MAYFIELD MATTERS
FREE YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER FREE
ISSUE 77 CHRISTMAS, 2014
Generous Sponsors of the Christmas Mayfield Matters
PLEASE NOTE ALSO IN THIS BUMPER We would like to wish CHRISTMAS ISSUE: To guarantee inclusion of all our readers a Christmas Mass and Confession adverts / items in MAYFIELD MATTERS, Times (for Our Lady Crowned Happy Christmas and please ensure they are submitted and St. Joseph’s), Christmas before the closing date which, a Prosperous Poems, Stories, Articles and for the next edition, is: New Year Lots More... 19th JANUARY, 2015
MAYFIELD MATTERS is a local community newsletter produced in the Mayfield CDP Community Resource Centre by volunteers with the support of the CDP staff; it is funded through the adverts placed in the newsletter, fundraising and grant allocations.
Thank you to all those who contributed articles and adverts to MAYFIELD MATTERS throughout the year.
Guímid Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain faoi mhaise oraibh go léir!
CEREMONY OF LIGHT
You are invited to At this event a attend the candle-lighting Mayfield Community ceremony will take place Suicide Remembrance at the Christmas Tree on event at 7pm on Iona Road. Thursday, The tree will provide an December 11th 2014, opportunity for family following the launch of and friends to place ‘A Mayfield Christmas.’ messages of remembrance for their loved ones.
Everybody Welcome
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL NEWS
A number of members had the honour to attend the dedication of a beautiful new Prayer-room in Mayfield Community School. It was so good to meet the staff and pupils and share some time together in prayer and listen to Chaplin John Hurley play his guitar in song to mark this worthwhile occasion. Tucked away at the back of the school the prayer room allows students to retreat from the stresses of everyday life, allowing time for quiet reflection in preparation for the challenges ahead. The principal, Mr. Walsh drew attention to the importance of schools creating a space for students to nurture their spiritual lives and that many students are delighted to make use of this new facility. We wish them all well and hope the benefits will go with them in all they choose to do.
A special Mass of Remembrance for deceased loved ones was held on Monday the 3rd of November at 7pm, it was very well attended by families and friends who were comforted by the beautiful ceremony and the lovely atmosphere of the candlelit Mass.
A number of our local children are now in training to become altar servers and we are very excited about seeing them help out at our Masses soon. We wish them all the best for the future. Our website is being updated and we expect to have it in operation early in the New Year. The Parish Council proposes to gather contact details from anyone who is informed of upcoming parish events via text. You can leave details in the box which will be provided at the back of the church. Christian meditation continues each Tuesday morning after 9.30am Mass. All are most welcome to attend.
The Christmas Giving Tree will be launched on the weekend of Nov. 30th/31st next. This very successful initiative has been of tremendous support to our local charities, schools and families over the years particularly at this special time of the year. We thank you most sincerely for your past and continued generosity. Please take a blank gift tag from the tree, mark it for a boy/girl, and the appropriate age or for male/female for an adult, attach to the gift and place at the foot of the tree. The Collections of gifts runs up to Sun. Dec. 14th. We will also be holding our annual raffle of Mary Hurley’s traditionally superb iced Christmas cakes. Tickets will be on sale before each Mass on weekend of Dec. 13th/14th. A raffle for two cakes at each Mass will take place after each Mass.
Christmas at Our Lady Crowned is such a special time and blessed time. The Parish Council would like to take this opportunity to invite everyone to come and celebrate it together this year. You will receive a warm welcome. Happy Christmas and may the New Year bring many blessings to you all. THE HISTORY OF DOOLAN’S COW BAR FC
We are in premier division of the Cork Business and Shipping League and are playing our home games at Mayfield Community school all-weather pitch. All our players and management are from the Mayfield area.
The team was formed in 2005 under the name Silversprings Moran Hotel and entered the Cork Business and Shipping league in the 2005/06 season. In our first season we won the second division league title and were runners-up in the Shandon cup to Spring Grove. In the 2007/08 we finished runners-up in the first division and were promoted to premier division. The following season 2008/09 we won the premier division cup beating MCM 5-3 at turners cross. The next season we finished runners-up in Premier division to Marlboro Trust.
In June 2010 we changed our name to Doolan’s Cow Bar FC. In 2012/13 season we reached the Mick Mooney cup final against EMC at turners cross but were defeated. The managers of the team are Denis O’Sullivan and Noel Coughlan and our captain is Darren Geraghty.
MAYFIELD HURLING & FOOTBALL CLUB - TABLE QUIZ
Please join us at Mayfield GAA Club on Kerry Road for a Quiz night on Thursday, December 11th, 8.30 pm. Great prizes on offer. €40 per team of four. See you there!!
WINNIES DRESSMAKING AND ALTERATIONS (Alongside All Round Beauty) Ph. 2390019 OLD YOUGHAL ROAD MAYFIELD (Opposite The Cow Bar) MERRY CHRISTMAS
TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS
We alter: Father and son only €15 Gents Only €9 School uniforms School Students only €8 Kids under 7yrs only €7 Curtains Hot Towel Shave only €12 Jeans, Zips Hot Towel Shave and Dry cut only €18
Jackets Don’t forget the Man in Your Life this Xmas Buttons Gift Vouchers Available
Opening hours: Tues- Fri 9.30 - 17.30 - Sat: 9.00 -17.30 LET’S SAVE MONEY Christmas hours: Contact Winnie on 085 7804008 Christmas Eve: 9.00 - 15.00 We will be closed until 2nd January, 2015 or 087 6552405 “HAPPY NEW YEAR”
MAYFIELD CDP COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE
Phone: 4508562 Fax: 4508507 [email protected]
RESOURCE OFFICE OPENING TIMES
MONDAY TO THURSDAY: 9.30am to 5pm - 7 to 9pm FRIDAY: 9.30am to 1pm
CHRISTMAS CLOSING
The centre will close on Friday, 19th December 2014 at 1pm and will re-open on Monday, 5th January 2015 at 9.30am.
The voluntary management and staff would like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.
SERVICES PROVIDED
PHOTOCOPYING * FAXING * LAMINATING TYPING OF PROJECTS, LETTERS, CVs BINDING OF PROJECTS POSTERS * FLIERS * LEAFLETS Night time activities: Monday Haniel Therapy (also Friday mornings) Tuesday Singing for Fun One2One Weight Management Wednesday Over-eaters Anonymous Thursday Over-eaters Anonymous
The computer room in the centre is available to local people who need access to it during the day and evening hours.
Rooms for hire: The Community Resource Centre has a training/meeting room (20-25 people capacity) which is available for use by individuals and groups. Smaller rooms are also available for use. Contact the resource office for more information.
Computer room: The Community Resource Centre has a computer room with 8 computers with WIFI access this is available to local people to use on a drop in basis. The room is also available for groups to run courses. To find out about this resource please contact the centre’s resource office.
Mayfield Community Adult Learning Project C.A.L.P.: This project runs community education, first step courses for adults living in the Mayfield community. Courses include Beginners Computers, FETAC Level 3 Computers, ECDL Modules, Personal Development and First Aid.
Rainbow Childcare Service: This morning service is available to parents/carers of children aged 6 months to 5 years. Please contact Kathleen at 4508562 to enquire about available spaces.
Mayfield Community Garden: This is a resource in the community, it will cost you nothing to join but your time and as the produce is ready to harvest you can take it home to eat! The group meet every Tuesday mornings at 11.30 to 1pm. New members always welcome. Mayfield Matters – local newsletter: This local newsletter is produced in the Community Resource Centre on a bi-monthly basis by a group of volunteers. If you are interested in getting involved please contact the centre.
Senior Alert Alarms for the over 65’s – for information on this scheme call into the Resource Office.
Welcome Back to Stanley Murphy who took up the part-time position of Resource Centre worker in the CDP in the middle of November 2014. Stanley’s first task will be to finalise the Mayfield Community Directory and get it ready for printing and publication. It is hoped that it will be launched in early 2015 and this will mark the first celebration of the Mayfield CDP 25 years. We hope he will be happy in his new role and welcome to the CDP team!
The project was founded in October 1990 and 2015 marks its 25th anniversary. The voluntary management and staff of Mayfield CDP hope to mark this significant milestone with different events through the year. So keep your eye out for more information so you can join in our celebrations!
For further information regarding any of the above items please contact the Mayfield CDP Community Resource Centre, 328 Old Youghal Rd, Mayfield at 4508562 or call into the centre and we would be delighted to talk to you!
