AROUND THE DISTRICTS
Slane CONTACT
Contact Sean on 087-6783729 or email swall32@gmail.com if you have an item for this column.
DUCK RACE
The Irish Grand National wasn’t the only big racing event in the locality over the Easter weekend! The eagerly awaited Rossin Rovers Duck Race took place on the River Mattock on Easter Sunday and proved a great success. And it was live streamed as well on the club’s social media pages. Following an exciting race where the lead changed hands on numerous occasions duck number nine belonging to Lauren Reilly was declared the winner and she scooped the €100 first prize. Second place went to duck number 123 belonging to Kevin Dunne who won €75 while in third place was duck number 49 owned by Kayleigh Captain McMahon who picked up €50.
The event proved a great success not only for the club but also Drogheda River Rescue who received a €1 donation for every duck sold. In all 133 ducks were sold and the club generously increased the donation to €200 while club sponsor Newgrange Gold kindly agreed to match that donation with another €200. Well done to everyone who purchased a duck and also to Rossin Rovers and Newgrange Gold for their generosity to Drogheda River Rescue.
LEDWIDGE NEWSLETTER
The latest edition of the Francis Ledwidge Museum Newsletter has been issued and is packed with news and updates on the museum as well as excerpts from a number of the poet’s works. The museum is hopeful that it can open it’s doors to visitors again soon, subject to the prevailing public health situation at the time. The newsletter also contains links to a number of very interesting RTE video clips and programmes featuring Ledwidge. There is also a look back at Ledwidge Days in years gone by as well as a link to the online shop where a range of books, Cds and cards are available to purchase.
JACKPOT WINNER
Congratulations to Edel Reid, Creewood who scooped the €1125 jackpot in the Slane GFC 50/50 draw for March which took place on Easter Saturday. There were also five lucky winners of Easter eggs as consolation prizes. So far over €10,000 has been won in the nine draws which have taken place to date. Tickets are now on sale for the April draw which promises to have another bumper jackpot. The numbers drawn in the weekly lotto were 2, 7, 11, 24. There was no winner of the jackpot which now stands at €5450. The spot prize winners were Joan & Helen Kearns, David Tully, Helen Kearns, Imelda Berrill. Prizes can be collected at Smyth’s shop. You can play the lotto and the 50/50 draw through the Clubforce app and in the envelopes every week. Meanwhile the club’s O’Neill’s online store has been updated recently with lots of new Slane items now available.
Everything from T-shirts, jumpers and tracksuits to match day shorts and socks.
GAA CÚL CAMPS
Bookings are now being taken for the Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps Summer 2021 in Meath. A number of local clubs are again hosting camps including St Mary’s Donore, Rathkenny, Duleek-Bellewstown, Seneschalstown and Drumconrath. Some camps may already be sold out at this stage but a limited number of places are still available in some clubs. Full details of dates and venues are available on the Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps website. Meath GAA are also seeking coaches and assistant coaches for their summer camps and again full details are also on the website.
CHURCH SERVICES
With the Level 5 restrictions still in place there are no public Masses celebrated in the parish until regulations change.
The usual Mass schedule from St Patrick’s Church, Slane is available online and also on radio FM 107.8. Mass can be viewed online on Saturday evening at 7pm, and Sunday at 11am. The church is open each day for private prayer.
Updates on Mass during the week are available on the Slane & Monknewtown Parish facebook page.
COMMUNITY CALL SUPPORTLINE
Meath Community Call Supportline have a Freephone number 1800808809 for anyone who needs help during the present lockdown. Please contact for help with collection and delivery of food, essential household items, medication, transport to non Covid-19 related GP/hospital appointments; social isolation support and engagement; meals and delivery. This number is in operation seven days per week 9am-5pm.
VACCINE SCAM
The
Gardaí,
the HSE
and
The Department of Health have issued a warning to the public over potential scams relating to the Covid-19 vaccine. A number of people have recently received phone calls or text messages in which they are offered vaccinations. However the callers are then providing fraudulent vaccination dates and looking to extract sensitive personal details. The details requested include the person’s name, PPS number, date of birth and address. Text messages have also made requests for people to confirm private information such as PPS number, date of birth and address. The HSE will never text seeking such information.
If you receive such a call just hang up. Anyone who mistakenly provides personal information in response to this scam should report the matter to their local Garda station.
LOCAL SPORTS PARTNERSHIP
Meath Local Sports Partnership have a series of planned programmes over the next number of weeks, all of which are delivered whilst adhering to current public health guidelines. Included in the programmes are: Virtual Royal County 3k/5k/10k Walk/ Run; Podcast Running Series; Fitness Made Easy - Beginners Online Circuits; Yoga Relaxation Programmes; Move Well Exercise Videos; Safeguarding 1 Basic Awareness in Child Protection Online Course; Safeguarding 2 Club Children’s Officer Online Course; iCoach Kids Online Programmes for Coaches; Sport Inclusion & Disability Workshop; Autism in Sport Workshop; Run Jump Throw; Inclusive Pilates; Community Sports Hub Navan; Primary & Secondary School Online Programmes; Teacher Training Programmes.
