Monthly Archives: October 2017

Choir Members, Storm Mayhem and Strictly Dance

Choir Members.
St. Nicholas’s church choir rehearse every Monday night in Ballyduff church from 8pm to 9.15pm. Any adult who wishes to join is more than welcome to come along to practice or contact any of the choir members.

 

Storm Mayhem.
Well thank God we all made it through Storm Ophelia and are thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the three people who died during the storm.
I know many people suffered damage to their homes or businesses and many had to go without electricity, water and phone services but thankfully all these things can be fixed. Of course we are lucky that we live in a fantastic community and neighbours helped neighbours and offers of help and support were passed around. Well done to all who helped during the storm and in the aftermath and I would encourage you all to keep it up. If you know any elderly people or people living alone please drop into them and check that everything is ok.

 

Station Masses.
Due to the electricty being knocked off in the church following the storm the station mass scheduled for last Tuesday night had to be cancelled and has now been rearranged. The station mass for Ballyduff Village, Ballyduff West, Ballyduff Hill, Newtown, Cullinagh, Gortaclode, Amberhill and Raheen will take place on Wednesday October 25th at 7.30pm in Ballyduff church. The last of the Autumn station masses will be for the areas of Knockaderry, Carrickphilip and Carriganure Upper in the home of Marie and John Murphy on Friday October 27th at 8pm.
Fr. Mick has asked me to say a huge thank you to all who hosted station masses and all who attended and he appreciates all who handed in their station dues.

 

Church News.
A special collection will be taken up by way of a second collection at masses this weekend to support the work of missionaries around the world. You are asked to be as generous as possible.
A reminder that if there is anyone who is sick or confined to home for any length of time and would like to receive holy communion on a Sunday morning after mass please contact Fr. Mick and he will be happy to put your name on the list. There is no set criteria so whether you are young or old, sick for a short time or a long time you are welcome to put your name forward.
Fr. Mick also likes to pay a visit to any parishioner who is sick at home or in hospital so he likes to know if people unfortunately find themselves sick at any time. If you have a family member, friend or neighbour who is sick at home or in hospital at any time please drop a text to Fr.Mick on 087-9626618 or you can also contact me Linda Spillane on 087-9838392 and I will let him know for you.

 

November Dead List.
As you know November is a month when we pay special honour to our loved ones who have gone before us. I know that they are never far from our thoughts but in November we celebrate the feasts of All Saints and All Souls. We here in this parish also hold a special mass each Wednesday night at 7.30pm in November which we offer for those gone before us. On the final Wednesday night in November which is the 29th the mass will be offered for all those who have passed away in the past 12 months. The person does not have to be from this parish to be included, if you lost a loved one from a different area and would like them to be included please contact myself Linda Spillane on 087-9838392 and I will make sure they are included. Mass times for All Saints day will be a vigil mass at 7.30pm on Tuesday October 31st and on Wednesday November 1st at 10am. On Thursday November 2nd the masses for All Souls will be at 10am and 7.30pm.

 

Engagement Celebrations
We send warmest congratulations to local girl Caroline Power who recently announced her engagement to Jimmy Butler. Jimmy surprised Caroline while on holidays and she tells me that she had no hesitation in answering yes to that all important question. Of course Caroline will be able to get lots of hints and ideas from her older sister Stephaine who will marry her fiance Ronan next year. We wish Caroline and Jimmy every happiness in their future lives together and hope that all their dreams come true.

 

Strictly Dance
Strictly Dance in aid of Waterford GAA will take place in the WIT arena at Waterford IT West Campus on Saturday November 11th at 8pm and we are being well represented down this neck of the woods. Marc O Neill and Ger Harris will take to the floor (not together now!). The guys are training tirelessly and every move is now a dance move so don’t be surprised to see them pirouette into the shop or cha cha cha across the field as they drop the children off at the match. If you fancy going along on the night to see the lads and many more glide around the dance floor tickets are €20 and are available from Marc or Ger.

Local Hero, Junk Koture and Gentle Paddy

GAA Lotto.

The numbers drawn in the latest lotto draw were 3, 21, 25 and 28. The three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Carmel Ryan, Claire Trihy and E. Fitzmaurice. The next draw will take place on October 22nd and there will be a fantastic jackpot of €8,600 on offer. Tickets are €2 each or 3 for €5 and are available from committee members and will be on sale at Centra on Saturday October 21st.

