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.