Carnmore Juvenile Hurling Notes 2002

Juvenile Year 2002

It is coming to the end of another year at Carnmore Juvenile Hurling Club. Hurling is an important part of the day to day life in the Carnmore/Claregalway parish and at this stage quite a number of youngsters participate in all age groups from U8 through to U16.

The U10 group performed well during the year. They participated in the Barna/Furbo where they reached the semi final, the Castlegar tournament where they also reached the semi-final and a tournament in Limerick which hosted teams from many counties where they finished second.

The U12s had a good year winning the City League Final and reaching the county final where in a close game they were defeated by St. Thomas’s. In reaching the county final the U12 team had played 13 matches unbeaten.

The U14 panel reached the final of the Larry Carroll tournament and quarter final of the county championship where they went out to Tynagh.

The U16 group made no impact on the county championship.

The story of the year is the performance of the combined Claregalway/Lackagh U13 hurling team that won the All Ireland community games at Mosney. Carnmore had 10 representatives on the panel as had Lackagh. It was a wonderful experience for all involved and augurs well for the future.

2002 Juvenile County Representatives

Congratulations to Barry Hanley and Kieran Murray who were chosen to represent Galway at U16 and Aidan Nally who was chosen at U14.

Juvenile Fundraising Dance

The Annual Juvenile Fundraising Dance took place in Grealish’s on the 26th of October. The club would like to thank all that attended, everyone who supported the event and in particular sponsors who made spot prizes available on the night. A special thanks to Mike and Helen at Grealish’s for hosting the event again.

Presentation of Medals to Juvenile Club

The presentation of all Juvenile medals took place at the Carnmore Center on Friday the 8th of November. It was a good night with medals presented to many grades. Kieran Murray and Barry Hanley spoke about their U16 representative visit to the USA during the Autumn. They thanked the club for the support they received and for the hurling efforts at the club to bring them to this position. It must now be an aspiration for all up and coming hurlers to achieve.

Indoor Hurling

Indoor hurling continues to be successful during the Winter months with a new crops of 6 year olds beginning in 2002. It is a good skills training ground getting all hurlers at an early age. Indoor Hurling continues on Wednesday evenings at the Carnmore Center from 7pm to 8:30pm.

AGM

The AGM will take place in January. A specific date will be notified in due course. It would be good to see as many parents of participants represented there as possible.

A special thanks from the committee to all who helped with team training & coaching this year and to all who supported the club during the year.

Turloughmore Health Centre

Professor Andrew Murphy, Dr. Eamon Twomey, Dr. Onora Lynch (sitting in front), Dr. Christy Cunningham, Dr. Mary Conroy and Dr. Brendan Day.

On Tuesday, December 3rd the official opening of the new Turloughmore Health Centre at Lackagh took place.

Dr. Brendan day welcomed everybody on behalf of the staff. He extended a welcome to special guest, 100 year old John Kelly, who is “the senior gentleman of our practice”. He also had a very special welcome to “my partner of many years Dr. Tom O’Shea”.

In summarising the development of this marvellous new facility, Dr. Day said the building had a long gestation. In 1979 when he joined Dr. O’Shea in practice, there was a small Health Centre, which was shared with the public health nurse and community welfare officer. “We had one surgery which we shared and shortly afterwards a small extension was built but we very quickly realised that this was inadequate. Discussion with the Western Health Board began in 1984 to fund a further extension. By 1995, the time had come for Dr. O’Shea to retire and still no extension had been built”.

Dr. Mary Conroy was appointed to replace Dr. O’Shea in 1995. At that time the staff consisted of Dr. Onora Lynch who worked part-time since 1986 and Maureen Graham who had joined the practice as receptionist in 1981. “In 1997 we appointed Orla Moran as our secretary and she is now the practice manager. Dr. Eamon Twomey came to join us in 1997 as did Kitty Culkin as secretary in 1996. In 1997 Prof. Murphy joined our practice and it was designated the University-linked practice for NUIG. Turloughmore became the first rural-based University practice in Ireland and the UK. Prof. Murphy is an active member of the practice and does all his clinical work from here. Maura Morris was appointed as an additional secretary in 2000. From 1979 Patricia Murphy has remained as caretaker. Finally, Dr. Christopher Cunningham joined our practice in 2001”. In all of this time the practice had got busier with 10 people working from a six-roomed Health Centre.

Dismissing the original idea of extending the old Health Centre because of its dangerous location on a busy road, a combination of public and private funding was negotiated, and a limited company was formed. Hence the Lackagh Medical Development Company was formed. “Fr. John D. Flannery, Parish Priest, was very helpful in organising local representatives who agreed to be responsible for the overall construction of the building. These were Phelim Murphy, Senator Jarlath McDonagh, Pat Moore, Paddy Burke, Joe Kelly and John Joe O’Kane.”

