Kilmacanogue
RACE NIGHT FOR MNDA
As most of us all know, Patrick ‘Wackers’ Byrne was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease last March. Patrick has battled this disease bravely and received fantastic support from his family, friends and the community of Kilmacanogue and afar. Paddy has received fantastic support from the Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association of Ireland, who have recently provided him and his family with a van with wheelchair access and also a battery powered wheelchair.
Paddy would now like to give something back to the association and with that in mind, he would like to invite you to a race night to be held in Plucks on Friday, March 27, with all proceeds raised going to this wonderful association. There will be eight Races on the night followed by the Auction Race.
Some very kind sponsors for each race have already come forward which include the Ricky Thomas Tarmacadam Chase for small mares under five foot, the O’Keefe Paving and Landscaping Gold Cup (for the well-groomed steeplechasers like Ray), The Sugarloaf Concrete Handicap, The Mr NCT Bray Grand National, The East Coast Upholstery Maiden Handicap (for thoroughbreds that retired to soon like Alan Prunty), The Prendergast and Maguire Financial Services (for millionaire owners), The Graham Carey Chase, Urban Flooring Handicap (For horses with no mane) and the Carr Family of Kilmac (for horses that have not won a race in 30 years).
Horses and race sponsors are completely sold out a few Jockeys and trainers at €10 remain with prizes on offer for each race winner. This is always a great evening’s entertainment with betting on your horse that night and it is hoped it will receive great support. Let’s all ‘Giddy Up’ for Paddy.
HELEN TURNS 40 YEARS YOUNG
Congratulations to Helen Coleman, who turned 40 years young last weekend. Helen is a fantastic community person who loves her little village. She celebrated on Saturday with a meal in town with her Plucks bosses Caroline and Shane McNamara and then returned to Plucks Saturday evening for her party. Best wishes Helen for the next 40 – from your family and friends and the community of Kilmacanogue.
HISTORY LECTURE
The March 2020 lecture for the members of the Kilmacanogue History Society turned out to be a wonderful experience. The guest speaker was Catriona Crowe and the title of her talk was ‘The second wave of Irish Feminism’.
Catriona’s illustrated presentation described the progress of the status of women from the 1960s to the present day and with her illustrations, Catriona warned the audience that ‘where there is technology there is likely to be a glitch or two’. However, where the few glitches did arise, she handled with aplomb and humour, which added to the audience entertainment. There was quite a large crowd present on the night thankfully in spite of the earlier concerns about the Corona 19 virus. Roll on April.
PLUCKS GOLF SOCIETY
The new season of golf for the members of the Plucks Golf Society is here and the first outing will be in Blainroe GC this Saturday, March 14, when incoming 2020 Captain Jim Messitt is expected to hit a massive opening drive. The draw for Tee Times took place on Sunday evening and is as follows: (first out at 9-30) is Tom Byrne, Paddy Byrne Snr and Paul Dunne; (2) Paddy Maher, Mick Holly, Jimmy Messitt and Tom Creaven; (3) Anthony McGrath, Brian Morgan, Graham Tighe and Robert Moore; (4) Danny Nolan, Jim McGrath, Eddie Byrne and Kevin Molloy. The Prizegiving will take place in Plucks at 8-30 on Saturday evening.
Other courses for 2020 are Killeen GC on April 11, Rathsallagh GC on May 23; Tulfarris GC on June 13; Jimmy Messitt Captain’s Day in Dundrum House on July 11 (including a choice of €140 play and stay including dinner or just play for €40); Druids Glen GC on August 15; Charlesland GC on October 10 and Powerscourt West GC on November 7 You are not obliged to play all of them and new members are very welcome and membership is €50 for the year plus green fees.
SOCCER ACTION
Thankfully a better weekend of weather saw a lot of teams in action last weekend. The under-eight team got the better of Wicklow Rovers in a high scoring series of game in Ryders where they won two, drew one and lost one. Con Jones was in great scoring form and put in a brilliant performance along with Maddie Henderson.
The 10s suffered a heavy defeat against an excellent Arklow team while the under-11s were unlucky to lose out 2-1 at home to Wicklow Rovers on Sunday morning. They just could not take all the chances that came their way with Tadgh Reynolds getting the goal and Killian Kearns having a superb game.
The under-12s drew 1-1 at home to St Anthony’s of Kilcoole. Oran Finnerty got the goal with Jude Leahy excellent for the Glens. The under-13s were at home to Arklow Town on Saturday and had a great 8-3 victory. The Glens led 3-2 at the break following goals from Luke Honan, an own goal and Luke Kelly. Luke Kelly was in excellent form and scored three more goals in the second half along with strikes from Seán Mooney and Casey Hall. The under-15s travelled to Arklow on Sunday minus a few of the squad who had a basketball match also. They were level at halftime thanks to their skipper Kieren Griffiths superb strike but ran out of steam in the second half and lost 4-1.
