Waterford Suir Valley Railway, Family Success and First Holy Communion

May 20, 2022 Christine Tubbritt

Waterford Suir Valley Railway

All the volunteers and customers at Waterford Suir Valley Railway in Kilmeaden have certainly being enjoying the beautiful weather. Following a lovely walk or run on the Greenway or a scenic train ride along by the river, people return to the station to sit and chat or maybe just sit and allow the world to go by. The Whistlestop café provides them with all they need to relax, whether that be a nice cuppa or a delicious creamy 99 ice cream.
I visited the station last Sunday and was just in time to catch a performance by the Intonations choir group. They treated us to some well-known songs with beautiful harmonies throughout. One of things that struck me most though were the happy faces on all of them as they sang together and swayed along to the beat. They weren’t doing this as a fundraiser for themselves or anyone else but simply to spread a little joy to people. They had already stopped in Kilmacthomas and were heading down past Mount Congreve after Kilmeaden station to sing again. I asked one of the members how it felt being able to perform again and she simply said, “like I can breathe again”. They will take a little break over the Summer but watch out for their performances when they return and give yourself a little treat.
The management and volunteers at the railway would like to sincerely thank all who visited the railway between April 1st and April 10th. Whether you came along and enjoyed a train ride or donated online or in the wishing well at the station, the proceeds of ticket sales on those days were deposited into the account for Unicef Ireland Ukraine appeal. The amount deposited was €3,294.00 which is just fantastic and will be put to good use. A big well done to everyone who contributed and congratulations to all at Kilmeaden railway for such a generous and kind idea.

Church News

Anniversary mass bookings for the weekends during the months of April and May are now taking place. If you would like to book a mass, please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392.
Great news to hear that our lovely parish choir will return to rehearsals on Monday May 23rd and Monday May 30th at 8pm each night. New members are always welcome so why not drop along and check out what it is all about. We really look forward to hearing their beautiful singing enhancing our ceremonies again.
Linda Spillane is on the lookout for some old photos or information about our parish church. As you know Ballyduff church is 200 years old this year and Linda is putting something together through her work with the paper and would love your input. Have you a wedding photo from years gone by or any other special occasion, any interesting information or articles? Please give Linda a call on 087 9838392.

Football For All

Ballyduff AFC have been delivering a Football for all programme over April and May in Ballyduff N.S. This is all in collaboration with the FAI and Waterford Sports Partnership. The Football for all programme will begin on Saturday May 21st from 11am to 12pm at Ballyduff AFC grounds for children aged 6 to 12 with additional needs. This programme is running exceptionally well in the East and West of the County and Ballyduff will serve the mid county. This programme will run initially for children within the local school and community and over time will be opened out to the wider community. If you would like information regarding places and availability and places, please send a message through messenger on the Ballyduff AFC Facebook page or contact one of the committee. Additionally, if you like to volunteer to support the programme, your support would be very welcome.

National Duathlon Success.

We heartily congratulate local Superwoman Diane Behan in Fan Glas on her recent fantastic achievement. Diane finished up in second place in this years National Duathlon Series. What an amazing achievement but not surprising from this lady supreme. Diane puts in 100% to all her training and her dedication is to be admired. I have no doubt that Jack, Sabrina and all the family are very proud of Diane’s achievement, and we all wish her the very best for the future.

Family Success

Congratulations to Makayla Laffan, Carriganure who is a member of the U14 Waterford Lady footballers’ squad who have successfully made their way into the All Ireland Final. Beating Donegal on a final score line of Waterford 7-08 to Donegal 2-04, they were thrilled to get themselves into an All-Ireland Final. What an achievement from this hardworking bunch of young ladies. Of course, Makayla is not the only young lady in the Laffan household who is involved. Her mam the great Fiona Laffan (nee Crotty) manages the team and has no doubt passed on great advice and coaching tips to this team. An All- Ireland medal winner herself her vast knowledge and her wealth of experience can only be an inspiration to these young ladies. We are so looking forward to the Final so best of luck to the team and management.
Not to leave the male side of the family down Makayla’s brother Charlie recently travelled to Donegal to take part in the UKF International, Ulster Karate Do Federation. Charlie returned home a gold medal winner and we are all so proud. Charlie puts a lot of hard work and dedication into his training and should be very proud of his fantastic and well-deserved achievement.
By the way in case any of you are wondering what their secret is, I have been promised that once the All Ireland is over, they will reveal the special potion but I’m not allowed tell anyone so I’ll just put it in the paper.

Tidy Towns

Our local Tidy Towns group will hold a fundraiser next weekend. A fantastic hamper full of lots of goodies will be up for grabs. Tickets will be on sale outside Centra, Kilmeaden on Friday May 20th so please support this very worthy cause.

Ballyduff GAA.

The Deise draw returns on May 18th and this is a vital source of income for our local club. The club have been lucky with a few winners so don’t miss out on your chance. Tickets are available from all committee members or by contacting Brian on 087 2486423. Treat yourself or maybe give as a gift. First draw is May 18th so get your skates on.
Our U13 footballers played a great game of football against Ferrybank/Sacred Heart. It was edge of the seat stuff for most of the game, but the opponents held on to the lead and the game finished Ballyduff 3-10 Ferrybank/Sacred Heart 5-8. This team have played their hearts out all year and have given their all. Well done to all the players and the coaches for giving their valuable time.
There was a very successful first training session for our Ballyduff Rounders team. A huge thank you to Mark and Karen who ran through the basic rules on the day. Social rounders will continue at the GAA grounds every Sunday morning from 11am to 12 noon weather permitting. It is hoped to develop a mixed adult team. No experience is needed for this fun and gentle exercise for adults and families of all fitness levels and abilities.
The club would like to express their heartiest congratulations to Makayla Laffan, her mam Fiona and all the squad who qualified for the All-Ireland U 14 Lgfa silver final.
A massive well done to our U15 footballers who beat Ardmore in the County Plate Final. It was a brilliant game and one the lads deserved to win. The game finished Portlaw/ Ballyduff 1-11 to Ardmore 2-4. Congratulations to all the players and coaches, this is a just reward for the huge effort they have put in over the past few months
Our U11 hurlers have been named champions of the U11 hurling city league. They took on De La Salle in terrible conditions in Gracedieu. As the wind and rain swirled, they played against a strong breeze in the first half. There were some great passes, which lead to some super scores and the backs remained tight in defence. De La Salle fought back in the second half and got some nice scores, but our lads dug in and came back to gain a well-deserved win. The city league now concludes for 2022, so having won all the games in the group year, we will now be crowned champions. What a fantastic achievement, well done to all and of course to all the parents on the line for all their support and encouragement. We look forward to having a medal presentation for these boys and girls later in the Summer.

