Beannachtaí na Nollag

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2 Table of Contents Introduction... 4 Snapshots of the Parish... 5 Youth Club... 7 Bodyke National School... 8 Tuamgraney National School... 9 Bodyke Camogie Club Bodyke Hurling Club Marriages Tuamgraney Handball Club Memories Annaghneal Badminton Club Dawn Mass Parish Social Mass & Community Gathering in Annaghneal Croagh Patrick Climb Pilgrim Walk Harvest Mass Strictly Come Dancing East Clare Baptisms Deaths Tuamgraney Development Association Mayor of Tuamgraney East Clare Golf Club East Clare Heritage Centre FÁS Communion & Confirmation

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4 Introduction It gives me great joy to introduce our Parish Magazine for Our magazine is a wonderful way of looking back at all that we have achieved over the past year. With gratitude I thank all who give of their time week in and week out to organisations in our parish. Your commitment is truly heroic. The year gone by was a wonderful year with the election of our new Mayor, Ted Minogue, the great exploits at the World Championships of our handballers, the huge success and work around the Strictly Come Dancing extravaganza, Tuamgraney Development Association s achievement in winning a Bronze Medal in the Tidy Towns Competition, and the wonderful musical The Pirates of Penzance, to mention but a few highlights. A huge challenge for us as a community is to get people more involved in a voluntary capacity in our community. What a difference it would make if people thought of giving a little of their time each week to a community organisation. Maybe reading about the wonderful work done in these organisations will jolt you into thinking that it s all of our responsibility to make a community, not just a few. I thank the Pastoral Council for their hard work in producing this booklet. I thank all those who contributed articles and photographs. I hope you enjoy reading this magazine, especially if you are away from home. May these pages bring a little flavour of home to you and may the Christ Child be close to you and your loved ones this Christmas. Donagh O Meara 4

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7 The Youth Club began in the autumn of There are about 40 members from secondary schools in the area. It takes place in Scarriff Community College Sports Hall at 8pm every Friday night and ends at 10pm. It is supervised by trained people from the community. When we join we pay 10 membership for the year. After that we sign in and pay 2 each every night. It goes towards trips and treats. We have soccer goalposts which we use to play soccer matches which can last for up to two hours. We also play pool, badminton and cards. We have great craic chatting and playing against each other. The youth club is a great way to make new friends, see old friends and to chat to them as you might not see them during the week. We plan trips such as going bowling, going to the cinema and also love take-aways! New members are always welcome. Come along and have some craic and bant!!! Seán Browne November

8 Bodyke National School Bodyke National School introduced Aistear to the Junior room this year. Aistear is the early childhood curriculum framework for all children from birth to six years. The word Aistear is the Irish word for journey and was chosen because early childhood marks the beginning of children s lifelong learning journeys. Aistear is the outcome of extensive research, consultation, planning and development by the NCCA in partnership with the early childhood sector. Aistear can be used in the range of early childhood settings including children s own homes, childminding settings, full and part-time daycare settings, sessional services and infant classes in primary schools. Highlighting the fact that children learn many different things at the same time, the Framework uses four interconnected themes to describe the content of children s learning and development: Well-being, Identity and Belonging, Communicating, and Exploring and Thinking. Aistear highlights the critical role of play, relationships and language for young children s learning. Our children are having lots of fun learning through play and fun interactive activities! The Blue Star Programme is a flag you receive for learning about the European Union in schools. For the Blue Star projects Bodyke National School did a PowerPoint presentation on Anne Frank. She was a girl who lived in an attic with her family. They were also hiding there to stay off the streets during the war. They had a secret staircase behind an old-looking book case. Another project we did was on World War II and Italy. The school is also working on its second green schools flag for Energy. They have been working hard on a lot of different projects and initiatives and have been learning lots about Energy. Here are some of the fun activities they have been doing: They held a no Energy Day where the children experienced a day at school without electricity, heating or lights. They held a science afternoon where the whole school got together and completed lots of science experiments on the theme of energy, including exploding volcanoes, firing rockets, and making lemon and potato batteries!! They went on a biodiversity tour to the Irish Seedsavers Association in Scarriff. They completed a Reduce, Reuse and Recycle project and put together a book to share tips on Recycling. 8

