Monthly Archives: January 2021

All Star Success, Waterford Business Awards and Message from Fr. Richard

Family Birthdays

We send happy birthday wishes to Frankie McGrath, Ballygarron on his recent birthday and also to his daughter Majella who also celebrated her birthday during the same week. We hope that they both enjoyed their special days and wish them both many more happy birthdays.

All Star Success
We congratulate our local hurler supreme Calum Lyons on his All Star nomination. This is so well deserved after the wonderful performances he gave to his Waterford team throughout the season. It was a much different year for hurling this year and Calum adapted well and gave 100% commitment and dedication to the management and coaching staff as well as to his team. This news of this nomination must have been a wonderful proud moment for Calum and his family who have always been a huge support to him.

Collection Continues
Our local soccer club are at present hosting a fundraising clothes collection. If you are having a good clear out of your presses and wardrobes while locked down at home and are wondering where to brings those items to to izryekg which are no longer of use, a little too tight or too loose if you are lucky or items which are a bit tired looking and need replacing. Ballyduff AFC will accept clothes,towels, blankets, bed linen, curtains, soft toys, shoes and handbags. Please place items in bags and drop to the dressing rooms at Ballyduff AFC any day between the hours of 11am and 4pm. This collection will run until around Valentines weekend so make room ladies because you know how our men will want to spoil us for Valentines. If you have some bags for the collection but do not have transport or are unable to be out and about please contact myself Linda Spillane on 087 9838392 and I will arrange for them to be collected.

 

Waterford Business Awards
Waterford Chambers have once again partnered with WLR and Dungarvan and West Waterford to present the Waterford Business Awards. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase wonderful businesses especially after such a difficult year for all those in my retail and hospitality. Each of the ten categories have now been shortlisted and I am delighted to see two local connections in those shortlists.

Shortlisted in the Tourism Activity/ Attraction of the Year Category is Waterford and Suir Valley Railway. I spoke to Maria Kyte about being shortlisted and she said “The Waterford Suir Valley railway crew are honoured and delighted to be short listed for the Waterford Business Awards. 2020 was challenging for everyone. The work place was very different. We were very fortunate to be able to operate for the Summer months as many enjoyed the railway experience and many more stopped at Kilmeaden station on Waterford Greenway. This app tis an acknowledgment of the effort put in by the whole crew to ensure all visitors to Kilmeaden aa station were in a safe sanitised environment.

Shortlisted in the Customer Service Excellence Category is the Fresh Food Courtyard in Dungarvan m which is owned mob popular Portlaw man Jimmy Burrows. I spoke to Jimmy and he said “We are delighted and honoured to be shortlisted in the Customer Service category of the Waterford Business awards. It is a great achievement for myself and the team at Fresh Food Courtyard ”
The winners will be announced
during a live virtual event on February 26th which will be live-streamed. The winners of each of the ten categories will then go head to head to claim the overall Waterford Business of the Year Award. This year there is a special entrepreneur of the year award sponsored by the Faithlegg Hotel. The winner of this award will be chosen by the judging panel and will only be revealed during the live-stream.

 

Message from Fr. Richard

” Dear Friends,

As our Christmas season ends for another year, on behalf of Fr. Mick and I extend to all our Parishioners and friends our sincere thanks for your support and generosity over Christmas.

Due to the ongoing pandemic Christmas was very different this year compared to any other. We asked you to consider celebrating Christmas mass over a number of days, not just Christmas Eve and Day. While this may have been very strange and not quite the same everyone still responded wholeheartedly and understood what we were trying to do in our effort to keep people safe and healthy.
Families made decisions to observe their faith celebrations for the good of all the community and as a family of Faith , we did celebrate safely and beautifully, the Mystery of the word made flesh the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Everyone who wanted to observe Christmas within their parish churches were able to do so and no one had to be turned away. This was made possible by the care and responsibility we showed one another and the great work of our sacristans and stewards. Added to this, many gave their time to care, prepare and cleanse our churches making them safe and beautiful as always for our celebrations. To all who who made this possible we are very thankful to you.
As always the Christmas collection for the support of the priests of the Parish and Diocese was taken up and you did not leave us down. Thank you for your kindness and thoughtfulness which you show us in many ways. On behalf of Fr. Mick and I and all our colleagues in the diocese we want to say how grateful we are.
We continue to face the challenge and worry of COVID 19 but we shall rise as always to that challenge. We shall continue to care and watch out for each other and trust in the presence and love of God in our lives. He will not leave us down. May we all trust in the love of God for the New Year ahead.
Fr. Richard

Ballyduff AFC and GAA News

Ballyduff AFC
Have you been clearing out those wardrobes and presses and wondering where you are going to bring these unwanted items. Ballyduff AFC are now hosting a clothes collection. You can bring your unwanted items to the club dressing rooms any day between 11am and 4pm. The items included are clothes, curtains, bed clothes, towels, blankets, soft toys, handbags and shoes. Drop along your unwanted items to the dressing rooms and please follow the COVID guidelines in place.

