Historical Society to tour Fore Abbey

As a busy first year continues, members and friends of Delvin Historical Abbey will travel to Fore this weekend for a guided tour of one of north Westmeath's greatest historical treasures.On Sunday next, July 26 at 3pm, Clonmellon-based historian John Gavin will function as a tour guide for Delvin Historical Society's excursion to Fore Abbey, also taking in the village's famed 'Seven Wonders'.The ancient Fore Abbey was founded by St. Feichin in 630 AD, which at one time housed approximately 300 monks. In the 13th Century, the Norman lord Hugh de Lacy built a Benedictine priory in the middle of the valley nearby, where it housed the largest number of Benedictine friars to have sojourned and remained in Ireland.The ruins of the priory are still in existence, and the site is one of Westmeath's most visited historical attractions.Tour guide for the day, John Gavin, is the Honorary President of Delvin Historical Society.Earlier this year, he delivered a lecture to members of the Society about the history of Clonmellon, South Hill, Ballinlough Castle, Killua Castle and Lawrence of Arabia's local connections.The forthcoming tour comes a fortnight the Society's recent trip to the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar, where Mullingar historian and mayor, Ruth Illingworth led a sizeable complement of Delvin history buffs.The cathedral outing on July 12 turned out to be a very enjoyable and interesting day, and Ms. Illingworth placed an emphasis on the wonderful mosaics housed in the Mullingar cathedral.The cathedral museum is a veritable treasure trove, including vestments worn by St. Oliver Plunkett, and also a ring belonging to the tragic French queen, Marie Antoinette.All those interested in attending next week's guided tour of Fore Abbey and the 'Seven Wonders' are asked to meet at the car park outside Fore Abbey just before 3pm on Sunday afternoon.Bus to Croagh PatrickA bus will travel to Croagh Patrick in Co. Mayo, on Sunday, July 26.Any parishioners from the Delvin area who wish to secure a place on the bus should contact Michael on 087-2720628, or 044-9666024.U2 fans take noteIt would be hard to take a spin around Delvin and not find any U2 fans, so all those who yearn for a seat at the band's Croke Park concert next Friday next, July 24 would do well to pay attention to a competition running in the village right now.Recently, an anonymous benefactor donated two tickets for the Friday concert to the local branch of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, and the tickets will be raffled on this coming Thursday morning, July 23.Lines are on sale right now at a cost of €5 each, and the competition is limited to eighty lines. If you're not in, you can't win, so drop into Michael Leonard's shop on Main Street, Delvin as soon as possible to get your name on the list for Thursday's raffle.The lucky winner will secure two tickets on the upper levels of Croke Park's Cusack Stand for Friday night's concert.All funds raised from the raffle will go directly to the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, and your support would be greatly appreciated.Camogie summer campDelvin Camogie Club is organising a summer camogie coaching camp for all girls up to and including Under 12 level, and the closing date for bookings has been extended to Friday of this week, July 24.The camp will run from Tuesday to Thursday, August 18 to 20, from 10am to 1pm each day at Páirc Dealbhna Mhór on Delvin's Mullingar Road.All enquiries may be directed to any member of the Delvin Camogie Club committee, while application forms are available from Assumpta Dolan, or at training.This will be an ideal opportunity for girls under 12 to have fun, and to improve their skills over a three day period. We also welcome anybody who has not yet played camogie to come along and learn new skills.DSLC draw supportThe committee behind the planning of Delvin's sports and leisure complex is continuing to seek support for its "Buster 720" draw.Tickets cost €240 and can be purchased as half shares (€120) and quarter shares (€60).Payment can be made by cash/cheque or Standing Order (cash/cheque only for quarter share). One ticket gives entrants twelve chances to win.To get your hands on tickets for the draw, or to volunteer your services with regard to the sale of tickets, phone Michael Murphy on 087-9409913, or Pauline Gaffney on 086-3521559.