Easter Camp, Daffodil Day and New Jerseys

BRIDGE NEWS

The Ballyduff/Portlaw Bridge Club held their latest game on Monday February 19th 2024. Joint 1st: Sean Hennessy and Geraldine Mahon and Mary O Brien and Kathleen Collins. 3rd: Kate Hayes and Nano Fitzgerald.

GAA LOTTO

The numbers drawn in the latest lotto draw were 5, 11, 15 and 23. The three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Kay O Brien, Richard Cullinane and Jack Laffan. The next raw will take place on Sunday March 3rd and there will be a fantastic jackpot of €12,500 on offer.
Tickets cost just €2 each or three for €5 and can be purchased from any committee member, online or they will be on sale at Centra in Kilmeaden on Saturday March 2nd.

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.
There are still some boxes of weekend collection envelopes available in the church, so please pick up a box whenever you are passing.
Choir practice takes place on Monday nights at 8pm in the church and new members are always welcome. The choir enhance our masses beautifully with their gorgeous selection of hymns and it is lovely to look around and see so many singing along with them.
During the season of Lent we are all encouraged to go that extra mile to do something extra. Many like to give up some nice treats or take up a new activity. If you would like to attend the Stations of the Cross you can drop along to the Church on Thursday mornings after 10am mass during Lent.
Trocaire boxes are available in the Church. Please bring one home and put some spare change in it when you can.

EASTER CAMP

Ballyduff AFC will host their annual Easter Camp from March 25th to March 29th from 10am to 1.30pm daily. The camp is for boys and girls aged 5 years to 12 years. The price for the first child is €60, €45 for the second and your third child goes free. Check out the Ballyduff AFC Facebook Page for details.

DAFFODIL DAY

Friday March 22nd will be National Daffodil Day in aid of the Irish Cancer Society. Each year in Kilmeaden, a group of volunteers set up at Centra to raise funds and this year it is hoped to set up also at Gala. If you feel you may have an hour or two to spare and would like to help out please contact Elizabeth Mooney on 087 2067920. Elizabeth and her group of volunteers are very grateful to the management of Centra and Gala for offering the use of their premises.

RECENT DEATHS

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          We extend our deepest sympathy to the Larkin and O Brien families on the recent death of Johanna O Brien, Kilronan, Butlerstown and formerly of Powersknock, Kilmeaden. Johanna was a kind and caring family lady and loved spending time with her family. She will be sadly missed by her husband Pakie, sons, PJ and Liam, daughters Peggy, Tina, Aisling and Mary T, her grandchildren, great grandchildren, her sisters Moll and Doll and all her extended family, neighbours and friends. Johanna’s funeral mass took place in St. Nicholas’s Church, Ballyduff and she was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.
 We also send our condolences to the Aulsberry family on the death of Nancy Aulsberry, Matthews Cross. Nancy was a beautiful gentle lady who always had a lovely story to tell. She was a lady of great faith and also loved spending time with all her family. She will be sadly missed by her daughters Angela, Nell, Annmarie, Margaret and Jacinta, sons Mossie, John William, Noel and Conor, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandson, extended family, friends and neighbours. Nancy’s funeral mass took place in St. Nicholas’s Church, and she was laid to rest in the adjoining graveyard. May her sweet gentle soul now rest in the peace and love of Christ.

NEW JERSEYS

Ballyduff GAA Club are thrilled to receive a new set of jerseys for their U14/15 Squad. The jerseys were kindly sponsored by Dearbhla and Sorcha Barron from Signal Box. I am sure the team will wear their jerseys with great pride and they may even be persuaded to enjoy a nice cuppa and treat at Signal Box. It is great to see local businesses supporting their local clubs and we hope that they will be supported in return.

CAMOGIE NEWS.

Ballyduff Lower Camogie Club have been chosen as a recipient of the Tesco Blue Token Community Fund in the Tesco Ballybeg store. It was launched on Monday February 26th and will run for the next 12 weeks. Even though it is titled Ballyduff Lower Camogie Club, the money will benefit the entire club. Please spread the word to all your friends doing their shopping and lets’ get those blue tokens in the Ballyduff Lower Camogie Club box.

COMMUNITY CENTRE NEWS

Let’s Cook Easter Camp for boys and girls aged 6 to 13 years will take place in Ballyduff Community Centre from March 25th to March 28th from 10am to 1pm daily. For a cost of €90, all ingredients, equipment and recipes are included. These classes are hand on, and the kids will do all their own cooking and will bring their creations home to the family. To book a spot please contact 087 9027425.

