Monthly Archives: June 2017

Lourdes Fundraising, Youth Drama and School Success

Lourdes Fundraising
Our local Lourdes fundraising committee have asked me to say a huge thank you to all who supported their recent raffle and talent night. They were delighted with the response they received. Thank you also to Bobby and Noreen at Centra in Kilmeaden for allowing them to sell raffle tickets at the shop and to the volunteers who sold them. The winners in the raffle were John Fitzgerald,Hillary Sullivan, Colette Murphy, Belinda Kearns, Stephen Prout and John Aulsberry.
It was off to O Donnachas then on Saturday night and a big thank you to Seamus and Michelle Dunphy who happily support this cause every year. Thank you to all the singers on the night and to Dick Quinn for providing musical backing. Declan Ryan was the worthy winner on the night and took home the Jimmy Fox Memorial Cup.
A fantastic amount of €1000 was raised altogether and the committee thank all who supported, donated spot prizes and all who helped in any way. It is wonderful to be able to keep up the tradition of sending people from the parish to Lourdes each year and this is made possible by your generosity.

 

Youth Drama
Ballyduff Youth Drama are delighted to announce that they will stage another production in February 2018. This group caters for children in 5th and 6th classes and they do not have to be students of Ballyduff N.S. Children from surrounding areas are welcome also. Rehearsals will begin on Monday September 4th and end in early February from 7.15pm to 8.45pm every Monday night in Ballyduff Community Centre. If your child is interested then please contact Helen Millea on 087-6493657 as soon as possible as numbers are limited.

 

School Success.
Waterford Teachers centre recently launched a beautiful book about the history and heritage of our schools. National schools were invited to take part and in Ballyduff N.S Mr. John Carey and the pupils of 4th class rose to the challenge. They did fantastic work all about hedge schools and former past pupil the great Tom Cheasty. They also submitted some brilliant photos of times gone by, even one of that famous All Ireland medal.
On Tuesday evening last Adam Spillane, Michael Kelly and Alex Walsh represented their class with Mr.Carey in the Woodlands Hotel for the official launch of the book. Launching the book was local author John Burke. John and his daughter Cathy are the brains behind the books Irelandopedia and Historopedia and the boys who are big fans were delighted to meet him. The boys brought home a framed class certificate for the classroom and individual certs will be presented to all the class at assembly next week. Well done again to 4th class and Mr.Carey.

 

Sacristans Collection.

I don’t have to point out to any of you what a wonderful job our church sacristan Ann Nolan does. Nothing is a problem to her. She not only has the talents of organisation and hard work but she also has that lovely friendly personality which is welcoming both to parishioners and starngers.
We get a chance next weekend to show a little bit of gratitude when the annual sacristans collection will be taken up at the weekend masses on July 1st and 2nd. Please be as generous as possible.

 

GAA Lotto
The numbers drawn in the last lotto draw were 5, 18, 19 and 23. There was no winner of the jackpot and the three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Emma Hogan, Tony Kirk and Giretti Murphy. The next draw will take place on July 2nd and will have a jackpot of €7400.

 

Graveyard Mass.
Our annual graveyard mass in Ballyduff will take place on Wednesday July 5th at 7.30pm. Please spread the word to anyone you know living outside the parish who have friends or relatives buried in our graveyard. As always we ask you if you are tidying up your loved ones graves please bring any old flowers and rubbish home with you.
Following the graveyard mass we will have a nice friendly cuppa and light refreshments in our community hall and we hope everyone will pop in. If you would like to provide some home baking or biscuits for the night please let me Linda Spillane know on 087-9838392.

 

Bridge News
The results of the bridge game played on 19th of June are as follows:

1st: Geraldine McMahon and Peggy Murphy.
2nd:Eileen Kirwan and Theresa Phelan.
3rd: Kate Hayes and Nano Fitzgerald
4th Breda O Donnell and Noreen Tubbritt

 

Walk and Talk
Congratulations to all the participants in the recent Walk and Talk sponsored walk along the Greenway which was organised by the academy and nursery section of Ballyduff GAA club. It was a sight to behold to see all the walkers making their way towards Kildermody. A big thank you to all the participants, promoters and supporters for making this a great success. Special thanks to Donal Daly for sponsoring water and lollipops along the route and to the great Margaret and Gerry at Haughtons for putting on such a huge spread of food for the hungry walkers on their return. Please remember that all all sponsorship cards must be returned whether they are empty or full so that a final amount can be announced.

