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Vol 18, Issue 7 March 2020
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If it’s happening in this area, it’s in The Muskerry News
You had better behave as Garda Emily is on the beat! Emily Coleman pictured when she visited Midleton Garda Station for her school work experience. She was kept very busy and got to handcuff one or two members of An Garda Siochana who were misbehaving.
Congratulations to Alina Tal, Scoil Mhuire, Ballincollig who was awarded first place in Ireland at the National prize giving ceremony in Croke Park, Dublin. Alina is pictured with Karen who represented Ballincollig Credit Union on the day.
Margaret O'Hanlon, Shanakiel, and Ann Ahern, Blarney, at St. Vincent's GAA for the heat of the Over 60's talent competition. pic Mike English
Janice McConnell and Amy Horgan, Oriel House Hotel, pictured at the Cork Chamber Annual Dinner. pic John Sheehan
Cllr Damian Boylan pictured with his son Simon at the annual Scoil Chroi Iosa Valentine’s day coffee morning.
The April edition of The Muskerry News, incorporating The North City News, will be published on Thursday April 9th and closing date for submissions is Thursday April 2nd. For more information call Kate on 087 2330398 or Dick 087 2513126 or email muskerrynews@gmail.com www.muskerrynews.biz
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Wishing the wonderful Nellie Downey many happy returns as she celebrates her 80th birthday with her six children, two of whom came home from Australia for the occasion, her extended family, friends and her Blarney Woollen Mills family.
Congratulations to Blarney weightlifter James Mulcahy who recently placed third and took bronze in the national intervarsities Olympic weightlifting. This competition took place on February 22nd at WIT and saw James lift 60kg in the snatch lift and 83kg in the clean and jerk, a move that put him in third place. James, who enjoyed weightlifting in school before rediscovering his love for the sport at college, attends the Thurles campus of Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) and lifts in the -73kg body weight category.
Congratulations to Juliette Blake and Chloe Kelly who, as part of a successful Ballincollig Gymnastics team who competed in the Spelthorne Cup in London recently, took Gold in the 11 to 16 age group.
Muskerry News / 3
There was standing room only when the community from Blarney, Kerry and further afield came together to pay their respects to the late Dan Ahern. The attendance included representatives from An Garda Siochana, where Dan had a long and illustrious career, plus those he worked alongside in his many voluntary commitments including Muskerry RFC, Blarney Men’s Shed and Blarney Tidy Towns, to name a few of the many organisations that he lent his time and talents to. Dan, while loving and enjoying life, was passionate about the many things he was involved in. One of these was a deeply held love of Kerry and it’s Gaelic football team and its success over many years. As his son Peter said, Dan had no prejudices about the shape of a ball. A Dublin supporter could expect no mercy from Dan when it came to discussing the merits of both teams. Questions over the parentage of Dublin players could be raised on occasion, but it always ended by talking about how remarkable the friendship was that grew between both teams, especially the 1970 ones. It would have been wonderful if Dan had been able to witness another victory for his team. For many years, Dan was Mr. Blarney Tidy Towns, and his interest went way beyond a tidy town. He had strong views on improving Blarney’s appearance. He campaigned for the removal of unnecessary signage, planting of new beds, and installation of good and appropriate seating. The Blarney welcome signs were designed by Dan, on which he was insistent on the use of the cló Gaelach, and it is no surprise how many people’s recollection of Dan was the sight of him working quietly and effectively around the village. Dan’s love of the Irish language was acknowledged throughout the moving service with music and readings as gaelige, and the eulogy read by his son Peter moved many in the congregation to both tears, and laughter! Dan was a fíor gaeligóir but not to the extent that he was superior language wise. He helped a number of us less ‘fíor’, on many occasions. Ár bhuíochas a Dhónal. Talking about things Irish, one of us in our early Irish language learning, told him about getting a t-shirt with the words, ‘Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann,’ Dan as an aside, retorted that he had heard a somewhat less than charitable person respond, ‘Buíochas le Dia.’ Following a televised weekend challenge in 2012, Dan always said the only way to get a crowd out in Blarney was to bring in the televisions cameras. An unassuming man, Dan would never have thought that the wish to pay respects to him would prove an even bigger draw. Dan was predeceased by his son Donal and leaves behind his loving wife Jacinta, son Peter and daughter Niamh, grandchildren Fionn, Róise and Harry, sister Mary, brothers Jack and Den, daughter-in-law Charlene, son-in-law Conor, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, relatives, neighbours, a wide circle of friends and a community that is all the poorer for his passing.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis 4 / Muskerry News
For the second time in their short history Blarney Photography Club took on the very best in Irish Photography at the annual Irish Photographic Federation Nature and Photographer of the Years finals and came away tops. In 2017 Paul Reidy took the overall prize, this year it was the turn of Michael Strapec who came away with the top award. Blarney also came home with several medals with newcomers Michael Lynch, Barry Bridgeman, Ray Shanahan and Irene Mamyko winning awards in both Nature and POTY sections, the ever reliable Seamus Mulcahy taking two medals in Nature and a ribbon in the POTY, Pascal Lee taking an honourable mention in Nature, whilst Paul Reidy after a quiet year photography wise added two Silver medals to his collection. The grand finale on Sunday saw ‘Strappo’, as he is known, add to his growing reputation by taking the 2020 Photographer of the Year Award and for good measure a further two Gold Medals.
They really use their heads at Blarney Castle! “We're lucky to have such multitalented team in Blarney Gardens. Here, Arborist Steve shows off his ‘handy’ work, the new Pillory which he has just finished installing at the Castle gate. A fun photo opportunity for our visitors.”
Sandra Dwyer pictured with Lord Mayor Dr John Sheehan at the Garda Ball.
We wish many happy returns to Denny Dilworth, Donoughmore, who celebrates his 100th birthday recently. Denny is pictured with his proud granddaughters Michelle and Ciara.
Muskerry News / 5
Could the Witch’s Yew Tree be European Tree of the Year?
Stephen Lane, Department of Musicianship and Academic Studies CIT, visited senior infants where lots of fun was had, and much music was heard as children learned all about the saxophone, and created their own musical percussion piece.
Well done to our chess team who participated in six matches in Gaelscoil Ui Riordain recently.
Children in 4th class had an ‘electric’ visit to the Lifetime Lab where they conducted a series of experiments, and explored the topic of electricity and circuits.
Gong Hoy Fat Choy! First Class learned all about China and the Chinese New Year, making colourful lanterns in celebration.
‘My big friendly guide to the European Union’ is an innovative teaching and learning programme, in conjunction with UCC, where 5th class pupils are developing awareness, knowledge and debating skills at primary school level on the European Union, and Ireland’s role in it.
Pupils learned the skills of pancake making on Shrove Tuesday and enjoyed eating the finished product!
Olive Mooney, author of ‘The Chronicles of Cadaver College’, came to visit 3rd and 4th classes recently. She read some chapters from her book, and children engaged in a lively question and answer session.
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After a fun filled seven and half years I’m sad to say that it is time for me to put down the weights, turn off the music and close the doors of the studio of Sarah Casey Fitness. I have been so lucky and have made many friends during this time, and I’m really going to miss both the classes and the laughter we shared. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate each and every one of you who have supported me on this journey and I wish you all the very best, I’ll miss you all!
