CAMP NOTES – 28^TH JANUARY 2013

GARDA STATION CLOSURE

At a special Meeting held in the Old School, Camp on Friday night Gárda Inspector Donal Ashe advised the community  that Camp Gárda Station would be closed on Thursday 31^st January  and would cease to operate as a Garda station from that date forward.    All Gárda business from 31^st January 2013  is to be conducted at Castlegregory Station under Gárda Nina Long.      Gárda Long, Gárda Paul Quinlan, Annascaul and Sergeant John Davis, Dingle  also attended the meeting and discussed how  West Kerry Communities could work together in the future.

The meeting praised the work of  retired Camp Garda Aidan Smith and regret was expressed at the closure of the Camp Gárda Station which one time housed a Sergeant and four Gárdaí working out in the community.     A meeting to plan the setting up of an SMS Text Alert System will be held in the coming weeks –  this operates on the principle of  “ the Gárdaí giving communities live updates on crime.     Gardaí disseminate this information to local Community Alert groups who then forward it to members of the community through text method.    The community would also be in a position to alert the Gárdaí of any suspicious movements or happenings in their community      This system has proved to be a valuable tool in the fight against crime in other parts of rural Ireland.    Condolences to the family of Gárda Adrian O Donoghue  R.I.P. whose young life was ended tragically,  while on duty on Friday night in Dundalk.

CAMP DRAMA GROUP

We are starting rehearsals for our next play. We are looking forward to having new people join us.    Rehearsals take place at Mike O Neill’s on Mondays at 8pm.   ALL WELCOME.

SHOTOKAN KARATE

Introductory classes will be held in Camp Community Centre on Saturday, 2^nd February at 2.00 p.m.  Suitable for children and adults. No charge. All welcome. Phone Seamus – 087 1232429.

MUSIC CLASSES

Piano/Keyboard/Music Theory Tuition  available in the comfort of your own home.  Children, Adults, Beginners, all welcome.  Exams with a globally recognised establishment. Contact Dawn – 087 9817693.

COMMUNITY GAMES

Congratulations to Annascaul, Camp and Inch Indoor Soccer who won bronze in the Community Games Finals held in Annascaul on Friday night.

ANNASCAUL GAA

The senior team played Dingle at the weekend, and came away with a draw. Played in blustery conditions, Dingle started well and put us under early pressure, with our full back line of Andrew Finn, David Clifford and Eoghan O Neill defending well. Soon after, we settled well with the two Creans, James and Aidan providing an outlet up front.  Although we missed a number of chances early on, James Crean kicked our first point of the new season and quickly followed up with a great goal. Gerard Lenihan, back from Australia, kicked his first point for Annascaul in over five years minutes later.  Wayward shooting and poor decision-making aside, we worked well in the first half and held a deserved five point lead at halftime.  The early stages of the second half was dominated by Dingle, who were aided by a gale force wind. Scrappy play on our behalf allowed Dingle to find their way back into the game, picking the first two scores of the second half. Genie Farrell, Eamonn Lenihan, James Scanlon and Jason Hickson rallied, breaking us out of our rut and enabling James Crean to kick another score. This vital point took the steam out of the hosts’ run, and scores were few and far between in the remaining fourteen minutes. Our work rate, especially from our half forward line, kept us in the lead right up until the final minute, but Mark Evans from Dingle grabbed an equaliser with a good point. Still, a draw is a good start to the season, despite the numerous chances we created. Best for us were James Crean, Jason Hickson, David Clifford, James Scanlon and Genie Farrell.

TEAM: Tommy Pierce, David Clifford, Andrew Finn, Eoghan O Neill, James Scanlon, Eamonn Hickson, Gerard Farrelly, Eamon Lenihan, Jason Hickson, (0-1f) Kenneth Quirke, Genie Farrell, Declan Lindsey, James Crean (1-4), Aidan Crean, Gerard Lenihan (0-1) Subs: Jaime Finn, Stephen Pierce, Patrick O Shea, Jaime Quirke.

