Sunday, July 27, 2008

Tim’s Diary
Brought to you this month by Mary Lou McDonald. Hello Mary Lou Goodbye Lisbon.

So the motion is lost. We are all in trouble. Elsewhere you will read others take on the Lisbon adventure. I have a slightly different take on it. I think part of the No vote was against arrogance. The arrogance of the current Taoiseach. Over the last number of weeks he has proved just how arrogant power can make a person, Last month threatening members of his own party who would dare to oppose the motion with expulsion, today telling us that he must respect the wishes of the democratic majority. Democracy, my arse, a wise old solicitor friend of mine once told me “democracy, it is all right as long as you don’t let it get in on you.” The arrogance of Mr. Kenny, Mr. Gilmore and Mr. Gormley (how quickly he has forgotten his background) there was no arrogance form Ms.Harney, not because she is not arrogant, just that she didn’t open her mouth during the (so- called) campaign. How much do we mirror our near neighbours at the moment? The fate of Mr. Cowen may well match Mr. Brown., man that sounds like Reservoir Dogs. The poster campaign of the “Yes” side was pathetic lovely airbrushed images of the local councillor, T.D. or whoever, exhorting us, while the “No” side got the message across in one-liners.

Fr. Breen has commenced on the mammoth task of visiting each house in the parish. He made a start in Tipperkevin and tells me that he got a great welcome everywhere he went. And sure why wouldn’t he?
Ona a recent visit the O’Byrne siblings struggled to keep up with Mam & Dad, Brigid and Des, on hike through Glendalough recently. B & D were on a world tour, of Ireland, starting with a gathering of the mighty O’Byrne clan in Churchtown, a visit to the West, which included the Burren. They were accommodated by Anne Tutty in Hollwood for their eastern sojourn and are moving with amazing speed for a couple of old fogies…..
On a (very) personal note my nephew Leonard, the very apple of his Daddy’s eye, got a kidney transplant at thee end of last month and is making as they say in work, a bleedin rapid recovery. I know that he will enjoy the following yarn, told to me by Mr.Joe O’Callaghan. A fiend of Joes went on “Stars in their Eyes” a few years ago. You remember the programme hosted by Matthew Kelly where the victims pretend to be the star of their choice. The man, Simon, was asked by Matthew about his life. He told him that he had been in an industrial accident and had his lower body, from just above his arse removed. Luckily, his uncle was gravely ill and donated his lower half to him. In a ground breaking operation they were able to put this man back together again. When asked who he was going to be he said, “Tonight Matthew, I am going to be Simon & Halfuncle.
We celebrate another big family occasion when nephew Tim in London, celebrates his fortieth birthday. Now that does make me feel old.
Tim Grace asks me to remind you all that the Annual Summer outing for the Senior Citizens takes place on Saturday 28th of June, leaving the Square, for Galway at 9 a.m. sharp. Names to the Post Office or any member of the committee.
Mary Campbell would also like to remind you that the annual Cemetery Mass and blessing of graves will take place in St. Mary’s on Monday 21st July at 8 p.m. You may want to attend to your family plot.

It was ten years ago this month…..
The U-10’s winning Division 4 Final mead front page news in June 1998. Looking at the team photo showing the small boys who are now fine young men shows just how quickly time passes. The Tidy Towns were organizing a competition within the village for the bet maintained areas. For the carnivores amongst you Londis had chicken nuggets at 25 for £1.79 and four ¼ lb. burgers for £0.99. A young fella had a poem in for the first time about a Ballymore Childhood. Rose’s profile of Dick McKnight at seventy years of age. A photo shows the lineup of Ballymore Boxing club under the tutelage of ever youthful Mick Douglas.Eira Gorman wrote a mini-marathon diary, whilst we read abbot Oisin Daly & Graham Byrne having a toy sale which raised £12.19 for the local SVP. A full page ad in the Bugle would have set you back £20.
Ballymore-Eustace’s Proud Handball Record

Part 2

From stories I was told by Bernard Purcell I gather the present 60 by 30 alley replaced an earlier alley which had its front wall running parallel to the road that is to say the players would have been facing towards the road instead of facing towards my late father's stables as at present. This is borne out by the remains of what was the old front wall and which is still in existence.

Tommy Leahy was one of a family of five children who lived with their parents, Michael and Ellen Leahy, in their farmhouse just above where the Golden Falls Dam was constructed and access to their home was by the Golden Falls Lane or Leahy's Lane as it was also known. In 1929 Tommy Leahy became the pride and joy of the local community when he became the first Ballymore man to win an All-Ireland title and more significantly still he won it at senior level. Tommy won that title in a memorable home and away encounter with the reigning IAHU senior hard singles champion, J. J. Kelly (champion from 1925 to 1929), of Dublin. The first leg was played in Weldon's "Boot Inn" alley in Bally­mun while the second leg was played in Bally­more. Old-timers recall that the second leg was a great occasion with a capacity crowd present.

There is no doubt that Tommy Leahy captured the imagination of old time Ballymore fans in a way that no other player of his generation did. He was a powerful two­-handed player, the best of a generation of good handballers, and he dominated the senior hard singles scene under IAHU rules from 1929 to 1933. He also won the corresponding doubles titles in 1932 partnered by Jack Byrne and in 1933 partnered by Jimmy Dolan. Tommy also played doubles partnered by Peter O'Rourke.

Other well-known players he defeated were Paddy Coyne of Carlow (champion from 1910 to 1912) and Morgan Pembroke of Dublin (champion from 1920 to 1925). Tommy's late sister Bridie was married to the late Mick McDonald who helped with the running of the Club and provided Tommy with transport for his away from home games. Bridie was featured in an article in the Ballymore Bugle of February 1998. After his successful handball career Tommy immigrated to England where he died on March 6, 1940.

Two generations of the Byrne family contributed to the Ballymore handball scene. Jack experienced All-Ireland success under IAHU rules while two of his sons had All-Ireland success under IAHA rules. His brother Christy was the first to come to prominence in his role as Secretary of the Club during the Club's first period of success (1929 - 1937). Christy was a top class hardball maker and supplied the hardball needs of the local players. He was also a very useful player with whom Tommy Leahy had many a tough work out in preparation for his big games.

The late Jack (died in 1970) made his breakthrough in 1932 when he partnered Tommy Leahy in his hard doubles success. Jack succeeded Tommy Leahy as senior hard singles champion in 1933 and held that title until 1935. I saw Jack in action in the early fifties and his talents were obvious even though he was then past his best. Jack was a great all round sportsman who played in goal in 1953 on Ballymore's only team to win the Kildare senior football championship.

Jack's third son Jackie won an All-Ireland minor hard doubles medal in 1960 and thus the Byrnes became the first Ballymore family to supply champions from two generations. During a short career Jackie won two minor hard doubles medals. He was a very fast two-handed player who could play hardball and softball equally well.

I can personally vouch for Jackie's abilities having had a number of stirring encounters with him in which neither of us asked for or were given any quarter and each of us had our own band of loyal supporters. Our personal battles to represent in singles over we teamed up successfully in hard and soft doubles. Like his father Jackie was a good all round sportsman.

Jack's youngest son Justin became the third member of his family to win All-Ireland honours when he won the 1973 junior hard doubles medal. Like all the Byrnes he was a stylish, two-handed player who was fast around the alley and a good all round sportsman.

Jack's other sons Myles, the late Tommy (died in March 1999) and Declan all were useful handballers while Tommy was a good hardball maker who kept the game alive in the sixties when he was the only one who possessed the skill of making hardballs.

© Matt Purcell (June 2008)
Bits n Bobs with Rose

A Date with Celine
Well Readers, having been given a present of tickets to the recent Celine Dion concert in Croke Park, I had the good fortune to join Trish and Frank Murphy’s gang on Eamon Deering’s bus and off to Croker for a touch of Celine. Trish’s sister and hubbies were all going too and the only mistake we made was arriving at Murphy’s on time. “Have a drop of wine” says Trish. “Or a beer” says Frank. “Will you have a bit of lasagne” says Frank. “Or a bit of chicken curry?” says Trish
Isn’t it typical of bus drivers that when you’d want them to be later, they will turn up on time and just as Trish was putting the curry into the microwave, Eamon arrives…..

Off we went and we were cruising; the slagging was great until we reached Harold’s Cross and then we hit tea-time gridlock. Smokers descended the bus and went through a pack of twenty before the bus caught up; as always we Ladies needed to make an urgent pitstop and so we hopped off, used the facilities of McCauleys near Leonard’s Corner and then into the chippie next door for a snack box and chips.

And we were finished smokin’, eating and any other business we had before the bus caught up on us. For a time, it looked like we weren’t going to see Celine, never mind ‘Il Divo’ but Eamon upped a gear and got us through every back street and landed there in time for the main act.

The next time you get wind of Trish and Frank Murphy organising a bus, let me know; I will arrive early, get fed and all wined up before Eamon arrives! And the service is great on the bus too, you can abuse Eamon and he will abuse you back but he did get us there on time.
Thanks Trish, Frank and Eamon!

LISBOA – NIL POINTS!!!
Well, for a country that has done so well out of EU membership we seemed to have come full circle and lost all sense of respect or loyalty to the European vision.

First we send a Turkey on a Toilet Seat to represent our country at the Eurovision (Yes, I know some of you would say it’s a crap competition anyway….) but a muppet on a toilet seat with horrid dancers – fellas sprayed in green and gold with Aztec feathers strapped to their butts – am I missing something here?

Then we have the Lisbon Treaty, with all the main leaders except Gerry Adams encouraging a “Yes” vote. Brian Cowen, new to the role of Taoiseach and showing it; Enda Kenny, immaculately groomed but with all the charisma of Pat Kenny and Eamon Gilmore, also having the Kenny appeal……..

What a pity one of the main parties didn’t advocate a “No” vote and then we’d have had a battle, something to interest voters, rather than put them to sleep. I think Bertie probably would have made a bigger impact with voters – maybe the ‘Biffo’ approach just didn’t gel with the electorate.

I made a stab at reading the website material on the Lisbon Treaty and, as Mike Edmunds said last month, it was turkey, not Dustin turkey, worse – Rodge and Podge turkey. It reminded me of studying English for the Leaving Certificate when you were given a topic to write 2000 words on.