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Muskerry News / 7
Ballincollig has always been a favourite place for people to walk, cycle and run. Ballincollig Tidy Towns has now created easily accessible walking routes that encompass the town’s vast history. The following is an introduction to three Walking Routes.
Ballincollig Castle walking route
This loop walk is 3.5km long. It starts and finishes at the walks information map just outside The White Horse Bar on the western side of Ballincollig. The walk goes west along the Main Road through Coolroe Meadows and Greenfields turning left down Killumney Road and again left onto Barry’s Road then finally left back to The White Horse. There are two rest areas at 1.25km and 2.5k. The walk is wheelchair/buggy friendly and there are some slight inclines. It’s a lovely walk on which you pass several pieces of heritage such as the Lime Kiln at Coolroe, and Ballincollig Castle can be seen when walking on the Killumney Road. Pike corner walking route This walking route is 2.6km, not a bother for some, and starts and finishes at the bottom of Station Road outside the Old Ulster Bank Office or Pike Corner. In 1812 there was a toll road from Cork to Tralee that passed through Ballincollig.
There was much to celebrate at the Cór Geal 10th anniversary gala dinner at The Lee Hotel. Not alone a memorable decade of music, nor the €100,000 they have raised for charity during that time, but also the crowning of musical director and choir founder Betty Fitzgerald as 2019 Blarney person of the year.
8 / Muskerry News
A tollgate and toll collection house were situated at the junction of Main Street and Station Road, and the barrier across the road was a toll booth which was called a turnpike. In 1833 the toll system on the road was abolished and the tollgate removed. The route goes up Station Road passing the Church of St. Mary & St. John to Station Cross. Then it turns left along the back road onto Leo Murphy Road (or the Link Road as it is known locally) passing the Fairy Fort then back along Main Street to Pike Corner. There are two rest areas on the route and it is buggy and wheelchair friendly. Oriel House walking route The walking route starts and finishes at the front of the Oriel House Hotel, which is steeped in history, originally being the home of Thomas Tobin who was the Managing Director of The Royal Gunpowder Mills. This walking route is initially just over a 4km walk, however, there are two variations to the return leg one giving a 4.4km walk and the other, if you are feeling energetic, a 6km walk. The main route goes from the Oriel House along Main Street past the Eastgate and Colaiste Choilm to the Poulavone Roundabout where there is a rest seat, should you wish to have a breather. On the return one option is to walk along Old Fort Road and up to Muskerry Estate Junction then back to Oriel House. The longer option is to make your way back along the old Fort Road and down Community Drive past Ballincollig Community School and Church of Christ Our Light up Innishmore turning left and back to the Oriel House. To make this walk more pleasant there are rest areas at 1km, 2.1km, 3.2km and 4.1km. Ballincollig Tidy Towns recently launched its Spray Free initiative for the town. Over the coming months we will be working hard to make the town Spray Free. We are aiming to get all estates on board and have set up a spray free committee to help guide the residents. Keep an eye out for the new Spray Free logo throughout Ballincollig. We have just received the most amazing book containing photographs of old Ballincollig and of people going back over the years. We are excited to choose some of these for the Ballincollig Past page in the coming weeks. Check out our website for these and for everything that is happening in Ballincollig Tidy Towns www.ballincolligtidytowns.ie
Muskerry News / 9
Blarney National School at the
of our Community
Love has been very much in the air in our school this February! We held a very successful Valentine Coffee Morning that our community really came out and supported. Sixth Class were the waiting staff and made sure the morning ran very smoothly. They are a credit to our school. Sixth Class were to the fore again when it was announced they have won a prize of €1,000 in Trend Micro’s ‘What’s your story’ 2020 competition. The judges were most impressed with the short video created by our students. We would also like to give a warm thanks to the Army of the First Brigade that recently visited our school and gave a wonderful performance to our Senior Classes.
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Gaelscoil Mhuscraí Bhí mí thar a bheith rathúil againn i nGaelscoil Mhuscraí! Chuireamar tús leis an mí le Lá Fhéile Bríde. We made St. Brigid's crosses to mark the arrival of Spring and St Brigid's Day. Rang a Dó also celebrated a very special milestone on 11th February when they made the sacrament of First Confession in the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
Our excellent Student Council organised a very successful Bric and Brac sale on the 4th and 5th February. Lots of happy pupils went home with great bargains including books and toys, while also raising more than €360 for our school. Maith sibh! Our Amber Flag Committee held a very special Lá Dearg on the 14th February. Not only did we celebrate Valentine's Day but we also had our very first Kindness Day with lots of acts of kindness to one and all, raising over €400 for Pieta House. The Amber Flag Committee has also started Wellbeing Wednesday to make our school an even happier place to learn in every day! Children in fourth and fifth class were delighted to welcome two visitors from Cork City Council who spoke to them about dog fouling and their 2020 Anti Dog Fouling Poster Competition. We also received very exciting news this month. Thanks to the wonderful efforts of the whole school community we have won €10,000 in funding for sport's equipment in the Aldi Play Rugby Competition.
Could Someone Like You, Help Someone Like Me? 2020 Information nights Wednesday 18th March Wednesday 15th April Wednesday 13th May Wednesday 15th July
FOSTER CARERS URGENTLY NEEDED Do you have: Time in your life Room in your Home A Place in your Heart 12 / Muskerry News
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We were very busy in our sporting endeavours during the month of February. Congratulations to the fourth class girls who participated in the Allianz Sciath na Scol Indoor Camogie Premier County Finals held in Na Piarsaigh Hall. The boys of third class also gave stellar performances in their Indoor Hurling Blitz held in Whitechurch as did fifth and sixth class while participating in the Christy Kelleher Cup. The children of fifth and sixth class also competed in both the Boys and Girls Spar FAI Primary School Competition held in Mayfield. Well done to all on their wonderful performances. Children from third to sixth class enjoyed their Friday Munster Rugby training and have also commenced their Thursday swimming lessons. All classes are progressing well in their weekly Irish dancing lessons and in-school GAA training. A very special well done to all also participating in after-school Sciath na Scol training on Monday evenings.
Muskerry News / 13
Blarney & District
Person of The Year Awards 2020 The Febuary Blarney & District Person of the Month is Jessica Griffin Don O’Leary, Cork Life Centre, speaking at the launch which took place in UCC said, “Jess is a talented artist, animator, illustrator and writer and also a massive comic fan. “She is a daughter, a sister, a friend, a student preparing for Leaving Cert and a massively important part of the Cork Life Centre, an education setting that supports young people to access their education outside the mainstream system. “Among all this Jess is a young person on the autism spectrum diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, and an advocate and role model for other young people facing some of the challenges that this can involve.” Jessica intends that each issue will touch on different aspects of living life as someone with Asperger’s and act as a resource for anyone who is living with Asperger’s as part of their life and for anyone who will be lucky enough to meet and work with them. Part one is currently for sale in Waterstone’s, Patrick Street, Cork and other local outlets or can be ordered directly by email to jessieghdesigns@gmail.com
Talented local artist Jessica Griffin recently launched the first episode of her comic series exploring life with Asperger’s Syndrome. Jessica, a student at the Cork Life Centre, created the comic series, ‘One Piece Missing: On the Road’, to help people living with asperger’s and others have a greater understanding. Asperger’s is a developmental disorder characterised by significant difficulties in social interaction and nonverbal communication, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour and interests. A meeting with publisher Tracy Sayers of Thomond Comics at a comic convention in 2018, where Jess was selling her art, set this wonderful project in track and within a year Jess was ready to launch her own comic which will be the first issue of an ongoing series about Jess’s life and all that goes with it.