9 Tuamgraney National School The pupils of Tuamgraney National School have continued to distinguish themselves throughout 2012 with many achievements. Great efforts were made by students and staff to make Tuamgraney National School a greener place to be and in May we unveiled our first Green Flag after much hard work. The children are now busily collecting information about our energy use with a view to achieving a second Green Flag very soon. Both boys and girls made it through to Cumann na mbunscoil hurling and camogie finals respectively. Both teams fought hard on the day and the boys emerged victorious. A wonderful homecoming celebration was held for both teams in Bodyke GAA Club. Children participated in a wide variety of competitions this year including Doodle for Google, Unicef Appeal, Marion Keane Basketball Tournament, Indoor Hurling and the Schools Handball Competition. As always a great response was received to our charitable collections. The children contributed lovely gifts to the Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal. We also took part in Jack and Jill mobile phone collection and clothing and newspaper recycling initiatives. 9

10 Bodyke Camogie Club 2012 was a great year for our club and much progress has been made at all levels. Under age training has increased both in size and quality, thanks to our dedicated coaches, whose voluntary contribution is vital to the success and future of our club. Our aims to develop team spirit, skills, fitness and a love of the sport have come to fruition, and we celebrate this as the camogie calendar draws to a close. Stars of the Future - Victorious U8s Back row, l to r: Fiona O Brien, Amy Healy, Ciara Healy, Izzy Healy, Megan Kilkenny. Front row, l to r: Sineád Doyle, Lauren Doyle, Leah Minogue, Chloe O Brien, Roisin Sheedy, Chelsea Tubridy. We would like to thank most sincerely the parents and community in general, who have helped out or contributed to any fund raising activities. We would also like to thank our sponsors whose contributions were much appreciated. Tim McGrath Water Pumping & Treatment Systems Hassetts Bar, Tuamgraney Cobblers Rest, Bodyke Teach Ui Bhriain Bar & Eating House, Tuamgraney 10

11 U11 Division 1 Shield Winners with Clare U21 player, David McInerney, Tulla Back row, l to r: Ellie Chapman, Hannah Minogue, Karen Hayes, Sarah Minogue, Rachel Murray, Molly Kilkenny. Front row, l to r: Tara McCarthy, Leah McInerney, Anne Marie Gillespie, Roisin Minogue, Shauna Doyle, Claire O Brien, Valerie Hayes. Junior A Cup Finalists & Junior B League Winners Back row, l to r: Niamh McMahon, Sinéad Doyle, Ruth Minogue, Lottie Dowling, Kate Minogue, Rachel Grogan, Aisling Fitzgerald, Gráinne Quigley, Michelle McNamara, Orla O Brien, Geraldine Ryan, Hazel Minogue Front row, l to r: Claire Madden, Una Kavanagh, Aideen Wiley, Catherine McNamara, Anne Marie Fitzgerald, Louise Hayes, Clara Malone, Edel O Grady, Nuala Kilkenny. The club s aim to compete at adult level was also accomplished. This encourages our under age players to keep up the sport, which is of great importance to us. 11

12 Bodyke Tulla U14C Cup Finalists Back row, l to r: Chloe Walsh, Roisin Minogue, Ciara Doyle, Orla Moroney, Michaela Culloo, Catherine Meade, Hannah O Reilly, Ava Quigley, Katie Minogue, Kellie McInerney, Rachel Minogue, Sarah O Brien, Amber Meskell. Front row, l to r: Sara Minogue, Sinéad Conlon, Aoife Floyd, Niamh O Brien, Bridin Dinan, Leisha Culloo, Chloe Crowe, Tara Gleeson, Molly Kilkenny. The club was delighted with the amalgamation with Tulla this year, from U14 to minor level which culminated in success for the U16s when they won the shield final, defeating Scariff Ogonnelloe in a very exciting game. The U14 Bodyke Tulla team have also provided fantastic entertainment, reaching the final against Truagh/Clonlara. Well done to Katie Minogue and Ciara Doyle who represented the club in development squads at county level. CLUB COMMITTEE 2012 Chairman: Liam Doyle Secretary: Hazel Minogue Treasurer: Sinead Doyle P.R.O.: Katherine Minogue C.W.O.: Nuala Kilkenny To our players, who showed great spirit and dedication throughout the season, congratulations and well done! You are a credit to yourselves and to the parish. 12

