AROUND THE DISTRICTS
Askamore HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Wishing everyone a very happy, peaceful, healthy Christmas and New Year from all involved in Askamore Community Centre.
FIRST AID COURSE.
A first aid course will be held in Askamore Activity Centre on Tuesday evenings at 7.30 p.m. – eighth – January 15 and 22 2019. Places are still available. This very popular course comprises of a section specifically designed for farmers and teaches participants a wide variety of life saving actions they can take should a family member, neighbour or friend be involved in an accident or suffer a medical emergency. To book a place phone or text Seán: 087 2898805 or Geraldine: 087 7795922.
COMMUNITY COUNCIL OFFICERS.
Following a Community Council meeting, the new officers for the coming year have been elected. Chair. : Helen Kearny. Vice-chairperson: Brian Buttle.
Secretary: Pádraig O’Connor. Assistant-secretary: Margaret Nolan. Joint treasurers: Paddy Byrne and Ger Blackbyrne. The incoming officers would like to thank Paddy Byrne, Brian Buttle and Davy Donohoe for the Trojan work they have carried out during their terms of office.
BOOKING FOR COMMUNITY CENTRE.
Visitors from far and wide who attended the recent Art Exhibition expressed the opinion our Community Centre is one of the finest in the county. Ongoing works and improvements makes it a very attractive venue for all events: weddings – birthday parties, meetings etc. Anyone wishing to avail of facilities at Askamore Community Centre, please phone Ger Blackbyrne 085 8838261 who is now taking bookings.
CAIRDE.
Some new additions are planned for Cairde App. We hope in the near future to send you the Askamore Notes every Monday morning so you can keep in touch with all that is happening in your area. You can join Cairde by registering and becoming a member of our Be Alert group. New members welcome. Ph. 087 7795922 or speak to any community council member for more info.
FINCHES FITNESS.
Please check with Declan for any changes of times/days over the holidays.
Pilates classes in Askamore at 8.45 a.m. every Wednesday followed by fitness classes at 10 a.m. and Fit for Anything group 11.15-12.15. Contact Declan at 086 8468165.
RURAL TRANSPORT.
The local link bus leaves Askamore Church car park at 9.30 a.m. every Tuesday morning and 9.45 on Saturday mornings.
This is a vital link to Gorey for many people and we would encourage people to use the service as often as possible. Phone Willie – 087 2449167 – for more info.
BALLYELLIS NATIONAL SCHOOL
The children in Ballyellis NS are taking part in a Christmas Concert which will be held on this Thursday, December 20, at 7 p.m. in St Brigid’s Hall, Carnew. All the classes have been practising very hard over the past few weeks and they are really looking forward to performing on the big stage. There will be a shop and also a raffle with lots of super prizes to be won on the night. So, come along and join us in what will be a great nights fun and entertainment.
SPLIT-THE-POT – Friday, December 14, winner of split-the-pot is Emily Kinsella, Carnew – winning €172. We thank everyone for supporting split-the-pot. Envelopes can be obtained from the School or any parent and from Ashling Walsh after weekend Masses in Askamore Church. Draws will take place every Friday morning in Ballyellis School.
KILRUSH-ASKAMORE GAA
We’re currently in the process of trying to fill our quota of 250 people paying into a Direct Debit Scheme of €15/month over five years, in order to procure badly needed new land. This is a once in a generation investment, and we really need everyone on board. If you would like to contribute to the future of the club, please contact our GAA Club chairman, Frank Doyle, at 087 2510923, or the camogie club chairman, Paul Tobin, at 087 7673493.
CHRISTMAS JUMPER NIGHT
The Kilrush camogie club Christmas Jumper night in Codd’s is on December 22 at 9 p.m. Presentation of medals to juniors, food, music and craic.
