Raffle Thanks, Memorial Run and Sympathies

Raffle Thanks.

The organisers of the recent “Home to Rome” raffle have asked me to say a very big thank you to all who supported them on the day. They greatly appreciated all your generosity and also the kindness of the prize sponsors . Much thanks also to the staff and management of Centra in Kilmeaden for allowing the ticket selling at their premises. The lucky winners on the day were Ann Doherty, Kilkenny, Ava Spillane, Kilmeaden and Hannah Duffy, Butlerstown.

The Curry family have been overwhelmed by the support they have received to date for their charity cycle. Arthur and his son Jordan intend to cycle from Ballyduff Village to Rome in memory of Arthur’s late mother the wonderful Cait Curry who was a very highly regarded member of our community. Her wish was to visit Rome but never got the chance and so they plan to travel there in her honour. The family have decided to take the opportunity to raise money for The Hospice. Throughout Cait’s illness the family got to see first hand the tremendous work that the Hospice do and the support they give to both the patient and their family so wanted to do something to show their appreciation. If you would like to support this charity event please go to the go fund page gofundme.com/home-to-rome-2018


GAA News.

Ballyduff Lower GAA club are about to commence work on a huge development in the grounds in Kildermody. The work will consist of the construction of a ball wall, astroturf, lighting, running track and other improvements. The work is due to commence in two weeks and could be finished by September. The total cost of the works will be close to €120,000. The club have managed to secure a capital sports grant of almost €60,000. The club will soon announce their plans for fundraising for this fabulous development which will benefit the entire community. Full details will follow shortly.


Memorial Run.

The Liz Hayes annual memorial 5 mile fun run will take place on Friday August 11th. Walkers will head off at 6.45pm and the runners will go at 7.30pm. Entry is €10 or €5 for students and juniors. Se2 have kindly come on board again to sponsor cash prizes for the first three males and females and for the first male and female over 40 and 50. The first male and female juniors will also receive a prize and there will be lots of spot prizes on the night too. The first male and female home will also be presented with the Liz Hayes trophy. The West Waterford AC club will take care of race timings. Following the run there will be a fine array of refreshments on offer in the community centre, followed by the prize giving.


Newcastle Mass

The annual Newcastle cemetery mass will take place on Tuesday July 24th at 7.30pm. In memory of our ancestors who walked to mass every week, a faith walk will leave from Ballyduff church at 6.30pm and head for Newcastle. The group of walkers will carry with them a 300 year old chalice which will be used during the mass.

 


Tractor Run

The Kilmeaden Vintage Tractor club will host their annual tractor run on Sunday July 22nd. The tractors will head off from Haughtons at 1pm and take off on a beautiful scenic route and then it’s back to Haughtons for a tasty barbeque and some great music from our own John O Shea. This is always a brilliant day with all money raised going to the Solas Cancer Support Centre. If you would like any more information please contact 087-2216589.


Sympathies.

We extend our deepest sympathies to Peggy O Shea and Nancy O Sullivan on the recent death of their sister Kitty Dunne. My aunty Kitty lived in Dublin but always kept in regular touch with everything going on back in Kilmeaden. She was a huge part of all our lives and we shall miss her deeply. We pray that her gentle soul now rests in peace and that she enjoys the peace and comfort of heaven.

Mass Thanks, Time to Tee Off and Tractor Run

Bridge News.

Our local Ballyduff/Portlaw bridge club enjoyed their annual Summer party last Monday. They started off the night brilliantly with a lovely meal in The Sweep bar and restaurant. It was then back to the school hall for their weekly game of bridge and the results were as follows:

1st: Peggy Murphy and Mary Prendergast.

2nd: Geraldine McMahon and Breda Murphy.

3rd: Anna Ryan and Ann Tobin.

4th:Mary Shanahan and Michael O Donovan.


Mass Thanks.

