Kilavullen
NANO NAGLE MASS
The annual Open Air Mass to celebrate Venerable Nano Nagle took place last Sunday, June 10, at Nano Nagle Birthplace. It was a beautiful day organised by the Killavullen Community Council with great attendance from the Local Community and the Presentation Sisters Nationwide. Bishop Crean was the chief celebrant along with Fr Gerard Condon, Fr Richard Hegarty, Fr Tobias Bluitt, Fr Eamonn Kelleher and Fr Seán Corkery. Both the Killavullen/Annakissa Parish Choir and the Presentation Primary School Choir Mitchelstown were a wonderful addition to the celebration. The address was given by Sr. Mary Deane, the Congregational Leader of Presentation Sisters. The Mass Gate (now in the garden of Nano Nagle Birthplace) used in Penal times, to gain entrance to the Mass House of Richard Nagle, Annakissa, grandfather of Nano Nagle, was blessed by Bishop Crean ceremony.
LOTTO
Community Council lotto winners for last week were Swansea in the Haven and Edmond O’Gorman in Skannakilla. Best wishes to the staff and pupils of Ballygown NS as they begin their summer holidays this week. We hope you all have a well deserved rest and an enjoyable summer. Congratulations to the sixth class pupils who have finished their Primary Education and best wishes to you all in your new school life.
CÚL CAMP
If you missed the registration night you can still register your child online at kelloggsculcamp. gaa.ie and select Killavullen as the chosen venue. The camp takes place Monday to Friday, July 2, to sixth It is open to children between the ages of 6 and 13 years of age and runs from 10 a.m. to 230 p.m. each day. The Cúl Camp gear, a jersey, training top and a back pack are included in the fee. A great week of activity locally and an ideal camp if you’re having summer sleepovers with cousins and friends. The cost for the first child is €60, second child is €50 and €40 for each child after that.
MAI RETIRES
This week sees the end of an era as Mai’s last Montessori class graduate and she retires from preschool education. A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind and touches a heart and this is certainly true of Mai. Celebrities are known widely by their first name and the same can be said about Mai. For years and for miles, Rafferty Montessori School has been known as Mai’s.
Mai brought preschool education to our locality at a time when children left home after they turned four and entered Primary School. Nowadays there is much talk about outdoor preschools and encouraging children to learn from being outside and playing, but Mai had the foresight and talent to see the value in this from the very beginning of her career. Starting out in Clifford House and moving onto Commane, Mai combined the concepts of Maria Montessori and her love of nature, wildlife, fairies, magic, drama, storytelling, poetry and adventure to teach little children life skills which would prepare them for school life.
Her warmth and kindness to the children has always been part of her charm. Peter has always been a positive part of the education of the children too, and he enhanced learning by experience and exploration with his love of horticulture. Children gained a knowledge of their surroundings as well as the curricular areas. Mai has made a huge impact on the lives of little people in our community for 36 years and has had an amazing understanding of the individual abilities and talents of each child she has had. We wish her and Peter well on the next chapter of their lives and thank her sincerely for the positive impact she has had to Killavullen Parish and its hinterland over the years.
A NOTE FROM MAI – A sense of joy and self achievement for our pupils. This has been the hope and aspiration of Rafferty Montessori for the past 36 years. On June 27 the school will close to the Montessori Method as I am retiring, but the speech and drama classes will remain as will the work with individual pupils.
I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to the parents of Killavullen, Annakissa, Castletownroche, Ballyhooly and the hinterland around the school for their support over the past 36 years. Back then a Montessori school in rural Ireland was rare, but the parents embraced the concept and supported the school.
Thank you to the many Montessori Assistants, who travelled the road with me. May I wish this year’s pupils and those who have been with me over the course of the school’s life, health, joy and happiness. This is where my life has arrived and I look back with graciousness and thanks. Mai Rafferty.
KILLAVULLEN GAA
KILLAVULLEN COME UP SHORT IN under-14 FOOTBALL LEAGUE FINAL – Killavullen were defeated in the under-14 A grade Football league final last Sunday night, on a final score of 0-10 to 3-07.
The damage was done on the first period, when Kilshannig raced into a decisive lead, to lead at the interval on a score of 1-05 to a solitary point for us. We created a number of chances but shot under pressure and credit must be given to the rear guard of Kilshannig.
On the change over and with a number of positional switches, we came much more into the game, lead in principle by Christopher O’Callaghan from midfield. Cian Lane and Dan Ryan were prominent also. Crucially though, Kilshannig were able to keep a nice margin ahead of our revival with two goals in the second period, and gallant though we tried, the margin at the end was still six points.
BLITZES PROVE VERY POPULAR – under-13: Last Wednesday night, Rebel Óg North organised four teams to partake in the under-13 competitions featuring Kilavullen, Kilshannig, Kilara Óg and St Dominic’s. Games were played in both pitches simultaneously.
Under-eight blitz – Last Saturday morning, 13 teams took part in an under-eight blitz that had the pitches in Killavullen jam-packed with players. With the supporting Mom’s and Dad’s, the pitch and surrounds were heaving, and parking space was at a premium. Still everybody enjoyed the morning, which were very exciting for all of these future players.
LATEST RESULTS – Killavullen V Kilshannig – under-14 A Football League Final in Castletownroche on June 17 – Kilshannig win 3-07 to 0-10
Killavullen White V Ballyclough – under-12 B2 Football League on June 18 – Killavullen lost 0-02 to 9-9
Killavullen Blue
Gaels – under-12 V A Duarigle Football