You got off to a great start, dynamic opening paragraph, an idea or two, the lines filling up but after 400 words, your brain had dried up – so you fill four pages of foolscap with 1600 words of crap……

Plain English, simplified bullet points with links to more specific enquiries would have sufficed. Instead a confused public said, “Hey, I don’t understand it, it’s double Dutch, yez must be trying to trick me…….” and they voted “No” to something they didn’t understand anyway.

Its too late to be whinging about EU membership – we should have seized the opportunity to show what an educated electorate we are – or maybe that’s we did – rejected substandard information, blandly written with as much solid data as you’d get on a chewing gum wrapper.

Shame on us – I just hope our “Lisbon, nil points” won’t impress our fellow EU member states as little as Dustin’s Eurovision entry. I think we’ve shot ourselves in the foot and it could be “Irlande nil points” for the future…..
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Niall Mellon Township Trust
Denise Kelly and Janet Deegan have been accepted to join the Niall Mellon Township Trust on their Building Blitz 2009 in March next year to provide approx. 200 homes in the impoverished communities in the townships of South Africa. Approximately 1,000 volunteers will travel to Cape Town, South Africa next March to participate in this event. Over the next few months, fundraising will take place as both girls need to raise €5000 each to participate in this project - all support for upcoming fundraising events would be most appreciated.

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Alzheimers Thank You
Sincere thanks to all who supported the Tea Morning in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society. €1250 was raised - a special thanks to our bakers’ supreme Mary H, Mary M and Sher H who supplied the wonderful scones and cakes! Many thanks again - Margaret McDonald, CDA.
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LOST
Basset Hound, tri-colour male, answers to the name of “Dudley”: Phone 087 6731 769 or 045 483 664


Matt’s Memories


Tramore
An older generation would know that each August our family headed for Tramore on holidays. Our late parents led the way. This we did continuously from 1952 to 1984. Usually we stayed in Tramore, but if a big crowd was expected there, we might head for Annestown or Kilfarrasy both of which were within seven miles.

For the first time in many years I visited Tramore with my brother James. The weather was lovely. One day, we decided we would go to Annestown; whilst preparing, we met Joan Cleary. Joan told us she had sold the house that we stayed in, in the seventies, and was now living in Lakelands, Tramore. Joan was looking very well and was going with the Tramore Active Retirement group on a trip to the races in Punchestown!

101st Birthday
My relation and friend, Margaret Rodney of Brisbane, recently celebrated her 101st birthday. For years Margaret corresponded with my Auntie Kit in Naas, unbeknown to me, and following Kit’s death in 1988 contact with Margaret was lost.

In 1995, I visited Sydney and rang an M.Rodney in Brisbane on the off chance that she might be related to my Rodneys. The phone rang and a lady answered. In no time at all, I realised I was talking to my Margaret Rodney. We had a great chat and I discovered that Margaret was then 88. The best part came when I discovered that not only was Margaret still with us but she had two other sisters and a brother still living. Originally there were seven children in Margaret’s family. Unfortunately, I could not meet her on that occasion but I have been corresponding with her ever since. Two years later I met herself, her family and her extended family. I again met them in 2000.

Margaret was the first one I knew who did a World Tour. This she did in 1955 with her cousin Mary Carey from New York. On that faraway occasion, we met Margaret and Mary at my grandfather’s place in Naas. In 1973, I again met Mary who was disappointed to find I was not the man she was expecting to meet. Mary was expecting to meet my uncle and namesake.

Margaret’s sister, May Keane, was 97 when she died in 2001 while her brother Philip was 88 when he died in 2003. Her sister, Kay Bahr, was 93 when she died in 2005.

The Butler
A long time ago, Tom O’Brien was a regular visitor to Ballymore. He was a butler in Fournaughts, Naas and got to know my late brother Paddy first. After Paddy died in 1963, Tom became friends with the rest of our family. Tom was a keen fisherman as was James, which created a bond between them. In addition to his interest in fishing, Tom also had a tram at Strafford-on-Slaney which he converted into living quarters for holidaying. When I had a house warmer at Braemor Avenue in 1975 Tom added a touch of class to the occasion by becoming my butler for the night. James and Marie prepared and served the food. Little did I think then that within seven months Tom would have died. Tom is buried at Four-Mile-Water, County Waterford.

Nancy and Mary
I never met Mrs Nancy Fitzgerald, Naas before but I learnt she was a friend of a friend of mine, Mrs. Carroll. As a result, I rang Nancy and had a great chat with her. The husbands of Nancy Fitzgerald and Mrs. Carroll had been guards.

Afterwards I rang Mrs. Carroll who had missed me from the Punchestown Festival but had heard I was unwell. I gather both herself and Nancy had prayed regularly for me while I was sick. The late Tom Carroll had been a guard in Ballymore for many years. While talking to Nancy, I learnt that Mrs. Carroll’s Christian name was Mary. (In times past, all married ladies were “Mrs”).

When Tom retired, himself and Mary headed for Ballylinan where they bought a disused house and farm. They modernised the farmhouse bit by bit. After nine years Tom sadly died aged 81. Mary continued on and is now in her nineties. Bobbie Grattan, who now lives in Athy, is a regular visitor to her while Peter McKnight and Seamie O’Brien recently called on Mary.

The Daily Independent
Recently I got a great welcome from my neighbour Imelda Gorman when I dropped in to Janet’s for my paper. I noticed many changes were made to Janet’s in the last year or so.


© Matt Purcell (May 17, 2008).
Ballymore Ladies GAA

Hey all, welcome to another month in the lives of us BME Ladies types................

The Ladies would like to congratulate all the girls who sat their Leaving and Junior certificates at the start of June. We hope their hard work pays off and we can’t wait to have them back training.
Hurry up lads!!! We miss ye!!!1

We would like to say a big thank you to Barry and Georgina O’Sullivan from the Ballymore Inn for their kind sponsorship of our new tracksuits. Which are straight off the O’Neills catwalk. They have already been worn with pride at our recent matches. Check out the pictures to see how hot the girls look in them (insert very loud wolf whistle)

We would also like to thank EBS, Citywest who generously provided us with a first aid kit for the tough matches ahead. Hopefully Sinead won’t get too much use out of it!!

We had an impressive victory over Moorefield in Moorefield on May 6th with Ballymore scoring 5-16 on the night to Moorefields 1-04. Moorefield have been strong opponents in the past but on this occasion Ballymore led from the start and never let the gap close.

Ballymore proved the better side on the day when they took on Rheban at home on 25th May. Rheban got a shock having beaten Ballymore convincingly at home and the home side finished 5 points ahead of in the end.


Until next month........................Jackie & Louise



The News:
The last month has been another busy time for hurling and football. The U8 and U10 teams took part in a hurling blitz and the U12's are taking part in the South Board hurling league. The U8 & U9 football teams played in Eadestown. The U12 girls won their first game in Kilcock and played Castledermot in the League semi final. The U11 team had a brilliant run in their league getting through the play off's and to the league final in the County Grounds.

West Wicklow U8 & U10 Hurling blitz
On Saturday 17th May the hurlers travelled to Dunlavin and took part in another very enjoyable hurling blitz. The teams put in a great performance with the U8's winning 3 out of their 4 matches and the U10's won all their games. Taking part were St. Nicholas (Dunlavin), Stratford, Blessington, St. Kevin's (Hollywood) and Michael Dwyer's (Kiltegan). A special thanks to Dunlavin for a great day.

U12 Hurling South Board League
The first game was against St Laurances on Saturday May 17th. Due to previous CLASHES with St Laurances there was some anxiety on how the Ballymore players would respond in this match. They certainly weren’t afraid of them and with excellent team work and scores from Shane Barrett Ballymore won 3-3 to 2-2. The next encounter was against Nurney in Ballymore on Monday 6th June. This match was quite one-sided with Ballymore going 5 goals up within the first 10 minutes. Goals from Thomas Mc Guirk and Joshua Burke Hayes were added on before halftime. Shane and Niall then suggested that they could play for Nurney in the second half to even things up. Despite the lad’s best efforts for Nurney, Ballymore still won the second half. The experience gained from playing the school hurling matches has developed this team considerably over the last few months. The difficulty now is to find decent opposition for them. They are certainly serious contenders in the Southboard league. Watch this space.

U12 Girls
The Girls team won their first match v Kilcock (the photo captures the excitement) and played Castledermot in the league semi-final on Tue. 10th June. In the best display of football to date the team (panel of 27) were just pipped by a gallant Castledermot side.

U11 Football league
The U11 boys team beat Milltown and Kildangan to reach the league final. The semi final against Kildangan was a tremendous game of football between 2 evenly matched sides. The game was won with a goal from Ross Fennell in the last minute on a score of 3-5 to 2-6.In the U11 final Ballymore lost to Athgarvan, 1-3 to 1-9, in a game played in the County Grounds. This was a very close game, which was only decided in the last minute when Athgarvan scored their goal. The Ballymore team battled hard to the end despite losing Niall Murphy to injury following a bad tackle and having a goal not given by the referee at a crucial stage in the game. The Ballymore Goal was scored by Harry Murphy with Shane Barrett scoring 3 points. Patrick Murphy, Joshua Burke-Hayes, Tadhg Dooley, Niall O’Neill and Ross Fennell as well as the rest of the lads had fine games.
This Duck Race will now take place on the 29th June at 5:00 pm., ducks are currently on sale (€5 a duck) and proceeds will go to the Ballymore Eustace Community games and the Juvenile Football & Hurling Club.


Congratulations to St Oliver Plunketts on getting to the Division 2 final of the Leinster Football Feile last weekend. Unfortunately the lads were beaten by old rivals St Coco's but beat teams from Laois, Offaly and Kildare on the way to the final.

U8 Hurlers in Dunlavin 17th May 2008:
Back row: Cian Duggan, Kevin Kelleher, Ben Noone,
Tadhg Barrett, Daire Clarke, Darragh GilroyFront row: Jack Murphy, Conor Gilroy,
Simon Murphy, Colm Daly.U10 Hurlers in Dunlavin 17th May 2008
Back row: Thomas Byrne, Mark Daly,
Enda Stewart Byrne, Robbie Noone, Ciaran Kelleher.
Front row: Aaron Deegan, Caolan Halpin Graham,
Tom Carter, Sean Murphy.

