GAA Lotto
The numbers drawn in the latest lotto draw were 11, 20, 22 and 24 and there was no winner of the jackpot. The three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Michelle Dunphy, Eleanor O Brien and Miriam Daly. The next draw will take place on July 14th and the fantastic jackpot of €12,500 will be up for grabs.
Tickets cost just €2 each or 3 for €5 and are on sale from all committee members and will be on sale outside Centra on Saturday July 13th. The biggest job you have to do is to choose those four lucky numbers and then decide how you will spend your winnings.
More Success
Congratulations to Kilmeaden man Matteo Mary who has been selected to represent the Irish School Athletic Association Team at the upcoming SIAB Track and Field Championships which will take place on Saturday July 20th in Swansea, Wales. Matteo will compete in the 1500m representing his school, St. Declans Community College, Kilmacthomas.
Matteo has always given great committment and dedication to his sport and so it wonderful to see it being rewarded. We will all be wishing Matteo the very best as he heads for Wales and hope that he enjoys the experience.
Graveyard Mass
We were certainly blessed with glorious weather for our annual graveyard mass in Ballyduf last Wednesday. Beautiful rays of sunshine beamed down on our extremely well kept graveyard. During the mass in fact Fr. O Byrne asked those attending to give a round of applause to the wonderful Michael Junior Power who looks after the graveyard grounds and keeps them in such fine order. Junior always puts 110% into every job he takes on and carries out his work with a warm hello for everyone and a song to accompany the whistling birds. Also during his sermon Fr. Mick reminded people to bring home old flowers and wreaths in a rubbish bag as there are no dumping facilities in the graveyard.
Concelebrating mass with Fr. Mick was our very own Fr. John Harris and it was lovely to have him on home ground for the evening. The mass was beautiful and was enhanced greatly by the singing from St. Nicholas church choir.
Once mass was over it was back to the community centre for some tea and light refreshments. I would personally like to thank all those who dropped in some home baking and donated cakes, biscuits etc. A big thank you to all who helped me serve and wash up also. I am very grateful to Christine, Aisling, Siobhan, Ava and Adam. This is always a lovely evening and nice for people to meet up after mass for a cuppa and a chat.
A Real Character
There was only one heading I could have chosen when writing about this gentleman as he was most definetely a real character. Last week we all mourned the loss of Jack(Jackie) Connolly from Knockaderry. Jackies family were employed by Waterford County Council as caretakers of Knockaderry Lake. He met the love of his life Joanie and they married in 1954. They lived and raised their children by the scenic Knockaderry Lake and Jackie cared for the lake with great pride and care just as his father and grandfather had done before him.
My first meetings with Jackie were in my childhood years when he would call to my own father regularly and even though I was young I could spot a rogue and knew I had met a messer and a joker. Following on a few years I spent many a happy time when I worked in the shop and Post Office laughing and joking with the “bold” Jackie as I called him. He had a rogues eye and one of the most contagious laughs you’ll ever hear.
Following the death of his beloved Joanie he moved to Ballyvalican and was very happy sharing a home with Elizabeth and her family. Jackie loved his family dearly and was always on hand to help with anything they needed. He was most certainly a peoples person loving a chat and a laugh with all he met. He also loved a good game of cards and of course never cheated!! He told me that himself so it must be true !! His other great loves were his dogs who were always his companion so I thought it was very fitting on the morning of his funeral mass that a little terrier came into the church for a little walk around, he also joined us down in the graveyard for the burial.If that’s not a sign I don’t know what is.
Our deepest sympathy to Jackies daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren, brothers, sisters and all his family and many friends. We pray that Jackie is now reunited with his beloved Joanie and will enjoy the peace and happiness of Gods heavenly kingdom. Ar Dheis De Go Raibh Se
Tractor Run.
The Kilmeaden Vintage Tractor Club will host their annual tractor run on Sunday July 21st. The run will leave from Haughtons at 1pm and will head out and about through our beautiful scenic surroundings. This is always a great day out with some fine machines on show. There is always a brilliant atmosphere and something for all ages to enjoy. On returning back to Haughtons, Gerry and Margaret will have the barbeque fired up and a few cold lemonades on ice. Of course if that wasn’t spoiling you enough, our very own DJ supreme John O Shea will be on hand to have you up and dancing round your Massey. Of course all money raised on the day goes to The Solas Centre in Waterford. Nobody reading this needs me to tell you about the wonderful work this charity not only for patients but for their whole family. Buckets will be passed around on the day and I ask that you be as generous as possible. If you would like any further information about the Tractor Run please contact Pat on 087-2216589.
Newcastle Mass
The annual cemetery mass in the old graveyard in Newcastle will take place on Wednesday July 24th at 7.30pm. Many of our ancestors are buried in Newcastle and many in unmarked graves. In honour of our ancestors whose only way to get to mass was to walk, a faith walk will leave at 6.30pm from Ballyduff and walk to Newcastle cemetery. All are welcome to join in.
Wedding Bells
I was thrilled and delighted this week to hear of the engagement of Ciara Larkin, Powersknock to the love of her life Kevin Burns. Kevin is of course is very well known in sporting circles but this is most definetely the match of his life and he is a winner from the very beginning. This lovely couple have been dating for 8 years and it was on this 8th anniversary that Kevin decided to pop the all important question and thankfully she said yes.
This happy couple really are a match made in heaven and we wish them both all the happiness in the world.
Memorial Run/Walk
The 8th annual Liz (Eilis) Hayes Memorial Fun Run/Walk will take place on Friday August 9th. Entry to this event is €10 for the race and €5 for the walkers. This 5 mile race takes off from Ballyduff Community Centre and takes you around the stunning Knockaderry Lake. There are prizes for the first three males and females and also prizes for the first over 40 and over 50 male and female and a prize for the first junior.
There is always a great atmosphere at this event and all are welcome to join in. Walkers will head off at 6.45pm while the runners will go at 7.30pm. All money raised will go to the Ballyduff Community Centre Redevelopment fund and Focus Ireland. The good people from the West Waterford Athletics club will once again take care of the timings etc. All are welcome to come along and join in the fun and I will have more details in the coming weeks so stay tuned.
Pretty Little Girl
We send warm congratulations to Gavin and Nicola O Rourke, Ballygarron on the recent birth of their beautiful daughter Emma. Emma is a very lucky girl to have big brother Sean and big sisters Lexi and Ciara ready to teach her the ways of the world. We wish this happy little family the very best of health and happiness.