corribnews print summer 2014

Corrib News Summer Issue 2014

€3.50

Interview with Galway Ladies GAA Captain Sinéad Burke

Bronze Age Log Boat Found in Lough Corrib

Brigit's Garden Celebrating 10 Years

& Oughterard

Newsletter

• Connecting Communities Around Lough Corrib •

Summer Edition 2014


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Contact us on:

[email protected]

www.facebook.com/corribnews

www.corribnews.webs.com

Inside this issue:

July

14th to 27th July—Galway Arts

Festival

15th July, Meadhbh Campbell and her teammates will travel to Romania to compete in the Division B European

Basketball Championships

18th July—Start of the Mongol

Rally in Eyre Square

25th to 7th July—Féile an Mháma takes place this year between Friday 25th and Sun

the 27th of July.

31st July—Ladies Day at the Boat Inn from 2pm in aid of

Galway Hospice

August

9th Aug—Moonlight Walk. Registration 8:30pm Keoghs.

Walk starts at 10pm.

Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st -

The Oughterard Show

September

Back to School!

Sat 20th—Corrribdale Duathlon

The Corrib News is published by a group of volunteers as a service to the community. It is an open access

publication and will generally carry any material submitted to it as long as it is not potentially libellous or

scandalous. The views and opinions expressed in the articles are not necessarily those of the Editorial

Committee. In case of error of fact we will publish corrections once we become aware of them.

THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS THE 9th OF SEPTEMBER

Editorial 3

Interview with Sinéad Burke, Captain Galway Ladies 4

Bronze Age Log Boat found in Lough Corrib 6

Oughterard’s Meadhbh Plays for Ireland 8

Morale-Minding: a Programme 10

Separation Anxiety 12

Kilcummin Parish Church News 13

Poetry Corner 14

Wildflowers in the Summer Garden 16

Memories of Marts & Fairs in Oughterard 18

Broadcasting Icon Officially Opens New School 19

Classifieds & Adverts 20

Brigit’s Garden Celebrating 10 years 22

Maam Women's Group Celebrating 20 years 24

Creating a Genealogical Resource for Oughterard 25

A History of Hurling in Oughterard 26

Moving to Big School 27

Féile an Mháma 28

Courthouse Update 29

Corribdale Park Update 30

Let’s Get Cooking 31

Corrib Gym 32

Local Clubs Round-Up 33

The Last Word 40


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Editorial Fáilte go dtí Corrib News an dara eagrán! – Welcome to the second printed edition of Corrib News!

Summer has arrived at last. Oughterard’s streetscape is even blossoming with the renovation of

various premises, the opening of new businesses, not to mention the colourful planters and the

beautiful hanging baskets along the bridge!

This issue will whet your appetite to visit or participate in the many excellent facilities in the area

and get all the lowdown on recent club news and events.

This edition offers our readers a wide variety of articles including:

2nd Class in Scoil Chuimín & Caitríona interview Sinéad Burke, Captain of the Galway

Ladies Gaelic Football team.

An interview with Meadhbh Campbell, an Oughterard Teen who plays basketball for

Ireland.

Matt Molloy recalls the marts and fairs in Oughterard from times gone by, and also

contributes a wonderful poem, "Take Time Alone", something that everyone should try!

We hope you enjoy the other gems in the Poetry Corner. Thanks to everyone who

contributed.

Read all about the “Bronze Age Log Boats” found in Lough Corrib in Deirdre Forde’s

article on the amazing discoveries made by mariner and marine cartographer Trevor

Northage. Trevor’s mappings of the Corrib led to the discovery of the “Annaghkeen Boat”

and the “Carrowmoreknock Boat”. These significant finds have made Lough Corrib one of

the major marine archaeological sites in Europe! This article brings to mind the Viking

Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark which displays five original Viking ships from the first

millennium excavated from the bottom of Roskilde Fjord. Food for thought? Perhaps we

too could have a Corrib Museum in the newly-restored courthouse?

The shores of Lough Corrib boast another jewel; Brigit’s Garden in Roscahill. We are

fortunate to have such a treasure on our doorstep. 2014 marks the 10th anniversary of

Ireland's award-winning Celtic Gardens and Visitor Centre. Read all about how Jenny

Beale started and developed Brigit’s Garden and her plans for the future.

Mar fhocail scoir, tá súil agam go mbeidh Samhradh grianmhar, gleoite agaibh go léir -

bainigí taitneamh as! Happy reading all and have a safe, enjoyable Summer!

Slán go fóill!

Cepta Stephens on behalf of the Corrib News Team.

Cover Photo:

“Corrib Reflections”,

by Mick Bourke, Clonbur


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An Interview with Sinéad Burke

On Monday 9th

June the boys and girls of 2

nd class in

Scoil Chuimín & Caitríona interviewed their new student teacher Ms. Sinéad

Burke. Sinéad is the captain of the Galway la-dies GAA team who won the Division 2 final defeating Westmeath by an impressive 3-10 to 0-9. The children asked so many great questions we couldn’t fit them all in, but here is a selection along with the answers from múinteoir Sinéad . Thanks to the school and especially múinteoirs Áine and Sinéad for facilitating the interview.

Q: When did you first start playing Gaelic

football?

I started playing when I was aged 7 in first class. I

played U8 with the boys here in Oughterard and

when I got older I went to Killannin to play with the

girls there. I have been playing there ever since

and I’m still really enjoying it.

Q: What do you like best about Gaelic?

I love going training, especially in these summer

evenings when it is bright, it is a good way to

keep fit – it’s good fun with all the girls. I have

made a lot of friends playing Gaelic. I also love it

when we’re winning matches, I think that’s the

best feeling; when you’re winning everyone is

happy. But I think the most important thing when

you do play sport is to go out and enjoy the

training and enjoy the matches. Once you enjoy

what you’re doing it is easier to commit to all the

training.

Q: How did you become the captain of the

Galway team?

Well, I’ve been playing with Galway since I was a

leaving cert in school, so about 7 years and this is

my second year as the captain. The manager and

the management team select the girl to fill the role

and I must have been the best-behaved girl last

year and they decided to pick me!

Q: What is it like to be the captain?

I like being the captain of the Galway ladies team

because there is a lot of responsibility. If a girl is

worried or wants advice on something she’ll come

to me to talk about it. Or if the manager wants to

tell the girls something he’ll come to me and let

me tell the girls. But, I enjoy being the captain; it

is a leadership role, I get to guide the girls, it’s

good , I enjoy it.

Q: What were your hobbies before you started

playing Gaelic?

I really loved playing basketball as well and I

played the two together for years but as I got

older it got harder to keep the two going as there

were lots of nights when I was training every night

so I couldn’t keep that going, so I picked Gaelic

instead. I also loved reading and shopping of

course—if we can call that a hobby!.

Q: What was the hardest team you ever played

against?

Cork would be the hardest team, as they have

won All-Irelands for the past 8 years and no-one

has been able to beat them, so I definitely think

Cork are the team to beat. Hopefully this year will

be the year we beat them, but they are definitely

the hardest opposition that we’ve met so far.

Q: What did it feel like to win a cup?

Oh, it was a very proud moment to lift it on behalf

of the girls, but also the management team, the

people of Galway and all the people that were

supporting us. I was very proud and I was happy

just to lift it on behalf of all those people.

Q: How often do you train?

We’ve stepped up the training now as we’ve only

5 weeks to the Connacht final – so we’re training

on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights and

Sunday morning. So it is hectic enough, a few

weeks ago we were only training Wed, Friday and

Sunday but now we’ve added a few stretches in

the gym on a Monday and we train on the pitch

the other days. Hectic enough, but we all enjoy it.

Q: What do you wear when you play Gaelic?

Very important question! I wear a maroon and

white jersey, white shorts and maroon socks – no

diamonds on match day and no high heels – foot-

ball boots only!

Q: What colour are your boots?

I’m a bit plain, I’m not very flashy when it comes

to the boots – mine are just black and white, but

maybe next year if we’re winning I’ll go for a

brighter pair maybe.


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An Interview with Sinéad Burke

Q: What was the most nerve-wracking game

you played?

Last year we played in the All-Ireland semi-final

against Monaghan and we were only a point

down. Unfortunately Monaghan scored 2 points

and we lost the game so that was really nerve-

wracking, so maybe the nerves got the better of

us and we lost it on the day.

Q: What was the best match you won?

I would have to say the Connacht final 2 years

ago – we were ten points down with only 9

minutes to go and everyone was saying, ”There is

no way Galway will win the game now”. But we

came back to win the game by one point with only

9 minutes left! We were over the moon when the

whistle blew. We worked really hard in the last

few minutes and won by the point – so it was a

really exciting game to watch and everyone was

so happy when we won.

Q: Why do you like GAA better than soccer?

Well, I only tried to play soccer once when I was

in secondary school and I was so used to playing

Gaelic I forgot you can’t catch the ball. I kept foul-

ing and kept having to think of the rules. I couldn’t

mix the two so I preferred Gaelic. My family were

very involved in the Gaelic too so I suppose I had

an interest from an early age from that too. I loved

to watch the Oughterard lads playing when I was

only tiny – so I guess that is where my love for

GAA started.

Q: What is your favourite team?

The Cork ladies team are so powerful they have

won 8 out of the last 9 finals and I think you have

to admire them and look up to them and appreci-

ate all the hard work they have put in. So I think

Cork would be the team that we’d most look up to.

Q: What is it like to be shouted at by a huge

audience?

Some people hear the crowd when they’re

playing, but I don’t really hear the crowd as I’m

very focussed on the game and I zone out and

just focus on the girls playing on the pitch. But

sometimes when there is a big crowd it does spur

you on, and especially when we have home

matches in Galway it does help out.

Q: Who was the first friend you made during

Gaelic:

When I was first playing in Killanin I met Niamh

Fahy. She is now over in England playing soccer

for Arsenal Football Club. We used to travel to

training together.

Q: What is next for your football future?

Well, we’ve just won the Division 2 league, and in

5 weeks’ time we are playing Mayo in the Con-

nacht Final. It will be our third year in a row to win

the cup if we beat Mayo so we’re really hoping we

can do that and then hopefully go on in

September to Croke Park and win the All-Ireland

– that’s our hopes for this year anyway.

