Customers of Tullamore Applegreen at Water Lane will be invited by manager Carol Cuddy and staff to join them for a fun 5km Console Walk and Talk, details of when and where will be on display in the store.

During the week customers at the company’s 72 fuel stations nationwide will receive information leaflets with Console’s 24-hour helpline number, website, and contact details for Console centres by staff sporting the charity’s tee-shirts.

The Offaly fuel outlet is among ten Applegreen stations around the country organising a Walk and Talk event.

“This is a fantastic initiative which helps Console get the message out to people who may be in crisis, or their concerned friends and family, that there is help out there,” said Console’s Director of Services Ciaran Austin.

“Console’s twin themes are community and communication, and the Walk and Talk is a perfect example of how we can get together and really connect with one another.”

As part of the campaign all 180,000 of the company’s loyalty customers will also receive an email shot with the Console information leaflet.

Console has been a chosen beneficiary of Applegreen’s charitable fund for the past two years with the company raising €120,000 for the charity last year.

“I believe this is the first time a forecourt retailer has taken a mental health campaign to their customers,” said Applegreen’s Director of Operations Joe Barrett.

“Every time you make a shop and fuel or a shop-only purchase, one cent of the purchase total is donated to our charitable fund but our help doesn’t stop there.

“At Applegreen we actively engage with our charity partners in many ways from supporting their events to climbing mountains to help raise funds.

“We are delighted to help Console with this excellent public information campaign on suicide awareness.”

Nationwide professional suicide prevention and bereavement charity Console offers counselling services and 24-hour helpline support to people in crisis and those bereaved by suicide (Freephone 1800 201 890).

The charity has full-time counselling centres in Cork, Dublin, Wexford, Limerick, Galway, Kerry and Mayo. It also offers services in Kildare, Athlone and other areas of Dublin such as Tallaght and Clondalkin and has recently opened a service in London.

Console thanked the management and staff of Applegreen for their work on behalf of the charity.

“This vital support from Applegreen, its staff and its customers, is helping to make a huge difference to all those vulnerable people who come to us for help and support,” said Ciaran Austin.

For information on Console contact: Ciaran Austin, Director of Services, Console: 087 636 2234 / 01 610 2638ciaran.austin@console.ie or visit www.console.ie.

An opportunity to play Ireland’s iconic instrument – the Uilleann Pipes

Friday 21^st June 2013

Dublin  – Seamus Ennis Centre, Naul , Co. Dublin  4pm -6pm with Bill Haneman & Conor Roche-Lancaster

Galway - Eyre Sq. Shopping Centre 5pm – 7pm with Pádraic Keane & Marion McCarthy

Laois – Laois Shopping Centre, Portlaoise 3.30pm – 5.30pm with Joe Walsh & Paddy Hyland

Limerick – Limerick Milk Market 1pm – 3pm with Mickey Dunne, Máire Ní Ghráda and Susan Mulcahy

Louth – Marshes Shopping Centre, Dundalk 2pm – 4pm with Mark Redmond & Friends

Waterford - City Square Shopping Centre 2pm – 5pm with the Waterford Pipers

As part of Love:Live Music Day on June 21st, Na Píobairí Uilleann are hosting “Try the Pipes” events in 6 locations around the country. Members of the public will have the opportunity to try a set of uilleann pipes with the assistance of an experienced player and people of all ages are encouraged to have a go.

The Uilleann pipes are the uniquely Irish form of the bagpipes – a family of instruments familiar throughout Europe as well as parts of Asia and Africa. Uilleann Pipes first appeared in the first half of the 18th century in Ireland and Britain and were developed to their modern form in Ireland over the following 50 to 60 years. It is the most highly developed of all bagpipes, having a chanter capable of sounding two full octaves, as well as other features such as regulators, which allow chordal accompaniment.

