Scrap Collection, Golf Classic and Lady Footballers

July 26, 2024 Christine Tubbritt

DESERVING AWARD.

We send many good wishes and congratulations to Paddy Kirk, Amberhill who was honoured by the Waterford Junior League last weekend when they presented him with a Special Recognition Award for his many years of service to his beloved club Ballyduff AFC. This award is richly deserved as Paddy has been and still is the very heartbeat of the club. His enthusiasm and affection for the club is infectious and is loved by players and coaches alike. His encouragement to all the players ensures that they are happy to stay on at the club and continue up through the ranks. All this work is done with a smile on his face and a friendly welcome for players and visitors alike. Seemingly John O Shea had been invited to the awards ceremony, but we all know that he wasn’t going to miss the chance to be in the presence of the great Paddy Kirk.

SCRAP COLLECTION

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.
The Summer collection for the priests of the parish is being taken up at all weekend masses. You will find an allocated envelope in the annual pack or you can simply use any envelope you have.

GOLF CLASSIC

Ballyduff Lower GAA, LGFA and Camogie Clubs will host an open golf classic at Carrick-on-Suir Golf Club on Friday July 26th from 8am to 5pm and on Saturday July 27th from 8am to 2pm. Teams of three will cost €90. Booking can be made directly to Carrick-on-Suir Golf Club on 051-640047 or with Michael on 087-9247547. This fundraiser is a fun way to raise money for the club. The fun will continue in O Donnachas with music and finger food. This golf classic is open to all and it would be great to see as many of the businesses and members of the community as possible.
A huge thank you to Damien and Majella in Gala Kilmeaden who have sponsored some fantastic prizes for the winners.

RECENT DEATH

We extend our deepest sympathies to Bernard Philips and his family on the recent sad death of his beloved wife Marie. A gentle, quiet lady she enjoyed spending time with family and friends having a chat and a laugh and kept in regular touch with relations in England and abroad through social media. Marie’s funeral mass took place in St. Nicholas’s Church, Ballyduff followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. We pray that Marie now enjoys the peace and love of Christ. May her gentle soul rest in peace.

LADY FOOTBALLERS

Ballyduff AFC are hoping to start a ladies football team for the coming season and so are putting a call out for all goalies, defenders, strikers and midfielders to get in touch through Facebook messenger or by contacting Paul on 086 3135984.
They are also on the lookout for coaches, junior men’s players, ladies’ senior players, schoolboys and schoolgirls players, academy players and coaches. Ballyduff AFC is a wonderful club with fantastic facilities and there are teams to suit every age.

KILMEADEN TRACTOR RUN

The Gods were certainly shining on this year’s tractor run as the sun shone brightly on all those taking part and all the spectators along the route. This annual event attracts a large crowd each year and there is always a large display of machines for all to enjoy. The route was a beautiful, scenic one through the nearby countryside. As the tractors finished up back at Ballyduff Community Centre, the drivers enjoyed a refreshing cuppa and some delicious food. Congratulations to a very hardworking committee who ensure that every detail is taken care of and that everyone taking part is kept safe on the roads. This annual event has raised a lot of money for deserving charities over the years and this year The Pieta House will be the beneficiary. The money raised will help them to continue to offer their wonderful services to all those who need it.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Accept what is, let go of what was
And have faith in what will be.

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.

Graveyard Mass, Scrap Collection and Golf Classic

July 19, 2024 Christine Tubbritt

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.
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.
The annual Summer collection for the support of the priests of the parish will be taken up at all weekend masses over the next couple of weeks. You can use the allocated envelope in your yearly pack or simply use an ordinary envelope and mark it for the Priest’s Collection.

GRAVEYARD MASS.

The annual graveyard mass at St. Nicholas’s Church, Ballyduff Lower will take place on Monday July 22nd at 7pm. This is a lovely chance to come together and remember our loved ones and think of those in our graveyard who have nobody left to pray for them and those who are buried in unmarked graves. There will be a collection made at the graveyard mass for the upkeep of the cemetery.
Please remember if you are cleaning up your family grave and removing any old flowers or wreaths to take away the rubbish with you as there are no bins available. Our graveyard is looking so beautiful, and we thank all the families for keeping their family plots so well. We also give a very special mention to Maurice Doyle who has been doing a fantastic job cutting grass and strimming. He has really cleaned and tidied the place up and we are very grateful to him.

