July/August 2005

Preparations are well under way by Claregalway Agricultural Show Committee for their forthcoming Claregalway Agricultural Show. The Show Queen has already been selected and the title for 2005 goes to Ailis Cahalan, Cahergowan, Claregalway. Ailis was presented with a perpetual trophy and a crystal vase at a function in Terry Brennan's Central Tavern, Loughgeorge on behalf of Tom Dempsey Interiors, Oranmore Business Park, Oranmore. The Committee is deeply grateful to Tom Dempsey for his continuing support to the show every year.
This will be the 15th annual show and will take place on Sunday, 21st August in Duffy’s Claregalway Equestrian Centre, Rockwood, Claregalway. The show committee is once again indebted to the Duffy family for the use of their grounds for the show every year.
There will be over 200 classes this year consisting of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys, Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Dogs, Pets, Home Baking, Jams, Crafts, Farm Produce, Photography, Flowers, Art and several classes for children.
The show will host qualifying classes for the Leitrim Irish Draft Breeders Championship, the Powers Quarry All-Ireland Performance registered Connemara Pony championship, the FBD Connacht Champion Irish Draft Foal Championship, the "Gowla It’s Cool" Championship and the Irish Draft Horse Society Filly Foal, Colt Foal and Lanigan Mare Foal.
Claregalway Show is a day out for all the family. The Obstacle Course for dogs is increasing in popularity each year and the Donkey Derby is a major attraction. Other competitions taking place throughout the day are Bonny Baby, Junior Miss and Mister, Twins, Best Dressed Lady and Glamorous Granny. Various side-shows will take place throughout the day.
For further information, please contact 091-799098.

HOLIDAY HEALTHCARE CHECKLIST
With holiday time upon us, a look at a travel kit of first aid essentials and basic remedies which may prove useful. Holidays are a time to have fun and relax but unfortunately illnesses never take a break. The sudden change in routine and unfamiliar surroundings means your body is more prone to gastrointestinal disorders.

To minimise risk of infection or discomfort, be aware of the following when on foreign travel, spicy foods, excess alcohol, shellfish, unwashed salads, unpeeled fruits or vegetables, ice cubes made from tap water and tap water.

Products you might find useful in a travel kit include a diarrhoea remedy such as Arret or Imodium plus, travel sickness e.g. Stugeron or Sea legs, an indigestion remedy e.g. Pepcid AC or Gaviscon, rehydration therapy e.g. Dioralyte important for young children, insect repellent, an antihistamine cream, e.g. Eurax cream, painkillers such as Calpol or Nurofen etc.

Protection against the sun, especially when abroad, tanning products, sun block high protection for children and babies, lip salves, after sun creams or lotions, cold sore treatment e.g. Zovirax cream.

Other items considered essentials might include the camera, film, sunglasses, and batteries.

Claregalway Pharmacy is open late Monday to Friday until 8pm and 6.30 on Saturday.
John Duffy MPSI.

EDITORIAL
At the rate Claregalway is developing, it is imperative, in my opinion, that we have a Community Development Association. Houses are appearing out of nowhere, units are being built - and no one is doing anything about infrastructure! We can hardly get out of our houses, we can’t walk the roads, we are being dictated to by traffic. We don’t have any parks in Claregalway. We don’t have any safe walkway’s. We don’t have youth facilities. What we have is endless bumper to bumper traffic and huge amounts of stress. Claregalway is noted for its traffic mayhem. People just want to get through it and out.
Having a Community Development Association would be of benefit to Claregalway. It would be our voice of representation. The more people who become involved would of course be imperative. We know what it’s like to live here. Do we want this quality of life? Wouldn’t it be lovely to take a walk down by the river Clare - away from the traffic and noise? Wouldn’t it be lovely if our youth had a place to hang out in? Wouldn’t it be lovely if the children had a park to play in? Wouldn’t it be lovely if the heritage of our town was used? We can make this happen - by becoming involved and giving our voice.
Until next time, Josette.