YOUR LOCAL CRAFT BUTCHER 7 ST. CHRISTOPHER’S DRIVE, MONTENOTTE Ph. 021 4518184 Email: [email protected]
Now taking orders for Christmas. Full range of turkeys, turkey breasts, East Ferry free-range turkeys, hens and traditional spiced beef available. Everything you need for the Festive Season, locally produced. Christmas Club open with great value packs on offer. Every customer that places CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS an order with us will enter a draw to win their entire Monday, 22 Dec: 8.00am - 6.30pm Christmas order for free. Tuesday, 23 Dec: 8.00am - 6.00pm
We would like to wish all our Wednesday, 24 Dec: 8.00am - 2.00pm customers a very Thursday, 25 Dec: Closed Merry Christmas and Friday, 26 Dec: Closed a Happy New Year. Saturday, 27 Dec: Closed REBECCA CHISHOLM WINS GARDA YOUTH AWARD
Rebecca Chisholm was a well deserved winner of this year’s Cork City Division Garda Youth Awards. Rebecca has been involved in St Josephs Youth Programme, Mayfield for approx. 5 years. She began as a teenage member of the youth programme. She successfully applied to become a member of the youth committee and Rebecca is a key member of this group and was part of the team who recruited and trained new members. As part of this committee she planned and ran many different events in the youth centre for young people including:
Chill out nights for teenagers on Friday nights Events for the 8-12 year old group including Halloween, Christmas and Easter parties, games sessions etc. Organised and ran a variety concert celebrating the ten year anniversary of the Youth Programme Ran Soccer Blitzes Summer programmes for 8-12 years and 13 – 18 years over the past four years.
Initiated programmes such as Operation Christmas Child and concern appeals within the Youth Programme.
Rebecca’s community work travelled into her school as she took part in and coached debating to the younger years.
In her final year in secondary school, Rebecca was nominated to be part of the student council. This council took on the job of organising events within the school, ranging from charity events to school concerts and organising the 6th year debs. This council also took on the task of looking after and engaging with the other years to promote a united school, one that cares for all students.
Following a very successful Leaving Cert. Rebecca was offered a place in St Angelas College in Sligo where she is training to be a Home Economics teacher. She is currently in her third year of this course and is proving to be a skilled and loved Teacher. However this did not stop her involvement in the Youth Programme as she would skype, phone and text us on planning sessions and would make her way back to Cork to run events with us! (Even when she worked in Spain for the summer!).
When she was back in Cork on teaching practice she ran grinds in the youth centre for Leaving Cert students and they credit her with their high grades as not only did she instil in them knowledge on the subject but also worked with them on increasing their confidence and study and exam skills. She is a very talented teacher.
In 2014 she helped coordinate and run the summer youth programme. She recruited other young people onto a committee and together they organised the daily workshops, rehearsals, filming and a variety performance. Rebecca chaired this committee and included everyone in this process. In addition to the summer project Rebecca took on to run a six week training programme to prepare other young people and staff for the mini marathon.
Rebecca is also a talented baker and cook and after completing a week’s work experience in Ballymaloe she decided to bring Ballymaloe to Mayfield! She ran a week long programme with a high energy group of 8-12 year olds which was not an easy task - they made food they never could have dreamed of and proved to be a new and worthwhile programme for them.
Having completed her Bronze and Silver award in Gaisce, Rebecca has initiated a Gaisce society in her college in the hopes that she will to complete her Gold award whilst helping others to complete their awards also (whether bronze, silver or gold). She has set up and chairs a committee to lead the society to ensure it achieves its goal with full participation of all involved.
Rebecca is quiet spoken and gentle in her ways. She is compassionate and always looking out for other people. She has great energy and a quiet determination and works with others to be the best that she and they can be and she is such a worthy winner of this award. Unfortunately Rebecca was unable to attend the Awards Ceremony on the night but her sister proudly received the award on her behalf.
LOTAMORE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE 20, LOTAMORE PARK, MAYFIELD
QUALITY PRESCHOOL EDUCATION
AFTER SCHOOL CLUB Qualified, Garda-vetted Staff Monday / Tuesday and Thursday 3pm-6pm Children from 4—8 years LOCATED AT ASHMOUNT, MAYFIELD
Homework Support, Games, Arts & Crafts, and Lots More! NOW ENROLLING FOR
Snack Supplied OCTOBER 2015
Contact Janice on 085-8314167 Limited places also available in our Preschool service For further information, ECCE and CCS contact Tracy at: 021 496 0027 or 085 7409397
Management & Staff would like to wish WE WISH ALL OUR CHILDREN AND PARENTS, all A very Happy Christmas and PAST AND PRESENT, A MERRY CHRISTMAS A Peaceful New Year AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
POETRY PAGE CHRISTMAS Harry A. O’Shea
Each year we hear those beautiful Christmas bells, Their sound resounds on earth, in heaven as well. All people march in joyful cavalcade, And greet the Christmas-time and celebrate.
The story of that Christmas is well-known, When angels came to shepherds on that morn. Hosanna to the baby-king new born; Then shepherds went to greet Him ‘ere the dawn.
Please send poems to: [email protected] So some days later came the wise men three, or just hand them into us here at the CDP Resource Centre (we will type them up for you!) The star that led them there now station’ry. And angels sung above that holy place, While holy baby Jesus slept in peace. THE ROBIN They left their gifts of gold, incense and myrrh, Richard Goodison Mistrusting Herod, they took a wide detour;
Snow or no the robin sings The shepherds too left gifts of cheese and clothes, And with his song contentment brings, Returning then to their beloved sheepfold. Reminding us of Christmas times Of holly berry and sweet chimes. So let’s take part in Christmas once again, Bravely he will come quite near; Forget the passing hardship and the pain. He even comes indoors sans fear And pray that baby Jesus comes along, A morsel from a friend to glean To bring us hope and joy and peace and song. From off the kitchen floor so clean. Then with flickering wing he flies Outwards to freedom ’neath leaden skies And, perching on some winter branch, CÁ BHFUILIR, A ÍOSA? Again he starts his song to launch Into the air, his throat athrob, Le hAodán Ó Sé As if to entertain a mob. He hears our music and he builds A contrapuntal line that gilds Flosc na Nollag ag dul i dtreise Quite expertly Vivaldi’s tune Féile mhór an chaiteachais Heard from the gramophone. But soon, Féile ghéar an uaignis His song complete, he flies away, Cá bhfuilir, a Íosa? Yet he’ll be back again next day. Nuacht an lae as gach aon chearn Féile fola an achrainn Féile shearbh gan dídean Cá bhfuilir, a Íosa? A LITTLE POEM OF Tusa a saolaíodh gan dídean, CHRISTMAS Tusa a chuir an ruaig ar mhangairí Richard Goodison Tusa a ghlac conair na croise, Cá bhfuilir, a Íosa? O robin, the snow has come down; There are sure signs of Winter all ’round. Féach ort sa mháinséar sínte, But the Lord has not frowned on us, Féach ort i gceartlár daoine, No, the look on his countenance smiles, Féach ort i gcochall mo chroí-se, Gently reminding us: Chím anois tú, a Thiarna! Christmas his birthday is here.
YOGA EIGHT-WEEK COURSE
LEARN TO EXCERCISE THE POWER OF YOUR MIND WITH THE UNIQUE RAJA YOGA COMBINED WITH HATHA YOGA WHICH EXCERCISES AND TONES THE BODY WHILE BRINGING THE GLANDS BACK INTO BALANCE
EIGHT WEEK COURSE INCLUDES:
Breathing Posture Nutrition Relaxation Meditation
Course Fee: €90
COMMENCING: WEDNESDAY JANUARY 7th 2015, 8 – 9.15 pm
ST. JOSEPH'S COMMUNITY CENTRE, OLD YOUGHAL ROAD, MAYFIELD
FOR FURTHER COURSE ENQUIRIES CONTACT SANDRA: 087-9400510
HANIEL THERAPY
Therapeutic Massage and Reflexology Fully Accredited Therapist (MNHII BCMA)
Pamper Mornings at Mayfield CDP Resource Centre Monday evenings and Friday mornings also Monday and Tuesday mornings at St. Joseph’s Community Centre For an appointment or further information contact Caroline: Phone: 085 8188933 or Email: [email protected] Vouchers Available! CREATING A MINDFUL COMMUNITY IN MAYFIELD
On Wednesday, October 15th the three Foróige Projects in Mayfield invited young people and adults to their Drug & Alcohol Awareness Event in the Kerrigan-Tyrell Youth Centre.
The event 'Creating a Mindful Community in Mayfield' was an opportunity for local workers Deirdre Dennigan, Martina O’Keeffe and Mairéad Quarry to showcase the Mindfulness programmes for teenagers and adults that have been running in the community twice yearly since 2012.
The event began with a 45 minute Mindful Yoga workshop and hand massage, auricular acupuncture and juice demo's followed.
Mindful Yoga Workshop with Alison Faith in the Kerrigan-Tyrell Youth Centre, Mayfield.
Deirdre spoke about the Moment 2 Moment programme being rolled out with small groups of local teenagers and the benefits it brings for their well being. Through practising mindfulness and meditation techniques young people learn skills for life, they get to experience stillness and moments of calm which they can then continue to slot into their daily lives and also learn to manage thoughts and emotions. The programme emphasises making connections with themselves, first and foremost, and then with family, friends and the wider community. Young people gain a lot of self-awareness and can become more resilient as a direct result of these techniques.
