Friday, October 30, 2009

Matt’s Memories

Pat Nugent

Thanks to my brother James I was able to attend Pat Nugent’s removal to the Church on June 24. I sympathised with Pat’s brothers Tom and Martin and Pat’s sisters Sheila (Reynolds) and Betty. Betty introduced me to her German husband. I met Paula Jennings there. Paula’s Grandmother, Patty Lynch, and Pat’s mother, Mona Nugent, are sisters and Paula used work with me in South Dublin County Council Law Department. Other relations that I met were Joe Lynch (Patty’s son), Jimmy Reynolds, Claire Nugent and Madge Tyrrell. On the way in I met Paddy Dreelan. Whilst there I saw Rita, Tom and Jacinta O’Rourke.

Pat Ryan (County Secretary) and Martin Moran of the Leixlip Handball Community were there - I had not seen either of them in a long while. Pat and Olive Hilliard came over too from Leixlip. Another that I saw there was Tutsy Holloway (nee Marshall). Spoke to Margaret Laming (nee Gordon) and I gather her sister Eileen (Kavanagh) will be home on holidays again around Christmas. A lovely photo of Eileen appeared in The Bugle in January 2007 outside Ballymore Eustace Catholic Church with her family. Saw Margaret’s sister Trish (O’Brien) also there.

Kildare County Council

I see from a photo in the Leinster Leader that Kildare County Council is presently celebrating its 110th Anniversary. The account features a photo of Eilis Fullam whose father was an Engineer with the Council in the early years of the last century. I was at school in Naas with members of the Fullam family.

Stratford-On-Slaney

Paddy Nolan, who is married to Bridgie Hennessy, is a Stratford-On-Slaney man. Paddy had a quadruple by-pass in St James’s Hospital in 2006. Since then, Paddy has made a good recovery. When we were building our 40 by 20 ball alley, Paddy was one of our top ticket sellers. Chatting to Paddy, I gather he remembers Tom O’Brien’s tram which was located on Wilson’s land at Stratford-On-Slaney.

Neighbour

As usual, my neighbour Imelda Gorman gave me a warn welcome when I met her recently. Imelda works in Janet Deegan’s where I usually meet her. Imelda Gorman’s late parents, Myles and Kathleen O’Reilly, were prayed for at the Mass on June 20.

Visitor

On June 20 I dropped in to Rita O'Rourke and had a good chat with her. Earlier I had got the Vigil Mass in the local Catholic Church where my brother Dan was prayed for to mark his anniversary on June 17. This was Dan’s eight anniversary. My late father was also prayed for; in his case, it was his twenty-first anniversary on June 27.

BBC 4 Programme

After being at Rita’s, I caught most of a biographical programme on the Chieftains on BBC 4. This featured Kevin Cunniffe who lives in Hollywood and regularly played handball in Ballymore Eustace. In 1984, when I won the World Master’s 40 by 20 Doubles with Pat Kirby one of those regularly present at the games was Matt Molloy, of the Chieftains. As I recognised Matt, I assumed he was a regular handball fan but discovered I was mistaken when I met John Gaffney of Sligo. Apart from John’s prowess as a handball player, he was also into music and Matt had accompanied him to the handball games in Clare.

Poulaphouca House

The Poulaphouca House Hotel featured on a TV programme called “At Your Service”. The object of this programme was to assess the hotel’s suitability for its present uses and see if it could be improved. Frank and Rita Malone now own the hotel. After a thorough assessment, the Brennans, the experts assessing the hotel, came up with a number of recommendations as to how the hotel could be improved especially financially.

GAA 125th Anniversary

I see where the GAA is currently celebrating its 125th Anniversary. In 1984, I was very much involved in its Centenary Celebrations as I was the Chairman of the County Handball Board then.

The Rathdowney Angle

Chatting to Alice Cullen lately I learnt that her daughter Mary is married to Ballymore Eustace man, John O’Neill, and they are living in Rathdowney.

Radio Programme

Up to recently, Eamonn Dunphy used to have a radio programme called “Conversations”
on a Saturday Morning. The first time I heard it he was interviewing Ted Walsh, horse
Trainer from Kill, and even though I did not get the whole programme I heard enough to
become hooked on it. On June 6, Eamonn interviewed Billy Gaff who years ago was at
school in Newbridge College. More importantly, Billy was an Entrepreneur who at one
time was Rod Stewart’s Manager. On June 13 Eamonn interviewed the Argentinean
Rugby Captain and this, to my regret, was the last in the series.