Fixtures
Hurling fixtures: West Wicklow U8 & U10 hurling blitz on Saturday 21st June in Blessington
U12 Southboard games on Saturday 14th June and Saturday 21st June
South Board U12 League 2008 (All games at 7:00)
10th June Monasterevin at home
17th June Rathangan away
24th June Castledermot at home
1st July Ballyteague away
8th July Rest
15th July Suncroft at home
22nd July Two Mile House away
South Board U10 League 2008 (All games at 7:00)
12th June Rathangan at home
19th June Monasterevin away
26th June Rest
3rd July Kilcullen away
10th July Two Mile House at home
The U12 Girls in Kilcock
Back row: Eve Maguire,
Grace Kerr, Shannon Brown, Hazel Stewart Byrne,
Lucy Field, Natasaha Murphy, Ellen Carter, Finola O'Connor, Amy Kelly Aoife Murphy,
Heather Sammon,
Shannon Doyle, Siobhan Murphy, Jennifer Mahon,
Annie-mae DeClare, Cody Behan,
Amy Mahon, Ciara Langan
Front row: Amy Horan,
Beth Doyle, Mayah Sammon,
Eve Carter, Ciara Fennan,
Oonagh Deegan.

The U11 team in St. Conleth's Park for league final on Sat 7th June
Back row: Ciaran Kelleher,
Zak Kinsella, Pascal Thompson,
David McAtamaney, Tom McQuirk, Harry Murphy, Niall O'Neill,
Ross Fennell, Shane Barrett,
Tony Og Sheridan, Joe Hayden,
Carl Jones, Mark Daly
Front row: Sheridan Kearns,
Tom Carter, Conor Lipsett,
Robbie Noone, Caolan Halpin Graham, Patrick Murphy, Tadhg Dooley,
Joshua Burke Hayes, Adam Murphy, Niall Murphy, Enda Stewart Byrne, Rossa Doyle, Ryan Murnane ,
Conor Nolan. Mentors: Johnny Murphy, Noel Thompson, Paul Murphy ( Eoghan Barrett behind the camera)

The U12 Hurlers in St. Laurence's
Back row: Calom O'Doherty Stephen Doyle, Dylan Waters, Kildare Feile Laighean 2008
Shane Barrett, Niall O'Neill Conor Davis, Robbie Boland
Front row: Darragh Kelleher, Stephen Davis, Stephen Murphy, Michael Stewart Byrne
Tadhg Dooley, Tom Murphy (Leinster Final Silver Medal Winners)

St Oliver Plunkett's.
The U14 team have played two league games just loosing out to Sarsfields and a good win over Raheens. They took part in Feile Laighean 2008 (Division 3) and reached the Leinster Final only to come second again to St. Coca's. To reach the final they had great wins over Dunderry of Meath, Rhode of Offaly and Confey of Kildare. Congratulations to all the panel, the BME players were Stephen Murphy, Robbie Boland, Michael Stewart Byrne & Conor Davis.

The U16 team have taken a short break from training due to exams and will restart soon.
Congratulations to the Kildare U15 team on their win over Wicklow in the replay of the Kavanagh Cup. Eddie Davis & Cian O'Neill are the Ballymore players on this squad.
Tidy Towns 2008 Competition

The BME Tidy Towns Group submitted their entry, on behalf of the village, for the 2008 competition in May. Assessment of participating towns is carried out by an independent panel of adjudicators appointed by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and takes place during the months of June, July and August each year. This assessment is conducted in secret and on unspecified dates.

Each entrant is assessed under ten criteria with a total of 400 marks available as follows -

Overall Developmental Approach (50 marks)
The Built Environment (50 marks)
Landscaping (50 marks)
Wildlife and Natural Amenities (50 marks)
Litter Control (50 marks)
Tidiness (30 marks)
Waste Minimisation (20 marks)
Residential Areas (40 marks)
Roads, Street, and Back Areas (50 marks)
General Impression (10 marks)

Hopefully, we will improve our score this year. Keeping the village free of litter and tidy is a daunting task, but it can be relieved if everybody – residents and visitors alike – do their bit. Please, do not drop litter; place it in the bin or take it home with you. Residents of the village can be a great help, providing they are able, if they maintain the immediate area around their doorstep litter and weed free.

Don’t forget! The Ballymore Eustace Tidy Towns Group carries out a clean-up around the village every Monday evening, weather permitting, throughout the summer. We meet in the Square at 7pm. All are welcome to join us and lend a hand! Bring gloves, a trowel, and yourselves to help us pick up litter and rubbish, and to remove weeds along the walkways and paths.

Ballymore GAA Notes Thanks to everybody who bought a club membership. The moneyis needed to help runthe club for the coming year. The first draw for 500 euro took place and the lucky winner is Michael Grace.Match ReportsBallymore V BallyteagueBallymore finished this game with a 2 point loss to Ballyteague.Ballymore had a poor first half performance and went into the break 5 points to 2 behind. Ballyteague started the second halfwith 3 unanswered points. Ballymore respondedwith their best spell of the game. They scored 6 six points to level the game. However Ballyteaguerallied and scored the final two points to win the match.Ballymore V ConfeyBallymore travelled to Confey on a bright Sunday evening.The match was played in dry conditions and Ballymore had the aid of a strongwind in the first half. Confey scored the first two points before Ballymore got their first score of the game. The first half ended with Ballymore 2 points in front.With the aid of the wind Confey started the second half well and soon were onlevel terms. Confey soon strected their lead to 3 points. Ballymore rallied but couldonly cut the difference to two points. The game ended with Confey winnning on ascore line of 12 -10.Ballymore V KillBallymore played Kill on Thursday the 5th of June. Kill got the openingtwo scores from frees, both converted by their full forward Tony Spain. Ballymorewere finding it hard to settle however Tommy Archibold scored their first pointfrom a very tight angle. Chris Dowling added to this a few minutes later. Kill continued to dominate and were soon 3 points in front.Ballymore ended the half with two excellent goal opportunities. Firstly HughKeogh picked up a breaking ball and raced towards the Kill goal. His shot was wellsaved by the goalkeeper. In the final few minutes of the first half Archibold wasfouled in the large rectangle. He took the subsequent penalty but his shot was saved.Ballymore trailed at half time on a scored line of 0-7 to 0-3.Ballymore started the second half brightly with 2 points from Archibold. After narrowing Kills led by 2 points Shane Kavanagh fisted a the ball to the back of thenet. Kill responded and levelled the scores. Garlath Gilroy then setup Chris Dowling, whofinished the ball to the corner of the Kill net. For the final 5 minutes Kill tried to score the 2 points that would levelthe game. However Ballymore defended bravely to win the game. Best for Ballymore were Gerry Fennell, Kevin Murphy,Pat Browne, Shane Kavanagh and Tommy Archibold.Ballymore V GrangeGrange travelled to Ballymore on Sunday night the 8th June. The visitors started well and raced into a 4 pointlead before Tommy Archibold opened the scoring for Ballymore with a fine point. This was folllowed by a goal from Archibold after a pass from James Kavanagh. Both teams had a man sent off after an off the ball incident.Balllymore ended thehalf with a 1 point lead after Chris Dowling struck fortheir second goal. James Kavanagh scored the first 2 points of the second half, both where free kicks. Grange then had another man sent to the line. Both teams lost their shape for the following few minutes and great scoring opportunites where missed for both teams. Ballymore finished thegame with pointsfrom Kavanagh and William O Donoghue while Grange had athird man dismissed. The scorelinewas 2-08 to 1-07, a victory for the Ballymore men.The Intermediate 'B' team had a number of good performances. After a narrow loss over St. Kevins they responded by beating Sarsfields. The next game was anarrow loss to Kilcullen.The Intermediate 'B' team then played Castledermot in Ballymore in their last league game. With the aid of a strong breeze and a Gerry Fennell goal Ballymorewere leading at half time. However they did miss a number of good chancesto extend the lead.In the second half Castledermot used the wind well and started to narrowthe gap on the score board. Ballymore rallied but could not get the scoresin the second half. Castledermot ended the game winning by 2 points.Best for Ballymore where Ollie O'Neill, Gerry Fennell and Dean Fisher.Senior training is every Tuesday and Thursday night in the pitch at 7.30. All are welcome.
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Russborough House - The Art
Russborough House, venerable in age and character, once a home to lords and ladies of the realm, Castle to the old Irish ascendancy – Ireland rich in the ruins of lost generations yet this grand house stands gloriously proud of the craftsmanships that made it whole.
Twin sweeping colonnades embrace its hearth, its soul as ever, is in the charm of its welcome – a spirit pervading the entire, that same spirit, innate, imbued so naturally now in those who serve its needs and who good-naturedly greet and informatively guide those who come to visit, re-treading the footsteps of times past – people like Marian Kelly, Administrator; Anne Reynolds, Monica Brosnan, Alice Farrington, and Barbara Bolger among others. Barbara, who must now be doyen to this mansion, and who for nigh on thirty years has accompanied visitors through its labyrinthine ways on tours of the art and lives of its treasures; of Vermeer, Velasquez, Goya, etc. The presence and importance of those mentioned above, is that vital link with the past in continuity of its existence; and as they guide you through its wonders, they will tell you that all good paintings have a story to them, sometimes dramatic – of happiness, of loneliness, of the melancholy of artists, of love and sometimes of tragedy.

