Beat the Train, Quiz Time and Time for Cards.

October 25, 2024 Christine Tubbritt

BEAT THE TRAIN.

All the gang at Waterford Suir Valley Railway remind you to save Saturday November 16th in your diaries as the very popular Beat the Train for DSI is due to take place. This is a very popular event which always attracts a big crowd. The train will depart from Kilmeaden station at 9.50am to get into position at the start line. All proceeds from this event go to Down Syndrome Ireland Waterford and South Kilkenny Branch. To book your spot please contact 051-384058 between 10am and 4pm.

QUIZ TIME

It’s time to break out the encyclopaedias and general knowledge books as Ballyduff N. S’s Parent Council invite you to drop along to The Sweep on Friday November 8th and test your knowledge in their fundraising quiz for Ballyduff N.S. Quiz Master on the night will be John Carey and following the quiz, you can dance the night away with Dirty Dancing Disco. If you would like to purchase some raffle tickets before the event, please log onto https://www.idonate.ie/raffle/QuizNightRaffleBallyduffPC

BALLYDUFF AFC

Ballyduff AFC will host a Halloween soccer camp from Tuesday October 29th to Thursday October 31st. This camp is aimed at boys and girls aged 8 to 12 years and will run each day from 10am to 1pm and costs €40 and €10 per second child. You will find the klubfinder link on their Facebook page where you can book your spot and pay.

GAA LOTTO

The latest GAA lotto draw took place on Sunday October 13th and the numbers drawn were 13, 16, 21 and 23. There was no winner of the jackpot and the three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Siobhan Nolan, Pat Smith and Sam Delahunty. The next draw will take place on Sunday October 27th and there will be a jackpot of €12,500 on offer. Tickets cost just €2 each or three for €5 and can be purchased from all club members, online or will be on sale at Centra, Kilmeaden on Saturday October 26th. The lotto is a major fundraiser for the club and they are very grateful for the support they receive.

TIME FOR CARDS.

The very popular game of 30’s has resumed on Thursday nights at 7.30pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. This is open to individuals and teams of three and is very popular. This is a lovely way to spend a few hours during the Autumn and Winter months and a great way to meet people. If you need any further information, please contact Tricia on 087 2979332

TESCO COMMUNITY FUND

Ballyduff Lower Camogie Club are delighted to have been chosen yet again for the Tesco Blue Token Community Fund. This time it was launched in the Tesco Poleberry store on August 26th and will run for 16 weeks. This money will benefit the entire club so please encourage your family and friends to drop along to Tesco Poleberry and drop their blue token into the Ballyduff Lower slot.

CHURCH NEWS

If you would like to book a weekend anniversary mass for your loved one, please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392 with your preferred date. Saturday evening masses take place at 7.30pm and Sunday morning masses are at 10am.
Choir practice takes place every Wednesday night from 8pm to 9pm in the church and new members are always welcome.
You are invited to drop along to the church and light a candle for a special intention you may have. Our new candelabras are proving very popular. Just drop your coin in the slot and your candle will automatically light up.
If you are interested in reading at mass, new readers are always welcome. Please hand your name and number into the sacristy.

ITEMS FOR NOTES.

If you would like me to include any items in these notes for you please contact me Linda Spillane on 087 9838392 or spillanelinda2017@gmail.com It is a wonderful way to keep in touch with what is going on in the local community and to inform people about things happening within your club or organisation.

Fond Farewell, Poland Bound and Junior Cert

October 18, 2024 Christine Tubbritt

TIME FOR CARDS.

TESCO COMMUNITY FUND

CHURCH NEWS

YOUTH DRAMA.

The Ballyduff Youth Drama’s annual production is always a much-anticipated event, and their production always provides a great night of fun, song and dance. The group is aimed at boys and girls from 5th and 6th classes from Ballyduff, Kilmeaden and all the surrounding areas. This is a wonderful way to make new friends and helps young people with their confidence and self-belief while having great fun.
I am delighted to inform you all that this year’s production is “Shrek Saves Far Far Away”. Drama rehearsals have now commenced and there are some great sounds ringing out from Ballyduff Community Centre. For any further information please contact Helen Millea on 087 6493657.

