Coachford News

Barnardos Head visits Coachford

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The CEO of Barnardos, Mr. Fergus Finlay paid a visit to Coachford National School last Thursday to speak to the children and to accept a very kind donation of € ??? that the children raised for the Children’s Charity by a sponsored walk on the Coachford Greenway. Mr Finlay spoke to the children about the work that Barnardos do  with children all over Ireland. He went on to say that  Barnardos works to change children’s lives for the better every single day.and that a good education is vital in making poorer children’s lives better.A  number of children then asked the former Government adviser some questions on politics and on his work with the Children’s charity. Mr Finlay replied speaking about his wish that the cost of going to school for all families but especially those who may be struggling financially could be reduced, he hoped that in the future more funds would be directed to schools and that the welfare of children would be higher up in every governments policies. Mr Finlay then was treated to some fabulous entertainment by the children of the school which included, plays, songs and poetry.The cheque was then presented to the charity and Mr Finlay assured all the pupils that it would do a tremendous amount of good especially in the run up to Christmas.

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Christmas lights

The Coachford Christmas lights will be switched on at 5.30pm on Sunday. The decorations have been installed all around the village and the Christmas trees are being erected this weekend in advance of the big switch on. The committee responsible has purchased additional lights this year and because of the huge support it received at the recent table quiz were able to install icicle lights around the village.

Wanted male actors

Coachford Players next production will be the John B. Keane classic, ‘Many young men of twenty’ . The drama group will perform the play in April in Coachford and hope to begin rehearsals in early January. The cast includes two males between the ages of 18 to 24 and the group are looking for new or experienced actors within this age group to take on these essential parts. If you are interested or know somebody who may fit the part then please ring the groups secretary on 086 8177684.

Rylane National School

The Parents Association of Rylane NS will hold their annual Christmas Market in the school hall on this Sunday, December 6th . This is a fantastic market with new and unique stalls, a friendly atmosphere and some delicious baking to be enjoyed. It all begins around 12 noon.

Market

The Coachford Christmas Market takes place on Saturday December 12th in the GAA Hall. The market will see a wonderful array of stalls selling all manner of Christmas gifts and goodies. Santa will also be in his grotto ready to meet the boys and girls and check to see if he has everything that they are looking for him to bring on Christmas Eve. The market kicks off at 11am.

Hall AGM

The GAA Hall committee will hold their AGM on this Thursday at 8pm. Everyone is welcome to attend

Soccer

The Coachford Under 15s take on College Corinthians in the league on Saturday in Carrigadrohid at 10.30am. On Sunday the U17s entertain Douglas Hall in the league. The game is fixed for the Glebe grounds and kicks off at 2pm. In the 3rd round of the AOH Cup, Coachford Premier team are due to play Buttevant on Saturday at 2pm in Coachford.

2016 Calendar

Aghinagh Comhaltas has just published their 2016 Calendar. Each month features a beautiful painting by members of the Coachford Atelier Art Group. The calendar costs only €10 and is aid of Marymount Hospice. Copies are available in the local shops and would make a lovely Christmas present.

Ballincollig Scout Bazaar

The 30th Annual Scout Bazaar will take place in the Community Hall Ballincollig on this Sunday December 6th from 2pm. This Bazaar is a real tradition at this stage and always provides people with an opportunity to pick up some real bargains, have a chance of winning great hampers in the spin the wheel and bid for some real quality items in the evening Auction. All monies raised go to the Ballincollig Scout group who provide scouting activities for children and young adults from Coachford, Dripsey, Farran and Ovens.

Dough makes money

The Foróige Cake sale was a huge a success last Sunday. The Coachford based youth group organised and ran a very professional Cake Sale and Coffee Morning and provided all those present with some gorgeous cakes, buns and brown bread. The members aged between 12 and 15yrs set up the hall, sold raffle tickets, organised prizes, served tea and coffee, sold the cakes and most importantly, cleaned up the whole place after them. The event raised over €500 for the club. Well done to all involved.

Coachford Christmas Lights

A fundraising Table Quiz with a festive theme will be held on Friday November 27^th in O’Callaghan’s Bar Coachford to help raise funds for the upkeep and to purchase some additional lights for the village. The quiz will have questions on Christmas, seasonal food, TV ads and  pantomimes as well as the very easy General Knowledge rounds. Tables of four are only €20 and a great night of seasonal fun is guaranteed.

Lee Valley awash with markets

It’s the season for markets. Over the next two weeks it seems every village and hall will host a  Christmas market. First up on this  Friday night is the Christmas market taking place in the Riverside Hotel in Macroom. This market takes place from 6pm. Rylane Boxing club host their annual Bazaar on Sunday November 29^th in Aghabullogue Hall. Rylane National School will hold their festive market on Sunday December 6^th.