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

Keep your face always toward the sunshine
And the shadows will fall behind you.

Precious Baby Boy, Athletic Success and Captain Time

BRIDGE NEWS.

The Ballyduff and Portlaw Bridge Club played their latest game on Monday February 12th and the results were as follows: 1st: Nano Fitzgerald and Geraldine McMahon, 2nd: Peggy Murphy and Ann Cox, 3rd: Anne and William Tobin and 4th: Mary Prendergast and Anne- Marie Brown.

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.
There are still some boxes of weekend collection envelopes available in the church, so please pick up a box whenever you are passing.
Choir practice takes place on Monday nights at 8pm in the church and new members are always welcome. The choir enhance our masses beautifully with their gorgeous selection of hymns and it is lovely to look around and see so many singing along with them.

SCRAP COLLECTION

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.

GAME OF CARDS?

Do you fancy a game of cards in a nice relaxing environment? A weekly card game began on Thursday February 1st at 7.30pm in Ballyduff Community Centre and I hear that a great crowd have dropped along to enjoy a friendly game and share a bit of a chat and a laugh together. New players are welcome to drop along and enjoy a game of Progressive 30’s. The cost is €15 for a team of 3 and this is a fantastic way to meet up with others and enjoy a game and a chat. If you would like any further information, please call Tricia on 0872979332.

EASTER CAMP

Ballyduff AFC will host their annual Easter Camp from March 25th to March 29th from 10am to 1.30pm daily. The camp is for boys and girls aged 5 years to 12 years. The price for the first child is €60, €45 for the second and your third child goes free. Check out the Ballyduff AFC Facebook Page for details.

DAFFODIL DAY

Friday March 22nd will be National Daffodil Day in aid of the Irish Cancer Society. Each year in Kilmeaden, a group of volunteers set up at Centra to raise funds and this year it is hoped to set up also at Gala. If you feel you may have an hour or two to spare and would like to help out please contact Elizabeth Mooney on 087 2067920. Elizabeth and her group of volunteers are very grateful to the management of Centra and Gala for offering the use of their premises.

MATILDA THE BOOKWORM

Ballyduff Youth Drama are very busy rehearsing for their production of Matilda the Bookworm. The show will take place on Thursday February 22nd and Friday February 23rd at 7.30pm and on Saturday February 24th at 8pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. Tickets are €10 and can be purchased every Monday between 7pm and 8.30pm at the community centre or by call or text to 087 4046904.
Rehearsals are going very well with lots of activity at the Community Centre on rehearsal nights. Costumes are being fitted, dance routines perfected and beautiful music and song can be heard raising the rafters.
Ballyduff Youth Drama stage a fantastic show each year full of vibrance and colour and lots of dancing and singing. The young performers from 5th and 6th classes give 100% to the show every year and the audience is treated to a wonderful night.

PRECIOUS BABY BOY

We send our heartiest congratulations to Ciara Laffan, Ballyduff West and her partner David O Grady on the birth of a beautiful baby boy. Baby Oisin started off the new year perfectly for everyone and his arrival was eagerly awaited by grandparents and great grandparents alike, so I have no doubt that there will never be a shortage of babysitters. We welcome Oisin to the world and we look forward to seeing him grow up.

ATHLETIC SUCCESS.

Congratulations to local ladies Roisin Cleary and Nancy Maher who are members of the WAC U16 girls Cross Country team who took first place and brought home gold from the All Ireland Cross Country Championship which took place in Dundalk last weekend.

GAELIC FOOTBALL

Ballyduff Ladies Gaelic Football club are on the lookout for any girls 6 years upwards to come along and join the club to enjoy some great fun and learn new skills. The group meet every Thursday evening at 6.30pm and are open to new members. All abilities are welcome to join and learn skills and ball techniques, footwork exercises, strategy and teamwork exercises, fun games and trial matches. It is a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and make many memories.

CAPTAIN TIME

Congratulations to local lady Makayla Laffan who will captain the U16 County WLGFA team in the Sharon O Keeffe Tournament for the coming season. Makayla will lead her team with great encouragement and support. She knows the importance of teamwork and communication and interaction with your teammates. Her great love for the game is infectious and we wish her and her teammates the very best of luck for the season.

