Annie comes to Town
I received reports of a little red-haired orphan wandering around Ballyduff but please don’t panic as this is completely explainable. Ballyduff Youth Drama will take to the stage with their production of Orphan Annie from Thursday February 19th to Saturday February 21st at 7.30pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. Tickets cost just €10 and are available by ringing or texting Eleanor on 087-4046904. This drama group always put on a great show to the delight of their audiences so get your ticket fast.
Night for Dod
Dermot (Dod) Whelan is probably one of the most well-known names in our area. Our community is most certainly a poorer place following his death. Dod was always helping others in any way he could and now his daughters Shanice and Chloe would like to keep that tradition going. They will host a night of live music, food, a raffle and an auction to raise much needed funds for the Bone Marrow for Leukaemia Trust. The night will take place on Saturday February 21st at 6.30pm in O Donnachas Bar, Kilmeaden. All donations will go straight to the fund and if you are unable to attend there is a QR code to scan with your donation. I will carry that code in these notes over the next couple of weeks.
Community Alert
The group held their AGM on February 4th at 8pm in Ballyduff Community Centre and they were delighted to see so many people attend. The annual €10 text alert fee was collected at the meeting and anyone who was unable to attend is asked to pay the fee asap so that the list of names can be updated. Our community alert group are a very important group in our area, and the text alert scheme is invaluable and has helped on numerous occasions to apprehend those involved in a crime. It alerts people of crime in other areas so that we are aware of suspicious vehicles or activities. Please spread the word about this text alert scheme to your friends and neighbours as together we are stronger. To renew your subscription or to join the scheme please contact any of the following Jay Dowdall, Chris Pragnell or MJ Healy.
We are very lucky to have a low level of crime in our area, and this is due to having a brilliant community alert scheme which highlights any possible problems in our area. It is important that we attend our community alert meetings and give our full support to them. A drop in attendance or payment of text alert fees would be very damaging to the group. The meetings are a wonderful way to come together to discuss any worries or concerns we may have. The local Gardaí are always in attendance and there is always an interesting speaker on the night.
Bridge News
The Ballyduff/Portlaw Bridge Club played their latest game on Monday February 2nd 2026 and the results were as follows:
1st: Geraldine McMahon and Evan Walshe.
2nd Marie Reade and Marian Walshe.
3rd: Helen Kavanagh and Chris Pragnell.
New members are always welcome. Please contact Anne Marie Brown on 087 6722482 for any further information.
St. Vincent de Paul
The Society of St. Vincent De Paul is currently seeking new Home Visitation members to establish an SVP branch in the Kilmeaden area. The SVP members provide direct support to people in need in the community who request assistance from the Society. This entails visiting people in their homes with another SVP member to offer support, guidance, and friendship. The support provided by our members can be extremely heartening for people who are struggling and can offer hope to them and their families. For more information on what’s involved and how to apply, please contact Sinéad Wall, SVP Member Support Officer, on 086 0412328 or by email on sinead.wall@svp.ie . Full training and support will be provided.
Your time can make a difference to someone in need.
GAA News
The club held their latest lotto draw on Sunday February 1st and there was no jackpot winner. The numbers drawn were 3, 11, 20 and 24. The three lucky winners of €50 each were Joyce Cullinane, Mary M Smith and Alice Walsh. The next draw will take place on Sunday February 15th and tickets are on sale now from all committee members, online and will be available on Saturday February 14th at Centra in Kilmeaden. Tickets cost just €2 each or 3 for €5. This is the club’s main fundraiser, and they are very grateful for the support they receive.
The club are interested in holding a women’s only gym session on a weekly basis at their grounds in Kildermody. There will be a full training session provided giving instructions on how to use the machines properly. This is suitable for all, whether you are a gym regular or it is your first time and a great way to improve your mental and physical health while making some new friends. If you are interested, please message 087-6779544.
The club have begun their Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Steps challenge and are inviting everyone to download the MyLIFE app, go to section social-Challenges-Munster-Join and then choose Ballyduff Lower club, connect your phone or fitness watch and start recording those steps. You do not have to be a member of the club to join, so please spread the word to your friends and family. Every step you take, gives your club a chance to climb the leaderboard and gives them a chance to win a share of €30,000 and you can also improve your health and boost your energy.
St. Nicholas’s Choir.
Our parish choir enhance our weekend masses and their beautiful Christmas concert in aid of the church renovation fund was something we will all remember for a long time. The choir practice every Wednesday night in the church from 8pm to 9pm and would love to welcome some new members. This is a perfect time to join and so all men and women are encouraged to take that next step. The choir love to learn some new hymns and will introduce many of those pieces in the coming months. If you would like any further information, please contact Eamonn on 086 8592014 and he will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Ballyduff AFC
As the club looks forward to the new junior season, they are looking for some new players to join the Division 3 squad. This a young team with a lot of potential who would benefit from experienced players. If you are interested, please fill out the form on the club’s Facebook page or contact 087 2764883.
The club would also like to invite some new players to their Over 35’s men’s squad. This group train every Wednesday night at 8.30pm on the Astro pitch so pop along or check out more 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.
Congratulations to Damien Kelliher who was the January cash winner of the club’s monthly development draw. This is one of the main fundraisers for the development project and they are inviting everyone to join the draw and support your local club. To join the draw just log on and follow the details https://hub.klubfunder.com/BallyduffAFC/payit/ticketsales
Thought for the Week
Start where you are.
Use what you have.
Do what you can.
Notes
If you would like me to include any items in these notes for you please contact
me Linda Spillane at spillanelinda2017@gmail.com It is a wonderful way to keep in touch with what is going on in the local community and to inform people about things happening within your club or organisation