Our next game is Sunday the 10^th of February in Annascaul.

COISTE NA NOG AGM

At the Annascaul Coiste na n-Og  AGM held recently, the following officers were elected for the coming year – Chairman: Paudie Moriarty, Secretary: Kathleen Moriarty, Treasurer: John Hanifin, PRO: Bride Kennedy, County Board Delegates: Johnny O Shea and Sean Moriarty,West Kerry Board: Paudie Moriarty.  Mentors for the year – U8/10s  –  Sean Moriarty, Johnny O Shea, Timmy Griffin and Adam Newstead.  U/12 – Genie Farrell,  Brendan Kennelly and Paudie Moriarty. U14 – Tim Falvey, Kieran O Driscoll and David Clifford.  U16 – Sean O Driscoll and Sean Curry.

MOCK WEDDING

A Mock Wedding fundraiser in aid of Bandon Hyperbaric Oxygen Centre was held in Feriters Bar, Castlegregory on Friday night. The funds raised will towards operational costs involved in providing this specialised therapy which is now used to treat various ailments.   At present the figure raised on the night is in the region of E1,400.  To add your contribution  or to find out more about the organisation – website is www.bhoc.ie.  or contact Feriters Bar.   Well done to all the performers who took part in the show.   It was a great night, well done !

TRADITION

According to Catholic and Anglican tradition, St. Blaise was a Bishop  who through his intercession, God miraculously healed a young boy who had a fish bone stuck in his throat.   For this reason,  the ceremony of the Blessing of the Throats will be given after all Masses next weekend in the parish of Annascaul, Camp and Inch.

Lá Fhéile Bríde

Next Friday 1^st February heralds the start of spring,  feast day of St. Brigid,  Longer days and better weather we hope and pray !

DARTS NIGHT

The ‘Mikey O’Donnnell’ memorial annual darts home and away competition starts on Friday night Feb 1^st.  at Bolands Bar Castlegregory.  The return match will be played at The Junction Bar, Camp  on the following Friday night Feb. 8th.

OBITUARY

Symapthy is extended to Peter Daly, Dalys Bar on the death of his sister Kay Lynch, Belfast.

BIRTHDAY

Cian O Móráin celebrated his 30^th birthday at Ashes Pub, Camp on Saturday night.  A large gathering of family and friends  enjoyed a great night of traditional Irish music and song, led by the talented ó Moráin family themselves.   Comhghairdeachas Cian !

PUBLIC MEETING

Gárda Superintendent Donal Ashe and the local West Kerry Gárdaí are holding a Public meeting about the closure of Camp Garda Station in The Old School, Camp on Friday, 25^th January at 7.30 p.m.    Everybody welcome.

CAMP ICA

Programme of activities  as follows:

Jan 24th Susan Lavery talks ‘being green in the home.’   Feb 7th monthly meeting  Feb 21st –  weaving demonstration by Dorothy Calvert    Further information from the Secretary, Mary  Knightly  Tel. 066 7130918

Please note all meetings start at 8pm.

ELECTION

Camp Community Council election will be on  Sunday 14^th April 2013.    Any person over 18 years of age resident in the Kilgobban electoral area is eligible to vote or to be elected

in this election.    Ballot papers will be posted to all residents week commencing  week 8^th. April.   You can vote for 5 people and 15 people will be elected.   Please ensure that the people you elect will attend  Meetings and take part in the work of the Council.

CAMP SPORTS DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Interested in joining the Camp Sports Development Committee, please contact Mairead – 086 3431270.

CAMP COMMUNITY CHILDCARE

Camp Community Childcare Centre has vacancies for Community Employment Learners, which helps people re-enter an active work force and assists them to gain valuable experience.    Childcare qualification desirable,  but not essential.     For further information please contact CE office on 066 7139422  or  Camp Childcare Centre on  066 7130338.

