DERBY DUO DILEMA: In a renewal of inter club rivalries between neighbours Windgap and Piltown the Windgap senior Camogie team is playing Piltown in a first round championship tie and relegation semi-final in Windgap on Sunday next. With both sides led by All Ireland medal winners the clash is scheduled to take place at 11am. In Piltown the same sides meet in the Junior Hurling 5th round tie which sees the twelve teams in the two groups all line out at 11.30am. With brothers and sisters playing with both sides it is hoped that all involved with the four teams will get an opportunity to see both games. For the supporters it may be the second last game of the season, or hopefully the start of a successful championship run for the Windgap sides. Supporters are asked to check the relative throw in times before travelling.
MINISTERS VISIT: The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys intends to visit the Knockroe Passage Tomb next Thursday evening the 15th September at 6.30pm. The visit is expected to last about an hour and it is expected that one of the additional highlights will be Professor Muiris O'Suilleabhain address as he will be in attendance to brief the Minister on the history of the site. All are welcome to the dual winter solstice site for the historic occasion.
HALL MEETING: A Windgap Community development company meeting takes place on Wednesday evening in the club rooms at 8pm. The main purpose of this meeting is to finalise our end of year accounts etc. It will be followed by a second meeting in about two weeks to give updates on Hall progress, playground fundraising etc. All are welcome to attend.
TURBINES RETURN: Just last month the communities along the Lingaun Valley were thrilled when Tipperary County Council refused planning permission for the eight giant wind turbines overlooking the Knockroe Passage Tomb and the Kilkenny - Tipperary border. However the latest news is the Dutch Company involved, Dunoair have now appealed the County Council refusal of planning permission for the wind turbines to An Bord Pleanala. The appeal was lodged on Monday 5th September and the community groups opposing the plans have just four weeks to respond to this latest development. In the past few months over 200 objections were made to the proposed development when it came before Tipperary County Council. This was thanks of the community groups across the area that have helped to protect the Passage Tomb and the rich heritage across the wider landscape by making submissions through the various historical & environmental groups and as individuals. In addition it was supported by the contribution to the fund used to retain the services of a planning consultant. As a result of the appeal the community intend to carry the success at the Council level forward to An Bord Pleanala as they are not prepared to see the local heritage destroyed. As a decision on the An Bord Pleanala appeal is likely to take a number of months it is likely that the area will have a Turbine free Winter Solstice at Knockroe for another year at least.
PUBLIC MEETING: The Caiseal Conservation Committee/Suir Valley Environmental Group are holding a public information meeting in Faugheen Hall on Thursday the 22nd of September at 8pm to provide assistance and information to all individuals and groups who are interested in making an observation to An Bord Pleanala. The group are calling on all members of our cross border communities to come along and play your part in protecting our important heritage and unique landscape.
HERITAGE WEEK: The annual Heritage Week and Art Exhibition week celebrated in Tullahought was opened by An Cathaoirleach, Comhairle Chontae Chill Chainnigh, Mr. Matt Doran. It included a Cheese and Wine Reception a lecture on a “Sense of Place in a Kilkenny, Tipperary context” by Mr. Joe Sullivan and a Traditional Music session with song and storytelling. Day two saw the Art Exhibition continuing and a lecture by an tAthair Fearghus O’Fearghaill on the 400th anniversary of the death of Hugh O’Neill in Rome.
Sunday commenced with an Under 12’s Camogie and Hurling Blitz for the Mike Shield in Tullahought Sports field between Kilmacow, Grangemockler-Ballyneale and the local sides with a Butter Making demonstration and a trip over the Kilmacoliver Loop Walk. Further details of the teams and events to follow in the forthcoming notes.
COMMUNICATIONS ISSUES: The recent comments on the irregular mobile coverage and poor intranet that continues to be an issue in the area has attracted wide support. In addition to Fáilte Irelands plans to include the local attractions in the Ireland East promotion the difficulty with visitors on a night out in the local pubs that have a great traditional music tradition walking up and down the road trying to connect to the elusive signal to arrange a lift or taxi home are contradictory. In addition stories of residents arranging to meet emergency services, ambulances, caredoc some miles away owing to the poor coverage have been added to those trying to meet online deadlines for college bookings and the daily business of the self-employed, and farmers. For many reading an email with a file attached is almost impossible whilst downloading music and films is futuristic.
TIDY TOWNS: The countdown has started for the volunteers in Windgap and Tullahought villages to the announcement of the Super Valu Tidy Towns results which take place on Monday week in the Helix in Dublin. Never looking better both villages are expected to show improved results.
LOTTO: Numbers 1, 8, 18, 27 and bonus number 15 were drawn this week and brought a match three cheque to Matthew O’Shea. Next week’s prize fund is €8,700
NOTES: Contributors and Clubs are invited to email items for publication with a name and contact number to [email protected] by Sunday evenings at 6pm. For all the local news and photos visit windgap.ie
WINDGAP TULLAHOUGHT NOTES August 23rd. 2016