SCRAP COLLECTION

GOLF CLASSIC

Ballyduff Lower GAA, LGFA and Camogie Clubs will host an open golf classic at Carrick-on-Suir Golf Club on Friday July 26th from 8am to 5pm and on Saturday July 27th from 8am to 2pm. Teams of three will cost €90. Booking can be made directly to Carrick-on-Suir Golf Club on 051-640047 or with Michael on 087-9247547. This fundraiser is a fun way to raise money for the club. The fun will continue in O Donnachas with music and finger food. This golf classic is open to all and it would be great to see as many of the businesses and members of the community as possible.
A big well done and thank you to Damien, Majella and all at Gala who have sponsored some fabulous prizes for the Golf Classic which include bags, shoes, balls and tops.

CURRAGHMORE DELIGHT

Oh what a night! What a wonderful night at the opening of the Comeragh Wild Festival at Curraghmore House. The courtyard was the perfect venue for a night of great music and song. The crowd was entertained from start to finish and there was a brilliant atmosphere as everyone relaxed and soaked up the atmosphere. Gerry Walsh was thrilled with the reaction to his new band “Charlie’s Pride” and was delighted to launch the band officially in his hometown. Ceol were next up with something for everyone as they take well known songs and “folk” them up. The main attraction “The High Kings” did not disappoint with everyone in the crowd singing along and dancing. It was a very well organised event and was so enjoyable and the weather played its part by staying fine. A couple of stand out moments were the haunting sound of the Lonesome Boatman being played on the tin whistle where the only other sound was a seagull who seemed to fly over just at the perfect time and watching some of Jack and Esther Laffan’s grandchildren who are big fans of the High Kings sing every word of every song and dance along with every piece of music. My heart was leaping with joy watching them.

GAA LOTTO.

The numbers drawn in the latest lotto draw were 8, 14, 20 and 23 and there was no jackpot winner. The three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Nuala McKenna, Aedin Eachthigheirn and Eoghan Power. The next draw will take place on Sunday July 21st with a jackpot of €12,500 up for grabs.
Tickets cost just €2 each or three for €5 and are available online, from all club members and will also be on sale on Saturday July 20th at Centra, Kilmeaden. Choose your four numbers carefully and you could be celebrating.

ITEMS FOR NOTES.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK.

There is always a reason to smile,
You just have to find it.

Scrap Collection, Golf Collection and Tractor Run

July 12, 2024 Christine Tubbritt

SCRAP COLLECTION

CHURCH NEWS

GOLF CLASSIC

BALLYDUFF GAA NEWS.

You are still in time to purchase your Deise draw ticket. The first draw will take place on July 12th. Tickets cost €100 for 6 draws and two thirds of the price stays with your club. There is over €126,000 in cash prizes to be won over the six draws. If you would like to purchase a ticket through the Ballyduff club please contact any committee member.
Tom Cheasty Park is a hive of activity every evening and weekend with something for every age group. If you are interested in becoming part of the club, as a player, coach, volunteer, the club are always delighted to welcome new members. Check out the club’s Facebook page for details of all fixtures, training sessions etc.

TRACTOR RUN.

The annual Kilmeaden Vintage Tractor Run will take place on Sunday July 14th. This very popular event will leave Haughtons Cross at 1pm on the day. This is always a lovely day with some fantastic machines on show. Following the run there will be time for a chat and a laugh at Ballyduff Community Centre over a cuppa and some tasty treats. The route itself takes in some beautiful scenery and there will be plenty of stewards along the route keeping everyone safe. If you require any further information about the route, please contact Pat Fitzgerald on 087 2216589.
The club has raised a lot of money over the years for charity and this year all proceeds will go to Pieta House in Waterford. Pieta House provides a safe haven and a listening ear to many people who find themselves in a dark place. The support they offer is invaluable and they rely mainly on donations to keep their services available. Please give as generously as possible on the day.

