Monthly Archives: January 2023

Grandparents Day, School Admissions and Dr. Martins Centre

Grandparents Day.

As part of the Catholic Schools Week, Ballyduff N.S will celebrate Grandparents Day on Wednesday January 25th. The day will start off with mass at 10am in St. Nicholas’s Church to offer thanks for the wonderful support and help grandparents give to their families. Following the mass, the Parents Association invite everyone along to the hall in Ballyduff N.S to enjoy a nice cuppa and some refreshments. We all know what an important role grandparents play in the lives of their grandchildren, and this is a lovely way to say a simple thank you and to also remember those grandparents who have returned home to God but still watch over us.

School Admissions

Admissions are now open for the 2023/2024 school year and the teaching staff are excited to meet the new arrivals in September. The closing date for applications is January 27th so if you require any further information or need an application form, please contact the office at Ballyduff N.S on 051 384414.

Choir Practice

Our local parish choir have changed their rehearsal night and now meet on a Wednesday night at 8pm. New members are always welcome to drop along and meet with the group. It is a nice, relaxed group with no pressure put on anyone. It is a well known saying that when you sing at mass, then you pray twice. Now that can’t do any harm, can it?

Bridge News

The Portlaw / Ballyduff Bridge club played their latest bridge game on Monday January 16th in Ballyduff Community Centre and the results were as follows:
1st: Peggy Murphy and Elizabeth Mooney
2nd: Ann Tobin and Geraldine McMahon
3rd: John Fitzpatrick and William Tobin

Ballyduff Lower Camogie Club

Ballyduff Lower Camogie Club will host their AGM on Thursday January 26th at 7.30pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. All are welcome to attend. Our local club had a very successful year in 2022 with many members and enjoying playing for their club. New volunteers and helpers are always welcome so drop along to the AGM and hear about the club’s plans for the new season.

Dr. Martin Centre

Do you live and drive in the Portlaw and Kilmeaden areas? Can you spare one hour, three days a week? The Dr. Martin Centre is looking for a volunteer to operate their meals on wheels service. If you are interested in helping out please make contact by one of the following means, volunteerwaterford.ie, paul@volunteerwaterford.ie or call 086 1424928

Ulster Success

Local Carriganure man John Kennedy was most definitely a star player for Ulster University as they overcame Belfast rivals Queen’s University by 13 points in the semi final of the Conor McGurk Cup. John set up some lovely, classy scores. The Mount Sion player has really enjoyed playing with Ulster University for the past two years and has praised the top class conditions of pitches etc. They now go on to meet either Donegal or Antrim in the Final and John hopes to bring a McGurk medal back home to Waterford. We wish John and his team mates the very best of luck.

Ballyduff Lower GAA

Tickets are now on sale for the GAA National Club Draw which are a vital source of income for every club. There are some excellent prizes up for grabs in the draw which will take place on March 15th. Tickets are just €10 and are available from all committee members.

County Success

Congratulations to Ballygarron lady Kate O Donnell who recently lined out in the corner back position for the Waterford U 14 panel against Wexford. What a wonderful achievement for Kate and we wish her the very best for the 2023 season. We look forward to some great games ahead.

Ballyduff AFC

Ballyduff AFC would like to thank everyone who recently supported them through the Tesco Community Fund. The club received €576 for which they are very grateful. The club are delighted to have training and matches back and are thrilled to see such activity back in the grounds

Bridge News, Ballyduff N.S. and Keep in Touch

GAA Lotto

The good news is that the Ballyduff GAA will host their first lotto draw of 2023 on Sunday January 22nd. January as we all know is a long, lean month and how nice would it be to win that fantastic jackpot of €8,450. Tickets are just €2 each or three tickets for €5. Tickets are on sale from all committee members and will also be on sale on Saturday January 21st at Centra in Kilmeaden. Choose your four numbers carefully and you could be starting off your New Year with a bang while also supporting your local club.

Bridge News

We wish a very happy New Year to all the members of the Ballyduff/ Portlaw Bridge Club and we are delighted to hear that they are back to their Monday night games in Ballyduff Community Centre. If you are interested in taking up bridge as a New Year activity or would like some more information please contact Elizabeth Mooney on 087 2067920. There is no need to have a partner, so all individuals are welcome.
The club played their first game of 2023 on Monday January 9th and the results were as follows:
Joint First: Mary Kennedy and Anne Kennedy
Kathleen Collins and Patsy Roche.
Third:           Mary Prendergast and Joan Hartery
Fourth:       John Fitzpatrick and Deirdre Phelan.

