Recent Death

We extend our deepest sympathies to the Gahan family on the recent death of their brother Larry. A native of Lacka Road but living in Norfolk, England for some years Larry still kept in touch with Kilmeaden happenings with his brothers and sisters. While awaiting news for funeral arrangements I have no doubt that his family will reminise of days gone by and fun times growing up together. We hope that those memories will bring the family comfort at this hard time. We offer our prayers for Larry and for all his family both here and in England. May he rest in peace.

Former Parishioner

We were all very saddened to hear of the death of Catherine Hayward who lived in East Sussex but formerly lived in Stonehouse, Kilmeaden. She was a regular visitor back home to Kilmeaden since the early 90’s. I can’t claim to have known this lady very well but I do remember her coming home and my Dad  going down to cut her grass and cut her hedges. We would sometimes be brought along to help and if Catherine was at home we would receive some nice tasty treats. I was delighted to meet her very good friend Margaret Millea who told me about Catherine with great love and affection.
Catherine’s mother Catherine Fitzgerald(related to the Fitzgeralds of Blacknock) was born in the old Forge in Gortaclode. The ruins of this forge are still to be seen. She left for England in her late teens where she met Catherine’s father and Catherine and her 3 sisters were raised.  Catherines mother bought the house in Stonehouse in the early 80’s and she and her mother lived there together until her mothers death . Following her mothers death Catherine still kept that great love for Kilmeaden, living here and then when she returned to England she looked forward to her yearly trips home. She was last home in 2019 but due to Covid etc she had not been able to return home since. During her many phone calls to Margaret she spoke of her excitement of visiting in 2022. It was during all these trips home that the wonderful friendship between Catherine and Margaret and Teddy Millea grew. They travelled all around Ireland together enjoying each other’s company and conversations. Their phone calls were always full of memories of days gone by and good days yet to come. I think a good measure of someone’s character is how they are spoken about when they leave this world. As I spoke to Margaret I could see and hear the great affection in which they held Catherine and how much they will miss her friendship.
Catherine is survived by her twin sons John and Paul to whom we express her sympathy but also to her many friends both in Kilmeaden and England. May she now rest in peace.

New Appointment

We are thrilled to hear that the new Manager of the Waterford U14’s ladies Football team is our very own Fiona Crotty Laffan. Fiona has lived and breathed Gaelic football all her life. She brings with her a vast knowledge of the game and more importantly a real passion and love for the sport. Fiona began her football career with her native Ballymacarbry and won many club titles with her team. It wasn’t long before she won her place on the Waterford County team. She holds many All Ireland titles both with club and county and also received an All Star Award. However even though Fiona is proud of her achievements she knows the success of hard work and determination and she knows the true meaning of team work. The young ladies she will mentor will most definitely learn from her vast experience and will surely thrive from her influence. We wish Fiona the very best in her new role and look forward to watching the young girls flourish. I have no doubt that Billy, Charlie and Makayla are very proud as are her Mother Ann and all the Crottys and one John Crotty beams from the heavens above at his little girl.

Charity Success

Local lady Patrcia Shannon recently took part in the annual charity walk for Solas. Although things had to be a bit different this year people still took to the highways and byways of Waterford and beyond to complete their walk. As part of her fundraising Tricia held a collection at Centra and she has asked me to say a huge thank you to all who supported her and donated to the fund . She was delighted to raise €925.53 for this wonderful charity and is very grateful to all who supported her. We also say a big well done to Tricia for all her hard work.

Ladies Fun Group

Our local GAA grounds is the venue for the ladies fun group. The group is back in full swing on Friday nights at 7.30pm. This group is all about exercise and positive mental health. If you would like to get involved in the fun just turn up any Friday night or get in contact through the Ballyduff GAA Facebook page.

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Ballyduff AFC

The folks at Ballyduff AFC are considering running a Social Soccer Programme for women. This programme will guarantee fun fitness and soccer. If you are interested in taking part please private message the Ballyduff AFC Facebook page.