“We are indebted to many people including Thomas Flynn who agreed to sell a site to the Western Health Board at a nominal cost, Donal O’Donoghue, Galway County Manager for knocking heads together in the early stages of the development, to Brian Lynch Solicitor, who drew up the necessary documentation to form the limited company, to the many Western Health Board officials, Seamus Mannion, Regional Manager of Community Services, who was responsible for giving the initial go ahead, presumably with the C.E.O’s Dr. Sheelagh O’Ryan’s approval, Catherine Duffy of the Primary Care Unit, Joe Molloy of the Technical Services Department who showed us how the Western Health Board and Lackagh Development Company liaison could be worked on and later Grainne Cahill who supervises that aspect of the contract.

“ Hugh Farrell, who was then Senior Executive Officer in Community Care was a constant support, representing the Western Health Board at site meetings until the building was complete. Architects Colm O’Riain , Johnny Mullins and the staff of Galway Cregmore Construction, Sean Kennedy of O’Riain and Company, Pat Lavin and Michael Armstrong of Cregmore Construction, Tom White, Quantity Surveyor, Michael Farnon of Galway for the mechanical electrical, Michael McGrath who looked after the electrical contract, Dominic O’Connor for heating and plumbing, Eugene Geraghty and Noel Lydon for the joinery, I.A.D. Interiors and John Flynn who was responsible for the painting, along with Priya Prendergast and Michael McDonagh were also helpful during this time,” added Dr. Day. The new Centre was blessed by Fr. John D. Flannery, P.P. Lackagh, who was joined by Fr. Noel Mullin P.P. Claregalway.

Westdoc Information Notice

CLAREGALWAY/TURLOUGHMORE HEALTH CENTRE

As from Monday 2nd December 2002 this practice will be participating in the new Westdoc out of hours emergency service.

This will mean that for urgent problems from 6pm to 8am Monday—Friday and all weekend you should phone 1850 365 000 if you need medical telephone advice or a visit either to or from a doctor. Our existing surgery hours will continue by appointment as usual.

The Westdoc Medical Centre is located in the Liosbaun Industrial estate on the Tuam Road, Galway. It will be staffed by nurses and experienced family doctors (including Doctors from the Claregalway and Turloughmore Health Centres).

When you telephone the Turloughmore Medical Centre outside of normal surgery hours, an answering machine will ask you to phone 1850 365 000. Your call will then be answered by a nurse who will help you decide if you need to be seen by a doctor, either at the Liosbaun Centre or at home.

Doctors from this practice will be rostered for night time duty, so if you need a doctor at night, you may be looked after by one of the doctors of this practice at Liosbaun or at your home. When you are treated by a doctor, other than from this practice, details of your emergency care will be faxed or e-mailed to us, the following morning.

The existing Saturday morning emergency surgery will now be incorporated into the Westdoc emergency out of hours services.

We have decided to join Westdoc for the following reasons:

Improved security for doctors outside of normal surgery hours. This has become an increasingly important issue. Without Westdoc, we would be faced with the prospect of employing security staff for both surgery and house visits outside of normal working hours. In recent years we have found that it is very difficult to cope with the increasing workload during the day and especially at night.

With the cut backs in the Health Service, more of the burden of emergency care has reverted back to family doctors, without any improvement in our resources. Hence our inability to work continuously for 24 or 48 hours without sleep and still provide effective care the following day.

Involvement in Westdoc will mean that our patients will be looked after by experienced local family doctors in our absence.

News From Your Local TD

Noel Grealish TD would like to take this opportunity to wish all the people of Claregalway Parish, the surrounding areas and the readers of An Nuacht Chláir a Very Happy Christmas and A Prosperous New Year.

Good news: for just weeks after meeting with the Claregalway Amenity Group and listening to their plans for the future enhancement of the village I hope to be in a position to make some key announcements as to progress early in the New Year. I have already sought the inclusion of new and improved footpaths for the village in the next round of expenditure, while I am assured that the proposed lighting-up of the Old Monastery ruins and site is being actively examined. I am also told by officials at Dúchas that the erection of a plaque on the site is underway and will be on-site by the New Year.

Indeed, 2002 has been a very busy year for all of us and resulted in a number of key decisions which will bring many benefits to the area. Not least of these were the various roads improvements including the addition of new and improved road signage, footpaths at key areas along with new public lighting in townlands and villages of the area. Most recent of these initiatives was the improvement of sight lines at the Cloonacauneen road on the N17 where in a grand gesture the local landowner made the land available to the County Council, with the result that they were able to make the junction much safer for people getting on and off the National Primary.

On the subject of the National Primary and the wider issues of the Roads Programme, it is essential that the proposals for the N6, N17 and N18, along with the City Outer By-Pass, are put back on track in the coming budget and I will be making strong representations to Minister McCreevey, to ensure that Galway’s progress and future development is not going to be held back. Equally welcome is the news that a final allocation of 6 million has been made for the completion of the R339 from Carnmore Cross to the Briarhill Roundabout and will see new public lighting from Ballintemple to the junction as well as allowing for a final surface overlay on this, one of the busiest roads in the county.

The greatly improved road surface will also see the traffic speed limits coming under scrutiny shortly particularly as the stretch from the Cross to Ballintemple will be as good quality and as safe as any of the National routes. Water Schemes and the confirmation of nearly 4 million of an investment in the four water schemes at Carnmore, Cregmore, Casla No. 2 and Morepark, will, with the help of a local contribution, see them linked to the Tuam Regional Waterworks and confirms once again what can be achieved through making representations and meeting with Council officials.

