Broomfield
CONTACT
Contact Gerard on 087/2729154 or E-mail: starinaghgerard1@ if you have an item for this Column, the deadline for which is 12 noon on Friday. Thanks for your cooperation as always.
BEST WISHES
The best wishes of the Association and Community is extended to all who are hospitalised or ill at this time. We wish you a speedy recovery.
‘MINUTES SILENCE’
At the September Monthly Meeting of Broomfield & District Residents Association a ‘Minute’s Silence’ was observed as a mark of respect to Paddy Wall R.I.P., Balrenny, who passed away recently.
CHANGE OF CLERGY
Fr. Brian Slater will be leaving Ardee/Collon Parish at the end of the month to take up a new appointment in his native Co. Tyrone. He has been in the Parish for the past two years and we will be sorry to see him go, but we wish him well in his new Parish. Fr. Sean McCartan, who is Co. Down native and Chaplain to the Army in Dundalk will be taking up residence in Collon and helping in the Parish. I’m sure he will get a great Cead Mile Failte from the Parishioners. A Cabinet reshuffle, you could say!
BIRTHDAY WISHES
Congratulations and best wishes to Deirdre Grimes, Papal Drive, Collon who celebrates her birthday around this time. All your friends wish you health and happiness Deirdre, we will celebrate in style this time next year when we are back to normality.
NATIONAL VOLUNTEERING WEEK 2020
National Volunteering Week, from Monday 21st to Sunday 27th September offers the opportunity to thank Organisations and Volunteers for their work throughout the year. Unfortunately, because of Covid-19 restrictions, we are unable to celebrate with those who Volunteer in Broomfield & District. Broomfield & District Residents Association values the contribution that their Volunteers make in the Community and thank them sincerely for their dedication and commitment. The Association also wishes to thank all those who earlier in the year indicated their willingness to Volunteer, yet were unable to do so because of the situation with Covid-19, when activities ceased for most of the Spring-Summer Seasons. The opportunities to volunteer this year were few and far between, but hopefully that will change in 2021.
LOCAL BUSINESSES DESERVE SUPPORT
I’ve been to Watters, Collon on a number of occasions recently. They’re running a good show at Watters. Whether it’s a breakfast, mid-day, or evening meal you are after, you won’t be disappointed. They’re also doing a great job in respect of Covid-19 regulations, with all the requirements in place
in abundance. If you wish to dine out in a safe and welcoming environment, then Watters is one such place to do so. If you are disappointed, then you are very hard to please. Be Patriotic, Support Local, Buy Irish, and don’t apologise for it!
WALKING GROUP
Broomfield & District Residents Association Walking Group has resumed Sunday walks at 12 noon. Covid-19 Stay Safe Guidelines apply. Bring your own Hand Sanitizer. Wearing a Mask is optional but desirable, and the 2 metre Physical Distancing rule applies. Everyone is welcome. Walking takes place at locations that facilitate off-road walking. It’s great to see the Walking Group back in action, as out-door walking is a very safe activity, in these most challenging of times. This is the first of the Association’s Activity Groups to get back into action since the lock-down in mid-March. Everyone welcome! For further information contact Josie on 086-4458108
FARRELLY SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCING
Scoil Rince Ni Fhairceallaigh will resume dancing activities at Teach Raithneach shortly. Contact Grainne on 086 3707227 for further information.
GUITAR LESSONS
Guitar Lessons have resumed at Teach Raithneach. Contact Evan on 086 2513640 for further information or to book a place.
OUTSIDE WORKS PROGRAMME
A Programme of Outside Works at Teach Raithneach is in progress. A significant improvement to the grounds at Teach Raithneach should be evident when the works are complete.
CHILDREN’S GARDEN
If there are Parents in the Community with Children of School-going age, who would like to become involved in the Children’s Garden in 2021, please get in touch with the Secretary on 087 2729154.
COMMUNITY GRANTS SCHEME
Organisations who applied for, and secured funding, under Meath County Council’s Community Grant Scheme 2020 are reminded to return all documentation to Meath Co. Council’s Community Department on or before the due date which is Wednesday 30th September 2020.
CONGRATULATIONS
Comhghairdeas to Mattock Rangers Ladies who took the Louth Junior Football title recently. They beat the Dowdallshill/ Cuchulainn Gaels combination by 3-21 to 5-06.
CHURCH NOTICES
All the local Churches are opened up again, albeit with restrictions due to Covid. Check out your local Parish News for details relevant to where you are.
MEATH LOCAL SPORTS PARTNERSHIP
Calling all older people and active retirement groups – the Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme is now open. Funding is available to local clubs, groups and organisations who promote increased participation in recreational sport or physical activity for older people. The Application form can be downloaded. Closing date for submission of application form is Oct 2nd 2020.
For further assistance, please call Meath LSP office on 0469067337 or email mlsp@meathcoco.ie
BLAST FROM THE PAST
In the 1886 publication of Louth, County Guide and Directory, this is what it has to say of Collon. ‘Population 451 in 1881. Originally Collon belonged to Mellifont Abbey, which is distant from it about three miles, Irish. It was granted with other considerable possessions, by Henry 11, in the thirteenth century. The village lies in a hollow, comfortably sheltered by Mt. Oriel, Ballynagregga, Laurel Hill and Priests Hill, all finely planted and providing romantic
diversity of scenery. The little river Mattock runs through, and would be excellent for brown trout, if protected. Oriel Temple, the seat of Viscount Massareene and Ferrard, is at Collon’. The Ballynagregga referred to is otherwise known as Baile na Carraige (town of rocks) which is the tree covered hill at Starinagh. It is where Collier the Robber, the last Highway-man in Ireland, is said to have hid the ‘loot’ from his Stagecoach robberies.
LOCAL PHARMACY NUMBERS
Collon, 042 9819861. Tullyallen, 041 9837760. Slane, 041 9884925 and Breen’s All Care, Slane 041 9824222. You can also check out their Websites and Facebook pages.
LOCAL GARDA NUMBERS
Slane Gardai on 041 9824202, Navan Gardai 046 9036100, Collon Gardai 041 9819560, Ardee Gardai 041 6871130, Drogheda Gardai 041 9874200. In an Emergency dial 999 or 112, and make sure that you have your Eircode at hand when giving directions to the Emergency Services.
COMMUNITY ALERT
A lawnmower was stolen in the District sometime between Wednesday night 16th and Thursday morning 17th September. If you saw anything suspicious on these dates, please contact the Gardai (numbers above). The Broomfield & District Text Alert number is: 086 2193103. Please ensure that you have this number in your phone. Reminder, please check out the Monitored Alarms to ensure they are working satisfactorily. They must work when needed.
To send a text to the Text Alert, just write your text as you usually do. Then send it to the Text Alert number. Remember, Community Alert is all about ‘putting a kick in the gallop’ of the criminals, who never stop their activities. Criminals are intent on making the lives of decent people a misery. Don’t let them succeed. Get active in the Community, give your support to Community Alert!