 

Station Masses.
The Autumn station masses continue this week and the mass for Ballyduff Village, Ballyduff Hill, Ballyduff West, Newtown, Cullinagh, Gortaclode, Amberhill and Raheen will take place on Tuesday October 17th at 7.30pm in Ballyduff Church. On Friday October 20th the mass for Blacknock, Powersknock, Carrigadustra and Fan Glas will take place in Ballyduff Church at 7.30pm and the final station mass will be for the areas of Knockaderry, Carrigphilip and Carriganure Upper in the home of Marie and John Murphy at 8pm on Friday October 27th.

 

Bridge News.

The results of the bridge game played by Ballyduff/ Portlaw bridge club on Monday October 9th are as follows:

1st: John Hartery and Peggy Murphy.
2nd: John Fitzpatrick and Patsy Roche.
3rd: Celia Nugent and Mary O Brien.
4th: Theresa Phelan and Ann Marie Brown.

 

Date For The Diary

The annual Michael Power Christmas Day swim will this year donate its proceeds to The Touching Hearts charity who are working to provide much needed new premises and facilities for the Sacred Heart Centre who provide a vital service for children with disabilities. To kick off the fundraising there will be a coffee morning in The Sweep bar and restaurant on Friday November 10th from 10am to 12 noon. Don’t worry I will be reminding you of this event in the coming weeks but mark that date in your diary for now.

 

Kickboxing Champ.
We send our congratulations to Zara White, Ballyduff who took home the Junior title from the IKF Kickboxing Irish Championship in Athlone recently. This is the 4th Irish title for Zara who is a member of the Billy O Sullivan kickboxing club. Zara who is also a two time world champion will travel to Italy on October 25th as part of the Irish team taking part in the Unified World Championships. We wish Zara the very best of luck and safe travels.

 

Happy Retirement.
We wish good health and happiness to Karl Casey, Ballyduff on his recent retirement from the hairdressing business. I am certain that Karl will not be spending his retirement relaxing too much as he will be kept busy keeping up with all his other interests and I am sure his children and grandchildren will have plenty of plans for him. We hope he enjoys his retirement having given so many years of service to the industry.

 

Local Hero.
A huge well done to local man Kelvin Kearns, Tigroe who recently saved the life of a 75 year old gentleman who lost control of his car and left the road, crashing down a ravine and landing upside down in a deep stream. Kelvin who came on the accident quickly went to the mans rescue while another passer by rang the emergency services. Kelvin climbed down the bank and entered the stream, pulling the man out of the car and due to the positioning of the vehicle on the bank, he had to hold the man out of the water until the emergency services arrived. The family of the man involved issued a plea for Kelvin to come forward so they could thank him but Kelvin being the unassuming man he is had to be persuaded by his mother and girlfriend to come forward but he has since spoken to the family of the man who is continuing to recover in hospital.
Of course all of us who know Kelvin understand why he was reluctant to come forward. He is the type of character who would not wish for any attention or praise but I am delighted that people now know about his heroic and selfless act of kindness. Of course he didn’t lick these traits off the ground, his parents Albert and Belinda have always instilled in their 3 children the importance of helping people any time you can. Having being their neighbour for many years I have first hand experience and they are definetly the kind of neighbours everyone should have.

 

Junk Koture
Ever looked at all your recycable rubbish at home and wondered is there anything I could do with that, well all around the parish as we speak young girls from our local girls football club are gathering recycable items and inventing and designing outfits and accessories which they will create themselves and present to you at their fundraising fashion show extraodinaire “Junk Koture”. This show will take place on Friday November 3rd in Ballyduff Community Centre and promises to be a great night of fun with judges flown in at great expense for the night. Tickets are just €5 and all proceeds will go to the girls football team who are making great strides in the football world. Tickets are available from all coaches or by contacting Fiona on 083-1803294.

 

Gentle Paddy
We were all saddened to hear of the death of our eldest parishioner Paddy Walsh, The Bakery, Knockaderry. Paddy could only be described as a true gentleman. He always had a smile and a chat for everyone he met. He had a great love for Gods creatures especially his cattle in earlier days and of course his great love of flowers and nature was evident to all who passed by his house. His snowdrops and crocuses showed us those first signs of Spring and his daffodils lined the road for all to enjoy. Easter lillies adorned his greenhouse and the entire garden was full of glorious colour.
Paddy was predeceased by his beloved wife Nellie whom he loved and adored and his care and love for her shone out for all to see. Their home welcomed all who called and their faith and dedication to our local church was exemplary.
We take comfort knowing that Paddy and Nellie are now back together the way they always wanted to be. As you enjoy the colours and scents of nature around us think of them both and smile in their memory. Ar Dheis De Go Raibh Siad.

