Muskerry News

Budding author, and Cloghroe national school second class pupil, Luke O'Connell pictured with his excellent new book 'The Cyclops'.

Successfully matching single and unattached people since 2011.

Tired of being on your own? Ready to become part of a couple? Meeting the right person to develop a romantic relationship with can be fairly challenging these days, at Twoheartsmeet we make it as easy as possible.

The new ‘Mindful Makers’ group met at the Church of the Resurrection Blarney recently where they shared a fantastic morning of projects and chatting with needlework, knitting, crochet and drawing. The next gathering will take place on March 22nd at 10am and all are most welcome.

The Gaelscoil Mhuscrai recently formed Amber Flag committee who have been brainstorming ideas to promote well-being in the school.

Castle Bridge Club Championship winners Kathleen Sweeney and Breda Horgan receiving the trophy sponsored by Blarney Castle Hotel and presented by Claire Forrest and Mary O’Donoghue.

Ex Munster and Ireland rugby player and now EBS Mortgage Master Billy Holland and Branch Manager Jeremy O’Sullivan and his staff were joined by members of EBS head office and the local community to proudly cut the ribbon in the new EBS Branch in Ballincollig. pic Gerard McCarthy

Whitechurch Foroige members making presentations to Breakthrough Cancer Research who received a cheque for €1300 and Blarney Meals on Wheels who collected a cheque for €200 from their Christmas crafts sale and profits from the clubs tuck shop. Also on the night Tommy O'Brien eggs and John and Catherine Buckley received sincere thanks from the club for their continuous support.

Congratulations to Coachford Community College students Éabha O’Donovan, Katie Horgan, Ella Honohan, Grace Gleeson, Cian Buckley, Reece Murphy, Michael Long, TJ Buckley, Leah Ryan, Mary Ellen Corkery Laura Corkery, Helen Nyhan, Aisling Burns, Dáire Hannon, Aoife Twomey, Shannon Cotter, Laura Buttimer, Éireann O’Shea and Aoife Ring who were awarded by CETB at a ceremony in City Hall for being amongst the top Leaving Certificate 2022 performers in the county. Missing from the picture are Meadhbh Ring and Niamh Lucey. Maith sibh go léir!

Tá an obair faoi lán tseoil i nGaelscoil Mhuscraí. We have had a busy February with St Valentines and Pancake Tuesday celebrations. Rang 2 celebrated their First Confession and Rang 6 are busy preparing for their Coineartú. We are continuing to enjoy our hurling and dancing activities while getting out for walks as the Spring weather improves. Seachtain na nGaeilge starts this month but it’s Seachtain na nGaeilge every month in Gaelscoil Mhuscraí!! We’re looking forward to a giant céilí with Muinteoir Deirdre and a visit from Cois Laoi Productions to see ‘Cochaillin Dearg’ (Little Red Riding Hood) for the junior classes. Beatha teanga í a labhairt!

All classes enjoyed a Lego workshop in their classes last week, many thanks to the Parents Association for funding for the workshops.

Phil Duggan, a pupil at the school between 1939 and 1947, paid a visit last week. Phil is one of the few pupils who, we are very proud to say, played hurling for Cork. During his visit he met Róisin from second class, Phil was a classmate of her grand uncle Bishop John Scanlan who was Bishop of Honolulu. Our pupils sure travel!

We were delighted to see the return of the book fair again this year, the timing was great as it coincided with World Book Day and Ireland Reads! Thanks to the parents for their fantastic support as always.

As part of Engineers Week 3rd and 4th class learned about bridges and making strong structures. Their STEM challenge was to create a bridge that would support a food tin, using only drinking straws, sellotape and string.

Junior infants painted the Irish flag as they have been learning about Ireland in SESE. They also painted the Ukrainian flag as we are so lucky to have wonderful Ukrainian students in our school. We are organising a collection of items, including toys, to be sent to the Ukraine next week.

Well done to our wonderful pupils who organised litter picking around the school. We are so proud of our environmentally conscious pupils who take pride in keeping our beautiful school litter-free.

So lovely to see such a kind and caring atmosphere in our school. We all need a helping hand sometimes.

Fourth class are enjoying developing their literacy skills in peer tutoring sessions with their friends. These children are both teaching and learning from each other, instilling a love of books and reading.

Third class girls had a great day out at an indoor camogie blitz, representing their school very well and playing brilliantly. The boys represented the school equally well at a hurling blitz. Maith sibh.

We are delighted to announce that we have formed our very first Student Council. Campaigns and elections were held to elect this council. Pupil voice is of paramount importance in our school community and we look forward to working together as a team.

Shournagh Childcare have limited spaces available for September 2023 and are also currently taking bookings for September 2024.

Please contact Claire on 021 4385136 or email lyons5@eircom.net for a registration form.

Love and friendship were in the air for Valentine’s day. Bhaineamar an-taitneamh as Lá Fhéile Vailintín.

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Derek Twomey

All smiles at the Heineken Brewery launch of the 2023 Ballincollig GAA Golf Classic which will be held on Friday May 5th.

