IT's ALL ABOUT AMANDA.

GRANAGH BACKS AMANDA:

Sunday 24th Oct, is our big fundraiser for the Tierney family, Knockfierna - just about two weeks time !

Thanks to Richard O'Donoghue, TD, for getting us together and to all those who turned up for the meeting. The committee was whittled down to nine people, who will act as coordinators for each event. We already have some volunteers but welcome as many as possible.

For the TRACTOR/Truck/Van/Car & Vintage RUN, Richard himself and Michaél Ahern, 087-8314410, will answer your queries. It will be €20 pp, with only over sixteen drivers allowed. Janice & Seamus in the Rock, will kindly be providing food for the participants. Time & venue to be decided.

For the 5k WALK, (small ring), Anne Leahy, 086-8389780 has her team ready to go, just waiting for plenty of walkers. Grace McCarthy, 087 - 7838632, has taken on the RAFFLE. If you would like to donate a prize, she would be delighted to hear from you. Grace will also be calling to business' in our neighbouring towns as regards sponsorship or prizes. Jimmy & Kay Chawke, 086 - 2509308, are looking after the CYCLE. As it is late in the year for a long cycle, we are just inviting clubs to start at their own base and arrive in Granagh for 12pm. So far Newcastle West, Kilmallock, Adare and Patrickswell have agreed to participate. Gerry O'Donovan, 087 - 2608135, and Carol Ahern are liaising with local Schools to see if they can do a mini fundraiser.

The main activity will take place in the HALL and Mike O'Regan, 087 - 6871084, is the contact there. Tickets for raffle will be on sale there. The CAKE sale will be set up there and light refreshments will be provided for walkers and cyclists. Lots of help will be required here, as Mike knows nothing about baking.! Of course he will accept and probably taste it all right. The usual help, serving teas, clearing tables, washing-up would be appreciated. People are always so good at supplying baked goods, hopefully as many as possible can do it again.

Later in the evening, we will have a fun AUCTION in the Rock Bar, John Kelly, Doorluss, 085 - 7894468, will be looking after this. The 'GO FUND ME' page - ' Granagh Backs Amanda' was set up by Niamh O'Hanlon and

the Facebook page was set up by Shane McCarthy. We thank them for being so generous with their time and resources. If you feel you can help with any of the above, you can contact the relevant person. Any further info required, contact Mary O'Regan, 087 - 9139902.

FIRE SAFETY WEEK:

4th October- 11th October; National Fire Safety Week aims to highlight fire safety, particularly in the home. The theme for the week is 'Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives - Test Yours Weekly.' It is so important that we are all aware and fully-informed as to the steps we can take to protect ourselves and our homes from fire. More info on - www.firesafetyweek.ie

NAT. TREE DAY:

Thur 7th Oct: This year's theme is 'Trees are Good Neighbours'. Trees are some of our greatest neighbours and are so vital to our environment and our planet. This year, in return, we are thinking about how we can be good neighbours to our trees. To help, the Tree Council of Ireland are giving away free saplings of the Wild Cherry to all schools.

Nature needs more good neighbours than ever before. The native Irish Cherry can grow to thirty metres and can live for sixty years. The timber of the cherry tree is strong and durable and has a deep rich brown colour like mahogany. It is often used as a decorative wood in joinery and furniture making. It is also one of several woods suited to making Uilleann pipes.

The wild cherry, with its beautiful blossoms and useful fruit was considered long ago to be a symbol of youthfulness, beauty and love.

BALLYHOURA Walking Festival:

The twenty fifth festival takes place from Friday 8th to Sunday 10th October in Kilfinane.

Established as Ireland’s first-ever walking festival back in the day, it provides an opportunity to explore some of Ballyhoura Country’s stunning scenery. Many of the walks are led by members of the Ballyhoura Bears Walking Club – who have in-depth knowledge of the area and its heritage, history, flora and fauna – and are suitable for all abilities, from the enthusiastic well-equipped walker to the gentle ramblers who are out to enjoy a pleasant walk.

The Joyce Brothers Music Festival, which complements the walking programme with its own jam-packed schedule, featuring historical talks, musical performances, concerts and workshops. It starts at the Old Chapel Room in Kilfinane on a Friday 8th at 7:30pm with a talk by local historian Angela Hennessy on the legacy of the Joyce Brothers, followed by an evening concert of their tunes by traditional musicians Liam Flanagan and Derek Hickey.

Full brochure on - www.visitballyhoura.com

REMEMBERING OUR DECEASED:

For the month of September, we remember our family, friends and neighbours, whose mortuary cards are displayed on the Church noticeboard:- Sean & David Shine, Eileen & Bridie Moloney, Granagh. Julia Brosnan & Mary Hartigan, Coolruss. Nora Herlihy, Kingsland. Philip Noonan, Kilmore. Johnny Houlihan, Kilmacanearla. Katherine Martin & Catherine O'Connor, Ballyguile. Liam English, Lees Cross. Arthur O'Leary, Castletown. Ellen Sheehy, Croagh. Kathleen Hayes & Patrick Power, Pallasgrean. Tadhg O'Flynn, Ballingarry. James Curtin, Foynes. Patsy Fitzgibbon, England. We also remember Jimmy Stapleton & Mary Ita Twomey this month.

GRANAGH DEV. ASSOC:

The group AGM was held on 28th Sept and we were delighted to welcome a fine crowd to the hall. Last year was a non-event, Granagh Players were just lucky to be able to perform 'The Government Inspector' and after that the hall was closed. Zoom took over for meetings and our sub-committees continued working on Liskennett car park, the parochial house, the sustainable energy community and the Grey Heron media project. Covid, however, took its toll

causing delays and prevented projects from being completed. We welcome our new panel of officers and wish them every success in a challenging year ahead. Our newly elected officers are as follows;- Chairperson, Joe Power. Vice Chair, Shane Twomey. Secretary, Emma McMahon. Minute Sec, Mary Chawke. Treasurer, Mike O'Regan. Asst. Treasurer, Liam Houlihan. PRO, Mary O'Regan. Booking Secretary, Eileen Power (087-9528096). A new committee was elected and we were delighted to welcome four new members.

The Community centre is open again for booking meetings & classes. Guidelines still need to be followed e.g. sign-in register, hand sanitising, 1m distance & masks can be worn if people feel more comfortable.

LIMK GARDEN FESTIVAL:

The garden webinars are back. The hugely popular Jim McNamara, organic gardening guru and founder of the Organic College, will be featuring this autumn again with new themes and stories in 'Gardening for All Ages 'on Thursday 21st October. Adam Carveth will host 'Sustainable Gardening in a Changing World 'on Thursday 25th November. Since moving to Ireland in 2017, Adam has taken up the role of Head Gardener at Bantry House as well as managing the magical edible gardens of The Garden of Re-Imagination in Glengarriff.