Ballyduff AFC.

Our local soccer club are hosting a scrap collection at their grounds in Ballyduff and are extending the collection for another two weeks. The skip is located at the grounds and items can be brought to it any weekday between 12 noon and 8pm. Please do not put any of the following items in the skip, TV’s, paint tins, glass objects, washing machines. You can include dishwashers, scrap metal pieces, bikes etc. You have no excuse now to clean up the place before that Communion, Confirmation or any family occasion or maybe someone has been gently asking you to get rid of stuff for some time now and think what brownie points you could earn.
Intersport Elverys FAI Summer Soccer Schools will host a Summer camp at Ballyduff AFC grounds from August 15th to August 19th. The camp will run daily from 10am to 1pm and will be open to all boys and girls aged 6 to 14. To book your place please log on to www.bookings.summer

First Holy Communion

On Saturday May 21st the boys and girls from Ballyduff N.S will receive their First Holy Communion in St. Nicholas’ Church. We pray that the Lord will watch over them all and we hope that they and their families will enjoy a lovely day together.

Thought For the Week

Every moment of life is precious and can never happen again

GAA Lotto, Run Success and Ballyduff AFC

May 13, 2022 Christine Tubbritt

GAA Lotto

The GAA club held two lotto draws over the past couple of weeks and so I bring you news of both. The numbers drawn in the first draw were 10, 13, 18 and 22 and there was no winner of the jackpot. The three winners of €50 each were John O Shea, Celia Kearney and Martin Power. The lucky numbers chosen in the second draw were 3, 7, 10 and 22 and there was no jackpot winner. The three lucky people receiving €50 each were Ann Ryan, David J Veale and Anita Halley. The next draw will take place on Sunday May 15^th and will have a fantastic jackpot of €6,050 up for grabs. Tickets cost just €2 each or three tickets for €5. They are available from all committee members or can be purchased on Saturday May 14^th outside Centra in Kilmeaden where volunteers will sell the tickets for the day. Choose those numbers carefully and don’t forget who told you about it first.

Recent Deaths

We extend our deepest sympathy to Mary Whelan and all the Whelan family on the recent death of Mary’s sister Bridget Phelan (nee Donnelly) a native of the Lacka Road. Bridget is survived by her sisters Mary, Lena and Teresa. Her funeral mass took place in St. Senan’s Church, Kilmacow followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. We pray that she now rests in the peace and love of Christ.

We also extend our condolences to the family and friends of Paddy Mooney. Paddy who is a native of Dunabrattin, Annestown was a very valued and popular employee of Mount Congreve for many years where he made many friends from Kilmeaden and surrounding areas. He was a very lovable character and had many wonderful stories having led a very fascinating and interesting life. He enjoyed life to the full and just missed out on his birthday when he would have celebrated turning 101. Paddy is survived by his son Patrick, brother Ger, his extended family and his many friends. Paddy was a resident for the past few years of Dunabbey House in Dungarvan and will be missed greatly by his friends there. Paddy’s funeral mass took place in the All Saints Church in Newtown followed by burial in the adjoining graveyard. We hope that Paddy now enjoys the peace and comfort of heaven.

Run Success

Congratulations to locals Sharon Flynn, John Guiry and Kilmeaden’s Countrylife’s popular manager Gabrielle Mulcahy who completed a running challenge taken on by The Saturday Road Runners. The challenge was to run in every county of Ireland within 72 hours. Running 5km in each county, they began on April 29^th and finished on May 2^nd. They took on this challenge to raise money for the Waterford/Kilkenny branch of Down Syndrome Ireland. They have managed to raise over €34,000 already which is a fantastic amount. Well done and congratulations to all the runners and I hope they are all very proud of their wonderful achievement.

BALLYDUFF AFC

Intersport Elverys FAI Summer Soccer Schools will host a Summer camp at Ballyduff AFC grounds from August 15^th to August 19^th. The camp will run daily from 10am to 1pm and will be open to all boys and girls aged 6 to 14. To book your place please log on to www.bookings.summersoccerschools.ie

BALLYDUFF GAA

A big well done to our U10 and U8 lady footballers who played their first matches of the year against Erins Own in Williamstown. The U10’s had a very competitive game with lovely displays of football from both sides. The U8’s played two games and showed some great skill and great scores taken by both sides. A big thank you to Erins Own Lgfc for hosting the games.
Congratulations to the boys and girls team from Ballyduff N.S who had great wins in camogie and hurling, both qualifying for finals. Thank you to the staff and management of the school for facilitating games in the school. Sport is a very important part of education and is hugely beneficial to the children
The Well kids programme on Saturday mornings are going very well and there is no better sight than watching kids out exercising and having fun. Newcomers are always welcome so if you are aged 4 to 6 drop along to the field on Saturday mornings at 10am. You will receive a lovely welcome
The club say a big well done to Sarah O Connor who represented Ballyduff N.S and her club playing at half time in Fraher field. Sarah has put in a lot of hard work over the years, and this is well deserved. The club hopes Sarah enjoyed the experience.
The U8 and U10 camogie girls had their first outing of the season as they took part in the County blitz in the WIT arena. They played teams from Tramore, Lismore, De La Salle and St. Annes. The girls played very well in all games and a big thank you must go to all the parents who came along to support. The club would also like to thank the Camogie Association for a well organised morning of games.
The club is very proud of the U15 lgfc team which comprises of players from both Ballyduff and Portlaw who had a fantastic win in the U15 Feile competition. What a brilliant achievement for a team who have put in such hard work over the years. Of course, their coaches deserve to take a bow also.
The Men on the Move programme continues every Tuesday night at 7.30pm in the ball alley at the pitch with thanks to Waterford Sports partnership. These professional coaches offer great advice and encouragement, showing suitable exercises for all ages, shapes and fitness levels. Of course, there is also good chat and a laugh or two on offer. There is still time to join up or simply just turn up on the night. For the entire course the cost is just €20 for non-members or €10 for members.
Well done to the Ballyduff/Portlaw U15 footballers who won their semi-final against Ballinacourty on a scoreline of 2-5 to 1-6. This great bunch of lads wear their jerseys with great pride. Well done to their coaches for keeping them so sharp.
The Deise Draw returns on May 18^th with some fabulous prizes on offer each month. The sales of these tickets are a vital source of income for the club, so we ask that you consider buying a ticket. Tickets cost €15 per month with 6 draws over 6 months. Tickets can be purchased from any committee member or by contacting Brian Hearne on 087 2486423.

