Discover Duhallow Issue 98

REGION BURSTING WITH ACTIVITIES

Join clubs, classes, and groups

Autumn is here, and let’s face it; the long dark evenings can be boring.

There is plenty to do in the region on the long winter evenings - why not join a club or attend a class?

There is all kinds of everything; from GAA to knitting, from gymnastics to bingo, from vintage cars to yoga, and just

about everything else you can imagine!

This massive list of clubs, groups, and classes comes with points of contact details and timetables where possible. Have a look; there’s something there for everyone!

■See page 14&15

Editors Note

The chill in the air might have you thinking about Christmas creeping closer, but we’ll keep that word silent aside from when applying for Christmas markets throughout the region.

We have all sorts of updates - a view from Claragh by a walking group member took our breath away, and all of the exercise classes in our spread literally took our breath away!

With IRD Duhallow’s Business Awards coming closer, Alice discusses humble confidence, and of course we have New Leaf sharing wisdom for high cholesterol. All that and more inside!

- Caleb

Community News

Golden Jubilee Rathmore Parents and Friends 1973-2023

We are extending an open invitation to attend the 11:30 a.m. Mass in St. Joseph’s Church, Rathmore on Sunday, September 24th.

NEWMARKET

Scrap Metal Weekend for Newmarket and Surrounding areas takes place on Friday Sept 29th 5-7.30pm and Sat Sept 30th 9.30am - 4.30pm at Astroturf Carpark in Newmarket.

Chairman of Rathmore

Gneeveguilla Community Games, Aeneas O'Leary from Gneeveguilla who was awarded the 2023 Community Games National Volunteer award Saturday 16th September at a reception in The Lord Bagenal Inn, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow.

We would especially like to see all those who supported and encouraged us from the early days right through to the present. Also, the people we support, families and staff, past and present, branch members and friends. This celebration will be followed by refreshments, ceol and craic in Tearmann Lodge. Parking will be available in Danú pre-school next door. Looking forward to seeing you all.

In Memory of Pat Coffee morning in memory of Pat Sheehan. Social Centre, Kilcorney 24th September after 10am Mass. All proceeds to Marymount Hospice and the Irish Cancer Society

Organised by Newmarket Sports and Leisure.

An ideal opportunity to do a clean up and get rid of old steel items. If you have Old Farm Machinery, Scrap Cars, old tractors, Galvanised Sheeting, Washing Machines, Dishwashers, etc. Also Car & Tractor batteries, Copper, Lead, Aluminium, Stainless Steel, Brass, Old engines, gates, steel shelving, Motors, Boilers & most household steel items welcome.

Collection service available Tel 087/6047400

Please note:

No Fridges or Freezers, Timber, Plastic, Tyres, TVs, Mattresses , Rubber, Gas Bottles or drums of paint or liquid accepted.

Kanturk Tidy Towns Bring Home The Gold!

Kanturk Tidy Towns brought home not one, but two accolades from the Anti-Litter Awards! We reached out to ask about the win and of course, future plans!

“We are absolutely thrilled with our win! A lot of effort went in to winning our group.

We met every Tuesday evening as a group and several individual volunteers did litter picks in their own time and all this together helped us achieve our objective in winning the group, however, we were absolutely over the moon to have also won the most improved town in County Cork. That was very special to us.

We are very busy at the moment as we are currently working with our good friends, artists Anton and Kate, who are making a sculpture which will be situated at the

junction of the Mallow/Buttevant road.

We are also currently repairing the stone wall opposite Kanturk Castle along with further planting

on the new link road. Of course there is always the general tidy towns duties of painting, litter picking and weeding. We are a busy bunch!”

Betty Twomey, Mary Corbett, Seamus O Riordan, Kevin Howe and Eddie Walsh with their two fantastic awards.

Kanturk AFC are delighted with the sponsorship of a set of Jerseys for our Under 15 team by Brendan Creed of Direct Tyres, Mallow. This is much appreciated, as the new season kicks off for the Under 15 team, Best of luck in the season. Under 15 Team with Team Manager James McAuliffe, Coach Edwin Casey, Brendan Creed and his son Brendan from Tyres Direct Mallow

Kanturk AFC would like to thank Alan Grace of Grace's Funeral Directors, Kanturk for sponsoring a set of Jerseys for Kanturk AFC Munster Senior League Team, this is very much appreciated.

Community News

Castlemagner News

Castlemagner Culture Night

A dual screening of locally produced documentaries, featuring a narrated journey of the bridges of the River Blackwater from its source in the Mullaghareirk Mountains, to its mouth in Youghal Bay, and the history of threshing across the Duhallow region will take place in Castlemagner Community Centre at 8.00 pm on Thursday 22nd of September in celebration of Culture Night. Admission is free. Tea and light refreshments will be served.

