LOCAL NOTES: Ringtown host fashion show this weekend

LOCAL NOTES - LOCAL NOTES - LOCAL NOTES - LOCAL NOTES

Castlepollard

Fashion show

Ringtown Hurling and Camogie Club fashion show at Castle Varagh Hotel, Castlepollard, next Saturday April 22 at 8pm. Cheese and wine reception at 7.30pm. Tickets €20 each.

Anne Byrne

Ann Byrne, née Grimes, died peacefully on Monday April 10 at the Camillus Nursing Centre, Killucan. A resident of Glenview, Castlepollard, the deceased lady reposed at her residence on Tuesday April 11. Funeral Mass was at St Michael’s Church, Castlepollard on Wednesday April 12, at noon. Mrs Byrne was laid to rest at St Michael’s Cemetery. She was predeceased by her parents Jimmy and Chrissie; she is mourned by her husband Michael, daughters Karen, Tracey, Amanda and Lynne, brother Pat, sister Mary, grandchildren Charlie, Aoife, Isobel, Robin and Cara, best friend Maureen, sons-in-law David and John, brothers-in-law Pat and Tom, nephews, nieces, other relations, neighbours and friends.

Sunday night bingo

Castlepollard Hurling Club Clubhouse at 8.30pm.

Table quiz

Table quiz at Watty’s Rock, Finea, on Friday May 19, to raise funds for works at St Michael’s Church, Castletown Finea. €40 per team of 4.

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Collinstown Fore Drumcree

Collinstown Fore Parish

Collinstown Fore Parish cemetery devotions, weekend of Saturday and Sunday, May 28 and 29.

Tour De Parish solo run

Lough Lene Gaels Camogie Club senior players have organised a fundraising Tour De Parish solo run event on Sunday April 30 on a route of 30km, in the Collinstown Fore Parish area. Sponsorship cards are in circulation.

Lotto

The next lotto draw of the local hurling and camogie clubs is at Collinstown Hall on Sunday April 30 at 9pm.

Community Games

Congratulations to the Collinstown Fore Community Games area on winning a Westmeath Community Games Boys Indoor Football (Soccer) title, a superb achievement.

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Blood donation in Mullingar

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service is holding a donation clinic at the Mullingar Park Hotel next week and the following week. The dates are: April 25, 26 and 27, and May 2 and 3. The hours each of those days are 3.45-8pm. Those interested in making a donation can check eligibility at giveblood.ie.

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Raharney

Raharney Hurling Club

Table quiz in aid of Raharney Hurling Club, Annebrook House Hotel on May 5 at 9pm. Team of 4, €40. Auction and raffle with lots of great prizes. Raharney Hurling Club held a lotto draw on April 11 for a jackpot of €11,100. Numbers drawn were 3, 7, 10, 19. No jackpot winner. Eleven ‘match three’ winner – Sarah Kennedy x 2, Carol O’Malley x 2, Teresa Murtagh, Declan Carr, Tom Keyes, Eoin Weir, Darren Finn, Paul Quinn, James Boyle, €20 each. Promoter’s prize went to Gala. Lotto tickets can be bought in local businesses or online. Raharney CLG ‘Give Hurling a Go’ every Wednesday at 6.15pm in Joristown Park, Raharney for boys aged 5-11 years. Contact to register: John 087-7602355, Declan 087-6536326 or Alan

Line Dancing

Line dancing started Friday April 14 in Rathwire Hall from 7.30-9pm for six weeks. For more call Andrea on 044-9376983 (booking is essential).

Ashcroft Park/ Village Close

Ashcroft Park/ Village Close Resident Group are included in the current round of the Tesco Ireland Community Fund in the Tesco Kinnegad store. If you are shopping there in the coming weeks, please vote for our group using the blue token.