13 Bodyke Hurling Club Introduction This is our account of the activities of Bodyke GAA Club 2012 on and off the field of play including underage hurling, our progress in adult championships and Club development. Juvenile Hurling It was another great year for underage hurling in Bodyke, we competed well at all levels from U6 to U18. We played in U8 blitzes and U10 blitzes, and matches at U11 and U12. Our U13 team qualified for division 3 final, but were pipped by Eire Óg in a great game. In U14 we competed in both A and C levels. In the C grade we had wins over Whitegate, Crusheen/Tubber, Eire Óg and Parteen. We then played Whitegate in the semi-final, where we came through in a very good game. O Callaghan s Mills provided the opposition in the final but despite a great performance our opponents came out on top. The highlight of the year was winning the U14A Championship with an amalgamation of Bodyke/O Callaghan s Mills - our first year in the competition. Our first competitive game was in Féile na Gael against Wolfe Tones in which we lost after a great contest. In the A championship we won seven out of eight games in group to qualify for the semi-final where Wolfe Tones were our opponents once again. After a great hours hurling we won by a single point. Cratloe were our opponents in the final, which we again won by the narrowest of margins after some nail biting moments. The referee s final whistle led to great scenes of joy. Twelve boys from the parish played a part in this great achievement. The club would like to thank all mentors who helped out during the year and Peter Casey for all his help with coaching. The club would like to congratulate Tuamgraney/Bodyke National School who won their first Cuman na mbunscoil. 13

14 The U16 Team Back row, l to r: Dale Harrington; William Fitzgerald; Adrian Healy; Evan Tobin; Seamus Quigley (Captain); Seán Browne; Evan Healy; Ian Murray; Oran Treacy and Paul Kelleher. Front row, l to r: Dean Flower; Liam Doyle; Sean Cushen; Cian Minogue; Sean Pearl; Oisin Slattery; Peter Flower; Ciaran Hickey and Liam O Donnell. The team with their mentors - Barry O Brien, Flan Murray and Seán O Halloran 14

15 U-15/U16 Our U15s were defeated in the first round by Tulla. We went undefeated in the U-16 D Group stage and qualified straight to the final where we defeated Meelick. We assisted Tulla in the U-16 B division. The team produced some fine displays to qualify for the semi-final which they won to set up a final with Ballyea. This was another very tight affair with Bodyke/Tulla coming out on top to take the title back to East Clare. Minor B Seamus is presented with the trophy by the Chairman of Clare Bórd na nóg, Martin Reynolds We amalgamated with Tulla and came through the group undefeated with two draws and two wins. This set us up to meet St. Joesph s in the quarter final and after a game in which both sides had long periods of dominance in either half we came through to stake a place in the semi-final. Our opponents here were Inagh/Kilnamona but unfortunately the team came unstuck against a very good side. 15