I am delighted to see that the work has already started on these. And finally some information just to hand: according to the latest Census figures both Claregalway and Carnmore registered increases in population over the 1996 figures with Claregalway having a total population of 1645 (814 m. & 831 f.) an increase of 543, while Carnmore has a total population of 1992 (1041 m. & 951 f.) an increase of 410 people. In closing, I would again like to thank all of the readers and friends of An Nuacht Chláir for all their support and help during the year and I would like to Wish You All a Very Happy Christmas and A Peaceful and Prosperous New Year. Noel Grealish

Clinics

Imperial Hotel, Eyre Square
Every Saturday 9:30 am to 12:30 pm

Last Saturday of each month

Oughterard—Lake Hotel 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm

Clifden—O’Malleys, Market St. 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

New Constituency Office at: 15(a) Briarhill Business Park
Open: Mon-Fri 9:15 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5:30 pm
Contact: 091 764807

Skin Care & Aromatherapy Clinic

KINISKA, CLAREGALWAY (091) 798485

MAIN STREET, CLARINBRIDGE (091)776824

This Christmas if you want to look good for those Christmas parties and have no time to use the sunbed, why not cheat and use a self-tanner—”the perfect fake”.

How to apply:

Exfoliate first to remove dry dead cells, that cause patchy results. Use a body scrub or an exfoliating glove.

Apply body lotion or moisturiser to provide a smooth surface. Be generous over dry areas, such as knees and ankles or they’ll soak up the colour.

Smooth on the fake tan, using your hand and finishing with a downward motion for even results. Apply according to instructions on tube.

N.B. Be patient—rushing will only result in patchy uneven colour. Apply a few thin layers rather than plastering it on in one go.

For further information contact Evelyn Kitt (091) 798485/776824

Mobile: (087) 6783733

Head Lice (Pediculus Capitis)

Infestation with head lice is common amongst schoolchildren between the ages of 4 and 12 years. Transmission is by head to head contact, as lice cannot fly or jump but can crawl quickly. Girls are more likely to be affected than boys. Sharing of personal items i.e. brushes, combs or hats can possibly spread the head louse. Shaven hairstyles and use of hair gels can act as a physical deterrent. Itching is the most common symptom; the lice feed by sucking blood and simultaneously injecting saliva, thus causing pruritus (itch). The head louse is a pale reddish-brown insect. A fine-toothed comb should be used to aid detection of live lice. Areas near the ears and the nape of the neck is where most eggs are laid.

There are two basic treatment options: topical insecticides, e.g. Malathion, permethrin and phenotrin, and also wet combing i.e. while conditioner is present. There is little documented evidence to support electrocution by battery-powered combs or the use of natural oils although many people suggest that these treatments are very successful.

Topical insecticides are available in lotions, liquids, shampoos and crème rinses. Mechanical removal by wet combing can be used in conjunction with the insecticides. Lice do not move to another host within seven days of hatching and do not reproduce within ten days of hatching so if all young lice are removed within a few days the infestation can be eradicated. It is best carried on wet hair with a lubricant i.e. hair conditioner.

Regular, weekly, detection combing is recommended for several weeks after treatment.

John Duffy MPSI Claregalway Pharmacy.

Tel. 799754. Open 9 AM to 8 PM Monday to Friday and 9 AM to 6.30 PM on Saturday.

Gardening with Bosco

Another year nearly over and a new one coming upon us. Time to reflect on the year gone by in the garden. As I write we have had strong winds and probably the wettest summer and winter in history. Needless to say, it hasn’t suited plants, with poor summer bedding colour, poor returns from fruit trees and vegetable gardens and overall making all gardening tasks more difficult. Nevertheless, preparation for the oncoming festivities, Santa Claus, friends and family returning home, cheers us up.

It is very important with the high winds to check all stakes and ties on your trees, to prevent damage. Ensure all trees that need staking have a good pencil stake (replace if necessary) and a good super soft tie. Ensure that the tie is at hip height, up near the top of the stake. Drive a tack or nail through the tie to stop it slipping down the stake and leaving the tree prone to snapping at the base lower down.

Another task that can be carried out at this time of year is to move any trees or shrubs from one position to another. Ensure that you take a good rootball (as much soil and root as intact as possible). Avoid knocking any soil or root off the rootball, by placing a sheet of polythene underneath it and carry it as intact as possible to its new position. Heel in well with your feet. Because of the heavy rainfall, avoid moving any plants until the ground dries up somewhat, to avoid doing any damage by compaction.

The lawn is best avoided in this weather so as to avoid compaction. If it dries up you could feed it with an autumn lawn feed.

Another weather factor to be aware of is frost. We haven’t received any heavy frost as yet. If threatened protect plants with a frost protection fleece (looks like a white nylon sheet). Cordylines (those plants that have green or purple spiky foliage and a brown stem) which many people lost in December 2000 can be protected by tying up the foliage into one and wrapping a canvas type bag around it. Tender plants could be brought into a garage or shed overnight.

