Clonmel Junction Festival presents The Meeting of Traditions with Irish Trad legend Frankie Gavin and Tunisian singer Ghalia Benali on Friday July 12th in Old St Marys Church.

Two world class traditional musicians, both revered in their homelands and honoured around the world, will come together for one incredible night in Clonmel, to perform a concert that is sure to be one of the highlights of this years Junction Festival.

Over the years some of the most memorable nights at Junction Festival have been those that brought together great artists to create unique events that have lived long in the memory of those who were lucky enough to be there. These include Máirtín O’Connor and Israeli  oud player Yair Delal in 2005, Liam Clancy and the legendary blues singer Odetta in 2006 and Lisa Hannigan and Cathy Davey in 2010. Following in this tradition the Festival has programmed this exciting double bill with Ghalia and Gavin.  Each will perform their own concert set which will be followed by a unique set performed by the 5 members of De Dannan with Ghalia and her two Egyptian musicians, a unique event specially prepared for Junction Festival.

At 17 Frankie Gavin was all Ireland flute and fiddle champion and had already formed De Dannan with bouzouki player Alec Finn and several other players form the Galway trad scene.  Among the many highlights of touring with De Dannan, Gavin sites as specially memorable performing for 3 U.S. Presidents and touring China with the “Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra” where they played concerts that were aired on ‘China Central TV’ to over 500 million viewers.

After 33 years, 14 albums and a number of changes in the line up, the group disbanded in 2003, reforming in 2008 as “a De Dannan of the 21st century” with a line up led by Gavin, with Barry Brady, Colm O’Caoimh, Paul O’Driscoll and Michelle Lally on lead vocals. Michelle follows in the long line of amazing singers in De Dannan such as Mary Black, Dolores Keane and Maura O’Connell.

2010 saw the group release a new album entitled ‘Jigs, Reels & Rock ‘n’ Roll’, which features their friend and Rolling Stones legend, Ronnie Wood as guest guitarist.

Most recently Frankie and De Dannan travelled to Russia (February 2013) where they represented Ireland in the presence of the Irish Ambassador to Russia. On Friday last May 3,Frankie was made Irish cultural ambassador to Italy, at a ceremony in the municipal building of Verona.

Like Gavin, Ghalia grew up in a very musical family. As a young girl she was performing Arabian and Indian dances at family parties.  Her early influences were varied. In addition to being immersed in the traditional music of Tunisia she was also being exposed to French chanson, Egyptian and Indian theatre music, melodies from Syria and Iraq and the “tartil”, the sung readings from the Koran.

Since moving to Brussels in her mid twenties Ghalia has established herself as one of the most exciting singers coming from the North African region, recording a number of celebrated CDs.

Inspired by her diverse musical education Ghalia has continued to explore musical traditions around the world, delving deeply into the roots of other traditions to find the connecting point which she describes as the search for universal melody.

For the Clonmel show Ghalia is accompanied by two Egyptian musicians Ayman Mabrouk on percussion and Ayman Asfour on violin, with whom she has been working on an exciting new repertoire.

This concert which is on in Old St Marys Church on July 12th has all the ingredients of an unforgettable night.

Tickets €22/€18 are on sale now at www.junctionfestival.com.

Home Instead Senior Care welcomed the recent publication of the Government’s National Positive Ageing Strategy 2013. See:

http://www.dohc.ie/publications/pdf/National_Positive_Ageing_Strategy_English.pdf?direct=1

Increased longevity is a sign of economic and social progress. The Strategy encourages us to recognise our increased longevity as one of the greatest achievements of our time. The four national goals from the strategy are listed below.

In Ireland, at the last Census in 2011, there were approximately 535,000 people aged over 65 in the population, representing an increase of 14.4 per cent since 2006. Ireland will experience an unprecedented ageing of the population in the first half of the twenty-first century and by 2041 there will be an estimated 1.3 million to 1.4 million people aged over 65 years, representing 20-25 per cent of the total Irish population.

The National Positive Ageing Strategy Vision begins “Ireland will be a society for all ages that celebrates and prepares properly for individual and population ageing”. Home Instead Senior Care believes that to achieve this, each and every one us will need to take greater responsibility for our own ageing.

