Project Description
17th December
18th November
Birdhill gained 4 marks in this year’s National Tidy Towns Competition and was awarded a Bronze Medal. Click here to see copy of Adjudicator’s Report.
10th November
Tidy Towns Results
Results of the 2021 competition will be announced at a ceremony in the RDS Dublin on Friday November 12th 2021. Attendance at the event will be very limited in line with public health advice, but it will be live-streamed so that everyone can participate in the celebration.
Link to event: https://livestream.com/accounts/285324/events/9858330 Please note the link will only work in Google Chrome. All adjudication reports and the results booklet will be available on the Tidytowns website from 1pm on November 12th, straight after the announcements are made.
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Begonia Bulbs
We will be digging out the begonia bulbs in the village on Sat 13th November at 11.00am. Anyone wishing to get some bulbs to save for next year, please come along with fork or spade and help yourself.
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Creating Videos Course
Tipperary Volunteer Centre is offering community groups free online training – ‘Creating video content using just a smart phone‘. This two hour workshop will take place on: Tuesday, November 17th, 11am – 1pm. Register Here
5th November
Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) offer Seed Grants to communities and individuals
Supported by the Creative Ireland programme, IHF sets out to inspire and support the work of groups, organisations, and individuals who wish to mark in some tangible way their response to the universal realities of dying, death, and bereavement, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Seed Grants support groups, organisations, and individuals exploring creative ways to do this. They might use the grant to help start new local art projects, or support existing projects to gain momentum - this may involve artists, crafts people, or digital coders. Priority will be given to creative initiatives that take innovative approaches to reflection and remembrance.
Closing date for applications is Friday 12th November 2021 at 5.00pm.
IHF is the national agency focused on death, dying, grief, and loss. Over 35 years, IHF has become embedded across the delivery of care in Ireland, working with multiple agencies.
To apply and for more information visit https://hospicefoundation.ie/
24th October
14t
h October
Reeling in the Years
The park has now become a community focal point and its diverse role as a recreational, educational and environmental amenity has seen it described as “a hidden gem” and “the jewel in Birdhill’s crown” by various Tidy Towns adjudicators. Among the significant development milestones of the park are:
8th October
Supports for Volunteers & Committees
Tipperary Volunteer Centre is offering free online training for Volunteers, Committees and Officers as follows:
- Running an Effective Meeting: 2 hour workshop on Wednesday 13th October, 11am – 1.00pm to deal with good governance, correct procedures, roles & responsibilities, preparation and planning, etc. Register Here
2. Financial Oversight for Community Groups: 2 hour workshop on Wednesday 20th October, 11am – 1pm to deal with financial stewardship and responsibilities, best practices, reports, warning signs, etc. Register Here
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Season of Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness
John Keats aptly described autumn as the “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.” The weather is a mixture of warm sunny days and cooler, rainy, windy days and evenings. The days continue to shorten. The leaves are turning colours and beginning to fall. Beech and oak woods are their magnificent best. Berries adorn the blackthorn, hawthorn and rowan trees and hedgerows. Fungi proliferate after recent damp weather. The first frosts will soon dust the autumn foliage with silver. October is a month of great activity in the natural world. Rutting deer, both red and fallow are visible in our local forestries. Smaller mammals such as mice and squirrels are busy storing fat reserves and food for the winter. Birds are on the move. Many have already departed for warmer climes. Wildfowl and waders arrive from their northern breeding grounds. Bird friends who stay with us for the winter are visiting our backyard feeders again. Insects are slowing down their summer song. The last of the season’s wildflowers are beginning to fade. Gardens are winding down and we’re getting the last of the year’s harvest. Why not connect with nature this October:
- Gather some seeds from the garden or hedgerow; keep them in an envelope for sowing next spring. Experience that hopeful feeling of storing up new life for a new year.
- Collect fruit such as sloes (blackthorn) or elder berries (from the elder tree) to make your own gin or wine.
- Befriend a robin: With patience you can gradually gain the trust of a robin, sprinkling food a little nearer to you each day, until he will perch on your hand.
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Local Enterprise Office
Tipperary LEO will be running the following courses, focusing on various elements of business, this autumn. Click on the topic for full details.of any course:
Autumn Online Training:
Social Media – Instagram Advanced
Costing & Pricing – are you charging enough?
Social Media – Facebook Advertising, Handy Apps, Strategy
Selling on line – how to succeed
Start Your Own Business – November
1st October
Families in Tipperary are being challenged to find and recycle five end-of-life electrical items in a bid to improve our recycling performance. WEEE Ireland, is urging Tipperary residents to become e-detectives for the month of October and follow electrical leads around their homes to identify devices that are beyond repair. A surge in lockdown spring cleaning in 2020 saw 1,850 tonnes of electrical waste collected in County Tipperary. The “Follow Your Lead” campaign aims to increase the supply of waste electrical recycling to collection centres this year. People in Tipperary are asked to follow the leads and plugs to defunct items sitting in cupboards, attics, sheds, etc. as the components within these pieces of equipment could be put to better use. By turning this into a family challenge, everyone can have some fun while taking positive environmental action.
Your local recycling centre is located in the County Council’s Machinery Yard, Limerick Road, Nenagh (Tel 07 6106244)
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Composting
Composting is the farming of aerobic microbes to promote the decay of biodegradable materials into a stable, humus-like substance called compost which can be a valuable additive for the garden. 5 essentials for successful composting: 1. Balanced mix of green & brown materials; 2. Moisture; 3. Air; 4. Particle size and surface area; 5. Size of pile.