Interview by our very special reporters:

Daragh Casey, Shannon Clifford, Paraic

Faherty, Orlaith Geoghegan, Rachel Gibbons,

Oisin Grimes, Joe Grimes, Ellie Healy, Lindsey

Higgins, Amy Keleghan, Alex Kelly, Eoghan

Kelly, Sean Kerr, Ture Kleefeld, Christopher

Langan, James Lowry, Tom McCormack, Niall

McDonnell, Roise McGauley, Anna McHugo,

Orlaith McNamara, Zoe Bella McVey, Kathryn

O’Connor, Nicholas O’Connor, Ethan

O’Halloran Bell, Joy O’ Sullivan, Kyla

Sweeney, Niamh Tierney, Amelia Turner and

Ella Walsh.

Congratulations to Sinéad and all the Galway

Ladies on their victory and the very best of

luck to them in the Connacht final

Rang 2 holding the cup with múinteoir Áine and

Sinéad Burke, Captain of the Galway Ladies Team


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I had heard of Trevor Northage a few years ago

when he first started working on producing a

bathymetry chart of Lough Corrib. More recently

he was in the news when the National Museum

made public some of the interesting finds he has

come across while surveying the lake.

I recently caught up with him when he came to

Oughterard to fish during the Mayfly festival. I

seized my opportunity to discover more about him

and his work over a cup of tea. I asked Trevor

how he got involved in cartography and in

particular charting the depths of Lough Corrib. He

explained that he has always been interested in

fishing, and in fact it was this passion that set him

off on the road of discovery he is now on.

“I was out fishing one day, and I destroyed the

Burlesque’s propeller on an unmarked shallow.

This persuaded me it was time someone

produced an up-to-date chart of the lake that

would run on modern navigation equipment and

would improve safety on the lake.” At that time

everyone had to rely on the old 1846 Admiralty

Chart of Lough Corrib or local knowledge to find

their way through shallows.

Of course it did help that Trevor is a mariner, a

ship’s captain who has expertise in charting

waters, and so he set about this enormous task.

He uses a technique called sidescan sonar and

video, which enables him to record the topogra-

phy of the lake very accurately. Trevor explained

that while he was doing this work he began to

discern obvious manmade shapes on the bed of

the lake.

Six years ago he made his first find, which was

identified as the wreck of a Victorian yacht. Since

then Trevor has made many more discoveries,

some dating back 4500 years. The discovery of a

boat near Annaghkeen, Headford and now

officially called “The Annaghkeen Boat” is

particularly important to Trevor. “It was a chance

discovery. I had been working on taking depth

readings and had decided to move on. Something

dropped to the deck, and I had to stop and drift for

a minute. I glanced at the sonar screen and saw

this amazing shape. Instantly, I knew it was im-

portant.”

The 4,500-year-old Annaghkeen Boat, dates from

the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age. It is 40 foot

long and beautifully carved. It is the oldest and

longest vessel yet discovered in the lake.

When the Underwater Archaeology Unit (UAU) of

the National Monuments Service dived the boat

and investigated it in detail, they noticed burn

marks inside the hull and in fact, when they

rubbed their hands along the inside of the hull,

some carbon came off.

The vessel was almost perfectly preserved. The

preservation qualities of the fine silt on the bottom

of the lake have proved to be remarkable. The

inside of the boat was incredibly smooth with a

raised cruciform carving running its entire length.

Bronze Age Log Boat found in Lough Corrib

The 4,500 –year-old , 40 foot long, Annaghkeen

Logboat, pictured above, was discovered by

Trevor Northage . You can clearly see the raised

cruciform carving running the length of the boat.


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The raised carving divides the boat into a number

of sections – perhaps demarcating spaces for the

crew, or for storage. The logboat’s impressive

size suggests it was a special boat with a purpose

other than that of a fishing boat or cargo vessel.

The size of this vessel would have required a

large crew of perhaps 10-12 to paddle it

effectively, we can only hope they swam to safety!

Trevor is primarily interested in the lives of the

people who built and used this boat. He ponders

on the events the Annaghkeen Boat has

witnessed sitting quietly on the bed of this lake.

The Underwater Archaeology Unit is responsible

for all heritage sites in Irish waters. The UAU has

been compiling an inventory of the amazing

underwater discoveries on Lough Corrib. A dive

team, headed by Karl Brady, was sent to

investigate the logboats, as well as around 20

other anomalies picked up during the mapping

project.

Other finds include “The Carrowmoreknock Boat”,

which was discovered last year. It is now famous

for the Viking axes found within it which are

currently on display at the National Museum.

It is a Viking era boat, beautifully constructed, and

so remarkably preserved that the UAU divers who

first assessed it initially thought it was a modern

vessel. It was built for speed, perhaps as an

attack boat. Also found within the boat were a

work-axe and spearheads. The raiders in this

boat obviously were not just dropping in for a cup

of tea! They came prepared.

A cautionary note should be made at this point;

not just any one can do this work. Trevor locates

these vessels, but it is the responsibility of the

experts in the Underwater Archaeology Unit and

the National Museum of Ireland to decide to

investigate further. Nobody should attempt to

undertake any such work without the necessary

permissions. Lough Corrib is now considered to

be one of the major marine archaeological sites in

Europe.

The Rinnaknock boat, below, is the only one of

the Lough Corrib boats that has been raised to

the surface so far. It was raised because it was

submerged in shallow water which made it more

vulnerable to damage. It is yet to be dated but,

due to its shorter length it is thought to be

younger than

the other log-

boats. The logic

being that the

larger oak trees

had been

depleted by the

time this logboat was made. Thankfully, it has

since been resubmerged in a safer position.

Trevor has to be greatly admired. It is clear he

has a fantastic interest and passion for what he

does. One thing that struck me is that speaking to

Trevor makes you dip into the past and to wonder

what life must have been like many thousands of

years ago. We have a very rich history here on

the shores of Lough Corrib, and perhaps we

should think about creating a centre to showcase

it. Any ideas? Anyone know of a significant

building that is about to be restored?

Article by: Deirdre Forde

Photographs Courtesy of the Underwater

Archaeology Unit, National Monuments

Service .

Bronze Age Log Boat found in Lough Corrib

The Carrowmoreknock boat, above, is probably one

of the best-preserved logboats ever found in Britain

and Ireland. Inset, the Carrowmoreknock battleaxes.


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On 15 July, Oughterard teen, Meadhbh

Campbell, will compete in the Division B

European Basketball Championships as

part of the Under 18 Junior Women’s

National Team. We caught up with eighteen

year old Meadhbh, who is a Leaving Cert

student in St Paul’s Secondary School,

Oughterard, to ask her some questions

about her achievement.

When did you first start to play Basketball?

I first started playing basketball when I was in

first year, so six years ago. One of our school

teachers was involved in the local Corrib club,

so I decided to start with a few of my friends

that year.

How did you feel when you were picked to

represent Ireland?

Shock was one of the strongest emotions,

apart from that just total ecstasy! Obviously

there's an awful lot of pride involved in realising

that you'll be representing your country but that

doesn't really sink in for a while.

When I was chosen for the U18 team this

January, I remember I was sitting in

McDonald's with a few of my NUIG Mystic

teammates when my Mom rang me to tell me

the news. We had just come back from Dublin

after losing badly, so morale was kind of low.

Needless to say, Mom's call changed all that!

Getting on this U18 team has been the dream

for two years now so realising all my work had

paid off was pretty great! It was great to share

that moment with some of my team-mates too

since they've been through similar processes.

You’re also a Leaving Cert student in St.

Paul’s Secondary School. How do you

juggle school and sports?

Playing so much sport in Leaving Cert is

difficult but definitely worth it! It's an outlet from

school and the stress of exams. Even with all

the time I've lost due to training, etc. I honestly

think it will have little or no impact on my final

results. I believe that if you want to play basket-

ball and you want to get an A, you'll find the

time even if it means making many sacrifices. It

gets pretty intense at times but Leaving Cert

always is. It's impossible to study all day

anyways so having an outlet is a necessity in

my opinion and for me its basketball.

Is it difficult being the only team member

form the West of Ireland? Is there a lot of

travel involved?

Sure it's difficult being the only girl from the

West. Travel is a burden as trainings are

always in either Cork or Dublin which involves

buses at half six or seven in the morning which

is never nice. There's a lot of pride though too

getting to represent Galway on the team.

Was there a lot of support from the local

community?

Of course the community were fantastic;

particularly my local club Corrib and the

National League, Division 1 team NUIG

Mystics. Basketball wouldn't be the most

popular sport here in Oughterard or in Galway,

but everybody has always been very good to

me, particularly this year since we have to do a

Oughterard’s Meadhbh Plays for Ireland


9

lot of fundraising which I'm extremely grateful

for.

What’s next for you?

Next for me is university in Cork, a decision

which had a lot to do with basketball. I have

plans to join a local team there as well as

playing for the College. Cork is really the centre

of Irish basketball so for me it didn't make

sense to go anywhere else.

And long-term? Will you seek a career in

sport or what are your plans for the future?

In the long-term I have no definite plans. There

are opportunities to play semi-professionally/

professionally in Europe or of course a

scholarship to colleges in America. I haven't

really looked into either as basketball has

always just been a hobby for me. I definitely

want to get my degree in Ireland first and we'll

see about travelling after that! Hopefully while

studying I'll progress onto a Premier League

(highest league in Ireland) team in Cork as

well.

Any advice for the young hopefuls out

there?

I would advise to just work hard at every

training opportunity you get and make sure to

do everything with a purpose! If you have a

good attitude and you're open to working hard

every single day you will get to where you want

to be!

Corrib News would like to take this

opportunity to wish Meadhbh and her team

mates the very best of luck in the European

Championships and in all of their upcoming

matches.

Meadhbh, along with her local club Corrib

Basketball are currently selling raffle tickets

which are available to buy from Breath-

nach’s Bar and Finnerty’s Butchers, Ought-

erard. She would be very grateful for your

support.