The unique sound of the pipes has given them iconic status around the world thanks to the great players of the last century, including Séamus Ennis and Willie Clancy, and the instrument has been central to the signature sound of groups such as The Chieftains, Planxty, The Bothy Band, Moving Hearts, Ceoltóirí Chualainn and in Riverdance. The sound has achieved worldwide recognition and admiration also through its use in films such as Titanic, Braveheart and Rob Roy.

So why not come along and have a pop at piping?

About Na Píobairí Uilleann

Na Píobairí Uilleann (NPU), the Society of Uilleann Pipers was founded in 1968 by pipers with the aim of protecting a threatened art form. Now, forty five years later, NPU is a thriving arts organisation with thousands of members, dedicated to servicing the aims and needs of uilleann pipers worldwide. It is the ambition of NPU to establish the music of the uilleann pipes as a major art form around the world in the 21st century. Since unveiling its restored Georgian premises at 15 Henrietta St, Dublin in January 2007, NPU has been busy catering for the expanding demand for regular tuition as well as releasing a number of significant publications and recordings. With demand for pipes considerably exceeding supply, a dedicated Training Centre – PipeCraft – has been established to deliver training in the very highly skilled craft of uilleann pipemaking. NPU’s commitment to tuition, both on a weekly basis at its premises and internationally, continues to grow, along with its public performance programme.

NPU also maintains a significant online presence. Source, our web-based piping and traditional music resource, makes available our accumulated training, tutorial and archive materials to lovers of Irish music around the world.

Na Píobairí Uilleann’s primary funding agencies include the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht, The Arts Council / An Comhairle Ealaíonn and Dublin City Council

Na Píobairí Uilleann, 15 Henrietta Street, Dublin 1, Ireland

W: www.pipers.ie E:info@pipers.ie P:00353(0)1 8730093

www.facebook.com/napiobairiuilleann

www.twitter.com/Napiobairi

The numbers drawn in the Lotto draw which took place on Tuesday (04th June) were  12 16 17 27. There was no Jackpot winner of €14,400 and 2 Match 3 Winners [Carmel Lee C/O Killeigh P/O ; Brendan O’Meara C/O High Chaparel] [€100 Each]. Next week’s draw will take place in  Hamilton’s, Geashill on Monday 17 June .

DIVISION 3 FOOTBALL LEAGUE

It was a defeat again for Raheen Junior Footballers as they came out on the wrong side of a 2-08 to 0-11 scoreline against fellow parish side Ballinagar in Ballinagar last Thursday evening in their Div 3 league encounter. The opening half saw the sides match each other score for score and going into the final minute Raheen were just shading it 0-06 to 0-05. Then Ballinagar were awarded a penalty which Michael James Pierce struck to the net for their opening goal. Raheen recovered well as in stoppage time they hit back by slotting over 2 more points to draw the sides level at the break 1-05 to 0-08. Ballinagar were reduced to 14 men early in the second half when wing back Dean Pierce was sent off. Raheen then went in front with a point from Eoghan Bolton and followed it up with another from Liam Gorman mid way through the half. Then in the 20th min Ballinagar were awarded another penalty when Gary Martin was brought down and Michael James Pierce again converted it for their second goal. Raheen drew level with another point from Liam Gorman with under 5 mins left but in the dying mins Ballinagar’s greater fitness shone through as they put over the final 3 points to claim the win.

RAHEEN: Nigel Gorman, Stephen Byrne, Declan Costello, Ian O’Halloran, Shane Carroll, Sean Gorman, Chris Floody, Noel Gorman, Liam Gorman (0-03), Johny Byrne (0-01), Paddy Arnold (0-01), Garrett Garry, Eoghan Bolton (0-03), Willie Stynes, Darren Monagher (0-03).

SUBS: Ciaran Coughlan (for Sean Gorman), Niall Leavy (for Garrett Garry).

