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23/3/07 The AGM of Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival took place in Dooly's Hotel recently and whilst there was a strong show of support from those in attendance, numbers were too low to elect a full committee. It was acknowledged the Festival is directly responsible for bringing increased numbers of visitors to the town, thus benefiting the local economy. It is an outstanding opportunity to display all that is best about Birr, combined with providing entertainment for all ages and interests. While there was no shortage of enthusiasm for running the Festival, all those in attendance agreed that more people are needed on the committee and in background supporting roles if the Festival is to go ahead. A temporary committee was formed in order to proceed with the planning that cannot be delayed any further should the Festival go ahead, pending a further meeting in two weeks time. In this intervening period, the temporary committee will be seeking confirmation of support from local businesses, pubs, clubs, societies, event organisers, artists and also from townspeople who make up the Festival audiences, in terms of both financial and voluntary assistance of manpower that are vital to its continuation. It is hoped that a large turn out at the next meeting will allow the formation of the 2007 organising committee, who can look forward to building on a substantial base of well established events and successful innovative entertainment. If you would like to be part of one of the longest running festivals in the country by either joining the Committee or helping with fundraising or specific Festival events, or just want further information, please call Michelle on (086) 8551937, or come along to the next meeting which will be held in Dooly's Hotel, Birr on Friday 30th March at 8.30p.m.
23/3/07 On Wednesday 14th of March the school quiz team travelled to Tullamore Court Hotel for their eagerly awaited 2nd round tie of the TCH All Ireland Schools Quiz. The opposition comprised of two Westmeath schools in the form of Athlone Community School and Wilson's Hospital School Multyfarnham. As both of these schools had comfortably won their opening rounds, St Brendan's looked like they were going to be in a battle on the night. However in the opening rounds the Birr team, which included Ruairi Keane, Elaine McAuliffe, Finn Kelly and Mark Teehan opened up an early lead. As the evening progressed St Brendan's managed to maintain their advantage, leaving them in an unassailable lead with one round to go. The quiz team is now diligently preparing for the Third Round of the competition which should be held before Easter.
23/3/07 Birr Stage Guild are currently adding the final touches to this year's musical presentation, Some Enchanted Evening - a musical celebration of material from two of the 20th century's greatest songwriters, Rodgers & Hammerstein. Performers present over 35 familiar solos, duets and choruses from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s catalogue of hit shows that include 'The Sound of Music', 'The King and I', 'Oklahoma', 'Carousel', 'South Pacific' and 'State Fair'. Due to the large number of songs, this year sees many performers making their solo debut. One performer who is certainly no stranger to the Guild is Colm Bourke, who is taking on the challenging ‘Soliloquy’ from Carousel, in addition to ‘A Fellow Needs a Girl’, a duet with Cathal Barber. Returning to the Birr stage is Anne Molloy-Coughlan performing a number of melodies including 'I'm gonna wash that man right out of my hair' and 'A wonderful guy', while Barbara Hanamy duets with Laura McDowell for ‘I enjoy being a girl’ and Darren Madden for 'Sixteen going on Seventeen'. A new face to the guild this year is Muirne Hurley-Goode, and with songs such as 'It Might As Well Be Spring' and 'In My Own Little Corner', she will have you enthralled. The familiar faces of Seymour Kenny, singing 'Lonely Room', and Michael Campbell, singing 'If I Loved You', also feature, in addition to Adrian Sheils, whose rendition of 'Oh what a beautiful morning' will lift your heart. Many more faces include: Michelle Hynes, Annette Ryan, Mary Lyndon, Michelle Digan, Noeleen Harding, Ann Hennelly, Lisa Byrne, Kathrena Ryan, Dawn Guilfoyle, Margaret Heffernan, Mary Horan, Carmel Campbell, Stephane Lagace, Tommy Hynes and Alan Hoare. Performances run for four nights only from Wednesday 28th - Saturday 31st March inclusive at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, beginning at 8pm sharp. Box Office open Monday– Friday 1p.m.– 5.30p.m., phone (057) 9122911. The R&H signature shows have won over audiences for more than 60 years, and you can make sure Birr Stage Guild's production of 'Some Enchanted Evening' will do the same. Book early to avoid disappointment!
23/3/07 An unusual event will take place in St Brendan’s COI Church in Birr on Sunday 25th March when the church will host a chamber orchestra of over 30 musicians – staff and students – from NUI Galway. The 'NUIG Chamber Orchestra' under their director, Hugh Kelly, will celebrate their seventh year together by performing their first concert outside Galway in the elegant surroundings of St Brendan’s Church on Oxmantown Mall. The programme is an interesting and varied one of four substantial works: for classical music lovers there is the Haydn symphony no 101 'the Clock', a fine example of 18th century chamber music, elegant, structured and melodic. In total contrast is 'On hearing the first cuckoo in spring' by the English romantic composer Frederick Delius. This richly textured pastoral music evokes all those emotions associated with experiencing a warm Spring afternoon when you suddenly realise that winter is past and summer is on the way. Delius loved writing descriptive music of Nature’s many moods. Works such as 'In a summer garden', 'Songs of the High Hills', 'Songs of Sunset' and 'summer night on the river' even the names themselves are redolent of the sights and sounds and smells of pasture and woodland. 'On hearing the first cuckoo in spring' is one of his most popular works, written when he was turning 50 and before the syphilis took hold that would eventually cause him to go blind and lose the use of his legs before it finally killed him. The third work in this concert is the Romanze in G for solo violin and orchestra by Johan Svendsen. Svendsen was a Norwegian composer, an exact contemporary of Grieg with whom he shared the direction of the Christiana Music Society concerts in the 1870s. His music is less overtly 'Norwegian' than Grieg’s but shares many of the harmonic idioms of Scandanavian music at a time of nationalistic fervour and will therefore create a further contrast with the classical music of Haydn and the English pastoral music of Delius. Finally, the orchestra will perform the Irish premier of a work by the American composer George Frederick McKay 'Suite on 16th Century Hymn tunes for double string orchestra'. McKay was born in Spokane, Washington in 1899 and so was writing at a time when America was bursting with life and creative energy, when musicians were taking their inspiration from the jazz and folk music of black and Hispanic, European and Slavonic sources. In this charming work scored for double string orchestra and celesta, McKay takes as his inspiration tunes written by the French Renaissance composer Louis Bourgeois for the psalter being compiled by John Calvin for his new religion that would become Presbyterianism in our part of the world. Full of lyrical melodies, this five movement work is one the NUIG orchestra has found wonderful to discover and looks forward to making the star of a glittering programme. If you have never heard a real live orchestra, here is your chance to get up close and see how music is put together and with what wonderful and varied results. Bring the kids! Get them to look up the biographies of these composers on the Web before they come. Make it a cultural project! You never know what future careers on the concert platform might begin in Birr on 25th March! Well done to the Rev Ruth Gill and the St Brendan’s select vestry for opening up the church for what promises to be a fine concert. Admission is open to all; no tickets are necessary though you will be invited to contribute €10 or so to help defray the expenses of church and orchestra. The concert begins at 8.00pm.
23/3/07 Mass goers in Birr last weekend (17th & 18th March) got their first taste of what to expect during their three days of prayer and reflection for Lent which begins on Wednesday 21st March. The co-ordinator of the event, Dr. Andrew O’Connell, spoke at all Masses introducing the theme of the three day event, 'Come Back to Me with All Your Heart'. During his address he said that despite the sophistication of modern technology and our new found wealth, the big questions of life remain unanswered. He highlighted the fact that the 'meaning of life' questions in particular still need answers. Andrew (29) is the Communications Director for the Presentation Brothers. The Brothers are helping to organise this year’s event. Previously he was an engineer at the computer company, Intel, in Leixlip, Co. Kildare. 'I was very impressed by the numbers of people attending Mass in Birr', Andrew said afterwards. 'I hope that people will take some time out now from their daily routines and come to our three days this week.' 'During the week we will be asking some very basic and fundamental questions. For example, on Wednesday night we will ask why anyone should bother with the Church today. We’ve all seen what has happened over the past 15 years. Why would anyone have anything to do with Catholicism in Ireland in 2007? That is a fair question. 'In addition, we hear from scientists such as Richard Dawkins who tell us that God is a delusion and we are all fooling ourselves if we believe. 'To tackle those issues we have Ronan Mullen who appeared on The Late Late Show last Friday night explaining why he still bothers with the Catholic Church.' 'It’s also important that we reach out to young people and myself and Brother Andrew Hickey will be visiting St. Brendan’s Community School to speak to students about vocation and faith', Andrew added. Parish Priest of St. Brendan’s in Birr, Fr Tony Cahir, says that this is an event with a difference as it will be run by laypeople. 'This is perhaps our way of responding to Bishop Willie Walsh’s suggestion that we involve lay people in a more meaningful way in our parish life. I don’t think anyone who turns up to the 7.30p.m. services this week will be disappointed. It’s a great chance to prepare for Easter as will be having a special reconciliation service on Thursday night.'