The seniors faced old rivals Newtown at home on Sunday afternoon and won a seven goal thriller 4-3. Newtown took an early lead but a Nay Watters hattrick saw the glens lead 3-1 at the break. However, Newtown are never beaten and they battled back to make it 3-3 before a 30 Yard screamer from Nay with minutes remaining saw all three points going to the Glens. Nay had a superb game along with Luke Reynolds.
GAA ACTION
The seniors returned to action last Sunday morning and travelled to Valleymount for their opening league encounter. Sadly, they came out on the wrong side of a 1-15 to 1-12 scoreline. Kilmac led 1-06 to 07 points at the break but Valleymount came back strong in the second half. Three Unanswered points by Sam O’Callaghan left it 1-13 to 1-12 entering the last five minutes but the home team added on two late scores to run out 3-point winners.
The ladies’ team played Avoca on Saturday and ran out 4-17 to 3-06 winners. Clan Na Gael had a strong wind to contend with from the outset but with the wind behind them in the first half and they gained a comprehensive lead by the break. The Avoca Ladies however battled back in the second half and with the strong wind and playing downhill now in their favour they began to close the distance between the scoreline. Clan na Gael persevered and managed to come away victorious in the end. The goals were scored by Sophie Curran, Anna Molloy, Helen Kirwan and Heather Blackbyrne in a great team display.
NOTES
If you want an item of local interest to appear in the Kilmacanogue notes please email colmulligan@eircom.net by midday on Sunday
The Leinster region of the Irish Restaurant Awards took place recently at the Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim, Co Meath. Congratulations to the Wicklow Heather Restaurant, who won Best Gastro Pub and to Glenmalure Lodge, who won Pub of the Year.
SOSA FITNESS CHARITY EVENT
Come along and get ready to ‘Dance Yourself Happy’ with SOSA Fitness in aid of Brain Tumour Ireland in the Brockagh Resource Centre, Laragh on Saturday, March 21, at 2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. All levels, including beginners, ages 16 to 100 welcome. Tickets available on Eventbrite for €10 or at the door. For more information, contact Claire at 085 1522991.
Find us on Facebook at ‘SOSA with Claire’ or email Tracy on byrnefundraising@gmail.com.
Glendalough and District Development Association will be holding its AGM in the Brockagh Resource Centre, starting at 8 p.m. on April 7. All our welcome.
IRISH DANCING CLASSES
Irish Dancing on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Classes cater for any age over three years and all levels including absolute beginners.
Registered members of An Comhdhail, fully Garda Vetted and insured.
Contact details for enquiries are Cian Flood TCRG (086 1293807), Eimear McGrath TCRG (085 7180926), email mcgrathfloodschool@gmail. com, facebook.com/mgfschool or search ‘McGrath Flood School of Irish Dancing’.
AA MEETINGS
Closed AA Meetings are held in the Brockagh Resource Centre at 8.30 p.m. every Monday night all year round.
LARAGH BADMINTON CLUB
Badminton classes are in the Brockagh Resource Centre, Laragh as follows.
Monday evenings from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. for Juniors (first year secondary students) and 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. for fifth and sixth class pupils; on Thursday evenings fourth class pupils are from 6.45 p.m. to 7.45 p.m., secondary school students from 7.15 p.m. to 8.15 p.m., Adults 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Contact Phil Curley 0404 45175 or 087 2067607. Small club fee for the year applies for participation.
Clean up your home or Farmyard free. The Brockagh Resource Centre will be having another scrap weekend Saturday, March 28, and 29 from 9 a.m. Sat to 9 p.m. Sun to raise funds for the Brockagh Centre. Some of the items you can bring are Biscuit tins, steel oil tanks, steel window frames, steel coal bunkers, Radiators, Solid fuel cookers, Sheep wire, Bicycles, Old cars without the tyres, Wheel Barrows, Golf irons, etc. No Fridges, Freezers, Cookers, Timber, Plastics or Tyres. Contact us at 0404 45600, brockaghresourcecentre@gmail.com. brockaghresourcecentre.ie.
IMPORTANT PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING.
The Laragh/Glendalough Sustainable Energy Community has appointed consultants from the three Counties Energy Agency (3CEA) to undertake a survey of energy usage in the area and to identify options for reducing our dependency on fossil fuels. This will form part of an Energy Master Plan (EMP) that will help us draw down funding to upgrade buildings, both domestic and public, with a view to making them more energy efficient and more comfortable.
A meeting with 3CEA will be held in the Brockagh Centre at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, to outline details of the survey and to explain the data that will be needed to compile the EMP. A representative from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) will also provide information on grants available for energy upgrades. All those living in the above townlands are invited to come along and support this endeavour. Please tell your friends and neighbours.