Terrific Trudie, Men on the Move and New Chapter

May 6, 2022 Christine Tubbritt

RECENT DEATH

We extend our deepest sympathy to the Heffernan family in Kilmeaden on their recent sad loss. Dr. Mary Heffernan (nee Dennehy) of Roseville, Kilmeaden is survived by her loving husband Frank and their children Andrew, Aifric and Adam, her brother Tom, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. Her funeral mass and burial took place in St. Nicholas’s Church, Ballyduff. We pray that Mary now rests in peace and that the wonderful memories her family have will bring them peace and comfort.

ALZHEIMERS TEA DAY

It is great to see charity events taking place again. People love to come together to work on behalf of their charities and support them in any way they can. The annual Alzheimer’s Tea Day is always looked forward to and a lovely morning is always had.
On Thursday May 5th we will have the opportunity to support this event. A lovely tea/coffee morning will be held in Ballyduff Community Centre from 9.30am to 12 noon. There will be some delicious treats on offer and a fantastic raffle with some lovely prizes. This is also a lovely chance to meet with friends and enjoy a chat and a laugh while supporting a very worthy cause. Spread the word and enjoy a morning of relaxation and friendship.

FAITH CONVERSATIONS

Pope Francis has called the whole church to focus attention on what the Holy Spirit is saying to the church around the world. Inter parish meetings called “Faith Conversations” will take place at different locations around the Diocese. All ages are welcome to attend. You can be a regular mass goer or someone who goes occasionally, all are welcome to attend and speak and listen. The venue for Ballyduff and Portlaw is the Glor na Mara school, Tramore at 7.30pm on Wednesday May 4th. The other parishes attending this venue are Tramore, Dunhill, Killea, Newtown and Kilmacthomas.

CHURCH NEWS

If you would like to book an anniversary mass for a loved one during the months of May and June, please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392. There are still a few dates available.

TERRIFIC TRUDIE

Congratulations to local young lady Trudie O Reilly, Ardeenlone who represented Ballyduff Lower Camogie club and Waterford playing in the primary game at half time in the senior game between Waterford and Cork in Pairc Ui Rinn. Trudie’s family and club are very proud of her and wish her continued success.

BALLYDUFF CAMOGIE CLUB

The club were delighted to welcome Aideen Howlin who is the participation and retention co-ordinator of the camogie association along to their training session last week. She had arrived with great news for the club, they were the lucky recipients of training equipment following the club’s selection to participate in the Camogie Association Club Development award. This is a huge vote of confidence from the Camogie Association in the club who are newly formed. This equipment will help the club greatly as they move forward. The club would like to thank the Camogie Association for the equipment and for selecting Ballyduff Lower to participate in this development award.

MEN ON THE MOVE

Well done to all the men who participated in the first night of men on the move. This initiative from Waterford Sports Partnership is tailored to all ages and abilities. The group were led by some wonderful coaches and the feedback from the group was tremendous. There is still time to join in the fun as this programme will run every Tuesday night for the next five weeks. Drop along to the ball alley at Ballyduff GAA grounds on Tuesday at 7.30pm and enjoy some physical activity while having a chat and a laugh. Remember you do not have to be a club member to join in the fun.

NEW CHAPTER

On Saturday April 30th, The Beauty Loft in Kilmeaden closed its doors after more than 10 years in business. We wish Margaret every best wish for the future and as she heads off for new ventures, we wish her every success and happiness. Margaret has used her talents to help many customers feel good about themselves as they head off to a special event or perhaps just enjoy a treat or pamper. I have no doubt that she has leant a listening year to many over the years and I know that she will be deeply missed.
Christine from the hairdressers will now take over the salon offering a hair and beauty experience. A new name will follow so if you are interested in conducting a beautician business in a ready-made salon contact Christine in the hairdressers.

Thought for the Week
Use what talents you possess
The woods would be very silent
If no birds sang there
Except those that sang best

Church News, Hamper Win and Rounders Club.

April 29, 2022 Christine Tubbritt

CHURCH NEWS

A big thank you to all who helped in any way during Holy Week and the Easter ceremonies. It is a very busy week in the Church’s calendar and so it was wonderful to see people offer their time and talents to help. A big thank you to all the readers, Eucharistic ministers and all who helped with the ceremonies. Our church looked beautiful as always. Beautiful flower arrangements adorned the church porch, windows and altar. These were lovingly arranged by Joan Cheasty and what a gift she has. The bright display of colour reminded us of the joy and light of the Easter season. A big thank you must go to our fantastic sacristan Ann Nolan who works tirelessly in our church every day of the year. She takes care of the church like her own home, and it gleams from top to bottom. We thank her for taking such pride in her work and we ask the Lord to reward her dedication with good health and happiness.

The Easter collection for the support of the priests of the parish is continuing and you can still drop your envelope into the weekly collection basket.

If you would like to book a weekend anniversary mass for a loved one during the months of May and June, there are still some dates available. To book a mass please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392.