A presentation was given by a local psychotherapist who brought Mindful Parenting to the three workers in 2011. The local research showed the amazing results that have come from local parents attending the 9 week course.
“We have seen changes in parents first hand and can testify that participants are better able to deal with stress, the mothers who attended are calmer, less anxious and ruminate less and they have also learned a huge amount about the way we all automatically react in specific ways when stress or arguments occur and have been taught skills to react less and respond more.”
When it comes to addressing automatic reactions and learned parenting styles, Mindful Parenting addresses intergenerational behaviours and gives us hope that our children will have the skills to chose to parent differently.
“If a community value’s it’s children, it must cherish their parents” (Bowlby, 1951)
We want to take this opportunity to let those who could not attend yesterdays event know about the programme and also to spread the word about our experience in Mayfield.
We are very proud of the work we are involved in and delighted to say that after helping to recruit and observe on our first two programmes, Deirdre, Martina and Mairéad are presently being mentored on the present 9- week programme to be able to continue to offer and roll out the programme to parents in Mayfield twice yearly.
There is huge interest and demand for the programme locally and this interest is quickly spreading beyond Mayfield. Rainbow Sessional Childcare
Places still available but please call early to avoid disappointment. To learn more about our centre and its services. Contact Kathleen on: 021 450 8562 or email: [email protected] Rainbow Childcare will close on the 19th of December and will reopen on the 5th of January 2015.
Kathleen and Jackie would like to wish all the parents and children a very Happy Christmas!
MAYFIELD RIGHT TO WATER CAMPAIGN
National Assembly Wednesday, 10th December 1pm Dáil Éireann.
Coaches from Mayfield.
Further details 086 3556482
MAYFIELD COMMUNITY SCHOOL
LARGE NUMBERS ATTEND MAYFIELD COMMUNITY SCHOOL OPEN NIGHT Our students and staff welcomed pupils from 5th and 6th class to our recent Open Night. Our Student Guides showed parents and their children around our school. Visitors got an opportunity to see our general classrooms, three Computer rooms, two Woodwork rooms, three Science labs, one Engineering room, two Home Economics rooms, two Art rooms, Career Guidance room and Parents room. Staff from UCC and CIT were available to answer questions about progression to Third Level and it was nice to see recent past pupils who are attending these colleges being at our Open Night to speak with both present and future students of our school. The closing date is now gone for applications for 2015 /16. Any applications received now will be placed on our waiting list.
GRADAM NIGHT IN OUR SCHOOL Guest of honour at our recent Gradam Night was Matt O’Callaghan, Human Resources Manager with the Musgrave Group. Mr. O’Callaghan has spent the last year working with our Junior Leadership group from last year’s Transition Year classes. Gradam Night is a special night in our school calender and it gives us an opportunity as a school community to acknowledge excellence in academic achievement, in social contributions to school life and in sporting excellence. Awards were presented to the group of Transition Year students who achieved a Bronze Medal Award from Gaisce and certificates were awarded to our Transition Class who won the inter-schools Triz competition in UCC. The audience was treated with a first class performance of excerpts from the musical Les Miserables. Well done to all the students and teachers who sang, danced and played musical instruments on the night. Congratulations to Michael Ward and Darragh O’Connor who were awarded scholarships to CADA by Catherine Mahon-Buckley on the night. Congratulations to all our award winners who are excellent role models for the rest of the students in our school.
EVENING ECHO INTER-GENERATIONAL QUIZ Well done to Michaela O’Flynn and David O’Flaherty who represented our school in the Evening Echo Inter generational quiz in the City Hall recently. They answered some very difficult questions and after a very exciting and close contest, they successfully finished in the top four teams in the competition.
FRIENDSHIP WEEK Mayfield Community School students organised a Friendship Week recently. Junior students attended a drama workshop with Cyclone Rep theatre group and discussed ways in which our students can help each other work well together in our school community. Class Tutors presented our junior students with friendship postcards designed by our Transition Year students and they were asked to give these cards to someone who was kind to them recently. It is nice to see our students living up to our school motto – Meas ar Gach Chraobh – Respect for All.
CAKE SALE FOR THE SIMON COMMUNITY Well done to our Transition Year class who organised a cake sale recently for the Simon Community. The Transition Year students decided that as part of their Enterprise Module that they would donate all the income from the cake sale to Simon. They nominated Simon as their charity following a visit from Niamh Quane from the Simon Community to our third year CSPE class.
THE GIRLS CLUB The Girls Club enjoyed a trip to Blarney Castle last month. They kissed the Blarney stone and learned about the history of the castle. Students also enjoyed the Lake Walk and visited the extensive gardens. This club provides continued mentoring and peer support for 1st and 2nd year girls. 1st year girls and parents attended a workshop on Beautiful Health where beautician Joanne Herlihy advised and promoted the group on all aspects of skin care. She shared practical tips for healthy skin and diet and answered many questions.
IRISH AUTHORS ONE COMMUNITY
Mayfield Community School along with 6 other schools in the Mayfield/Glen area launched a reading initiative in Mayfield Library. To celebrate this event student representatives from all these schools gathered to listen to local Irish author Maria Burke who spoke to students about writing books and where her ideas come from for her books. Students from Mayfield Community School chose a book by Irish author Roddy Doyle called Wilderness and all first year students are currently reading this book. Also on the day rapper GMC entertained the students by teaching them to compose their own lyrics in a fun creative way.
NEWBURY HOUSE Reflexology and Massage FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE LTD.
Old Youghal Road, The Centre provides a Reflexology and Mayfield, Cork massage service.
021 4507999 To book an appointment contact Breda Grealish at (087) 6279097
Child and Family Counselling Childcare Services
If you would like further information please contact
the Centre on 021 4507999
The primary focus of the childcare service is to support families from the locality by providing a high-quality childcare Family Support service.
Services We offer the following childcare services:
ECCE Free Preschool Special Needs Service Early Years Centre Crèche
Booking early is advised as limited places available We are here to provide services to families and individuals who need help. Please ask for our childcare handbook and leaflet available in the centre for more information about our fees and curriculum. If you need support or just want to talk to someone please call into the centre and speak to a member of staff.
PIETA HOUSE CORK
Highfield Lawn, Model Farm Road, Bishopstown
Ph. 021 4341400
Therapy in Pieta House is COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE simply phone for an appointment.
LAUNCH OF GARDA COMMUNITY BUS
From left to right: John Daly, Marie O Sullivan, Derek Connolly - St Josephs Community Association Ltd, Minister of State Dara Murphy TD, Brid Houlihan - Mayfield East Community Assoicaiton, Finbarr Coughlan and Eddie Carey - Mayfield East Community Assoicaiton.
A joint initiative between St. Joseph’s Community Association, Mayfield, and the Community Policing unit of Mayfield Garda headquarters was officially launched on Monday, 24th November. After months of collaboration between the two organisations the fruit of their labour was unveiled in the car park of the Mayfield Garda Station when Chairman of St. Joseph’s Community Association handed over the keys to a specially designed minibus to Supt. Tom Myers.
Ministers Dara Murphy and Kathleen Lynch were in attendance to hear Sgt. John O’Connor, who is in charge of Community Policing in Cork, laud the achievement of securing the new bus for the use of the wider Mayfield community. The bus will be available for community use and will be based in Mayfield Garda Station. Derek Connolly Chairman of St. Joseph’s Community Association said: “This joint initiative between Mayfield community people and the Gardaí was indicative of the great relationship that exists between them.”
St. Joseph’s Community Association All enquiries Tel: 021 4500538 Frances Nolan,
N.C.C.L.C.CH.M.I Ch.Pod.Org
CHIROPODIST
GLANMIRE MEDICAL CENTRE GLANMIRE, CO. CORK
Gift Vouchers Available For appointments: Tel. 021 486 6745 Mobile: 086 369 3204
HOME VISITS
ON REQUEST
FRANK O’CONNOR LIBRARY Murmont, Old Youghal Road. T: 021-4924935 E: [email protected]
Opening Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10.00 - 1.00 and 2.00 - 5.30 Closed Thursday Closed Lunchtime 1.00 – 2.00
READ LEARN AND EXPLORE
You do not need to be a member to make use of many of the Libraries’ resources, such as Local Studies, Learning and Reference resources, newspapers and journals, or to attend any of the talks, readings, classes or other events which take place regularly in Cork City Libraries. Use of these is free to the public.
Membership Fees:
Everyone up to 18 years FREE Adult: Standard: €15,Concession*: €5, 65 years of age and older FREE. Visually impaired persons FREE. Persons holding a free travel pass FREE. Persons on invalidity pension and their dependent spouse FREE.
*If one of these categories applies to you, you qualify for the concession fee:
1. Unemployed Persons, Persons on disability allowance and their dependent spouse 2. Persons in receipt of carer's allowance. 3. Lone parents. 4. Asylum seekers. 5. Students over 18 in full-time education.
