One of the highlights of the outings for the active retirement group was Mayor Olive Corcoran’s invitation to visit the Fermoy Town Hall and get an insight into the workings and official procedures of Fermoy town councillors. The general public and members of Active Retirement have various ideas and misconceptions of the role and scope of action of the councillors as a body. It was a very enlightening morning; the general conception of “Ask and you shall receive” culture was tempered by the explanation of the red tape and constitutional issues inherent in granting a request. Being aware of all this helped to soften our attitude to the role of Fermoy Town Councillors. That Mayor’s chain lies heavily on the wearers of past, present and alas no future Mayors.

Olive Corcoran was elected to the Fermoy Town Council on the Independent ticket and was very successful in securing election. Having worked professionally as a teacher in Presentation Convent, she was aware of the concerns and aspirations of families and sometimes the difficulties they encounter in achieving them and her natural compassion as a teacher urged her to seek answers. She did Trojan work for those in difficulty merely on her natural empathy for the needy and her dogged persistence to see entitled citizens get their rights.

Such was the unsung appreciation for Olive that she was asked to stand in for election in local council in Fermoy and the grateful voted with yes. She will go out in glory as Fermoy Town Council is to be disbanded next June. What a shame, as we may then see the truth of the old adage “you never miss the water, until the well runs dry”, when there is no one to help.

INVITATION TO FERMOY ACTIVE RETIREMENT

Mayor Olive Corcoran chaired the reception with Town Clerk, Pauline Moriarty, councillors John Murphy and Noel McCarthy who very warmly welcomed our members and were on hand to answer questions and allay any fears we may have regarding our future standard of living as retired citizens. Councillor Murphy outlined the formation of the Council, how it was so instrumental in the economic cultural and employment prospects of the Town and hinterland which all flourished since its inception and how the Council stills continues to do so. Councillor Murphy extended a very special welcome to Mrs Ber Mulcahy, whose father was chairman of Fermoy council from 1959 to 1963.

Councillor Noel McCarthy welcomed Fermoy Active Retirement Group to the Council Chambers, thanked Mayor Olive for her invitation to them and acknowledged the group’s commitment to the advancements of Positive Ageing attitudes and achievements, but mostly having a Town Mayor as a member of Active Retirement Association, Fermoy is the only group in Ireland that has that honour.

Town Clerk Pauline Moriarty warmly welcomed us and we do appreciate her taking the time from her busy day to spend the morning with us. It was a great morning, we thoroughly enjoyed it and got an opportunity to a question and answer session, but we tried not to be too hard on the councillors.

John O’Mahony, our chairman, on behalf of the Fermoy Active Retirement, thanked Mayor Olive Corcoran, Pauline Moriarty, Town Clerk, councillor John Murphy and councillor Noel McCarthy for their welcome to us and to their total commitment to the interests of Fermoy Town for the duration of their public office.

Ita Dempsey gave a very complimentary description of Olive’s natural beauty and demure image when she arrived in Fermoy to take up her teaching post in Presentation Convent, and how she has continued to blossom physically and professionally with the culmination of becoming the Mayor of her adopted Town. Maria Hackett reiterated John’s sentiments and vote of thanks. The morning ended with refreshments and a chat.

DONERAILE GATHERING INVITATION

We were very happy to receive an invitation from the Doneraile Active Retirement group to an evening in Doneraile Golf Club to mark Gathering Event year. We were entertained by the local school children, who put on a very professional display of singing and dancing, followed by a very energetic and uplifting set-dancing display by Irish/Céilí dancers. What energy and timing. You could hear a pin drop while two ladies from the Doneraile club each sang their favourite song. We thank Doneraile Active Retirement committee for their invitation to the event and for such an enjoyable time.

NEXT MEETING

At our last meeting on October 2^nd we were delighted to welcome Mr John Arnold, raconteur, comedian and singer. He entertained us with such a melange of stories and anecdotes, truth or fiction was hard to determine, but when the punch line came it’s origin did not matter. Whoever said, “laughter is the best medicine” knew what they were talking about, we laughed and laughed. John interspersed with some well-known ballads and a little bit of interesting historical information followed. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 16^th in the Youth Centre, Ashe Quay at 2.30pm. All welcome, refreshments served.