SCHULL

SCHULL Development Association has hit the deck running with the production of the 2008 Visitors Guide. Keen to get printing under way, the committee has sent leaflets to all previous advertisers and wish to alert anyone new that the time to submit and pay for advertisements is now. With a print run of 8,000 and a far greater readership the booklet is the best vehicle to advertise goods and services in the area and this well presented book circulates far and wide on behalf of anyone running a business in the area. Backed up by a constantly improving website, www.schull.ie, which had just short of 100,000 hits in 2007, it is the major promotional vehicle for the town. The profits raised are the means by which the Association pays for the numerous calls on the town purse during the year. Enquiries should be made to either Simon O’Keeffe, Jeremy Brosnan or Thomas Newman. Email enquiries to committee@schull.ie.

THANKS
Matron, Marian O’Donovan and staff at Schull Community Hospital would like to sincerely thank all of the individual people and groups who gave so generously of their time and also for the thoughtful gifts to the patients and staff this Christmas. “We would like to say a big ‘Thank You’ to all the people of Schull, Ballydehob, Goleen and Crookhaven, who fundraised for and supported the hospital during the year. Your contributions to provide extra comforts for the patients are very much appreciated. We would like to wish you all a very happy new year.

FURTHER THANKS
Schull Community Care would like thank all the businesses and individuals who supported the Senior Citizens’ party at the Bunratty recently. An excellent meal was followed by a huge raffle. Kathleen Murphy excelled herself gathering prizes, with the help of Anne O’Keeffe, and virtually everyone in Schull made a contribution. Particular thanks to the thoughtful students at the Community College for their kind gift of boxes of chocolates and to the Little Way Shop for the generous donation to the party and to the volunteers and staff of Bunratty who again made it a most memorable occasion.

SOCIAL CENTRE
The Schull Social Centre for over-55s has re-opened after the Christmas break, every Thursday from 10am on. Please book lunch on the Wednesday before 6pm. Call Mary Arundel, 28213, Anne O’Keeffe, 28127, or Chris Willis, 28923. There’s no need to be short of company, the social centre is a lively and thriving group who welcome newcomers.

BUNRATTY
Before Christmas the Juniors drew 2-2 with Aultagh Celtic at the Town Park in a match spon sored by Eurospar. The goals came from Kevin O’Brien and John O’Callaghan. The under 16s travelled to Dunmanway to take on league leaders Togher Celtic and were beaten 3-0. The under 12s continued with their winning ways when the beat Togher Celtic 9-4 in an amazing match with the goals coming from Conor O’Driscoll (4), Arron Barry (2), Fionn Hurley (2) and Christopher Moynihan. The team are in a great position to take one of the two top positions for the play-offs for the league, as they are 2 points behind the leaders with two games in hand. Last week the under 18s beat Clonakilty 5-1 and there was great reason to celebrate as Daniel O’Regan scored his first goal for the club after 8 years of playing at different levels. Over the Christmas period there was a number of games played, on December 30th the juniors travelled to Ballineen and played out a 1-1 draw with Riverside Athletic in the league. Ger Hurley scored on his return from Australia. In the Division 1 Cup Bunratty beat Drinagh Rangers ‘B’ 2-1 with Seamus Kelleher and Declan Mc- Sweeney scoring the goals. On the 22nd of December the under 14s were very unlucky to lose their first league game of the year when they went down 2-1 to Skibbereen in the Town Park, with Adam Collins getting the goal. The annual Christmas draw took place in the Bunratty Inn over Christmas and a big thanks to all those who either sold or bought tickets, the club is running nine teams and all funds raised will help facilitate these teams. Special mention must go to Danny Logan on a huge effort put in to the draw and he was busy selling tickets right up to the draw. The prizes were: 1, Christmas hamper, sponsored by the Bunratty Inn, Mary Murphy, Seaview Terrace; 2, hamper, sponsored by club, Margaret Whitley, Sea Front; 3 €25, voucher from Present Company; John B. O'Regan, Ardmanagh; 4, bottle of whisky from T. J. O'Donovan, Vincent O'Mahony, Ballydehob; 5, bottle of whisky from M. Briscoe, Bernard O’Driscoll, South Terrace; 6, bottle of whisky from Dan McSweeney, Rob Slattery; 7th, bottle of wine from T.J. O’Donovan, John Murphy, Colla. Once again thanks to all who supported the draw and a happy new year to all.