We would like to thank her for taking the

time to talk to us during the run up to the

Leaving Certificate and we would also like

to say Good Luck to Meadhbh and her

classmates with their pending exam results.

Interview by Sinéad Grimes

Oughterard’s Meadhbh Plays for Ireland

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10

Morale-Minding: a Programme by Margaret Larminie

Our morale is worth minding because it’s what fuels us for what we can do. In unemployment it can all too easily go through the floor. But, even when it’s under siege from disappointment after disappointment, this is a simple programme that can stop it doing that.

It’s a plan you can follow each week, like a sort of menu for the week, and it doesn’t need money or qualifications to take it on. You choose, say on a Friday, what you are going to do for each of the ‘courses’ on the menu during the following week. It’s important to cover all the items because, like vitamins, they are all needed.

I constructed this programme during my own long unemployment in the previous recession. I’m not the best about following a regime, but I quickly discovered that my morale could do a nose-dive when I left something out. When I put the missing one or ones back in, it would bob up again.

The week’s ingredients are as follows:

1. Looking for a job means watching the ads, so the Library can be your newspaper resource. The local free papers’ news can signpost where jobs might be about to arise, so get your CV off to them with a note about why you are interested. That CV is very important, so be thinking about what you can add to it. Whether job-seeking or not, think of all

the things that you can do and keep a list of them and keep on adding to it. Never mind whether they have anything to do with “a job”. When a post does come up, or if that’s not relevant in your case, you can find that you have more to offer than you thought you had. And keeping up with the news gives you more to talk, growl or laugh about.

2. If you have come out from a job that has let you down badly, the hurt can be a stumbling block you will need to get over. Employers are wary of a ‘baggage-carrier’, and your morale doesn’t like it either! Talking to someone you can trust with your feelings can be useful, but you also need to be able to look it all clearly in the face and be prepared to let it go. Not easy, I know, but it will be a great freedom and your morale will welcome it.

3. Keep in touch with your friends. When you are de-financed, friends can find it hard to know what to do about you and you can feel left out because your budget doesn’t run to the activities you used to share. Take the initiative yourself and ask a friend to come for a walk, listen to some music together, have a coffee – whatever.

4. It’s easy to get very wrapped up in yourself and your own concerns, so now is the time to have a think about other people’s needs – and do something about it. It could be anything from picking up the paper for someone who can’t easily get out, to volunteer work in a hospital or getting involved with local voluntary organisations.

5. Earmark something each week that you’ve been meaning to do but haven’t – and do it. Not Grand Plans, just one small one, like finally clearing out a drawer, sewing on a button, taking the sellotape off the hem of your trousers and putting in a stitch instead. It’s amazing how good it makes you feel about yourself, and that’s certainly morale-minding!

6. You have more time to yourself now, so use some of it in new learning. It doesn’t have to cost. There’s the Library, where you can learn more about


11

Morale-Minding: a Programme by Margaret Larminie

interests you already have and new ones you’d like to explore. There are plenty of ‘teach yourself’ books. You will be keeping your brain’s cogs turning, and also provid-ing more things to add to your CV.

7. Get some exercise. Couch-potatoing is counter-productive. Join a walking group or find a friend or two to come with you - or just explore the countryside – whatever your energies will stand. You could be the next marathon winner.

8. Last, but anything but least, give your-self a treat each week. Don’t wait for someone else to provide it for you. Choose it for the end of the week ahead, so you will always have something to look forward to. I used to get a cream doughnut when funds allowed and munch away happily on my own, or silence the phone and listen uninterrupted to music I love. There’s no self-indulgence in this. It’s You looking after You, and entirely necessary to minding your morale.

Here is a quick checklist to remind you for each week:

1. Can-do list, job-search where relevant

2. Problem-facing

3. Friends, keeping in touch

4. Other people

5. Doing the put-off things

6. New learning

7. Exercise

8. Own treat

I hope you find this useful in some way and encourage you to put some of the suggestions into practice—you might be surprised with the results!

I wish to sincerely thank

the voters from Oughterard

and the wider Connemara

LEA for their support in the

recent Local Election.

I would also like to extend

a huge Thank You to my

Family, Canvassers, Poster

Erectors and Drivers for all

their help and encourage-

ment during the campaign.

Thank you all!

Cllr. Thomas Welby


12

Separation Anxiety by Jennie Geoghegan Tierney

While the rest of us are busy organising our

Summer breaks, spare a thought for the poor

parents out there who are all busy organising

playschool places for their children for

September! One of the main difficulties that

parents face is the Separation Anxiety that goes

with the new life experience of starting

playschool.

It's wonderful that they love you so much they

can't bear being away from you, but when it's

time to go to work, or maybe leave them in a

childcare centre for a few hours, and they're

screaming, crying, holding on to your leg or

running after you howling, it's absolutely

heart-breaking.

Many a parent has sat outside the room or in

their car outside so upset after leaving a crying

child behind them. The professionals call this

reaction “separation anxiety”. It can set in as

early as 8 months and may last until school age

and beyond, but it's important that children learn

to separate from their parents as it will pave the

way to helping children deal with the

separations they will face throughout their lives.

Separation anxiety can be an upsetting

experience for everyone - you, your child and

the child care worker. While it may be a normal

part of your child's development, that doesn't

make it any easier to cope with.

Some methods I find work well with settling in:

Familiarize your child to the new

caregiver: spend some time beforehand

with your child getting used to the child

care centre. We usually do this for 2

weeks with parents staying in the centre

with their child.

Don't sneak out: Always say goodbye,

even if you have to go while she is upset.

This builds trust.

Home comforts: Let your child bring their

comforter (dummy, teddy or blanket) or a

favourite toy.

I'll be back: Tell your child when you'll be

back in a way they will understand such

as "after snack".

Be reliable: Always come back when you

say you will. If for some reason you can't

get back on time, let the carer know, so

that she will be able to tell your child what

has happened.

When you feel confident and happy with

the caregiver your child will also develop

a good relationship with their carer.

Talk about it: Even if your little one isn't

really chatting yet, talk about what's hap-

pening. There are also many books about

separation.

When you get home, make some special

time for you and your child where you're

not racing around doing housework or

making dinner, so that, when your child

has to go to playschool again, you can

remind them of the special time you'll

have together when you get home.

Well I hope this might make the settling-in

process a little easier. These are just a few little

tips that I find work well in my centre but every

centre and playschool all have different policies!

Jennifer Geoghegan Tierney,

Little Blossoms Childcare Centre


13

Raymond McDonagh

Carpentry Services

House Renovations,

Traditional Dressers,

Fitted Furniture,

Floors,

Phone: 086-8364377

[email protected].

Kilcummin Parish Church

Greetings again, thankfully through the pages of

the second edition of the Corrib News, the

reincarnation of the former Oughterard

Newsletter. Kilcummin greatly appreciates all the

hard work and commitment of the volunteers -

Sinéad Grimes in particular, who gets it all

together - for getting and keeping this show on

the road.

The big event since last time in Kilcummin has

been Phyl Furniss’s 99th

birthday on 23rd

May.

We celebrated, in Kilcummin tradition, with tea or

coffee and cake after the Service, on the nearest

Sunday, the 25th. As Phyl is a self-proclaimed

chocoholic, the cake was a delicious chocolate

one, baked by Iris Joyce. With fewer cake-bakers

in the congregation we now just celebrate the

round numbers and then every year after 90.

Phyl should be given a life-time achievement

award for her example to us all. Up at the crack of

dawn, painting doors, doing the gardening,

always there for the Service, whether 9.30am or

11am, with the same cheerful outlook. Goodness

knows how many meticulous, beautiful cribs she

has knitted (last Christmas I think the total for that

year alone was 40!), the proceeds going to the

Poor Clares. We salute you, Phyl, and wish you

health to enjoy the years ahead, while we get the

flags ready for your 100th!

In case you are wondering, the felling of our poor

ailing beech trees has had to wait for autumn

when the leaves are gone. Please look out for

notices round the town about fund-raising events

in the meantime. Your support will be greatly

appreciated, as always.

Exams over, we wish all who have gone through

the exam mills a happy summer. For those who

are job-searching, there is an article called

‘Morale-minding’ elsewhere in this issue. It is a

programme I invented when I was unemployed for

quite a long time in the last recession. It comes

from real experience, not academic theory. I used

to give courses on it but it doesn’t need a course

because it is so simple. Tried and tested, it is

designed to protect that all-important morale. We

all need to keep our spirits ready for action.

Retired people and those newly living alone I hear

have also found it useful. Good luck!

Margaret Larminie Phyl Furniss’s 99th birthday celebrations

mailto:[email protected]


14

Take Time Alone.

Take time alone to reflect or meditate

On something spiritual or regarding your life

Past, present or future

Do it in the home or in the garden

Or daydream by a river

As it meanders slowly along

Or sit by the sea or a lake

And dabble your feet in the water

As the waves roll and ripple gently

When you take time alone

You will discover the path that goes deep into yourself

and you hear the voice of your heart speaking

in silence and you leave the distractions of the day

And enter the secret garden of your soul

And this is where the deepest part of who you are

awaits you

and this is where all that you love is blooming

This is where your sorrow has been planted

And unsolved problems grow like tangled vines

And be brave enough and willing to go alone

into the garden of yourself

and you will see there all the beautiful parts of who you are.

Here in the garden you will have time to work

The sacred soul of your inner life

And you may uncover and face fears buried long ago

And you may be surprised to see what is important to

you has been neglected

And you will water the flowers of your sadness

And become aware of their gentle beauty

And you will begin to open up the gnarled vines

of problems letting light shine through them

And here in the quiet you will be able to sit and do nothing

Just breathe

By Matt

Molloy

A Space to Fill

To fill a space,

A tall, skinny space,

I need some words.

They must appeal,

Provoke thought,

Must master reflection

and image.

But I am blank and page is blank

and ink stays in it’s well.

When what to write stays hid

amidst a clouded, mired mind

The poet learns to befriend

defeat and yearns instead to

learn

To

Love

That

Tall

And

Skinny

Space

That

Words

Will

Not

Penetrate

When

Heart

And

Soul

Are Empty

Emma Knightley


15

You'll never guess what happened today!

