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Issue No. 14 Fri. 18th February, 2011 Tel: 0504-51945 email: info@offalytatler.ie info@laoistatler.ieweb: www.offalytatler.ie www.laoistatler.ie

Distributed FREE Throughout Laois and Offaly

Flanagan, TD, Cllr Liam Quinn & Cllr John MoranContinue your preferences to my colleagues Charles

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Dog is man's best friend because theyspend so much time together in thedog house.

This guy was watching TV as hiswife was out cutting the grass duringthe hot summer. He finally workedup the energy to go out and ask hiswife what was for supper.Well, his missus was quite irritatedabout him sitting in the air condi-tioned house all day while she did allthe work, so she scolded him. "I can'tbelieve you're asking me about sup-per right now! Imagine I'm out oftown, go inside and figure dinner outyourself."So he went back in the house andfixed himself a big steak, with pota-toes, garlic bread and tall glass oficed tea.The wife finally walked in about thetime he was finishing up and askedhim, "You fixed something to eat? Sowhere is mine?""Huh? I thought you were out oftown."

I was at a once in a lifetime corporatehospitality at a premier football game

and I got an urgent call from the wifesaying her mum's been hit by a busand has only hours to live.Fifteen minutes later, I'm at the hos-pital and the wife's hugging me."Thank-you darling, I'm so sorryyou'll miss your football.""Don't worry, love, I wouldn't missthis - I'm taping it and I'll watch itlater."Dunno why she got so upset when Istarted setting up the camcorder.

I got home from the pub last nightand my wife said, "I can't believehow intoxicated you are."Denying it I said, "I'm not drunk."She said, "Yes you are."I said, "No I'm not."She said, "Can you tell the time?"I walked up to the clock and said,"I'm not drunk."

Every year on their wedding anniver-sary my boss, Jimmy, and his wifecelebrated by staying at the same re-sort hotel. On their 25th anniversarythey booked their usual room. Butwhen the hotel's manager escortedthem upstairs, they were in for a big

surprise. "There must be some mis-take," Jimmy said. "This looks likethe bridal suite.""It's okay," the manager reassuredhim. "If I put you in the ballroom,that doesn't mean you have to dance."Have you seen how expensive funer-als are nowadays?Just before I die, I'm going to changemy name to 'OFF'. That way, whenthe hearse is driving to the church, itwill have displayed on top of my cof-fin in flowers:R.I.P. OFF

One afternoon, a woman was in herback yard hanging the laundry whenan old, tired-looking dog wanderedinto the yard. The woman could tellfrom the dog's collar and well-fedbelly that he had a home. But whenshe walked into the house, the dogfollowed her, sauntered down the halland fell asleep in a corner.An hour later, he went to the door,and the woman let him out.The next day the dog was back. Heresumed his position in the hallwayand slept for an hour. This continuedfor several weeks.Curious, the woman pinned a note tohis collar: "Every afternoon, yourdog comes to my house for a nap."

The next day he arrived with a differ-ent note pinned to his collar: "Wehave ten children. He's trying tocatch up on his sleep."

Politicians are like nappies. Theyneed changing regularly, and usuallyfor the same reason.

Little Johnny was sitting on a parkbench munching on one candy barafter another. After the sixth one aman on the bench across from himsaid, "Son, you know eating all thatcandy isn't good for you. It will giveyou acne, rot your teeth, and makeyou fat."Little Johnny replied, "My grandfa-ther lived to be 107 years old."The man asked, "Did your grandfa-ther eat six candy bars at a time?"Little Johnny answered, "No, heminded his own business!"

I was in court the other day aboutdivorcing my wife.When the judge asked why i wantedto get a divorce, apparently "I boughta dishwasher" wasn't good enough.

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For the first time in over three years,stars of American Wrestling will invadeTullamore, Co. Offaly, when thepowerhouses of Emerald WrestlingPromotions stamp their mark all over theBridge House Hotel on Friday February18th at 7.30pm.

In a night of guaranteed non stop action,those in attendance will witness theincredible power of Heavyweightgladiators and the athleticism of theirhigh flying Cruiserweight counterparts.

One Wrestler looking forward to makingthe trip to Tullamore is WelshHeavyweight; Andy Boy Simmonz.Andy is a household name around theUK Wrestling circuit and has achievedgreat success in many Europeancountries – holding titles in Italy,Germany and Spain.

As a fan favourite all over Europe, itwasn’t long before Simmonz attractedthe attention of World WrestlingEntertainment (WWE). Simmonz wasquickly contracted to battle WWESuperstars Matt Hardy, Goldust andSnitsky on live television. So impressedwas WWE Owner Vince McMahon thathe personally challenged Simmonz totake on Samoan Monster Umaga in themain event of Monday Night Raw. Andycourageously accepted and put up awarriors effort in a memorable collision.

When asked about the event, Simmonzsaid "I'm really looking forward to com-ing to Tullamore, because most peopleonly see wrestling on TV and they don'trealise what an incredible spectacle it canbe when you're close enough to hear eve-ry blow. Offaly, and Ireland generally,has a great sporting tradition and I canpromise them that they'll never forget the

name AndyBoy Simmonzafter the18th."

Also in actionin the BridgeHouse will bethe Manchester Monster, LT Summers.Standing 6 foot 6 Inches tall with 17stone of pure muscle, Summers is anintimidating force for any challenger.

Having represented his country at RugbyLeague, Summers decided to unleash hisaggression inside the ring. LT has sincedominated the UK HeavyweightWrestling scene, holding the BritishHeavyweight Title for four long spells.

Summers recently issued a challenge toany Irish wrestler to battle him onFebruary 18th – one which was bravelyaccepted by Celtic Warrior EamonO’Neill, a home town hero who alwaysdraws huge crowds to events in hisnative county and all over Europe. TheManchester Monster has stated “O’Neillhas bitten off more than he can chew!!”

Other wrestlers scheduled to appear onthe night include: High Flying Mexican -Lion Kid, TNA Star – Haskins and TheAmerican Idol - Sean Sensation, plusmany more top wrestling stars.

After a jam packed night of excitingmatches, fans in attendance will have theopportunity to meet all the superstars &collect autographs/pictures with the showhaving a family friendly theme.

Tickets for this American Wrestlingevent can be purchased at the receptiondesk of the Bridge House HotelTullamore.

Wrestling Mania Comesto Tullamore

Monty Don is very well known fromhis time on the BBC’s Gardeners’World, and his 2006 publication Forkto Fork is a very well regarded intro-duction to vegetable gardening allyear. The Fork to Fork Journal is alovely little book that combines ex-cerpts from the original Fork to Forkwith notes pages where the gardenercan note what grows, what doesn’t,what tastes lovely and what’s better inthe compost heap than on the plate.The book is beautifully bound, and themonth-by-month format means there isalways something relevant to peruse onthose days when it’s just too wet andwindy to get out in the garden.If you already own the original Fork toFork, the journal is not for you because

the growing andcooking infor-mation is word-for-word fromthe original book. However, if you arenew to Monty Don or new to garden-ing, this is a pleasing book for tips andkeeping tidy notes, and it would makea special gift and provide encourage-ment for a budding gardenerMonty and Sarah Don’s Fork to ForkJournal is available for Sheelagh naGig bookshop, Cloughjordan, which isopen Wed-Thu 10.00am-5pm, Fri-Sat10am-6pm and Sunday 1pm-6pm. Tel:0505 42123; email,info@sheelaghnagig.com; follow us onTwitter @sheelaghnagig; or see us onFacebook.

