Thousands raised from festival.

Broomhill Vintage Club are delighted to be in a position to donate €12,000 to charities from the proceeds of the 2015 Coachford Autumn Festival. This money will benefit nine charities. The Committee would like to thank all those who supported the festival and who have made these donations possible. The nine charities/groups who are to benefit from the festival are: Suicide Aware €4,000, Macroom Community Hospital €1,500, Sullane Haven Macroom €1,500, Marymount Hospice €1,500, Coachford Tidy Towns €1,500, Coachford National School Parents Association €500, Aghabullogue National School Parents Association €500, Rylane National School Parents Association €500 and Coachford Christmas Lights €500. Chairman of the Vintage Club, Tadgh Murphy said “ We are absolutely thrilled to be in this position of being able to donate €12,000. We had a very successful festival this year and it was well supported by so many people. We are indebted  to all our sponsors who make this festival possible each year. We would also like to thank all those who participated in all the events this year and those who supported us in any way. Without everyone’s involvement these donations to charity would not be possible. Martha McCaffery, Chairperson of Coachford Tidy Towns said “ We are absolutely thrilled with the donation from the Festival. Receiving  this amount means we can plan projects for the year. The Festival means so much to the area, not only in the funds it collects for the groups but also for the sense of pride it creates for the whole community in the Lee Valley”.  The presentation of cheques will take place in O’Riordan’s Bar Coachford on Saturday, October 3^rd at 10pm.

All Ireland Tractor Bid

The Broomhill Tractor Builders from Coachford will try and recapture the All Ireland title this week. The competition, held at the National Ploughing Championships will be contested between teams from Donegal, Cavan and Cork. Broomhill, representing Cork will build  three times on Thursday and will be hoping that the training they have endured over the last few months will enable them to go one better than last year and bring the All Ireland title back to Mid Cork once again. Team Captain, John Joe Dennehy said “ we are very happy that we have qualified for the finals again this year and we are looking forward to doing our best to make up for the huge disappointment of 2014 when we narrowly lost out in winning the title by 3 seconds. Also at the Ploughing Championships this week are O’Donovan Engineering . The local firm have their biggest ever display at the championships and they would be delighted  to see locals visiting their very impressive stand during the week

Coachford Foróige returns

Coachford Foróige had a very successful registration night last week and 30 members have come together to form the club for the next twelve months. The members meet every Wednesday night from 7.30pm to 9.00pm. The boys and girls will elect their own officers over the coming weeks and plans are in place to take part in the various events being organised by the West Cork District that the Coachford club is aligned to. The Foróige members will also decide what projects they will concentrate on over the coming months.

Soccer

Coachford Schoolboys play Avondale in Bessboro on Saturday at 2pm in the first round of the U15 National Cup competition. On Sunday the U17s take on Ringmahon in the league at 2pm in Ringmahon. The boys played a 4-4 thriller away to Temple united last weekend and are showing some excellent form at the moment. The Junior team take on Innishvilla in Innishannon at 2pm on Saturday in the second round of the FAI Junior Cup. The boys defeated Cathedral Celtic in the first round of the competition last week by 4 goals to 2.

Jackpot won

The Coachford AFC lotto jackpot of €5,400 was won this week by a threesome: Mary, Con and Ger . The friends will now enjoy the winnings and are planning a trip to Lisdoonvarna to the matchmaking festival as all three are anxious to find that special someone. The winners of the quick picks were: €40 Olan Noonan (€40), and Denis & Mim O’ Connell, Annie Rooney, Barry O’ Riordan (Yearly Ticket) and Norma Delaney (Yearly Ticket). (€20 each) Next Week’s Jackpot: is back at a massive €1,000  and the draw takes place in O’ Riordan’s.

