Tidy Towns.
Our local Tidy Towns group would like to thank everyone who contributed to their church gate collection last weekend. They raised €339.68 which they appreciate greatly. They are always looking for volunteers to come on board to help them out and have a great facebook page so you can check out which area they are targetting next. They would also welcome any donations of tools, shrubs and flowers.
One Act Play.
Many of you will have heard of the name Denise Quinn either as an actress or a director. She has in fact acted as director for the past few years productions from Dawn Players. Denise has recently wowed audiences and critics all over Ireland and the UK with her one woman, one act play, “Bardot Bytes”. Denise has very kindly agreed to stage her play for us here in Ballyduff Community Centre on Saturday August 22nd with proceeds going to The Irish Pilgrimage Trust. Tickets will cost just €10 and will need to be booked on 087-2548640 or by email on declanfinn50@gmail.com . There will also be an excellent raffle on the night with fabulous prizes including a first prize of €500. Tickets will cost €5 each or 3 for €10.
Let me tell you a little bit about The Irish Pilgrimage Trust. Each year at Easter they bring appoximately 450 young people with special needs from all over Ireland to Lourdes. All the young people travel free while the the helpers pay their own fares. The Trust also run two respite homes in Clarinbridge, Co. Galway and Rosslare. These homes are open all year round for the young people,their families and carers. Our own Declan Finn from the Lacka Road has been involved with the Trust for the past 17 years and has travelled to Lourdes each year except for the two years he himself was ill. They are currently looking for Waterford based helpers so if this is something you could give some time to please contact Declan. He is involved with Group 191 which covers the Waterford and South Tipperary areas. To fund the entire operation each group is expected to raise €14,500.
What a Homecoming.
We welcomed over 200 people to Ballyduff Village last weekend as we welcomed home our Olympic champion John Deevy. John is a regular Saturday night mass goer who does the important job of bringing up the gifts. During last Saturday nights mass John was called to the front of the altar by Fr. O Halloran where he encouraged everyone to give him a huge round of applause. Following mass John was escorted to the community centre next door. Leading him over were the fabulous Father and Daughter duo of John and Rachael Burke on bagpipes and drum and to whom we are very grateful to for coming up from Tramore to help us out. As they entered the hall which was decorated with balloons, bunting, flags and posters made by local children, Johns face was full of pride as all the people clapped and the children waved their flags and posters. With his medals hung proudly around his neck John and his father Anthony were welcomed to the stage by MC John O Shea where they were greeted by our Deputy Mayor John O Leary. Following the speeches there was a short DVD which we were able to show thanks to the expertise of James Tubbritt showing Johns winning moments in LA and then a presentation of some beautiful Waterford Crystal from the community. Presenting it on behalf of the community was another famous Kilmeaden man Tom Walsh. It was then time for a feast as everyone tucked into the huge amount of food which was donated by local businesses and residents and residents from other areas. John was presented with a beautiful cake made by the gifted Kathy Raher at Kilmeaden Cake Supplies which was a real work of art. As I write about this night I can still feel the warmth of the atmosphere, it was trully a night to remember.
I am not going to go down the route of naming names for thank yous because I would surely forget someone. You all know who you are. The hall was decorated and laid out beautifully, we were inundated with offers of money, food and drink to help. Flags were hung, places were tidied up after the event. All these things don’t just happen by accident. Community happens, people come together for the one common goal, to make the event as successful as it can possibly be. I don’t think I have to tell anyone how I feel about my community because I rave about it all the time but the pride I felt at this event was a bit overcoming to be honest.
Trad For John.
Kilmeaden is not finished celebrating Johns great achievement yet. John is a great fan of the Tuesday Trad night in O Donnachas and so this Tuesday night 18th with be a special celebratory night for John with Teddy Butler and friends with lots of music and song lined up. Come along and join in the fun.