Your vegetable garden when it dries out can be dug over. Remove old vegetable debris to help prevent overwintering pests and diseases and dig in any organic type material such as seaweed, mushroom compost, farmyard manure (dung) or material from your compost heap. Mushroom compost contains a high degree of lime, ideal for brassicas but not potatoes, so beware!

The next two items we mention every year, but only because of their importance of all the questions asked on them. You cannot mention Christmas without the Christmas tree and you can choose from a very realistic artificial to live trees in pots. Picea Abies Koreana is one of the nicest live trees in a pot but the best one to transplant is the Noble Fir, so choose a spruce. There are three main types of cut tree, the Noble Fir (which is the King of the Christmas Trees) Spruce and Lodgepole Pine. Norway Spruce was once the most popular but its tendency to shed leaves puts it on the bottom rung. The Noble Fir is a graceful non-shed tree, a beautiful blue (green colour with a nice scent). The Lodge Pole Pine is also non-shed—a light green colour. A stand that can hold the tree and that has a reservoir for water is the best. Top up the reservoir with water occasionally—particularly with central heating near by—to stop it drying out.

Christmas pot plants given as gifts always present a challenge to the average household. The majority of people fail to get as much as they should out of them. Below are a few pointers as to how to look after them:

Pointsettias-They like average warmth with lots of light, water thoroughly but wait until the compost is moderately dry before watering again. If the room is very humid, mist occasionally.

Solanums—the Christmas cherry likes a cooler room temperature, lots of light and keep the compost moist at all times. Mist occasionally.

Cyclamens—they like a cooler room temperature, lots of light and keep moist at all times using soft rain water—semi tepid (lukewarm) if possible.

Christmas Cactus—they like an average room temperature, well lit spot, no sunlight, water liberally when the compost begins to dry out.

Chrysanthemums—bright light if possible but shade from the mid day sun. Keep the compost moist at all times. A cool temperature is ideal. After flowering most plants are discarded but pot chrysanthemums can be planted out in the garden where if they survive, will revert to their natural growth habit as perennials. The above also apples to azaleas.

Finally, for a little spot of winter colour to bring a little display of warmth, use winter pansies, violas, polyanthus, wallflowers, winter flowering heathers, skimmias (lovely red flower all winter) and Carex and variegated ivies for some foliage colour.

That’s it for now, until next month, happy gardening.

Bosco McDermott, Jnr., Glynn’s Garden Centre, Oranmore. (091-799135)

I would like to thank all our customers for their custom over the past year and wish you and your family a warm and happy Christmas.

Bosco

Christmas Stories And Poems

From Claregalway National School

OUR DAY IN DUBLIN

We set off excitedly in a coach with high hopes at 9:45 a.m. It seemed as if the journey was an never-ending one but fortunately it came to a halt at the classy Liffey Valley Shopping Centre. Within fifty minutes most of our money had vanished and tummies began to rumble.

Afterwards our generous teachers, Mr. Hannon and Mr. Flaherty, treated us to the mouth-watering food in MacDonald’s. Although slightly delayed there , we soon made our next stop to the historical Kilmainham Jail. We entered through the tall thick walls of the jail. There we watched a short video about the history of Kilmainham Jail. We learned about the hardship and poverty some of the innocent convicted prisoners. The jail itself is unoccupied and held most of the condemned 1916’s leaders.

After the video we wandered around the once occupied cells and we were shown where and told when the 1916 leaders were executed.

We eventually left the jail and went to Leinster House and Dáil Eireann. We were to see Bertie Ahern the Taoiseach and Tanaiste Mary Harney and our own T.D. Noel Grealish who generously invited us up to the luxurious and historical Dáil Eireann. We listened carefully for a while but just couldn’t stay for good. We all enjoyed the odd argument that came up between the T.D’s and the ministers. We travelled back home with a satisfied look on our faces.

Overall it was a brilliant day and I would definitely recommend our readers to visit Kilmainham Jail and Dáil Eireann.

Hubert Newell (6th class)

THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER

One Christmas I was so excited but I didn’t know what to get because there was so many toys.

It was Christmas Eve and our Christmas tree was up. Around 1:00 am I was in bed but I couldn’t go to sleep because I was so excited. I heard a bang on the roof. I thought it was Santa Claus. Because I am so smart (only kidding) I stuck a video camera on the top of the roof so I could see Santa on the t.v. in my room. I turned on the t.v. and saw the red, shiny sleigh. I stuck a camera in the sitting room under the couch as well. I changed to that channel and saw dust falling from the chimney and then a sack fell on the fireplace. I winked and Santa was putting presents under the tree. It was time, I got out of bed and went quietly to the sitting room. The door was open and I peeked round the door.

I saw Santa drinking his Guinness and eating his biscuits. Then he said “come here Ian”.

I replied and said “I am Cory”. “Oh, sorry Cory, ho, ho, ho!” he laughed. “Well, do you like your Guinness and biscuits?”

“Oh, yes, they are yummy yum, say, do you want to come around the world with me because you don’t look tired?” “It would be an honour” I said. We got back on the sleigh and went all round the world. We went to Mexico, Hawaii, America, Australia, England, China and all the other countries in the world. And guess what! I got it all on video, but the video is totally secret.