The Tramore Connection

In the early fifties we got to know Mick Barry. Mick lived in Tramore and
played handball. Mick had two brothers Brendan and Tony that we knew and who also
played handball. Over time, we lost track of Mick but one day I was at the Dentist in
Dundrum and sitting across from me was a man who looked very familiar to me – it was
Mick. We got reacquainted and sometimes I used meet Mick at Mass in Churchtown.
Visiting Tramore, I met Mick at Mass. I gather Mick is now retired for eleven years but
still lives in Dublin although he often visits Tramore. I arrived in Tramore with James on
Thursday July 2. At the Masses in Tramore that week-end, my old friend, John Joe
Fitzgerald, his wife Eileen and daughter Mamie were remembered. John Joe was a 1st
World War veteran who had a workshop in Patrick’s Street beside where we used to stay
in the fifties. Back then we spent many an hour listening to John Joe’s stories as he went
about his work. Fr Dick Doyle of Perth, who was on holidays, Con-Celebrated the Vigil
Mass with the local P.P.

© Matt Purcell (August 01, 2009)

Matt – More

Photo Correction

The last Bugle had a picture of our All-Ireland handball winners. The caption to the photo referred to “The late Cecil Winder”. Happily, this was incorrect. Cecil has indicated, “he is definitely alive”and Rose rang him immediately to explain her mistake. Sadly, two of the Winder brothers have died. The late Paddy died on March 5, 1973 aged only 33 while Robin died on April 30, 2007. Four of the Winder Brothers were All-Ireland handball winners. The caption also refers to “Fergal Byrne” where the picture was of “Justin Byrne” who won an All-Ireland Junior Hard Doubles medal in 1973. The picture was taken at the Ardenode Hotel at the official launching of our 40 by 20 alley and was our biggest ever gathering of All-Ireland winners (up to 1984). It contains none of our IAHU winners. The late Mickey Dowling and Bobbie Grattan were not in the photo although All-Ireland winners. The following IAHA winners were also missing from photo: Willie Grace; C. (Dan ?) Murphy; Billy Doran; Seamie Curran; Tony Daly; the late Paddy Winder; Jackie Byrne; and, Michael Dowling who was busy that night helping Barry Slattery who was Treasurer of the Development Committee.

Eclipse Winner

It was my good fortune to back the winner of the Eclipse Stakes, Sea of Stars, on July 4. Previously, I had backed it when it won the Newmarket 2000 Guineas.

Aidan

Met Aidan Farrelly while he was doing his shopping at Supervalu in Tramore. Subsequently, we had dinner with him at his newly restored home on Priest’s Road. For years, going back to our late parents time, we have been meeting Aidan and his siblings especially his brother Brian. Had my first swim in years at Kilfarassy (near Tramore).

Teresa

Met Teresa Nugent (nee Keenan) in the village recently and had a good chat with her. Years ago I regularly met Teresa’s late husband Tom at the races without realising he was Teresa’s husband. The late Michael Murphy who was also a regular race goer helped put me right on that. In days gone by, Teresa was a regular badminton player while Tom played badminton for Hollywood.

Gary

Recently I was behind Gary Murphy at a Saturday night Vigil Mass in Ballymore
Eustace. Some years ago, Greg Lawler formally introduced me to Gary. Gary appears in one of Fr. Dowling’s Ballymore Eustace Films playing football with his late father in Quinn’s Field. His late father’s anniversary occurred recently and he was prayed for at the Mass on June 20.

Longstone Boarding Kennels

Recently I visited Longstone Boarding Kennels for the first time and met Suzanne Byrne there – what a busy woman she is! In times past, I often walked past it as I strolled around the Commons.

Presentation

On June 25 there was a Presentation to Tom Doherty on his retirement from South Dublin County Council. Tom was the Deputy Manager of the Council and lived for many years where the late Dr Malachy Dignan lived on the Truce Road. Malachy’s wife, Nuala, still lives there. Tom and his wife Marie now live at Castleknock. They had the heartbreak of their daughter, Mary, dying at only 26 years. Like Tom, Mary also worked with South Dublin County Council.