All roads lead to Brinny

The Aghabullogue Intermediate Hurlers play Barryroe in the Cork County relegation final on Sunday at 2pm in Brinny This is a huge game for Aghabullogue and the club are asking people to go along on Sunday to support the lads in their bid to stay in the Intermediate grade for 2016 and beyond. Aghabullogue have had an intermediate hurling team in the championship since 1992 having won the junior championship in 1991 and everyone in the parish hope that they will be playing hurling at this grade for the foreseeable future,

Appeal from Community Council

The members of the Aghabullogue Coachford Rylane Community Council are appealing to everyone living in the community to put pressure on all public representatives and candidates in the upcoming General Election  to ensure that the sewage and water upgrades for Coachford are implemented immediately to ensure the survival and future development of the village. “While we welcome the upgrading of the  proposed works by Irish Water from a D listing to an A listing we have huge concerns about the actual start dates of these works. It is imperative that Irish Water go to tender for these works immediately and that they begin these vital upgrades in 2016. There is a real possibility of the village losing more businesses unless these works are begun and completed as quickly as possible. We are asking all voters in the area to put this as a priority in their discussions with the candidates as they are canvassed over the coming months. Coachford Village and its schools are important to the whole parish and the wider area” said Doug Lucey, Community Council PRO.

Super students

Coachford College students who sat the Junior Certificate Examination in June received their results last week and the grades were outstanding. The Mid Cork College once again enjoyed some excellent results with one student, Richard Cotter from Aghinagh getting 10 A grades and Áodan Healy from Aghabullogue receiving 8 A grades, placing both students in the top 1% of results in the country.

€5,400 Lotto

The Coachford AFC lotto Jackpot has reached €5,400. This is one of the very few lotto’s in the county that still only requires punters to match only three numbers so there is a great chance for you to scoop the jackpot. Tickets are on sale in all the shops and pubs in the village and are only €2 each. Get in early and you could be the lucky one next Monday night. This week’s numbers were 15, 22 & 31 and while there was no winner of the jackpot five people went home with some cash. Trisha & Blaithin won €40 and Tom Looney, Steven Crowley, Mary Dineen and Catherine Barry Murphy each won €20 in the lucky dip.

Hair raiser

Congratulations to Aaron Healy from Bealnamorrive Coachford who has reached the UK and Ireland finals of the ‘Wella Professionals Trend/Vision  Awards 2015’ in the colour category. Aaron who is part of the Wayne Lloyd’s Hair salon team with salons in Bandon, Cork and Ballydehob is one of only 12 Irish hairdressers to reach this year’s final. Aaron started his career in Marie’s Stylz hair salon in Coachford and everyone who worked with him were always well aware of his talent and are not surprised that he is now one of the top hair colourists in the country. Marie O Donoghue proprietor  and manager of the salon said “ from the first day he walked in here we knew that he was not one of your ordinary hairdressers, there was something special about Aaron. Everyone could see immediately that he had talent and that he was going to go far. Aaron is a great character, a truly talented hairdresser and was loved by customers and staff here at Stylz. We wish him the very best of luck in the final.

Unwelcome finalists

Aghabullogue Intermediate hurlers face one of their toughest and most important games of their recent history when they play Barryroe in the relegation final of the Intermediate Hurling competition. The winners can look forward to going into the draw for next year’s County  championship while the losers face a future in the Junior ranks of their division and lose their intermediate status. This would be a disaster for both clubs but especially so for Aghabullogue as the Mid Cork Club have enjoyed huge success in underage hurling over the past few years and look like they are doing everything right in the juvenile section of the club. The game takes place in Brinny on Sunday, September  27^th at 2pm.

Soccer Season in full swing
All of Coachford AFC’s  teams are in action at the moment and the facilities at the Glebe are a hive of activity. On this Saturday the Premier team play Cathedral Celtic at 2pm at the Glebe in the first round of the Munster Junior Cup. On Sunday at 2.30pm Coachford Under 17s take on Temple united away in the league. On Saturday at 10.30am Killanardrish/Coachford entertain old rivals Buttevant in the U15 Premier League.