The Panel was picked for the Cup game in May

Picked on the School Team and I'm only in Fifth

The ball is in fast

you can feel the tension

the full forward is huge

is he on the pension?


"Mark from in front"

my advice nice and clear

"from the side" I was told

by my teacher you hear


The ball is thrown in

there's a cloud of fine dust

A win here is on

not gettin beat is a must


There's goals going in

with a crossbar as high

as the one in Croke Park

not telling a word of a lie


With time running out

young Mikey goes through

last time he did it

the chance he did rue


With howls from the sideline

he let fly with his boot

In the top of the net

the ball it did roost


They can't come back now

there isn't a chance

'Round the full back

their midfielder did dance


Is it sweet...Is it sweet...?

as the radio ad says

It is to be sure

as the flag it is raised


The ref is surrounded

can you tell us the score?

A draw! he says quickly

as emotions did pore


With a shake of his head

and a wipe of his brow

Mikey called to me sadly

What'll we do now?


You got on the school team

and whatever your fate

At least by that shower

we didn't get bate!


By Harry Walsh

Kinneavy cup Oughterard vs Killannin



16

Wildflowers in the Summer Garden

There are some beautiful native

Irish wildflowers which deserve a

place in the garden during the Summer. Many of

them, once established, will sow themselves in

sometimes unexpected places. I like to let them

off to their own devices with often surprising but

pleasing results.

Wildflowers to look out for in summer include:

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is an herbaceous

biennial or short-

lived perennial

plant. The tubu-

lar, purple flowers

are arranged in a

spiral on tall

stems (1-2m tall)

and are popular

with bees. In the

first year of

growth the plant

forms a tight

clump of leaves.

During the second year it will flower from between

June and August. It thrives particularly on acid

soil. Just bear in mind that all parts of the plant

are poisonous if eaten.

Red Campion (Silene dioica) is a wildflower often

found in shady hedgerows, grassy banks and

woods. It can be perennial or biennial and grows

to 1m. It bears delicate pink flowers from May to

September.

Field Scabious (Knautia arvensis) is a tall

perennial plant with blue to purple flowers from

June to September. It is found in grassy places

and dry soils.

Devils Bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis) is a

similar looking flower, but is not as tall and has

blue spherical flowers. This plant is less fussy

about where it grows and has a very long flower-

ing season from June to October.

Ox-Eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) is a

cheerful perennial flower common in meadows

and grass verges with a typical daisy flowerhead

from May to September.

Ragged Robin (Silene flos-cuculi) is a perennial

flower found in marshes and damp meadows with

deeply divided, feathery petals. It flowers from

May to August. Butterflies will frequently visit

these pretty flowers.

Yellow flag (Iris pseudocoris) is another perenni-

al flower found in damp ground. It has bright

yellow flowers and sword-like foliage and flowers

from June to August.

There is plenty

to choose from

and something

for all growing

conditions.

The fact that all

of the above

plants can be

found also as cultivated varieties gives weight to

my argument that more native Irish wildflowers

are worthy to be grown in our gardens.

Kay Synott

LIVING GARDENS 2014 gardening courses are

continuing in the autumn. Check out our web-

site for details: www.livinggardens.ie

Kay & Will Synott of LIVING GARDENS also

offer a full range of garden design services

including layout drawings, planting plans and

implementation details. Also, for gardeners

who are just in need of some advice LIVING

GARDENS provides on-site consultation.

To discuss a design project or to book a

consultation visit, contact Kay or Will at the

following: Tel. 091-550 007; Mobile 087-698

0526; e-mail: [email protected] and follow

us on Facebook www.facebook.com/

living.gardens for the latest news and up-

dates.


17

Oughterard in Bloom

In recent weeks Oughterard has

noticeably been a hive of activity.

Planting and painting carried out

by members of the Oughterard Tidy Towns group

has not gone unnoticed and has given the town a

great lift. Well done to everyone involved.

Behind the scenes there has been a lot of

activity as well and these efforts are worth

a mention too:

Pupils in Scoil Chuimin agus Caitriona

have been busy growing vegetables

and herbs in their new school. Infants

to 6th class children have all been in-

volved in growing a wide variety of

plants. It is worth mentioning that

each class has its own planting area

just outside their classroom.

Students in St. Paul’s Secondary

School have also embarked on a

school garden project. The courtyard

in the school has undergone quite a

transformation. It now contains four

raised beds planted with potatoes,

carrots, lettuce, onions, peas, beans

and more. The beds were made by

woodwork students and materials and

seeds were sourced by the student’s

council and gardening activities in-

volved 1st Year to Transition

Year students. The final touch

is the very artistic wall mural.

The Clann Resource Centre

Community Garden is in its

3rd year. Interested gardeners

from beginners to the more

experienced meet every

Tuesday evening from 7-8pm

to grow vegetables & flowers

in the garden and polytunnel.

Everyone is welcome to

become involved.

Recently the project received

some funding that will allow

the group to start establishing a sensory

garden at the front of the Resource Centre.

All these efforts combined are contributing to

make Oughterard a greener, healthier and better

place to live.


18

Memories of the Fairs in the 1950’s and 1960’s

I started going to the fairs in 1952 with my

late father. In those days, the fairs were

held on streets in the towns or villages, at cross-

roads and on road sides. There were no cattle

marts in those days. The cattle buyers were

called “jobbers” and they would meet the farmers

coming in on the outskirts of the villages and no

matter what size cattle you had the jobbers words

were always the same; How much is the little bull-

ock or the little heifer? The jobbers might put a

low bid on, then walk away and maybe come

back in a couple of hours when they thought you

might have thawed out and raise the bid a little

bit. It was a kind of a psychological war. If you

were making a bargain with a jobber you had to

hold out your hand and the jobber would lift his

arm up and slap down on the palm of your hand

and say take it or leave it and if there was a

pound between the buyer and seller a third party

would butt in and hold a hand of both buyer and

seller and tell them to divide the difference.

In those days there was also a “luck penny” that

had to be paid to the buyer; it could be anything

from a half crown to ten shillings depending on

the price received. My late father used to travel to

the fairs with the late Harry Walsh who was the

top local buyer in those days. Our own local fair in

Oughterard was held on the second Thursday of

each month. They would travel to Maam Cross

where the famous pony fair is held every October,

and to Clifden and Derrynae near Carraroe and to

Spiddal and Galway City. If they bought cattle

they would have to walk them home. My late

grandmother Alice Fahy told me she often walked

cattle to and from Galway City.

The top buyers in those days included the

McGrael brothers from Westport and a buyer from

the North called McGuinness who was associated

with the late Harry Walsh and the Regan brothers

from Castlerea.

The first bullock to be sold for a hundred pounds

in Oughterard was owned by Paddy Morgan and

the top dealers in present day Oughterard include

Bartley Mc Gauley, Martin Walsh, Colm

O’Sullivan and Pat Walsh.

The local dealers in those days were mainly the

late Harry Walsh and Pakie Kyne and also

Padraic Ned from Maghera Beag and Tom Darcy

from Maghera Mor, Joe Healy and Paddy Joyce

from Glann along with Mairtin Thornton the boxer

from Spiddal.

The top sellers included my late father, the late

Tom McGauley, the late Joe Healy, Edwin

McDonagh and in later years Peter Joe Tierney

and Paddy Tierney. In those days it was quite

usual to have bullocks of a tonne or over and

local farmers known for their giant bullocks were

Paddy Morgan, Mick Molloy the athlete, Tommy

Dixon and Edwin Mc Donagh, and in more recent

times Pat Eddy Walsh and Michael Feerick. No

big cattle are kept anymore as all bullocks have to

be sold at 2 and a half years at the most.

.By Matt Molloy

4-Day Trip to Belfast The Culture and Heritage Group in

association with the R.T.A. (Retired Teachers Association) Galway are going on a 4-day trip to Belfast on the

3rd of September visiting The Titanic Exhibition, Stormont, The Giant’s

Causeway, Bushmills and returning by Brú na Bóinne visiting Newgrange and Knowth. Full board €289. If you would

like to join the group, contact Mary

Kyne on 091-552128 or 086-0779114.


19

Broadcasting Icon Officially Opens New School

After more than 25 years of campaigning by successive boards of management, Scoil Chuimín agus Caitríona, Oughterard, held its official opening at 5pm on Saturday May 17th. The newly-built school, designed by Simon J. Kelly & Sons, was opened by national icon, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh. Mr. Ó Muircheartaigh, a former teacher turned broadcaster, drove to Oughterard for the opening the morning after a strenuous climb up Carrauntoohil alongside a group of 32 All-Ireland winners from each county in Ireland as a fundraiser for the Alan Kerins Projects. The 82-year-old broadcasting legend spoke eloquently for 15 minutes about his escapade the day before climbing Carrauntoohil, about education in the past and about the importance of learning in modern day society. He was hugely impressed by the school’s facilities and was especially interested in the rainwater harvesting system at the school, which feeds directly into the toilets, joking that “this might be a cure for the forthcoming water charges”. Ó Muircheartaigh went on to challenge the children, who would be the scientists of the future, to invent a system that caught the rain before it even fell, assuring them they would get a Nobel prize if they succeeded!! Also among the guests were school patron, Bishop Martin Drennan, who blessed the building, Fr. Alan Burke, the Rev. Gary Hastings, Niall Malone, board of management chairperson and

the MC for the day, Connacht Tribune editor Dave O’Connell, an ex-pupil of the school. Mr Malone said it was an historic occasion for the village, and paid tribute to the staff saying the amalgamation of the schools was not always easy, but the teachers all worked together and brought the project to fruition. School principal, Micheál Ó Domhnaill, addressed the packed hall and said “It is the collaboration of teachers, staff, pupils, parents and community that makes a great school. While literacy and numeracy are the cornerstones of primary education, the school aims to provide a holistic education.” He went on to thank the staff for their dedication and energy in their work at the school, and especially thanked the community, parents and parents’ associations over the years who had raised €65,000 for the project. The pupils themselves took an active part during the hour-long ceremony with the school band playing the “Kerry Polka” in honour of the day’s special guest, singing “A Mhuire Mathair” and finishing off with “This Little Light of Mine”. Everyone in attendance, from past pupils, past head masters and teachers to the politicians and parents were then invited to the library for some refreshments laid on by Gerry & Eoin McDonnell and the Parents’ Association. The new school was finally opened to pupils at the start of this school year and the students have enjoyed the state-of-the-art facilities such as the all-weather astro-turf pitch, a music room, outdoor classroom, gardens and play areas, general-purpose school hall and handball court. In addition a new library will be operated by the school's senior pupils with assistance from the PA. The design of the school is so ground-breaking it is currently shortlisted for an Irish Architecture award. The award is decided by the public and you can vote for the school to win here: http://www.architectureawards.ie/index.php Maybe the long wait for the new school has been

worth it after all!

