SCHULL

SCHULL Arts Week takes place this week from Friday 10th - Sunday 13th. Not only, it seems, is the euro diminishing, but weeks are getting shorter too. That said, there will be numerous workshops from 10am - noon for children at a cost of €15 per day where they may discover the joys of art. The workshops are tailored for each age group: 4-6 years; 7-10 years; and felt making for 8-12 years. Drama classes are also on offer for 7-12 year olds. As usual, there will be free exhibitions in various venues around the town, not forgetting the Grain Store at the pier and including the Church of Ireland Hall in South Terrace where the Schull Textile Artists will be displaying their work. The grand opening will be held at the Grove House, at 6 pm on Thursday 10th.

The medium switches on Friday to film and the Wild West Film Club is holding two audiences, one with Tony Barry, on Friday 11th, at 9pm, and a second on Saturday 12th at 3.30 with Chris O’Dell. Chris is a respected and internationally acclaimed director of photography whose credits include so many of the highly rated television series, including Poirot, Sharpe, Hornblower, Inspector Morse and Lewis, and part of his afternoon will include a film showing: Into the Blue. Tickets €10.

On Saturday night the thespians of Schull Drama Group will present ‘the late entry’ by David Tristram in the Parochial Hall at 8.30 pm.

Sunday, the Arts Festival links with the Country Market folk down at the East End tennis court area where there will be a storytelling caravan and a picture trail quiz. The Picture Trail will begin at noon and costs €5 per team to enter. It is a photo quiz for children of all ages, an intriguing game which will lead the players on a merry round from the Tennis Court, to who knows where. So the fun goes on. At 6 pm on Sunday, The Courtyard will host ‘ART and all that Jazz,’ great music to accompany a barbecue for which family tickets are available. Finally, at 8.30 in the hall, Schull Drama will present their play for a second showing, for anyone who cannot make the Saturday night. Information will be posted around the town, tickets for events are available from @Your Leisure in the Main Street, Tel: 028/28600, and general enquiries can be made by calling Helen Wells on 086/3199761 or artinschull @schull.ie

SUMMER PRE-SCHOOL
From Monday to Friday up to July 31st, children aged from two and half to eight years can have a bundle of fun at the Schull pre-school. Activities include art, crafts, pottery and games. It will cost €12 per morning and will run from 9 am to 1 pm

BOOK LAUNCH
To coincide with the Arts Festival, Chapter One, the Schull book shop is hosting the launch of a new book by Sarann Browne, Alphaplanet. Sarann will be at the store for a reading and book signing on Saturday, July 9th, at 2.30pm. A great opportunity for readers and fans to meet with Ms Browne.

CEILI GROUP
Summertime, whatever is left of it, is when the group concentrate on outdoor dancing and last month the dancers took to the platform for the first time this year. The day was beautiful, and the dancers set up in the East End car park overlooking the harbour. Inspiration enough for the musicians, Gerry McCarthy and Liam Healy, who felt the day was Heaven-sent and played non stop for the set dancers, young and old alike, who came from all corners to join in the waltzes and ceili dances. The next outing will be on Schull Show, on Sunday, 27th July, when the enthusiasts will regroup at 2.30 pm and dance to the music of Kevin Lynch and Maria Twomey who were filming when last they played in Schull for their new video soon to be released. Ger Murphy will pay a visit to Ballydehob Hall on Wednesday, 13th August, for a ceili, beginning at 9 pm. Then the ceili classes will be happening again from September 4th, as usual, in the Parish Hall, Schull, at 8pm and every Thursday thereafter. There’s room for everyone, beginners and advanced dancers, all are welcome to an evening of great exercise and a lot of fun. For more information please call Bert or Annie Moran on 028/28647.

PARISH FETE
A diary reminder for the Parish Fete. It is next Wednesday 16th at the Rectory, Toormore. All the fun of the fair.

SCHULL PLANETARIUM
Don’t forget if there are visitors in the house or the children are bored, Schull Planetarium, the only one in southern Ireland, is open for business all summer – Monday and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Wednesdays and Fridays at 4 pm.