16 For a fourth year running the club ran our own GAA Camp for boys and girls up to age 14 which was again a major success. Many thanks to club members who coached the boys and girls for the week Stephen McGuire Tournament The fifth annual minor hurling tournament in memory of the late Stephen McGuire took place in June at Bodyke GAA Club Grounds. The tournament was played off in one day with 20 minute a side games and provided an entertaining afternoons hurling. Bodyke/Tulla came out on top in the final, defeating Smith O Briens in a very entertaining game. Ned Doyle 7-A-Side Tournament We hosted a Seven-A-Side tournament for the second year running in memory of the late Ned Doyle. Clooney/Quin emerged victorious with victory over O Callaghan s Mills in a great final. Seán Doyle representing the Doyle family presented the Ned Doyle Cup to the winning Clooney/ Quin captain Conor Harrison. U21 We joined forces with Tulla and competed in the B grade. In the first round we drew Crusheen and after a thrilling hour s hurling the sides finished level. Unfortunately the team failed to produce the same level in the reply and exited the Championship. Junior Our first game in Junior C Championship saw us face a strong Clarecastle side and despite a committed performance defeat was our lot. Intermediate We competed in Intermediate league but failed to make the knockout stages. We were paired with Ruan, Newmarket and Ogonnelloe in the Championship. We lost both our first two games against Ruan and Newmarket and drew with Ogonnelloe. These results meant we had to face Corofin in a relegation playoff battle which we lost by the narrowest of margins. We then had one final chance against Meelick to maintain our status but again defeat was our lot by one point. Field Development After considerable investment over the past number of years no major projects were undertaken this year although with the assistance of our local FÁS Scheme our grounds are being kept in great condition. 16

17 Fundraising & Other Club Activities The club would like to thank everyone who assisted and contributed towards our fundraising initiatives in The club would also like to say a sincere thank you to our main Club sponsor, Binmaster/Clare Waste & Recycling Ltd. Further information on all club activities throughout the year and upcoming events can be found in the Club website and our Facebook page. Conclusion Congratulations to all our members that were part of Clare County Squads at all levels during the year. Congratulations also to our members who continue to excel at the game of handball on their successes during the year with Tuamgraney Handball Club and Clare. Special congratulations to Diarmuid Nash on winning the world U23 title with Diarmuid and Niall Malone being very unlucky to lose the world U23 doubles final. Finally the club wishes to convey its condolences to all who lost loved ones during the year. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha. Congratulations to Lorraine Hassett & Brian Kenny who were married on October 5th 2012 in St. Joseph s Church, Tuamgraney 17

18 Tuamgraney Handball Club Another World Handball Title For Nash Diarmaid Nash is once again World Handball Champion after a stunning win at the recent World Handball Championships held in Citywest, Dublin. Tuamgraney clubman Nash collected the 40x20 Mens 23 & Under Singles after a powerful Diarmaid Nash 21-6, 21-4 win over Caolan Daly (Tyrone) in the final, having overcome Limerick man Seamus O'Carroll in an epic semi-final and Fergal Collins from Ballina, Tipperary in the previous round. It's a remarkable third World title for the Scariff star who took the 15 & Under Singles and Doubles (with Niall Malone) accolades at the 2006 Worlds in Canada. Nash and Malone also reached the 23 & Under Doubles final this time round but lost out to Limerick pair Seamus O'Carroll and CJ Fitzpatrick. Nash was also in One-Wall handball action at the World Championships where he played Mens Open Singles and Doubles (with Robbie McCarthy, Westmeath) and represented his country as part of the official Ireland team that reached the final of the Federations Cup against USA. There were other good performances in Citywest from Tuamgraney players, including Mark Rodgers, Clodagh Nash, Barry Nash, Patrick Fitzgerald, Ciaran Malone and Paul Healy. Diarmaid's exploits at the World Championships capped a busy and successful year for Tuamgraney Handball Club. Apart from Nash's achievement in reaching the All-Ireland Senior Singles semi-finals and the final of the Irish Nationals Mens Open in both 40x20 and One-Wall, our younger stars continued to pick up silverware on the national stage. The Derg Community Games girls team won Munster and 18