Scoil Chroi Iosa

Ms. Carroll's 1st class are taking part in a very exciting chick hatching project! They have been busy learning all about chickens. We look forward to an egg-citing 3 weeks of learning ahead!

trip to

Love was in the air for our annual Valentine's Coffee Morning! Thank you all so much for your support of this worthy cause!

Internet Safety Day was marked in a very special way this year - Rang a Sé delivered their very own Internet Safety talks to all classes. Peer teaching and learning in action in the classroom!

We really enjoyed our trip out to the Cork Pops recently! We learned all about the instruments of the Orchestra, and even got to have a dance or two!

JEROME McCARTHY

Pancake Tuesday was a hit in Junior Infants!

Cllr. Sheila O’ Callaghan

Clinics held last Friday of every month with Pádraig O'Sullivan TD Carrignavar 7pm - 7.30pm Whitechurch / Waterloo 7.45pm - 8.15pm

Member of Cork County Council - (MCC) Cobh Municipal District. 086 1940762 / sheila.ocallaghan@cllr.corkcoco.ie

Facebook Cllr. Sheila O’ Callaghan

087 385 0743

4th class enjoyed a lovely

Blarney Castle, examining the local flora and fauna of Blarney.

Rathpeacon National School

As a school, we always enjoy the excitement of making pancakes in school on Pancake Tuesday and this year was no different. Our superstar SNAs made almost 400 pancakes on the day bringing a lot of smiles to a lot of faces as they called around to the classes with a delicious treat!

Our senior pupils were lucky enough to go in to City Hall to hear two lovely concerts. The Army Band entertained fifth and sixth classes with a wide variety of music whilst third and fourth class also went to City Hall to hear the Cork Pops Orchestra perform. It was great to see all of the string, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments and to hear them being played live was wonderful.

The teachers were left disappointed on the dodgeball court as they were defeated by a vastly superior sixth class team led by captain Mark who proved far too strong on the day and are worthy champions. Next up on the sporting calendar are hurling and camogie with the both teams busy training at the moment. Fourth Class have just completed a really interesting unit of work on Michael Collins. Some of the children brought in artefacts for everyone to look at including photos and a replica uniform.

We had a fantastic well-being week beginning with some relaxing yoga before we designed a gratitude wall in our school yard with loads of words and pictures to show all the things we have to enjoy in our lives. The week ended with Feel Good Friday with bingo in the hall and music in the yard for everyone to enjoy. Third Class have been learning all about France in History and Geography and created these wonderful Eiffel Towers.

Sixth Class began a series of lessons on cycling, practising bike handling skills and working on road readiness. The boys and girls looked at road signs and practiced signalling as they turned onto a road and, of course, there were plenty of games too to make all that learning fun!

Blarney & District Person of The Year Awards 2023

The February 2023 Blarney & District Person of The Month is Michelle McDonagh

Galway born Michelle moved to Blarney more than 15 years ago where she lives with her husband Greg and three children Lucy, Jake and Kiana.

An Irish journalist with over twenty-five years' experience, including twelve years as a staff reporter at the Connacht Tribune, Michelle has written for numerous Irish papers, including The Irish Times but long harboured the dream of

penning a novel.

In January 2020 she finally bit the bullet and started a Faber Academy online ‘write your novel’ course, pulling back from journalism for a time to focus on her writing, and next month her debut novel will arrive in Irish bookstores opening up a whole new chapter for the talented writer.

‘There's something I have to tell you’ tells the story of Glenbeg

Farm and opens with the discovery of the bodies of wealthy matriarch Ursula Kennedy and her farmer husband Jimmy who are pulled from the slurry pit, sending shockwaves throughout the family and community. Everyone has questions, including the gardaí. Was this a tragic accident? Or is there more to it than meets the eye?

The book, published by Hatchette Books Ireland, who fought off stiff competition from other publishers to win the rights, has received stunning author reviews from literary alumni including Sheila O’Flanagan and Jeanine Cummins among others.

Michelle’s new novel will be launched on April 19th in Dubray Books, Galway, followed by a book signing in Waterstones Cork on Saturday April 22nd at 3pm.

The local launch, date to be confirmed, will take place in Blarney Woollen Mills strengthening Michelle’s unique link to the village as the proud granddaughter-in-law of the late Christy Kelleher.

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,

March Special Offers

Peat Briquettes - €7.30 per bale while stocks last

3 bags Smokeless 20kg now €55

Ecoblaze Wood Briquettes - €7 bale

Organic Liquid Activa Lawn Tonic now in stock

Scanpole and Octopost Fencepost in stock

Wild Bird Seed, Nyjer Seed, Peanuts available

Fitzgerald, Sweeney & Declan Barron Hurleys now in stock

Fulvic, Liquid Humus available for foliar nutrition on grazing paddocks

Granular Humate for Slurry enhancement in stock 25kg bags.

Michelle McDonagh

Last weekend sat the official opening of Ballincollig GAA new sand based pitch and Astro Pitch by Uachtaráin Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Larry McCarthy. Thanks were paid to all involved in organising a great event and to Quish's Supervalu for their ongoing Sponsorship.

