Muintir Bháire Community Council Newsletter
Issue 41 - www. muintirbhairecc.com - Christmas 2014
Email muintirbhairecc@gmail.com to get your newsletter sent straight to you!
Lighting of Christmas Trees
Kilcrohane, Sun 30 Nov @ 5pm – everyone welcome to come along and join in the fun.
Ahakista, Fri 5 Dec @ 7pm – join us for the annual Christmas tree lighting on the pier.
Santa @ The Black Gate
Sat & Sun, 6-7 Dec—Santa is booking up fast. There are a few places left for Saturday so don't miss out, ring 083 111 0983. Come and enjoy the fun at this magical weekend event.
MBCC Christmas Demos (and we’re not talking water charges)
Weds, 10 Dec @ 8pm in Kilcrohane Hall – stuck in a bit of a cooking rut? Wondering how to liven up your Christmas table?
Join us for an evening of Christmas demonstrations. Richard Milnes will be doing the cooking and Ber O'Sullivan will be showing us how to do up our table for Christmas. Admission €10.
Christmas Parties
It just wouldn’t be Christmas without ‘em!
Christmas party in Fitzpatrick's Bar, Fri, 19 Dec.
Christmas party in the Bay View Inn, Sat, 20 Dec with music by Patrick O'Sullivan.
MBCC Table Quiz
Sat, 27 Dec @ 9pm, Bay View Inn, Kilcrohane
Dust off the Christmas cobwebs and test your knowledge. Teams of 4 - €20.
ART CLASSES ANYONE?
WE hope to start art classes with Fiona Power in January.
If people are interested, please let Annette know on 083 111 0983.
THANK YOU!
A big thank you to everyone who contributed to the recent church gate collection in aid of the MBCC.
A total of €234.20 was collected.
WELL DONE
AHAKISTA was awarded a certificate for the Cork County Council Anti-litter Challenge for the summer of 2014. Keep up the good work!
TUES, 16 Dec @ Alice West’s – join us for a Christmas decoration workshop.
Anyone interested, please contact Julie 086 172 1279 or Annette 083 111 0983. Booking is essential.
The lad
Ladies of the Tuesday Club, held in Alice West's every Tues morning, are enjoying meditation with Kate Arbon. Interested? Then, come along and give it a go. There are two more mornings of meditation before Christmas.
The Tuesday Club returns on Tues, 6 Jan, with a ‘bring and share’ lunch. Come along and join the fun!
The Muintir Bháire Social Club hold their Christmas lunch in Bay View Inn, Kilcrohane on Weds, 17 Dec, at 12.30pm.
To reserve your place, please contact Julie 086 172 1279 or Annette 083 111 0983.
Muintir Bháire Parish Carol Service
SUN, 21 Dec @ 7pm, Rusnacahara Church – mark your diaries for the Parish Carol Service where the church choir will sing a selection of carols.
We hope you will come along and enjoy the service and stay for a sociable chat afterwards.
Muintir Bháire Parish Christmas Masses
Penitential service before all masses on the weekend before Christmas
Christmas Eve by Candlelight
Rusnacahara @ 6pm
Gortalassa @ 8pm
Christmas Day
Durrus @ 10am
Kilcrohane @ 11:30am
CALLING all tenors, baritones, ballad singers and shower divas.
Kilcrohane choir seeks ‘a few good men’ for the Christmas service.
Tune in to Lyric FM in the mornings from Weds, 3 Dec up to Christmas week as the choir will hopefully feature on ‘Choirs for Christmas’. We recorded a few tracks for the RTE show in November.
The choir will be out carol singing from 14 Dec and your support would be greatly appreciated as the funds raised are donated to local charities for Christmas.
Last year, the choir raised over €1,000 from generous parishioners. This was donated to the local St. Vincent de Paul Society for food hampers for local families. Your support is needed again this year.
Don’t miss the carol service on Sun, 21 Dec in Rusnacahara at 7pm!
THE 2nd 6-month instalment of this year’s payment to land owners who participate in The Sheep’s Head Way Walk Scheme is due from now to early Dec 2014.
If there are any changes in your circumstances with regard to the ownership of lands since your last payment or upon the unfortunate death of somebody on the scheme, please notify a member of The Sheep’s Head Way Committee at sheepsheadway@gmail.com or phone 087 972 2065.
The SHW walking trail was inspected by the National Trails Office during early to mid-Oct. We expect the 2014 Report to be issued by mid-Dec or early Jan 2015.
The Sheep’s Head Way Committee recently purchased the old R.I.C. Barracks and the property known as Gallagher’s in Kilcrohane village. If you have any suggestions or ideas for how we could use the building, it would be very much appreciated by the Committee.
Finally we wish everyone a very merry Christmas and happy New Year and thank everyone who helped us over the past year. We also thank everyone who informed us with info/comments about the upkeep of our trail.
THANKS to everyone for supporting our local market through the year. We continue to grow with over 100 members cultivating, cooking and creating across the Sheep’s Head peninsula.
And a special thank you to the army of volunteers who keep our Market Shop in the Old Creamery in Kilcrohane village open 7 days a week and work behind the scenes.
The Christmas shoppers have started to arrive. They’re picking up local artisan preserves and hand-made knits, ceramics and jewelry, books from local authors, art of all kinds and much, much more. Pop in for yourself and see if anything tickles your fancy.
Meanwhile, we have a good stock of local logs and kindling, as well as turf, to keep the home fires burning as family and friends descend on homes for the Christmas visit.
There’s also a great selection of used books by popular authors in a range of genres. All funds raised go back into supporting our local market.
MUINTIR Bháire Foróige Club has been very busy over the last couple of months. We have 26 registered members this year and four new leaders.
We went to the Nightmare Realm for Halloween and a fun and scary night was had by all including the Leaders!
We celebrated our 3rd birthday with a trip to Whiddy Island and no one spotted the wrong number of birthday candles on the cake....oops!
Our members graduated from Elf School last year and Santa and Mrs. Claus were so impressed with their work that they have invited us back again this year. We are very excited and can’t wait to learn more skills from Santa’s Chief Elf this year.
Finally, we thank everyone for helping and supporting our club this year. We wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
Muintir Bhaire's Got Talent Show
28th Feb 2015 venue to be confirmed 7.30 pm
acting, singing, dancing, juggling, playing a musical instrument, telling a joke or a special talent.
Details of your entry to mbtalentshow@gmail.com or T: 087 2210040 or 086 1910908 no later than 14th feb 2015.
event hosted by Muintir Bhaire Forioge Club & Muintir Bhaire Community Council
THE Sheep's Head Sea Scouts AGM will take place on Sat, 13 Dec, in The Cabin, Ahakista @ 9.00pm.
This is a public meeting and everyone is welcome to attend.
MUINTIR Bhaire Pre-School will hold their Christmas concert on Thurs, 18 Dec @ 11.30am. All parents & family members are welcome to come along to see their little performers!
The Pre-School says a big thank you to Shane & Fiona Arundel for hosting their Halloween party in aid of the Pre-School. A great night was had by all!
A fantastic amount of €913.60 was raised from the October coffee morning. Sincere thanks to everyone who attended and gave generous donations of baking.
PUPILS filled shoeboxes with small gifts and goodies for the Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal that will go to children in real need in time for Christmas.
The fairy story of The Firebird (adventures of a young prince’s search for the most beautiful bird in the world) was performed by West Midlands Theatre Group in Kilcrohane Community Hall to an enthusiastic and actively participating audience of pupils.
On a recent school visit, the Benyounes Quartet broadened pupils’ experience of live music, demonstrating their skills on stringed instruments.
The Something Fishy programme by Inland Fisheries that explores different aspects of fish life, is informing our pupils on water quality, fish and the environment.
We welcome Eilís Hodnett who’s teaching us Irish dancing and Pat Whelan who’s helping us gain our 5th Green Flag. Pat brought us exotic fruit to taste, learn where they grow and how far they travel to us.