RECENT DEATH.
We extend our deepest sympathy to the Larkin family on the recent death of Breda Larkin, Amberhill. Breda was a kind and gentle lady who loved to chat with people and enjoyed keeping in touch with family. She enjoyed her beautiful home and garden in Amberhill. She will be sadly missed by her brothers Noel and Dixie, her sisters-in-law Maureen, Mamie and Sheila, nephews, nieces, extended family and her many friends. Breda’s funeral mass took place in St. Nicholas’s Church, Ballyduff followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. May her gentle soul now rest in peace and may the Lord reward her for all her kindly deeds.

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK.

Ask not what tomorrow may bring,
But count as a blessing every day that fate allows you.

Easter Camp, Daffodil Day and Matilda the Bookworm

SCRAP COLLECTION

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.

GAME OF CARDS ANYONE?

Do you fancy a game of cards in a nice relaxing environment? A weekly card game began on Thursday February 1st at 7.30pm in Ballyduff Community Centre and you are welcome to drop along and enjoy a game of Progressive 30’s. Many people have enjoyed the card game over the past couple of weeks and new players are always welcome. The cost is €15 for a team of 3 and this is a fantastic way to meet up with others and enjoy a game and a chat. If you would like any further information, please call Tricia on 0872979332.

EASTER CAMP

The Football Academy of Ireland’s Easter camp is now open for booking. It will take place on Wednesday April 3rd and Thursday April 4th from 2pm to 5pm. The venue is the Ballyduff AFC grounds in Ballyduff West. This camp caters for boys and girls aged 6 to 14 years and the cost is €36. You can book your spot by logging onto www.footballacademyofireland.com

GAA LOTTO

The numbers drawn in the latest lotto draw were 15, 16, 20 and 21 and there was no winner of the jackpot. The three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Tracy O Reilly, Katie Harris and Fergus Dunne. The next draw will take place on February 18th and there will be a jackpot of €12,350 on offer. Tickets cost just €2 each or three for €5. Tickets can be purchased from all committee members, online or there will be volunteer sellers at Centra on Saturday February 17th. The lotto is a very important fundraiser for the club and they appreciate your support.

DAFFODIL DAY

Friday March 22nd will be National Daffodil Day in aid of the Irish Cancer Society. Each year in Kilmeaden, a group of volunteers set up at Centra to raise funds and this year it is hoped to set up also at Gala. If you feel you may have an hour or two to spare and would like to help out please contact Elizabeth Mooney on 087 2067920. Elizabeth and her group of volunteers are very grateful to the management of Centra and Gala for offering the use of their premises.

MATILDA THE BOOKWORM

Ballyduff Youth Drama are very busy rehearsing for their production of Matilda the Bookworm. The show will take place on Thursday February 22nd and Friday February 23rd at 7.30pm and on Saturday February 24th at 8pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. Tickets are €10 and can be purchased every Monday between 7pm and 8.30pm at the community centre or by call or text to 087 4046904.
Ballyduff Youth Drama stage a fantastic show each year full of vibrance and colour and lots of dancing and singing. The young performers from 5th and 6th classes give 100% to the show every year and the audience is treated to a wonderful night.

RECENT DEATHS

We extend our deepest sympathies to the Larkin and O Brien families on the recent death of Bid O Brien, Kilmagemogue and formerly of Powersknock. Bid was a hardworking lady who adored her family. She loved spending time with her children and her grandchildren and loved to be kept up to date with whatever was happening in their lives. She was a great character who enjoyed a good laugh with family and friends. She is survived by her daughters Marie, Dolores and Tina, her sons Billy, Patsy, Fran and Sean, her grandchildren, great grandchildren and her sisters Moll, Johanna and Doll. Bid’s funeral mass took place in St. Nicholas Church, Ballyduff and she was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery. May her sweet, gentle soul now rest in peace.
We also send her condolences to the Whelan family, Knockaderry on the death of Paddy Whelan who died recently in London. Paddy will be sadly missed by his sisters Kay and Josie Whelan, Knockaderry and Mamie Crowley, Ballyduff. Paddy was a very proud Waterford man and enjoyed visits home when he could. His funeral took place in London and we pray that he now rests in peace.
Our prayers and thoughts are with Peggy O Shea, Ballyduff Hill and Nancy O Sullivan, Matthews Cross on the recent death of their beloved brother Teddy Power. Teddy was a resident of Viewmount Park but loved to visit Kilmeaden, where he had many fond memories. Teddy was probably one of the most precious human beings, I have ever met. I had the great honour of having him as my godfather and he excelled in the role. Teddy was kind, generous and loyal. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife Renee and he adored his four daughters Catherine, Geraldine, Caroline and Jeanine, his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved visiting his sisters Nancy and Peggy and his brother Sean and they enjoyed remembering tales from their childhood days growing up in Matthews Cross. Teddy’s funeral mass took place in St. Nicholas’ Church, Ballyduff followed by private cremation. We pray that he now enjoys his seat at the Lord’s table, and we thank the Lord for placing in in our lives and for all our wonderful memories of such a special man.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Your spirit needs recharging as often as your phone or laptop.
Make time to reconnect with yourself.

