Monthly Archives: October 2022

Gold Medal Success, November Masses and Suir Valley Railway

GAA Lotto.

The numbers drawn in the latest lotto draw were 14, 19, 20 and 23 and there was no lucky winner of the jackpot. The three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Sarah O Donnell, Mary Kenny and Jessica O Leary. The next draw will take place on October 30th and there will be a jackpot of €7850 up for grabs. Tickets cost just €2 each or three for €5. They can be purchased from any committee member and will also be on sale outside Centra Kilmeaden on Saturday October 29th. Pick those 4 numbers carefully and that lovely jackpot could be yours.

Church News

If you would like to book an anniversary mass for a loved one during the months of October, November and December please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392.
Thank you to all who attended any of the four station masses which took place in the church last week. This was a lovely opportunity for friends and neighbours to come together in prayer. Fr. Mick and Fr. Francis would like to thank all who dropped in their Autumn dues. If you were unable to attend but would still like to contribute you can drop your envelope into the collection basket at the weekend or through the letterbox in the sacristy door.
It is lovely to have our local choir back singing at mass. They are always open to welcoming new members so if you would lie to join with them in song then please drop along to their rehearsals on Monday nights at 7.45pm

Bridge News

The Ballyduff/ Portlaw bridge club are back in full swing and enjoying their games on Monday nights in Ballyduff N.S. The results of the game played on Monday October 17th are as follows:
(1) Kate Hayes and Mary Prendergast
(2) Ann and William Tobin
(3) Deirdre Phelan and Elizabeth Mooney
(4) Sean Hennessy and Ann Marie Brown

Fundraising Talent Night.

Several individuals and families from the Ukraine have moved into our area and it has been decided to hold a fundraising night for them. On Saturday October 29th at 9.30pm in O Donnachas a few local talented singers will take to the stage accompanied by Tony O Brien and Co. This promises to be a great night of music and song. All are welcome to drop in and join in the fun while supporting our friends from the Ukraine.

Gold Medal Success

Congratulations to local man Aaron Keogh who recently took part in the London Fall International 2022 Jiu Jitsu competition. Aaron was very successful on the day and came away with a gold medal. Having won some weeks ago in Dublin, Aaron was ready to give his all in the international competition and that he certainly did. Congratulations and best of luck to Aaron who is now preparing to compete in Italy soon.

November Masses

I cannot believe that we are already talking about our special masses for the dead in November. During the month of November, we remember our deceased relatives and friends in a special way. A mass is offered each Wednesday night at 7.30pm in November for our dead. The last mass on Wednesday 30th is offered especially for all those who died during the past year. A list of names is compiled from the parish book, but we also like to include your family and friends from outside the parish who died during the past year. If you would like to add a name to this list, please contact Linda Spillane or drop the details into Ann in the sacristy.

Suir Valley Railway

Halloween season has arrived at Waterford Suir Valley Railway and there are many ghostly, spooky creatures hanging around so beware as you travel along the Greenway. The Spooky Express will run during the Mid-Term operating daily from October 29th to November 6th. Why not contact the station on 051 384058 and book your ticket or pop on the website and remember be careful out there!

Community Alert, Ukraine Meet-up and Wedding Days

Bridge News.

Our local bridge club are back in action and enjoying some great games of bridge. Remember you are very welcome to join the bridge club so if you would like some more information, please contact Elizabeth Mooney on 087 2067920. The following are the results from the last couple of games.
Oct 3rd 2022

1st: Kate Hayes and Sean Hennessy.
2nd: Kathleen Collins and Patsy Roche.
3rd: Mary Prendergast and Ann Cox
4th: Mary O Brien and John Fitzpatrick.
Oct 10th 2022
North/South
1st: Kathleen Collins and Joan Hartrey
2nd: Celia Nugent and Mary O Brien
3rd: Nano Fitzgerald and Kate Hayes
East/West
1st: Ann-Marie Brown and Mary Prendergast
2nd: John Fitzpatrick and Patsy Roche
3rd: Monica Sullivan and Breda Murphy

Station Masses.