We are fundraising for school iPads by collecting old clothes, shoes, textiles, etc to be sold for recycling.
We will have a “Cake Sale” at school after mass on Sun, 30 Nov that includes Christmas cards designed by the pupils.
Our Christmas concert takes place on Thurs, 18 Dec @ 8pm in Kilcrohane Community Hall.
SOME 26 shoeboxes were handed over to Sally Daly, co-ordinator of West Cork’s Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal. Boxes were filled with beautiful hand-knit babies cardigans, toys, sweets and more.
These will make their way to less fortunate children in Eastern Europe and Africa. A special thank you to the members of the Tuesday Club for the shoeboxes they contributed.
Ms. Tobin’s pupils completed a month-long Readathon of 72 books, raising the huge sum of €313.75 for MS Ireland.
Pupils had a wonderful time at The Three Little Pigs Night before Christmas play by the Talisman Theatre Company in Skibbereen Town Hall.
Rusnacahara N.S. pupils will perform their own Christmas Play on Tues, 16 Dec @ 7pm in Rusnacahara Church, followed by refreshments and a raffle in the school. All are welcome.
Nollaig Shona Daoibh go Léir!
AFTER Halloween, the school welcomed Rhona Ní Bhuachalla with the Ladies All Ireland Football Cup.
The pupils participated in the Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal, filling shoeboxes with small gifts for needy children around the world to have a present at Christmas time.
We joined Kilcrohane NS and Rusnacahara NS to watch and take part in a wonderful performance of The Firebird in Kilcrohane Community Hall by the West Midlands Theatre Group.
As part of the Flying Colours exhibition in the new Arts Centre, Skibbereen, pupils demonstrated their artistic skills by designing and constructing FLYING CREATURES.
We look forward to staging our Christmas concert in St. James’ Church, Thurs, 11 Dec at 6pm and to our Carol Service on Fri, 19 Dec.
On Tues, 6 Jan we will hold a fundraising event in the New Hall, Philips’ Green, Durrus @ 8pm when the Eileen and Marilyn Experience presents Eileen and Marilyn do New York, a musical theatre / comedy, full of songs, laughs and pathos. Contact school or see posters.
CARRIGBOY holds its annual Christmas Craft Fair Mon, 1 Dec, 7-9pm in Durrus and District Community Hall. All welcome to a wonderful night with wheel of fortune, lucky dip, raffles and much more.
All classes are busy practising for our Christmas Concert Fri, 12 Dec @ 7pm in Durrus Hall.
Thanks to all who contributed to our Team Hope shoebox collection of a wonderful 65 shoeboxes that will bring joy to less fortunate children this Christmas.
The children were treated to a fantastic workshop from the Benyounes Quartet and really enjoyed moving to the different rhythms and tempos the quartet played.
Thanks to West Cork Music for giving the school this experience.
Thanks also to Cork footballer Rhona Ní Bhuachalla who scored that wonderful goal in Croke Park for bringing the Brendan Martin Cup to the school. The children really enjoyed the occasion, especially the lollipops inside the cup.
Happy Christmas to all from Carrigboy.
Muintir Bháire Community Council Newsletter
Issue 41 - www. muintirbhairecc.com - Christmas 2014
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Muintir Bháire Community Council Newsletter
Issue 40 - www. muintirbhairecc.com - Oct 2014
THE annual Muintir Bháire Community Council church gate collection will be held on Sat & Sun, 25 & 26 Oct. Thank you in advance for all your support.
MUINTIR Bháire Foróige Club, in conjunction with Muintir Bháire Community Council, will host a Trick-or-Treat Halloween Party for Temple Street Children's Hospital on Fri, 31 Oct, in Kilcrohane Hall at 6:30pm.
A donation box will be in the hall on the night, all donations go straight to the hospital. This is open to kids up to 12 years of age and all children must be accompanied by an adult.
Come join in the fun and games. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring a torch for trick-or-treating.
This is open to kids under 12 and all children must be accompanied by an adult.
Lighting of the Christmas trees
Sun, 30 Nov, in Kilcrohane and Fri, 5 Dec, in Ahakista
WEDS, 10 Dec, Kilcrohane Community Hall
Cooking by Richard Milnes and the lovely Ber O'Sullivan will do some flower displays for the Christmas dinner table and show us how to brighten up our house for the festive season.
Dear Boys & Girls
We had such a great time with you last year that we have decided to spend our pre-christmas break on the Sheep's Head peninsular again this year.
Myself, Mrs Claus and of course the cheeky elves, plan to stay at the Black Gate on Sat and Sun, 6th & 7th of December. It would be lovely if you could come and visit us and join in some pre-Christmas fun & games.
We only have a two day stopover, so please book a place with Annette as places are limited.
Tel: 083 1110983 or e mail muintirbhairecc@gmail.com
Love, Santa
THE Social Club will be holding their monthly meal in Kilcrohane Hall on Weds, 29 Oct, at 12.30 pm.
The Tuesday Club are filling their shoe boxes for the Team Hope Foundation and the ladies are even making some of the toys for the kids. If anyone else is interested in filling a shoe box for a child who has very little, hand them in to your local school or contact Annette on 083 111 0983, and they will make sure they get to Team Hope.
We wish Julie O'Neill a very speedy recovery from her illness and are all looking forward to her return.
FOLLOWING the retirement of Garda Brendan O'Dwyer, his position in the community has been left unfilled at the moment.
Muintir Bháire and Durrus & District community councils, along with other groups, have written letters to the Chief Superintendent T. J. Hayes of An Garda Siochána in Bandon inquiring whether Brendan will be replaced.
The reply so far is that no decision has been made. We all made points as to why the Sheep's Head peninsula needs to have the presence of a garda. As we work together to get our point across, we wait to hear from Chief Superintendent Hayes.
THE MBCC Roads Sub-Committee wrote to area engineer Ruth O'Brien of Cork County Council about local road conditions following Storm Darwin.
She informed the committee that the tendering process was nearing an end with 5 contractors short-listed and that all work must be finished by the end of March 2015.
MUINTIR Bháire Community Council is indebted to Paddy O'Brien for giving up his time to spread two loads of sand that was purchased during the summer for the beach in Ahakista.
Date to be confirmed
AN evening talk is planned for November. A member of the West Cork Beekeepers Association will share their knowledge on the practice of beekeeping and a representative from Future Forests will advise on the plants that attract and sustain bees.
If people are interested, could you give Annette a ring on 083 111 0983 or email muintirbhairecc@gmail.com.
THE Muintir Bháire Sea Scouts celebrated their one-year anniversary with a big party and a scrumptious cake from ‘Cakes by Niamh’. It went down a treat with all the beavers, cubs and leaders.
The Sea Scouts had a tremendous year of activities from days out to the Mizen, Whiddy Island, Lisavaird Estate and Gardens, Goleen Coast Guard Station and Glengarriff Woods. Activities included beachcombing, Sheep's Head hike, Ahakista Regatta raft race, Ballydehob’s St. Patrick's Day parade, Durrus and Kilcrohane fancy dress. And that does not include all the games and activities they enjoy at their weekly club meetings.
The Sheep's Head Scouts were thrilled to be part of the Sheep’s Head Producers’ Christmas Market selling local crafts that they made themselves which went down a treat with all the locals and visitors to the area.
On a glorious sunny day, the scouts ventured out with Ahakista Rowing Club where they were very fortunate to be able to try out the rig. One of this summer’s highlights was the purchase of kayaks plus two kindly donated by Darren’s Kayaks and Ahakista Plant Hire This allowed the group to take to the waters on most Saturdays with great enthusiasm learning new skills on the water.
The Sheep’s Head Sea Scouts look forward to the year ahead with the next outing planned for Schull Planetarium. Anyone interested in securing a place with the beavers (6-8 yrs) or cubs ( 9- 1 yrs) or to find out more information, please contact Annette Logan on 086 191 0908 or Kieran Connolly on 087 760 1313.