23/3/07 Birr Library had the privilege of hosting a Question and Answer session with an award winning author Kate Thompson. This was part of a county wide visit by the author for the Offaly County Library Service. A group of local primary school children from Oxmantown National School attended the session. The children had numerous questions for the author. Kate played a few tunes on the fiddle that featured in her book The New Policeman. This was followed by an abstract reading from her yet unpublished book The Last of the High Kings. The question and answer session began with numerous inquiries about imagination and writing style. Kate had time to sign a few books and autographs for the children. It was a great success and the Birr Library wishes to thank all involved.
23/3/07 It's that time again when the Friends of Birr Community Nursing Unit are hosting their 3rd Fashion show extravaganza and Monday, 2nd April is the night! It is all taking place in the County Arms Hotel, Birr at 8pm sharp. Following two previous sell out shows the Friends of Birr Community Nursing Unit are confident of the support and goodwill of the Birr people and the surrounding communities to make this a successful and enjoyable night for all. Displaying their Spring and Summer fashions will be Marita's, Jerro's, Choice, Jazz, Zandra's, Hip Hop and GK Sports, and for the men there will be fashions from Greg Smith's Menswear and Alpha Male. Lots of raffle prizes to be won on the night also. So hurry and buy your ticket as they expect them to go fast. They cost €15 each, the proceeds of which will go to the Friends of Birr Community Nursing Unit. Tickets can be bought in any of the participating shops or in Birr Community Nursing Unit, telephone (057) 9123244.
23/3/07 Birr Community Games Chess The U-12 chess team had a great victory over Rhode to claim the county title. The team members are: Carmel Guilfoyle, Patrick Parsons, Jack Regan, Gillian Kevin, Andrew Ryan, Kerrie Byrne and Megan Byrne. It was a very tight match that came down to the last game, involving Jack Regan. Jack held his concentration thus ensuring the victory. Well done. Thanks to Dooly's Hotel for providing us with a venue. Best of luck in the Leinster competition. Art & Model Making The local heats of the Art and model-making competition were held recently with the help of our local schools. There was a huge entry this year and the standard was extremely high. The results are as follows: U-10 Model Making 1. Clodagh Hanniffy, 2. Orlaith Plunkett, 3. Avril Fleury. U-12 Model Making 1. Katie Harding, 2. Aoife Plunkett, 3. Colleen Mullarkey. U-14 Model Making 1. Jessica Spain. Girls U-8 Art 1. Laura Sampson, 2. Katie Corrigan, 3. Sophie Parkinson. Girls U-10 Art 1. Niamh Horan, 2. Hannah Garahy, 3. Catriona Reddin. U-12 Art 1. Laura Dunne, 2. Emer Grimes, 3. Kara Sampson. U-14 Art 1. Laura Shiels, 2 Megan Curran, 3. Claire Yeats. U-16 Art 1. Roisin Burns, 2. Niamh Cooney, 3. Shauna Carroll. Boys U-8 Art 1. Sufyan Anjum, 2. Leon Hogan, 3. Finian Kelly. U-10 Art 1. Conor Sampson, 2. Brendon McEvoy, 3. Paul Mannion. U-12 Art 1. Aaron Murtagh, 2. Ciaran Cooney, 3. Stefan Shalloe. U-14 Art 1. Seán Hogan, 2. Conor Fitzgerald, 3. Stephen Houlihan. U-16 Art 1. Padraig O'Meara, 2. Stephen Lyons. Well done. Thanks to Catherine Barry and Brona McDermott for their help. The finalists travelled to Clara last Saturday for the county final. Thanks to Josephine Rigney. Birr did extremely well with eight children off to Mosney. Well done. The results involving Birr are as follows: Orlaith Plunkett - 1st girls model making U-10; Laura Sampson - 1st Girls Art U-8; Conor Sampson - 1st Boys art U-10; Niamh Horan - 3rd girls art U-10; Katie Harding - 1st girls model making U-12; Aoife Plunkett - 2nd girls model making U-12; Aaron Murtagh - 1st boys art U-12; Ciaran Cooney - 2nd boys art U-12; Laura Shiels - 1st girls art U-14; Seán Megan - 2nd boys art U-14; Stephen Lyons - 1st boys art U-16; Jessica Spain - 1st girls model making U-14. The girls U-16 results aren't available yet. Medals for all art winners will be dropped into the schools soon. Well done. Thanks A huge thank you to all who supported our recent fundraising night out. Thanks to those who attended and also to those who gave donations. The money raised goes towards insurance, transport, registration, medals, equipment etc.
1/3/07 Once upon a time, the world of Science was an esoteric place, a world of experts in dedicated laboratories complete with Bunsen burners, pipettes and microscopes, a world far removed from children and noisy, messy experiments. Not any longer! The young scientists in Mercy Primary School, Birr, took up the Science challenge during 'Discover Primary Science Week' last November and set about designing and making, experimenting, observing, discovering and applying scientific principles. Undaunted by the lack of a dedicated science room, they temporarily converted the PE Room into a science lab. In the absence of test tubes, pipettes and the like, they recycled five litre plastic bottles, assembled raisins, Seven-Up, red cabbage, lemons, batteries, bells and bulbs, simple rubber piping and made newspaper cones! With this somewhat unorthodox equipment they managed to treat classmates and captive parents to noisy but dazzling workshops exploring all the strands of the Primary Science Curriculum - Designing and making living things, Materials, Energy and Forces and Environmental Awareness and Care. The week opened, not with a bang, but with a bubble 'the size of our heads' blown through a paper cone! What a fun way to explore the surface tension of water, with scientists Nadia and Shauna. 'Dancing' raisins in fizzy water revealed the lifting power of air trapped in bubbles. Can you guess why they wouldn't dance in still water. They did, eventually! Julie and Emma used a 5-litre water bottle and rubber piping to test the amount of air in their lungs. They blew through the rubber piping and displaced a volume of water equivalent to the volume of air in our lungs. Thank you to the brave parents who were inveigled in taking part in their wacky but wise experiments, and hats off to the Dad who managed to displace all the water in the bottle! An impressive lung capacity indeed! Revina captured tiny fingerprints using ordinary pencils and cellotape and explained whorls, loops and arches to spellbound listeners, who then set about using magnifying lences to trace the geography of their own fingerprints. Lighthouse Keepers Claire and Sinead led young scientists to figure out how to make a circuit work and so 'light-up' the bulb at the top of the model lighthouse to great excitement and shouts of 'I've done it.' Much bulb lighting and buzzers buzzing also ensued in the 'Quiz with a Quirk' corner. Board games, designed and constructed by Sixth Class and Mrs Murray were played with much hilarity and shouts of glee. Correct answers were indicated, not by teachers' red pens, but by a correct circuit being formed, which then set off a buzzer or a bulb! Quiz supervisers Claire and Sinead explained and assisted with lots of helpful clues and nods in the right direction for the younger scientists. The 'pulleys' and 'levers' workshop was overseen by Shauna who talked knowledgeably about forces, levers and folcrums and how to life huge weights with the greatest of ease (and metres and metres of cable!) Alkalis and acids were explored through dropping acids (lemon juice, vinegar etc) or alkalis (soap, shampoo, toothpaste) on t-shirts dyed with red cabbage to make cool pattenrs and colours. (We foresee young entrepreneurs and artists budding as well as young scientists). The chemical reaction produced by mixing bread soda and vinegar propelled balloon fuelled rockets to (almost) lunar heights and caused many a heart to jump in fright! It even prompted the Principal to create and apply Mrs Heffernan's Law on the spot - no broken bones or structural damage, please! One of the highlights of this year's Science Week was being able to transport some of the teachers great distances with no effort at all! But how was it done? By copying the ancient Egyptians and using simple wooden logs and planks to create a giant roller-bearing system. Brave teachers and parents strapped on helmets, sat unto wooden planks and were transported along, not by strength but by the simple technology of using bearings. At one point, they were amazed to see a little Senior Infant girl moving (a much taller) teacher a short distance along the floor. What a claim to fame! But what is the point of all this activity? Is it learning? We are mindful of Yeat's off-quoted assertion that education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. And that's the point of the week. Scientific facts were not just presented to the children in a fun and informative manner, but imaginations were captured, curiosity awakened and possibilities pondered. For every scientific discovery, someone first had to say, 'What if? or 'Let's try' and that's what we heard - and continue to hear during Science Week in Mercy Primary School. Some of the comments from the pupils on Science Week included 'We really enjoyed making and designing the lighthouse because we figured out how to make a circuit work. We even managed to light our own mini sized lighthouse.' 'We had fun and also learned a lot.' 'Electronic games - very good' Favourite - lung capacity experiment, because you got the chance to see how fit you were. 'Liked the bubbles - never knew you could make your own - thought you had to buy them.' 'The rocket was probably one of my favourites. 6th Class explained the experiments to the parents who were great sports and got involved in everything.'