For many years the station masses were held in the homes of parishioners in different areas of the parish. These masses are now celebrated in the church and are offered for all the people of the parish. This year’s Autumn masses will take place on Tuesday October 18th, Wednesday October 19th, Thursday October 20th and Friday October 21st. Each of these masses will be offered at 7.30pm. Ballyduff Church is 200 years old this year so there will be a special blessing for all who attend. The station mass is also an ideal opportunity to contribute to the fund for the priests of the parish. You are welcome to attend any of these masses or indeed all of them.

Community Alert

At the recent community alert, the annual text alert fee of €5 was taken up. The text alert scheme is of wonderful benefit to all in the community and has helped many times to interrupt criminal activity and apprehend people who have done wrong in our own community and surrounding parishes. The text alerts sent out to alert people of suspicious vehicles or people seen in areas and by issuing a description of people or vehicles the guards can trace the route taken.
If you were unable to attend the meeting but want to keep your spot on the scheme or perhaps would like to join it, then please drop your name, number and €5 to any of the following Jay Dowdall, MJ Healy or Linda Spillane.

Ukraine Meet-Up

There are now several of our friends from the Ukraine now living with families in our community and we wish them all a very warm welcome. It is important that they get to meet each other and have a space for a chat and make connections.
They are all invited along to Ballyduff Community Centre on Saturday October 22nd from 2pm to 4pm for a little bit of home away from home.

Community Centre Fund.

Ballyduff Community Centre Redevelopment Group were delighted to receive the wonderful news that they have received a grant of €15,367.90 through the Community Centre Investment fund. They plan to use the money to fit a chair lift which will allow full access to the upstairs meeting room and to put a suspended ceiling and insulation in the main hall.

Ballyduff AFC

Our local soccer club are on the outlook for some volunteer coaches for both their boys and girls academy groups and for their U12 boys team. This is a wonderful opportunity to get involved with your local club where you will receive great support from all involved with the club. If you can spare some time, please contact Jay on 087 2994687 or send a message on the clubs Facebook page.

Wedding Days

Congratulations to two more local guys who tied the knot over the past couple of weeks. Knockaderry man Patrick Kirwan, son of Gertrude and the late Tony travelled to Paulstown church to marry his bride Siobhan Murphy, daughter of Pat and Joan. Following their wedding ceremony, the happy couple and their guests travelled on to the Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny for some fine dining and dancing. The couple enjoyed a beautiful honeymoon in South Africa, and we wish them every happiness in their married life.
Newtown man David Kenny travelled to Glanmire to wed his Cork bride Christine O Halloran. The couple exchanged their vows in front of family and friends in the stunning surroundings of the Vienna Woods Hotel. They then enjoyed a wonderful reception, and my little neighbour James tells me that there was lots of dancing. We wish the happy couple every happiness in their lovely new home in Newtown.

Thought For the Week

Never regret a day,
Good days: give you happiness,
Bad day: give you experience,
Worst days: Give you lessons
And best days: give you memories

Bridge News, Station Masses and Recent Death

Bridge News

It is wonderful to see the local Ballyduff/ Portlaw Bridge club back in action. During the Covid season many of the members practiced their skills online but all were anxious to get back face to face and meet up with their friends from the club.
On Monday September 26th the club met at Ballyduff N.S to enjoy a game of bridge and the results on the night were as follows:
(1) Patsy Roche and Elizabeth Mooney
(2) Joint Second: Geraldine McMahon and Nano Fitzgerald
and Joan Hartery and Mary O Brien
(3) Fr. Michael O Byrne and Ann Cox.
(4) Peggy Barron and Peggy Murphy.
The club would like to invite any new members to come along to their weekly games. You don’t need to have a partner to join. If you would like some further information, please contact Elizabeth Mooney on 087 2067920.