Do you know someone who deserves a Blarney & District Person of The Month award?
The awards aim is to recognise achievement, leadership and altruism so that others may be inspired to follow. You can nominate anyone whose contribution has singled them out as deserving of recognition,be it in community, sport, business, arts, family or indeed from any sector or activity in our community. Send your nomination with the name of your nominee and the reason you wish to nominate them to Blarney & District Person of The Month Awards, The Muskerry News, Church View, Blarney, County Cork or by email to muskerrynews@eircom.net
? Dinkar Lagali January
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Garden compost & timber fencing available now Seed potatoes and seed onions ready for sowing Lawn fertiliser plus granular lime in 25kg bags for control of moss Organic layers henfood now available in 20kg Fitzgerald Hurleys now in stock Kiln dried blocks, kindling available Bluegrass horsefeed now in stock 14 / Muskerry News
Well done to big hearted Colette who recently donated 14 inches of her hair to the Rapunzel Foundation at Sinead’s Hair Studio Cloghroe.
Niamh O’Mahony, Ballincollig, and Ciara McCrann, Carrigaline, at The Shine Charity Ball. pic Gerard McCarthy
Last month the Bishop of Cork, Dr Paul Colton visited the Carraig Centre in Ballincollig which is currently
under development by Clancy Construction. The Bishop was shown around by project team lead Bill Lane, youth worker Matt Gould and associate minister, the Reverend Robert Ferris. The building, empty for many years, will have a new lease of life as a community and parish centre in Ballincollig. The Carraig Centre aims to offer people of all ages, different faiths and none, many diverse opportunities to experience belonging and hope in Ballincollig. In 2016, Ballincollig was the largest town in County Cork but, recently, with the alteration of the City boundaries it is now a populous suburban area in Cork City.
Bishop Colton said, “Since my arrival as Bishop in 1999 I have been conscious of the faithful ministry and outreach for many years of the Parish of Carrigrohane Union in the town of Ballincollig, but I’ve also been concerned that the town grew and grew where the Church of Ireland had no structural presence or base. This is a thrilling and visionary initiative by this Parish which I, as Bishop, and the Diocese, are delighted to support. It’s also a sign that small parishes and small dioceses can do big things for God. Huge credit is due to everyone who has held onto this vision and worked towards it.” The Carraig Centre will house community and parish activities, meeting and event spaces will be available to rent by community groups. The group showed the Bishop the various spaces which include a 200 seat auditorium, play area, outside spaces including playground, garden and ball playing area, prayer room, kitchen, staff offices, meeting areas and a recording studio. The Carraig Centre will also host an informal Christian worship service on Sunday mornings, and a strong focus on young people will be an important element of The Carraig Centre’s operation, building on over 10 years of successful youth work in the union’s existing premises. It is expected that construction will be complete shortly and the opening in early summer 2020.
Muskerry News / 15
Vicarstown National School Peter Mulcahy, Principal, is a member of the Webwise group and gave an Internet safety talk to the parents and the wider community recently. We are setting up an Internet Safety Forum among the stakeholders in the vicinity, the ob- jective being to share and improve the understanding of modern technology amongst our school community. This should lead to better and safer usage of the Internet and techology for all our pupils. Please get in touch with the school office on office@vicarstownns.com if you would like further information. A very big thank you to Paralympian Orla Barry who came in to speak to the pupils about her experiences as a Para- lympian last week. Orla brought in her medals and gave a very interesting talk on her achievements. The children had some wonderful questions and learned some great lessons about the inclusive nature of sport at its best. Well done to our girls soccer team who had a great SPAR FAI Soccer tournament in Blarney. They won 2 out of their three games and played some great soccer. Our boy’s soccer team will play their a tournament in Mayfield AFC, wishing them the best of luck! The playground was full of super heros, Disney princesses, Wally’s, pirates and a fabulous Gangster Granny from Senior Infants to celebrate World Book Day. It is great to see the kids getting so much inspiration from books. The pupils enjoyed six fantastic weekly rugby sessions facilitated by Emmet O’Callaghan of Munster Rugby during January & February. The Active School Flag Committee, including our parent representative, are delighted to show you their new ASF Yard Leader bibs which they wear everyday during the breaks. They are all doing a fantastic job, well done!
Organise your home! Organise your life! MNF Decluttering are holding a two-hour seminar to help busy people reduce the stress in their homes and create a sanctuary for themselves and their families.
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Thursday March 26th 7.30pm to 9.30pm The Kingsley Hotel, Carrigrohane Road, Cork €30.00 including Tea & Coffee Hosted by MNFdecluttering.com To book contact Mary or Frances on 085 2293166 / 086 8193808 For more information you can check out their website at mnfdecluttering.com
16/ Muskerry News
Frances told us, "There is so much chaos in the outside world nowadays, that it is important for us to rest in a peaceful and uncluttered space when we are at home, and we have been helping people all over the country to achieve this calm state of living for the last few years. She continued, "Sometimes it just takes a few simple changes to make a very big difference. We will be covering everything from basic cleaning to decluttering to organising a complete room to Interior Design tips. Along with these, we will also be discussing self-care." The advise is given in a lighthearted way and practical way with a coffee break and time to chat. For more info you can check their website at mnfdecluttering.com. Tickets are €30 and they look forward to meeting you at The Kingsley Hotel, Cork, on Thursday 26th March from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. To book contact Mary or Frances on 085 2293166 / 086 8193808
Muskerry News / 17
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Berrings National School ‘St.Brigid brings the Spring’ The children of 6th class celebrated the beginning of Spring with the making of St.Brigid crosses. Junior and Senior Infants were given a demonstration of the process and were more than willing to give a helping hand! A huge congratulations to our 4th class boys who won the Indoor Sciath Na Scol Indoor Hurling County Final. Our girls too reached the final of the competition , narrowly missing out on the win. We look forward to the upcoming outdoor Sciath na Scol campaign. We welcomed a special visitor to our Senior Infant classroom, Mr. Duncan Blair of ‘Blairs Inn’. Duncan described what it was like to work as a chef in a busy local restaurant. The children were captivated by his ‘juice making’ demonstration and were only delighted when asked to assist him. Their favourite part of the whole visit was getting to taste Duncan’s Beetroot Brownies. Delicious !! Spring has definitely sprung in Berrings National School. Two new born calves came to visit the school to the delight of all the children. A huge thank you to local farmer Colm O’ Leary for taking time out of his busy schedule to bring his calves to Berrings NS.
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Hidden Blarney gem wants to put the Spring back in your step!
There were smiles all round when Dogs for the Disabled puppies Mick, Mac and Marnie paid a visit to Blarney Castle recently.
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Smiles all round as old friends and new friends came together for an impromptu meal at the wonderful Blairs Inn, Cloghroe, recently recommended by McKenna’s Guides again for 2020. The excellence of the food was only surpassed by the wonderful service and the warmth of the welcome.