Fork to Fork JournalMonty and Sarah Don

Review by Elizabeth O’Shea

Book Review

2011 is here and with all new years,we look forward to a fresh start. TheChristmas decorations have been putaway and perhaps your home looks abit bare, perhaps you are noticing thata couple of rooms need a coat ofpaint, or some fresh wallpaper, ornew blinds or even a few new scattercushions on the sofa would add somefinishing touches to the living room.

People haven’t been travelling asmuch in the last couple of years butwhy not bring some aspects of othercountries to your homes.  Creating a‘Moroccan’ room or an ‘Indian’themed room was very popular in the1990s with programmes such as‘Changing rooms’ and presenters likeLawrence Llewellyn Bowen. Howev-er, I am going to suggest more subtletouches which will add a touch of theexotic and far flung places withoutbecoming over the top or tiresome.

African Theme

Creams, oranges and browns makegreat background colours for an Afri-an theme, incorporating as many nat-ural tones as possible with splashes ofburnt orange, green and blue.  To addan African influence, it is reasonablyeasy to find cheetah, leopard and ze-bra patterns on tapestries, rugs andblankets.  Andrew Martin haslaunched a fabulously rich fabric withan elephant pattern that is also suita-ble for upholstery. Turner Pocock’snew wallpaper collection which in-cludes ostrich and zebra is wonderfulfor children’s bedrooms but couldalso be used in an adult’s bedroom,

study or bath-room to add tothe theme.

If you reallywant to em-brace an Afri-can theme, addAfrican art tothe walls orhang primitiveweapons, tools or tribal masks.Drums can double as lamp tables too.The beauty of this style is that youcan add as much or as little as youlike.

Add Indian Spice

Indian colours can be very brightsuch as magentas, limes and turquois-es and look absolutely beautiful insoft fabrics such as silks and chiffons.Tassels and fringing on cushions andcurtains adds plenty of glamour andtexture.  If you feel these colours aretoo bright for our more Northernlight, either use the bright colours forcushions and throws or opt for whitesand golds with plenty of patterningon the silks and chiffons.

If you decide to include Indian -themed furniture, it will be quite or-nate as they tend to be heavily carved,gilded, mosaic or painted.  You couldadapt an existing table reasonablyeasily by tiling it with a mosaic pat-tern or replacing cupboard doors witha lattice panel.  To add to the lookwith wall hangings, use ornate mir-rors and frames. Brightly colouredwall hangings can be hung on thewalls and are relatively inexpensivebut very effective.

Bring some Eastern spice or African nightsto your home with our Design Tips

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This Weeks Matches

Sunday 20th February:Provincial Towns CupPortlaoise 1st’s team are playing inTogher against arch rival Enniscorthyin this first round match in the Pro-vincial Towns Cup. Match starts at15:00.

Portlaoise 2nd’s team are playing athome against Ballbriggan in their firstround of the cup. This match starts at3:00pm.

Portlaoise 3rd’s & 4th’s have noscheduled matches this weekend.

Saturday 19th February:

Portlaoise Mini’s are at home thisSaturday playing against Portarling-ton.

Portlaoise U17 are away to Tullow intheir CUP first round matchPortlaoise U19 are at home to Carlowin their first round cup match.

Match report on 3rd s game Satur-day 13th February.

Portlaoise 3rd v Athy 3rd in Athy.

Team : M.Dowling, D.Miller,E.MAsterson, N.Fitzpatrick,P.Kavanagh, M.McDonald,M.Delaney, S.Cooper, T.Lynch,D.Bigley, D.Bloomfield, C.Peters,G.Hall, C.Keane, J.Dowling,O.Cuddy, P.Hearns, B.Lynch,A.Dowling.

On Saturday Portlaoise 3rd’s trav-elled to Athy for a Leinster League J3fixture. In lovely spring like condi-tions both teams started the gamewith Portlaoise requiring a win toconsolidate their lead at the top of theleague and Athy determined to pre-vent that and obtain the points. Thefirst ten minutes had both teams vy-ing for possession but Portlaoisebroke the deadlock and Stuart Cooperopened the scoring with a fine trywhich Mossie McDonald converted.Five minutes later Athy were on thescoreboard when Portlaoise concededa penalty on their 22 and Athy con-

verted. The score stood at Portlaoise7 Athy 3. The game settled into aneven sided affair where play was con-stantly interrupted by infringements.However Portlaoise held their com-posure and through a series of goodmoved by the backs Donal Miller wasreleased on the wing and scored afine try.The half time the score was Portlao-ise 12 – Athy 3.The second half began with a flour-ish. Portlaoise dominated from thestart and were rewarded when DonalMiller again scored with a try insidethe first 5 minutes of the second half.This was unconverted to have thescore at Portlaoise 17 – Athy 3. Thegame flowed from side to side but itwas Portlaoise’s superiority whichprevailed and Stuart Cooper scored atry followed by Garrett Hall crashingover for a try and Mossie McDonaldconverted. The score stood at Portlao-ise 29 Athy 3 . A slight lapse allowedAthy to score a consolation try whichthey converted but Portlaoise theyadded a r try by Eoghan Mastersonand a try by Michael Delaney whichwas converted by Michael Dowlingto bring the final score to Portlaoise41 - Athy 10.

Check website; www.portlaoiserfc.ieand/or follow us on Facebook for fur-ther details of fixtures and coaches.

Home Team Score Away Team Score

Portlaoise 1st’s 10 Garda 1st’s 27Portlaoise 2nd’s 41 Garda 2nd’s 15Athy 3rd’s 10 Portlaoise 3rd’s 41NUIM Barnhall B 37 Portlaoise 4th’s 15

Weekend Results

Portlaoise Rugby Club

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Offaly V Galway Camogie Panel1. St Rynaghs, Shauna Keane 2. Shinrone, Niamh Carroll 3. Killeigh, OrlaGorman 4. St. Philomenas, Emma Jameson 5. Ballinamere, Sinéad Nolan 6.Clonlisk NS, Aisling McGee 7. Killeen, Shiorfa Ryan 8. Ballyboy, NicoleDavern 9. Rath, Naomi Cleare 10. Clareen, Maggie Mulrooney

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Throughout the National league inboth hurling and Football OffalyCumann na mBunscol will organisea series of exhibition matches inconjunction with Offaly CountyBoard. In today’s game boys andgirls from a selection of schools inOffaly (football) and Offaly andGalway (hurling & camogie) willparticipate. The children themselveswill referee the games. Schoolsthroughout the county are represent-ed, where possible. These games aresmall sided, in line with the Go-Games philosophy with the empha-sis on enjoyment and participation.We would also like to thank the Of-faly senior hurling and footballmanagers and players for the en-couragement they have shown to the

children of Offaly. Special thanks toAlan Mulhall for all his help in theorganizing of these games. Offalymentors include; Joe CarmodyWalsh Island NS, Eoin KennedyKinnitty NS, Michelle CorcoranBallyboy NS, Deirdre Fay RhodeNS, Stephen Darby Ballybryan NS,Paula Gordon Rhode NS and BrídFluery Ballyboy NS.

A huge thank you to the children ofOffaly and Galway schools for mak-ing the trip to O’ Connor park, Tul-lamore for what will surely be atremendous experience for theseyoung Hurlers and Footballers!