FAITH CONVERSATIONS

Although the weather was horrible on Easter Sunday morning, people still gathered after the morning mass to remember our history and those gone before us at our lovely 1916 Commemoration plaque. As the Proclamation was read by Dermot Dooley, the tricolour was raised and then everyone joined together to sing our National Anthem. This was played beautifully on the pipes by the very talented piper Tommy Kiely who stood proudly in his piper attire. It was a fantastic proud moment as we all left with great pride in our hearts and headed off to what we now know was a great Deise win

HAMPER WIN

The Ballyduff Community Hall Redevelopment Committee would like to thank everyone who supported their recent Easter hamper raffle. They had a fantastic hamper up for grabs full of lots of Easter treats to eat and drink. Congratulations to local young man Finn Doyle who was the lucky winner and I’m sure he shared his treats with his parents and his sister Hannah.

ROUNDERS CLUB

The Ballyduff Lower GAA pitch will be the venue for an introductory training session and a reminder of the rules for Ballyduff’s new rounders team. This is open to all adults of all fitness levels and abilities. This will be the only mixed adult team in Waterford which will automatically make them County Champions!! Come along and join in the fun on Sunday May 1st from 12pm to 2pm. Rounders has been part of all our lives growing up, it has been played at many a family gathering, school playground etc so why not go along and join the fun.

GALA RENOVATIONS

Congratulations and good luck to Damien and Majella Hennessy at Gala Kilmeaden who have been making some fantastic changes to their store. With just another few small bits to go it is already looking very impressive. We wish them every success and look forward to checking out their new facilities.

Lady on the Run, Men on the Move and Wedding Bells

April 22, 2022 Christine Tubbritt

Lady on the Run

Don’t worry I am not going to expose anyone on the run from the law. Local lady Sharon Flynn from Ardeenlone as many of you will know is no stranger to a running challenge. Sharon is a lady of great strength and ability, she has taken on many marathons and charity runs. She has now joined with 16 other runners to take on a challenge in aid of the Waterford/Kilkenny branch of Down Syndrome Ireland.
The challenge will be to run 5km in each of the 32 counties within 72 hours. This will take place over the Bank Holiday weekend and all donations will be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made through Revolut. Sharon’s number is 086-0837776. You can also donate by following this link https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/11423028_patsycarney-s-page.html

Men on the Move

Ballyduff GAA Club will play hosts to a six-week physical activity programme for men. Beginning on April 26th Waterford Sports Partnership will bring a six-week programme to the club grounds for non-playing members of the club. Local people who are not members of the club are welcome to join also. Fitness tutors will deliver a variety of different sessions outdoors and will include both cardiovascular and resistance exercises. This programme will begin on April 26th from 7.30pm to 8.30pm in Ballyduff’s club grounds. The cost will be €10 for club members and €20 for non-members which can be paid on the night. This is a great way to get some exercise and feel better while having fun and getting to know people. For more information you can contact Sinead Brannigan on 087 4596179 or email sbrannigan@waterfordsportspartnership.ie. Check out Ballyduff GAA’s Facebook page to see how to reserve your place.

GAA Lotto

The next lotto draw will take place on April 24th and will have a jackpot of €5,750 up for grabs. Tickets are €2 each or three tickets for €5. They are available from all committee members and will be on sale outside Centra Kilmeaden on Saturday 23rd. Choose those four lucky numbers carefully and you could be the lucky winner.

Wedding Bells

Warm congratulations and best wishes to local man Kenneth O Leary who married his Kilkenny sweetheart Geraldine Carroll last weekend. This happy couple said their vows in front of family and friends in Mullinavat Church. Fr. Liam Barron officiated and made sure everything went to plan. Helping Kenneth out on the day were his brother Stephen and lifetime friend Dermot (Dod) Whelan and the groom’s nephew Daniel Murphy took the role of pageboy and kept them all in tow. The beautiful bride was just stunning and was assisted by her sister Olivia Carroll and her now sister-in-law Olivia Murphy as bridesmaids. The singing in the church was by the groom’s uncle Eamonn O Leary who treated the congregation to some beautiful hymns. The reception was held in The Tower Hotel where everyone enjoyed a fantastic meal and then danced the night away. Speaking to many people who attended this wedding they were all in agreement that it was a brilliant day/weekend. We wish Kenneth and Geraldine a lifetime of happiness as they begin their married life together and we hope there will be no division when a Waterford/ Kilkenny match takes place.

Ballyduff GAA

The U13 footballers were beaten by St. Marys on a score line of Ballyduff 2-12 to St. Mary’s 5-8. Playing against a gale force wind in the first half Ballyduff fought hard and in the second half they really clawed their way back and were unlucky not to get their noses in front. They played a great game and gave it everything. It was a very entertaining game so well done to both teams.
The U12 footballers were missing a lot of their regular players but still put in a superb performance. They fought all the way and put in a great effort showing some lovely skill and great scores. It is great to see such development in this squad. The game finished on a score line of Ballyduff 4-1 to St. Mary’s 3-9. A big thank you to St. Mary’s for such a sporting game and to all the coaches and supporters from both sides for their cheering and their support.
The U10 footballers, gave a great display against Tramore. With the holiday season this team were missing some players also, but they had great fun and showed great team spirit helping each other out and keeping up their high standard. Although tired at the end, they were still smiling which tells their story of commitment.
There was a great win for the U11’s in the league against Ballygunner in Tom Cheasty Park. The team battled hard in extreme conditions. They defended well when they needed to and attacked with force putting over some lovely points and scoring good team goals. Well done to all the parents and kids and thanks to Ballygunner for a good game.
The Intermediate hurlers had their first outing of the year against Tramore and both teams looked a little rusty at times but provided glimpses of what we would like to see this year. They have put a lot of effort in so far and it is early days yet. We wish them the very best of luck for the year ahead.
It was an historic day for our adult ladies’ football team as the ladies from Ballyduff and Portlaw joined together and came out triumphant with a great win. It is great to see an adult team to inspire all the young girls making their way up through the club.

Thought For the Week

There are two ways of spreading light:
to be the candle
or the mirror that reflects it.