Then he took me home and I got into bed and shut my eyes. Then in about 5 seconds my alarm went off! I opened all my presents bla, bla, bla and that’s that.

Cory Steven (4th class)

WE LOVE CHRISTMAS

We love Christmas

When the Christmas tree glows

All along the streets people saying Ho Ho

On our window sill is white snow.

We love Christmas Eve

It is a cheerful day.

When Santa comes to all the boys and girls

Hip hip horray!

Aoife Greally & Helen Moran (4th class)

THE SPOOKY CHRISTMAS

“ Arann, of Arann, wake up sleepyhead, urged Cliodhna. She ended up pushing me onto the floor. “Hey! Okay I’m up. Ouch, you could’ve just poured some red lemonade onto my face , I complained.” That gives me an idea … “Don’t you dare!”

Eventually, we went downstairs. In the kitchen, lo and behold, the floor was littered with presents! “Quick, get Mum and Dad, I ordered. Cliodhna obediently woke them up. When they got back, I was swimming in a sea of wrapping paper.

“ Time to open the presents!”, declared Dad.

“ Yipee! Yelled everyone.

The first present I opened was a tiny box. Inside was a replica of the One Ring, complete with elvish inscription! “Cool”, I chuckled. The next present I got was a replica of Bilbo Baggins sword “Sting”. I accidentally cut my arm off. I started screaming. I sat up in bed. I felt cold because I was sweating. It was all a dream. Or was it? I looked at my left arm. My blood ran cold. It was missing.

Arann McMahon (4th class)

My Christmas

I set the table with a bar and can for Santa, sleigh flyer, the coolest man. I left a big place under the Christmas tree. To store the presents, mostly for me.

I hid a camera under the chair which I know wasn’t really fair.

To see was he going to visit tonight just to prove with my own sight.

I woke up with presents under the tree.

I know now that he’s friends with me.

Seán Kearney ( 6th class )

The Brilliant Competition

It was about two weeks before Christmas day and I was just playing with my computer when I heard my Dad say to my Mum “There’s a competition on the Nuacht Chláir for a trip to Lapland for four and all you have to do is complete this crossword” My dad is always entering competitions but he never wins anything. I didn’t stop playing my computer until I heard my Dad shout “Yes” I’ve completed the crossword! I shut down the computer and went into the kitchen to get a glass of coke.

It was raining the next few days so I stayed inside and watched the television. With a week and two days to go before Christmas Day we got a phone call saying “You’ve won the trip to Lapland”. We had to go in two days time. On the day we were leaving we had to drive to Shannon and then take a plane to Lapland. The four people in my family are my sister Catherine, my Mum, my Dad and me.

When we got to the hotel in Lapland, we were dead tired, so we took a rest for a while. After we got up my Dad went down to the ground floor to buy some cans of 7-up. When he came back he also had a sheet of paper “I got this sheet of paper at the reception”, he said, there is a competition on it, to go on the sleigh with Santa and you only need to answer this question, “which reindeer has a red nose?”. “I answered Rudolph”. “O.K. I’ll just write that down and return it to reception”, he said. The next day the manager knocked on our room door and he said “You have won the trip with Santa on his sleigh”. Everyone went crazy!

On Christmas Eve night my sister and I were sitting in the sleigh ready to be whisked off on an amazing adventure. When we were high up in the sky, I think over France because I thought I saw the Eiffel Tower, Santa discovered there was a hole in his sock, “All the toys have fallen down and it’s too late to look for them so we’ll have to go to my brother Rambo. He owns a toy shop in Paris and lives beside it.”

Santa drove down to Rambo’s house but he wasn’t there, he went to the toy shop and he was there. Santa showed Rambo the toy list and Rambo gave him the toys.

When we got back to Lapland Santa told me not to say anything about what happened.

When we were back in Ireland I found a new bike under the Christmas tree. I was wondering how that got there and my sister got a toy drum. She was wondering how that got there. Well, here’s the answer “Santa is full of magic”.

Stephen Walsh (4th class)

Special News

Congratulations to Angela O’Connor, Kiniska, Claregalway who won competitor of the year in Tae Kwando recently. This is certainly a great honour for one so young and we are all very proud of you Angela. Angela was featured in last month’s Nuacht Chláir having achieved a 2nd and 3rd place in Germany, beating off oppositions from several different countries.

Congratulations also to her brother John who received a grading award with excellent markings.

Best wishes to Lorraine and Aiden Concannon who moved into their new home in Cloonbiggeen on Sunday the 15th December. Hope you have many happy years in your new abode.

RECENT DEATHS

John Fahy, Lydican

Patrick Donoghue, Cahergowan

Claregalway Parish History 750 Years

Claregalway Historical & Cultural Society launched their new book “Claregalway Parish History Pictorial” in Terry Brennan’s, Loughgeorge on Friday 13th December 2002. Chairperson Tom Lenihan was M.C. Speakers were Canon Noel Mullin P.P., Noel Grealish T.D. Val Hanley, Mayor of Galway, Philip Cribbin C.E.O. of Galway V.E.C. and an t Ollamh Gearóid O Tuathaigh, Dept of History N.U.I. Galway, who launched the book. All speakers paid glowing tributes to the committee for producing such a marvellous book and said it would be a much sought after book in years to come. The book contains 590 photographs of all aspects of life in the parish and is available from the committee Tom Lenihan, Brendan Noonan, Seamus O’Connell, Sean Concannon, Micháel O’hEidhin, Michael Hession and Gearoid Hartigan. It is also available from local shops. As part of the launch the committee are running a Postal Quiz.