Under 16 victories

The Aghabullogue Under 16 footballers added the County league title to the East Region title last Sunday defeating Gabriel Óg  by 2.09 to 1.04 in a rain sodden Coachford pitch. This has been a terrific year for the Under 16s of Aghabullogue as they have also won the East Region and County hurling championships and league titles.

Coachford School in Finals

The young ladies of Coachford National School will grace Pairc Ui Rinn on this Thursday, November 19^th as they bid to win their Sciath na Scoil Final. Your support would be appreciated. Best of luck to the team in their bid for honours.

New GP for Coachford

Dr Sarah Kingston will be commencing practice in the  Coachford Family Practice on November 23rd. All patients are very welcome to the new practice. For appointments phone 0217434724. Dr. Kingston will be attending the Rylane Medical Centre on the first and third Tuesday  of every month. Doug Lucey PRO of the Community Council said ” We are delighted that Dr. Kingston is opening her family practice here in Coachford and providing a service also to Rylane. We hope that the new practice will be very successful for her and we are confident that the people form the area will support the new GP.”

New GP for Coachford

Dr Sarah Kingston will be commencing practice in the  Coachford Family Practice on November 23rd. All patients are very welcome to the new practice. For appointments phone 0217434724. Dr. Kingston will be attending the Rylane Medical Centre on the first and third Tuesday  of every month. Doug Lucey PRO of the Community Council said ” We are delighted that Dr. Kingston is opening her family practice here in Coachford and providing a service also to Rylane. We hope that the new practice will be very successful for her and we are confident that the people form the area will support the new GP.”

Coffee Morning

Coachford Foróige will hold a Cake sale and Coffee morning on Sunday November 15th in the GAA Hall Coachford at 10.30am. Everyone is welcome to come along to feast on delicious cakes, enjoy gorgeous tea and Coffee and purchase delectable buns . Make it a morning to meet up with neighbours, friends and family and support the club.

Marquee success

Coachford Players  ‘Drama at the Marquee’ has been hailed as a huge success. The three one act plays were performed to appreciative audiences  on each of the three nights in the fully lit and heated venue. Chairman of the group, Willie Barrett  said ” we are thrilled with the way the plays were received and the support of so many people for this new venture for us. Full credit must go to the actors ans  the directors  for putting on three very entertaining plays in the Coachford Marquee Theatre.” The Coachford group’s next production is John B Keane’s  ‘Many Young Men of Twenty’ which they will start rehearsing for in early January  and they plan to perform this wonderful tale of emigration and loss  at Easter. If you would like to get involved in the group as an actor or work backstage Coachford Players would be delighted to hear from you. You can contact the secretary, Eugene O’Sullivan on  086 8177684.

Christmas Market

The first of the real Christmas Markets takes place on Friday November 20th in the Riverside Hotel Macroom from 6pm. This wonderful Christmas market will see local craft people take the stalls and sell their stock that is not available on the high street shops and some novel ideas for original Christmas presents. A great night of shopping and socialising for all in a lovely Christmas setting….cakes, Christmas puddings, gourmet coffee, jewellery, beauty products….and lots more. Don’t Miss it.

Soccer Fixtures

Coachford Under 15s travel to Cobh on Saturday to take on Springfield at 10.30am. The under 17s entertain Richmond on Sunday at 2pm at the Glebe in the league. The Premier team play the second round of the AOH cup and Castlack will provide the opposition . The game kicks off at 2pm on Sunday in Castlack.

County Titles for Village

Two county titles were captured last week by teams based in Coachford. Pride of place has to go to the Coachford College Junior Camogie team who captured the title for the first time in the history of the school by defeating Bandon in the final . The Aghabullogue Under 16 hurlers completed a clean sweep of hurling titles defeating Ballygiblin in the county league final.

Event in the Tent

The Marquee is up, the lines are learned, the face paint is ready and the stage is set for the Coachford Players 2015 Pub Theatre event. This year the group will perform in a new unique venue at O’Callaghan’s Bar Coachford. Drama at the Marquee takes place on Friday 6^th, Saturday 7^th and Sunday 8^th November at 8pm each night in the fully heated and lit Marquee at the rear of O’Callaghan’s Bar. Three entertaining one act plays will be presented to the audience. The first play is ‘Green grow the cabbages’ which will be followed by ‘The unwanted’ and the final play of the night will be the very funny ‘Doggies’. Admission is only €5 and it promises to be a wonderful nights entertainment.

Coffee Morning

Coachford Foróige will hold a Cake sale and Coffee morning on Sunday November 15th in the GAA Hall Coachford at 10.30am. Everyone is welcome to come along to feast on delicious cakes, enjoy gorgeous tea and Coffee and purchase delectable buns . Make it a morning to meet up with neighbours, friends and family and support the club.