Up to ten items — whether books, CDs, DVDs — may be borrowed at one time, for a period of two weeks. You can renew these items online or on the phone. E-book service available. Visit www.corkcitylibraries.ie/digital
WHAT’S ON? Book club meets on the second Wednesday of each month 11a.m. New members welcome. Ciorcal Cainte meets on the third Friday of every month at 11a.m. New members welcome. Saturday Colouring Competition all day.
CHRISTMAS BOOKS Our Juvenile Christmas collection will be available for borrowing from Tuesday 25th November.
NEWS FROM ST. PATRICK’S G.N.S.
It’s hard to believe that we’re coming to the end of another year and school term. We celebrated October as reading awareness month in many ways:
Mayfield library was the centre of some exciting events. Pupils met the author Judi Curtin, attended interesting presentations on World War 1 and the Vikings. The One Community, One Author launch was very enjoyable. We had a book swap on the 17th .
1st class and their parents spent a delightful time in the school garden.
On the 24th the school was transformed into Hogwarts as many ghosts and witches roamed the corridors. After mid-term we settled into Science week with pupils from 6th helping classes and other classes attended a science show.
Music is to be heard, and there are glimpses of glitter, as everyone prepares for our Carol Concert. This will take place in St Joseph’s church on December 17th at 12.00 noon and 7pm. All are welcome to attend. I am sure 2015 will be just as busy but we look forward to another term of hard work and co-operation in our happy school community. The pupils, staff and management of St Patrick’s G.N.S. would like to wish everyone a happy, holy and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
A ‘Carols by Candlelight’ Concert will take place at St. Patrick’s Church on the Lower Glanmire Road, Cork City on Friday, December 12th at 8pm. Funds raised will benefit the Cork Association for Autism (CAA) who provide support services to adults on the autistic spectrum.
Choirs performing on the night Include: Note Perfect, Cork Garda Male Voice Choir, Rainbow Lyrics, The Cork Prison Officers Male Voice Choir and The Choir of St. Patrick’s. Young tenor Kevin Walsh who avails of the Cork Association for Autism services will also perform as a special guest on the night. The programme for the evening will include well known favourites such as; See Amid the Winter’s Snow, The Holly and the Ivy and Oh Holy Night.
Tickets cost €15 for the concert and can be purchased from the Cork Association for Autism Fundraising office at 18 Cook St, Cork City, from St Patrick's Church or online at www.corkautism.ie.Telephone 021 427 1808 for more information.
AJ'S HAIR DESIGN
We celebrated our 1st Birthday in October. We would like to thank all our clients for their support all year, it would not have been possible without you.
Happy Christmas to all our customers from the team
To book appointments with any of our team the salon number is : 021-4552254 or 085 8236561 Find us on Facebook at AJ'S HAIR DESIGN
VOUCHERS AND GIFT SETS AVAILABLE IN SALON Our team members include Amanda Looney, Jan Sweet- man, Leanne Downey (formerly of Dillons Cross) & Janice McCarthy (formerly of Carraig Na Bhfear)
ST. JOSEPHS (MAYFIELD) NO NAME CLUB – NOTES Natasha Walshe joins the clubs Roll of Honour
By her outstanding achievement in winning the clubs ninth Cork City Division Garda Youth Award recently, Natasha Walshe has added her name to that elite group of club members to win this prestigious award. Since the formation of this club in 1998 nine young people have been honoured by being chosen as winners of these high profile awards which is a significant achievement for all the hard work that is ongoing by the club voluntary adult leaders.
Natasha joined the St Josephs (Mayfield) No Name Club in 2010 where she has made a major contribution to the ongoing success of the club. Over the past 10 years she has been playing classical flute and she has provided regular recitals at the St Brendan’s Day Care Centre. Natasha was chosen by her teachers in the School of Music to play at a reception for the President Michael D Higgins during his visit to Cork. She also found time to mentor a group of young people in playing the classical flute. As a transition year student Natasha took part in the Cork City Marathon to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Organisation. She also completed a training course in CPR and the use of a Defibrillator which qualifies her as a first responder in a programme provided by the St Josephs (Mayfield) No Name Club.
While attending St Patricks College Natasha got involved in their Big Brother/Big Sister Programme to help first year students to cope with their entry into second level education. In Transition year she was chosen as Student of the Year and the following year she was appointed Deputy Head Girl in her leaving certificate class. She also has a Bronze Gaisce Medal as well as a Certificate in the Breaking the Silence Programme that has enhanced her interpersonal skills. Natasha has been involved in a project with disabled people and has fundraised for the Irish Heart Foundation, Console and Bóthar.
As a junior leader in the St Josephs (Mayfield) No Name Club she took on the role of team leader in a number of projects carried out by the club members that included: making a two minute film that won second prize in a National Competition, two health promotion projects on young peoples’ health issues and on Autism that were researched by Natasha as the group I.T. coordinator. In 2013 Natasha represented her club in the Hostess of the Year competition for No Name Club members countrywide. She won the Munster Regional Final and qualified for the National Final that was held in Kilkenny. That event is the highlight of the No Name Club National Programme of events where Natasha put on a performance that made all our club members who were present on that occasion, justifiably proud as she was the close runner-up to the eventual winner.
Over the past two years Natasha has been a volunteer with the St. Joseph’s Youth Programme where she was involved in planning and running a series of events for young people aged 8 to 18 years. She is also a member of the Steering Committee of the Cork Community Project that coordinated the making of last year’s Christmas CD, entitled “A Red and White Christmas.”
MAYFIELD COMMUNITY ADULT LEARNING PROJECT (CALP)
MAYFIELD CDP COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE, 328 OLD YOUGHAL RD, MAYFIELD
Tel: 4508562 Email: [email protected]
Happy Christmas to all our learners who have participated on C.A.L.P. community education courses throughout 2014 and here’s to a great 2015 when new learning opportunities will be available for you to take up and enjoy! Thanks also to our committed tutors who have worked through the year with the learners.
Appreciation is also extended to our Funder, The Cork Education & Training Board.
JOHN BENSON AND THE CITY OF CORK Aidan O’Shea
John Benson, architect and engineer, was born in a comfortable one-storey thatched house in Collooney, Co. Sligo, in 1812. He showed a flair for mathematics and drawing as a young man. At the age of twenty-one he was sent by Edmund Joshua Cooper of Markree Castle, where he was employed on restoration work, to a technical school in Dublin. This was the Royal Dublin Society's School of Architectural Drawing, where a John Benson is recorded as gaining premiums in March and December 1832. He obtained an appointment under the Board of Works and, after a first, unsuccessful attempt in December 1838, passed the qualifying examination for the office of county surveyor in March 1846.
In the same year he was appointed county surveyor for the West Riding of Cork but was immediately transferred to the East Riding, a position which he held until 24 March, 1855. During 1846 and 1847 he was faced with the demanding task of superintending famine relief works. On 31 May, 1848, Benson received the additional appointment of consulting engineer to the Cork Harbour Board and on 29 January, 1851 he was also appointed engineer to the city. On 23 November, 1854 the two posts were amalgamated and Benson was elected to the new post of' city engineer, which he held until his resignation on the grounds of poor health in April 1873.
He also had private business interests. He was involved in railway projects throughout Munster: as engineer to the Cork & Macroom Railway, the Rathkeale & Newcastle Railway, and the Cork & Limerick Railway including the two mile tunnel linking Lower Glanmire Road and Blackpool. He also acted as engineer-in-chief and architect to the Cork & Passage Junction Railway, and as a director of the Cork & Kinsale Railway. This was the era of many private railway companies.
One can see from his career that he had a prodigious output of both public and private works, although his built legacy is not widely acknowledged today. This short article draws attention to some of his buildings still visible in Cork city.
CORK WATERWORKS, LEE ROAD, 1858 Benson the engineer took charge of supplying Cork city with potable water, designing the reservoirs and the steam-driven pumping station. He built two reservoirs on Prayer Hill at a height sufficient to supply the whole city and suburbs. Water was pumped to the reservoirs by coal fired steam turbines at the water’s edge. New boiler houses and a chimney were built. With increasing demand in the 1860s, three new boilers were added in buildings constructed for them. Benson the architect designed the beautiful Italianate sheds linked to a central chimney.
Jeremy Williams, a 20th century architect/historian writes: “Continuous arcading set into bands of limestone and red sandstone emphasise the horizontal, in contrast to the rectangular chimney. Set into wooded hills above the weir, would that all our industrial development was housed as beautifully as this.” Here is practical and aesthetic work of the highest order.
What a contrast to what the poet William Blake described as the dark satanic mills of the mid-nineteenth century, or the brutal power stations of the twentieth. The buildings and some of the machinery have been preserved and can now be visited at Cork Lifetime Lab. A later shed across the road at the riverbank was added twenty years later. Its designer, Barry McMullen kept the harmony of stone and colour with Benson’s structures.
Most of Benson's commissions were confined to Cork city and county, but in1852 he won the international competition for designing the premises for the Dublin Exhibition of 1853, the building of which he supervised himself. This remarkable building was set in Leinster Lawn and featured arts, crafts, agricultural and scientific exhibits from Ireland and the British Empire. Benson was made a Knight of the Realm for this achievement.
