AROUND THE DISTRICTS
Ballymurn CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES
Christmas Eve – 9 p.m. Christmas Morning – 10 a.m.
COMMUNITY CENTRE DEVELOPMENT
A big thank you to Annis Kehoe and her team for the success of last week’s cake sale in aid of the community centre Development at Garry william. The delicious baking and warm welcome made for a wonderful occasion. Community spirit at its best.
The December Silver Circle draw will take place at 9 p.m. in the Anvil, Ballymurn. Good luck to all. The committee of the community centre Development Project wishes all our supporters a very happy Christmas.
We are looking forward to great things in 2019. Bígí linn.
CHRISTMAS CARDS
Beautifully illustrated christmas cards of Ballymurn Church are on sale in Peter Doyle’s Shop Daybreak. Your Support is greatly appreciated as proceeds will go towards the parish funds.
TARA BISHOP 5KM MEMORIAL RUN
The Tara Bishop 5km Memorial Run is on January 27 at midday, more info on Facebook. training sessions every week contact Bobby Redmond if interested.
CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE
There is a Christmas Carol Service this Thursday, December 20, in the parish church at 7 p.m.
LOTTO RESULTS
Lotto results for December 12 numbers drawn were 7, 8, 12 and 22. No winner, no match-three winners. Lucky Dips: Julie Foley Marie Lambert. Next jackpot €10,000.
Blackwater GAA CLUB NOTES
Huge congratulations to our under-16 hurlers who defeated Mogeen Gaels (Fethard and Clongeen) to win the George O’Connor tournament recently by 3-12 to 2-10 with Adam Murphy, Johnny O’Toole and Ollie Murphy with the goals. A brilliant way to finish up the year.
The draw was made for the Michael Murphy Parish League was made and the two favourites have been kept on desperate sides of the draw. Inch Road Nigglers (Wexford jerseys) play Island Rangers (White jerseys) while the Fenians (green jerseys) play the Heroes (yellow jerseys). First game takes place at 11.30 a.m. on St Stephen’s Day.
The answer to last week’s question, who scored the last minute goal in the 1975 Junior County Final victory against St Patrick’s? It was the great Mo- gue Byrne. This week’s question, who scored a deflected goal from 30 yards to win the county football semi-final in 1979 against Kilrush?
Glenbrien BEST OF LUCK
The very best of luck to Gerry Doran and his staff on the opening of O’Briens Lounge in Glenbrien village last week, Hope you have a busy Christmas.
CHRISTMAS CARDS
Jack and Jill Christmas Cards for sale. €4 for a pack of €12. Wrapping paper also available 12 sheets for €6. Please contact Carol Heffernan at 087 7921098.
TEXT ALERT
2019 Subcriptions can be paid in the Old School Centre on Monday, December 17, from 7.30 to 8.30 p.m.
Oylegate ICA COFFEE MORNING
Oylegate ICA held their coffee morning and raffle on Thursday last in Mernagh’s Lounge Oylegate. The ICA would like to thank Eamon and Sue Mernagh for the use of their premises and also for supplying the tea and coffee on the morning. It is greatly appreciated.
The winners of the raffle area as follows: 1st prize - Conor Ring; 2nd prize - Liam and Eileen Quirke; 3rd prize - Maggie Doran; 4th prize - Annie O’Connell; 5th prize - Noreen Brennan; 6th prize - Angela Shiggins; 7th prize - Shirley McCormack; 8th prize - Sean and Margaret Quirke; 9th prize - Angela Shig- gins; 10th prize - Keith Shiggins. Many thanks to our raffle winners and to all the people who bought tickets.
HAMPER FOR PIETA HOUSE
Many thanks to all the people who purchased tickets for the hamper that was up for raffle in Mernagh’s lounge. This raffle was in aid of Pieta House. The lucky winner of the hamper was Anne Harpur Ballinaslaney.
CHRISTMAS WISHES
Eamon and Sue of Mernaghs’ Lounge Oylegate would like to wish all their staff and customers a very happy Christmas and wish them all the best for 2019. They look forward to your continued support in the new year.
TRACTOR RUN
A very successful Christmas tractor run in aid of Pieta House was held on Saturday evening last. This was a fantastic spectacle for all to see with over 240 tractors taking part. Many thanks to all who took part in the run, the people who helped to organise it, to those who collected, and to all those who helped in any other way with the running of this event, it is greatly appreciated. Over €9,000 was raised and again many thanks to all involved.
THURSDAY BINGO
Thanks to all those who continue to support the weekly bingo on Thursday nights in Mernagh’s lounge at 9 p.m. Also thank you to Mernagh’s for hosting the event. All money raised on the extra Bingo Sheet go towards the Glenbrien parish funds.
SUNDAY BINGO
Bingo continues in the Slaney Inn on Sunday nights at 8 p.m. with many cash prizes on offer. Oylegate United are the local charity currently benefiting on the night and would like to invite all interested to come along for a great night, and all support would be greatly appreciated.