GAA Lotto

The numbers drawn in the latest GAA lotto draw were 7, 11, 22 and 25. There was no jackpot winner but the three lucky dip winners of €50 each included lucky little me. The winners were Linda Spillane, Darren Butler and Kay O Brien. The next draw will take place on Sunday October 16th and there will be a fantastic jackpot of €7,700 up for grabs
Tickets cost just €2 each or three for €5 and are available from all committee members and will also be on sale at Centra Kilmeaden on Saturday 15th. Choose four lucky numbers and hopefully you may receive a nice early Christmas present.

Ballyduff AFC

Our local soccer club have been nominated as a benefactor of the Tesco Community Fund. While you are doing your shopping at Tesco Ardkeen and receive a blue token at the checkout. The club are asking you to take that blue token to the community fund box in the store and choose the Ballyduff AFC slot. Our local soccer club is always a hub of activity, and they provide wonderful opportunities for our young people. They are constantly enhancing their facilities and will use any money they receive to further enhance these. Please drop that blue token in the Ballyduff AFC slot and help your local club to continue to go from strength to strength.

Station Masses.

For many years the station masses were held in the homes of parishioners in different areas of the parish. These masses are now celebrated in the church and are offered for all the people of the parish. This year’s Autumn masses will take place on Tuesday October 18th, Wednesday October 19th, Thursday October 20th and Friday October 21st. Each of these masses will be offered at 7.30pm. Ballyduff Church is 200 years old this year so there will be a special blessing for all who attend. The station mass is also an ideal opportunity to contribute to the fund for the priests of the parish. You are welcome to attend any of these masses or indeed all of them.

Community Alert

At the recent community alert, the annual text alert fee of €5 was taken up. The text alert scheme is of wonderful benefit to all in the community and has helped many times to interrupt criminal activity and apprehend people who have done wrong in our own community and surrounding parishes. The text alerts sent out to alert people of suspicious vehicles or people seen in areas and by issuing a description of people or vehicles the guards can trace the route taken.
If you were unable to attend the meeting but want to keep your spot on the scheme or perhaps would like to join it, then please drop your name, number and €5 to any of the following Jay Dowdall, MJ Healy or Linda Spillane.

Ballyduff GAA.

It was an all Ballyduff affair for the U12 County Championship recently as Ballyduff Lower took on Ballyduff Upper. This was a very close game but Ballyduff Lower really stuck to their guns and supported each other and came out winners on a score line of 2-4 to 0-5. A big thank you must go to Ballyduff Upper for such a sporting game. The prize for best supporters would have gone to Ballyduff Lower as they provided great colour and cheer on the side line which was of great benefit to the team.

Recent Death

We were all shocked and saddened to hear of the death of the beautiful Jean O Loughlin, Caheruane, Kill. Jean was a young, bright, talented, beautiful young lady taken way to soon from this world. She had just begun her college life in Limerick and looking forward to the next chapter of her life. We extend our deepest sympathy to her heart broken parents Pauline and Paul and her brother Ben and all her extended family and her many friends.
Jean made friends wherever she went and many of the local young people in our area were these friends. To see the dignity and respect they showed over the last few days was just a glimpse of the affection they had for Jean. We keep them all in our thoughts and encourage them to continue to support each other and we pray that Jean’s family and friends will draw some comfort from all the wonderful memories they have of Jean. May her sweet, gentle soul now rest in peace and may she soar high with all the other angels.

Wedding Day, Social Dancing and Halloween Times

Local Death

We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Terence (Terry) Kinsella late of Carrickphilip and formerly of Crossabeg and Castlebridge Co. Wexford who died suddenly in recent days. Terry will be greatly missed by his loving partner Gillian Whelan, his son Cian, his mother Margaret, his brothers, sisters, extended family and his many friends. His funeral mass was celebrated in St. Patrick’s Church, Crossabeg and we pray that Terry is at peace in the love of Christ in God’s heavenly home.