The Children’s Health Foundation is calling on the people of Cork to be brave this year, by taking part in their ‘Dare to be Brave’ adventure series, which will raise vital funds to support sick children and their families in Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin, Temple Street, Tallaght, and Connolly. Each year, hundreds of thousands of sick children cross the doors of CHI hospitals and urgent care centres at Crumlin, Temple Street, Tallaght, and Connolly including Patrick Donohoe, Ballincollig, who was on hand with his brothers James, Sean and Michael, to launch this exciting series of adrenaline-inducing events which includes a 13,000ft skydive, abseil from Croke Park’s iconic Hogan Stand, a 24-hour wilderness survival challenge and Hell & Back.

Patrick was born in 2021 with an underlying heart condition that required open-heart surgery in the first six months of his life and his parents, Michelle and Brian, journey with Crumlin started well before his arrival. By the time Patrick was born they had met his cardiologist, Dr. Orla Franklin and her team a number of times and the nursing specialist had arranged for the family to visit Crumlin

before Patrick’s birth allowing them to get to know the hospital. and in particular the Heart Centre, where they would be spending time over the coming months. The Donohoe's made their first trip to Crumlin when Patrick was three-weeks-old. After that first visit, they had weekly calls with his team and monthly visits to meet his cardiologist in Crumlin until they got the call to bring Patrick for his surgery when he was nearly four months old. The brave Ballincollig boy had his open-heart surgery in Crumlin on May 24th 2021 and, after a short stay, was back home to his big brothers James, Sean and Michael. Thankfully Patrick hasn’t looked back since his surgery and the bravery he and his family showed was incredible and that’s why Children’s Health Foundation is daring you to be brave this summer to raise vital, life-saving funds for more children like Patrick.

The events will take place between June and September 2023, and will provide participants with exciting, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Participants can sign-up to take part in all challenges, or they can choose which of the challenges they want to take on, by themselves, or as a member of a team. More information on www.childrenshealth.ie/daretobebrave or email daretobebrave@childrenshealth.ie

Ballincollig Flower and Garden Club

est 1973 Celebrating our 50th Anniversary this year

March 16th at 8pm

Garden Talk with Dave Greenman of Greenman Nurseries: Join us for floral art and horticultural demonstrations, teaching, flower arranging activities, competitions, garden visits, talks (including refreshments) on the third Thursday of each month (except July and August) in Gaelscoil Ui Riordain, Carriganarra, Ballincollig, Cork P31 V242 www.facebook.com/ballincolligflowerandgardenclub Enquiries to 087 6477653 bcolligflowergardenclub@gmail.com

Blarney St Patrick's Celebration

Friday March 17th

Blarney Adult Choir St Patrick’s Days Choral Concert Church of the Resurrection 6pm All proceeds to Cork Simon and SVP

Saturday March 18th

Live Outdoor Music Festival

1pm - 1.30pm Club Ceoil Blarney

2pm - 3.30pm Two Time Polka Band

3.45pm - 4.30pm Banjo Jim

4.45pm - 5.45pm Four piece trad group (Pipes/Fiddle/Harp/Accordion)

5.50pm - 6.30pm Blarney Brass and Reed Band

Organised by Anna Mitchell Youngsters School of Music

Church of the Resurrection

11am St Patrick’s Day Holy Communion With guest preacher The Revd Andrew Robinson, Cork Methodist, and Guest trad musician Séamus Sands followed by light refreshments. All welcome!

1pm onwards

Church open for visiting and tea, coffee and homemade treats. All welcome.

2.30pm - 4.30pm Make-and-take craft afternoon. Drop-in for activities, crafts and the chance to learn a bit about the real St Patrick. No pre-booking necessary.

7.30pm - 9.30pm The Gab

Church of the Immaculate Conception

Thursday 16th at 6pm Vigil Mass St Patrick’s Day Mass at 10am (also in Whitechurch)

All International sport on big screens, fabulous music and great food and music in all local venues including Woah! Mama! from 10pm - Midnight St Patrick’s Night at The Castle Hotel and much more!

Christy Kelleher was remembered at the Hurling and Camogie Blitz that took place place in Blarney G.A.A. last week with teams from Rathpeacon N.S., Whitechurch N.S. Gaelscoil Mhuscraí and Scoil Chroí Íosa competing for the cup.

T23E6T4

Extended 4 / 5 bedroom detached bungalow with garage and attic conversion. This property has been upgraded but it requires some internal finishing touches. Off street parking, front and back gardens. Constructed in the 1950's it is c.126.77 sq.m.

€375,000

BER: C2 BER No: 115977696

13 Glenhall Complex, Blackpool T23X652

Spacious first floor 2 bedroom apartment in the heart of Blackpool. Located within walking distance of Blackpool Shopping Centre the apartment comes with a secure allocated parking space along with fob access to the building overlooked by security cameras.

€175,000

BER: D2 BER No: 116093584

Located in a small cul de sac within the popular estate of Newberrry you will discover this well presented 3 bed semi detached home. This property is tastefully decorated. Landscaped gardens, flower beds, garden sheds, oil fired central heating. Ideal for first time buyer or investor alike.