THE ROOT MARKET, PRINCES STREET, 1862 In 1862, plans were finalised for a new entrance and roofed interior for the Root (Vegetable) Market at the Princes Street end of the English Market. Benson prepared plans, allowing for two houses or shops flanking the entrance.
Work began in May, 1862 and was completed eight months later. The new market occupied the same space as the old one, but its re-design enabled the addition of a balcony area allowing for almost double the amount of stalls.
This development also produced the ornamental front and entrance on Princes Street and a new roof to this part of the Market. Benson’s elegant façade uses brickwork in contrasting decorative patterns with an Italian influence once again. The central galleried hall is most effective with its radiating lanes linking into Patrick Street and Oliver Plunket Street.
The English Market is now a major attraction since the visit of Queen Elizabeth in 2011.
ST. PATRICK’S BRIDGE, 1859-61 How many hundred times have I crossed Patrick’s Bridge, north to centre and back again, and never read the stone plaque on the eastern edge? Here is its history.
Cork Corporation first proposed the construction of a bridge spanning the River Lee from Saint Patrick's Street to the north bank in the 1780s, shortly after the completion of the building of Saint Patrick's Street itself. An Act of Parliament, authorising the raising of funds for the building of the bridge, was passed in 1786.
The first bridge was destroyed by a flood in November, 1853. A temporary timber bridge, designed by Benson, was put in place by December of the same year. The Cork Bridge and Waterworks Act was passed in 1856, allowing Cork Corporation to raise money for the replacement of both St Patrick's Bridge and the North Gate Bridge. Benson drew up a design for a metal bridge at North Gate and a stone bridge at St Patrick’s Street.
The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, the Earl of Carlisle, laid the foundation stone for this new bridge on 10 November, 1859. The Lord Mayor of Cork, Sir John Arnott, opened the new Saint Patrick's Bridge on 12 December, 1861. The bridge, 18.5 metres (60 feet, six inches) wide, spans a waterway of 51 metres (168 feet). Its elegant design remains one of the best-known landmarks in Cork. It cost £17,000 to build. Reconstruction work was carried out on the bridge in 1981. It has served us well to this day.
BERWICK FOUNTAIN, 1860 Berwick Fountain, one of the few public fountains in Cork, was built in 1860. It is named after Sergeant Walter Berwick who came to Cork in 1847 as Chairman of the Quarter Sessions court. This court was a quarterly county court which dealt with minor criminal offences. Berwick was a very popular justice, well thought of in the city and county. When he was made a judge of the bankruptcy court in 1859 he received congratulations from many sections of Cork society. Moved by these tributes, he decided to present the city with an ornamental fountain. The fountain stands near the former site of the statue of King George II, which once stood on Tuckey's Bridge before the waterway along the Grand Parade was culverted and built over. The fountain was designed by Sir John Benson and was finally presented by Berwick to the Lord Mayor John Arnott, who accepted it on behalf of the city on 1 January, 1862. The Arnott family were brewers, whose name survives in Arnott’s department store in Dublin.
Benson died on 17 October, 1874 at Alexander Square, Brompton, London 'where he had been residing for some time with Lady Benson…for the benefit of medical advice'. His death was said to have been accelerated by overwork. He had married Mary Clementine Pyne in 1849. She was a daughter of John Smith, of the 56th Regiment and they had no children. This may explain why he is forgotten. The remarkable John Benson has contributed much to the development of our city in its public works, its transport and its pleasant buildings.
HAPPY MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS
Geraldine McAuliffe
Holly and Ivy were very important at Christmas time and the gathering of Holly was primarily completed several days before Christmas Day. It was gathered to decorate the window, doors and the tops of old pictures that were hanging on the wall. There was plenty of holly trees in the The games that were played in the olden days were very woods, and the best holly with the bright red berries were basic indeed; one did not have to be a great scholar to play usually found on the top part of the trees. As children we these uncomplicated games. As computers were unheard had to reach up tall to reach the nice pieces and even of and Television had not arrived in Ireland, book reading, though the thorns hurt us sure it was all worth while. was quite popular and visiting the Cork City Library was When this important task was completed the holly was tied our Saturday trip. The smell of books old and new and the with some twine as we carried it home in time for shear peacefulness of the place was something I will Christmas. Without the display of holly in the home it did always remember as we patiently searched for Enid not seem like Christmas. Christmas trees in the home in Blyton’s books, the Famous Five, Black Beauty, and the the early fifties were very rare indeed. Fairy Tales of Ireland. Without Television in Ireland, book reading had become very popular then, and the good old In the fifties we had long harsh cold winters, and with no City library gave us hours of enjoyment. central heating Aran jumpers and knitted stockings and gloves were popular as people used wool to try and keep Life was so simple then and as there were no big demands out the cold. Coal and turf fires were the norm, and the for expensive presents. What was on display in the shop smell of the turf burning could be smelt around the windows were games like Snakes and Ladders, Draughts, neighbourhood. Candles and gas lights was widely used Ludo, Bingo, Twiddle Winks, and several others. The throughout the winter months. As November seemed long house was cleaned from top to bottom, and a lovely coal and dreary, one often wondered why November was fire was put on. Everyone was welcome at Christmas as dedicated to the Holy Souls. Why not pick Easter instead the red candle was placed in front of the window. It was as it was bright and cheerful as it celebrated the risen placed in a jar with red paper glued together and a tiny Christ. silver star placed in front. Turf was also used in the fire, and the smell of it was evident as we came up to When eventually the month of December arrived it seemed Christmas. to have a magic all of its own. Gone were the bleak dreary days, as we welcomed the arrival of Santa Clause. Santa Story telling was quite popular, as Cinderella, Red Riding Clause and Christmas were all the children spoke about Hood, the Three Bears, Sleeping Beauty, was told over during that month. There seemed to be a surge of and over again. Finally the Turkey was prepared, and the happiness about the town. Unemployment was temporally famous Plum Pudding was placed on a large plate with forgotten as shops were beautifully decorated, with tinsel holly on the top of the plate. in all different shapes, shades and sizes. Children in schools were busy making their own paper decorations to When the postman arrived the children would go out to hang up in their own homes throughout the city to cut greet him and the woman of the house usually gave him down on the costs associated with Christmas decorations. something to drink, and a little present was given to him Times were hard then, and the extra money saved went thanking him for all his hard work during the year. towards food and presents for Christmas. Delivering letters in the rain and snow was always difficult in the winter months. Families were anxiously waiting for We regularly went to town to see the beautiful toys letters from love ones abroad. Small parcels would arrive displayed in Kilgrew's shop and the Munster Arcade in for Christmas, and these were not to be opened until Patrick Street. Santa Clause had arrived there dressed in Christmas day. Christmas Eve was full of excitement, as red with a white long beard with parcels covered in pink we hardly closed our eyes waiting for Christmas Day. for the girls, and blue for the boys. We watched the boys Christmas candles were glowing on the front windows of and girls unwrapping their parcels, with shouts of delights. the houses and a sense of peacefulness was felt all around We knew we would have to wait for Christmas morning to us. receive our presents, and we were quite happy with that arrangement. After seeing Santa Clause we went home and The church at Christmas was beautifully decorated with started to write to him for our presents and hoped our flowers, and goodwill was evident on that special day, as letters would reach him in the North Pole. We told him we people shook hands with one another during Mass, Silent had the chimney cleaned and that we would leave a drink Night and Adeste Fideles were sung as people joined in to for him. There were great hopes Santa Clause would be sing. Christmas brought joy and happiness into our lives sober when he called with Rudolph the Reindeer. on that special day. THE COTTON BALL
MAYFIELD
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NEWS FROM ST. JOHN THE APOSTLE BOYS PRIMARY SCHOOL
The Board of Management, staff and pupils of St. Johns would like to extend a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all our school community, neighbours and friends.
As the year draws to a close the staff, parents and pupils of St John the Apostle B.N.S. would like to wish our Principal Mr. Kieran Cremen and Deputy Principal Mr. Donal Stritch every good wish, health and happiness on their retirement. Mr. Cremen has been Principal of our school for 16 years. He supported, encouraged and worked tirelessly for our pupils throughout that time.
We hope that he enjoys this new chapter in his life. Mr. Stritch our Deputy Principal retired in June. He has worked in St. Johns for 39 years. He always strove to do his best for the children in our school, our community and the staff of St. Johns.
GOOD LUCK AND BEST WISHES FOR THE YEARS TO COME!
ONE BOOK ONE COMMUNITY The launch of Irish Authors One Community took place in the Frank O’Connor Library on Friday the 17th of October. Our chosen book this year is “The Ark of Dun Ruah” by Maria Burke. Eileen Cassidy from Cork City Library spoke about the importance and joy of reading. We were very lucky to have Maria Burke speak about her book, and her interest and love of both reading and writing. We rapped our way to a close with GMC Garry McCarthy.
Thanks to all the parents who attended.
