WINDGAP TULLAHOUGHT NOTES in the Kilkenny People June 5th. 2016

Faces from the Dunnamaggin and Carrickshock JJ Kavanagh Itermediate Hurling League Game in Windgap.

STRANGE TIMES: As the School Hurlers captured and celebrated a County Title win in Nowlan Park the adult hurlers were also in winning form. In another clash developing in the area the players wear inter-county and international colours. In it key players are three organizations that all benefit substantially from public funding from Dublin and Brussels.  With Tipperary County Council following a Planning Consultants report in a “now it is” and “now it isn’t” a protected region, the application of Dunoair to  erect four hundred foot high wind turbines along the ridges of the Lingaun Valley to Slievenamon clashes with Kilkenny Leader Partnership plans to develop the area as a cornerstone of “Irelands Ancient East”.  Caught in the middle and concerned with the potential impositions is the local community whose ancestors created and protected the Ancient, Early Christian, Medieval and Anglo Irish history and sites in the area for the past 5,000 years.

HUGE CONCERN: When the consultation process for Variation 3 (renewable Energy) to the Tipperary Development Plan closed on Monday last over 750 submissions had been submitted by concerned residents asking for Knockroe Passage Tomb and the Lingaun Valley to be protected. However the story does not end there, on Tuesday Dunoair lodged a planning application for eight Wind Turbines 126.5 Meters or almost 400 feet high on the hills overlooking the Passage Tomb with three of them in the area where the setting sun lights the western chamber. The turbines will also be on the sight line from Baunfree Megalithic Tomb to the Cairn on the summit of Slievenamon. 

NEW TIMELINES: This new threat to the communities on the Kilkenny, Tipperary border prolongs the ten year campaign to protect the heritage and landscape of the area. Having fought a successful battle to initially protect the area the plans by the multinational company comes on the back of Tipperary County Councils plans to change the status of the area. In reality the community have just five weeks to object to these plans which would destroy the integrity of Knockroe, the wider archaeological area and the local protected views of the beautiful Landscape that stretches to Slievenamon. The closing date for objections to Tipperary Co. Co. is 27th June.

COMMUNITY ALERT The Community Alert Committee is reminding members on the text alert system that the ten euro annual subscription is now due for 2016. You can pay the subscription to any committee member. The committee would like to thank those who have already paid for 2016.

LINGAUN VALLEY: Thanks are extended by Leader to all who attended the meeting in Tullahought Community Hall on the 13th April. It covered Irelands Ancient East Framework, and included a SWOT analysis on the Lingaun valley and the 5 ‘A’s of Tourism. The next step is to form a committee for the region and to include representatives from both counties on the committee. It will be run by KLP who will be delivering the next LEADER Programme in Kilkenny and have identified the development of the Lingaun Valley as one of their strategic actions. If you wish to be part of a committee for the region contact Fergus Horgan,  Harry Everard or Christine Walshe at Kilkenny LEADER Partnership, 8 Patrick’s Court, Kilkenny by calling 056 7752111 or by emailing info@cklp.ie.

CAMOGIE BLITZ: Windgap Camogie Club Hosted the under 10's Camogie blitz on Saturday. After a great occasion on a beautiful day, the club would like to thank all the parents who helped in providing refreshments and to the clubs Piltown St Anne’s and Tullougher that travelled to take part.   
CAMOGIE NEWS: On one of the saddest days since the club was founded over twenty five years ago Dicksboro comprehensively defeated Windgap in the senior all county league in Dunnamaggin on Sunday last. With time on hands to reverse the slide before the knockout championship games training for all players takes place in Windgap on Friday at 8pm. On this Wednesday the Under 14'S are playing the Emeralds in Urlingford.

EXAM STUDENTS; Mass will be offered for all students doing the State Exams on Saturday 4th June in St Nicholas's Church Windgap at 7.30pm. Both Junior Cert and Leaving Cert Exams Start on Wednesday the 8th June.

SCHOOLS FINAL: Nowlan Park was a joyous and historic place on Thursday evening when St. Nicholas Nation School became the Cumann na mBunscoil County Champions when they defeated St. Canices B side. See Sports Pages for photos and match report.

HURLERS DERBY WIN: Windgap recorded a three point win over their sister club Galmoy and Windgap on Saturday evening. Behind by three points at the break two second half goals were the turning point. After the game both sides shared in the refreshments and chat that saw former players that clashed at senior level for both clubs renew acquaintances. See Sports pages for Jerry Drennan’s match report and Lena Powers match photos.
FUN RUN: The Hurling and Camogie Clubs 5KM Fun Run has been re-arranged for Sun 19th June. Further details to follow.

TIDY TOWNS; Work continued in both Windgap and Tullahought villages during the week with have entered this year’s Tidy Towns competition. In Windgap more stonework is planned whilst tree planting took place in Tullahought. With amenity and graveyard funding available both areas are looking forward to good news in the coming weeks.

LOTTO: Numbers 5, 6, 12, 23 and bonus number 7. Next week’s prize fund is €4,850. Tickets at €2 are available from any club member.

CLOTHES COLLECTION: The Camogie Club is are holding their Annual  clothes collection,  so please fill those bags, Collection date in next week’s notes  

HURLERS DRAW: A prize fund of €110,000 including four cars is on offer for the annual Hurlers Co-Op Draw. Tickets cost €50 and can be purchased from any committee member or player or online on kilkennygaa.ie and selecting Windgap as the benefitting club.
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NUACHLITIR: Notices for the weekend Masses can be emailed to fearghus.ofearghail@dcu.ie or dropped into the Parochial House by Thursday evening. Fr. Fergal’s Mobile number is (085) 8830756.
NOTES: Contributors and Clubs are invited to email items for publication with a name and contact number to windgapnotes@gmail.com by Sunday evenings at 6pm. For all the local news and photos visit windgap.ie