09-11-2002

Mountmellick storyteller steals show

A capacity audience at the Mellick Inn, Mountmellick, on Weds. Oct.30th. experienced the power, vitality and variety of oral storytelling during an evening of stories and music organised as part of the Laois Arts Festival, and sponsored by the Arts Office in Laois.
Liz Weir, from County Antrim, who has gained an international reputation as a storyteller, enthralled with her wide repertoire of traditional stories from the fantastical to the humorous. Laois Artist-in Residence, Nuala Hayes, introduced local young traditional musicians, Julianne Culliton and Mairéad Furling, along with Ray Murphy from Emo. Ray sang songs by Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen and most impressively, one penned by himself, in response to the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

Local interest was focused on the stories of Joe O'Neill, which were performed by Shay Flannery, accompanied by Katherine Hyland, on accordian.

Joe O'Neill, who lived for most of his life in Irishtown, Mountmellick, had set himself the task of chronicling his own life and the life of his town for over thirty years. When he died, six years ago, his niece, Denise O'Driscoll from Dublin, who is a daughter of his half-brother John Kenny, salvaged 97 of his handwritten copybooks. Joe O'Neill signed himself The Robin, and his recollections of familiar places and people in Mountmellick, jokes, anecdotes, and words of wit and wisdom are balanced by heartbreaking accounts of his own family history, his alcoholism, his experiences at school and at his father's wake, were received with rapt attention by the audience.

The role of the Quakers in the life of Mountmellick, and the County Home, now as Shay Flannery pointed out, St. Vincent's Hospital, one of the finest geriatric hospitals in the Midlands were all celebrated with a combination of humour and realism.

Shay Flannery, as the voice of Joe O'Neill, proved himself to be a sensitive and authentic interpreter of a man who is still remembered by many people in this, as Joe himself put it "Fair Town of Mountmellick'

This was one of those special evenings where the local became universal, when the Arts, which are sometimes seen as peripheral to the cut and thrust of daily life, became very real and alive for those fortunate enough to be present in the audience.

P.T.A.A. Dinner Dance

The annual PTAA dinner dance is being held on Friday, November 15 in The Hazel Hotel, Monasterevin. Tickets at £18. each are available from any member.

Primary Schools Grounds

In the interest of children's safety no dogs are now allowed at any time in the grounds of the primary schools. Adults who have been walking their dogs across the playground are now asked to refrain from doing so in the future.

Parenting Programmes

Sr Brid Burke, Community School Mountmellick organised a very successful course in the MDA for parents who wished to become facilitators form parenting programmes. The course lasted for six weeks and the participants benefited greatly from the experience.

Parents wishing to train as facilitators next year are now requested to make a contact with Sr Brid.

Fashion Show

A fashion show in aid of the cancer unit at Portlaoise Hospital is being held in the Hazel Hotel on Wednesday, November 6 at 8.15 pm. Tickets are available from Greg Keenan.

Embroidery Classes

Mountmellick embroidery classes continue every Tuesday night from 8 pm to 10 pm in the MDA offices, lrishtown.

Special Services

Mountmellick Methodist Church are holding a week long series of special services commencing on Sunday, November 10 at 7 pm and continuing each week night at 8 pm.

The speaker is Mr Michael Williams whose work with the Stauros Foundation involves dealing with people who have addiction problems. His topic for the week will be 'The Work of the Holy Spirit'.

Ladies Football

Sarsfields relinquished their Under 16 Title when they went down by 3-10 to 1-6 to Shanahoe on Saturday last in wind swept Ratheniska. Both teams found it difficult to come to terms with horrific weather conditions, but Shanahoe coped a little better than the lighter Sarsfields girls.

Sarsfields have held this Title for the past three years and last Saturday was the fifth final in row, having lost the 1998 final to Courtwood.

Panel; Niamh McDermott, Laura Quigley; Mary Hyland, Siobhan Fitzpatrick, Collette Dooley; Fiona Whelan, Julieann Culleton, Mags McEvoy; Patrice Deffew; Aoife Cleary, Claire O'Loughlin, Emma Hayden, Claire Conlon, Olwyn Farrell, Laura Bennett. Subs; Rachel Mullen, Michelle O'Loughlin, Jenny McEvoy;

Mountmellick Special Olympics Meeting

Mountmellick will act as host to participants from Peru for the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games next June. There will be a public meeting to discuss details on Wednesday, November 6 in the MDA offices at 8 .30 pm. Everybody is welcome.

Macra Na Feirme

There was a food attendance at the club AGM held Monday, October 30. The following are the newly elected officers: President: Alice McCann; Chairman: Patrick Culliton; Treasurer: Claire Conroy; PRO: Rosemary Whelan; Hall Managers: Alice McCann, Fergal Lawlor. Hall building committee: Chairperson: Leo Dunne; Secretary: Alice McCann.

The next general meeting is this Friday, November 8 at 8.30 pm. All new members are welcome.

Power To Change

Series of meetings on Power to Change will be held in Mountmellick Methodist Church starting on Sunday 10-17 inclusive at 7 pm on Sundays and 8 pm on week nights. Special speaker is Michael Williams from Stauros Foundation. The Foundation have centres worldwide to help people with addictions. Everyone welcome

Special Olympics

There will be a charity 5 a side soccer match in aid of the Special Olympics between the veterans and the wannabees in the community centre on Friday, November 8 at 7 pm.