CAKE sale on Thurs, 23 Oct, from 9:30am onwards in aid of the Muintir Bháire Pre-School. It will be held in the home of Jimmy & Josephine O'Donovan, 4 Kilcrohane Road, Durrus. All baking donations would be hugely appreciated. All welcome to pop in for a cuppa and some home-baked goodies!
By kind permission of Shane and Fiona Arundel, we’re holding a fancy dress party for the bigger kids starting at 9pm on Sat, 1 Nov, in Arundels by the Pier - live music and fun and games for all.
The following nominations were made at the Muintir Bháire Pre-School AGM:
Chair: Judith Payne; Vice-Chair: Claire Daly; Secretary: Anne-Marie O'Donovan; Treasurer: Michael O'Brien; PRO: Siobhan Cashman; Committee Members: Carol Tobin, Annetta Dukelow, Colin Wiseman, Katherine O'Sullivan, Eleanor Cronin & Helen Burke. Thanks to all who attended on the night.
Muintir Bháire Foróige Club
MUINTIR Bháire Foróige Club started back with weekly club nights on Fri, 5 Sept, with 24 members.
We recently celebrated our birthday with a trip to Whiddy Island. We enjoyed a great day and would like to sincerely thank Tim O'Leary for the guided tour around the island and Kathleen for a super lunch.
We are participating in the inter Foróige Club Table Quiz Final again this year and we wish Hayley, Rachel, Andrea and Caoimhe the best of luck at the final which is taking place in Rosscarbery on Fri, 17 Oct.
And be sure to join us at our Trick-or-Treat for Temple Street Children's Hospital Halloween Party on Fri, 31 Oct, in Kilcrohane Hall. See the article above for more details!
SHEEP’S Head Toddler and Baby Group is back meeting every Thurs in Durrus Community Hall at 10am - 12 midday in line with school holidays.
Lots of toys, slides, bikes and crafts for €3 per family. Looking forward to seeing new faces! This is a great way to meet new people in the area and for children to make new friends.
THE Sheep's Head & Bantry Tourism Co-operative (SHBTC) held its AGM in Durrus this September.
The event highlighted the end of a successful year which saw a strong rise in tourist numbers, and an increase in press trips to the area which will pay dividends for next season.
Over the last year, the group has promoted the Sheep's Head Way to national and international markets, drawing on member subscriptions and funding from West Cork Development Partnership to implement its media campaign.
In the year ahead, work will continue, spearheaded by the group's marketing co-ordinator, Siobhán Burke.
To join the co-op, please send a cheque for €100 to the SHBTC care of the Westlodge Hotel, Bantry, or contact
Siobhán on 086 303 0991 or info@livingthesheepsheadway.com for more details on the group and membership benefits.
164 WALKERS took part in the two walks of the annual Christian Aid Sheep’s Head Hike on Sat, 6 Sept. So far €5,000 has been raised of the target figure of €6,000.
The first walk was the Peakeen Ridge Loop of 11km and took 4 hours to complete. The walk started off at the top of The Goat’s Path and went along the Peakeen Ridge and down to Cahergal and back to the top of The Goat’s Path via the Horseshoe Road.
The second walk was the Caher Loop of 5.6km and took 3 hours to complete. The walk started at The Black Gate and followed the trail up to Caher Lake, down the Quarry Road, onto the Caher Road, over to Tra Ruaim and back to The Black Gate.
On return to Kilcrohane Hall, refreshments for the walkers were provided, generously donated and served by Ulla with the help of others. Andrew Coleman of Christian Aid Ireland expressed his gratitude to all those who helped and supported the walk especially the local guides.
We at the Sheep’s Head Way would like to thank the local guides who helped us on the day and were so kind to give up their time to help out for a good cause. In particular, our gratitude to Charlie McCarthy, Liam Tobin and Helen O’Mahony for providing us with local history and stories relevant to the area on both walks.
The National Trails Office annual inspection of The Sheep’s Head Way is currently taking place. The inspection started on Mon, 6 Oct. It is a detailed inspection and the inspector walks every metre of the Sheep’s Head Way trail. Recurring issues last time around were:
Electric fences blocking the trail
Wet / boggy / undrained stretches of trail
Lack of strimming / overgrown stretches of trail.
THE Novena of Masses begins on Sun, 2 Nov. All masses (the Vigil Mass & masses in Durrus and Kilcrohane) for Sun, 2 Nov, and Sun, 9 Nov, will be part of the Novena.
On Sun, 2 Nov, at 7.30 pm, a Vigil for the Faithful Departed will be held in Rusnacahara Church. The church is illuminated with night lights donated by people in memory of their deceased loved ones. It is an opportunity for quiet remembrance, reflection and prayer for all our faithful departed.
Weekday Novena mass times
Durrus - 9am
Kilcrohane - 10am
Rusnacahara/Gortalassa - 7.30pm
The Novena Mass in Rusnacahara /Gortalassa will alternate between each venue beginning on Monday in Gortalassa, e.g. Mon/Wed/Fri in Gortalassa
Graveyard Prayers
Sun, 2 Nov, 3pm in Durrus
Sun, 9 Nov, 2pm in Moulivard Graveyard. There will be a wreath-laying ceremony in memory of Michael O’Neill who gave his life in World War 1 and who is buried in Moulivard. This will be followed by prayers for all who are buried in the graveyard.
Sun, 9 Nov, 3pm in Kilcrohane
Ahakista Rowing Club
AHAKISTA Rowing Club members have resumed training in the gym. Senior members are currently meeting at 8pm on Tues evenings while underage crews train on Tues afternoons at 3.30pm.
New members to the club are always welcome and can come along to the training sessions or call 086 832 5310 for further information. Meanwhile, the club will hold its AGM on Tues, 4 Nov, at 9pm in The Cabin, Ahakista.
OUR students returned to school to see a new roof on the building and a nice new coat of paint on the walls.
We welcomed our new senior class teacher Bernie Whooley from Bantry and invited her to join us for the ‘ice bucket challenge’ which we all did to support M.N.D. (Motor Neuron Disease) Ireland.
The children are mad busy making knitted items of all kinds for Christmas this year. Amy from ‘Mad for Kids’ has rejoined the staff this year to do Music and Drama with all classes.
Our two new junior infants, Daragh and Kevin, got straight into school activities including our WoW (Walk once a Week) on the sunny mornings’ walk to school.
Inland Fisheries Ireland has kindly invited us to participate in the ‘Something Fishy’ project this year where they will guide us in exploring our local rivers and streams.
Along with our 5th Green Flag for studies on Biodiversity, we are working in partnership with the Westlodge Hotel in a pilot project to attain a Water Safety Awareness Flag for the school.
THE school had a complete electrical upgrade carried out during the summer. This has been a great improvement in the school.
The school is currently working on their 2nd Green Flag on Energy and Jessica Mason from the Heritage Council came to the school to give a workshop on the theme. We can all try to use energy wisely. This has huge benefits regarding cost and conservation.
Here are some simple tips:
Turn off lights in any room you are not using
1. Reduce your central heating temp setting by 1 ̊C to save up to 10% on your bill
2. Make sure your attic is well insulated
3. Don’t leave items such as televisions, computers etc. on standby, unplug them or switch off at socket
The school children will be filling shoeboxes for the Team Hope ‘Christmas Shoebox Appeal’ for children less fortunate in Eastern Europe and Africa.
Pupils marked ‘National Tree Day’ by taking a nature walk and planting an Alder tree.
Rusnacahara N.S. had 3 winners in the Sherkin Island Marine Station Competition: Mary Egerton, Ellie O’Sullivan and Alex Young and 3 winners in the Ahakista Regatta Art Competition: Holly Arundel, Orla Tobin and John Joe Nicholas.
WE’RE all settled into the new academic year and have been really busy already with ice-bucket challenges, harvesting fruit and vegetables, fundraising for the West Cork Rapid Response Unit, jam-making, nature walks and orienteering.