Ballyduff AFC

Our local soccer club have been nominated as a benefactor of the Tesco Community Fund. While you are doing your shopping at Tesco Ardkeen and when you pay you will receive a blue token. The club are asking you to take that blue token to the community fund box in the store and choose the Ballyduff AFC slot. Our local soccer club is always a hub of activity, and they provide wonderful opportunities for our young people. They are constantly enhancing their facilities and will use any money they receive to further enhance these. Please drop that blue token in the Ballyduff AFC slot and help your local club to continue to go from strength to strength.

Wedding Day

Congratulations to two local young men who recently got to marry the girls of their dreams.
Ballyduff man Niall Walsh headed to Slieverue Church to marry his sweetheart, Fiona Falconer. The couple enjoyed a beautiful wedding ceremony and then it was off to The Tower Hotel for some delicious food and a night of music and dance.
Carrickphilip man Eoin Cummins made his way to Stradbally Church to say “I do” to the love of his life Amy Whelan. The happy couple then made their way with their friends and family to The Park Hotel where they were wined and dined and then danced the night away.
We wish both couples the very best of luck for their future and a long and happy life together.

Recent Deaths

We extend our deepest sympathy to Carmel Cullinane, Johnstown on the recent death of her beloved mother. Mrs. Maura O Brien was a former resident of St. John’s Park but was a much-loved resident of Killure Bridge Nursing Home. Maura is survived by her daughter Carmel, sons Bernard and John, her adored grandchildren Alannah, Keira, Darragh and Liam, son-in-law Richie, daughters-in-law Xiomara and Dawn, extended family and her many friends. Maura’s funeral mass took place in The Sacred Heart Church, The Folly and Maura was laid to rest beside her beloved husband John in St. Nicholas’ graveyard in Ballyduff.  We pray that Maura is now reunited with her beloved husband John and that they are enjoying a nice, sweet dessert together. May her gentle soul now rest in the peace and love of Christ.
We also offer our condolences to Margaret Carlin, Ballyduff on the death of her sister Cait Beville. Cait was living in the UK but was always in contact with family back home. Cait is survived by her sisters Margaret, Bernie and Martina and brothers Pat, Philip and Michael. We pray that Cait is at rest and will enjoy the peace and love of Christ in his heavenly home

Station Masses.

For many years the station masses were held in the homes of parishioners in different areas of the parish. These masses are now celebrated in the church and are offered for all the people of the parish. This years Autumn masses will take place on Tuesday October 18th, Wednesday October 19th, Thursday October 20th and Friday October 21st. Each of these masses will be offered at 7.30pm. Ballyduff Church is 200 years old this year so there will be a special blessing for all who attend. The station mass is also an ideal opportunity to contribute to the fund for the priests of the parish. You are welcome to attend any of these masses or indeed all of them.

Gala Success

We send many congratulations to Damien and Majella Hennessy and all their staff at Gala in Kilmeaden on their recent success at the 2022 B.E.S.T Awards. They were a much-deserved winner of a Business Excellence Standard Award and were delighted to accept the award on behalf of al the staff and managements. We wish them continued success with their business.

Social Dancing

I know that there are many in our community who enjoy a bit of social dancing and I have seen many twinkle toes around the parish. Our neighbours in Kill are hosting some social dancing evenings on Wednesday and Sunday evenings during the month of October. There are some great musical acts lined up to provide the music. Admission is just €10 and there will be a mineral bar. Check out the Kill Community Centre Facebook page to see the line up of musical acts and polish up those dancing shoes.

Ballyduff Lower Camogie

Congratulations to the U12 girls from Ballyduff Lower Camogie Club who represented their club and county on September 24th last in DCU in the Tesco “National Hurl with me Day”. Some senior members of the club also togged out in club colours and enjoyed a few fun games. A brilliant day was had by all and the over 12’s enjoyed it just as much as the U12’s, maybe even a bit more!

Halloween Times

Now that the summer season is coming to an end the crew at the Waterford Suir Valley Railway are getting ready for the Halloween season. Bookings are now open for the mid term and the scary season. It is operated during the day so it is less scary for the children and will be lots of fun. All the gang at the railway look forward to the Halloween season every year and eagerly await the arrival of some ghosts and ghouls.