Easter Commemeration, Munster Title and Football Success

April 15, 2022 Christine Tubbritt

GAA LOTTO

At the last GAA lotto draw, the numbers drawn were 1, 6, 9 and 12. There was no winner of the jackpot but the three lucky winners of €50 each were Kathleen Cheasty, Paddy Flynn and Maurice Harris. The draw will take a little break and so the next draw will be after Easter on April 24th and there will be a fantastic jackpot of €5,750 on offer. While you are enjoying your Easter eggs you have extra time to think of those four lucky numbers or perhaps the Easter Bunny will have some tips for you.

EASTER COMMEMERATION

On Easter Sunday morning after 10am mass you are invited to gather with your fellow parishioners outside the church at our beautiful 1916 memorial. It will only take a short while as the proclamation is read, the tri colour is raised, and our National Anthem is played by gifted piper Tommy Kiely. This is always a lovely moment to stop and reflect and remember our ancestors and the sacrifices they made. Come along and stand in solidarity with your community and friends.

CHURCH NEWS

As I reminded you last week anniversary mass bookings are now being taken for the weekend masses during May and June. If you would like to book a mass, please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392 or if you see me at mass give me a shout.
We are approaching Holy Week which is a busy time in the church. The following is a list of times for the various ceremonies during the week in Ballyduff. On Holy Thursday at 7.30pm we will celebrate the anniversary of the first ever mass. On Good Friday at 3pm we celebrate the ceremony of the Passion and veneration of the cross and at 7.30pm we follow the journey of Christ in the Stations of the Cross . The Easter Vigil mass at 7.30pm on Holy Saturday is a beautiful ceremony reminding us of the new light and hope of the Easter season. The Easter Sunday morning mass is at 10am.
Holy Week is also a perfect opportunity for you to hand back your Trocaire boxes. There will be a box left out on the altar for you to place your Trocaire box in.
The collection for the support of the priests of the parish is also taken up over the Easter weekend. This is a very important part of the priest’s salary and Fr. Francis and Fr. Mick appreciate your kindness and support.

UKRAINE COLLECTION

I held another collection for the Ukraine last Sunday and was overwhelmed by the reaction of people once again. The previous collection a few weeks earlier was so well supported that I certainly didn’t expect the same reaction. I can not express just how grateful I am to everyone who came along with their items and filled another trailer with food items, clothes toys etc. Your generosity is so heart-warming, and I know that the people who are receiving your generous contributions are so very grateful. As we delivered the items the people running the unit many of them Ukrainians themselves who had to leave their country and many family members and friends behind had tears in their eyes as they spoke of the love they feel from the Irish people. I thank you all sincerely for supporting the collection and I thank you for your kindness and compassion.

MUNSTER TITLE

On Saturday April 2nd in Mallow GAA Sports Complex Waterford’s
U14 ladies took on Clare and in a wonderful display came out victorious. We here in Ballyduff have been keeping a very interested eye on this team of course as our very own Fiona Crotty Laffan manages the team and what an inspiration she must be to the girls. Of course, playing on the team is Fiona’s very talented daughter Makayla who is most definitely a player who is shining bright and has been one to watch throughout the years coming up. A young lady who can kick that ball on its way with either foot, each foot delivering the same degree of strength and determination. She has always given great commitment to any team she played on and has no problem giving 100% to her training. We congratulate Makayla on her Munster title and look forward to watching her climb to the top of her game.

BALLYDUFF GAA

Our U13’s footballers were unlucky against Roanmore and the final score line of Ballyduff 0-3 to Roanmore’s 3-3 did not reflect the work rate and skill shown by the lads. Faced with much bigger opponents they held very well and really dug into the game. They were unlucky not to have scores, but every game is an opportunity to learn, and they are being very competitive in a high division. Well done to their coaches for their commitment and encouragement.
The club sends warm congratulations to Makayla Laffan who was part of the winning U14 Waterford football team in the Munster championships. This is a super achievement and the club congratulate Makayla.
Waterford’s fourth National league title has brought great excitement to the Deise and all at Ballyduff GAA congratulate all involved in the Waterford set up especially club man Calum Lyons on this well-deserved victory.
What a superb morning the intermediates had in the field at their intermediates training morning. They put in a hard training session, enjoyed a healthy breakfast followed by a tactical talk. A big thank you to all the players who bought into this and all those who contributed. A special mention of thanks must go to Tracy O Reilly who provided the healthy breakfast. What a woman!
Our U11 hurlers gave an unreal display in Ferrybank getting the league off to a great start. A big thank to all the players for their great efforts and of course to the fan club who cheered us on the whole way.
A big well done to all the boys and girls of Ballyduff NS who took part in the schools’ competition. They came away with two great wins against Scoil Barun , Tramore. There were some superb skills on show and both teams now head on into their next games. A big thank you to Mr. Stapleton and Ms. Sinnott for their hard work with these groups. Thank you and well done also to the opposition for sticking with it under serious pressure and for their wonderful sportsmanship.

FOOTBALL SUCCESS

Congratulations to Sean O Rourke who is named on the Waterford U20 Football Panel for 2022. What a great achievement for Sean who since a young age has always shown great promise on the field of play. His hard work and dedication to training is now reaping rewards and we all wish him the very best. I’m sure that his parents Gavin and Nicola and sisters Lexi, Ciara and Emma are so proud of him. This family are probably some of Waterford’s best supporters, so Sean won’t be short of a cheering squad.

RECENT DEATH

We send our deepest sympathy to Siobhan Kavanagh, Ardeenlone on the recent death of her beloved father. Mr. Sean Barry was a resident of Lismore Park and a very proud Waterford man. He enjoyed a quiet simple life. He didn’t need any bells or whistles, he just liked to watch the hurling, have a little flutter on the horses, read a good book, working in his garden or enjoyed a pint and a chat with friends. He was a fantastic family man who was at his happiest with his family around him. He loved to see his grandchildren and great grandchildren coming to visit and enjoyed hearing all about their schoolwork and their different hobbies. I had the pleasure of knowing Sean and can only describe him as a gentleman. You were always welcomed when you called, and he really enjoyed chatting to you. He was blessed with a wonderful wife Kathleen and they enjoyed a lovely life together. Sean is survived by his devoted wife Kathleen, his beloved daughter Siobhan and loyal and supportive sons Tony, Eamonn and Colm, his grandchildren, great grandchildren, his sister Breda and all the extended family and many friends. Sean’s funeral mass took place in St. Pauls Church, and he was laid to rest in Ballygunner cemetery. We pray that his sweet gentle soul now rests in peace and that the Lord rewards him for his goodness here on earth.