HAPPY TALK PROGRAMME
Junior Infants are privileged again this year to be chosen for the Happy Talk Speech and Language Programme. The parents and pupils have been introduced to the concepts of modelling, expanding vocabulary/sentences and promoting understanding and questioning. Many thanks to all the parents for their continued commitment to the project.
SACRAMENTS
Preparations are ongoing in 2nd and 6th classes for the celebration of the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation next year. Ms. Synnott’s boys have been kept busy with new songs and prayers for their monthly ‘Do this in Memory’ Mass. Ms. O’ Brien’s class attended their Enrolment Mass for Confirmation in November and are enjoying their preparations.
SPORT
3rd – 5th class boys are enjoying weekly Gaelic Football skills and games with the County Board Schools Programme. Many thanks to Finbarr Kiely for helping train our Sciath na Scol football team. They played their hearts out and did our school proud.
PARENTS ASSOCIATION
The Parents Association hit the ground running this term with a very successful cake sale in October. Thanks to all parents and guardians who supported our fundraising.
MATHS WEEK
Maths Week also took place in October. Classes took part in maths games, number crunching, shape art and problem solving.
CHRISTMAS CONCERTS
The school choir under the baton of Ms. Carmel Cronin are rehearsing in school for the Annual Carol Service in the Church of Our Lady Crowned on Sunday 14th December. Also all classes are preparing for our Christmas Concert ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ We are all looking forward to the show on Wednesday 17th December.
Dates to Remember Christmas Carol Service – 14th December - Church of Our Lady Crowned Christmas Concert – Wednesday 17th December Santa’s Visit – Friday 19th December Christmas Holidays – Friday 19th December. th Back to school - Monday 5 January 2015
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO OUR CUSTOMERS FROM ALL AT BOURKES PHARMACY MAYFIELD
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CHRISTMAS CLUB NOW OPEN
Christmas Opening Times Monday 22nd Dec 9am to 6pm Tuesday 23rd Dec 9am to 6pm Wednesday 24th Dec 9am to 4pm Christmas Eve Thursday 25th Dec CLOSED Christmas Day Friday 26th Dec CLOSED St Stephens Day Saturday 27th Dec 10am to 1pm 2pm to 5.30pm Monday 29th Dec 9am to 6pm Tuesday 30th Dec 9am to 6pm Wednesday 31st Dec 9am to 4pm New Years Eve Thursday 1st Jan CLOSED New Years Day Friday 2nd Jan 9am to 6pm SANTA’S MAYFIELD CHRISTMAS Billy Herdman The Lapland hills are white with snow, there’s ice upon the ground. He heads across the ocean, it’s like a monster pool, The leprechauns, the elves and gnomes all work without a sound, He turns at Ballycotton and rests at Carrigtwohill. For Santa’s resting on his chair before it’s to leave, Oh, there’s a baby soft and warm her eyes could cast a spell, She They’ve trimmed his beard and cut his hair for this Christmas Eve. wasn’t here this time last year she’s the lovely Isabelle.
He rises slowly to his feet, this awesome man in red, He carries on to lovers walk, do sweethearts stroll there still, The fairies gather round him and make sure his reindeer’s fed. Santa smiles and shakes his head they’d never climb the hill. The He strides out to the castle gates where stands his gleaming sleigh, Christmas lights on Sliverheights so mellow and so mild, And His workers dance around it with their polish and their spray. down below, the church aglow to greet the infant child.
At last he’s ready to take off the toys are piled up high, The moon is slowly waning and soon will come the dawn The reindeer shake their antlers and they shoot up to the sky. It’s time he gave each child their toy, so he lands on Onwards Rudolph, Prancer, you know the way to go, Corrib Lawn. He steps off form his magic sleigh the reindeer And the children all around the world will hear his HO, HO, HO. jump for joy, At last they’re going to get there hay, and a chance to meet our He swoops on down to Africa the children there need care, Roy. The hunger, devastation is rampant everywhere. But every child will get their gift where ever they reside, As Santa steals from door to door and heads for Lagan Grove, The tears roll slowly down his cheeks it’s the night that Santa cried. The mighty sack upon his back is like treasure trove. The children here are very dear to Santa and his teams, He slowly turns his sleigh around a million miles to go, They study hard throughout the year so the great man fills their A million hopeful children all wait for him to show. dreams. He heads off to America, to Boston and New York, Then he sighs and sets his eyes on Mayfield Co. Cork. Now Santa walks down Shamrock Lawn, his work is nearly done, just one more toy to a curly boy and the dawn will start the fun. So farewell folks of Mayfield, Happy Christmas and New Year, For Santa’s off to sip his milk, and I, to sip a beer.
THE MAYFIELD COMMUNITY TRAINING CENTRE
The Mayfield Community Training Centre was delighted to support ex-trainee, John O’Donovan in his attempts to achieve the President’s Award. John achieved the Silver Award in November having previously earned the bronze. The President’s Award Leader at the centre, Liam O’Sullivan stated; ‘although John has now left the centre to work at the Kingsley Hotel, we are happy to continue supporting him in his efforts to obtain a Gold Award. And are confident he will do so.’ Maria Lago O’Sullivan, the Centre Manager, added ‘it is part of the policy of the centre to track and support our students after they finish their courses.
We encourage the concept of life-long learning while the young people are here, and are always delighted to see them progress. Many students have continued from the centre to the College of Commerce, Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa, St John’s and, even on occasion, UCC. John’s continuing with the President’s Award programme is a further indication of this aftercare. The President's Award is the National Challenge Award given by the President to young people in Ireland between the ages of 15 and 25 years. Recipients of the award get a medal in a presentation box, a certificate signed by the President and a lapel pin.
The purpose of the award is to reward young people who have set and achieved a demanding challenge for themselves in each of 4 different areas of activity: Community involvement, for example, helping older people or learning first aid or lifesaving Personal skill, for example, learning a musical instrument, computer skills or driving Physical recreation, for example, swimming, football or tennis Adventure journey, for example, a cycling, canoeing or hiking group trip.
To achieve the top level of award you must also participate in a residential project, for example, a residential Irish language course, a residential sports course or work John O'Donovan accepts his President's in a care home. The award, at the Mayfield Community Training Centre, is achieved Award in the presence of John Clohessy, Chairman of The Mayfield under the guidance of a President's Award Leader (PAL), and is open to all Community Training Centre, and former students. Lord Mayor, Catherine Clancy. THANKS, SARAH
FROM NEW INN NATIONAL SCHOOL
The students of New Inn N.S. have had a very busy start to the school year with walks through Vienna Woods, maths trails, cake sales, Sciath na Scol matches and swimming lessons. We are delighted to welcome the staff and students of Réiltin Beag Montessori - a new preschool based on our school grounds.
We are fortunate to have a new Chinese teacher, CiCi. Senior classes are learning about the geography, culture and language of China. The children are delighted with the commencement of drama classes given by Kelly Ann from the Catherine Mahon-Buckley School of Drama and football training with our dedicated coach, Finbar. Our students are benefiting greatly and enjoying these classes immensely.
Congratulations to Sarah Murray, a 5th class student who won a gold medal at the World Championships for kickboxing in the continuous light contact category. Sarah also received a Silver Medal, representing Ireland for Point Fighting. Sarah fought girls from England, Canada, America and Northern Ireland.
SCOIL MHUIRE BANRÍON
It’s been a very busy term in Scoil Mhuire Banríon!
Road Safety Week The week of November 10th – 14th saw the school community well turned out in high visibility jackets and armbands to raise awareness of road safety especially through these winter months. Well done to the Seatbelt Sheriffs in 2nd class who were awarded their certificates.
Back to the happiest days of your life! Children have been delighted to see their parents coming into their classrooms and working hard at Maths, Literacy, Gaeilge, Zumba and Art and Craft.
Homework Club Homework club takes place on Wednesdays and Thursdays this term.
Age Action As if that wasn’t enough parents and grannies have been helping 4th class girls to knit hats in support of the charity ‘Age Action.’
Irish authors The launch of our One Book, One Community in Mayfield Library on 17th October, was a great day for all the schools involved. Author of the book ‘The Ark of Dún Ruah,’ Maria Burke, spoke about her love of books and reading and Gary McCarthy entertained the audience with his wit, humour and rapping rapport!
Bosnia Appeal Thanks to everyone who so generously supported our food appeal for Bosnia. ‘A little goes a long way.’
Talented Youth Two students are heading to UCC to study under the Centre for Talented Youth Ireland (CTYI) scheme. Forensics and Marine Biology are the chosen subjects. Four more girls have been put forward for a place and are looking forward to making the most of a great educational opportunity.
Every day counts Excellent attendance in school was celebrated at our awards ceremony in October. Certificates, some for seven years full attendance, were presented by Mr. Tony O’Connor, Education Welfare Officer.
Educational trips The Everyman Theatre production of ‘The Little Mermaid’ was enjoyed by girls from third and sixth classes on 24th October. The Discover Science Festival was visited by Ms O’Hanlon’s 4th class on 17th November. On 10th November 6th class girls explored Science in Brookfield UCC complex. They explored the topic of forces and were treated to a range of exciting experiments from rocket launching to hovercrafts. Needless to say a great time was had by all!
