06-11-2004

Want to be a writer?

A Two-day workshop exploring creativity, ideas, style and confidence with Ursula Aspill de Brun, MA (P. J. O’Connor, winner; Francis McManus, winner, Ballykissangel writer) will be held on Saturday and Sunday, November 21 and 22, from 10am to 4.30pm each day.

The workshop will be in Mountmellick museum and the cost is €80.

Disability Awareness Group

There will be a meeting today (Wednesday) at 8pm in MDA, Irishtown. Everybody with an interest in disability issues is invited to attend. For further information contact Storm Powell.

Careers Support Group

There will be a meeting in the MDA, Irishtown, on Tuesday, November 9, at 8pm to discuss the possibility of setting up a carers support group in the area. Everybody is welcome to attend. For further information contact Storm Powell.

Christmas Baking

The Big Stir Up takes place in the dining room at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Mount-mellick, on Tuesday, November 9, at 8pm. This features Jim Tynan with the best of Christmas baking. There will also be a cheese and wine reception. Tickets, 10, are available from the hospital.

Comhaltas Awards

Each year, Laois Co. Board of Comhaltas selects a person to honour for outstanding commitment and contribution to the promotion of Irish traditional music, song and dance over the years in the conty. This year, Mountmellick’s Mary B. Culliton has been selected for this award. Mary B. is a longtime member of Comhaltas and was one of the founder members of Mountmellick branch in 1992. Mary is the current Co. Board Irish officer. She also holds the position of Irish officer in Mountmell-ick branch and is a very active member of same. The award night is on Friday, November 12, in the Manor Hotel, Abbeyleix. Tickets are 25 - a meal and music is included. Tickets are available from Breda Culleton, Cloncannon, or contact secretary Mary Brigid Culleton at, or any committee member.

Set Dancing

Winter set dancing in St. Mary’s hall, Clonaghadoo, on Wednesdays at 8.30pm. All are welcome.

Jazz Ballet Classes

Every Wednesday in Mountmellick Macra hall - under-10s from 5 to 6pm and 10 years and over from 6 to 7pm. Contact Michelle.

Citizen’s Info

Is in attendance every Wednesday at MDA, Irishtown, from 10am to noon or may be contacted at the Portlaoise office, tel. 0502-21425. Anyone who would like help with tax problems, social welfare entitlements, health, housing or any related problem is welcome to attend.

Grow Group

Meets each week in Mountmellick. If you are someone who experiences depression or anxiety attacks or who is simply in need of company to come along. You will have an opportunity to meet others, share problems in confidence, receive support and make friends. All are welcome. Meetings take place in the MDA, Irishtown, at 3pm on Mondays. For further information contact Harriet.

Community Care Whist

Top score, Veronica Kearns; ladies - 1, Angela Walshe; 2, Ann Mahon; gents - 1, Mary Gowing; 2, Sr. Madeline; halves - 1, Lily Pierce, Rita Fitzpatrick, Tom Gowing; 2, Violet Bryan.

Sinn Fein News

The monthly meeting of the Willie Brock cumann took place in Mountmellick town hall on Wednesday, October 13. At the meeting, the cathaoir-leach, John Nelson, welcomed the formation of another Sinn Féin cumann in the Laois/Offaly constituency had doubles in the last year. Since the meeting, the Columbia Three fundraiser in Crettyard had gone off successfully. Among the speak-ers on the night were Cllr Brian Stanley and Dan Connolly, a brother of one of the Columbia Three, who is resident in Portlaoise.

Old School Whist

October 21 - top score, V. Kearns; ladies - 1, N. Thompson; 2, A. Walsh; gents - 1, L. Kavanagh; 2, C. Thompson; halves - 1, B. Thompson, J. Clooney; 2, K. Kavanagh; best of three, Mary Gowing; hatching, J. Delaney; lowest score, J. Culliton. Your continued support is appreciated every Thursday night.

PTAA

The regional dinner dance is being held in the Hazel Hotel on Friday, November 19. Ticket holders please phone 0502-24160 for Brother Bosco, Mountrath, before November 12 for hotel number for meals.

Late Eileen Dickinson

The news of the death of Eileen Dickinson on Thursday, October 21, was greeted with sadness. Eileen, a resident of Lord Edward Street, died at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Mountmellick. Her passing is regretted by all those who knew her. Removal from St. Vincent’s Hospital Chapel of Rest to St. Joseph’s Church took place on Friday evening. Requiem Mass was celebrated on Saturday at 11am, followed by burial in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. The sympathy of the community is extended to Eileen’s family, relatives and friends.

Late Elizabeth McDonald

There was regret at the news of the death of Elizabeth (Lil) McDonald of Brittas, Mountmellick, on Thursday, October 21. Lil was predeceased by her husband, Michael. She will be fondly remembered by all who knew her. Removal from the general hospital, Portlaoise, to St. Joseph’s Church took place on Saturday evening. Requiem Mass was celebrated at noon on Sunday followed by burial in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. The sympathy of the community is extended to Lil’s nieces and nephews, relatives and friends on their loss.

Appointment

Last week saw the appointment of former Mountmellick man Sean Gorman to the position of secretary in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Sean is son of Carmel and the late Jack Gorman of Long Barn. All in Mountmellick wish him well in his new post.

Late Elizabeth Ryan

There was much sadness at the news of the death of Elizabeth (Bessie) Ryan of Clonsaughey on Saturday, October 23, at the regional hospital, Tullamore. Bessie’s passing is regretted by all who knew her. Bessie was pre-deceased by her husband, John, and son Joe. Removal from her residence took place on Sunday evening to St. Joseph’s Church. Requiem Mass was celebrated at noon on Monday with burial afterwards in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Bessie is mourned by her daughter Anne; sons Des, Noel, Matt, Anthony and Bernard, family, relatives and friends, to whom the sympathy of the community is extended.

GAA Fundraiser

No jackpot winner; 50: Dom Dunne; 20: Zieo, Pat Dempsey, Kevin Wall, Sean Connolly.

Rock Fundraiser

No jackpot winner; €20: O’Neill family, Michael and Colin Reddin, Gary Heffernan, Conlon family, Elizabeth McDonald.

AFC Fundraiser

No jackpot winner; €15: Siobhán Bergin, Ken Furlong, Nicole, Martin and Tom Kelly, Dollard family, P. J. Conroy.

Soccer

In the midland schoolboys/girls league, Mountmellick u-16 boys lost to Portlaoise 7-0. Team: Colm Hannon, Paul Marum, Sean Lawlor, Darren McDermott, Dan Quigley, Shane Shortall, Daniel Dunne, Sean Culleton, Robert Lawlor, Darren McEvoy, Michael Carroll, Shane Carter, John Delaney.

Keep Fit Classes

Are being held on Tuesday and Friday mornings in the Owenass hall from 9.45 to 10.45am; 5 per class. All are welcome.