€220,000

BER: C2

9 Ross Park, Killavullen, Mallow P51WE19

"Turn key" condition best describes this 3 bedroom semi-detached property which is located in a cul de sac setting of just 16 semi-detached homes, and facing a large common green area. The property was constructed c.2006 and was upgraded recently.

€288,000

BER: B2 BER No.104876925

21 Hillview Drive, Onslow Gardens, Commons Road

T23F2C8

DNG Kevin Condon,are delighted to present to the market this 4 bedroom detached property which was built in 1983, it has off street parking for 3/4 cars, paved driveway BER C1, with the potential with upgrade to an A3

€275,000

BER: C1 BER No: 115607087

3 O’Connell Place, Watercourse Road, Blackpool

T23K222Y

Location, Location, ideal for those downsizing, investors or first time buyers. Two bedroom mid terrace property which is located in a small gated development off Watercourse Road and is within walking distance of City Centre.

€170,000

BER: F BER No: 116092594

29 The Woods, Glounthaune T45T446

The Woods, Glounthaune, a fantastic opportunity to live in one of these highly sought after homes where the location is one of the best in Cork. The low density scheme built in 2016 is built to high specification of energy efficiency with air to water heating system. The property is ready to go, the current owner has already moved on.

€385,000

BER: A3 BER No.108390378

71

Impressive three bedroom end of terrace property with exceptionally large side garden/yard, driveway with off street parking for 2 cars. The yard to the side of the dwelling is ideal for a variety of uses, home office, self employed contractors, extension subject to planning.

€350,000

BER: B3 Ber No. 116248055

Due to a hugh demand we urgently require rental properties in all areas for reference checked clients.

PSL No. 003096

31 Byefield Park, Mayfield

23 Newberry Green, Dromahane, Mallow P51D7DV

Fernwood, Glyntown, Glanmire T45RF61

Brid Ni Dhomhnaill, Gaelscoil Ui Riordain pictured with Mary Healy, Scoil Eoin.

Bridie May O'Cathasaigh and Breda Coleman, Ballinora NS, and Jeanne Smyth and Therese O'Mahony, Scoil Barra, Ballincollig.

Aine Mhic Con Uladh, Brid Ni Dhomhnaill and Eibhlin Ui Niaha, Gaelscoil Ui Riordain.

Retired from Scoil Barra Ballincollig and present on the night were Paul Harrington, Therese O'Mahony, Phil Galvin, Donal O'Sullivan and Jeanne Smyth with INTO President, John Driscoll.

Scoil Eoin Ballincollig retirees Anne Kane and Mary Healy with INTO President, John Driscoll. pics Mike English

The Cork City South West Branch of INTO held a function for local teachers who retired between 2018 and 2022 with INTO President John Driscoll as guest of honour.

Cork City Council welcomed the Presidents of Ireland and Malta to Cork City Hall as part of a three day State Visit to Ireland last week. Arriving at Cork City Hall President Michael D. Higgins, Mrs Sabina Higgins, and the President of Malta, H.E. Dr George Vella, and Mrs Miriam Vella were greeted by Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Damian Boylan, Mrs Brenda Boylan, and Cork City Council’s Chief Executive Ann Doherty.

Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Damian Boylan said, “We were honoured to welcome President Vella to Cork City Hall. It is a further great privilege to have Uachtarán na hÉireann Michael D. Higgins and Mrs Sabina Higgins in Cork with us again. I was pleased to discuss the history of our city with both Presidents, and to celebrate Cork as a great place to live, work, study and invest in today. I hope this special occasion will mark the start of greater and closer links between the people of Cork and Malta. We will fondly remember the day two Presidents came to City Hall.”

The previous evening Damian and Brenda had been guests of the President and Mrs Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin for a state dinner.

pics Clare Keogh

Aida Murphy, Colaiste Choilm, Ballincollig, was one of only 36 Cork students to receive a prestigious Trinity Entrance Exhibition Award. Entrance Exhibition Awards go to the students accepted into the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme who achieve the highest points among Trinity entrants from their secondary school, above a minimum of 500 CAO points (or equivalent). Many former awardees have gone on to make a significant contribution to the economic, cultural, and political life of Ireland and beyond. Past Exhibitioners include Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar. Provost of Trinity, Dr Linda Doyle, said: "The recipients of the Entrance Exhibition Awards are now in the first year of their studies in Trinity, but they had to contend with the uncertainties and disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic as they prepared for their Leaving Cert examinations. I hope the resilience they developed during that difficult period will always stand to them and I hope they are now making the most of the Trinity experience. I also want to take this opportunity to acknowledge and affirm the hugely important role played by parents, guardians, teachers and all school staff in preparing students as they embark on the next stage of their education journey."

Another milestone has passed in the journey of Coachford College with the planning application for the new school building submitted. The project will provide a new school building for the college which will cater for a long-term enrolment of 1,000 pupils offering existing and future incoming students 37 general classrooms, specialist rooms, science laboratories, engineering and constructions rooms, multi-media laboratories as well as a SENs suite, and a PE hall. pic

Jim Coughlan

Berrings NS

Another busy month has come and gone, starting with the crowning of our very own County Champions, a massive congratulations to the girls of 3rd and 4th class.