DAY'S HOTEL, INISBOFIN
Best of luck to the developers of Day’s Hotel on Inisbofin Island - Dr. Brendan Day and his wife Bridie, along with Johnny and Margaret Mullins of Cregboy, Claregalway.
This Hotel replaces the old Day’s Hotel which was demolished some years ago. It has been built to four-star standard and has 34 bedrooms. A health and marine spa is due to open in the autumn.
Inisbofin is renowned for its beauty. The island has wonderful cliff scenery with blow holes and sea stacks as well as magnificent beach and clear clean water.
The island lies off the coast of County Galway and County Mayo. It is three miles long and boasts many attractions - scenery, fishing, sailing and swimming.
The island is also rich in archaeology and geology. It has a population of about 200.
It is the place to go to get away from it all - an idyllic retreat place.
Regular sailings take place to Inisbofin from Cleggan. Further details contact 095-45888

SKIN CARE AND AROMATHERAPY CLINIC
KINISKA, CLAREGALWAY (091) 798485

Stress
Natural therapies could be the answer if you nee to learn to relax. When stress becomes severe it causes serious health problems, and if you feel you’re suffering you should consult your G.P. as soon as possible. In the meantime, don’t overlook the safe, drug free therapies that treat you as a whole person and stimulate your body’s own healing powers.

Massage - the healing power of touch cannot be over estimated and because it releases tension in the body while relaxing the mind , it’s a particularly valuable weaon in the fight against stress.
Qualified aromatherapist will use essential oils specially blended to tackle your problem. The combination of both touch ad smell soothes stress in a relaxing environment.
Reflexologists claim that the foot maps the body’s ills and pressure on the right point will cure common ailents, including those related to stress.
For further information, please contact Evelyn Kitt: (091) 798485 or 087 6783733.

SPECIAL NEWS
We wish Bishop James McLoughlin a happy retirment and welcome him to his new home in Sli an Bradain.
Welcome Rachel and Barry O’Loughlin and baby Saoirse to their new home in Cahergowan.
Congratulations to the following couples on the birth of their babies: Helen and Michael Fahy, Gortatleva, on the birth of their baby boy Cian - a brother for Matthew, born on the 14th April.
Jacqueline and Michael Kenny, Cahergowan - baby Chantal Mary, born 20th April.
Brid and Tom Jinks, Cregmore - baby girl Sadie, born on Friday, 3rd June - a sister for Eimear and Loman.
Marie and Michael Laffey, Lydican on the birth of their baby boy Michael - a brother for Alyssa.
Mary and Tom Newell, Montiagh - baby Hannah, born 27th June - a sister for Michael.
Katelyn, a daughter for Maura and Mike Wall, Montiagh Road, Summerfield, born on the 23rd June - a sister for Isobel and Emily.
Tim and Grainne Feeney, Mullacuttra - baby boy Niall.
Good luck to Paddy Moran, Cloon who is off to the Garda Training College in Templemore on the 2nd of August. - from his family and friends.
Belated birthday wishes to the Murphy twins Kenneth and Sandra, Cregboy who were 21 years old on the 1st July. - from family and friends.

Wedding congratulations to the following couples:
Orla Fox, Mullacuttra and Fergal Colleran, Salthill on the 23rd June.
Deirdre Gavin, Gortatleva and Barry Thornton, Cregboy, on the 8th July.
Jean Brann, Cranny (West Clare) and Dermot Connolly, Ennis, on the 10th June. Best of luck to both of you also in your new home in River Oaks. Keep up the gardening!!!
Donna Higgins (Escape Leisure, Claregalway Hotel) and Tommy Bogle, Armagh on the 21st July in BARBADOS!
Sinead O’Brien, Avoca, Co. Wicklow and Richard Kearney, (JPK), Claregalway - on the 28th July.
Amanda O’Farrell and Jarlath Sweeney on August 4th. Reception held in Claregalway Hotel. Both Amanda and Jarlath are managers of Escape Leisure, Claregalway Hotel. Best of luck to you also in your new home in Kiniska.

Congratulations to Bernie and Billy Greally, Claregalway on their recent 25th wedding anniversary recently. Also to Josie and Seamus Concannon, Summerfield, who celebrated 40 years married on the 17th July.