Offaly V Galway. Boys HurlingKinnitty NS, Patrick Byrne. St. Rynaghs, Liam Reynolds. St. Brendan’s NSBirr, Conor Guilfoyle. Coolderry NS, Davidconnolly. Rath NS, Barry O’Meara. Seir Kieran NS, Barry Kealey. Muck-lagh NS, Dylan Dunne. Ballyboy NS, Conor Hayden.Edenderry B.N.S, Oisin O'Grady. Durrow NS, Mike McCardle

Offaly V Wexford Girls Football, Sunday 20 February 2011. O Connor Park,Tullamore @ 2.451.Coolderry, Sharon Kelly, Jennifer Nolan. 2. Mucklagh, Rachael Bryant, Or-laith Redmond. 3. Cloghan, Rachel Slevin, Niamh Clancy. 4. Tubber, Aine OConnor, Claire King. 5. Pullough, Avril Spain, Natasha Lynam. 6. Lumcloon,Faye Conroy, Jordyn Kavanagh. 7. High St, Tracey Murphy, Aine Coughlan.8. Mountbolus, Eileen Bracken, Chloe Brummell. 9. Coolanarney, Ella Fla-herty, Ashling Murphy. 10. Clareen, Aoife Gilligan, Niamh Kealey

Offaly V Wexford Boys Football, Sunday 20 February 2011. O ConnorPark, Tullamore @ 2.451. Kilcormac, Conor Lowry, Conor Quinn. 2. Boher, Luke Gavin Mangan,Kevin Kelly. 3. Coolderry + Crinkle, Paraic Marcs.(Coolderry NS), Conor Smith. (CRINKLE NS). 4. Dromakeenan, PeterMaher, Thomas McCarthy. 5. Mucklagh,Shane O’Toole, Patrick Malone. 6. Birr, Nicholas Cordial, Bernard Ward.7. Cloghan, Fergal Hanamy, Patrick Clancy.8. Tubber, Shane Moran, James Kealy. 9. Pullough, Steven Buckley,Conor Lynam. 10. Lumcloon, Conor Hanniffy, Dónal Grogan11. Daingean, Aaron Leavy, Adam Bolger. 12. St Rynaghs, Shane Hogan,Paul Maloney

Football Referees Hurling Referees

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Ireland’s voting system is one of Propor-tional Representation using the single trans-ferable vote in multi-seat constituencies.Article 16 of the Constitution states that allcitizens who have reached the age of eight-een years and who are not disqualified bylaw can vote in elections for Dáil Éireann.Voting is done by secret ballot with eachvoter having only one vote.

Proportional Representation means that as avoter, you can indicate your first and subse-quent choices for the candidates on the bal-lot paper. The names of the candidates willappear in alphabetical order on the ballotpaper, together with their photographs andtheir party emblem. You indicate your firstchoice by writing 1 opposite your firstchoice and 2 opposite your second choice, 3opposite your third choice and so on. Youmay stop marking your paper after 1 or anysubsequent preference or you may go rightdown the ballot paper until a preference hasbeen given to all candidates ending with thecandidate of your lowest choice.

When you vote like this, you are instructingthe Returning Officer to transfer your voteto the second choice candidate if your firstchoice is either elected with a surplus ofvotes over the quota or is eliminated. Ifyour second choice is elected or eliminated,your vote may be transferred to your thirdchoice and so on.When polling is over, all the ballot boxesare taken to a central counting place foreach constituency. The count starts at 9amon the day after polling day. The ballot pa-pers are then sorted into piles of ballot pa-pers for each candidate. The ballot papersare mixed, counted and sorted and spoiledpapers are rejected.

A paper is spoiled if it does not have an of-ficial stamp, if it does not indicate a clearchoice, for example, if you have indicatedtwo No.1’s on the paper, or if anything iswritten on the ballot paper by which thevoter can be identified. The Total ValidPoll therefore, is the total number of votesminus the number of spoiled papers. Whenthe papers have been counted and sorted,the quota is calculated by dividing the Total

Valid Poll by one more than the number ofseats to be filled, ignoring any remainderand then adding one vote. For example, ina Dáil election in a 4-seat constituency with50,000 votes cast, 50,000 divided by fourplus 1 (i.e. 5) = 10,000; 10,000 plus 1 is10,001. This is the quota of votes to bereached by the candidates and it means thatonly 4 persons can be elected. If a candi-date receives more than the quota on anycount, the surplus votes are transferred tothe remaining candidates in proportion tothe next available preferences indicated byvoters.

Where a candidate is elected at the secondor later count, only the votes that broughthim/her over the quota are examined in thesurplus distribution. If two or more candi-dates exceed the quota at the same time, thelarger surplus is distributed first. The dis-tribution of a surplus is prohibited if it can-not materially affect the progress of thecount, either by electing a candidate or sav-ing the lowest candidate from elimination.Where there is no surplus for distribution orthe distribution of the surplus is prohibited,the next step is the elimination of the lowestcandidate. Two or more of the lowest can-didates must be excluded together where itis clear that they cannot possibly be savedfrom elimination in the long run.

Where a candidate is eliminated, all ofhis/her votes are transferred to the nextavailable preferences on them. Countingcontinues until all the seats have beenfilled. The last seat can be filled either by acandidate(s) exceeding the quota or by acandidate(s) being elected without reachingthe quota because it is clear that he/she isultimately going to be elected. Thus, if thenumber of seats left to be filled is just oneless than the number of candidates still inthe running and an available surplus cannotbring the lowest candidate level with orabove the second lowest candidates, all thecandidates, except the one with the lowestnumber of votes, are deemed elected eventhough none of them have actually reachedthe quota.

How Does the Voting System in Ireland Work? By Martin Gosling

The Peoples’ Economy is aninformation hub, a resource forcitizens and candidates to understandthe current economic situation.Created by a core group ofindependent economists anddedicated volunteers, People’sEconomy is about cutting throughjargon, busting myths, andanswering questions about thecurrent economic crisis.

Aim of the project

The People’s Economy aims to pro-vide citizens with the tools to under-stand Ireland’s economic situationby

∙  turning economic jargon into reallanguage

∙  providing  the  answers  tofrequently asked questions about theeconomy

∙  identifying and busting commonmyths about the economy

∙  providing them with key questionsto ask candidates in General Election2011

The People’s Economy will alsoprovide candidates running forelection with access to a group ofwell-respected independenteconomists.

Resources

The People’s Economy aims toprovide citizens with the tools tounderstand Ireland’s economicsituation. Our websiteis http://thepeopleseconomy.com/

The Economists

The economists generously givingsome of their time to the projectinclude:

David McWilliams:  Economist,broadcaster, bestselling author, andcolumnist with theSunday BusinessPost and the Irish Independent.

 Kevin O’Rourke: A Harvard PhDeconomics professor at Trinity Col-lege Dublin and a member of theRoyal Irish Academy. An economichistory specialist.

 Brian Lucey: Professor of financein the School of Business at TrinityCollege Dublin. A graduate of Trini-ty, Brian holds a first class degree ineconomics and has worked as a stat-istician in the Department of Healthand as an economist with the CentralBank prior to joining TCD. He hasstudied at graduate level in Canada,Ireland and Scotland.

 Lorcan Roche-Kelly: independenteconomic researcher

Ronan Lyons: independent econo-mist.

 Dr Constantin Gurdgiev: Macr-oeconomics and finance expert with15 years’ experience in research andconsultancy in strategy, economicanalysis and financial markets.

 Stephen Kinsella: Economics lec-turer at the University of Limerick,and author of Ireland in 2050: Howwe will be Living and UnderstandingIreland’s Economic Crisis: Pros-pects for Recovery.

What is The People’s Economy?The People’s Economy aims to provide citizens withthe tools to understand Ireland’s economic situation.

Rotimi Adebari, Independent.John Boland, Independent.John Bracken, Independent.Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, Fine Gael.Barry Cowen, Fianna Fáil.Michael Pat Cox, Independent.Liam Dumpleton, Independent.James Fanning, IndependentChristopher Fettes, Green Party.Eddie Fitzpatrick, Independent.Ray Fitzpatrick, Socialist Party.

