Monthly Archives: February 2019

Communion Preparation, Date for Diary and Birthday Boy

GAA Lotto

The numbers drawn in the latest lotto draw were 6, 13, 18 and 19.

There was no winner of the jackpot and the three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Jimmy Fortune, Eileen Power and Eoin Kiely. The next draw will take place on February 24th and will have a jackpot of €12,500. Tickets are just €2 each or three for €5 and can be purchased from any committee member and will be on sale at Centra on Saturday February 23rd. Choose your four numbers carefully and you could get your hands on that fantastic jackpot.

Get Walking

Our local GAA club have joined forces with Operation Transformation and Getirelandwalking.ie and have opened up their facilities to the local community. If you would like to enjoy a nice healthy walk in the company of many others then drop along to Ballyduff GAA grounds on Thursday February 21st from 7pm to 9pm. You can enjoy your walk in a safe and relaxing environment. The club would like to thank all those who have joined in this community event during the past few weeks and look forward to meeting old and new friends this week.

Recent Death

We extend our deepest sympathy to Liza O Neill, Matthews Cross on the recent death of her beloved father. Mr. Leonard O Neill was the last Waterford Hobbler. Working hard all his life from the young age of 14, Leonard fished on the estuary and worked as a hobbler on the city docks. He travelled the world with the merchant navy and Irish shipping. His knowledge of the river and its ships was second to none and he passed that love of the sea to his children and grandchildren.

His family meant the world to him and he loved nothing better than being in their company. His wife Peggy was the love of his life and they enjoyed over 50 years of wedded bliss together. I had the pleasure of being in Leonards company many times and he was a wonderful conversationalist, a man of great dignity and respect and most definetely a true gentleman.

Following Leonards funeral mass in Ballybricken, he was laid to rest in the beautiful Duncannon.I have often heard it said that the voice of the sea speaks to the soul. We pray that his soul will now be at peace and we shall think fondly of him as we listen to the sounds of the sea.

Communion Preparation

The next Do This In Memory preparation mass for the pupils from 2nd class in Ballyduff N.S will take place at 10am on Sunday February 24th . At these masses the children prepare for their First Holy Communion by taking parts in all aspects of the mass. It is also a lovely opportunity for them to interact with the people of the parish and learn from their christian example. The children love participating in the readings, prayers, offertory gifts and bringing around the collection baskets. It is important that they feel part of the church community.

Birthday Boy
I would like to send very special birthday wishes to my baby brother Neil O Sullivan who recently celebrated his 40th birthday. I know that Lily and Harry looked after the singing of happy birthday and of course were on hand to help blow out all those candles.

Date For Diary

A date for you to mark in your diary is Wednesday March 20th which is World Down Syndrome Day. The Waterford and South Kilkenny branch of Down Syndrome Ireland will host a coffee morning at The Sweep Bar from 10am to 12 noon. This is always a very well supported event and always a lovely morning. There will be music from Bim Connors and a fantastic raffle with brilliant prizes up for grabs. I will be reminding you of this event in the coming weeks so contact that group of friends you have been promising to meet up with and meet at The Sweep where you can relax and enjoy while supporting a fantastic charity.

Community Alert

Our local community alert group will host their next meeting on Tuesday February 26th at 8pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. The guest speaker on the night will be Tony Hennessy who is the resident genealogist in the Medieval Museum. Tony will give a presentation entitled Tracing your Family Tree. This is a subject in which there is a lot of interest and Tony himself holds great Kilmeaden roots.

Also during this meeting the annual text alert scheme fee of €5 will be collected. New members are always welcome to join this scheme. If you are unable to attend but would like to add your name to the list please contact myself Linda Spillane on 087 9838392. It is important that we all come together to protect our area and its residents so please come along to the monthly meeting and voice your opinions.

Canaries Success, Get Ireland Walking and Academy Returns

Bridge News

The Ballyduff/Portlaw bridge club played their latest game on Monday February 4th and the results were as follows:

1st:Patsy Roche and Kathleen Collins.