Coachford premises closes

Breathnach’s Gala Supermarket and Bar in Coachford closed its doors on Sunday night. The sudden closure has sent shockwaves through the community and many cannot believe that the oldest businesses in the village has ceased trading. The shop and pub in the heart of the village has been in the Burke/Walsh family for generations. First operating as Burkes Hotel in the 1800s and in later years trading as Walsh’s Bar, the business was then taken over by Colm and Mary Cronin who ran the Pub and shop for the last 16 years. The pub recently featured in the RTE series  “At Your Service” hosted by Frances and John Brennan. “ It’s like a death in the village seeing this business close” said Community Council member, Peter Dineen.  “ we are devastated at its loss. Our hearts go out to Mary and Colm and Tom Walsh and all the staff. This pub and supermarket were well run and it’s sad to see it closed. The huge pressures facing many rural businesses are forcing business owners into having to take very difficult and painful decisions about their future. We wish all involved the very best of luck in the future. Our village needs an influx of families to sustain and grow the area. The new sewage scheme is vital to this plan and I would again appeal to politicians and Irish Water to progress this scheme as speedily as possible. In the meantime Coachford remains open for business and is still a strong vibrant community with loads to offer visitors and locals. We look forward to seeing this iconic premises on the main street reopening for business again in the near future and when it does it, and all the other businesses in the area must be supported. If we don’t use the village we’ll lose the village”.

Class of 2015

Coachford College welcomed 114 new first year students through its doors on Monday.  This is one of the highest numbers of first years at the college  in years and is seen as huge vote of confidence in the way the school is being run. Coachford College continues to be one of the best second level schools in the county and this is borne out by the superb results that the Leaving Certificate students are achieving every year. The new students come from all around the area form the feeder schools in Canovee, Cloughduv, Rusheen, Bealnamorrive, Coachford, Donoughmore, Dripsey, Berrings and Farran. Coachford College  has  now over 600 pupils.

Happy Birthday Henry

The life and times of Henry Leader were celebrated last Saturday as part of the National Heritage Week The Heritage Committee of Aghabullogue Coachford Rylane Community Council organised a field trip to Clonmoyle House & Aqueduct, to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of Henry Nash Leader; family man, farmer, innovative engineer and forgotten philanthropist. The speaker at the event was local historian Joan Hinchion. This was a superb event full of stories  and facts about Henry Leader, his ancestors and descendants and all those whose lives he touched. The event was made all the more special by the tremendous delivery of the facts by Joan, She is just not a historian, she is a story teller full of wit and fun  and she transported the very large crowd back in time to the Napoleonic wars and Ireland during the famine years  and brought the history of the local area to life in a very enjoyable and informative way. All those in attendance are looking forward to her next talk.

Donoughmore Heritage

‘Ancient Sweet Donoughmore’ : Life in an Irish rural parish to 1900 will be published at the end of  October this year. A limited beautifully designed collectors hardback edition will be available and would be especially suitable for longevity or as a gift. If you are interested please e mail gerorour@eircom.net or telephone 021 /7337368

Alarms

Elderly persons without a fire alarm and/or carbon monoxide alarms in their homes should contact Coachford Care of the Aged on 087 7940011 to arrange a free installation.

PPN

Is your local community group a member of the Cork County Council’s Public Participating Network? If so then you can now nominate people for election on to the various committees on the County Council and ensure that community organisations can have a say in how the council is run and on  the decisions that are taken in the County Hall. More information and nomination forms can be obtained by contacting corkcountyppn@gmail.com  or 021 4285350. Closing date for nominations is September 11^th.

Active Retirement

The Coachford Active Retirement Association will resume meetings on Thursday September 3 at 10.30am in the GAA Hall. New members will be made very welcome. For more information please contact Vonnie at 021 7334462 or Ber on 021 7334284

Music

Aghinagh Comhaltas will hold enrolment classes in the Community House Coachford on Tuesday September 8 from 6pm to 7pm. Tuition in Tin Whistle, Fiddle and Banjo available. Enquires to Grace on 021 7334154 or Nancy on 021 7334298.

