AROUND THE DISTRICTS
Adamstown SYMPATHY
We extend our sincere sympathy to Mary McDonald, Tykillen, Crossabeg on the death after a short illness of her son Anthony which took place at James Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown on April 18. He is survived by his wife Lorna, his children Caoimhe, Oisin and Fainne his extended family, relations and friends.
Anthony’s grandfather Maurice and grandmother Kate lived in Newtown, Adamstown for a number of years. Anthony’s mother Mary and her brother Patrick went to the old school in Adamstown as his grandfather came from the Boola, Adamstown. Anthony’s burial took place in Leixlip, Co Kildare on Wednesday, April 22. May you rest in peace Anthony.
LIBRARY BOOKS TO YOUR DOOR
A new service will enable those cocooning or self isolating to have books, audio books and DVDs delivered to your door. Interested parties should contact 053 9196000. All items are on long term loan there are no overdue fines or fees and access to this service is always free.
NOTES CONTACT
All notes for inclusion in the Newspaper can be emailed direct to annemarieoshea@gmail.com or alternatively phone 087 7681866.
DELIVERY SERVICE
Adamstown GAA Club are now providing a delivery service to your door step (prescriptions/ groceries/etc) for local people whom are in any of the high risk categories if self isolating from the Covid 19 virus. If you or someone you know need assistance please do not worry and allow us to help. For anyone whom would like assistance from a local volunteer please contact 087 1852949 in confidence.
PITCH CLOSURE
In accordance with Croke Park Directive the pitches in Adamstown and Newbawn are closed to everyone for recreational purposes e.g. Hurling, football, walking, running etc.
Ballymurn CHURCH NEWS
Responding to enquiries regarding Sunday envelopes – These are times in which we never dreamed we would have to live through. Our primary concern at the moment is to stay safe and to support and assist one another.
Ballymurn Sunday envelopes can be handed in to the parish office beside the church on Thursday morning, May 7, and on Friday morning, May 8, from 9.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. or choose any other time that’s convenient for oneself.
These envelopes go to the daily running costs of the church only – heating, lighting, insurance etc. with prayer and assisting one another we look forward to being back together again soon.
TIDY TOWNS
This year’s Tidy Towns Competition has been cancelled till next year. We have done so well over the last few years in the competition it would be a pity to let things slip now.
At the moment most of us have a little more time on our hands so its a great time to play a part in keeping our village and surrounding areas looking good. If you are out for a walk or a run please keep an eye out for litter and help keep our village litter-free.
NOTES FOR THE PAPER
Anyone wishing to submit notes for the paper please contact me on Ballymurnnotes@hotmail.com or 087 9121714 before 9 p.m. on Thursday.
Bree-Galbally COMMUNITY SERVICE
Ballyhogue GAA Club has organised a group of over 20 volunteers who are available to assist people with grocery collection, collection of medical prescriptions, checking in on isolated or elderly relations or neighbours in the community, help around the house or can be of assistance in any way. The liaison person is Melissa Dawson, 087 9627866 who will be able to put you in contact with one of the volunteers in your locality.
SYMPATHY
Sincere sympathy is extended to the sons, daughters, relations and friends of Jim Dempsey, Edermine, who died on Sunday, April 26. A private funeral Mass followed by burial took place in Bree.
BALLYHOGUE GAA LOTTO
The numbers drawn in the recent GAA lotto draw were 4, 8, 12 and 21. Match-three winners were – Stephen Ennis, Shane Dawson, Gary and Josephine Byrne, Donal Walsh, Tom and Theresa Cosgrave, Nicola Cosgrave, Keith Sinnott, Thomas Byrne – Carrigmacogue, Paul Kehoe and Liam Leacy. Next Draw takes place May 13 with the jackpot up to €3,000.
PARISH DONATIONS
In response to requests from some parishes and parishioners of the diocese of Ferns, an electronic donate facility has been introduced on the diocesan website – ferns.ie.
The facility on the diocesan website – entered through the pink donate button at the top of the opening page – includes the names of curacies and parishes of the diocese which are participating. Parishioners can choose their curacy or parish, make one off or regular weekly payments and a balance sheet and financial transfer, will be forwarded on a scheduled basis, to the local parishes.
The facility is for the support of the parish only (insurance, maintenance, light, heat etc). It is not for the support of the priest. No facility has been introduced centrally to deal with this matter.
The diocese is aware that many individuals may chose to make their own arrangements, putting aside money for the support of the local parish and priest, where their finances still permit.
The diocese is also conscious of the current vulnerability of the finances of virtually all sectors of society. In the midst of financial distress for many, we recognise that financial contributions to church are secondary to the needs of parishioners.
BREE MASS
Sunday Mass with Fr Michael Byrne at 10 a.m. and morning Mass at 9 a.m. on Thursdays and Fridays is available to view on the Bree Parish Church Facebook page.