1/3/07 Wilmer Tennis Club Players still involved in the club championships are requested to play all outstanding matches as soon as possible so that the event can conclude before the commencement of the Spring League. Birr Stage Guild Spring Musical Birr Stage Guild presents 'Some Enchanted Evening' from 28th - 31st March. This wonderful song and dance musical is a celebration of some of the best songs of the 20th century. The performers bring over 46 melodies from 'The Sound of Music', 'The King and I', 'Oklahoma', 'Carousel', 'South Pacific' and 'State Fair' alive in a fresh and vibrant new way. Bookings are now well under way at Birr Theatre and Arts Centre and reservations can be made by calling (057) 9122911. Vintage Week AGM Dates for the 39th Annual Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival are provisionally set for Friday 10th- Friday 17th August, 2007. The Festival's go-ahead is totally dependant on a strong show of support at the upcoming AGM. A commitment from volunteers to organise fundraisers over the coming months, and to run Festival events is necessary to see the Festival continue and grow. If you would like to join the committee or just help with fundraising or specific festival events please come along to the AGM, or call Michelle on (086) 8551937 for further information. Any amount of time or energy you can offer will be greatly appriciated. The AGM will be held at Dooly's Hotel on Friday 9th March, 8.30p.m. Social Dancing Social dancing in Rath Community Hall on Thursday March 1st. Music by Johnny Barrett. There will be dancing also on St Patrick's Night, March 17th, with music by Denis Doyle. Highfield United Lotto Numbers drawn in the Highfield United lotto this week were 5, 19, 21, 30. There were no jackpot or match three winnes. Five names were drawn and will receive €30 each - Mike Hogan, c/o C & P, Mrs Margaret Hanlon, c/o J. Hayes, James Nevin, c/o T. Grainger, Kathleen Kelly, Lacka, c/o C & P, Sharon Egan, c/o M. Halvey. Next week's draw will be in Whelahan's for a jackpot of €8,400. T
1/3/07 Birr Castle Demesne and Ireland’s Historic Science Centre is setting a higher standard this year following a 12% increase in visitor numbers for 2006 compared to 2005. In addition to improved tourism, they also welcomed more school tours last year. The Discover Primary Science programme for primary school students and the Junior Science Trail for secondary students was launched only two years ago, and has since then experienced great success. Also, Birr Castle Demesne looks forward to hosting new events in 2007, including a free engineering fun day called ‘A Day of Discovery,’ an Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Market, two rare plant sales, more castle concerts and the Irish Game and Country Fair. For more information on educational tours or for a full programme of events, visit www.birrcastle.com.
1/3/07 Calls have been made to include Carrig National School in this year's school building programme. Deputy Michael Smith said he was confident that the school would be included this year while Deputy Michael Lowry raised the matter in the Dail last week. Mr Smith, speaking at a public meeting held in Carrig NS, indicated that he was extremely confident that Carrig School will be included in the School Building Programme for 2007. Huge progress, he said, had been made throughout the Constituency under the Devolved Scheme and he hoped that a number of schools as well as Carrig would benefit when this year's scheme was announced in the next couple of weeks. Carrig N.S is a co-educational Primary School with a September 2006 enrolment of 91 pupils. It was emphasised at the meeting, which was also attended by Deputy Michael Lowry, that the school was bursting at the seams and needed an extension urgently. During an adjournment debate in Dáil Eireann, Deputy Lowry called on the Minister for Education to include Carrig National School in this year’s school building programme. Deputy Lowry told the Dáil that 'It is apparent from the planned housing development in the locality that additional school accommodation will be needed in the future. It is also blatantly obvious that the school needs additional facilities to meet the requirements of its special needs pupils. I am aware that the school’s application for a devolved building grant has been assessed by officials in the department and is on the Minister desk awaiting approval. I have urged the Minister to include this school to meet the expected pupil rise from new houses, to meet the special needs of many others, and provide permanent accommodation in place of the draughty prefab.' 'In the 13 years since that last major expansion, the school population has increased to 91. It has four classroom teachers and two special needs teachers. With those six teachers, there are also five full-time special needs assistants, one part-time special needs assistant and a secretary, giving a total staff of thirteen.' 'I want to emphasise the commitment to special needs education at Carrig National School. Recognition of the basic right to education of every pupil is fundamental to the ethos in the school. Of the 91 pupils in the school, 10 have been assessed with a variety of learning disabilities, such as severe speech and language disorder, profoundly deaf with epilepsy, Down syndrome, and Autistic spectrum,' said Deputy Lowry 'The needs of these pupils are of greatest importance to school management. The further enrolment of autistic children next year will bring serious ramifications for the school generally and on the accommodation needs of the school. The school staff and board of management endeavour to provide the very best education possible for all the children in their educational care. This cannot be fully achieved without proper resources and the provision of satisfactory accommodation. The sheer fact that parents, teachers and pupils learn sign language at night is positive proof of the dedication, excellence, caring ethos and determination to provide a rounded well-balanced education for every one of the 91 pupils enrolled in Carrig National School,' added Deputy Lowry. 'A scheme of seventy-four houses is currently nearing completion in the school catchment area with construction starting on another significant scheme of houses. There is a planning application for 32 houses directly across from the school under consideration with the County Council. All of this additional development will have a considerable impact on the future accommodation requirements in the school,' he added. 'In response to the obvious accommodation need in terms of special needs and staff, school management have applied for a devolved grant from the Department. A staff room, an extra classroom to replace a prefab, a learning support room, resource room, office, library and a meeting room are required to adequately cater for the schools needs today and into the future. 'The school is using a teacher’s toilet to store P.E equipment and science equipment. As the school has no general purpose room, access to the PE curriculum is dictated by weather conditions as are school assemblies. Therefore, the school also needs a general purpose room and store room,' said Deputy Lowry. 'It is crucial that this school is included in the major capital projects that proceed this year. There is an acute accommodation crisis in the school, where 1st and 2nd class and the learning support teacher are working in a damp draughty prefab which is costing the school a fortune to heat and rent. Surely, this is a prime example of poor value for money, when two or three years rent alone would pay for the construction of a new classroom. Deputy Lowry said 'Last year, the school unsuccessfully applied for an extension. It was apparent at that time to the Department that major capital investment was require to address the accommodation crisis in the school. This year school management have applied for funding under the devolved scheme. Failure to include this school under the devolved capital programme would be a travesty and simply incomprehensible to parents, teachers, and the wider community.'