Charlie Flanagan, Fine Gael.Sean Fleming, Fianna Fáil.John Foley, Independent.John Leahy, Independent.Fergus McDonnell, Independent.John Moloney, Fianna Fáil.John Moran, Fine Gael.Liam Quinn, Fine Gael.Brian Stanley, Sinn Féin.John Whelan, Labour.

General Election Candidates Laois Offaly 2011

Kate Bopp - IndependentBilly Clancy - Independent, New VisionNoel Coonan - Fine GaelMáire Hoctor - Fianna Fáil

Alan Kelly - LabourMichael Lowry - IndependentSeamus Morris - Sinn FéinOlwyn O Malley - Green Party

North Tipperary / South Offaly

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The National Council for the Blind ofIreland Once again fundraisers andThurles duet, Billy Shanahan and hisdaughter Katriona and their team ofBlazing Bikers, are back on the road!This follows up on their successfulTour of Wales last May Bank Holi-day weekend 2010, which saw a crewof 120 participants take on the“Celtic Tour”, raising over €30,000for the National Council for the Blindof Ireland. This year they will lead agroup of over one hundred intrepidBlazing Bikers through each one ofIreland’s 32 counties over 3 daysalong 1,000km of Irish roads.The previous tours started with Malinto Mizen in 2008; Mizen to Malin in2009; and the Celtic Tour 2010.These 3 events have raised over€120,000 for the National Council forthe Blind of Ireland.Billy and Katriona would like tothank all the bikers who have takenpart and all their sponsors who havecontributed so generously over theyears. These funds are used to deliveressential services to people who suf-fer from various formsof visual impairment. These servicesinclude mobility training, computereducation, social services support,counselingand adaptation needs, braille training,library and news magazine services,advocacy, and so on.The participants will stay over in Kil-larney Friday 29th April where Billy& Katriona will go over the route andnominate marshals for the weekend,they will then start out from there onSaturday morning and finish in Wa-terford on Monday May 2nd 2011. A

full support team will look after allessential needs from route planningand safety to food and accommoda-tion. Gardai have already approvedthe route plan and standards of safetyadopted for the event. Their supportand co-operation is so much appreci-ated – the event could not go aheadwithout their approval and support.From their responses to date it wouldappear that Billy and Katriona havegot the mix of adventure, challenge,and hospitality just right for the bik-ers and their pillion passengers. Forthis most eagerly awaited event theovernight stops are in hotels in Kil-larney (Fri night), Bundoran(Satnight), and Dublin(Sun night).A fundraising target of €550 per bik-er sharing and €350 per pillion pas-senger sharing includes 3 nightsdinner including 1 gala dinner, HotelB&B, itinerary booklet, DVD ofevent, certificate of completion, and asouvenir shirt plus badge.A deposit of €250 secures your place.You can contact Billy or Katriona forbookings and further information asfollows:Billy Shanahan: (087) 925 3225billy05@eircom.netKatriona Shanahan: (087) 410 6861blazingbikers@gmail.comwww.bikerschallenge.com Facebook:Blazing BikersA launch picture for the 32 CountyChallenge will take place on the 20thFebruary at 11am in theAnner Hotel, Thurles which will befollowed by a ‘Trip Around Tipp’.All are welcome to join.

4th Annual Blazing BikersCharity Motorbike Road Run

32 County Challenge 2011in aid of

The National Council for the Blind of Ireland

Increase Sales, call 0504-51945

Club PROsAdd us to your mailing list!

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Send Your Club Notes & Photos to info@offalytatler.ieOr info@laoistatler.ie

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Accounts, Tax Plans, VAT, RCT & PAYEIncome Tax & Corportaion Tax, C2’s

Roscrea,Co TipperaryPortlaoise,Co. Laois

0505 22992 / 23007087 9060666

liammcgrath.roscrea@gmail.comwww.lmcgrath.com

Chartered Certified Accountants & Professional Tax Advisors

Sorting out back year taxes

For people who are self employed,and where profit from the business issignificantly higher than personaldrawings each year, it is advisable toreview whether it is better toincorporate your business.

The benefits of using a companystructure for your business aremainly lower profit taxes and limitedliability. In this article I will onlydeal with the lower profit taxes.

Ireland’s corporation tax ratesremains at 12.5%, although this hasreceived a lot of media coverage inthe last year, where many Europeancountries are raising the issue ofIrelands low corporation tax rate.Current government policy is to keepthe 12.5% corporation tax rate. Aswith any taxes, this may or may notchange in future years.

This corporation tax rate comparesvery favourably with current incometax rates for sole traders andpartnerships on profits, whereincome tax of 20% or 41%, universalsocial charge (USC) of 7%, and PRSIof 4% all currently apply. Thesecombine to over 50% of taxes onprofits at the marginal rate wherebusiness profits excede standard ratetax bands. The current corporationtax rate of 12.5% is not muchhigher than the combined USC andPRSI rates, before we even considerincome tax of 20% or 41%. For thisreason a lot of businesses are nowincorporating their business.

The process is not a complicatedone. The sole trade or partnershipmust be ceased and cessationaccounts prepared for the final year,

and the business de-registered for alltaxes. A revision of profits may arisein certain circumstances and thiswould need to be considered.

A new company can be set uprelatively inexpensively, and 2directors must be appointed to thecompany board. The directors areresponsible to ensure that thecompany complies with companylaw and other law, and can be heldpersonally liable for the debts of thecompany in certain circumstances.The directors will open a newcompany bank account, register thecompany for corporation tax andemployer taxes / Vat if required, andregister all employees as employeesof the company. The business willcontinue to trade as normal andthe business name can betransferred to the company. Thecompany will be given a new taxnumber to be used on sales invoicesand other documentation.

After 6 months a B1 must besubmitted to the Companies office.The directors are required to submitan annual B1 with accompanyingcompany accounts to the Companiesoffice by the annual return date thateach company is assigned.Depending on the case, mostbusiness can file the companyaccounts without the need for anannual audit.

Normally the business person willbecome one of the new directors ofthe company, and must continue tofile an income tax return to includetheir new company wage. Thedirectors will be paid an agreed wagefrom the company. In addition theassets of the business can betransferred from the business personto the company at an agreed price.

In addition Start up businessestrading through a company canavail of 0% corporation tax for anumber of years. This will not applyto an existing business transferringto a company, but is available tonew business start ups.

Excess profits not withdrawn fromthe company through director’swages or dividends are taxed at12.5% and will remain in thecompany. These excess funds cannotbe withdrawn from the company foruse by the directors, withoutapplying payroll or other incometaxes, and this defeat’s the purposeof setting up the company in the firstplace. Therefore after a number ofyears a company may have built up afund of money, which can be used toinvest further in the business to buyequipment, stock, etc without theneed to borrow. It can also bedistributed to the owners or directorsin a tax efficient manner.

Depending on the circumstances ofthe case, there are a number of otherconsiderations including VAT,CGT, tax planning issues, servicecompany surcharge, employeestransferring to the company, how thecompany will pay for the assets, andother matters. These issues would

have to be dealt on a case by casebasis, as there is no point in goinginto the detail of each scenario inthis article.

Background: Liam Mc Grath & Co,Chartered Certified Acountant’s andProfessional Tax Advisors, are aprofessional accountancy andtaxation practice, in business foralmost 20 years, employing 7 staffand operating in Roscrea &Portlaoise. We specialise in taxplanning for our clients across all 6main tax heads over the mediumterm, preparing 5 year tax plans foreach client to ensure they pay theminimum overall tax over themedium term, and ensure clients taxaffairs are filed up to date. We canbe contacted on 0505 22992 & 050523007 orliammcgrath.roscrea@gmail.com.www.lmcgrath.com

Disclaimer: The above is a generalnon technical summary ofincorporating a business. You shouldalways seek professional advicewhen tax planning, as differentcircumstances give rise to differentissues to be addressed.