2nd:Sean Hennessy and Nano Fitzgerald.

3rd:John and Elizabeth Mooney.

4th:Anne Marie Brown and Mary Prendergast.

Lourdes Application

Each year our local Lourdes fundraising committee send two people from the parish on the Waterford/Lismore Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. This is a wonderful chance for people to get to go. If you know someone deserving and who would benefit from a visit to this beautiful land please give their name to one of the following Noel O Sullivan, Donal Daly and John O Leary before February17th.

Canaries Success

The deckchairs are all stacked away and the sombreros have been hung up and the Dawn Players have drawn the curtain on this years production of “The Canaries”. The group treated us to four nights of great entertainment and hilarious comedy. Playing to packed houses each night the group delivered fantastic performances and had audiences in hysterics. Each actor and actress excelled in their roles and they really looked the part with the wonderful costumes and make up. The group are backed up by a fabulous backstage and front of house crew and of course are blessed to have the very talented Miriam Daly as director. Miriam gives great committment and dedication to the group and has great insight into each play that she directs.

I have heard so many many excellent reports back about the play and of course the group were delighted with the support they received. The Dawn Players are very generous to other groups in their area. They share their profits with the Parents council of the National school and the community hall redevelopment fund. This is a very generous act of kindness from the Dawn Players and I’m sure the groups are very grateful to receive such a boost to their finances. A big well done to all the cast and crew of Dawn Players and thank you for brightening up the dark wet nights by transporting us to the sunshine and laughter of the Canaries.

Get Ireland Walking

Our local GAA club have teamed up with Operation Transformation and Getirelandwalking and are opening up their well lit facilities to all the community. Every Thursday night up until February 21st from 7pm to 9pm, the lights will be on and the grounds will be open to all to come along and enjoy a nice healthy walk with famly and friends in a safe environment. This is a perfect opportunity to enjoy a healthy and safe walk and see first hand the fabulous facilities at our local club.

Academy Returns.
The GAA academy with football and hurling for boys and girls aged 4 to 9 years will return on Saturday February 16th at 10.30am in Kildermody. Of course this year there is the new added dimension of the ball wall. There is a €25 registration fee to start and all coaches have been garda vetted and fully trained. This is a great way to get young boys and girls exercising and participating in team activity. It introduces them to the wonderful world of GAA in a safe and relaxing environment.

Off To La La Land!

Ballyduff Youth Drama is made up of boys and girls from 5th and 6th classes and they are about to take to the stage for their production of Alice in La La Land. You are invited to leave reality behind and enter a world of pure imagination on Friday February 15th at 8pm and on Saturday February 16th at 8.15pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. Alice is just like every other little girl who loves to sing and dance especially when she is supposed to be doing her homework. Off she goes to La La Land ruled by the King and Queen of Tarts and makes friends with the Mad Hatter. We follow them on their adventures and see them meet some interesting characters. Tickets are just €10 and can be booked on 087 4046904. The production by this group each year is always one to look forward to and you are guaranteed a great night of music, dance and song.

Panto Time

Our friends in Portlaw Musical Society are in Panto mode and will present their 39th pantomime from Thursday February 14th to Saturday February 16th at 8pm nightly and a matinee performance on Sunday 17th at 3pm. This year they stage Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Portlaw Community Centre is the venue and tickets cost just €12 for adults and €8 for children. You can book your ticket by phoning 086 0519210. This is always a great show and keep your eyes peeled for some familiar Kilmeaden faces on stage

Text Alert Fee, Lourdes Application and Gentle Annie

GAA Lotto
The numbers drawn in the latest lotto draw were 5, 12, 15 and 19. There was no winner of the jackpot prize but the three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Colette Murphy, Brian Cuddihy and Margaret Kennedy. The next draw will take place on February 10th and will have a fantastic jackpot of €12,500 up for grabs. Tickets are just €2 each or three for €5 and are available from committee members and will be on sale at Centra on Saturday February 9th. Choose your lucky four numbers and try your luck.