Ballyduff N.S

As part of the Catholic Schools Week, Ballyduff N.S will celebrate Grandparents Day on Wednesday January 25th. The day will start off with mass at 10am in St. Nicholas’s Church to offer thanks for the wonderful support and help grandparents give to their families. Following the mass, the Parents Association invite everyone along to the hall in Ballyduff N.S to enjoy a nice cuppa and some refreshments. We all know what an important role grandparents play in the lives of their grandchildren and this is a lovely way to say a simple thank you and to also remember those grandparents who have returned home to God but still watch over us.
Admissions are now open for the 2023/2024 school year and the teaching staff are excited to meet the new arrivals in September. The closing date for applications is January 27th so if you require any further information or need an application form, please contact the office at Ballyduff N.S on 051 384414.

Birthday Celebrations

The Power family in Ballyduff Village certainly know how to celebrate and always mark every occasion as a family together with great joy and laughter. There were two milestone birthdays to mark recently as Stephanie’s husband Ronan Hogan clocked up his 40th while the main woman and driving force behind the whole family Bridget reached the young age of 60. We wish them both every happiness and many more happy birthdays to come.

Keep In Touch

As all clubs and organisations begin their activities and meetings again for the New Year, why not let people know about what is going on within your club or group by contacting the writer of these notes. Want to send good wishes to someone celebrating an occasion or have you a photo of local interest? Local community notes are an important part of community and parish life and help to let everyone know what is going on in their area and help to create a good community spirit. Please send any items you have for inclusion to Linda Spillane at spillanelinda2017@gmail.com or contact her on 087 9838392.

Thought for the Week

Be strong enough to stand alone
Smart enough to know when you need help
And brave enough to ask for it

Christmas Thanks, Yoga Classes and Community Alert

Christmas Thanks

A big thank you to all who helped to have our church looking so beautiful over Christmas. Our lovely crib took centre stage and received many visits from those at mass. It is always so nice to see so many young children visit the crib with their parents and grandchildren and hear their lovely innocent comments and questions. On Christmas Day I met two lovely little girls who asked me to tell them why I was taking a piece of the straw from the crib and putting it in my purse. They then proceeded to do the same and so continues the traditions. We also had a bright sparkling Christmas tree and fabulous flower and candle arrangements. A special word of thanks must go to our fantastic sacristan Ann who takes such fabulous care of our church all year round. She takes great pride in her work, and we are all very grateful to her for her dedication and commitment.

Recent Death

We extend our deepest sympathy to Mary Harrington, Ballyduff Hill on the recent death of her beloved sister Elizabeth Purcell who lived in England. We keep Mary and all her family in our prayers and hope that they find peace and comfort in their memories.

New Signing

Massive congratulations to local lady Kate Foley who has recently been signed by Treaty United FC. Kate has been signed as their goalkeeper for the 2023 Women’s Premier Division season. If any of have had the pleasure of watching Kate in goal, then you will know that Treaty United have found themselves a real treasure. A talented goalkeeper Kate is also a very dedicated team player always giving 100% to her fellow teammates. We wish Kate and her team the very best for the 2023 season and look forward to watching her progress.

Birthday Boy

Birthday boy Michael (Mickey) Barry of Raheen recently celebrated his 80th birthday and was wined and dined by his family and friends. The young man celebrated with those closest to him and I hear that a great time was had by all. Surrounded by his wife Elizabeth, his children Eileen, Michelle and Shay and his beloved grandchildren, I’m sure Mickey was at his happiest. We wish Mickey many more happy birthdays.

Early Retirement

We all wish the very best to Bernie Crotty, Portlaw who has recently taken early retirement from Portlaw/Lisduggan Credit Union. Many people here in Ballyduff and Kilmeaden are members of the local credit union and know exactly what a wonderful job Bernie has done over the years. Bernie was always that warm, friendly, helpful face that you met and was always on hand to give help and advice. The dedication and commitment Bernie has given to the Credit Union is to be admired and we thank her for her years of service. We wish her many years of happiness as she and Ger hopefully enjoy some rest and relaxation.

Ballyduff GAA

Ballyduff GAA Club enjoyed a great night of celebration as they celebrated the 25th anniversary of their 1997 Junior Hurling Championship win. Everyone enjoyed watching a recording of the game and reliving the glory. Following the game there was some critical analysis and some food and beverages and some music to try out those dance moves. A great night was had by all.

Ballyduff AFC

Ballyduff AFC are ready to get back into training and games and are looking forward to the new season. The club have big plans for 2023 to develop their space, their teams and their facilities. Check out their Facebook page to see details of teams and training times.

Yoga Classes

If you are looking for a way to rest and relax after the Christmas season, then why not try some Yoga classes which will take place in Ballyduff Community Centre on Wednesday nights. If you would like to find out some more information, please contact Virginia on 083 3717354

Community Alert

Our local community alert group will hold their next meeting on Wednesday January 11th at 8pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. All are welcome to attend this meeting as it is so important that we all work together to keep our community a safe place to live. Members of the Gardai will be in attendance. If you have forgotten your yearly text alert fee of €5 then this is a perfect opportunity to pay. Please spread the word about the meeting to your neighbours.