1/3/07 Coca-Cola Leinster Colleges SH 'A' Quarter-final; Good Counsel, New Ross 2-10 St. Brendan's CS Birr 1-12 St. Brendan's Community School, Birr went down to a narrow one point defeat to Good Counsel, New Ross in the Leinster Colleges Quarter-final in Thomastown on Saturday last. Trailing their opponents in the closing stages, St. Brendan's made a late push scoring four unanswered points to cut the gap to just a point but they came up just short and Good Counsel made it into the Leinster Colleges semi-final. The manner of the defeat was disappointing for St. Brendan's, losing by the minimum margin despite keeping up pressure in injury time. The visitors led earlier in the match thanks to a good start which saw them score 1-2 in the first four minutes. However Good Counsel came more into the match in the second half. St. Brendan's had begun better earlier in the match and found the net with a goal by the impressive Odhran Kealey, who finished with 1-5 of his team's 1-12 total. The teams were level twice in the first half, and crucially the teams were level a second time when Tom Fitzharris scored a second goal to equalise in the 28th minute. Then Good Counsel somewhat against the run of play edged in front by two points at the interval. The closing minutes of play in the first half were crucial to the outcome of the game. Good Counsel registered 1-3 of their first half tally of 2-6 in those final minutes to take the lead at the interval and give them a big boost in confidence. Just two points separated the teams at the interval, however the contest seemed to ebb away from St. Brendan's in the second half and they didn't hurl to their potential. The match went through some scrappy spells while the Good Counsel backs didn't allow Birr the same level of chances as was the case in the first half. Trailing Good Counsel by five points with ten minutes still left, St. Brendan's battled to get back into it and two points separated them in injury time but the Wexford school were able to hold out. Three of the St. Brendan's forwards hit points including Odhran Kealey, Niall Cleary, with two points in the second half, and full forward Barry Larkin. Four of the Good Counsel forwards were on target, full forward Tom Fitzharris stood out scoring 2-6, while half forwards Harry Keogh, P.J. Carroll and Pauric O'Gorman were on the mark for their team. St. Brendan's got into the match with two points in the first two minutes with efforts by Odhran Kealey. Two minutes later the same player struck with a well finished goal to give his team a useful lead early on. Good Counsel opened their account with an effort by Sean Grace. The lead was cut again and then Good Counsel netted their first goal to level the match when dangerous full forward Tom Fitzharris scored to make it 1-2 each after eight minutes. The St. Brendan's forwards looked lively early on then two points in five minutes by Eanna Murphy, from a '65' and Barry Larkin edged them ahead. The St. Brendan's lead was extended to three points with a nicely struck effort by Odhran Kealey that went over the bar. Birr were enjoying a useful spell of hurling at this stage in the half and good work by Ger Teehan brought about a free and Odhran Kealey sent it between the posts. Points were being exchanged by both teams in a short space of time. St. Brendan's had the advantage at that point and Odhran Kealey added to his tally to extend Birr's lead to 1-7 to 1-3 in the 26th minute. Good Counsel began to make some inroads at the other end, and in some way against the run of play netted a second goal when Tom Fitzharris finished to the net. The goal levelled the match nearing the interval and Good Counsel managed to take the lead with two converted frees by the Fitzharris. Good Counsel after only having some good moments of play led at half time by 2-6 to 1-7. The match saw some competitive passages of play in the second half and Good Counsel pointed again, before Tom Fitzharris hit a free to give Good Counsel a 2-8 to 1-7 lead ten minutes into the second half. Behind by four points at that stage St. Brendan's needed to start hurling again and a well struck effort from considerable distance by Sean Coughlan put three points between them. Good Counsel had the edge however and a score by corner forward Pauric O'Gorman gave the Wexford school a five point advantage after the third quarter. St. Brendan's were not getting the same supply of ball into the forwards in the second half as the Good Counsel backs scrapped to clear their lines. Ten minutes from the end Tom Fitzharris was accurate with a free, and that would be Good Counsel's last point before the finish. Birr came close with a few efforts from play and from frees to cut the gap again but efforts went wide of the mark. Birr made some switches in the closing stages to try and pull up on their opponents and Eanna Murphy was switched into the forwards. Two minutes from time Niall Cleary scored and late pressure resulted in a second free on full time, and the same player pointed it to leave a goal between the sides, 2-10 to 1-10. Birr sent some quick ball into the forwards in injury time and when a free was awarded Eanna Murphy converted to put two in it. A further free by Odhran Kealey was the final piece of play and just a point separated them but Good Counsel edged into the Leinster semi-final. GOOD COUNSEL: Niall Breen; Christopher Redmond, Robbie Nolan (capt), Michael O'Hanrahan; John Reid, Michael Moloney, Paudie Keogh; Pauric Whelan, Sean Grace (0-1); Harry Keogh (0-1), P.J. Carroll (0-1), Pat Gannon; James O'Hanrahan; Tom Fitzharris (2-6, 0-4 frees), Pauric O'Gorman (0-1). Sub: Emmet Kent (for Pat Gannon, inj.) ST. BRENDAN'S COMMUNITY SCHOOL, BIRR: James Dempsey; Donal Ryan, Barry Harding, Brian Coughlan; Cathal Kealey, Eanna Murphy (0-3, 0-2 frees, 0-1 '65'), Brian Kelly; Sean Coughlan (0-1), Bryan Lonergan; Stephen O'Connor, Niall Cleary (0-2, 0-2 frees), James Mulrooney; Odhran Kealey (1-5, 0-2 frees), Barry Larkin (0-1), Ger Teehan. Subs: Kevin Connolly (for Barry Larkin); Dermot Mooney (for Stephen O'Connor); James Roddy (for Ger Teehan). REFEREE: Pat Aherne (Carlow).
1/3/07 Under 18 The Birr under 18 team made their exit from the Culleton Cup when they came up against a well drilled Mullingar side in Ballyeighan. After a good run in the Premier Division of the Leinster League, Mullingar were always going to be a tough nut to crack. Birr started the game well and kept pressure on a bigger Mullingar pack. In the forwards Alan Guinan, Jordan Culbert and Daniel McCarthy gave a good display. At scrum half Darren McDowell linked well with Aidan Delaney and in the centre Michael McPhail broke through the defence on a number of occasions. Mullingar weathered the early Birr onslaught and gradually took control of the game finishing with 35 points on the scoreboard to Birr’s 7 points. Birr team: Eamonn Murphy, David Guinan, Gerry Daly, Michael McPhail, Oisin McCormack, Aidan Delaney, Darren McDowell, David McMahon, Shane Cooke, Stephen Dooley, Jordan Culbert, Daniel McCarthy, Leslie Armitage, Paddy Donoghue, Alan Guinan. Thanks to Hassetts Crinkle Merchants for sponsoring jerseys for this team. Under 14; Ashbourne 3 Birr 22 The Birr under 14 team progressed to the next round of The McGowan Cup when they recorded a good win in Ashbourne on Saturday morning last. The Birr squad was depleted due to illness, however all eighteen players that travelled gave a solid display. Ashbourne were the first to score, converting a penalty kick after eight minutes. From the restart Birr settled and took the game to Ashbourne. However, half way through the first half Birr had to rejig their back line when Peter Kelly had to retire after receiving a knock to his leg. Mark Guinan moved to first centre, David Horan came off the wing to partner him while Gearoid de Cleir came onto the left wing. At this stage Birr were putting Ashbourne under fierce pressure. Jordan Parsons was accurate with his lineout throwing, while Kevin O’Connor, Reuben Noyce and Dean Bracken disrupted the opposition throw. Ashbourne conceded a number of five metre scrums and with five minutes to go in the half looked to have weathered the storm with a huge clearance kick into the Birr 22. Pat Camon covering back gathered the ball and from his own 22 danced his way through the Ashbourne defence to score under the posts. Pat converted his own try to leave the half time score Ashbourne 3 Birr 7. In the second half Birr took control of the game. The front five of Dean Bracken, Jordan Parsons, Reuben Noyce, Thomas Bailey and Kevin O'Connor were never under pressure in the scrum, while Cathal Hogan, Maurice Guinan and Peter Dooley denied Ashbourne the opportunity to gain any momentum. Ronan Murphy gave an excellent service to Pat Camon who mahshalled the backline keeping them on the front foot. Mark Guinan was a constant threat to the opposition and David Horan and Gearoid de Cleir settled in well to the backline. Donal Spain and Seamus Hoctor kept the momentum going when they were introduced after halftime. From the restart Ashbourne were under pressure and conceded a penalty in their own 22. Birr elected to run and Pat Camon dispached the ball swiftly along the backline ending with Gary Drought crossing the line for an excellent try. Entering the third quarter Ashbourne again under pressure conceded a penalty inside their own 22. This time Peter Dooley took the tap and capped an excellent display at number 8 by bursting over for a try. The scoring was completed when Pat Camon put a clever kick behind the defence. Fullback Kealan Moran, again giving a fine display, gathered to score Birr’s final try. The final score Ashbourne 3 Birr 22. Birr team: Kealan Moran, Gary Drought, Mark Guinan, Peter Kelly, David Horan, Pat Camon, Ronan Murphy, Reuben Noyce, Jordan Parsons, Dean Bracken, Thomas Bailey, Kevin O’Connor, Cathal Hogan, Maurice Guinan, Peter Dooley. Replacements all used: Gearoid de Cleir Donal Spain, Seamus Hoctor. Thanks to Oliver Douglas for sponsoring jerseys for the team and to Paschall and Eleanor Campbell and Thor Design for the kind sponsorship. Thanks also to the parents and friends who travelled to Ashbourne to support the team. Birr play in Mullingar in the next round next weekend, day and time to be arranged. Dress Dance Tickets still available for next Saturday night 3rd March. Contact any member of the committee.