Follow these links for a comprehensive guide to composting:
24th September
17th September
On Yer Bike
This week is National Bike Week, a celebration and promotion of the benefits of cycling. Whether you have a racer, a high nelly or an electric bike, consider the benefits to your health, mental wellbeing and to the environment by enjoying a spin this weekend and developing an ongoing routine without the car.
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Reuse October
With Reuse Month just a few weeks away, Mywaste.ie wants to highlight Reuse Heroes. If you know anyone who has done some amazing reuse work, why not nominate them for a ‘Hero’ Award!
Full details on the following social media channels:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyWasteIreland/photos/a.158513491431525/915456825737184/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MyWasteIreland/status/1438095301563269124
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CT1v5Zogn6E/
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Newsletters
Click hereto see copies of
- Tipperary County Council’s Arts Office Newsletter for September.
- In This Together Newsletter for September
10th September
Bulbs for Bees
President Michael D Higgins recently launched the Bulbs for Bees campaign in celebration of 35 years of Gaisce – The President’s Award. People across the country regardless of age, location or size of back garden are encouraged to take up their own Gaisce challenge this autumn and plant a pollinator-friendly bulb to protect one of the most important players in the climate change battle – bees. The #BulbsForBees campaign is supported by the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. The pollinator friendly bulbs will bloom in Spring creating a variety of flowers including crocus, snowdrop, hyacinth, allium. Plant bulbs now to help the bees in Spring.
Birdhill Tidy Towns has helped many local students achieve their Gaisce Awards over the years. Well done to all of them and we thank them for their involvement in their community.
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Leafmould
Over the next few weeks, deciduous trees will commence shedding their leaves and these can be used to make leafmould. Leafmould is formed from decaying leaves and produces an invaluable soil conditioner. The best quality leafmould is produced from the leaves of oak, beech or hornbeam. Thick leaves like sycamore, walnut, and chestnut need to be shredded before adding to the leafmould pile, as they are much slower to break down. Collecting leaves from the lawn using a rotary mower is a convenient way of shredding them, and when added to the grass clippings, the nutrient value of the leafmould is increased. Making your heap of leaves as large as possible hastens decay and the pile should be moistened periodically if it becomes dry. Most leaves take about two years to break down and it can then be used as compost, mulch or soil improver.
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Water Butts
We have a few water butts (225litres) available to facilitate the harvesting of rainwater. If anyone is interested in getting one, please reply to this email. Water Butts enable homeowners to collect rainwater from the roof for re-use within the home and garden. This can provide substantial savings on water bills, as well as making your home more sustainable. Rainwater contains more oxygen than tap water, so it is much better for plants.
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3rd September
New County Development Plan
Tipperary County Council has published a Draft County Development Plan for Tipperary 2022-2028 that is now open to public comment and review. This will be the first County Development Plan prepared by the Council, following the merger of North and South Tipperary County Council in 2014 and will set out a proactive planning framework to guide the sustainable development of the county to 2028 and beyond.
This new plan intends to guide sustainable physical, economic, and social development, whilst protecting the environment and guiding, and supporting positive moves to a low-carbon society.
The Draft Plan has been tailored to be flexible and adaptive to respond to, and shape, our changing circumstances. It identifies the strengths of the county, provides guidance on the growth of towns, villages and rural areas, and informs the nature of future investment. It will also inform decisions on public services, infrastructure and amenities, and will influence many facets of daily economic and social life in terms of where we live, availability of services and job opportunities.
Now is your chance to contribute your thoughts and ideas on key priorities for the county, and how the Plan can be implemented and realised. Consultation on the Draft Plan is open until 15th October 2021.
You can find the Draft Plan and more information on the public consultation on the council’s website: https://www.
There are various ways that you can have your say:
- Send your observations directly to Tipperary County Council.
- Join Tipperary PPN online webinars – one webinar for Community and Voluntary pillar groups and another webinar for Social Inclusion pillar and Environmental pillar groups.
The webinar for the Community & Voluntary pillar community groups will be on Wednesday 15th September @ 7pm Free tickets to this webinar will be available on Eventbrite so follow this link https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/tipperary-county- development-plan-up-for- consultation-tickets- 168704376331
27th August
Free Recycling of Mattresses
In conjunction with Tipperary County Council’s Anti-Dumping Initiative 2021, mattresses will be taken in, free of charge, on the specified days below at the Council’s Civic Amenity Sites.
Nenagh Civic Amenity Site on the 10th September 2021 from 8:30-12:30 and 13:00-15:30
Roscrea Civic Amenity Site on the 10th September 2021 from 8:30-12:30 and 13:00-15:30
Clonmel Civic Amenity Site on the 17th September 2021 from 8:30-12:30 and 13:00-15:30
Donohill Civic Amenity Site on the 24th September 2021 from 8:30-12:30 and 13:00-15:30
Cashel Civic Amenity Site on the 24th September 2021 from 8:30-12:30 and 13:00-15:30
This service is for domestic households only – Strictly no commercial use! Only clean and dry mattresses will be accepted. Contaminated mattresses posing a health or safety hazard will not be accepted. A maximum of 4 mattresses per customer (normal fees will apply for quantities greater than 4 mattresses). Normal charges will apply for any and all other waste items presented on the day.
