Church News, Bridge News and Official Opening

GAA Lotto

Ballyduff Lower GAA club held their recent lotto draw on May 14th and had a jackpot of €9,650 on offer. The numbers drawn were 12, 14, 17 and 19 but there was no lucky winner. There were three lucky dip winners of €50 each and they were Eamon Halley, Eileen Power and Brendan Butler. The next draw will take place on May 28th and there will be a fantastic jackpot of €9,800 up for grabs. Tickets cost just €2 each or three for €5 and what a return you may get for your money. You can purchase your tickets online, from any committee member or volunteer sellers will be at Centra in Kilmeaden on Saturday May 27th. Choose four lucky numbers or close your eyes and choose four random numbers and you could be the lucky winner.


Church News

There will be no Saturday evening mass in Ballyduff or Portlaw for the next four weeks as the priest will be away. However, Sunday morning mass will be offered here in Ballyduff every Sunday morning at 10am. The only weekday mass in Ballyduff will be on Thursday mornings at 11am.


Bridge News

The Ballyduff/ Portlaw Bridge Club held their latest game on Monday May 15th and the results were as follows: 1st Peggy Murphy and Elizabeth Mooney. 2nd Sean Hennessy and Nano Fitzgerald. 3rd Mary Prendergast and Mary Kennedy.


Ballyduff AFC

A big thank you to Seamus and Michelle Dunphy and all at The Sweep Bar and Restaurant who kindly sponsored a set of jerseys for the club’s division 4 team. This was a wonderful, generous gesture and the club is very grateful. We wish the team the very best of luck as they proudly wear their new jerseys in their club colours.


Official Opening

The Kilmeaden Greenway Link was officially opened on Tuesday May 16th, and this also incorporated the launch of the Ballyduff and Kilmeaden Community Garden. On a beautiful sunny morning a large crowd gathered to watch as our Mayor John O Leary officially cut the ribbon on this fantastic facility. He spoke on the importance of The Greenway and its accessibility for all. He thanked all his colleagues in the council, all those involved in the design and construction and local landowners John and Joan Stephenson who were so accommodating with their land.
The Mayor spoke about his enthusiasm for the new community garden project which he said would be a fabulous facility for the whole community to come together and enjoy. He invited the Chairman of the group Peter Jacob to speak to the crowd and explain the project. Peter explained that the group had now received their licence and were looking forward to getting the project started. He told the crowd that this would be a community project, with something for everyone and he said that ideas for design and layout were welcome from anyone, and he encouraged people to become involved in the project.
There was a fantastic, positive air at the opening and the launch with people of all ages attending including a group of children from the local Kiddies Kingdom creche and Montessori, who were able to walk back to the creche safely on the Greenway. Please watch out through Facebook and your community notes for updates to the Community Garden Project.


Notes Contact

If you would like to include an item in these community notes please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392 or spillanelinda2017@gmail.com

Waterford Suir Valley Railway, Greenway Opening and 21st Celebrations

Bridge News

The Ballyduff/Portlaw Bridge Club held their latest bridge game on Monday May 8th and the results were as follows:
1st: Geraldine McMahon and Nano Fitzgerald.
2nd: Kate Hayes and Sean Hennessy.
Joint 3rd: Monica Sullivan and partner.
Peggy Murphy and Peggy Barron.
5th: John Fitzpatrick and Breda Murphy.


Recent Deaths.

We extend our deepest sympathies to the O Keeffe family, Blacknock on the recent death of Patrick Alymer. Patrick was a quiet, unassuming man who was very popular with his neighbours. Patrick’s reposal took place at Aidan Walsh and sons Funeral home in Cappoquin and then on to Cork for private cremation.
We also extend our sympathy to Nancy O Sullivan, Matthews Cross and Peggy O Shea, Ballyduff Hill on the death of their sister-in-law Brigid Power from Ballymacmague. Brigid’s funeral mass took place in St. Mary’s Church, Dungarvan followed by burial in Kilgobinet cemetery. May her sweet, gentle soul rest in peace.
Our community was plunged into sadness on hearing of the untimely death of Gillian Whelan from Carrickphilip. Gillian was a strong, caring and loving lady whose family meant the world to her, and she was a true and loyal friend. Her daughters Joanne and Jennifer were her whole world, as were her mother Joan and sister Sally. She was a fantastic worker, great chef and a great lover of the outdoors and the garden. She loved nothing more than a good chat and a laugh and she will be sadly missed. Gillian’s funeral mass took place in Ballyduff Church followed by cremation in Cork. We pray that Gillian now enjoys the peace and calm of her heavenly home.