1/3/07 The next film presented by Birr Film Club is Ken Loach's The Wind That Shakes The Barley on Tuesday 6th March at 8p.m. Ireland 1920: workers from field and country unite to form volunteer guerrilla armies to face the ruthless 'Black and Tan' squads that are being shipped from Britain to block Ireland's bid for independence. Driven by a deep sense of duty and a love for his country, Damien abandons his burgeoning career as a doctor and joins his brother, Teddy, in a dangerous and violent fight for freedom. As the freedom fighters' bold tactics bring the British to breaking point, both sides finally agree to a treaty to end the bloodshed. But, despite the apparent victory, civil war erupts and families who fought side by side, find themselves pitted against one another as sworn enemies, putting their loyalties to the ultimate test. - Cannes Film Festival Programme 2006. Ireland /UK - 2006 - 126m - 15A New members always welcome.
23/2/07 An art exhibition by Birr's own Roesy will be held in The Chestnut Bar, from Friday next February 23rd to Friday March 2nd. Open weekdays from 7p.m., Fridays from 5p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 3p.m.
23/2/07 Athboy 10 Birr 19 On Sunday last Birr travelled to Athboy in their final game of the Leinster League, and with the absence of recent games combined with stubborn adversaries, a hard worked victory was ground out. Birr fielded a changed team due to injury and players doing exams and deserved chances given to others proved their worth. Athboy started strongly, often taking advantage of a mistake by Birr in an advanced region of the pitch, and from one such instance came the opening penalty for straying offside. To be fair Birr responded playing some good structured rugby with the forwards establishing authority to frustrate their opponents into giving away another penalty, with Gareth Doorley given the difficult opportunity to level matters at 3-3. Birr now had started to give good ball to their potent backline, with Andrew Lally and Cronan Kennedy making good strong yardage on every chance, setting a high attacking line on Athboy's 10 metre line. Birr set a rolling maul in progress with Jeff Pardy spotting a gap, which he attacked getting to within five metres of the line only to be halted by two desperate defenders to nudge him into touch. Unfortunately, the home side stole from the lineout to clear deep down the field to safety. To compound this, Athboy surged forward to cross the Birr line and converted. With the score now at 10-3 to the home side Birr rose their game again, with Cronan Kennedy and Danny Troy combining to counter attack from a long punt downfield. The dynamic duo got to halfway where quick recycled ball allowed Gareth Doorley to drive a searching kick behind the defensive line. With Athboy's full back pressurised into kicking to touch on his five metre line Dermot O'Shea won the resulting lineout and was quickly driven to the tryline only to be halted just short. Showing good composure and alertness, quick hands shifted the ball the width of the pitch to allow David Niland to dive over for a fine score and with the conversion attempt just short it was 10-8 to Athboy. The team talk was not a place for those who may be easily offended as some harsh realities were heard. This is a team which took to the field with renewed determinaton or coach O'Meara's wrath to contend with otherwise! The forwards now attacked in numbers all moves supported and secured, with Ronan Joyce leading the charge with aplomb, those sidesteps and jinks reminisicent of a young Denis Hickie as Birr established dominance. P.J. Kavanagh was unlucky with a great charge from a ruck over the line to be disallowed due to alleged blocking en-route yet Birr retained their attacking prowess. Their reward came from a break from Ronan Joyce supported by Dermot O'Shea and David Niland to within metres of the home line, with Jamie Flynn on hand to score in the corner driven on by Mick Keogh's right shoulder. And from the sideline Gareth Doorley converted to put the black and greens in the ascendancy. Athboy tried to rally but could not advance through a resolute defence and were constantly driven back. A fine kick just crossed the Athboy and the resulting 22 was blocked by Andrew Lally. Evan Williams and Christy Hogan secured the bouncing ball allowing Pauric Watkins to present to Emmet Scully who freed the backline. Joe O'Loughlin staightened the line, popped to Cronan Kennedy to celebrate his birthday with a try by crossing over near the flag. Again Gareth Doorley converted and Birr were now cruising leading 19-10. Conor Larkin, Keith Scully and even Coach O'Meara came close to giving Birr the bonus point try only for the Athboy line to hold firm. This was not a classic game yet a win propels Birr up the table, just short of the promotion places, although if progress is maintained next year, maybe the black and green machine will be crowned worthy progressers. Best for Birr were Ronan Joyce, David Niland, Cronan Kennedy, Mick Keogh and Andrew Lally. Birr: Christy Hogan, P.J. Kavanagh, Jeff Pardy, Padraic Watkins, Mick Keogh, Ronan Joyce, Dermot Duffman, Jamie Flynn, Emmet Scully, Gareth Doorley (Capt), Andrew Lally, Joe O'Loughlin, Danny Troy, David Niland, Cronan Kennedy, Keith Scully, Evan Williams, Conor Larkin. Fixtures Birr play a midweek friendly at a yet unconfirmed location in preparation for the Cup game on the 11th March versus Cill Dara in Ballyegan. Dress Dance Huge demand for tickets for this year's event and we may see the biggest crowd in years in this our 120th year. Contact Gareth Doorley, Camillus O'Meara or any Committee member for tickets, just don't wait too long or it's a night of TV for you! Table Quiz massive attendance in the Clubhouse for a Club fundraiser table quiz last Thursday night. Quizmaster extraordinaire Jack Feehan controlled the mic and presented an excellent quiz set by the landlady of the Swan Ann Hogan. Only a few points between the top and bottom kept the night interesting to the end, with Joe McLoughlin's team victorious. Thanks to all our helpers on the night, Jack Feehan, Liam Hogan, Frank Doorley, Camillus O'Meara and to all who gave prizes on the night and to all who took part, it was greatly appreciated.
23/2/07 Birr Credit Union Spring League On completion of the first three rounds, John Dwyer's team leads the field with an excellent total of 263 pts. John Murphy's team on 252 pts fills second place with Ultan Ashe's in third with 240 pts. The leading individuals are John Kelly on 91 and Pat Molloy on 88 pts. Both are members of John Dwyer's team. So John has strength in every department. Other teams to return good scores are Bobby Ryland's and Robert Sheils' with 239 pts and Roger Byrne's and Joe O'Connor's with 238 pts. Players have until Saturday 10 March to complete the final three rounds with four out of five cards to count for the fourth and fifth rounds and all six cards in the sixth and final round. Eight teams and ties will qualify for the final on Sunday 25th March. For Your Diary Monday 19th February to Saturday 10th March; Birr Credit Union Spring League. Rounds 4, 5 and 6. Holes 1 to 14. Thursday 22nd February; Seniors. Draws at 10.30a.m. and 11.00a.m. Tuesday 27th February; 10.30a.m. Bridge in Club. Members and their friends most welcome. Thursday 1st March; 8.00p.m. Seminar on Rules and Handicapping given by John Ferriter of GUI. Sunday 4th March; Bennett and Dooley Cups. Sunday 11th March; Members' Prize. In order to win this valuable prize members must have their subs paid. Please contact Joan in the office. Results Ladies Winter League: Results of Week 3: 1st Place Team J Captain Yvonne Claffey 198pts; 2nd Place Team B Captain Lady President 183 pts; 3rd Place Team K Liz Nolan 182 pts; 4th place Team F Captain Tory Baker 181 pts. As two weeks of the League had to be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions, players are asked to submit three cards in the next two weeks. Sunday 18th February to Sunday the 4th March. Play any three days, 13 holes: 1 to 7 and 13 to 18. Draws continue on Wednesdays 10a.m. to 2p.m. Bridge Winners: 1st: Bill Owens & Joe Kerins; 2nd: Phonsie & Maura Kerrigan. Sponsorship Sponsors for the various competitions are always welcome. Please contact Francie at (057) 912 0082 if you would like to become a sponsor. Congratulations Congratulations and continued good luck to Justin Kehoe on making the cut in the Gateway Tour in Arizona. Stephen Grant, another one of our members, finished one stroke outside the cut Stevie is the only amateur on the Gateway tour. Rules Meeting Members are reminded that a seminar on the Rules and Handicapping will be given by John Ferriter. John is the Convenor on the SS and Handicap Committee of the GUI. Members will get an oppotuunity to air their views on these very vital and sometimes touchy subjects.