A little treasure, Post Office Success and Parent and Toddler

Station Masses
The Autumn station masses are continuing this week and on Friday October 13th the mass for Adamstown, Matthews Cross and Ballyduff East will be in the home of Bridie Power at 8pm. On Tuesday October 17th the mass for Ballyduff Village, Ballyduff West, Ballyduff Hill, Newtown, Cullinagh, Gortaclode, Amberhill and Raheen will be in the church at 7.30pm. The mass for Blacknock, Powersknock, Carrigadustra and Fan Glas will be on Friday October 20th in Ballyduff Church at 7.30pm and on Friday October 27th the mass for Knockaderry, Carrigphilip and Carriganure Upper will be in the home of John and Marie Murphy at 8pm.

 

Bridge News.
The Ballyduff/Portlaw bridge club played their latest game on Monday October 2nd and the results are as follows:
1st: Mary O Brien and Kathleen Collins.
2nd: Mary Prendergast and Anne Marie Brown.
3rd: Anna Harney and Kate Hayes.
4th: Peggy Murphy and Elizabeth Mooney.

 

A Little Treasure.
Congratulations to Dermot and Louise Dooley, Kilmagemogue who recently welcomed their beautiful baby girl Olivia into the world. Olivia is not going to have to worry about learning the ways of the world or anything because she has her two big brothers Darragh and Cathal and big sister Ava ready and willing to teach her the ropes. We welcome Olivia to our parish and look forward to meeting her. We wish this happy family every health and happiness in the future.

 

Ballyduff AFC.
Our friends in Ballyduff Soccer Club are looking to recruit a grounds person for their club. If you are a CE worker (Fais) and think you would be interested in finding out more then please contact Paddy Kirk.
This position is becoming available because the present groundsman is due to retire. Harry Power has been taking care of the grounds for the past 5 years and the club would like to say a huge thank you to him for keeping the grounds in such good condition. All the committee and club members appreciate his hard work.

Post Office Success.
I am delighted to be writing about our local Post Office remaining open and not closing which was feared in the past few weeks. As you are all aware our Post Office is a vital service not only in our own areas but also caters for people in many surrounding parishes. The closure of the Post Office would have been a disaster not only for the direct users of it but it would also inevitabely have had a knock on effect on other local businesses. Congratulations to all who fought against this closure but remember An Post will still hold a review of all national Post Offices so we must remain fighting and most importantly we must show how important this service is to us by using it as much as we possibly can. So remember the slogan “Use it or loose it”

 

Parent and Toddler.
I am delighted to hear that many people are availing of our local Parent and Toddler group. The group meet every Friday morning in Ballyduff Community Centre from 10am to 12 noon and you are welcome to drop in for whatever length of time suits you. The children play happily while the babies have a stretch in the ball pool. There are many games and arts and crafts to keep the children amused while the parents or minders can enjoy a cuppa and a chat in comfort. This group provide a great outlet for parents and carers to meet up with other adults and the children make great friends with others whom they will probably go to playschool and national school with. Drop in and see what it is all about, you will be very welcome.

Your Notes
If you would like me to include an item in these notes for you then please contact me Linda Spillane on 087-9838392 or spillanelinda2017@gmail.com or indeed like I have said many times before I am always out and about around the parish so give a shout if you spot me and we’ll have a chat.

Croke Park Honour, Flying High and Community Alert

Bridge News.

The Ballyduff/Portlaw bridge club meet every Monday night in Ballyduff N.S and the results of the latest game are as follows:

1st: Kate Hayes and Sean Hennessy
2nd: Geraldine McMahon and Nano Fitzgerald.
3rd: Theresa Phelan and John Fitzpatrick.
4th: Peggy Murphy and Elizabeth Mooney.

GAA Lotto
The numbers drawn in the latest lotto draw were 4, 7, 14 and 16. There was no winner of the jackpot and the three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Fergus Dunne, Tyrone Costello and Michael Phelan. The next draw will take place on October 8th and will have a fantastic jackpot of €8,450. Tickets cost €2 or 3 for €5 and are available from committee members and will be on sale on Saturday October 7th at Centra.