R.I.P.
Nelly Towey, River Oaks
Kitty Cahill, Lydican
Marian Lardner, Lydican
Marie Hyland, Lisheenavalla

COUNTING THE MILES - ROAD DEVELOPMENT, PAST AND PRESENT
Like other towns and villages throughout the country, the past number of years has witnessed many changes in the Parish of Claregalway. The village is rapidly expanding, now becoming a satellite town of Galway city. Claregalway however is probably best known for it's now infamous traffic problems.
Galway County Council has designed the Claregalway By-Pass route, at an estimated cost of €7.9m for the 4.9 kilometers of roadway to alleviate the problem of 30,000 vehicles passing through the village daily. Such volumes of traffic would have been difficult to imagine not so long ago. The following paragraphs looks at the history of road development in Ireland to put recent developments into context.

The history of road building in Ireland can be traced back almost 400 hundred years mostly through interpreting general documentary sources. From early in the 17th century, efforts were made to institutionalise the construction and maintenance of Irish roads. The first steps taken were in 1613 when an act was passed in the Irish parliament which made Ireland independent of Britain in the matter of road making and repair. Throughout the 150 years after the 1613 act, it was the responsibility of the parish, operating a system of direct, statutory labour1 to maintain roads and bridges within the parish boundaries.

'The Parish System'
Initiated in 1613, the effect of parochial labour was considerable and the skeleton of much of Ireland's more secondary and tertiary roads can be traced back to this initial period of road construction and repair.
This system was replaced with the passing of the Grand Jury act in 1765.

The Grand Juries
The main function of the Grand Jury was a judicial one. The Jury consisted of 13 or more jurors, usually landlords or their agents who were selected to hear criminal indictments. They also held a roll in the authorisation and directing of road construction.
The 1765 act enabled the Grand Jury to:

…present such sum or sums of money, as they shall think fit, upon any barony or baronies in such county for the repairing of old roads or making new roads through such barony or baronies…

The role of the Irish Post office
For a brief period of the 19th century, the Irish Post Office played a significant role in the Development of the Irish road network. An Act passed in 1783 establishing the Irish post office called upon the postmaster general to have all roads along which mail was being carried, measured and to insure that the average speed at which mail was being carried was at least 3 ½ Irish Miles per hour. As a result of this request, it was found that many of the mail routes were in such poor condition that the required average speed could not be met. The Irish parliament then approached both the turnpike trusts and the Grand Juries to bring forth improvements along the mail routes.

The Board of Works
In 1831, an Act was passed bearing directly on road construction in Ireland. The Irish board of works was created. The Irish board of works was a central body which brought together various other official bodies concerned with such matters as Arterial Drainage and Inland Navigations with the office of the Post master General (now amalgamated with the Post Office of Great Britain).

It was to the Board of Works that Grand Juries subsequently applied to for financial assistance in major schemes of road construction and road extension.
The board could make interest-free loans to Grand juries. It could also undertake road works throughout the country under the direction of its own staff and supervise work being carried out by Grand Juries.
The Grand Jury system came to an end in 1898 with the formation of the County Council system of local government, a system which is still in use today.

Milestones
Prior to the construction of the Curragh line in the 1860's the N17 was the main route between Galway and Headford and then on the Castlebar. A tribute to this route are four, well preserved 'milestones' that still stand in situ in the Parish of Claregalway. These milestones are featured in Taylor and Skinner's Roadbook of Ireland published in 1778.

'4'
The first of the remaining milestones bears the inscription '4' indicating 4 Irish miles to Galway. It is the first in a series of remaining milestones that runs between Galway and Headford via Loughgeorge.

'5'
The 5th in the series is located in the townland of Cahergowan beside Hession's shop. It is partially covered at the bottom by a tarmacadam footpath.

'6'
The 6th is located approximately 150 metres before the Garda station at Loughgeorge. It stands out slightly from the wall.

'7'
The 7th in the series is situated in the townland of Waterdale, Claregalway. It is obscured from view by bramble

McCutcheon, W.A., The Industrial Archaeology of Northern Ireland (Her Majesty's stationery office 1980)
By Enda O’Flaherty, Cloon.