DIVISION 3 HURLING LEAGUE

Raheen Hurlers put in a much improved performance but were beaten by a vastly more experienced and skillfull Crinkle side, who were playing at Intermediate level last year, in their Div 3 League encounter last Saturday evening in Geashill on a scoreline of 5-13 to 2-06. Crinkle opened the scoring with the first point and Raheen got off the mark with their opening point on 5 mins. Over the next 25 mins Crinkle took control scoring 4-04 to Raheen’s 2 points. Crinkle added 2 more points before Raheen struck their first goal on the stroke of half time when Paddy Rigney’s 20m free was blocked down by the keeper and Cathal Maher was on hand to flick it to the net and so at the break Crinkle had a healthy lead of 4-07 to 1-03. Crinkle added 2 more points to Raheen’s 1 early in the second half before Raheen gave themselves a glimmer of hope on 7 mins when Paddy Rigney picked up the ball in midfield and made a run through the middle to the edge of the square where he struck it across goal to the corner of the net for Raheen’s second goal. That would be as close as it would get as Crinkle crept further ahead adding 4 points to Raheen’s 2 before they got in to score their 5th goal in the final min.

RAHEEN: Padraig Direen, Sean Martin Pierce, Eoghan Bolton, Craig O’Halloran, Kevin Beirne, Paddy Arnold, Colm Pidgeon, Brian Corcoran, Cathal Maher (1-01), Eana Direen (0-02), Paddy Rigney (1-01), Keith Quinn, Brian Kennedy (0-01), Steve Coughlan, Ian O’Halloran (0-01).

SUBS: Martin Nugent (for Keith Quinn), Dean Pierce (for Steve Coughlan)

DIVISION 3 FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Raheen Junior Footballers were given a walkover from Ballycumber who were unable to field a team for their re-arranged Div 3 League encounter last Sunday morning and thereby Raheen are awarded the points for the game.

INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 2

Raheen Intermediate Footballers resume their Championship campaign this Friday (14 June) @ 7:30pm against Kilclonfert in Clonbullogue in Round 2. All Support would be appreciated.

Watch the GET Local BiaBox story here

The GET Local goal is to provide affordable, fresh, delicious food to a wide number of people and in doing so, create local sustainable employment. This world class food solution will help create a large captive market for the other products and services of our local entrepreneurs. The GET Local BiaBox takes it’s cues from established success stories from around the world, including UK based Local Food Direct and Farm Drop, Aussie Farmers Direct and Good Eggs based in San Francisco

Event organiser Padraic O Brien said “This is a fantastic opportunity for whole communities to come together and support local job creation. Almost €5 billion worth of food is imported into Ireland each year. We want to reverse the outflow of money from the local economy. We will do this through rebuilding local food supply chains. Funds raised through this cycle will enable us to provide start up capital to new local food initiatives.”

An event page has been set up on Facebook under the title Borris v Borris Charity Cycle Supporting Local Food Initiatives. You can also follow updates on Twitter from @LocalSwitch and @GETLocalBorris. Ambulance cover will be provided by The Red Cross.

Cyclists wishing to sign up can do so on the day or by phoning Padraic on 086-2222302. Online donations can be made at www.startsomegood.com/getlocalireland. To find out more about GET Local visit www.getlocal.coop

John Bryan said the drinks industry is a significant purchaser of Irish crops and products, using over 200,000 tonnes of malting barley, 300m litres of milk and 40,000 tonnes of apples each year. “In the case of malting barley, demand is increasing in recent years, which is very important to the viability of tillage farmers and economic activity in rural Ireland. The other customers for Irish farm produce also play a vital role in our export-led sector.”

The IFA President said everything must be done to encourage our indigenous industries to grow and expand jobs, output and exports. He said he had conveyed this view to the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney and asked him to reflect it when the matter is discussed at Cabinet level.  “At this time, our country needs joined-up thinking more than ever, and a clear understanding of the consequences of pursuing only one side of the debate.”

He said, “Like every parent, I am of course concerned to ensure that Irish people, and especially our youth, treat drink responsibly. I believe that more focused and targeted education in primary and secondary schools is the best approach in achieving that. Indeed, I see involvement in sport as a positive conduit to more responsible use of alcohol”.

