27-03-2004
Drama Festival Continues This Week
Mountmellick’s annual drama festival continues this week with two performances remaining.
Each play opens at 8.30pm in the concert hall. Tonight (Wednesday) in the confined section, Tinahely Drama Group, Wicklow, stage Bernard Farrell’s 44 Sycamore. On the final night, Thursday, March 25, Thurles Drama Group in the open section present Belfry by Billy roche. This is also adjudication night when the winners of both the open and closed sections will be announced and they will go forward to the all-Ireland heats.
Girls Soccer
Training for girls aged 14-17 years takes place in Smith’s field on Saturday mornings at 11am.
Citizen’s Info: Will be in attendance at the 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 issue is welcome to attend.
Grow Group
A group meets in Mountmellick each week. 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. Meetings take place in the MDA, Irishtown, at 3pm every Monday.
Comhaltas News
Music classes continue each Tuesday evening in the sports complex with various classes from 6.45 to 9pm with music teachers Brian and Fiona Ryan. Irish day is being held on Monday, April 5, in the sports complex from 10am to 2.30pm. Admission is 2 for members who show membership cards and 8 for non-members. This year, Mountmellick Comhaltas will again host the Laois fleadh on the June bank holiday weekend. Tickets are being printed to be sold to raise funding for the fleadh, so help and support in selling tickets or any other preparations for the fleadh would be appreciated.
Rock GAA
Training continues for all players at under-10, 12, 14 and 16 levels at The Rock pitch at 5pm on Saturday evenings. New players in the parish are always welcome and any players or parents seeking more information can contact John Allen, juvenile coach. Training for senior and junior players continues on Tuesdays at 8pm and on Fridays at 8pm.
Table Quiz
The Rock GAA club will hold a table quiz in Turley’s bar on Friday, April 2, at 9.45pm; table of four 20. There will be refreshments and a raffle at the break. All proceeds to The Rock NS building fund. All are welcome.
Juvenile GAA
Training days and times - under-8, 10 and 12 football is on Thursdays from 7 to 8.15pm starting on Thursday, March 25. The u-12 football league starts on Saturday, March 27. Under-12 hurling is on Wednesdays from 6.30 to 8pm. The u-14 football league starts on Sunday, March 28. The u-16 footballers train on Wednesdays at 6.45pm and on Sundays at 11am.
Sarsfields LFC
Training continues in Acragar for juniors and seniors on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 6.30pm. Under-16 training is on Sunday mornings and u-12s on Saturdays at 11am. All club teams are currently training for the forthcoming championship which starts with the senior outing on Sunday, March 28, against Timahoe. This is a tough opening assignment for the seniors as Timahoe are the reigning county champions, having beaten Sarsfields in last years final. Because of the number of players involved in university level competitions, club training over the past few weeks has been seriously interrupted. On Saturday, March 13, under lights in Kiltoom, Laois drew with Roscommon in the Suzuki league. Claire Conlon made a very impressive senior inter-county debut. Other Sarsfields players featured were: Grace Weston, Emma McEvoy, Mags McEvoy, Ciara O’Loughlin and Aileen O’Loughlin.
GAA News
Training for adults on Tuesday and Friday nights.
Glass Bottles
MEG are delighted to announce that outlets for glass bottle recycling is now available at the Statoil station in Irishtown.
Community Care Whist
Results on March 10 - top score, Jim Delaney; ladies - 1, Breda Cooley; 2, Ann Mahon; gents - 1, Fran Tobin; 2, Paddy Dolan; halves: ladies - 1, Norah Conroy; 2, Jane Brennan; gents - 1, Tom Kearns; 2, Betty Srahan.
Old School Whist
Results for March 11 - top score, C. Thompson; ladies - 1, B. Kennedy; 2, B. Keegan; gents - 1, K. McHugh; 2, S. Duff; halves - 1, R. Cole; 2, B. O’Brien; best of three games, E. Moran; hatching. V. Bryan; lowest score, D. Kelly. The committee appreciates your continued support every Thursday night in the old school, Pearse Street.
Blood Donor Awards
Those donors who have qualified for the gold and silver awards from the Irish Blood Transfusion Service are: gold - Mrs. Maura Williams, Acragar and Ms. Paschalin Conroy, Emmet Street; silver - John Holland, O’Moore street and Sean Culleteon, Camcloon, Ballyfin.
ICA
A successful three nights on “Colour Me Beautiful” was held in ICA house. It was given by Marnie Maguire, beauty consultant. The guild hopes to have her back again in the autumn. Four ladies attended the federation meeting in Eamon A’ Chnoic’s and also a team represented the guild at the federation table quiz in Castletown. Though they were not among the winners, it was an enjoyable night. Three ladies from the guiuld are looking forward to the outing to Tunisia from April 26 to May 3. Up to 80 ladies from Laois will travel. The federation AGM is being held in the community centre, Rosenallis, on Wednesday, May 19. A council meeting hosted by Laois will take place in the Heritage Hotel, Portlaoise, on Friday, May 28.
Community Care
Please note change of date for the monthly social - it will take place in ICA house on Thursday, March 25. It had to be postponed for one week due to the musical group being out of the country. The committee would like to express their thanks to all who gave spot prizes for the annual party in January. Sympathy is extended to the following families - Conroy, Dunne, Bracken, McDonald and Conroy.
Rock Fundraiser
No jackpot winner; 20 each - John Flynn, Noreen Delaney, A. Dunne, Paddy Holohan, Margaret Gorman.
GAA Fundraiser
No jackpot winner; €15 each: Julie Dempsey, Sonny Foran, Andy Dunne, Ann Ward, Sandra Dunne.
AFC Fundraiser
No jackpot winner; €15 each: Colleen and Natasha Buckley, George Lanham, Kevin O’Keeffe, Mary Fallon, Andrew McDonald.
Sympathy
There was deep regret at the news of the death of Patrick Dunne of Lord Edward Street at his residence on Thursday, March 11. Paddy was a well liked and respect-edman whose passing is regretted by many. Paddy was pre-deceased by his wife, Mary. Removal from his residence to St. Joseph’s Church took place on Friday evening. Requiem Mass was celebrated at noon on Saturday followed by burial afterwards in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Paddy is morned by his daughter Anne, son Martin, sister Bridie, family, relatives and friends, to whom the sympathy of the community is extended.