Further information about this event and the Council’s Civic Amenity Sites can be found here –https://www.tipperarycoco.ie/news/free-mattress-recycling-events
Upcycle Challenge
Mywaste.ie are looking for entries for the Upcycle Challenge 2021 and there are cash prizes worth €750 to be won. There are categories for individuals, schools, community groups and professionals. To enter all that is required is to find something old or unwanted, take before and after pictures, upcycle the item, document the journey and submit the entry to https://www.mywaste.ie/upcycle-challenge21/
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Newsletters
Click here to read copies of Newsletters from the following:
- National Tidy Towns Newsletter for August;
- Tipperary County Council’s Arts Office Newsletter for August;
- In This Together Newsletter which features Birdhill in the Greener Communities Initiative.
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Local Landmark Photo Competition
Congratulations to Marie Ryan, Cooleen, Birdhill (our local post lady), winner of our recent Local Landmark Photo Competition. The caption which accompanied her photo read: The Old Red Barn: Everyone is familiar with the old saying, “Were you born in a hay barn?” That aside, the sight of this old red barn fills me with nostalgia, taking me back to my childhood, as one of my favourite places to play was my grand-uncle’s barn filled with a myriad of vintage farm machinery. There’s something glorious about this old weathered barn, it’s brilliant red paint now faded and chipped, shabby but in a charming way. Barns like this punctuate the Irish landscape, many abandoned and overtaken by time, and for me they are an iconic reminder of the Ireland of my youth.
Now for a little teaser: Who can identify the location of the hay barn photographed? There will be a prize for the first to correctly identify the location by return of email.
20th August
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Nature Tip
August-September is a good time to collect wildflower seeds. Wait until 6-8 weeks after flowering before harvesting the seeds. Only collect seeds from plants that are in your local area. The following wildflowers are good sources of nectar and pollen for all types of bees and will provide food for many other insects: Knapweed, Scabious, Birds-foot-trefoil, Meadow Vetchling, Selfheal, Woundwort, Yellow Rattle, Oxeye Daisy, Harebell (From All Ireland Pollinator Plan).
Reduce Food Waste Workshop
Looking ahead to October: To celebrate October as ‘Reuse Month’ Tipperary County Council are hosting a ‘Reduce Your Food Waste’ workshop. This session covers everything from meal planning, recipe swaps, preserving and growing your own. It also looks at food storage, what best before dates to ignore and jazzing up left-overs for a tasty packed lunch. From composting to preserving, it’s all covered in a 2 hour session. This event is sponsored by Tipperary County Council for residents of Tipperary. Date of Workshop is Wednesday, 6th October 2021 from 10.00am to 12 noon by zoom.
If you are interested in the event, please log onto this link for registration: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/reduce-your-food-waste-registration-166781880093
12th August
- Announcement of winners and presentation of prizes for the Pollaghs Art Exhibition will take place in Birdhill Community Park on Sun 15th August at 6pm.
- The Public Choice Award closes this Friday. Pick your favourite on https://www.facebook.com/
birdhillarthub/ - The Art Exhibition will close on Wednesday 18th August.
- Entries for the Wild Child competition for children aged 5 – 12 years to draw or paint any of Ireland’s native animals on an A4 page must be submitted by 18th August. Take a photo of the work and email it to birdhillarthub@gmail.com or tag @birdhillarthub or #birdhillarthub.
- Get your entry in by 22nd August for the competition to take a photo of a landmark in your locality and describe in not more than 100 words why it is important to you.
Nature Tips for Autumn
- If you find a butterfly in your home during the autumn months, it may be confused at the warm temperature and expend a lot of energy flying around when it should be hibernating. Instead of releasing your butterfly outside where there is little nectar and conditions are hostile, carefully place it in a shed or garage where the temperature will stay consistent. Be sure to let it exit during spring.
- During the next few weeks, you may worry where your much-loved garden birds have gone as the well-stocked feeders lay unattended. But fear not, this is a totally natural occurrence at the beginning of autumn. Nature’s hedgerows are now studded with blackberries and other fruit – all delicious to garden birds. Birds will always favour feeding directly from nature’s pantry, so whilst her stocks are bountiful you will naturally see a drop in garden feeder visitations. However, keep their food and water sources topped up, because as soon as temperatures drop and the berry crop dwindles, your favourite garden birds will be back to your feeders in abundance. They rely on your high-energy, high-fat winter food to fuel them through the colder months.
- One of the best plants for your garden wildlife is ivy, especially in autumn and winter. Many flowering plants will start to die during the colder season, whereas ivy flowers are only starting to flourish. These prove to be an important source of food for bees, butterflies and other pollinators when other nectar-bearing plants are dying off. The evergreen nature of ivy is perfect for sheltering birds and insects while other trees lose all their leaves.
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Are you a Gogglebox fan?
6th August
30th July
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Sustainable Development Goal 17 refers to the need for cross sector and cross country collaboration in pursuit of all the goals by the year 2030. It is a vision for improved and more equitable trade, as well as coordinated investment initiatives to promote sustainable development across borders. The Global Goals can only be met if we work together. To build a better world, we need to be supportive, empathetic, inventive, passionate and above all cooperative. We could start by practising teamwork at home and sharing activities among family members. Act Local – Think Global.23rd July
SDG 16: Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
Some things that we can do: Demonstrate a peaceful environment at home; Use your vote and participate in decision-making processes; Be respectful and peaceful when standing up for what you believe in. Act Local – Think Global.
