KiltealyBallindaggin
WEXFORD PILATES
Enjoy a free pilates class online. Join us on Thursday, May 7, at 11.15 a.m. for a free 30 minute online chair yoga class. This is a gentle chair-based practice perfect for stretching away those aches and pains. All you need is a chair then download the Zoom App and you are ready to go. For details and booking call Jane Kennedy at 087 2724506 Visit wexfordpilates.com.
BLACKSTAIRS FIRE WATCH
A new inter-agency initiative Blackstairs Fire Watch was put in place last week to help stop illegal burning on Blackstairs Mountain. John Griffin of National Parks and Wildlife Service is assisting the initiative with Fire Services in Carlow and Wexford, the Blackstairs farmers and An Garda Síochána.
The Blackstairs farmers will become our ‘eyes on the mountain’ and will immediately report any fires or suspicious activity. The Blackstairs Farming Futures project funded by the DAFM is assisting in organising the farmers to have ‘eyes on’ the entire Blackstairs mountain from vintage points during periods of high risk.
Representatives of the farmers and the authorities met last week and agreed on a set of operational and response guidelines, ‘farmers live and work on the mountain and know it better than anyone, by being vigilant at high risk times is very important’ said Martin Shannon of BFG.
Myles Morris (Bunclody Fire Station) said ‘the recent spate of fires has been a major drain on emergency services at this difficult time’. Eddie O’Donohue a farmer near the Nine Stones said ‘we will watch and report to the authorities but we will not get involved in any form of vigilante activity, we want to protect the mountain on which part of our income depends’.
The fire watch will ensure that the Fire Services will be notified once a fire has started and can respond more quickly and control it faster reducing the damage. Areas that are burnt are not eligible for farm payments.
LOOKING BACK AT 2012.
The book ‘50 years of Duffry Rovers’ was sold out by Christmas 2011. Unlike 2011,2012 began with very mild, almost spring like weather.
A group of people from the area took advantage of the fine weather and went on a hike on Mt. Leinster in early January. Several people trained in Ballindaggin as cardiac responders and to raise funds for the project went on a ‘Fun Walk’ along the route of Ballindaggin/Castledockrell wind turbines. Billy Morrissey, Avoca and formerly of Askinvillar and George Byrne, Boolabeg both passed away in January. Jim Cooper, Mohurry celebrated his 70th birthday.
Molly Cloke, Monbeg died in February and in March, Paddy Kavanagh passed away. Vincent and Ann Byrne, Mohurry held a successful coffee day at their home to raise funds for Wexford Hospice Homecare. John Kehoe, Monbeg received a crystal trophy for No.1 in Republic of Ireland intermediate billards. The Dolman Dancers gave a rousing performance at Ballindaggin. Story House. Many in Kiltealy were saddened to hear of the passing of Mary Furlong, Drana, Caim and former teacher in Kiltealy School.
In Early April, Kiltealy Cardiac Response held a coffee morning in the Thatch and raised €570. Several hundred people attended a dawn Mass on Mt. Leinster on Easter Sunday. There was also a large gathering at a sunrise service at Deacon’s, Killanne. Tony and Jenny Reddy organised a sponsored shave in aid of Jack and Jill Foundation which raised €3,500 for the charity. Michael Doyle, Ballybreen died in April. PJ Hickey, Bagenalstown and formerly of Cullentragh also died in April. Pauline Codd, Woodlands was appointed Judge of the Circuit Court.
In May 14 children received First Holy Communion in Kiltealy. The proceeds of the raffle at Ballindaggin Story House amounted to €575 and was donated to Ballindaggin Community Alert. Owen Doyle, Finchogue and formerly of Ballybreen died in May. Beautiful weather favoured Confirmation day in Ballindaggin on 25th. Deirdre and Louise Codd lined out with the Leinster camogie team, who beat Munster in the inter-provincial title and were also on the team that beat Offally in the Leinster title.
In June Ballindaggin NS was in the news as 16 pupils of St Colman’s received their first Holy Communion. The school raised their first green flag in June and to mark the occasion had a tree planting ceremony. The School also opened two new resource rooms and a medical room which were blessed by parish priest Fr J Sinnott. The Confirmation class of St Colman’s NS presented a cheque for €365 to Crumlin Hospital, donations from their confirmation money.
Also in June Tommy and Annie Kelly (née Flynn) celebrated their Golden wedding anniversary. Kiltealy school had a sports and ice cream fun day which raised €240 for Down Syndrome Ireland. Everyone in the area were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Simon Neville, Cullentragh on the 23rd. The Duffry Social Club went on a Carlow garden trail. Margaret Brennan and James Quirke were married in Kiltealy on June 30.
On July 1 many people attended an open day at Suzie’s orchard, Mohurry to raise funds for Juvenile Diabetes Unit, Wexford Hospital. In early July, flash floods caused widespread damage to many roads in the area. Kiltealy Tidy Towns raised €279 on a coffee evening in the Thatch. The Underage Soccer girls had a family fun day. One of the finest evenings of the summer favoured Killanne Patron on 26th. Michelle Jordan and Lorcan O’Brien were married in Kiltealy on July 27.
In August, Kiltealy Patron and field day was a huge success and was favoured by a dry day in an otherwise wet summer. Well known Kiltealy native Gretta Sutton died that month and also Margaret Kehoe (née Foley) Cloroguemore passed away. John O’Neill, Monasterevin, and formerly Monbeg, died in August. Horse trainer Seán Thomas Doyle had a great win with ‘Get in There’ at the Galway races. Eadaoin Armstrong and Francis Curley were married in Kiltealy on August 31.
In September the Duffry Rovers senior camogie team won the County Championship. Deirdre and Louise Codd were on the Wexford senior team that won all-Ireland camogie 3-in-a-row. Many attended the charity Horse canter in Ballindaggin, 25 children began new junior infants in Ballindaggin School.
In early October, Blackstairs Playschool opened a new play room which was blessed by Fr Fintan Morris. Margaret Armstrong and Conal Curduff were married in Kiltealy. Kiltealy/Ballindaggin Macra celebrated their 25th anniversary. Sadly, well known Ballindaggin man Tom Finn died in October. Kiltealy NS won second prize for paper recycling in Wexford.
November began on a sad note with the passing of Lil Hipwell. Ballindaggin Phone/Text Alert System was launched. Fr Fintan Morris celebrated a novena of Masses for deceased in Kiltealy Church. Jack Jackson, Curragraigue won the Michael Andrews Boxing Tournament. Megan Cassidy, granddaughter of Hannah Fenlon, was congratulated on her new children’s TV show on RTE Teresa Aylward and Pat Farrell were married in Kiltealy. There was a large attendance at a Community Alert meeting in Kiltealy to set up a text/alert system.
December began on a sad note with the passing of John
Jordan, Ballindaggin. Jean and Eddie Warren celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. Ballindaggin and Kiltealy Churches were crowded for Christmas Eve Mass and Mass Christmas morning. Deepest sympathy to everyone who lost a loved one in 2012.