GAA News

There have been many changes to various events and activities being held by clubs and organisations. Many things have had to be cancelled while some are just postponed. The Get Ireland Walking campaign has been postponed until February but the Irish Life step challenge will go ahead. All you have to do to get started is to download the app and get registered and then the beauty of this challenge is that we can all get our steps done within our own 5km. Walking of course is not just beneficial for body and soul, it is so important for our mental health. In the times we are living in it is great to get out and clear our heads and blow away the cobwebs. Get involved in the challenge and you will not only be benefiting yourself but also as we add all our steps together our club have a chance to win €2500 worth of kit. Time to step it out Julia!!
Tickets are now available for the GAA National Draw from any committee members or through the club’s Facebook page. Tickets are just €10 and you could be in with a chance to win a Renault Clio and many other fantastic prizes. Please remember that all money raised stays within your club and with fundraising events curtailed at the moment support from this draw is vital for the club.

Chef Supreme, Ballyduff GAA and Ballyduff AFC

Chef Supreme!
While watching Neven Maguires cookery programme on television last week, it was lovely to see a familiar local face pop up on screen. Chef Nicky Foley welcomed Neven to his tapas and wine bar in the centre of Dingle. Nicky demonstrated two separate fish dishes, pollock kievs and a lovely dish using beautiful fresh scallops. Neven Maguire remarked how he could listen to Nicky speaking all day and described him as a fantastic chef. Nicky is of course the son of Greta Foley, Ballyduff West and I’m sure she and all the family were watching in with great pride. We wish Nicky continued success.

Ballyduff GAA.
Ballyduff GAA club will once again take part in the Ireland Lights Up campaign this year. The GAA in partnership with Operation Transformation and Get Ireland Walking have once again come together but have had to change things around this year due to obvious reasons. This year there is a double incentive to get involved. The club is joining the Irish Life app steps challenge so you are not just walking for your own physical and mental health but also to help out your club. The goal is to help your club walk the equivalent of 4000km over 8 weeks and when the club reaches its target they are entered into a draw for O Neill vouchers to be won for each province. Participants must be 18 years and over and there are just three simple steps to signing up. Step one is to download the app, step two register and step three select your challenge.

Ballyduff AFC.
Our local soccer club are hosting a fundraising scrap collection and invite you to bring along your scrap during any of the times below. The gates will be open Monday to Friday from 10am to 1.30pm and from 6pm to 9pm. They will also be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 4pm. If you would like any further information please contact 0872764884. Please note that electric items, glass and washing machines are not allowed.

Raffle Time, Recent Deaths and New Year Wishes

RAFFLE TIME

The Ballyduff Community Hall Redevelopment committee would like to thank all who supported their Christmas raffle. They would like to thank Centra in Kilmeaden who allowed them to sell the tickets outside the shop. They were delighted with the support they received and were very grateful to all who supported them. A fantastic amount of €646.59 was raised and the committee would like to thank everyone who bought raffle tickets. The lucky winner on the day was my own mother Nancy O Sullivan, Matthews Cross and she was thrilled to receive a fantastic hamper full of lots of Christmas treats.

CHRISTMAS ENGAGEMENT

We send our congratulations and warm wishes to David Kenny from Newtown who recently announced his engagement to Christine O Halloran. This lovely couple are building their beautiful home at the moment in Newtown and I’m sure they are looking forward to getting into their new home and mixing with their lovely neighbours.We wish David and Christine every good wish for their future lives together.

RECENT DEATHS.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Margaret Carlin, Ballyduff on the recent death of her sister Dolores Walsh, Portlaw. Dolores was a lady of great strength of character, a lady of great faith and a lady who adored her family and loved having them around her. Dolores wasn’t dealt the easiest of lives healthwise but never complained or moaned. She just carried out her life with great dignity, grateful for every opportunity she had and always had a welcome chat for everyone. She loved spending time with the family, young and old and loved hearing about their lives. She will be greatly missed by her brothers Philip, Michael and Pat and her sisters Cait, Margaret, Bernie and Martina and the extended family and her many friends but she will also be missed by the people of Portlaw. Dolores’s funeral mass took place in St. Patrick’s Church in Portlaw followed by burial in the adjoining graveyard. We pray that her gentle soul now rests in peace and that her family will find comfort in the memories of their happy times together.
We also extend our sympathies to Noel Reid, his wife Lorraine(nee Whelan) and their children Bobby, Ben and Neasa on the recent death of Noel’s mother. Mary Reid of Garrygaug, Piltown was predeceased by her husband Jim. She is survived by her daughter Miriam, her sons Thomas, Stephen, Michael, Shay, P.J, Noel and David, son in law, daughters in law, her brothers Liam, Dave and Jim and her 20 adoring grandchildren. Her funeral mass took place in The Church of the Assumption, Templeorum with burial in the adjoining cemetery. We pray that she is now at rest and that her family will find comfort in their memories.

