IN his address Mr. Lonergan said he was privileged to be a Tipperary man talking to students in Cork. He said he came from the small village of Bansha, in rural Ireland and he grew up with the ethos espoused by Canon Hayes, the Limerick-born priest, who founded the Muintir na Tire organisation, who was their parish priest. His philosophy was for people to help, to care and to share with their neighbours.

He recalled a time in Bansha where the people could buy the pews in the parish church but this practice was stopped by Canon Hayes in the interests of equality, so that all people in the church could be equal.

He told the students that time passes fast but life is unpredictable and sometimes they will struggle, as all people do. He cited Alan Quinlan's recent misdemeanour on the rugby field as an example of where a person is on top of the world one day after being picked for the Lions, and then does some action in a moment of weakness and frustration which dashes his hopes and dreams and leaves him now regretting what he did.

Today is about celebrating you as students, especially those of you in sixth year. If you think about it, you will all go your separate ways after your Leaving Certificate and perhaps, you will never be together again, so today is a special day," he said.

Mr. Lonergan told the students that in ten years time they would be the people running this country. "You will be in positions of authority and you will have the opportunities to change peoples' lives. Don't be too quick to judge people but act on your experience and develop the talents you have," he said.

School principal, Tom Clarke, said that the awards day give the school community an opportunity to recognise and to be proud of the wonderful range of talents and skills that exist among our student population. "It affords the chance to take pride in our school and its traditions and in the unique achievements of our students," he said.

Awards were then presented to the students by Mr. Lonergan, Liam McCarthy, of Charleville Credit Union, Ms Amanda Keesham, of AIB, Charleville, and Patricia Dennehy, of Bank of Ireland, Charleville, and Ms Jacqueline Morrissey, chairperson of the school's Board of Management, who also thanked the students for their diligence to their studies, the principal and school staff, for their dedication to their teaching duties and the parents for their contribution to the school over the years. SELF DEFENCE CLUB: Dublin man, Derek Cromwell, now resident in Dromina, Charleville, is a member of the Irish Self Defence Association and has organised the Charleville Self Defence Club.

Derek is running courses on self defence every Friday night in the Leisure Club at the Charleville Park Hotel for over 16s, from 7 pm to 8.30pm, and he also arranges courses for clients at other times and for private lessons.

"The self defence courses are open to everybody but are especially valuable to women of all ages, who may be regarded as defenceless and may be more prone to attack, should they be walking on their own, say, at night," said Derek.

He may be contacted at 087-2692503 or at Derek @irishself defence.com or www.irishselfdefence.com AMERICAN CHOIR: As has been the practice for some years past an American choir will sing at Holy Cross Church Charleville on this Sunday at the 12 noon Mass, when the La Crosse University Concert Choir from Wisconsin will perform popular religious works.

The choir is one of six at the university and since 1996 has performed concerts at many venues in the USA and in many European countries, as well as performing regularly in churches in Wisconsin. The choir sings under the direction of conductor Gary Kent Walth and will be welcomed by the local congregation. LOUDEST WHISPER: There is a rare treat for Schoolyard Theatre Charleville audience when Loudest Whisper, the Fermoy-based folk/rock band, when their six-piece line-up play a gig there on this Friday night, May 22, as a fund-raiser for Milford Lawn Tennis Club.

This promises to be a terrific night of musical entertainment as Loudest Whisper is one of Ireland's longest established and most creative bands that plays a unique blend of folk, rock and blues, which is considered legendary in many quarters.

Like vintage wine, the Loudest Whisper sound has been fermenting since the early 70s, when Brian O'Reilly wrote his acclaimed musical, ' The Children of Lir.' The lineup for the Schoolyard on this Friday night is Paul McCarthy/Bass, Paud O'Reilly/Drums, Frances Foley/Vocals, Melanie O'Reilly/Vocals, Barry Cluskey/Sax/Clarinet and Brian O'Reilly/Guitar /Vocals.

Don't miss this unique chance to hear one of Ireland's best bands that has stood the test of time. Booking at 087-2530955.