EASTER GREETING

I would like to wish each and every one of you a very happy and peaceful Easter. I hope the Easter bunny comes hoping along with some tasty treats for you and that you enjoy some precious family time with those who are dearest to you.
Easter is a promise
God renews to us in each Spring
May the promise of Easter
Fill your heart with peace and joy
Happy Easter.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

One day you are going to hug your last hug
Kiss your last kiss and hear someone’s voice
for the last time.
But you never know when the last time will be.
Live every day as if it were the last time you will
be with the person you love.

Volunteers Needed, Gold Win and Ballyduff Youth Drama

April 8, 2022 Christine Tubbritt

Volunteers Needed

As you are all aware our beautiful church will celebrate its 200th anniversary this year. While we look forward to celebrating, we know that there are some jobs which need to be done like painting etc. Fr. Francis and Fr. Mick met with the Parish Council lately and it was decided that a new finance group should be formed. These volunteers would look at ways to raise money to carry out the work necessary.
St. Nicholas’ Church is a local landmark. It was there before the Famine and has stood strong through the Wars and Pandemics down the years. It has been a place of happiness for so many occasions in all our lives, baptisms, Holy Communions, Confirmations, Weddings, Easter, Christmas. It has been a place of great comfort for many people as they gather at a loved one’s funeral and feel the support of their community. Our church has been a holy place where our ancestors and ourselves have celebrated our faith from 1822 to 2022.
If you feel that you would like to help, please put your name, address and mobile number on a piece of paper and drop it into the sacristy or the parochial office.

Gold Win

Congratulations to Charlie Laffan, Carriganure who recently won gold in the National ONAKI Karate Championships which were held in Dublin. Charlie is part of the Irish Karate squad who will be participating in the WUKF World Karate Championships in Fort Laurderdale in Florida in July. Charlie puts a lot of time and hard work into his training and is very dedicated to his sport. We wish Charlie the very best of luck for the future and look forward to hearing about his continued success.

Ballyduff Camogie Club

Everybody involved in Ballyduff Camogie Club would like to send special congratulations to club member Maebh Counihan who has made it on to the Waterford U11 Whites and Stripes Panel. The club is very proud of your achievement and your dedication. The hard work you have put into your game has really paid off and this is a fantastic achievement. The club wishes Maebh well and hopes that she enjoys her Summer of camogie wearing the white and blue.
The club would like to sincerely thank Countrystyle Foods for sponsoring the girls first set of jerseys. Managing Director of Countrystyle Rory Williams presented the jerseys to some of the players and mentors from the club and the club greatly appreciate their support.

Church News

The booking of anniversary masses for the months of May and June are now been taken. If you would like to book a weekend anniversary mass for your loved one, then please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392. If you have a First anniversary or Months Mind you will need to get in contact as soon as possible to ensure you get your preferred date.
New readers are needed for the weekend masses. If you would like to put your name forward, please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392. Your name will be placed on a list, and it will be your own personal choice when you read.
Good news, I hear on the grapevine that our lovely church choir will soon return to treating us to some beautiful hymns during our masses. We look forward to hearing their beautiful tones enhancing our masses again soon.

Ballyduff AFC

Ballyduff AFC are delighted to announce not one but two fun Easter camps coming up in their club grounds. They will run their own Easter camp from April 11th to 15th and to apply you need to register through klubfounder. The cost of the camp is €65 for the first child, €50 for the second and your 3rd child is free. The camp will run each day from 10am to 2pm
The #AvivaSoccerSisters Easter camp will come to the Ballyduff AFC grounds from April 19th to April 21st. They are delighted to return with their popular camp and remind you that booking is now open so book your spot soon. For more information, please go to http://aviva.ie/soccersisters.

Ballyduff GAA

The club would like to congratulate Sandra Murphy who was the recent winner of their €12,500 lotto jackpot. Sandra was presented with her cheque at a recent presentation in The Sweep Bar and Restaurant. What a fantastic amount to win and the club hope that it brings Sandra great happiness.
A big well done to all the academy section and parents who supported the recent tea/coffee fundraisers. A fabulous total of €418.62 was raised for the Red Cross Ukraine appeal. This was a great idea and a wonderful expression of solidarity from the club.
The club will be taking part in the “Well Kids” programme which caters for boys and girls aged 4 to 6. This is a fun and active programme which includes up to 60 games and activities which are broken into fundamental movement, skills, hurling and football. This fun programme of activities will begin on April 9th and will run every Saturday from 10am to 11am in Tom Cheasty Park. For more information check out Ballyduff GAA Facebook page or contact Kevin on 0868607694.

Ballyduff Youth Drama

Following their recent success with their production of “Out of this World”, Ballyduff Youth Drama will host an exciting Easter Camp. This camp will be held over four days and will include singing, dancing and acting for performers from the ages of 9 to 12 years. The camp will run from Tuesday April 19th to Friday April 22nd from 10am to 2pm daily in Ballyduff Community Centre. For further information please message the groups Facebook page or contact Ciara on 0876665305. The cost per child is €50 and places are limited so make sure to book your spot. Who knows we could have a future Oscar winner in our midst.

Thought For The Week

It takes someone special, to do what you do
It takes someone rare and remarkable,
To make the lives of everyone around them,
nicer, brighter and more beautiful.
It takes someone who has a big heart and a caring soul.
It takes someone who is living proof of how precious a person can be.
It takes someone……. just like you.