MSD VOLUNTEERS DAY.

The MSD Volunteers Day at Ballyduff AFC was a really heartwarming occasion when employees from MSD Ballydine came together to support the Ballyduff AFC club. On September 27th as part of the MSD Gives Back Initiative, the volunteers arrived at the club grounds and dedicated their time to painting the entrances, sheds and clubhouse. This initiative aims to support community projects and enhance local facilities. The club were thrilled to receive such support, and the day was filled with teamwork and community spirit.

FOND FAREWELL

On Friday, 4th October, Ballyduff National School held a heartfelt farewell assembly to bid goodbye to our Deputy Principal, Mr. Pauric Stapleton, who is leaving after seven years of dedicated service to the school community. The assembly was attended by many stakeholders, including staff, the Parents’ Council, members of the Board of Management, and, most importantly, our pupils. Mr. Stapleton has made a lasting impact on Ballyduff NS, and while we are sad to see him go, we wish him all the best in his new role as Principal of Crehana National School in Carrickbeg. We are deeply grateful for his invaluable contributions during his time with us.

RECENT DEATH

We extend our deepest sympathies to Pat Kenny, Newtown, Kilmeaden on the recent death of his brother Thomas (Tommy) Kenny. Thomas was a resident of Cussana, Carrigeen and will be deeply missed by his sisters Anna, May, Joan, Kathleen and Bridget, his brothers Pat, John and Eddie and all his extended family, friends and neighbours. The funeral mass took place in St. Kevin’s Church, Carrigeen followed by private cremation. May he rest in peace.

POLAND BOUND

We send best wishes to Charlie Laffan, Carriganure who heads to Poland to compete in the 14th WUKF European Championships. Charlie is a member of the Pat Rockett Karate and Kickboxing Academy and travels to Poland as part of the Irish team. Charlie is very dedicated and committed to his sport and we know that he will give 100% to the competition.

10th BIRTHDAY

You are invited to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the community centre redevelopment with Jelly Tots Playschool in partnership with Ballyduff Community Centre committee on Saturday October 19th from 3pm to 5pm. It has been 10 years since the redevelopment of Ballyduff Community Centre so drop along and see what your community centre has to offer. Light refreshments will be served and there will be plenty of chats and laughs.

CELEBRATION NIGHT

The Ballyduff Lower GAA Club will host a special celebration night in O Donnachas on Saturday October 19th. This is to mark the Golden Jubilee of the 1974 Ballyduff Junior Football Team who beat Shamrocks from Knockanore to take the County Final title. This is a perfect opportunity for all the team players and mentors to meet up and enjoy a chat and share memories and for the present players to hear the history of the club. MC for the evening will be WLR favourite John O Shea. The event will kick off around 9pm and there will be music and a laugh or two along the way.

JUNIOR CERT

Congratulations to all the young men and women who received their Junior Cert results last week. We hope they were all pleased and that they enjoyed their celebrations. We wish them all the very best for the future.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Experience is a hard teacher, because she gives the test first and the lesson afterward.

ITEMS FOR NOTES.

Choir Practice, Celebration Evening and Football Blitz

October 11, 2024 Christine Tubbritt

MONTHS MIND MASS.

Our community are still mourning the loss of a great community man Dermot (Dod) Whelan, and we now have another chance to come together with his family and offer our prayers for him and give thanks for all he gave to our community. Dod’s Months Mind mass will take place on Friday October 11th at 7.30pm in St. Nicholas’s Church, Ballyduff. All are welcome to join together in prayer and thanksgiving.

TESCO COMMUNITY FUND

CHOIR PRACTICE.

It was wonderful to hear our lovely parish choir back singing at Sunday morning mass after their well-deserved summer break. Their beautiful collection of hymns really enhance our mass, and it is lovely to see members of the congregation singing along. The choir rehearse every Wednesday night from 8pm to 9pm in the church and would be delighted to welcome some new members. Drop along to rehearsal and you will be made very welcome.