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On the road again! Roy Collins, PermaFROST, presenting sponsorship of the Ballincollig Vintage Car Club's run to Gougane Barra on March 29th to Kevin McSweeney, club president. Included is Roy Collins Jnr. pic Mike English
Why choose us? Simply because We Really Care. Cork Stairlifts provides top quality stairlifts, at affordable prices. Maire Buckley, Ballincollig, BSc Hons in Womens Health and Derbhile Buckley, College of Medicine and Health, UCC celebrate Spring Conferrings. pic Gerard McCarthy
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Muskerry News / 21
News from Times Past with Brian Gabriel, Blarney & District Historical Society DOES THE MEDICINAL LEECH STILL EXIST IN BLARNEY LAKE? Blarney Lough, County Cork : William Molyneux (1656-1698), influential Natural Philosopher from Dublin, asked the onetime Military Governor of Cork, Richard Cox (1650-1733), for a description of Cork and its environs as a contribution toward a proposed “Natural History of Ireland” (a work which was never published). In his response written about 1685, Cox included the following snippet: “Blarney, a very strong castle and a noble seat of the Earle of Clancarthyes within 3 myles of Cork, in a large park well furnished with wood and water and particularly a large lough abounding with leeches”. 65 years later, in 1750, physician and natural historian Charles Smith (1715-1762) corroborated the presence of medicinal leeches here (Smith 1750: I, 169,170; II, 323,324): “This castle [Kilcrea] is seated upon an eminence, with a river running beneath it, and on the other side is a fine lake of about thirty acres, abounding with quantities of good leeches […] Adjoining to the castle, is a fine park, sweetly wooded, and well watered; also, a fair bridge over Blarney river. The gardens of the castle are well laid out, and kept in good order […] In this wood, are quarries of limestone […] The common leech abounds in the lough of Blarney, from whence Cork and Dublin may be supplied with them…” In this context the Irish poet, Richard Alfred Milliken (1767-1815) wrote, a poem in 1796, “The Groves of Blarney”, which makes reference to its leeches, quoted here in part (Milliken 1900: 9): “Tis there the lake that is stored with perches, And comely eels in the verdant mud; Beside the leeches, and groves of beeches, All standing in order for to guard the flood.” Somewhat later, in 1813, the Rev James Hall confirmed first-hand that some sort of leech did live in the Lough of Blarney at that time (Hall 1813: 196-197): “The lake of Blarney, about a mile in circumference, so abounds with perch, roach, eels, and other fish […] This lake is also so full of leeches, that, if any person put in his foot, or his arm, it will soon be black with them. Two young gentlemen lately went thither, it seems, to bathe; but, before they were many minutes in, finding themselves attacked by they knew not what; they hastened to the shore, and found themselves completely black with leeches; which, as fast as possible, they rubbed off one another’s back, after they had cleared the other parts of their body. I put my hand into the water, to try whether I could discover any, and in less than a minute found some of them appearing.” In 1824 another visitor claimed that leeches were still here, presumably basing this on locally acquired knowledge: “A short distance to the south west of the castle is a lake, said to abound with a species of leech” (Croker 1824: 306). Later still, in 1839, a meticulous history of the Cork region stated that the lake, “abounds in leeches, not prized however for their medicinal utility” (Windele 1839: 210). There is no evidence for the speculation that the medicinal leeches historically documented at Blarney Lough were imported and stored in the lake. I sampled briefly for medicinal leeches at Blarney Lough in August 2012 using the traditional wading technique. On this occasion no medicinal leeches were found in the lake which was otherwise rich in aquatic invertebrates, but another bloodsucking species Theromyzon Philippi, 1867, was remarkably abundant, as were its prey hosts, swans and geese. One potentially relevant observation is that at least two adjacent herds of cattle are currently fenced from entering the water of the lough, barring leeches from its main historic food source. Undoubtedly, farming practice in mid-19th century allowed cattle here to roam freely into the water. Still, a small population of medicinal leeches could subsist in Blarney Lough or other Irish sites on frogs and aquatic birds, as is known in similar sites on mainland Britain. Searching for the medicinal leech at Blarney Lough, the last known home for this species in Ireland. The traditional technique by which this bloodsucking species attaches to a wader’s legs is much recommended over the more frequently used shoreline netting. The concentric motion waves direct this swimming species to its potential host. An additional technique for finding the medicinal leech is to look for them amongst spawning frogs in the spring.
22 / Muskerry News
Historical evidence for the presence of medicinal leeches in Ireland predates by up to hundreds of years their importation for medicine starting from about 1750. Furthermore, there can be little doubt that medicinal leeches did live in the wild as late as mid-nineteenth century. Nonetheless, in the final analysis the majority of the historical accounts outlined above are secondary, essentially hearsay sources. In this context the account by Rev. James Hall in 1813 at the Blarney site is remarkable in being record of a first-hand experience. He clearly described an active leech with aggressive behaviour which is definitely not that of the sluggish “horse leech”. It is persuasive, also, that the contemporary use of Irish collected leeches was claimed explicitly by some of Ireland’s most eminent medical practitioners and apothecaries, including John Rutty, Michael Donovan and William Wilde. In his capacity as foremost apothecary in Dublin, Michael Donovan clearly stated that the decline of Irish leeches was gradual and their unavailability was relatively recent. To meet increasing demand for leeches in contemporary medicine, they had to be imported into Ireland from abroad. This decline in local sources parallels the experience in mainland Britain, France and other parts of western Europe. To counter the high price of imported leeches Donovan proposed in 1849 that a leech farm be established in Ireland. Such an enterprise was established briefly in 1852 near Callan by a French firm, but there is no evidence that it was successful. In fact, there is no evidence that imported medicinal leeches ever established themselves successfully anywhere in Ireland, in spite of speculation to the contrary. As discussed in the introduction, nowhere in the British Isles has it been shown that Hirudo medicinalis established itself in the wild, in spite of the millions of specimens imported into Britain and Ireland in the 19th century. Consequentially, the speculative assumption that medicinal leeches once found in the wild in Ireland were alien escapees must be rejected as unfounded. In any case, no medicinal leeches are known to live anywhere in Ireland today. In 1895 the very experienced Irish naturalist Robert F. Scharff (1856- 1934), Director of the Natural History Museum in Dublin, wrote “I have not seen an Irish specimen, but it is quite probable that it does occur in this country”. A few years later he was more pessimistic: “I have never seen an Irish medicinal leech, and my efforts to get a specimen have hitherto proved fruitless”. More recently, in his comprehensive study of Irish leeches Kieran McCarthy observed “…nor have I succeeded in collecting specimens there [Lough Mask] or elsewhere in the country” (McCarthy 1975: 413). All efforts to locate voucher specimens of native Irish medicinal leeches were unsuccessful (this highlights the urgent need for voucher specimens of medicinal leeches from localities throughout its current range). No Irish specimens are known from natural history museums and medical institutions. A single specimen in the Natural History Museum in London is recorded “with the locality ‘Dublin neighbourhood’. No date. Unregistered, but it was in the Old Collection (i.e. it was in the British Museum before 1881, when it was transferred to the Natural History Museum in South Kensington). Unfortunately, such a specimen may have originated from a Dublin pharmacy or doctor who had imported it for medical purposes, there being no evidence it was collected in the wild. Scrupulous efforts were made to distinguish “leech” meaning the bloodsucking animal from “leech”, an Anglo-Saxon term meaning doctor or healer. In early literature of Ireland in the English language the latter term was in common currency at the time. For example, the paper, “The leech in ancient Ireland”, deals exclusively with early medical practitioners and does not mention the bloodsucking animal at all (Binchy 1952). The above article, is an edited version by Chris Synnott, with the author’s permission, of a longer and more scientifically-rigorous paper written by Roy T. Sawyer, Medical Leech Museum, Swansea, which appeared in ‘Old Blarney’ Journal Issue No. 9. A limited number of ‘Old Blarney’ back issues are still available at the monthly lectures or by contacting 0872153216 or www.blarneyhistory.ie.