What a beautiful sunny evening we had for our annual graveyard mass. A great crowd attended in the sunshine to offer their prayers for all who are buried in our graveyard. As always the graveyard looks beautiful and Fr. Mick gave special praise to Michael(Jnr) Power for taking such great care of the grounds all year through. A special mention must also go to our very hardworking sacristan Ann Nolan who does such tremendous work day in and day out. The choir added beautifully to the mass with some very well chosen hymns.

I was delighted to see so many people come to the community centre afterwards for a cuppa and a chat. A big thank you to all those who gave me a hand on the night and to all who donated buns and cakes. It was a lovely evening and a great show of community support.


GAA Lotto.

The numbers drawn in the latest lotto draw were 1, 11, 17 and 25. There was no jackpot winner but the three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Tommy O Brien, Margaret Power and Paul Dunne. The next draw will take place on Monday July 16th and there will be a fantastic jackpot of €11,000 on offer. Tickets cost just €2 each or 3 for €5 and are available from all committee members and will also be on sale outside Centra on Saturday July 14th. Get your ticket early and choose those four numbers wisely.


Time To Tee Off.

Our local soccer club will swap their soccer ball for golf balls when they head off for their annual Golf Classic on July 20th and 21st. This is always a very popular day out with a game of golf on the beautiful Waterford Golf Course followed by a delicious meal. A team of 4 costs €120 so book your team in. For more information please contact Paddy Kirk.

 


Junior Cul Camp

Ballyduff GAA club will host a Junior Cul Camp for boys and girls under the age of 6 from July 23rd to 27th in tandem with the GAA Cul Camps. The camp will run from 10am to 1pm at a cost of €25. If you think your child would be interested you can register and pay with camp co-ordinator Brian Hearne.


Tractor Run

The Kilmeaden Vintage Tractor Club will host their annual tractor run on Sunday July 22nd. There is always a fine display of machines on this run and they will leave from Haughtons at 1pm and take in a beautiful scenic route. All money raised on the day will go to the Solas Cancer Support Centre so if you would like any more information please call 087 2216589.


Fantastic Success

We send our heartiest congratulations to Jake Bagge, Adamstown who travelled recently to Gyor in Hungary with the Estonian team to take part in the European U18 championships. Jakes mam Ave is Estonian which makes Jake eligible for the team. The championships were hugely successful for Jake as he returned home the winner of both the 800m and the 1500m. Jakes parents Ave and Ivor are hugely proud of his achievement as I am sure all the family are.


Walk and Talk

Our local nursery and academy section of Ballyduff GAA club like to do their bit to help promote positive mental health. With this in mind they will host a walk and talk event on Saturday July 14th leaving from Haughtons at 11am. They will travel along our lovely greenway and take in the nice scenery enjoying each others company. Sponsorship cards are available from any committee member or you can simply donate on the day. This is the only fundraiser this group have all year and use the money raised to give this talented little group of players a nice trip out. This is a lovely community event so come along and join in the fun. Light refreshments will be kindly provided by Gerry and Margaret O Connell who are fabulous supporters of the juvenile section.


Popes Visit

Some people have been enquiring about how to get tickets for the Popes visit. Tickets for the final mass at the Phoenix Park are available online at www.worldmeeting2018.ie/tickets


Birthday Girl

We wish a very happy 70th birthday to Eleanor O Brien, Ballyduff Village who celebrated her big day recently. Eleanor was surprised by all her buddies in our local choir with a lovely birthday cake and a very tuneful Happy Birthday. I’m sure her husband Jim and all the family will have made sure that she was spoiled well and were on hand to help her celebrate.


GAA News

Our young teams have been very busy of late and the future of the club is certainly looking bright. The U7 hurlers travelled to Ballygunner and played some very competitive games. A great crowd of supporters showed up and were treated to some brilliant hurling.

The U8 footballers hosted a blitz and welcomed teams from Roanmore, Rathgormack and St. Mollerans. There was some fantastic skill on show with the Ballyduff lads coming out on top. Ballyduff were delighted to welcome some new players who are really looking forward to playing some more games. The supporters were on hand again to cheer the team on and thanks also to Cathal for refereeing the games.

