Stamullen
IN MEMORY.
Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Dessie Kirk, late of Stamullen Road Gormanston, who recently passed away. Dessie was laid to rest in SS. Peter & Paul`s Cemetery, Balbriggan.
Sympathy is also extended to the family and friends of Esther Meighan, late of Grangerath, Drogheda and formerely of Martins Road in Gormanston, who passed away suddenly at her home in Grangerath on Friday April 17th last.
SEAGULL MENACE
Have you noticed that there has been a huge increase in the number of seagulls that apparently have taken up residence across the local businesses and residential estates in Stamullen village?
In times past when Stamullen was a `sleepy backwater` seagulls would be seen inland across the landscape at particular times of the year and were a familiar sight following agricultural machinery as the soil of the land was being ploughed; returning to the nearby coast in the evening.
It was seldom that this seabird would be seen perched on the rooftops of local houses. In recent times however, it has become very noticeable that these particular birds are swamping the village area, screeching and crying from the dawn of the morning; they have, by their large numbers, blighted out the sounds of many if not all of our smaller wild bird varieties.
It is a well-known-fact that these seagulls are already causing havoc across the town of Balbriggan, so much so, that there has been much talk of a cull on the species.
Many people, families and children have actually been attacked as they were eating an icecream or holding a barbeque in the back gardens and the situation has become a problem in our neighbouring town in Fingal.
So parents be aware that if your child is out playing in the back garden and they happen to be eating anything, watch out for this; what has become, a cheeky-predator, but a predator who not only will swoop and dive with some vigour to steal the food but who may also inflict an injury on your child or children as they do so!
CURRENT CRISIS.
It will be interesting to see what, if any, effect the current `lock-down` across much of the globe will eventually have on climate-change.
Here, across the parish of Stamullen the sky above us has been relatively free of air-traffic since the lock-down. We are very familiar with low-flying aircraft in these parts as planes circle above and around us day & night as they await to land at Dublin Airport, which is located, as the crow flies, but a short distance beyond the hill of Tír Ri and the village of Naul.
Meanwhile, the lack of vehicular traffic on the roads and the relative silence across Stamullen village would remind you of former days when Stamullen was a hidden village tucked into the valley of the Delvin River; with not much going on, the summer days were long as parishioners tended to their fruit gardens, while neighbours would stop at each-others gates to have a chat on the way to or from the village shop.
A stark difference today is that we have now a much greater number of parishioners, particularly those resident in Stamullen village area and although the days may still feel pretty long for many people and also pretty quiet.
It is also strange in many other ways to witness such an array of folk, individuals, couples, families, etc. out walking, jogging and/or cycling on the smaller rural roads leading off Stamullen village since the current lockdown. As Stamullen is also very much a rural community it is also strange and sad that, almost certainly for the remainder of 2020, we will not witness any local, regional or county sporting events.
We will not be able to attend the many annual country fairs and festivals, no field-days and/ or no heritage days, to mention just a few, due to the current and on-going Government restrictions regarding the Covid-19 virus.
Remember to take notes or kep a daily or weekly diary of this particular period in our lives; it is extraordinary, we are living in the midst of a hugely significant and important, life-changing event that has affected everyone from the smallest child to our most senior citizens.
Take photos and recordings of yourself, your family, your friends and your neighbours. The national image and reflection that will eventually emerge from all of this can perhaps be compared to that of building up a large jigsaw puzzle; the picture will only be clearly seen when all the pieces of the `jigsaw` are brought together by future historians; that is why
Community History is vitally important in our understanding of national and global events and of what the implications were on communities at local-level.
CONTACT ME
Any news or interesting items welcome in this column, births, birthdays, engagements, weddings, sports/social/special events etc. Please have all information to me by 10pm on Thursday evenings at nicholasduff66@gmail.com or contact 087-2486472.
CORONAVIRUS.
We must continue to abide by Government and HSE restrictions in the interest of safety. When shopping locally, or exercising it is critical that we continue to maintain the appropriate distance from each other as well as keeping within a short distance of our homes.
Complements must be given to our local businesses in how they are dealing with the current pandemic and it is very important to comply with any requests they make while you are on their premises.
DOUBLE DIAMOND ANNIVERSARIES
Our congratulations go to two local couples Michael and Daphne Branigan, Baltray and Ernie and June Reilly, Thunder Hill who got married on the same day 60 years ago in the Church of the Immaculate Conception. On Tuesday April 19th 1960 at 10am, Michael married Daphne (nee Mc Guirk). One hour later, Ernie married June (nee Winters). Both couples were married by then Parish Priest Monsignor Peter Mc Kevitt. Best wishes and continued health and happiness to both couples from us all. No doubt when the current pandemic is over, there will be celebrations.
ST. FECHIN’S LOTTO.
The Lotto was won again, having being won two weeks ago. The winning numbers drawn were 3, 9, 13 and 15. Congratulations to Kay Newman who wins €1,100. The jackpot this week is €1,000 and is kindly sponsored by Madden’s Centra, Termonfeckin. Many thanks for your continued support. The Lotto can be purchased at the Post office and online at
https://www.klubfunder.com/ Clubs/St_Fechins_GAA/lotto
In keeping with current HSE guidelines, tickets can be left in the “Lotto box” now located at the gates to Pairc Naomh Feichin which remain closed.
CREDIT UNION.