 

New Little Princess.
We send our heartiest congratulations to Brian and Laura O Leary who recently welcomed their beautiful baby daughter Phoebe into the world. Phoebe is of course a very lucky little lady because she has big brother Cathal and big sister Chloe ready and willing to show her the ropes. I had the pleasure of meeting baby Phoebe in person and I can tell you all she is a real little beauty. We wish this happy little family the best of everything in the future.

Station Masses.
The annual Autumn station masses are beginning this week and I will carry a list of them in these notes so keep an eye out for your area. On Tuesday October 3rd the station mass for Stonehouse, Lacka Road and Whelansbridge will take place in the home of Declan and Breda Finn at 8pm. On Thursday October 5th the mass for Ballygarron, Ardeenlone, Lisahane, Shanbally, Ross, Kildermody, Kilmagemogue and Carriganure Lower at 7.30pm. On Friday October 13th the mass for Adamstown, Matthews Cross and Ballyduff East will be in the home of Bridie Power at 8pm.
Choir Performance
St. Nicholas’s choir will perform at the Sunday morning mass on October 8th. A reminder that the choir rehearse every Monday night in the church from 8pm to 9.15pm. Any adults interested in joining are very welcome to come along or contact a member of the choir.

 

Clothes Collection
Ballyduff AFC would like to thank everyone who has brought along their unwanted clothes, bed linen, towels, curtains, shoes, bags, soft toys. There is still time for you to drop your bags off at the club house any weekday evening. If you need items collected please contact Jenny on 086-8605930. All money raised from this fundraiser goes to the continuing development of the club.

 

County Champions.
Congratulations to the Under 13 Ballyduff/Portlaw hurlers who became county champions when they beat An Ghaeltacht by two points. Well done to this spirited and talented team and well done to all their supporters who are all very proud of them.

 

Croke Park Honour
Heartiest congratulations to Carriganure lady Fiona Laffan who travelled to Croke Park as part of the Waterford All Ireland ladies football team of 1992 who were honoured during the All Ireland football games and Fiona tells me that they were treated like royalty and were given a day to remember. Fiona who was Fiona Crotty at that time played a vital role in the 1992 team and of course it was double celebrations for the Crotty family on the day as her sister Marie also played on the team. We are very lucky to now have Fiona inspiring and coaching future players as she coaches the girls in Ballyduff GAA club.

 

Flying High.

Congratulations to Ballyduff man Paul Sheehan who recently completed a skydive at Kilkenny Aerodrome. Paul took to the air to raise money for Waterford Hospice. We are all aware of the vital work being carried out by this charity and of the wonderful care and support they give to patients and their families. Paul handed over a cheque for €1,078 which the charity were delighted to receive.

 

Fundraiser

Ballyduff lady Anne Coe(nee Fenlon) contacted me to let me know about a fundraising night she is arranging on Saturday October 14th at 9pm in The Cotton Mill, Portlaw. The fundraiser is in aid of Lilly who is a 3 year old girl who suffers from a condition called Cystic Hygroma which causes her tongue to swell which affects her breathing. If there are any musicians or singers out there willing to volunteer their time or anyone willing to donate a spot prize, all help would be appreciated.

 

Community Alert.
The first meeting after the Summer break of our community alert group was held last week. In attendance were community guard Tom Daly and Seargant Alan Kissane who again praised our garda text scheme which has proved very successful. They also informed us that there is now a 24 hour service in Kilmacthomas Garda Station. Also present were members from the Portlaw, Dunhill and Kilmacthomas groups. Invited guests on the night were historian Julian Walton who spoke about the history of Curraghmore and our own local author Karen Power who spoke of her entry into the world of novel writing. The group will meet again in a few weeks and they have asked that we spread the word about the group and encourage our neighbours and friends to attend.

 

Reunion of Champions.

On Saturday October 7th at 9.30pm in The Clodagh Lounge, Portlaw there will be a special celebration and reunion night of the 1977 Portlaw team who were crowned Senior Hurling County Champions in that year. Of course three of that team emigrated down here to Kilmeaden to live and so we are delighted to see them being honoured. Of course I do have a personal reason for mentioning this as my own dad Noel O Sullivan was part of the team as was Paddy Henebry of Stonehouse and of course not forgetting the late great Tom Cheasty. We look forward to a special night with music by Noddy and light refreshments served.