GAA Lotto.
The numbers drawn in the latest GAA lotto draw were 5, 10, 16 and 17 and there was no jackpot winner. The three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Alana Power, Jacqueline O Brien and The Sweep Gang. The next draw will take place on Sunday August 28th. Tickets cost just €2 or three for €5. Tickets sellers will be at Centra in Kilmeaden all day Saturday 27th so get along and pick those 4 lucky numbers.
Results Are In.
The long wait is now over for all the students awaiting their Leaving Cert results and we say a huge well done and congratulations to all the young men and women from our area who did so well. To those who were prehaps a bit disappointed with points etc remember that there are many other routes you can take to achieve your goals. So take time to talk to the people in the know and discuss the options which are available to you. Exciting times lie ahead now for all these young people as they enter into the next chapter of their lives. Whether they head off to college, begin a trade, start a job or head off travelling we hope that their lives will be healthy and happy and that they will grab every opportunity they can.
Memorial Run/Walk.
The week has finally arrived for the annual Liz Hayes Memorial Fun 5 mile Run/Walk. Friday August 26th is the date set and I know many people are looking forward to taking part. It is actually strange to be at an event like this and not see Liz there. Community spirit ran through her veins and if she wasn’t taking part in an event it was because she was helping out. In honour of this lovely lady’s love for her parish I hope to see as many locals as possible taking part. We have many fine runners and walkers in our parish and to give you an extra encouragement there are extra prizes for the first male and female local person home.
The walkers will head off from Ballyduff church at 6.15pm and will be lead out by Olympic medalist John Deevy. The runners will be lead out by a very special guest at 7pm. The walkers and runners will take in the beautiful scenic route of Knockaderry which is spectacular. The race is chip pin timed and there are cash prizes for the winners with many spot prizes along the way too. WLR’s own John O Shea will provide the entertainment with lots of inspirational music to keep everybody motivated and there will be plenty of refreshments after the event.
The entry fee for this event is €10 and €5 for students and juniors and all money raised will go to Ballyduff Community Centre. A new roof is being put on the old part of the hall as we speak so all money will be received with great thanks.
Even if you are unable to take part in this event please come along and cheer and encourage. Lets keep the community spirit alive and well.
Unveiling Of Plaque.
I attended a lovely community event on Wednesday August 17th when our 1916 commemerative plaque was unveiled. The weather was a little damp but that didnt stop the people coming out to witness this event. Compere for the evening was world renowned D.J John O Shea and he made sure everything ran smoothly. Cllr. John O Leary opened the events explaining how the events and people of 1916 were so important to our history. The raising of our national flag was a job which had been set aside for that great local man Mossie Millea but unfortunately Mossie passed away a couple of weeks ago so stepping up in his grandads place with great pride was Keith Millea. I know Mossie would have been very proud. Local man Christy O Keeffe read our proclamation aloud with great pride and then some children from the parish told us a little bit about those who signed the proclamation. Michael Jnr Power read a 1916 poem with great passion and then you could have heard a pin drop when Sandra O Keeffe sang the song Grace in her usual heartfelt, melodic style. She was accompanied by her partner Anthony on guitar which he plays to perfection. Fr. Richard O Halloran then blessed the plaque before it was unveiled by John and Tony O Leary. On behalf of our local Tidy Towns committee Tony O Leary thanked everyone who had worked so hard to build this fabulous commemerative area and thanked all who had come out to be part of this historic moment. Refreshments were then served in the community hall which unfortunately I couldn’t attend due to another committment but I really enjoyed the evening so well done to all who organised it.