Banteer Community Centre held the Official opening of its new Astro turf, gym and dressingrooms with Maura Walsh and Fr Liam Ryan performing the tape cutting ceremony.

The official opening was followed by the 25th Anniversary Official Opening 1984 celebrations of the original Community Centre construction.

The night began with Chairman Dan Twomey welcoming all to the official opening of the new facilities. A minute’s silence was observed for all deceased members/volunteers over the past 25 years. Dan praised the various people who made the project possible from the hardworking Committee members to the contractors.

He outlined that these facilities will serve the community for many a year to come. He also welcomed back Fr Ryan from his retirement and thanked both Fr Ryan and Fr Winter for making the land available for the project.

He outlined that over the past year and a half over €900,000 had been spent on the new state of the art Astro turf, gym and dressingroom facilities which compliment the existing centre.

These facilities are used by all of the community including Banteer National School and Banteer Community Childcare who both use the indoor astro turf as their indoor play facility.Fr William Winter performed the blessing of the facilities.

Denis Withers gave a project overview and outlined how the idea started way back in 2004 to build the Astroturf facility. A total of €420,000 was raised in grants towards the €900,000 project.

The local Community Centre committee raised over €230,000 with much hard work over the past 10 years and they were sincerely thanked for their efforts.

Sincere thanks were also expressed to Michael Moynihan TD, Maura Walsh, the Board and Staff of IRD Duhallow and former County Councillor Patrick Buckley for securing the funding for the project.

The construction work was primarily local contractors which provided much needed employment in these times.

Denis outlined how over the past 20 years some €3.5m has been spent on local community projects in Banteer which are currently creating local employment for up to 26 people.

Maura Walsh Manager IRD Duhallow was full of praise for the local community who she said had again delivered on another major project. She outlined how a local group first approached IRD in the early 1990s with a picture of a derelict old schoolhouse which has now been converted to the wonderful Glen Theatre facility.

Maura outlined the importance of the Leader programme to the Duhallow area and how there are many top class examples of money well spent to improve the quality of life for the community. The recent deminimis rule introduced under the new Leader scheme has caused many problems for progressive communities and she called on the local TDs to work towards exempting community projects from this rule. She also outlined the contribution many local people had made to the success of the Board of IRD Duhallow.

Fr Liam Ryan expressed his delight to be back in Banteer to open the facility and was pleased that he helped in securing the site for the project.

He wished all the many users many years of enjoyment from the facilities.

Councillor John Paul O Shea Acting Mayor extended his congratulations to the local community for taking on and completing such a major project. He also thanked Patrick Buckley for his efforts and he outlined that Cork County Council is delighted to support projects of this type via its Community grant scheme.

Following the official opening all adjourned to the Community Centre to commence the 25th Anniversary Celebrations.

Dan Twomey welcomed all to a wonderful 3 course meal and outlined how 25 years ago in October 1984, Banteer Community Centre opened its doors to the Community of Banteer, Lyre , Nadd and Duhallow. A special DVD compiled by local man Paddy Buckley showed the many uses for the centre over the past 25 years.

Dan also thanked and acknowledged the many Community Centre Committees and volunteers who had built and maintained the Community Centre facilities over the past 25 years. A bouquet of flowers was presented to Maura Walsh by Secretary Maria Hartnett and a special presentation was made to Eileen Bailey who has worked as a volunteer each bingo night for the past 25 years.

Canon Gerard Casey who was one of the original Chairpersons 25 years ago when the initial project started praised the work of all involved in ensuring the Centre grew and grew over the past 25 years. Music followed with Just Us keeping all entertained into the early hours.

BANTEER LADIES FOOTBALL: Banteer Ladies football Club held their Annual General Meeting on Wednesday night last in the dressing rooms.

Chairperson Eileen Withers addressed the meeting; she welcomed the small attendance and paid tribute to her fellow officers for their help and cooperation during the year.

Secretary Clare O’Keeffe gave a detailed rundown of the clubs success over the year, despite having no silverware to show for it, Banteer put in a massive effort and came very close on numerous occasions including reaching the U16 and U21 county finals. Eileen Ford and Joan O Connor ensured all accounts were in order over the year.

Officers for the following year are: Chairperson: Eileen Withers, Vice Chairperson Juilet Twohig; Secretary Clare O Keeffe; assistant secretary Eleanor Sheehan, Treasures Eileen Ford and Joan O Connor; Coaches for the coming year are; U10; Patrick Buckley and Michelle Byrne; U12 and U14; John Shaughnessy, Patrick Buckley, Mgt Barrett.

U16; Patrick Buckley, Connor Buckley; Minor, U21, Junior; Conor Buckley, Jerry Twohig.

Banteer ladies will have their first training for the ages U16 to Junior next Sunday at 5pm in the Astro Turf. All players are asked to bring €20 to training to cover their cost for the use of the Astro. It is important that all players try their best to make most training to improve the clubs chances of bring of reaching their goals this year.

We would also like to wish the very best of luck to all of our players who are currently going for trails for the Cork teams. U16 Lauren Flanagan, Vicky Withers, Aisling O’Brien, Emer Ford and Minor Una Twohig.

AIB BETTER IRELAND: Banteer Community Childcare are one of three projects nominated for an AIB Better Ireland award

This is good news for this voluntary community group and they will, depending on how you vote by text and online get € 5,000, €3,000 or €2,000 in prize money.

Voting by text and online opens on February 15 to March 15 and we will need your help to win-more details later.

Banteer Community Centre Gym: Opening hours 9.30am to 12 noon Weds, Thurs, Fri each week.4pm to 10pm Mon to Fri each week. 10am to 4pm each Saturday

Team booking slots available Sat evenings and Sun.

Membership General Enquiries 086 -0385881, William 086 8440362, Ciara 087 7599087 BANTEER BINGO: €7,650 GLEN THEATRE: February 13 Book Launch — Regina O’Connor ‘The Reasons Why – Ireland at the Heart of Europe’.

Friday 19 ,Saturday 20, Sunday 21 Banteer Drama Group ‘Holiday Snaps’. Saturday 27 Sunday 28 Banteer Drama Group ‘Holiday Snaps’. Booking 029-56239.

BANTEER/ Lyre GAA Juvenile Clubs /Banteer Ladies Football Club and Banteer Camogie Club are holding a combined Juvenile Social on Saturday February 20 in Springfort Hall. Tickets will be available for sale. Adults €25, children €12, tickets limited and on first come first serve basis.

BANTEER BOOK LAUNCH: Local girl, Regina O’Connor, Banteer West will launch her book ‘The Reasons Why – Ireland at the Heart of Europe’ in Banteer’s Glen Theatre on Saturday, February 13 at 8pm. This is the first stop for Regina in Ireland following the launch of her book in Brussels by An Taoiseach Brian Cowen TD recently as she will undertake a Munster tour.

Banteer/Lyre Juvenile AGM Saturday February 6 at 8.30pm at Glen Theatre. All trainers and parents requested to attend.