Church News

Vigil Mass for April in St Brigid’s Church Raharney at 6pm. Sunday Masses, St Brigid’s Church Raharney 10am and St Joseph’s Church Rathwire11.30am. Please check weekday Mass times as can vary each week. Weekday Masses: Tuesday and Thursday 9am Raharney and Wednesday and Friday 9am Rathwire. Streaming Service: Masses from Raharney Church may be viewed on churchservices.tv/raharney. First Holy Communion for pupils of Raharney NS takes place on April 29 at 11am.

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Streete

Litter and Dumping

All the great work achieved by local people and the council over recent years is starting to untangle once again. Dumping in the bogs and along the roads is nothing more than a disgraceful act by those who go out of their way to disrespect the community. Westmeath County Council have offered to supply hi-vis vests, litter-pickers and gloves to the community if we can put together a group of volunteers who are willing to gather up rubbish over the coming months. Feedback please to 087 1375222. Thank you.

Grant

The Parish Park community centre is one of five centres selected to receive grant of €1000s from the Rise Community Fund Ireland. The fund was set up by a Boston businessman to recognise communities making changes through advances in technology. The money will be used to advance the great work already done in broadband and the development of the community website. The foundation asked to use the Streete centre as part of their future promotion of the fund.

Community call

The community centre is in great need of volunteer support. This can be as little or as much time as you are willing to give. You don’t have to be from the parish, everyone is welcome to contribute. Call 087 1375222 or any committee member.

Deepest sympathies

Are expressed to Johnny Kiernan, Kilmore, on the sad passing of his niece, and Pat Grimes, Rathowen, on the passing of his sister,Anne Byrne, née Grimes, Glenview, Castlepollard. Anne passed away peacefully, in the company of her loving family. She will be sadly missed by her loving husband Michael, daughters Karen, Tracey, Amanda and Lynne, brother Pat, sister Mary, grandchildren nieces, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends, and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. May her gentle soul rest in peace.

The committee of Streete Parish Park and the bingo players add their condolences to Pat Grimes on the passing of his sister Anne. Their thoughts are with you at this darkest hour. May her gentle soul rest in heavenly peace.

Drama

Killeen Dramatic Society present John B Keane’s, play Sive in Granard Community Centre on April 28, 29, 30. Curtain up at 8pm. Tickets on sale at the door.

School transport

Applications are now open for school year 2023/24 and bookings are now being accepted. The closing date for applications is Friday 28 April.

Parish park bingo and lotto

Please support the parish park hall bingo on Monday at 8.30pm or play online. The lotto is now €5300. Envelopes €2 each or 3 for €5.

Streete Parish Park Lotto Draw Monday 10 April. 11, 14, 17, 28. No jackpot winner. Four Lucky Dip winners, Streete Wildlife Club, online, Cecilia Plunkett, Mayo, online, Pete Donnelly, Legan, c/o Lily Margaret McGuire, Ballynacargy. Next draw 24 April, jackpot €5300.

Church Notes

St James’s Church, Streete. Morning Prayers In Streete at 9.15am, on Sunday May 7, Sunday May 21.

A word of thanks to all who have returned their Trócaire boxes; the proceeds will help relieve hunger and sickness. If you have not returned your box, you can do so in a special basket at Mass or contact Fr Pierre or Fr Early.

St Mary’s, Streete/ Rathowen. Masses and adoration this week. The coming Sunday is the 16th in Ordinary time. Vigil Mass every Saturday in Boherquill at 8pm. Sunday in Rathowen at 10am. Mass this week Tuesday Boherquill 9.30am. Wednesday Rathowen 9.30am. Thursday Rathowen 9.30am, adoration 10-10.30am. Friday Boherquill 8pm, adoration 7-8pm. Easter dues for the upkeep of the priests in diocese are now being collected; thank you for your generous support and kindness.

Please remember in your prayers the souls of Mary and John Blessington, Coolamber, Lisryan, whose anniversary Mass was last Saturday. Anniversary Mass this Saturday for souls of Brian, Agnes, Colm and Martha Reilly, Ballew.

