Golden Couple, Recent Death and Dr. Martin Centre

Golden Couple

Warmest congratulations to two of Blacknocks most loved residents. Pat and Peg Aulsberry recently celebrated 50 years of wedded bliss. I’m sure this very popular couple were spoiled by their family and friends. We wish this happy couple many more years of good health and happiness together in their home in the beautiful Blacknock.


Birthday Girl

If you have ever paid a visit to the fantastic Waterford Suir Valley Railway in Kilmeaden then you have probably met the welcoming, bubbly personality that is Marie Reade. We send warm wishes to Marie who recently celebrated her 50th birthday. I know that she was treated to a delicious birthday cake made lovingly by her colleague and friend Annette Atkins and was then serenaded by other members of the crew. What a lucky girl, I have heard some of these voices and we are talking Pavarotti level. I have no doubt that she was spoiled at home too by her chef supreme husband Eamonn and their children Dylan, Shauna, Shane, Alex, Liam and Jack. We wish this very popular lady many more happy birthdays and we hope that turning 50 was a happy memorable occasion.


GAA News

Ballyduff Camogie club have joined forces with Ballyduff Community Centre to bring us a fun and exciting fundraising event. Ball lotto will take place on September 26th when 1000 balls will be dropped into the ball wall enclosure at Tom Cheasty Park. Three young ladies from the camogie club will then choose three balls at random. The winners will receive the following prizes. The first prize is €250, second prize €150 and third prize €100. Balls cost just €5 each and you are welcome to buy as many as you like. You can purchase a ball by contacting a committee member of either group, from Sarah Walsh on 086 1750370 and I also have some  for sale too so give me a bell on 087 9838392
Ballyduff Juvenile club with help from all sections of the club are excited to announce a Gaa  for all fun day. On Sunday September 26th from 11am to 1pm they will host a fun day for those with mild to moderate disabilities. The club feels it is important to open their facilities to all so if you are interested please register and come along and enjoy a fun day. This is a new initiative by the club and this day will be limited to participants, their families and the coaches. A big thank you goes to Waterford Sports partnership and Deise Og for all their help and advice.
There have been many exciting games recently from all levels of the club. The club are so grateful to all their players for the commitment and dedication they give to their club throughout the year. The club thanked both players and coaches for providing such fun and excitement.


Recent Death

We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Eddie O Regan, Kilmagemogue who died recently. Eddie was a quiet family man who loved working the land and was a former board member of Kilmeaden Co Op. Eddie will be sadly missed by his son John, his daughters Claire, Laura, Ethel and Irene, his devoted partner Hilary, his grandchildren, his sister Noleen and brothers Michael and Patrick, extended family and many many friends. Eddie,s funeral mass and burial took place in Ballyduff church. We pray that Eddie will now rest in peace and that his family will draw comfort from their wonderful memories.


Dr. Martin Centre

I was delighted recently to see the Dr. Martin Centre in Portlaw appear on the RTE news highlighting the wonderful work being done by the staff there. They offer many facilities and information for our older generation . People can also avail of a hot daily meal delivered to their home. To find out any more information please contact Alice Kiersey and keep an eye on these notes for information about their services.

A Little Princess, Note for Parents and Leaving Cert

Silver Days

On September 7th 1996 Tramore church was the setting for a most beautiful wedding. Local Tramore lady Mary Keane was all set to marry the love of her life, Kilmeaden man Jimmy Power.  25 years on and this very popular couple are still enjoying wedded bliss in their beautiful home in Adamstown with their children Rachael and Gavin. We wish Mary and Jimmy many more happy years to come and hope that they enjoyed their special day.


A Little Princess

Congratulations and good wishes go to Noel and Sarah O Connor on the birth of their gorgeous baby daughter Shauna. I met a very proud grandmother Ann Crowley recently who was delighted to share the news of the birth of her wonderful granddaughter. We wish this happy family every good wish for the future and we really look forward to meeting baby Shauna.
There was lots of celebrating in the Crowley household recently as Mark and his wife Geraldine celebrated 24 years of marriage. We wish them both and their lovely family many more happy and healthy years.


