Caherslee News Vol. 1 No. 5     'Now Is Never Too Late For The Future'     July 2005
	Home     Vol. 1 No. 1     Vol. 1 No. 2     Vol.1 No. 3     Vol. 1 No. 4    Vol. 1 No. 6   Vol. 1 No. 7                         Contact Us  Advertising     Links Contact Us Do you have a story to tell ? Do you have an issue or concern you need to tell other about? Do you  have some new ideas you want to share? Do you wish to sell something? Did you lose  something? Do you wish to advertise your business-service-trade? info@cahersleenews.com or Tel. /Text 087 - 76 152 76 ‘Now Is Never Too Late For The Future’ Many people have mentioned to us that, if we as a community in this part of Tralee, want to progress the issues and concern that most affect us in our daily lives then we need to set out a plan or strategy. At the next meeting of The Caherslee Umbrella Group of Residents Associations to be held in September 2005 we will be proposing (a) the creation of such a strategy group and (b) the renaming of the Umbrella Group to Caherslee Area Community Council. These ideas are still in their infancy and are subject to input from you the residents of this area. Your comments on these and other issues are most welcome and necessary for the future success and progress of these projects. Contact us with your comments and ideas. New Bar and Restaurant This newsletter has learned that this new facility is due to open during the middle of July. According to a spokesman for the owners / management they will endeavour to employ local people in their new facility as far as is possible. Most residents will welcome such a facility in our area, as it will give people a venue for meeting others, locally. The building is tastefully finished on the outside and we are sure that this will be reflected on the inside also. There is plenty of parking space and room for some outdoor activities. We wish the proprietors well in this venture and we are looking forward to sampling the facilities in the near future! For Sale You will find that we have a new page on our website - www.cahersleenews.com - a page dedicated to selling anything that you the reader might like to sell. All you have to do is contact us and we will arrange to photograph the item and place it on the the website. Simple yet effective! Check the website. Dear Editor, “Confessions of a Wannabee Teacher” School is out for the summer and I can either breathe a sigh of relief with the smug ‘permanent teachers’ or succumb to my annual dose of anxiety as an antidote to my aforementioned mental state. I undertake a pilgrimage to Kerry schools, an action  that is becoming  more deja vous as the years roll by. I tentatively hand over my pink lavender scented c.v. in the vague hope that it will stand in the pile of other desperately seeking out teachers in case that  all  you  school secretaries and principals out there think I’m a stalker I assure you I am a fully fledged teacher. My only crime is, I am seeking work! [Name and address with editor] Website Library New to www.cahersleenews.com is a page dedicated to the sale of books or CDs/DVDs which readers might want to sell. If you have a book(s), CDs/DVDs you would like to sell contact us and we can arrange it. We will take a photo and put it on the website for you. 20% of the sale price goes to a charity of the purchasers choice. The Feldenkrais® Centre of Tralee Mary O'Brien, Guild Certified Feldenkrais Teacher®  46 Pairc na Dun, Mounthawk , Tralee. Gentle and effective individual and group lessons for people who wish to improve function and movement abilities. Includes such diverse groups as those with chronic pain, neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, stroke, and multiple sclerosis, as well as dancers, musicians and athletes. Tel: 086-1085593 / 066-719 0705 email: mmobrien4750:eircom.net www.feldenkrais.com The following is an extract of the Submission forwarded to Tralee Town Clerk on June 17th 2005 Re.        Proposal to re-zone lands at Mounthawk, Tralee. 'To change the land use zoning of c. 1.14 ha of land at Mounthawk, Tralee from Leisure – Tourism Use  to Housing – Medium Density. Tralee Town Development Plan 2003 -2009 Tralee Town Development Plan 2003 – 2009 states that tourism is seen as an important tool for the economic regeneration of post- industrial Tralee. The importance of tourism in presenting a positive image of Tralee can provide the context for future investment and decisions for the relocation of industry and services over and above the impact of tourism revenue. Proposed Variation – File We wish to draw your attention to the Planning and Development Act, 2000 Section 38 (3). It is our contention that all  documents should be on file. Strategic Environment Assessment Screening (a)         The meaning of environment is: all of the surrounding things, conditions and influences affecting the growth or development of living things (b)        50 acres of land in the Caherslee – Mounthawk area has already been sold to a developer