Job opportunity

A cleaner is required for Coachford National School for 10 hours per week  (2 hours x 5 days). If interested please contact the school on 0877218212 for further details.

Fishing

Anglers from the UK, Holland France and Ireland have descended on Coachford to take part in the biggest fishing festivals of the year. The festivals began last weekend and will run for 23 days. The match fishing will incorporate a number of local fishing festivals. Each festival is expected to attract at least 50 anglers and the fishing takes place all along the reservoir from Dripsey to Carrigadrohid. This festival is a huge boost to the local economy and is responsible for all the local guest houses being very busy and the local pubs and shops enjoying extra business at this time of year.

Lotto reaches €5,000

The Coachford AFC lotto jackpot has reached a very healthy €5,000. Tickets are on sale all over the village or from any committee member.

Soccer Fixtures

The under 17s play Richmond on Friday at 6.30pm at the Glebe in the Gus Walsh Trophy Cup and on Sunday they entertain Carrigtwohill in the league at 2.30pm. The under 15 premier team take on Lakewood on Saturday in Carrigadrohid at 10.30am and entertain Cobh side, Springfield  on Tuesday at 6.30pm also in Carrigadrohid.

Heritage of Leader

ACR Heritage (the Heritage Committee of Aghabullogue Coachford Rylane Community Council) presents ‘Philanthropy & Aqueducts: a field trip to Clonmoyle House & Aqueduct, to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of Henry Nash Leader; family man, farmer, innovative engineer and forgotten philanthropist’. The speaker for this event will be Joan Hinchion, ACR Heritage member. The meeting point will be St Patrick’s Church car park, Coachford village, on Sat 29 August at 2pm sharp, from where we will drive the short distance northwards to Clonmoyle. Please car pool on the day if possible. This is an outdoor event of approximately two hours duration. Walking shoes/boots and suitable clothing are strongly advised. There is no admission fee. For further details see www.facebook.com/acrheritage or email acrheritage@gmail.com or contact 086-0456554.

Glamour and Glitz

The Debutantes and Graduates of Coachford  College enjoyed a tremendous night in the Vienna Woods Hotel last week as they celebrated the end of their second level education and are now embarking on the next phase of their lives. Over 150 debs and grads descended on the village of Coachford to meet up prior to the dinner and show off their style to each other and the large group of family and friends who turned up to witness all the glitz and glamour. The students were also celebrating the excellent leaving certificate results  that they received from Coachford College. The college has once again enjoyed terrific results in all subjects and has reaffirmed itself as one of the leading educational facilities in the county.

County win

The Aghabullogue under 16 hurlers captured the Rebel Og A county championship title last weekend by defeating Courcey Rovers on a score line of 2.13 to 0.12. Aghabullogue were in control for most of the game and their goals came at vital times. The hurlers have enjoyed a successful year by capturing the East Region title  a few weeks ago. Best for the boys in green and white were Shane Tarrant, Paul Ring and Tadgh O’Brien Bradley. Captain Tom Long thanked the coaches and his fellow players in his acceptance speech which was delivered, unusually for a 16 year old, ‘as gaeilge’.

Local Development Strategy (LDS) LEADER 2015-2020

The West Cork Development Partnership are inviting members of the community to a  Public Consultation meeting in the Riverside Park Hotel in Macroom on Tuesday September 8  at 7.30pm to learn about the new LEADER programme and to have your say as to what you think should be the priority objectives and actions to be delivered. The inputs and observations contributed during the consultation process will form the basis for the final content of the LDS and therefore guide the delivery of the LEADER programme.

Outreach clinic

The Citizens information Service will be available at Coachford Post Office on Tuesday September 1^st  from 10am to 1pm. Staff from Macroom Citizens information Centre will be available to provide information and advice on a range of topics including employment rights, redundancy, unemployment & other social welfare benefits, family matters, consumer issues, migration issues and disability issues. Anyone interested in the service can drop in to Coachford Post office on Tuesday. No appointment is necessary. The service is free, confidential and independent.