19 Tuamgraney Handball Club's Féile Boys & Girls winning teams. Back: l to r: Ciaran Hickey, Fiona Hayes, Cian Minogue, Ian Murray, Clodagh Nash, Amy Barrett, Oran Treacy. Front: Seán Pearl, Ciara Doyle. National titles while the club picked up our first ever National Féile na ngael titles, winning the Girls Division 2 and Boys Division 4 events. Cian Minogue picked up a Community Games Handball All Star award and Conor Downes and Mark Rodgers were Munster Primary Schools champions. Clodagh Nash won the Munster u-14 Doubles championship (with Doireann Murphy, Clarecastle) and the club had County champions in Willie Fitzgerald, Cathal Doyle, Oran Treacy, Sean Pearl, Amy Barrett and Ava Quigley. It was also a special year for two of our leading ladies, Aisling Fitzgerald and Edel O'Grady. Between 60x30 and 40x20 championships, Aisling picked up four Munster titles and Edel joined her for two Munster Doubles titles. Tuamgraney's handball future certainly glows bright as we look forward to Munster Champions Aisling Fitzgerald and Edel O'Grady

20 Memories of some of our Older Parishioners (four of whom are now sadly deceased - May they Rest in Peace) Cuimhneamh an Chláir (Memories of Clare) was established in February The oral history and folklore collection group digitally record, preserve and share the memories and lore of our county s oldest citizens. Cuimhneamh are a voluntary, independent and not-for profit organisation who work in all communities across county Clare. By resurrecting the old tradition of cuaird, Cuimhneamh are building a valuable resource for our county. By illuminating the value of our older people, Cuimhneamh helps address social isolation, empowers older people and demonstrate their value to broader society. It also generates a resource that will impact on current and future generations in terms of the social and cultural well-being. A number of interviews have been conducted in the Bodyke/Tuamgraney Parish by the founder of the group Tomás Mac Conmara, as well as Ruth Minogue and Anne McNamara, who are Cuairteoirí with Cuimhneamh an Chláir. Below are snippets from some of those interviews. Kathleen Nash ( ) Ah twas lovely, there d be a candle on the window always, there s no candles now, tis all electricity. There d be candles and holly all over the place. If you had a dresser or anything there d be a pile of holly up there. You d have berries mostly if you could get it. You d be visiting neighbours like and the neighbours they d visit you for Christmas. When I go home now, all the neighbours will come in to see me. Recorded by Tomás Mac Conmara in Roscrea 14 October

21 Mary Bridget Babs Durack ( ) Dinny Moloney used to come down in his trap every Friday and they d all come down for their pensions and they d all call up for a drink, you know and they knew no badness, no badness. Then in the winter then and at Christmas they d be a sing song. but as I say, nobody knew anything about any badness. Joe Noonan, Joe was a wonderful singer and his favourite song was, at Christmas he d always sing Christmas eve in London, and the snow lay on the ground. Well you d stand up in the middle of the street to listen to him.. Recorded by Tomás Mac Conmara in Tuamgraney 4 November 2008 Mary Kate Counihan ( ) Mary Kate Counihan who was born in the early 1920s spoke of a haunted area in Tuamgraney that her parents had warned her to stay away from. The Hollow Sound There was a place called The Hollow Sound..and there was supposed to be a tree there and there was a Brady man there were very high up in Tuamgraney one time and he was killed there, he was hung. We were.every time we d go in there, we d get this awful feeling that oh God, we weren t allowed even, we were told not to go in there to the hollow sound do you know. There was one of them hung inside there and the tree was in there and we were always frightened of that tree because he was supposed to be seen You d go in there through where Mike Murphy was a man that lived in the lodge, you d go straight in and you d go off to the Big House The Hollow Sound that was the name of it. There was a little bridge and a little river there. Then the forestry came and it was planted..i d say the trees weren t touched. Recorded by Ruth Minogue in Raheen Hospital (November 2010) 21