Our senior classes enjoyed a visit from the Lifetime Lab and a maths workshop was set up the halla providing fun and engaging challenges for the children.

A huge thank you to the parents and grandparents who came into knit with the 3rd class. A really enjoyable experience for all involved.

The children of 3rd class were extremely busy creating and making a welcome new addition to our school garden. They worked together to create a scarecrow that will stand tall watching over our Spring bulbs.

Behind the Castle Walls

As we move into March, we can see that spring has arrived here in the gardens. In every corner there are pockets of crocus, narcissus and an array of other spring bulbs bursting into life. We also have a stunning collection of flowering shrubs to accompany them, such as Camellia, Rhododendron and Magnolias. Our Magnolia collection is maturing nicely, and there are many just starting to flower, but the current star is our Magnolia campbellii in front of the Mansion which is a sight to behold. Our specimen Rhododendron arboreum in the Himalayan Valley is also bursting into life and will soon be a mass of red blossoms. It is a tree sized, multi-trunked specimen estimated at around 150 years old, and it alone is worth a trip to see. I love this time of the year in the gardens!

Our Winter Borders are also still looking fantastic. The new Irish heritage daffodil collection that we planted in the Autumn is about to flower for the first time, and I’m excited to see how they perform. They are planted either side of the path and will make a great addition to what is already an impressively colourful range. This garden is only 4 years old and is getting better every year. It’s very satisfying to see a newly designed area start to develop. Hopefully we can continue to improve and expand this and other parts of the gardens in the coming years.

The usual seasonal chaos is upon us as we start to prepare for our traditional start to the season on St. Patricks day. It’s always a challenge to get the grounds and gardens looking their best, and we have a great team who really care about the estate. There is a great deal of cleaning and tidying work that goes unnoticed and I’d like to acknowledge all that hard work.

We are also 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 and mixed conifer species. In the kitchen garden we will start 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 as they come into flower. Ours are just starting now. Let’s hope they survive. Pruning of apples and pears should be finished in the next week or two. 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 have added to our bedding displays at the main entrance area, so there are even more tubs and baskets to plant up and keep watered and fed, but I’m sure it will be worth the effort. There is so much to see in the grounds and gardens right now. It really is an ever-changing environment and a pleasure to visit. Hopefully see some of you here soon.

Rathpeacon Hall Rental

Do you have a talent or an area of expertise and would like the opportunity to give classes and teach others? Whether it's music, dance, art, yoga, meditation, fitness or anything in between, Rathpeacon Community Centre is a fantastic venue to host your class.

Interested? Find out more from Irene at rathpeaconhall@gmail.com

Adam

Scoil Chroi Iosa staff go the extra mile for World Book Day!

Popular local man Peter Ledwith celebrated his 80th birthday with his family and friends in The Blarney Castle Hotel this weekend and would like to thank everyone who celebrated this very special occasion with him.

Photo caption here...

The wonderful volunteer gardeners at Blarney Castle pictured with the magnificent magnolia campbelli.

Community Matters

with Cllr Damian Boylan

As always if I can help in any way please contact me on 087 2244364 or by email on damianboylan@live.com.

I can’t believe how quickly February went. I can grasp that it’s the shortest month but the rapidity with which the 28 days went have taken me completely by surprise.

Firstly, many thanks to the local area office who are currently assessing all footpaths in the area and doing cleaning and clearing on them. The difference this work makes can be seen on the Tower Road. The paths between Paud’s Cross and the village are transformed. Many thanks all concerned.

I know people are often reticent about reporting issues to the Gardai, but can I ask that if you see an incident or know something please contact the Gardai directly. I can miss stuff and not see it for a while so if you report it directly that removes me as the weak link. If the incident is serious, please dial 112/999 immediately and don’t waste time looking for station numbers. Calls get logged and acted upon this way.

I was given a tip that the Minister for Transport was stopping all works on the Northern Ring Road and the Northern Distributor Road. If true this is an unacceptable move and is an end to hope for Tower, Cloghroe, Leemount, Kerrypike, Clogheen and Blarney. We will live in rat runs forever until this project is delivered and the idea that pulling this project will help in decarbonising Ireland is nonsensical. All it will do is sentence these areas to traffic gridlock for the foreseeable future. It turns out that the Minister awarded the project €100,000. This for a half a billion euro project is a joke and I will be pursuing this.

Please note that the Sports Capital Grant Scheme 2023 is now open for applications from February 14th 2023 at 9am. The scheme, which is open to local voluntary sporting organisations and clubs, is aimed at providing grant aid to projects that are directly related to enhancing facilities or equipment and must be of a capital nature. A sum of €470,000 has been provided for the Scheme in 2023. For any queries, contact the Sports and Sustainability Section of Cork City Council at sports@corkcity.ie or call 021-238 9845.

We also had a briefing on the M20 project. Some quick takes.

1. It is at phase 3 which is planning and design. The next phase is the statutory process.

2. It is not just a motorway but a full suite of transport options including the proposed rail station, park and ride facility and the mobility hub concept (see below) in Stoneview/Blarney.