Bolabeg

Met Mick Kelly of Bolabeg as I was doing my shopping at Janet Deegan’s recently. My articles to the Bugle apparently go down well with Mick who spoke of his neighbour, Vincent Dallon of Coldwells. Although I knew Vincent to see I did not know him personally. In times past, I would have known Vincent’s late brother, Billy who was formerly a member of the band and his late parents.

Helen

Helen Dreelan’s photo appeared in the Leinster Leader in which she was remembering Athy’s famine victims. About the same time, Helen and her sister carried out a Church Gate Collection on behalf of St Vincent’s Hospital, Athy – as Matron of St Vincent’s, Helen and her staff are doing great work with the elderly and particularly, Ballymore Eustace people.

Chairman of Kildare Handball Board

After I retired as Chairman, Vinny Wrynne (Leixlip) took over that role for a number of years. I saw Vinny for the first time in a long while when he played some 60 by 30 handball in Ballymore Eustace.

www.irishhandballalley.blogspot.com

An interesting handball website is the above that Tim Ryan told me about. Aine Ryan sets up this site with the aid of a Heritage Council Grant. Several of the photos are by Enda Timoney including the photos of the alleys in Ballymore Eustace. Enda served on the Coaching Council during the eighties as did our own Tom O’Rourke to whom Enda sends his regards.

Seamie

Met Seamie O’Brien recently. I understand from him that Jack Boylan is in St Vincent’s
Hospital, Athy. Jack suffered a stroke a few years ago. Seamie went to John Brosnan’s
funeral and met Paddy Conway there. Like Seamie, Paddy was keen on
athletics and previously lived at Dowdenstown. Paddy now lives in Churchtown.

Deaths

Patsy McEvoy of Celtic Mist died on April 24. The Leinster Leader had an In Memoriam to Pat Burke (Naas and Tipperkevin) on May 14. Anne Langan who contributed so much to our community was prayed for on May 24. Shay Winder’s anniversary occurred on June 17 and he was prayed for the following weekend as were Sean and Jean Forster, Laurence and Ann Finn, Maureen McGlynn (Bernie Toomey’s sister). On the same date, Anne Cowley was prayed for to mark her anniversary on June 22. Teresa Shannon and Catherine Daly were prayed for on June 21. Well-known horse trainer, Vincent O’Brien, died on June 1, my Californian friend Marjorie O’Grady (nee Osborne) died on June 26. Well-known figures to die recently were Karl Malden (97) of “Streets of San Francisco” fame, Miss Slocombe (86) of “Are You Being Served” and Frank McCourt (78) writer of “Angela’s Ashes”.


Congratulations to the Lennon Sisters of Liffey Heights who did well in the 2009 Leaving and Intermediate Certificates. Marie starts a course in Waterford while her sister Nikki continues her studies.

© Matt Purcell (August 4, 2009)
Congratulations to my Da, Ollie Deegan, who retired early from Powergen, ESB, in 2009. He has now successfully completed all 3 stages of the demanding RSA/ADI exams. He is presently being registered and will shortly appear as an Approved Driving Instructor on the RSA website.
For good measure, he is also a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists and holds a distinction in Fetac level 5 Occupational First Aid. So Prospective pupils will be in very safe hands indeed.
Although in full employment since ESB retirement with Endesa Ireland, he is already looking forward to a new career.

Well done, Da.

Best Regards,

Diarmuid Deegan (Son)

Harristown Harvest
By Robert Dunlop
The Combine stands in solitary silence
Fingers pressing into the stalks of wheat
No noise erupting from the great machine
Mother Nature controlling all that happens and closing down the early effort to get things going.
Last year the soggy field yielded well
No doubt with patience this season’s crop will be safely gathered in.
I felt a signal in the silence,
Pointing to a future day when
The engine would whine, the blades would run and the grain would flow.
I decided to look forward, to anticipate the joy of wheat saved for winter’s needs,
To bless the great Creator
And put my mind to making space for the harvest of the heart.

OFF THE CUTTING EDGE by Pastor R. Dunlop

Keeping up Appearances
One term in the Greek language for “putting on an act” is translated hypocrite. It is a term of derision and is never welcomed by professors of religion. It is one of the labels which landed on the Pharisees, who saw themselves as the preservers of the Divine law.