22 The Hungry Grass Moira Hannon explains a piece of folklore that she had heard from her parents in her native Corofin. Supposing there was two people in a house or maybe one person and they went out to count the cattle and they never came back in and they died outside and they decayed where they fell. And in years afterwards, people would say Oh, I got the hungry grass there.you d get hungry straight away if you walked over the spot the person died. Recorded by Tomás Mac Conmara & Edel Greene in Raheen Hospital (October 2010) Flan O Brien, Ballymalone ( ) The Christmas Block Myself and Liam often brought in a block, Christmas block you used to call it in them times. Catch it between us abroad in the yard. Full length of that you can see it (open hearth fire), eight foot and build the fire up again it (laughs) and then you had two of em then you see when twould be burnt! You could sit on em when I was a young lad, eight or nine years in them times at the end of it here and the other end beyond there. And then twould burn across the middle you see, you d shove it in to it and you d a noble block again. That s the Gospel truth, Christmas block we used to call it for the Christmas. Oh, the Lord save us, all my brothers were there, they re gone to God a lot of em. Well that s the way it was Tomás in my time, to tell you the truth 22

23 Annaghneal Badminton Club is a very successful club with just under fifty junior members ranging in age from five to twelve, coming from Flagmount, Feakle, Tulla, O Callaghan s Mills, Tuamgraney and Bodyke, who train on a Friday evening from seven to ten. We also have a group of about fifteen teenagers who train on a Thursday evening from seven to ten. Many of these kids have entered into local competitions and some into Munster competitions. There have been a few medals brought back to the club with some promising players coming up. Congratulations to Ciaran Hickey & David McGrath on their wins, and to Oisin Clune on coming third, at the recent Munster Inter County Championship held in U.L. There is also an adults club on Wednesday nights from 7pm onwards. For any further information you can contact John Hickey on

24 Dawn Mass A large crowd gathered on Easter Sunday morning on the shores of Lough Derg at Two Mile Gate to join Fr. Donagh in celebrating Dawn Mass. Below are some of the images captured on this very special occasion. 24

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26 A very enjoyable Parish Social was held in the East Clare Golf Club on Friday 27th April, where Larry McEvoy very ably provided the musical entertainment. See below some of the photographs taken on the night. 26

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29 Mass and Community Gathering in Annaghneal Hall Friday 15th June 29

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31 A group of thirty pilgrims climbed Croagh Patrick on Sunday 7th October. Check out some of the images captured on the day! 31

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33 Pilgrim Walk Fr. Donagh led a Pilgrim Walk on Friday June 29th to commemorate the Eucharistic Congress. Despite the showery weather a fine crowd of parishioners, together with a number of welcome visitors from Ogonnelloe Parish, gathered at the Handball Alley in Tuamgraney at 8pm and walked in Raheen Wood, stopping at six stations along the way for a prayer and reflection. Those present enjoyed refreshments and a chat afterwards. The Harvest Mass was held on Sunday 14th October in the Church of the Assumption, Bodyke, at 11.30am. The beautiful Harvest Altar Display can be seen below. 33

34 East Clare Strictly Come Dancing East Clare was a phenomenal success this year, bringing together the communities of East Clare to jointly fundraise for cancer research. Funds raised (in the region of 70,000) go directly to cancer research. Both Bodyke and Tuamgraney were ably represented in the competition, with Liam and Aideen Wiley strutting their stuff for Bodyke, while Shay O Neill and Louise Hayes stepped out in style for Tuamgraney. Well done to both couples for giving of their time to such a worthy cause. A special word of thanks must go to Maureen Madden for her excellent work throughout the campaign. The East Clare communities have surpassed the expectations of the organising committee, both in terms of money raised and the wonderful community spirit which was evident throughout East Clare during the lead into the Grand Finale. The Strictly Come Dancing East Clare organising committee would like to thank everyone who helped with fundraising events, selling Voting Cards and especially their generosity with their contributions in such difficult times. The Strictly Come Dancing DVD is now available and would be an ideal Christmas gift. 34

35 Baptisms 2012 Jason Aaron Moloney 11 th February 2012 Saoirse Suzanne O Halloran 18 th February 2012 Seán Patrick O Halloran 18 th February 2012 Lara Grace O Dwyer 25 th February 2012 Tara Bridgid Cooney 26 th February 2012 Patrick Seán Malone 25 th March 2012 Aoibheann Kate Kelly 13 th May 2012 Philip Hogan 3 rd June 2012 Sarah Alice Moroney 23 rd June 2012 Ellen Angela O Neill Kavanagh 26 th August 2012 Cathal Michael McNamara 29 th September 2012 Iarla Gerard Kelleher 4 th November 2012 Leah Amy Walsh 10 th November