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16th July
SDG 15: Life On Land
Sustainable Development Goal 15 asks us to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. Almost 75% of the world’s poor are affected directly by land degradation. Forests are home to more than 80% of all terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects. We can help by developing wildlife areas in our gardens, eating food which is in season, recycling used paper or going paperless where possible, implementing pollinator-friendly actions, etc. Act Local – Think Global.
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10th July
Did you know that 2021 is the European Year of Rail? This is a European Commission initiative to highlight the benefits of rail as a sustainable, smart and safe means of transport. We are fortunate to have rail services on our doorstep in Birdhill. Maybe it’s something to which we could give some consideration and make a conscious effort to avail of the service. Irish Rail have advised that, following recent work on upgrading the line, the normal timetable now operates as follows:
Birdhill to Dublin Mon to Sat: 6.58, 17.24; Sun only 17.49.
SDG 14: Life Below Water
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2nd July
Leave No Trace Ireland seeks your support in making a promise to protect our wonderful environment. Click on the following link: https://www.
SDG 13: Climate ActionDirectory of Services
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25th June
Tipperary Repair & Reuse Directory
Birdhill is not the only one producing directories! Environment and Climate Action Tipperary have recently compiled a Repair & Reuse Directory for all service providers that offer repair and reuse services as part of their business. Click here to see copy. This is part of a waste prevention initiative in an effort to encourage people to repair or reuse items rather than throw them away. It is hoped that this prevention initiative will raise awareness about the economic and environmental benefits of reusing everyday items and materials that would otherwise go to waste. Repair & Reuse Directory is available at www.tipperarycoco.ie
To celebrate this launch, Environment and Climate Action are running an upcycle challenge in which people are challenged to use their imagination and create something new out of something old to breathe new life into an old or unwanted item or material. So, if you can find something old and renovate it or turn it into something completely different but still reusable, then we want to see it!! Whether it’s painting an old piece of furniture, decorating a wine bottle to use as a candlestick holder – (the sky’s the limit, Folks), whatever, it is, we want to see it given a second life. Great prizes guaranteed.
Competition closes 30th July, 2021 and winners will be announced on Friday, 13th August, 2021.
For further details: https://www.
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Sustainable Consumption and Production has been defined as “the use of services and related products, which respond to basic needs and bring a better quality of life while minimising the use of natural resources and toxic materials as well as the emissions of waste and pollutants ” It deals with various important problems like efficient waste management, energy consumption and promotes sustainable lifestyle habits, sustainable tourism, and scientific and technological advances in developing countries. What can we do? Stop Food Waste; Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair and most importantly Rethink; Donate any clothes you are not using to charity; Eat and shop locally and support associations connected to fair trade, etc. Act Local – Think Global.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
16th June
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Click here to see the National Tidy Towns Newsletter for June.
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11th June
The Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme is a new initiative that aims to enable older people to continue living in their homes or in a home more suited to their needs, live with a sense of independence and autonomy, be and feel part of their community, and support the avoidance of early or premature admission to long term residential care. Over the next two years, it is anticipated that 4,500 older people will benefit from the support of this programme.
This new programme will be jointly led across 9 Local Authority areas, Cork County Council, Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, Galway County & City Council, Limerick City & County Council, Longford County Council, South Dublin County Council, Tipperary County Council, Westmeath County Council.
Age Friendly Ireland and the Tipperary Healthy Age Friendly Homes, Aoife Dunphy invite interested persons to participate in a virtual Stakeholder Engagement session on Thursday 17th June from 9.30 to 11.00am. An overview of the National Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme will be included. This engagement is a key part of the effort to inform, enhance dialogue and build relationships with all stakeholders in the roll out of this new and innovative Programme. REGISTER HERE to take part.
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4th June
Park Reopening
- Bicycles, scooters, roller skates or skate boards are not allowed in the Park.
- No climbing trees
- Do not throw anything into the pond
- Dogs must be kept on a lead. Owners should clean up after their dog.
- Litter should be taken home. There is a bin provided in the Park, but someone has to empty it.
- All people visiting the Park are responsible for their own safety and for the safety of those in their care.
Sustainable Development Goal 9 aims to build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation. We can help by shopping local, supporting local markets and co-ops and helping to build developing countries. Act Local – Think Global.
- Update On Works At Birdhill Church
Works have now been completed, and the total cost of these works is 19,631.90. This cost covers the cleaning, plumbing and heating, painting, new floor coverings and hire of scaffolding and hoist. The donations to the Birdhill Church Fund, to help pay for these works, currently amounts to €3,950.00. On behalf of Fr Delaney and myself, we thank you for your donations to this fund. The fund is still open and, needless to say, all further donations will be gratefully welcomed. Please mark your envelope Birdhill church fund, and if paying by cheque, please make it payable to NewportParochial No. 1 A/C, as with all all cheques for the parish. - Sacristan Retiring
Anne Sheridan is retiring at the end of this year from her role as Sacristan at Birdhill Church, a position she has undertaken for the last twenty years. On behalf of all the people of the Birdhill Community, I wish Anne all the very best in her retirement, and thank her for all the work she did during those years. The task in hand now is to hopefully find Anne’s successor(s) for a role that is vital for the running of Birdhill Church. Any persons who have an expression of interest in this position are asked to contact Fr O’Keeffe by the end of June to discuss this matter further.
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29th May
3 Steps for a Better Birdhill
All members of the community have a role to play in creating an attractive environment in Birdhill. You could help by considering the follow simple steps:
- Remember the word ‘Plogging’ we introduced to you a while back – a combination of jogging/walking and picking litter. Could you bring a bag with you and pick some of the unsightly litter you find on the roadside while out for a walk? Or maybe you might get involved in a rota for the regular collection of litter in your area!