for housing development. (c)        We cannot agree with this proposed variation to Tralee Town Development Plan 2003 – 2009 at this location in Mounthawk, Tralee as a reasonable alternative to the existing zoning. This area is ideally located for the development of leisure-tourism facilities. Geographically, this location is significant as a major entry/exit point on the west side of the town of Tralee particularly for those who are availing of the tourist potential of North Kerry. This area therefore will become a focus of route ways. A leisure-tourism land use would also promote the town of Tralee, generate employment and revenue income. Environmentally this area is now oversubscribed with housing development and there is a real danger that the proposed re-zoning would detract from the natural beauty and the existing housing developments of the area. Socially This area of land as it is  presently zoned i.e. Leisure-Tourism has the potential to  meet the needs of residents both young and old i.e. public areas. Conclusion Tralee Town Council does have a significant role in ensuring that the environment of Tralee is protected and enhanced. We would like to thank Paddy Breen for his time, effort, determination and expertise in ensuring that this submission  was completed fully and on time. We would also like to thank James Prendergast for his assistance The full text of this Submission is available on request and can also be seen on www.cahersleenews.com follow the links - Home page - issues - proposed rezoning. Footballing Memories (Part One) Retief Goosen’s golfing meltdown in the heat of North Carolina during the US Open a couple of Sundays ago came on the day that Limerick under our famous local Liam Kearns suffered the same fate in the Gaelic Grounds against Kerry. Unfortunate for Kearns and Limerick that the story did not end in another way but there was little comfort for Kerry who were not at the races during the first half.  However they pulled away and won the half that counted.  Liam, Goosen and  Tiger Woods would have understood each other - the latter so tantalisingly close at the end losing to Michael Campbell who for some considerable time has been globe-trotting without a winning a major. Campbell’s knockout punch on the 17th was the freak Gooch goal to herald victory so that he could be relieved  of an otherwise undistinguished career making him the only New Zealander along with Bob Charles - the 1963 US Open Championship winner - to win a major. But he plodded away and sure, success came his way. Liam Kearns as manager of Limerick has been very distinguished bringing football to the fore in a multi-sporting city - where dual players have been excoriated by the hurling fraternity and whose only passion is to sweat and toil for their county. Kearns belongs to the nobility of the managerial class - the longest serving football manager in the country apart from Pope Sean Boylan - with six years under his belt.. During that time he has brought Kerry to their knees most notably in the summer of 2004 and it was many a Kerry fan who counted his blessings on the way home after the reply. Much credit due to Liam Kearns. But sure, where was he got? He didn’t lick it off the stones on O’Connell Avenue. Nor did he learn it in Templemore. Kearns brings with him a great football sense, the gutless sophistication that one could only garner from years of dedication and being steeped in the confidence that exudes playing football with the greatest exponents of the game in Kerry - over in the Rock field. He learned and perfected his craft in the company of footballing gods - Mikey Sheehy, Ger Power, Brian O’Sullivan, Mikey Counihan and others under the watchful eye of the legendary Denny Long. Indeed  I had the great pleasure of partnering him at midfield during the late 80’ s and early 90’s where I often admired his hearty passion and great high kicks goal ward - that if they didn’t go over the bar were statements of intent - ‘I will kick the next one over!” I often recall him visiting the neighbours in Strand Road in particular and going on a cutting solo-run that would tear true the bravest line of defence that the ‘Narries’ could muster and defied the uproarious bellows of the late John Dowling that I am sure used make the blood gaseous. For my part I used just slip it to Mikey Sheehy to ensure the quickest and effortless of burials! It would be worth putting on record the fact that for the rest of my life I will wear the strength of Liam Kearns in every smile I make upon my fellow man. It began when Peter O’Leary playing as goalkeeper for Legion hit a lofty ball out from goal to the centre of the field. Kearns and I were born stunt men, high-fliers in a literal manner of speaking. Indeed I am certain had there been a competition for being the first Caherslee man in space it happened on that Sunday in Killarney.  Up we went and the usual clamour from both of us was vented ‘it’s my ball!’ The next instant is difficult to reconstruct for the purpose of this telling but I do remember a a deep, sudden impact in the lower part of my face. The only other person who I think might know what I am talking about is Mike Tyson who must have experienced a something similar against the fist of Irish heavyweight McBride on June 11th last in Washington - though it must be said that Kearns was not wearing a glove on his elbow on that occasion.  Without any training as an astronaut I was left in deep space for a while and ever since share a certain empathy with our esteemed Russian and US space scientists on board the International Space Station. All said, the result could not have been said to be a black mark in Kearns’ career as I was left with the whitest two front teeth in Caherslee since that day in Killarney in 1989. While it could be said that Kearns was a ventricle artery of the Rock team at the time where blood and muscle met, Mikey Sheehy represented something else. While Denny Long looked after the electrics in the management where Brendan Dowling always offered a jolt of wit, Sheehy was the team artist - the ball his brush, the grass his canvas. It is no co-incidence that he is often spoken of as a footballing god. When others gave the ball a kick, Sheehy gave it life. He re-wrote the rule book of what could be done with a size five football and had spectators attend most studiously to his every footballing homily. A poem, picture, video could not be equal to what Sheehy brought to the game. He swooned the footballing masses just as Clinton did women. Who could forget the goal he scored in the 1988 Munster Final when he wrong-footed about five Cork defenders and prodded the ball in the back of the net to cause a draw between the fabled protagonists? Speaking about it later he told me ‘I just saw the gap!’. Indeed his retirement brought great sadness to all Rockies and lovers of the beautiful game as was played in this quarter. It was especially sad for me as I decided to retire at the age of 23 from serious football on that very night  - I played midfield and replaced Sheehy after he went from full to centre-forward. Nonetheless I will always boast to my children that I replaced the god himself! [By   Mike O’ Donnell] Accountability and Schools Any parent will want to send their child to a school that they will have confidence in, that has a good reputation, where they know their child will be well taken care of, where as parents their concerns will be listened to and addressed, where the school operates effectively in the best possible way it can.  So how does a parent know that the school - whether it is Mounthawk, Holy Family, Balloonagh or Tralee Educate Together - operates effectively? Before an attempt can be made to answer this a number of factors must be considered. There is no such things as a perfect school. For instance a common complaint in primary schools is the utter lack of funding from government. Did you know for instance that a school receives about E130 per child to pay for heating, lighting, insurance and a whole range of costs essential to the running of a school while the grant per pupil at secondary school is more that twice that figure? Many primary schools suffer constant accommodation problems year in year out. Fundraising events necessary to meet on-going costs is a feature of primary schools where other more educational activities could be concentrated on. An increasing number of pupils in every school have emotional problems and misbehave and this can take up considerable time for teachers and principals. There are many external demands placed on schools - in many ways schools are nearly expected to contribute to the solution of many of society’s ills - unhealthy eating, lack of physical fitness and obesity. Schools may not be properly resourced or staffed to deal with these demands. Many class sizes in Tralee exceed 30 pupils making the complex job of any teacher even more complicated still. Given the difficulties that each school faces and the disparities between them, I return to the question - how does apparent know that the school operates effectively? Will another parent know? I suspect not as different parents will have different opinions. Would you rely on the school’s reputation? Perhaps you might but who’s to know if reputation is the best thing to go on - remember Rock Hudson, John De Lorean, the Titanic! Will the school know - even the principal? Well, in his right mind would a good punter ask the jockey if he is doing a good job?  Or would you look into your heart and say - shucks, they are professionals working there, they must be doing a good job. Hold on - remember Charlie or for those of you into nuclear fusion consider  - Pons and Fleischmann or the great Dr. Octavius (your 4 year old will explain). The truth I suspect is that like the punter needing to study the form, you would like an independent appraisal of the school done by professionals who are expert in the subject schools and have no axe to grind. In the case of schools you wouldn’t be looking at newspapers - but you might like to look at the report prepared by inspectors of the Department of Education whose job it is to appraise schools.  