Lets get Walking.
Once again this year our local GAA clubs have teamed up with Operation Transformation and Lets Get Ireland walking and are opening up their grounds to all in the community to come together and get walking in a safe well lit area. Our own local club here in Ballyduff will open up their facilities, turn on the lights and welcome all along on Friday nights from 7pm to 8.30pm. All are welcome to come along and blow off the cobwebs and walk alone or with friends in a safe and friendly environment.
Our Favourite Kilkenny Cat
The New Year got off to a sad start as word spread that the most famous Kilkenny cat Fintan Kiely had died. Although Fintan was born in Piltown and married a Tipperary woman and then made his home in the Deise, he remained a true Kilkenny supporter all his life. Fintan shared his home in Ballyduff with his beloved wife Mary who predeceased him in 2015 and his pride and joy his daughter Colette whom he adored. The arrival of their grandson Jack was a true delight to both Fintan and Mary and they worshiped every bone in his body. I have many happy memories of calling to their home in Ballyduff and they delighted in talking about Colette and Jack and of course we also enjoyed a great laugh and a joke and sometimes a song(once it was a Kilkenny song of course) and then I left giving the promise that I would ask my cousin John O Shea to play a request for them that night.
Fintan was indeed a man of great character, he loved his family whole heartily and made sure they were looked after always. He had a wonderful sence of humour, an ability to make everyone welcome and a strong faith which was evident to all by the way he treated those around him. Fintan will be sadly missed not only by his family but by all who knew him. We take some comfort in the knowledge that he is now reunited with his one true love Mary. We pray that they now rest in peace and that the beautiful memories they gave us will bring comfort to all who loved them. Fintan Kiely: the purrfect gentleman!
Community Centre
A very successful raffle was held in December which raised just over €3000 for our local community centre. Much of this money has already gone to the purchase of a new industrial oil tank to replace the old one which began to leak in December. Great thanks must go to the all the sponsors who donated 20 prizes. They will all be individually awknowledged but the organisers would particularly like to thank Donal Hickson who donated the hamper and allowed the group to use his premises to sell tickets and collect at the tills.
Thanks also to the ticket sellers who called to many housesover a few weeks. The group used that opportunity to update as many as possible on the status of the community centre and its finances. The total outstanding debt on the centre is now in the region of €92,500.
The results of the raffle were as follows:
1st: Finn Doyle Hotel Break
2nd:Connie Sullivan Chrismas Hamper
3rd: Isabel O Neill Set of luggage
4th: Maire Cooke car service voucher
5th: Eoghan Power trailer of firewood
6th: Paschal Brennan Moet Champagne gift set
7th: Mary Kenny Kilmeaden Takeaway voucher
8th: Mairead Carey Drinks Hamper
9th: Ron O Dea O Donnachas voucher
10th Mary Murray Christmas Decoration
11th Paul Sheehan Pharmacy Hamper
12th Dean Caulfield Glanbia Voucher
13th Sinead Ryan Frank Murphy voucher
14th Kathleen Power Milestone Gift Voucher
15th Nancy and Noel O Sullivan Knife Set.
The community centre is always available to the community for events, classes, charities etc. To book just contact any of the directors. The current board have completed 5 years of service and would very much welcome new members. If you are interested in joining up please contact 087 4487648.
Community Alert
Mark your diary for the very first community alert meeting of 2020. On Monday January 27th the group will meet up in Ballyduff Community Centre at 8pm. Guest speaker on the night will be John O Connor. Our community alert is one of the most successful and active groups in the South East. It is important that we all support our group. Meetings are just once a month and are a great way to keep in touch with the happenings in your community and air any worries you may have. A guest speaker is invited to each meeting and local Gardai are always in attendance. Please spread the word to your neighbours and friends.