It was a pleasure to see again the Claude Joseph Vernet quartet, four works specially commissioned by Joseph Leeson (c.1750) which sit like treasured jewels within wonderfully decorated frames, the free-hand plasterwork of the unsurpassable Lafrancini brothers, designed specifically for these paintings depicting the four diurnals of shade, Morning, Midday, Evening, and Nightfall in subtleties of light and atmosphere. Such is the beauty that it would not be unjust to refer to each setting as magnified decorations of Benvenuto Cellini, the Renaissance goldsmith. The four were sold to an American collector during the 1920’s. On moving to Russborough (1952), Sir Alfred Beit went in search of them. In the early 1960’s they were re-instated to their natural home, a residency of some 260 years. It is said that these paintings were the prelude to Vernet’s commissioning by the hapless King Louis XV1 for a series, Harbours of France which brought him so much fame, and are now in The Louvre.
Not all of the pictures previously displayed at Russborough are on show for a variety of reasons, but apart from those mentioned within, prominent are the two famous Dutch artist friends, Van deVelde and Van Goyen showing two seascapes, one of Ships in a Calm, the other A Stormy Sea, along with Wm. Sadler’s View of Dublin, and two large canvasses by Jacques de Lajoue (1687-1761) from his Allegories of Science. Others include Gainsborough, Batoni, Joshua Reynolds, Chavennes.
Paintings with incident-packed lives and misadventures, as is well know, include the Rubens, Murillo, Metsu etc., and remain with the National Gallery for the present time. So, perhaps it’s the French (Royal) connection this time, and if the journey of the ‘Vernet four’ to America was unfortunate, the acquisition of Jean Baptiste Oudry’s (1685-1755) An Indian Black Buck (with three white hounds and still life of a pheasant and a duck) was a connoisseur’s dream come true, when intimate knowledge and limitations are masters of the art of collecting. It is admired as perfect a study of animal life.
Oudry was appointed court painter of the Royal Hunt by Louis XV, grandfather of the unlucky Louis XV1, and is considered one of the world’s foremost of that genre. When this large canvas last went to auction, the final bids were between J. Paul Getty and Sir Alfred Beit. Getty won the day, but lack of attention to detail caused embarrassment. Shortly after acquiring this prize, Getty offered the picture to Beit because it was too large for any of the walls of his house. Hail, to Russborough. Thus, a perceived grandeur was undone by an over-swelled wallet – no less an incongruity than owning a current model Rolls Royce while living in a 3bed semi with no garage!
Oudry, an amazingly versatile artist, was highly thought of by Louis XV and was asked to revive the Tapestry works in Beauvais, a complex task, for it demanded not simply art-work and design, but knowledge of the dying of colour threads. Curiously, there are two large tapestries in Russborough, both of French origin and dated to the time of Louis X1V, the Sun King, c.1690. In the same room is a work by Andre Derain (1880-1954), contemporary of Renoir, Lady with a Flowery Hat, blithe spirit, which it is said was one of Sir Alfred Beit’s favourites. Where he went, she went. I could not see the merit for such amiable feelings; but then, I was spoilt, for it called to mind a short-lived romance when I was 20, with a very pretty girlfriend, who, saying how thrilled she was that her portrait had been chosen to grace the millions of world-wide Irish Hospitals Sweepstake tickets, pretended to swoon. Gallantly, instant ignition spurred me to give her the kiss-of-(her)-life to revive her. I got a slap on the cheek for that bit of hospitality! The Lady with the Flowery Hat seemed to smile. Michael Ward.





Russborough House Demesne – Music - Outdoor Theatre - Entertainment
Web address: www.russborough.ie Phone: 045-865239 email: russborough@eircom.net
Eric Blatchford, the new Chief Executive Officer at Russborough, is an unusual breed, for while being well experienced in his approach to business, he is also one very nice chap, personable and sincere, and very much Lord of the manner, Crowned, one could say, for this appointment. The expansion of the activities at Russborough will not only help defray the running costs of the Beit Foundation, but importantly, it also interacts with the cultural aspects of existing activities, well suited to the manor.
The forthcoming appearance of Celine Byrne at Russborough - Soprano, winner of the Maria Callas Grand Prix, in Athens, 2007, and an already accomplished career as an international performer at Carnegie Hall, The Hermitage in St. Petersburg, on both operatic and concert stages including our own National Concert Hall and the Vatican - is in perfect harmony with the whole ethos of what Russborough means and why it was originally constructed. From Naas, Celine holds a Masters in Music from the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
Included in this Summer’s plans, and by way of variety, the stage is also set for an outdoor performance of King Arthur and The Knights of The Round Table by Chapterhouse Theatre Company, an ideal family entertainment, to take place on the front lawn, with the house as a backdrop. For this exciting engagement, patrons are to provide their own low-backed seating and rugs where they may picnic before the performance, from 4pm.

A Scenic Walking Tour
Where before, visits to Russborough were more or less confined to the Art collection, with the Maze as an attraction for children, more lately the house was opened to musical evenings. Now an extensive walking tour has also been established, opening up the extensive grounds around the perimeter of the demesne, where the wonderful landscape exposes new vistas and panoramic views - ideal settings for artists. The walk takes about an hour to complete.
The Russborough Café
Situated below stairs (!) in the old kitchen is a wonderful Café run by Dawn and Kevin Farley with 30 years experience behind them. They serve wonderful food, lunches with fresh garden produce, home-baked cakes, pastries, buns and that lovely Italian illy coffee from 10am to 5pm every day. Each table is decorated with a vase of flowers, fresh as the morning dew, and a scent, sweet as a sunny day.

Looking Ahead
Eric Blatchford just will not stand still. Plans are well advanced to cater for Civil Wedding Ceremonies, Wedding Receptions, Corporate meetings and entertainment, and much more.
If you are about to pop the question, check with Eric or Marian Kelly first!

Upcoming events include:
13th July. Outdoor Theatre (Sunday, on the front lawn 4pm)
King Arthur and The Knights of The Round Table
A Live performance by The Chapterhouse Theatre Company
It lasts for just over two hours. Bring your own low seats & rugs.
Picnic space open from 4pm. Refreshments available.
23rd AugustSummer Fest featuring
Celine Byrne. Concert. 8pm.
Fruit Punch reception 7.30pm
21st September Blessington Vintage Car
& Motorcycle Club. 10am-11.30am
18th October Liz Ryan Concert
Nobody loves a Fairy when she’s Forty
5th November Vanburg Quartet
Farmers Markets on Sundays
3rd August, 7th September, 5th October.
The well laid out web site for Russborough is designed by Haven Design; www.havendesign.ie Michael Ward.
The Late John Headon

My generation will remember John as “Big John”, the big man who marched with the Wolfe Tone Brass and Reed Band playing the base. He was an imposing figure, his height making him immediately identifiable in the many photographs taken of the band over the decades - and then the big broad smile… There’s the word “big” again and for generations of youth who learned to play music through the band, the genial giant certainly made a big impression.
Former pupils and parents contacted Tom and Niamh Headon after the funeral to say how they appreciated his patience and encouragement as a teacher in latter years.

John’s dedication to the band is unquestionable; he joined as a youth of fourteen and until his death in April, remained an active member and was serving the role of President. Coincidentally, his son Tom joined at the same age – albeit under the ‘persuasion’ of his late father – and remains a member today, never having regretted being bitten by the music bug.

John was born to Mary and Tom Headon of Chapel Street; Mary was an O’Toole of Lamingstown, Broadleas and Tom hailed from Sillagh. Tom was a widower with children Dennis, Joe and Tom (Kate had died young), from his first marriage. The love of farming was as deeply imbedded in John as was his love of music; it was always his aspiration to move back up to the farm at Broadleas and happily he did.

Tom Headon snr. passed away when John was a mere three years of age, leaving Mary to raise three children – Annie, Pat and John. For young John, walking the cattle from the yard at Chapel Street up to the farm at Broadleas before and after school was like saying his daily prayers and the only grief it caused him was when the flooding near the Old Schoolhouse prevented the herd from getting through.

Hard work never bothered him; in his time, he served as relief postman, joined Kildare County Council in his twenties, using the horse and cart before tractors and vans were available to crews. From the family home on Chapel Street, he ran a coal yard for years. In the the mid 1970s, he was appointed a Water Works Overseer with the Council covering a wide area from Castledermot to Ardclough to Brannockstown to Blessington and this was pre-mobile phones and email.

“There wasn’t even the two-way speaker system then” remarked Tom. “He would often be just back in from a call when there would be a message to go back out again – the flash-lamp got a lot of use in those days with up to 20 phone calls at home and no answering machine!”

“My father was the first person I ever saw with a mobile phone and it was a massive looking thing, about the size of biscuit barrel, with an ariel the length of a fly fishing rod! You couldn’t afford to buy them then, only to rent them and the battery was huge.”



Despite enjoying his time with the Water Department, John was not sorry to retire in 1996 as it gave him time to indulge in other passions – namely the brass and reed band and farming!

For Michael Kelly, the late John Headon was one of the central figures of the band. “John was one of the people who kept the band going through good years and bad, right up to the day he died. He totally believed in the ethos of the band, that “nothing was to be disposed of, until something of equal value to the band had replaced it.” Therefore, no musical instruments were disposed of, until a new one replaced it.

He was passionate regarding the implementation of the bandhall as a local facility and how right he was; today, the ‘new’ bandhall hosts underage and adult dramatic and musical presentations, bowling, weekly badminton to over 70 children, Irish dancing and has facilitated the community playgroup, planning meetings etc.

The original building of the bandhall was sheeted in 1939; we ran concerts, raffles and card-drives during Monsignor Browne’s time to upgrade the hall. It was extended and a new stage put in. For years, the cinema brought in revenue until it was moved to the parish hall. For a time, the bandhall housed a printing works but eventually it fell into dis-repair.

Under John’s leadership, a major fundraising drive was initiated and plans for a new hall incorporating two music rooms began; it was John’s foresight at this stage that the hall be designed to provide a community facility. He dealt with everything from the planning application and sourcing Government grants, to fundraising, making house-to-house calls for the non-stop draw.

His whole life he was the backbone of the band; from his days as a player – he started out playing the cornet, then an E Flat horn, the baritone and finally the base – he marched and travelled the length and breadth of the country with the band and in latter years, was one of our most patient and dedicated tutors, teaching newcomers the recorder.

Coincidentally, John was also involved in the dramatic society as was his good friend, the late Paddy Monaghan. The group performed in the Kildare Drama Festival and others.

I refer to the late Paddy Monaghan above; Paddy used to visit John occasionally after second mass on Sunday; indeed, John once joked that despite the fact he didn’t take sugar, he went through two bags a week catering for the many welcome visitors who crossed the door on Chapel Street!

Many homes in Ballymore proudly hang pictures of the Wolfe Tone Brass & Reed Band taken at former Corpus Christi Parades, Easter Monday Ceremony (‘non-partition’ parade) field days, GAA championship finals, gymkhanas, Punches town Parades, Walking Sunday etc. One of the more familiar photographs was taken at the opening of Scoil Mhuire in 1953, the late Jack Twaite proudly leading the lads and of course, the imposing figure of “Big John” unmistakable.

Other occasions the band performed included marching Pat Buckley, winning jockey of the Aintree Grand National in 1963, from Naas into Two-Mile- House; the inauguration of Jack Boothman as President of the GAA – the band led Jack into Blessington; meeting the Bishop on arrival to Ballymore for Confirmations, official switching on of the Christmas lights/ arrival of Santa and of course, Christmas morning after mass.