Boolavogue SCHOOL MASS/ CAROL SERVICE
Tomorrow, Wednesday the 19th. there will be a special Mass in St Cormac’s at 9.30 a.m. when the pupils of Boolavogue NS will celebrate their school Christmas Mass. All parents, guardians, family members, friends, neighbours and members of the wider Boolavogue community are invited to attend this celebration. The following night, Thursday the 19th. the pupils will be back in the church for their annual Carol Service. This starts at 7 p.m. and everyone is invited as well.
ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE
All parishoners are invited to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation at an Advent Penance Service in Monageer at 7 p.m. on Thursday the 20th. or at a Penance Service in St Cormac’s 8 p.m., on the same night, immediately after the school Carol Service.
CHRISTMAS MASSES
The Vigil Mass for Christmas will be celebrated in St Cormac’s at 9 p.m. on Monday the 24th., Christmas Eve. There will be two Masses on Christmas Day at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. with Mass on St Stephen’s Day at 11 a.m.
GROTTO CHRISTMAS TREE
On Friday, December 7, at 7 p.m., the Christmas season started in Boolavogue with the switching on of the lights on the Grotto Christmas tree. Donated by Séamus Kirwan, and prepared and decorated by Christy Whelan, Cathy Coughlan and Olive Burke among others, a large crowd gathered to witness the switching on of the lights. Despite the cold wet wintry conditions, the crowd remained afterwards and all appreciated the hot chocolate and marshmallows served after the tree was blessed and the lights switched on.
JUNIOR ENTREPRENEURS
Fifth. And sixth. class in Boolavogue NS are looking for a little help with a project they have in hand. They are taking part in the Junior Entrepreneur Programme and have decided to produce a photo booklet to celebrate the ‘new’ school’s 60th. anniversary.
They are looking for school photographs – first day at school, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, class photos or any other school events. If you have any photo that might be included, please drop it into the school along with a brief description including the date, if at all possible and the owner’s name on the back.
Each and every photo will be returned and would be very much appreciated by Ms Boyle and the pupils. They would love to have them before Christmas, if at all possible.
SOCCER NEWS
The Ladies’ 3-0 win over Cushinstown on Sunday, December 9, was the club’s best result that weekend. Goals from Michelle D’Arcy and Claudia Doyle had them 2-0 ahead at the break. Early in the second half, Rachel Breen and Aoife Walsh hit the cross bar and near the end, Charlene Morris connected on a delightful cross from Ailish O’Connor for the team’s third goal. This win puts the girls on top of the league.
The men’s ‘B’ team were away to Shamrock Rovers and lost by 0-1. Barry Murphy was unlucky not to level the game near the end. The ‘A’ team were at home, taking on Campile in what proved to be a tough, physical game. Brian ‘Bro’ O’Loughlin had our lads 1-0 ahead early in play, scoring a penalty kick. Campile soon drew level, scoring from the spot. Mark Walsh put us ahead early in the second half only to have Campile score their second goal with less than 10 minutes remaining. The previous day, the under-12s were beaten 0-5 at home while the under-16s also lost going down 1-5 to Moyne Rangers.
GAA LOTTO
The numbers draw in the last Monageer-Boolavogue GAA lotto draw were 2, 21, 23 and 31 and as there was no outright winner of the top prize has been increased to €5,500 for the next draw. This will take place on Tuesday, January 8, at 9.30 p.m. in the club complex in Monageer. There were some extra prizes on offer in the last draw and Martina Murphy and Michael Rowsome won the sellers’ prizes while the additional special Christmas prizes were won by Catherine Fenlon, Grett Sweeney, Rose Rath and Angelique Mulhern.
GAA NEWS
Our club draw, in association with the GAAs National Club Draw will take place at the club’s AGM on December 28 Tickets cost €10 and are entered for the two draws, the Monageer-Boolavogue club draw and the National Draw. Top prize in the National Draw is a Renault Clio car and there are 20 prizes on offer. The 10 prizes in the bonus Monageer-Boolavogue club draw range from a trailer load of firewood to two bottles of wine. The tickets are available from club members. All support is greatly appreciated.