Game of Cards Anyone?, Easter Camp and Cooking up a Storm

SCRAP COLLECTION

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.

GAME OF CARDS ANYONE?

Do you fancy a game of cards in a nice relaxing environment? A weekly card game began on Thursday February 1st at 7.30pm in Ballyduff Community Centre and you are welcome to drop along and enjoy a game of Progressive 30’s. The cost is €15 for a team of 3 and this is a fantastic way to meet up with others and enjoy a game and a chat. If you would like any further information, please call Tricia on 0872979332.

COMMUNITY ALERT

At the recent community alert meeting, the €10 text alert fee was taken up. If you were unable to attend, please drop your €10 to Jay Dowdall, MJ Healy or Chris Pragnell. The next community alert meeting will take place in early March. The advice from the Gardai at the meeting was to ensure that you do not leave valuables in your vehicle when you are out and about and to also lock up your windows and doors when you are leaving your home. Inform a neighbour or friend or the guards if you are going away so that you have someone keeping a regular eye on your premises.

BRIDGE NEWS

The Ballyduff/ Portlaw Bridge club played their latest game on Monday January 29th and the results were as follows:1st: Anne and William Tobin, 2nd: Anne-Marie Brown and John Fitzpatrick, 3rd: Peggy Barron and Deirdre Phelan and 4th: Sean Hennessy and Nano Fitzgerald.

EASTER CAMP

The Football Academy of Ireland’s Easter camp is now open for booking. It will take place on Wednesday April 3rd and Thursday April 4th from 2pm to 5pm. The venue is the Ballyduff AFC grounds in Ballyduff West. This camp caters for boys and girls aged 6 to 14 years and the cost is €36. You can book your spot by logging onto www.footballacademyofireland.com

COOKING UP A STORM.

Ballyduff Community Centre will be the venue for Adult and Kids Cook Together classes. The classes will begin on Tuesday February 13th to Tuesday March 5th from 7pm to 9pm. The classes will begin with a pizza workshop. If you would like any further information, please contact Siobhan on 087 9027425

BALLYDUFF GAA NEWS

Former National Hurling Development Manager, Martin Fogarty will deliver a coaching workshop on Thursday February 8th at 7.30pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. This is open to all club members, coaches, players and parents.

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.

NOTES CONTACT

2024 is now well on its’ way and it is time to let people know about events and happenings in our local area. If you or your club or organisation would like to inform people of the area about getting involved in a local club or group or if you have an event or charity occasion on the horizon and want to spread the word. If there has been a recent engagement, marriage, birth, birthday, anniversary etc in your family and you want to wish them well then, these notes are for you. Community notes provide a community with the information needed to keep a community together and inform people of what is going on in the area around them. If you would like to include an item, please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392 or spillanelinda2017@gmail.com

Scrap collection, Community Tidy towns and Community Alert

SCRAP COLLECTION

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.

GAME OF CARDS ANYONE?

Do you fancy a game of cards in a nice relaxing environment? Beginning on Thursday February 1st at 7.30pm in Ballyduff Community Centre, you can drop along and enjoy a game of Progressive 30’s. The cost is €15 for a team of 3 and this is a fantastic way to meet up with others and enjoy a game and a chat. If you would like any further information, please call Tricia on 0872979332.

COMMUNITY TIDY TOWNS.

Our local Tidy Towns group do a wonderful job around the Ballyduff and Kilmeaden area and we are very grateful to them. Some new volunteers are needed and so a meeting will be held on Wednesday January 31st at 7.30pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. Please consider giving a little bit of your time to your community.