BIRTHDAY TIME

It wasn’t only Christmas that John Kearns from Fan Glas had to look forward to this year but also his 50th birthday celebrations. I have no doubt at all that his wife Leanne and his sons Conor, Ciaran and Finn made sure that he celebrated in style.
Well known Kilmeaden lady Anna Whelan from Gortaclode also celebrated her 80th birthday during the festive season. Anna celebrated her day with a lovely meal with some family and I know that I can speak on behalf of the people of our parish and wish her many more wonderful birthdays to come and thank her for all the great work she does in our parish.
We also celebrated two milestone birthdays in my own family during the Christmas season so I run the risk of being thrown out of the family by mentioning them here but I always liked a challenge so here goes!! My lovely niece Jessica O’Leary from Kilmagemogue celebrated her 30th birthday on New Years Eve. Unfortunately she wasn’t able to celebrate in the style she would have liked but her friends and family made sure that she was spoiled and I have no doubt that the celebrations will continue for a few months to come. On New Years Day my dad Noel O Sullivan, Matthews Cross celebrated his 80th birthday. I know it’s hard to believe that he could possibly be 80 when he flies around the place like a young fella. Dad enjoyed his day with the family and receiving calls from his sisters and family.

CARING BETWEEN THE AGES.

The children and staff at Jelly Tots were very busy before Christmas making their cards and decorations but they still managed to take time out to think of others and give a little bit of time to cheer up those who may not get to see their family for Christmas. The children put together some lovely care packages for residents of various nursing homes around the country. These were accepted by An Post and sent off for free. Each package contained some treats and gifts for the residents to show them that they were being thought of. What a wonderful thing for the children to do and for their teachers and parents to encourage. They will carry this kindness and thoughtfulness throughout their lives and will also show a fantastic example to all that they meet along the way. Kindness is a wonderful gift to receive but also to give.

CHURCH NEWS

It was lovely to see so many attend our Christmas masses and to see some familiar faces back home to be with their families. Fr. Mick explained to everyone the new method of paying our local priests. In previous years the Christmas and Easter collection, money from station masses, christenings, weddings etc all went into a central diocesan fund and from this each priest in the diocese was paid his annual wage, however due to decline in numbers and the Covid pandemic etc this central fund will now finish. From this Christmas on, each parish will now have their own parish fund and from this they will pay their own priests in their own parish. Fr Richard and Fr. Mick know how lucky they are and are very grateful for the kindness and support they have always received here in Ballyduff and Portlaw. They understand that there are a lot of financial demands on you all but they ask that you will be as generous as possible.
If you would like to book an anniversary mass for a loved one for the months of January or February then please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392 or drop me an email on spillanelinda2017@gmail.com If you have a months mind or first anniversary during these times please get in touch asap so that I can get you your prefered date.
Once again a huge congratulations and thank you to all who helped to decorate our church for Christmas. Beautiful floral and candle arrangements adorned the altar  and the windows, fairy lights twinkled on the Christmas tree as the candles flickered on the Advent wreath. Central of course to the whole altar was our beautiful crib. It always lifts my heart when I see little children looking into the crib and pointing out all that they see. I have always kept up the tradition given to me by my mother which she received many years ago. I take a small piece of straw from the crib and put it in my purse for the year and the Lord will see that I will not be in want. I am not a millionaire but thank god I have all that I need.
As we enter into the New Year we have exciting times ahead, our church will celebrate its 200th birthday and we want to mark the occasion and give thanks for such a beautiful place. Fr. Mick has asked me to start gathering some ideas on how to celebrate so get  your thinking caps on and let me know any ideas you may have.

YOUR NOTES

We start into another year and I look forward to writing your local notes once again. I have really enjoyed working with all the clubs, individuals and organizations over the past few years and I hope that they will continue to trust me with their notes and of course new people are always welcome. If you would like to include anything in the notes please send them on to me at spillanelinda2017@gmail.com or at 087 9838392. If you could send them on by a Thursday night please it would be great. As you know these local notes are a fantastic way to get your message across and let the community know about your club, organization, charity event, tell people about special birthdays, anniversaries, births, engagements, weddings and all family celebrations.So get in touch.