Annual Harvest Mass

On Saturday 21st of October, the Annual Harvest Mass will be celebrated in St Mary’s Church in Castlemagner at the 7.30pm Mass. This is a mass in thanksgiving for the fruits of the harvest at this time of year. It is a moment to reflect on the gifts of the earth as the year turns towards the gathering of the harvest and reaping of the crops sown in the spring. Gifts from the harvest will be offered at this mass.

Singing Classes

Castlemagner Community Singing will resume on Tuesday 3rd of October at 7:15pm with tutor Maria Twomey. This brings the community together to experience the therapeutic value of music in an informal social setting. Old and new songs are explored. These classes are held upstairs in the Community Centre in a comfortable surrounding. New members are very welcome to join.

Sinsir Club

Castlemagner Sinsir Club will resume after the summer break on Thursday 5th of October from 12 noon until 2pm in Castlemagner Community Centre. A full line up is planned for the coming season with talks on many subjects relevant to the group including health and wellbeing. A key social aspect of these sessions is the tea break where our members chat and catch up. Everyone is welcome to attend, especially new members.

Annual Station Mass

The Castlemagner Community Station Mass will be held in Castlemagner Community Centre on Tuesday 17th of October at 7.30pm. The people who attend the Tuesday night singing are asked to help out with the choir on this night. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Activator Pole Training

Cork Sports Partnership in association with fitWALK Ireland will be hosting Activator Poles training classes in Castlemagner Community Centre over the coming weeks. Activator walking explores how Activator poles can promote aerobics fitness, mobility, strength, and balance for people with different abilities and fitness levels. The poles are suited for all levels and abilities. This programme is community based. Walking with ACTIVATOR Poles improves stability, reduces impact on hips/knees, develops core strength, improves posture and promotes better gait pattern. For details contact (086)8521808

Cllr Bernard Moynihan and Pat Fleming had a very positive meeting this week with Ian McDonagh (Head of the Arts department in Cork County Council) to discuss their support for some upcoming events including The Maurice O Keeffe Festival Easter Weekend in Kiskeam and Ballydesmond.

Rockchapel’s 5k A Quick Success!

The inaugural Rockchapel 5k took place on Friday 15th of September with 62 athletes taking part. Thomas Kiely (North Cork A.C)won the men’s race in 16:28, Killian Lynch (West Limerick A.C) in second - 16:38, and 3rd place went to Johnny O’Sullivan Granage (Fermoy A.C 17:52). The ladies Winner was Emma Flynn (North Cork A.C) in 18:33, with her sister Michaela coming second in 19:11, and Siobhan Daly (An Ríocht A.C) third in 19:37. Some blistering times set for a course described by participants as fast.

Massive thanks to our all our fantastic sponsors; Paddy Molly’s Bar Rockchapel, New Leaf Store Kanturk and Charleville, Murphy’s Bar and Shop Rockchapel, ADA Security Systems Rockchapel, Allen Builders Rockchapel, Kostal Ltd, D and E engineering, Rockchapel GAA, Ayrton Group, Fitness Solutions Mallow, and all our spot prize sponsors.

Special thanks to all local residents, stewards, club members, tea ladies, photographers, Cork County Council, Red Cross and local gardaí for making this event an outstanding success. Our clubs next race is the annual Newmarket 5k taking place on Sunday 3rd of December at 1pm. Online entries open now.

And they’re off!

Kaye Murphy leading the bunch

Brendan Cahill and Tony Collins Rockchapel

LEFT: Kevin Collins and Padraig Collins

Photos by Neily Curtin

On The Run

Mary Anne Murphy from Ballydesmond making good progress

Catherine O’Sullivan from the Grange Club

Johnny & Catherine O'Sullivan and Billy Linehan from Grange

Yvonne Twomey from Mallow AC enjoying the run

Yvonne Lyons and Kaye Murphy Rockchapel

Kanturk Mart Spring Weanling Show & Sale 2023

Both men are pictured with Boherbue Co-Op Creamery representatives Denis Gerard O’ Sullivan & Declan O’ Keeffe, Judges Margaret Lehane & Bobby Cotter & Joe Noonan Chairman Kanturk Mart.

Winner of Best Pen of Bulls - Michael & Anthony Pierce, Broadford

The Supreme Champion, a Limousine Bull that weighed 428kg and made €1510.

The Reserve Champion, a Charlaois Bull that weighed 434kg and made €1440.

Supreme Champion - Michael O’ Keeffe, Newmarket. Reserve Champion - Jeremiah Twomey, Donoughmore.