 

School News

The annual school sports took place recently and the weather was very kind to us. All the children had great fun running their races and playing games. There were lots of stalls for the adults to browse around and of course the tasty smell coming from the bbq would make anyone feel hungry. A lot of organising goes into this event not only from the staff of the school but the parents council and their group of volunteers do a tremendous amount of work before and during the event. I have been asked to say a huge thank you to all who supported the event and to the following sponsors, Living Colours(The Foley Family) Frank Murphy Hurleys, Boots Pharmacy Tramore, Mulligans Pharmacies Waterford, McDonalds in John Roberts Square, Centra Kilmeaden, Gala Kilmeaden, The Book Centre, Alfie Hales new premises in Michael Street and John Laffan Electrical.
The Summer school holidays will begin on Wednesday June 28th and we wish all the staff and students a happy and safe Summer.

Golden Jubilee, Graveyard Mass and Help Needed

Golden Jubilee.
On Friday June 9th we all gathered in Ballyduff Church to celebrate with our Parish Priest Fr.Michael O Byrne the occasion of his Golden Jubilee. 50 years ago Fr.Mick headed off to Maynooth to pledge his service to God and his people. In a beautiful and humourous sermon Fr.Mick brought us on a journey of his priesthood and told us tales and memories of the many parishes he has served in. He came to us here in Ballyduff and Portlaw 23 years ago and we quickly became friends and I am happy to say we haven’t fallen out yet and I count him among one of my best friends. At the beginning of the mass some symbols were brought forward depicting not only his dedication to the service but also the hobbies he enjoys. A class photo of all the men who entered Maynooth with him, the three different coloured stoles which the priest wears throughout the year, his bridge cards and scoresheet showing his love for his weekly bridge game, a play script showing his long running association with drama as both actor and director and lastly a novel showing his great interest in reading. He has often been known to read 20 novels while on holidays especially detective stories and thrillers. The readings were read by Fr.Micks nieces and the prayers of the faithful and offertory gifts were all performed by people with some connection to Fr. Mick. Throughout the mass our local choir sang Fr.Micks favourite hymns beautifully and we have heard nothing but praise back about the choir from visitors on the night from other areas. The ceremony was really lovely and was just how he wanted it, simple and prayerful. Many thanks to all who played any part throughout the mass, the many priests, servers, our wonderful sacristan and her assistants, readers, gift bearers, church cleaners, flower arrangers,choir and all other volunteers.
It was then off over to the school hall for some tea, coffee and spectacular food provided by the great Liam Fogarty. Local lady Annette Atkins made a fantastic cake which was enjoyed by many. A big well done to the members of the Parish council, hall committee,parents council and the many other volunteers who set up, served and cleaned up. The whole occasion went off without a hitch and that happens when you live in a great community. There was a wonderful heartwarming feeling being part of it all and the smile on Fr.Micks face made everything worthwhile. When I arrived home I was trying to think of a descriptive word to sum up how I was feeling and then I received a text from a fellow parishioner and friend and she hit the nail on the head when she used the word “closeness” and that was the word I was searching for. A closeness to God and a closeness to community, thats how it felt.
Fr.Mick has asked me to say a huge thank you for all who gave him cards, gifts, good wishes and prayers. He really appreciates all of these things and will remember you all in his prayers.

 

Graveyard Mass.
Our annual graveyard mass will take place on Wednesday July 5th at 7.30pm. Please spread the word to anyone you know outside the parish who may have a relative or friend buried here. Following the mass we will have a cuppa and refreshments in the community centre. Another date for your diary is the annual Newcastle mass which will take place on Monday August 21st at 7.30pm.

