Duhallow Area Rural Transport  (D.A.R.T)

The following routes have been discontinued: Meelin – Tralee; Knockaclarig – Abbeyfeale; Rathcoole – Kilcorney – Aubane – Millstreet; Rathcoole – Kilcorney - Banteer Station and Donoughmore–Mallow.

Routes

Departure

Arrival

Tuesday:

Kanturk-Banteer-Lyre-Nadd-Banteer-Kanturk   

Ballydesmond-Kanturk       

Banteer Station.-Kilcorney-Rathcoole                 

Booking is necessary for this service

Ballydesmond-Kanturk                                        

Via Kiskeam/Boherbue                                           

Kanturk-Ballydesmond Via Boherbue, Kiskeam   

Wednesday:

Every 2^nd Wednesday started 22^nd October

Rathcoole-Kilcorney-Aubane-Millstreet                

Millstreet/Kilcorney/Rathcoole                  

Thursday:

Cullen-Millstreet                          

Millstreet-Cullen                                          

Friday: 

Kanturk-Cecilstown-Castlemagner-Kanturk          

Kanturk-Cecilstown-Castlemagner-Kanturk.        

Meelin-Newmarket                                              

Newmarket-Meelin                                                  

Kanturk-Kilbrin-Kanturk                                     

Kanturk-Kilbrin-Kanturk                                         

Freemount-Kanturk                                             

Kanturk-Freemount                                                 

Mallow-Lombardstown-Cregane-Laharn-Gortoe crossroads-Dromahane

Every 2^nd Saturday

To connect to Bus Eireann Service to Cork from Newmarket which leaves at 9.55 a.m.

Routes are advertised in local business outlets.
N.B.  Times and routes may alter upon operation.  If you need to be collected on the route, you will need to pre-book your seat the evening before (9.00am - 5.30pm) with Ita, Julia or Brian at 029-60648.

We are pleased to announce the following New Routes:
A new route to Mallow will commence on 12^th March, and run every Friday, arriving in Mallow at 9.30am and departing at 12.30pm.
A new route to Millstreet Country Park will depart from Rockchapel – Meelin – Newmarket – Kanturk - Banteer every Tuesday from April 6^th, arriving at Millstreet Country Park at 12.30pm and leaving at 4.30pm.    Musical Entertainment and Guided Tours will be provided.  Admission including travel: Senior Citizens €5.00, Adults €10.00, Children €5.00.
If you live in the Duhallow area and wish to avail of either of these services, contact Ita, Julia or Brian at 029-60648. Advance booking is necessary.

D.A.R.T is now providing transport to Mallow Hospital for daily appointments.  Passengers availing of this service will need to book one week in advance prior to appointment date.
There is ongoing research into transport to Cork Hospitals.  We encourage potential passengers on this type of service to phone in their future appointments.  We are currently assessing the need for this service.  Please phone 029-60648.
D.A.R.T. is providing transport for Tir-na-nÓg, Ballydesmond five days a week; Millstreet Day Care Centre two days a week and Kanturk Day Care Centre four days a week.  Contact Ita, Julia or Brian at 029-60648.
Rathmore Community Childcare in conjunction with Duhallow Area Rural Transport is operating a bus service three days a week to and from the Childcare Centre.  Collection points are Gneeveguilla National School, Knocknagree and Shinnagh Rathmore.  Other collection points can be arranged if needed.  They can take crèche and playgroup children.  The crèche is open from 7.30am-6.30pm each day.  The playgroup is open from 9am-12.30pm each day.  A passenger assistant is present on the bus at all times.  Please contact Joan at 064-58700.
Senior Satellite Centres: DART is currently providing transport for Meelin, Rockchapel & Kiskeam Senior Citizens.
Planning permission has been granted for Bus Shelters in Boherbue, Rathcoole, Rockchapel, Meelin, Kilcorney, Cecilstown, Castlemagner, Banteer and Freemount.

Community Development Working Group

Use Your Vote!

The Local and European Elections will be held on June 11th.  These elections provide you with an opportunity to bring local issues to the attention of the politicians.

If your local area has an issue which could impact on the quality of life of those living in your community – (examples include: estate management, footpaths, lack of recreational facilities for young people, etc.) now is the time for your community to prepare a strategy, where politicians are continually asked about the same topic on every doorstep when they are canvassing for your vote.

If your community, community council or development association, estate or group feels it has an issue that needs to be addressed and would like advice and guidance in preparing a strategy, please contact Isobel Fletcher, Carmel Galvin or Michelle Melia at 029-60633.

Cáirde Le Chéile

IRD Duhallow Lone Parent Support Network, meets monthly in the James O’Keeffe Institute, Newmarket.  Come, join and ‘Be a Friend.’ New members are welcome.  Please contact Carmel Galvin at 029-60633.

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Women & Childcare Working Group

Childminder Grants and Quality Awareness Programme

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has announced the National Childminder Initiative 2004, which will provide funding of up to €2.89 million to aid child minders improve the quality of their service.  Childminders can avail of grants up to €630 to develop their service.  Existing and potential childminders are eligible to apply. Grants can be used for small-scale capital items to improve quality and safety as well as play equipment, books and toys.