Business Profit €90000 €90000

Income Tax, USC& PRSI on Profit €38262Income Tax, USC& PRSI on Wages (€26500 gross = €400pw net) €5883

Corporation Tax on Balance €7938

Total Tax €38262 €13821

Total Tax Saving Per Annum via Company €24441

Sole Trader Company

Worked Example:John operates his business through a sole trade but decides to trade througha company for next year. His profits are €90000 per annum and he needs€400 per week net for living expenses. His wife works and uses her full taxcredits and tax bands.

Self Employed & Paying too much Tax?

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LOCAL SERVICES - LOCAL SERVICES

Tim RyanMonumental Sculptor

HEADSTONESLimestone, Marble & GraniteIrish Celtic CrossesStone Cleaning & Inscriptions

Templederry, NenaghTel: (087) 270 3615 & (086) 192 1554Email: timryangranite@eircom.net

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• Gates Supplied & Automated• GSM Gate Openers• DIY Gate Kits• CCTV Systems

Chris YoungComputer Specialist

086 8150890

Small Businesses and HomesInternet Networking Repairs

Security Websites

Proprietors: Marie & Bernie

The Arch, Unit 2, Green StreetBirr, Co. Offaly

Tel: 057 9121411

Specialising in Roman blindsAll types of Rollers and Venetians

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Curtaindesign:iol.ie

Killeen Bearings& Motor Factors Ltd

Bearings • Belts • Chains • OilTools • Filters • Shocks

KilleenBirrCo. Offaly

Tel: 057 91 20456Mbl: 087 686 2814Fax: 057 91 20985

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and surrounding districts

SEAN ÓG’SHACKNEY SERVICE

Contact: Sean Óg086-8882262

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Huge selection of Lighting Digital Technology Cameras

MP3 / IPODs / Portable DVD Players

ELY’SBANAGHERELECTRICAL

Main Street, Banagher, Co. Offaly • Tel: 057 9151080

Everything Electrical

TOM TURNER & SONSVW, Audi & Mercedes Specialists

Motor Engineer

www.tomturnerandsons.com 087-7644365

Service & RepairsNCT Pre-TestMotor Caravan DOE Pre-TestsCamper Conversions

BENNY LARKIN

Riverstown, Birr, Co. Offaly

(05791) 21580086 8727618

• FITTED KITCHENS• STAIR CASES• SASH WINDOWS

Joe GroganConstruction Ltd.• New Builds • Renovations

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Tel: 087 2605693

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Spooners Cleaning Services• Carpet, Upholstery & Tile Cleaning• Floor Polishing, Mobile Car Valeting• Window & Gutter Cleaning• House painting and roof painting• Roof Cleaning• Tarmac & Concrete Drives Restored & Coated• Oven Cleaning & House Dusting• Wheelie Bin Cleaning

087-2273934Phone Darragh for afree competitive quote on

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Conor Doran ElectricalNO MORE BILLS TV!!!

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Contact Alison or JohnTel: 057-9122 675

mbl: 087-798 3034Swag St., Crinkle,

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• Brake pads• Shocks• Oil Change• Lights Focused• Wiper Blades090 9741294 / 087 2573179

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PuncturePuncture Preventative& Tyre Life ExtenderIreland Ltd.

• Works for any tyre• Reduce running costs by 5c a litre• Extends the tyre life by up to 40%

A1 Chimney Sweep& Gutter Cleaning

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Brush & VacuumNO Mess

Contact Martin 087-9616098

RYAN PUMPSPump Installation and Service

Fergus Ryan 087-9144568

Services include: - Water Well Pumps

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BRACKEN UPHOLSTERYWHITEFORD, BIRR, CO. OFFALY

Collect & Deliver Free Over 30 Years in BusinessTEL: 057-9120620 MOB: 087-1223384

RE-UPHOLSTERY OFANTIQUE & MODERN FURNITURE3 PIECES SUITES A SPECIALITY

Bar Seating New or Re-Upholstered

Provide PC & Laptop Repairs• Virus Removal,• Non starting machines• Cracked Screens,Slow Computers& much more

Or email: dave@NenaghPC.com

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086-1752104Free collection & Professional Service

For ads that get noticed, not lost, call 0504-51945

Situations Vacant

Avon are recruiting representatives inall areas, no start up costs, contact Mar-garet 086-0234484 iss11-

Counselling

In Time....offers couselling for Be-reavement, Rape/Sexual Assault, Anxi-ety, Work and School Related Stress,OCD (Obssesive CompulsiveDisorder),Post Natal Depression, Loneliness andmore....Life Coaching.... Looking atways to improve your life, Setting goalsand achieving them by unleashing thereal you. Contact Tammy Spain, DipC.S.C.T. Counsellor, Phone 0509 25805Mobile: 086 0648454 Email:

tammyanne_04@hotmail.comMainStreet, Birr

Professional Counselling and Psycho-therapy, hypnotherapy, fully confiden-tial, accredited & registered. RichardFallon, member of I.C.H.P. Ballycum-ber, Co. Offaly. Tel: 087-1274209.Mon, Tues, Wed. Also email counsel-ling service atwww.brosnaemailcounselling.com

Gardening

Mini Chip Garden Bark , Top quality 75litre Bags, Wholesale Price, can deliv-er. Boomerang 0504 90402/ 0879042625

Health & Beauty

Psychic reading (Midlands 103), heal-ing, hypnotherapy, EFT, Bernie 086-3688583, Meadow View House, Dur-row, Laois. Iss13

Rahanni Celestial Healing, Level 1. Oneday training, Sat 30th october, 10.30-4pm. Level 2, Saturday 6th november,10.30-4pm. Bernie 086-3688583Iss9Then takeout

Make-Up Artist. Carmel Ryan is a free-lance make-up artist, based in Roscrea,Co. Tipperary. she specialises in make-up for debs and bridal parties. For yourwedding, she offers a mobile service inthe comfort and privacy of your ownhome. Mobile: 087-2773351 iss150

Property for SaleSmall unmodernised but habitable cot-tage, on a small plot which includes asited mobile home situated in rural Ho-lycross. Phone 089-4199929

To RentCommercial/Storage Units to rent, Dur-row, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Tel: 087-9866000

Turf / FirewoodCar Trailer loads and medium sized lor-ry loads of black turf & seasoned fire-wood. Delivery to Nenagh area onThursdays. 5 bags turf €20, 5 bags tim-ber €20, 10 bags turf €35 Call 087-0904953 or 087-1413238 iss19

WeddingsComplete Wedding Album or storybook, 3 DVDs of all the wedding. Mu-sic - Djs - Singalong Karaoke, photostaken. Also video conversion, dupli-cates. 087-2606110 or 0909 643045

“You’ve a much better chance of selling it closer to home!would You travel to West Cork to buy a used telly?

........neither would I!”