CHOO CHOO FUN DAYS

Drop along to Waterford Suir Valley Railway and enjoy a lovely day out. The trip on the train takes you on a beautiful scenic route alongside the River Suir. Watch out for any little friends in the Fairy Woods and peek into Mount Congreve Gardens. Enjoy the soothing sounds of the birds whistling, the breeze through the trees and the gentle rippling of the water. If you visit the station on Wednesdays or Saturdays, you may get to meet Barry and Honey Bear who enjoy spending time meeting the visitors to the station.
The Whistlestop Café is the perfect place to grab a nice cuppa and relax or enjoy an ice cream or a tasty freshly baked treat from Kilmeaden Bakes. The peace and tranquillity as you sit and watch the world go by is beautiful. Visit the website to find out more information or to make a booking.

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 to keep in touch with what is going on in the local community.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK.

The purpose of life is to live it,
To taste experience to the utmost
To reach out eagerly and without fear
For newer and richer experiences.

Graduation, Wedding Delight and Viking Success

July 5, 2024 Christine Tubbritt

BRIDGE NEWS

The latest Ballyduff/Portlaw Bridge games was played on Monday June 24th and the results were as follows: 1st: Jeremy Fields and Anne Marie Browne, 2nd: William Tobin and Peggy Murphy, 3rd: Ann Tobin and Margaret Pragnell.
The Bridge Club will now take their Summer holidays and return in September for some more great games. We wish all the members a nice relaxing and refreshing Summer break.

GAA LOTTO.

The numbers drawn in the latest lotto draw were 1, 7, 9 and 11 and there was no winner of the jackpot. The three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Brendan Carberry, Brian Tyrrell and John Quinn. The next draw will take place on Sunday July 7th and there will be a jackpot of €12,500 up for grabs.
Tickets are available from all club members, can be purchased online or there will be volunteer sellers at Centra, Kilmeaden on Saturday July 6th. Choose those four lucky numbers and it could be your lucky day.

GRADUATION

Congratulations to all the boys and girls from 6th class in Ballyduff N.S who graduated last week and will now enjoy their Summer holidays before heading off to their chosen secondary school in September. We hope that the memories of their years in Ballyduff N.S will remain with them and that they will value the friendships they made there.
We wish all the students and staff a very happy, safe and relaxing holiday.

WEDDING DELIGHT.
The wedding took place last week of Ballyduff man Stephen O leary and his beautiful bride Donna Flynn. The ceremony took place in The Sacred Heart Church, The Folly and was officiated by Fr. Chestnutt. Following the ceremony the happy couple made their way to The Tower Hotel and joined their family and friends for a gorgeous meal and a great night of dance and fun.
We wish Stephen and Donna every happiness for the future.

CHURCH NEWS

BALLYDUFF AFC

BALLYDUFF GAA NEWS.

A reminder that booking has now opened for the annual Kellogg’s GAA Cul Camp. The camp will take place this year from July 22nd to July 26th and you are advised to book your place early.
Tom Cheasty Park is a hive of activity every evening and weekend with something for every age group. If you are interested in becoming part of the club, as a player, coach, volunteer, the club are always delighted to welcome new members. Check out the club’s Facebook page for details of all fixtures, training sessions etc.
You are still in time to purchase your Deise draw ticket. The first draw will take place on July 12th. Tickets cost €100 for 6 draws and two thirds of the price stays with your club. There is over €126,000 in cash prizes to be won over the six draws. If you would like to purchase a ticket through the Ballyduff club please contact any committee member.

VIKING SUCCESS

Congratulations to all who took part in any part of the recent Viking marathon. The dedication and commitment people put into their training and preparation is exemplary. A special mention to our own superman Pat Fitzgerald who came home in first position in the half marathon. Pat puts a lot of work into his training and deserves the awards he has been reaping. We wish him continued success.
A big well done to all the volunteers who helped at the water station at Kildermody. I’m sure all the participants were thrilled to see them and they gave great encouragement to all those taking part. Jerry Forde from Blarney in Co. Cork was taking part in his 530th marathon and stopped off to say hello and have his photo taken with the volunteers

ITEMS FOR NOTES.

A WISH FOR THE WEEK AHEAD.

May you remember that you have the choice to be kind.
May you grow from your experiences, or at least survive them.
May your frazzled brain find moments of rest and hope.
May your resolve be steady, your coffee be fresh,
And may all your phone calls, be texts.