 

Bridge News
The results of the latest bridge game played on Monday June 12th were:

1st: Peggy Murphy and Elizabeth Mooney.
2nd: Patsy Roche and Kathleen Collins.
3rd: Kate Hayes and Michael O Donovan.
4th: Anna Marie Brown and Theresa Phelan.

 

Help Needed

I dont have to tell any of you about the wonderful work which is being done by our tidy towns group. Recently some of them decided to tackle the long grass which is now growing up around the outside of our playground. Our council tell us that due to holidays they do not have the staff to do this work. A group will meet down there again on Thursday night 22nd at 7.30pm and are asking people for help. If you are a parent or guardian of children who like to visit the lovely playground then maybe you could spare an hour or two. Bring along your rakes etc and remember many hands make light work.

 

Items of Interest
If you would like me to include an item of interest in these notes please contact me by a Thursday evening of each week and I would be delighted to include it. You can text or call me on 087-9838392 or drop me an email on spillanelinda2017@gmail.com.

Baby Delight, Walk and Talk and Cheque Handover

GAA Lotto.
The numbers drawn in the last lotto draw were 3, 10, 13 and 15 and there was no winner of the jackpot. The three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Anne Costello, Nora Larkin and Donnacha O Fuarthain. The next lotto draw will take place on June 18th and will have a fantastic jackpot of €7,250. Tickets are available from any committee member and will be on sale all day on Saturday June 17th outside Centra. Tickets are just €2 or three for €5. Pick those four numbers carefully and you could be the lucky winner.

 

Our Sympathies
We extend our deepest sympathy to Paula Burke who is part of the teaching staff at Ballyduff N.S on the recent death of her mother Mary. Mary was a resident of Killure Bridge Nursing and formerly a resident of John Street. We pray now that her gentle soul may rest in peace and we offer our prayers of comfort and support to Paula and all the family.

 

Bridge News.
The results of the bridge game held on Monday June 6th are as follows:

1st: Breda Cowman and Mary Kennedy
2nd: Breda Murphy and Breda F Murphy
3rd: Anna Harney and Peggy Murphy.
4th: Bertha O Connor and Aileen Stephenson

 

Baby Delight.
We send our warmest congratulations to Henry and Claire Power on the recent birth of their beautiful baby son David. I know that grandparents Davy and Annie Gahan, Lacka Road are over the moon welcoming their first grandchild and I’m sure Aunty Rachael will be on hand to do plenty of babysitting. We wish this lovely little family every happiness in the future.

 

Walk and Talk.
Often when we have some little thing worrying us, a chat with a friend or a walk in the countryside can lighten our load and help make things a little brighter. Ballyduff GAA Academy and Nursery are encouraging us to combine the two. Walk and Talk will take place on Saturday June 17th beginning at Haughtons carpark at 11am. It will be a nice safe route along the Greenway where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery while having a chat or two along the way. This 5km walk encourages us to maintain a healthy mind as well as a healthy body. The organisers would like to say a big thank you to Donal Daly who has sponsored some bottled water for the route, Gerry and Margaret O Connell who will dish up some delicious burgers on your return and the one and only John O Shea will welcome you back with some upbeat music. This promises to be a lovely community day, a day for all us adults to show good example to the children and show them how important being part of a community is.
Sponsorship cards are available from committee members or contact Brian on 087-2486423. The money raised will be used to hopefully fund a trip to Croke Park for the academy and nursery squads. A donation will also be given to a mental health charity. Come along and join in with the fun. You do not have to be a club member all are welcome.

 

Mass Bookings
If you are interested in booking an anniversary mass for a loved one during the months of July, August and September then a date for your diary is the weekend of June 17th and 18th when we will be taking bookings. If you have a Months Mind or First Anniversary during these months please contact me Linda Spillane 087-9838392 before the bookings so that we can get you your prefered date. Months Minds and First Anniversary masses are always offered a mass on their own. Other masses are shared unless you specificly say that you do not wish to share.