- Nurture and preserve wildlife and their habitats around your home.
- Lay out a schedule for regular maintenance work required around your house, frontage and roadside boundaries.
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20th May
SDG 7: Affordable & Clean Energy
Sustainable Development Goal 7 seeks to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. 13% of the global population still lacks access to modern electricity. 3 billion people rely on wood, coal, charcoal or animal waste for cooking and heating. Energy is the dominant contributor to climate change, accounting for almost 60% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. Indoor air pollution from using combustible fuels for household energy causes millions of deaths annually.
What can we do: Adopt energy-saving measures; Reduce our reliance on fossil fuels; Take steps to increase our use of renewable energy; Educate ourselves on the world wide efforts to achieve affordable and clean energy. Act Local – Think Global.
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Volunteering
This week (17th – 23rd May) is National Volunteering Week to celebrate all things volunteering. This year’s theme is ‘Small Actions, Big Impact.’ Volunteers do fantastic work throughout the length and breadth of the country, giving their time to help a not-for-profit activity. One of the better known benefits of volunteering is the impact on the community. In Birdhill, we can truly say that volunteers are the glue that holds the community together. We applaud the many volunteers who drive local organisations, provide activities for us to enjoy and work to ensure a better tomorrow for current and future generations.
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Plean Bee
Deaglán Ó Mocháin advises us all that TG4 will broadcast a documentary on Thursday 20th May at 9.30pm to mark “World Bee Day 2021.” The documentary is called ‘Plean Bee’, and it focuses on how the All Ireland Pollinator Plan was designed to reverse pollinator decline across all of Ireland by mobilising individuals and communities to provide pollinator friendly habitats in window boxes, gardens, sports clubs, farmland, roadside verges, hedgerows – anywhere really that could provide food and shelter for our wide range of pollinators, and the critical work they do in pollinating crops, flowers and trees. Here is a short trailer of the film documentary: https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=XZUMM1XZGozo1g3RGghAFHVk6nyYYhMPFpbX
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Fitness Bootcamp
See attached flyer with details of a 4 week outdoor fitness boot camp to be held at Birdhill F.C.’s new grounds, commencing on 22nd May.
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13th May
Resurfacing Pollagh Road
It is planned to carry out some remedial work in the Pollaghs on Saturday 15th, commencing at 10.00am. The road has deteriorated over the winter months, posing difficulties for all users. Can you spare an hour or two to help fill potholes on this much-loved amenity? Bring a shovel, rake or yard-brush.
A recent application to have the Pollagh Road tarred under a County Council Local Improvement Scheme was approved. However, the local contribution required makes the project prohibitive. The proposal will be shelved for now, but there are further possibilities which may be pursued at the end of the year.
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SDG 6
Sustainable Development Goal 6 seeks to ensure access to water and sanitation for all. Water scarcity affects more than 40% of the world’s population. One in three people live without sanitation. 80% of wastewater goes into waterways without adequate treatment. We can improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimising release of hazardous chemicals and materials. We can promote good hygiene, implement rainwater harvesting systems, support Trócaire and other development charities, use reusable cups and bottles. etc. Act Local – Think Global.
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1921 – 20212021 is the centenary of a momentous year in Irish history. We commemorate the struggle for freedom in our little memorial on the approach to the village (picture attached). The dove represents the peace which we now enjoy due to the efforts of our ancestors. We are called on to foster and nurture the spirit of peace in our community and throughout the world.
Sustainable Gardening Course
Tipperary County Council Environment and Climate Action Department will be delivering an Online Sustainable Gardening Course for biodiversity by Aoife Munn. This 5 week course covers; Reducing your waste, Wildflower areas, Planting for pollinators, growing your own veg and much more. To get a place on the course you must be available for all 5 sessions. Each session lasts one hour and will be from 10am to 11am on Wednesday 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th of June. The course will be delivered online and is free of charge. There are limited places available on the course and booking is essential. People should only register for the course if they can commit to attending all of the sessions. Please find link for course: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/
8th May
Paint a Stone Competition
Congratulations and well done to all students who participated in the Birdhill Tidy towns ‘Paint a Stone’ competition. The standard of work was impressive, and the students used their brilliant creativity to convey the message that we must all save water all of the time.
Winners were:
Group 1: Junior Infants, Senior Infants and 1st class: Charlotte Ryan
Group 2: 2nd class and 3rd class: Grace Whelton
Group 3: 4th class, 5th class and 6th class: Eric Bates
See accompanying pictures attached of winners and their entries
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Generation Tech: Support for Digital Connections for over 65yrs
Generation Tech would like to bring your attention to a volunteer digital engagement support service for over 65+ – it is a helpline to support older people with digital engagement. They help with Tablets, Phones, PCs, software, other hardware, and facilities such as Alexa, Google Assistant, broadband, Skype routers, Wi-Fi and any other IT issues.