Decade of Service, Medal Presentation and Vintage Run

June 28, 2024 Christine Tubbritt

BRIDGE NEWS

The Ballyduff/ Portlaw Bridge Club played their most recent game on Monday June 17th and the results were as follows: 1st: Mary Prendergast and Geraldine McMahon 2nd: Anne Cox and Kathleen Collins 3rd: Sean Hennessy and Ann Marie Browne.

DECADE OF SERVICE

We send warm wishes and congratulations to Damien and Majella Hennessy and all the staff at Gala in Kilmeaden who are celebrating 10 years in Kilmeaden. We thank them for choosing Kilmeaden to base their business and for supporting so many charities and organisations over the years. We wish them many more years of continued success.

MEDAL PRESENTATION

There was great excitement recently in Ballyduff N.S as PwC 2023 Camogie Player of the Year Beth Carton visited the school. The U13 school team have had a terrific year and finished up the year as Cumann na mBunscoil Roinn B U13 Eastern and County Champions. This is a fantastic achievement for the girls and the school was delighted that Beth took time out of her busy schedule to present them with their medals. Pictured with them in the photo is their Principal Mr. C. Power, Deputy Principal Mr. P. Stapleton and members of the management team Ms. T. Sinnott and Ms. A. Halley.

VINTAGE RUN

The organisers of the annual Kilmeaden Vintage Tractor Run are busy getting prepared for their very popular vintage run. The date set for this year’s event is Sunday July 14th. They will set off from Haughton’s Cross at 1pm sharp and follow a route taking in the beautiful surroundings along the way. This is always a lovely day full of lots of fun and laughter. There is always a fantastic display of vehicles of every size and make. This vintage run has raised a wonderful amount of money over the years for charity and this year the charity chosen is Pieta House. The work being done by this charity is phenomenal and their care and support is not just aimed at the individual client but to their families and friends also. All money raised on the day will go to Pieta House in Waterford so that they can continue this vital work. If you would like any further information about the event please contact Pat Fitzgerald on 087 2216589.

WEDDING CELEBRATIONS

We extend warm congratulations to Orla Mooney and Stephen O Neill who celebrated their wedding recently. The happy couple enjoyed a beautiful day with their friends and family who gathered to watch the popular couple exchange their vows. We wish them both every happiness in their future lives together.

CHURCH NEWS

If you would like to book any of the weekend masses for a Months Mind, First Anniversary or any anniversary mass please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392. Saturday evening mass takes place at 7.30pm and Sunday morning mass is at 10am.
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.
Choir practice takes place on Wednesday evenings at 8pm in the church and new members are always welcome. The choir sing beautiful hymns at our Sunday morning masses and really enhance our liturgy.
If you are interested in reading at mass, new readers are always welcome. Please hand your name and number into the sacristy.
The annual cemetery mass will take place on Monday July 22nd. Please inform people who are living in other areas but may have relatives buried in our graveyard.

BALLYDUFF AFC

Ballyduff AFC are running their scrap collection at the moment. Items can be dropped to their grounds daily between 10am and 8pm. Please remember this is for scrap metal items only. If you are in doubt about your item, you can check with any committee member. This is a wonderful opportunity to get rid of any scrap you have and support your local club.
Congratulations to all the recipients to the end of season awards. A lovely evening of presentations took place at the club grounds and the awards were presented by former club and Waterford FC player Paul Leahy who is now based in Aberdeen. Congratulations also to Ben O Neill who was this season’s winner of the Johnny Millea Shield. Johnny died in 2008 aged just 47. As a player, coach, committee member he was a true clubman who gave his heart and soul to the club. I have no doubt that he would be very proud of the club today and its fantastic facilities.
The very popular Summer Camp will take place from July 8th to July 12th and spaces book up fast. The closing date for entries is June 30th and places can be booked through klubfunder.com

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 about what is going on in your club, organisation, event details or good news.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Having somewhere to go, is a home.
Having someone to love, is a family.
Having both is a blessing.

Happy Retirement, Ball Kid Duty and Exams Out

June 21, 2024 Christine Tubbritt

BALLYDUFF AFC

Ballyduff AFC are hosting a scrap collection at their grounds in Ballyduff Lower. Items can be dropped to the grounds any day between 10am and 8pm. Please do not bring any dishwashers or items with glass. This is a fundraiser for the club who have great plans for further development of the club and its grounds. Please support by having a tidy up of that yard or shed you have been promising to do and drop your items off at Ballyduff AFC. You’ll earn great brownie points for tidying up and supporting your local club.
A reminder that Ballyduff AFC will host their popular Summer Camp at their grounds from July 8th to 12th and the closing date for bookings is June 30th. You can book your place on klubfunder so book your place soon before they are all gone.