Ongoing programmes
The ‘Sing’ Programme is very welcome back in our school and students from UCC continue with the ‘Suas’ reading initiative with 3rd and 4th class girls.
I would like to wish all my Customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year
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MABS CAN HELP: Provide Tips on Saving for Christmas & Special Occasions Set up a Payment System for Rent, Electricity & Gas Maximise your Income Create A Personalised Budget Plan Provide Advice on Seeking Relief from Debt
Advice Clinic - Mayfield Wednesday Morning: 10.00am-1.00pm Roseville House (lower level), Old Youghal Road, Mayfield Tel for Appointment: 0761 07 2090 Email: [email protected] Website: www.mabs.ie
NATIONAL HELPLINE: 0761 07 2000 FUNDED AND SUPPORTED BY CITIZENS INFORMATION BOARD
NO MORE PAY CUTS FOR HOME HELPS Home Help line. 087-2469079 Office No: 021-4277151
While Budget 2015 sees the Finance Minister at the annual tinkering around of taxes and welfare it will really make no difference to Home Helps employed by the Health Service executive. When we consider water tax, unless this is defeated Home Helps will be worse off in spite of any improvements brought about by changes in the U.S.C.
In an exercise to cut their budget deficit the H.S.E. has come up with a novel idea of saving money. In this year 2014 they will pay wages to Home Helps for 50 weeks instead of 52 weeks this could result in a saving of several millions at the expense of the lowest income workers throughout the health service.
Home Helps have a history of being exploited and this is well documented by the book ‘you’ll never get £3’ written by Noel Murphy of the Independent Workers Union in 2002.
The Home Help service is a model of direct primary community intervention and saves fortunes in the health budget, as neighbours display cross-generational solidarity at a fraction of the cost of care in respite or nursing homes.
The aged, and the not so well-off could enjoy the comforts and security of their own homes, knowing that daily chores which they found difficult to perform, will instead be done by their friendly Home Help.
Home Helps most of whom are women were traditionally not regarded as “real” workers and were paid a pittance by the various Health Boards for a long time. This changed with unionisation in 1997 when a group of Cork Home Helps under the Leadership of Mary Arrowsmith and Maureen Sheehan joined the AT & GWU Union based at North Main Street in the city.
A campaign for proper wages and conditions was successfully orchestrated and the fruits of the unionised Home Helps benefited all who provided service until the debt crises of 2008 struck.
The nationalisation of €64 billion worth of bank debt by the government and the subsequent takeover of the state by the EU/ECB/ IMF troika in 2010 was to change irrevocably the landscape in all areas of public spending. Home Help hours were cut but Home helps fought back to preserve their hours for themselves and their patients. A tactic deployed by IWU Home Helps was to challenge the cuts in their hours as a breach of contract.
In order to avoid the time consuming business of referring individual cases to Rights Commissioners, the Labour Court advised collaboration between the Health Service Executive and SIPTU with a view to drawing up new Home Help Contracts. The H.S.E. decided to impose these contracts on all home helps, even those who were not SIPTU members. Therefore Home Helps without a trade union and those who are members of the Independent Workers Union who are outside the cartel were bullied into signing a contract without an input.
These new contracts introduced a new concept of ‘Banking’ hours. A Home Help working 20 hours per week would be paid for 20 hours each week, even if she only worked 16 hours. However the maxim “there is no such thing as a free lunch” is true, as the ‘banked’ hours (paid for but not worked) would be retrieved.
Under the old regime, when a Home Help took holidays, her work was distributed to colleagues as overtime, sometimes at a premium rate of pay. Now this slack is taken as “banked” hours. This is causing a lot of frustration, as it was never fully explained and when the “Banked” hours are called in, it can create havoc with life/work balance. Home Helps still do most of the housework!
However the HSE has decided to take more money back from Home Helps, through a method that could be described as a swindle of not paying Home Helps 2 weeks pay in 2014.
In most jobs we are familiar with the idea of working a week in hand. A new employee is not paid for the first week of employ- ment until the 2nd week of employment, and the 2nd week is paid the 3rd week and so on.
In the case of Home Helps, two weeks in hand were worked and pay operated two weeks behind. But last July the HSE informed Home Helps that they would now work 4 weeks in hand, supposedly to make their wages easier to understand.
So, a Home Help who got paid for 52 weeks in 2013 will be paid for 50 weeks in 2014. As the extra two weeks to be worked in hand would happen in July a Home Help who is paid in a 4-week cycle would only receive 2 weeks pay in August.
In order to avoid a riot, the HSE decided to alleviate the pain of lost wages in August, by giving Home Helps a loan of some money which would amount to near enough 2 weeks pay. This money was not called a loan instead it was described as a “technical adjustment” which the Home Help would pay back in 13 monthly instalments to September 2015.
Home Helps have become unique again within the Health service. They are the only workers known to the IWU, who will be paid 50 instead of 52 weeks pay in 2014.
Who needs a budget when you get a 4% pay cut by virtue of not being paid for 2 weeks. We see this diddle by the HSE as a breach of the Payment of Wages Act. This money can and will be claimed back.
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THANKING YOU FOR YOUR CUSTOM WISHING YOU A HAPPY AND HOLY CHRISTMAS FROM ALL THE STAFF AT BEECH HILL GARDEN CENTRE
Open for the 3 Sundays in December 7th 14th 21st From 1-5 pm
NEWS FROM NOWHERE Michael 0’Donnell
Quote of the Month:
“They imprison the man who stole the Goose from the Common: but let the greater evil loose: who stole the Common from the Goose.”
The pin-striped bandits, the Banksters and their gambling friends, who plunged this Country into misery and debt are still at the helm. What is it if you can’t pay your TV licence you go to jail but if you defraud a Nation you go Scot free. There is something immoral about such a Political and Economic system. People are marching in their thousands in protest about having to pay again for water in a Country that is awash with it and should be exporting, the most natural resource of all, to countries that are in drought. But of course that would entail “Thinking” and we are sadly lacking in such people at the top. As we go to press the bonus quango in charge of Irish water have written to all the councils demanding the names and addresses of tenants. ”The Jackboot in Ireland.” But as the great poet Shelley said , “Stand up we are many, they are few.”
The Bank of Ireland, which is supposed to be in State ownership, has proudly boosted that it has repossessed’ 621 properties in the first half of this year. A polite way of saying that it has evicted 621 families from their homes. The Banks chief executive Richie Boucher is paid in excess of (800.00 euro by the Irish State to put people out in the street. Don’t we know who forced people into buying houses at least three times their construction value? The previous Fianna Fail led government: who were cheered on by Fine Gael and Labour when in opposition.
The only way this Country is going to recover from this “Capitalist Nightmare” is to repudiate the debt. It is not the peoples debt. The outrageous guarantee Given by the two Brians without consulting the Dail or the people was thought up by the European Central Bank’s President Trichet who outrageously blackmailed the Irish government into making good on its guarantee to bail out , the German banks-(42.5 billon euro, the British banks (27.5 billon euro and the French banks (12.3 billon euro by threatening to force Ireland out of the euro zone. This was a flagrant abuse of power by an unelected central banker whose primary duty ought to have been to the citizens of this country. But then Trichet had other friends in mind, “the Pin-Striped Bandits.”
But what of Cowen and his government? Was it not their duty to protect the Irish people and call Trichet’s bluff? Because that was what it was, Bluff” as the German Chancellor subsequently stated. Cowen and Co. lost the subsequent General Election and sailed off into the sunset. He is now enjoying his retirement as a Director of a Denis 0’Brien company. By the way did you know that one of 0’Brien’s companies is now installing the water meters. I doubt if you’ll hear that on the Six 0’Clock news.
There is another secret development a foot which I call “Clandestine Imperialism”: not the gunboat diplomacy of old. Almost no one has heard of the ”Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership” (TTIP) This outfit if allowed to function will prevent parliaments on both sides of the ocean of the ability to legislate on behalf of their people. These secret negotiations between the US and the EU if enforced would grant corporations special powers to sue governments. The central problem is what the negotiators call, “Investor- State Dispute Settlement” (ISDS) This would allow corporations to sue governments before an arbitration panel composed of corporate lawyers, at which other people have no representation, and which is not subject to judicial review.
Already, thanks to the insertion of ISDS into much smaller trade treaties, big business is engaged in an orgy of litigation, whose purpose is to strike down any law that might impinge on its anticipated future profits. The tobacco firm Philip Morris is suing governments in Uruguay and Australia for trying to discourage people from smoking. The oil firm Occidental was awarded $2.3bn in compensation from Ecuador, which terminated the company’s drilling concessions in the Amazon after finding that Occidental had broken Ecuadorean law. An Australian firm is suing El Salvador’s government for $300m for refusing permission for a goldmine over concerns it would poison the drinking water. NUACHT GAELSCOIL AN GHOIRT ÁLAINN Fáilte mhór roimh Greg Johnson Space Shuttle Astronaut Greg Johnson receives a great welcome.