The illustrated lecture for Thursday 2nd April 2020 at 8 p.m. in Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál (Blarney Secondary School) is titled: ‘The Battle of Clonmult.’ The Guest Speaker is Mr. Tom O’Neill, Historian and Author, and acknowledged expert on the history of the battle. His research of newly available material has unearthed important new facts surrounding the Battle of Clonmult. Everyone is welcome to attend these lectures. There is a €4 charge for non-members.
Blarney Credit Union annual quiz was held last month in Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal with an incredible 32 teams taking part with participants from all national schools in the area. St Lachteens Donoughmore, pictured with Seamus Hogan Manager Blarney Credit Union, won the junior section with Cloghroe proving victorious in the senior section. Blarney Credit Union thanked quiz master Dan and his team, and all who helped on the night. A great night was had by all. Good luck to the winning teams in the next stage of the quiz.
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On Saturday, February 15th, a sell-out audience of over 700 people attended 'Cloghroe National School goes to Broadway' in the Clayton Hotel, Silversprings. After many months of rehearsals, sixty five performers took to the stage to provide an incredible night of entertainment, in association with Kevin Rowe Events. The performers consisted of school staff, parents and local clubs and organisations. The celebrity judging panel of Peter Stringer, Rena Buckley, Sandra Murphy and Rob Heffernan awarded 'The Dolly Mixtures' team first place on the night. Although the pupils of the school were not in attendance on the night, they enjoyed a variety of fundraising activities leading up to the show and many pupils also acted in a feature film which was recorded by Framework Films and premiered on the night. The event was culmination of a huge team effort from the entire school, the committee and the performers, and in turn raised much needed funds to improve parking facilities and improve pupil safety in the school.
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Muskerry News / 25
The combined Eire Og Under 21 and Intermediate Football teams, winners of the Muskerry Championship and Cork County Championship, respectively, photographed with selectors and special guest, Tracey Kennedy, Chairperson Cork County Board. pics Mike English
Tracey Kennedy, Chairperson Cork County Board, congratulating Hugh Murphy, Jack Murphy, Colm O'Callaghan and Barry Corkery, Eire Og GAA, for their contribution to Cork's Minor and Under 20 Al Ireland victories in 2019.
Keith O'Riordan, Lauren O'Hare, Chloe Nolan and Fionn O'Connor.
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Eire Og GAA Officers, Michael Lordan, Damien Lordan, Eddie O'Keeffe, Con Nagle, Pat Malone, Leo Lowney and John O'Riordan with guests, Tracey Kennedy, Chairperson Cork County Board and John Feeney, Secretary Muskerry Division at the club's victory dinner at the Oriel House Hotel.
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Chris Kelly, Sarah O'Brien, Kate Shaughnessy and Michael Corkery.
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Congratulations to the talented young people of Whitechurch Foroige who took part in the recent talent show in Banteer. The group dancing act won on the night and will now go forward to represent Cork in the All Ireland finals this month.
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Anytime Fitness is the world’s largest and fastest growing 24-hour fitness franchise and will be opening its fourth club in Ireland this month in Ballincollig. What separates Anytime Fitness from other gyms across the country, is the fact that this franchise offers the only gyms in Ireland that are fully operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, which is great news particularly for anyone not working a 9–5 such as in the hospitality industry or other shift related work. This gives members the convenience to work out whenever it suits their busy lifestyle. A relatively young gym brand in Ireland, what’s great about the Anytime Fitness gyms is that they are a part of a worldwide network of over 4,500 gyms across all 7 continents servicing upwards of 4,000,000 members. As a member of Anytime Fitness, members have access to them all. Join one gym, use them all! The new Anytime Fitness gym is being managed by none other than Cork City Ex-Football Striker George O’Callaghan who was recently inducted into Cork City FC's hall of fame. George is a former football player and club manager with clubs across the UK and Ireland and since his retirement he has worked with several sport companies across Europe and Asia. Anytime Fitness is focused on real people, standing against expectations or images of perfectionism. Everything from the design and gym floor layout to the carefully chosen staff and class schedule is carefully thought out to make it easier to get people over the hurdles of getting healthier. Virtual Fitness classes are available 24/7, 365 days a year and every member can access a free workout app developed to educate members about training techniques and provide them with over 100 programs. The new Ballincollig Club will also feature the new global design layout, which is based on a guest-centric approach with state-of-the-art equipment, virtual technology and body composition analysis.
You can sign up for membership online by visiting www.anytimefitness.co.uk or calling Anytime Fitness Ballincollig on 087 436 8687.
30 / Muskerry News
Four 5th class pupils demonstrated great leadership and organisational skills this month when they tasked themselves with their cub chief scout community challenge to help children in Sierra Leone. These pupils, Marie, Grace, Sarah and Rosaleen, recognised that the great need for school stationary in Sierra Leone could be helped by a donation campaign in St Lachteen's. They researched the work of the Schools and Health Foundation and relayed this information to all classes in the school. Their passion was evident in their delivery. The campaign was supported by their fellow scouts from 11th Cork Cloghroe and all the pupils in the school generously responded, donating pens, pencils and copies. All of which will be brought to Sierra Leone by Schools and Health Foundation founder and neighbour, Bernice O'Brien. These pupils fuel our confidence in just how much can be achieved at any age. A credit to their community. Mile buiochas.
After all the wet and windy weather we had in February, memories of Storms Ciara, Jorge and Denis were forgotten and there was an air of spring in Griffins Garden Centre in Dripsey as the team pulled out all the stops for the official Launch of the Muintir na Tire Cork School garden Competition. Muintir na Tire, Cork County Council Environment and Heritage Sections, Cork City Council and Griffins Garden Centre have come together to organise this exciting competition and the eighth annual competition is open! County Mayor Michael Looney praised this great initiative that helps children to learn the importance of nature while staying active, telling the children he had been an active gardener since he was at school in Coachford. The Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr John Sheehan said that Cork City Council was delighted that all primary schools in the City could now enter and showcase their school gardens and learn from the other entrants in the competition. Special guests included the children and teachers of Conna National School Overall winner in 2019, School of the Divine Child Ballintemple Cork City and Dripsey National School. This year Griffins and The Irish Bee Conservation Society are also awarding special awards for the most Bee friendly Gardens. Register now on www.muintir cork.com
Keary’s plays senior hurling!
Blarney man Julian Boylan and Jim O’Keeffe, Kearys Renault Pro+ present a new branded Renault Trafic van to Kevin O’Donovan, CEO/Secretary Cork County Board, who accepted it on behalf of the Minor Hurling Management team of Manager, Donal Og Cusack , Sean Og O’hAilpin and Tom Kenny. The new branded Renault Trafic van serves as a support vehicle for the minor hurling team for the 2020 season. It will be recognised around the roads of Cork and the Country by the Kearys and GAA logos and its distinctive graphic of a hurler in action. Speaking at the event Julian Boylan, Sales Manager, Kearys Renault Pro+ said, “ We are delighted to donate this new branded Renault Trafic van to the Cork minor hurling team for the 2020 season. As Renault Ireland are proud sponsors of the GAA, we wanted to get behind our young players here in Cork. We hope that the players and mamagement enjoy the use of the dynamic Renault Trafic and wish the minor hurling team and Cork GAA every good wish for the year ahead.”