1. Name the Carpenter who had a workshop where Hughes supermarket and Post Office is located.

2. What year was the present Church in Claregalway consecrated?

3. Name the 2 primary schools in Claregalway Parish.

Send entries to Seamus O’Connell, Cloonbiggeen, Claregalway All entries received on or before the 10th January 2003 will be put into a draw. The first correct entry drawn will receive a copy of the new book.

Chocolate Log

Serves 10 people

Ingredients

• 6 oz of dark chocolate
• 5 eggs
• 6 oz of caster sugar
• 3 tablespoons of water

Filling

• 1/2 pint of cream
• 2 teaspoons of rum
• 1 shallow swiss-roll tin (12 inches)
• Icing sugar to dust

Method

• Preheat the oven to 180 °C
• Line the swiss roll tin with oiled aluminium foil
• Separate the eggs
• Put the yolks into a bowl
• Gradually add the caster sugar and whisk until the mixture is pale to lemon coloured
• Melt the chocolate with the water in a saucepan over a very gentle heat
• Whisk the egg whites until firm
• Add the melted chocolate to the egg yolk mixture
• Fold the remaining egg whites into the mixture and turn it into the prepared tin
• Cook in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until firm to the touch around the edge but still slightly soft in the centre
• Wring out a tea towel in cold water, take the tin from the oven, cool it slightly and cover with the damp cloth. This is to prevent any sugary crust forming.
• Leave it in a cool place
• Provided the cloth is kept damp it will keep for 2 days like this

To serve

• Whip the cream and flavour with the rum
• Put a sheet of grease-proof paper onto a table and dust well with sieved icing sugar. Remove the damp cloth from the tin. Turn the tin upside down onto the prepared paper. Remove the tin and peel the aluminium foil off the roulade carefully. Spread the rum flavoured cream and roll the roulade like a swiss-roll
• Decorate with holly leaves, robins, etc. and sprinkle with icing sugar to serve.

Courtesy of Susie’s Home Entertainment Centre

Carnmore Camogie Club

2002 has been the most successful year for our club to date which is now in its 6th year. This is in no small part due to the hard work and dedication of all the girls involved in the sport and also the club coaches and officials. This combined with the tremendous support from the parents has made it a very special year to date for us. In this 2 part report we are giving a brief outline of each age group participating in camogie and have divided it into U10 & U12’s in this edition and U13, U14, U16 & U18 in the next.

During the year apart from camogie we were also involved in fundraising and were delighted at the responses and support we received for our ‘bag packing’ in Londis Oranmore and our sponsored walk. As a result our club were able to give the full donation to the county board / hospice and also were able to give a donation to Carnmore Community Centre for its Tarmac project. New players of all ages are always welcome to join our club and we were delighted to see many new members this year. We will be holding our annual door to door wren collection on St Stephens day – so look out for the red jerseys! Also we will be holding our medals presentation in January (more details later). Finally thank you to our main sponsors Liam Glynn of Centra who has been very generous to us and Terry & Fiona Brennan who sponsored an U10 celebration.

U10’s Camogie

Our U10s got off to a flying start in the championship with good wins over Turloughmore, Oranmore–Maree and Salthill & Moycullen & a draw against Clarenbridge.

We were however, unfortunate to be beaten in the quarter-final by St Thomas. We continued training in preparation for the city league and in the interim played in the Ardrahan tournament. This featured Ardrahan, Gort, Oranmore –Maree and ourselves and we were convincing winners on the day. Our group in the city league included Castlegar, Moycullen, Cois Fharraige and Salthill. We won all our games leaving us top of the table in our group facing Oranmore-Maree in the semi-final. Oranmore-Maree started extremely well and were up 1-1 to no score at half time. However, after the interval our girls clicked, playing some great camogie and were comfortable eventual winners by a margin of 4-1 to 1-1.

The final in early November was against Turloughmore played in difficult weather conditions. This was the best game of camogie played by our U10’s this year against an equally great Turloughmore team. There was nothing between us until a break late in the 2nd half gave us the late goal we needed to clinch the game. It was however a fitting result for the U10’s who showed great commitment to their training since April and our post Match celebration in Terry Brennans had lots of smiling faces.

Panel for the year was: -Elisha Ahmad, Jenny Brennan, Yvonne Coen, Cassie Connelly, Ciara Connelly, Siobhain Cullen, Emma Devanney, Louise Duggan, Aoife Fox, Catriona Fox, Niamh Fox,Karen Fox,Caroline Giles,Adelle Grealish, Orla Grealish, Aisling Hanley, Sarah Hanley, Celine Hession, Ailbhe Manning, Michelle Murphy, Jennifer O’Dowd, Jennifer O’Keefe, , Lorena Quinn & Shauna Thornton.