Anyone aged 65+ on the island of Ireland can access the service and it is free of charge. No-one will be asked for any personal details such as access to their bank details, cards etc. During a help session, it may be necessary to install a support tool, but that can be uninstalled, and the caller is encouraged to do so, immediately after the call
For further information and support contact Generation Tech directly @ 01-9633288
For further information see https://www.tipperarycoco.ie/community-and-economic-development/volunteer-tech-helpline-older-people-cocooning-ireland
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Be Summer Ready 2021
The Government of Ireland recently launched the ‘Be Summer-Ready’ campaign to provide information on issues that may affect the general public this summer. During summer months, more people visit the countryside, engage in outdoor pursuits and visit family farms. This year, there is a particular focus on water safety as Ireland’s waterways and beaches become very popular in the summer. Sadly, this can lead to associated risks including drowning accidents. So everyone is asked to ‘be alert to water safety’. For More tips and information at: Be Summer Ready Campaign
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Know Your Locality
The Irish Archaeology Field School are delighted to offer a FREE* online course that will take you step-by-step through the available online sources that will allow you to paint a picture of the geological, archaeological, and historical events that happened close to where you live. The course will be delivered through five online tutorials every Tuesday and Thursday over two and a half weeks commencing Thursday 13th May 2021. We will begin by looking at the very bedrock under your feet, examining the geological processes and glacial events that shaped the landscape and formed the soils. The course then focuses on the impacts of humans on that landscape over time, from pre-history to the last century.
The course will also outline how these skills can be used to make your own submission to the ‘KnowYour5k’ initiative by the Heritage Council and National Museum of Ireland. Gathering these submissions for your county is a key outcome of the course.
* Supported by Tipperary County Council (Heritage Office) and the Heritage Council. You can register through the following link: https://iafs.ie/know-your-locality-tipperary-may-2021/
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SDG 5
Sustainable Development Goal 5 aims to achieve gender equality and to end all discrimination against women and girls. Gender bias is undermining our social fabric and devalues all of us. It is not just a human rights issue; it is a tremendous waste of the world’s human potential. By denying women equal rights, we deny half the population a chance to live life at its fullest. Political, economic and social equality for women will benefit all the world’s citizens. Together we can eradicate prejudice and work for equal rights and respect for all.
Act Local – Think Global
30th April
It had been hoped that access to the Park would be permitted at weekends. Unfortunately, for health and safety reasons, the Park will remain closed until work is completed.
SDG 4: Quality Education23rd April
Closing of Park
16th April
Closing of Park
9th April
Park Development
31st March
– www.playact.ie Online drama & theatre– From 3 – 18 years– Duration: From 31/03 – 02/04: 11:00 – 12:00 – 3 – 6 years; 12:00 – 15:00 – 6 – 18 years– Cost: €50 – €112.50.– www.artzone.ie Drawing, painting, collage, clay construction etc– For 8 – 14 years– Duration: One hour daily for 4 days– Cost: €40 for each 4 day camp– For 7 – 12 years– Duration: 06/04 – 09/04 Two sessions daily 10:00 – 10:45 & 11:00 – 11.45– Cost: €80 including a pack of specialist materials posted out
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25th March
Appeal to fund new development at Birdhill Community Park
Since it opened in 2003, Birdhill Community Park has developed as a wonderful recreational, environmental and educational amenity. It now hosts many events and visitors throughout the year, none more so than when Uachtarán na hÉireann, Michael D Higgins came in 2018. More recently, the addition of an Autism-Friendly play area has added considerably to its appeal. Facilities at the Park have been provided, developed and maintained by the local community, with generous assistance from Tipperary County Council.
To further enhance the amenity, to make it more accessible for wheelchairs, prams and buggies and to make it more attractive to all visitors, it is now proposed to lay a tarmac surface on all the paths throughout the Park. At the same time, the Park’s role in the preservation and promotion of nature and biodiversity will be maintained.
An appeal is hereby made to local people and businesses and to residents of the wider catchment area to support a campaign to fund the proposed project, which is grant-aided by the Department of Rural & Community Development’s Town & Village Renewal Scheme. However, there is a local contribution required to ensure that the work is carried out.
With current restrictions making it impossible to organise any functions or events, we have to look at other ways of fundraising. You can support the project by making a direct contribution to any member of Birdhill Tidy Towns Committee or by donating through the GoFundMe page which has just been set up. Visit https://gofund.me/373800de to make a donation. We earnestly request your support for this very worthwhile community initiative.
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Services Directory
All information for inclusion in the Birdhill Services Directory should be submitted by the end of March. This is an ideal opportunity for all business concerns and service providers to ensure that local people are aware of what they have to offer. This will be an online publication and can be amended later as required.
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Promoting biodiversity in your garden with nest boxes
Watch this video from Bird Watch Ireland which demonstrates how you can encourage biodiversity in your garden by making and erecting a nest box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEa8fTHHI0w
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Easter Camps for Kids (mini breaks for adults too by default!)
Cookery:
www.healthyeverafter.ie -From 8 – 14 years – Duration: 2 hours Saturday 10/04 15:00 – 17:00 – Cost €20
www.thecoolfoodschool.ie – From any age – Duration: 3 days from 29 – 31 March 11:00 – 13:00 daily – Cost: €20 for 1 day or €50 for 3 days
www.aniarrestaurant.ie – From 8 – 15 years – Duration: 8-week course starting 11/04 every Sunday 11:00 – 13:00 (Yes, Sunday dinner cooked for 2 months ?) – Cost: Full course €250, individual classes €35
18th March
Follow this link to view messages to and from Birdhill for St Patrick’s Day. Thanks to all who submitted images and videos and a special thanks to Erin for putting it all together. Guímíd gach rath ar mhuintir Cnocán An Éin Fhinn ar Lá Náisiúnta na nGael. Bain taitneamh as.
https://youtu.be/G6qzz8MZY3E
11th March
Final Call for St Patrick’s Day picture or video. All submissions to be in by 14th March.