These inspections are carried out every four or five years - so if you do wish to see this piece of moon-rock why not just ask the principal. Caherslee ‘Umbrella’ Group of Residents Associations All residents of all areas that are in receipt of this newsletter are welcome to attend the next meeting to be held in September 2005. Details of the date, location and agenda later. The Following is a Letter sent to Town Council Officials on behalf of the Residents of Caherslee in relation to some of the problems associated with Traffic Management in our area: 3rd June 2005 1. Junction at Lios Carraig to Main Caherslee Road. Exiting from Lios Carraig/Glencairn to the main road is a cause of great concern to residents. 2. Parking Problems at the GAA fields in Caherslee. At this time of the year there is an increased use of these fields. Cars are parked         on both sides of the road hindering the movement of traffic and also in many cases hindering the passage of pedestrians on the footpath. 3. Pluckeen, Caherslee. The residents of this area have a number of issues: A.  vehicles parked on the main road on B.  parking in the area by non-residents C. Pluckeen does not have a name plaque identifying the area D. The existence of two businesses - in what were originally residential properties - on both sides of the exit/entry of the area - 4. Parking on the Main Caherslee road from Balloonagh Primary School entrance to Balloonagh Church entrance. Each weekday morning there are a number of vehicles parked on both sides of the road at this location. Many of these vehicles are parked there for the day. This situation is causing concern for all road users and local residents. Possible Solutions 1.        Lios Carraig Exit/Entry A. erection of permanent bollard along the edge of the footpaths B.  installation of traffic lights - sensory rather than timed C. provision of alternative access route from/to these areas 2.        GAA Fields The provision of off-street parking for patrons of the GAA, by the GAA, at this location. 3.        Pluckeen A. The installation of permanent bollards along the footpaths B. Assign specific spaces for residents parking only C.   Provide a place name plaque of a quality fitting to the area D.   Restrict parking for these businesses . 4.        Balloonagh Primary School to Balloonagh Church A.  The alignment of the roadway at this point could perhaps be straightened B. The installation of permanent bollards C. Provide double-yellow lines at this point. The full text of this Submission is available on request and is also on our website - www.cahersleenews.com - follow the links - Homepage - issues - submissions Reply From Victoria McCarthy - Planning Officer, Tralee Town Council. Dear Mr. O’Donnell, I wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter on 10th June, 2005. I would like to thank you for your comments and list of possible solutions. Kerry County Council and  Tralee Town Council will assess the contents contained therein and will revert following discussions. Yours sincerely, Victoria McCarthy (Planning Officer). Letter to The Chief Superintendent of An Garda Siochana - Tralee - Tony McNamara Dear Chief Superintendent, On behalf of the residents of the Caherslee area and adjoining areas let me welcome you to Tralee. We hope that you have a successful time here. A number of issues of concern to the residents of this area of Tralee which you might be in a position  to help us with are as follows: 1. Speeding traffic on the main road, particularly in the evening/night 2. Parking violations in Pembroke Street at the traffic lights at the junction with Rock Street - particularly linked to the hackney/taxi office near this location. 3. Parking illegally (too near to) at the exit/entry to Lioscarraig/Glencairn areas. 4.. Parking on both sides of entry/exit to Pluckeen illegally. 5. Parking on footpaths particularly between Balloonagh Church and Balloonagh Primary School for long periods. 6. The use of open spaces - at Statoil Service Station (Clogherbrien Cross) - by ‘boy-racers’ late night/early morning. The full text of this letter is available on request and is on our website - www.cahersleenews.com - home - issues - submissions. Glencairn Issue We have been notified of a problem relating to the boundary between the new housing estate and Glencairn - both from a safety and a security point of view. The boundary wall is probably too low and the new houses are very close to the existing development at Glencairn. More to follow. Gardai in Action Gardai were called by one local resident in the Lioscarraig/Glencairn area who observed three youths loitering  around the locality and entering the precincts of the new estate being built in the area. Exactly three minutes from the time of the call two squad cars arrived. area. Well