GAA LOTTO

The numbers drawn at the latest lotto draw were 1, 9, 13 and 27 and there was no winner of the jackpot of €12,500. The three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Linda Spillane, Leana Lynch and Dave Raher. The next draw will take place on Sunday June 23rd. Tickets cost just €2 each or three for €5 and can be purchased from any committee member, online or from the volunteer sellers at Centra in Kilmeaden on Saturday June 22nd. This is a very important part of the club’s fundraising, and they are very grateful for the support given to them.

BRIDGE NEWS

The Ballyduff/Portlaw Bridge Club played their latest game on Monday June 10th. The results of the game were 1st: Sean Hennessy and Kate Hayes. 2nd: Mary O Brien and Joan Hartrey. 3rd: Geraldine McMahon and Nano Fitzgerald. 4th: Mary Prendergast and Kathleen Collins.

HAPPY RETIREMENT
We express our heartfelt thanks and good wishes to Denis O Donoghue who has retired from his position of Postman. Denis has served the Ballyduff and Kilmeaden areas for many years and is very popular with everyone. He always had time to greet and chat with people and was often the only regular visitor to some people. He drew attention to people he may have not seen out and about and ensured they were checked on. His friendly, chatty personality made him very popular even when he delivered the dreaded bills!
We wish Denis a very happy, relaxing retirement with his wife Martina and I have no doubt that his grandchildren will find plenty of things to keep him busy.

CHURCH NEWS

If you would like to book one of the weekend masses for a Month’s Mind, First Anniversary or any anniversary mass please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392. Saturday evening mass takes place at 7.30pm and Sunday morning mass is at 10am.
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.
Choir practice takes place on Wednesday evenings at 8pm in the church and new members are always welcome. The choir sing beautiful hymns at our Sunday morning masses and really enhance our liturgy.
If you are interested in reading at mass, new readers are always welcome. Please hand your name and number into the sacristy.
The date for the annual graveyard mass in Ballyduff cemetery has been announced as Monday July 22nd. Please spread the news to people living in other areas who may have friends or relatives buried in the Ballyduff graveyard. A reminder to please bring a bag with you if you are removing old flowers or wreaths from your family grave and take the rubbish home with you.

BACK TO SERVE

We send warm congratulations to Cllr. John O Leary, Blacknock who retained his seat in the recent local elections. Speaking with John he said he was so grateful to all those who had placed their trust in him and given him their vote. John has always served his electoral area with great pride and dedication and will continue to do so. We wish him the very best for the future and we know that he will continue to work hard within his area and listen to the people’s needs.

BALL KID DUTY

Congratulations to the players from the school boys and girls teams at Ballyduff AFC who recently carried out ball kid duty during the recent Waterford FC game against Bohemians. This was a wonderful experience for all these great soccer enthusiasts and great memories were made. A big thank you to Debbie at Waterford FC for facilitating this.

WATERFORD SUIR VALLEY RAILWAY

There is a lot of activity at Waterford Suir Valley Railway in recent weeks with lots of visitors including some very excited boys and girls out enjoying their school tour. There are also many visiting groups and organisations from all over the country out for their Summer trip. With stunning views all along the train route it is truly a trip which treats all the senses. The cool clear water of the River Suir glistening in the sun, the sounds of the birds and wildlife enjoying life in the woods and the beautiful sight of the glorious colours in Mount Congreve Gardens.
The Whistlestop Café at the station provides beautiful freshly baked treats and the very important ice cream which as you can see from the photo, is highly recommended by the volunteers who forced themselves to try it out for you.
Drop along to the railway and bring your relatives and visitors with you to treat them to a beautiful relaxing day out.

EXAMS OUT

We congratulate all the Junior Cert and Leaving Cert students who have now completed their exams. The questions have been answered and there is nothing else which can be done. I wish you all a wonderful Summer and hope that you enjoy time with your families and friends. To those travelling abroad, we wish you all safe travels and hope that you make brilliant memories.

