12-04-2003

MDA computer training course

THE MDA will soon begin a course in computer training on the internet and e-mail.
It will be held on three Thursday afternoons from 2pm to 4pm. For further enquiries please contact Imelda Burke.

Special olympics art

Mountmellick will be a host town for athletes from Peru who are taking part in the Special Olympics in June. Art exhibitions will be held throughout Mountmellick in shops, schools and halls, and all schools and organisations are invited to get involved.

Drawings, paintings, projects, models and collages from individuals and groups of all ages are welcome. The closing date is Wednesday, April 16. Artwork can be left into the MDA Office, Irishtown marked ‘Special Olympics Art’. For any queries please contact Sheelagh Coyle or Florence Fennelly.

Laois citizens information service

The above will be in attendance every Wednesday at MDA Irishtown from 10am to 12.30pm or else may be contacted at the Portlaoise office

Hazardous waste disposal

There will be an opportunity to dispose safely of hazardous household waste this Saturday, April 12 from 9am to 5pm at the car park at the back of Laois County Hall in Portlaoise.

This type of waste includes batteries, fluorescent lights, paints, cleaning agents, weed killers, oil, petrol and any other potentially dangerous substances used in the home and garden. These wastes should not be disposed of in your bin or to landfills. This is a free service supplied by Laois County Council on a regular basis throughout the year.

Childminders support

Are you a childminder and would like an evening of aromatherapy and reflexology, and an opportunity to meet other childminders? If so, a series of informal meetings for childminders are taking place in different locations in the county.

The following meetings have been organised - Portarlington on Tuesday, April 15 at 7.30pm in the East End Hotel, and Mountmellick on Tuesday, May 8 at 7.30pm in the MDA.

This group also offers supports to parent/community groups who wish to access childcare training. For further details please contact the committee at 6 Lismard Court, Portlaoise.

Youthreach

Laois Youthreach, which is situated at the old VEC School in Harbour Street offers many opportunities to young people. You can get paid while you learn, get educated, acquire training, get qualifications and get a training allowance. Childcare is available to those who require it while doing the courses.

Suicide bereavement support service

The Midland Suicide Bereavement support service is looking for new volunteers to train to continue with their work in the midlands. If you are interested in under-going training for this work please contact Billy Bland or Caroline Oxley for an application form. This service covers Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath and is supported by the Midland Health Board and the Department of Community and Family Affairs.

Mountmellick juvenile GAA

The U-8’s will resume training on Thursday, April 10 from 7pm to 8pm while training for U-10 and U-12s has resumed on Friday nights from 7pm to 8pm in Parc Acragar. In football the community games U-10 parish team started their campaign with a convincing win over Emo/Rath.

The U-14 footballers had a resounding win over The Heath in their first league game on a score of 4-7 to 1-10 in a very exciting game. The Mountmellick lads battled bravely to hold off a strong opposition and showed great character in the way that they kept edging in front despite the Heaths best efforts.

The new players settled in very well and with continuous training this team has great potential. Team: Colm Hanlon, Robert Cashera, Ronan Bishop, Gary O’Connor, John Phelan, Seamie Conroy, Conor O’Shea, Patrick Dunne, Shane Shortall, Jason Hogan, Gary Dowling, Michael Carroll, Shane Carter, John O’Loughlin, Mark Dalton, David O’Connor and Philip Doolan.

In U-16 hurling Mountmellick stepped up a level this year as they are now competing in the A competition. In their first match they put in a great performance in defeating Clough/Ballacolla by 5-6 to 0-6 and in doing so they produced some top class hurling.

Angling association

Membership cards are now available from Victor Cox’s at O’Connell Square, Mountmellick or from Simon O’Meara or Tommy Quigley.

Trocaire

Students and staff of Mountmellick Community School have raised to date 4,250 for Trocaire through sponsorship and street collection.

Macaboy

Mountmellick’s Brendan McEvoy (stage name Macaboy)had a successful launch of his first solo single which went straight into the charts at number 27. Entitled Goodbye it is on sale in Trax in Portlaoise and Brendan is now on a promotional tour. Brendan is well known as the front man for Mesner and is wished the best of luck from all in the town on his solo career.

Fun run for Cancer

Laois ICA are organising a fun run in aid of breast cancer research. It will be held on Easter Monday, April 21 in Castletown, leaving the ICA Hall at 2pm. Everyone is invited to take part from the fleetest of runners to the easy going strollers. Sponsorship cards are available from any ICA member, and T-Shirts will be available on the day. Refreshments will be served in the ICA hall after the run.