Castletownbere Community Playgroup & Day Nursery

The Castletownbere Community Playgroup & Day Nursery ran a very successful Sport & Fun Summer Camp this past week.

Running the summer camp offered 88 children from Castletownbere, Allihies, Urhan, Eyeries, Bere Island & Adrigole, an action packed fun week, with an introduction to 14 different sports and 6 other activities e.g. art and percussion.

Due to 35 people giving of their time voluntary and child places filled to capacity, after running costs €2500 was raised towards the much needed Community Childcare centre.

The Community Group have applied to the Department of Justice Equality & Law Reform for capital grant aid to build the purposed Child Care Centre on the VEC site behind the Beara Sports Hall,

When built this building will accommodate the Playgroup, Day Nursery, After school care, Kiddie Club and the Parent & Toddler group.

This weeks fundraising gives a great boost towards development costs not covered by grant aid.

The Community group would like to thank most sincerely camp group leaders, Julie Sullivan, Derrymihan.

Marion O Sullivan, Knockroe, Yvonne Murphy, Waterfall, Near Cork , Mairead Dunne, Derreenataggart,

Susan Sheehan, Cahirkeem, Niamh Murphy, Eyeries, Jenny O Neill, Filane and Activity Assistant Eoinbarra Manning, Eyeries all of whom gave voluntary the full week of their time, also Mairead Hanley Oakmount who gave 3 days & Jacinta O Sullivan Ballincollig who gave two days.

Sincere thanks also to activity leaders Patricia Lyne, Dishert, Pam McQuaid, Castletownbere, Eilish Ni Longaigh, Waterfall  who coached Gymnastic, Niamh Gonnolly, Castletownbere, who led the Parachute fun,  Patrick Lyne Dishert who coached Touch Rugby, Mary English Aghabrock & Maureen O Sullivan-Greene Filane who looked after the  Orienteering & Treasure Hunt, Geraldine Sheehan Cahirkeem who supervised the bouncing castle, Deirdre Lehane Derreenataggart & Paul McCarthy Castletownbere who  couched the Gaelic football, Jackie Cross Castletownbere  who couched the Athletics. Michelle O Sullivan Knockroe, & Maureen who led the mini- games & the hoops Skipping. Ann Murphy Waterfall Near Cork who coached the short tennis, Catherine Sullivan Knockroe who coached basketball,  Percussion leaders Alan Hughes, Allihies, Annette Fischer, Dunboy, Ann O Leary, Shanagorth, assisted by Angie Kinsella, Dublin ,Mark Connaghton, Dublin & Stephan Herbert Dublin, Karate leader - Niall Wright, Castletownbere (who also gave a morning transporting children to and from the GAA football pitch) Niall was assisted by Irene Mencke Kenmare & Mary O Leary, Kenmare.

 Olga Risseau Finaha (who along with her time & skill used her own face paints) assisted by Dorothy  Brophy Rossmacowen

Thanks also to artist Deirdre Koehane Castletownbere and PE teacher Austin Manning Eyeries for coaching the Soccer, Badminton, Uni-hoc, Volleyball & Softball.

Last of all thanks to the Super Stars prize sponsors Beara Plant Hire, Cahirkeem Construction & Wisemans Drapery.

Suggestions from participants and parents of improvement for future camps would be welcome.

The Community Playgroup & Day Nursery would also like to announce, in response to parents needs the group in running a very successful Kiddie Club open Monday to Friday

8.45 am to 5pm catering for children aged 3 to 8. Activities include outdoor games, e.g. basketball, soccer, rounders and parachute fun. Children also take part in nature walks and trips to the playground. Indoor activities include art & craft, painting, board games & story telling. Advance booking esseccial.

Some Photos taken during the Camp.

	Text & Photos by Maureen O'Sullivan-Greene