done to the resident and the Gardai. Residents are advised to contact Gardai straight away in the event of any strangers walking around or driving around, parking acting suspiciously in the area. Through Caherslee Community News we can alert residents of these dangers. Being forewarned is being forearmed. St. Ita’s and St. Josephs One of the most formidable educational institutions in the town of Tralee sits right on Caherslee’s doorstep. St. Ita and St. Joseph’s caters for young children with learning difficulties. This school is a low-profile school that commands none of the publicity of mainstream schools but is doing an admirable job in giving these children the opportunity to reach their full potential. There has been a move in recent years to integrate children with special learning difficulties into mainstream schools. This has had a huge impact on the resources of mainstream schools who have practically no tradition in dealing with these pupils. It also saves the government money. A mainstream school e.g. Balloonagh, Holy Family, Tralee Educate Together receives e133 per pupil per year (irrespective of their needs) in a mainstream school. In a special school, the school receives much more than this. An interesting statistic is that one in every three teachers in schools all over the country is taken up dealing with special needs children. Parents of children with diagnosed or suspected learning difficulties should first consider approaching St. Ita’s and St. Joseph’s to see the great expertise and facilities that they have there that are solely concerned with special needs children. You could not meet a more approachable principal in TJ Barry and his staff. It is a welcoming school. Forget about what others will or won’t say about you sending your child to this special school. Put your child first. Furthermore if you are thinking of enrolling a child with special needs enrolled in a mainstream school, consider St. Ita’s and St. Joseph’s.  And if your child appears to have a special learning need, don’t bury your head and feel ashamed. Face reality in the most sensible way:  talk to the experts at this school; try to avoid the mistakes of many others and enrol him/her in that most suitable of schools. Caherslee people are lucky to have these experts so close by. As a final word, after a recent visit to the school I was surprised to learn from TJ that the majority of pupils come from beyond Tralee and not Tralee itself. St. Ita’s and St. Joseph’s School Balloonagh, Tralee - Primary and Post Primary - Tel. 066 - 7125 237 Residents Associations If you are involved in a residents Association in the general Caherslee Area and have not been in contact with the Umbrella Group of Residents Associations do let us know and we will pass on the details. With the future developments that are / may take place within our area it is important that we are all aware of the concerns of each area. This will afford us the opportunity to make representations to Tralee Town Council and the relevant developers before any proposed development takes place. We can work to ensure that the needs and concerns of existing residents are taken into account at the planning stage. Tralee Volunteer Bureau The Development Officer, Geraldine O Sullivan encourages you to think about get involved in Volunteering in Tralee.  As she asserts ‘that volunteering is a great, enjoyable and rewarding activity with many positive impacts on the individual volunteer, the volunteer- organisation and the communities of Tralee’. If you would like to Volunteer or your Organisation is in need of Volunteers call in or contact Geraldine at Partnership Trá Lí, No 7, Ashe St. Tralee, Tel. 066 - 7180190 or e-mail: tralee@volunteer.ie If there was ever any need to prove that charity work, or voluntary work or donations to such, still existed then two recent events come to mind - the Live8 Concerts and the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am Golf Tournament. Tremendous work and well done to all concerned. Radon Gas It would be remiss of us not to remind you again of the real health issues that over exposure to dangerous levels of Radon Gas can cause. We advise you that if you are concerned about levels of Radon Gas you should contact the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland - ADDRESS:  3 Clonskeagh Square, Clonskeagh Road, Dublin 14. FREEFONE: 1800 300 600 WEB ADDRESS: www.rpii.ie Email: radon@rpii.ie Your Garden Courtesty of Liscahane Nursery, Ardfert. Tel. 066 - 713 4222 The following are some of the things you should be considering for your garden at this time of the year. 1. Continue to spray roses. 2. Cut grass regularly. 3. Remove dead flower heads or bedding plants to encourage further blooms. 4. Keep weeds at bay. 5. Plan changes, if required. 