3. Consultations will be ongoing but once again I have been assured that there will be no material impact on Ard Dara or Castle Gardens Estates.

4. Residents and land owners in Rathduff are being asked for feedback.

5. Access from Waterloo will remain and be included in design

The next steps are a review of the preferred option corridor and the design development of that is ongoing. The 500m wide preferred option corridor will be required for this phase. There will be lots more engagement with landowners and stakeholders as the design develops and there will be more corridor notification and design updates issued over the course of the year. I would ask people to once again remember that the sterile corridors as shown on the maps on www.corklimerick.ie do not conform directly to the width or indeed requirements of the motorway/dual carriageway.

I know that lots of parents have called for some work to be done to the Blarney Playground. The Children’s Playground in Blarney is closed until March 14th for essential maintenance and some upgrades, so I look forward to seeing the refreshed and renewed playground in time for St. Patricks Day.

Damian

Blarney Community Council are looking forward to the first St Patrick’s Celebration in the village for three years. The day long event will take place on Saturday 18th March and include an open air music festival highlighting some of the incredible talent we have in the area, street traders, and many more surprises.

The live outdoor music festival will include the sounds of the Two Time Polka Band, Banjo Jim, a four piece trad group and Blarney Brass and Reed Band, with thanks to Anna Mitchell Youngsters School of Music for organising the music. Our own Club Ceoil will be there too sharing their love of traditional music with us.

The Church of the Resurrection will be open for the day and are planning fun crafts and activities for all the family, and cakes and bakes with the church open from 1pm onwards. From 2.30pm4.30pm you can drop in for activities, crafts and the chance to learn a bit about the real St Patrick. No pre-booking necessary. The Gab will be taking over the church from 7.30pm - 9.30pm, one not to be missed!

With all International sport on big screens, fabulous music and great food and music in all local venues it’s going to be a great day, see you there!

Joe Enright Chairman

If you wish to bring any local issues to the Community Council please make contact with any member or through our facebook page.

Thank you.

Congratulations to local man John O'Brien for winning the Connacht senior mens amateur open.

Inniscarra dad, Robert Collins, with his two sons Lucas and Jackson who are still playing hurling in Australia thanks to his father Noel Collins and cousin Stella O’Leary who send hurleys out to Australia to the boys.

The Painter, The Priest and Snap Apple Night

Blarney has welcomed many visitors over the years. Some have left a record of their visit for posterity, usually in words, but sometimes in visual media; a drawing, a print, watercolour or oil painting. Usually, the subject chosen was the romantic ruins of the castle and its surrounds, more rare were the people that the artists encountered during their visit. When one of the greatest artists of his age painted a large oil painting of a celebration of the locals, little did they think that it would become a celebrated masterpiece almost two centuries later.

The Painter

The artist was Daniel Maclise, born in Cork in 1806, who earned his fame in London as a portrait painter of eminent Victorians, but even more as the pre-eminent history painter of his age, who was especially selected to decorate the new Houses of Parliament with two giant murals depicting the nation’s greatest military victories; the Death of Nelson at Trafalgar and the Meeting of Wellington and Blucher on the Battlefield of Waterloo. As a boy in Cork, he received some training, but first caught public attention when he managed to draw a quick sketch of Sir Walter Scott who was visiting Cork at the time. The sketch was put on display on the window of Bolster’s bookshop on Patrick Street, where it attracted so much attention that the proprietor ran off hundreds of copies of prints for sale, so great was the demand. Shortly afterwards, the artist left for London to establish a career for himself. He quickly integrated into a colony of fellow Corkmen in exile, including Thomas Crofton Croker, William Maginn and Francis Sylvester O’Mahony, who wrote under the pen name, Father Prout. He drew their portraits which were published in Frazer’s Magazine, to which they all contributed. He was admitted as a student to the Royal Academy, a prerequisite for any artist aspiring to make a career out of their talent. Such was his progress that he was awarded a gold medal as best student in his year. Later he was elected a full member of the Academy. With his position established, Maclise decided that it was time to take a short holiday back to his native city. In autumn 1832 he arrived back in Cork, spent a few days in Killarney, and before returning to London, decided to pay a visit to Blarney. There, he was invited by the parish priest to attend a party on. All Hallows Eve where he could observe the festivities of Halloween. It was to have far reaching consequences for the young artist.

The Priest

The parish priest at the time was Fr Mat Horgan, a native of the parish, having been born in Ballinaraha around 1776. As a child, he would have listened to the older generation telling of the great hurling match played along the banks of the river Martin, organised by two local farmers for the benefit of the landlord’s son and heir, Charles Putland from Dublin. All the great hurlers of the county were invited to participate; those from east of Blarney to play on the team sponsored by Roland Davies of Dawstown, those to the west on Denis Horgan’s team. The game went on until nightfall when Cronin from the Boggeraghs scored the only and winning goal. Years later Fr Mat recorded the story for posterity. Having served as curate in Myross, Fr Mat arrived in Blarney in 1817 with a mission from his Bishop: to build a new parish church to replace the old penal days chapel in Knocknasuff. He soon got a group of workmen organised and the chapel was ready to be dedicated in 1818. As a lover and scholar of the Irish language, Fr Mat had the dedication plaque carved in the ancient Gaelic script and it is still to be seen today, safe from the elements in its new position inside the church. Fr Mat followed up this achievement

by building another, larger chapel in Whitechurch, which was completed in 1822.