CROOKED OLD WOMAN
Sitting in her musty room, her bent old body barely able to move.
Through cobweb windows, the world going by, laughing, chatting, a baby crying.
Everyone rushing to and fro, but no one knocks on her door.
The ticking clock echoes the walls, as she sits and waits on God to call.
Her bent old body lets out a sigh, a silent tear falls from her old blue eye, thinking of a time gone by.
She’d love to hear a kind word said from the lips of a friend than lots of people saying nice things about her when she is dead.
She’d rather hear a loving word from a friend who cares for her rather than a lot of foolish flattery when her life has ceased to be.
She’d love to have a fond farewell from friends who are true, than tears around her coffin from people she barely knew.
She’d rather have a little flower and be welcomed by her friends, than to have a bouquet of roses around her when she’s dead.
Do come and talk to her today whether funny, sad or true, for she’d love to have one true friend, now, than a crowd around her when she’s dead.
Mavis Ellis, Dublin

Update from your local councillor Jim Cuddy
Requests for Road Signage
Following recent representations made to me I have requested that Galway County Council improve the signage showing the entrance to the Cloonbiggeen Rd and the Cemetery.

Amenity Deputation
On June the 27th. a deputation from the Claregalway Amenity Group was received by the County Council at the local area meeting. The many problems being encountered in Claregalway were well presented and the Director of Services has undertaken to respond to each of them.

Montiagh Rd.
I have requested the council to place a yield right of way sign on the junction from Clogher onto the Montiagh Rd and a Cul De Sac sign into the village of Montiagh itself.

Speeding through Claregalway
A number of people have complained of the fact that some vehicles drive right through the pedestrian lights at Claregalway while they are red and also the fact that at times people speed through the village. The large number of people crossing the street to the local shops, school and church makes this particularly dangerous. I have written to the Garda Traffic Section requesting that they give this area their attention.

Renewed Request for Reduced Speed Limit
At the Area meeting of the council on June 27th I again requested that the council seriously look at reducing the speed limit at Loughgeorge having regard to the increasing volume of traffic entering onto the Tuam Rd at this junction and the danger particularly for traffic trying to turn right for Galway,

Claregalway Sewerage Works
The following is the answer received by me on June 27thfrom Galway County Council when asked for a time scale for the Claregalway Sewerage Works;
"The Council is in the process of appointing Consulting Engineers to act as Employers Representative for a single Design/Build/Operate contract for the treatment works elements of four sewerage schemes, one of which is Claregalway. The successful appointment will also be required to act as consulting engineers for the collection system for three of the schemes one of which is Claregalway, which will be grouped under a single conventional contract. Both the DBO documents and the Contract Documents are to be submitted to the Council within 9 months of the appointment of consultants. Following on from this, these documents will have to be submitted to the Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government, for approval. It is not possible to indicate at this time when the scheme will go to construction but the matter is being pursued in the normal manner."

In light of the official reply above I will do my best to have the scheme advanced as soon as possible.

As usual I can be contacted any day or evening at 091 798136 or 087 6360242.
Jim.

Imlitir Cinn-bliana … End of Year Newsletter
S.N. Cearn Mor 29.06.2005
It has been a year of unprecedented growth and progress in our school. So much has happened in such a short time, since my last end-of-year letter, this time last year. What follows is a brief review of the year's highlights.

Appointment of new teachers
While the school was closed during July and August, a lot of work was going on quietly behind the scene. Three new appointments had to be made and I was determined to have those teachers in place for the re-opening of school at the end of August. Great care was taken to ensure that we appointed the best people available and I am delighted to say that Aine Ni Laighin, Aine Ni Fhogartaigh and Eimear Ni Mhuineachan are all outstanding teachers and have already contributed greatly to our school.

Work on extension begins
In late August, work on the new extension began. When we arrived back to class, the JCB's were already busy at work and the whole front of the school was boarded off. We were told, more in hope than in confidence, that the extension would be completed by Easter '05 - few believed that this time-frame was possible.