KERRY HOSPICE ASSOCIATION

Kerry Hospice are inviting people who are planning to participate in the Tralee Marathon on the 16th March to consider participating for the Kerry Hospice.     Further information can be had from Ted Moynihan at 087 6705014.

DOWN MEMORY LANE

A big cattle and sheep fair was held in Camp in olden times on 26^th January.    Buyers and Cattle Dealers from up the country often came by train and the animals were transported out of Camp in The Dingle Train that evening.

WEATHER

The snow came overnight and all our mountains and valleys are clothed in a blanket of snow this morning.

CAMP COMMUNITY CHILDCARE CENTRE
Camp Afterschool Club has a brand new activity plan for 2013.  Due to popular demand our Football with Annette has been split to 2 age groups.  From 3.30  ‘til  4.30 we have ages 5 to 7 and from 4.45 to 5.45 it is for ages 8 upwards.  On Wednesday we are introducing conversational Irish classes for children.    This will be done through fun and games and will be of benefit to children of all ages.  Due to the success of our Christmas Concert we are delighted to continue our Drama Club on a Thursday and also our theme days are back on a Friday.  For more information on any of these days or to make a booking call Catherine at the centre on 066 7130338.

SWIMMING CLASSES

Swimming classes will resume Wednesday 23^rd January 2013. The classes are for 12 weeks and the cost/swimmer is €70. The classes are being delivered by college students again and the ratio will be 1:4 max. Classes run from 4-4.45 in Tralee Sports Complex. There will be no swimming on Wed 6^th March and no swimming during Easter break. All swimmers must wear swimming hats and must be 5years or older. Transport to and from complex is responsibility of parents/guardians. Fees must be paid prior to commencement of classes. Please contact Ann Connell  at 087 9385865 to make arrangements for payment.

AGM

At the AGM of Camp Community Council held last Wednesday,  Chairperson Máiread Crean gave a detailed, concise Chairperson/Secretary report of all activities undertaken by the Council.   Michelle Farrell, Treasurer  reported a healthy balance of E21,541.00 in The Treasurers Financial report.   Main fundraiser was Camp Cash Cow event.   Mairead Crean thanked  her fellow officers and the members of the council,   She thanked Gearoid O Shea Secretary for all his work with the council, including the setting up of the Camp Website.    Gearoid has recently resigned from the council due to other commitments.     Mairéad thanked John Chambers Active Retired  and Anne Kennedy and Siobhán Ward fas CE Workers.   The Pobal Audit was concluded and everything found to be in order  Mairéad acknowledged  the help of  Michael Farrell, Michelle Farrell, Brigid O Connor,  Kate O Donnell, Susan Barrett  former Chairperson and Marcella Herlihy, former Secretary.    She  acknowledged and thanked all the statutory agencies,  HSE, Anne Moynihan Community Worker and Udaras na Gaeltachta,  RSS scheme, Fas CE scheme, Kerry County Council, MFG and North and East Kerry Development Meitheal  an Leith Triuigh and  Camp Childcare Centre for their support and the members of the council and all the voluntary people who helped out in any way throughout the year.    Máiread thanked Brian Enright Seaside Caravan Park for the use of his lawnmower.    She  thanked Deputy Brendan Griffin  for his support and also Deputy Michael Healy Rae and Deputy Tom Fleming and the local councillors.   Mairead thanked Fr. John Buckley PP for carrying out the renovations of the Old School.   Máiread expressed sympathy to all those who had lost loved ones in the past year.    Reports  from all sub committees of the council  were presented to the meeting.    Sheila O Donnell reported on Camp Town Twinning.  They are travelling to Tazones in Spain this July.  The group held an enjoyable concert before Christmas.   Sheila praised all involved in the development of Twinning in Camp over the years.   Camp has shared its joy and sorrows with their sister villages in France and Spain for almost 30 years.    Mary Knightly reported on ICA,   whose main charitable beneficiary is Kerry Hospice Association.   The guild organise ongoing activities and social events  for the women of the area.   Mary Knightly also reported on The Defibrillator committee, 4 defibrillators are in place in the community –  at Smiths,  Maon Laur,  O Dwyers Retail Centre, Community Sports Field and at Ocean View Nursing Home.   Training is organised regularly for the community.