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 about what is going on in your club, organisation, event details or good news.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.

County Champions, Waterford Mascot and Invitation

June 14, 2024 Christine Tubbritt

CARDS

For the past number of months, a very enjoyable game of Progressive 30’s has been taking place in Ballyduff Community Centre and the organisers have asked me to let you all know that the card game will take a little break for the Summer months. The good news is that they will return in September and hope to see familiar faces along with some new ones. The final game took place on Thursday 30th and a few light refreshments were enjoyed after the game.
This weekly card game has been very popular and a wonderful way to meet up with people.

CHURCH NEWS

If you would like to book one of the weekend masses for a Months Mind, First Anniversary or any anniversary mass please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392. Saturday evening mass takes place at 7.30pm and Sunday morning mass is at 10am.
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.
Choir practice takes place on Wednesday evenings at 8pm in the church and new members are always welcome. The choir sing beautiful hymns at our Sunday morning masses and really enhance our liturgy.
If you are interested in reading at mass, new readers are always welcome. Please hand your name and number into the sacristy.

BALLYDUFF AFC

BALLYDUFF GAA NEWS.

COUNTY CHAMPIONS

Congratulations to the Ballyduff N.S U13 Camogie team who were crowned the County Champions of the Cumann na mBunscoil in Walsh Park recently. This is a fantastic achievement for the girls and their school and what a fantastic way to end off their school year. A very special thank you to all the school coaches for all their work and commitment and of course to all the parents for their support.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

The annual Tom Cheasty and Derek Ryan Memorial Tournament Day is always looked forward to each year. These two men, both very talented hurlers gone way before their time brought great joy to the Ballyduff Lower club over the years and they will never be forgotten. Members of the club and the parish like to come together each year to honour their contribution to the club. On Sunday June 16th in Tom Cheasty Park the U12’s will take part in the Tom Cheasty Cup at 12 noon while the Intermediates will meet Kilrossanty in the Derek Ryan Cup at 2pm. There will be fun for all the family throughout the day with lots of fun activities and a BBQ. Drop along and join in the fun.

WATERFORD MASCOT

Two very excited young girls were thrilled to be the mascots for the Waterford Camogie team at the Waterford V Limerick game in Walsh Park on June 1st. One of those mascots was Ballyduff Lower’s own Lily O Sullivan who wore her Waterford jersey with great pride. The day was jam packed as the mascots were brought into the changing rooms to meet the team and take some photos and of course they always gave the team some words of encouragement. They each received a jersey, a sliotar and a goodie bag of treats. What a thrill for them to lead the girls through the tunnel and out onto the pitch to the roars and cheers of the spectators. Lily also had the added bonus of taking part in the Go Games at half time with the U10 Ballyduff Lower team and scored the winning goal. What a day for Lily to remember and she made lovely memories. Watch out for Lily as she could be running out as part of the Waterford Camogie squad in a few short years. I hope she remembers me for a ticket!

BIRTHDAY GIRL

We send warm birthday wishes and congratulations to the very popular Edwina O Leary, Blacknock who recently celebrated her 50th birthday. She arrived at Waterford Castle to join her immediate family for a meal but was surprised to find her relatives and friends there ready to help her celebrate. The O Leary and O Sullivan clans were thrilled to mark this very special occasion and I have it on good authority that everyone enjoyed a fantastic evening. Edwina’s parents John and Eileen were so happy to see Edwina enjoy herself and her brother Brian, sister-in-law Laura, nephew Cathal, nieces Chloe and Phoebe and boyfriend Keith helped her to make her 50th birthday celebration one to remember. We wish Edwina many more happy birthdays for the years ahead.

INVITATION

The Dr Martin Day Centre in Portlaw will hold an Open Day on Saturday 15th June between 2pm and 5pm and they will have some music and refreshments to celebrate twelve years in operation this year. They are extending an invitation to you all to attend their Open Day event as someone who has contributed to their success through your support, work or service to the Centre over the years. In September of this year they are celebrating their twelfth year in operation as a Day Centre that provides essential services to the elderly and vulnerable people in our Community. The Open Day is an opportunity for people in the wider community to come and visit the centre to see the activities and services that take place here and to view the premises as well as the new commercial kitchen that we developed last year .The services provided to the community has far exceeded expectations and they are proud to say that they have people travelling from up to 15km away to avail of their services. These services include, morning teas/coffees served with a scone, three course dinner, afternoon tea and biscuits as well as many other activities such as music, art and craft, games and exercise. For those unable to attend the centre they provide a meals-on-wheels service in the community.
They also provide chiropody and hairdressing services, and they make the facility available to local groups such as Red Cross, Active Retirement, Adult Learning & Education, Sewing and Knitting classes and a Prayer Group. They hope to see you on the 15th of June!

