Sneem Community Notice Board Issue 226 11th February 2021 Monthly FREE Escape from Lockdown The global pandemic has disrupted all our lives, but it has also given us a greater appreciation of how lucky we are to be living in such a beautiful place. We can all go for scenic walks within our 5K and many of us have taken up sea swimming (ice swimming even!) to provide a healthy boost for the body and the soul. See pages 12 - 14. Photo by Ger Deasy Sneem Tavern Daily and Sunday Newspapers, Shop, Bar, Off-licence and Post Office Open 9am Daily, 11am Sundays Next Issue due out 11th March Community News Congratulations to Lily Christian who celebrated her 94th Birthday recently - it was a birthday with a difference. The picture right was taken with her adorable great -grandchildren in 2019, sadly missing from the picture is her great - grandson Flynn Breen In Perth. Lily is look- ing forward to a big family celebration when the pandemic is over. Sneem Resource Centre Christmas Hamper Winners 1st prize: Marian O’Sullivan, Dirrah 2nd prize: Aisling O’Sullivan, North Square (pictured with her Dad, Peter) 3rd prize: Eileen O’Leary, Caherdaniel 4th prize: Catriona Casey, Bohocogram Thank you again to Val Murphy, Hallissey’s (Kenmare) and the Sneem businesses who gave so generously as usual. February Birthdays Mark O’Sullivan on 2nd; Deborah Callis and Finlay Kinnaird (14) on 3rd; James O’Leary and Ruairí Burns on 6th; Olga Tochowicz (10), Grace Riney and Gerrit Noordkamp on 8th; Nora Murphy and Daniel O’Sullivan (13) on 9th; Gerry O’Dono- van, Huw Edwards and Kevin Looney on 10th; Angelika Scheibein and Robert O’Donovan (13), Ester Noordkamp on 11th; Tara Murphy on 12th; Máiréad O’Dwyer (16) and Anita O’Sullivan on 14th; Leona Rigter (14) and Val Murphy on 15th; Niamh Galvin (8) on 20th; Kerstin Hartmann on 21st ; Caroline Clifford on 25th; John O’Neill and Eoin Casey (13) and Odhran O’Connor (1) on 27th; Jim Clifford and John Riney on 29th. March Birthdays Bríd Larkin and Rosaleen O’Connor on 4th; Sierra Adams (12), Michael O’Reardon and Jessica and Fionán Galvin Foley (12) on 5th; Mike O’Connor on 7th; John Pat- rick O’Sullivan on 8th; Nakita Rigter on 9th; Kerry Adams and Michael Murphy Snr on 10th; Denis O’Brien on 11th. Special Birthdays Eoin O’Dwyer (18) on 10th March; Maura O’Brien (50) on 11th March Page 2 Community News Congratulations to Tony and Louise Drummond Killarney Road and Manchester on the birth of their baby boy Ollie and to proud grandparents Val and Gretta Drummond. Congratulations to Kieran and Jessica Casey on the birth of a baby boy, Connor, and to proud grandparents Jimmy and Mary Casey, Karen Steele and Tom Cody. Deepest Sympathies to the family and friends of Gerald O'Neill who passed away on December 27th 2020 in Dublin, formerly of Letter. Gerald is survived by his brother Patrick (Letter), sisters Mary (Dublin), Nora (Sneem) and Sheila (Birmingham). Deepest Sympathies to the family of Eamonn McKeon (former President of Parknasilla Golf Club) on his recent passing. Deepest Sympathies to Áine Murphy (Principal, Sneem NS) and family on the recent passing of her mother Maura. Deepest Sympathies to the family and friends of Maura Hussey (nee Nash), Sportsfield Road on her recent passing. Deepest Sympathies to the family of Michael O'Sullivan, (Tade), Sydenham London and formerly of Dirrah East, Sneem who passed away recently in London. Deepest Sympathies to Alan Davies and family, Quay Road on the recent passing of Alan’s father, John in the UK. Deepest Sympathies to the family and friends of George Kingston who passed away recently. George was the Chairperson of Sneem Beekeeping Association, and is greatly missed. Deepest Sympathies to the family of Paddy O'Connor, Birmingham and late of Rossdohan, Tahilla. Deepest Sympathies to the family of Teresa Gilbert (nee McSweeney) London and Old Road, Sneem . Deepest Sympathies to the family of John Denis O’Shea, Rossdohan who passed away recently. Deepest Sympathies to the family of Mary McCarthy, London, formerly of Gleesk who passed away recently. Page 3 St. Michael’s and St .Patrick’s Church News Greetings everyone, Christmas is passed and we now enter the season of Spring. Hope you are keeping well and in reasonable good form despite the dev- astation caused by the Corona Pandemic and all the worries attached to it. At present we have no Mass in our Churches but it can be shared online. It’s great to know that many are availing of this facility which hopefully will bring much solace, hope and comfort in these strange times. Both Churches are