Church News

We are fast approaching the month of November, a month that we remember  our deceased relatives and friends in a special way. We will offer masses especially for those we have loved and who have now returned to God. These masses will take place on Tuesday 9th, Wednesday 10th, Thursday 11th and Friday 12th of November . The final mass on the 12th will be offered for those who have died in the past 12 months . I will give you more information about these masses over the next few weeks

Church News

It is that time of year again when the Autumn station masses take place. In normal times these masses would take place in  homes around the parish but unfortunately due to Covid restrictions a different alternative has been reached. Three separate masses will take place in the church and will be offered for all the people of the area. You can choose to attend one of these masses or you are more than welcome to attend all three. The station mass is a lovely time to think of all the people living in your area and pray for their good health. During the masses we also remember those who returned home to God during the past 12 months since the last Autumn stations. The station masses will take place on Tuesday October 19th, Thursday October 21st and Friday October 22nd at 7.30pm each night.
A reminder that if you would like to book an anniversary mass for a  loved one during the months of November and December then please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392.

Dr. Martin Centre

The opening hours at the Dr. Martin Centre in Portlaw will be extended from Tuesday October 26th. The centre will open every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10am to 4pm. Weekday activities include chair yoga on Tuesdays at 11.30am, exercise classes on Wednesdays at 11.30am and on Thursdays at 11.30am there is mediation. There are plenty of activities to enjoy in the afternoons such as bingo and quizzes. The centre looks forward to the return of some live music on Wednesdays very soon. There is also the opportunity to take part in a computer class with use of tablets, smartphones and laptops. The Centre are very excited to complete a lovely project which is a life story about each of their members. The Dr. Martin Centre has many other facilities and offers great advice on entitlements etc. They also run a wonderful meal delivery service in Portlaw and surrounding areas. If you would like some more information please contact Alice Kiersey on 051 387111.

Ballyduff AFC

Ballyduff Soccer club celebrated 50 years of club activity during Covid and are now ready to celebrate this wonderful milestone in style.  On Friday November 26th the Greenway Manor Hotel will be the venue for the celebrations. On arrival you will be greeted with a champagne reception, followed by a four course meal, spot prizes and memories of years gone by in the club. You can then dance the night away to music by Monkey Harris and DJ Trevor Harris. Tickets cost just €50 each and are limited so book yours early by contacting the committee. The club looks forward to welcoming past and present members and the people of the community to a wonderful night of good food and fun as they celebrate their Golden Anniversary and the success of their club.

New Defibrillator.

Congratulations to all the staff and management at Centra Kilmeaden who recently installed a defibrillator outside their premises. What a wonderful addition this is to our area giving great peace of mind to all. This is a true sign of community spirit with local businesses thinking about their customers and visitors and their safety. This defibrillator will be accessible 24 hours and the code is C987.   We say a huge thank you to Donal and Ailish and all at Centra and wish them every success in the future.

A True Gent.

We were all deeply saddened to hear of the death of Michael(Mick) Cronin of Knockaderry. Mick was a native of Mallow, Co. Cork but made Kilmeaden his home a number of years ago. A retired member of the Garda Siochana Mick could only be described as a real gentleman. A real family man he was very proud of his children and grandchildren. His wife Anne was indeed the love of his life and they were at their happiest when together. Mick was a very talented golfer and organised many great tournaments and was a former President of The Gold Coast Golf Club.His other great love were greyhounds whom he cared for like children. Mick was a very sociable man who enjoyed a good chat and I am proud to say that I enjoyed many chats with Mick. He was a very interesting man who could join in any conversation and speak about many different subjects. As His funeral cortege made its way to Faha church people showed their respect by standing out at different points along the route, a true sign of the love and respect for  this great man. Our heartfelt condolences go to his beloved wife Anne, his children Peter, Noreen, Mairead and Sinead, his grandchildren Aifric, Caolinn, Ciara, Torin, Michael, Sean, Ross, Kayden and Kate and all his relatives and many friends. We pray that his gentle soul is now at peace and that the Lord will reward him for all his good deeds.

Suir Valley Railway

Waterford Suir Valley Railway is one of Kilmeadens real treasures and we are all so proud of its success. A hive of activity throughout the year it is wonderful to see people enjoy a trip on the train, a coffee and a chat at The Whistlestop cafe or one of the many special events arranged throughout the year. The good news is that the train will run this year until October 31st with 5 trips daily departing on the hour from 11am to 3pm.  Halloween is always a spooky time at the railway with many scary looking creatures appearing around the station. Take a trip on the train along the river bank and who knows who you will meet along the way. Booking has now opened also for The Santa Express. I have good advice that Santa is really looking forward to returning to Kilmeaden this year. As you take a trip on the train to meet Mrs. Claus and friends. When you return to the station Santa will be happy to welcome you to his cosy railway cottage and may even have a little treat for you. To book for any of these events please book online or call 051 384058.
The Waterford Suir Valley Railway runs smoothly and successfully because of the dedication and commitment and dedication of the staff and the wonderful volunteers. One of these volunteers was the late Mossy O Keeffe who loved being part of the railway team. His family wanted to mark his love of his work as a volunteer and so donated a beautiful bench in memory of Mossy to be placed at the station. A beautiful evening was had as the family presented the bench and told how grateful their father was to be part of the railway team and how happy they were to see him so content. If you visit the station, sit for a while on Mossy’s bench and soak in the joy of your surroundings just as Mossy did.

