workers and EU support.

Subsidiarity is a principle at the heart of the functioning of the EU. It is the principle that a central authority should have a subsidiary function, performing only those

IRD Duhallow has been extremely effective in conducting EU Leader projects for the benefit of local communities in the Duhallow region as is evidenced by the study of the Upper Munster Blackwater, The Duhallow Barn Owl Project, The Owentarglin River European Innovation Partnership (EIP), Duhallow Farming for Blue Dot Catchments to mention but a few. The widespread, successful programmes operated in the area by IRD Duhallow are responsible for the significant improvement in water quality and biodiversity in the region. IRD Duhallow has provided rural communities with expertise and funding to awaken potential and enable us to continue to live in our own locality, surrounded by family, where we are happy and gainfully employed.

Hear Us

tasks which cannot be performed at a more local level. Does that feel to you like how we do things in Ireland? Many think otherwise. Tony O’Grady, a community development practitioner quoted in Finola Kennedy’s ‘Local Matters’ published last year, claims that a major imbalance has developed in government-supported community development, so that the more local and community-centred approach ‘has been effectively obliterated in favour of the more centralised and prescriptive approach’.

Why is the tendency to centralise. Are power dynamics

The inclusive and cooperative vision of the EU promotes respect for human dignity, freedom, equality, the rule of law, respect for human rights and is underpinned by democracy. These are the values that shape our lives in Duhallow today.

The founding vision was one of uniting European countries economically and politically to promote peace and prosperity through cooperation and sometimes compromise. EU membership with its principles of democracy and respect for all, has improved the lives of individual men, women and children in this country. Today we, the citizens of Ireland can play an effective part in shaping not only Ireland but Europe also.

Ní neart go cur le chéile!

getting in the way? Could a paternal approach apply - a view among experts that local people cannot be trusted to identify what is needed in their own communities? Whatever the reason, we have not embraced the principle of subsidiarity. This matters. The difference is whether we get a say in what affects us in our community or not.

Our people want to take responsibility for ourselves. We want decisions to be taken openly and as locally to us as is practicable. We want subsidiarity. When our representatives don’t hear, let us raise our voices!

Easter Winners

This year our Easter competition was bigger than ever!

So big in fact that we can’t even include all of your incredible entries! :( But we are thankfully able to show off our three winning pieces by Olivia, Sarah and Julie. Well done everyone in your creative works, and make sure you keep an eye out for our next competition! Winners can collect their prizes from Monday 26th of April.

Beginner Sudoku

Sudoku comes from the Japanese phrase that means “single numbers”. To complete it, you must have the numbers 1 to 9 in each row, column, and box. BUT you can only have one of each number in that row, column, or box. Try to complete the following two sudoku puzzles, and check Issue 88 to see if you were right!

Julie (7)

Olivia (10)

Sarah (6)

To be in with a chance to win a €20 voucher for Duhallow Community Food Services 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, April 28th, 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.