open every day. We left the Crib in place so you can visit — light a candle – say a prayer. Many thanks to those who open and close the Church everyday. We have had some funerals, namely John Denis O’Shea, Rossdohan and Maura Hussey, Sportsfield Road, and we extend our sympathies to both families. We remember those who are sick and wish all a complete recovery. Thankfully Dea- con Jean Yves is well again. The Parish Office is closed to the public at present but feel free to ring to arrange Masses, or collect a Mass card. These times are not easy for all generations but let’s continue to follow the guide- lines. Look after ourselves and look out for each other. As we have no schools open at present we have no dates set for First Holy Communion and Confirma- tion. It is hoped to have both ceremonies shortly after schools reopen. In the meantime , take Care , stay well, stay safe and stay in touch. Fr. Liam. Virtual Santa Despite the restrictions, Sneem children did not miss out on talking to Santa Claus and telling him what they would like for Christmas. Santa was online before Christmas with St. Michael’s National School and local families. Well done and thanks to his “technical Elves” Dave Durant and Sheena O’Sullivan. Page 4 Community News Ear to the Ground Congratulations to our local butchers, Kieran Burns and Peter O’Sullivan who appeared on a segment about Sneem Black Pudding on RTE1’s Ear to the Ground on 21st January. They showed how this unique product was awarded Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) status from the EU - A first for Kerry! If you missed it, you can still watch the programme on the RTE Player, it’s Episode 12, 15:48 minutes in (https://www.rte.ie/player/series/ear -to -the -ground/ SI0000000488?epguid=IP000066544). Sum of money A sum of money was found in South Square on Saturday 21st. January and has yet to be claimed. Please contact Margaret at Christians Mace Food Store. (phone 064 6645116). It is wonderful to think during these challenging times that there are very honest teenagers in our village - James and Sam O'Sullivan who handed it in. It is acts of honesty and civic duty like this that replenishes faith in the good - hearted nature of the youth in our community. Community Alert If people in Sneem or Castlecove want alarms, please contact Eugene McGuin- ness on 087 2220583 or Sheila Galvin on 087 6962805. Online Pilates Classes Holly from Kenmare Clinic Pilates will be continuing her online Pilates classes via Zoom. She’s passionate in providing you with these classes to help you keep moving, motivated and feeling well, physically as well as mentally during these challenging times! For the next month she’s offering one class a week for €12 or 3 classes a week for €20, when you buy the 3 classes a week you have the op- tion to join her Facebook group where you can follow the classes anytime at your own leisure. She’s also aware that for some finance has also become an issue and so she would like to offer a pay what you like option to make these classes available to everyone. Class times starting Tuesday 9th at 6.pm, Thursdays at 6.30pm and Wednesday at 9.30am. For more information or to book please con- tact Holly via email, call 087 2823 674 or through Facebook Kenmare Clinic Sport Injury and Rehabilitation. Progress on tennis practice wall Pictured right is the new base at the tennis court. Michael Joe Burns has the steel frames made for the wall structure and is getting them gal- vanised for weather resistance. The next step will be to apply the wall surface. It's great to see this project coming to life......with funding from the Com- munity Support Fund. Page 5 Tahilla CNS Christmas Jumper Day Christmas Jumper Day took place on Friday the 11 th of December. Our chosen charity for the event was Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. Ireland has the highest incidence of Cystic Fibrosis in the world. As people with the disease are particularly vulnerable to Covid 19, we thought it was important to help them in any that we could. We raised €150 for the charity. Thank you to everyone who donated. Chamber Music on Valentia On Tuesday the 15 th of December we had an exciting virtual visit to our school from Darragh Morgan and Mary Dullea of ‘Chamber Music on Valentia’. Darragh and Mary are two professional musicians. Darragh plays the violin and Mary plays the grand Piano. Every summer they play at Valentia Chamber Music Fes- tival on Valentia Island. Normally they would visit the school in person but this year we connected with them via Zoom.