You can keep up to date with the happenings at

the school on their website here:

http://oughterardns.ie/

Bishop Martin Drennan, Niall Malone, Micheál Ó

Muircheartaigh and M.C. Dave O’Connell


20

OUGHTERARD

DENTAL

PRACTICE

Dr. Ciaran Kirrane

B. Dent Sc.

Monday - Friday

9.00 am - 5.30 pm

Late evenings &

Saturdays

by Appointment

091 866018

Optometrist

&

Contact

Lens

Practitioner

OUGHTERARD

OPTICIANS Fergal Friel F.A.O.I

OUGHTERARD

091-866018

Tuck’s Tyres

Laser Alignment

2 & 4 Wheel

Wheel Balancing

Tyre Repairs

Tyre Sales

Headlight Focusing

Mon - Fri

9 am - 6 pm

091 552335

Main Street

Oughterard

Complete Picture

Framing Service

by Guild

Commended Framer

Oughterard

Co Galway

091 552562

086 8190908

[email protected]

West Shore Studio

Camp Street Café

Open 10 am ‘til late!

Homemade Soups, Breads, Salads,

Desserts, Gourmet Pizza, Burgers, Fish

Platters

Daily Specials

Take Out

091 866066

Free Customer Parking

JOHN P KEOGH & SONS

Main Street, Oughterard 091 552170

Ready Reader Glasses Two Pairs ONLY €10

Polarised Sunglasses & Clip on Shades

ONLY €10

Watch Batteries Replaced only €8

Oil Cloth Table Covering ONLY €6.99 per yard

NEW! Contact Peel Back

Covering ONLY €2.99 per yard

Huge Selection of Greeting Cards for All Occasions ONLY

€1 each

WELL WORTH A VISIT!

Camillaun Angling Centre &

Boat Hire

If you are interested in fishing or boating to explore an island, or just going for a

picnic, you can use one of our many boats moored at the

unique timber jetty floating in the garden.

We are equipped with all the facilities required by the

modern fishing enthusiast,

including a large gear / rod room and drying facilities and

fly tying desk.

Greg & Deirdre Forde

091 - 55267 8

www.camillaun.com


21

Main St., Oughterard

085 236 81 10

Tues- Fri 10am -6pm Sat 10am -3pm

[email protected]

Clothing Alterations

Car Seat/Steering Wheel Repairs

Furniture Upholstery

Main Street, Oughterard

Tel: +353 (0) 872803563

Email [email protected]

www.teachandbaile.ie

Dry Cleaning & Laundry Services

John J Rafferty

Dry Cleaning Done In-house

My team and I are proud of the

service we provide.

Serving Tourists, Residents,

Hotels, B&Bs and Nursing

Homes

Camp St.

Oughterard

Tel: 091 552057

Mob: 087 6473334

Rafferty’s

Laundrette

“OF ALL THE YOUNGER GENERATION OF IRISH BUTCHERS ,

JAMES McGEOUGH MAY BE THE MOST DISTINCTIVE AND

DETERMINED”

JOHN McKENNA, BRIDGESTONE IRSH FOOD GUIDE (2007)



22

Thanks for agreeing to do the interview Jenny.

Tell us a bit about yourself, where did you grow

up?

I grew up on a farm beside the sea in the South of

England, I am a farmer’s daughter and it was there

I developed my love of nature. I moved from

England in 1982 to Galway because of my then

boyfriend, now husband, like many a young girl!

Why Celtic, Why Brigit? Why Roscahill?

I had been living in Ireland for some years and I

had come to a point in my life when I was

beginning to consider a new direction, the children

were getting older, my background was in adult

education and I had developed a great interest in

Celtic mythology.

I attended a Brigit’s festival in Esker, near Athenry

on a few occasions and one morning I woke up

with the idea that I was going to create a garden

and call it Brigit’s Garden. It took 7 years to get

from the original idea to opening the garden to the

public. We picked Roscahill because we thought it

was the ideal place.

I didn’t want it to be a traditional formal garden

although my mother was a serious gardener and

loved the typical English garden. For me it is all

about nature and being in tune with nature. The

idea of creating a place where you can relax and

find a connection with nature appeals greatly to

me, and I think to our visitors. Brigit’s Garden is a

place where there is a creative mix of story-telling

and contemporary design, and it’s important to me

that the place can be enjoyed by both young and

old. People often comment on what a lovely atmos-

phere there is here.

10 years on, is it as you imagined?

It’s very close to what I had imagined. Brigit’s

Garden is a place where people find their own level

whether it’s a place to breathe, relax, meditate or

simply bring the family for a picnic. The place has a

life of its own, a spirit that appeals to people from

all over the world. It is a real team effort and my

role is as facilitator.

What would you say is/was your biggest chal-

lenge?

The business side is ten times more challenging

than the creation of the garden. We are a not-for-

profit organization; we need both volunteers and

staff to run the garden, but we are very inventive.

One thing I would never have imagined is the

variety of activities we are now undertaking, every-

thing from weddings and parties to summer camps

and Santa. The support of LEADER has been

crucial in our development, along with the support

from the local community.

What are your hopes and plans for the future in

Brigit’s Garden?

We have just received funding towards creating a

Brigit’s Garden 10 years on—Jenny Beale reflects

This picture of Jenny was taken for the Irish Times in

2004 shortly after opening

Corrib News recreates the original picture, taken in

the Samhain Garden ,10 years on .


23

renewable energy element to the garden.

The intention is to show how we can lower our

carbon footprint and set up lots of fun ways for

visitors to interact with solar, wind and other

devices. We like to see the garden keep changing

and always like to get ideas to help keep us fresh

and interesting, especially for local people.

Interview by Deirdre Forde

Corrib News would like to wish Jenny and all the

staff at Brigit’s Garden the very best for the next

10 years in business!

Keep up to date with all the happenings and

events at the Gardens on their website:

http://www.brigitsgarden.ie/

And also on Facebook at “Brigit'sGarden“

Brigit’s Garden 10 years on—Jenny Beale reflects

The Boat Inn The Boat Inn

& &

Walled Garden RestaurantWalled Garden Restaurant

Open for Food Daily

8am - 9.30pm

Live Music Monday - Friday

Evening Sessions at 8.30pm Now Taking Bookings for that Special Event,

Private Party or BBQ

Phone: 091 552196

e-mail: [email protected]

www.theboatinnconnemara.com


24

The Maam Women’s Group was formed in 1994

and now has 18 members. This year the Group

celebrate their 20th Birthday (1994-2014).

Activities include art classes, knitting & crochet,

demonstrations, workshops, and talks on various

subjects at the monthly meetings. Maam

Women’s Group organise networking events with

other women’s groups, as well as Heritage Days,

Art Exhibitions and fundraising for charity. Nine

members of the group went on a pilgrimage to

Lourdes in 2003.

Social events include going to the cinema,

theatre, outings to visit other groups, and a

Christmas celebration dinner which is open to all

women in Maam and the surrounding area. Every

year group members go for a relaxing weekend

away and also take part in Forum (Letterfrack)

Women’s Networking Event, and International

Women’s Day. Recently some ladies went to

Galway Town Hall Theatre to see the hilarious

play It’s The Real McCoy. “Brilliantly funny - an

amazing night of comedy theatre”. (Ticketmaster

review).

Nine women travelled to An Grianán, I.C.A. Head-

quarters, on a 3-day escorted tour in May. In

conjunction with Clifden I.C.A., Cleggan, Ballycon-

neely and Caltra, the Group travelled by coach to

Newry and met members of the Newry Women’s

Group. They went to the Downpatrick Centre and

had an audio tour on the life of St. Patrick. They

also visited Down Cathedral and saw the burial

place of our patron saint on the Hill of Down.

The Group won a Galway County Millennium

Award and in 2004 they made a film “Mná an

Mháma” with Galway Film Centre to celebrate

their 10th Birthday.

In 2007 the Group won a “Make it Happen” Award

for their voluntary work in the community. In

conjunction with Coiste Forbartha an Mháma and

other community groups in Maam they won a

”Pride of Place” Award, which is about the

participation of local people in community life. The

Group has won three awards in the Golden Mile

of Galway Competition and has been featured in

the heritage calendar.

Maam Women’s Group helped to set up the

community magazine Joyce Country Echo in 1995

and the Maam Children’s Playscheme in 1996.

Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of

every month in Ionad Pobail an Mháma, (Maam

Community Centre) at 8.30pm. New members are

welcome.

Contact :-Maam Women’s Group, Maam, Co.

Galway.Phone:-091.571108.

Email:- [email protected]

Maam Women’s Group are organising a

Networking & Heritage Day on Saturday, 30th

August at 11am, in Ionad Pobail an Mháma.

Art and Photo Exhibition, Workshops,

Demonstrations, Crafts, Music, Song and

Dance and lots more! Everyone is welcome.

Maam Women's Group Celebrating their 20th

Birthday.

An Grianán. (The Sunny Place).

An Grianán Adult Education Centre is a beautiful

Manor House near Drogheda, Co. Louth. Former-

ly owned by the McClintock family it was sold to

a Mrs. Helen Lentagne in 1922. She allowed the

newly formed Irish Countrywomen’s Association

(Bantracht na Tuaithe) to use the centre. Later

the WK Kellogg foundation funded a new exten-

sion at an Grianán comprising a lecture room,

library, concert hall, and leisure centre. They can

now cater for 90 visitors on a residential basis

and host over 7,000 visitors annually on weekly

courses, seminars, social events etc. An Grianán

celebrate their 60th year in operation this year

and we wish them good luck and best wishes for

the future .– Rosemary Hanley


25

Creating a Research and Genealogical Resource for Oughterard

As part of the research into the ‘James Hack Tuke Assisted Emigration Scheme 1882-1884’, when

thousands of people from Connemara were helped to emigrate to America and Canada, the Oughterard

Heritage Group are also collecting information on all the Townlands in the Oughterard Poor Law Union.

