08-02-2003

People of the Year Awards 2002

The Leinster Express People of the Year Awards in association with ACC and The Heritage Hotel, will be presented on February 22. The following are the profiles of this year’s award winners. The Laois Person of the Year will be announced on the night.

Brian and Ger Lynch Mountmellick community Voluntary Work

The lynch brothers Brian and Ger Lynch are the names synonymous with voluntary organisations in Mountmellick and so much so, that if anything requires a vast amount of time, with absolutely no financial reward, the Lynch men have always been the first to stand up and offer themselves to the cause.

Both committed family men – Brian with his wife Angela and three sons Stephen, Brian and Liam, and Ger with his wife Sheila and five children, Fiona, Conor, Criona, Niamh and Aoife – they’ve being performing wonders for years on Mountmellick.

Their campaigning zeal first exhibited itself in their work for the Gaelic league promoting the Irish language and continued on through their fostering of community spirit with the inception of Mountmellick’s celebrated Christmas tree.

Never resting on their laurels, it soon became the biggest and best illuminated in the country and together with their organisation of Santa’s visit to the region, they made the town the place of envious, festive warmth around Christmas.

With Ger’s “Splash of Cash” initiative providing vital funding for the endeavours of the embryonic Mountmellick Development Association of which he was a founding member and Brian’s vice chairmanship of the Credit Union, the town can rest in the knowledge that genuine and necessary projects were always in safe hands.

Both men are officially retired, Brian as a painting and decorating contractor and Ger as Mountmellick’s FAS supervisor, but still remain as active as ever.

Still distributing fuel to the elderly, these courteous and determined gentlemen have come to personify all that is great and good in Mountmellick.

Mountmellick Panto a big success

Panto magic hit Mountmellick last week. The local Macra na Feirme group presented “Beauty and the Beast” in the Macra Hall. This is an old fashioned sort of morality tale of sibling rivalry, love and hate, meetings and partings. The old chestnut of bad versus good are also there.

This show had, well, nearly everything. Nothing was left out, even a mobile phone ringing on-stage (!) and some “farming business” transacted... (Well, the farmers’ Tractorcade was mentioned!). Plenty of topics got mentions, or lampooned even. A certain rival panto group, Elvis, big farmers, Nobel Prizes, one certain type of liver salts and politicians were some of the items covered. A semi-real hostage crisis was enacted live on stage, a loud-hailer provided for an authentic touch.

That vital part of panto-the audience-played their part too. A cast of 30 was well prepared by producer Brian Brady and choreographer Michelle Wise into a strong unit. Gary Peake put in a strong, convincing performance as the “Beast”. Who can forget Barry Kelly as the evil Hertz Van Rental? He brought great malevolence to his role. Other notable performances were by Aoife Harney as “Luminere”. Old panto hand Donna Le Blanc as “Latrine” again put in a good performance.

Not forgetting either, Emily Kelly, who brought an interesting “Mrs Potts” character to life. She won the heart of “Maurice”, played by Kieran McEvoy. “Belle’s” heart was won over on the night, a role well played by Emma Doody. We cannot forget the “babysitter” Karen Kelly as she read the story with great effect to the “child”, Caomhie Hogan. We had good solos by Gary Peake, Emma Doody, Sinead Ryan, Emily Kelly, Patrick Lawlor and Maeve Dunne. Loyola Carter, Helena Carroll and Maeve Dunne were others who performed well.

Brian Lynch’s backdrop was quite professional in its detail. The set changes too all worked well. The lighting was by Ray Burke and sound by Gus Rogers. Tributes go to the team leaders, Leo Dunne and Larry Ryan. Full marks to a dedicated theatre troupe both on and back-stage in Mountmellick. Most important of all, everyone on stage looked as if they were very much enjoying themselves as they performed.

Scrooge

The students of Mountmellick Community School present ‘Scrooge’ for one night only on Thursday, February 6 at 8 pm in the school. Tickets at €5. are available from O’Gorman’s shop or from any cast member.

The scenes are introduced by narrator Aine O’Neill. There are two actors in the title role playing Scrooge as a young boy and then as he is now. The play opens with Scrooge as the cranky old miser played by Eoghan O’Neill and later in his younger days by Eoghan Dunne. Colm Ryan plays his assistant Bob Cratchit with Hazel Conroy portraying his wife Mrs. Cratchit and Adrian McEvoy as their son Tiny Tim. Adrian also takes on the role of Scrooge’s nephew Fred.

Scrooge’s three ghostly visitors on that Christmas Eve night are first Shane Carter as Scrooge’s old partner Marley. He is next visited by Maeve Dunne as the ghost of Christmas past. Maria White appears finally as the ghost of Christmas present.

Mr. Fezziwig - Brent Hughes, Mrs. Fezziwig - Michelle Maher, Ted and the teacher - Daniel Rankin, Annie Glynn plays three parts - Bella, Martha and the errand girl, Peter - Ronan Walsh, Ronan Farrell plays two separate parts, that of Topper and also of a gentleman caller to Scrooge’s office. The part of Scrooge’s niece is played by Lorraine Curram.

The school children are Nicola Dease, Alma Mulhall, Colm Deegan and Ciara Walsh. Old Joe - Colm Deegan, char woman - Carly O’Brien, laundress - Sarah Kearney, Caroline - Ciara Walsh, while the wealthy women are played by Grainne Doyle, Rosanne Dempsey and Claire Furlong.

Family Day

The Parents Council of Mountmellick Community School and the committee of the sports centre are organising a family day / fund raising auction on Sunday, March 16. Anyone who would like to contribute to the event by advertising or donating a product is asked to please contact the principal.