It’s the local appearances I remember so vividly – the festival parade, the field day and Christmas morning in the Churchyard, the band looking so smart in their navy, gold trimmed uniforms.

Those uniforms tell their own story – in 1963, the Garda Suiochana changed their uniforms so John, along with other members, sourced surplus Garda uniforms, dressed them with gold braid and chrome buttons, added a musical lyre to the hats – and the ‘new-look’ band was complete! Even in later years, during the 1980s, when a lighter material was used, a similar design and overall look was retained.

It was 1967 that John married Eileen, nee Dowling of Brittas and their only son, Tom was destined to eventually join the band and continue the tradition. Whilst admits he was ‘persuaded’ to join, he remains a member today, loves it and played last Christmas outside the Church, much to the delight of the ailing John.

“My father had great patience; I worked with him (Tom also works with KCC Water Dept); played in the band with him and lived with him – if he put up with me for years, believe me, he had great patience! He was a great father and a good friend and I’m happy that his final years were spent here at Broadleas where he has always wanted to be.”

Their mutual interest in the band saw father and son travel to Worchester, Massachusetts and Holly Oak, Conneticut and around Ireland until sadly, the band could no longer sustain a marching element. Tom, like his dad, plays base and bears a striking resemblance to the early photos of his father.

For Tom’s wife, Niamh, John was an easy patient and he revelled in the view of the land from the kitchen window – only 2 miles up the road but he used to laugh and say it took him 30 years to get there! He had excellent memory and loved to talk about the history of Ballymore, the factual and the invented. He always praised his former neighbours on Chapel Street, never having fallen out with neighbours on either side.

For years, John was on the graveyard committee and held the key to the gates; he loved to bump into Bobby Grattan and Eddie Whelan there and go back over shared memories.
Sadly, Eileen died in 2001 so John became a more frequent visitor to St Mary’s.

John had been an alter boy as a child, a Minister of the Eucharist for years, collected at mass, was a lifelong pioneer and was involved in several associated fundraising drives – eg presentation to Fr Dunphy, Monsignor Browne’s headstone and was a Papal Steward for the Pope’s visit in 1979.

A film crew shooting in Maynooth chose John for a particular scene whereby they wanted a band member to take a slug of whiskey– whilst it was his physique that drew the crew’s attention, the other band members thought it amusing that the pioneer was selected and had no hardship in downing the cold tea for the scene!

For Michael Kelly, it was John’s modesty that made him stand tall: “He didn’t wear his deeds on his sleeve; he did a lot of good turns for people but never spoke of it afterwards and many people referred to this at the funeral.
Apart from his work with the band, he contributed to the dramatic society years ago, the church, was a member of the Fine Gael party – a good friend of Paddy Malone and Gerry Sweetman, was a member of the graveyard committee and his door was always open to anyone.”

Undoubtably, it is John’s contribution to the Wolfe Tone Brass & Reed Band that he will be best remembered.
An anchor man over the years, he has been a performing member, Trustee, Secretary, Chairperson, President and Teacher – each role equal in importance. There is even the story that once, when the rest of the band failed to appear at a booking in Blessington due to transport problems – John, along with two other members marched down the street and honoured the booking!

A wealthy man is a man who lives as he wants to and the late John Headon spent the last few years ‘rolling in clover’ so to speak– on the land at Broadleas, living with his son Tom and daughter in law, Niamh; father and son both continuing their love of music and the brass & reed band, John with plenty of genuine friends and remembered fondly by many ex-pupils and fellow members.

Big John, the late John Headon, may he rest in peace, amen.


- Rose
Scoil Mhuire News:

6th Class in Scoil Mhuire made their Confirmation this year and gave a generous donation to two charities, the Irish Guide Dogs Association and the Irish Cancer Society. The children e-mailed the charities and invited them to Scoil Mhuire. Their teacher made out two large Presentation cheques and the real ones too! Representatives from the two charities came to Scoil Mhuire to accept the cheques. Paddy Coyle came from the Irish Guide Dogs Association and Kevin Delaney came from the Irish Cancer Society. They both gave interesting talks on how the donations would help the people in their charities who would benefit from the money. The 6th Class are really happy with the way that other people will be helped

Green school committee are holding a jumble sale on 11th June. This will give a chance for recycling of used toys, games, books, bric-a-brac etc. They have been busy collecting, sorting and pricing the goods, and proceeds from the sale will go towards the purchase of additional science equipment for the school.

It is the policy in Scoil Mhuire to consult annually the senior pupils when updating the school policy handbook. 6th class held discussions to review policies and give their opinions. Three representatives of the class then met with members of the school's board of management at its June meeting to outline their proposals. The board has agreed to study the propoasals as the pupils' ideas last year proved most beneficial to all.

The Scoil Mhuire Choir has recorded an original song, "The Parent" which was performed at the Balldonnell Singers concert in the Church last February. The song was recorded in the school and is available to anyone who wishes to purchase it on CD from the school office at 3. All profits from the CD will go towards the charity "Gach Duine" which involves a group of primary teachers who are building a community centre in the village of Adaba, Ethiopia during the summer holidays.

A new interactive whiteboard has just been installed in the infants classroom. This will bring the very latest technology to the classroom. The incoming Junior Infants will benefit greatly from this and if funding allows we will expand this technology to other classrooms.

We are grateful to Martin Kelleher and Mark McCarville for their patient and very enjoyable coaching classes in hurling and football. The progress made by pupils during this year was very evident in the enjoyment of the sports and in the teams performances at matches with a very spirited performance by the G.A.A. club under-11 football team last Saturday in the county grounds in Newbridge. Thanks to a donation from the Ballymore Junior Drama group we will be able to provide extra coaching in basketball for the 5th and 6th classes this month. Now all we need is a good dry day for sports day on June 20th!

Many thanks to the "Bugle" staff for their help with publishing our news during the year. It has been a busy but very successful year for the school and we wish all pupils and parents a good summer.

on passing by- again
First, apologies for a misprint in last months crossword. It was fine when it left me but obviously a gremlin has been at work subsequently. It is being ignored on all entries, even though nearly everyone got the correct answer. Clever bunch of solvers we have on the Bugle.

By the time you read this the Lisbon referendum should be all over bar the shouting. Depending on the result we will be the darlings of Europe or we will be watching all the foreign companies packing up and heading for the airport.
What I thought was particularly striking was the almost total absence of the Junior Minister for European Affairs, Dick Roche, in the last two weeks of the proceedings. Except for a small number of soundbites and two appearances on Sky it was as if he had disowned the whole project and gone on his holidays. Then again, in light of the fact that I know of almost no one who can stand Mr Roche’s particular brand of debate, perhaps he was told to keep a low profile. I suppose it is possible the No campaign was stronger than he expected and he decided to keep a pace behind his Leader in case the outcome was not to his liking. The limelight is something Mr Roche partakes of only if it is showing him in the best of ways.
I had thought that there was a statute which in effect forbids any canvassing the day before an election or referendum but in the Evening Herald on Wednesday there was almost a full page given over to Brian Cowen and his reasons to vote Yes. Talk about covering all the bases. He had something to say about tax, defence, abortion, euthanasia, investment and god knows what else. Someone really should keep a proper record of what all these people are telling us because as far as I can see the Lisbon Treaty is nothing but good news, and as we all know from previous elections and referenda the bad news usually only surfaces after we have committed ourselves to something. Then again it would make you wonder when you see a representative from IBEC lose his cool on the six o’clock news with someone from the No camp and almost shout out that the Treaty is not going to make any difference to anything. What’s all the fuss for so?.

So finally we get some truth from the Tribunal. All that ould sterling was just a bit of good luck on the gee gees. Absolutely nothing untoward or even extraordinary. Makes you wonder why Bertie didn’t just tell us all about it ages ago and save himself all the intervening hassle. For so long he was completely unable to remember having any sterling at all and definitely never had to lodge any. We now find he lodged quite a bit of it. Some he got in dribs and drabs because he was thinking of buying a flat in Manchester and some he had for going to football matches. And yet still he was unable to recall any of this until the tribunal reminded his then secretary exactly what the penalties for perjury were. Hey Presto, her erstwhile dodgy memory returned with a vengeance. Following this, Bertie himself seems to have had a damascene moment as long forgotten flats and horses came rushing back. What I cannott understand is if he had over eighteen grand in sterling, and over fifty five grand in pounds, why his “friends” thought he needed over twenty two grand of a dig out?.
The longer this goes on the more bizarre it becomes.

As the price of oil continues its inexorable rise the ripples are starting to spread and affect an ever widening section of Irish society. Fuel prices, obviously, are increasing almost daily but he problem for the general population is the rapid rise in the price of basic food commodities. Milk, bread, cereals and eggs are just some of the items which have seen massive surges in price over the last few months. Some of these increases can be justified but a lot of them seem to be blatant profiteering by importers and sellers. How can a product in a German Lidl cost 2.59, the same product in a U.K. Lidl cost 3.49 and in an Irish Lidl 4.59.
How can a basket of goods of comparable quality cost 30.68 in Lidl and a massive 47.85 in Dunnes Stores.? That’s a difference of almost 900 euro in a year and that’s just for 32 products. How can Lidl and Aldi sell pure fruit juice for less than half the price of Tesco? Or Irish Cheese? Or meat?
If the larger groups are doing what they advertise and bringing us the lowest prices, if they are as competitive as they say they are how could a recent National Consumer Association survey show just over a one per cent difference between Dunnes and Tesco for a basket containing the same 32 items.
As per usual we have sections of the farming community bemoaning the low prices available for their produce and at the same time we see the massive mark-ups achieved by Tesco, Dunnes et al.
Yet surely the answer to at least some of the farmers problems are in their own hands. Other countries have widespread farmers markets where fresh local produce is sold directly to local people. The larger markets include meat sales from local farms as well as the usual vegetables, fruit, etc. Using these markets the farmers can achieve a higher price for their goods than would be available from the supermarket groups and the buying public can buy cheaper than they can in the same supermarkets. Result: more money for producers, lower cost for customers, fresh produce consumed at its peak without preservatives, money kept in the locality, and a massive reduction in the dreaded food miles and carbon footprints.