The U13/14 hurlers were also in action recently. The U 13’s had a great win over Passage while the U14’s went down to a very strong Ballygunner side. Both teams played at a very high level and gave the very best of themselves.

 


Your Notes

Keep in contact with everyone over the Summer months through these notes letting everyone know what is going on in your club or organisation. Send birthday wishes, congratulations, condolences, thanks, wish the cat well whatever you like. You are welcome to contact me on 087 9838392 or spillanelinda2017@gmail.com or as I have said before stop me for a chat( I’m an expert at that). Look forward to hearing from you

Graveyard Mass, Amazing Success and Home to Rome.

Bridge News
The Ballyduff/Portlaw bridge club held their latest game on Monday June 25th and the winners were:

1st: Anne Kennedy and John Fitzpatrick.

2nd:Nano Fitzgerald and Geraldine McMahon

3rd: Breda Cowman and Mary Kennedy.

4th: Joan Hartley and Mary O Brien.


Graveyard Mass

Our annual graveyard mass will take place in Ballyduff cemetery this Wednesday July 4th at 7.30pm. I ask you to please spread the word to people in other areas who have relatives buried here and would like to attend the mass. If you are visiting your family grave during the week to put some fresh flowers on or give a tidy up to we ask you to please bring a bag with you and take home any dead flowers or wreaths with you as there is a strict no dumping policy in the graveyard.

Following the mass we will have a cuppa and refreshments in the community centre. This is always a lovely chance for people to have a chat and meet up with people they may not have seen for a while. If you would like to donate a few buns or biscuits please give me Linda Spillane a shout on 087-9838392 or I will be in the hall that evening from about 6.30pm.


Schools Out

The pupils and staff of Ballyduff N.S and Jelly Tots playschool finished up for their Summer holidays last week and we wish each and every one of them a very happy and safe Summer full of laughter and fun. To all our 6th class young men and women we wish them the very best of everything as they head off to secondary school but they have a whole Summer to enjoy first.


Tractor Run

The Kilmeaden Vintage Tractor club will hold their annual charity tractor run on Sunday July 22nd. They will head off from Haughtons at 1pm on the day and take in a lovely scenic route. The club do this every year to raise money for The Solas Cancer Support Centre and have raised a phenomenal amount of money over the years for the charity. This is always a much looked forward to event and is always a great day out so if you would like any further information please contact 087 2216589.


Ballyduff Youth Drama

Ballyduff Youth Drama are pleased to announce that they will put on another production this year. The group cater for boys and girls from 5th and 6th classes from the Ballyduff/Kilmeaden areas. Rehearsals will begin on September 10th and end in February. The cost of insurance per child is €15 and although registration night has taken place you can contact Helen Millea, Joan Cheasty or Eleanor Foley if your child is interested in joining.


Amazing Success.

Congratulations to all the guys from Ballyduff NS who were the glorious winners in the Division 2 section of the Waterford Primary Schools Football League 2018. The guys returned victorious with the Jack Kennedy Memorial Cup. This was a huge achievement for the lads and their teacher John Carey who put in a huge effort. A big well done to all the parents who attended and gave the lads the encouragement and praise they so richly deserved. This was a very special day for the lads and a just reward for their committment and dedication. We are all very proud of them all.


Home To Rome.

Speaking recently to Arthur Curry(Jnr) he tells me that he and his son Jordan are very busy organising and training for their planned cycle from Ballyduff to Rome. The family saw first hand the fantastic work being done by the Waterford Hospice when their mother Cait fell ill and unfortunately died last year. Cait was a very well known lady in our parish and was loved by all who met her. One of her regrets was that she never got to go to Rome so Arthur and Jordan decided to carry out her wish for her and at the same time show their gratitude to the Hospice by raising money for them. The guys plan to leave Ballyduff on August 4th carrying two momentos of Cait’s which they will have blessed in Rome and bring home to her grave.

Watch out for upcoming fundraising events and I would also like to make you aware of the go fund me page where you might wish to donate www.gofundme.com/home-to-rome-2018