Our walking bus is back in action three days a week and will continue as long as the weather holds up.
We welcome teacher Kevin Coppinger into the senior classroom while Marion Russell is on maternity leave.
Congratulations to Jessica, Hazel and Edward who were winners in the Sherkin Island Environmental Competition.
IT promises to be a very busy year in Carrigboy National School with a lot of events happening.
The school is to celebrate its centenary in March. If anyone in the community has any pictures or memories they would like to share, it would be greatly appreciated.
The school is also working towards their Green Travel Flag and will also receive their Digital School of Distinction Award later in the year.
This is a great honour for the school which was among the first schools in the country to be recognised for their full integration of computer technology with every aspect of the school curriculum.
The prize has also helped the school to provide computer and iPad access to all its pupils.
Muintir Bháire Community Council Newsletter
Issue 40 - www. muintirbhairecc.com - Oct 2014
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Muintir Bháire Community Council Newsletter
Issue 39 - www. muintirbhairecc.com - July 2014
Scóraíocht
A Scóraíocht, a gathering of friends, neighbours and visitors for light-hearted entertainment, will be held Sun, 27 Jul, at 7.30pm in Alice West's @ The Black Gate.
Come along and hear the tales of long ago, and maybe not so long ago, as well as music and singing. Admission €5.00; refreshments served.
Family Fun Day
Come and join the Family Fun Day in Alice West's @ The Black Gate from 3pm on Sun, 10 Aug, with bouncing castles and fun and games for all the kids. BBQ and refreshments will be served.
Admission €10 per adult and kids free (kids must be accompanied by an adult). All games, bouncing castles and BBQ free with admission.
Lots of great memories from this year’s Summer Camp!
As summer camp for 2014 is over, we would like to thank Miriam Burke for all the hard work that she put into the camp, along with her helper Michael Burke and BBQ king André.
The kids had a ball and the curse of wet weather didn't haunt them too badly this summer.
This year, the kids attending summer camp in Muintir Bháire had national and international addresses coming from the USA and throughout Cork.
Thank you to all the parents for bringing their kids along. Please God we will see some or all again next year.
Winter Classes
Thankfully, winter is still a long, long way off. But it’s fun to start thinking ab out classes to hold in the community when the days grow shorter and temperatures drop.
So, what would you like to learn this year?
Email your suggestions to Annette at muintirbhairecc@ gmail.com or call (083) 111 0983.
For rent @ The Black Gate - available for summer letting, self-catering, sleeps 3
The loft apartment in Alice West's @ The Black Gate with stunning views is ready to rent!
For bookings, contact Annette (083) 111 0983 Sheila (086) 830 2887
Sheeps Head Sea Scouts
The Sheeps Head Sea Scouts are currently trying to source equipment for our club, established in October 2013.
So far, we have 18 beavers and plan to start a cub section very soon. We would like to know if anyone has any equipment lying around that they no longer use. If you do, would you consider donating it or selling it to our club? We would be very interested in kayaking equipment, body boards, paddles, tents, camping equipment, etc.
For further details, please contact Kieran on (087) 7601313, email muintirbhaireseascouts@gmail.com or simply drop it in to Wiseman's Shop in Durrus.
We would be very grateful.
There is a clean-up of Durrus Pier scheduled for Thurs, 7 Aug, from 6:30-7:30 pm.
Everyone in the community is asked to attend to help spruce up the pier to allow locals and visitors to use the vicinity to its full potential and enhance the beauty that surrounds the pier.
All boat owners are asked to remove any rubbish and equipment that is no longer in use before the clean-up.
News from The Sheep’s Head Way
The mid-year Walks Scheme payment is currently being paid out to participants at the moment. Thank you all for your patience as the payments are a little later than usual this year.
The Sheep’s Head Way annual walk inspection that was to be held in June has been postponed until a later date, which has yet to be decided.
If there is any damage to way markers, timber styles, etc., or any part of the trail that needs further works, please report to the Sheep’s Head Way office sheepsheadway@gmail.com or phone (087) 9722065.
We have received feedback from some walkers that certain sections of The Sheep’s Head Way trail are overgrown and not maintained to the proper standard. It is only right that if you are in receipt of a payment for your section of trail, that it should be reasonably maintained as per your work plan.
There will be a walk on The Sheep’s Head Way as part of the Ahakista Regatta events. The walk will take place on Sat, 2 Aug, starting from The Cabin in Ahakista (beside Arundels by the Pier). See Ahakista Regatta schedule for more information.
The annual Christian Aid walk on The Sheep’s Head Way will be held on Sat, 6 Sept, this year; planning for the walks has already begun. For more information check out their web site: www.christianaid.ie
The Sheep’s Head Producers’ Market & Shop
The Sheep’s Head Producers look forward to joining the crowds enjoying the Regatta and Family Fun Day on Sun, 3 Aug, in beautiful Ahakista with a community stall that will offer a flavour of what our almost 100 producers across the peninsula grow, make, create and imagine.
Stop by and say hi to our volunteers and feel free to ask us how to join our ever-growing collective of entrepreneurial producers.
It’s summer time and that means our weekly Producers’ Market is in full flow every Sun, 11am-1pm, outside Fitzpatrick’s Bar in Kilcrohane village with stalls by local food producers and crafters, and a welcome for all comers.
Thanks to a generous donation from Bantry Credit Union, our Market Shop at the Old Creamery will be getting a make-over from our volunteers and supporters over the next while
. In the meantime, you can continue to find the best of local food, plants, crafts, art and books, along with 2nd hand books, at the shop open every day from 11am to 6pm and from 10am on Sat.
Equipment search: We are looking for a working cylinder vacuum cleaner (the kind with a hose for suction) and a labelling machine to price items in the shop. If you happen to have either of these items and would like to donate them to our group, we would really appreciate it.
Muintir Bháire Club
Registration Night Fri, 29 Aug, 2013 at 8pm in Durrus Community Hall
PLACES ARE LIMITED Once places are filled a waiting list will be established
Affiliation Fee - €20 per child or €30 per family
Members must be aged 12 to 17 years
Regular club nights will commence on Fri, 5 Sept, and will run from 8-9:30pm rotating between Kilcrohane, Ahakista & Durrus
If you require further information, please contact the club on
085 2730731 or email: mbforoigeclub@gmail.com
Further information on Foróige can be found on www.foroige.ie
WEST CORK FIT-UP THEATRE FESTIVAL
At Kilcrohane Community Hall:
Wed, 30 July, 8pm
Abbey Theatre on Tour presents MAEVE’S HOUSE, written and performed by Eamonn Morrissey
Wed, 6 Aug, at 8pm
Rough Magic Theatre Company presents JEZEBEL by Mark Cantan
Wed, 13 Aug, at 8pm
Blood Alley presents UNDER MILK WOOD by Dylan Thomas
Tickets at the door, €12.00 per ticket, Concession €10.00, Family ticket €40 (2 adults + 2 teens)
Limited seating – come early to avoid disappointment Not suitable for audiences under 14
For more information, please check out the website: www.westcorkfit-upfestival.com
Ahakista Community Association is delighted to Present
Aloha Ahakista Annual Regatta & Festival 2014
Fri, 31 Jul
8pm Sell-Out Graham Norton Quiz Night in the Ahakista Marquee
Sat, 1 Aug
Guided Hill Walk – 11am on the Magical Sheep’s Head Way. Convene at The Cabin at 11am.
Saturday Night Hawaiian Hoola Beach Party in the Ahakista Beach Marquee!
Live Music DJ, BBQ, Prizes for best dressed and return bus from Bantry and Durrus to Ahakista.
Book tickets at Arundels by the Pier & Classic Charm Bantry. Bus departs Bantry at 8pm
Sun, 2 Aug
Regatta Day & Family Fun Day - 12-6pm Coastal Gig Racing, Kayak & Swimming Races. Car Bashing, Craft & Produce Fair, Bouncy Castles, Face Painting, Climbing Wall, Novelty Races, Obstacle Courses, Water Slides, Hawaiian Raft Race, Greasy Pole, Swimming & Kayaking.