Ireland at one time had large populations of what are normally called birds of prey. Unfortunately over time the largest of these were hunted or poisoned into extinction.
Over the last few years over 95 birds have been reintroduced to Ireland, including 50 Golden Eagles, 15 White Tailed Eagles and 30 Red Kites. Of that total at least eight are now known to have been shot or poisoned and the National Parks service believes the real death toll could be twice that. Three Eagles have been found dead in the same small area in Kerry and the same farmer is suspected of involvement in all three deaths. So much for certain people being trusted to be the custodians of our environment. I will return to this next month.

All for now. Mike Edmonds.
A BIG THANK YOU!The CDA would like to thank the members of this year's Punchestown Festival Committee on behalf of the people of Ballymore Eustace.This energetic bunch of young women, Deirdre Hackett, Aisling Cronin, Suzanne Byrne, Sinead Cronin and Sally Anne Pallister, showed great initiative in taking on this very large task to continue a great tradition (which sadly did not happen last year due to a lack of volunteers).I don't think the girls actually appreciated how much work and effort has to be put in to making the Punchestown Festival in Ballymore Eustace a success so we can only begin to imagine!Their efforts were obvious because everything associated with the festival was carried out to an extremely high standard - they will be a tough act to follow next year. Hopefully they haven't been put off by the experience and will be involved again next year.The CDA will be communicating with the festival committee to get a review as to how they felt it went and how it might be possibly modified to ensure a successful festival annually supported by the people of Ballymore Eustace.Thanks again girls - great job!Fiona Breslin(chairperson CDA)

Tidy Towns successful in obtaining
KTK Levies to fund Street Signage

The CDA would like to congratulate the Tidy Towns committee in securing funding from KTK levies for street signage in Ballymore Eustace. The CDA has dappled with the concept of erecting street signage for Ballymore Eustace for some time now but this funding will now make it a reality. We are nearing the end of our street sign survey and so huge thanks to everyone who participated. The analysis of the results of the street sign survey will determine the colour scheme of all street signs for the village.

Members of the CDA committee will then do a walkabout of the village to ascertain where the signs need to be erected. The owners of the buildings where the signs will hopefully be located will be shown a sample sign and permission will be sought from these owners to erect a sign on their premises. The next step is to contact a fluent Irish speaker to ensure we have the correct names for the streets ‘as Gaeilge’. When we have all these tasks completed, we will hand over the information to Séan Deegan and let him work his magic. Then all that will be left to do is get the signs erected and voila – nobody will ever be lost in Ballymore Eustace again!!

We are hopeful that we will have this project completed by the end of summer 2008. The CDA would like to take this opportunity to thank Séan Deegan for producing sample signs for us free of charge – thanks a mill.

Editors comment: Well done to past and previous members of the CDA who have worked on this project; please note though, whilst the funding has been passed by the KTK KCC Community Levy Committee, it must be officially approved at the next sitting of the Naas Area councillors.

Housing Adaptation Grants for Private Dwellings
Minister for Housing, Michael Finneran TD has announced that a capital allocation of €1.64m has been allocated to Kildare County Council for the payment of Housing Adaptation Grants for Private Dwellings. The allocation to Kildare is for the payment of Disabled, Essential repair and Housing Adaptation Grants for older people and people with disability, for private dwellings. The announcement is part of a national €71.4m allocation for 2008. Contact Kildare County Council for further information.

Guide to walks along the canal towpath around Naas and Sallins
Kildare County Councillor Paddy Mac Namara has just written and produced a guide to walks along the canal towpath around Naas and Sallins. This guide is to be distributed free in Naas and Sallins. We are unaware as to whether the booklet is going to be distributed to homes in these areas or will be available in commercial outlets to pick up. If anyone obtains clarification on this, please let us know and we will inform readers in the next edition of the bugle. This guide will encourage people to use these walkways and thus get more enjoyment out of the amenity of the grand canal.
A GOOD READ with Angie

I recently read a review of Joseph O’Neill’s novel “Netherland” ( Paperback:4th Estate : 15 euro) and it sounded so good I went out and got hold of it straight away. I read it almost as quickly- what a book. It tells the story of Hans van den Broek, as Dutch financier who is based first in London and then New York. The story initially appeared as a thriller because it pivots on the mysterious death of Hans’ erstwhile friend, a Trinidadian, Chuck Ramkissoon. The novel flits between Hans’ present, working back in London and his somewhat dazzling experience of living and working in the Big Apple. The author himself is Irish born and lives in New York and his portrait of the city is superb, almost visceral.

The novel also has a sports theme, which wouldn’t be guaranteed to interest me, but it actually gave the book a great depth. Hans and Chuck become friends through their mutual love of cricket- a somewhat incongruous sport in the US context. As the story unwinds it takes the reader on a fascinating journey into Hans’ psyche, through the depiction of his relationship with his wife, his son, his mother and most rewardingly, with his m maverick friend Chuck.

It turns out to be not so much a thriller as an intriguing and complex tale of families; friendship and what it is that makes a home, or even makes us feel that we belong. O’Neill is a very gifted writer and I really warmed to this book, even though it was essentially a very masculine account. I found the central character to be engaging and interesting and above all totally believable as he struggles with making sense of his life and identity. I can highly recommend this novel.

The other novel I encountered was completely different- a rollicking Dickensian style roller coaster of a book situated in Barcelona in the post war years, and wild and hilarious in places. The only similarity with the first book was the evocation of place, in that it also made me want to visit the city where it was set. ”The Shadow of the Wind” By Carlos Ruiz Zafon ( Paperback: Phoenix fiction:12.00) has a sumptuous plot full of strange and sinister characters and follows the life and loves of Daniel, son of a bookseller. The context of the post war years in Spain proves to be an excellent backdrop for this atmospheric epic, with its corrupt officials and crumbling mansions.

Daniels’ adventures in the underworld of Barcelona have lots of twists and turns as we gradually learn more and more about the mysterious life of the author of a rare book “The Shadow of the Wind”: Julian Carax. It becomes a little like a novel within a novel as Daniels’ own story comes to reflect that of his hero. Although the book can be a little flowery and laboured in places, it is peppered with a lovely homespun wisdom, and it would be an ideal book to take on holiday, as the plot is compelling, so it can be difficult to put down once you get into it.

Enjoy your summer reading!

PS Sorry for the typo in last month’s review- Sephira’s album is actually called “Believe” not Angel! I reckon I made that mistake because the two sisters in the group look so angelic!
Angie Thompson
The Late Great
PADDY MONAGHAN R.I.P.
Not surprisingly, the church was packed for the funeral and removal of the late Paddy Monaghan. Here was a man truly loved by the community, a man who traversed so many groups and worthy causes in the village, that his nomination for Person of the Year 2003 drew the largest number of citations ever submitted for any one candidate. I refer to our articles of the Ballymore Bugle in January and February 2003 when so many genuine tributes were paid to the late, great Paddy Monaghan.

Amongst them, brothers Eamon and Ollie Deegan praised Paddy as “Caring, unselfish, dedicated and committed. In his role as secretary of the Community Centre, he negotiated and liaised with FAS agencies on the FAS staff programme at the Community Centre; he oversaw all enhancements to the site, spoke to sponsors and potential sponsors. Above all, he ensured that a very costly facility, built by the people of Ballymore, remained open for business and viable.
His work for the St Vincent de Paul and meals on wheels etc is lesser known. He is an ardent worker for the Church and if you ever needed a lift anywhere, Paddy was your man!”

Billy Gobbett: “He was pivotal to everything that happened in the Community Centre. When our FAS workers weren’t available, then it was Paddy who stepped into the breach to keep the centre open. When the shop had to be restocked, he drove to Newbridge for supplies. Paddy’s name is synonymous with the development and ongoing success of the Centre, virtually a one-man band.”

Matt Purcell, The Chronicle 2000:
“Paddy occupies an unique position in the local handball club. His playing career of over 60 years extends way beyond that of any other player. Originally overshadowed by such players as Bobbie Grattan, Jim Bolger, Bill Lawlor and Liam Evans, Paddy partnered Bill Lawlor in 1953 to success in the All-Ireland junior hard doubles championship, a match they had to win twice due to an objection. Paddy became a official in 1964 and since then, occupied various positions both at Club and County Board levels. He has the distinction of being the only Kildare man to hold the position of Chairman of the Leinster Handball Council; in 1974 the Central Handball Council presented Paddy with the Willwood Tailteann Medal for his work with juvenile handballers. Paddy made history in 1981 by being the first Kildare man to win the Leinster 40 x 20 Golden Master Singles.”
NB Matt also wrote a lovely tribute to Paddy in the September ’99 edition of The Bugle entitled “A Man of Many Parts” in which he pointed out that Paddy supported so many clubs during his lifetime: football, boxing and badminton clubs; the Dramatic Society; the Brass and Reed Band; Community Games and many local charities including the St Vincent de Paul Society.

John Browne
“After Paddy ceased playing, he turned his hand to coaching and trained one of the best handballers we ever had, Tom O Rourke, who won the World Handball Championship and many national titles. Paddy also coached myself for years and no matter where I was playing, he was right beside me and I will always thank him for that. Paddy had a thankless job of taking our youngsters up and down the country to handball tournaments, encouraging them, minding them and feeding them.”

Not only did Paddy train the promising players, the likes of Tom O’Rourke, Daragh Ward, Trevor Winders and John Browne and many others, but he encouraged and devoted the same time to tribes of young lads who would never win county or national titles. All-Ireland winner or ‘Always a Runner-up’, Paddy gave time to all.

Pat Hipwell, Secretary Moone H.C.
“He held every position on the County Kildare Handball Board and I was very privileged to be with Paddy when he was elected Chairman of Leinster Handball Council. He was tremendous with juveniles and a lot of the All-Ireland titles in Ballymore was down to the confidence and tuition they received from Paddy.”

John O Donnell, former Treasurer Kildare County Handball Board:
“Paddy was well-known by handballers all over Ireland as a gentleman, supreme sportsman and administrator. He has brought much honour and pleasure to his club and county during his long handballing career.
He refereed numerous County, Leinster and National Championship games and has served many terms on County and Leinster Committees.”

Jim Clarke:
“I have known Paddy since our school days. In the fifties, when we won Junior, Intermediate and Senior Championship titles in a row, Paddy was our team physio. Everyone associates Paddy with handball but his contribution to the parish of Ballymore is unbelievable, helping in the Church, the St Vincent de Paul, Meals on Wheels etc. He was a good boxer in his day too!”