Upcoming dates. Sunday 30 April Pentecost Sunday; First Holy Communion May 28; blessing of graves 17 June in Streete, Coolamber and Boherquill, and 1 July in Rathaspic and Russagh.

Rosary. Rathowen Tuesdays 7pm and Boherquill Thursdays 7pm. Men’s Prayer Group. Mondays Boherquill church 8pm. Easter Holy water available in both churches.

Contact Fr Pierre on 087 6960542.

Boherquill Ramblers

Sunday 9 April was Easter Sunday so there was no walk. The Ramblers meet at 2pm at Clonkill GAA Club near Mullingar on Sunday 23 April. If you would like to add a walk, new or old, to this year’s Walks Calendar please contact Philip Epps. See boherquillramblers.ie for more information.

Streete Notes

Email kbrady1964@gmail.com or call Kevin 087 1375222.

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Ballinafid Multyfarnham Bunbrosna Active

History talk

Monday April 17, 6.30pm, historian Peter Wallace addresses BMB Active in an open meeting at Multyfarnham Community Centre. The talk, while organised by BMB Active, is open to all who have an interest in learning more about the recent and not so recent past, about places and people.

Meditation

BMB Active is scheduling Lorna to lead a class on Mindfulness and Mobility on Thursday May 25 at 1.30pm in Multyfarnham Community Centre.

Retired nurses group

Longford Westmeath Retired Nurses host a coffee morning in The Greville Arms Hotel on Friday April 21 at 10.30am, for all nursing members of the caring profession who have retired. It’s important to stay connected with colleagues and friends. Everyone knows how very hard members of the nursing profession work, so in retirement they can still enjoy a time to catch up.

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Ballymore

Ballymore Bowls Club

Bowls open night on Wednesday 19 April, 8.30pm. They encourage new members to play the game. If you are interested, drop in and they will get you started.

Wind turbines

Concerned about wind turbine development in Ballymore and Drumraney? There is a community-based petition against the turbines and objections being submitted to An Bord Pleanála. It is not a petition against renewable energy and carbon cuts, it is on the basis of the unfairness of improper planning and the impact it will have on residents close the site, and the devastation to local wildlife and protected species, examples such as otters, badgers, waterfowl and migrating birds. If you require further info, email westmeathwind@gmail.com or visit the FB page ‘No to Windfarm in Ballymore, Drumraney, Moyvoughley Area’.

Football for ladies

Ballymore G4M&O; Gaelic football for ladies who do not play club football is back on Wednesdays at 8pm at Ballymore GAA Park at Lough Seudy.

GAA lotto at €12k

Tickets for Ballymore GAA bumper lotto jackpot, €12,200, on sale in all local shops and pub. Lotto numbers drawn on 14 April were 5, 11, 24, 28. €20 winners: Pepper c/o Tom Ennis, Ned Anderson, Anne O’Rourke, George Smith, Sadie Gilligan. Next draw for jackpot of €12,200 on 21 April 2023 in McCauley’s. All tickets to be dropped in to the pubs or Daybreak before 8.30pm every Friday.

Fr Dalton’s indoor hurling

Indoor hurling for U7s 7-8pm and U9s 8-9pm (boys and girls), Ballymore Community Centre, Fridays, €2 per child. It is preferred that a parent/guardian stay during each session.

Activator pole walking

Westmeath Sports Partnership hold an exercise class for ladies over 50 in Ballymore Community Centre, on Thursdays, noon-1pm, Main Hall, Ballymore Community Centre, €15 for six sessions. Thanks to Garry for getting everyone out and motivated.

Parent and Toddler Group

Fridays at 10.30-11.30am, Community Centre, all parents and grandparents and children up to 3yrs welcome. Chats, activities and cups of tea.

Scoil Eoin Naofa

Enrolment now open, please contact Jenny at the school for enrolment forms at 044 9356537 or email eoinnaofa1@hotmail.com.