 

Cheque Handover
You may remember me telling you about the 500km Munster Airport Challenge Cycle that my husband Brian was taking part in along with his teamates from the Portlaw Village Wheelers cycle club. The group took on this challenge over the May bank holiday weekend and it trully was a triumphant trip. The group were astounded with the support and encouragement they received. Last Tuesday evening in Portlaw the group presented their chosen charities with the funds they raised. Every penny raised went to the charities and I know the group are very proud of their efforts. Members of the Portlaw Red Cross Branch many of whom travelled with the group during the cycle were presented with a cheque for €8,250 which will go towards their ambulance fund. Antoinette Kelly, Head of community funding at Cmrf funding travelled down from Dublin to collect a cheque for €19,250. I spoke to Antoinette and she told me what a great boost this money was to improve their baby room, build roroms which can fit the lifesaving equipment needed in rooms and accomodate parents who need to stay with their sick children. The staff are doing the best they can with the resources they have but often rooms have to be rearranged just to fit in the equipment that they desperately need.
I think I can speak for the group and the charities when I say a huge thank you to each and every one of you who donated to this wonderful event. May your generosity and kindness be a sign to us all that none of us know when God forbid we may need one of these charities and so we have to do what we can to keep them vibrant. May I also speak for all of you when I say a huge well done to all the cyclists who took part. They all have busy lives with family and work committments but they gave their hearts and souls to making this event such a success. €27,500 raised in total, I would say this is something to be very proud of so each and every one of you take a bow.

 

Lourdes Fundraiser
Each year our parish send two or three people as part of the invalid section of the Waterford/Lismore Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes. The organising committee will sell raffle tickets at Centra on Friday June 16th for a beautiful hamper and on Saturday June 17th all roads will lead to O Donnachas where you are invited to come along and showcase your talent with the winner receiving the Jimmy Fox Memorial Trophy. The talent show will kick off at 9.30pm sharp with music from Dick Quinn. If you would like more information or give a donation please contact one of the following Noel O Sullivan, Donal Daly, Eugene Power or John O Leary.

Love is in the Air, A True Lady and Lourdes Fundraiser

Bridge News.

The Ballyduff/Portlaw bridge club meet each Monday night and the results of their last couple of games are as follows:

22/05/17

1st: Mary Kennedy and Mary O Brien
2nd:Breda Cowman and Celia Nugent
3rd:Patsy Roche and Joan Hartery
4th:Bertha O Connor and Ann Marie Brown.

29/05/17

1st:Mary Cummins and Anna Harney
2nd:Mary Shanahan and Maeve Coughlan
3rd:Ann Marie Brown and Peggy Murphy.
4th: Breda Murphy and Geraldine McMahon.

 

Love Is In The Air.
We send her heartiest congratulations to local couple Ann Grogan and David Fahey who recently announced their engagement. These young sweethearts have been together for many years and I know that both families will be delighted with this wonderful news. We wish the happy couple every success for their future lives together and we hope that they enjoy all the excitement of planning their big day.

 

A True Lady.
We extend our deepest sympathies to Vera O Keeffe, Ballyduff Village on the recent death of her beloved mother. Peggy Burns who lived in Kennedy Park, Tramore had been a resident of Killure Bridge Nursing home for the past while. The large attendance at Peggys wake and funeral mass was a testament to the high regard in which she was held. I had the honour of meeting this kind gentle lady several times and she always had a beautiful way of making you feel good about yourself. I know that her faith and her family meant the world to her and I know this purely by observing her. Her family can be very proud of the dignified,prayerful send off they gave her. If I may I would like to give a special mention to Peggys grandaughter Sandra O Keeffe who sang stunningly throughout the mass, I know her Nanny would have been very proud of her. It is never an easy job to sing at a loved ones funeral but Sandra carried it off perfectly. We offer our prayers and support to all of Peggys family and we pray that Peggy now enjoys a seat at Gods table and that the Lord will reward her for all her good deeds.

 

Lourdes Fundraiser.
Our parish each year fundraises to send people to Lourdes as part of the Waterford/Lismore Diocesan Pilgrimage and this year is no different. Three people will head off this year and so to keep this annual trip going money needs to be raised. On Friday June 16th tickets will be on sale at Centra Kilmeaden for a lovely hamper. On Saturday June 17th all roads will lead to O Donnachas where a night of talent will be on display as people compete for the honour of lifting the Jimmy Fox memorial trophy. If you would like to take part all are welcome to come along to O Donnachas on the night. The show will start at 9pm sharp. If you would like to give a donation or find out further information please contact any of the following Noel O Sullivan, Eugene Power, John O Leary or Donal Daly.