O’Connell Coaches

Due to the increase in traffic going into Dublin we have had to change our departure times from Mountmellick to the following - departing Mountmellick at 6.15 am, 6.45 am and 8 am Monday to Friday, Saturday mornings 8.30 am and Sunday evenings 7 pm.

Cub Scouts

The above have resumed meetings on Thursday nights in the Owenass Hall at 7 pm.

Brownies

Brownies have resumed on Wednesday nights at 7 pm in ICA House.

Reading With A Mission

Please lend your support to the girls 1st to 6th classes from St. Joseph’s GNS in their Readathon in aid of the work of Sr. Mary Lucey, a Presentation Sister in Zambia.
To date the girls of 6th class have raised €700. through the sale of Christmas tags, plants etc. This has already been forwarded to Zambia.

During the ‘Reading with a mission’ they can read any books they wish and just ask friends, family and neighbours for sponsorship. The reading ends on Friday, February 7.

Mountmellick Embroidery

Classes have resumed in MDA on Tuesday nights from 8 pm to 10 pm. Beginners and improvers welcome. Please contact Dolores or Margaret

Laois Youth Theatre

Laois Youth Theatre re-started on Saturdays in the Owenass Hall. There are still a number of places available for 13 to 18 years old to join the group. Time 11 am to 1 pm every Saturday. For enquiries please contact the Arts Office.

P.T.A.A.

The AGM will take place in ICA House on Monday, February 10 at 8 pm.

Summer Madness

This summer camp takes place in Mountmellick Community Sports Centre from Monday, June 30 to Friday, July 4 from 9.30 am to 3 pm daily.

Children can participate in many sports and co-operative games and arts and crafts and can be divided into age groups, 4 to 6 years, 7 to 9 years and 10 and over. Application forms are available from the primary schools or contact Frances Deverell.

Dinner Dance

Mountmellick GAA Club, Mountmellick Camogie Club and Sarsfields Ladies Club are holding their annual dinner dance in the Montague Hotel on Saturday night, February 8. Tickets are €25. each and are available from all club members.

U 11 Catch And Kick Competition

Mountmellick U 11 football team are involved in a Catch and Kick competition along with several other clubs throughout the county. Last week they played and beat St. Paul’s and St. Manman’s. This week they played and beat Slieve Bloom and Ballyfin.

They now advance to the final stage of the competition which is to be finalised during the week. All in all the competition appears to be a great success and provides opportunity and encouragement to all younger players.

Juvenile A.G.M.

Mountmellick Juvenile GAA held it’s AGM on Thursday night, January 30. The very good attendance was warmly welcomed by chairperson Michael Hyland. A minute of silence was observed for the late Conor Davis.

The officers elected for the coming year are: chairperson: Michael Hyland; secretary: Catherine Bishop; PRO: John O’Neill; committee: Liam Stapleton, Richard Whelan, Fergal Rochford, Noel Donoher, Ger Forde, Christy Dempsey, Teddy O’Shea, Michael McDermott, Ray Hogan, Joe Conroy, Tom Dickinson, Ger O’Flaherty, James Fitzpatrick, Joe Bermingham, George Donoher, John Challoner, Eugene Quigley and Brian Dunne.

Theatre

Laois Youth Theatre Mountmellick Group presented a series of monologues entitled ‘The Happiest Day of their Lives’ and a comic version of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ on Saturday, February 1.

The monologues were recounted by Niamh Carey, Sophie Corder, Maria Strong, Danielle Corder, Gemma Burns, Caroline Lynch, Aine O’Neill and Louise Blanche.
The comic Reduced Wizard of Oz was written by Stephen Cullen and had the audiences in stitches of laughter.

Narrated by Louise Blanche it featured Eoghan O’Neill, Stephen Cullen, John Young, Helen Fitzpatrick, Danielle Corder, Caroline Lynch, Aine O’Neill, Sophie Corder, Niamh Carey, John Young and Gemma Burns.

Music And Film Quiz

Mountmellick Soccer Club are holding a music and film quiz in The Druid on Thursday, February 6 at 9.30 pm. Table of four €14.

Table Quiz

Slieve Bloom Rural Development Society is holding a table quiz in the Rambler’s Rest in Rosenallis on Friday, February 7 at 9 pm. Table of four €16. Please give your support.

Camogie

The proposed amalgamation of Mountmellick and Ballyfin Camogie Clubs finally reached a conclusion on Saturday night last at a public meeting in Ballyfin Hall.

The out going chairperson of Laois Camogie Board Alice Dowling presided at a joint meeting of the clubs to officially launch the new club for the area which will be known as O’Moore’s Camogie Club. The two existing clubs Mountmellick and Ballyfin will now cease to exist and the players from each club will become members of O’Moore’s.

Saturday night’s meeting elected a committee to steer the club through it’s infancy over the next few months. This committee which may co-opt more members as it deems fit, will meet in Mountmellick Sports Complex on Friday night next, February 7 at 7 pm.

Ladies Football

On Saturday last, Sarsfields minors were stopped in the tracts of their endeavours to win three titles in a row when they drew with Shanahoe in Ratheniska. In a tough uncompromising encounter, the teams were level at half time and never more than a point apart so ultimately a draw was probably a fair result.

On Saturday next the successful minor team of 2001 will be present with their medals at the Mountmellick GAA dinner dance in the Montague Hotel. Members of the U 16 team which were runners up in the 2002 championship will also receive their awards.