Best Pen of Bulls - Charlaois, weighing 324kg and made €1000

Best Hereford Heifer - Tim Clifford, Meelin pictured with Kanturk Mart Chairman Joe Noonan.

Best Aberdeen Angus Bull - Donie Howard, Kilcorney.

Best Charolais Heifer - Kathy Murphy, Meelin

Best Simmental Bull - Seamus Curtin, Kilcorney.

Best Pen of Heifers - Kevin O’ Doherty, Newcastlewest

Best Belgian Blue Bull - David Murphy, Banteer

Best Pen of Heifers - Limousine, weighed 284kg and made €780

Best Simmental Bull - Weighed 354kg and made €900.

Dromagh NS

New School Year & Our New Junior Infants

We were delighted to extend a warm welcome to our new families who joined us and to our returning families for this school year, 2023/24. We are looking forward to a wonderful academic year ahead, full of learning, fun and exciting activities for all of our pupils! We hope you enjoy our story of the arrival of our new Juniors.

Pictured: Jamie, Ted, Finn, Charlie and Joshua look forward to a fun new year!

September

Smiles and hugs were plentiful for September,

Excitement of going to school with new schoolbags,

Plenty of games and fun ahead for the day,

Tiny hands making incredible inventions.

Eyes wide open with surprise and amazement,

Making marshmallow hats and many sandcastles.

Books, footballs, water and berries were part of learning,

Exercising outside in the school yard with our new friends,

Remembering the time to go home is when the bell rings!

Celebrate

Sunday September 24th at 2pm

Assemble at Donoughmore Community Centre, Stuake, Co Cork postal code P32XW80, and walk the short distance to the National Monument.

All welcome!

Groups, Clubs, and Classes

Duhallow Gymnastics Club

Foroige Youth Club

Newmarket Parent and Toddler Group

Newmarket Pitch and Putt

Knitting and Crochet Group

Newmarket

For info, contact: 0874541358

For info, contact: Facebook

For info, contact: Facebook

For info, contact: 0873733181

For info, contact: 0862059745

Millstreet

Millstreet Vintage Club

Millstreet Athletics Club

Millstreet Toddler Group

Millstreet Active Retired

Millstreet Men’s Shed

Cork Education and Training Board

For info, contact: 0877924406

For info, contact: 0872617001

For info, contact: millstreettoddlergroup@gmail.com

For info, contact: 0870537172

For info, contact: 0876380053

For info, contact: 0867707301

Kanturk

Kanturk Boxing Club

Kanturk Golf Club

Kanturk Flower and Garden Club

Foróige Youth Club

Kanturk Men’s Shed

Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club

Kanturk Scouts

Mt. Hilary Athletics Club

Bridge Club

Duhallow Athletics Club

Duhallow Choral Society

Duhallow Vintage Club

Ballydesmond Handball Club

For info, contact: 0878122405

For info, contact: 0868120652

For info, contact: Facebook or the Trades Union Hall, Kanturk

For info, contact: 0872065296

For info, contact: 0872307382 or 0858535888

For info, contact: Sliabhluachracyclingclub@gmail.com

For info, contact via Facebook

Duhallow

For info, contact: 0874102833

For info, contact: 0876865326

For info, contact: 087176 3358

For info, contact: 0876157720

For info, contact: 087 225 2554

Sports

For info, contact: 0868533929

Banteer Gaelic 4 Mothers and Others For info, contact via Facebook

Boherbue Handball Club

For info, contact via Facebook

Dromtarriffe Gaelic 4 Mothers and Others For info, contact via Facebook

Kanturk Basketball Club

For info, contact via Facebook

Newmarket Gaelic 4 Mothers and Others For info, contact: 087 2783781

Bingo

Kilbrin Mondays 8.30pm

Banteer Tuesdays 8.30pm

Newmarket Thursday Club

Thursdays 2-4.30pm

Castle Court, Newmarket, P51 PEY7

Forward

Or

Rockchapel Community Centre

Adult Painting Class

Tuesdays 7-9pm

Book on 0894457520

45 Drive Card Game

Wednesdays 9pm

Baby and Toddler Group

Thursdays 10am-12pm

Irish Dancing

Thursdays 5pm

Valley View Equestrian Centre

Group lessons for children and teenagers, aged 8 and up. Contact 0879883167

Multi exercise class

Rockchapel Community Centre

Mondays

6.20-7.20pm & 7.30-8.30pm

Starting 2nd October

Contact Deirdre on 0863205258.

