18-02-2006

All-Ireland champions

Congratulations to the Mountmellick Community School girls volleyball team who won the All-Ireland cadette schools final on Thursday, February 9, in UCD.

The girls defeated Presentation from Kilkenny to claim the title after a highly demanding game.

Team: Nicola Dease (captain), Michelle O’Loughlin, Lisa Guinane, Laura Quigley, Gemma Corcoran, Jennifer McEvoy, Carol Whelan, Amy Grehan, Susan Lee, Lisa Clinton, Carly O’Brien (Livero) Coach Ms Emer hanniffy. Well done to all involved.

Panto

Keep a night free in your diary for Mountmellick Macra’s production of Robinson Crusoe - a show full of music, song and comedy will be brought to the stage in the Macra Hall from tonight (Wednesday) to Sunday, February 19, inclusive. It will be staged at 8.15 pm from Wednesday to Saturday but be on at the earlier time of 7.15 pm on Sunday night.

This show is produced by Brian Brady and choreographed by Michelle Murphy. The principles are: Robinson Crusoe, Gary Peake; Man Friday, Matthew O’Byrne; Mrs Crusoe, Kieran McEvoy; captain Birdseye, Meily Kelly; Celestine, Rosemary Whelan; Riff, David Connolly; Raff, Peter McHugh; Neptune, George Fitzpatrick; Iona Gwen Meredith; Essey, Aoife Harney; Donkey, Bruce Thompson; Guards, John Hughes and Liam Culliton.

Tickets are available from O’Gorman’s Newsagents, Patrick Street, adults •10 and €6 for children and senior citizens. Demand is always high for these performances so it is advisable to purchase a ticket for your night of choice as early as possible.

Fashion Show

A fashion show in aid of the National Council for the Blind tandem challenge is being held on Thursday, February 23, at 8pm in Mountmellick Sports Complex. There will be a great variety of clothes on view to suit a wide range of ages and styles.

No 1 Boutique (Margaret Bradford) will show outfits for all occassions with the very best of Spring/Summer fashion. Design Edge from Portlaoise will feature outfits for everyday wear and also for that special night out. For the sports enthusiast or those who prefer a more casual look, clothing from Colgan’s (Portarlington and Portlaoise) will provide plenty of choice.

For the very special occasion in any girls life, Allure from Abbeyleix will show bridal wear and debs wear. All the attendance will also enjoy a cheese and wine reception.

Admission adults €10 senior citizens and children €6. Tickets are available from O’Gorman’s Newsagents, Patrick Street. This will be a great night out in support of a very worthy cause.

Old Clothes

Clean, old clothes are wanted for a travellers recycling project at MDA Irishtown. All help would be appreciated. Please contact Catherine for further details.

Summer Madness

Bookings are now being taken for Mountmellick’s summer madness camp which will run in the community sports centre from Monday, July 17 to Friday, July 21, inclusive. This will be a week of leisure, fun, music and creative activities. The camp is divided into three age groups and will feature a special percussion workshop with a display at the end of the week, to which parents and family are invited. For further details contact Frances between 5.30 and 7.30pm.

St Patricks Day Parade

The theme for this year’s parade is ‘forty shades of green’ environmental theme. All businesses and clubs are encouraged to begin thinking about their floats for the parade. Stewards and people are needed to help. Please contact Mark.

Computer Training Courses

The following computer training courses will be available at MDA Irishtown absolute beginners, Microsoft Office, ECDL, Level 1, ECDL advanced word processing, internet and email, accounts, PC maintenance and one to one tuition. For further enquiries contact Imelda Burke.

Old School Whist

February 2 - top score, T Gowing. Ladies 1, E Moran; 2, N Thompson. Gents 1, W Allen; 2, B O’Brien, S Duff, L Kavanagh. Halves 1, V Bryan; 2, N lalor, L Pierce. Best of three, M Gorman, B Kennedy; hatching J Brennan. Lowest score J Delaney. The committee appreciates your support every Thursday night in the old school, Pearse Street.

Community Care Whist

January 11, top score Alice McRedmond. Ladies 1, Jane Brennan; 2, Ann Carroll. Gents 1, Frank Keenan; 2, Tom Delaney. Halves 1, Paddy Dolan; 2, Fran Tobin and B O’Brien. Juvenile, Dermot Conroy.

January 18: Top score Angela Walshe and B O’Brien. Ladies 1, Nellie Thompson; 2, Rita Fitzpatrick. Gents 1, Tom Keenan and Dinny Kelly. Halves 1, Breda Cooley; 2, Lily Pierce and paddy Dolan. Juvenile, Dermot Conroy.