BALLYDUFF GAA LOTTO

Following a little break for Christmas, the Ballyduff Lower GAA lotto returned last weekend with a jackpot of €12,000. The four numbers drawn were 6, 17, 18 and 24 but there was no lucky winner. The €50 lucky dip winners were Billy Power, Michelle Dunphy and Eoghan Power. The next draw will take place on Sunday February 4th and there will be a fantastic jackpot of €12,200 on offer.
Tickets cost just €2 each or 3 for €5 and are available from all committee members, can be purchased online or volunteer sellers will be at Centra in Kilmeaden on Saturday February 3rd. Choose 4 lucky numbers and you could be off to a great start for 2024.

BRIDGE NEWS

The Ballyduff/ Portlaw Bridge club are back in action after their Christmas break and played their latest game on Monday January 22nd. The results were as follows: 1st Sean Hennessy and Joan Hartrey. 2nd Margaret and Chris Pragnell. 3rd Nano Fitzgerald and Geraldine McMahon.

GRANDPARENTS DAY.

On Wednesday January 24th the pupils of Ballyduff N.S pulled out all the stops to honour their grandparents. Fr. Francis celebrated a beautiful mass in St. Nicholas’s Church with the pupils taking part throughout the mass with readings and hymns. After mass everyone headed to the school hall at Ballyduff N.S for some refreshments and a nice friendly chat. The grandparents had a lovely opportunity to take a look at their grandchildren’s classrooms and art work. Grandparents play a beautiful role in our children’s lives and it is important that we acknowledge their love and support.

COMMUNITY ALERT

At the recent community alert meeting, Jason King spoke to the group about the importance of walking and getting out in nature. It is proven that walking has huge benefits for your physical and mental health. He spoke about how lucky we are to have such wonderful places in Waterford City and County to walk. Sergeant Mick Barry reminded the group of the importance of locking your property properly and asked people not to leave valuables in their cars when they are out walking.
The €10 text alert fee was taken up at the meeting. If you were unable to attend, please drop your €10 to Jay Dowdall, MJ Healy or Chris Pragnell. The next community alert meeting will take place in early March.

NOTES CONTACT.

2024 is now well on its’ way and it is time to let people know about events and happenings in our local area. If you or your club or organisation would like to inform people of the area about getting involved in a local club or group or if you have an event or charity occasion on the horizon and want to spread the word. If there has been a recent engagement, marriage, birth, birthday, anniversary etc in your family and you want to wish them well then, these notes are for you. Community notes provide a community with the information needed to keep a community together and inform people of what is going on in the area around them. If you would like to include an item, please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392 or spillanelinda2017@gmail.com

Grandparents Day, Panto Time and Flying the Flag

BRIDGE NEWS

The Ballyduff and Portlaw Bridge Club held their latest game on Monday January 15th and the results were as follows:
1st: Peggy Murphy an Elizabeth Mooney.
2nd: Mary Prendergast and Joan Hartrey.
3rd: Kate Hayes and Nano Fitzgerald.
4th: Iris Graham and Sean Hennessy.

GRANDPARENTS DAY

Ballyduff N.S will celebrate Grandparents day by holding a special mass in St. Nicholas’s Church on Wednesday January 24th at 10am mass, followed by tea and refreshments in their school hall. The children from the school will invite all their grandparents to come along an enjoy some time together and to thank them for all the love and support they receive from them.

BALLYDUFF AFC.

Ballyduff AFC are hosting a fundraiser for the club. They are holding a scrap collection so you are invited to drop your items to the Ballyduff AFC grounds any day from 10am to 8pm. Please do not include any glass objects, dishwashers, mattresses etc.

COMMUNITY ALERT

Our local community alert group will hold their next meeting on Wednesday January 24th at 8pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. The €10 text alert fee is now due and can be paid at the meeting. The text alert scheme is an invaluable service providing necessary information about suspicious activity in your area and also notifications of dangerous weather or driving conditions.
Guest speaker on the night will be Jason King who will speak about the benefits of walking. Representatives from the local Gardai will also be in attendance to give advice and answer any questions you may have.

PANTO TIME

Our neighbours in Portlaw Pantomime Society are all set to present their 42nd Pantomime. This year they have chosen Aladdin and by all accounts it’s one not to miss. The show will run from Thursday February 8th to Saturday February 10th at 8pm in Portlaw community hall. There will also be a matinee performance on Sunday February 11th at 12.30pm. Tickets and be booked in the community hall on Thursday February 1st and Friday February 2n between 5pm and 7pm or by phoning 087 1165502 on February 1st to 3rd from 5pm to 7pm and February 5th and 6th from 5pm to 7pm.
Portlaw has been steeped in Panto for many years and is a show I look forward to attending with my Dad every year. Keep an eye on their Facebook page where they will be introducing us to the characters. Watch out as you enter Portlaw for any low flying carpets or strange looking lamps!

