Birthday Boy

We send congratulations and warm wishes to Colm Kennedy, Carriganure who recently celebrated his 21st birthday. Like everyone else celebrating milestone birthdays during Covid 19 plans for celebrations had to be changed around but I have no doubt that the Kennedy family made sure that the day was marked well and that Colm knew it was indeed a very special day. Decorations balloons, presents and yummy cake we’re still on the agenda and I have no doubt that Gerry Gillian John and Aoife made sure that Colm had an enjoyable 21st birthday.

Mental Health Workshop

“Let’s talk about mental health” is a live and interactive wellness workshop which will be held on Thursday February 25th at 7pm. Presented by facilitator Bob Carley the workshop will look at measuring and managing your mental health and will provide tips and tools and techniques for taking care of your wellness. The effects and restrictions around Covid 19 have brought mental  health struggles to many and it is important that these problems are not .put to one side but are dealt with and discussed . You can register for free for this workshop on

https://event.webinarjam.com/register/494/mig7rtix

Recent Deaths

We extend our deepest sympathies to Noel Doyle, Ballyduff West on the recent death of his father. Johnny Doyle was a retired publican from the lovely Myshall in Co. Carlow. A man who loved his family especially his grandchildren, he enjoyed his life as a public an chatting and laughing with everyone. He also loved a game of cards and I hear is was vergy good. He also had a great love for greyhounds which he has passed on to his son Noel. Johnny is survived by his children Michael, Thomas Noel and Liz his beloved grandchildren extended family and his many friends. Johnny’s funeral mass took place in the Church of the Holy Cross, Myshall followed by burial in Lismaconly. We pray that he now rests in peace and that the wonderful memories he left behind will bring peace and comfort to his family
We also extend sympathy to Amelia Carlin, Ballyduff West in the recent death of her uncle Freddie Robinson. Freddie was a resident of Skibbereen Lawn in Lismore Heights and he is survived by his wife Siobhan, his daughters Rebecca and Georgina, his granddaughters Ruby Saoirse and Lydia. His extended family and many friends. Freddie’s funeral mass took place in St. Paul’s church Lisduggan followed by private cremation.

Ballyduff AFC

Ballyduff AFC would like to say a big thank you to all who recently supported their recent clothes collection fundraiser . They were really delighted with the response they received. Even though there are no activities in the club they are still kept busy with maintaining their fantastic grounds etc and dressing rooms have been freshly painted.

Ballyduff LGFA

Once again I turned on the television the other night and up jumped some more local familiar faces. RTE’s Nationwide were doing a piece on the “Jerusalema ” dance craze that has been making its way across the internet. Joining in and featured on the programme were some of the ladies and girls from Ballyduff LGFA who are firm promoters of fun and positive well being and saw this as a way of keeping the girls in touch with each other and keeping active during this time when they are unable to have their usual training sessions. I have seen many of these young girls and ladies perform some very impressive moves on the football pitch but I was really impressed with their rhythmic dance moves on the telly.

Birthday Boys

Two gentlemen in our area celebrated their 50th birthdays in recent times. Ken Lye from Ross celebrated turning 50 with his beautiful wife Louise and their lovely family Chloe, Sophie, Grace and James. I am sure Ken was spoiled for the day and enjoyed his special day.

Meanwhile down in Johnstown John Carroll was being spoiled with yummy cake by his wife Valarie and his family Adam, Emmett, Megan and Laura.

I’m sure both of these men enjoyed their celebrations and that turning 50 was a breeze. We wish them both many more happy birthdays.

New Baby.

Congratulations and best wishes to David Hayes and Sarah Duggan, The Sweep who welcomed their beautiful baby boy Darragh into the world last week. I’m sure baby Darragh will have plenty of babysitters  lining up and we wish this happy little family the very best for the future.