36 Deaths in the Parish 2012 Josephine Scanlon, Drewsboro Jim Hogan, Bodyke Jack O Brien, Coolreagh Margaret Ashcroft, Aylesbury, UK (formerly of Callahy, Tuamgraney) Mary Noonan, Drewsboro Mary O Connor, Tuamgraney David McGrath, Lisbareen, Bodyke 23 rd February 29 th March 20 th May 22 nd August 28 th August 19 th September 19 th October Denis White, Coolaun, Tuamgraney 22 nd October Martha Brady, Caherhurley, Bodyke 30 th October 36

37 Tuamgraney Development Association Success in Tidy Towns 2012 This year saw Tuamgraney take another step upwards on the National Tidy Towns Ladder. TDA representatives were invited to the Helix in Dublin where they were rewarded for all their hard work with a Bronze Medal. Margaret O Meara, Mary Cassidy, Damian Heaney and Liam Furlong were presented with the actual Bronze Medal at the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis, on Thursday 29 th November. A bronze medal did not happen overnight and reaching this level of the competition has taken seventeen years. We all agree that we have a very different Tuamgraney today than we had seventeen years ago. This change is testimony to the work of the TDA over the years and includes not only the current committee, but many people who have worked hard on the committee in the past. The community's continued support of the TDA, both financially and in terms of the attention that is given to homes and businesses, plays a large part also in the success, as does the work of Maeve and all the FÁS workers. Thank you to all. It is important that we build on this success and our aim is to achieve a silver medal in the next couple of years and to work towards the ultimate prize in the future. But Tidy Towns is not just about prizes - it s about pride in the place in which we live, it's about a sustainable environment for the future and it's about the community coming together. Well done to everyone. Clare in Bloom Tuamgraney was also once again successful in the Clare in Bloom competition this year, taking 1st place in Category 3 of the competition. Members of the TDA attended a presentation at Áras Contae an Chláir on Monday October 8th and the positive feedback from all over Margaret Furlong, Mary Cassidy, Noreen Rouine and Peggy Ryan of the TDA at the Clare in Bloom Awards 37

38 the county about Tuamgraney was great to hear. Riverview Estate came 2nd in the Housing Estates category and also received the Judges Special Award. We congratulate all of the residents on their continued hard work and development of the estate. This year it looked fantastic and this was also noted in the positive feedback from the National Tidy Towns adjudicator. Well done to all involved. Bodyke village also did very well, receiving an Endeavour Award on the night. Christmas Tree The lighting of the Christmas Tree in the Memorial Park, Tuamgraney, took place on Saturday 8th December. The school children were involved and Christmas Carols were sung. Much credit is due to Haulie Hogan, Niall O Brien and Conor Daly for their hard work in erecting the tree. The new star at the top this year makes the tree look even more impressive. You can see the Christmas Tree in all its glory on the back cover of this booklet. The lights on the Christmas Tree in Bodyke were switched on following 11.30am mass on Sunday 9th December. Once again the school children were involved, as you can see from the photograph with Fr. Donagh below. 38

39 Following a most exciting campaign which really captured the imagination of the local community, 2012 saw the election of the first Mayor of Tuamgraney, in the person of Ted Minogue. Five candidates were vying for the position, namely: Una Dillon, Frances O Neill, Tony Dillon, Liam Furlong and of course Ted himself. Mayor of Tuamgraney Ted Minogue being congratulated by former Mayor of Clare Pat Hayes Ted was elected on Sunday 3rd June at a very entertaining night in Hassett s Lounge Bar, Tuamgraney. The grand sum of 11,772 was raised during the campaign and after expenses for the Tuamgraney Community Weekend over the June Bank Holiday, just over 10,000 was left. A total of 2,130 was donated to mayor Ted Minogue s nominated charity - a local charity for cancer research, which culminated in a big event called "Strictly Come Dancing East Clare" in August (see page 34). The remaining 8,000 will go towards a community weekend for Tuamgraney for the next four years. This year s weekend was a great success and it is hoped to build on this for next year. Planning for 2013 has already begun, The Gathering being the theme for next year s Community Weekend in June. 39

