On November 28, the AGM of the Knockmealdown Active Group was held in Ardfinnan Hall. This was the first general meeting of the group since its inception in late 2011.

The attendance on the night was excellent showing the determination to succeed in all the communities involved in this new and pro-active group, looking to promote tourism culture and commerce across the towns of Ardfinnan, Ballyporeen, Clogheen, Goatenbridge and Newcastle.

The group has been responsible for a number of very innovative and successful ventures across the Knockmealdown region in its short existence including the tour of the Knockmealdowns bicycle run, a well attended dawn chorus event at Glenleigh Gardens, a successful demo and dine event in Cahir House, a well supported Hallowe’en walk in Newcastle, a promotional evening in the Old Convent Clogheen, the ongoing historic graves project, a recently completed walks awareness training programme, continuing development of Kildanogue Duck Ponds as a recreational asset and designation of a range of loop and linear walks along the Tipperary side of the Knockmealdown mountains. Knockmealdown also invested in launching its own website during the year and you can keep up with all the goings-on on www.knockmealdownactive.com and on Facebook and Twitter.

Officers elected on the night were as follows: chairperson Kevin O’Donnell; vice chairperson Marian O’Dwyer; secretary Seamus Butler; treasurer P J English; assistant treasurer Jim O’Brien and PRO Diarmuid Condon. There was also a number of members from each community co-opted onto the committee.

Chairperson, Kevin O’Donnell, thanked the members for all the effort they had put in during 2012 and there would be lots to look out for in 2013.