Church News

Bookings are now being taken for weekend anniversary masses during the month of October. If you would like to book a mass for a loved one please contact Linda Spillane and it will be arranged for you..
Weekend masses are now back to normal times, so the Saturday evening mass is at 7.30pm and the Sunday morning mass is at 10am.


Note For Parents

Congratulations and well done to all at Hicksons Centra in Kilmeaden who would like to make it known to parents and guardians of school goers and students that now that the evenings are getting darker, there may be  a time that a young person may miss their bus or may not have enough credit on their phone to ring home. Centra encourages them to come into the shop and they are  welcome to make a call from there. They can wait in the shop so as not to be outside in the dark. This is a very kind and thoughtful thing to do and gives great peace of mind to parents and guardians. Please pass on the message to our young people.


Big Birthday

We send warm birthday wishes to Mrs. Joan Hallisey, Portlaw who recently celebrated her 102nd birthday. Joan is now a resident of Mooncoin Residential Home and I have no doubt that her family and the staff made sure she enjoyed her special day. Two of Joans’ daughters Carmel Nugent and Eithne Brennan live here in Kilmeaden and I know that they look forward to their visits to their mother. We wish Joan well and continued good health.


Babies Galore

The famous Gerry and Margaret O Connell of Haughtons fame are certainly going to be busy with grandparent babysitting as they recently welcomed two beautiful grandsons into the world. Mark and Roseanne O Connell welcomed baby Rian, while Brian and Caroline welcomed baby Odhran. What wonderful celebrations for all the family and we wish them all the very best for the future and we look forward to meeting the two boys on one of their visits to Kilmeaden.


Leaving Cert.

Huge congratulations to all who received their Leaving Cert results last week. These students have had a very difficult couple of years but have persevered and battled through and they should have tremendous pride in themselves. For  those who were disappointed with results or perhaps not getting the course they wanted please just take the  time to weigh up  your  options. There are so many roads to where you want to go, discuss your options and choose what is right for you. We wish all these young people as they enter into the next chapter of their lives, whether they are off to college, deferring for a year, starting an apprenticeship or beginning a new job. Life holds different things for all of us but that is what makes it interesting. Grab your opportunities, embrace them and enjoy every minute.


Ballyduff AFC

Ballyduff AFC  would like to say a huge thank you to all at Kiddies Kingdom for their sponsorship of a new  business sign. The club is very grateful for  their kindness.
The club is always on the lookout for new members and coaches so if you are interested call into the club grounds or contact them through their Facebook page

Birthday Time, Ball Lotto and Ballyduff AFC

Birthday Time

Warmest birthday wishes goes to Lillian Purcell, Raheen who recently celebrated her 70th birthday. Lillian celebrated her special day with her family enjoying a wonderful meal together. We wish Lillian many more happy birthdays to come.
We also wish a very happy birthday to Michael Fitzpatrick, Ballyduff West who was also blowing out the candles recently. I’m sure Mary and Sara made sure that he had a wonderful day and was spoiled.


GAA  News

Our local GAA club were recently the victims of a burglary. The gym at Tom Cheasty Park was broken into and €1000 worth of gym equipment  was stolen. During the lockdown players and locals worked hard to raise money to purchase this equipment and to have it taken like that is just heartbreaking. If anyone has any information please come forward and I urge you all to keep a careful watch for anyone trying to sell gym equipment. Log onto the clubs Facebook page for a very useful video showing the gym equipment that was stolen.


Church News

Our weekend masses have now returned to their normal times. Saturday evening mass is at 7.30pm and the Sunday morning mass is now 10am. All covid restrictions will still be adhered to.
Weekend anniversary masses can now be booked for the month of October. There are still a small number of masses available in September. If you would like to book a mass please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392.


