25-02-2006

Fashion show for the blind

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. A cheese and wine reception proceeds the fashion show.

No 1 Boutique (Margaret Bradford) will show outfits for all occasions 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. Not forgetting the men, they will be catered for by Farrell’s Dress Suit Hire Portlaoise.

For young people’s style, Boston from Portlaoise and Adam and Eve from Tullamore will feature clothing from their spring summer 2006 collections

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.

Game Preservation Association And Gun Club AGM

Will be held at 8pm on Friday, February 24, in the town hall.

Race Against Waste

In conjunction with Mountmellick Environment Group are facilitating a community workshop on waste management in the MDA, Irishtown today (Wednesday) at 3pm and 7pm. Everyone welcome.

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 Francesbetween 5.30 and 7.30 pm.

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.

Juvenile GAA News

U-16 football training is on Friday evening at 6.30 to 8pm under lights in Acragar. U-12 football training is on Tuesday nights from 6.30 - 8pm.

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 Josephs Church the parish office has moved temporarily to the office at the back of Fr MacNamara’s house in Davitt Road. The parish office telephone is out of order at present.

Charity Shop

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

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, get support and make new friends. All welcome. Meetings take place in the MDA, Irishtown at 3 pm on Monday. For further information please contact Harriet. Website: www.grow.ie for info.

Jazz Ballet Classes

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

Money Advice

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

Laois Citizen's 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.

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. Councillor Brian Stanley ten said a few words and a wreath was laid by local man Sean Conroy who helped organise 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 3 pm. 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 your local producers.

Slieve Bloom Walks

The programme of walks for 2006 organised by Slieve Bloom Walking Club is now available. The full programme is available to view and print at www.slievebloom.ie or by contacting Gerry Hanlon or contact the Community Centre, Kinnitty.

Old School Whist

February 9, top score, B Thompson. Ladies 1, A Walsh; 2, E Moran. Gents 1, T Kearns; 2, F Conroy. Halves 1, Mrs Gorman; 2, M Gowing. Best of three, D Kelly; hatching B O’Brien. Lowest score, B Keegan. The committee appreciates your support every Thursday night in the old school, Pearse Street.

Medjugorje Pilgrimage

Mountmellick pilgrimage to Medjugorje takes place from Monday, June 26, for seven nights and there only six places remaining. Anyone wishing to travel please contact Eleanor Duff or Rena McEvoy.

Rock GAA Club

The club ran a very successful table quiz recently in aid of The Rock NS development fund and a great night was had by all. Many thanks to all who supported the quiz and who sponsored prizes on the night.

Training has commenced and will continue every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday for senior and junior players. The second county board draw takes place on Friday, February 24 at The Heritage Hotel and all members who are paying by installments will be contacted during the week.

Rock GAA Juvenile News

Training for all juvenile teams will resume shortly. See next weeks notes for full details of the new seasons training. The draws for the Laois juvenile championships were made in Portlaoise GAA club house on February 7. The Rock u-12 championship will be run on a round robin basis in 2006. The Rock play in the C championship along with a group of five, along with Ballyfin, Portlaoise B, Camross and Castletown. This u-12 championship starts in April and concludes in September with a break during the summer while schools are closed. The top three teams from this group go through to the quarter finals and the bottom two to the shield semi-finals. The u-12 leagues will be run during the summer holidays.

U-14s and u-16s play in the B championship. U-14 were drawn against St Pauls while the u-16s will meet Ballyroan. The u-16 league will begin in March.

Macra Pantomime

The eighth Mountmellick Macra pantomime was staged last week to a full house each night over a five night period. All of the attendance greatly enjoyed the fun, laughter, music, dancing and singing throughout the performances of Robinson Crusoe.

The main cast members were: Robinson Crusoe, Gary Peake; Mrs Crusoe, Kieran McEvoy; Captain Birdseye, Emily Kelly; Celestine, Rosemary Whelan; Riff, David Connolly; Raff, Donncha Phelan; Neptune, George Fitzpatrick; Iona, Gwen Meredith; Essey, Aoife Harney; Bessie, Eithne O’Byrne; Man Friday, Matthew O’Byrne; Donkey, Bruce Thompson and Norman Thompson; Genie, Maeve Dunne; Captain Blood, Brian Cashin; Island King, Bruce Thompson; Guards, Norman Thompson and Colin Connolly. All of the cast gave of their very best, providing excellent entertainment.

The dancers delighted everyone with their routines. They were: Janine Murphy, Gemma Deegan, Caoimhe Callaly, Carly Conroy, Lorraine Lee, Leona Dowling, Chantelle Murphy, Ruth Molloy, Ann Quinn, Colette Jones, Charlotte Kieran, Annie Glynn, Sarah Kearney, Naomi Keogh, Geraldine Hyland, Alison McEvoy, Natalie Mahon, Keith Storey, Ben Storey, Sarah Murphy, Katie Donoher, Maeve O’Hanlon, Emma Daly, Sarah O’Reilly, Ashling McEvoy, Elaine Lewis, Hannah McRedmond, Edel Fitzgerald, Chloe Connolly, Lousie Jones, Suzanne Gorry, Avril Westman, Aoife Walsh, June Keegan, Jenny Keegan, Michelle Keegan, Rebecca Dowling, Marcella Lee.

The backstage crew always contribute so much to every production. Brian Brady was the producer/musical director and Michelle Murphy was the choreographer. Set design, Brian Lynch; props, Larry Ryan, Joe McCormack, Alice McCann, Ray Burke; lighting, Ray Burke; sound, Gus Rodgers; keyboard, Brian Brady; drums, John McDonald; MC, Patrick Culliton; back stage, Mary B Culliton; refreshments, Linda Wall and Josie Wall; team leader, Larry Ryan.

The show committee are to be congratulated for all their work: chairperson, Leo Dunne; secretary, Linda Wall; treasurer, Ann Claire Rochford; pro, Lynn McHugh; committee members, Larry Ryan, Alice McCann, Peter McHugh, Martina Wall, Eithne O’Byrne, Matthew O’Byrne, Mary Bridget Culleton, Gary Peake, Ray Burke, Kieran McEvoy, David Connolly, Ann Marie Hourigan. This was another most successful production for Mountmellick Macra.

Soccer

Midlands Schoolboys/Girls League results - U-9 Central Tullamore United 3, Mountmellick 5. U-11 Clara 0, Mountmellick 2. U-13 Clara 1, Mountmellick 1. U-11 girls Killeigh United 6, Mountmellick 2. U-17 girls Portlaoise 2, Mountmellick 0.