Externalism was an important part of their practice and they placed a great deal of emphasis on outward codes of conduct and posture.
This is one reason why Scripture says “man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart”.
Rules and regulations have their place. After all, the ultimate definition of spiritual reality calls us to love God with “soul, mind and strength, and our neighbour as ourselves”.
Those who attend to exterior religiosity while neglecting inner spirituality may be numbered with the Pharisees. One writer offers a lucid description in the following terms……………….
“The Pharisee, outwardly a saint, inwardly a hypocrite, with his long prayers and ostentatious almsgiving, with illuminated texts of Scripture worn on the fringe of his dress and on the peak of his cap, with punctilious fastings and scrupulous payments of tithes, - stood a living lie.
Coming into the Temple, he sweeps to the front where other eyes may see him”
It is a constant battle to maintain humility and authenticity in the core of life’s choices and commitments. Everyone is exposed to the temptation to keep up appearances and press on regardless. Through prayer, spiritual reflection and attachment to the terms of discipleship a Pharisaical trap may be avoided and a better way embraced. At the end of the day, the sort of modesty released by this walk with God makes an impression without parading superficial religiosity. It is deeper than merely keeping up appearances.
There is more than a grain of truth in the old saying “The heart of all true religion is the religion of the heart”.

VALEDICTION (For Debbie and Stephen Stone -- Malone House)
September is the cruellest month
(Eliot notwithstanding):
Leaves fatally multicoloured
Darkness encroaching daily
An end to evening strolling
Malone abandoned to its bats --
The Stones a-rolling.
Go East, middle-aged couple,
Seek Eden anew,
On island off an island
Acquire an ancient tongue.
Forsake your western roots;
Reverse the odysseys
Of former generations.
O brave new voyagers,
Our hearts go with you
Even as our heads
Still struggle not to wag.
August 2009
SFG
Ballymore Ladies Novelty Camel Night
On Saturday 15th August Ballymore Ladies held a Novelty Camel Night for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin.
Valerie Byrne (nee Hudson) has been a member of the club for a number of years and her daughter Keeva had spent some time there recently with a serious illness. Valerie and Ronan nominated Crumlin Children’s Hospital as the beneficiary for the charity night. The staff at Crumlin has been a huge support to Keeva and the thousands of other children they care for every year.
The event was held in The Thatch with Paul Fagan not only making the camels himself but also compeering for the evening. Ballymore Person of the Year, Tommy Dwyer had the tough job of umpiring the races.
With the number of sponsors and massive interest there were 9 heats to get through and Paul was a natural, even throwing in a game of Simon Says (in honour of our manager Simon!) with Janet, Sher and Natasha.
It was now time for the business end of proceedings. Additional referees were called in for the semi-finals and the races were much closer. The crowd got right behind their favourites. If anyone thought it was just a bit of fun they only had to watch Caroline Swords Deegan ‘supporting’ her representative, brother Keith!

And so to the final and this was the line-up:Finalist One: Sexy Eyelashes c/o Tadgh GraceFinalist Two: Sonic Boom c/o Fiona RigneyFinalist Three: Humps For Free c/o Danny GormanFinalist Four: Duran Duran c/o Caroline Swords DeeganFinalist Five: ItHasNoName c/o Tommie ArchboldFinalist Six: Horse c/o Amy HoranFinalist Seven: Twin Peaks c/o Orla Hubbard
Although none of the Ladies team made it on their own steeds, Sheena Hubbard and Teresa Gorman did race for other people in the final. It was very tense and had to be run twice before it looked like we might have a winner. And no, the excitement wasn’t over yet - the 2nd run was deemed a photo finish!
Tommy Dwyer decided to have a camel-off between the joint winners. Mick Horan was aboard daughter Amy’s camel and Keith Swords was jockeying for sister Caroline. It was very close but Mick Horan just sneaked it taking the cup and the €100 (and kindly donating €50 back to the charity).
Amy called the camel HORSE - we reckon there’s something suspicious there and there should have been a steward’s enquiry!

Prizes:
1st : Mick Horan - €100 and a cup 2nd: Keith Swords - Ballymore Ladies T-shirt 3rd - 7th: "Can’t Ride for Shite" Wooden Spoons