FLYING THE FLAG

While Ballyduff AFC head back into their season, 7 of their players are certainly flying the flag for Ballyduff down under in Perth. Marcus Millea, Jack and Calum Lyons, Conor Quinn, John Flynn and Cormac and Ronan Dunphy are all members of the Perth team who won the league. It is wonderful to see the lads carrying on the great traditions of teamwork they learned in Ballyduff AFC.

GAME OF CARDS ANYONE?

Do you fancy a game of cards in a nice relaxing environment? Beginning on Thursday February 1st at 7.30pm in Ballyduff Community Centre, you can drop along and enjoy a game of Progressive 30’s. The cost is €15 for a team of 3 and this is a fantastic way to meet up with others and enjoy a game and a chat. If you would like any further information, please call Tricia on 0872979332

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

Do something today that your future self will thank you for.

Community Alert, Scrap Collection and Recent Deaths

JARLATH BURNS EVENING

Ballyduff Lower GAA, Camogie and LGFA will present an evening with incoming GAA President Jarlath Burns on Saturday January 20th at 7pm in The Greenway Manor Hotel. Mr. Burns will discuss his plans for the GAA on both a national and local level. He will also help the club to launch their newly developed club plan. During the night there will also be a preview of the upcoming hurling season with Waterford legends Ken McGrath and John Mullane. Tickets cost just €10 each and can be purchased through Eventbrite or will be available on the door on the night.

COMMUNITY ALERT

Our local community alert group will hold their next meeting on Wednesday January 24th at 8pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. The community text alert fee is now being collected and the €10 can be paid at the meeting or can be dropped to Jay Dowdall, MJ Healy or Chris Pragnell. The text alert scheme is of vital importance alerting people of any suspicious activity in the area or any storm and weather conditions affecting roads in the area. If you would like to join the scheme you can give your name and number to any of the committee.

SCRAP COLLECTION

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.

GAME OF CARDS ANYONE?

Do you fancy a game of cards in a nice relaxing environment? Beginning on Thursday February 1st at 7.30pm in Ballyduff Community Centre, you can drop along and enjoy a game of Progressive 30’s. The cost is €15 for a team of 3 and this is a fantastic way to meet up with others and enjoy a game and a chat. If you would like any further information, please call Tricia on 0872979332

BRIDGE CLUB NEWS
The great news from the club is that they will commence bridge lessons on January 16th at 7pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. The lesson will last two hours and will continue for 8 lessons. What a fantastic opportunity to learn the game and join in the fun. New Year! New hobbies!

GAA LOTTO

After a little Christmas break the Ballyduff GAA lotto makes its return this weekend. Just imagine stepping into the new year with a jackpot of €12,500 in your bank account. Tickets cost just €2 each or 3 for €5 and are available from all committee members, online or you can purchase from one of the volunteer sellers who will be at Centra on Saturday January 20th.
If you have an hour to spare and are willing to be one of the volunteer sellers then please contact Jessica O Leary. You can be placed in the subs position and will be called upon if anyone is sick or away and so you are not committed to it every fortnight.

RECENT DEATHS

We extend our deepest sympathies to Peg Power, Lacka Road on the recent death of her beloved mother. Mrs. Marge Murphy (nee Joyce) late of Dun na Mara, Youghal was called home to God on Christmas day while she was surrounded by her loving family. She will be sadly missed by her son John, her daughters Peg, Phil and Jackie, her grandchildren, great grandchildren and extended family.
Marge’s funeral mass took place in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, The Strand, Youghal and she was laid to rest in Clonpriest Cemetery. May she now rest in the peace and love of Christ.

We send our condolences to Helen Millea, Newtown, Kilmeaden who mourns the loss of her mother Eily Keohan (nee Coady). Eily was a very proud resident of Arbour Road, Lisduggan and she was a very popular lady with both young and old. She will be remembered and loved always by her children Rose, Bernadette, Frankie, Anne, Helen, Oliver and Grace, her grandchildren, great grandchildren, brothers, sisters and extended family. Eily’s funeral mass took place in St. Paul’s Church, Lisduggan and she was laid to rest beside her beloved husband Frankie in Ballyduff Cemetery. May she now rest in peace and may all the wonderful memories she left behind bring comfort to her family.