Brigid O Connor  gave the Tidy Towns report and financial statement.     “Hanging Baskets were erected at the village and The Junction Stone at Camp Junction,   garden at the railway turntable plus an Annual Camp Calendar, an Environmental Clean Up, Fence Painting  and picnic  tables and other sundry jobs in the area.   Sponsorship was acknowleged as follows – Tony Costello and Fitzgibbon Bros, all those volunteers who helped out plus the RSS and the FAS scheme also thanked,   Eoin McCarthy,  stonework and John O Connor aritistic etchings.    A special word of thanks was expressed to Gearoid O Shea who produced designs and drawings for the proposed Waiting Bus Shelter at Camp Cross and the proposed  Camp Village sign (across from The Garda Station), these projects  were not completed to date.

A question and Answer session  followed and  recommendations and suggestions made by the members of the public in attendance were recorded by  Marie Farrell, Ass. Secretary.    Séan Barry recommended that  Camp Community Council should become involved in  the “Pride of Place”  initiative.    Criticisms  were also recorded at the meeting and welcomed.    It was suggested that everybody should  encourage  people to get  involved in the Community Council and help with activities in the future.     Máiread expressed sympathy to all those who had lost loved ones in the past year.   A date for the Community Council election will be set at the next meeting of the Council,   as the current Council has completed  3  years in office.

TRIP TO OLD TRAFFORD

United We Stand –  Camp supporters of Manchester United went on their annual trip to Old Trafford last weekend and as always enjoyed it immensely.

YOGA

Yoga classes commenced on Monday last at the Old School, Camp, 6.30 – 8.00 p.m.  Its a Gentle and slow paced Yoga. Beginners welcome.    Sarah, the practitioner  is a qualified prajna Yoga Instructor.

Please call  087 1637872 for further information.

WEDDING

Congratulations to Roger Lucas, Foxrock, Dublin and Elizabeth Callanan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary who were married at The Holy Cross Abbey, Tipperary on Friday last and held their reception at The River Court Hotel, Kilkenny.   Roger who is son of Mary Lucas (nee Dunne) Knockglossbeg, Camp and Ken is coming to Camp all his life,  visiting his relatives and many friends.   Everybody enjoyed the wedding and said it was a wonderful family occasion.    Good luck to Roger and Elizabeth in their future life together !

BRENDAN BAWNIE O DRISCOLL SCHOLARSHIP

The Brendan O Driscoll Scholarship Trust was set up in remembrance of Annascaul Gaelic Footballer Brendan Bawnie O Driscoll, Curraduff, Camp who died tragically after collapsing while playing a West Kerry Championship game for his beloved Annascaul GAA club in October 2011.
The Trustees wish to thank all those who contributed to the Trust Fund and wish to announce that we are now accepting applications for the bursary of €1000 for the 2012-13 academic year.
Applications are welcome from first year third level students from the West Kerry area, applicants must be a member of one of the five clubs that make up the West Kerry Board;  Annascaul, Lispole, Castlegregory, Dingle & An Gaeltacht, and must be in the first year of a Third Level College course.Interested parties can get an application form by send an e-mail to bodtrust@gmail.com  Donations to the trust are appreciated and may also be lodged to the Brendan O Driscoll Trust account at the AIB Branch, Main Street, Dingle.