Schools Returns

Coachford National School opens its doors for another year on Thursday August 27^th. The school has been worked on throughout the summer months and is  looking fresher and better than ever. Coachford College reopens on Monday August 31^st  for first year students and on Tuesday  for the rest of the school.  The college is expected to welcome over one hundred new students as they begin their second level education.

Coachford AFC Lotto

There was no winner of the €4,600 Coachford AFC Lotto Jackpot. Numbers Drawn: 11 – 29 – 31, Lucky Dip winners: €40 Madge Martin, €20 Sheila Sheehan, Anthony O’ Riordan (Yearly Ticket), Denis Finnegan (Yearly Ticket), Michael Sexton (Yearly Ticket). Next Week’s Jackpot is €4,800 and the draw takes place in Breathnachs.

Soccer

The 2015/16 soccer season is underway and Coachford AFC will compete at Under 15 schoolboys, under 17 youths and in the Premier league of the Cork AUL. The premier team play Killumney in the Mossie Linnane Cup on Sunday at 1045am away. The Under 17s play their first game of the season on Sunday at 2.30pm when they travel to Riverstown in a League 1A fixture. On Monday the under 15 premier side travel to Macroom to take on the townies at 6.30pm.

Pub Patrons give to Marymount.
A fundraiser held in O’Riordan’s Bar Coachford raised €1,650 for Marymount Hospice. The ‘Music for Marymount’ fundraiser was held in the bar in May and was headlined by the fabulous ‘Sea Captains’ 5 piece band and a great night was enjoyed by all present. Customers put their hands in their pockets and donated very generously to this very worthy cause.

Runners race to Coachford

The Broomhill Vintage Club is busily preparing for their annual Festival in Coachford. The club are anticipating another very busy weekend of activities  from August 13^th to 16^th.  Singing competitions, Dog Shows and Sheep Racing are just of the items that are expected to draw big crowds to the mid Cork Village. The festival, now in its sixth year, has raised over €34,000  for charity. “ our main beneficiary is Suicide Aware. Like most communities around the country the Coachford areas has also experienced the terrible loss and heartache of people taking their own lives. We hope that our contribution to this excellent charity can help in some way to reach people who may be going through a tough time and be able to reach out and help them. Said Kieran Doherty, Club PRO. The festival is rooted in the community and strives to provide a family atmosphere for all those attending. The Coachford 5 Mile Road Race is one of the key events of the weekend and takes place at 7pm on Friday, August 14. The run is approved by Athletics Ireland, is professionally measured, superbly stewarded and offers runners a unique challenge of completing a 5 mile course. Registration for the run takes place from 5.30pm at the GAA pavilion in Coachford and entry is only €10 with all the proceeds going to Suicide Aware. Cully & Sully  are helping out with the refreshments  and gorgeous soup will form part of the refreshment package offered after the race. Changing facilities and warm up and down areas are available at the registration area. For further information contact 086 8030086.

Soccer Season begins

The Coachford Schoolboys are about to embark on another soccer season and are planning on running two teams in the leagues for the coming season. The club are looking for boys born in 2005 & 2006  for their Under 11 squad and  boys born in 2001 & 2002  for the under 15 team. The club is going from strength to strength  each year and hosted a very successful FAI schoolboys Soccer summer camp again this year with over 60 boys enjoying the excellent facilities at the clubs grounds at the Glebe in Coachford.  The schoolboys club hold their  Annual General meeting on Thursday July 30^th at 8.30pm at the Coachford AFC clubhouse. All parents, trainers, coaches and supporters are welcome. For more information contact  Dympna on 087 9089134.#

Hurlers are East Region Champs

Aghabullogue under 16 hurlers captured the East Region ‘A’ title last Monday night by defeating Courcey Rovers on a score line of 2.10 to 2.05. The boys will now start to prepare for the county title which should take place over the coming weeks.