JERSEY SPONSORSHIP

A group of girls representing the U16 Ballyduff AFC team visited Eirgen Pharma recently to thank the company personally for their very generous sponsorship of a set of jerseys. The girls will wear these with great pride and are delighted that Eirgen have shown such commitment to supporting local female sports while fostering links with local science and healthcare.
We wish the girls the best of luck for the coming season, and we all look forward to cheering them on from the sidelines.

NOTES CONTACT.

2024 has now begun and it is time to let people know about events and happenings in our local area. If you or your club or organisation would like to inform people of the area about getting involved in a local club or group or if you have an event or charity occasion on the horizon and want to spread the word. If there has been a recent engagement, marriage, birth, birthday, anniversary etc in your family and you want to wish them well then, these notes are for you. Community notes provide a community with the information needed to keep a community together and inform people of what is going on in the area around them. If you would like to include an item, please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392 or spillanelinda2017@gmail.com

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

It is often the small steps, not the giant leaps,
That bring about the most lasting change.

Jarlath Burns Evening, Church News and Silver News

JARLATH BURNS EVENING

Ballyduff Lower GAA Club will present an evening with incoming GAA President on Saturday January 20th at 7pm in The Greenway Manor Hotel. There will be some other special guests on the night also. Tickets cost just €10 each and can be purchased through Eventbrite.

CAMOGIE CLUB RAFFLE.

Ballyduff Camogie Club held their Christmas raffle before Christmas and are very grateful to all who supported it and to all the businesses who donated prizes for the raffle. The club were delighted with the support they received and look forward to some great camogie moments in 2024.

CHURCH NEWS

A big thank you to all who helped to make our church look so beautiful for Christmas. The Christmas tree stood tall as the lights glistened, the altar and window ledges were adorned with beautiful floral arrangements and candles and of course in pride of place was our glorious crib. Our local choir sang beautifully on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and the congregation joined in with the festive hymns and carols. A special thank you to our Sacristan Ann Nolan who keeps our church looking so well throughout the year.
The annual Christmas collection for the support of the priests of the parish was taken up over Christmas and can still be dropped in at weekend masses if you have forgotten.
The new boxes of weekly collection envelopes are now available in the church. There are no names on the boxes so you can take whichever box you want.

SUIR VALLEY RAILWAY

The Suir Valley Railway welcomed many guests over the Christmas season. There were wonderful scenes of excited children waiting to visit Santa in his cabin. Santa, Mrs. Claus, Rudolph, Frosty and Dasher have now returned home to the North Pole but really enjoyed meeting all the girls and boys on the Santa Express. They have promised to return next Christmas to catch up with everyone.

COMMUNITY ALERT

The community text alert fee is now being collected. The €10 can be dropped to Jay Dowdall, MJ Healy or Chris Pragnell. The text alert scheme is of vital importance alerting people of any suspicious activity in the area or any storm and weather conditions affecting roads in the area. If you would like to join the scheme you can give your name and number to any of the committee.

SILVER YEARS

We send warm congratulations to Martin and Tracy O Reilly, Ardeenlone who recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. I’m sure their beautiful daughters Bonnie, Sophie, Maisie and Trudie ensured that their mam and dad celebrated in style and enjoyed their day. We wish this lovely couple many more years of wedded bliss.

SCRAP COLLECTION

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 the future 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.

GAME OF CARDS ANYONE?

Do you fancy a game of cards in a nice relaxing environment? Beginning on Thursday February 1st at 7.30pm in Ballyduff Community Centre, you can drop along and enjoy a game of Progressive 30’s. The cost is €15 for a team of 3 and this is a fantastic way to meet up with others and enjoy a game and a chat. If you would like any further information, please call Tricia on 0872979332

BRIDGE CLUB NEWS
The great news from the club is that they will commence bridge lessons on January 16th at 7pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. The lesson will last two hours and will continue for 8 lessons. What a fantastic opportunity to learn the game and join in the fun. New Year! New hobbies!

NEW YEAR QUOTE

May the canvas of the New Year be painted with vibrant moments and unforgettable memories. Wishing you all a year filled with joy, peace and good health. May you always offer and be offered the hand of kindness. Let us all count the many wonderful blessings we have in our lives and give our time and talents to help those who need it.