One issue to consider is how to stay at home, in the event that you suffered an accident such as a broken leg, or had a stroke or developed an illness that affected your mobility. Often, people in hospital are unable to return home for simple reasons such as lack of downstairs bathroom.  A “stay home” plan needs to consider how you could live at home on one floor, if you lacked the mobility to use stairs.

The plan needs to consider how you would manage with daily tasks such as cooking or showering or housekeeping whilst you are convalescing at home. You need to have conversations with family members and understand what help they could bring. No one wants to be a burden on family members, so it is important to know exactly what commitment sons and daughters can give, in the event you need their help. Sometimes it is not appropriate for family members to assist with tasks such as showering, or family members may not be able to visit every day. In such instances, it is important to budget for private home care. As we age, so our budgeting must reflect new costs associated with ageing positively at home.

National Goal 1

Remove barriers to participation and provide more opportunities for the continued involvement of people as they age in all aspects of cultural, economic and social life in their communities according to their needs, preferences and capacities.

National Goal 2

Support people as they age to maintain, improve or manage their physical and mental health and wellbeing.

National Goal 3

Enable people to age with confidence, security and dignity in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.

National Goal 4

Support and use research about people as they age to better inform policy responses to population

For more information Call our Thurles office on 0504 91100 or see our website www.homeinstead.ie More ideas on successful ageing can be found on the Home Instead Senior Care FACEBOOK page.

STAG Adult Artists have just 2 weeks to their 45th. Annual Art Exhibition in Clonmel Library! Artwork is now being completed for the Exhibition on Tuesday nights in the Art Room, St. Peter and Paul’s Primary School, Kickham St., Clonmel.

Please note: Because of the closure of Clonmel Library  during the  June Bank Holiday, all details of Artworks  for the exhibition MUST be in to the Organiser on Tuesday night 28th. May. Artworks for the Exhibition, ready to hang,  must be dropped into the Library on FRIDAY 31st  from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. only , as the Library is closed on Sat. 1st and Monday 3rd.

The Exhibition will be Officially Opened by His Worship , The  Mayor , Cllr Billy Shoer at 7. 30 p.m. Tuesday  4th. June. All former and present STAG members are welcome -  Open to the public also.

Junior STAG Primary Section ( 9 years to 6th. Class) has had music added  to their Art/Craft class each Saturday  morning.  7 at a time  attend the `Fun Through Music ‘ workshop at the  11. 30  session which runs in the South Tipperary Arts Centre from 10. 15 each Saturday morning. As the young people love this added` string to their bow’ we have decided to continue to bring them to the Music workshop for the next few weeks as the workshop is ongoing !  The  Batik with Lesley is almost complete now  and the work is so good it will be suitable for framing!

The Seniors completed their designs for the crests for Festival Cluain Meala which takes place in August. Painting of the shields will take place next Sat with the Seniors in the Co. Museum from 11 to 1.p.m. Workshop open to  non member teens also.

Seniors! Please attend at the Arts Centre at 10. 30 a.m.  first.

 www.s-t-a-g.ie

Maureen Purcell, Organiser STAG

Exhibitions

The Official Launch by Tim Corballis, Coolmore Stud, Fethard of the amazing and unique Art Exhibition ` Only Foals and Horses’ by Equine Artist Tony O’ Connor, Cork,  will take place on Thursday 23rd. May at 7 p.m. in the Arts Centre, Nelson St., Clonmel. Open to the public from Friday 24th. May  until Wednesday 19th. June Arts Centre Hours: Tues. to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sat. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. including lunchtime. Admission FREE! Well worth a visit.

` Get Snapping’ The closing date for the South Tipperary Arts Centre’s Primary Schools Photo Competition  in conjunction with Clonmel Photo Centre, has been extended  to Friday 31st May.  Photos can be  Cropped / Straightened and changed to Black & White or Sepia  but no other  digital enhancement or manipulation is allowed.   Great prizes to be won from  Clonmel Photo Centre, O Connell St., and Fieldmaster Parnell St., Clonmel to whom STAC is very grateful.