 

Golden Jubilee.
We are now on the countdown to celebrating our Parish Priest Fr. Micks Golden Jubilee. Fr. Mick cordially invites each and every one of you to join him for his mass of Thanksgiving of Friday June 9th at 7.30pm. Many of Fr. Micks family , friends and fellow priests will join him on the night. Following the mass there will be some light refreshments served in the school hall and Fr. Mick would love to meet up with you all and have a chat. This is a very important occasion in Fr. Micks life and I know he is really looking forward to it. Fr. Mick has served in our parish for 23 years so lets all join him for his mass of celebration and mark this momentous milestone in his life.

 

Walk and Talk
We all know how important it is to take care of our minds as well as our bodies and so Ballyduff GAA Nursery and Academy will host their Walk and Talk event on Saturday June 17th at 11am. Starting point will be from Haughtons where the group will enter onto the Greenway and walk to Avenue Bridge. This 5km walk will be full of fun and chat along the way and all are welcome to join in. Following the walk the kind people at Haughtons, Gerry and Margaret will serve some light refreshments. Sponsorship cards are available from committee members or contact Brian on 087-2486423.

Walk and Talk, Golden Jubilee and a Mighty Performance

GAA Lotto.
The numbers drawn in the last lotto draw were 6, 8, 11 and 16 and there was no jackpot winner.
The three lucky winners of €50 each were Seamus Connolly, Eoin Cummins and Ger Stephenson. The next draw will take place on June 4th and will have a fantastic jackpot of €7,100. Tickets are €2 or 3 for €5 and are available from any committee member or will be on sale outside Centra on June 3rd. Pick those four numbers carefully.

 

Walk and Talk
Ballyduff GAA Nursery and Academy will host a walk and talk on Saturday June 17th at 11am. The 5km walk will take place along our beautiful Greenway from Haughtons to Avenue Bridge. Following the walk the kind folks Gerry and Margaret O Connell at Haughtons will serve up some light refreshments. Sponsorship cards are available from any committee member or from Brian on 087-2486423. There is no pressure on anyone the main aim of this is to promote health and well being.
The nursery and academy teams have been very busy lately. The U7 footballers had an emphatic win in Dunhill against na Gaeil, Stradbally and Portlaw. The U6 hurlers had their first taste of on field action in Carrigeen and won all their games as did the U8 hurlers. A big well done also to all the mentors and family members who turned up to support the teams. Thank you to Dunhill and Carrigeen for hosting and for the beautiful medals presented by Carrigeen. Remember that training takes place every Wednesday at 6.15pm and on Saturday mornings at 10.30am in the pitch and new members are always welcome.

 

Golden Jubilee

Plans are well underway to celebrate our Parish Priest Fr. Micks Golden Jubilee. A mass of thanksgiving will take place on Friday June 9th at 7.30pm. Fr.Mick extends an open invitation to you all to attend and celebrate this wonderful occasion with him and his family. Following the mass there will be light refreshments served in the National school hall. If you are unable to attend this mass don’t worry there will be another mass in Portlaw on Thursday June 15th.
Fr. Mick hopes that you will be able to join him for his celebrations. Fr. Mick has given 23 years of service to the parish of Ballyduff/Portlaw which makes him the longest serving Parish Priest here in over 100 years.

 

Mighty Performance
Starstruck Theatre School treated us to three nights of spectacular performances as they staged their production of Hairspray. Dazzling dancing, sensational singing, amazing acting and colourful costumes this show kept the audience enthralled and smiling brightly from start to finish. Congratulations to all the boys and girls and young people for their hard work and dedication and a big thank you to Damian Walsh for giving them a show they were so proud to take part in. The confidence and self belief the children receive from taking part in a show like this is just priceless. I’m sure I speak on behalf of all the parents when I say how extremely proud we all are of all our little stars.