Cards, Eastern Champions and Playful Streets

June 7, 2024 Christine Tubbritt

GAA LOTTO

The numbers drawn in the latest lotto draw were 1, 6, 10 and 14. There was no jackpot winner and the three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Alice Walsh, Pat Power and Nancy O Sullivan. The next draw will take place on Sunday June 9th and there will be a fantastic jackpot of €12,500 on offer.
Tickets cost just €2 each or three tickets for €5 and are available online, from all members or you can buy your tickets from the volunteer sellers at Centra on Saturday June 8th. Choose your four lucky numbers and that jackpot could be yours.

BRIDGE NEWS

The Ballyduff/ Portlaw Bridge Club played their latest game on Monday May 27th and the results were as follows: 1st: Sean Hennessy and Nano Fitzgerald 2nd: Kathleen Collins and Patsy Roche 3rd: Kate Hayes and Mary Prendergast 4th: Joan Hartrey and Geraldine McMahon.

CARDS.

CHURCH NEWS

EASTERN CHAMPIONS

Congratulations to the Ballyduff N.S U13 Camogie ladies who have been crowned the U13 Cumann na mBunscoil Eastern Champions. On Wednesday May 29th Ballyduff Lower took to the pitch in Walsh Park to take on The Mercy, Waterford. The Ballyduff girls played an excellent game, staying tight in all positions and came out as overall champions on a final score of 5-4 to 0-1. Congratulations to all the girls and their coaches on this terrific achievement.

PLAYFUL STREETS.

We have welcomed many new residents into Kilmeaden and Ballyduff over the past few years and we are delighted to see them all settle in a place we are very proud of. Becoming involved in your community is a wonderful way to make friends and feel more settled. We have many clubs and organisations in our area and they are always happy to welcome new members.
Playful Streets is an initiative between Waterford City and County Council and local areas to welcome new residents into areas of the city and county and encourage activity between all residents. On Saturday June 8th at 2pm in Kilmeaden’s newest housing estate Clochan there will be an opportunity to take part in some fun activities and receive information about different issues and about clubs and groups that take place in the area. An open invitation is extended to all who live in the areas of Ballyduff and Kilmeaden to drop along and extend that warm local welcome.

BALLYDUFF AFC

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Build your own dreams or someone else will hire you to build theirs.

Birthday Boy, Skills Galore and Mini World Cup

May 31, 2024 Christine Tubbritt

BRIDGE NEWS

The Ballyduff/ Portlaw Bridge Club played their latest game on Monday May 20th and the results were as follows: 1st: William Tobin and Ann Cox 2nd: Shauna and Marie Reade 3rd: Kate Hayes and Nano Fitzgerald 4th: Ann Tobin and Kathleen Collins and 5th: Ann Marie Brown and Mary Prendergast.

AGM

The AGM of the Ballyduff Community Centre will take place on Wednesday May 29th at 8pm. All are welcome to attend. Our local community centre is a central part of our community and is there for all to use. Major improvements have been made in the past few years and our community centre is one to be very proud of. Why not drop along to the AGM and hear about plans for the future and see if there is some way for you to help.

BIRTHDAY BOY

Warmest birthday wishes to the very popular Karl Casey, Ballyduff Hill who recently celebrated his 80th birthday. Karl was joined by his family and many friends at The Sweep Bar and Restaurant to celebrate his milestone birthday. He was joined by his son Dick and daughter Karan and a great night of music and song was enjoyed by all. We wish Karl many more happy birthdays and continued good health.