SAILING
The British Schools Team Racing Championships took place in excellent sailing conditions at Sevenoaks in Kent last week. Ireland were represented by a team of six sailors and two reserves from Schull Community College as national champions for 2008. A total of 16 top schools teams participated including reigning champions Magdalen College and multi champions winners Sevenoaks. The Schull boys got off to an excellent start winning a total of 13 races from their initial 16 on day one losing only to Magdalen and Sevenoaks. Many of these were won convincingly with results of 1, 2 and 3 and, therefore, qualified for the gold fleet with 4 other teams while others were consigned to silver and bronze fleets. On day 2 the competition was very strong in the Gold Fleet and once again the West Cork team performed brilliantly to qualify for the semi-final where they were drawn against favourites and eventual winners Magdalen College. Here Schull lost the first leg having had a poor start but battled well to put themselves in a winning position coming up to the last mark where a gust caught one of the team unawares and ruined any chance of victory. Magdalen went on to beat Sevenoaks in the final while the Irish team was awarded Best Overseas Team and Best Improved at prizegiving.

BALLYDEHOB

CHILDREN, parents, grandparents and friends thronged into Ballydehob Playschool on Friday last to greet, congratulate and thank ‘Iron Man’ Stephen Redmond as he presented a cheque totalling €4,988 to the Community Playgroup and after-school service. When Stephen undertook the mammoth challenge of participating in the recent Iron Man Competition in the Canary Islands, he also decided to undertake another challenge of raising badly needed funds for the local playschool. He received a very generous response from all sections of society to his sponsorship requests and Friday’s presentation was a culmination of his efforts. The abolition of staffing grants to community playgroups by the Department of Justice, Law Reform and Children since June and their replacement by a subvention scheme, a tiered fee system, has left playgoups nationally in a dire and precarious financial situation. Meanwhile, another arm of the State, the HSE, who monitor and inspect such groups, continues to impose extra demands on both personnel and facilities. Ballydehob Playgroup wishes to thank Stephen for his support and is deeply indebted to him. The group would also appreciate support from anyone else who might be in a position to help to raise funds to ensure that their excellent facilities and services can continue to survive the recent cutbacks.

SUMMERTIME AT PRE-SCHOOL
From Monday to Friday, children aged from 21⁄2 to 8 years can have lots of fun at Schull Pre-School. Activities include art and crafts, pottery and games. The cost is €12 per morning and sessions run from 9am to 1pm. For further details contact Mary at (028) 28406. The summertime activities will continue until July 31.

COMMUNITY COUNCIL LOTTO
There was no winner of the Community Council lotto jackpot at the weekend when the numbers drawn were 8, 12 and 27. Lucky dip winners were: €50 to Beata Glarndia, Bantry; €20 to Kay O’Sullivan, Mary Barry, Ballydehob, Mary Barry, Ballybane, and Jamie Roycroft. The increased jackpot now stands at €1,900 and this Saturday’s draw will be in Ina Daly’s Bar.

GABRIELS’ LOTTO
With no jackpot winner in the Gabriel Rangers’ lotto draw on Sunday night, the new jackpot is now a substantial €3,000. Last week’s winning numbers were 13, 19 and 24. Consolation prize winners included: €50 to Bridie Goggin; €40 to Andy T. O’Sullivan; €20 to Paul and Michael, c/o Black Sheep, Thomas Barry and Finn Sheehan. The next draw will be hosted by the Bunratty.

GABRIEL RANGERS
Gabriels successfully came through their replayed secondround junior Afootball championship tie at Skibbereen on Saturday last when they defeated their opponents, Castlehaven, on a scoreline of 1-8 to 0-7. The vital score – a goal from Eoin Kelleher – came late in the first half and thereafter Rangers were in control. Losing, of course, meant more than exiting the championship because the introduction of relegation this year meant that a bad result could have had even more serious consequences than in the past. The championship continues this weekend with the third-round game versus Bantry fixed for Sunday at 4.30pm at Rath. As always, check later in the week for confirmation of the time and venue of the fixture.