Retirement function for Noreen Hynes
In the first week of October, we had an emotional and nostalgic function to honour Noreen Hynes who had retired as Deputy Principal after 20 years of outstanding service. We had a beautiful Mass in the church and this was followed by a presentation ceremony in the Community Centre afterwards. All Noreen's family were there and many of her past pupils came to pay tribute. It was an occasion for memories and kind words and not a few tears.

The 'Thousandaire' Function
On the 26th. of November, the Fund-raising Committee launched their big fund-raising event in the new hotel in Claregalway - Ostan Bhaile Clar na Gaillimhe. The 'Thousandaire' was a great success and raised in excess of €30,000. Much work and preparation went into the staging of this event and all the members of the fund-raising committee are to be congratulated on their fine achievement.

Drama na Nollag - Christmas Pageant
As we hadn't done so for some time, we decided, last Christmas, to put on a Nativity Pageant in the local church. Again, a lot of work went into the preparation of this event - with every teacher and every class doing their fair share. The junior children dramatised the Christmas story while the seniors played and sang familiar carols.
We also took the children in to Galway where, on a bitterly cold Friday afternoon, they entertained the shoppers in Shop Street with a selection of instrumental and sung carols. It was a really lovely occasion and we collected over €700 for our extension as well.

Green Flag
Early in the new year, we decided to make a determined bid to win Green Flag status for our school. A dedicated committee consisting of teachers and pupils from different classes set to work. Within a relatively short period, they had put together our Green Flag application, they gave regular briefings to the other children on what to do and what was expected from them. At a late stage, they organised a 'Parents' Afternoon'. This was a most impressive initiative. The children set up various information stations at different locations throughout the school. The parents were then invited to visit these information points where the children enlightened them on the various aspects of re-cycling and the importance of caring for our environment. The parents were impressed.
There was great excitement when word came through that we had been awarded the Green Flag. Two teachers, Winifred Conroy and Catherine Kelly and two pupils from Rang 6 travelled to Dublin to formally receive the flag on behalf of the school. This flag will now be proudly put on display in the new school year.

Building for the Future project
We also decided to enter for the Building for the Future project. There were 2 parts to this competition (a) the collection of a large number of newspaper tokens and (b) the production of a magazine-type project on the subject of 'Our local Heritage'. We succeeded on both counts. After a slow start, we easily reached our target number of tokens and this won for us a fine DVD/combi unit.
The second part was more challenging. But, again, all of us as a staff working together, applied ourselves and guided the children into producing a lovely booklet on our local heritage. The children are very proud of this achievement and it has awakened in them an interest and a curiosity about their own locality.

Completion of Extension
Meanwhile, work on the extension was progressing steadily. In spite of very wet weather in January, and to everybody's surprise, the extension was completed by Easter.
But, now a lot of work had to be done before the children could move in to their new accommodation. The floors had to be dried out and Michael Grealish kindly gave us the loan of a few de-humidifiers to speed up the drying process. Eventually, the floors were considered dry enough for the marmoleum to be laid.
Then furniture had to be listed and ordered. When the white-boards and notice-boards etc. needed to be erected, we asked for voluntary help. At very short notice, a whole 'meitheal' of parents arrived in, complete with tool-kits etc. and within a few hours, every single white-board and notice board had been put up. This was a wonderful example of community spirit at its best - and I thank those parents for their generosity.
The new extension is absolutely beautiful and is a credit to all concerned; the architect, Roddy Mannion, the builders, Conneely Brothers and you, the parents for so generously supporting it. Every visitor to the school, including some neighbouring Principals, have been very impressed.
Slan le Bernadette Noone and Bn. Ui Fhlaithearta:
Sadly, we were to lose 2 of our staff during the year. After Easter, Bernadette Noone left to take up a new appointment as Special Needs Assistant in Tuam C.B.S. Bernadette did great work in our school and we miss her a lot.
And just recently, we learned with regret that our shared Learning Support teacher, Joanne (Bn. Ui Flaithearta) will not be with us next year, As a result of a review of Special Education provision nationally, she will, from September next, be fully based in Claregalway.
We are all very sorry to see Joanne leave us. She has been an excellent Learning Support teacher since she first arrived over 10 years ago. With her gentle, warm and re-assuring personality and her caring and discreet approach, she made a lasting impression on all her pupils. We will miss her.
Another effect of this review of Special Education is that Winifred Conroy, who up to the present, has been working in a shared capacity between ourselves and Claregaway, will from now on be based fully in our school. That is good news.