Step Up Fitness

CYMS Newmarket

Monday

Circuits 7-8pm

Wednesday

Cardio & resistance Bands 7-8pm

Contact Noreen 0868521436

Agility Fitness Studio Earl St,

Julie Nolan School of Irish Dancing

Monday 4-4.45pm

Dromtarriffe Parish Hall

Tuesday 4.15-5pm

Newmarket CYMS

Thursdays 4.15-5pm

Kilbrin Social Club

Beginners 4 and up Contact 0863516386

Set Dancing for NS Students

CYMS

Fridays 4pm

Contact Gillian 0876070414

Glen Theatre Drama Group, Banteer New members welcome. Call 02956239 for upcoming events

Fiain Gym

Open gym: 10am to 6pm Mon - Fri Contact 0874411583 For timetables: fiainfitness.com

Millstreet Active Retired

Mondays - Keeping Fit

Tuesdays -Aqua Aerobics

Wednesday - Line Dancing

Thursday - Morning coffee

Friday - Yoga

New members always welcome Contact Sec. Mary at 087 0537172

SOS Fitness

Information

Duhallow ITA Taekwondo

Monday

CYMS Hall, Newmarket

5pm - 4-6 year olds (ninjas)

Club

5.45pm - 4-6 year olds (ninjas)

6.30pm - Beginners, 7 and up

7.30pm - Advanced Juniors and Seniors, 13 and up

Thursday

Edel Quinn Hall, Kanturk

6pm - 4-6 year olds (ninjas)

7pm - Juniors, 7 and up

Friday

Ballydesmond Community Centre

6pm - 4-6 year olds (ninjas)

7pm - Juniors, 7 and up

Wolf Muscle

Circuit Training

Wednesday

Millstreet 7-8pm

Thursday Kilcorney 7-8pm

Special Needs Fitness

Kilcorney

Saturday 10-11am

Staying Fit for the Future

Dromtarriffe Hall

Starts 26th Sept 1-2pm

0876800280

Traditional Indian Yoga

1 to 1 personal training also available. Book through Glofox app or call Deirdre on 087 160 7162

Monday

Ballydesmond

5.30pm - Kettlebells

6.30pm - Mixed Level Pilates

Rathmore

7pm - Strength

Tuesday

Ballydesmond

9.30am - Mixed Level Pilates

Tureencahill

6.30pm - Mixed Level Pilates

7.30pm - Mixed Level Pilates

Wednesday

Ballydesmond

6.30pm - Circuits

7.30pm - Pilates

Thursday

Tureencahill

6.30pm - Mixed Level Pilates

7.30pm - Mixed Level Pilates

Rathmore 7pm - Bootcamp

Friday

Ballydesmond

10am - Active Aging

Saturday

Ballydesmond

9am - Circuits

Monday Boherbue GAA Club

5.45am-6.45am

9.30am-10.30am

Kanturk Temperance Hall

7pm-8pm

Tuesday

Kanturk Temperance Hall

5.45am-6.45am

Wednesday

Cullen - Chair Yoga

Thursday

Kanturk Temperance Hall

9.30-10.30am

Friday

Kanturk Temperance Hall

5.45am-6.45am

Boherbue GAA Club

9.30am-10.30am

Chair yoga

11am-12pm

Teaches Iosagaín, Rathmore

6.45-7.45pm

Beginner friendly. Contact Simon on 0873379121

Top Tips To Prepare For A Job Interview

By STEPHANIE MOYNIHAN Development Officer, IRD Duhallow

Congratulations! You got invited to a job interview and the day of the interview is fast approaching. Whether virtually or in person, it is important to be organised and well prepared to ensure that you are putting your best foot forward.

Research The Company

It is very important that you have a good understanding of the company you are interviewing for as it will ensure your potential employer that you are serious about getting the job.

Practice Makes Perfect Practice some of the most common interview questions and rehearse them-out loud!

It is always a good idea to have a think about the type of questions that you may be asked in the interview, including why you

want to work for the company, why you should be hired, what are your greatest strengths and weaknesses etc. Prepare the answers to questions and rehearse them out load which will help you memorise them.

Do A Mock Interview

You might wish to consider doing a mock interview, which is basically a practice run of the interview, allowing you to practice your answers in order to gain confidence in the interviewing process. Perhaps one of your family members or friends would volunteer, otherwise IRD Duhallow’s Job centre is at hand to help.

Be Prepared On The Day

Give yourself plenty of time to get to interview location and have your outfit ready to avoid any unnecessary stress.

IRD Duhallow’s SICAP-funded Job Centre offers support and guidance to people in relation to CV preparation, the interview process and job seeking. Contact Stephanie on 02960633 for assistance. SICAP 2018-2022 is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development with co-funding from the European Social Fund (ESF) as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020.