6. Start gathering fruit when ripe. Enjoy the displays in other gardens and look for ideas for your garden. Important Notice - Re-Zoning of Lands at Mounthawk In the past number of weeks, representatives of Residents Associations have had discussions with the developers , who propose to re-zone lands at Mounthawk from Leisure-Tourism to Medium Density Housing. The outcome of these discussions are: (1) the developers have postponed the proposed re-zoning request. (2) the developers wish to consult the residents of the area. At the time of going to print a meeting is to take place on Friday, July 8th, between the developers and representatives of residents from the area. Please see coloured map of proposed development on our website - see homepage and click on map link. Ardfert Physiotherapy Clinic It is fabulous news to be able to announce the opening of the new Ardfert Physiotherapy clinic, it is a sister clinic to the very successful Listowel Physiotherapy Clinic founded in 1992 by Aileen O Carroll which is now a very large clinic with four full time Physiotherapist to maintain the highest  standard of care. It is located in the New Ardfert Medical Centre which will be home to doctors, dentists, public health nurses and the local  Pharmacist. All the Physiotherapists in the clinics are "hand-on" manual therapists. This involves specialist postgraduate training in the treatment of back and joint pain in addition to our university Physiotherapy training. Being a manual therapist means keeping up to date with the latest research and maintaining high level clinical expertise through continuing education. This in conjunction with adequate assessment and treatment time ensures that you get the best quality of care. The physiotherapists on location in Ardfert will be Aileen O Carroll MCSP, MISCP and Trudy Tate MCSP, MISCP. The clinic specialises in the treatment of Back and Neck Pain, Sports Injuries, Arthritis, Flexibility and Exercise Programmes, Posture Analysis - Advice and Correction, Prescription Insoles -used in treatment of heel pain, fallen arches shin splints and knee or back problems,  Pilates Instruction - individuals and classes, Respiratory Complaints, Urinary incontinence, Match cover. The clinic would also be available to give Backcare and Manual Handling training courses for your employees if required and Ergonomic Assessment of your work place.Treatments are covered by all Medical Insurances subject to insurance plan. Morning, afternoon and evening appointments available. If you require any further information please contact Ardfert Physiotherapy Clinic - Tel. 066 - 7115918 Munster Final There is little talk about the forthcoming Munster Final until now with the news that Cork Manager Billy Morgan has dropped the Cork Team Captain both captain Sean Levis and veteran wing back Martin Cronin ahead of Sunday's Bank of Ireland Munster SFC decider against Kerry. This is a surprise move and certainly indicates panic stations in the Cork camp.  Some would justifiably wonder if Jack O’Connor should do the same with Kerry Captain Declan O’Sullivan after his dismal performance in Limerick. But it is too early in the season for this. O’Sullivan can only improve as can the rest of the team. An interesting move bringing Eoin Brosnan to midfield, well  worth it since Brosnan has proven his ability as an athlete, expect him to run with the ball. Poor early showing by Kerry. Probably a good start for Cork. Straw-grasping at the end by Cork. A consummate victory for Kerry in the end. Prediction: Kerry to win by four points. Dear Editor, Your newsletter is excellent. I was reading the  Sunday Independent recently and your newsletter came in the door. Even with the DVD in the Indo, I still learnt a lot more from the newsletter. Keep it up and well done! EO’D, Lios Carraig. Exposure to the Sun Leading specialists and consultants do advise that we do not expose our skin unnecessarily to the sun at this time of the year. Even with high factor protection we need to be cautious. All age groups are at risk particularly the young.                                                                        Top Of This Page Please Support Our Advertisers without whose help Caherslee Community News and www.cahersleenews.com would not be available for you. The Grand Hotel - Denny Street Tralee - Tel. 066 - 71 214 99 VIP - TAXI No. 4 and Chauffeur Hire - Tel. 087 - 972 1000 Ballymac Bar, 86 Boherbee, Tralee - Tel. 066 - 712 15 27 Maguires Traditional Butchers, Caherslee, Tralee - Tel. 066 - 71 197 40 Aidan Hennebery, Carpenter, Joiner and Cabinet Maker - Tel. 087 - 233 1472 Cartridge World, 85 Rock Street, Tralee. - Tel. 066 - 719 48 37 Secure Your Property - Walls, Fences etc. - Mike at Tel. 086 - 103 95 98 Building Blocks Pre-School and Childcare Centre - Tel. Lorraine 086 - 862 33 47 Barry Print - Rock Street, Tralee - Tel. 066 - 71 21 600 Wedding and Portrait PHOTOGRAPHER - Rachael - Tel. 086 - 176 77 06 The Feldenkrais Method - Contact Mary O'Brien Tel. 086 - 108 55 93 - www.feldenkrais.com Summer Camp - Mounthawk Montessori School and Busy Bees Nursery and Child Care Centre - Susan Crowley at Tel. 086 - 815 37 57      HOME        Top of Page