(For up to 25 words. Over 25 words add .25c per wordHighlight your classified ad with a colour background €10

Place a box around your ad and include photo €20Payments by Credit Card or Laser - Minimum of €10

Classified Ads €5 per issue (line adverts)

You can pay for all ads byCredit Card or Laser

To place a classified ad post ad with payment to:Laois Offaly Tatler, Curraghgraigue,

Borrisoleigh, Co. Tipperary

Bonhams for Sale Beautiful multi-col-oured piglets for sale. Outdoor breed.Thriving well. Male and female. Tel;086 4021659

Sell Your Stuff!This size ad + photo

€20

Phone 0504-51945Email: info@offalytatler.ie

BridesmaidsDresses

Jora CollectionSize S & M

Purple Dresses

€70 each or ono

Size MFlowers needs fixing

Call 087-4164689

Pure BargainPerfect Bridal

Bridesmaid Dressesnever worn, still with Tags

Pink with Black trimon the bottom

Size (6-8) (18) (22)bought in the usaRetailing for €275

will sell €100 each or onoCall 087-4164689

Raheen GAA ClubLOTTOThe numbers drawn in last Monday [14th

February] night’s Lotto were 15 17 2028. There was no Jackpot Winner and 1Match 3 Winner [Alo Dillon C/O MaryBrophill] [€400]. Next weeks Jackpot is€6,400 with the draw taking place inDireen’s, Cloneygowan on Monday 21st

February 2011.

DIVISION 1 FOOTBALL LEAGUERaheen Intermediate Footballers gottheir playing campaign for 2011 underway with their opening and toughest ofall fixtures in the Division 1 of theFootball League against the currentSenior Football Champions Rhode lastFriday evening in Geashill. Rhode’sgreater experience at the highest levelwas evident throughout as they cameaway with a comfortable win.RAHEEN: Eamon Stynes, Cathal Maher,Brian Kehoe, Tommy Spollen, JackKeogh, Liam Boland, Shane Carroll,Niall Leavy, Mark Gorman, DamienArnold, Paddy Rigney, Brian Corcoran,Keith Quinn, Mark Byrne, DannyMcEvoy.

SUBS: Padraig Bracken (for NiallLeavy), Richie Reynolds (DamienArnold), Garrett Garry (for Keith Quinn),Noel Gorman (for Mark Byrne), PaddyArnold (for Tommy Spollen).

DIVISION 4 FOOTBALL LEAGUERaheen Junior Footballers got theirDivision 4 League campaign off to awinning start with an opening round winover St Brigids in Geashill last Saturdayevening on a scoreline of 1-09 to 0-07but were made to battle all the way. Theopening 25 minutes were evenly matchedwith Raheen getting off the mark with 4points from Niall Leavy, DarrenMonagher (2) and Eoghan Bolton as StBrigids opened their account with 3points. Then in the 26th minute came thedecisive score of the game when NiallDempsey from out on the wing fed theball perfectly in to the hands of EoghanBolton in the square who blasted his shotpast the keeper to the net for the onlygoal. St Brigids replied with 2 points andso at the break Raheen led by 1-04 to 0-05. The opening 20 minutes of thesecond half saw Raheen stretch their leadwith another 3 points from EoghanBolton, Brian Crombie and Darren

Monagher to which St Brigids repliedwith a single point. In the final 5 minutesRaheen wrapped up the win with theirfinal 2 points from Eoghan Bolton andDarren Monagher with just a single pointreply from St BrigidsRAHEEN: Eamon Stynes, ShaneCorcoran, Paul Garry, Paddy Arnold,Jack Keogh, Stephen Byrne, ChrisFloody, Noel Gorman, Niall Leavy (0-01) , Martin Nugent, Keith Kirwan, NiallDempsey, Keith Quinn, DarrenMonagher (0-04), Eoghan Bolton (1-03).SUBS: Karol O’Byrne (for Jack Keogh),John McEvoy (for Niall Leavy), BrianCrombie (0-01) (for Keith Kirwan),Craig O’Halloran (for Niall Dempsey)

DIVISION 1 FOOTBALL LEAGUERaheen Intermediate Footballers go insearch of their first league win as theycontinue their Division 1 campaignagainst St Brigids in Croghan nextTuesday (22nd Feb) at 7:30pm. Allsupport would be appreciated.

MEMBERSHIPMembers are asked to renew theirmembership as soon as possible.Subscriptions are Adults €30, Students/

OAP’s €15 & Non Playing Members€20. Payments can be given toMembership Officers Shane Carroll orPadraig Direen. New members are verywelcome.

Na Fianna GAA ClubU16 FOOTBALL TRAININGNa Fianna U16 Football Training startsup for this year on next Sunday 20th

February at 12 Noon in Ballinagar tobegin preparations for the IntercountyLeague which commences on Sunday05th March. Training will continuethereafter on Thursday evenings andSunday mornings. All players andintending players are asked to attendtraining.MEMBERSHIPMembership for club players has beenfixed for the coming year at €15 for thefirst child and €10 for the second andsubsequent child from each family.Membership can be paid to the relevantteam managers when training re-commences.

CoSteel Sheds & GaragesAll sizesMaintenance FreeDelivered and Erected

087-796 4298 / 087-983 2832

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or printed

Your ideaHERE!

T-shirts • Hoodies • SweatshirtsPolo & Rugby Shirts • Jackets

Corporate • WorkwearHen & Stag Night • BirthdaysPersonalised GiftsSchool Club CrestsPremiership Jersey No's

Kevin Mahon Ph: 086 8776737

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Phone/Fax 067 31083 Mbl: 086 8353197Web: www.Ballinwearprecast.comEmail info@Ballinwearprecast.com

Sills Lintels Kerbing Patio Slabs

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Products

Ballinwear Pre-Cast Concrete Ltd.Display Area Now Open 7 Days

All Trees,Tree Plants& Hedging

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24hr service

www.irishshamrocktrees.com

Irish Shamrock Trees

Ring John anytime 087-274 3914

Michael MorkanGroomer,

Member of IPDGA

Tel: 0505 47239 Mob: 087 9692992Pick up service locally

ROSCREA Rd., Shinrone, Birr, Co. Offalymorkanlorraine@eircom.net Web: www.headsntails.ie

Heads ‘n TailsHeads ‘n TailsDog Grooming and Boarding KennelsDog Grooming and Boarding Kennels

TECHNOLOGY SOLVED

ComputerTroubleshooters

• Laptop & PC Repairs • Internet, Email• Virus Control • Networks, Wireless• Clean up, Speed up • New Systems Supplied• Websites • Call Out Available

Tony Monaghan, Tel: 057 9341603Tullamore Mob: 087 2305385

Solid Fuel - Turf / Firewood

Full / Half Lorry LoadsGood Quality Dry Seasoned Hopper

Turf / Firewood Available in BagsVariable Size Loads

(Offaly) 087-0904953 (Tipp) 087-1413238

BLINDS & CURTAINSRoller, Wood, Venetian & Vertical

Readymade & Made-To-Measure CurtainsWide Range to Choose from

& Best Price Around

Fitting & Measuring Service ProvidedP.J. & Breda Jones, Moneygall

0505-45287 / 087-2717465 / 087-2593111

WIXTED ELECTRICALNew Builds • Extensions • Renovations

(Prop: James Wixted)Templemore, Co. Tipperary. Maintenance Contractors

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086 - 3958 694

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Killion Garden Centre

5 mins from Birr on Kinnity Road

057-912 0974Summer Bedding, Patio Plants, Window Boxes, Wall Baskets,

Large Selection Of Pre-Planted Hanging Baskets,Pots and Grave Tubs or your own Refilled.