SPOOKY EXPRESS.

Waterford Suir Valley Railway are already getting organised for their Halloween Spooky Express. This is always very popular and bookings are made very fast. Many scary looking individuals and creatures begin to arrive at the railway in the coming weeks to hide out for the chance to be part of the Spooky Express. It will run from October 27th to November 3rd. Bookings can be made online or by calling the ticket office on 051 384058 between 10am and 4pm.
All the gang at Suir Valley Railway remind you to save Saturday November 16th in your diaries as the very popular Beat the Train for DSI is due to take place. This is a very popular event which always attracts a big crowd. All proceeds goes to Down Syndrome Ireland Waterford and South Kilkenny Branch. Mark the date and watch these notes for more information.

COMMUNITY ALERT.

A community alert meeting will take place in Ballyduff Community Centre on Thursday October 10th at 8pm. It is important that all areas and clubs and organisations are represented at these meetings so that the community can work together to keep our area and its people safe and comfortable. Please spread the word about this meeting to your friends and neighbours and encourage them to attend.

CELEBRATION EVENING

The Ballyduff Lower GAA Club will host a special celebration night in O Donnachas on Saturday October 19th. This is to mark the Golden Jubilee of the 1974 Ballyduff Junior Football Team who beat Shamrocks from Knockanore to take the County Final title. This is a perfect opportunity for all the team players and mentors to meet up and enjoy a chat and share memories and also for the present players to hear the history of the club. The event will kick off around 9pm and there will be music and a laugh or two along the way.

FOOTBALL BLITZ

A big well done to the Ballyduff/ Portlaw U6/8 girls who travelled to Kilmacthomas to take part in a football blitz. The girls played very well in all 3 matches and really earned their goodie bags. New members are always welcome to this group.

BALLYDUFF AFC

The very successful “Football for All” has come to an end for its 3rd season, and it has been a huge success. To finish off the season the group did some warm ups, circuits, mini matches and a five a side with new footballs and tops sponsored by SunLife and thank you to Nicola McGrath and the team at SunLife for dropping along and supporting on the day. A big thank you also to Maureen Neary and Waterford Gardai for bringing along the squad cars and goodie bags. Special thanks to Paddy Kirk for organising the trophies and surprising everyone with the arrival of an ice cream van. The most important thanks goes to all the players and their families for coming along and supporting the club. Ballyduff AFC are looking forward to seeing you again for Season 4.

TIME FOR CARDS.

The very popular game of 30’s has resumed on Thursday nights at 7.30pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. This is open to individuals and teams of three and proved very popular before they took a little summer break. This is a lovely way to spend a few hours during the Autumn and Winter months and a great way to meet people.

GAA LOTTO

The numbers drawn in the latest lotto draw were 4, 9, 13 and 24 and there was no winner of the jackpot. The three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Margaret Millea, Anita Barry and Philip Hoban. The next draw will take place on Sunday October 13th and there will be a jackpot of €12,500 on offer. Tickets cost just €2 each or three for €5 and can be purchased from any member, online or from one of the volunteer sellers at Centra in Kilmeaden on Saturday October 12th. This lotto is a major fundraiser for the club, and they are very grateful for the support they receive.

ITEMS FOR NOTES.

Spooky Express, Jersey Sponsorship and Miles for Mimi

October 4, 2024 Christine Tubbritt

SPOOKY EXPRESS.

JERSEY SPONSORSHIP

Ballyduff GAA Club would like to say a huge thank you to Mark Scannell of Waterford Motor Village who has generously sponsored a set of jerseys for the U6 players. This is greatly appreciated by the club and ask you to give Mark a shout if you are thinking of upgrading your car.

CHOIR PRACTICE.

