Kinvara Community Council’s: monthly meetings take place the third Wednesday of each month. The next meeting is taking place on Wednesday 16th November at 8pm in Kinvara Community Centre. We encourage all members of the community to attend these meetings where discussion and debates on any items put forward on the agenda are always welcome. All sub groups who are affiliated to Kinvara Community Council must send a representative to every KCC meeting in order to maintain their benefits. Any items for inclusion on the agenda must be emailed in by Monday 14th November.

St. Coman’s Church and Graveyard: Set in the heart of Kinvara, St. Coman’s Church and graveyard is an ecclesiastical enclosure that dates from the 11th century, with records suggesting the current structure was built on the site of a much earlier church. It was there when the village grew up around this monastic site. Our ancestors are buried in the heart of our village where they lived. For this reason its existence is part of Kinvara’s rich, proud history, and culture.

Private individuals have now claimed ownership of a section of St. Coman’s graveyard containing at least 27 graves.  To see for yourself, visit the Property Registration Authority (PRA) web site www.landdirect.ie. (You can enter as a ‘guest’ and search for Main Street, Kinvara. Zoom into St. Coman’s church and graveyard.  See the outline of the Folio that includes the graveyard for yourself).

Ask yourself the simple questions: On what basis were private individuals made registered owners of a large section of St. Coman’s Graveyard in which there are documented graves? How can private individuals be given ownership of the graves of Kinvara people?

Ask your local representatives.Get your neighbours, friends and relatives to contact them too, asking the same questions? If you’re on social media such as Twitter or Facebook ask the same question. This cannot be allowed to stand. Please do what you can to help St. Coman’s – the graveyard has survived for so long, we cannot allow the site to be dismantled on our watch?

KINVARA ALIVE – safeTALK workshop Wednesday 16th November, Courthouse, Kinvara, 7pm-10.30pmsafeTALK is a free, fully-certified, 3 to 3.5 hour, HSE facilitated suicide alertness programme. It prepares participants to identify persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid resources. These specific skills are called suicide alertness and are taught with the expectation that the person learning them will use them to help save lives. Expect to leave safeTALK more willing and informed. To book, please use the following link before Wednesday 9th November https://bookwhen.com/srotraininggmr

Kinvara Christmas Market: makes a welcome return to the Kinvara Community Centre for two weekends on 3rd and 4th December and 10th and 11th December. With more than thirty stalls brimming with hand-crafted gifts, original art works and local produce fresh food and plenty of festive treats including mulled wine, mince pies, plum puddings and hand-made chocolates. Kinvara Community Radio will also broadcast from the market with music and interviews. Christmas shoppers will love the vast range of unique gift ideas including porcelain pots, vibrant enamel wall art, fused glass wall hangings, needle felted figurines, scented candles, natural soaps and free-from skincare products, textiles and wooden craft. Shoppers can also refuel with plenty of local gourmet cheese, coffee, preserves, specialty tea, cookies and cakes will cater for the sweet and savoury tooth. More information can be found on Facebook: kinvarachristmasfair.

Gort Further Education & Training Centre has new part time courses starting in January. Daytime courses include Care Support, Special Needs Assisting and Challenging Behaviour, very suitable for anyone considering working in healthcare or social care. We have a new Health & Fitness course starting, designed for anyone looking for tips to improve their health and well-being in a friendly and relaxed environment. We also have daytime and evening computer courses at improvers and intermediate level. If you’re interested in something creative for the New Year we also have a daytime film course or an evening creative textiles course. Funding is available for those not in work and those working looking to re-skill or upskill. Our courses are accessible to all, why not try something new for 2023? Call in to see us after the Halloween mid-term break to find out more, phone 091 630624 or apply online: www.fetchcourses.ie