23/2/07 Plans to upgrade St Brendan's Park in Birr are currently in train with the provision of floodlighting and the resurfacing the pitch among the main items being proposed. If the development goes ahead, it could lead to the pitch being closed for about three months this Summer while the work is being undertaken. Lottery funding has been applied for and a development committee is being formed to progress the project. John Ryan told the 'Tribune' that he was appointed by the Birr committee to form a committee to deal with the physical job of closing the pitch, dealing with the different personnel involved in the project and to try to manage the fundraising aspect of it. 'We have applied for lottery funding to resurface the pitch, to provide floodlighting and to terrace the gravel banks at either end of the stand,' he said. They are hopeful that their application for approximately €350,000, one third of which would have to be funded by the club, will be successful in order to enable them to undertake the project. At a meeting last Thursday night they formed the St Brendan's Park Development Committee, of which Ann Marie West was elected secretary. In the weeks ahead they will be inviting people to join that committee from both the town and wider hurling area. They are hoping to get people interested in maintaining St Brendan's Park as the home of hurling in the heartland of the game in Offaly and John stressed this project is about St Brendan's park, not Birr GAA Club. There was a lot of dissatisfaction among hurling people in the county last year when St Brendan's Park was deemed ineligible to host Offaly's All-Ireland qualifiers and they had to play in O'Connor Park. Playing in Birr has always given Offaly an edge and through this development it is hoped that will be maintained at St Brendan's Park. 'By developing the ground we are hoping to provide a surface second to none in Ireland and to ensure that hurling in this area will have the very best stage to showcase the skills of the game,' John said. 'The committee will be hoping and appealing to clubs of the area to support this development of St Brendan's Park, to ensure that there is a venue in this part of the county capable of hosting big games.' 'By resurfacing the pitch we will be taking cognisance of the fact that as we are installing floodlights, the drainage and type of soil used for the pitch will facilitate Winter hurling. This will be catered for in the lighting specs - the lumens will be of a standard to accommodate nights games of hurling. This is brought about by the tilt of the lights, the intensity and the height, all these factors are taking into consideration.' He pointed out from from the half way line to town goals there is a fall of three feet. This has happened over recent years following the construction of the stand, where drainage work led to the ground levels dropping more to the left hand side facing the goals. The work on the pitch will result in improved drainage. The camber of the pitch will be raised in the middle to allow water flow to both sides, so there will be no water lying on the pitch. In addition to raising funds the committee will be announcing in the very near future the time scale for the resurfacing of the pitch, the installation of the floodlighting and the commencement of the terracing. 'In addition it is hoped that we well launch a futuristic plan, to be commenced at a later stage, to deal with terracing the grass banks, parking for buses and officials, committee rooms and other amenities for spectators,' he added. 'We are trying to get a group of people that would have the vision to oversee this project and plan a realistic timescale to develop the grounds to a standard that would be the envy of the country, as its historicial and central location demands. We would hope that those approached would "buy" into the concept as the benefits to the social, sporting and economic well being of the town and surrounding areas would be enormous. Depending on the success of their application for Lottery funding, the plan would be to close the pitch on May 1st and to re-open it on the first week of August. That would mean the pitch would be out of commission for much of the Summer but he said they had reached agreement for the use of the Brothers Field for underage and schools games, while they were also in negotiations with the rugby club, Community School and other clubs for the use of their facilities during this period. John said they didn't want to put a price on the work at this stage as they wanted to undertake full costing of what work was going to be done first and they would then have a full assessment of what it was going to cost. He said it was interesting to note that in the €6.5 million O'Connor Park project in Tullamore, the job came in within €5,000 of the original estimate. 'We feel that those supporting the St Brendan's Park Development are entitled to a similarly accurate presentation and we will be announcing full details as soon as they are at hand. John said that the Offaly hurling management had put their faith in youth in their efforts to bring Offaly hurling back to the heights hoped for and expected by the fans and he felt they needed to facilities at St Brendan's park to match those lofty expectations.
23/2/07 Continuing Birr Film Club's excellent season is the innovative 'Offside' (2006). It will be screened at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre on Tuesday February 27th at 8p.m. An Iranian comedy about female football fans? An Iranian Bend It Like Beckham? It sounds pretty unlikely. A football comedy is none the less what Iranian director Jafar Panahi has created with this likeable, gentle and charming film about young women football fanatics, disguised as boys, doing their darnedest to defy the all-male rule and get in to see the Iran v Bahrain qualifying international for the 2006 World Cup. With audacity and flair, director Panahi filmed it at the actual stadium, at the actual match, and appeared to have two improvised outcomes broadly in mind in case of victory or defeat - though Iran did in fact qualify for the 2006 World Cup. -Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian. Director: Jafar Panahi. Iran - 2006 - 88m - CLUB. New members are always welcome.
23/2/07 'Funday' for Down Syndrome Offaly is on Sunday, 25th February at the County Arms Hotel Birr 3pm-6.30pm. Social Dancing commencing 7pm till late. In partnership with Mid Ireland Tourism, the invitation beckons to all. Parents with children can share delightful entertainment, with a puppeteer, face painting, juggler, exceptional prizes and much more. Refreshments will be available throughout the day. Sound Affair will kick off the day with Rock n'Roll. For the more energetic and enthusiastic line dancers, they are providing the lovely Avril to take you through the steps. Country Pride will finish off the day with social dancing (waltzing, jiving, foxtrot and more). This special event is in support of Offaly Down Syndrome. The event will help to raise funds to keep Offaly Down Syndrome association members informed of the latest medical knowledge, expert advice and education needs. In monthly meetings members can network and share advice and experience. This Funday with Dancing in Birr will give a specific lift to help their direct needs in Offaly. Come and enjoy the activities of this Funday. You will also be supporting a great cause. This will be one of many events that Mid Ireland Tourism will be supporting this year as part of their future plans to work with communities. Tickets will be on sale at Super-Valu, Birr and Tesco Shopping Centre, Roscrea on Friday, 23rd February, also available at the door on the day. All tickets sold for this event will be entered into a draw. For further information contact Ann-Marie Reid at (05791) 23088 or Denise Dwyer (087) 6953172.
23/2/07 The decision by Birr Town Council last week to allocate funding of €115,000 towards the local contribution for the refurbishment and extension of Birr Swimming Pool, has been welcomed by the Swimming Pool committee. Committee chairman Pat Connolly said they were very grateful for the gesture made by the Council. He said that allied to the €50,000 donated by Birr Credit Union, it made a significant dent in the €350,000 they had to raise locally and gave their fundraising campaign a great kick start. Over the last week 8,500 have gone out to households in the Birr postal district outlining the work planned at the pool and seeking support for the project. Pat said that they had got a tremendous response in the first week and were delighted with that. He said that any sum, no matter how big or small, is welcome and he expressed thanks to those who had returned their envelopes already. The new facility will include a tiled pool, new dressing rooms, kiddies pool, jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, gymnasium, sports treatment room and coffee dock. It is hoped to have the work complete by May. The AGM of the Swimming Pool committee will be held on Thursday March 1st at 8p.m. in Dooly's Hotel, Birr.