7th March
This is the time of year when our thoughts turn to planting. Please consider sowing pollinator-friendly shrubs when you get into the garden during the next few weeks. You will be rewarded later in the year when a variety of bees and butterflies come to visit. Click here to see list of summer-flowering perennials for your consideration.
Flying the Green in Birdhill
2nd March
Works At Birdhill Church
1. Major overhaul of heating system recently completed
2. Planned Works: Full cleaning of church by industrial cleaners; Painting of inside of church; Replacement of floor covering in sacristy; Refurbishment of outside gates; Repainting of outside statues.
Church will be closed for the foreseeable future, until inside work is completed, except for distribution of Holy Communion on Sundays from 11.30am to 11.45am.
The Parish Funds would really, really appreciate if additional contributions could be made to defray the costs of these works.
Thank you all for your understanding, help and support in these difficult times.
Fr John O’Keeffe P.P.
27th February
Flying the Green in Birdhill
In the absence of a St Patrick’s Day Parade or festivities, we want to afford the people of Birdhill the opportunity to connect with each other and with the Birdhill diaspora in a collaborative effort to mark our national feast day.
19th February
Essay Competition: Final Call
The closing date for submission of essays for our competition is this Saturday 20th February. Send your literary endeavours about your experiences in Birdhill during Lockdown to birdhilltidytowns@gmail.com. Don’t forget to include your name and which category you are entering.
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Nature Tip 16
Leave an old clay flower pot in a corner of your garden under bushes or shrubs, chip a hole in the side and you’ll be surprised at what comes to live there
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Enterprise Week
Local Enterprise Week takes place virtually from 1st to 5th March. Check out the following site for lots of useful talks, clinics and informative webinars on a variety of topics: Local Enterprise Week – Local Enterprise Office – Tipperary
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Lockdown Activities
Book Corner: Check out this interesting site www.litvox.com for reading lists supplied based on your interests. It’s a site run by an Irish couple and it’s free or when very busy, there is a very small charge of €3. The format is you fill out a simple questionnaire and they send you back a list of recommendations. The facility is for all ages and includes some suggestions for elderly neighbours or relatives. What a lovely idea to send someone who is living alone a book to read!
Craft Corner: See this site for lots of things to make and do for children of all ages: http://www.helpmykidlearn.ie/
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Recipe for Our Times 22
Click here to see recipe for Curried Mussel Soup with Saffron
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It’s a Fact 100
The skin of an average human replaces itself 900 times during one lifetime
11th February
Nature Tip 15
When you’re preparing for the cold weather, spare a thought for your garden birds too. This time of year is known in the scientific literature as the ‘hungry gap’ for many small birds. It’s the period when all of last autumn’s fruit and berries are gone from the trees, and before spring comes into action and we start seeing growth in hedgerows and trees. That means this is the time of year when the lowest possible amount of natural food is available. So, when a prolonged cold spell hits, it can be life or death for our small birds. Don’t wait until snow hits to put food out for your birds – put it out now so they can build and maintain their strength and fat reserves ahead of the worst of the weather. Birds need water every day both to drink and to bathe in. When the weather is cold, all of their natural water sources (ponds, streams, puddles) freeze over and birds have to roam further and further to find water, using up a lot of energy in the process. Make it easy for them by providing water in a shallow dish of some sort. Take the water dish in each night and put out fresh water in the morning. Remember, it’s no good to them if it has frozen overnight! For more information see Don’t give your Garden Birds the Cold Shoulder this week! – BirdWatch Ireland
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Notice Nature
Great to see people taking note of the fascinating activities of the flora and fauna in our local environment. Frog spawn has already been noted in the area and the attached video of an owl was well captured by a resident down near the Weir. Let us know about anything interesting that you have observed.
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Lockdown Activities
1. Get writing: Time is running out for our essay competition! Local people are invited to write about their experiences living in the Birdhill area during the lockdown restrictions. The essay should be typed, not more than 800 words and not more than one side of an A4 page. Prizes will be awarded in 3 categories: 1. Primary School Children; 2. Secondary School Pupils; 3. Adults over18. Entries should be emailed as an attachment to birdhilltidytowns@gmail.com before 20th February. Make sure to include your name and which category you are entering. Winning entries will be published on our Website and Social Media platforms.
2. Make a home for hedgehogs: A hedgehog house provides a safe habitat for hedgehogs to sleep, nest and hibernate, throughout the year. The basic design enables hedgehogs to enter and exit the box, but prevents larger mammals, such as cats, foxes and badgers from getting in. What better pest control for slugs, snails, flat worms, etc than a hedgehog! Easy to construct with clear instructions and pictures:
How To Make a Hedgehog House – BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine
3. Ceardaíocht le Sinéad: Log in to a series of workshops over the next few weeks and see some practical activities for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, St Patrick’s Day and Easter. Start this Saturday 13th February at 12.30pm. Email cabrini@glornangael.ie for the link and the list of the materials needed to take part. Bain triail as. Tuilleadh eolas ar fáil ó 083-4455914
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Recipe for Our Times 21
Click here for another recipe for a nourishing soup in this cold weather (Sweet Potato and Cashew Nut Soup)
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It’s a Fact 99
It’s a Fact 99
You can find more remains and artefacts under the ocean than in all of the world’s museums combined.