Leaders In MicroCred

IRD Duhallow Skillnet, South Kerry Skillnet and Munster Technological University have announced an exciting new pilot MicroCred programme for Autumn 2023 –Leadership and Management in ECEC. The programme is aimed at Room Leaders or aspiring room leaders in Childcare settings. The need for a module such as this was identified by members of the North Cork Childcare Network and the Kerry Early Years Care & Education Owners and Managers Forum, who have been hands on in its development and design. The programme development group successfully applied for funding for the Skillnet Ireland Co-creation fund which aims to enable cutting edge collaborations between business, industry bodies and the further and higher education ecosystem in order to support the growth, competitiveness, and innovation of companies.

The programme is delivered by MTU and is a ten credit QQI Level 7 module which will be delivered in a blended approach across three face to face Saturdays this Autumn Winter term in the Tralee Campus and online tutorials for an

hour a week. The programme content is centred on equipping learners with the skills to manage staff in ECEC settings and further their skillset to be part of the middle management team in childcare.

Aisling Sharkey who is Head of the Department of Social Sciences noted that “MTU are delighted to be working alongside Duhallow and South Kerry Skillnets and industry partners to develop a programme for which there is an identifiable need and we have already seen a large volume of enquiries and interest in the programme.”

There are a limited number of spaces still available on this pilot microcred programme, which

will commence on the 30th of September.

Gretel O’Sullivan South Kerry Skillnet, Gerard O’Carroll MTU, Louise Bourke IRD Duhallow Skillnet and Aisling Sharkey Head of Dept MTU launching the new pilot Room Leader for ECEC workers.

It’s Award Season For IRD

By ALICE O’BRIEN Churchview Therapies, Millstreet

The IRD business awards are coming around again. It’s been a whole year since the glitzy marquee was erected in Newmarket and was filled with excited and hopeful nominee and their supporters. All types of businesses and teams were recognised for their contribution to the Duhallow area. All the very well deserving winners celebrated into the night with their families and friends, proud and grateful that their work and their businesses got the recognition they deserved.

In the days and weeks afterwards, all winners settled back into normal life, working in their

business and resigning the award and the night to their memories and turning their attention to the future plans. The award no longer spoken of, humbly allowing themselves to privately remember the night occasionally. No longer needing to remind everyone of their success.

How does that happen? No one would blame them for boastfully reminding everyone of their achievements, long after the night is done. Well, it comes down to two things- self-assurance and confident humility.

Self-assurance is the sense we have in our own abilities and our character. When we have inner self-assurance, we believe in ourselves, we go boldly for what we want with confidence. A very

useful attribute to have when starting out in business.

Confident humility occurs when we are confident and secure enough in our expertise but we also know there is so much more for us to learn and we are willing to learn it form others by admitting our weaknesses and trying to build on them.

And, as was common for all the worthy winners last year, the confidence to celebrate each other, to see other businesses in their field as alloys and not competition because confidence is not saying ‘I’m better than you’ confidence is saying ‘I’m great and so are you’.

So, best wishes to all nominees for this year’s awards- remember to be humble in your confidence.

Active Aging In Ballydesmond

By SIOBHAN O’SULLIVAN SOS Fitness

Have you heard it is important to exercise as you get older? Maybe your doctor has advised you to start training with light weights to build strength in your muscles. But how do you know where to start?

That is where my Active Ageing class may come in to help you! Every Friday morning, I run an Active Ageing class at 10am in Ballydesmond Community Centre. This class is designed to suit older ladies who are looking to start exercising and build strength in their muscles.

In the class, we use light weights to build strength in your muscles and perform exercises like squatting to a chair and marching on the spot to build up your fitness

for you and also to help you manage day to day tasks better.

The class is suitable for all levels of fitness. If you have never done a class of any kind before, do not be afraid to come along and get started – every starts somewhere. I adapt the class to suit women of all levels who come. As you attend each week, you will get stronger and fitter and you will be able to progress with the exercises.

Exercise is not just for young people. Exercise is important for all ages and using some weights

is really important as you age. It can help reduce the impact of falls, improve your balance and enhance your quality of life.

To book in for a class on Friday mornings at 10am in Ballydesmond, you can call or message Siobhán on 0879585602.

Battling High Cholesterol Naturally

By MAIREAD O’KEEFFE New Leaf Health Store

Our bodies use cholesterol to build healthy cells. Sometimes too much cholesterol can build up and that can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. It’s important to try to use vegetable oils such as olive, sunflower, rapeseed, nut and seed oils in your cooking and eat plenty of nuts, seeds, colourful fruit and vegetables and whole grains to keep cholesterol build up low.