40^th Birthday Bash for Mark ll Escort

Born in 1975, the Mark ll Ford Escort became one of the greatest cars produced for a mass market. The beauty of this car was that it was equally at home on the commute from the house to work as it was slip sliding away on the rally stages around Ireland and every other country. The Escort was loved by so many people who were lucky enough to own one of these prestigious vehicles. The Ford Escort is a true classic. The Mark ll was a superb family car that offered a certain amount of luxury to the, up to now, very ordinary family car market.  But it was the “Sport”, “RS Mexico”, and “RS2000” that turned the Mark  ll into a legendary rally car that  grew in stature in the hands of ace Irish rally driver, Billy Coleman from Millstreet and world champion, Ari Vatanen from Finland . This car that is renowned the world over is still loved today and many are carefully restored and cared for by motor enthusiasts all over Ireland.  Broomhill Vintage Club will be celebrating this iconic car’s 40^th Anniversary on Sunday August 16^th at the Coachford Autumns Festival’s Vintage and Classic Car show. Club Chairman, Tadgh Murphy said, “We are really looking forward to welcoming all the owners and their unique Ford Escorts to our show. We are thrilled to be in the position of marking the Ford Escorts birthday. We have a prize for the best car at the show and we have a memento for every car that attends. We are expecting a large number of other classic, Vintage and Veteran cars and tractors at this year’s show and we are delighted that the Coachford Autumn Festival show is growing in stature year on year with many owners of classic and vintage vehicles making it their number one show of the year.  The Coachford Autumn Festival takes place from August 13^th to 16^th. Proceeds of the festival go to Suicide Aware and local charities. For further information contact 087 2426343.

Fun Runs for Lee Valley area.

Canovee GAA and Dripsey Community Association are holding Fun Runs on this Thursday and Sunday.  Canovee GAA are holding a 5K fun run in Farran Woods tonight at 7.30pm. The run is open to everyone from the serious runner to the budding athlete to the family who just want to get out and enjoy the summer evening for a leisurely stroll with their friends and neighbours. Entry is €10 per adult and €5 for children and only €20 per family. Registration for this very safe and enjoyable event is from 6.00pm. The Dripsey Community Association hold their ‘Funday’ on Sunday from 1,30pm. Registration for their run takes place from 12.30pm at the Weigh Inn Bar. There is a free BBQ, Face Painting, Bouncy Castle, Tug O’ War, Outdoor Music and kids and adults races from 3pm. The ‘Funday’ is being organised to raise funds for the Dripsey Community Association and Marymount Hospice.

Keep on running

The Coachford 5 Mile Road Race in aid of Suicide Aware and local charities takes place on Friday August 14th at 7.00pm. The Race takes place over a mostly flat course with two easy climbs around the village of Coachford. Registration is from 5.30pm at the GAA Hall, Coachford. Entry is €10. Changing facilities and parking are available. The race is approved by Athletics Ireland and there are cash prizes for the first three male and female runners home. Refreshments will be available after the race.

Model Toys

The biggest Model Toy show ever to take place at Coachford Autumn Festival will be on display on Sunday August 16th in the main hall . The show is a fabulous collection of modern and classic model toys lovingly displayed by their enthusiastic collectors. This collection is not to be missed

Searching for young singing stars

A singing competition for under 16s takes place in Coachford on Thursday August 13th. Entry forms and rules of the competition are available on the Coachfordnews website or by ringing 086 8030086.  Entry is free and judges will pick the winning voice. Closing date for entries is July 28th.

Sing your heart out for charity

Can you sing? Are you over 16? Would you like to win €300 and help raise funds for charity at the same time? Take part in the Coachford ‘Voice of the Festival’  competition on Saturday August 16th. For more details contact the Festival Secretary on 086 80 30 086. All proceeds of the competition go to Suicide Aware and local Charities.

Pampered Pooches

Is your dog a loveable rogue? or maybe she’s a princess. Bring him or her along to the Autumn Festival Dog Show on Saturday August 15th in Coachford at 7.00pm. There are loads of prizes and even ones for the best dressed dog.