Carrigaline Notes

By Barry Cogan

St Patrick’ Day Parade

Crowds turned out in large numbers for the annual St Patrick’s Day parade in Carrigaline.  Well done to the dedicated organising committee who ensured the event went off without a hitch.  The honour of the Grand Marshall went to the Carrigaline Senior County champion footballers. Three of the team travelled the ceremonial route in Jack Allen’s vintage open top Jaguar, Thos Maye Club President, Team Manager Michael Meaney and Vice-Captain Chris O’Herlihy who then took their place on the viewing stand where Thos Maye helped with the commentary. Shirley O’Mahony did an interview with the three lads for the entertainment of the crowd. The remainder of the team and management took part in the parade. The Carrigaline Pipe Band led the Parade, followed by a colour party of the Irish Army.  Two of the largest groups parading were the Carrigaline GAA One Club: Hurling, Football, Camogie and Ladies Football and the Carrigaline United Soccer Club led by younger members carrying a banner saying “Thank You Willie’’ in tribute to their late President recently deceased Willie Walsh.  The most spectacular entry in the Parade was the Kiely Walsh Academy of Irish Dance whose members in uniform marched with the Munster, All Ireland and World Championship trophies and danced and skipped throughout the parade to the delight of the crowd.  The IFA brought a trailer load of calves, sheep and lambs, the farmers showed a lamb in their arms to children as they walked through the crowd. They were followed by over 20 little mini farmers on their toy tractors and trailers. In one instance the trailer was carrying a little flag waving passenger.  The Tidy Towns promoted Pride of Place in a decorated Pavilion truck with an invitation to join their team.  Other entries included Game Arcade party gaming, Seirbhís Dóiteáin Chontae Chorcaí, Owenabue Educate Together, Carrigaline Men’s Shed showing off their functioning jet engine. Ballygarvan GAA, Camogie and Ladies Football Club followed by The Lions Club promoting the Great Railway Run, and their Lions Housing Projects. The Irish Guide Dogs, the Coast Guard, the Carrigaline Athletic Club, The Carrigaline Community First Responders, Carrigaline Auto Services and a selection of Jeeps, Tracton GAA Juvenile Club followed by a selection of Vintage cars including a three wheel motor bike.  Carrigaline RFC Rugby for Girls were followed by SuperValu and Tailored Hamper vans and then the Order of Malta members walking in formation before their ambulances and I.N.H.S.C. Medical Unit.  The 55th Cork Carrigaline Scout Group, the Basketball Club bounced balls for the entire parade, followed by the Irish United Nations Veterans Association Post 5, finishing up with the Fire and Rescue trucks with their loud sirens blowing.  All the participants had gathered on the Lower Kilmoney Road with all the walking groups assembled in Dairygold car park.  The entire route which was very well stewarded had protective barriers at both sides of the streets which were closed to the public.  On the reviewing stand were Monsignor Aidan O’Driscoll, co PP, VG, Reverend Canon Elanie Murray, Cllrs Ben Dalton O’Sullivan and Una Mc Carthy, Michael Wall Chairman Carrigaline Community Association, and Councillor Patrick O’Donovan and Deputy Seamus Mc Grath were officiating on the ground.

Scór na bPáistí

The large attendance at Riverstick Community Hall were treated to a feast of entertainment at the South East final of Scór na bPáistí on Saturday afternoon March 8th at 2.00pm. Gaelscoil Charraig Ui Leighin had 10 entries who all acquitted themselves well and were in the running for places. The Gaelscoil team of Cadhla-Belle Ní Riagain, Natalie Ní Riain, Aisling Ní Sheaghdha, Ciarán Ó Cathlain-Denn, Rory Ó Drisleáin, Ciara Nic Somhairle, Teagan Ní Eallacháin agus Aoibhín Ní Bheolain won the Novelty Act and now go forward to the County Semi-final in Ovens next Friday March 28that 7.30 pm. The Bailéad Grúpa Faye Learner, Aoife Nic Eochaidh, Sadhbh Ní Mhuraile, Áine May Aileanach agus Hue Anh Nic Eochaidh got 3rd place, as did solo singer Scarlett de Buitléir. The quiz team of Aisling Ní Dhubhgáin, Lily Ní Chochláin, Holly Ní Mhurchú  agus Eve Ní Riagáin also got 3rd place.

Comhaltas na Dúglaise Under 18 Grúpa Cheoil performing at the Carrigaline Men's Shed Concert last Sunday night.