Shrubs, Trees, Perennials, Roses, Etc.Landscaping & Garden Maintenance

Smyths Sand & Gravel LTD.Suppliers of Ready Mixed Concrete

PROMPT DELIVERY

Washed Sand & Gravel, Broken Stone,Washed Drainage Chippings, Claus 804,

Lego Block Wall and Floor Screed Now Available

Tel: 057 91 20156 / 25659Mobile: 087 2597993 / 8339632 Fax: 057 91 20164

Email: smythsgravel@eircom.net Tinlough, Carrig, Birr

O’Moore Street,Tullamore, Co. OffalyTel: 085 738 5772

Open: Tues - Fri: 10am - 5pm & Sat: 10am - 2pm

DRESSMAKING & ALTERATIONS

Evening Appointments Available for Bridal,Graduation & Occasional Wear

Bridal Wear, Graduation Dresses,Wedding Outfits, Evening Wear

Buy 5get 1 FREE

When you pre pay for 5 adsyou get 1 Free

Call 0504-51945 NOW to avail of this Special Offer.

LOCAL SERVICES - LOCAL SERVICES

CLIVE CLARKE BUTCHERSpecialising in preparing your animal for your freezer

Artisan Butcher

Barna, Dunkerrin, Co. Offaly 0877870669

Brophy Plumbing & Heating

Carrig, Birr

087 2768148 067 21388jvbrophy@eircom.net

Renewable EnergySolar Panels

Underfloor HeatingOil, Gas, Solid Fuel

Control Heating Systems

MARY’S FOOT HEALTH CLINICTake your first steps to healthy feet

Do you suffer discomfort from………Corns; Callus & or cracked heelsAthlete’s foot; Ingrown toe nailsFungal & thickened nails; VerrucasUnable to cut your nails.

Mobile clinicavailable onrequest

MARY MURPHY S.A.C. Dip FHPT S.A.C. Dip FHPPRegistered Member of the Irish Chiropodists/Podiatrists Organisation Ltd

To an appointment Contact Mary on (086)3519416

Weddings086-8230506

057-9121047Contact Camillus King

Castle Video& Photography

Castle Video& Photography

Train the Brain and BehaviourWith Filtered Sound Training

To learn more,please contactMary Murphy

F.S.T. Practitioner

0505-47358 086-2232936

Amazing results inonly 2 weeks

ADD / ADHDSpeech Delay

Concentration IssuesAutism

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Learning Disability

M.J. Keegan’s Family ButchersLicenced Abattoir LS05/EC2501

All cattle and sheep comefrom our own farm.

Have your own cattle/sheepkilled in our own abattoir.

Main St., Mountrath, Co Laois057 8732149 085 1515704

Floor & Lighting includedTables & Chairs available to hire

Sudoku for Kids!Every row, column and minigrid must contain the numbers1 through 4.  Don’t guess  use logic!

Increase Sales, call 0504-51945

Cryptic Crossword

Grow Your Business!Call the Offaly Tatler today

& Promote Your Business throughoutCo Offaly. Phone 087-6258475 / 0504-51945

“Trying to doBusiness without

Advertising islike winking at

A girl in the dark.You know

you’re doing it,but no oneelse does”

Phone today toBook your ad,

Tel:Fiona 087-6258475Office 0504-51945

E: info@offalytatler.ie

Solution to crossword in last issue (No.13)

12 3 1 2

2 1 2 1 3

ACROSS1. Hug Leo, hang about, in Antrim lake, the largest at 17 miles by 11 miles, inIreland and Britain. (5,5)6. Find us in small church in important Limerick archaeological site near Kilfi-nane. (4)9. S.E. men travel to beautiful Kerry estuary village near Parknasilla. (5)11. "The ---man Cometh" Eugene O'Neill. (3)13. "A man who has no office to go to - I don't care who he is -is a ----- ofwhich you can have no conception." G.B. Shaw (5)14. Seemingly a young salmon is put on an equal footing. (3)15. How silly to have a nine handicap! (5)18. Find one's inner self, in Bunbeg outdoors. (3)19. It was not Sam rattled by the Viking. (6)21. "Cast your ---- on other days That we in coming days may be still the in-domitable Irishry." Yeats (4)22. Piece straight from the horse's mouth? (3)24. Laugh Rommel. (anag.) Sligo village in Donegal Bay where the Mountbat-ten home, Classybawn, is. (11)26. "The second best's a --- goodnight and quickly turn away." Yeats (3)27. Recite theatrically in Bundoran town. (4)28. " It (Russia) is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an ------" WinstonChurchill (6)30. The First Lady came the night before. (3)31. "The Riddle of the -----" Erskine Childers. (5)34. "I hate what every poet hates in spite of --- the solemn talk of contempla-tion." Patrick Kavanagh. (3)36. Irish version of 30, wife of Lir, who turned her step-children into swans.(5)37. "They answered as they took their ---s, there is no cure for this disease."Belloc (3)38. " ----- to you my darling, Ten thousand times -----" Ballad of the HolyGround. (5)39. Not up in Ulster where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.(4)40. Perch Frank up in Roscommon village where the first president of Ireland,Douglas Hyde was born. (10)

DOWN1. Thpeak tho, in Wallis Park? (4)2. One who makes application in Fairyhouse racecourse. (4)3. He takes a thousand to be sewn up at the edge. (3)4. Ireland is confused when lad leaves Ireland of the Poets. (4)5. Follow this valley with eagles to famous Killarney hotel. (4)7. I tuned up for "We're on the one road, all on the one road"! (6)8. Half to rail about Meath's Royal Acropolis, the ancient capital of Ireland.(4,2,4)

10. Return article as written to principal Kildare town once the seat of theKings of Leinster. (4)16. Clare grain I grind up in Cork pottery town near the Owenboy River. (11)15. Vocation of what the pipes are doing for Danny from 5 down to 5 down!(7)17. Sid's won badly and gives up title. (7)19. Rare dog hut dismantled in Galway angling village on Lough Corrib nearInchagoill Island. (10)20. Piper's son seen in Belfast omnibus. (3)22. Second rate Attorney General spells out the flexible receptacle. (3)23. Your ancient way of speaking seen when Kildare's largest town fails tomake a start. (3)25. "You never had a tame --- from a wild goose." Irish Proverb. (3)27. Vi, we're coming over to give notice. (6)29. "A road, a ---- of kingdom, I am king of the banks and stones and everyblooming thing." Patrick Kavanagh (4)32. A return of British fliers to a great distance. (4)33. Clergyman referred to in Glenade anecdote. (4)34. Help a Verdi opera production. (4)35. Sulk about leaving Dublin village with a round tower near Rush, with safefamily bathing. (4)38. The Irish hurl wood. (3)

Increase Sales, call 0504-51945

The Miraculous Prayer –Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I’veasked for many favours. This time Iask You this very special one (mentionfavour). Take it Dear Heart of Jesusand place it within Your own brokenheart where Your Father sees it. Thenin His merciful eyes it will becomeYour favour, not mine. Amen. Say thisprayer for 3 days, promise publicationand favour will be granted. Neverknown to fail. J.P.

The Miraculous Prayer –Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I’veasked for many favours. This time Iask You this very special one (mentionfavour). Take it Dear Heart of Jesusand place it within Your own brokenheart where Your Father sees it. Thenin His merciful eyes it will becomeYour favour, not mine. Amen. Say thisprayer for 3 days, promise publicationand favour will be granted. Neverknown to fail. K.R.

The Miraculous Prayer –Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I’veasked for many favours. This time Iask You this very special one (mentionfavour). Take it Dear Heart of Jesusand place it within Your own brokenheart where Your Father sees it. Thenin His merciful eyes it will becomeYour favour, not mine. Amen. Say thisprayer for 3 days, promise publicationand favour will be granted. Neverknown to fail.D.O.D.

