ST. PATRICK’S DAY WILL BE MARCH 17 IN FERMOY!

- New Irish encouraged to join in the celebrations -

Despite the Church’s plans to celebrate St Patrick’s Day on March 15 this year, the Fermoy parade and celebrations will take place, as always on March 17. The Fermoy St Patrick’s Day organising committee this week cleared up confusion over the date, due to the clash with Holy Week.

“Preparations are already underway,” Donal O Lochlainn, secretary of the organising committee told The Avondhu.

“The parade, as always will start from Cavanagh’s Garage at 11am”.

The committee plans to finish the parade with “dancing and craic” at a special street party on Upper Kent Street. A special effort will be made this year to include the ‘New Irish’ in the national celebration, and all are invited to the festivities.

Those interested in contributing or who have any comments of queries are encouraged to contact Donal O Lochlainn on 025-32444 or by e-mail at tops@iol.ie.

A final note to last year’s parade winners – shine the trophies as chairman John Murphy will be around to collect them soon!

MITCHELSTOWN C.B.S. PUPILS HAVE THEIR SAY ON NEWSTALK

Newstalk reporter Henry McKean visits schools all over the country each week interviewing children aged 8 to 11 to find out what goes on in their heads. Henry came to visit the children of the CBS Primary School and asked them about Mitchelstown, Roy Keane, the next FAI manager, girls and sisters, dangerous driving, and the democratic race for the White House.

This segment was broadcast on Thursday, January 31 on Newstalk 106-108 fm as part of the very popular Sean Moncrieff show. It provided a fascinating insight to what the children of Mitchelstown were thinking on a variety of subjects.

Many thought that the town was most famous for its cheese, more were looking forward to getting a new swimming pool, and maybe even a cinema, while Roy Keane seemed to be the popular choice for new Irish manager.

On the subject of road safety, one pupil said that there should more guards on duty on the secondary roads, and all were unanimous in their condemnation of drinking and driving. Some thought girls were ‘cool’ while others felt that they took way too much time putting on make-up!. One pupil said, “if you have a crush on a girl in national school you will get a terrible mocking, but having a girlfriend when you go to secondary is considered a great thing”.

There was general consensus that, while Mitchelstown was good for football, you had to go to Ballygiblin for the hurling.

Kidstalk, a popular feature on Newstalk 106-108fm has been dubbed ‘Give Up Your Oul’ Sins’ for the 21st century. It not only covers the fun side of childhood but also brings attention to the more serious problems facing our children. Every week the kids also discuss social problems in their area.

Ireland is now a very multinational country and it all starts in the classroom. The boys and girls from all over the world talk about the changes this has brought to their lives and if they are happy in Ireland.

Kidstalk gets a great response from the listeners and the children that take part. It’s an enjoyable interview process with local children airing their views on life in their community.

‘WOODIE’ BRINGS THE ‘SIX NATIONS’ TO THE BANK

Members of the public and staff were treated to a sneak preview of the prestigious RBS 6 Nations trophy at Fermoy branch of Ulster Bank on Thursday last. The trophy visit came courtesy of the bank, which is part of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group, sponsors of the RBS 6 Nations Championship. It proudly stood on a table at the branch and there was plenty of space to move around, meet the players and have pictures taken.

Guests of honour were former Ireland, and Irish and British Lions player Keith Wood, who posed for photographs with waiting fans. Wood and long-term servant of both Ireland and Leinster, Shane Byrne, warmly welcomed everyone to the branch and signed autographs.

Keith even dispensed some helpful camera advice to local woman Adrienne Herlihy whose son, Oisin, was very pleased with the autographs he got, and the opportunity to stand with the famous Irish players.

The visit of the RBS 6 Nations trophy marked the launch of the RBS 6 Nations Championship which kicked off on Saturday last when Ireland enjoyed an unconvincing five points win over Italy in Croke Park.

Accompanying the rugby stars on the Cork leg of the trophy tour was Andrew Blair, chief operating officer, Ulster Bank who said; “Ulster Bank is delighted to bring this famous trophy to Cork and we are honoured that rugby legend Keith Wood, as part of Team RBS and Shane Byrne, are making a special appearance and undertaking a packed programme of activities here in Cork”.