SPECIAL DAYS

We congratulate all the young people from Ballyduff N.S who recently received the Sacrament of Confirmation in St. Nicholas’s Church. Bishop Cullinan was present to bestow the gift of the Holy Spirit on them and we hope they all enjoyed their special day.
It was then the turn of the boys and girls of 2nd class in Ballyduff N.S to receive their First Holy Communion. They all looked beautiful as the sun shone down on them all. Following a beautiful ceremony celebrated by Fr. Francis the children and their families gathered in the school hall for a cuppa and some refreshments. It was a lovely opportunity for everyone to meet and for the children to show off their artwork. We hope the boys and girls enjoyed a special time with their families.

SKILLS GALORE.

Congratulations to Ballyduff Camogie Club members Trudie O Reilly and Aisling Counihan who recently represented their club at the Feile Waterford Skills Competition. The girls flew the Ballyduff flag with great pride and came home with two wins. Trudie won the “Lift, Solo & Goal” competition, while Aisling won the “Free Taking” competition. What an amazing achievement from these young ladies and a proud day for their families and club.

MINI WORLD CUP.

Ballyduff AFC have announced details of their Girls Mini World Cup which is open to members and non-members. This is always very popular and a very enjoyable event. There will be 5 aside teams in three age groups U12, U14 and U16. Registration is just €5 and closing date for entering is June 4th. To register please log into https://www.klubfunder.com/Clubs/Ballyduff_AFC/EventRegistration#EventRegistrationsOptions

The club are also accepting registrations for their Girls teams and would be delighted to welcome new members. If you would like to join Ballyduff AFC please contact Eoin on 087 2530903. While enjoying training and playing games with your teammates, the club are also planning trips to watch national team games, trips to other counties to play some friendly games and lots of team socialising and team building activities.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning
But anybody can start today and make a new ending

GAA Lotto, Tea Day and Recent Death

May 24, 2024 Christine Tubbritt

BRIDGE NEWS

The Ballyduff/ Portlaw Bridge Club played their latest game on Monday May 13th and the results were as follows; 1st: Kate Hayes and Sean Hennessy 2nd: Cyril Murphy and Bernie Dwyer 3rd: Nano Fitzgerald and Geraldine McMahon and Mary Prendergast and Ann Marie Brown.

GAA LOTTO

The numbers drawn in the latest lotto draw were 5, 7, 14 and 19 and there was no lucky winner of the jackpot. The three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Mark Walsh, Liz Daly and Michael Hoban. The next draw will take place on Sunday May 26th and will have a fantastic jackpot of €12,500 on offer.
Tickets are just €2 each or three for €5 and can be purchased from any club member, online or volunteer sellers will be at Centra, Kilmeaden on Saturday May 25th.
This is a very important fundraiser for the club, and they are very grateful for the support they receive. If you have an hour to spare every few weeks and would like to volunteer to sell tickets, please contact any committee member.

AGM

TEA DAY
The organisers of the recent Alzheimer’s Tea Day have asked me to say a huge thank you to all who supported and donated to their tea day. A big thank you to the Kilmeaden Book Club who also donated on the day. A fabulous amount of €900 was raised for this very worthy cause. A big well done to Niamh and all the organisers for such a wonderful day and treating everyone to nice, relaxing morning.

BALLYDUFF AFC

Congratulations to the Ballyduff AFC U16 girls who had a great win away to Waterford Crystal recently. The girls worked well as a team creating great scoring chances and defending their goal. A huge well done to the girls and to the parents for their support.
The club have announced the dates of their very popular Summer Camps. Their own camp will take place from July 8th to July 12th. The FAI camp will run from July 15th to July 19th and the Football Academy of Ireland 3-day camp from August 13th to August 15th.

RECENT DEATH

On behalf of my husband Brian Spillane and all the Spillane family I would like to sincerely thank you all for all the mass cards and special messages and calls we received following the death of his dad Mick Spillane. Thank you to all our neighbours and friends who attended the wake and funeral, it was lovely to see so many familiar faces. Mick is sadly missed by his wife Joan, sons Brian, Michael, Conor and Liam and his daughters Claire, Emer, Teresa and Mairead, his grandchildren, brother Billy, sisters Mary, Nancy, Kitty and Josie and all the extended family. Mick has left us with many wonderful memories which we will treasure. We pray that he now rests in peace in the loving arms of the Lord.

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 about what is going on in your club, organisation, event details or good news.

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK.

Everything you ever wanted.
Is sitting on the other side of fear.

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.