School Tours
The Rang 5 & 6 went to Dublin, the Rang 3 & 4 went to an Adventure Centre, and the junior classes went to Pet farm. All were thoroughly enjoyed by the children.

School Dance Display
At the end of May, we had our annual School Dance Display in the Community Centre. Again, it was a great success and enjoyed by all.
And so, parents, you see what an action-packed year we have had. It has, of course, been an outstanding year - one of real achievement and progress. And, as the holidays approach, I want to thank you for your unfailing support and co-operation. We look forward with confidence to the coming year.

CARNMORE HURLING NEWS

The Carnmore Juvenile Club held a very successful under 8 blitz in Carnmore on bank holiday Monday 6th. June. The weather was excellent and the idea was for teams to take part and enjoy the games rather then to have an outright winner. Teams from Carnmore, Oranmore- Maree , Abbeyknockmoy, Rahoon/Newcastle, Turloughmore, Liam Mellows, Castlegar and Annaghdown took part. All the members who worked very hard to organise the event and mark out the pitches, referee the games and serve tea and sandwiches deserve great praise. Thanks also to Ann Moran for all the face painting. Well done to the community games under 11 hurlers who did very well. They had good wins over Oranmore and Killimor before losing to Loughrea-Kilnadeema.
Carnmore summer camp will be held on August 15th. for ages 6 to 14 and all are welcome.
The Carnmore seniors are on a short break from training as they await either Castlegar or Ballindereen in September.

Community Games
Judo
Our local competitors enjoyed great success in the county Judo finals with all of them earning medals in their respective age groups. Congratulations to Eoghan Dooley (Bronze), Rebecca O'Dea (Silver) and Roisín Jacob (Gold). Roisín will now represent Galway in the 30Kg event at the Connaught Finals in Sligo on July 23rd.

Gymnastics
Congratulations to Caoimhe Connaughton who earned a Gold Medal in the under 10 category of the county gymnastics final. Caoimhe will represent Galway at the National Finals in Mosney in August.

Pitch and Putt
The pitch and putt team consisting of Patrick Coen, Trevor Murray, Liam Foy, Seán Kearney and Robert Dooley were in action at the county pitch and putt finals last week. The team put in a good performance and enjoyed the evening despite the disappointment of missing out on a medal.

Hurling
The U11 hurling team made up of players from both Carnmore and Turloughmore clubs had a great run in the county competition. They defeated Oranmore/Maree and Killimor to reach the Semi Final against Loughrea/Leitrim. The lads were leading by a point at half time but were unlucky to lose out by 2 points in the end. Well done to all the lads and to their coaches Gerry Linnane and Mike Fox.

Football
The U10 football team overcame Tuam and Mountbellew to qualify for the county final against Moycullen. Following a great team performance, they emerged victorious to lift the county cup for the second year running. Well done to all the players and to their coach Mike Coyle. We wish them luck in the Connaught finals on July 23rd.

Basketball
Best of luck too to the U13 girls and the U16 boys who took county basketball titles recently and will also represent Galway at the Connaught finals.

Fundraising Dance
With 16 children already qualified for the National Finals in Mosney and high hopes for the teams and individuals hoping to qualify at the Connaught finals, funds are urgently needed to cover the costs involved. To this end, the Community Games Committee, generously supported by the Claregalway Hotel, invite you to a great night out Thursday 28th July. "The Neil Diamond Experience" will provide the entertainment on the night. Tickets are €10 and are available from the hotel and will also be sold locally. We look forward to seeing you there!

Claregalway Agricultural Show	Counting the Miles
Holiday Healthcare Checklist	Crooked Old Woman
Editorial	Update from Local Councillor Jim Cuddy
Day's Hotel, Inisbofin	Carnmore N.S. - End of Year Newsletter
Skin Care and Aromatherapy Clinic	Carnmore Hurling News
Special News	Community Games