Lovely tribute to 105 year old Ballincollig resident Joe Kavanagh by Eoin English at the Irish
Examiner. May he rest in peace. Tributes have been paid following the death of Joe Kavanagh, one of the oldest people in Ireland, aged 105. Mr Kavanagh, who was a long-time resident of Ballincollig in Cork, died peacefully on Thursday night surrounded by family members and by the nurses and staff of the Ballincollig Community Nursing Unit where he lived since 2017. His son, Brendan, said the family will be forever grateful to the staff for how they cared for the man they affectionately called 'papa Joe'. "We are just so thankful for the wonderful and constant care and attention he got there. And we are also so thankful for the wonderful messages of support that people have been posting online. It means so much to us," he said. Parish priest, Fr George O'Mahony, said the entire town was saddened to lose such a valued and loved member of the community. "Joe was such a great character. We marked his 101st birthday by presenting him with a cake in the church a few years ago. He lived a long and full life and he will be missed," he said. Mr Kavanagh, who was originally from Waterville in Co Kerry, was born on November 8, 1914. He moved to Ballincollig as a child where the family lived in various areas of what was then just a village. A plasterer by trade with PJ Hegartys, he set up home in Ballincollig with his beloved wife Agnes and they raised four children. An avid GAA fan, he travelled around on a Honda 50 motorbike before upgrading to a Honda 100. He played pitch and putt into his 80s. He loved gardening and took particularly pride in the appearance of his lawn, tending to his garden well into his late 90s. Mr Kavanagh was a long-time member of Ballincollig GAA club which marked his 100th birthday during the 2014 Belle of Ballincollig festival. And he was regularly invited to participate in or be guest of honour at community events, including plaque unveilings, school history projects and parades. Ballincollig Tidy Towns presented him with a special merit award in 2015 to honour his gardening efforts. Tidy Towns chairman, Tom Butler, described him as one of life's gentlemen. "He loved his family, his garden and he loved his town," he said. "And having lived so long, he such was an interesting and intelligent man to talk to. He was held in such high esteem by so many people in the town." He said they plan to plant a tree in his memory in the local park soon. Predeceased by his beloved, Agnes, Mr Kavanagh is survived by his children Margaret, Helen, Bernie, Christine and Brendan, his sisters, Eileen and Chris, his sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Muskerry News / 31
Behind the Castle Walls Focus on February
This time last year I was talking about an early spring. There were already magnolias, rhododendrons and cherry trees in flower throughout the gardens, which was wonderful to see, but left me somewhat unsettled. Things are a little slower this year, and I’m just starting to see the first flowers emerging, which I am much more comfortable with. The last few nights have been particularly cold, and if we were any further ahead there would be a lot of damage to flowers and buds. It’s been a very damp February and a challenge to complete the larger winter projects. There has been so much construction and infrastructure work over the winter that it will be a little strange to see the place looking tidy and clean once again. I hope we will be looking quite respectable for St. Patrick’s day. The Carnivorous Courtyard, a garden of carnivorous plants that will be situated alongside our Poison Garden has been under construction for the past 12 months. We are finally nearing completion and will be starting to plant the beds up over the coming weeks. We are also revamping the Poison Garden, with the addition of some nice crisp limestone edging and a major replanting project once the edging is installed. I’m excited to see it all finished.
Whitechurch National School team qualified for the Allianz Sciath na Scol Indoor Hurling Championship finals, much to the delight of their supporters who were busy capturing the moment! pics Mike English.
We are also in the process of building a new disabled access path through our Jungle area. It will significantly shorten the route that wheelchair users have to take to reach the base of the castle. We will be adding quite a few new specimen plants to enhance the jungle feel of the area, so keep an eye out for this when you next visit. With all the projects and building and tidying work going on it’s easy to forget that the usual seasonal gardens work is also required. We are moving shrubs, mulching beds and paths, pruning roses, undertaking assorted tree work and planting up new saplings in our woodlands using native home-grown oaks. In the kitchen garden we are planting potatoes as the soil dries out. Sow seeds of bedding plants, tomatoes and peppers and plant out onions, garlic and shallots if not already done. Pollinate peach, nectarine and apricot trees with a small paint brush. Ours are just coming into flower now. Let’s hope they survive.  Pruning of apples and pears should be finished now. We are also in the process of planting out the last of our bare root fruit trees and ornamentals. We are starting off our begonia tubers in the poly tunnel. They provide a mass of summer colour to our tubs and baskets around the entrance and are remarked on every year. This year we will have even more tubs and baskets to plant up and keep watered and fed, but I’m sure it will be worth the effort. I’m hoping the next few weeks will bring some warm and settled weather, but I won’t be surprised if this winter still has a sting in its tail! Come and enjoy the wonderful spring colours in the gardens and let’s hope for a calm Specialising in dermatology and settled spring.
Adam
32 / Muskerry News
Ger Teahon, PST Sports, Cllr. Ger Keohane, Liam Ryan, Ryan's SuperValu and Mick Allen, Development Committee at the official opening of the Eddie O'Connell All Weather Hurling Complex at Sarsfield's Hurling and Camogie Club. pic Mike English
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Ireland's youngest pro boxer relocates from Dripsey to Los Angeles! James Power, the 18-year-old super-featherweight from Dripsey has signed a deal with Sheer Sports Management, which will see him move to California in the near future where he will join Donegal middleweight Jason Quigley, unbeaten Monaghan brothers, Aaron and Stephen McKenna, and Brett McGinty on the books of Ken Sheer's company. James began his career aged 17 in Mexico when still too young to box professionally in Ireland, and has a 5-0 (4KOs) record.
Mark Coleman pictured with Harry Canning, Eoghan Murphy, Paddy O'Loughlin, Aoife McMahon and Mr Declan Bowler as Bon Secours Hospital Cork becomes UCC GAA Club Sponsors.
Whitechurch win on the double in the Seandun round of the basketball competition with both their men’s and ladies teams through to the National Finals.
Blarney United U14A Team who remain unbeaten so far this season in league and cup.
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Muskerry News / 33
Buying or selling a house in 2020?
2020
Congratulations to sensei Stephen O’Callaghan from Cloghroe Karaté Club who was awarded Cork Martial Arts Coach of the year last month in the Oriel House Hotel and followed this up with his club winning another EKF medal for Ireland in Budapest on Sunday 9th February. Cloghroe Karaté club now holds 7 out of the 8 WKF medals that have ever been won by Ireland. This time it was a bronze medal at under 21 level in the European Championships. Chris McCarthy won the bronze medal for the club on this occasion but there more to come from brilliant club athletes like Sean McCarthy and Hieu Power at upcoming international events. A double celebration for the Cloghroe Karaté club which has built a fantastic reputation country wide under the guidance of Sensei Stephen and his assistants Danny, Dave and Pat. What a weekend it was for talented Blarney athlete Hannah Falvey who came home with four Gold and one Bronze medal from the U12 to U19 Munster Indoor Championship at Nenagh Olympic Stadium. Hannah took Gold in the girls U15 60m sprint, Gold in the high jump, Gold in the long jump with a new indoor personal best with a jump of 5.26m, and Gold in the 60m hurdles with a new indoor personal best with the time of 9.29s. Her Bronze was won in the shot put.