Following the presentation, Valerie Byrne said a few words on behalf of herself and Ronan about the help and care little Keeva received in Crumlin. She thanked everyone for supporting the evening and the people of Ballymore and Dunlavin for their support over the last few months.
The night was great craic and a huge success, raising over €3000 for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin.
A Huge Thank You to;
- Paul Fagan for the idea, making the camels and ensuring the evening went off like clockwork!
- Darren O’Reilly and The Thatch for the great venue, the music and the food
- Tommy Dwyer for ensuring nobody cheated!
- Race Sponsors
Kieran Langan Butchers
Liz Deegan Hair Salon
Willie Clarke Crash Repair Specialists
Masonbrook Holding Contractors
Ballymore Oils
The Thatch
Shay’s Ballymore Taxi and Bus Hire
Poulaphouca House
Ballymore GAA
- Also, many thanks to those who donated the raffle prizes; Gallery and Gifts, Vesaras, Fogarty’s, Janet Deegan’s Mace, The Ballymore Inn and Adonia
- The Ballymore Ladies Fundraising Committee
- All of the People who bought\sold camels and made donations
- Everyone who turned up and supported on the night


Junior C Championship
Ballymore vs Rathangan

Ballymore played Rathangan in their first championship match on 26th August. It was a very fast paced game and Ballymore showed their fitness by maintaining the pace throughout the game. Ballymore had a great first half and were up by 3 points at half time. Rathangan made a few changes at half time. They had some very fast players who caused Ballymore problems, getting 2 goals in quick succession.
Ballymore played very well throughout the match with the whole team putting in good performances and playing well as a team. Aisling Hubbard scored the first point after a series of great passes. Lesley Tutty put Ballymore ahead at the end of the first half with a goal. Nicola Rigney and Gemma Swords cleared a lot from the 2 corners of the back line. Michelle Hubbard played well intercepting many Rathangan passes. Cleo Hubbard and Dawn Murray also had good games. Tracey Clohessy and Karen Archibold came on as subs in the second half and fitted easily into the team.

Rathangan 4-10 Ballymore 1-7

Scorers for Ballymore
Aisling Hubbard
Lesley Tutty
Dawn Murray
Louise Burke


Ballymore vs Balyna II
It was wet and mucky in Ballymore by the time the ball was thrown-in on Sunday 31st August. The visitors Balyna II were the team the Ladies had beaten in last year’s final and a close game was expected. The first half however saw the home team with 90% of the possession. Aisling Hubbard was her usual scoring threat, getting her first point from a Fran Burke sideline ball and then hitting the back of the net with a lovely pass from Dawn Murray. Aisling was unlucky not to get a second when it hit the post. The backs were quick to get the ball out of danger on the few occasions they were called upon. Marilena Norton and Louise Burke both worked hard in winning and keeping possession in the right half of the pitch. Ballymore Ladies were 1-4 to 0-1 up at half-time.
The 2nd half saw Ballymore’s move of the game. The ball was passed in from Fran Burke, hand-passed between Lesley Tutty and Dawn Murray before Aisling Hubbard got her 2nd goal of the game. Balyna as expected did step it up in the 2nd half although Ballymore never looked like losing the game. Both backs and forwards fought hard to win the ball back with some good defensive work from Gemma Swords and Nicola Rigney. Stephanie Harney had a good second half, jostling for the ball and ensuring that the Ballymore tally was kept ticking over. John Hubbard also learnt the hard way that waving an umbrella instead of a flag when you’re the sideline referee is not sufficient in Ladies Gaelic Football!!

Ballymore 2-8 Balyna II 0-6

Scorers for Ballymore
Aisling Hubbard 2-1
Stephanie Harney 0-3
Dawn Murray 0-2
Fran Burke 0-1
Lesley Tutty 0-1

Championship Results and Remaining Fixtures
Sunday Games at 2pm - Please come and support the Ladies!

Tuesday
25/08/2009
7pm
Kilcullen
v
Carbury
3:8 - 2:9
Tuesday
25/08/2009
7pm
Ballymore
v
Rathangan
1:7 - 4:10
Tuesday
25/08/2009
7pm
Robert Emmets
v
Eadestown II
1:11 - 3:7
Thursday
27/08/2009
7pm
Castledermot
v
Balyna II
2:2 - 3:13
Friday
28/08/2009
6:45pm
Rathangan
v
Eadestown II
3:5 - 1:7
Sunday
30/08/2009
2pm
Kilcullen
v
Castledermot
5:30 - 1:1
Sunday
30/08/2009
2pm
Ballymore
v
Balyna II
2:8 - 0:6
Sunday
30/08/2009
2pm
Carbury
v
Robert Emmets
OFF - Breavement
Tuesday
02/09/2009
7pm
Eadestown II
v
Ballymore
OFF
Tuesday
01/09/2009
7pm
Castledermot
v
Rathangan