So bring your wet-suit, togs & towel!
Live Music - Arundels by the Pier Rubicon 6-9pm Shavers Only 10-late
Live Music - Tin Shed
Mon, 3 Aug
3pm The Jack Tobin Memorial Fishing Competition.
BBQ your catch afterwards. All enquiries to ahakistaregatta@gmail.com or register on the pier on the day!
6.30pm - Village Champions Competition 2014
Which Village Really Has It? Will Ahakista Retain their title? Cup for Winning Village.
Tues, 4 Aug
9pm 45 Progressive Card Drive in The Cabin, Ahakista
Muintir Bháire Community Council Newsletter
Issue 39 - www. muintirbhairecc.com - July 2014
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Muintir Bháire Community Council Newsletter
Issue 38 - www. muintirbhairecc.com - June 2014
Summer camp in Kilcrohane
Sheep’s Head Summer Camp with Miriam Burke B.Ed. for 5 to 12 year olds Mon, 7 July to Fri, 11 July 10am to 1pm in Kilcrohane Hall and the Community Field.
Activities will include fun & games and arts & crafts.
Children should bring a packed lunch each day and plenty to drink. Remember your sun screen!
€50 – 1st child
€45 – 2nd child
€40 – 3rd child
Every subsequent child is an additional €40. Costs are subsidised by Muintir Bháire Community Council. A deposit of €20 is required to secure a place.
Please contact Annette Nicholas on 083 1110983 for further info.
Community Pot Luck
Join us on Sat, 14 June, in Alice West's @ The Black Gate at 7:30pm.
Bring a dish or a donation. All funds go to the upkeep of this community venue.
The loft apartment in Alice West's @ The Black Gate with stunning views is ready to rent! Available for summer letting, self-catering, sleeps two.
For bookings, contact Sheila 086 830 2887.
Scoraíocht
All welcome to a Scoraíocht (cultural night) in Alice West's @ The Black Gate on Fri, 27 June, and Fri, 25 July, from 8:30pm till late.
Enjoy a great night of craic (fun) for locals and visitors alike as we continue a long Irish tradition of sharing tales and songs, recitations of history, along with comedy, music and dance, all by the fireside.
We encourage all, both experienced and not so experienced, to join us in keeping this wonderful tradition of oral history and entertainment alive.
Try your luck in the raffle with spot prizes. Cover charge of €5 includes refreshments of tea and scones. This event is a fundraiser for the Muintir Bháire Community Council. Financial donations and baking very welcome.
See you there! Accommodation for performers provided by hosts in the area. If you can provide a room for the night or are a performer looking for a host, please contact Sheila Ellis, event coordinator, at sheilaellis@hotmail.com or 086 830 2887.
Rescue Services Walk
A fundraising walk in aid of local Rescue Services takes place Sat, 7 June, to honour the search and rescue teams which supported local rescue efforts during February's violent storms.
Walkers need to register in advance for either the Caher or Cahergal loops.
All money raised will be split between Bantry Inshore Rescue Association and the newly-formed West Cork Diving Group, both of which rely on voluntary donations.
Please wear suitable footwear and clothing. Sign in at Alice West's @ The Black Gate from 10:30-11am. Walks will start promptly at 11am. To register or offer help for the event, visit http://livingthesheepsheadway.com/rescue-services-walk/ or call 086 303 0991.
Ahakista Festival & Regatta, Aug 2014
…promises to be a great Hawaiian weekend kicking off with Aloha Quiz hosted by Graham Norton.
Limited number of tickets on sale Sat, 31 May, 11am at The Cabin, Ahakista, 1st come 1st served. €25 per person, teams of 4 only. Limit of one table per person, sold to over 16s.
New community council!
A new community council was elected in March and had their first meeting in April.
We would like to thank each of the outgoing members for all the work that they did on behalf of the community during their time on the council. The new members are wished the best as they start their tenure and they are:
Sheila Ellis (chairperson), Aidan Levis, Patrick O’Brien, Victor Daly, Steve Marquart, Liam Gilligan, Annette Nicholas, Patrick O’Donovan, David Harrington, Tommy O’Donovan, Gerard O’Mahony and Finn O’Mahony.
We are looking for a representative from the village area in Kilcrohane to join us. If anyone would like to take up the position, please contact any of the members or ring Annette on 083 111 0983.
National Water Safety Courses at Kilcrohane Pier
If you are interested in learning to swim or in learning life-saving skills, you should sign up for the National Water Safety Course taking place in Kilcrohane from Mon, 21 July, to Fri, 25 July.
Again, this year any learners or improving adults are very welcome.
Cost is 10 euro per person or 20 euro per family. Anybody interested in booking places should contact Anne McCarthy at 027 67035.
There will be a BBQ on Fri, 25 July, at noon to mark the end of the course for all participants.
A big thank you to our sponsors, New York Friends of Ireland.
Muintir Bháire Foróige Club
Muintir Bháire Foróige Club has come to the end of our third year, except for our end-of-season club outing planned for the end of June after summer exams. This year has been one of our best so far and our club is already planning for the new club year starting Sept 2014.
Due to the high level of interest in the club, the leaders and members have agreed prioritisation criteria to determine eligibility and create a waiting list.
The prioritisation criteria for membership are as follows: (1) Leaders children or sponsored child; (2) existing members; (3) existing members’ siblings and previous members; (4) existing members recommendation; (5) all other young people aged 12-17 years. Parents or a family member (aged 18 years or over) of each member, new and existing, must commit to support the Foróige Club and sign up either as a Leader or as a Parent & Friend.
So, if your child is interested in joining the Foróige Club in September, please forward the following info to mbforoigeclub@gmail.com or 085 273 0731 – child’s name and DOB plus parent’s name, mobile number and preference to sign up as either a Leader or Parent & Friend.
If you have any queries in relation to the Foróige club and would like to speak to a Leader, please contact Annette Logan on 086 191 0908.
The club would like to wish our members the very best of luck with their exams this summer.
We would also like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported our youth club throughout the year. Our club really appreciates your support and we look forward to starting all over again in September!
Photo of our club members at the Top of the Rock Pod Páirc in Drimoleague. This was our club's very first overnight club outing and we had a fantastic time. The centre has excellent facilities and we were delighted to be the first youth group to stay at the Pod Páirc and walking centre.
Sheep’s Head Sea Scout Group (15th Cork)
REGISTRATION EVENING will take place in The Cabin in Ahakista on Tues, 3 June, at 8pm
Essential requirements: Children must be 9, 10 or 11 years to join the cubs and a parent or family members must sign up to support the club either as a Scouter or Parent & Friend. If enough children register, the Cubs will likely start weekly meetings from Fri, 6 June. Places are limited!
Places for children aged 6, 7 and 8 years of age within the Beavers’ Section are full at present. A small number of places may become available as the older members move up to the Cubs’ Section.
If you have any queries, please contact Kieran Connolly on 087 760 1313 or Annette Logan on 086 191 0908.
Beach clean-up
Thank you to all the volunteers from across the community, including members of the Muintir Bháire Foróige Club, who came out to help with our annual beach clean-up on Sat, 17 May. Groups of volunteers met in Kilcrohane and Ahakista and gathered many bags of rubbish.
A big thank you to the staff and students of Rusnacahara NS for the clean-up they did on the monument beach beside the Air India Memorial.
Every year we are disheartened with the volume of household rubbish collected from our beaches and we urge people to dispose of waste responsibly and sustainably.
We would love to see more people support this work and, as summer approaches, we ask everyone who loves the Sheep’s Head peninsula to help keep our beautiful area clean.
The Sheep’s Head Way
The National Trails Office annual inspection of The Sheep’s Head Way will take place during the first two weeks of June. The inspection is detailed and the inspector walks every metre of the trail.
