Recent Death

We extend our deepest sympathy to all the Ryan family on the recent death of their brother Jim. Jim Ryan was a resident of Crossneen, Co. Carlow and was a retired member of An Garda Siochana. We send condolences to his loving wife Ann and his sons Billy, Paul and Dermot and also to his brothers and sisters Patrick, Liam, Declan, Mary, Josie and Ann.

Back To School

All our primary school children and 5th and 6th years have now returned to school and I’m sure that they are happy to get back into a routine. We wish them all a very happy and safe time in school and also a huge thank you to all the teachers, staff and management of the school who work so hard to keep our schools safe. A reminder to all us parents to help keep our schools safe by maintaining our social distance at the school gate and by wearing our face masks.

Church News
Although there is still no return to masses and normal church services we are  very lucky to have such an active Facebook page. We can tune into daily masses, the Angelus, readings and reflections. It is a lovely way to feel that community feeling of coming together in prayer. A big thank you to Fr. Richard who does such a great job with this page.
Fr. Mick has asked me to let you know that the Stations of the Cross from Ballyduff Church will be available to watch on Good Friday.    On Palm Sunday there will be some blessed palms available in the church porch and on Easter Sunday there will be Easter water available.   If you would like to drop in for a little private prayer and reflection our church in Ballyduff is open daily from 10.30am to 3pm.

Ballyduff AFC

Ballyduff AFC have released some provisional dates for their Summer camps. The intended dates are the 5th to the 12th of July for the clubs own camp and from the 26th to 30th of July for the FAI camp. These are just intended dates so please keep an eye out on their Facebook Page

Litter Angels

As you are travelling around our local roads you may have noticed some people out with their rubbish bags and litter pickers. This group of people have kindly taken it upon themselves to pick up the disgusting rubbish which  other people think is ok to throw out of their hands or of their vehicles as they drive in our area. Throwing rubbish is just a horrible disgusting habit and there is absolutely no need for it at all. How easy is it to place a little bag in your car to put your rubbish in or put it in your pocket when out walking. I am sure that this wonderful group of people who have come together to pick up the rubbish all have busy lives and they could do without picking up after lazy people who should know better.
To this wonderful group of people who head out and pick up the rubbish we say a huge thank you and a big well done. Your community spirit is wonderful and we all appreciate your work. If you think you would like to help out watch out for them and approach them for information.

Birthday Girl

We send warm birthday wishes to Aoife Kennedy, my Carriganure who recently celebrated her 18th birthday. I’m sure during normal times a party would have been on the menu but of course parties are out of the question at the moment. I have no doubt that her parents Gerry and Gillian and brothers John and Colm made sure that Aoife enjoyed a very special day. We wish Aoife many more happy birthdays to come.

Ballyduff GAA

Ballyduff GAA club would like to say a big thank you to the 23 people who took part in the Munster Steps Challenge on behalf of the club. The challenge took place during the month of February and these volunteers covered over 7,500kms betweenness
them. I am delighted to tell you all that Ballyduff finished up as the best club in Waterford and gaqq ovg

All Star Success

Huge congratulations and best wishes to Waterford’s Camogie captain Niamh Rockett who recently received her first All Star. This award was so richly deserved and Niamh’s determination and commitment is a huge inspiration to all those young girls making their way up the ranks.
At just 16 Niamh was diagnosed with arthritis and faced the possibility of perhaps not lifting that Hurley again. Thankfully she was born with a hint of stubbornness and of course that desire and passion for the game and she wasn’t just going to accept
what was being suggested. She kept going and fought through and no doubt some times in pain to go on to excel at her sport.
Niamh is a wonderful role model for all young girls and ladies and an inspiration to them all about commitment  and dedication and about knowing their own bodies and it’s limits.
A huge well done to Niamh and also to her extremely supportive family who are constantly by her side and attend every game and every appointment.

Community Hall

Ballyduff Community Hall Redevelopment group have been very busy making more improvements to our community centre. Great work has been done in the bathrooms in the main hall. The ladies now has two cubicles, one which is wheelchair accessible and a lovely wash basin. The gents has a new cubicle and separate urinal and new wash basin. There is also a new separate wheelchair accessible bathroom. A big well done to the hard working committee for getting all this work off the ground. This work would not be possible also without the generous donations they have received and the grant money received from Waterford City and County Council Community Enhancement programme and the National Lottery. Why not log onto their Facebook page Ballyduff Community Hall Redevelopment and take a look at some before and after photos.

St. Patrick’s Day.

Our St. Patrick’s Day will not be like other years but that is not to say that we cannot celebrate the day in our own way. Nobody is stopping us celebrating in our own homes. Get the children using their imaginations and you could have your own little parade at home. Relax with a nice traditional Irish dinner, watch an Irish movie, stick on some traditional music and dance around the kitchen floor. Stop thinking about what we can’t do but what we can and don’t forget the embarrassing photos and videos are obligatory. Fr Mick has celebrated a Patrick’s Day mass with some representatives from Ballyduff NS and you can view this on the school’s website. Guim suaimhneas agus sonas oraibh uile an La Naomh Padraig seo go mbeannai Dia daoibh go leir

A Beautiful Soul

We were all so saddened to hear of the recent death of Paul McGrath, Powersknock last week. Paul would have celebrated his 23rd birthday on Friday March 5th. Paul was born in the beautiful Knockanore and when just a baby came to live with Pat and Christine Murphy and their family in Powersknock. He was straight away a member of the family and went on to endear and charm all he met. He had such a
beautiful nature and a smile that was instantly contagious. As I waited outside the church on Monday to show my respect at his funeral I smiled as the Lord shone his most beautiful sunshine down on us. It was as though he was sending us a mirror image of Paul and I smiled also when I visited his grave a couple of days later to see his balloons and lovely colourful windmill, all signs to me that Paul’s beauty lives on within us all and it is our job to share it with others just as he did. We send our deepest sympathies to Pat, Christine and all the family ,Paul’s extended family and his many many friends. We pray that our Blessed Lady has now taken Paul into her loving arms and he may rest on a bed of rainbows.