He added; “The RBS sponsorship of the 6 Nations is now in its fifth year and the partnership between the business and senior level rugby has been both enjoyable and beneficial for Ulster Bank as members of the RBS Group”.

Pat O’Gorman, Mary Pollard and Julie and Daniel O’Brien, along with many local students, enjoyed the great atmosphere at Ulster Bank, Fermoy. Those in attendance were delighted with the opportunity to hold the trophy and meet the players. Two Group 4 Security personnel kept the trophy clean, while maintaining a watchful eye on the valuable piece of silverware.

Local branch manager David Valentine was on hand to mingle with the stars and members of the general public.

KILLAVULLEN FARMERS’ MARKET BACK IN ACTION AS BRIDGESTONE GUIDE AUTHOR PAYS A VISIT

Killavullen Farmers’ Market has resumed after a short Christmas and new year break. Author of the Bridgestone Guides, John McKenna was on hand last Saturday to kick-start proceedings. John was wholesome in his praise of the stallholders all of whom are motivated by the principle that there’s no substitute for foodstuffs produced in a traditional manner.

Farmers’ market chairman Andrew Cotter said vendors were delighted to be back. 2007 was a very good year for the market and it was all systems go for the coming 12 months, he said.

According to Andrew poor driving conditions accounted for the absence of some regular customers, however, he was confident they would be in attendance at the next market on Saturday, February 16 (markets take place every two weeks between 10.30 and 1pm).

For those unfamiliar with the concept, Killavullen Farmers’ Market is situated at the Nano Nagle Centre. A specially constructed tunnel-style enclosure ensures bad weather doesn’t impact on trading. Most of those selling produce are farmers’ market regulars offering a variety of cheese, vegetables, bread, jam, meat, fish and craft items.

By far and away the best seller at the market are eggs courtesy of the famed Ballygriffin flock. Demand for these wonderful free-range eggs always outstrips supply. The farmers’ market complements the environmentally friendly ethos of the Nano Nagle Centre. Cattle, sheep and fowl are the main agricultural enterprises at the centre.

FULL STEAM AHEAD ON N8 BYPASS

Progress continues apace on the N8 Mitchelstown bypass. The €70m project is described as being ‘on schedule’ for completion in March, 2010.

Speaking to The Avondhu this week, Kieran Lehane project resident engineer with Cork County Council, said, “Work is going very well and we are more than satisfied with the progress. Weather conditions have not been good, so the contractors have been concentrating on bridge works which will incorporate 7 road and 3 river bridges”.

Mr Lehane added, “We are looking forward to the advent of spring and better conditions to facilitate the earth moving aspects of the project. The crew are already working later in the evenings to 5.30pm, and this will be extended as the hours of daylight lengthen.

RESIDENTS ANGER AS IDLE HOUSES FITTED FOR NEW WINDOWS FIRST

Residents of the Ardwillin estate in Mitchelstown are furious that a scheme to upgrade the windows and doors of council houses in the area has fitted idle buildings in the area before occupied homes.

The Avondhu was last weekend contacted by two Ardwillin residents, angered that the long promised work to install PVC windows and doors has begun on empty houses when residents have waited years for the adaptation to their own occupied dwellings.

“We’ve been waiting two years for this work,” one lady said, “my home was measured up before Christmas and I was told the work would come in soon. I saw work being done on an idle house and asked the guys doing it what the story was. They confirmed it was the work that was to be done on all the houses”.

The caller went on to claim that, despite attempts to contact the council on the matter, she got no answers as to why those living in homes were not catered for first.

“Our windows don’t close properly,” she asserted, “we had a window replaced three years ago. That was the last work we’ve had done and it wasn’t done properly”.

Another caller was successful in getting a reply from the county council, however, and was told by a senior engineer in Mallow that the tenders for the work were contracted last week, and that residents will be contacted about fittings within three weeks.

“We have three asthmatics in the house,” the concerned mother claimed, “and the weather has never been as cold”.

The caller added that heating is also due to be installed by the council, but that the work will not commence until later this spring at the earliest. “We were notified that the heating installation will be complete in April,” she continued.

“We have a four bedroom house with only two radiators. We were promised these changes two years ago and then again in September or October. What good is the heating being installed in April? It will be warmer by then”, she concluded.