Mr Bryan said, “As a voluntary organisation with a presence in every parish in rural Ireland, IFA would have a concern that the removal of this sponsorship funding would have a knock-on impact on local sports clubs, which are a central element of rural communities, in financing their teams and activities”.

Special One will be released on Weds June 12^th- along with a Video of Jose’s “best bits”.

Www.corrigan-brothers.com

Special One- Corrigan Brothers     (Still the One ,Shania Twain)

Lyrics Corrigan Brothers- Music Shania Twain

Looks Like he made it

Now we’re glad that we have waited                            

While he was away

We always  knew that he’d be back someday

They said, I bet ,he’ll never do it

Now he’s back at the bridge again

It was never IF, always WHEN

(Special One), Special one ,you’re home, now

No longer feel alone now

Special one has a blue Heart

Special One, the one that we love

The one that we still dreamed of

Special One, it’s a new start

Ain’t nothing Better

We always beat the odds together

We knew he’s listen

He knew how much that we were missin

They said “I’ll bet he’ll never come back”

But just look at us now we’re strong

Back together with Special One

(Special One), Special one ,you’re home, now

No longer feel alone now

Special one has a blue Heart

Special One, the one that we love

The one that we still dreamed of

Special One, it’s a new start

(Special One), Special one ,you’re home, now

No longer feel alone now

Special one has a blue Heart

Special One, the one that we love

The one that we still dreamed of

Special One, it’s a new start

                   Looks Like he made it

Now we’re glad that we have waited                            

While he was away

We always  knew that he’d be back someday

They said, I bet ,he’ll never do it

Now he’s back at the bridge again

It was never IF, always WHEN

(Special One), Special one ,you’re home, now

No longer feel alone now

Special one has a blue Heart

Special One, the one that we love

The one that we still dreamed of

Special One, it’s a new start

Hurling for all u12, u10, u8 & u6 takes place on Friday evenings at 6:30pm in Ballycumber & on Tuesday evenings at6:30 in Pullough. Beginners always welcome.Helmets are available to buy at subsidised cost from Sean or Glen.

Congrats

Congratulations to Conor Robbins who was part of the Warwickshire team who clained the Lory Meagher Cup in Croke Park on Saturday last! Well done Conor!

Leinster U21 Hurling Championship

Well done to our county hurlers, Dan Kelleher who lined out with the Offaly u21 hurlers at full back, they overcame Laois by a single point in O’Moore Park last Wedensday. & to Chris McDonald with the Offaly senior team on his performance with Offaly against Kilkenny on Sunday.

Raffle

Brosna Gaels players, coaches parents and committee members are currently selling tickets to win our 1940 McCormick Deering Farmall Model H vintage tractor. Tickets are €5, or a book of 5 for €20. Your support is greatly appreciated

School of Hurling 2013

The Brosna Gaels School of Hurling 2013 will take place from Wednesday 3rd to Saturday 6th July. Application forms are available from any coach. Any queries please contact Alma 0857201341 or Anne 0863061896

Training continues every Thurs evening in Pairc Phroinsias, for U6/U8/U10/U12 at 6.30 – 7.30 and 6.15 – 7.30 for U14 hurling training. We would like to thank the minors who are helping with the U6’s especially Liam Doyle who is completing his Gaisce course and has been a great help with the indoor and outdoor training of this group.

It has been a busy couple of weeks with the U10’s travelling to Pairc Brendain in Birr last week to play a very enjoyable hurling blitz. They divided their squads in two and every player got to play 3 games. The U12 hurlers have played Tullamore in Clara under the Go Games rules which consists of two 11 aside games and full participation. They also played in Ballinamere last Sunday morning with a visiting team up from Kilkenny and the hosts Ballinamere.