January 25: Top score Patti Rowe. Ladies 1, Mary Gowing; 2, Rita Fitzpatrick. Gents 1, Eileen Carroll, Cecil Thompson. Halves, 1, Angela Walshe; 2, Ann Mahon. Best of three, Jane Brennan. Juvenile, Dermot Conroy.

February 1: Top score Veronica Kearns, Tom Delaney. Ladies 1, Mary Gowing; 2, Sr Madeleine, Lily Pierce. Gents 1, Fran Tobin; 2, Kathleen McHugh, Jim Delaney. Halves ladies 1, B O’Brien; 2, Rita Fitzpatrick. Gents 1, Betty Srahan; Dinny Kelly; juvenile Dermot Conroy.

Juvenile GAA News

U-16 football training begins this Friday evening at 6.30pm under lights in Acragar. Training times for all other age groups in football and hurling will be announced shortly.

Training for all footballers is on Friday night in Parc Acragar. All play-ers, intermediate and junior ,are expected to attend.

Hurling training continues on Saturday evenings with good numbers attending.

County Board Clubs draw: Mountmellick GAA club would like to thank all who supported them in the Laois County Board draw. Once again Mountmellick were one of the top sellers and great credit is due to all involved. While Mountmellick did not have any winners in the opening draw, they hope some of their subscribers will be lucky in the remaining draws.

Lourdes

Those who have given their names for this year’s pilgrimage to Lourdes in July and have not yet paid their deposit are asked to do so soon as possible by contacting Ann Hanlon or JJ McEvoy.

Parish Office Moved

Due to the renovations of St Joseph’s Church the parish office has moved temporarily to the office at the back of Fr MacNamara’s house in Davitt Road.

Embroidery

Classes have resumed in the MDA, Irishtown, on Tuesday nights at 8pm. For details please contact Dolores.

Charity Shop

The Charity Shop in Parnell Street will be open each week on Thursdays from 10am to 3 pm.

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 you are welcome to come along. You will have an opportunity to meet others, share your problems in confidence, receive support and make new friends. All welcome. Meetings take place in the MDA, Irishtown at 3pm on Monday. For further information please contact Harriet. Website: www.grow.ie.

Jazz Ballet

Classes are held every Wednesday in Mountmellick Macra Hall - u-10s from 5-6pm and 10 years and over from 6-7 pm. Contact Michelle for details.

Money Advice

MABS, the money advice and budgeting service, will be running an out-reach service at MDA on the first Thursday of every month from 10am to 12.30pm. No appointments needed.

Laois Citizen's Information Service

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 are welcome to attend.

Macra News

Congratulations to Mountmellick Macra who competed in the All-Ireland Capers final on Saturday, February 4, in Dundalk, Co Louth. The team put on a great show and were awarded second place. Great credit is due to all involved. Macra would like to thank all their supporters who came and cheered them on. Thank you.

The cast would like to thank all those who helped back stage, lighting and sound people. The cast of Saints and Sinners was as follows: Rosemary Whelan, Michelle Murphy (producer), Rory McEvoy, Ann Claire Rochford, Marie Claire Fitzpatrick, Michelle Fitzpatrick, Peter McHugh, Gerry Gorman (musical director), John McDonald (drums), Gary Peake, Catherine Mulhall and Ann Marie Hourigan.

Patrick Phelan Plaque

On Sunday, February 12, a plaque was officially unveiled in memory of Patrick Phelan who died in 1922. Independent Councillor John Carroll from Birr was master of ceremonies on the day. There was a parade from the Heritage Centre in Clonaslee to the site of the plaque led by St Joseph’s Pipe Band from his native town Mountmellick.

At the site of the plaque Paddy Heaney of Adamstown gave a brief talk on the history of the area. The plaque was blessed by Fr Jim O’Connell and unveiled by Maura Strollery, niece of Patrick Phelan, home from England for the occasion. Cllr Brian Stanley then said a few words and a wreath was liaid by local man Sean Conroy who hyelped organ-ise the erection of the plaque.

Farmers Market

Laois farmers market is held every Friday in Centrepoint car park, Mountrath Road, Portlaoise, from 9 am to 3pm. A great selection of home baking, locally grown vegetables, jams, fresh meat, cheeses and delicious breads are available. So come along on Friday and support local producers.

Late Michael Murphy

The death of Michael Murphy of 3 Emmet Street on Sunday, January 29, at Naas General Hospital occasioned much grief. Michael was predeceased by his parents Thomas and Mary, his brother Sean and sister Eileen. Michael will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Removal from St Vincent’s Hospital Oratory to St Joseph’s (temporary) Church at Parnell Street took place on Wednesday morning, February 1. Requiem Mass was celebrated at midday with burial afterwards to St Joseph’s cemetery. Michael is mourned by his brother Willie, his sisters pauline, Margaret and Breda, family, relatives and friends to whom the sincere sympathy of the community is extended.