Kilmeaden Beauty
Heartiest congratulations to Kilmeadens own Katie Keogh who last week won the title of Miss Waterford. Katie was persuaded to enter the competition as a representative of Coach House Coffee in Kilmacthomas and did so thinking it would be good fun and a good experience. She was in shock when she was announced as the overall winner. I have known Katie for a number of years and to me she radiates beauty both inside and out.I know her parents and brothers and sisters are very proud of her and of course her gorgeous niece Erica will be able to give lots of tips for hair and make up as I met her the other day sporting some great blue hair extensions. We wish Katie the very best for the future and hope that she enjoys the whole experience and adventure.
Graveyard Mass.
Our annual graveyard mass in Ballyduff cemetery will take place on Wednesday July 3rd at 7.30pm. This always draws a large crowd and we ask you to please let those outside the parish who have relatives or friends buried here know about the mass. If you are visiting your loved ones grave in the coming days to perhaps freshen up flowers etc please bring along a bin bag or box with you so you can take home any rotten flowers, wreaths etc. We do not have bins at our graveyard and work hard to keep it looking clean and tidy.
Tractor Run.
Our local Kilmeaden Vintage Tractor Club are pleased to announce that they will hold their annual tractor run on Sunday July 21st. This is always one of favourite days out in the year and it always draws a crowd. The run will leave from Haughtons at 1pm and will then follow a beautiful scenic route. Following their arrival back two Haughtons, the barbeque will be on the go and there will be lots of chat going and maybe a lemonade or two. All proceeds every year goes to The Solas Centre and we are all aware of the wonderful work they do every day of the year. If you would like any other information about the run please call 087-2216589.
Running Shoes.
A big well done to all from our locality who took part in Viking Marathon, half marathon and quarter marathon last weekend. We also had locals who headed off to Cork to take part in the Iron Man. Well done also to my own husband Brian and his teamates from The Village Wheelerswho took part in The Tour of the Burren cycle.
Fantastic Achievement!
A big well done to local boy Charlie Laffan who travelled to Bratislava last week to take part in the WUKF World Karate championships. Charlie is a member of the Pat Rockett Karate and Kickboxing academy and he competed brilliantly in his age group. There were 38 competitors n his group and Charlie emerged as 5th in the world in his group. This really is a fantastic achievement at the tender age of just 12 and we congratulate Charlie.
The Pat Rockett academy returmed home with 9 Gold,2 Silver and 15 bronze World medals which is just fantastic. Well done again Charlie we are all so proud of you.
GAA News.
In the Intermediate hurling championship Ballyduff had a good win over St. Saviours on a scoreline of 2-24 to 2-10. There was a great display of hurling with some fantastic scores. A big thank you to all the supporters who cheered them on . They remain unbeaten at this stage.
It has been a busy time in the Juvenile Section with the U8’s playing a couple of blitz competitions and have done very well and have had lots of fun. The U11’s continue to battle through a difficult league. The U10 hurlers were defeated by Portlaw but were missing some players. The U14 girls put in a stellar performance and narrowly missed out on the County Final.
There was a great day in Ballyduff N.S last Wednesday with a visit from the great Kevin Moran. Kevin dropped into present the victorious U11 hurlers with their medals and also to the boys and girls who were winners and runners up in the lunchtime league. The club would like to acknowledge the work put in during the year by Mr. Stapleton, Mr. Carey and Ms. Sinnott and Ms. Power for facilitating this. The relationship between the club and school is very strong and that can only benefit the school, club and kids. Mr. Carey took lots of photos so there will be plenty available to have a look at.
Bundle of Joy
We send our warmest congratulations to Ballyduff N.S teacher Karen Power and her husband John Paul Browne on the recent birth of their beautiful baby daughter Mia. We welcome Mia into the world and look forward to meeting her. We wish the happy little family every happiness for the future.
Graduation Day
As I write these notes I am just home from the 6th class graduation mass and celebration. It was a very emotional night and a wonderful night of memories. My own son Adam was one of the students graduating and it is my own time to finish with primary school.
The night began with a beautiful mass celebrated by Fr. O Byrne and each of the students played a part in the mass. The St. Nicholas’s church choir joined the students and sang beautifully throughout the mass. Their principal Ms. Power spoke to the students and congratulated them on being such a great class and such a good example to the younger students. Each student was presented with a lovely certificate and then it was back to their school hall to enjoy some lovely refreshments thanks to the parents and the wonderful Parents Council. A big thank you to all who baked and donated cakes and a special thank you to Martina in Milestone Coffee House who donated some lovely cakes. The students then received a new red hoodie with their fellow classmates names on them and I must say they looked fantastic. Mr. Carey really got the emotions going when he showed a video collection of photos from the last 8 years. It really was a wonderful night for a great bunch of kids. A big thank to Mr. Carey who made their last year so special and to all the school staff who have made their time in primary school comfortable and hassle free. As a former pupil of Ballyduff NS I have always said that we are very lucky to have such a brilliant school with lots of opportunities and great facilities. It has been an honour to send my two children to Ballyduff NS and I hope that all the students of 2018/2019 go on to have more wonderful years in secondary school. Thank you Ballyduff NS for all the memories and friendship and for giving our children the best possible start in life.