02-08-2003

Successful Kenyan foray for Mountmellick architect

Mountmellick student Fiona Carroll has arrived home safe and well after her month-long sojourn in Kenya, where she and 20 other students undertook a programme of restoration for underpriviliged primary schools in the country.

Based in Rongai for the four weeks, Ms Carroll, a UCD architecture student, helped to construct a new toilet block for the primary schools, as well as building 25 beds for the many schoolchildren who regularly travelled long distances to get to the schools - one of which caters for over 700.

Terrorist threats in the Kenyan region had meant that the group were delayed for a week in departing from Ireland, but notwithstanding, all were pleased with their endeavours whilst there.

Having returned to Ireland on July 2, Ms Carroll said that the stay took some adjustment:
“The weather was hot but bearable, which was good, but we had no electricity and had to sleep on the floor! The people were fantastic though, and really helped us to settle in.”
Prior to leaving for Kenya, Ms Carroll, explained, huge support was forthcoming from family, friends and members of the community.

“I had a lot of people come up to me to wish me well, and the funding and support that I got was excellent. Without such help, I wouldn’t have been able to go at all, and for that I’d like to thank everyone who helped me out with the trip.”

Lord Mayor

The annual lord mayor campaign is well underway in the town. This year there are two contenders. Aileen O'Loughlin is running on behalf of Sarsfields ladies football club while Kevin Conroy is Mountmellick United Soocer Club's candidate. Both will be out and about with their supporters looking for your support.

Mountmellick Juvenile Soccer Club

Anyone interested in helping out with teams, please contact Michael or Eamon.

Graigue Mass

The annual Mass in Graigue cemetery will be held on Friday, August 8 at 7.30 pm.

Mountmellick Juvenile GAA

Mountmellick's ul 2 footballers got off to a great start in the A football championship with a win over Stradbally last week. This was a very exciting tough game with Stradbally having a great start. The half time score was Stradbally 3-2, Mountmellick 1-2.

Mountmellick fought back slowly but surely in the second half to finish winners on a score of Mountmellick 5-7, Stradbally 3-6.

Team: B. Grennan, J Quigley, D. Kenny, G. Donoher, E. Hogan, B. Forde, M. Dowling, D. Whelan 1-0, S. George 1-3, R. Gorry, E. Melia 1-0, K. Donoher 0-3. N. Donoher, 1, R. Dowling 1-0, P Keating 1-0.

Mountmellick Tennis Club

We are running an intensive 4 day coaching clinic next week for Tiny Tots, Mini Tennis and Teenagers Tennis groups. Players will be grouped acoording to standard in groups of no more than 6 players. Each session will last for one and a half hours focusing on the technical development of the player.

This format is designed to enhance the pupils learning with small groups of similar standard working on their game more than the routine one hour a week. Anyone interested in the coaching clinic call Bryan.

Parents of Mini Tennis players who did not attend last Saturday's lessons are asked to contact Bryan.

GAA Summer Camp

Mountmellick's GAA summer camp takes place in Parc Acragar from Tuesday, July 22 to Friday, July 25. This is a combined camp featuring football, hurling and camogie. It is open to all children from 2nd class up to 6th class.

The cost is €30 per child with family reductions. Each child will receive a T-shirt, a fun size football or all weather sliotar, a baseball cap, sports socks, sports bag and a sport water bottle.

Coaching will take place in Gaelic football, hurling and camogie and the children will enjoy quizzes, bench ball and visits from inter county stars. Application forms can be obtained from Fiona.

Grow Group

A Grow Group has begun in Mountmellick. If you are someone who experiences depression, anxiety attacks or who is simply in need of company do come along.
You will have an opportunity to meet others, share your problems in confidence, get support and make new friends.

Meetings will take place in the MDA, lrishtown at 3 pm every Monday. For further information please contact Harriet.

Laois Citizen's Information Service

The above will be in attendance every Wednesday at MDA lrishtown from 10am to 12.30pm or else may be contacted at the Portlaoise office. Anyone who would like help with tax problems, social welfare entitlements, health, housing or any related problem are welcome to attend.

Cub Scouts Collection

Mountmellick cub scouts will hold their annual church gate on this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, July 26 and 27. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

Knock

The Legion of Mary will have a bus travelling to Knock on Sunday, September 14.

Youth Festival of Prayer

Knock shrine in conjunction with Youth 2000 will celebrate faith and youth in a young person's retreat from Thursday, August 7 to Sunday, August 10 at Our Lady's Shrine, Knock. The theme is "I will give you a peace that the world cannot give you". For more information contact Emma or Ann.

Children’s Computer Classes

There are still some places remaining in the children's computer training classes to be held in MDA in August. These are suitable for primary school children from 1st ot 6th class. For information contact Imelda Burke at MDA.

Ardara Hill Walking Club

You are invited to mark the traditional fraughan Sunday on the last Sunday of July and discover the mysterious Clear Lake and the panoramic beauty of Gorteenameale valley in the Slieve Bloom mountains. Ardara hill walking club has organised a family 3 mile walk. A Bus will leave Cadamstown at 2.30 pm. Please contact Joan Roche for details.

Flag Day

St. Joseph's Accordion Band from Portlaoise will be holding flag days on Friday and Saturday, July 25 and 26. They have been invited to the St' Patrick's day parade in New York and are fund raising for the journey and would appreciate your support.

Community Care Whist Results

Top; Rita Fitzpatrick, 1st Lady; B. O’Brien, 2nd Lady; Mary Daly, 1st Gent; Cecil Thompson, 2nd Gent Mick Buggie. 1st half, lady;: Violet Bryan, 2nd half lady; Roisin Carwood. 1st half gent; Mary Gowing and Donal Conroy. 2nd half gent; Alice McRedmond and Jim Delaney.

Comhaltas News

Mountmellick Branch congratulates all the members who competed in the Leinster Fleadh recently.

Those going ahead to the All Ireland Fleadh in Clonmel will be Maria Ging, fiddle, Mairead Furlong, fiddle, Susan Miller, fiddle, piano, accompaniment, Shane Furling, button accordion, Rhundhri and Cathal Fennell, Comhra, and Niamh Furlong, flute.

The Rock GAA

Laois are Leinster Senior Football champions for the first time since 1946. Following a thrilling Leinster final against Kildare on Sunday last, Laois emerged victorious on a final scoreline of Laois 2 - 13, Kildare 1 - 13.

Well done to Mick O’Dwyer, his selectors and backroom staff and to a dedicated panel of players who put in a huge effort to bring the Leinster Cup back to Laois. Congratulations to Derek Conroy and Tom McDonald who were members of the panel. Laois now go through to the All Ireland quarter final.

Hard luck to the minors who were narrowly defeated by a strong Dublin team in the curtain raiser on Sunday. Final score Dublin 1 - 11, Laois 0 - 9.