Recurring issues last time around were: (1) electric fences blocking the trail; (2) wet / boggy / undrained stretches of trail; and (3) lack of strimming / overgrown stretches of trail. The mid-year Walks Scheme payment is due around the end of June / early July.
With this and the annual inspection in mind, we are reminding landowners to maintain their stretch of trail to the highest possible standard as failure to do so may result in loss of payment.
Bantry Walking Festival takes place this June Bank Holiday weekend with guided walks on The Sheep’s Head Way, Beara Way and Whiddy Island. The walks are of varying length with options to cut a walk short en-route, if necessary.
Locally, there will be a walk on Sun, 1 June, on the Cahergal Loop. For full information and to register in advance, please go to www.bantrywalkingfestival.com.
Living the Sheep's Head Way
The Sheep's Head & Bantry Tourism Co-op continues its campaign to publicise the area, and one mark of its progress is that the Sheep's Head Way is now back on the itinerary for Fáilte Ireland's press visits.
It has also been showcasing local food through the 'Eating Mussels the Sheep's Head Way’ event in May, which gained national coverage.
Keep up-to-date with local events and activities that you can recommend to holidaymakers at http://livingthesheepsheadway.com and keep an eye on the Living the Sheep's Head Way FB page.Every ‘like’ and ‘share’ helps to build our profile for tourists.
The co-op’s AGM is coming up shortly and will be published in the local press and co-op newsletter or sign up for an alert by texting AGM to 086 303 0991.
Sheep’s Head Producers’ Market and Shop
Summer 2014 sees the return of our weekly Producers’ Market in front of Fitzpatrick’s Bar in Kilcrohane every Sun, 11am-1pm, through June, July and Aug.
Call Caroline at 027 67887 to chat about joining our stallholders, even just for a trial, or email shpm_sg@hotmail.com.
We love to see new faces and are very happy to help you learn the ropes.
Over at the Old Creamery, we are delighted to have moved into our custom-built shop. Behind the scenes, we’re busy applying for funding to help us create bespoke shop displays, buy new shop equipment to expand our offerings and much more.
Thank you for your patience as work continues to refurbish our market shop for the community and visitors to enjoy. It will take a bit more time but we’ll get there thanks to all our volunteers and the great local support.
We are also looking forward to having a beautiful new café next door in the Old Creamery.
Will it mean a return to the old days with a line of vehicles on the road waiting their turn at the creamery? We certainly hope so!
If you are a producer member yet to return to the new shop, please call Marilyn at 027 67062 or Corina at 027 67047 to arrange for your products to join the offerings already there in time for summer.
Have you heard the buzz about our planned Yarn Festival in Spring 2015? This festival will be for ‘yarnaholics’ of all levels looking to learn or expand their skills and socialise with like-minded crafters.
The Yarn Festival will include workshops and demos for knitting, crochet, spinning and felting dotted along the peninsula so that the whole community can take part, as well as visitors. The only similar event in Ireland takes place in Dublin, so this could be a first for Cork.
And where better to hold a Yarn Festival than the ‘Sheep’s Head’ peninsula! We are looking for volunteers to form an organising committee. How about you? If you or one of your friends are interested in helping to organise this unique event, please contact Niamh on 087 3448089 or email shpm_sg@hotmail.com.
Kilcrohane / Sheep’s Head Choir
The Kilcrohane / Sheep’s Head Choir are seeking people to join the local choir. Young and old are most welcome. Currently, the choir has 14 members and we would like to expand this to 20 plus.
Practice is held on Saturday mornings from 10am in Kilcrohane church during the summer months and has often included a mix of modern, contemporary and some old classics along with the content for Sunday mass, Easter and Christmas services.
The choir has a huge social element and we finish with a sociable tea or coffee post rehearsal. The choir performs every second Sun at mass in Kilcrohane church until the end of July and every Sun in August.
For a list of dates, please visit www.sheepsheadchoir.com or email sing@sheepsheadchoir.com if you would like more details.
Parenting talk by John Lonergan
John Lonergan, former Governor of Mountjoy Prison, will present "Parenting - the Challenges and the Rewards" at the Maritime Hotel on Tues, 24 June, at 8.00pm. Doors open at 7.30 p.m.
John's talk is based on his book ‘Parenting, Raising Your Child in Ireland Today’ and covers topics such as building self-esteem, how to communicate with your child, the importance of positivity, accepting the reality of your child and keeping your expectations in check.
John entered the prison service in 1968 where he saw human nature at its worst and often, unexpectedly, at its best. He developed a deep understanding both of human nature and of Irish society.
John is passionate about parents allowing time for their children and advises parents only have 12-14 years when they are centre-stage in their children’s lives. The talk is suitable for every parent with a child of any age.
Tickets on the door cost €5 and all proceeds go to Durrus & District Community Council for the upgrade of the playground facilities.
Kilcrohane NS
Kilcrohane NS are delighted to announce that their cake sale / coffee morning in March raised over €600;
€300 was donated to Bóthar na nGabhar "send a goat to Africa this Easter'' Fund and €300 to Team Hope for their "Build a school in Rwanda campaign''.
Thanks to all who generously supported the event, especially O'Donovan Motors and The Bayview.
The school recently held their annual sport's day followed by a BBQ and ice-cream party to raise funds for Down Syndrome Ireland.
The school has entered the Muintir na Tíre Schools Garden Competition and are awaiting judging. Senior room students took part in the Scríobh Leabhar Project to mark Seachtaine na Gaeilge, and the "Write a book'' Project for which they visited the Convent of Mercy, Bantry, to meet and workshop with author Aileen McGovern.
Congrats to Conor Nash, Eoin O'Mahony, Nigel O'Sullivan, Alice McCarthy and Kate O'Sullivan who recently made their Holy Communion.
Liam O'Leary in 4th class was a prize winner in the Chattyboo Art Competition. The senior room was also named one of the regional winners in Munster for their entry "Education is Key'' in the "Our world aid awards project'' competition. Three children plus their teacher Ms. Griffin were awarded the plaque at the Triskel Arts Centre.
Board of Management is delighted to report that the school has been granted the summer works grant to replace the roof.
Rusnacahara NS
There will be an end of year BBQ in the school on Thurs, 12 June, from 12 noon.
This is to welcome our new pupils and say farewell to our current 6th class, along with other presentations which we will be making on the day.
The school was honoured when one of our pupils, Alex Young, won player of the year with Bay Rovers soccer team in the U-12 category. Alex brought his beautiful trophy to school for all to see.
Everyone is looking forward to this year’s school tour to “Star Outdoors Adventure Centre” in Kenmare.
The school children are busy preparing for their musical performance for the 29th anniversary commemorations at the Air India Memorial on Mon, 23 June, at 8am.
St. James’ NS
Summer term is always busy. Pupils are continuing their work towards the Active Flag with sessions with CycleSense to add to their regular activities of the walking school bus and GAA training.
Senior pupils participated in the Sciath na Scol tournament and Cork City Sports, while we look forward to our own sports on Fri, 6 June.
To the delight of all, Bantry Fire Brigade visited us and demonstrated how fiercely a chip pan fire burns and how to put it out safely.
The CRAFTed programme with Anke is finished with every pupil having learnt woodworking skills and produced joint and individual wooden shields.
Pupils are looking forward to the school tours with the juniors travelling to the Treehouse in Skibbereen while the seniors venture further afield to fun activities in Kilbrittain.
Carrigboy NS
Congrats to the Carrigboy relay teams who had great success in Cork City Sports and to all our competitors who made it a wonderful day. Sophie Harrington had the honour of finishing in 3rd place in the county final.
In football, our boys’ team will contest the Sciath na Scol final in Dunmanway on Thurs, 29 May, against a very strong Eyeries team.
5th and 6th classes go on their tour to Oysterhaven activity centre on Fri, 30 May, while 1st to 4th classes head to the Star Outdoors Activity Centre in Kenmare on Fri, 6 June.
