Broomfield
CONTACT ME
Contact Gerard on 087/2729154 or E-mail: starinaghgerard1@ if you have an item for this Column, the deadline for which is 12 noon on Friday. Thanks for your co-operation as always.
BEST WISHES
The best wishes of the Association and Community is extended to all who are hospitalised or ill at this time. We wish you a speedy recovery.
SINCERE SYMPATHY
The sincere sympathy of Broomfield and District Residents Association and the Community of Broomfield & District is extended to the family, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends, and all those who were bereaved by the passing of Gerry Harding, RIP, Monknewtown, Slane recently. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis!
GUITAR LESSONS
Guitar Lessons are available in Teach Raithneach on Wednesdays and Fridays. Contact Evan on 086 2513640 for further information.
YOGA CLASS RESUMES
Another Yoga Classes starts back for a 5 week term on Wednesday 4th March, and will run until Wednesday 1st April. Contact Grainne on 086 8046781 for further information.
SET DANCING NEWS
Set Dancing Classes are held in Teach Raithneach on Mondays, while Sandpit Classes are held on Thursdays. Both Classes run from 8.30 to 10.30 pm, and refreshments are served. New Members always welcome to both classes. Contact Gerard Weldon (Teach Raithneach) on 087 2729154, and Jim Finegan (Sandpit) on 087 9161903 for further information.
DRAFT MEATH COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The above Plan makes interesting reading, particularly in the area of Rural Planning. Submissions on the Plan should be made by Friday next, 6th March. This is a serious Plan, the implications of which could be profound for Rural Communities. Take the opportunity to have your say.
NATIONAL PPN INSURANCE SURVEY
In 2019, a National Survey was carried out by PPN Member Groups. Meath Groups responded in large numbers to highlight the issues caused by increased Insurance costs. The Dept. of Community and Rural Development has also highlighted this issue as a challenge in the development of the National Volunteering Strategy, and is committed to an action to address the issue.
Voluntary Community Organisations, who operate on an entirely Voluntary basis, in their own communities, should demand to have proper representation on any such Fora in the future that discuss issues that affect them. They have been left out of the loop for too long, action required.
THANKS
Thanks to all who are involved in any way in supporting the on-going programme of activity at Teach Raithneach. Your support is greatly appreciated. Please check out the Activities and Contacts below. Ideas for new activities always welcome.
TEACH RAITHNEACH ACTIVITY CONTACTS
If there are any Community Members who would like to get involved in, or help with any of the activities listed below, please make contact with the relevant person listed. Your participation would be greatly appreciated.
Walking Group, contact Josie on 086 4458108
Set Dancing, contact Gerard on 087 2729154
Art Group, contact Niamh on 087 8173073
Irish Dancing, contact Grainne on 086 3707227 or Olive on 086 3502157
Brickx and Craft Club, contact Teresa on 086 3212986
Guitar and Piano Classes, contact Nicole on 087 1674639 or Evan on 086 2513640
Yoga, contact Grainne on 086 8046781
To Book Teach Raithneach, contact Alice on 087-9360018
The Teach Raithneach Eircode is A92 W283
ANTI-LITTER INITIATIVE AND SPRING CLEAN 2020
Meath Co. Council’s Anti-Litter Initiative takes place this year from 2nd to 27th March, while An Taisce’s National Spring Clean runs from 1st to 30th April.
The Spring Clean Initiative is now in its 22nd year, and relies on Volunteers the length and breadth of the country for its success. Broomfield & District Residents Association appeals to Community Members to play their part in securing the Gold Medal again this year in the Anti-Litter Initiative.
NATIONAL TREE WEEK 2020
The theme for National Tree Week 2020 has been decided upon, and is ‘healthy trees, healthy planet’ the idea being that if the trees are allowed to live and grow and be healthy, so too can the planet. A tree will be planted in memory of all those who passed away since Tree Week last year. National Tree Week takes place from Saturday 21st to Friday 27th March inclusive.More information will be made available in due course.
INFORMATION
If you have not got round to returning the information requested of you, please do as soon as possible, as we cannot keep you informed of Community Information if we have not got your details. Thanks in anticipation. Contact the Secretary on 087 2729154.
LOTTERY
Broomfield Bonus Ball Lottery Draw Results. Draw Date: 26/02/2020 . Bonus Ball Numbers were: 18, 15 and 14. No Jackpot Winner! Next Week’s Jackpot: €7,800. This Weeks €20 Winner:
Bridie Doggett, Kellystown. Carmel Crosby, Carrickmacross. Pat Drew, Grangegeeth. Tara & Aoife Dillon, Grangegeeth. Mason & Theo Power, Grangegeeth. Promoters: Vincent Fitzsimons, Gerard Weldon, Breege Drew and Ellen Dillon. Next Draw: 04/03 2020.
GERRY HARDING RIP
Sympathy is extended to the Harding family following the recent death of Gerry at the Boyne Valley Nursing Home. Gerry is survived by his sons Barry, Ray, Tim and Philip, daughters Olive, Bernie, Siobhan, Monica and extended family. Funeral Mass took place in Monknewstown Church on Wednesday with burial afterwards in St Erc’s Cemetery, Slane. Gerry was a president of Slane GFC and won a junior championship medal with the club in 1952.