Our U14 hurlers played Brosna Gaels in Clara last Friday in the 1^st round of the Championship on a very well prepared pitch for hurling and Clara had a good win with a great team effort and scored some fine scores with 8 players getting on the score sheet. The U14’s also played Shamrocks in a challenge game to commemorate the opening of the Donal O’Connin ball wall on Sunday 2^nd June. We would like to thank Shamrocks for travelling and it was only befitting as Donal had some mighty battles against Rahan and Shamrocks. U14 panel Gary Kelly, Mark Doorley, Thomas Guinan, Nathan Bracken, Conor Egan, Cathal O’Meara, Daryl O’Brien, Keiran Hartnett, Thomas Dolan, Mark Newman, Sean Fleming, Cameron Monaghan, Ruairi Dunne, Dean Larkin, Adam Owens and Ciaran Doyle.

DIVISION 3 HURLING LEAGUE

The Song which has an environmental theme along with a wonderful piece of choreography celebrates all of the environmental initiatives that have helped in attaining the school’s fourth green flag.

Ger Corrigan singer and guitarist with the Corrigan Brothers said “We are delighted to be involved in this special event, I have seen the song performed in rehearsals and it is wonderful, the energy and talent of the pupils and teachers is inspiring. We are really looking forward to performing this song live with the entire school community.”

The school earned its first green flag for litter and waste management in 2007. School principal Ivor Hayes said “Participation in the Green Schools programme over many years has been a hugely enriching experience for the school, and by extension the home and wider community. We are delighted to have achieved Green Flags for litter and waste management, reducing energy consumption, reducing water consumption and promoting sustainable modes of travel. It has been a particular pleasure to see true teamwork in action throughout this process with all sectors of our school community working in unison and nurturing life changing habits in environmental education.”

 School Chairman Canon Stephen Neill praised the staff and pupils, Yvonne, Jean, Teresa, Una, Noreen, Jennifer, Ivor, Louise, Maria, Amanda, Emma and Linda. ‘The children have really got behind this project from day one. Ms Louise Cromer (Deputy-Principal) who co-ordinates the Green Flag programme in the school has kept the momentum going over the past number of years and the children have been unfailingly enthusiastic and innovative in working towards the various flags. Their commitment to the environment is encouraging in light of the environmental challenges we all face in the years ahead.”

The ceremony will be attended by parents, grandparents and friends of the school and members of the wider community as well as our inspirational Green Schools Travel Officer, Ellen O’Sullivan. We are delighted to welcome the Junior Infant children who will be joining our school In September and their families. The school is particularly pleased to welcome back Mrs. Joan Larke, former school principal, who retired a number of years ago to raise the flag on the day. The flag raising ceremony and performance of the song will be followed by our annual school sports day.  We are looking forward to another wonderful occasion at our school and celebrating with our many friends.

The team of researchers at www.link2plans.com have examined every housing construction planning application and planning commencement from January to April 2013, in the production of the National Housing Construction Index. The Index gives a direct comparison with the exact same period in 2012.

Offaly has the joint sharpest drop in applications by county along with Westmeath after falling 33% compared to January to April 2012. Offaly planning applications fell from 51 in January to April 2012 to 34 in the same period in 2013. Other countries that performed badly in the planning applications index are Westmeath, Laois, Limerick, Kerry and Wexford recording a fall of applications by 33%, 30%, 27%, 26%and 26% consecutively.

Compared to Offaly, the outlook is positive for particular pockets around the country which are experiencing an increase in commencements and applications. Although planning applications were down by 7% nationally, eight counties show significant increases with Dublin witnessing a rise of 10%. Although the National Housing Construction Index shows a decrease in planning applications, of the eight experiencing growth in this report seven saw an increase in both this report as well as the previous January to February 2013 report with Leitrim, Kildare, Monaghan, Roscommon, Cavan, Dublin, Kilkenny and Longford showing a consistent increase in planning applications. This shows that 27% of counties in Ireland witnessed continuing increases in the numbers of applications lodged.

Nevertheless, according to the Managing Director of Link2Plans, Danny O’Shea, the index shows that there is an overall trend of falling planning applications which may result in a fall in commencements. This may mean that commencements in Offaly could expect to fall further in the near future.