Endeavour Award

Coachford Tidy Towns was one of the groups who were honoured recently at a Cork County Council award ceremony for winning an Endeavour Award in this year’s National Competition. The award presented to the group by County Mayor Cllr. John Paul O’Shea was for the huge improvement made by the village committee in addressing the derelict buildings, improving the approach roads and tidying up the recycling centre. The council presented a cheque of €500 to all the groups who were honoured on the night. Presenting the award County Mayor O’Shea said “ Coachford have proven that if you take the initiative in your community then things can change and I would like to congratulate all the people who not only volunteer with the Tidy Towns Committee but also those who help keep their own area tidy and especially to the business owners who are essential in keeping Coachford looking so well. We in the County Council will support you in every possible way going into the future in helping to improve the village of Coachford. Well done to all involved”.

Rylane Boxers

The New York Fire Department will box Rylane boxers and Garda boxers in the Riverside Park Hotel Macroom on Friday November 6th at 8pm. Great night’s entertainment guaranteed.

Workshop for Community Groups

South & East Cork Area Development Ltd (SECAD) will host a workshop on ‘Holding effective meetings and promoting your community Group’ for groups in the Macroom and surrounding Villages area on next Wednesday, November 11th  in the Castle Hotel Macroom. For further information or to book a place on this workshop, contact SECAD on 021 4613432 or noconnell@secad.ie

Under 16s win again

Aghabullogue under 16 hurlers have added the East Region A League title to their county Championship title by defeating Killeagh/St.Itas  last weekend by two points. The boys lifted the title in after a hard fought game and for times looked to be struggling after enduring a very long season in both Football and hurling. The team must now face Ballygiblin in the County league final this weekend. Unusually  Aghabullogue wore the blue and white of Cill na Martra for this final and it was strange to see the jerseys of a football club being worn at a hurling final. However some of the team do play their football with the Gaeltacht club so at least they felt right at home. There is no doubt however that the title win will be recorded as one for Aghabullogue and not Cill na Martra  It will be interesting to see what jerseys will adorn the players next weekend.

Drama at the Marquee

Coachford Players presents a night of drama at O’Callaghan’s Bar Coachford on November 6th,7th & 8th. The group will perform three  entertaining One Act plays; ‘Green Grow the cabbages’ by Phillip Johnson, ‘The Unwanted’ by Walter Wikes and ‘Doggies’ by Jean McConnell. The long established drama group will be performing their 10th year of ‘Pub Theatre’ in a Marquee adjacent to O’Callaghan’s Bar. ” this is a new departure for us and we are very excited about staging the plays in this venue for the very first time. Patrons will be able to enjoy a drink as they relax and are entertained by these three wonderful plays. The Marquee is a terrific space and the acoustics are superb.” said Willie Barrett Chairperson of the group. Please note some of the content of one of the plays is suitable only to an adult audience.

All Ireland title for Coachford

The Broomhill Tractor Builders from Coachford have been crowned All Ireland Champions for the fourth time in eight years. The team of John Joe Dennehy, Greg Cronin, Danny Martin and Bobby Roche represented Cork and competed against teams from Donegal and Cavan in the final round last Sunday in Portlaoise. Broomhill were first to build and set the standard with a superb time of 7 minutes 11 seconds. Last year’s winners, Donegal tried hard to get inside that time but never really came close and their best time was just over 8 minutes. Accepting the trophy, Team Captain, John Joe Dennehy said, ” It’s great to win back the title, we worked hard for it this year and our training really paid off. I’d like to thank our team manager, Tadgh Murphy and all the supporters who cheered us on here in Portlaoise and also at the semi Final at the National Ploughing Championships in September.

Cemetery Prayers  

Prayers will be recited at Coachford Cemetery on Sunday from 3pm and at Aghabullogue Cemetery at 2pm. Prayers will be recited at Magourney Cemetery the following Sunday, November 8th at 11am

Soccer Fixtures

The under 15 boys play Macroom at home in the Glebe on Saturday morning at 10.30am. This local derby game is always one to look forward to and the boys will be hoping for a lot of support. The Coachford Under 17s play Riverstown  away on Sunday at 2pm in the first round of the Ted Healy Cup

Boxing

The New York Fire Department will box Rylane boxers and Garda boxers in the Riverside Park Hotel Macroom on Friday November 6th at 8pm. Great night’s entertainment guaranteed.

Parish Heritage

The ACR Heritage Group have just updated the individual memorial entries on historicgraves.com which relate to Christchurch Graveyard, Coachford. They can all be viewed at http://historicgraves.com/graveyard/christchurch/co-cccf  This is a fantastic genealogical resource which is available online at no cost to anyone wishing to research local roots. In addition, it significantly adds to the wealth of history which is available both for our parish and its environs.