40 East Clare Golf Club East Clare Golf Club in 2012 has once again attracted over 4000 visiting golfers to our area. From its beginnings in the early 1990s it has continued to be an added visitor attraction in East Clare. In addition to the golf course our clubhouse also attracts many visitors and is very popular for christening parties, communion parties and other social functions. This years Captains Kevin Mannion and Catherine Minogue and Club President Peg Hanrahan represented the club at many functions around the county and beyond and continued to spread the good news of our facility here in East Clare. The Club ran a very enjoyable Festival of Golf in June and this proved to be very popular with the golfing fraternity. It is proposed to hold another Festival of Golf next summer. Following the recent Annual General Meetings the new Captains for 2013 have been installed. They are Derek Kenny and Mary Collins. Redmond Walsh takes over as club President for The Club introduced a very attractive limited membership offer for new members in late Under this offer new members can join for and also this fee can be spread over 6 months. For any non members thinking of joining, this is the ideal opportunity. This would also make an ideal Christmas present. East Clare Golf Club wishes everyone a Happy and a Peaceful Christmas. 40

41 East Clare Heritage On Saturday 26th May 2012 a Walking at Whitsun pilgrim walk took place, organised by the local faith communities and East Clare Heritage Centre. The walk took the route of the minor roads from Mountshannon to Tuamgraney and was followed by an ecumenical service at Saint Cronan s tenth-century church to mark the Christian feast of Pentecost. East Clare Heritage commemorated the 125th anniversary of the Bodyke Evictions in July 2012, in recognition of the achievement of the Bodyke tenants who fought so tenaciously and successfully the evils of landlordism during the land wars of the late 19th century. A talk on the Evictions by John S. Kelly was held on Friday July 20th in the Heritage Centre. In addition, the centre hosted an exhibition of original documents such as maps, letters, eviction notices and photographs relating to the Evictions. The fruit derived from struggle is the sweetest of all pleasures - let us not forget! During Heritage Week in August the centre hosted a number of events, including a childrens afternoon, culminating in the showing of the award winning film The Secret of Kells. The award winning Celtic Traditions Concert Series, featuring Kate Purcell and special guests each week, resumed at St. Cronan s Church & Heritage Centre in April 2012 and continued until the end of October. Ger Madden s latest book, Portraits of Mountshannon, which is an East Clare Heritage Publication, was launched by the County Librarian Helen Walsh on Friday the 7th December and is now for sale locally. 41

42 Community Employment Scheme BAT Community Council Ltd. are a group of people from local organisations that sponsor a Community Employment Scheme in our area. Community Employment is a programme funded by the Department of Social Protection. It is designed to help people who are long term unemployed and other disadvantaged people to get back to work by offering part time temporary placements in jobs based within the local community. At present we are employing 19 people who are working in various places locally. These include Bodyke Village, Annaghneal Hall, East Clare Golf Course, Bodyke Hurling Field, St. Coolan s Burial Ground, Tuamgraney Village, East Clare Heritage Centre, Tuamgraney Handball Club and Bodyke Parish House. Their work consists of maintenance of the villages and graveyards, involvement with Tidy Towns, gardening & landscaping, heritage & tourism, sports and administration. Therefore the scheme benefits both the community and the participants. The criteria for participating on the Community Employment Programme are based on age and length of time in receipt of various Social Welfare payments. If you are interested in joining a scheme you should contact the Department of Social Protection, 42 Parnell Street, Ennis, Co. Clare

43 The Communion class of 2012 The Confirmation class of

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