Angela Cameron Toner from Scotland:
“He played a major part in our lives during our annual visits to Ballymore, when he made every effort to ensure that we enjoyed our summer holidays there. He always seemed to make time for each of us including numerous handouts of pocket money! He encouraged us to join him on regular visits to the ball-alley – a new experience for us – but with his patience, we soon started to enjoy it. We had a lot to thank him for and take this opportunity to say he was The Best Uncle in the World”.

The Late, Great Paddy Monaghan,
a true son of Ballymore.


Rose

The Late Great Paddy Monaghan
“I have been asked to say a few words about our great friend Paddy, and as everyone can see by the huge turnout, Paddy had many friends mainly through his long association with handball and those same friends have travelled from many parts of the country to send Paddy on his way, including President Tony Hannon and Secretary Lorcan O’Rourke of the Irish Handball Council, such was the esteem in which Paddy was held within the association.

Paddy was a very private man in his way but yet his door was always open for a chat and a cuppa, and many a night we sat up drinking tea and talking about the places he worked as a steel fixer, and the different houses he stayed in when he was working away from home.

When I was younger, Paddy was driving me to a match somewhere in the west – one of many - we crossed over the bridge in Athlone and he told me he built that bridge on his own over a week-end - and I believed him! He also built Shannon Airport, the Avoca Mines, Ardnacrusha Power Station…..I remember him telling me on one of his trips home from that power station, he was knocked off his motor bike and ended up in Portlaoise Hospital; after a few hours he was released, got back up on the bike and after about 20 minutes, realised he was going the wrong way! And I believed it all…..

He always looked forward to coming home at the weekends and his travelling ended when he got a job locally in the Water Treatment Plant where he would brag about pushing out 36 million gallons of water everyday on his own, right up to his retirement and he was missed greatly by all his colleagues in the job when he retired.

Paddy had many strings to his bow and at some stage in his life he was involved with almost everything in the village, G.A.A., the Band, Badminton, Boxing, Drama, St. Vincent de Paul, Church gate collections for various charities, even modelling!! He was a collector and Eucharistic minister here in the Church, meals on wheels and the list goes on… I used often slag him that it was a good job he didn’t have a ‘real’ job and that it was only the Corporation he worked in - or he wouldn’t find the time for half the things he was involved with.

Paddy loved Ballymore and the people who lived in it and that was proved in 2003 when he won the Ballymore Eustace Person of the Year, an award he was so proud of because it was the people of the village who voted for him. He had many “safe” houses in Ballymore where he could wander in at any time for a cuppa and a chat; I’m not going to name the houses but you know if yours was one of them, the hours of chat with Paddy will never be forgotten.

But of course Paddy’s first love was Handball and he got some reward in 1953 when he won his only All-Ireland medal partnering Bill Lawlor to win the Junior Hardball Doubles. On the other hand, there is well over 100 All-Ireland medals in Ballymore and I have no doubt that Paddy had a hand in every single one of them whether it was driving players or coaching.

And speaking of him driving, there was never a big rush to get in the front with Paddy; on one of those trips he nearly came a cropper when driving Tony Evans and Will Hennessy to a match in Kells, he turned around to say something to Will who was in the back when the car hit a ditch, turned over a couple of times and was hit by an oncoming car. When the three lads were removed from the wreck, Paddy turned to the other two and simply asked “What happened there, lads?”

I know on a personal note that the success I had through handball was 100% down to the hours of support that Paddy gave me, with thousands of miles clocked up driving me to training sessions and matches, and I can still see his beaming smile when I would come out of an alley after winning - such was the delight he got out of it.

As well as keeping the Ballymore Club alive for years, he also served as Chairman of the Leinster Handball Council, and it’s only a few short months ago that the handball world was in Kilkenny saying farewell to another stalwart of the game, Tommy O’Brien. I have no doubt the two of them are up there now having a good laugh and they deserve it, after the suffering they endured prior to their deaths.

I have been warned not to forget Paddy the swimming coach; years ago, every young boy and girl was taught how to swim by Paddy down at the back of the Ball Alley known as the ‘Pike Hole’, that was when we had long hot summer days and a man who didn’t care what time it was as long as the young boys and girls were happy.

On a personal note from Jacinta and myself, Thomas and Niamh, we could not have asked for a better neighbour when he moved up to live beside us, and his love for children continued with Thomas and Niamh. Many a time, they crossed the fence for their daily ration of bread, butter and sugar and he would tell them not to say they got sugar; home they’d come and stand in front of us with sugar from one ear to the other and say: “Paddy didn’t give us any sugar” - and he lookin’ out his kitchen window laughing at the innocence of it!

Paddy was just like a member of our family from his long friendship with my own Mam and Dad and was always included in everything with us and our extended family that was going on from birthdays, weddings, Christmas, holidays, Paddy will be sadly missed not just by us but by anyone that was lucky enough to have met him. Goodbye Paddy.”

Tom O’Rourke
Scarlet O’Hara.

In the May issue of the Bugle Tim finishes his piece with a bit of reminiscing as to how things were ten years ago when the bugle cost 50pence. He mentions a young fella called Jeffers who managed to write an article about a favourite hound without any ‘giving out’! ‘A wink is as good as a nod to a blind horse’ its said, so, with only dull cross fire taking place in political circles, this young fella will take the hint and change the subject matter and do a bit of reminiscing himself.
For as long as I can remember cats and dogs have always been integral parts of our family. These animals could be divided into two sections; the yard cats, wild as all get out, and the domesticated ones, who had the privilege of living indoors. The yard cats varied in numbers; present number five, but sometimes got up to twelve or fifteen. Their purpose was to keep control of rats and mice. Wear, tare, and age, was the controlling factor in present and past times. The same criteria applied to dogs on the place. The outdoor dog, always a sheepdog, lived outdoors, with the exception of a very special one, and I once had a gundog who, when nobody was looking, managed to sneak inside from time to time. By accident or design, I can’t say for certain, some of these animals attached themselves to specific family members. Scarlet (a cat) attached herself to me. Maybe it was because when our family sat down to eat my chair was nearest her sleeping basket hence the nearest human to cadge some grub from. Sitting patiently but at full alert on my shoulder, when food was being transferred from fork to mouth a paw would reach out and the forkful of food would transfer to Scarlet’s. This procedure caused spillage and eventually my Mother, a patient woman, put her foot down; if I was that concerned about the cat’s welfare I could get down on my hands and knees and eat with her at her bowl, on the floor!
She was named after Scarlet O’Hara the principle actress in that classic film “Gone With The Wind” which was showing at the time in cinemas countrywide. Vivien Leigh was the real name of the actress and she played opposite Clarke Gable (Rett Butler). A real beauty she was, and so was our Scarlet. No fancy breed of cat just an ordinary tabby, but her markings were distinctive, and what really set her off were a white front, white paws, and a white tip on the end of her tail. Pretty ordinary for a tabby you might say, but she showed them off with style and a regal haughtiness.
Cats are independently minded creatures and don’t show the same attachment to humans as dogs do, or so we’re led to believe, nevertheless when one shadows your movements indoors or outdoors, and at the first opportunity jumps up on your shoulder, or curls up on your lap purring away to it’s hearts content that to me spells attachment, and so it was with Scarlet.
As most readers know, our house is a long way from the public road, a quarter mile give or take a few yards, and before cattle grids were invented there were two gates on that quarter mile; one at the road entrance and the other one at the entrance to a wood approximately half way. In those days a bicycle was my mode of transport and coming home between the hours of eleven and midnight, probably from the pictures in Kilcullen, Scarlet always greeted me at the second gate. Perhaps it was the click of the gate latch that announced my arrival, for when I pushed the bike though she would appear out of the boxwood tail straight up and purring to beat the band. I would pick her up, put her on my shoulder, mount the bike, and continue the rest of the way. How long she would wait there for my return I’ll never know.
From small kitten to full adult female is but a short space of time and she produced her first batch of kittens on the end of my bed. I awoke sometime in the small hours to the sound of kittens squawking and turning on the light beheld herself looking as pleased as Punch and fully stretched out, while a bundle of furry creatures struggled to get at the food bar. Come daylight my Mother went spare, and the lot of them got a quick dispatch to her basket in the kitchen.
I could end this story by saying that Scarlet gave me her full love and devotion, but that might draw the ire of another female, so I’ll conclude by saying that from a feline prospective Scarlet was top of the pops! Yrs Jeffers.
PAGE 2
Direct Bugle email -
For acknowledgements, births, anniversaries, wedding photos, birthdays etc, send them to:
ballymorebugle@eircom.net or drop them into Notes Box at Fogarty’s Post Office or Elizabeth’s Hair


BABY news!
A new baby boy for Barry and Lisa Glancy in Chicago – ‘Declan John’, a brother for Ciara and Sophie.

Congratulations to Conor Darker on overseeing the hatching of his first ever duckling…….ahhhhh, if only having children was as easy…..

Birthday wishes to Finola O’Brien - not to be confused with Lorraine seein’ as I always do – on reaching a certain birthday recently…..
To Shane Flynn on reaching his 21st recently
To Frances O Donoghue nee Clarke on the celebration of her 85th birthday.

Wedding bells Congratulations to Margaret McLoughlin, Boleybeg and Pierce Fitzgerald on their recent marriage; to Sara McGee, Glebe East, Ballymore-Blessing ton and James Cronin, Grangecon; Louise Kilbane, Cooloney, Sligo formerly Bishopland and Fergal Fearon on their wedding.

Congratulations to Fiona O’Driscoll and Robin White on their engagement.
To Lynsey O Reilly on passing her driving test recently – Good woman, Lynsey!
Congratulations to students who recently completed their third level education and indeed, to all students who have recently received their college results; if you failed a few subjects, knuckle down and start preparing for the repeats – it’s not over yet!


