The Sarah Walker Gallery was re-launched by County Cork Mayor Noel Harrington on Saturday 23rd August. Exhibits included the bike above by Edia Connole 'Paterfamilias or the known inthought'. The many guests included Rumia Bloch above right with her mother Roisin O'Toole and 9 year old Kiki van Zanten ..pictures John Eagle

Back to School

You certainly have to have a certain degree of sympathy for the students as they trudge back to school this week. They had little to enthuse where sunshine was concerned during the Summer holidays. It will go down as one of the wettest summers in recent times. Its effect were felt in fishing, farming and tourism. Most tourism operators in Beara reported a reasonable year after a sluggish start. Neil Jordan's film Ondine which is being shot here helped to cushion the the blow for what would have been a difficult year.

Cycle

The 8th Annual Sponsored Cycle from CTB to Kenmare goes ahead on Sunday 31st August in aid of the St Lukes School for Deaf Children in Lodwar, Kenya. Anyone wishing to participate should get in touch with Barry Harrington to arrange sponsorship cards and bicycles

Simon Hostel

On behalf of the Cork Simon Hostel Community and Ger O'Leary, painter and decorator, we would like to thank the people of Beara and beyond for their kind generousity and support for the clothing collection back in late May and as recently as July. Without support such as your's it would not be possible to help alleviate the hardship that befalls those that are homeless and find the ladder of society impossible to climb. Another collection will be held in late October, early November for the following items before the cold months befall us:- *duvets, blankets, all forms of bed linein, bath towels, face cloths. No pillows please. Contact Ger O'Leary on 027 70137 or 086 8166495. All other clothing to the charity shop Bantry if you should have such items. Many thanks again, Ger O'Leary

Lotto

The lucky dip winners in this week's RNLI Co-Action Lotto draw were Stephen Paddy O'Sullivan, Patrick Murphy, George Cody, Mary Ahil, and Frank Kearny. The draw for this week's jackpot, which is €4,900, will be held in Breens Lobster Bar on Wednesday night.

Good news for Eyeries Eircom has informed Beara Tourism and Urhan Community Council that Broadband will be available in the Eyeries area in late September. This is welcome news for people in Eyeries as they have struggled with dial up for many years. Broadband in Bere Island was turned on last Summer and was co-funded by Bere Island Projects with the assistance of Beara Tourism. Castletownbere was turned on in 2006 and was part funded by Beara Tourism. A limited form of broadband is available in Allihies at present and Ardgroom. It is hoped that Allihies, Ardgroom and Adrigole exchanges will be enabled for broadband over the next 12 months with new grants scheme which will launched by Government in September. Broadband is essential in rural Ireland due to the long distance people have to travel to the city for work. Beara has seen an influx of people working from their laptop at home with the arrival of broadband on the peninsula.

To conclude this week I would like to congratulate Miriam Sheehan of Urhan who celebrated her 21st Birthday over teh weekend

.....John Murphy

Bart Simpson took time off from his busy schedule to make a guest appearance at the Spiritual Care Centre. Here he meets with Tim Goulding who held an exhibition of his paintings 'Floating World' which is soon to be on show at the Taylor Gallery in Dublin. A percentage from sales of his work is going to the funds for the centre. A raffle for one of his oils was held on the night and was won by Anne O'Carroll

Barry Power meets Colin Farrell

The past week has seen the focus of attention in Neil Jordan's film 'Ondine' which is currently being filmed in CTB being switched to the town itself. This affords people the opportunity to see a film being made on location. With several locals being used as extras in the film it has added on extra dimention. The film has also been a boon to the local economy at a time when most areas are feeling the pinch with the downturn in the economy.

Festival

This years CTB Festival of the Sea has drawn to a close and with it one of the best festivals ever. From the official opening by Colin Farrell the festival had a real zing to it. To all the committee who worked so tirelessly a sincere thank you and well done.

Deirdre Archibald of 'You're a Star' fame opened the Bere Island Festival over the weekend which also featured their annual regatta.

The Garnish Family Festival continues this week with the focus of attention turning to Allihies on the 15th for the annual Sports and Horse Racing Day

Danielle, Theresa and Cormac Kelly	David Millard, Anne Naehrlich and his children Tady and Josie
Enjoying a day at the races in Allihies
Cathel and his father Johnny Sullivan Shandon	Triple winner Darragh Lordan from Innishannon, click here to see more
	...Allihies pictures and text John Eagle

Caha Center

The Adrigole Family Resource Center are currently seeking applications for Childcare Staff which includes 1 Childcare Supervisor, 1 Early Years Worker, 1 Childcare Assistant and 1 After School Worker. Application forms and further information can be got by contacting the Caha Center on 60909. The closing date for applications is August 15th

Lotto

The lucky dip winners in this weeks RNLI Co Action Lotto Draw were Patrick Paddy O'Sullivan, Emma Harrington, Nial Jim O'Sullivan and Arlene O'Shea

Cycle Ride

The 8th Annual Sponsored Cycle from CTB to Kenmare goes ahead on Sunday 31st August in aid of the St Lukes School for Deaf Children in Lodwar, Kenya. Anyone wishing to participate should get in touch with Barry Harrington to arrange sponsorship cards and bicycles

Photo

An exhibtion of photos by Rory Finch is currently on display at Bank Place CTB and is well worth a visit.

.....John Murphy

Sheltering from yet another downpour, film director Neil Jordan, film crew and cast from the movie 'Ondine' take shelter in a tent on the harbour wharf in Castletownbere during the week

Week ending August 8th

Colin Farrell, the movie star, and Neil Jordan the film director opening the Castletownbere Regatta Colin Farrell arriving with County Cork Mayor Noel Harrington
l-r: Noel Murphy, County Mayor Noel Harrington, Colin Farrell, Neil Jordan Pictures...John Eagle Photography