Ballymore Tidy Towns

Tidy Towns have been busy tidying up some planted areas, creating the basis for a Biodiversity project and planting new trees along the footpaths on the Athlone road. Currently there are vacancies available with the opportunity to join the Kilbeggan Community Group as CE Scheme worker who supports the Tidy Towns in biodiversity projects, mowing and grass maintenance and upkeep of flowerbeds and public seating areas. Contact Bernie on 0852523154 / 0579332711.

Ballymore notes

Contact Nicky O’Callaghan or email ballymoreprideofplace@gmail.com.

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Horseleap Streamstown

Church news

First Holy Communion in Horseleap on Sunday 21 May. Blessing of Graves in Horseleap Sunday 28 May 4pm. Clara 28 May 3pm.

Carmelite

Baby massage, six-week course, in Carmelite Pastoral Centre. Starting Monday 24 April at 10.30am. A healing Breeze, mindfulness practices for relaxation and heart to heart connection; physio-led exercise classes - would you like to build strength, improve mobility, build fitness, reduce chance of injury? There will be two levels of classes; for lower level of fitness or haven’t been exercising as much recently, and want to start slowly and build up slowly - and those who have a baseline level of fitness and have been exercising over the last six months. Mondays and Thursdays in Pastoral Centre. Level A 7pm. Level B 7.50pm. Call 09064 66167.

Get well wishes

To all in our community who are in hospital and to all who are sick at home. Wishing you all a speedy recovery.

Birthdays

Happy 3rd birthday to Kate Martin, Rathskeagh, Ballymore on Sunday 23 April. Happy 7th birthday to Jessica Flynn, Boher/ Dublin on Wednesday 19 April. Happy birthday to Emma Reid, Ballybrowne, Streamstown on Tuesday 25 April.

Wedding anniversaries

Happy 8th Wedding anniversary (bronze) to Noel and Ciara Scally Spittalstown, Streamstown on Tuesday 25 April. Happy 8th Wedding anniversary (bronze) to Jennifer and Nigal Eadet, Horseleap/ Birr on Sunday 23 April.

Thought for the week

‘What does home mean to you? Do you feel at home in your body? Do you yearn to come home to yourself? Spend some time writing about what home means to you. If you don’t feel at home in your physical dwelling, in your job, your relationship or your city or town, ask why that is so. What changes do you need to make in order to feel at home in your body, your mind and your physical surroundings?’

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Rathowen

Illegal dumping

Illegal dumping continues on the Clumps Road in Rathowen. The latest incident was last week, when someone dumped rubbish that included a bottle containing dangerous medication. There is a name and date and the name of the pharmacy on the bottle. The relevant authorities have been notified.

First Confession

Congratulations to the children from the parish received their First Confession on Sunday last. We look forward to a special occasion when they make their First Holy Communion on 30 April.

Rathowen Community Lotto

Draw on 17 April was for a jackpot of €1,400. Tickets at play.clubforce.com or from any committee member. Yearly tickets are available.

School transport

Bus Éireann are accepting payment for school transport for 2023/24 until 9 June; see schooltransport.buseireann.ie.

Booking community centre

The community centre is available to rent and can be hired for meetings, training, classes, activities. Contact the secretary on 089 460 3732, secretaryrcdrathowen@gmail.com or call to the office in the community centre Monday to Friday 9.30am-1pm for details

Cards

Cards in Connaughton’s pub every Monday from 7.30pm.

St Mary’s Church, Rathowen

Tuesday Boherquill 9.30am, Wednesday Rathowen 9.30am, Thursday Rathowen 9.30am, adoration 10-10.30am, Friday Boherquill 8pm, adoration 8.30-9pm, Saturday Boherquill 8pm, Sunday Rathowen 10am. Rosary in Rathowen Tuesdays 7pm, in Boherquill Thursdays 7pm.

