Slane

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

LEDWIDGE CENTENARY

The Francis Ledwidge Centenary celebrations commenced last Thursday, and will continue until this Saturday, July 1st. This evening Tuesday, June 27th, there is a walk ‘In the footsteps of Ledwidge’, in Slane, starting at 7pm. Then at 8pm Slane Historical Society host a lecture ‘Ledwidge and the Beauparc Copper Mines’, in the Youth Cafe.

Wednesday June 28th–‘Ledwidge Art’ with Hannah Blake; Poetry book launch ‘The Orchard Keeper’ by award winning poet Susan Connolly; ‘The Hills are Crying’, the premiere of a new song cycle featuring selected poems of Ledwidge by Michael Holohan, in Slane Church of Ireland, at 8pm; Slane GFC host a ‘Ledwidge Match’ in Toddy Harding Park at 7pm.

Thursday June 29th–Tree planting ceremony in Matty McGoona’s orchard, Donaghmore, Navan, at 4pm; Slane Historical Society host ‘Agriculture in the Ledwidge era in the youth Cafe at 8pm.

Friday June 30th–Slane Wanderers match ‘The Francis Ledwidge Challenge’ in the Wheatfield at 7pm; Storytelling night ‘Francis Ledwidge’s Slane’ in the Village Inn at 9pm.

Saturday July 1st–Slane Tidy Towns Francis Ledwidge Commemorative Planting in the Village Garden; Ledwidge Gala Concert in Slane Church of Ireland at 8pm.

LEDWIDGE ON NATIONWIDE

To mark the centenary of the death of the Slane poet RTE Nationwide will devote a complete programme to Ledwidge this Wednesday, June 28th.

PONY SHOW

The North East Connemara Pony Show takes place this Saturday, July 1st, adjacent to Ledwidge Cottage on the Slane/ Drogheda Road. There is a huge pony entry from all over Ireland, In hand Riding and jumping. Other attractions include a dog show, vintage cars, bouncy castles and trade stands. A great family day out with free admission from 10am till 6pm.

BUILDING FUND DRAW

Slane GFC have launched their Building Fund Draw and tickets (€50) are presently on sale. First prize is a Honda quad bike or €4,000 cash, 2nd €2,500, 3rd €1,000, 4th and 5th €500. The fundraiser is to finance the construction of the new clubhouse. The draw takes place in the Black & White Thatched Inn (Dolly Mitchell’s) on Saturday, September 9th. There will also be lots of other fabulous prizes on the night.

ROCK FOR RORY

A cheque €600 was presented to Brian Kelly SOSAD and a cheque €500 to Cu Chulainn Blood Bikes, the proceeds of the recent ‘Ride Out For Rory’ which was in memory of the late Rory Smith. The presentations were made by Sandra Loughran, Edward Smith and Brendan Smith. Rory tragically lost his life while taking part in a charity motorbike poker run for SOSAD over 12 months ago.

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.

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 0868386363.

BLOOD DONATION THANKS

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) would like to thank all 70 Donors who attended the recently held clinic in Teach Raitneach, Starinagh, Collon. A special thank you to our Local Voluntary Organiser, Jim Mooney, Slane Red Cross and to Linda Dillon for their help and support prior to and during the holding of the clinic. A breakdown of the total figures shows that 9 former donors and 9 new donors attended the clinic.

It is our wish to continue to service the Slane/Collon community, and we would urge the people of the district to continue to support this essential service by maintaining and increasing the level of support on our next visit.

About 70,000 patients are transfused with blood each year in Irish Hospitals. To do this we must collect approximately 3,000 donations of blood each and every week from voluntary donors like you. A total of 678 units were required in Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan and 2,466 units were required in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda alone during 2016

Finally on behalf of all the patients in hospital who benefit from your generosity a heartfelt thank you to all who attended or helped our Slane/Collon clinic in any way.

LEDWIDGE CYCLE

Skane Valley Community Council in conjunction with Francis Ledwidge Museum Committee have a Ledwidge Centenary Cycle from Slane to Dunsany this Sunday, July 2nd. It is a gentle spin along roads the poet knew so well. Assemble at Slane NS at 2.30pm. It will be followed by a Ledwidge Evening at Dunsany GAA clubhouse. Entry fee is €10 and further information and registration at www.skanenews.com/ ledwidge

HERITAGE RUN/WALK

For the second year running Rossin Rovers will be hosting the 5k heritage run/walk this August 26th. Set in the picturesque area of Newgrange, the Rossin Rovers 5k course will provide participants with a challenge and breathtaking scenery.

The route passes directly by the Newgrange passage tomb. Refreshments will be available afterwards in the nearby Dolly Mitchell’s. Registration is now open and the first 150 adults to register receive a Free technical t-shirt.

It is a chip/timed event managed by myrunresults.com and is open to runners/walkers and families of all abilities and fitness levels.