Glorious Weddings, Birthday Girl and P.O Action Group

Newcastle Mass
Every year we hold a mass in the old cemetery in Newcastle which is situated up in Ardeenlone. This is a beautiful spot and mass is said among the ruins of the old church and the many graves of our ancestors. Many of these graves are unmarked but there are also some tombstones to be read. It is a beautiful place to visit and learn about our history. This years mass will take place on Monday August 21st at 7.30pm and I would urge as many of you as possible to come along. A group will leave Ballyduff church at 6.30pm and walk to Newcastle in memory of all our ancestors who made that weekly walk to mass. If you would like to make that walk just be in Ballyduff for 6.30pm.

 


Glorious Weddings
We send our heartiest congratulations to Michael Atkins and Debbie Ross who became man and wife in Portlaw church over the Bank Holiday weekend. Following the wedding ceremony the couple treated their guests to a wonderful reception in Kilkenny and of course The Sweep was the place to be the next day where the celebrations continued. We wish the happy couple and their family every happiness in the future.
Portlaw was definetely the place to be for weddings over the Bank Holiday weekend. Also exchanging their vows were Jenny Larkin and LJ Keegan. Jenny is the daughter of Thomas and Mary Larkin and grandaughter of very proud grandparents Dixie and Maureen Larkin in Ballyduff. Following their beautiful ceremony they headed off to The Tower Hotel to wine and dine their guests and dance the night away. We wish Jenny and LJ every happiness in their future lives together.

 


Birthday Girl
We wish a very happy 60th birthday to Mag Millea, Gortaclode. I know it is hard to believe she is 60 but time flies. As I write these notes I hear that plans are afoot to celebrate in style and I just hope the guests can keep up to the birthday girl on the dance floor. I have seen her in action and they are going to need buckets of energy and stamina. We hope Mag will enjoy this special occasion with all her family and many many friends.

 


P.O Action Group

You may remember me informing you last week about a community meeting which was being held to discuss the possible closure of Kilmeaden P.O. From that meeting an action group has been formed and An Post will meet with some of this group soon. I have been sent a note from Karen Dobbyn who is Secretary of the Action Group and she has asked me to share the following with you:
As many of you know Kilmeaden is in serious risk of losing vital Post Office services in our community. Kilmeaden Post Office provides services for the Ballyduff, Kilmeaden, Dunhill. Fenor, Kill, Butlerstown and Bonmahon areas. To date over 350 letters of objection and a petition with over 900 signatures have been to An Post by members of the community. The action group are meeting with Pat Cremin, Retail Operations Manager with An Post to try and ensure that Post Office services are maintained in Kilmeaden. It is hoped this meeting will be held by the end of August.
But if we are to retain the post office in Kilmeaden it is critical that the number of transactions going through the office are increased. These numbers are being monitored weekly. Some of the services available at your office are AIB and Ulster bank transactions, TV and Dog licences, Postal Services, Bill payments and budgeting options, savings and investments, insurance, property tax, tolltag.ie, passport, currency, pay fines and many more. We ask everyone to get behind this campaign and use the Post Office service this week and every week. Remember Use It or Loose It!!
If you would like any more information please contact Cllr. John O Leary or Karen Dobbyn on 087-6820473.