Donoughmore was the Cork and Northside sports awards team of the year. Pictured receiving their award are Tim Buckley, John Kennedy Donoughmore LGFA; Rena Buckley, Deputy County Mayor Cllr. Michael Looney; Helen Buckley and Margaret O’Connor, Donoughmore LGFA. pic Gerard Bonus.
2019 34 / Muskerry News
Congratulations to talented Jack O’Rourke who represented SMGS and Munster in the Schools All Ireland in Santry. Jack came a very credible 40th overall and ran a fantastic race in the 2500m minor boys with a time of 10.06 minutes in extremely windy conditions. We expect to be hearing much more in the future about this talented young runner.
Another medal for Hieu Power who won gold in the Irish IKKU open in the under 61 kg group and the open weight group, congratulations also to Tuan Power who took bronze.
Well done to the 19 Blarney Inniscarra Athletic Club members who travelled to Nenagh for Munsters indoors. There were five top ten performances from Jack O Rourke, Conor Looney, Janes Carroll, Sarah O'Connor but pride of place goes to Meabh O'Connell who got bronze in the U13 girls shot putt and will go on to represent her club and Province in All Ireland this month.
2019 Congratulations to Carrig na bhFear U14B championship winners!
Major medical conditions can be found by simply examining your eyes. O’Connor Poole Opticians in Blackpool have recently invested in a revolutionary piece of diagnostic equipment that can detect a number of common eye conditions, such as glaucoma, age related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy, during a routine eye test. This piece of equipment is called a 3D Optical Coherence Tomography system (3D OCT) and is manufactured by the world leading optical equipment manufacturer, Topcon. What is OCT? Ocular Coherence Tomography is an advanced eye scan for people of all ages. Similar to ultrasound, OCT uses light rather than sound waves to reveal the many layers that make up the back of the eye. This particular 3D OCT unit captures a digital photograph of the inner surface of the eye at the same time, so that areas of concern identified by the scan, can be cross referenced with the classic view of the back of the eye that your optometrist sees. In other words, if you are looking at an iced cake before it has been sliced, you don’t know if it contains jam, cream or chocolate layers; equally if it’s lumpy or smooth. With this unique NON-INVASIVE technology your optometrist is able to see both the surface of the back of your eye (the top of the cake) and a three dimensional image of the layers that are beneath the surface. Never before has it been easier to locate and identify eye conditions that affect the layers below the surface. Your optometrist can then review the images on a PC screen and pin point areas of concern. Using this machine, your optometrist can more confidently diagnose, manage or refer you to an eye doctor for further treatment, should this be required. For the majority of patients, OCT provides significant reassurance that the deeper layers of their eye are healthy. Make sure that when booking your next eye test, you ask about an OCT scan. Unit 5, Moremiles Retail Centre, Redforge Road, Blackpool, Cork - Phone (021) 439 7399
Muskerry News / 35
Blarney Camogie Club There was plenty of love in the air on Valentines weekend when Blarney Camogie Club held their victory social night in Blarney Castle Hotel. The talented girls won both League and Championship and were presented with their medals by County Board Vice Chairperson Sheila Golden. Presentations were also made to players who represented Cork; Katie Kelleher, Niamh Power and Amy Bannon for playing on the Cork U14 team, and Orla Cremen and Jen- nifer Murphy both of whom won Munster and All Ireland minor medals with Cork. Representatives of the Blarney team who won the Intermediate County in 1969 also at- tended as did Blarney GAA chairman Jim McCarthy.
36 / Muskerry News
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Blarney United FC Well done to the U13 Girls who played Wilton Utd in their first game of the new CWSSL season. The game was preceded by a minutes silence as a mark of respect for the late Gerry Hurley R.I.P. Despite going down 4-2 in the game, there was superb performances by all 15 girls.
Congratulations to Blarney United U15 players Oscar Ahern, Darragh Bowdren, Zachary Philpott, Charlie Cummins and Louis Hanover on winning the U15 Munster and All Ireland finals with Cork Schoolboy League.
38 / Muskerry News
Seniors remain top of the table thanks to a Tomas Carroll double a goal either side of halftime from Carroll, Martin O’Sullivan adding the third was enough to give the Seniors all three points in a pulsating 3-2 win over Leeds AFC at Leeds park.
Girls Academy: Fridays 5.45pm - 7pm for all girls born between 2006 - 2013 Boys Academy Saturdays 8.45am - 9.55am for all boys born between 2009 - 2010 Saturdays 10am - 11am for all boys born between 2011 - 2014 For all academy enquiries please email... .....academychairman@blarneyunited.com
My fully
Congratulations to Laura Shine who received her Ireland Cap for the 2019-2020 season. Laura was part of the Ireland Under 17 team that played recently and is a fantastic example and role model for all the players coming through our Girls Academy to look up to. Best of luck to Laura for the rest of the season with Cork City and Ireland.
Muskerry News / 39
Blarney GAA news
www.blarneygaa.ie
Blarney GAA had a palpable buzz on Sat 29th Feb as the club hosted its annual Club na nOg registration morning. Club na nOg is the underage section of Blarney GAA Club, which caters for hurlers born in the years 2009-2015. The morning kicked off with a bang with many familiar faces, and plenty of news ones too, registering for the 2020 season. The fun-filled and enthusiastic morning afforded the opportunity for the future hurlers of the club to meet and chat with our qualified coaches & mentors ahead of the first training session on Mar 7th. A special thanks to our Games Development Officer Fachtna O'Connor, who was on hand to assist with activities on our all-weather pitch, and to all who made this morning possible and supported in any way they could. 2020 is looking very positive for Club na nOg, where the ethos is games based. We allow every child to get a huge amount of touches on the ball every week during games. Fundamental movements are also hugely improved through fun games. If you are interested in registering your child for the 2020 season you can do so online at Blarneygaa.ie, where you can pay in full or in 4 instalments. A Blarney GAA jersey is included for all Club na nOg players. Training for players born from 2013-2015 is every Saturday morning from 11.45-12.45 starting on March 7th. Did you know that in 2019 the GAA Players Injury Fund paid out €8.1m on an excess of 6,000 individual claims? - (GAA 2019 Annual Report, February 2020). Playing members must be registered before any training session and/or match with Blarney GAA. Failure to do so will make you ineligible to claim from the injury fund in the event of medical costs arising out of a GAA related injury.
Paudi Butler Coaching Skills Huge thanks to all players and coaches who attended the coaching workshop with Paudi Butler last week. Key take home message for coaches is to “be positive, and encourage every child, as coaches we have control of how much of their full potential each boy can reach”
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Blarney GAA news
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Fachtna O’Connor – Games Development Officer An excellent 5th/6th class 9 A side School Hurling Blitz took place in Blarney. The schools taking part were: Blarney NS, Gaelscoile Mhuscrai, Rathpeacon NS & Whitechurch NS. The winners received the Christy Kelleher Cup. Super skills and determination on show by all sides
Over 35’s There was no holding back when 22 hardy over 35’s got back on the pitch. Great to see that they haven’t lost that competitive edge.