Under the guidance of Marie Mannion, the County Galway Heritage officer, and with fantastic help from

Antoinette Lydon, Sandra O’Farrell-Casey and Paul Gibbons, all the historical data available for each

Townland including the family records from the 1901 census and 1911 census will be gathered together.

This will enable folks to access all the material regarding individual Townlands in one document. The

information will also be available online, at www.oughterardheritage.org.

Within the Barony of Moycullen, the Oughterard Poor Law Union area was divided into Registrars

Districts (4), subdivided into Electoral Divisions (14) and finally Townlands. In the 1891 census, 216

Townlands, plus islands, are recorded in Kilcummin Parish. So the task is enormous and will continue for

some time.

As Townlands are completed by the team, which includes Oughterard Heritage Group members Mary

Kyne and David Collins, they will be added to, and be available, on the website.

Any stories or extra details can be added at any time and contributions from any individual or source is

very welcome. Coupled with the work of recording all the passengers who emigrated as a part the ‘Tuke’,

eventually a very important, public database will be established, which will be of enormous use for family

history, research and as part of the Decade of Commemorations.

David Collins, Oughterard Heritage Group

Little Blossoms

Open 7:45pm—6:00pm

•School Drop-off

& Pick-up Service

•Half days and Holidays

catered for as well as

Extracurricular Activities

•Homework supervised

•Hot Dinner and Fruit

Camp Street, Oughterard

(091) 552969

• Toddler Room

• Playgroup Room

• Free Pre-school Year with

Dedicated ECCE Room

• After School Club

Our service uses the new “Aistear” Curriculum

Framework & incorporates the ‘Siolta’ quality

guidelines

http://www.oughterardheritage.org


26

A Brief History of Oughterard Hurling Club by Declan D’Arcy

Oughterard hurling club has been running for over

two years and is growing from strength to strength.

Our first training session took place on the 16th of

March 2012 with local children of all ages getting

involved. The first season was mainly spent

coaching the children in the skills of the game,

many of the children had never played before. The

children got to play two challenge games against

Rahoon/Newcastle (U10) one game at home and

one game away.

2013 saw an increase in numbers with players

from Killannin and more local children getting

involved. We were able to field teams in both the

Under-8 & Under-10 “Go Games“ series, which

was a great success and urged the children on and

improved their confidence greatly.

We also hosted our first “Family Fun Hurling Day”

which was kindly sponsored by Keoghs Centra.

Senior Galway hurlers Colm Callanan, Shane

Kavanagh and Tony Óg Regan where also there

on the day. A great day was had by everyone and

we are very thankful to Justin and his exceptional

staff for making the day possible. Justin also

presented the club with 100 new sliotars which was

an enormous help to our young hurlers in

improving their skills.

So far in 2014 we have been very busy; as well as

having weekly training sessions we are competing

in the U8, U10 and U12 leagues. Our U11 team

competed in a city league blitz on May 5th in

Pearse Stadium. May 15th was a historic day for

our Club as we hosted our first official hurling

match against An Spidéal - this will go down in the

history books!!

We have a great group of players and I know if

they apply themselves to practising the skills of the

game there is no end to what they can achieve. As

I always say they have the things you just cannot

coach - GUTS AND DETERMINATION.

Our under 6’s are coached by Ann-Marie Thomas

on a Saturday morning. Her efforts over the last

few years are greatly appreciated.

To finish, a big “Míle Buíochas” to all the parents

and friends who have helped out with training,

making buns & sandwiches for matches and after

training. New players are always welcome and

these are the training times:

Thursday U10/U12 6.30pm – 8pm

Saturday U6/U8 boys & girls 9.30am-11am

Saturday U9 boys & girls 11.15am-12.45am

For further information please contact Declan

on 087-691 7589

Oughterard U12 Hurling Team


27

..

Little Blossoms would like to

wish all our pre-school

children the best of luck in

"big school" this September!

"Because you're so smart,

so great and so cool, we are

sure you will enjoy your time

at big school."

We will miss you all so

much, we hope you will

come back to visit soon!!!

Graduates 2014:

Dara, Mickaela, Fionn,

Sarah, Ella-rose, Eilwen,

Harry & Jamie.

Isaac, Ella, Tom, Laoise,

John, Elliot, Hugo, Megan &

Shane.

From all at Little Blossoms

Moving to Big School

Oughterard

Community

Centre &

Aerobic equipment, free & fixed weights, sauna, steamroom, relaxing & changing areas

Flexible membership

options.

Regular fitness classes for all ages & fitness levels.

Check our website for detailed information & all the latest news

Telephone (091) 557775

[email protected]

www.oughterardcommunitycentre.ie


http://www.oughterardcommunitycentre.ie/


28

Need A Lift?

Call Liam Felton

Taxi Service

Safe,

Reliable,

Dependable Don’t Take A Chance—

Call Liam!

Féile an Mháma

2014 At the top of the Corrib and at the foot of

the Maumturks is the Maam valley, and

for one weekend of the year we go

cracked!

Féile (festival) an Mháma takes place this

year between Friday 25th and Sunday the

27th of July.

This little festival has been taking place

over the last few years. The aim of the

festival is to bring people in to the valley

for a few days and show them what is

here to see and what goes on in the

valley.

Last year we had an old photo exhibition

in the community centre all weekend,

walks and cycles on Saturday and Sun-

day, a BBQ and ballroom dancing on

Sunday with the duck race on Sunday

evening.

This year’s events will start on Friday 25th

July with a golf competition at Oughterard

Golf Club, mass on the graveyard and

official opening in the evening .

On Saturday 26th July we will have tours

of local historic sites, a food expo in the

community centre, road bowling and a

boat race on the Maam river.

On Sunday 27th July it is family day with

sports for kids and adults (with a

difference), BBQ, bouncy castle, tug-of-

war and the duck race on the Maam river.

Music in Keanes on Saturday and

Sunday night. All events are subject to

change and some more may be added.

For information on Féile an Mháma you

can call 091-571192 or contact the

Community Centre.

You can follow us on Facebook here:

https://www.facebook.com/feileanmhama

or see our web site at:

www.maamvalley.com

http://www.maamvalley.com


29

Courthouse Update Oughterard Courthouse Conservation & Heritage Company Ltd. is

delighted that after four years of hard work involving fundraising,

planning and a great deal of paperwork, grant approval has now been

given by the Department of the Environment Community and Local

Government towards the cost of the refurbishment and preservation of the Courthouse. Built in the

1840s, this historic listed building had fallen into disrepair and was in such poor condition that the Court

Services vacated it in 2009 and returned it to Galway County Council.

The project has progressed to the current stage with the help of Forum Connemara Ltd and a close

working relationship with Galway County Council. The Council and County Manager, Martina Maloney,

have been fully supportive from the

outset having agreed to lease the

building for a nominal annual sum.

Following an e-tendering process,

Kesel Construction Claregalway, has

been awarded the contract and all

work will be carried out under the

supervision of Conservation Architect

Gerry McManus and Fionn McMullan

of McMullan Architects, Kilcolgan.

With the recent confirmation of

approval of grant aid of €497,985

representing 90% of the estimated

cost of Phase 1 of the project, the

committee and Board of Directors

propose to raise a further €25,000 by

way of our “Bricks and Slates”

campaign. By giving €50 for a brick or

slate, dedicated to someone special,

the name will be recorded in an

embossed register and also by way of

way of a permanent plaque located

inside the renovated building. Over

the coming weeks, groups of volunteers will call to all households in the local area in order to explain

developments and to encourage support for the “Bricks and Slates” fundraiser. You can also call into

Margaret Donnellan in Fuchsia Craft who is happy to talk about the project and where you can make a

donation

The committee has made arrangements to raise a loan through Clann Credo so that ongoing payments

can be made as the work of restoration progresses.

Well done to everyone involved. We look forward to being able to keep you up to date on the Court

House project through Corrib News.

Leslie Lyons on behalf of The Court House Conservation & Heritage Committee

Photo Tom Broderick

Contracts were signed on the Oughterard Courthouse restoration

project on Friday 23-May 2014.

(Back row) Joe Conaty ( Forum Connemara), Courthouse Committee

members Geraldine Bresnihan, David Collins, Deirdre Forde, Chris

Moran (project manager, Kesel Construction Ltd.) and Courthouse

Committee members Kathleen Furey, Leslie Lyons, Willie Dawson

and Mary Kyne.

(Front row ) Kevin Murphy (director, Kesel Construction Ltd.),

Cllr Thomas Welby and Brian Buckley ( Courthouse Committee).


30

It is wonderful to be able to provide a positive report on this long-awaited

community project. Finally the pieces are coming together and with plan-

ning, procurement and funding for the Teen Zone nearly approved, we

hope to be able to keep providing these positive updates.

We previously reported that planning has been

provisionally awarded to the Corribdale Park

project, with full planning due in late June.

On the strength of this, we have applied for

funding for the project from two different sources.

The first application is for development of the

trails. Through the Sports Capital Programme,

which is operated by the Department of

Transport, Tourism and Sport. The second for

the development of the Teen Zone was via

LEADER, Forum Connemara. We will be

arranging further focus groups with the local teen

groups to finalise the details. We hope to have a

final answer regarding total funding for the trails

and fitness equipment in July and we would hope

be in a position to start construction in Septem-

ber.

The fundraising effort is also gaining momentum.

We enjoyed a very successful Cocktail Night on

Friday 27th June in the Boat Inn. Thanks to

everyone who supported the event and to the

Boat Inn and Seamus Lowry for the wonderful

evening. We are looking forward to a very unique

fundraiser in the shape of the Moonlight Walk

which will leave from Keoghs Bar on the 9th

August. Registration is from 8:30pm at Keoghs

and entertainment will be provided. The walk

starts at 10om and each participant will get a

Moonlight Walk medal and some glow bands!

