Water Safety.
The Irish Water Safety Association will hold swimming and life saving classes in Boatstrand from Monday July 25th to Saturday July 30th. Registration for these classes will take place in Boatstrand at 10am on Saturday July 23rd.
Graveyard Mass
On Wednesday night July 13th a very large crowd attended our annual graveyard mass. The Lord was very kind to us with the weather and it was lovely to see everyone join together in the evening sunshine to remember their loved ones. Mass was celebrated by Fr.O Byrne and he was joined on the night by Fr. Don Moran home to his native place from England to enjoy his Golden jubilee. Fr.O Byrne made a special appeal to people at the mass to please to please bring home any old flowers or wreaths with them when they are visiting their graves. When they are left dumped in the graveyard it gives the place a very untidy appearance and so he pleaded with people to bring home their own items for dumping. Our local choir sang some beautiful hymns throughout the mass which really enhanced the occasion and we wish them well as they now take a little Summer break.
It was lovely to see so many people come to the community centre for some refreshments after the mass and may I say a personal thank you to all the lovely ladies who helped me out with the setting up, serving and cleaning, I really appreciate your help. A big thank you to all who baked buns, cakes, tarts etc and all those who dropped in biscuits, cakes etc. Your generosity was very much appreciated. As I am always saying we live in a great little community where you ask for help and it just arrives.
GAA Academy.
Ballyduff Lower GAA academy has really gone from strength to strength this year with large numbers enrolled. The academy has been wonderful for children to exercise and learn new skills in a fun and relaxed environment. The academy will take a short little break but will return stronger and better than ever on August 10th. During the break they will introduce their academy all-star awards on the Ballyduff GAA facebook page to acknowledge all the great work the children have put in.
Bridge News.
I have the results of the last couple of bridge games which were played:
July 4th:Summer Party Night.
1st: Peggy Murphy and Nano Fitzgerald.
2nd: Fr.O Byrne and William Tobin.
3rd:Anna Ryan and Catherine Power
4th: Kate Hayes and Patsy Roche.
5th:Mary O Brien and Margaret Power
July 11th:
1st: Patsy Roche and Fr. O Byrne
2nd: Mary Prendrgast and Bertha O Connor.
3rd: Joan Hartery and Geraldine McMahon.
4th: Breda Cowman and Mary Kennedy.
Soccer Camp.
The organisers of the recent Summer Soccer Camp at the Ballyduff AFC grounds would like to say a big thank you to all who participated in and supported the camp. Over 60 children took part over the 5 days and they really enjoyed it. A big thank you to the coaches Karen Kelly, Jack Harrington, John Flynn and Megan Carroll.
A Little Princess.
We welcome another little bundle of joy to Matthews Cross this week. We sincerely congratulate Brian and Shella Kenny on the birth of their daughter Leah Kate Kenny. We are all delighted to hear of her safe arrival and delighted to welcome her to the neighbourhood. Of course she is a very lucky girl to have big sister Ellie at home to help her settle in and teach her the tricks of the trade. We wish this lovely little family the very best of everything in the future.