Miles For Mater

Many people took up The Mater Foundation challenge for February and one of those was my own brother Neil O Sullivan and he has asked me to say a big thank you to all who donated and supported his fundraiser. He took to the roads during the month of February and clocked up his 100.3 miles. He must be given great credit for his commitment and dedication. I’m sure there were cold wet mornings or evenings when he would have rather stay in but he was determined to finish his challenge. He was absolutely blown away by the support he received from so many people far and wide. He was delighted to raise a fantastic amount of €2322. A big well done to all who took part in this challenge.

Birthday Boy

We send warm birthday wishes to Pat Kenny, Newtown who recently celebrated his 70th birthday. Pat enjoyed his day with his family and those who couldn’t travel the distance were able to join in the celebrations through the powers of phones and FaceTime. Watch out for Pat zooming along the roads and the Greenway on his birthday present but don’t blink you might miss him! Happy birthday Pat from all on The Cul de Sac.

Birthday Time

Heard of a few birthdays this week and it is important to mark these occasions especially during these Covid times. Happy birthday to the great Tommy O Brien in Ballyduff who was the birthday boy during the week and also celebrating her birthday was his daughter Jacqui whom I’m sure was spoilt by husband Patsy.
Three other ladies celebrated birthdays this week. Our local running supreme Sharon Flynn, Ardeenlone was no doubt wined and dined by husband Don. The great Michelle Dunphy who is really missed from The Sweep and O Donnachas celebrated her birthday at home with Seamus and Hollie and James whom I’m sure helped her eat the cake. Also celebrating this week was Deirdre Giani, Carriganure who I have no doubt was given a day to remember by husband Claudio and all the family. I’m sure all the gang at Jellytots send many virtual hugs to Deirdre for her birthday.

GAA News

As we dare to look forward to times when we will train for and play matches the Cul Camps have released their planned dates in the hope that they can hopefully go ahead. The Ballyduff Cul Camp is pencilled in for July 19th to July 23rd so if you want to keep those dates in mind if you are making plans uff and we will keep our fingers crossed.

New Signings

Carlow/ Kilkenny FC recently announced their new signings for their U 19 Women’s Squad. We are delighted to see Ballyduff AFC’s Kate Foley named in the signings. Kate who grew up next door to Ballyduff pitch is a brilliantly talented goalkeeper with great skill and dedication to the game. Kate has a wonderful future ahead of her and we eagerly look forward to watching her in action. Congratulations Kate.

Ballyduff LGFA

THe ladies and girls from Ballyduff LGFA have begun their #onegoodclub campaign and they have brought many smiles to many faces. Many of our older residents and people living  yeon their own in both Ballyduff and Portlaw have received lovely postcards or handmade cards in the post, some ladies living alone in Portlaw answered a knock to their door to find themselves presented with a cup of tea and a piece of rocky road or a cookie. An elderly lady who had recently suffered a loss was given “a virtual hug jar” filled with 50 positive messages. These beautiful acts of kindness have brought such happiness to many. Congratulations to our young people showings us the road to kindness.

Recent Deaths

We extend our deepest sympathy to the Mulcahy family on the recent death of Jim Mulcahy.  Jim was a very popular resident of Hillside Crescent in Kilmacthomas and was a hardworking gent of a man. A very lovable character who loved a good yarn, I had the pleasure of speaking to him many times and what a laugh you would have with him. He was very well known and will be truly missed by many people but most of all by Helen, his sons Alan and Dermot, daughter Fiona, grandchildren, his brothers Tom, Kenny, Bobby, Paddy Joe, David, sisters Siobhan Crowley, Kilmac, Colie O Brien, Blyacknock, Belinda Kearns, Tigroe. We pray that Jim now rests in peace and that his family will find comfort in the wonderful memories he left them.
We also send our condolences to Michael and Eddie O Regan, Kilmagemogue on the recent death of their sister. Mary(Maisie) Hassett nee O Regan lived in Bawnfune, Butlerstown and is survived by her husband Walter, sons Tony and Noel and daughters Miriam and Annette. Her funeral mass took place in Butlerstown church followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.

Birthday Girl

Congratulations to Tina O Brien, High Road who recently celebrated her 50th birthday. Talk about being fab at 50 this lady would certainly be asked for ID to prove her age. Unfortunately big celebrations are out of the question at the moment but I have no doubt whatsoever that Michael, Saoirse and Sam made sure that Tina was spoiled. We hope that she enjoyed her birthday celebrations and we wish Tina many more happy birthdays.

Ballyduff LGFA

The girls and ladies at Ballyduff Lower Gaelic Football are keeping themselves busy and as always thinking about their community. This week they began celebrating #onegoodclub where they will spend 10 weeks focusing on the 5 ways to wellbeing and are asking all of us in the community to join in some fun activities with them while maintaining social distance. Watch out on their Facebook page and through these notes for details of what they are up to.

Ballyduff GAA

Even though training and games are not on the cards at the moment keep an eye out on their Facebook page for lots of information about free training courses, Cul Camp coaches application forms, some great colouring pages and much more. Keep looking forward and plan for those days of GAA  that will soon come.

Church News

There are some Trocaire boxes from the front porch of the church so please drop in and get one if you are passing. If you would like to drop in any weekly offering envelopes then you can do so my putting the envelope though the letterbox on the sacristy
door inside the church.  Fr. Richard and Fr. Mick are very grateful for your help and support and keep you in their daily prayers