GABRIEL RANGERS LADIES
The club wishes a speedy recovery to Clodagh O’Driscoll, who sustained a serious hand injury in a recent game. In preparation for the upcoming championship, the seniors played two very competitive challenge games over the past week. Despite being understrength for both games, the players available gave their all and ensured that the selectors will have a difficult task in picking the championship team. The annual summer camp, for girls and boys from 4th to 6th classes in primary school, commences in Ballydehob next Monday, July 14, and continues until Friday. A number of places are still available and anyone interested, including visitors to the locality, is welcome. Contact Anna Ward for booking details on 086 0791538. The camp offers children the opportunity to learn the skills of Gaelic football in a safe and friendly environment. Local members of the Ladies’ Football Club organise and run the week’s activities and a fun time is guaranteed for all. Best of luck to Nollaig Cleary and the Cork senior team who play Kerry in the Munster final on Saturday. Best of luck also to the Cork senior ‘B’ side, who are billed to play Kildare on Sunday in Kildare. Maedhbh Westwood, Deirdre Cotter, Sinead O’Leary and Verona O’Driscoll are on the panel. Gabriel Juniors played Clonakilty away in the league last Thursday but were defeated by the home side by 4-7 to 1-5.

AN SANCTOIR
An Sanctoir are very honoured to announce the visit of Dechan Jueren and Zanze Pandit on Sunday, July 20, at 8pm, for ‘Meditation and Self Healing Through Ancient and Proven Methods’ – a talk, questions and answers, and guided meditation. Admission €9. Dechan Jueren is a doctor of Chinese medicine and regarded as a living Buddha in China. He has been invited to speak by the UN and has won awards for his work with techniques to improve the body’s ability to absorb calcium.

PEDAL BOATS
Ballydehob Community Council is happy to announce that the pedal boats and other leisure craft will be available for hire from today Saturday, 12 July. All that is required now to get the summer season really underway is some sunshine and some extra tourists in the locality. The operating hours for the boats will be posted at the office by the estuary.

GOLEEN

THE third Garden Day held during this summer in the local area in aid of charitable causes, will take place on this Sunday, July 9, at Bob and Mary Walsh’s Cois Cuain Garden at Farnamanagh, Kilcrohane. This lovely garden, to which Bob and Mary have devoted so much effort, is situated, literally, on the shores of Dunmanus Bay. It has featured not only on “Garden Heaven” on RTE Television, but also on BBC Television, as well as on the pages of numerous gardening magazines. This is expected to be the final such event to be held locally this season and will be in aid of Marymount Hospice in Cork. Everybody is encouraged to support this worthy cause and there will be a great opportunity to do so as the open day will run from 10 a.m. to 6pm. All who drop in will have an option to enjoy either tea or coffee, purchase tickets for the raffle or pick up some items they may fancy in the plant sale.

MAKE AND DISPLAY
The Make and Display Day was held as part of the Durrus Festival. The following were the winners of 1st prize in their category. Bakery: (all ages) Clare Johnston; Art: Edel Daly (under 14), Ciara Shannon (under 7); Flower/Plant Arrangement: (all ages) Betty O'Sullivan; Needlecraft: (all ages) Shauna McLaughlin; Photography: Sharon Shannon (under 16), Jenny Grieg (adult); Fruit/Veg: (all ages) Ciara Shannon. Runners up in the categories included Melissa Draper, Megan Penney, Linda Johnston, James Dealy, Daisy and Millie Baynham and Natasha Dukelow. All who entered the Art Competition can have their artwork returned if they collect it from Muintir Bhaire Playschool at the Pavilion in Durrus on either Wednesday, July 12th or Thursday, July 13th between 10 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. Thanks have been conveyed to the judges for their effort and time on the day - Jenny Skingley, Carmel Sommers, Rachel Cheyne, Jane Green and Tony McIlhenney. Thanks has also been expressed to those who sponsored prizes including The Cookware Co., Bantry, The Art Shop, Bantry, Biggs SuperValu, Bantry and O'Briens Londis, Durrus.

DISCO SUCCESS
The Children's Discos, held in the new Durrus Community Hall, were a huge success. Thanks have been expressed to O'Brien's Londis for the prizes on the night, and to all the parents who attended to ensure the safety of our young people. Both discos seem to have been thoroughly enjoyed and it is hoped to organise more in the future.