5th February
Enterprise Awards
Best wishes to Alan and Staff of the Old Barracks Coffee Roastery in the National Enterprise Awards Finals next week. Click on this link to watch the award ceremony live on Feb 11th at 6pm: National Enterprise Awards – Local Enterprise Office
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Recipe for Our Times 20
Click here to see 2 recipes for Vegetable Soup
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Lockdown Activities
1. Irish History Podcast: Log in for some fascinating stories and an insightful look at over 1,000 years of Irish history: https://irishhistorypodcast.ie/
2. Make a mini pond and watch it develop during the months of spring – there will be great excitement watching the many creatures that come to take up residence. Any size from washing-up bowl to half barrel or old sink will do. Follow this link for instructions How to Make a Small Pond | Ideas for Wildlife – The RSPB
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Nature Tip 14
You can semi tame a robin by feeding it at regular times of day, they even come into sheds with you when they get to know you. Meal worms are their favourites!
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It’s a Fact 98
Scientists have named and classified around 1.5 million species of sea creatures, and there is as much as 50 million species we have yet to discover.
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30th January 2021
Directory of Services
A Directory of Services for the Birdhill area was produced in 1987 and updated in 1995. Much has changed in the intervening years and most of the providers listed therein are no longer active. Work has commenced on compiling a new Services Directory focusing on what is available in our own community. This will be an online publication only. Anyone wishing to be included should forward details of service provided, address, contact numbers, website/social media details (if applicable) to birdhilltidytowns@gmail.com, or to marionobrien1@gmail.com or to any Tidy Towns rep in your locality. Categories under which listings were made previously included Bars/Catering/Shops, Bed & Breakfast, Art/Design/Domestic Crafts, Agriculture/Horticulture, Hauliers, Health, Nurses, Schools, Consultants/Tuition, Babysitters/Childminders, Entertainment/Social, Machinery Sales/Service/Hire, Trades/Engineering, Clerical Work, etc. No doubt, new services in the fields of electronics and technology will now feature more prominently. The Directory will focus on the Birdhill Community only, but local people who have a business outside the area will also be included.
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Know Your Locality – Free online course
The Irish Archaeology Field School in conjunction with Wexford County Council and Ancient Connections are delighted to offer a free online course taking you step by step through available online resources allowing you to explore your home place through its geological, archaeological and historical past. Delivered by Dr Stephen Mandal through a series of online tutorials every Tuesday and Thursday (4-6pm) over 3 weeks from February 16th to March 2nd, further details and bookings https://iafs.ie/know-your-locality Book early to avoid disappointment
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Tidy Towns Newsletter
Click here to see the first newsletter of 2021 from National Tidy Towns. The ‘Feed the Birds’ article provides lots of interesting information
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Essay Competition
Have you started putting your thoughts on paper for our essay competition? Have you encouraged your children to enter? Local people are invited to write about their experiences living in the Birdhill area during the lockdown restrictions. The essay should be typed, not more than 800 words and not more than one side of an A4 page. Prizes will be awarded in 3 categories: 1. Primary School Children; 2. Secondary School Pupils; 3. Adults over18. Entries should be emailed as an attachment to birdhilltidytowns@gmail.com before 20th February. Winning entries will be published on our Website and Social Media platforms.
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Lockdown Activities
1. Make a St Brigid’s Cross to mark her feast day on Monday 1st February: Making a St. Brigid’s Cross – an Easy Step by Step Guide – YouTube
2. A free 65 page downloadable workbook based on Paddy Stapleton’s book ‘Up in the Air’ Schools – Paddy Stapleton
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Nature Tip 13
Most birds will soon start building nests. We can help by providing suitable nest boxes. We can also provide homes for small animals like field mice and bank voles by cutting a hole in old tennis balls and placing them in the middle of your hedge or bushes.
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Notice Nature
It would be appreciated if members of the community would report first sightings or unusual occurrences in the world of nature around us. For example, we have been told about the first snowdrop seen on 12th January, the first daffodil in bloom on 20th January and a snow white barn owl in the Pollaghs on 21st January. Maybe you could take a photo or video and send them to us – like the attached video of a stag taken recently from the Coosane Road.
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It’s a Fact 97
The decline in economic activity and transport due to the pandemic led to a 6% reduction in Greenhouse gas emissions during 2020.
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21st January 2021
15th January 2021
Can you be a Digital Champion and join the Getting Started KIT community to help some of the 70% of people over the age of 65 who are not online, get online?
The digital divide has been laid bare during Covid-19 for all age groups; many children and
adults, particularly older adults cannot participate in digital learning or the digital economy either for the lack of skills or access. Over half of Irish people aged between 65 and 74 have never used the internet, locking older people out of a huge range of benefits. It is not for lack of interest either: 30% of Irish households without internet access say the reason is a lack of skills to use it. It is estimated that only 3% of people over the age of 70 have the skills and access to the internet.The Age Action Getting Started Keep In Touch (KIT) is a national learning initiative to help older people improve their digital literacy skills, so they are more connected, informed and supported particularly during periods of social distancing. The Getting Started KIT will also help people who have digital literacy skills to become Digital Champions – they can use the KIT to tutor someone who needs help. Age Action has created easy How To guides and a video tutorial in order to support older people to learn, use, and be confident about smartphones, other devices and applications. Full details on
8th January 2021
Covid 19 in our area
Don’t forget that members of the Birdhill Community Response Group are again available to help where required. Ring any of them and they will arrange the necessary supports.
If you know someone who is under 7 years old & no older than 18 years & they are interested in painting, drawing, sculpting, crafting, spraying etc then enter this competition. Deadline is 15th January 2021. Great way to keep them occupied & focused on the job in hand!