Slane

CONTACT ME

Contact Sean on 087-6783729 or email swall32@gmail.com if you have an item for this column.

LEDWIDGE WALK

As part of the Boyne Valley Walking Festival, The Ledwidge Centenary Walk, which is designed to explore the wonderful views and places of interest in the Slane area, will take place on Saturday, June 3rd. Meet at Ledwidge Cottage at 9.30am for 10am start. This is a 14km walk taking four to five hours. Off road car parking available at Ledwidge Cottage on Slane/Drogheda Road. Cost €15 includes refreshment.

Then on Sunday, June 4th, as part of the same Walking Festival there is a Brú na Bóinne Walk. The walk will be mostly off road along the north bank of the river through fields and country lanes. This is a 12km walk taking four to five hours. Meet at Brú na Bóinne Interpretive Centre, at 9.30am for 10am start. Parking provided at Brú na Bóinne Centre. Cost €15 including refreshments and visit to Knowth.

NEW DEVELOPMENT

The sun shone last Thursday evening as Slane GFC GAA formally began its new clubhouse development with a turning of the sod ceremony.

On hand to do the honours in Toddy Harding Park were two of the club’s honorary presidents, Brendan Hand and Gerry Harding. A large crowd of supporters and members attended the short ceremony, presided over by club chairman Nicholas Tallon, who said it was one of the most important days in the club’s long history. The county board was represented by treasurer and Slane club man Jim Mullery and development officer Jason Plunkett. Fearghal Harney, chairman of Meath ladies board, also attended.

Chairman Nicholas Tallon said the new clubhouse was badly needed to help the club cater for all its teams. The development will cost over €250,000 and is expected to be completed before the end of the year. It will feature two additional dressing rooms and a function room and gym. The club will be launching a major draw on the June Bank Holiday weekend as part of the fundraising drive.

LEDWIDGE EXHIBITION

A Name Unmade: Francis Ledwidge (1887-1917) is an exhibition of new and recent work by contemporary visual artists presented in response to the life and work of the Meath poet, naturalist, activist, nationalist, and soldier. It is presently on show in the Solstice Arts Centre, Navan (Level 3 Gallery) from 11am–4pm, until June 16th. Select archival and biographical material, as well as excerpts from Ledwidge’s poems, will also accompany the show. The exhibition features work by Sven Anderson, Patricia Burns, David Farrell, Clare Langan, Mick O’Dea, Niamh O’Malley and Sasha Sykes.

HILL OF SLANE TOURS

Hill of Slane free guided tours by local volunteers have commenced and will continue until September. Discover what the beautiful Hill of Slane has to offer, breathtaking scenery and centuries of history, all waiting to be discovered. Tours every Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. Meeting point is at the gates to the Hill of Slane. Group tour bookings also available by pre-booking. Email hillofslanetours@yahoo.ie or phone Slane tourist office 0419824000.

GALA BALL 2017

Motor Neurone Summer Gala Ball is on Friday, June 23rd in the renowned Headfort Arms Hotel, Kells. For ticket bookings and/or table reservations contact Micky 086 3601338 /John 087 2248503 or www.imnda.ie.

SUMMER CAMP

Greenhills, Drogheda, Summer Sports Camp will take place this year for two weeks: July 10th – 14th & July 17th – 21st. This year we have added two fantastic new activities; The Rodeo Bull Ride & The Wipeout Game- also known as The Last Man Standing. These activities will greatly add to the fun and enjoyment of the children. You can book online at greenhillssummercamp.ie or by post. All enquires to 086-8386363.

KNOWTH OPENING

Knowth megalithic passage tomb is now open for the 2017 season and will be open seven days a week. Access to the monuments at Newgrange and Knowth is only by guided tour from the Brú na Bóinne Visitors Centre on the south side of the river Boyne.

RATHKENNY CENTRE

Rathkenny Community Centre in the heart of Rathkenny has a busy schedule of events–The athletic club meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings, for further details contact Brendan 0860724911;

Bingo is held on Wednesday nights at 8.30; Toddler Group meets Thursdays at 12:30pm; Irish Dancing lessons on Saturdays – contact Grainne 086 3707227; Social Dancing is held on the second Saturday of each month; Total Fitness with Grainne is held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and on Saturday mornings–contact Grainne 087 4100559. Please note there are two Summer Camps taking place this year–Jane’s Musical Camp, July 24–28th, contact Jane 086 1528221; Kay’s Art Camp Aug 8–11th, contact Kay 087 7572010

For further information or if you wish to hire the hall for a social event, please contact Kathy 086 4043422.