GALBALLY MASS ON FACEBOOK
Fr Billy Caulfield invites you to join him on his Facebook page (William Caulfield) Tuesday to Saturday at 10 a.m. for Mass and also on Sunday mornings. Daily Mass is available on TV each weekday at 10.30 a.m. on RTÉ News Now.
BREE PARISH JOURNALS
Now that many people have had the opportunity to tidy the bookshelves, clear out the cupboards and so on, maybe you have discovered that you don’t have the full set of Bree Parish Journals. Back copies of most of the Journals at a reduced rate of €5, can be had by contacting breeparishjournal@gmail.com or ringing Clare Doyle at 087 4151350. Don’t forget if you haven’t yet got No 19, published last January, the last few copies are available in Keeleys of Ballybrennan or Byrnes of Bree.
Oulart & The Ballagh BEREAVEMENT
The sympathy of the community is extended to Linda and Tomás Dunne and family, Lower Oulart on the death of Linda’s father, Jim Pettit, Coolcotts, Wexford on April 27.
He is mourned by his wife Sarah, daughters Linda, Lisa and Ann-Marie; sons Peter, Martin and Seán; his sister, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great – grandchildren, extended family and friends.
A private family Mass took place on Thursday, followed by burial in Ballymore Cemetery. Solas na bhFlaitheas dá anam.
LOCKDOWN
With schools, sports organisations, community centres, churches, local organisations etc closed and their activities suspended on account of the Covid-19 pandemic there is little or nothing to report except to encourage people to adhere to the HSE and government regulations.
We hope that all readers and contributors to these Local Notes, and their loved ones, continue to stay safe and that our community is spared the ravages of the pandemic.
In the meantime, I hope that you enjoy looking back at some of the items and personalities that made the news in former years.
REELING IN THE YEARS
It is hard to believe that in 1993
Oulart-The Ballagh GAA had so few hurlers in the minor agegroup (under-18) that they had to enter the 12-a-side championship and could only muster 13 players in order to compete in the county final against Clongeen on October 2, in Bree.
Thirteen-year-old Michael Jacob was in goal. PJ Harris, Damien Harris, Jason Quigley, Kenneth O’Connor and John Cullen were the defenders; Oliver Kennedy and Jonathan Mythen manned the mid-field area while Declan O’Connor, Dermot O’Leary, Eamonn Dempsey and William Harris (captain) were the forwards. Fourteen-year-old Marty O’Toole was the only substitute that was available to Oulart-The Ballagh.
Team manager was Michael Jacob and the selectors were Johnny Hayden, Willie Cullen, Eddie O’Connor, Peter O’Brien and Mikie Fortune. Among the Clongeen subs was Paddy Colfer, who is now living in Oulart. For the record Oulart-The Ballagh won that unique minor championship final.
UNDER-12S FOLLOW SUIT – Immediately after the above match our under-12 footballers (under mentors Michael and Breda Jacob and Breda Flood) took to the field to play St Martin’s in the under-12 Roinn one Football final where they were victorious against a strong Piercestown outfit.
The line-out was Hugh O’Connor, Paul Roche, James Doyle, Edward O’Grady, Keith Rossiter, Darren Stamp, James Redmond, Leo Kinsella, Mark Rossiter, Alan Kenny, Anthony O’Leary (captain), Darren Nolan, Des Mythen, Michael Reddy, Rory Jacob. The substitutes were Adrian Harris, Kevin Stamp, Brian Sinnott, Philip Dunne, Stephen Doyle, James Prendergast and Brian Martin.
IMPORTANT CONTACT NUMBERS
With the elderly cocooning and most people being confined to moving only 2km it is important that people are aware of the numbers to ring in an emergency. Oulart Garda Bernard McGinley’s mobile number is 086 8581548.
The contact number for the Enniscorthy Garda Station is 053 9242580 and the numbers to ring in any emergency are 999 or 112. The landline for the Oulart Parochial House (parish priest, Fr Paddy Browne) is 053 9136139.
GAA/CAMOGIE HERE TO HELP
Oulart-The Ballagh GAA and camogie personnel are available to help people in the local community with shopping, collecting medications etc or in any other necessary way and assure you that help is only a phone call away. Even with the 2km restriction, a member is always available to help.
Contact GAA chairman, Bartle Sinnott (087 2041896), camogie chairperson Patrick Fortune (087 9339950) or Coiste na nÓg chairperson, Liz Freeman (087 7560871) all of whom will make sure you get the help you need.
HISTORY OF SCHOOLS IN OULART
Before the establishment of the National School system in 1831 there were several private or ‘pay schools’ in the parish of Oulart.
Teachers depended for their livelihood on the fees paid by the parents of the pupils. When families were too poor to pay in cash the teachers were often paid in butter or potatoes etc.