U12’s are Co. Champions

After the success of reaching the Co. Semi-final last year and with only 3 of the panel over age this year, expectations were high of going all the way and winning the U12 A title.

We were drawn in a very strong group with Kiltulla/Kilimordaly – the Defending Champions, Athenry and Mullagh.

While we didn’t look very impressive in any of these games we were successful in all of them.

The hardest group game we played was our last against Mullagh – one of the most successful under age clubs in the county. This game decided who would top the group and who would qualify in second place. This victory was hard fought in Mullagh’s home ground.

As group winners we went on to play the runners up of the other group – Ahascragh, while Mullagh played the winners of that group – Davitts.

Ahascragh were one of the weaker teams we played and we won the semi-final easily.

Everyone involved was delighted to be in the final and we were proud of the girls achievements already as we had gone one step further than last year.

The other semi-final was delayed for a number of weeks so we had a long wait before we knew who the opposition would be in the final. We increased training to three sessions per week and this was where the Girls really showed their commitment.

During that last number of weeks leading up to the final we had the full panel training each evening.

We finally learned that Mullagh would be our opposition in the Final. I thought our biggest problem would be to keep the girls from getting overconfident because of our victory over them in the group game.

On the day of the final Carnmore were the better team and we fully deserved our four-point win. There were great celebrations afterwards with bonfires blazing in the parish to welcome us home.

This was an historic victory and a tremendous achievement for a club as young as ours to have an U12 A championship success.

Although it wasn’t possible to have everyone play on the day, great credit must be given to the full panel of players for their commitment and dedication to the success.

I would like to thank the parents of each of the girls because without their help in bringing the girls to and from training and matches this would not have been achieved.

Panel for the year was: Jenny Davoreen, Ciara Joyce, Andrea Fox, Elaine Grealish, Meabhdh Hanley, Sara Devanney, Stephanie Molloy, Kate O’Keefe, Grainne McHugh, Yvonne Coen, Lisa Kirwin, Natalie Molloy (Captain), Shauna Thornton, Roisin Fox, Sara Fox, Adelle Grealish, Niamh Fox, Sinead Feeney, Natasha Tannian. Coaches were: Gerry Crowe and Anthony Molloy

Leonard Retains Title In College Derby

Saturday 2nd of November, 300 competitors from across Ireland converged on NUI Galway’s Sports Centre for the Taekwon-do National Championships. This is the second year for this national level competition open to all practitioners of Taekwon-do in the 32 counties. The inaugural hosting of this event in Neptune stadium, Cork last year was the first step towards breaking down the traditional barriers between the various organising bodies for Taekwon-do in Ireland.

Mark Leonard the NUI, Galway Taekwondo Club instructor, and a native of Lydican, Carnmore, represented his school in the black belt heavyweight section, fighting to retain the title he took last year. Mark got off to a good start in the first round overcoming Limerick’s Ger Healy who had no answer to his strong head kicks and backhand strikes.

This led to an eagerly awaited showdown with The University of Limerick’s Philip Fox, one of the top heavyweights in the country. The pressure was on as both men carried the pride of their respective college clubs into the final. The two are very close in stature and technique, Philip carrying a slight edge having won their last engagement. Their ring experience was apparent in the first round, both being careful not to waste techniques, Leonard was tentative with his trademark right leg side kicks testing his opponent, while Fox played the waiting game, his powerful round house kick searching for a target. Neither fighter was willing to press an attack and leave an opening for the other. As the seconds of the first round ticked to a close neither seemed to have the advantage. Both fighters knew that they had to up the tempo and Fox took the initiative early coming out with all guns blazing in the second round. Leonard responded well and with good coaching from Dermot Walsh began to turn the fight to his advantage scoring with some strong side kicks and spinning back kicks. Fox, never to be discounted returned some great flurries, combining hands and feet well to chalk up his points tally with the judges. There was little to separate them in the end with the split decision going Leonard’s way, allowing him to bring the National Title home for a second year running.

Questions About Santa Claus

Who is Santa Claus?

Santa Claus has a variety of different names in different languages, but they all refer to the person of St. Nicholas who was born many centuries ago in the 4th century (born c 245 AD, and died c350 AD, various sources list various dates) in Lycia, Anatolia, a province on the southwest coast of Asia Minor (present day Turkey). He was born in Patara, a seaport, and traveled. St. Nicholas became a bishop of the church at Myra. Few documents exist which mention him, however legends of his generosity exist throughout most churches. Thousands of churches in the Middle Ages were dedicated to him.

St. Nicholas performed a number of miracles, all associated with gift giving. His feast day was December 6, so think of St. Nicholas on December 6th and December 25th.

In 1823, Clement C. Moore wrote “A Visit from St. Nicholas’, which showed Santa Claus driving a sleight drawn by “eight tiny reindeer” and in doing so, he created an image we all have today. Thomas Nash drew Santa Claus based on Moore’s description, cementing in this image.

How does Santa’s sleigh make it around the world in one day?

Through a combination of lots of practice and hard work, judicious use of time zones, and a little magic, Santa and the reindeer always make it in time.

