26-06-2004

Sonas Family Day Saturday

Laois Community Childcare committee invites everyone to a family day at Sonas childcare centre at MDA, Irishtown, on Saturday, June 26.

There will be two sessions of talks for parents and all interested in childcare. The morning talk from 11am to 12.30pm will present Dr. Vincent Moloney who will speak on parenting. The afternoon session, from 2.30 to 4pm, will presente Carmel Brennan speaking on quality in early childcare and education.

There will be fun activities orgnaised for children during both sessions. Light refreshments will be served. Enquiries to Laois County Childcare committee.

Summer Camp

A summer camp commences on Monday, July 5, at Naoinra Naomh Aine, Garoon, and continues throughout the summer. The camp is available to children aged three to seven years from 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. For further information contact Mary Culleton.

Citizen’s Info

Will be 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 issue is welcome to attend.

Knock

The diocesan pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Sunday, July 4. To book a seat contact John Dowling or Ollie Kelly.

Grow Group

A 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 do come along. You will have an opportunity to meet others, share your problems in confidence, receive support and make new friends. All are welcome. Meetings take place in the MDA, Irishtown, at 3pm every Monday. For further information contact Harriet.

Lough Derg

A three-day pilgrimage of prayer and penance to St. Patrick’s purgatory, Lough Derg, takes place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 2, 3 and 4.

Playschool

The business community are pleased to welcome another new business in town. Busy Bees Playsschool is open at Manor Road, catering for children from two years of age upwards. The opening hours are 9.30am to 1pm and 2 to 5.30pm. There are limited places.

Gun Club

There will be a meeting of Mountmellick and District Game Preservation Association and Gun Club on Friday, June 25, in the town hall at 8.30pm. Persons intending becoming members must attend this meeting.

ICA News

The AGM was held on Tuesday, June 8. Brid Malone, CDA, was the special guest. The meeting heard the secretary give a full report of the year’s activities, detailing what the guild did during the year, including crafts, roll and bowl, attending all federation meetings, hosting a group meeting, helping with churchgate collections. The treasurer’s report showed a little decline over previous years, such as increase in electricity, gas and insurance. The overall winner of the ICA perpetual cup for the year’s most entries into competitions was Annie Kelly. Two ladies will attend An Grianan for Laois week at the end of June. The annual outing is being held on Wednesday, July 7. It will include a visit to Strokestown House, a Shannon cruise and shopping in Carrick-on-Shannon. This is open to non-members. The CDA, in her remarks, said the guild was a prosperous one and had a very good year. Officers elected: President, Mary B. Culliton; vice-president, Dolores White; secretary, Carmel Fitzpatrick; assistant secretary, Elsie Smith; treasurer, Kay Cullen; assistant treasurer, Rena McEvoy; PRO, Sheila Kearney.

Community Care

This year’s Community Care Association’s annual outing to Wicklow is on Sunday, July 11. Please give names to any committee member before June 29. It is important to get in touch for hotel reservations.

Old School Whist

June 10 results - top score, K. McHugh; ladies - 1, P. Cronin; 2, A. Mahon; gents - 1, L. Kavanagh; 2, B. O’Brien; halves - 1, S. Wilkinson; 2, M. Ryan; best of three games, K. Kavanagh; hatching, J. Delaney; lowest score, S. Duff. The committee appreciates your continued support every Thursday night.

Under-14 hurling

Mount-mellick played Ballyfin/Slieve Bloom in Div. 2 of the league recently. Although beaten by stronger opponents, they performed way better than the final scoreline. Team: Patrick Joyce, Robert Dowling, Sean O’Driscoll, Barry Doyle, David Whelan, Eddie Melia, Robert Cashera, Brendan Lawlor, Stephen Dempsey, Karl Donoher, Robert Dempsey, Eoin Hogan, Donal Malone, James Quigley, Michael Cleary. Man of the match was Robert Dempsey. The town has made great strides over the past number of months and the club is delighted with the progress of the team.

Athletics Club

Mountmellick AC would like to thank all who contributed so generously to their recent bag pack in Costcutters. A special word of thanks to the management and staff of Costcutters and to the bag packers.

Accord

Are you interested in working with couples preparing for marriage? Accord Portlaoise are presently seeking people who have been married for at least five years and who would enjoy the experience of working on their marriage preparation team. Training is provided. Contact Derry if you are interested.

Cemetery Masses

The annual cemetery Masses in the parish will be celebrated as follows - St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Sunday, June 27, 3pm; Ivy Chapel Cemetery, Tuesday, June 29, 8.15pm; Clonaghadoo Cemetery, Sunday, July 4, 4pm.

AFC Fundraiser

No jackpot winner; 15: J. Foran, Ger Dempsey, Kasia Cleary, Sean Dowling, Frances Hibbitts.

GAA Fundraiser

No jackpot winner; €50: Sony Lalor; €20: Joan Kelly, Mark Marie, B. Coffey, Mary Collins.

Late M. Delea

There was much sadness at the death of Margaret (Sherry) Delea at the regional hospital, Portlaoise, on Sunday, June 13. Sherry, who lived in Lord Edward Street, was a good friend and neighbour and will be missed. Removal from St. Vincent’s Hospital Chapel of Repose took place on Tuesday evening. Requiem Mass was celebrated on Wednesday followed by burial afterwards in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Sherry is mourned by her husband Gerry, son Mark, daughters Lisa, Treacy and Donna, grandaughters Kate and Hannah, family, relatives and friends, to whom sympathy is extended.

Rock Juvenile GAA

The under-14s had an easy victory in the league over a young Ballyroan team on Thursday, June 10, at The Rock. Panel: Barry Doyle, Keith Storey, Paul Dunne, Emma Quinn, Eamon Coss, Kieran Carroll, Darren Hanrahan, Shane O’Connell (capt), Bryan Croke, Dean McGurk, Stephen Dempsey, Robbie Conran, Michael Gorman, Paul Delaney, Andrew Dunne, Danny McGurk, Anthony Mullen, Jonathan Allen, Louise Bergin, Ben Storey.

The u-12s played two challenge games recently against Gracefield and Ballyfin and although performing well, they lost out narrowly in both games. Panel: Conor Allen, Kieran Dooley, Ben Storey, Chloe Carroll, Ben McRedmond, Niall Dunne, Rory Doyle, Louise Bergin, Keith Storey, Anthony Mullen, David Kelly, Daire White, Danny McRedmond, Kevin Burke, Adam Mannix, Conor Dooley, Jonathan Allen, Richard Bergin, Aaron Lynch, Robert Byrne.

Training for u-8s, 12s and 16s on Monday evenings at 7pm. Training for u-14s on Mondays and Thursdays at 7pm. New players welcome to join. For more details contact John Allen.

Rock GAA

The Rock senior team completed their league campaign with a win over Arles/Kilcruise 2-13 to 1-6 at The Rock on Sunday, June 13. Team: Pio Wall, Paul Harding, Colm Burke, James McDonald, Brian Conlon, Philip Peake, Paddy Dunne, John Delaney, Diarmuid Dooley, Brian Moss 0-2, John McDonald 0-1, Stephen McDonald 0-1, Paul Dunne 1-7, Martin Buggy 1-1, Dave Murphy 0-1. Sub: Fergus Dunne.