Revised opening hours are in operation in Termonfeckin Credit Union. The offices will be open on Fridays from 3-7pm. From 3-4pm, this time is for Carers of Elderly/ Vulnerable Members ONLY. From 4pm -7pm, it is for all other members. Social distancing will be enforced until further notice.
All members are requested to abide by the following- Please keep at least 1-2 metres from people at all times, Where possible, members please do not bring children into the offices and also we urge you not to come into our offices if your business can be done remotely.
We are here to help. Our top priority is ensure the safety and wellbeing of our members and staff. The Covid-19 outbreak is a developing situation that we are monitoring but we are aware that some of our members will be impacted in ways that will affect their ability to meet loan repayments in the coming weeks. If you find yourself in this position, we are committed to supporting you. We all hope things will go back to normal as soon as possible.
Rest assured, we will look after you in any way we can in regard to your loan repayments. If you find yourself in difficulties please– email creditcontrol@termonfeckincu.ie Following the email, a member of staff will be in contact with you.
Please be advised we are experiencing a large volume of queries and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.
WEEKLY CHURCH CEREMONIES.
All Masses continue to be broadcast live via the internet from the Church of the Immaculate Conception on www.termonfechinparish. Masses for the St. Colmcille’s Pastoral area. Mass is at 9.30am: Monday to Friday. On each Monday evening, the Eucharistic Holy Hour from 7pm to 8pm continues via the webcam. If availing of these ceremonies from the Church of the Immaculate Conception, when logging in, please note the letter h instead of the letter k. Please keep Fr. Paul and all the Priests in the Pastoral area in our prayers as they continue their great work in spreading the faith duing these very difficult times.
ZAMBIA OUTREACH DURING THE COVID19 PANDEMIC.
A Zambia Outreach programme was set up by Termonfeckin Parish two years ago. Since then a substantial sum of money for St. Monica parish has been raised due to your generosity. Support has always aimed to fund income generating projects but times have changed and so it has been decided to use this money to provide food for the people of St. Monica Parish. A “Covid19Fund” has been set up through which the St. Monica Parish committee and the local St. Vincent De Paul can establish a “feeding programme”. A GoFundMe account gf.me/u/xunrmc has also been established which can be accessed through the Parish Facebook page and the parish website (www.termonfechinparish.ie). Thank you for your continued support. Stay home, stay safe.
LITTER.
Litter continues to be an absolute scourge and seems to be getting worse. Given the current restrictions it has been announced that there will be no Tidy Towns Competition this year. Some members of the community continue to make an effort within current guidelines to maintain the village as best they can but there are those who could not care less. It is reasonable to assume that most of it comes from passing traffic.
Litter has become more noticeable following cutting of hedges and banks and there is plenty of evidence of dumping in ditches, not to mention fields. The current crisis is not an excuse to do so. Shame on those who dispose of their waste wherever they feel like it.
ST. FECHIN’S GAA.
Pairc Naomh Feichin remains closed, including the walkway.
TERMONFECKIN CELTIC
All activities suspended.
TERMONFECKIN MACRA.
All Macra related activities nationwide have been suspended for the foreseeable future due to COVID-19.
If you are interested in learning more about Termonfeckin Macra simply like and contact the Macra Tearmann Feichin facebook page or contact Aoife on 087 6262197.
SEAPOINT PITCH & PUTT.
Seapoint Pitch and Putt Club is CLOSED FOR PLAY for members and Green Fees until further notice. Thanks and Stay Safe.
TENNIS CLUB.
are
temporarily
Termonfeckin Tennis Club remains closed until further notice.
SEAPOINT GOLF CLUB.
The course, clubhouse and practice facilities remain closed. The closure will be kept under constant review. Meanwhile work continues to maintain the greens and tee boxes. Plenty of work has been undertaken at the entrance to Seapoint Golf Club which looks extremely well.
CO. LOUTH GOLF CLUB.
The golf course, clubhouse and all practice facilities are closed until further notice. If anyone has any inquiries please feel free to contact: reservations@ countylouthgolfclub.com or enda@countylouthgolfclub.com #Stayhomestaysafe
BALSANTER.
Contact 086- 2747474 to report any suspicious activity. If you would like to join up to BALSANTER, application forms are available in Maddens Centra and Mc Grane’s XL. Anyone in need of assistance with shopping, prescription collection etc during the current crisis, please contact the Louth Community Response Helpline on 1800 805817.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL.
The contact number for St. Vincent de Paul is 1800 677777. The St. Colmcille Conference of St. Vincent de Paul operates in this area.
FURTHER RESTRICTIONS
Schools will remain closed until further notice; Junior Certificate Exams have been cancelled and will be replaced with schoolbased exams and assessments; Leaving Certificate Exams have been arranged for Wed. 29th July; The entry date for 1st Year Third Level students will be delayed.
Travel restrictions will also remain in place. It will be well worth it if we can stem the flow of this epidemic.
MEATH COUNTY COMMUNITY RESPONSE LINE
Extended Hours - 8.00am to 8.00pm, 7 days a week. Free Phone: 1800 808 809 Email: covidsupport@meathcoco.
If you are an older person or a member of a vulnerable group and have been asked to cocoon and stay indoors during the current period of this national emergency, the message is that Meath County Council is here to support you at this time.
If people need medication collected, need food or other essentials delivered to their home, transport to a health appointment or any other needs at this time, the support is there for them.
We have the volunteers, who are only too willing to assist and help out.