Tuesday
01/09/2009
7pm
Balyna II
v
Carbury

Tuesday
01/09/2009
7pm
Kilcullen
v
Robert Emmets

Sunday
06/09/2009
2pm
Castledermot
v
Ballymore

Sunday
06/09/2009
2pm
Carbury
v
Eadestown II

Sunday
06/09/2009
2pm
Balyna II
v
Kilcullen

Sunday
06/09/2009
2pm
Robert Emmets
v
Rathangan

Sunday
20/09/2009
2pm
Carbury
v
Ballymore

Sunday
20/09/2009
2pm
Rathangan
v
Kilcullen

Sunday
20/09/2009
2pm
Eadestown II
v
Balyna II

Sunday
20/09/2009
2pm
Castledermot
v
Robert Emmets

Sunday
04/10/2009
2pm
Eadestown II
v
Castledermot

Sunday
04/10/2009
2pm
Rathangan
v
Carbury

Sunday
04/10/2009
2pm
Ballymore
v
Kilcullen

Sunday
04/10/2009
2pm
Robert Emmets
v
Balyna II

Sunday
11/10/2009
2pm
Carbury
v
Castledermot

Sunday
11/10/2009
2pm
Balyna II
v
Rathangan

Sunday
11/10/2009
2pm
Kilcullen
v
Eadestown II

Sunday
11/10/2009
2pm
Ballymore
v
Robert Emmets


Top two teams meeting in final and are promoted to Junior B for 2010. No relegation.
FINAL Sunday 18th October

Summer Cup 2009
Vs Prosperous
Ballymore had the better start in this game. Stephanie Harney was the usual goal threat and move of the match came from Fran Burke who won the ball in her own half, only to take it back and score a point for the Ladies. Aoife O’Toole stood tall preventing Prosperous from converting the few goal chances they did have. Despite their dominance Ballymore only had a small lead at half-time.
As expected, Prosperous came out all guns blazing in the 2nd half and began to notch up scores. Lesley Tutty swapped places with Fran Burke with both girls making a difference in their respective positions. With a sin-bin and a sending off the Ballymore girls had to work hard. Aisling Hubbard won some great ball in the forwards and Dawn Murray scored a goal from a rebound. Louise Burke stood out in the half-back line. The task proved a little too much on the day and higher division side Prosperous came out the eventual winners.

Prosperous 4-8 Ballymore 3-7

Scorers for Ballymore
Dawn Murray 1-3
Stephanie Harney 2-0
Aisling Hubbard 0-3
Fran Burke 0-1

Vs Robert Emmets
This was the final game in the Summer Cup which Robert Emmets had already won. Ballymore had their best start of the season, only allowing the summer cup champions to score a single point. Marilena Norton was dominant in the middle of the field, ensuring that the visitors didn’t get to see a lot of the ball. Ballymore had a number of missed chances but finished the half 0-5 to 0-1 in front.
The 2nd half proved a tighter affair with both teams trading Ps (that’s Sheena Hubbard’s shorthand for a point!). Robert Emmet’s did get a goal which brought some panic into the Ballymore side. The girls hung on thanks to 2 points from Dawn Murray to win by a single point.

Ballymore 0-9 Robert Emmets 1-5

Scorers for Ballymore
Dawn Murray 0-4
Aisling Hubbard 0-4
Stephanie Harney 0-1

Thanks to Caroline Swords Deegan for organising the tea and sandwiches and also the photographer on the night. The County Chairwoman Deirdre Kearney was at the match to present Robert Emmets with their trophy. She was very impressed with the game and commended the management teams on their encouragement from the sideline.

Challenge vs Donard
Donard paid another visit to Ballymore in a challenge game on Wednesday 12th August. Ballymore had the better start with a good first half but Donard came back in the second thirty. The backs soaked up the pressure and Aoife O’Toole made some lovely saves. Well done to Megan O’Neill on her first game back.

Ballymore 3-8 Donard 1-11

Challenge vs Newcastle
August 19th saw Ballymore take on Newcastle in Ballymore’s last match before their 2009 Championship season kicked off. Ballymore were eventual winners with an evenly fought out second half. Fran and Louise Burke played well in their respective halves with Fran coming back on to score a cracking goal to seal the victory.