Don’t forget the collection boxes on the

counter tops in the local shops—your small

change really can make a bigger change for

Oughterard! If you’d like to help out with the

project, in any way, we’d love to hear from you!

Thanks for your continued support.

Project Co-ordinators Sinéad Grimes &

Cllr. Thomas Welby

Corribdale Park Update


31

Marie-Hélène Poudevigne, from Oughterard, former honorary Consul of France, has recently been elected Consular Councillor for the French citizens in Ireland. The election took place on Sunday 25 May at the French Embassy in Dublin. This is a new category of representatives for the French abroad. There are 443 French Councillors all over the world. Their first function will be to sit at a consular Council presided by the relevant Ambassador and to deal with all matters relating directly to the French abroad, to protect their interests and defend their rights. Corrib News would like to congratulate Marie-Hélène on her new appointment Pictured Marie-Hélène Poudevigne

Lets Get Cooking! with Gerry McDonnell

Carrown Tober Homemade Beef Burgers Serves 4

METHOD

Melt the butter in a small pan

Add the onion and lightly fry

Remove from heat and cool for 10 minutes

Mix all the other ingredients together—expect for the olive oil—and add the cooled

onions using your hands.

Divide into 4 balls and shape them out on parchment paper and rest in the fridge

for 10 minutes.

Heat the pan, add the olive oil and cook the burgers slowly for approx. 15 minutes

until nice and firm.

Break one to make sure they are fully cooked through.

Serve with Ciabatta bread toasted with a little garlic butter, together with some

tossed salad with dressing and potato wedges and relish.

Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

1lb of good quality Minced beef with a little fat

1oz butter

1 small onion

1 tsp chopped parsley

2 tsp Tomato Ketchup

Pinch salt & pepper

2 oz breadcrumbs

1 egg

1 tablespoon of Olive Oil


32

Corrib Gym News Summer 2014

Farewell Paul, Hello Eddie!

It is with sadness we bid farewell to staff member

Paul Fisher. We wish to thank Paul for all his

hard work and dedication during the time he

spent here at Corrib Gym. On behalf of all the

staff & customers we wish Paul success & all the

best in his new ventures.

In contrast, we are pleased to welcome Eddie

Caine to the team here at Corrib Gym. Eddie has

qualifications in Gym Instruction, Indoor Cycling,

Exercise & Physical Activity for Children and

Strength & Conditioning. We wish Eddie every

success here at Corrib Gym.

Five Charities Event

On Thursday July the 10th there will be a charity

event on in the Galwegians Rugby Grounds at

6.30pm to raise funds for five charities. These

charities consist of Cope Galway, ACT for

Meningitis, Irish Heart Foundation, Self Help

Africa and Special Olympics Connaught. Corrib

Gym hopes to join the teams there in an attempt

to break the Guinness World Record for the most

people holding the abdominal plank position for

more than 60 seconds. We are looking for

people to join our team so if you are interested

please call us on (091) 557775 or call into Corrib

Gym reception

Website

Since the launch of our website on the 24th of

February it is proving to be very successful in

providing the public with all of our latest news,

activities in the hall, new upcoming fitness

classes and special events. We continue to

improve and work on this service to ensure that

you are provided with the most accurate and

updated information. Visit us on :

www.oughterardcommunitycentre.ie

Summer Special

This summer we will be offering yearly

memberships of €250.00 for an adult, €150 for

students & the unwaged. This special offer will

run throughout June & July. Don’t miss out on

this fantastic deal! (*Terms & Conditions Apply)

Kids Fit’n’Fun

Kids Fit’n’Fun classes commenced in the hall in

May and are proving to be very popular with the

children providing fun and exercise

simultaneously. Corrib Gym will be running these

classes throughout the summer so if you are

interested in enrolling your child please call us on

(091) 557775. There are three class categories

available:

ages 5-7,

ages 7-8,

ages 9- 11.

Outdoor Bootcamp

Outdoor Bootcamp continues to run throughout

the summer. In conjunction with the Afterschool

Club we will be offering parents the opportunity

to drop in their children to the Afterschool Club

while they participate in the Bootcamp Class.

This service will be available throughout the

month of July and there are limited spaces

available. For more information please enquire at

Corrib Gym reception or call us on (091) 557775.

The next edition of Corrib News will be

in the shops at the end of September.

To advertise or include your clubs news

and events please email:

[email protected]

The deadline for the next edition is

September 9th—Thank you!

http://www.oughterardcommunitycentre.ie/


33

Corribway Branch of the Irish Pony Club.

We are now entering our third year of the

Corribway branch of the Irish pony club and lots

has been happening.

We differ from a lot of clubs in the variety of

sports we can offer our members; it is not all

about ponies. During our pony club camp in

Lough Gara, Sligo last year we all had a chance

to tackle an assault course, learn to shoot and

discover archery as well as having great fun on

their lake. But of course we do spend lots of

time on our ponies getting to grips with show

jumping. We go to parks cross country regularly

and somehow our members prefer to end up in

the water jump more than actually jumping

through it.

To date we have attended Clifden Connemara

pony festivals, meeting the wonderful Olympian

Camilla Spears, who answered lots of questions

from our eager pony clubbers about three day

eventing. This year we experienced western

riding for the first time and watched the

wonderful Alana Cazabon perform her

dressage display. We spent a lovely evening

with Mary Mitchell and had an opportunity to

improve our dressage while also raising money

for the Special Olympians involved in equestrian

sport. We attended Equus live in Punchestown

which was a pony lovers paradise.

Pony Club Tests are an important part of our

branch. They are of a very high standard

recognised worldwide. Unlike some smaller

amateur tests, these tests can be failed and so

are taken very seriously within the branch. We

have 10 children working towards their C test at

present. 15 of our juniors will do D and D+.

They are not, however, compulsory and some

members choose not to take them, focusing

instead on the more fun activities. We

encourage our members to make their own

choices, thankfully we are not at school and fun

will always rule supreme.

Out of 32 members, 21 have their own pony.

However with the privilege of ownership comes

the responsibility of caring for that pony in all

seasons. This takes a lot of dedication and

effort. It is not as simple as throwing a football in

the back of a car and off you go! Loading a

pony, cleaning tack, getting your clothing

organised, feeding and driving to your

destination can take up hours of free time, and

that’s before you even mount your pony!!! Our

parents are encouraged to be actively involved;

they have to sign our code of ethics along with

their children stating they will abide by the rules

of Irish pony club, teaching their children that

honest endeavour is as important as winning

and to do all they can to encourage good

sportsmanship.

What members do outside of pony club we have

no jurisdiction over, however, we always

encourage our members to treat each other with

respect even outside rallies. We do expect the

same level of respect from committee, officials

and instructors reminding them that their

behaviour outside is to lead by example and be

good role models for our children.

Unfortunately we have a waiting list for

members who do not have their own pony,

anybody who has their own pony and would like

to join our branch please contact our District

Commissioner Noelle McNamara at

0863790515 see us also on face book. More

information may be had from the Irish pony

website on www.irishponyclub.ie/


34

15th Galway Oughterard Scout Group

T he scouts from the Local scout

group had a weekend away on the

May bank holiday weekend. It was

a county event attended by many

groups from Galway. There were groups there

from Oranmore, Renmore, Athenry, Gort,

Moycullen and Kilimor to name a few.

It was held in the scout camp site in

Portlick,Athlone,Co.Westmeath. It is situated

on the shores of Lough Ree. It is a fantastic

location with a variety of activities.

The weekend was for 12-15 year olds only.

The whole weekend was organised very well

and each group received lots of instructions to

help them prepare for the weekend. They had

rotas so that every group took responsibility daily

for first aid, cleaning of showers blocks etc. Each

group set up their own camp area with tents, mess

tent, campfire and gate!

There was a weekend organised, full of activities

including kayaking on the lake, surveying, pioneer-

ing, map and compass work, mud sliding etc. At

night on Saturday night each group had to present

a 5 minute skit. The Oughterard group chose a

"zombie" themed script! The scouts were

supervised by leaders throughout the weekend but

they took responsibility to keep their camp in order

for inspections, cooking their own dinners and pre-

paring all their meals and planning the rota for

cooking and cleaning.

The group were marked on various

aspects of the weekend including how

well they kept their camp, tidy uniforms

and most importantly how they worked

together as a team.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend

for all the scouts and they arrived

home on Monday exhausted and

making plans for next year’s camp!

Check us out on facebook at “15th

Galway Oughterard Scouts”

Fionnuala Creighton


35

Oughterard GAA Club News

Club Development Plan and Fundraiser

Oughterard GAA are pleased to announce they will

be launching a new development plan over the

next few months. We hope to improve and upgrade

both the training and the main pitch, lighting and

dressing rooms. These will be of huge benefit to all

the current and future club members along with

everyone in Oughterard. To help fund these plans

we are planning a fundraising draw. These plan

details are on display in the club meeting room and

we will be putting them up on our Facebook and

website so that everyone in Oughterard will be able

to see what our future plans are.

Intermediate Championship

Oughterard GAA lost their opening intermediate

championship game against Dunmore 0-6 to 1-9

in a windy Tuam Stadium. Oughterard started well

and were playing with the wind in the first half.

Scorers for Oughterard in the first half were Enda

Tierney (45), Ronan Molloy (free) and Martin

Coady (2 points from play) and were leading at half

time 4-3.

However Oughterard were to rue their missed

scores in the second half with Dunmore taking

charge of the game midway through the second

half. Scorers for Oughterard in the second half

were Ronan Molloy and Martin Coady (both frees).

Dunmore took their chances in the second half and

pulled away from Oughterard in the last 10 minutes

of the game. Oughterard will play Ballinasloe in the

next round on the 28th/29

th of June.