All Star Nomination

It is wonderful to see 7 of Waterfords stars nominated for The All Star Awards but of course we here in Ballyduff Lower are delighted to see our own Calum Lyons amongst the nominations. Calum has had a wonderful season and treated us all to some wonderful displays of hurling. Calum has also been very generous with his time helping out with the younger members of the club. We wish Calum the very best of luck.

Christmas Card Making

Waterford Social Prescribing Service have organised Christmas card making classes in Ballyduff Community Centre. These classes will take place on Mondays from 10.30am to 11.30am . You do not have to be really arty or a craft genius, the emphasis is mostly on the social aspect of these, giving people a chance to mix socially with others and enjoy an activity, a cuppa and a chat. Each person will receive their own personal pack to create Christmas cards for friends and family. Each pack comprises 10 cards and envelopes, scissors, glue, decoupage and everything required to create cards. The idea of the packs is so there is no sharing of equipment.. These classes are free and tea and coffee will also be served. Spaces are limited so if you wish to book a spot or find out more information please contact Fiona on 089 4917360

Church News

The Autumn station masses are now on the horizon and all masses will take place in Ballyduff church. The dates of the masses are Tuesday October 19th, Thursday October 21st and Friday October 22nd at 7.30pm each evening. All of these masses will be offered for all the people of the parish and you are invited to attend any of them or indeed all of them.
The booking of anniversary masses for the months of November and December is now taking place so if you would like to book a mass please contact Linda Spillane.

Ballyduff AFC

Ballyduff AFC are hosting a Cash for Clothes charity fundraiser to raise funds for their club. Have you been sorting out those wardrobes and hot presses and wondering how to dispose of those unwanted items? From now until October 19th you can drop off your bags of clothes to the dressing rooms at Ballyduff AFC between the hours of 11am and 4pm. Items accepted are all womens, mens and childrens clothing, paired footwear, handbags, belts, soft toys, curtains, towels, blankets, throws,duvet covers, sheets and pillowcases. Please do not include any pillows, duvets or carpets.                                                                                                                                                                                               The club are delighted to hear of the success of their U10’s coach and past player Mia Lenihan. Mia who plays for Carlow/Kilkenny FC scored in her last 5 league matches putting her in the running for U19 top goal scorer. Mia is a delight to watch play, always giving 120% to every game. We wish Mia continued success and watch her progress with great interest

Ball Lotto Winners

Ballyduff Camogie Club and Ballyduff Community Centre committee recently joined forces to host an exciting and fun fundraiser. 1000 numbered balls were dropped into the ball alley in the hurling field and then three random numbers were chosen by three of our finest camogie players. The lucky winners were Rory Williams who won €250, Kathleen Doran €150 and Fearne Carey €100. The organisers would like to say a huge thank you to all who supported this event and also to those who helped to sell the balls. The money raised will benefit both clubs greatly and they really appreciate your support.

Recent Death

We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Phil Higgins who died recently.Phil was a resident of Cherrymount but was a former owner of the Cosy Thatch. Like myself I am sure many of you remember many great years of Irish dancing lessons under the instruction of this great lady. She was kind and generous with her time and minded us all like we were her own children. Some brilliant nights were had in The Cosy Thatch while they were the owners as they had a great love of music, song and dance. We send our deepest sympathy to her husband John, her son Gabriel, daughters Michelle and Antonina, grandchildren, great grandchildren and her many other relatives and friends. We pray that she now rests in peace.

New Extension

We wish Damian, Majella and all the staff at Gala in Kilmeaden the very best as they prepare to extend their shop floor and deli area. It is wonderful to see businesses taking such steps in our area and showing such commitment and dedication to our community. I know that they are very grateful to everyone who supports them and we thank them for their service and the employment they give to the local area.

Church News

We are now taking bookings for anniversary masses during the months of November and December. If you would like to book a mass for a loved one during these months please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392.
Weekend mass times have now returned to pre Covid times so our Saturday evening mass is at 7.30pm and our Sunday morning mass is at 10am.

