The final outing of the year was a scramble on the 27th Dec in Rathsallagh. Almost every year this outing is cancelled due to bad weather conditions, and 2008 is no exception! However, some members managed to scramble on at Dunmurry Springs, even though it was a very cold day, it was nice to get out there!

The AGM followed that evening in the Resourse Centre. John Field, as outgoing Captain, chaired the meeting. John summarised the year past, thanked the Committee, his family and many friends in BME GS for collectively making it a successful and enjoyable year. He then handed over to incoming Captain, Michael Horan. With great enthusiasm, Michael revealed the golf courses booked for next year and also the best kept secret of all, his choice of Vice Captain! He was introduced as “a bit of youth and energy to the society” – Gavin Daly! Yes, we have again a good team set up, and can look forward to another great year with BME GS.

Having lots to discuss, the meeting adjourned to Paddy’s for a few pints and a bit of craic!



This year’s weekend away is to Dundrum House, Co Tipp. We were there before in 1999 - No doubt, anyone who can remember it, will have no hesitation in doing the return!
Our annual fund raisers are the Quiz Night in Paddy’s on the 20th Feb and Long Johnny’s Golf Classic on the 14th and 15th March.– we urge all members to support these events as they are a significant source of much needed income for the year and are generally great social occasions!


Congratulations and best wishes to Sinead and Gavin Daly who ‘tied the Knot ‘ on New Year’s Eve.


We would like to thank the following for sponsoring prizes / events in 2008

· DERMOT & MAG O’REILLY, BALLYMORE OILS
· MICHAEL HIGGINS
· JOHN FIELD
· NOEL THOMPSON

2009 OUTINGS:



14 -15-Mar-09
LJ's Golf and Country Club
11-Apr-09
Dunmurry Springs
16-May-09
Tulfarris
30-May-09
Gowran Park
19-Jun-09
Dundrum House – W/END AWAY
03-Jul-09
Naas
08-Aug-09
Baltinglass - PRESIDENTS PRIZE
05-Sep-09
Kilkee Castle - CAPTAINS PRIZE
17-Oct-09
Portarlington
14-Nov-09
Mountrath
Senior Citizens Party

Having enjoyed the 2007 Senior Citizens Party I again attended the 2008 renewal held in the Poulaphuca House Hotel on Sunday December 14. Seeing most of the people who shared a table with me last year I exchanged pleasantries with them. Here again was Eileen Conway, Mrs Fallon, Willie and Mary Garrigan.

The Two Joes

Seeing a vacant table on the right hand side of the room I headed for it and was joined by my brother James who brought me to the party. At the next table we saw Joe Hanlon of Tipperkevin and Joe Hayden of Glenmore and we got chatting to them.

Nellie and Friends

In due course we got chatting to Nellie Carroll. I also got chatting to Mona and Pat Nugent, Mona’s sister - Patty Lynch, and Chris Douglas. Eileen Gordon and Mrs Harney were all at the same table as Nellie Carroll. I’m not quite sure where Mrs Christy Griffin was but I remember seeing her at the party.

Jack

At our table we had Jack Kaine, Tommy Hearn, Paddy Hudson, Sean Tracey, Tom Fennan, James and myself. Paddy Hudson was the only one who was again at the same table as I was. As Jack Kaine and Tommy Hearn were at our end of the table most of our chat centred on them. Jack Kaine, like ourselves was a “horsey” man, so we had no problem chatting with him and re-living the old days. Tommy was the affable type so chatting came easy to him.

Anne

In due course, Anne Doyle came to the next table and we got speaking to her. Later on, Sean and Gay Doyle joined Anne. At the next table to the two Joes, we had Mary Kelly (nee Hanlon), Mary Hanlon (nee Cregg) and Bridget Lynch (nee Cregg). Amongst those ladies we had Tony Lynch. Nancy Boylan (nee Kelly) was also at that table. I gather Nancy’s husband Jack, who like myself had a stroke, is going on well at the moment.

Jimmy

Another that we met was Jimmy Valentine. Jimmy spoke of the generosity of the late Johnny Clarke. For years Johnny worked for Kildare County Council as a Supervisor for the Roads Section. In the early eighties, his children, Joan and Martin, regularly played Badminton with the Ballymore Eustace Club.

Evelyn

Mrs Evelyn Horan and Mrs Dessie Horan were both in attendance as was our star photographer, Christy Dennison. Billy and Marie Murphy were there too. Met Tommy Deegan and his sister Mary Riardon. In 1973, Eamonn Deegan, the late Paddy Monaghan and myself stayed with Vinny and Eithne Dougherty (Chris’s mother) at their apartment in New York. Sadly, Vinny is now deceased and his ashes were brought here to Ireland. Eithne happily is still with us and is now in her eighties. From time to time she visits Tommy.

Mary

Mrs Mary Foster and Fr Michael McGowan were both at the first table on the left and I got talking to both of them. I had my photo taken in the company of Margaret Dowling, Alice Cullen, Betty Giltrap and Bernie Toomey all of whom were enjoying the occasion.

Caroline

Caroline Swords was again helping out with the meals and was conscious of my needs as a stroke victim. Mr Morrissey, Swordlestown, introduced himself to me. Like me, he has Tipperary roots. This time around musicians, Bren Hennessy, Mick Farrington, began their music before I got talking to them.

The Committee

Great credit must go to the committee who organised the event and as usual did a great job. Members of the committee that I am aware of include Kathleen Lawlor, Kathleen Jordan, Tommy Dwyer, John Queally, John McCarville and Tim Grace. Got talking to a daughter of John McCarville who recently started work as a Garda at Tallaght to keep up and extend a family tradition.

Hamper

As luck would have it, I was the winner of a hamper in the draw that was held. This was on top of the lovely box of biscuits I received just for being there.

© Matt Purcell (December, 2008)