The school is to be presented with a Discovery Primary Science and Maths Award in June. Thanks to Mrs. Crowley and all pupils and staff for their work in achieving this honour.
On Tues, 10 June, 6th class will take part in a fun football blitz in St. Finbarr’s Boys’ School in aid of the Donal Walsh Foundation.
Carrigboy Sports Day is Tues, 24 June. The graduation ceremony and our attendance and achievement awards is on Weds, 25 June, in Durrus Community Hall.
Suggestion Box for Fundraising Events
Do you have ideas for events you would like to see happening in the Muintir Bháire area this year?
Can you help get the event off the ground?
If you answer yes to either question, please chat to Sheila at 086 830 2887 or sheilaellis@hotmail.com.
Muintir Bháire Community Council Newsletter
Issue 38 - www. muintirbhairecc.com - June 2014
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Muintir Bháire Community Council Newsletter
Issue 37 - www. muintirbhairecc.com - Feb 2014
Muintir Bháire Community Council Elections
The tenure of the current Muintir Bháire Community Council ends in March 2014 and preparations are currently underway to elect the new Community Council, which will take up the baton for the next three years.
The Community Council is a voluntary body made up of local residents working together to develop and improve local amenities. It operates under the umbrella of Muintir na Tíre.
As part of the preparation for the elections, a sub-committee was set up to review the current constituencies, which elects the representatives on the Community Council.
Up to now, the area covered by Muintir Bháire Community Council, which is Ahakista, Kilcrohane and the Northside from Glenlough west, has been broken down into 10 areas. Each area is entitled to elect two representatives.
As the experience over the past few years is that some areas have been under-represented and in some cases had no representation on the Community Council, the sub-committee is exploring the option of re-organising the areas.
The option would be to reduce the number areas from 10 to 7 and therefore have 14 elected members rather than 20.
Opportunity to get Involved
Being a member of the Community Council provides an opportunity to get involved in your community and to contribute to the development of your local area, particularly at a time when communities have to work together and be resourceful. Members identify and address local priorities.
A commitment to attend monthly meetings is required and each elected council operates for a 3-year period. If you are nominated in your electoral area, we encourage you to join as this is your chance to make a contribution to the area.
It is important to have new energy and ideas but we also hope that those previously involved would consider returning as members because the experience is invaluable.
Nominations
A number of the members who are currently serving are willing to remain on the Community Council for the next three-year term. This is important so that there can be a sense of continuity particularly with ongoing projects and also so that relevant information can be passed on.
Current members will distribute nomination papers after Fri, 28 Feb. They will be collected by Mon, 10 March.
You will receive a list of residents in your voting area from which you will choose a nominee. In the event that some areas have more nominations than places available a second round of papers may have to be distributed.
AGM
It is intended to have all new members in place for our AGM which will be held in The Cabin, Ahakista, on Weds, 26 March, at 8pm.
Key Activities of Muintir Bháire Community Council
· It runs the Social Activities Club for older residents and employs the Co-ordinator, Julie O’Neill. The monthly lunches, outings, the Tuesday group and other activities have been extremely well-supported and hugely successful.
· A number of annual activities for younger residents have been established – the Easter Egg Hunt, Hallowe’en Party and Summer Camp as well as the Family Fun Day held in the Blackgate Centre each August.
· A newsletter is circulated at regular intervals throughout the year keeping residents up-to-date with local happenings.
· A variety of classes and talks have been held in the Community Hall.
· Road improvements and increased signage have been put in place.
· Annual beach clean-ups are held
· It runs the Blackgate Centre, the development of which was completed over the past few years and includes a small coffee/tea room, gallery and museum space as well as offices for the Sheeps Head Way and Community Council
· It co-ordinates the opening and the maintenance of the toilets in Tooreen.
· It is responsible for the organisation and running of the very successful Christmas@ the Blackgate which has run for the past three years and also organised the Muintir Bháire’s Got Talent concerts which showcased local talent.
· It has also supported the establishment of the Muinitr Bháire Foróige Club for 12- 18 year olds.
Ahakista Community Association
At the AGM the following officers were elected :
Chairperson: Kieran Connolly
Secretary: Eric Kirby
Treasurer: Martin O’Brien
PRO: Eileen Young
Christmas Swim
The association would like to thank all those who braved the elements for the annual swim. If anyone still has their sponsor cards, please contact Martin on 086 601 1949.
Festival & Regatta
The Ahakista Community Association will once again host a meeting with a view to forming a sub-committee with the specific purpose of organising the annual Festival & Regatta.
New people are needed to increase committee numbers in order that the hugely successful annual festival - that is such an important part of our community and so enjoyed by all - can continue for the foreseeable future.
Please come along to the Cabin, Ahakista on Fri, 28 Feb @ 8pm; you can be assured of a very warm welcome.
Cabin Bookings
A reminder that the assocation’s Cabin is available as a meeting place for local groups. Bookings must be made to the secretary at sec@ahakista.org or telephone 027 67933 before 6pm.
Use of the cabin is free of charge; groups need to bring some €1 coins for the electricity metre and any other donations would be greatly appreciated.
Building Project
The association is about to apply for planning permission for the proposed Activity Centre. A 3-D SketchUp is available for public viewing; please contact any committee member to arrange same or email sec@ahakista.org
MAN! I FEEL LIKE A WOMAN!
A men’s waxing night will take place in Eileen's Bar on Sat, 22 Feb as a fundraiser in aid of Breast Cancer Research and the Cancer Unit in Cork University Hospital.
Music with Noel O'Donovan on the night.
TABLE QUIZ
Muintir Bháire Community Council will host a TABLE QUIZ in Eileen's Bar, Kilcrohane, on Sat, 15 March, at 9pm.
Please come along and support it. €20 for a table of 4.
Muintir Bháire Community Council in association with Muintir Bháire Foróige Club
PresentsMuintir Bhaire's Got Talent
Saturday,8th March @ 7:30pm
Kilcrohane Community Hall
The Talent Show will provide a unique opportunity for us to showcase local talent in the parish.There will be a range of acts from all ages and we hope that this will be a fun filled night of entertainment for all the family.
Admission Fee: €3 for Adults & Children freeThere will be a raffle on the night
If you want to show us your talent all you have to do is forward your details (name, age and title of your act) tombforoigeclub@gmail.com Or Contact Michael on 087 2210040 or Annette on 086 1910908 by Friday, 21st February 2014!
Ahakista Rowing Club
Ahakista Rowing Club is once again hosting the Sheeps Head Easter 10k Run which will be held on Easter Saturday, 19 April.
The 10k race will start outside Arundels by the Pier, Ahakista, and welcomes both walkers and runners (walkers will start at 11.30a.m.).
Athletes can experience the breathtaking views over Dunmanus Bay and the Sheeps Head countryside as the route takes them up past Rusnacahara Church, on through the townlands of Kealties and Brahalish, back onto the main road and finishes back at Arundels by the Pier.
Refreshments will be served afterwards for all athletes.
The event is being organised by Ahakista Rowing Club and any funds raised will go towards the everyday running costs of the Club. A percentage of the funds raised will also be given to the local Muintir Bháire Community Pre-School following the recent flood damage to their property.
The race has an approved AAI permit and takes place on our accurately measured 10k course. Runners will be chip-timed. So come on everyone!
Dust off those running shoes and get active! Get out there!
The Sheep’s Head Way
After a very wet and windy January, the SHW trail may need some work; landowners are asked to check and maintain their stretch of trail - clear any vegetation and drain any boggy areas along the trail.
If there is considerable damage to the trail or need of further works, please report this to the SHW office by email: sheepsheadway@gmail.com or phone 087 972 2065.
The recent storm on 6 Jan last did a lot of damage to parts of the SHW trail near the coast, not to mention our roads.