Ballyduff AFC

Our friends at Ballyduff AFC have organised a brilliant fundraiser which benefits all of us. As we get ready for the Winter months we are clearing space in our wardrobes and presses to make room for  our fluffy jumpers and wooly blankets. Wondering where to bring those items that we no longer need, Ballyduff AFC have the answer for you, they are organising a Cash for Clothes fundraiser. From now until October 19th you can drop off your bags of clothes to the dressing rooms at Ballyduff AFC grounds between the hours of 11am and 4pm. The items you can include are all womens, mens and childrens clothing, paired footwear, handbags, belts, soft toys, curtains, towels, blankets , throws, duvet covers, sheets and pillowcases. Please do not include any pillows, duvets or carpets.

Ballyduff GAA

The club were delighted to see how well their GAA for all morning went. They would  like to thank all their little stars for turning up and putting the coaches through their paces. This day would not have been possible without the eager participants and all the coaches and volunteers who helped in any way during the preparation or the coaching on the day. The club is grateful for the valuable assistance they received from Waterford Sports partnership and Deise Og. The club is putting plans in place to make this a more regular occurrence.
The U13 footballers werte in hard luck when they took on St. Mullerans in the final ending in a final score of 2-4 to 2-7. The lads certainly left everything on the pitch and the club are very proud of the great effort. Big thanks also to the coaches who put in such time and dedication.There is no doubt that this teams name will be on a cup yet.
If you would like to purchase some club gear maybe as a nice Christmas gift from Azzurri please follow this link https://teamwear.azzurri.ie/ballyduff-lower-gaa/
A big thank you to all at Waterford camogie for providing coaches to attend Ballyduff NS for the next 5 weeks. This is a great opportunity for the children and strengthens the relationship between school and club. Both boys and girls will be coached by these skilled coaches and we thank all in the camogie club who arranged this and also to the staff of Ballyduff NS for facilitating this project.

Wedding Bells

Three local ladies recently married their very own Prince Charmings surrounded by family and friends. Davy and Annie Gahan, Lacka Road watched on lovingly as their youngest daughter Rachel married the love of her life Rob Hoban. The ceremony and reception was held in the stunning Faithlegg House Hotel. A wonderful day was had by all and we wish the happy couple every best wish for their future.
A very proud dad Tom Raher, Carrickphilip was delighted to see his beautiful daughter Sharon marry her Prince Charming Brian Kennedy. The happy couple exchanged vows in front of their family and friends and I have no doubt that a very proud mammy and brother beamed from the heavens above and ensured everything went off perfectly. We  hope this happy couple will enjoy many happy years of marriage.
Ballyduff couple Jessie Morrissey and Nigel Bolger exchanged their vows in St. Nicholas’s church friends watched on proudly by family and friends. A wonderful day was had by all and we wish this happy couple many years of happiness in their gorgeous home in Ballyduff with their beautiful children.

Baby Boom

As well as lots of happy weddings we are delighted to hear of the birth of two little boys into our community. Ian and Louise Doogue are thrilled with the arrival of their handsome son Ollie. He is certainly set up for life with brother Eoin and sister Annabelle ready and willing to show him the ropes. Proud grandparents John and Maria Mackey are delighted with the safe arrival of their 6th grandchild and are ready to babysit at  the drop of a hat.
Up in Ballyduff village Maurice Carlin Jnr and his wife Phueng also announced the arrival of their son Maurice. All the family are delighted to welcome baby Maurice and I have no doubt at all that there will never be a shortage of babysitters.

Birthday Girl

We send warmest birthday wishes to Waterford city lady Phil Doyle who recently celebrated her 70th birthday. Phil is a regular visitor to our parts to visit her daughter and son in law Anthony and Amelia Carlin and of course her two beloved granddaughters Emma and Laura. We hope Phil enjoyed a wonderful day and I am sure she was treated like a queen by husband Pat and by all the family.

Special Occasions

We wish all the young boys and girls of Ballyduff and Portlaw who finally got to make their First Holy Communion and Confirmation the very best of luck and we commend them for their patience in waiting for their big day.

GAA CLUB

We are now starting to think about Christmas and if you have a hurling or camogie perhaps some new club gear could be the perfect gift. Log on to https://teamwear.azzurri.ie/ballyduff-lower-gaa/ and check out what is available.

Church News

Anniversary mass bookings are  now being taken for the months of November and December. If you would like to book a mass please contact Linda Spillane on 087-9838392 and she will look after you. Please note that masses cannot be shared at present.