Medjugorje

Pilgrimage to Medjugorje 4-11 October from Knock airport, accompanied by Frs Hughes and Willibrod. Cost €815; contact Jeremiah on 087 4309 096 or Breda or contact Marian Pilgrimages 01 8788 159.

Rathowen notes

Email rathowennotes1@gmail.com.

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Rosemount

Progressive 25

Winners on Tuesday 11 April, 1st 13 games Joe Dunning and Paudge Lynch €65 each, 2nd, 12 games David Boland and Mary Geoghegan €35 each, 3rd 11 games Sean Molloy and Michael Rigney; Sean Byrne and Donal Boland. €15 each. Table prizes €15 each John Ward and Patrick Boland; Michael O’Connor and Pat Heraty. Ladies prizes €15 each Kathleen Boland and Margaret Buckley. Spot prizes €20 each Patricia Egan, Anne Connell and Carol Robbins. €15 each Tim Buckley, Carmel Looram, Johnny Ward and Kathleen Boland. Our sympathy is extended to the family of Dan Foley, late of Endrim, Ferbane, who died on Saturday 15 April. Dan was a supporter of the local games for many years. Normal game on Tuesdays at 9pm.

Sympathy

Sympathy is extended to Damien Fanning, Ballinabarna, on the death of his aunt, Phyllis Henson, (née Fanning) Cartron’s, Fardrum, Athlone, who died on Sunday 9 April.

Church news

First Holy Communion on Saturday 13 May in Rosemount Church at 10am and Tubber Church at 11.30am. Cemetery Sunday in Rosemount on 11 June at 3pm.and in Tubber on May 28 at 11.30am.

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Castletown Geoghegan

Lucky numbers draw

Numbers in the GAA draw on Monday 3 April were 12, 19, 23 and 29. No jackpot winner. Three number winner, Dylan and Conor Drake. Promoter’s Prize, Brendan Hogg. Numbers on 10 April, 1, 15, 20 and 25, three number winner, Ger Jackson. Promoter’s prize, Claffey’s Shop. Jackpot this week was €5,000.

Cemetery Sunday

Cemetery Sunday, 4 June, in Tyrrellspass at 11am and in Castletown Geoghegan at 3pm.

Ballinagore GAA 50/50 draw

Congratulations to Ger Linnane, who won the jackpot on Sunday 2 April, and to Cathy Ennis, who won on Sunday 9 April. Contact any committee member to join the draw, which takes place on Sundays in the Bodhrán Bar, Ballinagore.

Tractor run

Ballinagore tractor run in aid of Biddy O’Brien Recovery Fund, Sunday 30 April at noon. Sponsorship cards are now available.

Sympathy

We extend our deepest sympathy to Tony and Liz Smith, Lake Road, Castletown Geoghegan, and all their family on the recent loss of their beloved son Ray. May he rest in peace.

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Clonmellon

The Market Clonmellon

Market resumes Sunday 23 April 11am-1.30pm after Easter break.

Sympathy

Sympathy to the relatives of the late Harriet McCann, Clonmellon. May she rest in peace.

St Lucy’s Well

It is said if a person drinks the water he can wish and it will come true. Where this well is situated is not where it used to be. The gardener wanted to make a pleasure-ground where the well was, and he put a flagstone over it. Afterwards the well moved and sprang up in a different spot. In Killua, there is also a well known by the name of The Spa Well, the water of which is said to have cured sore eyes. Holy wells are associated with a natural spring or natural or man-made hollows (bullaun stones) in rock, deemed to have a religious significance through association with a saint. The history of devotion at holy wells is complicated - the earliest references to the Christian use of holy wells date to the seventh century but many are likely to have prehistoric origins and were appropriated by the new Christian church in the fifth and sixth centuries. Wells had both material and spiritual importance to our ancestors. Water is a basic necessity and while today water is available on tap, it was not so for our ancestors.