It’s a virtual return for the ever popular Royal County 3k, 5k & 10k Walk/Run event on May Bank Holiday weekend. This is the 10th anniversary of the Royal County event. The 3km distance is a new addition this year. All participants will receive a bespoke exceptionally designed t-shirt to celebrate the 10th year and a commemorative medal. You must register to take part in this event and registration is now open.
If you thinking that you would like to be part of this great event, beginner runner and improver podcasts are being launched over the coming weeks to support you with a training plan – podcasts designed to suit beginners and those who wish to complete the 10k event.
GREEN KILOMETRE SCHEME
Meath County Council has launched a Green Kilometre scheme to encourage the public to look after a stretch of rural road in their area by picking litter and and also planting.
The scheme invites individuals/ to choose approximately a kilometre stretch of road in their locality, preferably a quiet, local road in terms of safety. The individual or group would then commit to maintaining that stretch over the course of the year.
An increase in walking and cycling since lockdown has made many people aware of both the litter along the roadside, but also the wildlife that exists in the hedgerows. Incentives of some native trees, litter pickers, bags and gloves are on offer for all participating groups/individuals. Those wishing to participate should fill out the Green Kilometre Participation Form on the Meath Co Co website and return it to environment@meathcoco.ie or by post to Environment Section, Meath County Council, Buvinda House, Dublin Rd, Navan.
The council urges participants to ensure they follow all covid restrictions, stay within your 5km zone, observe social distancing, wash and sanitise hands before and after litter picking, place litter directly into bags and store bags in safe place for collection. If you come across bags dumped in your area, don’t open them and report to the council. Wear and use PPE and always follow road safety advice when litter picking or out walking.
NEW WEBSITE
Rossin Rovers Soccer Club have launched a brand new website in recent days. As well as the desktop version it is also optimised for mobile. The website features news on all the club teams, fundraising events and you’ll also be able to pay registration fees through the website. It also features the club shop where you can buy children’s and adult club gear.
The club recently secured kit sponsorship from Newgrange Gold for their very first ladies team. The club would like to thank Jack and everyone at Newgrange Gold for their continued support which is very much appreciated by everyone in the club.
Laytown/ Bettystown CONTACT ME
Ring Iris on 0864033557 or email irismaryg@gmail. com with items of interest in the area.
BETTYSTOWN TIDY TOWNS
Come for a Spring Clean and takeaway some wildflower seeds! Join us on Saturday 24th April 10am-12 noon to take part in An Taisce National Spring Clean 2021 at Bettystown beach and dunes. Bags and litter-pickers will be available at the beach entrance.
According to the current guidelines, from April 12th two household groups can meet together to take part in a clean-up. Remember to stay socially distanced from other individuals and groups. We have a limited supply of wildflower seeds to giveaway to those taking part. One packet per household while stocks last! For info on how to plant the seeds go to Wildflowers.ie, and the seed we are giving away is seed code WF04. Recipients of a packet of seeds can go online and look up WF04 and it gives the info on these seeds. The site also explains how to create a wildflower garden.
DARKNESS INTO LIGHT
Darkness into Light, the fundraiser for Pieta House, takes place on 8th May at Bettystown Beach, with sunrise at 5.36a.m. Pat’s shop in Bettystown will open at 4.30a.m. if you need a cup of coffee or tea. All proceeds of coffee/tea sales that day will be donated to Pieta House. Free Car Park and Bucket for Pieta House will be available in the store.
MEATH COUNTY LIBRARY
Did you know that you can learn online for free with your library card? Universal Class offers over 500 eLearning Courses covering a huge range of topics from Computer Training to Creative Writing, Crafts & Hobbies to Business and Entrepreneurship and lots more. Our short video shows you how to get started on your learning journey. Visit http:// www.meath.ie/.../online-resources/ for more information.
ST. COLMCILLES GAA CLUB ASSISTANCE FACILITY
Volunteers from St. Colmcilles and the local area can help get your groceries, prescriptions and fuel during this uncertain time. Contact Brian on 0871141150 or Ciara 087-6560343.
EAST MEATH MEALS ON WHEELS
Hot Meals are delivered to your home between 12.30pm and 1.30pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week throughout the year, excluding bank holidays in the areas of Laytown, Bettystown, Mornington, Donacarney and Colpe. The charge is €4 per person per meal. If you would like to avail of this service or know of anyone who might benefit from this service, please ring 085-7570810.
MASSES ONLINE
Public Masses are once again suspended until further notice. Sunday Mass can be viewed each week on the YouTube channel. Open YouTube and search for
“Laytown Church” or click on the link on our website www.sacredheartlaytown.com
COMMUNITY CALL HELPLINE
1800 - 808 809 (Freephone) 9am - 5pm 7 days a week. People over 70 and those who are vulnerable, can seek assistance if they need help accessing food, medicines or essential supplies. Meath communities are in this together.
ST V DE P
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul; If you need help contact: 1800 677 777.