BALLYDEHOB

THE Christmas celebrations passed quietly in the locality with large numbers of exiles home for the occasion. As usual, the churches were packed for the religious ceremonies despite claims that Christmas in the 21st century is only a commercial season. While the local hostelries were busy, celebrations are now held mainly at home creating a major social change from times past. Of course, the sight of Wren Boys on St. Stephen’s Day anymore is even rarer than seeing the bird itself. Hallowe’en with its trick or treating has replaced the visit of the wren. The New Year was welcomed with a big turn-out in the village bars and Auld Lang Syne was rendered with great gusto to herald the arrival of 2008.

JACKPOT WINNER
Congratulations to Richard Moynihan, Lowertown, on winning the Gabriel Rangers’ lotto jackpot of €2,600 in the pre Christmas draw. Richard’s winning numbers were 2, 14 and 20. His ticket was purchased at Hegarty’s Centra, Schull. LOTTOS Neither jackpot was won in last weekend’s local lottos’ draws at which Gabriel Rangers drew 23, 27 and 29, while the Community Council drew 2, 12 and 30. The lucky dip and extra New Year lucky dip winners in the GAA draw included: €50; Goretti Gibson and Richie Lancer; €40; Roycroft Family, Gubbeen and Shane Swanton; €20; Brigid O’Regan, Jess and Jinny, c/o The Black Sheep; Ger, Jude, Tadhg and Ellen c/o Bunratty, Aisling Forde, Ger O’Callaghan, Darragh O’Shea, Mick Moore and ‘Three of Us’ c/o Centra. In the Community Council lotto consolation prizes were won by Geoff Wycherley, Linda Murphy, Kitty Hynes, Mary Hickey and Bridie Roycroft. Winner of the New Year Hamper sponsored by Drinagh Co-op was Ginny c/o The Black Sheep. The respective jackpots now stand at €1,000 and €1,500. The next draw will be hosted by Vincent Coughlan’s Bar and Vincent O’Mahony.

ICA
Ballydehob Guild of the ICA will hold its first meeting of 2008 in the Community Hall on Thursday next, January 10, at 8.30pm. Special guest for the night is well-known local chef, Chris Hedges, who will give a demonstration on ‘Festive Cooking’. As always all are welcome and refreshments will be served.

NEW YEAR’S GREETINGS This correspondent would like to wish all readers of the Ballydehob Notes a very happy and prosperous New Year. Special good wishes are extended to the many contributers of items for the column, both individuals and organisations. Without their contributions the notes would be very slim indeed.

GOLEEN

AFTER a week of intense pressure all roads led to Bantry and the West Lodge Hotel for the Drinagh shareholders meeting to dismiss or not to dismiss the committee of management of Drinagh Co-op. A large crowd was anticipated on the night and this was surely the case so large that some didn’t get to the top of the stairs but turned back and went home but for those who stayed for the many hours of debate they were greatly disappointed to hear what was stated on the night. Before this meeting committee members from most branches held local meetings. Lowertown Creamery Committee member Charlie McCarthy held a meeting in Schull. He answered questions from those present as fairly as possible and the strongest advice he gave on the night was to go to the meeting and listen to both sides of the arguments and make up your own mind as to which way you would vote. This is what people did and after both sides had put forward their cases, which took up to four hours, a vote was taken. The result of this vote was 477 voted yes to dismiss the committee and 320 voted no. 60% to 40% a clear majority. This was not enough as a two thirds majority had to be achieved. It was obvious to most that this would not be achieved beforehand but many were surprised how close it came to achieving the two thirds majority. All we, as shareholders, can hope for is that all sides get back to the table together and start making strong decisions for the good of Drinagh Co-op and its shareholders.

COMMUNITY COUNCIL
On this Saturday night, the Goleen and District Community Council will hold its annual dinner dance in the Harbour View Hotel, in Schull, at 8pm. Music will be by Colum Cronin and a great night is assured. Tickets can be got from your local Community Councillor and look forward to seeing you there.

LOTTO
It was truly a lotto give away over the Christmas with top prize money and hampers on the go on Saturday night, December 22. Vincie Sheehan, Cloughanakilleen was the big winner when he scooped the top prizemoney of €2,050. Vincie has been a great supporter of the lotto since it began and we are delighted his loyalty has been rewarded. His lucky numbers were 2, 9 and 26. This was not the only big prize winner as Dylan Barry, Gunpoint won the huge hamper filled with smashing prizes and Megan Costello, Clogher, won the second hamper. Well done to them both. There was no winner of this week’s lotto. Numbers drawn were 4, 9 and 17. The big hamper winners were Josie Hellen, Dunmanus and the second hamper winner was Mae Barry, Cahir. €20 went to Kevin Mullins, Letter, and €20 to Aisling O’Connell, Goleen. A big thanks to all who supported our lotto and Community Council in 2007. We look forward to your continued support in 2008.

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SOURCE: SOUTHERN STAR