BLACKROCK BULLETIN
TIDY TOWNS AGM
Blackrock Tidy Towns hold their AGM in the Community Centre at 7.30 pm on Monday next (3rd of October). Everyone in the village is invited to come along to appoint a new committee who will take responsibility for the appearance and presentation of Blackrock, as well as local development of the village, for the next 12 months on behalf of the whole community.
A number of existing committee members will be stepping down at the meeting, and so anybody who is interested in joining, either as a committee member or as a volunteer, will be especially welcome.
Charity night
Hagglerock are to undertake a new venture. Well not entirely they staged a private version with members as their audience last year.
This time they are to go public with a showcase night of drama, comedy and music presented by some 16 members of the group, and more musical entertainment and dancing afterwards to two well known bands Crisis and Willing Fools, plus another local musical entertainer Tommy T has agreed to take part.
It promises to be a really enjoyable night with comedy featured and it’s in aid of charity, with the proceeds from the event to be equally split between the local Saint Vincent de Paul and the locally founded and run Crosscause.
So the group are hoping that those attending will display their known generosity and support for these two worthy causes. They have fixed a nominal entry fee of €5, with tickets going on sale or it is open to turn up on the night.
The date and venue have been fixed with the spacious Geraldines function room which has hosted the group’s two theatre productions “Only an Hour from Dublin” and “For Better for Worse” again being put at the group’s disposal, and will take place on November 25.
The main part of the night will feature a compilation of acts from comedy to musical theatre and different pieces of drama by solo and multiple performers.
Gers lottery
Three players shared the match three prize of €200 in the Geraldines lottery. They were: Ann Kearney 56 Rathmount Blackrock; Ger Butterly Lordship and Holly Mooney 8 Forgehill Stamullen.
But there was no winner of the €18,400 jackpot, with the numbers drawn: 1, 10, 16 and 19.
Flying visit
Father Joe , a much loved friend to many in Haggardstown and further afield paid a flying visit last weekend.
He stayed with Martin and Brigid Thornton and renewed friendships with all the Thornton family and many close friends he forged in the Marlbog Road community and in the vicinity, and extended families living inside and outside the parish.
Father Joe as he is fondly called is from Italy and his full name is Father Guiseppi Borghessi and came to Dundalk in 1978 and was attached to Mount Oliver.
He became friendly with the late Tommy and Kathleen Thornton and stayed with the couple and their family, and became very much part of it and the Marlbog Road community.
He has made regular visits to the area over his missionary life which has seen him spend the last 37 years in the Amazon in Brazil. He returns there early October to continue his ministry work there. He previously spent nine years in Scotland.
He was accompanied by his niece Paula on his brief stay from Friday to Sunday. All in the community, especially those friends who have been privileged to know him over practically the last four decades were delighted to greet him and have a little time with him.
He celebrated Mass in Saint Fursey’s Church on the Saturday morning and with his genial nature won over the congregation although trying to regain his command of English which he hasn’t had much use for in Brazil.
Plans for year
The Parents Committee in Saint Fursey’s School sat down to discuss proposed plans for the coming year ahead of their imminent annual meeting.
The Committee considered projects they will undertake and fundraising activity, a cornerstone of which for years has been the annual Christmas cake sale in the car park of Saint Fursey’s Church.
The committee received a fillip with notification from Tesco that they had been successful in their application for a share of the funds they allocate to local communities.
The Committee successfully completed their drive for funds to refurbish the school car park, which was resurfaced before the end of last year.
This year a couple of schemes that have been discussed are upgrading the school garden and the provision of an outdoor classroom.
Parents are also concerned that the kids warning signs are insufficient to address the problems of health and safety posed by traffic passing the school, especially motorists travelling at inappropriate speed.
Donation
Saint Oliver Plunkett School were one of the organisations to receive a generous donation from Hagglerock, the parish theatre group.
Clothes re-cycle
Parents’ Council in the school are to run a clothing recycle event next month (October).
Reunion
The Geraldines are to honour their victorious team of 1966. The club have arranged a 50th anniversary commemorative celebration of the capturing of the Louth Junior championship which will take place on October 28 in the clubrooms at McGeough Park.
This win was a seminal moment in the club’s history as it sent the Gers into senior football for the first time in decades and was the catalyst for the 1969 senior championship final.
A total of 30 clubs took part in this championship at a time when there were only two grades in Louth senior and junior. So the win was a major accomplishment.
Quiz
A fundraising table quiz in aid of the local Defibrillator Group is to be held in the Clermont Arms next Wednesday October 5th at 8pm. Entry is €40 per table of four persons.