There are various supplements available to help you to balance your cholesterol.

Red Yeast Rice contains Monacolin K which contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels. Red Rice Yeast is most commonly taken in the

form of a food supplement. It’s a key ingredient in Cardio K, which is marketed as a natural alternative to statins.

Beta-glucan is most commonly purchased at New Leaf in relation to boosting the immune system, but beta-glucan can also contribute to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels. Beta glucan is a type of soluble fibre found naturally in a variety of food sources, such as oats, barley, rye, mushrooms and seaweed. It is also available as a convenient supplement.

Red Rice Yeast and Beta Glucan should not be taken by people already taking cholesterol lowering medication from their doctor.

Other leading supplements such as Zerochol use Plant sterols as their key ingredient. Plant sterols are substances that are similar to cholesterol but are made in plants.

According to the British Heart Foundation, If you’re taking statins, it’s fine to use plant sterol products. As they work in different ways to reduce cholesterol this means that the effect can be cumulative. It’s a good idea to mention to your doctor that you have added plant sterols to your diet, as it may affect the dosage of medication required.

Another supplement that is stated to be safe to take alongside statins is Optibac for Cholesterol with friendly bacteria for your gut along with omega 3 alpha-linolenic acid (ala) to support the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels and added vitamin b1 to support heart function. Again, talk to your doctor if you are on Statins or other medication.

Call in to New Leaf for a chat with one of the team if you need more advice.

Congratulations to NaturesPlus Destress Competition Winner, Catherine Higgins of Newmarket!

Irish Hedgerows

By ROWAN LANNING Ecology Intern at IRD Duhallow

Ireland’s network of hedgerows is said to stretch some 300,000 km across the island, making hedgerows one of Ireland’s most important habitats. The benefits of hedgerows are many, including providing shelter and shade to livestock, reducing soil compaction, preventing disease between animals in adjacent plots, natural flood management, and improving water quality by intercepting overland flow of phosphorous. In addition, they are a beautiful feature of the rural landscape upon which Ireland has built its international reputation as the Emerald Isle.

Hedgerows For Biodiversity

Hedgerows support all levels of the food chain; plants and trees, insects and pollinators, birds and bats, and several other animals. Importantly, they provide linear corridors that connect different habitats; animals use these to move through the landscape hidden from predators, to forage or hunt, and to nest. Of the 110 bird species recorded by the countryside bird survey, 55 use hedgerows for food, perches, and shelter during the breeding season, while 35 use hedgerows during their nesting period. Hedges were in regular use as cattle enclosures in early Christian Ireland (since our earliest written history) and by medieval times the first hedges had been planted to create townland boundaries. It wasn’t until the process of enclosure during the 18th century when the modern hedgerow first arrived, as penal laws required all plots of land to be defined and divided. Although it was part of

“Maireann an chraobh ar an bhfál ach ní mhaireann an lámh do chuir” “The branch lives on the hedge though the hand that planted it be dead”

a larger process of imperial law, laying these hedgerows created habitat that helped to preserve biodiversity that may have been lost with the destruction of the Irish forests. Replacing lost hedgerows and planting new ones has become an important sustainability action today.

Hedgerows are made of many common species found in Duhallow including:

• Thorn trees: Hawthorn and Blackthorn

• Shrub trees: Elder, Hazel, Willow, Holly, Gorse, Wild Cherry, and Crab Apple

• Other trees: Birch, Oak, Ash, Rowan

• Vine plants: Wild Rose, Bramble, Honeysuckle

• Wildflowers: Yarrow, Meadowsweet, Wood Sorrel, Hogweed, Angelica, Cow Parsley, Foxglove

It’s important to use native Irish species from Irish provenance seeds sourced as locally as

possible. While some species like laurel and sycamore may be familiar hedgerow plants, they are non-native and can act quite invasively. Having many species in a hedgerow opposed to just one is important too, as they support more biodiversity. Larger hedgerows made of both trees and shrubs are better ecological corridors. Shape and height is also important: moving away from the low boxed style of hedge towards a high, triangular profile by side trimming improves the quality of hedges as well as their contribution to nature. Cutting this style of hedges is actually easier and faster for hedgecutters because the equipment head can run at a 45 degree angle on both sides and move on instead of going over the hedge multiple times to get an even level. Farmers and contractors should have conversations before cutting, and hedgerow cutting is prohibited between the 1st of March and the 31st of August each year.

Take A Stab At A New Beginning

By SARAH MEANEY New Beginnings Acupuncture & Healing

at different levels through different practices.

Living beneath the paps of Danú and Clara mountain means our environment is ripe for peace and powerful healing. The ancient history of Mother Earth and wisdom that is held in our beautiful mountains can really inspire us to look deeper within our selves and the world around when we are searching for answers!