The pupils of Gaelscoil an Ghoirt Álainn were extremely busy as part of national Science Week / Seachtain Eolaíochta 2014. A trip to city hall to sample their many activities was arranged for 150 of our students from 2nd to 6th class.
Science experiments were commonplace in all classrooms. A mobile planetarium from Blackrock Castle Observatory, which discussed whether aliens might exist in space, came to our school. Astronaut Greg Johnson meets the pupils of Gaelscoil an Ghoirt Álainn. Although all of these were brilliant the highlight of the week must have been the visit of Astronaut, Greg Johnson. Johnson piloted two space shuttles on behalf of NASA, including the final flight of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Greg mesmerised both staff and students alike with his tales of flying into space and what it was that inspired him to do such interesting work. The children had many fascinating questions for him – “is it hard to drink water when there is no gravity?”
Lá iontach a bhí ann. Buíochas dóibh siúd ar fad a chabhraigh linn. Greg Johnson ag caint le páistí ó Naíonáin bheaga agus ó Rang 1.
Gaelscoil an Ghoirt Álainn celebrates Diwali!
Bíonn ceiliúradh speisialta i nGaelscoil “ilchreidmheach” an Ghoirt Álainn gach bliain. Every year our multi- denominational primary school celebrates a particular festival as a whole school. This year the pupils of Gaelscoil an Ghoirt Álainn celebrated Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Light as their annual festival. As an Educate Together school we celebrate a variety of festivals from various religions in different classrooms. This year our chosen festival was that of Diwali (The festival of light), where the children learned Hindu songs, performed Celebrating Diwali – the Hindu festival of lights. dramas and created beautiful art work.
Dátaí don Dialann / Dates for your diary; Dé hAoine 5/12/14. Margadh Geimhridh - Our annual Christmas Market will take place in the school Hall / Brian Dillons on Friday 5th December. Amhránaíocht i UCC - Children from 5th & 6th classes in Gaelscoil an Ghoirt Álainn will sing Christmas Carols mainly in Italian, although with some Irish and English songs too, in The Honan Chapel UCC (date not yet confirmed).
Tá siúl agam go mbíonn Nollaig iontach agaibh ar fad agus athbhliain faoi shéan agus faoi mhaise daoibh go léir!
St Patrick’s College Cork Gardiner’s Hill, Cork. Tel: 021-4503055 www.stpatrickscork.org / [email protected]
“Committed to Excellence”
ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE NEWS 10TH NOVEMBER, 2014
Brian Cronin appointed as new Principal in St Patrick’s College Brian Cronin was recently appointed the new Principal of St Patrick’s College having taken over from John Ring. Mr Cronin worked as a teacher in Colaiste Pobail Bheanntrai and as Deputy Principal in De la Salle Skibbereen before taking up his post in St Patrick’s. He has a B.A., H.Dip in Ed and a Post-Graduate Diploma in ICT. Commenting on his new position, Mr Cronin said “It’s a privilege to be part of the St Patrick’s College school community and I look forward to working with and getting to know the people of this part of Cork.”
St Patrick’s Girls involved in County Final Triumph Four girls from St Patrick’s College were involved in the Brian Dillons minor Camogie team that triumphed over Carrigaline in a thrilling Minor Camogie County Final played in Blackrock on 2nd November. The team captain Emma Sharpe as well as Emma Carroll, Rachel Carroll and Niamh O’Leary are all members of the winning team and are students of St Patrick’s College. All in St Patrick’s are very proud of the hard work the girls have put in over the season and are delighted that they have received their just rewards.
St Patrick’s College Open Night St Patrick’s College held its annual open night for incoming first years on 30th September. The night was very successful with speeches from Head Girl Mary Quill and Leaving Cert student Linda Pentony being widely praised by many of the parents present. For more information on applications to St Patrick’s visit the website www.stpatrickscork.org/parents or call the school on 4503055.
TY in St Patrick’s College TY students have been extremely busy in St Patrick’s since the beginning of the year. TYs began the year with a two day camping trip to the West Cork Secret in Kilbrittain organised by the TY coordinator Ms McCarthy. As well as taking their academic subjects, TYs are also undertaking the ECDL computer course as St Patrick’s College is a designated training and testing centre for this course. The girls have also been involved in numerous fund raisers, including the Cork Mini-Marathon for Marymount Hospice, a pop up Coffee Shop for the Aisling Centre in Mayfield and fundraising for the Irish Dogs for the Disabled. TYs are also involved in the Build a Bank Challenge with AIB and the Schools-Business Partnership with Marks & Spencer. On top of all this, they are taking part in the AXA road safety workshop and the Youth Health Symposium this November.
Couch to 5K 15 girls took part in an athletics programme run by teacher of St Patricks known as couch to 5k. The aim is to get girls out jogging with the target distance being 5 kilometres. Thanks to the fine weather this autumn and the enthusiasm of the girls, the group easily reached their target distance and really impressed their teachers Mr Murphy, Ms Gillen and Ms Troy.
Friends and Parents Association of St Patrick’s College The St Patrick’s College Parents Association met in October and agreed that as well as parents, membership should be open to past pupils of St Patrick’s as there are many who would like to maintain a connection with their old school. If you are a parent or past pupil and would like to get involved in the Friends and Parents of St Patrick’s College, come along to the next meeting on Tuesday 18th November at 7pm. Your views on how to promote and improve the school are always welcome.
Trip to the Dingle Gaeltacht 20 girls from 4th, 5th and 6th year of St Patrick’s College went on a three day trip to the West Kerry Gaeltacht recently. The girls got a chance to practice their spoken Irish, had Irish classes, took in the sights of West Kerry and had a Ceili dancing session. The girls were accompanied by their teachers Ms Kelleher and Ms Troy.
OUR LADY CROWNED CHURCH, MAYFIELD
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES, 2014
Christmas Masses Confessions
Wednesday 24th December - Christmas Eve: Saturday, December 20th: 10.00am Mass at 6.00pm - Vigil Mass at 9.00pm th: Wednesday, December 24 Thursday 25th December - Christmas Day: 12noon – 1.00pm; 3.00pm – 4.00pm Mass at 9.30am and 12noon Reconciliation Service th th Friday 26 December & Saturday, 27 December: Morning Mass at 11.00am Monday 15th December: 9.30am
ST JOSEPH’S CHURCH, MAYFIELD
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES, 2014
CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF CHRIST
Wednesday, 24th December (Christmas Eve): 6.00pm and 9.00pm Thursday, 25th December (Christmas Day): 11.00am
CONFESSIONS ADORATION CHAPEL – CHRISTMAS / NEW YEAR: Every Saturday after 10.15am Mass Closed Wednesday, 24th December (Christmas Eve) all day. th Saturday, 20 December: 5.00 – 5.45pm Reopens Wednesday, January 7th with usual opening hours.
THANKS AND SEASON’S GREETINGS As we reflect on the past year, we have much to be grateful for. We have been blessed in many ways, both individually and as a parish. Thanks be to God for another Christmas, for the gift of his Son and the promise of eternal life.
We take this opportunity to thank each one of you for your ongoing support and goodwill over the past year. May you enjoy a very happy and joyful Christmas and may the New Year bring you peace and happiness.
REV. MYLES MCSWEENEY, FR. MICHAEL KIDNEY SMA.
A big THANK YOU to the Sacristans, Eddie and Olan and their assistants, Niall and Donal, Ann McCarthy and the Altar servers, Collectors, Parish Choir, Marian Singers, Parish Council and Finance Committee and all involved in Ministry (Word, Eucharist, Adoration). Thanks also to the Altar Society and all who decorated the church for Christmas, to the people of the Parish for your support, cooperation and generosity.
SOME EMERGENCY / USEFUL NUMBERS
GROW Information Hotline: 1890 303 302 Console: 1800 201890 AWARE: 1890 303 302 Parish Mobile (Our Lady Crowned): 086 230 8622 Samaritans: 1850 609 090 City Hall: 021 4966222 Mercy Urgent Care Centre: 021 4926900 Martin / Community Warden: 086 7968946 Doctors: Southdoc: 1850 335999 Mná Feasa Helpline : 021 4211757 Community Garda: 021 4558510 Women’s Aid: 1800 341900 Bord Gáis: 1850 205050 Shine a Light: 021 4300135 Cuanlee Women’s Refuge: 021 4277698
EOIN MARSHALL ACUPUNCTURE Airedale, Ballyhooly Road, Cork
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MAYFIELD MATTERS - YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER Deadline for inclusion of stories, news All information printed in this issue is understood to be true and accurate or advertising in the next issue is: at the time of printing. The views expressed herein are not those of 19 JANUARY, 2015 Mayfield Matters or Mayfield CDP. We do not accept responsibility for information found to be untrue, but we do accept responsibility for any and Email items to: [email protected] all grammatical and typing errors. For further information call 021 450 8562