Prayers: €7.50

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Prayers

 Weekly Club Lotto

Weekly Lotto 12-Feb-11. There was nowinner of the weekly club Lotto jackpot.The winning numbers were 10-16-19-23.There were five match three winners.These were Frank Moran, Colin Rooney,The Tuite Family, James W Wright,Eileen Fleming. Next weeks lotto takesplace in Dolans and the Jackpot is €3800.Thanks to all who support our lotto andthanks to all our ticket sellers.

Membership

Membership for the year 2011 is nowdue. Membership for the following year2011 is the same as 2010.

Membership Rates

Adult playing member €50, Ordinarymember €20, Underage player €20,Walkers (associate members) €20, Seniorcitizens €10, Registration for life mem-bers €2, Life member €250

ANNUAL NATIONAL SCHOOLS IN-DOOR HURLING FINALS

 The North Offaly national schools indoorhurling finals were held last Friday 11th

February in St. Marys Youth Center Tul-lamore. There were four teams compet-ing, Clara BNS, Ballinamere NS, ScoilEoin Pol and Scoil Brid from Tullamore.The format would be round robin withthe top two teams qualifying for the final.

 Game 1 saw the Tullamore derby whichwas always close 3-3 at half time and 6-6at the final

Game 2 Clara faced Ballinamere and theClara boys lead 7-4 at half time withgoals from Josh Fleming-2, Ciaran Doy-le-2 and Kieran Hartnett-3. The finalscore was 11-6 to Clara with a goal eachin second half from Ciaran Doyle, Kieran

Hartnett, Mark Newman and Conor Mur-ray

Game 3 Ballinamere bounced back tobeat Scoil Brid 5-3

Game 4 Clara faced Scoil Eoin Pol andhad their best display yet with 6-0 at halftime and great goalkeeping from EoinDunne keeping a clean sheet with a 12-0final score. Goals from Nathan Bracken-3, Kieran Hartnett-1, Ciaran Doyle-1,Mark Newman-2, Conor Murray-1 andConor Egan-4

Game 5 saw Ballinamere take on ScoilEoin Pol, this was always a fight with thefinal score 3-1 to Ballinamere

Game 6 Claras final game was a toughphysical encounter where the defensivework of Callum Egan and Adam Owenswas outstanding. Our lads relaxed a littlein the first half with a score 2-2 but theydug deep in the second half with a finalscore 6-3 with scores from Nathan Brack-en-1, Ciaran Doyle-1, Kieran Hartnett-1and Conor Egan-3

 This set up the A Division Final as a re-peat of last year with Clara Vs Ball-inamere. At halftime it was 4-2 to Clarawith Kieran Hartnett-3 and Ciaran Doyle-1. During the second half the team andsubs turned it on to win the final 12-3with scores again from Kieran Hartnett-2,Ciaran Doyle-2, Conor Murray-1, NathanBracken-1 and Josh Fleming-2 and greatdefense work from Adam Owens andCallum Egan again and some top classsaves from goalkeeper Eoin Dunne.There were great celebrations when jointcaptains Josh Fleming and Kieran Hart-nett were presented with the cup. Panelwere Eoin Dunne, Adam Owens, CallumEgan, Ciaran Doyle, Mark Newman, Ki-eran Hartnett, Josh Fleming, Conor Egan,Conor Murray, Nathan Bracken

 Clara BNS second team took part in theB Division indoor hurling also. They put

on a great display, winning one game andlosing out narrowly in 2 games by 1 goalonly to Walsh Island and Geal Scoil,therefore not qualifying for the B Divi-sion final. However they ended the dayon a positive note beating Durrow in avery competitive game. Panel were PhilipKeegan, Lee Fleming, Sean Fleming,Dean Larkin, Sean Tierney, Gary Kelly,Josh McCluskey, Patrick Gaffey, MarkDoorley and Jack Mears. A specialthanks to the Offaly coaches who organ-ized the day.

Bord Na nOg Day trip to the CurraghArmy Base.

A great day was had by the 42 boys fromthe club who went to the Curragh to par-take in a day of Military style training.The first part of the morning was spentwith the lads put through their paces bytwo army PT instructors. Its fair to saythey were tired after a good one and ahalf hour workout. We then proceeded tothe Army pool where great fun was hadand an appetite was built up for a finelunch prepared by the army chefs. Afterlunch we had a tour of the new army mu-seum and then made the trip back toClara. A special word of thanks must goout to the mentors that helped out on theday. Paddy Weldon, Tony Egan andKevin Roe. And a big thanks to BarryEgan the youngest man on the trip and hedid work and train very hard. Also a bigthank you to Roy Cronin who organisedthe trip. And last but not least a hugeThank you to the parents of the boys whoensured their bags had all that was re-quired. Your support is and always willbe greatly appreciated.

U21 Football Championship

On a wet night for football, Clara werebeaten last Tuesday night by St Man-chans Gaels in Tubber on a score line of1-12 to 1-4. The Clara team was, MattCarraghar, John Flattery, John Ledwith,Liam Monaghan, Robert Mitchell, DarrenCoughlan, Martin Hackett, Graham Guil-foyle, Barry Cushen, Paul Kelly, JoeyDeehan (0-3,frees), Stephen O’Brien (0-1), Richie Slammon, Darren Scanlon (1-0), Michael Mitchell, Substitute: BrianMonaghan for M Mitchell

Registration Night

There will be a registration night for allplayers on Saturday 5th March from 6pmto 8pm in the GAA Centre.

Division 1 Football League

Clara played Edenderry in the Division 1Football League on Sunday in Clara andwon on a score line of 0-10 to 0-6. TheClara team was: James Kinahan, DarrenKelly, Scott Brady, Peter Touhey, AlanCronin, Matthew Mitchell, Lorcan Hiney,Kieran O’Meara (0-2), Peter Flanagan,Graham Guilfoyle, John Reynolds (0-2),Tony Dalton (0-1), Joey Deehan, ThomasDeehan (0-3, 0-1Free), Barry Cushen (0-2), Subs: Keir Mannering for D Kelly,Enda Dunne for J Deehan, J Deehan for TDalton

Blood Donation Clinic

The Blood Donation Clinic will be in theGAA Centre on Monday the 14th Febru-ary 2011 from 3.00pm to 4.45pm andfrom 7.00pm to 9.30pm

Bingo

The Jackpot of €500 must be won everyweek.

Yearly Lotto Subscription

The yearly Lotto subscription of €75 forthe year 2011 is now due and can be paidto any committee member. If there is any-body who is living away and would liketo subscribe to the Lotto, please contactany member of the committee.

Sponsor a Sod

Have you purchased your Sod. If not whynot. Support your club.

“Sponsor a Sod”- Clara GAA club wouldlike to invite all current and past mem-bers (and anyone with any connection tothe club, no matter how tenuous!) to bepart of the launch of the new officialClara GAA Club website and the'Sponsor a Sod' campaign. As part of ourfund raising campaign to complete thenew Championship pitch in Kilcourseymembers and friends of the club are invit-ed to sponsor a sod on the new pitch.Sponsors will receive a piece of the virtu-al pitch on a special page on our newwebsite with each “sod” being addedpiece by piece to the page. Each “sod”can be purchased for €20 from any com-mittee member .Log onto anclarach.comto see how our pitch is doing.

Upcoming Fixtures

Saturday 19th Feb Division 1 FL Clara VGracefield in Gracefield at 7.30pm                                 Sunday 20th Feb Di-vision 2 FL Clara V Ferbane in Ferbaneat 11am

Website

Anyone wishing to put an add on thewebsite please contact any member of thecommittee.

Club Notes By Email

Club Notes By Email-Anyone who wish-es to recieve the club notes by emailplease send your email address toanclarach@live.ie , you will be added toour email list and you should recievethem every Monday night.

Clara GAA Club

http://www.telfords.ie/