Ball Lotto

Our local camogie club and Ballyduff Community Centre committee have joined together to bring us a fun and exciting fundraiser. On September 26th 1,000 numbered balls will be dropped into the ball wall enclosure in Tom Cheasty Park. Three girls from the camogie club will then enter the ball enclosure and choose three random numbered balls. First prize will be €250, second prize will be €150 and third prize is €100. Balls cost just €5 each and you are welcome to buy as many as you want. If you would like to support these two great organisations you can buy a ball from any committee members or you can contact Sarah on 086 1750370 or Marie on 089 4348844. I have also offered to sell some so please contact me and let’s make this fundraiser a success.


Ballyduff AFC

A big well done and congratulations to all of the end of season award winners for the 2020/2021 season. It was another successful year  for the club despite all the obstacles. There were  some wonderful individual as well as group performances and the club like to acknowledge this by presenting these awards. Congratulations to all the members, mentors, coaches and committee members who work together to make the club one of the finest in the county.

Happy Couple, New Opening Times and 20 years at the Helm

Recent Death

We extend our deepest sympathies to Martin O Reilly, Ardeenlone on the recent death of his beloved mother. Mrs. Angela O Reilly was a resident of Knockaun East, Cappoquin. Angela loved visiting Martin, Tracey and the girls in Kilmeaden and this is how I got to enjoy some lovely chats with her. We often met in the school car park as we waited for school to end. Angela and Denis were delighted when they got the chance to collect their adored granddaughters from school. The love Angela had for the girls was evident to all. She loved to tell you stories about the time they spent together and the funny things the girls would stay. Angela will be sadly missed by her loving husband Denis, her sons Martin and Kevin, daughter in law Tracey, her brothers and sister and her four treasured grandchildren Bonnie, Sophie, Maisie and Trudie. Angela’s funeral mass took place in St. Marys church, Cappoquin followed by burial in Mount Melleray Abbey cemetery. We pray that her gentle soul now rests in peace and that the Lord will reward for all her good deeds here on earth.


Church News

From this weekend our masses return to their pre covid times so that will mean that the extra Saturday morning mass will now be dropped. Mass on Saturday evenings will be at 7.30pm and mass on Sunday mornings will be at 10am. We thank Fr. Richard and Fr. Mick for doing their very best during covid to try to accommodate everyone with extra masses etc. All covid regulations will still be adhered to with the wearing of masks,social distancing etc.
There are still a few weekend masses available in September if you would like to book an anniversary mass for a loved one. If you would like to book a mass please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392.


Happy Couple

We extend heartiest congratulations to Valarie Bagge and Stephen Bourke who recently announced their engagement. I got to have a look at the beautiful ring the other day and wow what a beauty. This very popular couple are thrilled to be engaged and delighted with all the good wishes they are receiving. I’m sure their beautiful daughter Neasa is enjoying all the excitement too and I’m sure when it comes to planning the big day she will have lots of ideas to share with them. We wish the happy couple every good wish and a lifetime of happiness for their lovely little family.


New Opening Times

The beautiful Mount Congreve House and Gardens have attracted many visitors over the Summer months and now they will revert back to their Autumn opening times. From September 2nd the gardens will open from Thursdays to Sundays each week. Every season brings something new to the gardens and each season enhances it’s magnificence. The vibrant Autumnal colours are a sight to behold and a stroll around the gardens is most definitely good for the body and soul. Log onto their website or Facebook page to book tickets and keep up to date with upcoming events.


20 Years at the Helm

Waterford Suir Valley Railway has been going from strength to strength over the past years and is still as popular as ever with both adults and children alike. We are very proud of this wonderful amenity here in Kilmeaden and are very grateful to all who have  worked so hard to get it to the success it is today. The lady pushing this forward since day one is Maria Kyte and she recently celebrated 20 years at the helm. Of course huge praise and gratitude goes to all the volunteers and workers at the railway but just as the train needs a driver every good team needs a leader . Maria is very passionate about what she does and takes every possible opportunity to promote it. We all thank her for her dedication and determination and wish her many more years here in Kilmeaden.