Balldehob Community Council Newsletter

ISSUE: January 2012

On Monday night January 23rd a public information meeting took place in the community hall regarding the new septic tank charges that are about to be imposed on the people of rural Ireland. Over 130 people attended the meeting and voiced their anger and frustration at yet another tax about to be landed on the people. Questions were put to the politicians who attended including Senator Denis O’ Donovan, Councillor Dermot Sheehan, and Councillor Pat Murphy. Mr. Diarmuid Mc Carthy Planning consultant from Bantry very kindly attended the meeting and gave his professional opinion on his understanding of the new regulations about to be passed in Dáil Éireann explaining to the crowd that there is a huge amount of uncertainty at this stage as to how the system is going to work. Senator O’ Donovan explained his understanding was that the appointed inspectors would have authority to enter a person’s property to carry out a septic tank inspection without their permission and could not be prevented from doing so whether or not the property owner registered and paid the €50.00 fee. Councillor Dermot Sheehan in his contribution informed the meeting that he had been in contact with the minister responsible Mr. Phil Hogan and confirmed to the meeting that the €50.00 registration fee would be a once off payment. On the show of hands the question was put to the floor as to whether or not they would formally register for the septic tank inspection and pay the fee. The majority at the meeting showed their intent not to register. Mr. Michael Collins from Lowertown also voiced his dismay at the new system and the costs that may be incurred by the people after the inspectors report and recommendations. The meeting was organised by Ballydehob Community Council. To finish on a short note the untimely death took place on December 19th of a great community activist Mr. Pat O’ Driscoll from Derreenaclough. Pat was a quiet, gentle man, loved by all. He was involved in almost every organisation in Ballydehob throughout the years. No matter what festival taking place Pat would be at some junction with his high visibility jacket on stewarding. He will be missed by all and we extend our deepest sympathy to his sister Helen and his brothers Jerry & Gerard and to all his family. Martin Swanton, Chairperson BCC.
Martin Swanton, Chairperson, Ballydehob Community Council

Thought for the month
“Always laugh when you can. It is cheaper than medicine…”

Ballydehob Youth Centre: Shave Him Fundraiser
was held in the Irish Whip on Saturday 7th January. Niall Ronan the musician entertained the audience, Edmund Ring the talented Skibbereen Barber was on hand with his shaver, with encouragement from the audience, the auction began for the silver hair on Barry O Brien’s head with a minimum of €100 being set. Jimmy O’ Sullivan was called and the auction was reignited and the minimum was again raised, he too accepted his fate and took his place in the hot seat. Dan Collins was next to be chosen followed by Michael Keohane, all to help raise funds for the Ballydehob Youth Centre. Special thanks to all those who contributed so generously to this local worthy cause, cards are still out there and if you wish to contribute it would be greatly appreciated. The committee and youth leaders of the Ballydehob Youth Centre would like to again thank Barry O Brien, Mr Edmund Ring, Rose Murphy, and all the shops and businesses who accepted the sponsorship cards, our sponsor, Councillor Brendan Leahy, Ronan O Driscoll, Danny Hutchinson and Andrew Murphy . A great night was had by all. Also a trip to the Neptune Stadium is also being organised for the 11th of February for a day of social interaction and fun with the other 40 clubs of Ogra Chorcaí in a soccer tournament.

Ballydehob Threshing Committee:
held it’s presentation night on Saturday 14th January in The Irish Whip.
A great crowd gathered as cheques were handed out to the two worthy local groups.
Gerard O’ Driscoll seen there handing over a cheque to Teddy Coughlan for €3,000 on behalf of Cancer Connect.
Music on the night by Derek Kennedy.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Steve’s Ocean 7 Challenge:
Steve seen here receiving his award for West Cork Sports Star of the Year from Alan Quinlan recently. Update on Steve’s progress, Steve and his team are travelling out on the 10th February to New Zealand to complete No. 5, Cook’s Strait on Tuesday 14th February. Steve has informed me that we will be able to track his swims Live online with a tracking device specially for his swims. From there Steve and his team travel on to Hawaii to complete No. 6 Molokai Channel on Wednesday 29th February.
A Monster Poker Night is planned as a fundraiser for Steve’s Challenge, on Friday 3rd February in The Paragon Bar, Skibbereen @ 8pm sharp, €1,000 First Prize, if you would like more info or enter, ring Noel on 086/8545916 or ring The Paragon Bar. We wish Steve the Best of Luck and to have a safe journey home to Ballydehob where he will be our Grand Marshal for our St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
 
 

Cork South West Association for Autism:
would like to Thank the Ballydehob Threshing Committee for their very generous donation of €9,000 to go towards the setting up of our new Centre for Adults with Autism, Autism with an intellectual difficulty or Aspergers. At present the committee is working hard to get an agreement between the Cork Association for Autism and Co-action to work with the committee in a joint approach to finds what best suits the needs of the Clients on an individual basis, and is Autism specific. We would like to Thank Sinead Morris who kindly designed our new Logo (which is picture above). Noel Camier seen here receiving a cheque from Leita Camier.

Ballydehob Charity Shop:
The charity shop in the Community Hall is re-open after the Christmas holidays with a half-price sale on everything, come along and catch a bargain. Thank you to all who support us.

Recycle your Old Mobile Phone:

I am asking you, if you have an old mobile phone laying around at home to please recycle it for Charity, I am collecting them to exchange for iPads & iPods for St. Patrick’s Boys National School & Rossa College Autism Units, Skibbereen. The mobile phones don’t have to work & we don’t need the chargers, they can be broken also. There are collection buckets in Catriona’s Beauty Salon, The Post Office & Rosie’s Pub. Thank you for your support. More info contact Noeleen Murphy 086/3254214 or 028/37463.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade:
hope ye are busy preparing your floats for this year’s Parade, the theme this year is The Ocean and The Titanic as Steve Redmond is our Grand Marshall and it is coming up to the Centenary of The Titanic. You can be as creative as you wish, more information contact the office or Martin Swanton. Please register as soon as possible. Thank you.

Community Council Office
Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, 9.30 am-2pm approx, Please contact Noreen Dalton on 028/37640 or 085/1824276.

To place an ad or news for newsletter contact Noeleen Murphy on 028/37463 or 086/3254214 email noeleen.murphy7@gmail.com. Ads are at a reasonable rate.
Ballydehob Community Council does not take responsibility for articles and opinions published.