Ballyduff AFC

Ballyduff AFC are continuing their fundraising clothes collection, so clear out those wardrobes and hot presses and bring your unwanted items to the dressing rooms at Ballyduff AFC grounds.
The club would like to congratulate club player Sophie Power who has signed with the Waterford FC U17 ladies’ team. Sophie has played with Ballyduff up through the years and the club wish her the very best of luck and look forward to watching her play.


Waterford Suir Valley Railway

Waterford Suir Valley Railway have now launched their Summer schedule and are looking forward to welcoming lots of visitors to Kilmeaden. The train will now operate on the hour from 11am to 4pm Monday to Saturday and from 12 noon to 5pm on Sundays. Tickets are available online or can be purchased at the station. Treat yourself to a beautiful scenic trip on the train or bring your relatives and visitors and show them what we have to offer here in beautiful Kilmeaden and of course don’t leave without visiting The Whistlestop Café for some very tasty treats.


Church News

If you would like to book a weekend anniversary mass for your loved one, please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392.
A big well done and thank you to the volunteers who cut the grass in the cemetery. It was so generous and kind of them and we are all very grateful to them.
First Holy Communion will take place in Ballyduff on Saturday May 20th and the boys and girls are busy preparing for their special day.


Greenway Opening

The official opening of the Kilmeaden Greenway link will take place on Tuesday May 16th at 12.15pm at the Kilmeade train station car park. The opening will incorporate the launch of the Ballyduff and Kilmeaden Community Garden. Our Mayor John O Leary will perform the opening duties and you are all invited to come along and celebrate with the community.


21st Celebrations

The Waterford Male Voice Choir will celebrate their 21st anniversary by hosting a charity concert at The Holy Cross Church in Tramore on Friday May 19th at 7.30pm. Tickets cost just €15, and the proceeds will go to the Tramore Sea Rescue. The choir will be joined by The Barrack Street Concert Band, The Kalimbas and Dominic McGorian. Two local men Eamonn O Leary and Declan Ryan are part of the choir and really looking forward to performing and raising money for a great charity.

Community Centre AGM, Community Garden and Message from Fr. Mick

GAA Lotto

The numbers drawn in the latest lotto draw were 12, 14, 17 and 26 and there was no winner of the jackpot. There were three lucky dip winners of €50 each and they were Alice Walsh, Mairead Counihan and Ollie Fleming. The next draw will take place on May 14th and there will be a fantastic jackpot of €9,650 up for grabs. Tickets are just €2 each or three tickets for €5 and will be available from all committee members and will also be on sale on Saturday 13th at Centra.


Community Centre AGM

Recent developments at Ballyduff Community Centre.
The board of the Community Centre applied for a grant allocation from the Pobal Community Centres Investment Fund to fund the supply and installation of a stair chair lift and the installation of a suspended ceiling in the hall, including insulation over the ceiling. €15,367.90 was approved and €13,831.11 has been received so far. The works are now completed and are much appreciated by all groups who use the centre.
The board also applied to Waterford City and County Council for a grant from the Community Support Fund. We were approved for €2,000 and the full amount has been received. This was for the annual insurance premium €1,375 and the balance was to be used as a contribution towards the painting of the hall. The painting work is also completed, and the board wishes to express its gratitude for the funding received from Pobal and Waterford City and County Council.
The centre is available for many local groups/activities. As well as Jellytots pre-school, current activities include yoga, dance, bridge club, High Road Community Alert and GAA meetings.
AGM: The Annual General Meeting of the Community Centre will take place in the centre at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday May 30th 2023. All are welcome.
Linda Spillane recently attended a couple of meetings in Ballyduff Community Centre and was full of praise for the wonderful improvements which have been made. Huge credit must go to a very hardworking committee. It is a fantastic asset in the community and is the perfect spot for many activities and groups.


Community Alert

Our local community alert group held their final meeting before the summer break last week. Waterford City and County Mayor John O Leary and his wife Eileen attended the meeting and told those in attendance about their experiences over the past 10 or 11 months. John explained how much he has enjoyed his time as Mayor and while it has been a very busy time, he has met some wonderful people and has been able to witness first-hand the excellent work being done around Waterford by so many volunteers and groups. The community alert group made a presentation to John and Eileen to congratulate them and to let them know how proud their local community are of them.
Following the meeting everyone enjoyed a chat over a nice cuppa and some treats. The community alert group will resume meetings again in September, but their text alert scheme will remain active over the summer months keeping people informed of any suspicious activity in our area.


Ballyduff AFC

Ballyduff AFC are continuing their clothes collection and are asking you to clear out those wardrobes and presses and drop your unwanted to the dressing rooms on club grounds. Items can be dropped off any day between 10am and 8pm.
The club have announced the dates of their very popular summer camps. The club’s own camp will begin on July 3rd and the FAI camp will begin on July 17th. Watch out through their website and Facebook page for payment link details.