Birthday Celebrations, Photo Archive and Ukraine Collection

April 1, 2022 Christine Tubbritt

RECENT DEATH
We send our deepest sympathies to Christy O Keeffe in Ballyduff Village on the recent loss of his beloved sister. Catherine (Kitty) Murphy (nee O Keeffe) was a resident of the beautiful Ballydurn and was predeceased by her husband Edward and her son Ken. She is deeply regretted by her children John, Brian and Stephen, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and extended family and friends.
Kitty’s funeral mass took place in Clonea church followed by burial in the adjoining graveyard. We pray that Kitty now rests in peace, and we hope that her family will find comfort in their memories of times spent with Kitty. We remember all her family in our prayers especially Christy, Vera, Damien, Elaine, Edel and Sandra.

WATERFORD SUIR VALLEY RAILWAY

On April 1st Waterford Suir Valley Railway will begin their 2022 season. Everyone looks forward to the beginning of the season and the treat of travelling along the railway taking in the beautiful sights and the sounds of nature and the wildlife. This year the staff and management of the railway have made a lovely generous gesture and for the first 10 days they have decided to donate all ticket revenue to UNICEF Ireland Crisis for the Ukraine Appeal. This is a lovely kind gesture so please spread the word and maybe arrange to meet some friends for a lovely day out while helping a wonderful cause.

GAA LOTTO

For many months we have all being picking those four lotto numbers for the local GAA lotto draw hoping that we may have chosen the lucky ones. Last weekend Sandra Murphy chose 3, 8, 17 and 21 and they proved to be the four lucky numbers which netted Sandra a jackpot of €12,500. What a fantastic win and we wish Sandra the very best of luck. There were also three lucky dip winners who won €50 each and they were Anthony Phelan, AM Queally and Danielle O Sullivan. The next draw will take place on April 3rd and there will be a jackpot of €5,600 up for grabs. Tickets cost just €2 each or three for €5 and are available from all committee members and will also be on sale outside Centra in Kilmeaden on Saturday April 2nd.

BALLYDUFF CAMOGIE

Membership is now due for the coming season. All registrations must be paid before March 31st. All players need to be registered online through “Foireann” before returning to training. If you are registering multiple members from the same household there is a Family membership option available.
Camogie training for girls aged 6+ takes place every Monday evening in Tom Cheasty Park from 6.15pm to 7.15pm. New members are always welcome.

BALLYDUFF GAA

The academy section of the club travelled to Kilmacow with several age groups taking part in some very competitive games. The sun shone for their first game out in the season and there were some super skills on show with plenty of hooks, blocks, pulls, tackles and of course some lovely scores. A big thank you to Kilmacow for hosting and to all the parents who offered such great support. The club look forward to welcoming Kilmacow to Tom Cheasty Park soon.
The club would like to congratulate Sandra Murphy who was the lucky jackpot winner in their recent lotto draw and wish her every happiness.

BALLYDUFF AFC

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

We send warmest birthday wishes to Patricia Cullinane, Johnstown who recently celebrated her 80th birthday. Patricia is a very popular lady in our community, and I am sure that her family made sure that she enjoyed her special day.
Down the road in Matthews Cross, Johnny Mackey was also celebrating his birthday, enjoying his 70th birthday. No doubt his family made sure he celebrated in style and I’m sure his grandson Ronan had plenty of fun ideas.

PHOTO ARCHIVE.

As you know our beautiful church will be 200 years old this year and I am putting together a supplement about the church, looking at the history of the church throughout the years. I am looking for any interesting photos you may have of the church inside or outside, occasions at the church. Were you married in the church 25, 50, 60, 70 years ago, can I use your wedding photo? Do you have any photos of the changes the church went through over the years? I promise to take great care of your photos and return them in the condition they were received. If you have anything of interest, please contact me Linda Spillane on 087 9838392.

UKRAINE COLLECTION

Following the fantastic response to the last collection we held for the Ukraine, I have decided to hold another one. On Sunday April 3rd we will hold another collection at Ballyduff Community Centre from 11am to 2pm. Once again items needed are tinned foods, soups, personal hygiene products, nappies, baby wipes, baby food etc. Of course, we have now welcomed some Ukrainians into our county who had to leave their homes and country leaving everything behind so perhaps the children would enjoy some small toys such as footballs, colours, books and The Red Cross are also looking for cash or vouchers for places like Tesco, Penneys, Dunnes where people can buy their own clothes etc. If you can help in any way, please come along to the collection and donate what you can.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Take Care Of Yourself

Go for a walk, eat your favourite food,
Get a haircut, cry if you need to,
Read a book, take a vacation, have a drink.
Do what you need to do.
Take care of yourself, because at the end of the day,
You’re all you’ve got.

Scrap Collection, Church News and Ballyduff Youth Drama

March 25, 2022 Christine Tubbritt

Scrap Collection

Ballyduff AFC are into the final couple of weeks of their scrap metal collection. There is a skip situated at the Ballyduff AFC grounds and you are invited to bring along your scrap items such as old bikes, dishwashers and old scrap metal. Please do not include items such as glass objects, washing machines, TV’s or paint tins. You can drop along to the grounds any day between 12 noon and 8pm. Please help the club to raise funds for the club while clearing up your sheds and garages. This collection will finish on March 29th so get collecting.

Church News

A reminder that there will be a special Friday evening mass at 7.30pm every Friday during Lent. Lent is a wonderful time to do a little bit of spiritual Spring cleaning as we prepare for the lovely season of Easter.
The annual Spring station masses were always held in people’s houses but are now offered in the church. Each station mass is offered to ask God’s blessing on every home in the parish. This year’s masses will take place in St. Nicholas’s Church, Ballyduff on Monday March 21st at 7.30pm and on Monday March 28th at 7.30pm.

Social Dancing

Are you ready to dance the night away or at least learn how to do it properly? Social dance classes commenced on Monday March 21st at 7.30pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. Teacher Helen will teach many different dances and you are promised lots of great fun and exercise. You don’t have to bring a partner as everyone will swap around and dance with each other. All ladies and gentlemen are welcome to come along and join in the fun. At a cost of €50 for 5 weeks this is a great chance to learn some social dancing while enjoying some nice company. If you would like to find out any further information or would like to register your interest, please contact Martha on 086-1216882. So, calling all couples, individuals, people whose other half has two left feet grab your dancing shoes and get ready to dance the night away.