CAMP TWINNING CONCERT

Camp Town Twinning organised a lovely Christmas concert on Sunday 16^th Dec.  Almost all of the local organisations had a performance on stage on the night.  John Chambers shared MC with Bríd Ní Mhorain and Mary Uí Mhorain, who put huge effort into the  organisation of the night welcomed everybody.    Our local Seanachaí,  Seamus O Donnell told a few stories in his own inimitable way and as always he went down wonderfully  !   while his wife Sheila recited Seamus’s  own poem,  a recollection of a Camp Fair long long ago,  Jobbers making bargains and local mothers peeping in through the small window pane of Tadgh Moynihan’s hall at the Junction on Camp Fair night,   curiously observing the lovely local girls waltzing with their partners across a  shiny floor to wonderful local musicians.   Sheila did a splendid job bringing tears to the eyes of all present reminiscing on those halcyon days of youth.    Dan Dennehy,  no stranger to the boards of Camp stage had his own poem about West Kerry composed by himself and delivered with eloquence.   Young children did some figure dancing and Camp Drama Group ladies did a take on the Spice Girls while Mike O Neill and Anne Eager were in the Operating Theatre, indeed, a laugh a minute from two performers who were among the main characters  in Camp Drama’s  recent production of  “Its on, Its Off.”     Dingle’s  David Geaney world champion Irish step dancer entertained us also and the night could not be complete without a session of music from Milo O Brien, Cian and Michael O Moráin and Mike O Shea.   Adam O Donnell Ferriter and Lenny McGaley entertained us, on piano,  first time on stage for these very talented young boys.   Geraldine O Driscoll sang some lovely songs accompanied by Mike O Shea.   Hazel Evans told a Christmas story.      And there was lots more, a great night of wonderful entertainment and everybody  agreed,  there should be more,  so we all await another concert in the near future  !  We have the talent in Camp  !  Thank you to Camp Town Twinning and to Mary Uí Mhoráin, Breda and Martin Quirke organisers and all the performers on the night !   A bualadh bos díobh go léir

HANDS ACROSS THE OCEAN

Pat Briggs who lives in Alameda in San Francisco wishes to send New Year Greetings to his friends in Camp.   Pat first arrived in Ashes Pub late one night a few years ago,  he became acquainted with John Doyle and ever since Camp is his top holiday destination.   On that fateful night it was a darts night in Ashes and he joined in to play his first game ever and he enjoyed it.    Later Thomas Ashe invited him to pull a pint and for the rest of the night Pat helped Thomas serving behind the bar.

So when Pat came back last year, he headed into Ashes to enquire about John,  only to find out that John Doyle now had his own B/B,  The Junction House.   He turned up to the door to stay for one night and stayed for his entire 10 day holiday.   Pat visited all the sites in the Peninsula and around Killarney as well.    He even met the late Paidi O Shea  and loved the uniqueness of Paidi’s  pub in Ventry.      Jackie Goodwin took him out fishing in The Maharees and Paddy O Brien whom he met in The Junction Bar put him in touch with Hugh O Donnell who sold him a Sléan for cutting turf.   He duly went to Maum to try out some turf cutting !     Now he is looking for a handle for the Sléan as he failed to find one in San Francisco,  so that’s another  job for Paddy O Brien,  when Pat visits again in May.   Pat enjoyed a walk in The National Park in Killarney with the Camp Tidy Towns.   Next time round he wants to go to an Annascaul game of football as he missed out on that last time and he got friendly with the local lads and he wants to see them play.     Pat Briggs whose ancestors hailed from Kildare considers himself a real adopted Campman and when I met up with him in The Chieftain for a fine Irish breakfast,  I realised that Pat is doing his own promotion for Camp,   as inside the counter are some lovely post cards of Camp and West Kerry and the Bars and Restaurants are also up there.   Proprietor of The Chieftain is none other than Tralee woman Geraldine Nagle Murphy,  she was gone back home for the holidays so we did not meet up with her !     Pat was delighted to receive a copy of Camp Calendar 2013.    So from Pat Briggs in San Francisco, “ A Happy New Year  to all my friends in Camp “    !!!

CAMP COMMUNITY COUNCIL LTD.

The Annual General Meeting of Camp Community Council Ltd. will be held in Camp Old School on Wednesday, 9^th   January at 8.00 p.m.   Everybody welcome.

NEW YEARS GREETINGS

Happy New Year to all readers of these notes at home and overseas.