CDA Corner

Hi all,In an effort to communicate better the work of the Ballymore Eustace Community Development Association (CDA) and its subcommittees, we intend to have a feature slot 'CDA Corner' monthly in The Bugle. Hopefully this will inform people as to what our function is, the kind of work the CDA committee and all the sub committees of the CDA are involved in, who we are and how to get your comments, views and suggestions to us so that we can work better on your behalf. To begin, this month CDA committee member Rachel Edwards who is also a member of the Punchestown Festival Committee has written an article on the Punchestown festival committee 2008 and the activities it is planning for the week of Punchestown Festival 2008.

Thanks – Fiona Breslin, Chairperson, Ballymore Eustace CDA.
Punchestown Festival 2008The Punchestown Festival 2008 is running from Saturday 19th April to Friday 25th April 2008. The dedicated and hard working members of this years Festival Committee include Suzanne Byrne, Sally Pallister, Deirdre Hackett, Sinead Cronin, Aisling Cronin and Rachel Edwards. We have organised a fun filled and action packed week for everyone to participate in and enjoy.
FESTIVAL QUEEN
The week begins on the Saturday night with the Punchestown Festival Queen Pageant which will take place in Poulaphouca House. All local businesses need to put forward their nominees as soon as possible in order to make this a successful evening .
On Sunday afternoon, traditionally Walking Sunday, there will be a children's party with face painting and DJ playing all the latest tunes.
On Tuesday evening there will be a festival parade the streets of Ballymore and afterwards a disco for all to dance to their hearts content. The route of the parade will be displayed in the Bugle to avoid any confusion as to where the start and end points of the parade are to be located.
On Wednesday evening there is a children's fancy dress party with DJ and afterwards a Battle of the Bands Competition.
On Thursday evening the Guinness Jazz band will be entertaining us. For all the athletic people of Ballymore, there will be ‘Jockey Back Pub Race’, so teams of two are needed.
On Friday night Funky Junction are playing to end the week offestivities. We are all eagerly looking forward to the Festival and we hope you are too! More information will be displayed throughout the town and in The Bugle over coming editions.
We are delighted to note that Ballymore Properties are sponsoring a fifth day of racing at this year’s National Hunt Festival – so, Ballymore, let’s turn out in force for Saturday’s racing and make Punchestown our own! Rachel

TIDY TOWNS CONGRATULATES THE FAS TEAM
I would like Martin, Frankie, and Tommy and the people of Ballymore to hear what I have to say about our Fas Team, our three stalwarts – a first class team – who turn out willingly, in all weathers, at all hours, well beyond the call of duty with cheerful enthusiasm and boundless energy to tackle all the jobs that maintain and enhance the beauty of the village. Not only the large jobs but the continuous day to day jobs which preserve the status quo.

A few examples of Martin’s, Frankie’s, and Tommy’s duties are:
· Planting, sowing, and maintenance of flowerbeds, verges, River Liffey Walk, and other areas in the village.
· Preparation and installation of hanging baskets and window boxes for spring and summer display.
· Selection and planting of native species trees.
· Cleaning and weeding of pathways and walkways throughout the village.
· Maintenance, clearing and weeding of Church of Ireland and St. Mary’s Cemetery.
· Decoration, maintenance, and tidying of derelict buildings, street furniture, and walls in the village.

In addition, their expert knowledge and long experience of all things horticultural, structural and visual enhancements brings immense benefit to the village and helps to instil a ‘Pride of Place’. Their tireless efforts have contributed immeasurably to our success in the Tidy Towns competitions through the years. I think we should all recognise that, thanks to them, the village of Ballymore Eustace is a better place for villagers and visitors alike.

Congratulations to you again, Tommy, Martin and Frankie, our Fas Community Workers, your award is richly deserved and long overdue!

Eric Firth on behalf of the Tidy Towns committee and Ballymore Eustace CDA.




Community Games Art Competition

There was a great turn out for the Ballymore Community Games Art Competition at Scoil Mhuire on 7th February (1st – 6th classes). Eager young artists pushed their creative skills to the limit for an hour to produce some amazing posters (community games theme). Our heartfelt thanks to local artist, Clodagh Gale, who had the unenviable task of choosing three from each category. Many thanks also to Mairead O’ Flynn, Principal, for all her help with organisation and facilitation of the competition. Well done to everyone who participated – you’re all winners!

Results:-
Boys

U8: U10: U12:
1st: Finn Breslin 1st: Tom Carter 1st: Patrick Murphy
2nd: - 2nd: Aaran Deegan 2nd: Tony Og Sheridan
3rd: - 3rd: Sean Crowe 3rd: Marcus McGuire Daly

Girls:

U8: U10: U12:
1st: Serena Devereaux 1st: Sally Kinsella 1st: Ellen Carter
2nd: Abby Foster 2nd: Rachel Fanning 2nd: Natasha Murphy
3rd: Orla Murphy 3rd: Jemma Molloy 3rd: Coady Brennan

U14
1st: Joanna Burke-Hayes
2nd: Sophia O’ Sullivan
3rd: Fiona Fields

The Kildare County Art Finals will be held on Sunday, 9th March, at 10am in the Patrician Primary School, Newbridge (across from St Conleth’s Church) with all above named being eligible to participate.

Ballymore-Eustace G.F.C.
Our Senior team played in the Keogh Cup in Sallins against Sallins. Ballymore started very well in this game and led by 3 pts midway through the first half, however a Sallins goal brought them on level terms and they progressed from there on to win comfortably enough on a score line of 1-16 to 1-11. Ballymore should not be too despondent about this result as we are only 2 weeks back training while Sallins are training since Christmas. Ballymore's next game is at home against Ballykelly. The lineout against Sallins was as follows:-

K.McNally
T. Gorman Pat Browne C.Dowling
C. Clarke J. Doyle C.Conway
M.McCarville A.Rooney
G.Clarke J.Archibald W.Donoghue
S.Kavanagh K.Murphy E.Kavanagh

Subs: D.Gorman, J.Gilroy

The Ballymore Supporters Club was launched on Friday 8th Feb. in Paddy Murphys. The purpose of this Supporters Club is to raise money to assist in the running of our club. The cost of running the club per annum is 45,000. It costs 100 to join the supporters club which entitles each member to club membership, free entry to home league matches, reduced Juvenile membership for children of member and free entry into members draw. These draws will take place on 31st March, 30th April and 31st May. First prize in each draw is 500. Club members will be calling to all areas of the parish in the next 3 weeks seeking memberships of this supporters club.

All players are asked to pay their insurance as soon as possible.