Check out `Phone Photo Competition for Teenagers ‘ at the Arts Centre 0526127877

• The FREE  Creative Card making workshop with Elke on Wednesday 15th. May  for the Bealtaine Festival  2013 was a great success as we were joined with 12 girls and their teachers from the Sisters of Charity School in Clonmel.  New classes soon in the Arts Centre with Elke  for Primary school children in and around Clonmel.

• Bridge the Gap Gig ‘  with St. Mary’s Boy’s School Choir, Poet John Fitzgerald and  Singers, Claire &  Marie Kelly and STAG  musicians ,Elli Mackey, Jessica Keane and Sadhbh Madigan , all  coming together in the Arts Centre to celebrate ‘Creativity as we age’. This is a FREE  concert ( silent donations accepted!)
• Please be aware that there is room for 50 audience members  only as the venue is small and the Choir take up quite a bit of space so first come first served!

Children at the Arts Centre

Art/Craft On going . Join in anytime

Fri.  with Elke  4 p.m to 5 p.m. for  6 to 10 years +

Sat.with Julie 12. 30 to 1. 30   p.m. for 4 to 6 years +

 Music On going – Join in anytime

Parents Please Note the times!

Sat. with Niall, 10. 15 a.m. to 10. 45 a.m.  4 to 6 years   –   Rhythm Development, singing and listening skills using percussion instruments

10. 45 a.m. to 11. 30 a.m. 7 to 9 years    -    Rhythm Development,  intro to instrument families in the Orchestra, singing and `playing’ various instruments

11. 30 a.m. to 12. 15 p.m. 10 to 13 + years -  In depth  intro to Orchestral instruments with a chance to `play’ several, from Trumpet to violin to percussion to flute & keyboard etc.

Summer Arts/Craft Camps

Pre Teens & Teenagers  `Graffiti Work’  1 week from Monday 24th. June.

                                                                      1 week end of July.

Children’s Arts/Craft Camp

Arts/Craft Camp for children from 4 years up to 6 years will commence on  Monday 1st. July  10.30 a.m. to 1.p.m.  for 1 week

Monday 8th July 10. 30 a.m.  to 1 p.m. for children from 7 years to 10 years. for 1 week

Please Book in for all camps at Reception at 0526127877 ASAP as only a limited number of places are available.

Adults at the Arts Centre

 Arts/Craft On Going. Join in anytime

Tuesday  10. 00 a.m. to 12 noon  pottery with Julie

Wednesday 10. 30 to 12. 30  Studio available  for Arts/Craft get together to paint or do craft. No Tutor.Thursday : 10. 30 to 12. 30   Acrylics for Beginners and improvers  with Ann Brennan

Thursday 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. `Crochet for all’ with Lesley. Beginners, Improvers and Experts, right and left handers catered for.

PLEASE CONTACT RECEPTION TO JOIN IN ANY OF THE ABOVE WORKSHOPS AT 052 61 27877 or email re.ception@gmail.com.

The Studio is available to rent out for mornings, afternoons and evenings when not in use . Contact Reception for details.

Check out LIKE and SHARE South Tipperary Arts Centre’s Facebook page and www.southtippartscentre.ie

Maureen Purcell, Voluntary Manager,  South Tipperary Arts Centre, Nelson St., Clonmel.

A Tea and Coffee Morning held in the Constituency Office of Mattie McGrath TD on Saturday 18^th May has raised 2000 to go towards the purchase of a new Paediatric Resuscitator for the Childrens Ward in South Tipperary General Hospital.

Deputy McGrath has expressed his huge appreciation to all those who supported the event and who helped out in anyway. He also gave special mention to Miss Tipperary Aoife Walsh who attended on the day to support the event.

I must pay tribute to all those who helped out in anyway, all those who baked and brought cakes and buns, those who donated raffle prizes and those who gave so generously. It would not have happened but for the help and support of the public. Said Deputy McGrath

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Deputy McGrath explained that they had so many cakes and buns left over that they were able to hold a cake sale in Tigh na nDaoine in Newcastle on Saturday evening and thanked all those who came to support the cake sale at such short notice.