23/2/07 FAS Chairman Roddy Molloy met with members of Birr Town Council and Birr Chamber of Commerce on Monday morning to outline the current position regarding the proposed decentralisation to Birr. The meeting was arranged at the request of the chairman of Birr Town Council, Cllr Michael Campbell, who wanted the FAS chief to tell Council members what progress was being made. At the meeting in Birr Civic Offices Mr Molloy confirmed and promised that 40 or 50 of his staff will be working in Birr Technology Centre by the end of 2007. He said that 'hopefully most of the workers will be in the Centre by the middle of the year.' Via the decentralisation scheme it is planned to move the FAS Headquarters from Dublin to Birr which would mean 400 FAS employees working in Birr. FAS are presently trying to purchase a six acre greenfield site between the Banagher and Tullamore Roads in Birr with the aim of constructing a new FAS premises there. However, the FAS employees instigated a Union action which has held up the decentralisation process. A Labour Court hearing will be held on the 25th of April next regarding this Union action but it is not guaranteed there will be any resolution to the matter on that date. Mr Molloy, who is originally from Birr himself, said the six acre greenfield site is presently owned by Respond 'and a number of legal matters have yet to be teased out' about the purchase of the Respond site. Cllr John Carroll commented that 'the good news is that there is at last movement on this issue and there will be 40 or 50 staff in Birr by the end of the year at the latest. Is there any way we could promote Birr to the FAS staff perhaps by inviting them down for weekends?' Mr Molloy said there had been 'a huge promotional effort by Birr Town Council and Birr Chamber of Commerce and by local auctioneering firms. Doing anything additional to that might have the opposite effect to the one desired.' 'Will the Unions call the shots at the end of the day?' enquired Cllr Michael Campbell, Chairman. 'I don't see why they should,' replied Mr Molloy. 'At the moment regarding this union action everyone is still talking ideology and we haven't yet got down to the nuts and bolts of the matter. We will make a strong case to the Labour Court and are confident that we will have a positive result. If we don't get a positive result then it will not be FAS's problem but the government's.' Cllr Seán Doorley asked for an exact time for the moving of the 40/50 FAS employees and wondered at what level of the FAS organisation would those employees be. Mr Molloy said he had been informed the fitting out of the Birr Technology Centre for the move would be done by the end of April. 'We have employees lined up ready to move and they are not just general assistants. They will be employees at all levels of seniority in FAS. We want to run a serious operation in Birr. I'll be taking an office myself in Birr Technology Centre.' 'People around Birr were doubting this decentralisation project,' remarked Cllr Noel Russell, 'saying that it would never happen.' 'We are committed to making the full move of 400 staff happen,' replied Mr Molloy, 'we are committed to moving the FAS headquarters to Birr. The only questions are how long will it be before the move happens or will outside forces permit it to happen?' He said he had sympathy for the FAS employees: 'If your wife is a secondary school teacher in Rathmines and your company is moving down the country, it is a big deal to make that move. People often have difficulty with change. We don't mind change for other people but it's a different story when it comes to us. There is no vindictiveness or pessimism regarding Birr in the hearts of the FAS staff.' Director of Services Michael Roche commented that this meeting with Mr Molloy was a very positive one and was sending out a very positive message for Birr. Cllr Campbell commented that it is important everyone remain positive regarding this matter. 'This morning we have been given a clearcut message about this issue, a message that was devoid of any political spin.'
15/2/07 Members of Birr Town Council supported a motion at their monthly meeting on Monday night that would see funds collected under development levies being by the Council going towards the local contribution for the refurbishment and extension of Birr Swimming Pool. This Council agreed to provide 5% of the overall cost, which would amount to €115,000, which would be almost one third of the €350,000 which has to be provided as the local contribution. Cllr John Carroll successfully tabled the motion; 'That this Council welcomes the major refurbishment and extension presently taking place at Birr Swimming Pool. We recognise the huge voluntary effort invested to bring the project to this stage i.e. securing County Council support, Department approval, design, planning, tendering and not least putting funds in place for a project that will cost €2.33 million approximately when completed. 'The Committee is taxed with raising €350,000 from the community from the local contribution. Mindful of the fact that a swimming pool is one of the greatest public amenities that a community can have and that the Council over the past number of years have been collecting development levies on new building projects to assist in providing amenities in the town, we now consider this project as most deserving for a substantial contribution from our development levies.' Having proposed the motion which was seconded by Council Chairman Michael Campbell, John Carroll suggested the council make a contribution of 5% of the total cost which would amount to the council contributing €115,000, this was unanimously agreed. Speaking after the meeting John said he was delighted with the positive response to this proposal from the members and executive. He said this contribution of €115,000, together with the €50,000 received from Birr Credit Union, was a huge morale boost to the committee and reduced the amount to be collected to €185,000. He said each household in the area would be receiving a letter requesting a contribution this week and he asked them to be generous and help the committee to be in a position to open a debt free leisure centre in late May.
15/2/07 In advance of next week's meeting with Birr Town Council, Mr. Roddy Molloy, Chairman of FAS, has confirmed to Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Tom Parlon T.D. that he expects to have 50 staff in Birr by May. Speaking on Tuesday Minister Parlon said, 'I am very pleased with this news, as I am sure the elected members of Birr Town Council will be. Mr. Molloy has said the office space is currently being fitted out in the Technology Centre, and as soon as this is completed he expects the movement of staff to begin immediately.' 'Mr. Molloy will be in Birr on Monday next be to answer any queries members of the Council might have in relation to the FAS move. It is my belief that Decentralisation to Birr will happen, I know Mr. Molloy a native of Birr is as committed to process as I am, and I look forward to him visiting Birr next week to assure Town Council members of our ongoing commitment and relay them with our progress,' he said.
15/2/07 Birr-based Fine Gael TD, Olwyn Enright, has been seeking improvements at Birr Garda Station, and has questioned whether an extension and renovation programme planned by the Department of Justice will be sufficient to meet the needs of the Gardai who operate from the Station, and the general public. In response to a Parliamentary Question to the Minister about the 'unsuitable conditions' for Gardai and clerical staff at Birr Garda Station, Deputy Enright has been told that the Office of Public Works has been asked to acquire a property adjacent to the Garda Station 'to facilitiate extension and renovation of the existing building'. In the interim, the Minister’s reply states that 'any essential maintenance' to the Station will be carried out under the Garda maintenance programme. 'While I am happy to see that some progress is being made on improving facilities for An Garda Siochana in Birr, I question whether an extension to the existing premises is going to be sufficient,' said Deputy Enright this week. Having consistently called on the Department of Justice to provide proper equipment to the members of An Garda Siochana to assist them in their fight against crime, Deputy Enright said one of the 'most basic tools' which Gardai should be provided with is a clean, spacious and pleasant working environment. 'The members of An Garda Siochana in Birr do a wonderful job, despite having to work in a very cramped and unsuitable environment, and I am once again calling on the Minister for Justice and his Government colleagues to re-examine the accommodation needs at Birr Garda Station and to come up with concrete proposals aimed at improving them as a matter of the utmost urgency.' The improvements at Birr Garda Station are not just needed for the members of the Force themselves, according to Deputy Enright, but also for the members of the public who visit the Garda Station for various reasons. Deputy Enright has been instrumental in organising a visit by her Party Leader, Enda Kenny, to Birr Garda Station, this Friday, to see first-hand the cramped and overcrowded conditions in which the Gardai are forced to work.
15/2/07 Wilmer Tennis
Body Toning Classes Ballyegan Gardening Club Birr Comhaltas Activities
Farmers Vegetable Market Birr Resource Centre Birr Parent/Toddler Group Birr Citizens Information Services
GROW Bible Talks Adult Social Dancing
Pilgrimage To Medjugorge Accupuncture/Chiropody Community CCTV In Crinkle Birr Tidy Towns Committee Beauty Queen Of Leenane Cystic Fibrosis Collection Atlantis Seafoods Social Adult Dancing Birr Historical Society Four Seasons Gardening Club Four Seasons Gardening Club would like to thank everyone who attended the meal in Blooms last week. Thanks to Damien and staff for a lovely meal. Thanks to Teresa and Tommy for the music. Membership of €10 for the year is now due. There are still a few seats available for the trip to Sligo. Ring Eileen on (057) 9135152. Book Club Ramblers In Eireann Marian Hall Notes Birr Town Lotto St Pio Fundraising Table Quiz Birr Mart Parents Association Notice Birr Swimming Pool AGM Offaly Hospice Sunrise Golf Society Birr Library Wilmer Road
15/2/07 Dinner Dance We had a very successful Dinner Dance on Saturday night last. We had over 200 sitting down for dinner, more than expected. We'd like to thank all who supported us. We also like to thank Stage Crew for supplying the music on the night and to all at Dooly's Hotel for making our first Dinner Dance in the club's 29 year history a memorable one. Congratulations Congratulations to St. Brendan's CS Senior Camogie team on getting through to the All-Ireland final, especially to our girls who played their part. Good luck to the girls and the rest of the team in the final. Well done also to club members Arlene Watkins and Meelie King, Manager of Athlone IT, who won the Purcell Cup at the weekend. Date For Your Diary Stage Crew will be playing in the Riverside Inn, Riverstown on the 16th March, a night not to be missed.