Picture Perfect

Waterford Camera Club recently announced the winners of their POTY awards and it was wonderful to see local man Ger Barron, Kildermody announced as a winner in the portrait section. Ger has a very keen eye for photography and captures the mood and setting perfectly. He’s winning subject this time was very close to his heart and he captured the happiness of his daughter Dearbhla as she graduated. Keep up the good work Ger and we look forward to seeing more of your work.

Recent Death

We extend our deepest sympathy to Caroline O Donnell on the recent death of her Aunt. Anna Morrissey (nee Flynn) hailed from the picturesque Helvick in Ring but in recent times was a resident of the Padre Pio Rest home in Cappoquin . We send our sympathies to all her family and friends and pray that she now rests in peace.

Golden Couple

Celebrating 50 years of wedded bliss on February 17th is Golden couple Francie and Ann Crowley in Adamstown. This much loved couple are probably two of the nicest people you will ever meet and so the fact that have had 50 years of happy marriage is no surprise. Their  home has always been a welcoming place for all who visited and a happy home for their children and adored grandchildren  .
Overseeing their vows on their wedding day were Fr. Murphy and the famous Fr. Joe Flynn who has been and still remains a much loved family friend. He has since gone on to celebrate the weddings of Francie and Ann’s children . Mark, Owen, Joanne, Francis, Sarah and Benny have been shown great example all their lives from their parents about hardwork, respect and of course the tips for a happy marriage. We wish Francie and Ann every happiness in the world and wish them many more happy years of marriage.

Ballyduff LGFA

There may not be any sports going on at the moment but that doesn’t mean that clubs are not hard at work securing funds, raising awareness and keeping themselves involved with community. Our own local club realise how hard it is on all age groups having to stay at home and how lonely it can be at times. Each young player in the club have decided to send a postcard to someone in the community who is perhaps living alone or missing family. There will be a return addressed postcard for those who wish to reply to the young girls. At the end they will prepare a collage of returned cards and  display it in school to show the link between school and community.

Lidl have always been great supporters of ladies Gaelic football and they have once again come forward with another great reward scheme for clubs. All you have to do is download the Lidl app and use it while shopping getting yourself many o
special offers too. Each time you spend €30 in store you will receive a stamp in your app and your the stamps are then used to support your club and can win them many products or cash rewards.

New Life

I always look forward to this time of year as all the beautiful sights and sounds of the Spring begin to bloom. Snowdrops and daffodils are showing their colours while calves and lambs are welcomed into the world.
Here in Kilmeaden we take the new birth of Spring very seriously as we welcome two new little cousins into the area. Eoin Fitzgerald and Irene Carroll, Carrickphilip welcomed their beautiful new baby girl Aoife and are very lucky to have big sister Caoimhe at home to help and show them what to do. Grandparents John and Martha Fitzgerald and Nanny and Grandad Carroll in Inistioge are delighted with the new arrival.
Down the road in Blacknock Eoins cousin Elaine Phelan(nee Leahy) and her husband Mark welcomed their baby son Paudie into the world. Nanny Breda is truly over the moon as are Nanny and Grandad Phelan in Glenmore and there is no doubt in the world that a very proud Grandad beams with delight from the heavens above and will walk with Paudie through life.

Birthday Time

February is a very popular month of birthdays and I heard tell of a few local ones this week. Jamsie Power in Blackknock celebrated his special day and I’m sure his wife Renee made sure he had a lovely relaxing day. The famous Declan Power in Ballyduff also celebrated his birthday last week and we hope he enjoyed his day.
The end of January and the first few weeks in February are very busy in my own family. My parents in law Mick and Joan Spillane celebrated 49 years of marriage at the end of January so big celebrations next year please God.
My son Adam celebrated his 14th birthday on the 3rd and we celebrated as best we could. My Uncle Sean Power celebrated his birthday on the same day in the beautiful Ballymacmague. My brother Neil is a February 10th birthday boy while my lovely brother in law Eamonn O Leary, Kilmagemogue is February 12th. My parents Noel and Nancy O Sullivan will celebrate 55 years of marriage on February 12th also.
A special mention to my good friend Kieran Foley in The Munster Express who is also a February birthday boy. Hope you had a brilliant day Kieran.

