28-06-2003

Cemetery Mass

Mountmellick’s annual cemetery Mass will be held on Saturday, July 19 at 7.30 pm, not Sunday, July 20, Please note the change.

PTAA Knock Pilgrimage

The annual PTAA pilgrimage to Knock takes place on Sunday, July 6. The bus will leave the square at 9 am. Cost; adults - €10 and child - €5.

Please contact Ollie Kelly or John Dowling or any member of the Pioneer Council.

Mountmellick Work (Embroidery)

The new museum at the MDA is due to open shortly and the main focus of the museum is to conserve and display old pieces of Mountmellick work (embroidery) and to develop a training centre to perpetuate the craft.

Anyone who is interested in becoming a trainer of Mountmellick work is asked to please contact Storm Powell at MDA.

Open Day at St. Paul’s NS

St. Paul’s NS open day takes place on today, Wednesday, June 25 at 2 pm. The children will perform Irish dancing, singsongs and partake in short sketches. All are welcome and refreshments will be served on the day.

Lough Derg

A three day pilgrimage to Lough Derg will take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 4, 5 and 6. For further details please contact Maura. A deposit is required.

Mountmellick Tennis Club

We are running two summer camps form June 30 to July 4 and from July 7 to July 11. These will be open to members and non-members. Children must be aged between 6 and 12. The cost will be €38 for members and €40 for non-members. Qualified coaches will run the camps. Numbers are limited so beok early. Adults tennis takes place every Monday and Wednesday from 7.30 pm. For more details on joining the club or the activities in our Junior Tennis Academy contact Bryan.

Laois Citizens Information Centre

The above will be in attendance every Wednesday at MDA lrishtown from 10 am to 12.30 pm 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.

PTAA

The next meeting will be held in Mountrath on Wednesday, July 2. All tickets and cash to be with the secretary or treasurer before Saturday, June 2/8.

Community Care

The monthly social has been postponed to Thursday, June 26 due to the Special Olympics in town. There will be a meeting beforehand at 7 pm.

ICA

The Guild is planning to have an outing to Mount Usher Gardens in Wicklow on Wednesday, July 9 which is open to non-members. There will be a committee meeting on Tuesday, July 1 and the final preparations for the outing will be made.

St Joseph’s Young Priests Society

Could all members of St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society please attend Mass on Friday, June 27 due to the Feast of the Sacred Heart.

Torch Run

There was a great turn out for the law enforcement torch run and civic reception for the Peruvian Special Olympic athletes and their coaches on Thursday last, June 19. O’Connell Square was a sea of red and white, with almost everyone, both adults and children, decked out in red and white clothing and red and white flags to be seen everywhere.

MC Mark Connolly coached the crowd to lead the cheer “arriba Peru” when the athletes and their coaches arrived. While awaiting the arrival of the torch bearers, the athletes toured the square meeting the people.

The torch bearers arrived at 12.40 pm to a tumult of applause and were greeted by Mark Connolly. After the various presentations and speeches, all stood for singing of the Peruvian and Irish national anthems before the torch run continued onto Portarlington.

The celebrations continued with the civic reception with the duties of MC now being shared by Sean McNamara and Clement Corcoran. Of special note was the short welcome given by Agnes Conroy, in English, Irish and Spanish.

The afternoon conduded with musical entertainment for all in the square.

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 are now in the schools and more information can be obtained from Fiona.

Sponsored Walk

The annual Slieve Bloom sponsored walk takes place on Saturday, June 28 in aid of the Irish Cancer Society. A bus will collect people at the Killeshin Hotel at 10 and then in O’Connell Square, Mountmellick. The walk will begin at 11 am and finish about 3.30pm. A shorter walk will also be provided for anyone interested. There will be refreshments en route together with a complimentary meal at the finish.

Good News for Mountmellick

A Grow Group is starting soon in Mountmellick. Grow World Community Mental Health Movement are starting a new Grow Group in Mountmellick on Monday, June 30. 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. All are welcome

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