Fr Mat was a fervent supporter of Daniel O’Connell and his campaign for Catholic Emancipation. To celebrate the passing of the act into law, Fr Mat decided to add a belfry to his chapel in Whitechurch which would have been forbidden by law until then. He decided to build it in imitation of the ancient Irish round towers. Speculation abounded as to the origins of the towers, with some antiquarians ascribing them to Danish fortifications, while others more fancifully describing them as Phoenician fire towers. Fr Mat was clear that they had served as belfries to the Celtic monasteries and to give practical effect to his theory, built one next to his new church in Whitechurch. On its completion in October 1832, it became a curiosity for travellers to come and gaze at it, and many letters appeared in local newspapers both critical and admiring of its design. Might Daniel Maclise have got to hear of it and made the journey out to Whitechurch where he met its designer and builder? Probably not; he was an inveterate sketcher and no surviving drawing of the tower remains among his papers. But one never knows for certain.

Fr Mat was a lover of all things Irish, its history, antiquities, language, sports, pastimes, music and customs. He composed poems in Irish and translated the odes of Horace from Latin into Irish. According to one biographer, “he patronised to the last the now extinct seanchidhes and scealuidhes (or story tellers), one of whom, named Sullivan, he maintained permanently as one of his household. An enthusiastic admirer, too, of our national music, his house was the resort of every wandering piper – one or more of whom always attended his festive gatherings.”

He very much saw himself as the leader of his flock, not just looking after their spiritual welfare, but leading his parishioners in assembly to pass resolutions in support of native manufacturing, tithe abolition, and repeal of the Act of Union. “He preceded his flock in every procession, lectured in their places of assembly, and was foremost in addressing and encouraging them in their soirees and reunions, and in all their innocent gaieties and amusements he participated”.

Fr Mat was noted for his hospitality. Many of the celebrities of the day who came to visit Blarney made their way to his humble cottage in Ballygibbon to hear him expound on the lore and legends of the locality. Although it happened a few years after Maclise’s visit, a flavour of the welcome can be gained from this account penned by Samuel Carter Hall on his visit to Fr Mat in 1840: “The good priest had never a shilling to spend; so, his custom was whenever strangers were expected, to levy contributions on his neighbours. On this occasion the call was entirely successful. Seven boiled legs of mutton were placed on the supper-table, with a vast accumulation of etceteras; and the whisky punch was labelled out of a milk churn. A barn had been fitted up with tables to seat a hundred guests, the seats were full; the walls were hung with evergreens and flowers, and, of course, the Céad Míle Fáilte stretched from one end of the banqueting hall to the other.”

The above excerpt was taken from a much larger article titled ‘The Painter, The Priest and Snap Apple Night’by John Mulcahy and published in Issue No 13 ‘Old Blarney’ Journal on sale locally.

Back issues of ‘Old Blarney’ are available at lectures, local shops or by contacting www.blarneyhistory.ie.

The illustrated lecture for Thursday 13th April 2023 is titled ‘The Special Language and Traditions of Stonemasons’. Guest Speaker Mr. Jim Fahy, himself a Stonemason and Historian, is an acknowledged expert on the history of this fascinating subject. 8.00 pm Blarney Secondary School. Please Note Date.

The Church of the Resurrection Blarney partnered with Cork Three Faiths Forum to host an interfaith Pancake Tuesday supper. It was a great evening of chat, sharing about the origin of eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday and the season of Lent and, of course, yummy pancakes with special thanks to chef Fahmeda!

A fantastic Scooch workshop I was held in Inniscarra Community Centre last month as their community leaders prepare to bring the game back to their groups! The centre is looking forward to supporting these groups throughout the city and county and hosting fun social blitzes soon!

Lá Domhanda na Leabhar i nGaelscoil Mhuscraí - World Book Day in Gaelscoil Mhuscraí. Pupils dressed up wonderfully and formed reading buddies for the day to explore literature together!

SMGS senior rugby squad travelled to Ballincollig RFC to take on the Ballincollig U18.5s team. It was a very entertaining game with quality tries scored by both teams.

Well done to SMGS on a great win in the Cork Intermediate A Final against BCS Lismore.

Blarney Scout troop held their very own ‘Great British Bake Off’ event with each patrol choosing a dinner to cook, making a plan, buying the necessary ingredients and cooking up a storm!

First win of the season for Whitechurch GAA U15s were victorious in a friendly in Cobh.

Best of luck to Amy McCarthy who recently signed for Cork City FC Womens U17 team.

No end to the creativity on World Book Day!

SBG Cork Martial Arts & Fitness for all the Family

Unit 31, Northpoint Business Park, Cork, T23 HN76 (021) 421 5007 info@sbgcork.com

SBG (Straight Blast Gym) worldwide is a community built on the ethos of ‘One Tribe One Vibe’.