The Childrens Ward of South Tipperary General Hospital holds a special place in the hearts of all my family as our late brother Dr. Eddie McGrath worked as a Paediatrician there and who had huge passion for the unit so I am delighted that we have been able to support them in this small way. Said Deputy McGrath

With all the cutbacks, it is important that the Childrens Ward continues to have the equipment that it needs to provide the best care possible for sick Children and I just hope that the ward will be able to raise the remainder of the funds required to purchase such an important piece of equipment. I have also raised this matter with the Minister for Health in the hope that extra funding can be provided to ensure that the Unit can purchase the Paediatric Resuscitator that they require. Concluded Deputy McGrath.

David Ryan – County Senior Champion

Fethard was the venue last Sunday for the County Senior Ladies 5K and Men’s 10K Road Championships, held in good conditions. In the Ladies race the Club was very well represented with seven athletes competing. Aine Roche ran very well when winning the Bronze medal in 19 mins 9 secs. Then we had Johanna Lacy also running well when 7^th in 20 mins 6 secs with Donna Nagle running well to finish 12^th in 21 mins 44 secs. These three athletes combined very well to win the inter Club Silver medals.

We then had Una Redfern also running very well when finishing 14^th in 22 mins 3 secs with Sheila Perry making her Championship debut at this level also running very well when 18^th in 22 mins 31 secs. Eileen Hynes showed that she is back running well again when finishing 21^st in 23 mins 5 secs and these three athletes combined to win the Silver medals in the B Section. Hazel Galloway also ran well when 24^th in 23 mins 49 secs.

The Men’s race saw members compete and it was great to see them all running so well especially as many of them ran in the Annerville 10K last Sunday in Clonmel. David Ryan went off with the early pace that soon saw him in a group of three dictating the pace after 2k. David positioned himself well to cover any sudden breaks, they were still together at 6k and then the pace began to hot up as there were a few surges put in by the defending Champion, Kevin Moore of Dundrum, but each time David was able to get back up to join him at the front. Then with 1k to go Kevin made one last effort but David matched him stride for stride with Danny Smith of Ballynonty in close attention. Over a hectic run to the finish David proved the stronger as he put in a great effort to come home a very worthy Champion in 33 mins 32 secs, a brilliant performance by an athlete who trains very hard and last Sunday got his reward, County Senior Champion.

Then we had Paudie O Keeffe also running a brilliant race when finishing 8^th in 35 mins 4 secs, a PB for the distance. Declan Curley making his debut in these Championships ran very well when finishing 20^th in 36 mins 50 secs. Then we had Conor Fleming shown none the worse for his performance in the Kildare Marathon last week when finishing strongly over the final 2k in 24^th place in 37 mins 30 secs. These four athletes combined very well to win the Inter Club Silver medals.

Gary Grant also running very well when finishing 27^th in 38 mins 5 secs, followed by Ian Purcell, who was running in these Championships for the very first time, running well when 32^nd in 39 mins 18 secs. Next we had Joe Whelan, making a very welcome return to competition, running well when 34^th in 39 mins 31 secs and along with Gary and Ian won the Inter Club Silver medals in Section B.

We also had some great running from Brian Carroll 36^th (39:51), Fergal O Callaghan 39^th (40:13) and James O Brien 46^th (42:45) and they combined well to win the Inter Club Bronze medals in Section B. Donal Casey also ran well when finishing 51^st in 44 mins 51 secs with Eddie Prendergast 56^th in 46 mins 8 secs.

Poulmucka Road Races

These very popular races takes place this Friday night at 7.30pm in Poulmucka and it would be great if we can get as many members as possible to compete as we received brilliant support from our friends in Poulmucka for the recent Annerville 10k. This is a Club event and we have club members Tommy Cahill, Kate Wall, Helen O Ceallaigh and Niall O Ceallaigh on the organising committee and they deserve our fullest support. This year we will once again have the Meet and Train 5k race where athletes must predict their finishing time when registering and then run the distance without a watch or IPOD. For further enquiries please contact Andy at 086 3609110.