In Raheenduff, in a mud-walled thatched building, 75 pupils were taught by Laurence Murray. A similar school, catering for about half that number, was conducted by Patrick Murphy at the Island. James O’Brien taught 65 pupils in a hired room in Ballyedmond. David Ward taught 26 pupils in Ballincash while the ‘parish school’ in Knockskemolin was attended by 76 children and the teachers were Richard and Mary Evans.
In Oulart the teacher was Patrick Kenny, who taught over 30 pupils in a barn with mud walls and a clay floor. James Kinsella taught 65 in his school at Courtclough. Such was the situation in 1825. A new residence for the parish priest was built in 1834 and soon afterwards the original priest’s house was converted into a new school for the parish. This is the building which is now called the Legion Hall.
From 1842 the Education Commissioners paid the school-master, Thomas Murphy, a salary of £8 per annum. From 1844, the second teacher, Mary Tuomy received the same salary. That school served the parish for 68 years.
In the Spring of 1903 the pupils transferred to a new two-room school. A third room was added in the 1930s and a pre-fab was installed in 1973. During developments the old 1834 school was again used for classes.
The above information is taken from a booklet written by Fr Wall on the occasion of the opening of Scoil Mochua.
OPENING OF NEW SCHOOL – The official opening and blessing of Oulart National School (Scoil Mochua) by Bishop Brendan Comiskey, took place on March 14, 1986. It was then a four-classroom school with a big General Purposes room. It replaced the Old School which now forms part of the community centre.
Work began on the site on May 7, 1984. The builders were Messrs Matthew Wallace Limited Wellingtonbridge. The building was completed in January 1985 and the pupils entered the school for the first day’s class on the 21st of that month.
There were 118 pupils on roll at that time and four teachers, namely Mrs Breda Flood, principal, Mrs Lena Kelly, Vice-Principal, Mrs Breda Jacob and Mr James Hogan. The chairman of the board of management was Very Rev Séamas S. de Vál, SP.
WRITING COMPETITION
‘Write By the Sea’ Literary Festival 2020, Kilmore Quay, invites all budding and established writers to enter their Writing Competition in any or all of three categories: short story, memoir and poetry. Entries should reflect the theme ‘Waves’. Category winners will receive €250 and the overall winner will receive €500. Winning entries will be published on the festival website. For more details and terms see writebythesea.ie or email festival@writebythesea. ie the closing date for entries is Friday, July 10.
LOCAL NOTES
If you want coverage of your organisation, club or family’s important occasions or successes please contact your Local Correspondent, Breda Jacob by phone, text (086 1686978) or email mickjacobjr@yahoo.co.uk no later than 8 p.m. on Thursday prior to publication.
In these difficult days we all need positive stories to cheer us up so if you have any good news to relate we would be more than pleased to include it here. There is no charge for including an item in the Local Notes.
Our Lady’s Island RUN/WALK FOR PIETA HOUSE
Our Lady’s Island GAA are getting involved in an amazing fundraiser for Pieta House which will be taking place throughout May nationally involving GAA clubs all over the country. The challenge is to see how many kilometres we can run/walk as a club in 24 hours. We are looking for volunteers to get involved either on their own, or with family members (max 4). You will be given a time slot day or night and then you go for your run/walk within the recommended distance of your house. (2km at the moment). Time slots will be generally 30 minutes. As a Club/community we will track how many km we cover and also raise funds for a great cause.
If you or anybody you know would be interested in joining us, contact Damien at 087 2548236. We plan to run this event on Saturday, May 30, starting at 7.30. Check out our Facebook page for further details or to donate.
GAA VOLUNTEERS
Our Lady’s Island GAA club continues to offer assistance to any member of our community members who may be reluctant to leave their home over the coming weeks. We can collect food, fuel etc. If you need any help just contact any of the following volunteers. Liam Petitt – 087 9519072. Julie Pettit – 087 9815608. Pádraig Power – 087 9872036. Kevin Kehoe – 086 3661151. Colm Kinsella – 087 6574607. Ger Flood – 087 9402472. Keith Rooney – 0876679 058. David Maloney – 087 6539541. Dean Maloney – 086 3779145. Davy Corish – 087 9136987. Fran Corish – 087 2154632. Josh Burke – 087 3667487. Tony Wright – 086 3694264. Terry O’Leary – 086 8536816. Please share this info with people.
DAILY MASS
Our parish priest, Fr Jim Cogley celebrates Mass, via webcam, Monday to Saturday at 9.30 a.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m. to access this go to – ourladysisland.ie/livewebcams.
SYMPATHY
We offer our deepest sympathy to Mary Hughes, Joanne, Peter, Jennifer and extended family of the sudden passing of Jim Hughes, Highlands.