Oughterard GAA Lotto

Oughterard GAA would like to look to thank every-

one that is supporting our club lotto. The jackpot is

currently €3050.Tickets are available at all the local

shops, bars and online at http://www.locallotto.ie/

Galway/OughterardGAA/

Oughterard GAA would like to congratulate the two

recent winners of our club lotto. Carmel Fahy from

Edenderry, Co. Offaly won €19,550 and Tom

McGauley from, Oughterard won €2,000

Minor Round up

Oughterard 0-7 1-10 Killanin

Clifden 4-10 3-6 Oughterard

Clonbur 3-15 1-10 Oughterard

Oughterard 3-13 1-9 Renvyle

So far Oughterard Minors have played 4 league

games and have shown that this young team has a

lot of potential. Due to injuries and exams

Oughterard has not been able to play their

strongest side on paper yet and this has allowed

many of the U16 and younger minors to shine.

Oughterard play Fr Griffins Éire Óg in the minor

championship and fingers crossed they can go a

long way in that competition.

The Welby Cup

Oughterard GAA and the Welby family have

revived a popular tournament for the first time in 32

years. The Welby Competition was successfully

concluded over Saturday and Sunday, the 10th and

11th of May. Conditions for the final, Carraroe vs

Oughterard, were very testing with strong winds

and driving showers but both teams played deter-

mined football and in the end Oughterard out-

scored Carraroe by 2 points to 1 in a low scoring

second half and carried the day. The Man of the

Match award was awarded to the home player

Eric Lee.

You can keep up to date with all the clubs news

and latest events on our Facebook page

“Oughterard GAA” or via our website https://

sites.google.com/a/gaa.ie/oughterard-gaa-galway/

club-news-1

We hope to update the site in the near future and

will keep you posted of any updates here in Corrib

News.

John Byrne, Club PRO

http://www.locallotto.ie/Galway/OughterardGAA/

http://www.locallotto.ie/Galway/OughterardGAA/


36

Oughterard Angling Association

The long and proud tradition of fishing the

mayfly on Lough Corrib is alive and well in

Oughterard, Co. Galway. This was evident on

Sunday, May 11th, when the Oughterard

Angling Club hosted the annual International

Mayfly Angling Competition as part of the Mayfly

Festival weekend.

There was a massive entry of 145 national and

international competitors into the event which is

casting and dapping only, held from Oughterard

Pier.

The competion is a team and individual event

and on what were ideal conditions for fishing

trout on Lough Corrib there were some heavy

bags of fish brought to the weigh-in on the pier

at 6pm.

Presentation of prizes was held in the marquee

at Faherty’s Bar, The Square Oughterard, and

for their €25 competition entry fee anglers

received a steak dinner.

A big thank you to the committee of Oughterard

Anglers & Boatman’s Assoc., Brian Higgins &

staff in Faherty’s Bar, Tom & Patricia Tuck,

Chefs Paul & Eoin, Justin Keogh and all who

sponsored prizes, helped and took part in the

competition.

The Team Winners were:

Ireland (Tony Duncan, Eoin Kelly, Seamus Kelly

& Kevin Molloy)

The Individual Winners Henry Curran

Winning Lady Pauline Lee

Junior Winners Louis de Gregory

Heaviest Trout - Pauline Lee

As part of the Mayfly Festival Weekend the

Oughterard Anglers & Boatmen’s Assoc. hosted

the Junior International Mayfly Angling

Competition at Mike Faherty’s Angling Centre

on Station Road, Oughterard. The event was

held from 12 noon to 3pm on Saturday, 10th

May, and over 30 children entered the

competition.

Congratulations to

Daragh Gildea who

won with a fantastic

catch. Emily Tuck

came second and

Ethan Kelly came

third. Cian Yelverton

won the prize for the

longest fish.

A great day was had

by all and special

thanks to the

organisers from the

angling club

committee, Niall

Walsh and John

McCormack along with their able assistants,

Mike Faherty

who oversaw

the event and

all the parents

who supported

the competition.

Kevin Prunty,

PRO,

Oughterard

Anglers &

Boatmen’s

Assoc.

Emily Tuck

Niall Walsh with EthanKelly

Daragh Gildea


37

Oughterard Golf Club News

Welby’s

Filling Station & Forecourt Shop

Oughterard (091) 552959

SHOP—DELICATESSEN—FUEL GAS—COAL—BRIQUETTES

DELIVERY SERVICES—CAR WASH

Freshly Baked Bread Instore

The Oughterard Golf Club is

pleased to announce that for

2014, they have a special subscription of €400

inclusive of GUI /ILGU levies for all new mem-

bers. Special rates are also available for juniors.

This is to celebrate their 40th Anniversary.

The ladies weekly competition is held every

Wednesday and the men's weekly competition is

held every Sunday. This is possible due to the

kind sponsorship from lots of local businesses.

There is also an open day every Tuesday.

The Junior Club is growing and growing. The

juniors play every Saturday and tee times are

reserved between 3 and 5. Derek McNamara,

the Club Professional, is on hand every Saturday to give all these budding golfers golf lessons in a fun

and safe way.

The junior members are putting Oughterard Golf Club on the map. Noreen Maloney, Noel and Carmel’s,

daughter has recently been awarded a college scholarship to Iowa in the USA which is a fantastic

achievement. Noreen is travelling to Iowa the end of August (photo above). Club member Devin Morley

(aged 16) is now playing off scratch, every golfers dream, but achieved by very few. His parents Bridget

and John Morley must be very proud of him. It is a wonderful achievement for someone so young.

The Golf Club held a fun family day on Saturday the 28th of June. It was a great day and gave people an

opportunity to visit the club, see all the facilities and pick up some golf tips, not to mention a visit to Gerry

in the Clubhouse Restaurant where we are sure nobody left hungry!

Goldilocks Montessori

2—5 YEARS

Tiny Tots

Montessori

EECE Scheme

Phone :087-9220212

Email: [email protected]

Left to right Captain John Grant, Noreen Maloney, Lady

Captain Kay Lydon and President Laura Gore.


38

The Oughterard Soccer Club News

Huge thanks to all

of our sponsors, friends and supporters

who made our 2014 Race Night the huge

success it was!

On the field we wrapped up the U10 girls

with an away game in Athenry at the end

of a busy week with Cup game V Mervue

and a home league game versus

Oranmore Maree. Most of the Girls U10

players only took up football in January

and so it was tough going in the Premier

League

However the girls played hard and

genuinely enjoyed every moment of the

season and look forward to meeting up

again in September.

The Boys U9 and 10 played their end of

season Cup Finals in Eamon Deacy Park

Terryland only to go out on the Golden Goal

rules. These are really talented hard working

age groups in the Club and we believe have

huge seasons ahead in the 2014/15 autumn

and winter campaigns.

Finally, congratualations to the OAFC Girls

U12 team who competed in the U12 Girls

Premier Cup Final on June 20th .The girls had a great win

on June 15th over Salthill Devon, but sadly lost to Creg-

more in the final. This was a fantastic achievement for the

girls and amazingly it was the clubs first premier cup final

in about 10 years. We look forward to many more!

Find us on Facebook at “Oughterard AFC” or on

our website at http://oughterardafc.com/

Paul Silke

Girls U10 team

Boys U10 Team with Coach Keith Gildea

Boys U9 Team


39

Under 14’s

ORFC U14s youth team went on a fantastic run

over the last few weeks of the season, which saw

them battle their way into the Connacht Plate final

against Castlebar in Ballinrobe. The boys never

took a step back and played their part in a thrilling

game of rugby, which was only decided in the last

5-6 minutes when Castlebar ran in two tries to win

26-3.

Every member of the squad should be very proud

of their season, knowing that next year, the

majority of the team will be able to play in the

same age group, be bigger and stronger, and

have a years more experience in the bank.

There was no rest for the team though. The day

after the final, the lads headed off to Wales for a

well deserved end of season tour. They were

treated like kings by their hosts Cefneithin RFC,

who arranged a BBQ and loads of action packed

adventure activities as well as a challenge match

between the two clubs.

Mini and LEP rugby.

The Mini and LEP season is now over. Once again

we have seen numbers of players increasing in all

age groups.

The Mini & LEP end of season BBQ and awards

day was held recently with Connacht players Brett

Wilkinson and Robbie Henshaw coming out to

Oughterard to present the awards to the kids. It

was a great way to bring the season to an end

with the youngsters all receiving medals and

getting the pictures taken with their hero`s.

TAG rugby.

The Tag season is now well underway, with ORFC

“tagmaniacs” having played in, and won their

Spring League. Although we have good numbers,

the taggers always welcome new players – so if

you fancy giving it a go and playing in the summer

league which is about to start, come along on

Monday evenings at 7pm or give Sinead a call on

0879777290 for further details.

Whether you are players, coaches, sponsors or

“just” parents who ferry your kids to matches and

wash their kit, – a massive thank you for your

continued support of ORFC over the seasons.

Although we will all enjoy the summer, we are

looking forward to next season already.

ORFC plan on running a summer camp again this

year form 11th - 15th August. Please contact Matt

Henderson 083-0097488 for further details.

Oughterard Rugby Club News

ORFC U14s after their Connacht Plate final with Castlebar RFC


40

The Last Word... We hope that you have enjoyed the 2nd printed edition of Corrib News.

We are delighted with the success of the online magazine and also with the

popularity of the Corrib News Facebook page. With over 700 likes and a very

active fan-base we are very pleased to be able to spread the word about local

club news and events and facilitate people in getting the word out to everyone

in the locality and beyond.

Just as importantly, if there is something you don’t like, or don’t see covered be

sure to get in touch and tell us what you’d like to see in the next issue. Sincere

thanks to all our contributors and sponsors — without you there could be no

newsletter.

The next edition will be printed at the end of September and the dead-

line for submissions is Monday September 9th. There will be lots of new

articles, recipes and club news to share with you.

Finally if you would like to place an advert in the next edition please email

[email protected]. Please send us in your club events and news, your

points of interest, poems, stories and musings by September 9th—we’d love to

hear from you.

From the Team at Corrib News.

Margaret Larminie, Cepta Stephens, Sinéad Grimes, Kathleen Furey,

Jess Walsh, Katy Conneely, Mary Kyne, Leslie Lyons, Jack McCann,

Aoife O’Halloran, Geraldine Bresnihan and Deirdre Forde

Corrib News The Community Centre, Oughterard

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.corribnews.webs.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/corribnews

corribnews print summer 2014

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