Rock and Roll kids are back in Bunclody

LOOKING SOUTH
With Clare Minnock
TEENS in Bunclody are rocking and rolling once more, thanks to the ‘Bunclody Rocks’ group. The weekly group, which meets every Saturday in Bunclody Vocational School, gives local youngsters a chance to learn a variety of musical instruments as well as encouraging public performance and song-writing.

Back after the summer holidays, the popular group is spearheaded by musical tutors Dean Redmond and Colin Maher.

The duo meet teens every week between 2pm and 4pm in the school and give them the opportunity to learn guitar, bass guitar, drums, vocals, songwriting and more. The group is always keen to welcome new members and anyone interested should contact Barbara Ann Murphy at bambunclody@gmail.com or 087 6736966.

Connolly Topline wins top tool retailer award

A HARDWARE shop in Bagenalstown scooped three nominations and a top prize at the recent Irish Hardware magazine awards. The annual awards ceremony took place in the lavish grounds of Clontarf Castle on Tuesday 27 September.

Connolly Topline in Bagenalstown was in the running for the title of paint retailer of the year, tool retailer of the year and electrical retailer of the year. The local store narrowly missed out in the paint and electrical categories before securing the top spot of tool retailer of the year.

According to organisers of the awards, hundreds of entries flooded the magazine in the run-up to this year’s event and the tools category “is always a hotly-contested one”.

Martin Foran, editor of Irish Hardware, applauded the high standard of entries and fantastic quality on offer across the trade.

“We have seen in these awards how, year-on-year, merchants have consistently raised their game. This makes the judges’ job a very difficult one,” said Mr Foran.

According to Mr Foran, judges felt that Connolly’s went the extra mile in the highly competitive tools category. Judges remarked: “Connolly’s is a hugely impressive store. The tools department shows and understanding of the current market and the staff exude a fantastic mix of passion and knowledge.”

Children’s book fest in Bunclody <>/b

IT’S BOOKS, books and more books around the country this October as the month-long Children’s Book Festival kicks off. Schools, libraries and bookshops throughout the country will host the very best of Irish and international children’s authors and illustrators.

And, of course, Bunclody Library has a whole host of free events planned for kids around the area, starting with Scottish storyteller Fred Freeman and a poetry workshop. Cork-based publisher Olive O’Brien will discuss issues such as global warming and recycling with the help of her eco-friendly polar bear, Perry.

Sure to be a hit with very young children, Dolores Keaveney will read from her beautifullyillustrated books f I were a bee and Jenny, the little brown hen. She also plans to show children a real bee hive and explain the importance of bees.

Older children will enjoy the chance to learn from Alan Nolan, a graphic novelist, who will give a practical drawing demonstration and provide participants with an unfinished cartoon strip to complete with his help.

Booking is essential for all events, many of which are available for school groups. All events are free of charge and details can be found on the library’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/bunclodylibrary.

Historical talk on Ancient Order of Hibernians

CALLING all historians and history buffs … Graignamanagh Historical Society will unveil an exhibition of artifacts from the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Ceremonial sashes, minute books and membership certs are just some of the items that will be on dis-play at Graignamanagh Library during and after the talk.

Author and historian John Joyce will discuss the Graignamanagh Division of the AOH (Board of Erin) on Friday at 8pm in the library. Over 200 names of members of the division, which existed between 1913 and 1920, will also be on display for the first time ever.

“Many of them are ancestors of present-day residents of the Graignamanagh area,” said Owen Doyle, Graignamanagh Historical Society.

According to Owen, the artifacts are sure to bring “back memories of a society long forgotten that existed in Graignamanagh during the early turbulent years of the last century”.

Everyone is invited to attend what promises to be a very interesting look back at the history of the local area. Admission on the evening is €3 to all non-members of the society and the talk will begin promptly at 8pm.