04-09-2004
Childcare facility now open
The much awaited state of the art childcare facility at Irishtown is now fully operational, 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Situated to the rear of the MDA building, this purpose built facility provides full day care, playgroup and after school care.
Staffed by a team of friendly, caring childcare professionals, each child is provided with a stimulating age appropriate environment enabling them to learn and develop their individual potential.
Government funded under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme, the centre is outfitted to the highest standards with the latest childcare/play equipment, CCTV and security doors.
To register your child for any of our services or to view our centre, please contact Sarah.
Museum
We wish to thank all the volunteers who helped in the museum during the month of August including the members of Mountmellick Active Retirement Group and Mountmellick Embroidery Group. The winner of the flora and fauna competition was Ms. Sylvia Mollison, Tyrellspass, Co. Westmeath.
Various classes will take place in the museum over the coming months including creative writing, basket making, calligraphy, art, music and Mountmellick work (embroidery). We will shortly have a display of recent acquisitions in our museum. If you are interested in any of the above activities, please contact Mountmellick Museum, MDA.
Jazz Ballet Classes
Classes are held every Wednesday in Mountmellick Macra hall - under-10s from 5 to 6pm and 10 years and over from 6 to 7pm. Contact Michelle for details.
Citizen’s Info
Is in attendance every Wednesday at MDA, Irishtown, from 10am to noon or may be contacted at the Portlaoise office, anyone who would like help with tax problems, social welfare entitlements, health, housing or any related problem is welcome to attend.
Grow Group
A Grow Group meets each week in Mountmellick. If you are someone who experienced depression or anxiety attacks or who is simply in need of company 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 take place in the MDA, Irishtown at 3pm every Monday. For further information please contact Harriet.
Irish Dancing Classes
Leona’s Irish Dancing Classes will re-commence i the Owenass Hall as follows: beginners - Wednesday, September 15 - 1st session, 5.30pm to 6.30pm; 2nd session, 6.30pm to 7.30pm; advanced - Friday, September 17 - 1st session, 5pm to 6pm; 2nd session, 6pm to 7pm; 3rd session, 7pm to 8pm.
For more details please contact Leona.
Parent and Toddler Group
The group will resume meeting on Thursday morning, September 16, in the Methodist Church Hall.
Evening Classes
Autumn is drawing near and with the start of the new school year, Laois VEC has published the brochure for this year’s evening classes in Mountmellick’s Further Education Centre located in the old VEC school in Harbour Street (opposite Turley’s) there will be six courses available.
The subjects, duration and costs are: information technology (20 hrs, 80); woodwork (20 hrs, 80); early childhood education FETAC level 2 (40 hrs, 160); child development FETAC level 2 (40 hrs, 160); caring for children FETAC level 2 (35 hrs, 140); early childhood programme FETAC level 2 (40 hrs, 160).
Enrolment takes place on Monday, September 20 from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. The co-ordinator is Ms. P. Cullen.
There are other courses available in Portlaoise, Portarlington, Rathdowney, Clonaslee and Laois School of Music. Details of these are available from Laois VEC at Ridge Road, Portlaoise.
NUI Certificate In Disability Studies
An NUI Maynooth 100 hour certificate in Disability Studies will take place in MDA over the coming months. The course will commence in late September/October. For further information contact Storm Powell at MDA Irishtown, Mountmellick.
Computer Training Courses
The following courses commence in September at Mountmellick Development Association IT Training Centre.
Absolute Beginners - Tuesday, September 7. Microsoft Office (inter-mediate level) - Friday, September 10.
ECDL Level 1 (night class) -Thursday, September 23. ECDL Level 1 (morning class) - Wednesday, September 29. ECDL (advanced word processing) - Wednesday, September 22.
Internet and Email - Monday, September 13. PC Maintenance -Tuesday, September 7. Computerised accounts - Monday, September 20. Junior and senior infant pupils - Thursday, October 7.
One to one training is also available in any of the above courses. For further enquiries contact Imelda Burke.
Irish Dancing
Maura Shanahan’s Irish dancing classes have re-commenced on Tuesdays at 5pm in Cloneyhurke hall; beginners welcome. For more information contact Maura Shanahan, TCR, GADCRG.
Music Classes
At Mountmellick Comhaltas branch have resumed on Tuesdays at 7pm. Registration takes place on Tuesday, September 21. Membership fees will be payable at registration. The Comhaltas branch is delighted to welcome back Brian and Fiona as music teachers for the year. The committee wishes everyone an enjoyable and successful year.
Carers
The Carers Association, in conjunction with Emergency Response, are co-ordinating Government grants for personal alarms on behalf of family carers in the home. Recipients must be over 65 years. For further details contact your Carers centre at 1 Kellyville Court, Portlaoise.
Winter Set Dancing
With Maureen Culliton has resumed in Mountmellick as follows - Mondays, 8.30pm in ICA House; step dancing for adults on Thursdays at 8.30pm in ICA House.