SUMMER CAMP
A Summer Camp will be held next week at Kilcrohane Community Hall from Monday, July 10th to Friday, July 14th between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. each day. It will cater for children between the ages of 4 and 14 years. Registration forms are available from Carraigbui Stores, Durrus and the Post Office in Kilcrohane.

GAA LOTTO
In the Muintir Bhaire G.A.A. Lotto draw, the jackpot of €750 was not won when the numbers 1, 14 and 20 were drawn. Consolation prizes went to: Rachel Daly, Farnamanagh, Kilcrohane; Gearoid Wiseman, Bantry and Peggy O’Driscoll, Newtown, Bantry.

ENGAGEMENT
Congratulations has been extended to Linda McCarthy of Clashadoo, and Kieran Hourihane of Reenrour East, Bantry, who have announced their engagement.

FOROIGE
A Foroige meeting was held in Durrus Community Hall last week with a view to starting a club for the youth of Durrus in September. If you are over 18 and are interested in being a leader, contact Aisling on 027 62999.

FASHION SHOW
The committee which organised the recent fashion show has expressed its appreciation to the businesses who sponsored the event, including Murnane and O’Shea Ltd., Rowa Pharmaceuticals and Bantry Bay Seafoods. In the raffle, the 1st prize of a mountain bike sponsored by Derry O’Flynn of Pitstop Autoshop, was won by Helen Burke, Brahalish while the hamper, sponsored by SuperValu, Bantry, was won by Colleen Kelly of Brahalish. The €30 voucher donated by Pauline Walsh of Phalanges Care, Bantry, was won by Tara Ross, Durrus. Karen O’Driscoll of Rossmore won the bottle of vodka which was sponsored by the West Cork Bottling Co., while the set of wineglasses, sponsored by The Spinning Wheel, Glengariff, went to Fiona Hickey.

RECENT DEATHS
Sympathy has been conveyed to local families who recently suffered bereavement: John and Jim Pyburn on the death of their aunt, Susan Gillard in London; Brendan O’Dwyer and Geraldine Flynn on the death of their uncle, Michael Cashman in Midleton and to Mary Frances and Jackie Hegarty, Coolcoulaghta on the death of Mary’s sister, Kathleen Cadogan of Rathoora, Schull.

MUINTIR BHAIRE GAA
The last Junior ‘A’ league match of the season was played last Saturday evening away to Kilbrittain. This was a glorious evening for a game of football and for a change Muintir Bhaire started off with all guns blazing. Missing the injured trio of Keith Tobin, Sean Levis and Clive Cremin, Muintir made light of the opposition and led at the short whistle on a score of 10 points to 2. Except for over elaboration on the part of the forwards the game would have been over at half time. But there is nothing simple for this team and they allowed Kilbrittain back into the game by conceding two soft goals. This was the wakeup call and as a result Muintir ran out easy victors on the scoreline of 1-15 to 2-4. A good feature of the game was the spread of scorers with eleven players contributing on the scoreboard. The league campaign is now completed with Muintir having secured a total of 12 points. The four drawn games however will probably deprive them of a place in the league final. As of now the draw for the next round of the championship is not known, but this Junior ‘A’ championship is up for grabs with little between the top five or six teams.

UNDER 21s
The panel is now back in full training and is awaiting a date for their championship match against St. Colms. With this in mind they travelled to Goleen to take on the local Junior Team, and were very impressed with the set up here with a new field and new facilities. Great credit is due to them and Muintir Bhaire wish them well with their new set-up. A great game of football ensued on a perfect sod. With Tim and James O’Donovan lording proceedings around the middle of the field the forwards saw plenty of the ball and the scores began to flow. The benefit of regularly training with the Junior panel was plain to be seen with Michael Burke showing up very well at wing back. David McCarthy is turning into a top class goalkeeper with his distribution and speed of thought a great advantage. The panel of players is very limited with Teddy O’Donovan in America and some others not willing to commit themselves.

MINOR FOOTBALL
The league recommenced last Sunday with a home game against Ballinascarthy. Having lost the only previous league game against Gabriels it was important to get back into the winning groove. This the team did with some style but tougher games await with Barryroe due to visit on Wednesday, July 12, 2006. It is hoped that this win against Ballinascarthy will be the start of a winning run as this championship is wide open.

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SOURCE: SOUTHERN STAR