When I chose the path of becoming a holistic therapist, I feel blessed that it was under the guidance of this landscape where people felt comforted and at peace in our clinic! I first began as an Acupuncturist, following in the footsteps of my mother but I have slowly expanded into Aromatherapy massage, Reflexology, Rahanni, and, most recently, Sound Therapy. I have always felt the pull to reach people

We are so blessed to be able to live in this area where there is powerful but also scared heritage sites like Tubrid well or Knocknakilla Stone Circle or wedge tomb. These areas remind us of the importance of ritual and community as well a reminder of our human strength far beyond the existence of religion, environmental stressors or modern advancements. Our connection to the earth has long been our strongest link to good health, growth and success!

I know that for me to thrive in supporting people on their healing journeys, to access my innate intuition and guidance, as well as staying grounded and calm,

I have to embrace nature and just be in the presence of its deep knowing. I bring that into my work a lot especially through my sound healing practices.

But equally for the people who come through my clinic or who are in need of solace, soothing, and comfort, the mountains are waiting, the trees are calling and the water is ready to wash over you! Get out into your beautiful powerful surrounds and reconnect with your roots.

Of course, an acupuncture session will help too!

Contact Sarah on:

Facebook: newbeginningstcm

Email: newbeginningssarah@ gmail.com

Phone: 0873914627

Time To Retreat and Recharge

By BELINDA MURPHY Reiki Master Teacher

The most reliable advice when something isn’t working to its capacity is to turn it off and turn it back on again a little later. We are no different.

We all know how beneficial it can be to take time out of our normal routine and out of our familiar surroundings to reboot. What we do when we are taking time out has an impact on our energy when we return so it is important to be mindful of what you are filling this time with and is actually good for you.

I will be hosting a one day Soul Retreat on Saturday 14th October to allow your whole energy system to retreat to a stunning spot in nature, rest, recharge and then recalibrate before coming back into your normal surroundings... and what a treasure I have found to share with you all!

During our Soul Retreat Day we will be spending time inside The Octagon and outside in Mother Nature exploring the wild farm at Black Dog Farm in Beaufort outside Killarney. This is

a wonderful gift to yourself, to switch off from the outside world and to reconnect with your soul more intimately in the stunning surrounds of Mother Nature. I will be blending mindfulness, meditation, shamanism, energy healing and activations culminating in a fire ceremony.

Black Dog Farm is owned by Donna and Darragh, a Re Wilding family that has moved back to Ireland after spending many years in Colorado, USA building a cabin in the woods, high in the Rocky Mountains. The 14 acre farm focuses on hosting courses, classes, events and gatherings with a focus on sustainability, organic growing, nutrition, ceremonies and more. It is very wild here, from trees and plants, to deer, mink, hedgehogs and even eagle and heron sightings. The animals on the farm include

adorable black dog, Mossy, three adorable donkeys, Paddy, Penny and Bramble, and happy hens and ducks. Wild deer and pheasants wander through the farm and the bird population is amazing. Truly a bird lovers paradise. No matter where you stand on the farm, the views are outstanding in every direction, from the Macgillycuddy Reeks above us, to the Dingle peninsula off to the east. More information: www.baseglamp-blackdogfarm. com/

Tickets are limited and are available on Eventbrite or contact Belinda Murphy for access to the link; belindamurphy.com

Interest

Hiking Around Claragh

By ALANNAH O’CALLAGHAN Rural Recreation Officer

everyone the basics of navigation, and as a group we navigated our way up and around the mountain. The aim of the course was to provide women with the opportunity to join qualified instructors and gain valuable information that will keep you safe on the hills. The best part about these courses is there is no set agenda, instead the day is tailored to those who arrive on the day, this ensures that everyone has an enjoyable experience and leaves enthusiastic to get out on the hills again. It was lovely to meet and chat to all of those who joined us on the Friday, and some have since gone on to register for their Mountain Skills with Mountaineering Ireland!

Claragh Mountain has been popular with walkers over the past few weeks.

On Friday September 1st, IRD Duhallow in partnership with Mountaineering Ireland held an Introduction to Navigation event as part of the HER Outdoors Week. The event proved to be extremely popular with 14 women in attendance. Maureen O’Brien and Alannah O’Callaghan showed

There are several more Introduction to Navigation events being hosted by mountaineering Ireland around the country, if anyone is interested in learning more you can look up ‘Happy Hiking – Hill Skills Days’ on Eventbrite and you will find all the information you need.