Men’s Shed Concert  Report

The Carrigaline Men’s Shed Variety Concert which was held in the Carrigaline Court Hotel last Sunday night was well attended and was a huge success.  The show started with  the Carrigaline Pipe Band who made a grand entrance as they played up the centre aisle, lined up and performed in front of the stage and continued playing as they paraded down the side aisle to the applause and cheering of the appreciative audience The Men’s Shed Choir, under the musical director Doctor Elizabeth Scott Hall, followed with popular songs in two part and three part Harmony. Tenor Dan Twomey who was very popular with the audience followed with superb performances in both halves. The Carrigaline Musical Society excelled with another wonderful performance followed by Comhaltas na Dúglaise Under 18 Grúpa Cheoil who performed a lovely variety of traditional Irish music, dancing and singing closing the first half. The Kiely Walsh Academy of Irish Dance put on a world class show to open the second half with Paddy O’Brien telling a story about St Patrick in his own inimitable style followed by Dan Twomey making his second appearance and musician Danny Dineen bringing down the curtain in what was a most enjoyable night. Fear a’Tí on behalf of the Men’s Shed thanked everyone, the entertainers, all who sponsored raffle prizes and the Carrigaline Court Hotel for their continued support and the audience for their support.

On Friday March 14th the Men’s Shed Choir sang at Cork airport from 1.00pm until 3.20pm to welcome the people coming into Cork for Saint Patrick’s Festival. Cork Airport put a clip up on Facebook and so far it has received over 70 thousand views.

The Men’s Shed participated in the Carrigaline Saint Patrick’s Day parade. A variety of activities continue in the Men’s Shed which is open 5 ½ days a week.

Gospel Choir Celebrates

The Carrigaline Gospel Choir will celebrate its 20th anniversary at 6 pm Mass in the Church of Our Lady and St John this Saturday, March 29th. The Gospel Choir was formed at the initiative of Parish Sister Noreen Foster with the full support and encouragement from Rev. Fr Bertie O’Mahony PP.  The Gospel Choir have consistently performed at the church and also at many occasions and locations elsewhere over the last 20 years.

Lions Club

The Lions Club marked National Tree Week by planting 120 saplings on the western bank of Cherry Blossom Road. The planting, headed up by Lions Club Environmental Officer Liam O’Connor, was done by volunteers including a few from Tidy Towns. The trees were supplied by Cork County Council. The Lions Club which put on a fine display in the Carrigaline Saint Patrick’s Day parade will hold the Rebecca Storm concert which is fully sold out this Thursday in Carrigaline Court Hotel. The Lions Club 25K Great Railway Run from Monaghan Road in Cork city via passage West and Monkstown to Carrigaline is also nearly booked out with 550 registered to date. 

Pipe Band

The Carrigaline Pipe Band led Monsignor Aidan O’Driscoll in procession to the altar for 10 am mass on Saint Patrick’s Day in the Church of our Lady and St John. As is the tradition, the mass was offered for the deceased members of the band. They played appropriate hymns throughout the ceremony accompanied by Pat Cooney on organ and singer Aisling Allan on vocals. After Mass they led the Monsignor from the altar and then played a few selections for the crowds outside the church. In the afternoon the band assembled at the Top Service station. They looked very smart with their new jackets as they led the Saint Patrick’s Day parade through the town, a tradition that started in Carrigaline in the 1940s. It was great to see such a strong drum corps with new young talent joining the ranks. Practice continues on Thursday from 7 pm in the band hall.

Afternoon Fundraiser

The annual fundraising event by Friends and Meaney takes place in the Carrigaline GAA Pavilion on Sunday, April 6th. The afternoon is being held in aid of the Shine Centre for Autism situated off the Ballea Road, Carrigaline.  There will be ongoing entertainment from 2 pm until 6 pm with plenty of finger food available. All are welcome to pay at the door and funds raised will go to the charity.

Comhaltas

Comhaltas na Dúglaise performed at many events over Seachtain na Gaeilge. A large group of musicians played for the Focus Ireland Big Busk in Douglas Village Shopping Centre on Thursday March 6th. A very large group played and danced at the welcome home for Saint Patrick’s Day festival at Cork Airport on Thursday, March 13 from 8 pm.  The following night the Senior Grúpa(Over 18) performed at the Munster Fleadh Cheoil fundraising concert ‘Ceol Chorcaí’ in Cork City Hall. Other groups played at schools and St Lukes Home last week.  A contingent walked and played in the Douglas St Patrick’s Day Parade. The Under 18 Grúpa gave a lovely performance of traditional music, dancing and singing at the Carrigaline Men’s Shed Concert last Sunday night in the Carrigaline Court Hotel.

Knock Pilgrimage

Preparations for the annual Carrigaline pilgrimage to Knock are well advanced. Organised by the Carrigaline Pioneer Centre, the date is set for Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th of June. Knock House Hotel is booked as is the Inn at Dromoland for meals enroute and Twomey’s Coaches again this year. They will leave from beside the church at 8 am on Saturday morning and return on Sunday night before 11 pm. €195 per person sharing including meals, enquiries Contact Aislinn 021 437 2035 / 087 9699 488, Mary 021 437 1025 or Mary 021 437 3316.

Scór na bPáistí

The County semi-finals of Scór na bPáistí will take place this Saturday in the Éire Óg GAA Hall this Friday night at 7:30 pm. The winners from the Carrigdhoun division who qualified in Riverstick will take part in this semi-final.

Tidy Towns

Representatives of Carrigaline Tidy Towns attended the Southwest and Midwest regional Tidy Towns award ceremony in the Talbot Hotel Ballincollig last Monday evening.