The Pier Loop remains closed on The Sheep’s Head Way. The area affected is along the strand from the end of ‘The Paddock’ road to Kilcrohane Pier.
On the Farranamanagh Loop, the section along Farranamanagh strand which was affected by the storm is now safe to walk again. The trail has been re-instated there and the caution signs for walkers have been removed.
Other sections of The Sheep’s Head Way trail that were affected by the storm are not closed but extreme caution is advised if you wish to walk at the following locations:
Funeral Path Loop: Section along the strand at Tra Beg (near Gortinaclasha)
Fishing spurs at the following locations: Tra Ruaim and Glanroon.
The repair and clean-up has been under way now since the storm. A beach clean-up is taking place throughout the peninsula presently; workers from The Department of Social Protection Scheme are participating with the help of some local people also.
Muintir Bháire Social Club
Join our Activities Group every Tues 10:30a.m. at the Blackgate Centre
The ladies are doing patchwork for the next 5 or 6 weeks. Anyone with an interest in this is more than welcome to come along and learn a new skill or share your own skills among friends.
Weds, 26 Feb, 12:30pm @ Kilcrohane Hall – join us for our monthly social lunch, all welcome and we love to see new faces. Reserve your place with Julie 086 172 1279.
Fun & Fitness
Interested in getting fit and having some fun? Then join the Fitness & Fun group in Kilcrohane.
The group meets in Kilcrohane Hall at 8pm every Tues & Thurs for exercises and goes walking every Sat & Sun.
The emphasis is on living and exercising healthily and for those interested in weight loss there is an optional weigh-in on Thurs.
Everybody is welcome to join in and the aim is to continue the group until Easter when it is hoped that everyone will take part in the Sheeps Head Easter Run in Ahakista on Sat, 19 April, (although the aim is to walk it!)
Sheep’s Head Producers’ Market
AGM—Calling all members! Hard to believe that our 2nd AGM is just around the corner on Tues, 25 Feb, at 7:30pm in Kilcrohane Community Hall.
Please join us on the night to ballot on the proposed changes to our constitution, vote for your preference among those nominated to take up positions on the Steering Group, learn how we’re doing and let us know what you think.
NEW SHOP LAUNCH—due to ongoing renovations, the shop will be closed until further notice. But not for long!
We are already planning the launch of our new shop in spring so watch this space.
SUNDAY MARKETS– we’ll be back outside of Eileen’s Pub on Easter Sunday, 20 April and Sun, 4 May. From 25 May we’ll be there every Sunday until 24 Aug,
NEW– look out for our monthly ‘Clear Out Your Clutter’ sales from April to September on the first Saturday of the month. Time to get spring cleaning...
Sheep’s Head & Bantry Tourism Co-operative
The new website for the Sheep's Head and Bantry Tourism Co-operative is almost ready to launch at http://livingthesheepsheadway.com
The site offers tourists a comprehensive introduction to the services and attractions along the Sheep's Head Way, and it puts us in a much better position to compete for visitors in 2014.
In order to have your details included on the site, or at http://westcorkholidayaccommodation.com, you will need to pay the €100 subscription to join the co-op which works to market our area at local, national and international levels.
The co-op is also in the process of producing brochures to promote walking, food and craft trails across the area.
Co-op members receive a weekly newsletter and this includes advice on tourism marketing. The organisation also runs regular workshops on marketing issues.
To find out more, contact Siobhán Burke on 086 303 0991.
Sheep’s Head Sea Scouts
Sheep's Head Sea Scouts would like to thank everyone who took part in the Ahakista Christmas Day Swim.
Conditions were idyllic with the sun shining and a blue sky enticing a huge crowd to take part.
The youngest to take part was Sheep's Head Beaver Niamh Wiseman aged 7 years.
The weather on St Stephens Day was not as idyllic but this did not deter the walkers of all ages taking part in two separate walks.
Well done to the youngest walker Aoife Nash aged 2 years who managed the 1.5 hour walk in wet and blustery conditions. A total of 339.36 euro was raised with all proceeds going directly to the Sheep's Head Sea Scouts.
We would like to extend a huge thank you to The Sheep's Head Way who kindly donated the funds.
Sheep's Head Sea Scouts will resume again on Sat, 8 Feb, and there are still places available for the cub section (ages 9-11 years).
Anyone interested in securing a place or in finding out more information, please contact Annette Logan 086 191 0908 or Kieran Connolly 087 760 1313.
Sheep's Head Toddler & Baby Group
Sheep's Head Toddler Group will resume their meetings every Thurs from 10-12 at Durrus Community Hall in line with school holidays.
Open to all from babies to toddlers, we love to see new faces. It’s very social and a great way to meet new people in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Muintir Bháire Pre-School
The Muintir Bháire Pre-School was unfortunately flooded during the bad weather, which resulted in it being shut for two weeks.
A big thank-you to everyone who supported us during this time; also thanks to everyone who attended and sponsored the monster bingo & progressive card drive held as fundraisers for the pre-school.
School Updates
Kilcrohane
Kilcrohane National School would like to thank everyone who generously donated to the school during the school concert in December.
We have entered the Discover Primary Science and Maths Award 2014. The school will host a range of events in the school for Engineers' Week, 10-14 Feb, and participate in the Greenwave Programme as part of the Science Award.
The school has entered the Muintir na Tíre Cork School Garden Competition and local gardener Marilyn Wallis-Eades will help the children design, sow and plant the garden. This competition will be judged in May.
Jessica Mason from the Heritage Council will visit the school in February for a Biodiversity Day. She will take the children on a nature trail and perform in-class activities with them in accordance to the Green Flag Programme.
As part of our work towards the Health Promoting Flag, we will have a Friendship Week, 10-14 Feb.
The school is delighted to announce that Luke Gammon from 4th class recently was a winner in the Wendy Smith Poetry Competition.
All school activities can be viewed on the school website: www.kilcrohanens.ie
Rusnacahara
Following the recent storm, a lot of rubbish was washed ashore. A few local people have done a great job collecting it.
The school plans to have a beach clean-up in the next couple of weeks when the weather improves.
It is such a pity that there is so much household waste etc. being dumped in the sea, especially when there are fantastic facilities being provided for its disposal: local bottle and can banks and “Powers Recycling Centre” near Barrett Agri in Bantry which takes all household recycling, electrical goods and waste for very little cost.
The school had a clothes collection to raise funds for school activities, thanks to all who contributed.
Fergal Connolly will be making his Confirmation with pupils from the local schools on Mon, 3 March, in Star of the Sea Church, Kilcrohane.
Senior room pupils will attend a Science workshop in Lifetime Lab, Cork, on Tues, 18 Feb.
St. James’
As spring approaches, the pupils at St. James’ National School are busy working towards their Active Flag with regular table-tennis and tag rugby training on their agenda.
They are looking forward to a visit to the school by a Madrid-based theatre company who will perform “Perdidos”.
Also planned and keenly awaited is a celebration of World Book Day when, dressed in their pyjamas and holding their favourite cuddly toy, they welcome Lydia Little, author of K Girls who lives locally, to St. James’.
Carrigboy
It promises to be a very busy 2014 in Carrigboy. Here are some of the events planned.
On Mon, 10 Feb, we are hosting a String Quartet Workshop for the children of the school.
On Mon, 3 March, is Confirmation Day for our 5th and 6th class pupils in the Star of the Sea, Church in Kilcrohane.
Tues, 4 March, the school is having a clothes recycling collection day. Old clothes, shoes, curtains, etc. can be dropped into the school before that date.
Fri, 7 March, the school will provide a bicycle repair and maintenance workshop as part of our Green Travel Flag.
Boys’ and girls’ football training will resume shortly for the upcoming season and tag rugby coaching is continuing.
Our infant enrolment day and annual science fair is scheduled for Weds, 9 April.
We will be continuing our Active School, Health Promoting and Digital School initiatives with various events for the rest of the year.
To get your newsletter by email, just ask Annette at muintirbhairecc@gmail.com
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