Ladies Football

Ballyduff Lower Ladies Gaelic Football club will recommence the U8’s training from Thursday March 24th from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. This caters for all girls born in 2014/15 and new members are always welcome.
New coaches are needed or if you feel you could help in any way it would be greatly appreciated.

Ballyduff GAA

Full academy training sessions have now returned to the field on Saturday mornings at 10am. Tea and coffee will also be available on Saturday mornings and to cut down on waste we encourage people to bring their own travel mugs. There will be some paper mugs available in case anyone forgets a mug. If any of you have any helmets or hurleys that you are no longer using, the club would love to have them for this group if they forget their own
The young girls have returned to the GAA grounds to train for another year of camogie. Camogie training continues every Monday evening in Ballyduff Lower GAA grounds from 6.15pm to 7.15pm for girls aged 6 years + Newcomers are always welcome.
Ballyduff GAA and Camogie club are delighted to announce that they will be taking part in the @WaterfordGAA Well kids nursery programme for 2022. For more information, please contact club coordinator Kevin Whelan on 086 8607694.
All sections of the club are back training now so keep an eye on the club Facebook page for times and dates. New members are always very welcome to join.

Ballyduff Youth Drama

A big well done to all the members of Ballyduff Youth Drama who staged their production of “Out of this World”. What a wonderful uplifting show full of colour, music and dance. Every year this group made up of students from 5th and 6th classes treat everyone to a terrific show and this year was no different. Well done to all the cast and crew.

Thought of the Week

Happy are those who take life day by day,
Complain very little and are thankful
For the small things in life

United We Stand, Social Dancing and Little Princess

March 18, 2022 Christine Tubbritt

United We Stand

Last Sunday I opened my house and asked people to donate any items they may have to donate to the Ukrain appeal. Within a few minutes my front hall was full of boxes of items. The items donated were batteries, soups, tinned food, toothpaste, toothbrushes, personal hygiene products, pasta, rice etc. I was really overwhelmed by the reaction and even more blown away by the donations placed in the collection box. A fantastic amount of €1255 was raised which I have lodged to The Irish Red Cross account and all the items were transported by my husband Brian to the collection depot in Waterford.
I was in no way surprised by the generosity and kindness of our community but with very little notice they really stepped up and I cannot thank everyone enough for showing such kindness of spirit. I have decided to do it all again on Sunday April 3rd so watch this space for more information

GAA Lotto

Ballyduff Lower GAA club held their lotto draw last week and the numbers drawn were 11, 15, 20 and 27. There was no lucky winner of the jackpot but the three lucky dip winners of €50 each were James Cuddihy, Rian Hearne and Meabh Power. The next draw will take place on March 20th and there will be a fantastic jackpot of €12,500 up for grabs. Tickets are just €2 each or three for €5 and are available from all committee members and will be on sale outside Centra on Saturday 19th. Get your ticket early and choose those four numbers carefully.

Recent Deaths

We extend our deepest sympathies to the Principal of Ballyduff N.S Fionnuala Power on the recent death of her mother. Mrs. Joan Power was a resident of Bishops Grove in Ferrybank and will be sadly missed by her husband Paddy, her children, grandchildren and extended family. Joan’s funeral mass took place in The Sacred Heart Church, Ferrybank followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. We pray that she now rests in the peace and love of Christ.
We also extend our sympathy to John Hanley, Ballyduff on the death of his brother, David who was a resident of Hennessys Road. His funeral mass took place in St. Mary’s Church Ballygunner with burial in the adjoining graveyard. May his soul rest in peace and those who mourn will find comfort in their memories.

Scrap Collection

Church News

A reminder that there will be a special Friday evening mass at 7.30pm every Friday during Lent. Lent is a wonderful time to do a little bit of spiritual Spring cleaning and prepare ourselves for the lovely season of Easter.
Fr. Francis has now been with us for the past few weeks, and he is settling in nicely. We thank him for his ministry and thank him for his commitment to our parish.

Social Dancing

Are you ready to dance the night away or at least learn how to do it properly? Social dance classes will commence on Monday March 21st at 7.30pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. Teacher Helen will teach many different dances and you are promised lots of great fun and exercise. You don’t have to bring a partner as everyone will swap around and dance with each other. All ladies and gentlemen are welcome to come along and join in the fun. At a cost of €50 for 5 weeks this is a great chance to learn some social dancing while enjoying some nice company. If you would like to find out any further information or would like to register your interest, please contact Martha on 086-1216882. So, calling all couples, individuals, people whose other half has two left feet grab your dancing shoes and get ready to dance the night away.

A Little Princess

We send warm congratulations to Kelvin Kearns and Jessie Scannell who recently welcomed their beautiful baby daughter Ruby into the world. Ruby is just the picture of happiness. I have no doubt that Ruby has brought great joy and excitement to both the Kearns and Scannell families. Ruby will get plenty of advice and will learn all the tricks of the trade from all her cousins. We wish this happy little family the very best of luck for the future and look forward to watching Ruby grow up.

Ladies Football

Ballyduff GAA

Full academy training sessions have now returned to the field on Saturday mornings at 10am. A reminder that registrations need to be filled in before Saturday. Tea and coffee will also be available on Saturday mornings and to cut down on waste we encourage people to bring their own travel mugs. There will be some paper mugs available in case anyone forgets a mug.
If any of you have any helmets or hurleys that you are no longer using, the club would love to have them for this group if they forget their own
The young girls have returned to the GAA grounds to train for another year of camogie. Camogie training continues every Monday evening in Ballyduff Lower GAA grounds from 6.15pm to 7.15pm for girls aged 6 years + Newcomers are always welcome.

Soccer Success

Kate Foley has always shone as a star for the future on the soccer field and is now in her second season with Carlow/ Kilkenny FC. Kate has shown great dedication and commitment to the club and has now been named as U19’s captain for the 2022 season. We wish Kate and the team the very best of luck for the season ahead.

Thought For The Week

I can’t change the direction of the wind
But I can adjust my sails to always reach
My destination!

In the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore in the southeast of Ireland, Ballyduff and Kilmeaden are about 23 miles from Dungarvan and 5 miles from Waterford.