Starting with our FREE consultation, you’ll experience the vibe for yourself. Come meet with one of our coaches, get a tour of the facility, talk about your goals and aspirations and then enjoy a FREE private lesson to kick start your journey with us.

Join our tribe today and experience it for yourself!

It's March and Spring is in the air!

Spring is an occasion when you clean a place like a house or a garden really well, especially the parts you do not do very often. This March why not spring clean your health, and reinvent yourself ?

Brighter days can mean time for a brighter you!

Spring is such a great time for fresh fruit and vegetables so fill your plate and enjoy , with great opportunities to go outside with brighter and fresher weather. The daffodils add such beautiful colour and a feeling of hope for the summer ahead. Now is the time that we start thinking about that summer look, so it's time to increase the activity or in some cases maybe it's time to get started!

This March let's Spring into action with SBG Cork top tips

1. As it gets warmer be sure to increase your water intake, keep hydrated.

2. Avail of the brighter sunnier days, get out walking and soak up the Vitamin D rays, but be sure to protect skin and eyes from UV rays.

3. Now that the dark winter evenings are replaced by brighter evenings rethink your exercise routine and sleep pattern, maybe you may need to darken the bedroom.

4. Fill your plate with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.

And if you think Martial Arts is something you have thought about why not avail of our free appointment at SBG Cork for a tour of the gym and chat?

“Just as established products and brands need updating to stay alive and vibrant, you periodically need to refresh or reinvent yourself" Mireille Guiliano

SBG Cork

Martial Arts & Fitness for all the Family

Unit 31, Northpoint Business Park, Cork, T23 HN76 (021) 421 5007 / info@sbgcork.com

SBG (Straight Blast Gym) worldwide is a community built on the ethos of ‘One Tribe One Vibe’.

Starting with our FREE consultation, you’ll experience the vibe for yourself. Come meet with one of our coaches, get a tour of the facility, talk about your goals and aspirations and then enjoy a FREE private lesson to kick start your journey with us.

Join our tribe today and experience it for yourself!

Dripsey NS are in the winners circle again, well done to our boys soccer team who played brilliantly at the Blitz in Blarney and won their three group matches and then won their two knockout fixtures, progressing to the Finals that will be played in Turner’s Cross at the end of the month!

Budding scientists in first and second class busy doing an experiment to make butter.

Muskerry Arms dart team finally break their duck!

After falling short in four semi finals the Muskerry Arms laid that statistic to rest recently in the River lane by winning the CDO Division 3 league in fine Style. After winning a tough semi final 31 against Jack Fords with Graham Murphy, Hugh Finnerty and Michael Bevan winning for the Muskerry it was Muskerry Arms against a very good Ma Dulleas in the final. High scoring and clinical finishing saw the Muskerry Arms take the title 3 - 0 with Graham Murphy, Hugh Finnerty and Michael Bevan unstoppable on the night. There was great darts thrown by all teams on the night with 180 being thrown on three occasions and some high finishes. Michael Bevan took the man of the match award with 18 and 21 darts in his match. Having secured promotion things will get tougher for the Muskerry Arms but based on Monday night's performance they have no one to fear. It took a team effort to get to the finals so well done to Johnny Kelleher, David Lynch, Chris Dilworth, Dillon O'Riordan, Captain Shane Dennehy, Tom Flaherty, William Lehane and Chairman Dave Fitton and Gary O'Connor (Muskerry Arms ) for his unwavering support of the team. Finally we send the best of luck to Hugh Finnerty and his son Alan who play in the INDO "B" all Ireland's this month representing Laois.

Drain Jetting & Cleaning

Drains Repaired & Replaced

Drain CCTV Camera Survey for Insurance

Septic Tank & Bio Tank Cleaning

Servicing of all makes of bio tanks, C & W air blowers, dirty water pumps, media ltration systems.

Repair of percolation trenchs, stone polishing lter bed and soakaways

24 hour drain & septic tank cleaning services

Thanks to Jason Galway Painting and Decorating for his sponsorship of a set of training tops for Waterloo AFC. The tops were presented to club Chairman Denis O’Mahony, Secretary Johnny Hegarty and Treasurer Gavin O’Regan.

Many thanks to Blarney Inniscarra Athletic Club for their kind donation to Saint Vincent de Paul.

Club na nÓg returns for another year and the U5s and U6s had a very special visitor for their first session!

A huge thank you to the many people who turned up for the ‘Chat with Keith Ricken’ organised by Blarney GAA Healthy Club, it was a really informative and interesting night.

Valerie Kirby represented Blarney GAA Healthy Club at the first Cork GAA Health & Well-Being Conference last weekend, proudly leading the way so other clubs can follow.

Blarney United last season U12 team held their awards event recently with awards going to

Sam Hassett, Daniel McAuliffe, Bobby Fitzgerald and Mantas Kovalenko.

The annual Donal Crowley Memorial Sportive returned this year with Blarney Cycling Club welcoming cycling enthusiasts of all levels to take part in a fabulous days cycling for all.