Recent Deaths.
We extend our deepest sympathy to the Fitmaurice family on the recent death of Claire Fitmaurice, late of Stonehouse, Kilmeaden. Claire and her late husband Greg moved to Kilmeaden some years back and soon became very popular residents. Claire had a great love for family and spoke of her children and grandchildren with great love and affection. She was a woman of great faith and devotion, and mass was a very important part of her life. We extend our sincere condolences to her son Greg, daughters Kate and Ellen, her grandchildren Fionn and Holly, sons-in-law Liam and Phil, daughter-in-law Sarah and all her extended family. We pray that she is reunited with her beloved husband Greg where they enjoy the peace and love of our Heavenly Father.
We offer sincere condolences to the family and many friends of Kitty Brett, late of Portlaw. Kitty and her husband Paddy spent many wonderful years living in Tigroe before moving down into the village of Portlaw. Kitty was in her 101st year and although ill health had confined her to the house in recent years, her mind remained as sharp as a button. She kept up to date with all the happenings around her and in the country and the world. She loved to welcome visitors for a chat and without even realising it, you could happily sit for two or three hours listening to her wonderful stories. Kitty and Paddy’s story was certainly one of true love and devotion. They worshipped the ground each other walked on and through Kitty’s illness, Paddy cared for her with wonderful attention and softness. He most definitely carried out his wedding vows, and their marriage was a beacon of light for all married couples. Kitty will be deeply mourned by her husband Paddy, her son Pat, granddaughters Aoife and Eimear, her extended family and her many friends from far and wide. May her sweet gentle soul now rest in peace in the loving arms of God.
Bridge News
The results from the last couple of games played by Ballyduff/Portlaw Bridge club are as follows:
Monday February 16th:
1st: Anne Marie Brown and Martin Kirby
2nd: Anne Kennedy and Breda Murphy
3rd: Helen Kavanagh and Evan Walshe.
Monday February 23rd:
1st: Peggy Murphy and Elizabeth Mooney
2nd: Nano Fitzgerald and Sean Hennessy
3rd: Maria Dunphy and Des O Herlihy
New members are always welcome, please contact Anne Marie Brown on 087 6722482.
GAA News
If anyone has any spare hurleys or helmets at home and would like to donate them to the club, please contact Jack Kennedy 087 9206373. These items will be put to great use by the club.
The club’s Well! Kids program will begin on Saturday March 7th in Tom Cheasty Park at 10am. This fun introduction to GAA for boys and girls aged 4-6 will run every Saturday morning and is a fun and inviting way for these young kids to learn basic skills, movement and coordination while making new friends and building their confidence. For more information, please contact Jack on 087-9206373. If you register before March 31st, you will receive a free hurley from Dylan Reade Hurleys.
Camogie training has now returned on Monday nights and the times for each age group are available on the club Facebook page. The club are looking for coaches to help with the U6/8’s group. If you are interested, please contact the secretary on 0868944780
Ballyduff Lower GAA, LGFA and Camogie is a club for all players and non-players, young and old. Club membership details and rates are now available with plans to suit all needs. Register now on www.foireann.ie Registration deadline is March 31st.
Many are now enjoying the benefit of the club gym, and the club have allocated some special times for a lady’s only session. These gym sessions take place on Fridays from 7.30pm to 8.30pm and on Sundays from 10.30am to 11.30am. All participants must be a paid-up member to use the gym, and membership is €40 annually for non-playing members. This is a great opportunity to get fit while making new friends and having fun.
Ballyduff AFC
The Football for All group at Ballyduff AFC is hugely popular and a very important part of the club’s weekly activities. Training will begin in late March and the club are looking for a volunteer coach to help out. If you are interested in hearing more please contact Mike Masterson (Football for All Coordinator) on 087 6910091
The club are on the lookout for a grounds person for the club, so if you qualify under the TUS or CE schemes, please send a direct message to the club on their Facebook page or contact a member of the committee.
The Ballyduff branch of the Man Utd supporters club are planning a trip to the Red Devils last home game on Sunday May 17th. If you are interested, please contact the club.
The club have released dates and details about their Easter and Summer Camps so check out details on their Facebook page.
The club are really looking forward to 2026 as there are many exciting plans in place with plans for the clubhouse extension firmly in place. The extension plans include a gym, community meeting rooms, Female changing and shower rooms, disabled toilets and a balcony. The club also plan an energy efficient upgrade to the existing clubhouse and a full size, floodlit all weather pitch for their Football for All group.
Night for Dod Success.
On Saturday February 21st all roads lead to O Donnachas in Kilmeaden for a special night of remembrance of the very popular Dod Whelan. Dod will never be forgotten, and his memory will live on forever. This night was organised by his daughters Shanice and Chloe who wanted to give back in memory of their beloved Dad. A fantastic amount of €3,111 was raised for the Bone Marrow for Leukemia Trust and Shanice and Chloe are deeply grateful to all who attended, those who donated, shared posts about the event, bought raffle tickets, donated prizes and all those who helped in any way. On behalf of everyone I would like to thank and congratulate Shanice and Chloe for finding time through their own grief to give back and help others who are now needing the support and care of the Leukemia Trust. Their father would be so proud of them and his legacy of always helping others has most certainly been carried on through his daughters.
Heartfelt Gratitude.
Following 21 years of wonderful service to the undertaking business, Michael and Dolores Kinsella have decided to bid farewell to the business. Michael and Dolores were known far and wide for their kindness and great attention to detail. Their top priority was always to ensure the family of the deceased were listened to and that the final wishes of their loved ones were taken care of. They carried out their duties with great care and attention and took great pride in providing a top-class service. They considered it a great honour to be asked by a family to officiate at their loved one’s funeral.
We wish Michael and Dolores every happiness for the future and thank them sincerely for giving such wonderful service and giving great peace and comfort to families during a very difficult time in their lives.
In memory of all those whom they have laid rest, Michael and Dolores held a special mass of reflection and gratitude in St. Patrick’s Church, Portlaw on Tuesday February 24th. The mass was celebrated by Fr. Francis Xavier and he thanked Michael and Dolores for their professionalism throughout the years but more importantly he said for the care and support they gave to families during the hardest time of their lives. Richie Nugent sang some beautiful hymns during the mass and Dolores read a fitting piece from scripture. Many people were happy to get the opportunity to thank the Kinsella’s in person and to wish them well.
Church Renovation
The St. Nicholas Church Renovation committee will launch phase 2 of their renovation plans on Wednesday March 4th at 7.30pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. They will also provide details of Income and Expenditure for 2025. All are welcome to attend this meeting.
Quote for the Week.
Always work hard and have fun in what you do.
I think that is when you are most successful.
You have to choose it.
Your Notes
If you would like to include any news in these notes please get in contact by Thursday at lunchtime. The email to contact is spillanelinda2017@gmail.com