Last Few Days
For the next week or so our soccer club are still hosting their fundraising clothes collection. If you are clearing out wardrobes etc and have clothes, towels, bed linen, curtains, shoes, handbags or soft toys that you want to get rid of then please drop them to the dressing rooms at Ballyduff Soccer Club any day between the hours of 11am and 4pm.

Parish Facebook
If you can please log into the Parish of Portlaw/Ballyduff Facebook page. Fr Richard is doing a wonderful job with prayers, masses, novenas, readings etc. It is also a lovely way to feel that connection with fellow parishioners as we join together to share mass etc

Telly Fame
When you turn on the telly at home you don’t expect to see local people pop up on the screen. This happened to me last week. While making dinner the other day I had the telly no on in the background and heard Daithi and Sinead from the Today
show speak about the art of making St. Bridget crosses and who pops up on screen but my dad Noel O Sullivan. Thank you to our neighbour and good friend Helena Power who sent in the photo of daddy. He is still signing autographs.
I tuned into Operation Transformation the other night in the hope of grabbing any spare will power or determination that might be lying around . Kathryn Thomas spoke of their 5km challenge at the end of their journey and how they were delighted to see so many people from around the country and other countries join up to take on the challenge. With messages from around the world , up pops local Ballyduff lady Ciara Lyons and her boyfriend who were joining in the fun from Sydney, Australia. Great to see you looking so fantastic Ciara.

Birthday Time
Heard of two very important birthdays in mmm my our parish in the past couple of days. First up and is popular Matthews Cross lady Nancy Aulsberry who celebrated her 92nd birthday. I’m sure Nancy’s family made sure that her day was very special in spite of current conditions. We wish Nancy many more happy birthdays and continued good health.
Next on the birthday list is our well known local DJ John O Shea who celebrated his birthday also last week. No age has been revealed but he must be coming up on 21 at this stage. John celebrated with the family during the day and then that night he was on our airwaves doing what he does best. Hope he remembered to play himself a request.

Recent Deaths

We extend our deepest sympathy to Fiona Crotty Laffan in Carriganure in the recent death of her beloved Dad. The great John Crotty from Kilmanahan was a hard working family man who gave his time and devotion firstly to his family but was also always on hand to help neighbours and friends especially if there was a digger involved. I had the absolute pleasure of meeting John many times and he was wonderful to chat to and had many great stories to tell but was also interested in finding out about you. He had great pride in his family and loved his grandchildren teaching them to work hard, respect those around you and always look after family. We send our sincere condolences to the love of his life his adored wife Ann, his children Anthony, Francis, Marie, Mojella and Fiona, his treasured grandchildren and his many many friends. May the soil rest gently on him and may his sweet gentle soul rest in peace.
We also send our sympathies to Aileen Stephenson Newtown on the recent death of her brother Des Manahan. Des who lived in the beautiful area of Ballinamintra, Dunmore East was of course a very well known figure around Waterford and beyond. His love for the theatre and the arts was evident in every performance. I had the pleasure of seeing Des on stage many times and he always put 100% of himself into each role. Our sympathies go to his beloved wife Mona and all his family.y We pray that he now sits at the piano of the Lord leading all in song.

Clothes Collection

Keep in mind that Ballyduff AFC are continuing their fundraising clothes collection for the next couple of weeks so if you are clearing out those wardrobes please bag up your items and drop them off to the dressing rooms at Ballyduff AFC any day between 11am and 4pm. You can drop clothes curtains bed clothes shoes handbags soft toys towels and blankets. If you have no transport or do not want to go out but would like to donate some items please contact me Linda Spillane on 087 9838392 and I will arrange someone to call to you.5

Your notes
If you would like me to include any item in these notes please contact me on 087 9838392 or spillanelinda2017@gmail.com