CoolgreanyJohnstown
GYMKHANA
The annual Gymkhana and field day will be held on Sunday, August 27, in Coolgreany Village. We are looking for volunteers to help with various aspects of the show. If anyone would like to join our committee please contact Declan Finn at 086 2437343. Tickets for the Big Raffle are for sale at present, and with a prize fund of €1,000 on offer, now is the time to get your tickets.
TIDY TOWNS
This year the Tidy Towns Group have the facility of organising four Stalls in the Gymkhana with the returns going to the Tidy Towns group: the stall involved include wheel of fortune, bric-abrac, a flower stall, and they are looking for volunteers to help with the managing of those stalls.
The committee are seeking a big effort from everyone in their efforts to give the village a huge lift for the adjudication of the Keep Wexford Beautiful Competition which will be adjudicated over the month of July, if you have an hour to spare please come out and give this hardworking group a hand in their approach to making a big impression on the adjudicators for this competition also.
SYMPATHY
On last Friday morning the local community of Coolgreany and surrounding areas were thrown into shock when news of the death of former Scoil Iosagain Vice-Principle Nancy Garvey started to spread around the community. Nancy had given her whole teaching life from 1962 till her retirement in 1992 alongside her husband Tadhg as Principle to the local community and surrounding areas. One of her special characteristics was the great work she put into all her pupils in their preparation for their first Holy Communion and Confirmation.
The wellbeing of all her pupils was always at the forefront of Nancy’s life, and the success of many young people who attended Scoil Iosagain was without doubt attributed to her great ability to get the very best out of all those who passed through her classes for to achieve the very best for them. Nancy was never afraid to challenge authority at all levels to get the very for the school.
As the years progressed, Nancy was very much a part of the group who set up the May Byrne Trust House and was one of the first trustees involved, which was to become a really excellent facility for the community.
Nancy made a huge contribution to St David’s Church Johnstown where she made a huge contribution in the organising the First Holy Communion’s and Confirmations and also in organising the Mass Servers.
In later years Nancy was very much involved in the Legion of Mary and also with the Old Folk Group and played a very big part in helping those in need with her very big involvement with the St Vincent de Paul in Arklow.
There was massive crowds visiting Nancy’s home on last Saturday when she was reposing at Knockgreany, and later at the removal on Saturday evening to St David’s Church.
Again on Sunday the church was packed to capacity for her funeral Mass celebrated by her brother Fr Séamus Linnane assisted by Canon John Piert and Fr David Brough and also two priests who travelled from Co. Kerry. Anthony Byrne, a former pupil and later Principle of Scoil Iosagain read a beautiful Eulogy of her life. Her funeral took place to Ballyfad Cemetery afterwards.
Nancy is survived by her Husband Tadhg, Son Colm, Daughter Bridin, Grandchildren, Richard, Ciaran, Oisin, and Fionn, her Brothers Fr Séamus Linnane, and Joseph Linnane. Son-in-law John, Daughter-in-law Mairead, Sister-in Law Sheila, nephews and nieces, relatives and friends.
IRISH PILGRIM TRUST
A coffee morning in aid of the Irish Pilgrimage Trust will be held in the May Byrne Community House, Coolgreany on Friday, August 18. from 10 a.m. to midday. Your support will be very much appreciated.
HANDBALL
What a fantastic weekend of handball in Coolgreany and a bag full of county titles for local players. Eoin Kinsella u 10 county champion. Conor Horan under-12 county champion. Miley Connors under-13 County champion. Cliodhna O’Connell under-16 County champion. Leanne Boland under-16 runner-up. All in the 60 x 30 alley. A massive achievement for all involved in Coolgreany Handball.
Lotto – the lotto jackpot is currently €11,600 so get your ticket now. Caoimhe Horan and Darren O’Toole both had lucky dips in the last few weeks both winning €80. information contact Sheila Driver on 8683395.
ASTRO TURF
Our state of the art astroturf pitch is now available. We are taking bookings for mornings, afternoon or evening times at very competitive rates. Please contact us at 0404 44040 for more information.
VILLAGE HALL
Glenealy village hall is now available for corporate and social events, meetings, parties, workshops etc.with great facilities and keen rates. Mornings, afternoons and evening times are now available. For more information contact us at 0404 44040 or glenealyvillagehall@eircom.net. well as further afield. A juvenile event will be held at the pond in Glasnarget on August 20 and all are welcome. Adult to accompany all children.
PARNELL AC
Congratulations to Annmarie Kenny on winning a bronze medal in the European Vets Half Marathon. Also well done to Ellen Kennedy and Steven O’Toole on winning the mile race held recently in Avondale.
The club would like to publicly thank Sgt Mary Burbage for all her help with our races/events over the years. We wish her well.
THURSDAY WALKS
Once again walkers were out in numbers with 34 participants on the walk to Brockagh last week. A really fine evening was capped by some excellent views over the Glendalough Valley and the Upper and Lower Lakes.
The season is fast coming to an end with only a few walks left and another favourite is scheduled for this Thursday, with a trip to the Mottee Stone, Miners Cross and Tigroney. Meet as usual at the Memorial Park in Rathdrum for 7 p.m. and the Mottee Stone for 7.15 p.m.
CARTOON FESTIVAL
Thanks to everyone who volunteered, stewarded, sponsored or supported us. We saw a busy weekend that included a music concert in St saviour’s church on Thursday with special guest Leslie Dowdall. The Terry Willers exhibition in Centra was visited by lots of people throughout the weekend.
The Cartoon Marquee displayed work of the visiting Cartoonists and hosted workshops with Michael Carroll, Wee Skribbles and Tim Leatherbarrow. Brown Bag films hosted a monster mash up and story doodles workshop along with Marc Corrigan running two Stop Motion workshops in RDA hall. Eleanor Mannion hosted a two-day mobile phone documentary workshop. The 16 visiting Cartoonists were out and about doing caricatures and sketches.
The Market Square was a hive of activity with music and entertainment throughout Saturday and Sunday from the Arklow Yukelle band, Paddy Byrne, Parnell memorial pipe band, Prom night, Big Digger, The Bandits plus many more.We had family activities such the Terry Willers colouring competition, kids and family fancy dress competitions, novelty dog show, drone demo, children’s cooking demo and a caricature face off.
There were lots of Cartoon characters buzzing around and even a stilt-walking Wonder Woman. The busking competition was very popular on Sunday evening. The festival finished on Sunday night with a fabulous fireworks display in the memorial park. This festival came together in a short period of time and it’s down to the goodwill will of our community that it surpassed all our expectations, so once again thank you.