Healthy Club We are continuing with our healthy club community walks every Wednesday night from 7-8. Hail, rain or shine we’ll be there. It is lovely to see so many turning up each week. When the evenings start getting a bit brighter, we may vary the route a bit.
Events coming up with dates TBC are: Our town meeting Our “Non-Smoking” Grounds initiative Tel: “Hands for Life” CPR Course….and much, much more!
We recently attended the HANDS FOR LIFE/Irish Heart Foundation CPR training course at Inniscarra GAA. Hosted by Inniscarra Healthy Club. We are looking forward to bringing this vitally important (FREE OF CHARGE) course to Blarney GAA in the near future.
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Pic 3 Marion, Abbey, Leo and Leah O'Sullivan, Dripsey.
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Congratulations to Gaelscoil Mhuscraí, Blarney, who were one of three Cork National Schools to win €10,000 each in Aldi Primary School Sticker Competition along with Clondrohid National School, Macroom, and Scoil na Cill Mhuire, Lissardagh.
The future of football is safe in the hands of the Rockban U6 team pictured after their first football training session at Whitechurch Community Centre.
Blarney Community Council AGM Blarney Community Council now officially known as Blarney CVG DAC (Blarney Community Voluntary Group Designated Activity Company) will hold our AGM on Wednesday 25th March at 8pm in the Old Convent Hall. We invite all members of the local community to attend this meeting.
Twelve thousand multi-coloured balls will race down Patrick’s Hill on Sunday March 15th at 2pm to raise funds for public access defibrillators. The Ball Run is the primary fundraiser for the Cork Lions City Centre Defibrillator Project which, to date, has installed 13 publicly available defibrillators throughout the city. Cork Lions Club is a voluntary organisation which support local and national causes and began the City Centre Defibrillator project 4 years ago. Each ball in the Ball Run is individually numbered and released from a cage at the top of Patricks Hill in a colourful cascade. They are then guided down the hill and gathered in a trap at the bottom where the first 6 balls win a prize. Balls will be sold on the hill or can be purchased online at €2 each on our website www.corklionsclub.ie Martin Walley, Cork Lions Event organiser, said, “We’re delighted to run the Patricks Hill Ball Run again, it has proven to be a popular and fun event for everyone who showed up on the hill. Monies raised allow the Lions Club to maintain our installed AEDs and add more in the city. Our website is www.corklionsclub.ie All monies raised locally stay local.” Cork Lions Club will also be taking the opportunity to collect old glasses as part of their Recycle for Sight Campaign. This project recycles old spectacles which are cleaned, graded and distributed at eye clinics in the third world. We are appealing to the public to clean out their old glasses from drawers and bring them along to the hill on Sunday March 15th.
The aims of the Community Council, as started in our constitution, are; The involvement of all the people in Blarney and it’s environs in the promotion of the educational, cultural, recreational and economic welfare of the whole community, regardless of class or political persuasion. To fulfil these aims we currently maintain and run the Old Convent Hall as a venue for meetings and educational, cultural and recreational activities. It is also the home of the Meals on Wheels kitchen and is the venue for SECAD who provide one to one meetings with people who need advice on employment and other matters. We have also organised and run the St. Patrick’s Day parade since 2010. In the past we have run adult education classes in the secondary school, led the committee that provided the community playground opposite the Scout Hall, organised cutting of branches and briars that were a danger to the public etc.
We would be delighted to see a large turnout at the AGM. If anyone wants to get involved they are particularly welcome but, if you just want to see what’s happening, that’s OK too. Muskerry News / 43
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The Irish Wheelchair Association seeks to recruit qualified Nurses for weekend morning work in the Blarney area. The role includes supporting a good- natured young man, with significant disabilities, in his own home as part of a two person team. Shifts 9am – 1pm Saturdays and Sundays. Full HSE rates & excellent working conditions apply.
For further information contact Trish Cooney on 087 7589099 O’Flynn Medical are looking for staff to work in their new facility at Macroom Environmental Park, Bowl Road, Macroom. The role is for General Operatives, a full time position with an Immediate start. Must be fluent in spoken and written English. Basic Computer skills would be an advantage. For further details contact John Moylan on 029 21799 john@oflynnmedical.com. www.oflynnmedical.com
The Dripsey Community Association
are looking for a person to take part in the Community Employment Scheme for the Model Village. Duties include cutting grass and general tidying around the village. This person needs to be unemployed and in receipt of a social welfare payment.
Contact Liz Porter on 086 8840599 for more details.
Service’s Available Sewing Machines Sewing machines repaired and serviced. Phone Pat on 087 4170868 All Doggie Hair Doo’s 086 8478762 Don’t forget your Best Friend! Full grooming service and wash only available. Late evening appts on request Why not drop your doggie for grooming whilst you shop at Blackpool Centre? ServicesShopping A Two Hearts Meet are matching single & unattached people since 2011. Why not get in touch and we will help you find your special someone! Call 085 7742444.
Low Cost Counselling Life can be difficult and we all struggle with grief, loss & loneliness at times. Don’t be alone. Reach out! Low cost counselling available from Mary Malone Counsellor and Psychotherapist Call 087 9941594 Dermot Casey Tree Care All tree problems solved without delay. Free quotations & fully insured. Call the experts on 022-55000 www.dermotcaseytreecare.ie It’s time to clean your carpets! Blarney & District Carpet andUpholstery Cleaning Service.No job too small. 087 6384396. Downey Floor Sanding Floor Sanding & Dealing.
ESSENTIAL SERVICES Emergency Services
Ambulance, Fire, Gardai 999 Blarney Gardai 4516290 Ballincollig Gardai 4214680 Gurranabraher Gardai 4946200 Blarney 021 4385440 Ballincollig 021 4871111 Grenagh 021 4886105
Doctors
Dr Una O’Halloran 4385602 Ballincollig Family Practice 4870808 Blarney Medical Centre 4382077 Tower Medical Centre 4385348 T
Dentists
Onslow Gardens Dental Practice 4398572 Blarney Dental Practice 4385664 Niall Coonan Blarney 4385973
Opticians
O’Connor Poole Blackpool 4397399 Anne O’Donovan Blarney 4383128
Pharmacies
PFP Tower 4385225 PFP Grenagh 462998 PFP Onslow Garden 4398135 McElligotts Blarney 4385307 Walshs Blarney 4381223 Cloghroe Pharmacy 4382244
Contact Jeremy at 4516901 / 087 2372213
Veterinary Clinics
A Sikh temple is now open on the Carrigrohane Road in the former John A.Woods premises for morning and evening worship.
Cabs
O’Connell Chimney Cleaning Blarney. Stoves and Open Fires Contact Darren at 087 653 3480
Blarney Vets 4381823 Abbeyville Blarney 4382583 A to B Cabs Blarney 4516666
Credit Unions
Blarney 4381149 Ballincollig 4872305
Churches
Church of the Immaculate O’Connell Window Cleaning Conception Blarney 4385105 Blarney. Contact Donal 087 6592697 or 4383407 (after 6pm). Church of the Resurrection (C of I) Blarney 4877260 Driving Lessons Church of St Mary and St John Beginner / Pre test ADI approved Ballincollig 4871206 instructor. Very patient.Test routes Church of Chri our Light covered.Car available for test. Ballincollig 4876171 Gift vouchers available. St Peters (C of I) Carrigrohane Blarney School of Motoring. 4877260 blarneyschoolofmotoring.com 087 2796008
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