28-02-2004

Welcome for new business

The business community in Mountmellick are delighted to welcome the opening of another new business in the town.

Amrita’s in O’Connell Square is a new fully licensed Indian restaurant and is wished the very best.

Late Mrs Ward

The news of the death of Vera Ward, on Tuesday, February 10 at Ballard Nursing Home occasioned much grief. Funeral service was held at 2.30 pm at St. Paul’s Church on Thursday with burial afterwards to the adjoining churchyard. Vera is mourned by her husband Bill, her son Peter, her daughter-in-law Catherine, her grandchildren Sarah, David and James and her sister Doreen and Hilda to whom the deepest sympathy is extended.

Service

The Laois Citizens Information Service is in attendance every Wednesday at MDA Irishtown from 10 am to noon 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.

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 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 take place in the MDA, Irishtown, at 3 pm every Monday, for further details contact Harriet at.

GAA

Intermediate football training has begun on Friday nights at 7.30 pm in Acragar under the guidance of new trainer Larry O’Louglin with selectors Michael Dowling and Brian Dempsey. All players please attend.

Heart Foundation

Pat and Rita Conroy would like to thank all who supported their recent Church Gate Collection in Mountmellick and Clonaghadoo for the Irish Heart Foundation. The amount raised was 1,060.04. A special word of thanks to all the collectors who braved the cold and helped out with the collections.

Rock GAA Lotto

No jackpot winner. 20 each-Mrs Mullen, Ann Dempsey, Marie Conlon, Colm Dempsey and Breda Egan.

UTD AFC Lotto

No jackpot winner- 15 each-Pat Conroy, the Quigley family, Ger Lynch, Ian Gammell, and Ann Conroy.

GAA Lotto

No jackpot winner. 15 winners-Fergal Rochford, M & G Crossan, Patti Mahon, the Donoher family and Myra Murphy.

Comhaltas News

Congratulations to the group who competed in the Pioneer competition and to the semi-finals. The members were Olive Culleton (flute), James Quigley (tin whistle), Michael McCrohan (fiddle), Derbhladh Walsh (flute) and Paul Miller (accordion). Thanks to the supporters who travelled to Dublin on February 7.

Music classes continue each Tuesday evening in the Sports Complex with various classes from 6.45 pm to 9 pm. Brian and Fiona Ryan are the music teachers. If you wish to buy tickets for the parish draw to support Comhaltas please contact Joan or Valerie Culleton.

The annual Church Gate Collection takes place on Saturday and Sunday, March 6 and 7. Anyone who is available to help out on the day are more than welcome. Proceeds in aid of the club and its many activities which take place in the club throughout the year.

Irish day is being held on Monday, April 5 in the Sports Complex from 10 am to 2.30 pm. 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 funds for the fleadh so all help and support in selling tickets or any other preparation for the fleadh would be appreciated.

Girls Juvenile Soccer

Mountmellick Juvenile Soccer Club are looking for girls aged 14-17 who are interested in playing soccer for the coming year. A manager is in place to start training within the next two weeks. For further information please contact Mick.

The Rock GAA

The club is holding a table quiz in Turley’s Bar on Friday, February 27 at 9.45 pm. All are encouraged to attend. There will be spot prizes and light refreshments. A table for four is just 12. Well done again to Thomas McDonnell and Mark Dunne who both played for Laois in their narrow defeat to Armagh.

Community Care Whist

February 11 - top score Betty Srahan and Tina Lalor; ladies 1 Babs Hipwell; 2 Vera Hutchinson; gents 1 Veronica Kearns, Paddy Dolan and B. O’Brien; halves 1 Sr. Madeline; 2 Anne Mahon and Breda Cooley.

Old School Whist

February 12 - top score V. Hutchinson; ladies 1 L. Pierce; 2 M. Gorman; gents 1 N. Thompson; 2 B. Fitzpatrick; halves 1 B. O’Brien; 2 B. Keegan; best of three games B. Kennedy and R. Wilkinson; hatching F. Conroy; lowest score A. Walsh. The committee appreciates your continued support every Thursday evening in the old school, Pearse Street.

Bridge Results

January 29 - N/S 1 A. Rochford and L. Poole; 2 T. Lalor and B. Sheils; E/W 1 J. Brennan and A. Higgins; 2 Srs Rosairi and Madeline. February 5-N/S 1 B. Hourigan and H. Meade; 2 T. Lalor and B. Sheils; E/W 1 P. Storey and A. Flynn; 2 A. Bergin and MJ Garty. Club charity nights was held on February 12 with the proceeds given to Laois Hospice.

Thanks to all members for their generous support.

ICA

The guild resumed after the Christmas break on Tuesday, February 10. President Carmel Fitzpatrick chaired the meeting, with a couple of members absent, it went well. A lady from Castletown guild showed members a series of nights with Colour Me Beautiful lady Marnie McGuire, the dates available to her are to be finalised.

The federation meeting in Eamon A’ Chnoic, Raheen takes place tonight (Wednesday) at 8 pm. Two ladies will attend. The AGM of the association is being held in May in the Heritage Hotel, Portaoise.

Votes of sympathy were passed with the following: Conroy, Lynch, Mullen, Cassin families and the family of Eamon Conroy.

Parish Draw

Annual draw begins on February 27 in the Town Hall at 8.30 pm. Be sure to get your ticket before this date. This is a six month draw with 1,500 in prize money. 1 500; 2 150; 3 150; and 50 x 20. There are also great prizes to be on in the Carlow draw including cars, a world tour holiday, a conservatory, a home cinema entertainment system, much more and cash prizes also. Tickets are 120 or 20 per month. Available from the parish office, the primary schools, the sports hall, Macra and Comhaltas.

Athletics Club

The club would like to thank everyone who support its recent table quiz. Thanks to all sponsors, to quiz master Michael Linehan, the Mellick Inn and all who attended. Your support was greatly appreciated.