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People in photo’s
1sr 3 Women – Madeline Loughnanae Thurles Crokes, Dympna Ryan Dundrum and Aine Roche Clonmel
1st 3 Men – Danny Smith Ballynonty, David Ryan Clonmel and William Hughes Thurles Crokes
Clonmel Ladies left to right Eileen Hynes, Aine Roche, Sheila Perry, Una Redfern, Johanna Lacy, Hazel Galloway and Donna Nagle
Clonmel men – left to right back row – Fergal o Callaghan, Joe Whelan, Edmund Prendergast, Conor Fleming, Gary Grant, David Ryan and Paudie O Keeffe
Front Row – left to right – James O Brien, Donal Casey, Declan Curley, Brian Carroll, Ian Purcell and his two children who were our mascots

Priests of the Parish: Fr. Michael Hegarty I.C. & Fr. James Pollock I.C.

Tel 6125679   Fax 6128071  Email stoliver@eircom.net

Sister: Sr. Mary Muckley  Tel 6125235

Parish Office: Open Monday – Friday  9.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m.

Society of St.Vincent de Paul Helpline  086-0412328 or 052 6123878

Eucharistic Adoration in St. Oliver’s Church Day Chapel on Mondays from 2.00 – 8.00 p.m. (except Bank Holidays)

St.Vincent de Paul Box is available on the side door to the Day Chapel next to the office door.

First Holy Communion: Congratulations to the 57 Boys and Girls who made their First Holy Communion here in St. Oliver’s on Saturday 11^th. May and Saturday 18^th. May. Thanks to all who helped them to prepare for this great day in their lives.

Corpus Christi – Sunday 2^nd. June: There will be an Hour of Silent Eucharistic Adoration from 4.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. here in St. Oliver’s Church. This will synchronise with Eucharistic Adoration taking place around the world on that day.

Weekend Masses:

Saturday   11.30 a.m.      Davy Kearns late of BaronPark   (Anniv)

Saturday    7.30  p.m.      Molly Askins late of Ard Fatima   (Anniv)

Sunday      9.00 a.m.       Paddy Tobin late of Griffith Avenue  (Anniv)

Sunday   12.00  Noon     Cathy Harris late of Highfield Grove (Anniv)

Year of Faith – Dates for your Diary: It is hoped to have a inter-parish celebration at St. Patrick’s Well on Sunday June 30^th. at 3.00 p.m. More details later.

It is also planned that the annual Mass at the Holy Year Cross on August 5^th. will be a special celebration for this Year of Faith.

Mabs Help (Money Advice and Budgeting Service: Problems paying off debts? Experiencing financial difficulty? Need advice on money management?              Phone 1890 283438. A confidential non-judgemental independent service

Family Support Groups: Supporting Family Members coping with Drug Use.

For further information see Church Notice board or for Clonmel and Catchment Area Family Support Group contact 052 6189381 or 086 8557212

Cura – Crisis Pregnancy Support Services; Service includes Counselling and Support after an abortion. Phone 051 – 876452. Locall: 1850 622626.

Clonmel Fianna Fail Cllr Siobhan Ambrose has called on the Taoiseach Enda Kenny to strongly consider appointing a Minister for Older Persons in any future cabinet re-shuffle. Cllr. Ambrose raised this issue at this months meeting of both Clonmel Borough Council & South Tipperary County Council. According to Cllr. Ambrose the two most vulnerable phases in a persons life are as a child & as an older person.

Cllr. Ambrose says that as a country we are fortunate enough to have a Minister for Children & this Department has greatly improved the everyday lives of children. Similarly, Cllr Ambrose feels that older persons having worked hard for all of their working lives deserve a dedicated Minister to be a voice for them amid the ever growing challenges that they face on a daily basis.

Cllr. Ambrose cites samples of those challenges like the cuts to the Telephone Electricity & Fuel allowances, Increases in prescription charges, Changes to the medical card means test for the over 70′s making it more difficult to be approved for a medical card, Increases in charges for respite care, The fair deal scheme for nursing homes which many families find very restrictive, Reduction in the funding of Local Authorities older persons & DPG grants for items like a walk in shower, hand rails  & replacement of old windows & doors, The age exemption limits & age tax credits have also been reduced while the universal social charge takes more from some pensioners than the health & income levies that replaced.

Cllr. Ambrose hopes with a growing older population that the Taoiseach will consider this proposal in any future re- shuffle.