How does Santa know whether I have been naughty or nice?

Santa maintains his naughty and nice list (now computerized, by the way), with the help of all the elves who keep track of each person — you probably aren’t even aware they are around you, but elves have a special way of keeping an eye on you. Sometimes if you look quickly enough you might catch one peering in a window or around a corner, but you would have to be very fast and very good!

Why doesn’t Santa always bring me what I asked for?

Thanks to the elves and your gift lists, Santa usually knows what presents you would like to receive. However, sometimes Santa also knows that your parents, family, or guardians have other special things in mind. Also, Santa does not like to bring gifts that he knows your parents etc. would prefer you not to have — such as a horse, or a space shuttle, or other gifts that would not be appropriate.

Why does Santa Claus climb down the chimney?

Santa first began climbing down the chimney for Dutch children. Similarly, the switches he leaves for naughty children originated with the Dutch. His red suit trimmed with white fur originated from the bishop’s mitre and cape worn by the Dutch saint.

Claregalway Karate Club

On Sunday the ITKA held a junior competition in Furbo hall over 50 students to part from our 4 clubs in Galway. Three Claregalway members took part with some outstanding results. Ciaran and Sinead Harte took part with Ciaran winning gold medals in the Free fighting and basic event and Sinead winning gold medals in the Kata and basic.

Also congratulations to Alan Jacobson (new member to Claregalway Club) who took the free-fighting title in the boys red to green belt section . We are coming to the end of a very successful year for Claregalway Karate Club from starting off with just two members back in October 2001 we have grown to over 30 junior members and 10 senior members.

We would like to thank our club members for all the dedication and support over the past year and we will be having a end of year Party for our Junior members in the next few weeks so make sure all you members come down for the last day of training for this year.

Training times for our Claregalway Club are Thursdays 7.30 to 8.30 Juniors and Seniors are from 8.30 to 9.30 (adults only ) Remember to keep practicing over the holidays and we will see you in early January.

Signed Pat Kelly 3rd Dan

Dave Giles 1st Dan

Claregalway Leisure Centre

The Annual Craft fair took place in the Centre on Sunday 1st December. Despite the dreadful weather on the day, it was a great success. There were over 40 stalls in all, with items for sale varying from paintings and glassware, to silk scarves, Christmas decorations, quilts, decoupage, photographs, candles and various hand made items. The committee are grateful to all those who helped out on the day, either manning stalls and raffles, helping with the children’s items, or with the refreshments. Thanks also to all who donated cakes for the cake stall, and to the people who worked hard all day selling cakes, raffle tickets, or making teas. Thanks to all the young people who helped with the children’s items on the day. A special thanks to those who helped with the décor, and to the local youth club who gave up their free time to help the committee decorate and set up on the Saturday night. The raffle always proves to be a success and would not have been possible without the generous sponsorship of the following: Cregmore Construction, Fireplaces of Elegance, McGreal’s Ballybane, the Abbey Restaurant and Style Concepts.

The following were the prizewinners:

Stereo Aine Brennan, Loughgeorge.

Stereo Aoife Harte, Lakeview.

Companion Set Paul Kenny, Clogher.

Meal for two Danie Holland, Kilcoona, Headford.

Salt and Pepper Set Paul Fleming, Cregboy.

Wine Aislinn Newell, Lakeview.

Whiskey Geraldine Foy, Cregboy.

Guess the weight of the cake Mary Forde, Cahergowan.

Sweets in a jar Frank Flanagan, Mervue.

This year there was a special Children’s Section, which showed crafts made by some local children, and was a great success. These young entrepreneurs deserve credit for their skills, and were one of the features which visitors to the fair most enjoyed. All proceeds from the rent of the stalls, the cake sale, raffle and refreshments, will go towards the upkeep of the hall.

The 2003 fundraising calendar is currently on sale in local outlets or from any member of the committee. The proceeds will go towards the upcoming refurbishments of the Leisure Centre toilets and kitchen. The committee are still awaiting the outcome of their application for funding, and hope to hear before long. Further updates in the Nuacht Chláir.

The committee would like to thank all the people who turned out in such numbers to make the Craft Fair the success it has become, and hope to continue it as an annual fundraiser for the Centre.

Siobhán Lynskey, Secretary

Claregalway Leisure Centre

Editorial

Dear Readers,

How time moves on. Christmas is once again upon us and for me personally I find the hustle and bustle leading up to it a total strain—not that I am a total scrooge or anything—I just feel we are all caught up with material matters and seem to lose the real meaning of Christmas. What is it? The birth of Jesus is very significant and in the times we have with all that is going on, it is hard to grasp this significance For me, Christmas is simplicity— the birth of Jesus, carol singing and just believing in the moment.

Seasons Greetings to you all from the Nuacht Chláir Team and a very happy New Year.

Josette

Letter To The Editor

Dear Editor,

I thoroughly enjoyed the Senior Citizens Christmas party which I attended in Terry Brennan’s Tavern. It was a wonderful night and I would like to publicly thank the Committee and indeed, everyone concerned, who added to the enjoyment.

Minnie McMahon