Community Garden.

The necessary paperwork and documentation for our proposed community garden is now almost completed and we are all looking forward to seeing work beginning on site. The group are delighted with the support they have received so far and are excited to talk about ideas and plans for the garden. A design plan will soon be drawn up so if you have any ideas for things which should be included then please see the Facebook page or you can contact Peter Jacob, Declan Finn or Linda Spillane. Remember this will be a garden for all ages and abilities and a place for all in the community.


Message from Fr. Mick

Our beloved Fr. Mick has spent the past four months in hospital, and he would like all his parishioners and friends to know that he has now moved to the Care Choice Home in Dungarvan. He likes to keep in touch with local happenings and welcomes visitors. You can also send him a text message which will be read to him. We all wish Fr. Mick the very best and keep him in our prayers.


Alzheimer’s Tea Day

A big thank you to all who supported the annual Alzheimer’s tea and coffee morning in Ballyduff Community Centre. A fantastic amount of €600 was raised on the day and this money will stay in the Waterford area. A big thank you to Niamh Larkin who organises this event every year.

Ballyduff GAA, Alzheimers Tea Day and Concert Success

Ballyduff AFC

Ballyduff AFC have two different collections running at present. The scrap collection is continuing, and you are welcome to drop your pieces to the grounds. They are also running a clothes collection so why not have a clear out of those wardrobes and drop off your bags of unwanted items to the dressing room. Items can be dropped off any day between 10am and 8pm.
The club have announced the dates of their very popular Summer camps. The club’s own camp will begin on July 3rd and the FAI camp will begin on July 17th. Watch out through their website and Facebook page for payment link details.
Congratulations to the U14 team who won the U14 league. This team won 9 out of their 10 games which is a fantastic achievement. A big thanks must go to their coaches John and Maura who have been with this team since U6 level. This team have always focused on teamwork and communicating with each other which resulted in good performances and focus. The parents also need to be thanked for their support and encouragement.


Ballyduff GAA

It’s that time of year again when we can win some fantastic prizes. The Deise draw is a brilliant way to support our GAA clubs as 75% of all money raised goes back into the club. There are 6 draws commencing on May 22nd and cost €15 per month. You can purchase your ticket from any of the committee members here in Ballyduff or you can contact Brian on 087-2486423.


Recent Death

We were all saddened to hear of the death of Michael O Regan, Kilmagemogue recently. Michael was a man of the land who enjoyed working on the farm and rearing his animals. He was a quiet, unassuming man who enjoyed spending time with his wife Ann, their children, and grandchildren. He was also a beautiful singer with a lovely melodic tone which told the story of an Irish ballad perfectly. We have no doubt that he will now be a proud member of God’s heavenly choir and we pray that his sweet soul now rests in peace. Mick’s funeral mass took place in St. Nicholas’ church in Ballyduff, and he was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery. We extend our deepest sympathy to his beloved wife Ann, his sons Brendan and Raymond, his daughters Michelle and Priscilla, his sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, his brother Patrick, sister Noeleen and all the extended family. May the wonderful memories they bring them peace and comfort.


Alzheimers Tea Day

We are all aware of the fantastic work being done by the Alzheimers Society. The support and help which they give to their members and their families is invaluable and we must all work together to ensure that these services continue within our communities. On Thursday May 4th we will have an opportunity to help raise much needed funds as we gather to celebrate National Alzheimers Tea Day. Ballyduff Community Centre is the venue for a lovely tea and coffee morning from 9.30am to 12 noon. All funds raised stay local and will benefit those living in the Waterford area. Drop into Ballyduff Community Centre and enjoy a nice cuppa and a chat and I will let you in on a little secret, there are always some very tasty treats but don’t tell anyone that I told you.


Concert Success.

I recently had the pleasure of attending Karan Casey’s show in Garter Lane. Karan, a native of Ballyduff is touring around Ireland promoting her new album “Nine Apples of Gold”. The home ground gave Karan and her fellow musicians a warm Waterford welcome and in turn we were treated to a night of beautiful music and song. Each song told a story and transported you to a time or place in your own life. If I could have sat there for hours and hours, I would have been very happy.
I am delighted to report that Karan’s album now takes the No.1 spot in the FAI Folk Chart. This is truly deserved, and I know that Karan really appreciates all the support. Karan never forgets her roots and loves returning home to her dad Karl who is her No.1 fan and loves catching up with neighbours and friends. We wish her continued success and look forward to hearing her again soon in her native home.