FOOTBALL BLOTTO
Numbers drawn in the Slane GFC blotto were 5, 13, 14, 23. There was no jackpot winner and the €20 winners were Francis Mongey, Deirdre Russell, Derek Wogan, Janine Reilly. The jackpot is now €4125. You can play the blotto through the Clubforce app and in the envelopes every week.
WANDERERS AGM
The following were elected at the recent AGM of Slane Wanderers soccer club: chairman Brendan Loughran, vice-chairman Michael Cassidy, joint secretaries Dawn Weldon, Stephanie Smith, treasurer Anthony Doyle, PRO Graham Smith, registration officer Paul O’Connor, child welfare officer Paul O’Neill.
HANDEL’S MESSIAH IN SLANE
A concert version of Handel’s Oratoria The Messiah will be performed in St Patrick’s Church of Ireland, Slane, on Saturday, April 4th, at 7.30pm.
The performers will include the Occasional Singers, the trumpeter will be local musician Colm Byrne and the organ will be played by Charlie Pearson who is one of Ireland’s leading organ recitalists and accompanists. This is the second time that the Messiah has been performed in Slane in recent times. On the last occasion the concert was a sell-out.
The Occasional Singers have been performing the Messiah at many venues in Dublin, Wicklow and other parts of the country for the last 10 years. Its members are drawn from leading choirs and choral societies including the RTE Philharmonic Choir and Our Lady’s Choral Society.
A feature of the night is that the audience is encouraged to join in at the Hallelujah Chorus. Tickets €20 are available from The Hub, Slane or Brian McIvor 087 2504562. and proceeds are in aid of Meath Church of Ireland Child Care Society.
FUNDRAISING BINGO
A school fundraising bingo in aid of Rathkenny and Stackallen National Schools takes place in Rathkenny Community Centre on Wednesday, March 18th at 8.30pm.
SLANE CASTLE 5K
It’s time to get jogging of the Slane Castle 5km trail run/walk which takes place on Sunday, April 19th at 10am. Fun for all the family, new scenic route and all abilities are welcome. There is a beautiful medal depicting Slane Castle on the front for the first 500 across the finishing line. Proceeds are in aid of St Patrick’s National School, Slane. Register online @eventmaster.ie No pets admitted in the castle grounds.
LEDWIDGE MUSEUM
The Francis Ledwidge Museum on the Drogheda Road, Slane, is back open for the new season, seven days a week, 10am until 3.30pm. We look forward to welcoming you all to our historical cottage.
QUIZ NIGHT
For all you quiz buffs out there The Hub is having a fundraising quiz night this Friday, March 6th in the Village Inn at 9pm. A table of four is €40 and all support is appreciated.
FOOD CIRCLE TOUR
The first Slane Food Circle tour of 2020 takes place on Sunday, March 15th.
On this absorbing guided food tour you’ll meet Slane Food Circle producers and visit their working farms located in medieval farmyards featuring Georgian farmhouses. You’ll gain a sense of the region’s rich history, its neolithic sites and Battle of the Boyne stories as you get a unique glimpse into how today’s food producers rear, grow, or make their own produce, making surprising use of ancient techniques.
For more information and to book go to slanefoodcircle.ie/ tours/food-tour
BOOK LAUNCH
Francis O’Toole will launch his new book Mindfulness Unlocked in the Conyngham Arms Hotel, Slane, on Saturday, March 21st at 7.30pm.
When we live in a fast-paced world it is ever more important to take time to be mindful. Francis, in this his second book, has created a beautiful story that takes us on a journey with the Oracle Rhema where we begin to see that we possess all inner wisdom if we only allow ourselves the freedom to be quiet and listen to our own counsel. Everyone welcome to the launch.
EASTER CAMPS
The Easter Camps are back at Ladyrath Lane on Thursday and Friday, 16th and 17th of April from 10am to 3pm. Activities include outdoor fun and games, arts & crafts, STEM challenges, introduction to woodwork classes. Cost is €45 for two days per child, discounts apply for siblings. To book go to Ladyrath Lane facebook page.
LEDWIDGE PERFORMANCE
A Day in the Death of Francis Ledwidge, written and directed by Richard Ball, is on in Solstice Arts Centre, Navan, on Thursday March 26 at 8pm.
Francis Ledwidge, soldier and poet, bridges a century and more, to speak to us in his own words of his two great loves; the local landscape of Slane and Ellie Vaughey.
Blown to pieces in 1917, his unique voice remains suspended forever in time, in its first flowering. He was only 29 and destined, in the opinion of Lord Dunsany, to be the poet of the age.
In his mid twenties he took to dressing like a poet; white poplin shirt, a flowing black silk bow, rimless glasses, and he grew his hair long.
But he was no dandy, defending the honour of Slane’s Gaelic football team with his fists, on the streets of Navan. He was a good soldier, and dressed like one, wearing his uniform with the same meticulous attention to detail.
Watch and listen as he unravels his past and tries to imagine a future that will never be, as he stands on the cusp of eternity. You will never get closer to Francis Ledwidge. Tickets €16/€14 (conc).
DATES FOR THE DIARY
First Communion for Slane parish takes place on Saturday, May 23rd at 11am.
The Blessing of the Graves in Monknewtown, Dowth and Fennor will take place on Sunday, May 31st.
Blessing of the Graves on the Hill of Slane and St Erc’s Cemetery is on Sunday, June 7th.