 

Bridge News

The results of the bridge game played on January 28th were as follows:

1st: Fr. O Byrne and Patsy Roche.

2nd: Mary Kennedy and Kathleen Collins.

3rd: Kate Hayes and Sean Hennessy.

4th: Geraldine McMahon and Nano Fitzgerald.

Text Alert Fee

The text alert scheme run byour local community alert goup is a fantastic way of keeping people up to date with any suspicious activity in their areas or road closures or severe weather conditions. For just €5 each year you can add your mobile number to this list. This payment is now due and can be paid at the next meeting on Tuesday February 26th or can be given to any committee member. Whether you are an existing member or would like to join up you are very welcome. If you would like to give your name, number and €5 to myself Linda Spillane I would be happy to include it for you too.

Lourdes Application

Each year our parish raise funds to send two people to Lourdes as part of the Waterford/Lismore Diocesan Pilgrimage. The closing date for applications is February 17th. If you would like to nominate somebody then please give their name to one of the following Noel O Sullivan, John O Leary or Donal Daly.

World Day of the Sick

Monday February 11th is the Feast of our Lady of Lourdes and World Day of the Sick and we will have a special mass in Ballyduff at 10am. During the mass there will be a special blessing of the sick and all are invited and welcome. Remember we are all sick from time to time so we could all benefit from a blessing. Please come along and if you know of someone who would like to go but maybe needs a lift please offer.

Tidy Towns.

Our local Tidy Towns Group will hold their AGM on Thursday February 7th at 7.30pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. Guest speaker on the night will be Tracy Morrissey, Estates Manager with Waterford County Council. She will talk about development and residential areas. The group would like to express their gratitude to Arthur Curry for once again putting up the Christmas tree lights in the village. I’m sure you will all agree that they were a beautiful enhancement to the area. The group are appealing to you all to come along to the meeting and get involved with your Tidy Towns group. We are all responsible for the beauty and upkeep of our area so we need to work together.

Gentle Annie.

We were all saddened to here of the untimely death of Annie Kirk, Amberhill. Annie was first and foremost a devoted wife, a loving mother, caring grandmother and besotted great grandmother. Annie had a great love of gardening and loved the beauty of watching the flowers bloom. She took great pleasure in spending time with her family and enjoyed nothing better than a good laugh. She and her husband Paddy spent 50 wonderful years as man and wife and were still as much in love as they were all those years ago. Annie will be missed terribly by her family and friends but has left them with wonderful memories. She is now reunited with her beloved daughter Caroline and together they will watch over those dearest to them. We pray that Annie’s gentle soul now rests in peace and offer her heartfelt sympathy to Paddy and all the family.

World day of the Sick, Off to the Canaries and Munster Champion

Bridge News.

The Ballyduff/Portlaw bridge club meet each Monday night in Ballyduff N.S hall. The results are as follows:
1st: Joan Hartley and Mary O Brien.

2nd: Geraldine McMahon and Celia Nugent.

3rd: Anne Kennedy and Aileen Stephenson.

4th: Nano Fitzgerald and Kate Hayes.

Parent and Toddler Group.
Our local Parent and Toddler group meet every Friday morning in Ballyduff Community Centre from 9.30am to 11.30am. All babies toddlers and preschoolers are welcome along with their parents, grandparent, childminder or guardian. I cannot stress how beneficial this group is and has been to both adults and children. It is a wonderful way for parents and guardians to get to know each other and chat with people in a similiar situation. And of course the children have an absolutely ball playing and chatting and meeting their future schoolmates. Drop in enjoy a relaxing cuppa and a chat while the children play happily while developing important social skills

World Day of the Sick.

Monday February 11th is the Feast of our Lady of Lourdes and also World Day of the Sick and there will be a special mass in Ballyduff on Monday morning at 10am with a special blessing for the sick. Now remember that we are all sick from time to time so we are all eligible to receive this blessing. Please come along and may I please suggest that if you are in a position to offer a neighbour or friend a lift then please do so.