Ballyduff GAA Lotto, Church News and Christmas Wishes

BRIDGE NEWS

The Ballyduff/Portlaw Bridge Club played their latest game of bridge on Monday December 4th and the results were as follows:
1st: Kathleen Collins and Joan Hartrey
2nd: Peggy Murphy and Sean Hennessy
3rd: Anne Kennedy and Chris Pragnell.
4th: John Mooney and Breda Murphy.
The club would like to wish all their members and their families a very happy and peaceful Christmas and look forward to meeting them all for more bridge games in 2024.
The great news from the club is that they will commence bridge lessons on January 16th at 7pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. The lesson will last two hours and will continue for 8 lessons. What a fantastic opportunity to learn the game and join in the fun. New Year! New hobbies!

BALLYDUFF GAA LOTTO

The final lotto draw for 2023 took place on December 10th and the numbers drawn were 1, 6, 10 and 20. There was no winner of the jackpot and the six lucky dip winners of €50 each were Nicky Cummins, Patricia Lyons, Sandra Harris, Kathleen Atkins, Paula Gahan and The Kennedy Family. The lotto will return in January and will begin the New Year with a jackpot of €12,050.
The club would like to sincerely thank everyone for their continued support. All money raised goes back into the club and helps to ensure that the facilities and opportunities for the coaches and players are top class. A big thank you to all who sell tickets and to the committee who run the lotto draw every fortnight.
The club wishes everyone a very happy Christmas and look forward to 2024.

CHURCH NEWS

A big well done to all who have our church looking so beautiful for Christmas and of course to our very hardworking sacristan Ann Nolan who does such a wonderful job all year round. It is lovely to watch all the children visit the crib and ask questions about it all.
Our choir have really put together a fantastic collection of hymns and carols for the season and the great news is that they will sing at Christmas Eve mass and Christmas Day mass.

CHRISTMAS WISHES

As the writer of these notes, I would like to sincerely thank all who have contributed articles during the year. I am very grateful for all the pieces of information and photos that I receive and enjoy hearing from you. I would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas and every best wish for 2024.

Parish Choir, Church News and WSVR

BRIDGE NEWS

The Ballyduff and Portlaw Bridge club played their latest game on Monday December 4th and the results were as follows:
1st: Kathleen Collins and Patsy Roche.
2nd: The Mooneys.
3rd: Nano Fitzgerald and Anne Kennedy
4th: Anne-Marie Brown and Mary Prendergast.

PARISH CHOIR.

It is wonderful to hear our parish choir singing at mass every Sunday. They have a beautiful selection of hymns and are always adding new ones to their portfolio. They are very busy rehearsing for Christmas and the great news is that they will sing on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. They enhance every mass they sing at and will certainly bring a lovely festive cheer to the Christmas ceremonies.

CHURCH NEWS

Our beautiful Advent wreath is adorning our church altar, reminding us that we are very close to the season of Christmas. As we all prepare for Christmas, buying gifts, planning menus, sending cards, the Advent wreath reminds us that we need to prepare inwardly as we prepare for the birth of Jesus. The four candles on the wreath represent hope, peace, joy and love and as we light a candle each week, we should keep the message of the candles in our hearts.
A Christmas reconciliation service will take place on Wednesday December 13th at 7pm. This is a perfect opportunity to clear your mind and heart before the Christmas season.

BALLYYDUFF AFC

All at Ballyduff AFC wish to extend a very warm thank you to Derek Tebay and his company Blue Wall (www.blue.wall.ie) who sponsored a full kit for the clubs youngest U11 league team. The guys are really going to look the part as they step out in their gear. Derek has also provided wind breakers, so the cold weather won’t be a problem. It is wonderful to see businesses supporting our clubs and we ask you all to support these businesses in return.

BALLYDUFF GAA.

Congratulations to clubman Sean O Rourke who captained the freshers of UCC in their Fresher B Hurling leagues final. Sean and his teammates excelled on the day and won the game. Sean scored 6 points on the day and led his team to victory.
Congratulations also to Kate O Donnell who has been chosen to be part of the U14 County LGFA panel and we also congratulate Emma Laffan who is now part of the U14 LGFA development football squad.

WSVR

There are lots of visitors to Waterford Suir Valley Railway every weekend as Santa and Mrs. Clause call in to visit. Although it is a very busy time of year for them, they make the time to visit Kilmeaden as it holds a very special place in their hearts. Drop along to the railway and see the beautiful Christmas decorations which will brighten even the darkest days.

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.