NEW YEAR WISHES

Once again we find ourselves heading into a new year with Covid following us but however this year we have vaccinations and boosters and we are hopeful that there is a light appearing at the end of the tunnel . We must try to enter the New Year with positivity and keep in mind all that is good in our lives. As we pack up last year there are many things we have learned during 2021 that we must now bring with us into 2022, kindness, patience, gratefulness, importance of family, faith and mindfulness. I wish each and every one of you the very best that life has to offer I hope that you always know love
and kindness in your lives, the hand of friendship, the courage to face what is placed before you, the joy and company of friends and family and may you always remember that there is always someone to listen.
I thank all the people in my life who make every year special. I am very grateful for all the wonderful people who surround me every day. I thank all who contribute to these notes and I look forward to continuing to work with you in 2022. If you have any nice local photos please send them on also and share the beauty of our community with everyone. Ag tabhairt gach slainte agus sonas maith duit don bhliain nua.

Christmas Visitor, School News and New Year Wishes

Christmas Visitor
We are truly blessed in our parish to have two wonderful men as priests of our Parish. During what has been a very strange and worrying year for everyone Fr. Richard and Fr. Mick have gone above and beyond to offer comfort and support. Our Parish Facebook page has been a real comfort to everyone. The daily and weekend masses, the Angelus and readings and reflections have kept up people’s positivity.
Faced with the restrictions imposed upon Christmas masses etc our priests once again stepped up and made arrangements for several masses over Christmas week to cater for everybody. Our church looked so beautiful with our Christmas tree, crib, advent wreath, flowers and candles. We give great thanks for the work of our extremely dedicated sacristan Ann Nolan who looks after our church with great care and love every day of the year.
Our church was so welcoming and inviting that a small wren took up residence in the church for the few days before Christmas. Finding room at the inn he took up residence and before Christmas morning mass he zoomed around the church but once mass began he perched himself on the Christmas tree where he stayed until mass was over. Ann then opened up all the doors so that he could make his exit but he had plans to visit the sacristy and decided to stay until St. Stephen’s Day.

Ballyduff GAA

Ballyduff GAA club would like to wish everyone a very happy New Year. They would like to express their gratitude to all the players, parents and volunteers for their fantastic efforts throughout 2020 which was a tough year for everyone. The club will continue to support the community in every way possible and they look forward to positive days ahead. For those of you who have been watching from the sideline let 2021 be the year you makeyy a contribution and get involved in club activity in some small way. A job no matter how small it is can make a difference to the smooth running of the club.
The club would like to offer their sympathies with to all those in the community who have lost a loved one during the year. Hopefully 2021 will bring brighter days.

 

School News
It was most definitely the end of an era in Ballyduff NS as everyone looked forward to the school Christmas holidays they also were getting ready to say goodbye to Vice Principal Mary Brennan who had decided to retire after 38 years in Ballyduff. A beautiful staff mass was held and was attended by present staff as well as some faces from the past including Pat Flynn, Ellen Kirby, Killian O Reilly, Winnie Foran and Eileen O Leary. The staff presented Mary with a beautiful photographic memory book with many photos from down through the years. Mary has given many years of commitment and dedication to our school and she will be missed greatly. We all wish Mary the very best of luck for the future and hope that her retirement is full of happiness and good times.

 

Ballyduff AFC
Ballyduff AFC are hosting a fundraising scrap collection over the next few weeks. You can drop your electrical items(washing machines and glass not included) to the soccer field. The gates are open during the following hours. Every weekday from 10am to 1.30pm and from 6pm to 9pm. You can also drop on a Saturday or Sunday between 10am and 4pm. If you would like any more information please contact 087 2764884.

New Year Wishes
Without a shadow of a doubt 2020 has been a year most people would like to wipe from their memories and at present the worries and the fears that we faced early in 2020 remain with us as we live within restrictions and cancellations. I believe that as we face into a New Year we have to do so with hope and optimism because without these we might as well throw in the towel now and just give up. Spreading a smile and positivity will not only enhance our lives but also those around us and
those we meet or speak with.
I want to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you every good wish and blessing for the coming year. I hope that you search for that little positive in each day. Take in the beauty around us and get out and enjoy it if you can. Find the beauty and comfort in a simple phone call or the writing of a letter. Remember that you are never alone there is always someone who is willing to help all you have to do is let them. We will get through this and hopefully the full brightness of a New Year will soon shine and we will look back and say we made it through together .
Go mbeidh do bhliain nua slaintiuil, sona agus geal.