Your Local CDA

The Ballymore Eustace Community Development Association Ltd (CDA) represents the residents of the village. The CDA is the umbrella organisation for Tidy Towns, Meals on Wheels, Punchestown Festival Committee, Friendship Club, Community Alert, Bingo, Ballymore Bugle and Hall Committee. It is the owner of the River Walk and Resource Centre. Bookings for the Resource Centre can be made by contacting Monica at 045-863363. An answering machine is in operation if the phone is not manned and all messages will be responded to. The CDA works to ensure the village grows in a sustainable and attractive manner; we have made submissions on the County Development Plan and will take a primary role in the Local Area Plan.
Any suggestions or comments welcome. Contact Fiona Breslin (Chairperson CDA), Honeysuckle House, Bishopsland, Ballymore Eustace. 087-9956085

The Late Katherine Geoghegan
There was much sadness felt within the community for the death of Katherine Geoghegan, Broadleas. It is a dreadful thing for any parents to watch their child suffer during a long illness and our hearts go out to parents, Kay and Tom Geoghegan. Aged only 37, Katherine’s death was premature and her family’s sense of loss must be unbearable; Katherine is survived by her sister Caroline and brother Noel, niece Danielle, aunts, uncles, cousins and members of the extended family.
May she rest in peace, amen.

Kay and Tom would like to thank all who attended the funeral and removal, sent mass-cards or flowers; to neighbours and friends for your kindness; to Dr Ni Bhrian and staff of Naas Hospital for your support over the year and to District Nurses, Ellen and Esther.
Special thanks to Katherine’s cousins, Juanita and Jen and husband, Thomas for your continued support over the years – The Geoghegan Family.
_____________

We extend our sympathy to the family and friends of the late Paul Byrne, Kilcullen, may he rest in peace, amen.
______________________

We offer our sympathy to Irene Murphy and her son, Mark on the death recently of Irene’s mother, Tess Dempsey; Irene is recovering from the sudden shock of Brendan’s death and to lose her mother at this time must be doubly hard to bear.
Our thoughts are with you.
__________________

The Late Paddy Monaghan
Elsewhere in this edition we pay tribute to the Paddy Monaghan, truly a son of Ballymore. Paddy came to Ballymore as a youngster, adopted by Mrs Monaghan of Plunkett Road; Mrs Monaghan had a daughter Lil, and also adopted Mary and Rita (Nora), the latter who was traumatically placed with a family in Donegal after six years with the Monaghans. (Rita reports that no two children of the same sex were allowed to be adopted so, despite Mrs Monaghan’s appeal to the Bishop and all authorities, she was moved to another family). Happily, Rita and Paddy made contact again as adults and Paddy, she says, was simply the best and kindest brother anyone could wish for. Plunkett Road became a summer home to Rita’s children, the Toners and in recent years, Rita and her husband James have returned to Monaghan’s cottage to live.

The Toner children acknowledge the wonderful years Paddy gave them, opening his home to them, teaching them to swim, taking them on day trips to Glendalough, topping them up with pocket money…….. “Best Uncle in the world”.

We extend our sympathy to Rita, James and all the Toner children; to his many friends particularly Rita and members of the O’Rourke household where Paddy was also adopted! Ballymore has truly lost one of its finest sons.
May he rest in peace, amen.
Rathmore Area C.E. Ltd.
At present we have vacancies in the Ballymore Eustace /Rathmore area in Child Care, Shop Assistant. Caretaker, Clerical.
Eligibility: Over 25 years of age. In receipt of one of the following payments from the Department of Social Welfare. Unemployment Benefit/Assistance. Disability Benefit. Lone Parent Allowance. Widow Pension. !9.5 hours per week offered.
Applicants must be willing to participate in training.
C.V. to Ann O’Sullivan. Rathmore Area C.E. Ltd., Community Hall, Rathmore, Naas, Co.Kildare

St. John’s
Church of Ireland
Ballymore Eustace

Our new rector, the Reverend Leonard Ruddock will officiate at his first service in Ballymore on Sunday August 10th 2008. The service will commence at 09.45 with words of welcome from members of the community, followed by Holy Communion.
The members of St. John’s would welcome all those interested by asking them to join us in helping to celebrate the start of a new era in our church and in the community. This joyous occasion will be followed by refreshments in the Band Hall.
Let’s give Leonard, his wife Hazel and their children, Gary and Amanda a big Ballymore welcome.

Paddy Cook.
Rector’s Warden.

The Wizard of Oz
The final curtain has come down on the Ballymore Junior Drama production of the “The Wizard of Oz.” After many months of practice; learning lines, singing and dancing, the show was a great success. Congratulations to every child involved – you all played a vital part in making the show such a winner.
We would like to thank all the parents for their co-operation in providing costumes, props raffle prizes etc. This help is important when there are such a number of performers involved. We would like to thank the Band Hall Committee, particularly Tommy Dwyer and Sean Murphy for their patience and help. We would like to give an extra special thank you to our wonderful director, Brian Brady. His patience and good humour had to be seen to be believed. It is not easy to direct a show with so many “over- enthusiastic” performers. Lastly, we would like to say a sincere word of thanks to all of you who attended the shows in such great numbers and who gave such encouragement to all the children.
There were winter nights when you would be tempted to leave the band Hall and “Follow the Yellow Brick Road,” back to your fire in the sitting room, but these are long forgotten when show nights come. The nerves, the fun and excitement, the challenge of having to go on stage and perform your part, the hair styles, the make- up, are all part of what makes Junior Drama so unique.
Due to the large attendances this year we were able to give generous donations to St. Brigid’s Hospice and to Scoil Mhuire. The cast were treated to an evening in NRGY in Rathcoole.
At the moment we are “Somewhere over the Rainbow,” but shortly we will be planning for next year. No doubt, it will be bigger and better than ever. What wonderful talent the young people of Ballymore have! Today the Band Hall tomorrow Broadway!!!
The Junior Drama Group Committee.

Tim’s Diary
Brought to you this month by AA Roadwatch as they love Ballymore Huistis as they call it.

Punchestown reveled in five days of top quality racing, great crack and most of all fine and clement weather. I hope that you took full advantage of the wonderful festival. It far exceeded my expectations and I look forward to next year. The Breener was a casualty of the strong English raiding party when “Raise your Heart” went down gamely to ”I hear a Symphony” on the Friday. Billy Doyle, king of the silversmiths was delighted with the coverage that J.R. and Sue-Ellen from Dallas and said it was a great Kildare welcome. When the Dallas theme was played in Punchestown it was only punters of a certain vintage that turned to towards the stage. It went straight over the heads of the younger patrons.Bill looks forward to moving into Cnoc Avon in the middle of July and has promised us access to the first party.

Myself and the Guard were honorary Naas Traders for a day on Thursday. We had a great crack. Thanks to Kevin O’Ryan from At the Races for the free bets!!
A colleague of Colette’s, Aileen Fallon, who is based in the Bridewell introduced us to Lisa Murphy and, she is really a cracker, but very down to earth.
(


AA Roadwatch had a new take on pronunciation of the village when telling everyone of a diversion due to the closure of the Naas/Blessington road to go through Ballymore Huistis. Lucky there are no rindabytes to contend with.

Sunday 4th of May is designated World Communication Day by the Catholic Church. This year the theme was “The media: at the crossroads between self-promotion and service. Searching for the truth in order to share it with others.”
The Sunday Indo of the same day certainly had the scoop on this with a headline
“The World’s sexiest Catholic – Eva Longoria.” Good service guys. A lot of thought went into that one.

As AA were busy diverting the traffic through the village the path works were continuing merrily. A great piece of scheduling there…

Fourty Acers the Greg Lawlor bred popped up at Uttoxeter recently. Now in the charge of David Pipe he won by at least half a mile under Tom Scudamore.

The Premiership finally came to an end this month with the Red Devils coming out on top. It was a good season overall for the Irish interests with the exception of Reading with a combination of poor results and poor discipline saw them sink. Sunderland held steady after a bad run and live to fight another year. Closer to home Kildare County finally got off the floor of Division One of the Eircom League. Having got a severe beating 6-0 at the feet of Dundalk before coming good 4-0 against Monaghan.

Hedgehunter was paraded at Puchestown following his retirement. Happily there is a hedge hunter who has NOT retired.


The Parish had a consultation with its members during March. The result was an overwhelming majority requested to be allied with Blessington parish. For some reason the powers that be in the Deanery decided that Ballymore should be in a group of four parishes combined with Kilcullen, Dunlavin and Eadestown. Now I am sure that this makes perfect sense to someone,somewhere, but I am baffled by the decision. The populace of Eadestown also wanted a link with Blessington because of geographical and historical considerations. I am sure that you will be kept informed of subsequent developments.




It was ten years ago…..


Your 50 pence Bugle headlined with the two hundredth anniversary of the 1798 rebellion and the part played by the Ballymore rebels in the event. Containing eyewitness accounts of the happenings on the 23rd and 24th of May in Ballymore, Naas and Dunlavin it is a well crafted piece. Some young fella called Jeffers made his debut with a piece about his fox hound called “Fencer.” It is a lovely yarn without a bit of giving out. !!! The review of the Punchestown Festival of 1998 carries a great photo of the late John Headon. Rose also describes the floats, the drama group portraying the Flintstones, Liz’s Hair Salon depicting the Simpsons, with the overall winners The Thatch. That great traditional music competition of that year is well reviewed. On Saturday 23rd of May 1998 the FBD Milk Ras was due to finish in Ballymore. It was a busy week as the annual Field Day was due on the following Sunday with the Leinster Tug O War Championships as it’s feature event. With GAA News of the u-10’s contesting the divisional final, the Minor team going well, a very successful boxing tourney in poulaphouca with the highlight being Paul Douglas’s win over Micahel Joyce it was hectic sporting month. If you wanted a rest you could have gone to the Anvil to hear Joe Burke, “Ireland’s greatest accordion player”, 99 pence would have bought you a pound of collar bacon, a jar of Old Time Irish Marmalade or FIVE cans of beans! Keay headon told us all that the Irish Kidney Association raised £345.56 for Forget-me-not week. Geraldine Lawler was raising funds for Bosnia, an Ann McLaughlin had raised £2000 for the India Polio Fund.Ballymore Eustace Parish Pilgrimage to World Youth Day, Sydney

20th April 2008 Raffle Results

Prize Winner

Punchestown Tickets Joe Murphy, Ardenode

Punchestown Tickets Michael c/o Teresa Evans, Bishopslane

Luxury Hamper Sean Fogarty

Dinner For 2, Ballymore Inn Teresa Evans, Bishopslane

4 Ball, Tulfarris Paul O’Sullivan, Rathmore N.S

Galway Crystal Bowl John Brennan Jnr, Vallymount

Newbridge Silver Clock Jenny Conway, Bishopslane

Wine and Chocolates Christine Hughes, Blessington

Box of Chocolates Kieran McNamara, Rathcoole