GAA News

The club would like to say a big thank you to all who showed up for the first night of their Ireland lights up walking campaign in conjunction with Operation Transformation. This was a great evening for the club and the community and it was lovely to spot all the local faces on the telly. The cameras are gone now but the club will still open up their facilities every Thursday night at 7pm until February 21st. So come along and enjoy a healthy walk, a chat and a laugh in a safe environment.

The Juvenile section of the club will host a meeting for all coaches from the U17 group down in the dressing rooms on Tuesday January 29th at 7.30pm. This meeting is to discuss plans for the year ahead and also to meet with John Quinn of Waterford Coaching and Go Games. If you are not already involved but are interested in helping out come along and talk to the club. New members and coaches are always welcome.

Lourdes Application
Each year our parish offers to send two people to Lourdes as part of the Waterford and Lismore Diocesan Pilgrimage and this year is no exception. If you would like to nominate someone to go please contact John O Leary, Eugene Power, Donal Daly or Noel O Sullivan before February 17th.

Off To The Canaries.

Have you booked your ticket for this years production from Dawn Players Drama Group yet. Well your time is almost up! The group will take to the stage in Ballyduff NS school hall from Wednesday January 30th to Saturday February 2nd at 8pm nightly. This years production “The Canaries” is an hilarious comedy and will most definetely cheer up those January blues. To book a ticket please contact myself Linda on 087 6051309 and enjoy a great nights entertainment.

Text Alert Payment.

Our local community alert group operate a fantastic text alert scheme which sends a text to all its members if there is suspicious activity or sightings within their surrounding areas. It is also a very efficient way of informing people of roadworks or road closures or dangerous weather conditions within the area. The simple fee of just €5 covers your entry for the year and this is now due. If you would like to renew your membership you can bring your €5 along to the next meeting on Tuesday February 26th at 8pm in Ballyduff Community Centre or if you are interested in adding your number to the list please contact myself as Secretary of the group. My number is 087 9838392.

The group would like to say a huge thank you to all who attended the January meeting. It was great to see such large numbers turn up to hear Mr. John Lonergan, former Governor of Mount Joy speak. All agreed that he gave a very interesting speech and we were delighted to be able to host him here in our local area. The community alert group is for all in the community and we hope to see you all at our next meeting also on February 26th. Watch this space for details.

Munster Champion.

We send our heartiest congratulations to Gortaclode lad Scott Searson as he took a Munster Championship medal as part of the U15 Waterford Development squad recently. Waterford oversaw Cork 3-2 to take the title. Scott is a very talented goalie and player and it was very easy to see that he was born to play soccer from a very young age. The passion and dedication he puts into the game is evident to all and it is wonderful to see his efforts being rewarded. Of course he has a great supporters club with his parents Shay and Edel and sister Amber supporting him all the way. I’m pretty sure though that it would be hard to beat the pride of his Grandad the great Jimmy Searson in Ferrybank as he sees his grandson enjoy and excel in a sport he has lived and breathed all his life.

Ballyduff Youth Drama

Ballyduff Youth Drama is made up of students from 5th and 6th classes and they extend a warm invitation to you to come along into a world of pure imagination as they present their production of Alice in La La Land. The play revolves around a young girl called Alice who loves to sing and dance especially when she is supposed to be doing her homework. She escapes to La La Land and makes friends with the Mad Hatter and they head off on a wild adventure meeting many strange creatures and people along the way. I even hear on the grapevine that the King Elvis will be dropping in. The show will take place on Friday February 15th and Saturday February 16th at 8pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. Tickets cost just €10 and are available at rehearsals on Monday nights or by contacting Eleanor on 087 4046904. Please come along and support this wonderful group of young people and the fantastic volunteers who run this each year.

Birthday Lady
We extend our warmest birthday wishes to Nancy Aulsberry, Matthews Cross who celebrated her 90th birthday recently. Nancy celebrated the occasion surrounded by her sons and daughters and extended family. We hope Nancy had a wonderful day and we wish her many more happy and healthy birthdays to come.