On Wednesday September 6th, the IRD walking group took on Claragh Mountain. Due the evenings getting shorter, we started at 6:45 pm and went straight up to the top and back down again instead of looping around the mountain. We parked on the Claragh Road and set off at 6:45. We had a big group for this walk, and we arrived up at the cross

at about 7:50 and just in time to catch the sunset. We didn’t hang around for too long on top as we wanted to get down before it got dark, and it was also quite windy on top. A short while later we were back at the car enjoying a hot drop and few well deserved chocolate biscuits. If anyone is interested in exploring Claragh Mountain you can find maps on IRD Duhallow’s website and on the Sport Ireland website, or you can call Alannah at IRD, and she can give you any information you need.

From next month onwards, we are back to our Winter Walk Series here at IRD. We will be meeting for a on the second Saturday of each month. Keep an eye on our newsletter and the events page on the website for all upcoming walks. Walks are free and open to everyone but please remember to register with me - Alannah –so that I know how many will be joining.

An incredible shot captured by walking group member Sam

The group learns to navigate

The IRD Walking Group at the cross on Claragh

Funny Business

By TADHG CURTIN FILM REVIEW

The fame monster rears its ugly but hilarious head in Martin Scorsese’s brilliant and prescient comedy, The King of Comedy (1982)

Rupert Pupkin is a wannabe comedian who dreams of being in the spotlight. After a chance encounter with his comedy idoltalk show host Jerry Langford - he plots to kidnap Langford in order to take the spotlight for himself.

“In the future, everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes.” A quote attributed to Andy Warhol, there’s actually been many variations of the sentiment throughout history. It’s now almost a cliché to reference the cliché in today’s age of YouTube and social media. Everyone and their grandmother can broadcast themselves to the world. Sure, everyone now has a voice and can share their life with us, but that’s also the downside. This need for attention is in a lot of us, and not everyone is a star or even talented enough to enter the spotlight. That doesn’t seem to matter these days. In 1983, writer Paul Zimmerman and director Martin Scorsese touched on, and even predicted, the evolution of this phenomenon by introducing us to Rupert Pupkin.

actor. He had spent the seventies playing tough guys but here, he’s playing an out and out dork. Jerry Lewis was also doing something different. Known for his comedies and screw ball characters, here he is serious and guarded. He plays a man that has shot to the top but sees that it is a lonely and even dangerous place regarding fandom. Lewis understood the material, his life mirroring the life of Langford albeit without kidnapping. Scorsese had envisioned legendary talk show host Johnny Carson for the role but he passed. Completely the trio of main characters is Sandra Bernhard as the even nuttier and manic Masha. She almost steals the show in her breakout performance giving as good as she gets.

Cringe comedy produces some of the greatest laughs but man, it can be hard to endure. There are sequences that are so excruciating to watch; Pupkin’s persistence and passive aggressiveness tests everyone’s patience. Fans of Sacha Baron Cohen and Larry David will lap it up.

Robert De Niro as Pupkin was a very different role for the great

The movie is shot very simply, Scorsese established himself as a filmmaker with great bravura and a flair for the set piece but here, he wanted to give it a flat televisual look. It’s almost reminiscent of a sitcom. Boy is it funny though. We see Pupkin’s interactions with different people and they all invariably fall apart under the cringe they induce.

The King of Comedy failed on its release. There may be a few reasons for this - Hollywood was changing and personal movies like this were starting to be sidelined. There is also its ambiguous ending But there is also a sense that it was ahead of its time. The world has always had Rupert Pupkins. “Better to be king for a night than schmuck for a lifetime” is what Pupkin says to an audience. Its both an inspiring outlook and a word of caution. If you haven’t already, stop being a schmuck and check it this underrated classic. Available on DVD, Blu Ray and to stream on Disney+.

Crossword sponsored by Duhallow Community Food Services

Across

1. Extremely cold (5)

4. Out of fashion (5)

8. Communication channel (7)

9. Crowd scene actor (5)

10. Part of a church (5)

11. Unlawful (7)

12. Natural abilities/qualities (6)

14. Conundrum (6) 18. Malleable (7)

20. Irritated (5)

22. Spear (5)

23. Acute (7)

24. Stringed instrument (5)

25. Overheads (5)

Down

1. Chivalrous (7)

2. Guides (5)

3. Distinguish (7)

4. Writing implement (6)

5. Carapace (5)

6. Lured (7)

7. Intended (5)

13. Curt (7)

15. Ludicrous (7)

16. Interminable (7)

17. Sheep known for its high quality fleece (6)

18. Greek letter (5)

19. Paragon (5)

21. Male monarchs (5)

Solution: Issue 97, September 8th, 2023

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, September 29th 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.

WINNER

Congratulations