Heritage Notes - 15 April 2011

This week’s vintage picture comes from 1935 or thereabouts, and is timely given the recent achievements of Ireland’s cricketers. With the local GAA club not fielding that year, a number of men took the opportunity to play for what we believe to be Cappoquin’s first cricket team (Tourin’s team from 1902 was featured some months back). Captain Jameson, with the pads in the middle row, was a first-class cricketer who had graced Lords with the MCC in his day, and he was a central figure in getting this team together. They certainly played at the GAA pitch, which was then known as the town park and was not solely a GAA venue, but we haven’t been able to find out who the opponents were. We don’t, as yet, have all the names of those involved, but for sure the back row contains, from second left: Mick Sargent, Jack McCarthy, Paddy Mullane and Dommie Dunne. Jimmy Lacey (Snr) is to the right of Captain Jameson in the middle row while at the front right is Michael Walsh, late of Belmont and Dungarvan.

Carnival News

News is that the Cornerstone Carnival ‘7’ dates are now cast in stone for June 24-26, with a range of new events coming on stream this year. Among them will be a hilarious ‘small ships’ race which will be held in Green Street, a giant ping pong ball race down Castle Street and a King Kong size pool table at the GAA field. Old favourites will be back too, from fire displays to Recession Olympics, GAA fun day and dog show, music and dancing, art classes and an exhibition, the Dromana 5 road race and the Blackwater Crossing long puck. The nominated charity to benefit from some of the fundraising events this year will be the SOLAS cancer-respite centre in Waterford city, so we do hope patrons will come along and both enjoy the fun and support this worthy cause.

Clean Up of the Inch Car Park

As part of our commitment to the Cappoquin town plan, Civic Link will hold a clean up of the car park area at the Inch on Saturday, 7^th May. We hope to tidy up and refresh the large car park area here and all helpers will be welcome on the day. Full details of the event will be supplied in good time.

Trekkin Eejits

This year’s ‘Trekkin Eejits’ event is nearly upon us, with the 24 hour relay-walk along the Blackwater Valley scheduled for next Friday and Saturday, April 15^th and 16^th. Sponsorship cards are still available from the Credit Union, and even if you aren’t up to the walk, be sure that any of the participants will still gladly accept any sponsorship. This year’s beneficiaries from the fundraiser are West Waterford and Marymount Hospices.

The first stage begins at 6.00 pm on Friday evening from the Square at Cappoquin, heading due west towards Fermoy before looping back towards west Waterford again on the left bank of the river (towards Clashmore) and then back to Cappoquin via Glendine, Camphire and Tourin. Locals will need no reminding of the spectacular scenery which awaits the walkers, so the chance to lift your spirits, get some exercise and raise a few bob for a good cause should not be missed. Arrival time for the last leg of walkers into Cappoquin is scheduled for 7.00 pm on Saturday evening.

‘Our Daily Bread’

Best wishes to all at Barrons’ Bakery on the launch of the book on the history of the bakery next Saturday evening. Very few small town businesses have survived the test of modernisation as Barrons has and this should be a great occasion to celebrate an enduring feature of our heritage. The event gets underway at 8.30 PM officially at the community centre, although rumour has it that there may be a few ‘blas’ and cakes available even before that for early comers. All are very welcome indeed and many congratulations to everyone involved.

Heritage Notes - 1 April 2011

AGM review

At the Cappoquin Civic Link AGM last Wednesday, chairperson Mike Coffey reported on a range of over twenty simple activities undertaken during 2010 to promote community efforts. The people in attendance expressed satisfaction with the work done and re-elected all outgoing members unopposed. It is anticipated that a few new members will be co-opted in the coming weeks, and the first meeting of the new committee is scheduled for Wednesday, April 6^th next. Among the main issues raised from the floor at the AGM were the promotion of tourism and concern for the future of Cappoquin library. A small profit was reported on the year’s activities also, meaning that the combined accounts now show a balance of just over €9,000. Many thanks for the support and encouragement during the year. The next meeting of the Heritage Group takes place this Wednesday, March 30^th at 8.00 in the library.

Music in the air

Hot on the heels of the third, and wonderful, St. Patrick’s Day Parade came the Tradfest which ran from Thursday to Sunday last weekend and certainly gave another huge boost to the town, socially and economically. Winnie Fennell would have been so proud. It was particularly great to see the numbers of young people now happily and expertly playing musical instruments and their efforts, and those of their teachers, have certainly borne fruit at the parade, carnival etc also. Long may the music continue.

Heritage Notes - 25 March 2011

Welcome Back

Finally this week a hearty welcome back to work to Mary Tobin. It is great, and very important to the whole area, to see our library doors open for business once more and to have Mary behind the desk. To say that Mary, and the library, carry out a vital public service in Cappoquin would be a real understatement and it remains vital that this service is maintained and supported.

Foróige Fashionistas

Well done to the Foróige club which, for the second year running, carried off the novelty fancy dress award at the Cappoquin St. Patrick’s Day Parade last week. This year’s theme was a sort of Carribbean-meets-the-Comeraghs Leprechaun extravaganza, complete with appropriate costumes, rainbow and of course, a crock of gold. Only a few can appreciate the sweetness of the victory and the imagination and long hours of work that went into costumes, gold coin replicas, etc, so well done to everyone concerned.

Best of Luck

Best of luck to Winnie’s Gang with the forthcoming tradfest next weekend, featuring great traditional music over the four-day period. Rumour has it that a fine new ballad has been penned about the Battle of Affane and, who knows, it might get an airing this weekend. Best of luck also to the Trekkin Eejits, whose charity walk this year will follow the banks of the Blackwater. Sponsorship cards are available from the Credit Union and from the Eejits themselves, and the walk this year runs (walks!) from Friday, April 15^th to Saturday 16th, with all proceeds going to the Marymount and West Waterford Hospices.

Other meetings

The Cornerstone Carnival committee met last Monday night and things are really taking shape at this stage for the seventh carnival on the last weekend in June. Next meeting is on Monday, April 4^th in Fawlty’s at 7.30. The Heritage Group meets next on Wednesday, April 6^th at 7.30.

Postcards

Just to keep you in the know! The Cappoquin Collection of postcards are now available at Cappoquin's Post Office and Credit Union. A collection of 10 are on sale.