GYM MEMBERSHIP
If you are looking for a worthwhile Christmas present, you might consider giving someone membership of Monageer-Boolavogue GAA club’s gym. Adult membership costs €120 and membership for a couple costs €200. A family membership is available for €250 and students can avail of a special €60 fee. For more details please contact 087 6825859.
MINISTERS OF THE WORD
The Minister of the Word at the 8 p.m. Vigil Mass on Saturday, December 22, is Éinín Rossiter with Noeleen Hennessy helping distribute Holy Communion. At the 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday the 23rd, the reader on duty is Mary Gilbride with Monica Gahan acting as Eucharistic Minister.
Aodhagán Swords is reading at the 9 p.m. Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve with both Georgina Gahan and Geraldine Doyle helping distribute Holy Communion. On Christmas Morning at 11 a.m., Leila Breen is the Minister of the Word on duty while Dorothy Hall is the Eucharistic Minister.
CLOTHES COLLECTION
Monageer-Boolavogue GAA Club is raising much needed funds by collecting used garments for recycling. They welcome all donations of unwanted clothes, paired shoes, hats scarves, handbags, curtains, clean towels, duvet covers, pillow cases and clean bed linen. However, they don’t want duvets or cushions at all, please. All donations can be left into the old GAA complex in Monageer from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. till 4.30 p.m. every week.
PARENT AND TODDLER GROUP
On Wednesday the 12th, there was great excitement in Boolavogue Hall when Santa arrived to say hello to all the children attending the parent and toddler group.
Carnew SPLIT THE POT
The winner of Scoil Aodan Naofa Carnew split-the-pot of December 7 was John Collins winning €232, seller’s prize was Abbey Finnerty, tickets only €2 from the school or local shops, many thanks for your support to date.
VINTAGE CAR/TRACTOR RUN
The Gap Vintage club are holding a vintage car and tractor run on Sunday, December 30, from the Gap Pub, Ballythomas, in aid of St Aidan’s Day Centre, Gorey, registration is from 11.30 a.m., all are welcome to come along.
TINAHELY WALKING CLUB
The walk on December 23: is ‘Mince Pie Walk’, Stookeen Hill. Level C, 8km, 2.5 hours. Meet Walker’s car park, Shillelagh 10.30 a.m.
As usual, please remember to wear proper walking boots, pack full rain gear and bring adequate food and drink.
GOAL MILE
On New Year’s Day 2019 in Tinahely A Goal Mile will take place on New Year’s Day 2019 at midday in Tinahely. This is a national family event open to all to help raise funds for Goal’s work globally. Donations will be accepted on the day.
The start and finish will be Murphy’s Hotel, Tinahely. Refreshments will also be served here afterwards kindly sponsored by Sam and Colin Horan. For further details find us on Facebook or contact Hugh at 087 6207193.
FLOWER ARRANGING DEMO
There will be a Flower Arranging Demonstration By Frances Cosgrave and Betty Cumiskey in Carnew Day Centre on Wednesday, December 19, at 8 p.m. Admission €8 Refreshments Served Door Prize and raffle of Flower Arrangements on the Night, proceeds towards Carnew Community Care, all welcome.
BALLYELLIS NATIONAL SCHOOL
The children in Ballyellis NS are taking part in a Christmas Concert which will be held on this Thursday, December 20, at 7 p.m. in St Brigid’s Hall, Carnew. All the classes have been practising very hard over the past few weeks and they are really looking forward to performing on the big stage.
There will be a shop and also a raffle with lots of super prizes to be won on the night. So, come along and join us in what will be a great nights fun and entertainment.
SPLIT-THE-POT – Friday, December 14, winner of split-the-pot is Emily Kinsella, Carnew – winning €172. We thank everyone for supporting split-the-pot. Envelopes can be obtained from the School or any parent and from Ashling Walsh after weekend Masses in Askamore Church. Draws will take place every Friday morning in Ballyellis School.
SEASONS GREETINGS
May I wish everyone a very peaceful, holy and happy Christmas and prosperous new year.