GAA Juvenile AGM.
Ballyduff GAA club will hold the AGM of their juvenile section on Friday January 16th at 7.30pm in Ballyduff Community Centre . All are welcome to attend this meeting.
Bridge News.
We welcome back the Ballyduff/Portlaw bridge club after the Christmas season and wish them all the best of luck in this New Year. The results of their first game of 2015 are as follows:
1st: Mary Flynn and Helen O Shea.
2nd: Margaret Power and Aileen Stephenson.
3rd: Patsy Roche and Kathleen Collins.
4th: Ann Kennedy and Anna Harney.
Communion Preparation.
It is hard to believe that we are already speaking about Holy Communion preparations but as we all know too well time goes by very fast. The children of 2nd class will make their First Penance on Wednesday March 4th and their First Holy Communion on Saturday May 9th. As in previous years a series of special preparation masses will take place in the coming months and the first of these will take place this Sunday January 18th at 10am. The children will take part in the mass by reading the prayers of the faithful and bringing up the gifts and some parents will read. This is a lovely way for the children to feel part of their community mass and I know they are really looking forward to it.
Shop For Tokens.
Ballyduff Community Centre are lucky enough to be chosen as one of three local groups picked by Tesco Ardkeen to be part of their Tesco community fund. So for six weeks starting from Monday January 12th when you do your shopping in Tesco Ardkeen make sure you remind them to give you a token which you then bring to the fund box and please pop it into the Ballyduff Community Centre slot. Spread the news to your friends and relatives.
Nollaig na mBan.
On Saturday January 3rd women of every age gathered together in Ballyduff Community Centre to celebrate Nollaig na mBan. This is traditionally a time when the ladies take a well deserved rest following the hustle and bustle of the Christmas preparations, cooking and entertaining. It is a time when the men in the family say ” sit back and let us treat you to some pampering in thanks for all your hard work”. This was certainly the case in Ballyduff as the ladies arrived into a beautifully decorated hall with candles flickering and the soothing sound of Michael Buble in the background ( unfortunately he was unable to attend himself but I’m sure he was there in spirit). As we took our seats our waiters for the evening Marc O Neill, Paddy Hennebry, William Harrington, Fergus Dunne, Micky Joe Morrissey, Paul O Shea, Keith Norris, Colman Power, Sean Lyons, Tommy Keegan and Alan Dempsey floated around making sure everyone was comfortable and that all our coats were taken care of. Our chef for the evening was the very talented Eamonn Reade and he treated us to a wonderful feast of chicken korma or lasange followed by apple pie or trifle. Empty plates went back to the kitchen where the men broke out the fairy liquid and got busy with the wash up. A huge well done must go to our chef and waiters who looked after us with care and attention and really entered into the fun of it all even taking on some fun dares we set for them hoola dancing to modelling a lovely shade of lipstick.
A fabulous raffle was held with some fantastic prizes on offer including a beautiful piece of artwork donated by local artist Lupita De Bhaill. As the tables were cleared back it was time to get the serious business of dancing under way and D.J Ricky O Brien treated us to hits from the past and present. The floor was full at all times with everyone thoroughly enjoying the fun.
I have to say I really enjoyed this night and have heard nothing but praise from everyone who went with all of them saying that they cant wait for next year. It was lovely to see all ages there, ladies who have lived here for many years, ladies who have moved into our area in recent years all join together and enjoy good company and many a laugh.
The committee of Siobhan Walsh, Sarah Walsh, Martha Fitzgerald, Marie Reade, Joan Stephenson, Isabel O Neill, Mary Power and Linda Spillane would like to thank everyone who attended for making this night such a success. We would also like to thank the News and Star and The Munster Express for sending their photographers. A fantastic amount of €2,278 was raised for Ballyduff Community Centre so well done to you all and roll on next year.