Lawrence of Arabia - the local connection

The fourth of Delvin Historical Society"s lectures for 2009 will take place at 8.30pm on Thursday, April 16 in Carmel Gaffney"s lounge, Main Street Delvin.All are welcome to attend, and it is hoped that there will be an even greater attendance by new members.Last month, Mullingar historian Ruth Illingworth was a tremendously popular speaker, and her talk on local events during the 1641 Rebellion was very well received.On Thursday night of next week, the reception is expected to be no different, when well-known Clonmellon historian John Gavin comes to the Delvin venue to speak about Killua Castle, Clonmellon and Lawrence of Arabia"s connections to South Hill, Delvin.John is Honorary President of Delvin Historical Society, and a long-serving board member of Meath Archaeological and Historical Society. He is a fountain of local knowledge - much of it garnered from years of reading and research, and a lot of it handed down from previous generations.As he plays a leading role in the local society, his fellow members are delighted to have him take to the stage for the first time.Admission to the lecture is €3, and members may enter for free.Parish Annual preparationsPreliminary preparations for the 2009 Parish of Delvin Annual have begun. Early copy is required, as the deadline for submission of articles, photographs and other features will be earlier than last year.If you have any items which you would like to submit for this year"s Annual, please contact the Parochial House or Paul Hughes. Articles submitted by e-mail would be most appreciated.Delvin girl impresses at fashion design awardsWestmeath design student, Gillian Noonan, a finalist for the Nokia Young Fashion Designer Award 2009, brought her designs to life in the old Habitat building, Dame St, Dublin 2, on March 25. The one-off garment was showcased on the catwalk at the spectacular NYFDA finale and, although she was unsuccessful in winning the competition, her design went down a treat with the fashionistas that attended the invitation only event.Gillian, who is from Delvin, was selected in December 2008 as one of the Nokia Young Fashion Designer Award finalists, beating entries from across all of Ireland. Gillian, is currently studying Fashion Design at the National College of Art, Dublin.Her outfit was entitled "Great Balls of Fire" and consisted of a black leather puffball dress with contrasting pink layered tulle underneath. Spontaneous cut out circles revealed the pink underlay which softened the overall look of the dress, yet allowed it to remain edgy and individual.Gillian used Nokia"s latest fashion handset, the fun and colourful Nokia Supernova, as inspiration for her design. With the Nokia 7310 Supernova, fashionistas can let their personality shine through with the colourful and easily exchangeable "Xpress on" covers, available in blue and pink. The beautiful 3D textures and the handset"s mirrored surface, give the 7310 Supernova a really unique look - something every trendsetter desires.The judging panel found it a difficult task to choose a winner due to the high standard of this year"s finalists. The judges consisted of some of the leading figures in Irish and international fashion; top fashion blogger, Susie Lau from www.stylebubble.typepad.com, Fashion Wire Daily European editor, Godfrey Deeny, Head of Menswear at Hermes, Brendan Mullane and established Irish designer, Louise Kennedy. Also assisting the judges was Irish knitwear designer and student mentor, Tim Ryan.Although Gillian was not a winner at the event this time round, her designs were clearly creative and unique.Clonmellon Youth ClubOn Friday last, Clonmellon Youth Club selected competitors for its entry to the X-Factor competition in April. From the senior club Chloe, Alex, Megan and Marianna were chosen, with the second choices being Charlotte, Caoimhe and Emma. The junior winners were Amy, Bryan and David. The club hopes that they all do very well.Clonmellon Youth Club participants also entered their Easter art work this week, which was very well done.There will be club session this week, but will be back on the 17 for our disco all are welcome.Delvin Camogie Club Cake SaleNext weekend, Delvin Camogie Club"s Annual Cake Sale will take place outside Carmel Gaffney"s on Main Street, Delvin. Homemade cakes, and a variety of other home baked goods will be available from 3pm until 5pm on Easter Saturday, April 11 and from 10.15am to 11.45am on Easter Sunday, April 12. Parents and members are asked to support this fundraising activity.Community Games successesCongratulations to the five teams who did Delvin proud in the Leinster Community Games finals in Carlow recently. They were as follows:U13 Girls Table Tennis (silver medallists) - Kelly Carpenter, Megan Maguire, Leanne Weir, Emma Williams and Eadaoin Dolan.U13 Boys Table Tennis (gold medallists) - Sean Kelleghan, Henry Ogle, Ryan Polger, Patrick Cannon.U16 Boys Table Tennis (silver medallists) - Conor Dolan, Emmett Fox, Cody Gaffney, Conor Milligan.U10 Mixed Draughts (gold medallists) - Enda Gaffney, James Drumm, Paula Murtagh, Conor Leavy, Lorraine Williams, Jack Vaughan, Eoin Quinn.The U14 Mixed Draughts were semi-finalists, but they were unlucky to lose out to Hackettstown. Team: Fiachra Bray, Oisin Quinn, Glen Gaffney, Tara Crowe, Emmett Brady.Delvin Parish noticesTrocaire Boxes will be collected at the Vigil Mass in Delvin on Holy Thursday night, and parishioners are asked that if they cannot attend Mass, please send in your box, or leave it with Fr. Heaney at the Parochial House. The Offertory Collections at Masses on Holy Thursday will also go to Trocaire.Communion for the Sick will be despatched on in the Delvin area on Thursday and Friday at 3pm, and to those in the Killulagh area at 5.45pm. On Easter Sunday, Communion will be brought at 10.30am.Education Group tripDelvin Community Education Group will be Wicklow bound on May 20, visiting Mount Usher Gardens, Avondale House (the birthplace of Charles Stewart Parnell) and Avoca.