As part of the National Childminding Initiative and the Childminder Grants Schemes, Kerry & Cork County Childcare Committees are offering members of the public the opportunity to participate in a Quality Awareness Programmes for childminders. 

The Quality Awareness Programme is a ten-hour programme, which outlines the basic information relevant to Childminders or those wishing to establish their own childminding business.  The Programme is made up of five modules each delivered over two hours.  The modules are:

1. Why choose Childminding?          2. Child Development

3. Hygiene, Health, Safety                  4. Wellbeing of Children

5. Play

The course can be delivered over two days or five evenings or whatever way meets participants’ needs.  Dates have yet to be decided.  Participants will receive a certificate of participation.  Course completion will increase participants’ eligibility for the Childminder Development Grant.

If you require further information on the National Childminders Initiative, the Childminders Development Grants or the Quality Awareness for Childminders Programme, please contact Denis Quinlan, Kerry County Childcare Committee at 066-7181582 or Sara O’Mahony, Cork County Childcare Committee at 022-26648.
 

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Youth & Education Working Group

Bullying and the Community

A public lecture on Bullying and the Community will be given by Dr. Brendan Byrne at 8pm on Wednesday 28^th April in Boherbue Comprehensive School.  All are welcome to attend.  Dr. Byrne, author of Coping with Bullying in Schools and Bullying – A community Approach, will be discussing:

-          What makes a person a Bully / Victim?

-          The Role of Parents / Signs to Watch out for.

-          Making Contact with the school.

-          Bullying in the wider community.

The Public Lecture is free but advance registration is required as places are limited. Contact Michelle Melia at 029-60633.

Dyslexia and Duhallow

A public meeting to discuss the issue of Dyslexia in Duhallow will take place on April 21^st 2004, in the James O’ Keeffe Institute, Newmarket at 8.00 p.m.  All concerned are encouraged to attend this meeting.   For more information on what will be discussed, contact Michelle Melia at 029-60633.

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IRD Duhallow’s Enterprise Network

Mentor Network Programme for Micro Enterprises

Ø       Are you a business owner or do you work closely with small businesses on a day-to-day basis?

Ø       Do you want to become a business mentor?

Ø       Do you want to enhance your business counselling skills?

Ø       Would you like to share your knowledge and experience with budding entrepreneurs?

IRD Duhallow’s Enterprise Network is delighted to announce a forthcoming mentor training and development programme designed to train participants in mentoring, communication and general business skills necessary to effectively advise and guide micro enterprises. One-to-one support from a business mentor vastly increases an entrepreneur’s chance of survival.  Contact Catherine Crowley at 029-60633.

Enterprise Workshops

A number of workshops have been organised for the forthcoming months under IRD Duhallow’s Enterprise Network. Specific topics for these workshops include Bookkeeping, Finance, Marketing and Law. A nominal charge of €25 payable in advance is required and a booking form and more information on these workshops can be obtained form Catherine Crowley at 029-60633.

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IRD Duhallow Agriculture Working Group

Kanturk Farmers Market will continue on Saturday 3^rd April in the Edel Quinn Hall Kanturk from 10.30am to 12.30pm.  The Farmers Market will run weekly from 3^rd April.  We welcome new enterprises interested in supplying produce to these markets.  If you are interested or have queries, please contact Linda Deady at 029-60633.

Hospitality Courses: IRD Duhallow and Fáilte Ireland are running 2 training courses in Duhallow on Cookery & Hygiene and Accommodation Skills.  These courses will be accredited by Fáilte Ireland (formerly CERT) and will run for a ten-week period, two days a week for five hours.  Accommodation Skills will begin on 5^th April and will run from 10am to 3pm Mondays and Tuesdays in the Duhallow Park Hotel.  Cookery & Hygiene will take place in Mallow, starting 1^st April from 10am to 3pm, Thursdays and Fridays.  A fee of €50 is payable and participants must registrar with IRD Duhallow.  These courses are for persons wishing to return to work or for those interested in developing their own hospitality business.  If you wish to register or to have more information, contact Linda Deady at 029-60633. 

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Kanturk Credit Union Student Bursaries

Kanturk Credit Union has two bursaries of €1,500 available for leaving certificate students pursuing full-time third level education in September 2004.  The bursaries are payable in two stages (€750 payable in Year 1 and €750 payable in Year 2) provided the student remains in full-time education.  The Bursary is open to any leaving certificate student pursuing full-time third level education who is living in the Kanturk Credit Union Common bond area.  To be eligible the student must be a member of Kanturk Credit Union and must submit a completed application form by 1^st September 2004.

Kanturk Credit Union also has 2 bursaries of €250 for 6^th Class pupils.  The Bursaries are open to all students living in the Kanturk Credit Union bond area.  To be eligible, the student must be a member of Kanturk Credit Union and must submit a completed application form by 1^st June 2004. Application Forms are available from the Primary and Secondary Schools and also from the Credit Union Office. Only one application per member is allowed.  The recipients will be determined by lottery.

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