Slane

NEWS

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

JOHNSTON MUSIC FESTIVAL

The Johnston music festival committee are putting the final touches in place for this years annual event now in its seventh year.

The festival kicks off this Friday, September 1st, with the opening concert, the distinctive sean-nós style voice of Galway native Sean Keane in St Patrick’s Church of Ireland, Slane at 8pm. Described as the musical find of the 1990s, Sean Keane continues to delight audiences all over the world with live performances and recorded work.

Then on Saturday the Village Inn is the setting for an evening of contemporary folk and traditional music featuring Co Louth group Kern. This trio of Brendan McCreanor, SJ McArdle and Barry Kiernan have performed at a host of festivals across Europe and they recently released their debut album False Deceiver.

The closing festival concert will feature the legendary fiddle player John Sheahan from the famous Dubliners, also in St Patrick’s Church of Ireland, on Sunday evening. John was a key member of the group for almost 50 years and toured the world with the Dubliners, playing all the major concert halls and theatres.

John will be accompanied at the Slane concert by his good friend Michael Howard, himself a guitarist and composer and songwriter of high renown, with their best known piece the Marino Waltz. Tickets for the festival can be purchased from the Hub office, Slane, 041-9824000.

HISTORY SOCIETY

Slane History & Archaeology Society is planning its annual trip which this year is to Fermanagh on Saturday, September 9th. A bus will leave Slane at 8.30am from the church car park, stopping at the Derragarra Inn in Butlersbridge for coffee, before proceeding to Castle Coole, Co Fermanagh.

After having lunch there the tour continues to Enniskillen Museum which includes a talk about the 600 year history of the Maguire family. Then its on to the Inniskillings Museum which has special relevance to the Society this year, 2017 being the centenary of the Slane poet soldier and patriot Francis Ledwidge. A meal is planned before the return journey to Slane. The trip costs €35 per person, the meals at your own expense. Everybody welcome to what promises to be an interesting and enjoyable day. To book and for further information, contact Mary at 087 2222144.

SLANE DISTILLERY

Slane Distillery has a ‘Locals Day’ this Thursday, August 31st, and invites all local residents to be the first to experience Slane Distillery and the Slane Irish Whiskey homeplace, the interactive, and on-site visitor centre. Reservations are free of charge to local residents. To reserve your space, contact info@slaneirishwhiskey.com with your party size, including number of adults and children attending, preferred tour time, contact name and phone number. Tours depart every 15 minutes from 11am - 7pm. Bookings subject to availability. Must be 18+ to book.

ISPCC COURSE

The Louth/Meath branch of the ISPCC is recruiting for their Childline service and their next training course is due to start at the end of September. They recruit volunteers from all over the Louth and Meath area and are eager to add to their fantastic team.

The first step in becoming a volunteer is to attend an information evening on one of a choice of evenings. This is an opportunity for people to come along and hear about the service, and what is involved in volunteering. They would also have a chance to hear from an already active volunteer. These are scheduled for Tuesday 5th September and Thursday 14th September. All sessions will begin at 6.30pm, and anyone interested is invited to attend. They will be held at their office in Drogheda (Distillery House, Dyer Street, Drogheda). Anyone interested in attending one of the information evenings should contact Danielle on 0419809964 or dlambe@ispcc.ie to book a place.

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.

THREE COUNTY CYCLE

Chairperson of the Ledwidge Museum Committee Rosemary Yore will officially start the 3 - County Cycle which takes place this Saturday, September 2nd. The spin will start at The Village Inn in Slane at 10am and will take in the surrounding counties, with proceeds going to the ARC Cancer Support Centre. Along the way cyclist will place a wreath at the spot just outside Drumconrath where their good friend and cycling colleague Paul Healion tragically lost his life in a road accident. Thanks goes to Donoghues Bar in Woodtown for their support once again.

SLANE CASTLE RUN

St Patrick’s national school parents association have a 5K Slane Castle trail run/walk on Sunday, September 24th at 9.30am.

TABLE TENNIS

Slane Table Tennis Club meet in the parish hall every Saturday, 6 - 8pm, Further details from Eddie Smyth 086 8666672.

IRISH DANCING

The Robinson School of Irish Dancing resume classes in the parochial hall, Slane on Tuesday, September 5th, at 4pm. For further information contact Lolo at 087 2491185.