TESCO COMMUNITY FUND

SACRISTAN COLLECTION

We are very lucky in St. Nicholas’s Church, Ballyduff to have such a dedicated and loyal sacristan. Ann always goes above and beyond the call of duty and is a friendly welcoming face to all who visit the church. She keeps our church in immaculate condition and ensures everything is in place for all occasions. The annual sacristan’s collection will be taken up at all weekend masses over the next couple of weekends. There is an assigned envelope in your yearly pack, but you can also use any envelope and simply mark it for the Sacristan collection.

TIME TO SHINE

Is your inner diva waiting to escape or were you born to strut your stuff on stage. Ballyduff Lower LGFA will hold a lip sync battle on Saturday October 5th at The Sweep Bar. Choose your partner, family members, friends to give the performance of a lifetime. Choose your song and wow us all with your outfit and then practice moving those lips to perfection. Will you choose a power ballad, rock classic or will you add some serious choreography, the choice is yours.
I have seen a few signs around the parish that rehearsals are under way. I spotted a pair of blue suede shoes through the fence of a garden, glitzy satin flares blowing on a clothesline and my daughter who is a hairdresser has been asked if she can do a beehive? Sounds like it’s going to be a great night. For more information, please contact Anita on 087 6776544.

TIME FOR CARDS.

BALLYDUFF AFC FUNDING

Ballyduff AFC are thrilled to receive news that they have been awarded a fantastic amount of €141,709.00 through the Sports Capital Grant. This injection of cash has come as a great time as the club plan their clubhouse extension project. This project will include female dressing rooms, a football-for-all room, disabled toilets, a gym and a shared-use meeting room.
The club are very grateful for the support of the community and the local representatives. Our local club has wonderful facilities and the boys and girls of the club are going from strength to strength. They have been very lucky being part of a club who are always thinking ahead and planning better facilities for all who use the club and new members in the future.

GAA FUNDING

Ballyduff GAA Club were also the lucky recipients of €74,496.00 from the Sports Capital Allocation Grant. This funding will be a huge help to the club with their improved facilities project. The club cater for all age groups and have wonderful LGFA and Camogie teams. They have welcomed many new members to the club and are constantly looking at ways to improve and enhance their club. Our club will use this funding to give their members the best possible facilities. The club are very grateful to all who support them.

MILES FOR MIMI

September was especially dedicated to the awareness and research of Myeloma Cancer and Myeloma Ireland encouraged all to get out and get active and clock up the miles. Local lady Mimi Laffan is fighting and winning the battle against Myeloma Cancer and along with her family and friends she took up the campaign and while each individual clocked up their own miles, they also held some group walks around the county. On Sunday September 22nd, it was the turn of Mimi’s home parish to come together and join the cause. It was wonderful to see so many of all ages gather outside St. Nicholas’s Church in Ballyduff and join in solidarity to walk those steps in support of the myeloma campaign.
Before leaving the village, Mimi spoke to those gathered and expressed her deepest gratitude to all who had got behind this campaign and given her such fantastic support and encouragement. She said how humbled she felt to see such support. She gave a special mention to good friend and popular parishioner Dod Whelan who went to his heavenly home in recent weeks. Dod was a great support to Mimi during her treatment and she said she will never forget his kindness.
As the group headed off on their route, there were cheers and sounds of laughter. The route took the participants past the beautiful sights of the Knockaderry Lake. Once the walkers returned to the village, they were treated in the Community Centre to an array of sandwiches, cakes and treats. Mimi’s native place certainly did her proud and showed her that she is not alone in her battle. A big well done to all who were involved in the organisation of this event. Working together brings great rewards.

In the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore in the southeast of Ireland, Ballyduff and Kilmeaden are about 23 miles from Dungarvan and 5 miles from Waterford.

Ballyduff Parish Church

Monthly Archives: October 2024

Beat the Train, Quiz Time and Time for Cards.

Fond Farewell, Poland Bound and Junior Cert

Choir Practice, Celebration Evening and Football Blitz

Spooky Express, Jersey Sponsorship and Miles for Mimi

In the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore in the southeast of Ireland, Ballyduff and Kilmeaden are about 23 miles from Dungarvan and 5 miles from Waterford.