Ballymore 2-6 Newcastle 1-7

Last Man Standing
Ballymore Ladies GAA would like to thank everyone who has got behind the team again this year in supporting our "Last Man Standing" competition. All your support has resulted in another great start to the competition with week one kicking off on Saturday August 29th with 187 players.
As usual, there have been a few casualties already but nothing like the massacre we experienced in week one last year! Pat Murphy was surprisingly knocked out after predicting that Arsenal would beat Man United in Old Trafford (what a shock!). One of our youngest players Joseph Metcalf also bowed out early as Sunderland let him down.
PRO Deirdre Hackett’s sheet was practically left bare after some tactical planning went horribly wrong for her players (namely Tracey and her brother Cian). She’s still hanging in with 3 of her 10 starters going into week 2.
Special word of praise to William O Donoghue who managed to rope 9 people into the competition within 30 mins on Saturday morning before the first game kicked off. All remaining survivors will battle it out over the next few weeks to grab the cash prize of €500. Next round of fixtures is September 12th.....Good luck to all involved!!!

County News
Hard luck to Lesley Tutty and the Kildare Senior B team who were beaten by Dublin’s 2nd team in the semi-finals of the Aisling McGing cup. Lesley came on as a sub for the Lilywhites and scored a point but the Dubs went on to win the game 2-9 to 1-9. Although Lesley was disappointed Kildare didn’t make it all of the way, Ballymore Ladies were delighted to have her back training with them in preparation for the club championship.
Kildare Ladies A team went out in the quarter final of the TG4 All Ireland Senior Championship to Cork on Saturday 22nd August, with the reigning All Ireland Champions knocking up 4-23 against Kildare’s 6 points.
Gavin Daly, Nuala Byrne, James McCarron, Tommy Deegan, Michael Horan

Tommy Deegan’s - President’s Prize
It was a super day for the Deegan family and all who played this outing in Baltinglass Golf Club. The course was in great condition and surprisingly, no rain! Tommy was at the first tee taking photo’s, and welcoming everyone. (Or was he having a laugh at the reaction to the huge incline that is, the first hole..?!!) One thing is certain though, Tommy was enjoying himself and this set the tone for the day. There was a strong sense of pride in his club and in his role as President on this occasion.

Not alone was it President’s prize, we were playing for the Tommy Byrne Perpetual Trophy. Nuala made the presentation to the overall winner, James McCarron. Although James never knew Tommy Byrne, he acknowledged the high regard in which he was held amongst his many golfing friends. James is a regular on the podium, but was clearly delighted to take home this trophy. Well done James.

The entire day had a real feel good factor to it, the welcome on the first tee, the eighteenth hole, the exceptionally friendly staff, good food, good friends, really good entertainment! It was a fine and well deserved tribute to this year’s President, Tommy Deegan.


1st James McCarron
2nd Micheal McGrath
3rd Steve Deegan
Best Gross Micky Dowling

Cat 1 1st Paul Murphy
2nd Dick Shaw
Cat 2 1st Chris Breslin
2nd Ann Daly
Cat 3 1st Catherine Field
2nd Mick Horan
Cat 4 1st John Hubbard
2nd Mary Deegan
Front 9 Brendan Daly
Back 9 Tommy Deegan (President)

Longest Drive s: Paul Murphy, Ann Daly
Nearest Pin: Chris Breslin
2’s club: Gavin Daly, Brendan Mulhare, Paul Murphy Chris Breslin, Seth DeLabre, Noel Headon, Brendan Daly, John Murphy

Ann Daly
Catherine Field

Johnny Murphy


Congratulations and best wishes to Roy and Emma Clarke who were married recently.

NEXT OUTING - CAPTAIN’S PRIZE
5TH SEPT 2009 KILKEE CASTLE
Good luck to Michael Horan on his big day!



Bits ‘n Bobs with Rose
Buy a Bandana for Barretstown with photo supplied, no caption ness
RTE’s Aidan Power is the face of this year’s fundraising campaign “Buy a Bandana for Barretstown” and boy, does he look cool! The bandana was chosen as a symbol for one of Barretstown’s biggest fundraising initiatives because certain forms of cancer treatment lead to hair loss and many children then choose to wear a bandana. At Barretstown camp, you will see bandanas of all colours, shapes and fabrics….so what better symbol to use to raise much needed funds for this wonderful charity.
The new vibrant red bandana will be on sale throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland from the 17th September to 31st October for just €2/£2. What a nice ‘stocking filler’ it would make for the festive season….. This year, Barretstown hopes to raise over €200,000 from sales of the bandana so make sure you’re a ‘head’ of the posse and wear yours with pride! You know the important work Barretstown carries out – please support this campaign which serves children across the world.
See www.barretstown.org for further details
Superior TV
Readers, there are certain programmes on TV which make me feel superior – yes, just by watching American Idol (to which I am addicted) and the Jerermy Kyle Show (which I hope never to be addicted to), I feel superior – or at least, I feel in better form than before I tuned in……..