The Ballagh LOCAL NOTES
Groups, clubs, sports organisations, families and individuals who would like coverage of their activities, forthcoming events and successes, should contact me, Breda Jacob, by text, email, phone call or written note, no later than 8 p.m. on the Thursday prior to publication. Phone or text 086 1686978. Email mickjacobjr@yahoo.co.uk. There is no charge for including an item in the Local Notes.
BUSKING MOLLI
Molli, from the Ballagh is hoping to busk, every Sunday up to Christmas in Wexford Town and she will be donating ALL of her busking money to the Homeless Action Group in Wexford. So if you happen to see her on the Main Street, please stop, listen and support her in her charitable endeavour.
BOXING CLUB
Training takes place in the Ballagh on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6.30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. for underage boxers and beginners.
CFR IS LIVE
The Oulart-The Ballagh Unit of Community First Responders is live, seven nights a week and all day at weekends, assisting the National Ambulance Service, on a totally voluntary basis. For queries please contact Vickie (087 7780749) or Ger (086 1578484).
CHRISTMAS IN THE CHURCHES
The Advent Penance Service will be held on Sunday, December 23, at 6.30 p.m. in the Ballagh and at 7.30 p.m. in Oulart. The Christmas arrangements for Masses are as follows: Mass on Christmas Eve will be celebrated in the Ballagh at 7.30 p.m. and in Oulart at 9 p.m.
Pn Christmas Day Mass in Oulart will be at 10 a.m. and in the Ballagh at 11 a.m. Holy Communion will be brought to the sick and housebound in the Ballagh on Wednesday, December 19, at 10 a.m. and in Oulart on Friday the 21st at 9.30 a.m.
SCHOOLS CAROL SERVICE
The pupils of Scoil Mochua will present carols in St Patrick’s Church on Wednesday the 19th at 7.30 p.m. while the school-children from the Ballagh will hold their Carol Service on Thursday the 20th at 7.30 p.m.
FAMILY NOTICES
If you would like these Notes to include details of your family births, marriages, deaths, anniversaries and achievements etc. please supply the relevant details (no later than Thursday at 8 p.m.) by phone, text, email or written note to Breda Jacob (086 1686978) or email mickjacobjr@yahoo.co.uk. There is no charge for including such items in the Local Notes.
RACE TO BE MAYOR
If you want to buy a real Christmas Tree to support Martin ‘Sponger’ Fortune’s Mayoral campaign, please place your order with Declan at 087 3456523, Tom at 087 6138210 or Martin at 087 9001220. The six foot trees sell at €30. Christmas Wreaths are also available at €8 each, two for €15 and three for €20.
OTHER MAYORAL EVENTS
As the ‘Race to be Mayor’ hots up, the organisers are being most creative, coming up with very interesting ideas. Phil Redmond’s team are holding a Road Hurlathon, from Raheenduff to Oulart on Sunday, December 30. Entry fee is €40 for a team of four. Martin ‘Sponger’ Fortune’s team will hold a Truck Run on Saturday, December 29, and a quiz on January 4.
SPLIT THE POT
Congratulations to our most recent winner, Tracey McCormack who won €68. It costs just €2 to play and envelopes can be found in all local businesses: Tim’s Chipper, Caroline’s Hairdressing, Bob’s Bar, Lounge, Shop and Takeaway, The Sawdust, Barry Walsh’s Car Servicing, The Unyoke Cafe, The Trading Post, Angelo’s Takeaway, The post office, The School Office and Bolands XL There will be a roll – over during the busy Christmas period (December 22 and December 29) and the first draw of the New Year on January 5 will be a special draw with our usual split-the-pot winner as well as a second prize of €50 and a third prize of €25. Be in to win.
RACKARD LEAGUE
The winners of the Roinn ‘C’ Rackard League Football had a wonderful nigh last Thursday in the Ballagh Community Centre at their Medal Presentation. This was the first time the Ballagh and Oulart National schools have won a Rackard League title in football, making History for the parish. Well done to the boys and to their teachers, Miss Mary Delaney and Mr Derek McDonald, for all the work with boys.
There are 33 boys in the panel and their huge enthusiasm for football was evident in all the matches they played. A huge thank you also, to Anthony Masterson, Football Development Officer for the Co. Board, who presented the boys with their medals and a commemorative team photo.
Kevin Waters, chairperson of the Rackard League said that the boys were a fantastic group of boys and that was a bright future ahead for all of them. A massive big thank you to the teachers for all their input and to the parents/ guardians for getting the boys to the matches and to the parents’ association for getting hall ready and providing refreshments. It was a wonderful night that will be remembered for a long time.
MEDAL PRESENTATION
Next Friday, December 21, the under-13 County Premier Hurling Champions and the under-17 Roinn one runners-up will be presented with medals in Oulart Community Centre at 9 p.m. The presentation will be made by a surprise guest. Everyone is very welcome to attend and light refreshments will be served. We look forward to seeing you all on the night.