15/2/07 The next screening at Birr Film Club is El Lobo on Tuesday 20th February at 8p.m. in Birr Theatre & Arts Centre. This edgy period thriller blasts cleansing light on the true story of a small-time felon who, under the code name Lobo ('wolf'), between 1973 and 1975 infiltrated Basque terrorist group ETA’s highest level and caused more damage to the outfit then the entire Spanish police force were ever capable of. To this day, ETA commandos each carry a single bullet designated for El Lobo. El Lobo’s depiction of ETA members echoes with truth, delivering the troubling mix of personalities found within such an organization – the frustrated idealists, the power trippers, the sadists, the pacifists and the just plain fed up. Shot before Madrid’s March 11th train bombings, the film’s release proved to be both cathartic and urgently thought-provoking for local audiences, who turned it into the second highest grossing Spanish production of last year. 'Carefully welding research to nicely-worked thriller motifs and a mesmerizing, brooding performance from Eduardo Noriega, the film provides a glimpse into the inner workings of an organization whose influence over Spanish life is still tragically strong.' © Variety. Director: Miguel Courtois. Spain - 2004 - 119m - 15A. New members are always welcome.
15/2/07 Birr-based Fine Gael TD, Olwyn Enright, has met with the Chief Executive Officer of the National Roads Authority to try to bring about a resolution to the long-running issue of the dangerous junctions at Seffin, Birr, and the speed at which cars travel on this stretch of road. 'I have been dissatisfied for some time with the lack of progress on the provision of traffic calming at Seffin, and with the response of both the National Roads Authority and Offaly County Council,' said Deputy Enright. She added that 'both agencies need to be involved in agreeing a solution and funding that solution' and she has been informed that both the NRA and Offaly County Council have agreed that traffic lights provide the best answer to the traffic problems at Seffin. 'Having finally decided on a solution, they should now proceed to fund this immediately, and I have made both the NRA and Offaly County Council aware, in no uncertain terms, of just how crucial and urgent an issue this is,' said Deputy Enright. 'I am confident that this issue now has the attention it deserves from both authorities, and I will continue to liaise closely with them to ensure that this work is carried out without delay as everyone using these junctions, but particularly people living in the area have waited long enough,' concluded Deputy Enright.
15/2/07 Birr Stage Guild will present their Spring Musical 'Some Enchanted Evening' in Birr Theatre & Artts Centre from Wednesday March 28th to Saturday March 31st. 'Some Enchanted Evening' by Rodgers & Hammerstein, is a celebration of songs that have become a part of our lives. We sing them in the shower and we sing them to entertain and amuse. The songs themselves and the performers are the most important elements of this show. Each singer must bring his or her own style and personality to the songs and to the situations in which they are set. For example, when Curley sings 'Surrey' to Laurie, he wants to ask her out. Each actor must find his own way and own style to achieve that result, just as each actress will find her own special way of making 'I Can’t Say No' work as a very contemporary look at a woman’s relationship with men, etc. The performers play themselves, and it’s a wonderful opportunity for them to explore the songs within their own styles rather than within the boundaries of the original characters. Act One uses the songs as a dialogue and explores the relationships between the personalities. Act Two sees the story develop as the performers come together for a grand celebration of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic songs. For the audience, this musical revue is an opportunity to examine familiar songs more closely and out of context. Following the success of last year's sell-out show 'Jesus Christ Superstar', Birr Stage Guild return once again with an outstanding cast, and enormous talent in both our Director Maureen DeForge and musical director, Enda O’Connor. Also, this year sees the introduction of professional choreographer Sophia Bailey, who will no doubt have us on our toes – quite literally! Audience and Patrons are advised to book early by calling the Birr Theatre & Arts Centre on (057) 9122911. The Patrons Gala Night will be held on Saturday 31st March. This is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the show and mingle with cast afterwards. Early booking is essential.
31/1/07 Draughts Three teams from Birr travelled to Rhode last Friday for the County draught finals. The local heats were held earlier the previous week in the Marian Hall. Thanks to Martin Walsh and the Marian Hall for providing a venue. The U-10 team was as follows Conor Smith, Gary Baker, Aaron Dickson, Niamh Horan, Catriona Byrne. They played a number of very tight matches. They finished a highly respectable joint 3rd place overall. Well done. The U-14 team started off well beating Brosna. Unfortunately, they met a strong team from Rhode and finished out the event in 4th place. The team was made up of Darragh Harte, James Guinan, Peter Horan, Tom Doyle, Brendan Bergin, Emmet Hart, Shane Claffey. Well done. Congratuations to the U-12 team who took the gold medal. The team was made up of Conor Lavin, Cathal Guilfoyle, Stephen O'Rourke, Megan Lavin, Hannah McLoughlin, Anna Barry, Kayleigh Shiels. They now progress to the Leinster competition. Many thanks to Valerie Reynolds and Catherine Barry for their help. Fundraiser Please support our fundraising night this Saturday, February 3rd tickets €8.
31/1/07 The members of Birr Comhaltas have announced preliminary details of their annual set dancing festival. he dates as last year are the June Bank Holiday weekend, June 1st, 2nd, 3rd and once again the venue is the Marian Hall. The same instructors are being invited back to conduct the workshops, Padraig and Roisin McEneaney, the set dancing, and Sinead Barry, the Sean Nos dancing. There are a number of changes to the line up of ceili bands. Music for the premier ceili on the Saturday night will again be provided by the Glenside Ceili Band and they have proved popular in this slot over the years. The Swallows Tail Ceili Band from Mayo will play for the opening ceili on the Friday night and the popular Clare duo Michael Sexton and Pat Walsh will be on hand to play on Sunday afternoon. A new dimension is being added this year with the introduction of a special ceili on Sunday night. The country's newest combination Colin McGill and James Hogan will play for this ceili which will run from 8p.m. until midnight. The novelty of this group and the fact that the following day is a Bank Holiday should bring a bumper crowd. This event has grown in popularity over recent years and is now one of the country's most popular workshops. Details of further editions to the programme will be announced later.
31/1/07 AMID a rousing reception in Dooly's Hotel, Birr, Minister of State Mr Tom Parlon TD launched his re-election campaign last Friday night. The former national IFA leader who surprised the country five years ago by standing for the Progressive Democrats (PDs) in Laois/Offaly and winning the party's first ever seat in the constituency received several standing ovations from his supporters. About 400 people packed the ballroom of the hotel in a show of strength which proves beyond doubt that the Coolderry man is hell-bent on retaining his seat in the Dail. Many of those present were instantly recognisable as supporters of Minister Parlon from south Offaly and sources close to the PD man did concede that less than a quarter of those present were from Laois. The PD representative, who was appointed a junior minister when the current Fianna Fail-led administation took power, knows that he will need more than just his Offaly base behind him in the polling booths if he is to be returned to the Dail. However, no such fears were expressed publicly on Friday. Instead, there was talk of Minister Parlon topping the poll and once and for all ending the assumption that Laois/Offaly is a 3-2 constituency, with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael sharing the available five seats. The Offaly man was formally selected on the night, without opposition, as the PD candidate for Laois/Offaly and the guest of honour, Justice Minister and PD leader Michael McDowell TD, strongly defended his party's record of achievement and launched a scathing attack on Fine Gael, Labour and the Green Party. 'It's a real heart warmer and an encouragement to me to see such a massive crowd here tonight in support of Tom Parlon and determined to make sure he heads the poll I hope in the next election,' said Minister McDowell. 'This party has now been in existence for 21 years, we were founded on the 21st of December, 1985. Ireland in those days was a very different place from Irleand today. 'It was a country of mass unemployment, mass emigration, colossal taxation, widespread despair, a country where young people had nothing that Ireland could give them, a future in their own county, let alone their own country. 'Many people had given up on the whole concept of being Irish, being proud and being confident. And Mary Harney and Des O'Malley took the extraordinarily brave step of founding a new political party whose message was one of hope, determination and courage to get this country up off its knees to say to the politicians of failure "We've had enough"'.
29 Jan 2007 The staff at the Midland Tribune will be updating this area of the website with "News from Birr". Come back often to keep up with what's happening in Birr. |