Let me explain. Paula Abdul, former pop star, who amassed great wealth from her chart hits and videos is one of the judging panel, along with Randy, Cara and Simon Cowell.
I’m tuning into the re-runs of last year’s show and each week, we see the torment of the contestants as they perform and await the viewers vote to see who is eliminated and heading home. The aspiring stars take centre stage and then the judges give their reviews on each performance. Imagine Readers, if you will, a contestant who doesn’t perform well, sings off key in places, a bit ‘pitchy’ here and there………

Randy is the first to give his opinion.
“Yo, what’s happenin’ my man? You know I dig you, Dude, I feel your vibes but tonight, it ain’t happenin’ for me….Last week, you were The Dog, Man, you were up there but tonight, I just don’t know, I ain’t feelin’ it…….. “
Roughly translated: the performance wasn’t good, the song wasn’t suitable, you sang out of tune and didn’t make the song your own….

Next up is the bold Paula:
“You know I love you, you’re doing a great job…….you look wonderful tonight…. the camera loves you………….this was a tough performance for me…. you have a wonderful falsetto but tonight, you weren’t always reaching the high notes but you know, I respect you for being true to yourself and who you are and what you represent…..you know I love you” And that means what?

Simon Cowell gives his opinion: “That was horrendous, absolutely appalling. You sang out of tune, I almost fell asleep as that was the most boring arrangement ever.” No translation necessary.

I don’t expect all four judges to agree on everything but my God, Paula Abdul twitters on in the most ridiculous fashion and doesn’t make an ounce of sense…… Where did she learn to speak English? Did anyone ever tell her a sentence has a beginning and an end? She could speak for three minutes and not make one jot of sense……… I can do that too but no one would pay to listen to me………..

As for Jeremy Kyle’s show, could there really be that many stupid people in Great Britain? Don’t be so quick to reply….. Why on earth would anyone come on an international television programme and air their problems in public. I admit to being mesmerized one Friday morning when a young man was asked by Jeremy Kyle had he slept around, cheated on his partner, fathered a child and passed a contagious disease to another woman – we can skip the finer details here. As innocent looking as the Infant Jesus, he protested “No, no, no, no….” to all accusations – a definitive denial and of course, ‘he loved his partner…..’

Well, you know what’s coming………..the show builds up to the Lie Detector Finale and once again, the man is asked the questions and again, denies all.

Out come the results of the Lie Detector test which scream “Liar, Liar, Liar…..” And yer man sits there a tad surprised, shrugs his shoulders, admits he was lying and leaves the set. I don’t get it, why would you come on tv and make an even bigger pillock of oneself………mmh, you’d have to be a pillock to begin without. Surely, there are laws protecting people of lesser intelligence (or lower morals) from exposing themselves on national media? There should be……….. for their sake and ours! The only one getting rich here is Jeremy Kyle.

Ah well, I just thought I’d share that with you. Thank you, Paula Abdul and Jeremy Kyle – you make me feel good!


The Late Kitty Shannon
Recently, a dear friend of mine died, the late Kitty Shannon of Burgage which is actually in our parish. Many is the happy night I stayed in Shannon’s house and I never met a calmer, kinder person. It wasn’t a large house but there was always room for pals who came back with the girls after a disco in St Joseph’s. No matter how many extra appeared on Saturday morning, Kitty had an expandable packet of back rashers – “I’ll throw on a rasher for you” she’d say as she forked a slice of batch bread and held it over the open fireplace. And my God, Jamie Oliver couldn’t match Kitty’s bacon butties.

The woman had 8 children of her own, didn’t drive but cycled daily to the shops (until latter years) and insisted on spreading her custom throughout the shops in Blessington – Hennessy’s, O’Hora’s, the butchers, McGreals, Super Valu and then into Centra………. She felt duty bound to support all the shops that supported her over the years.
Kitty was a ‘peoples-person’ who took huge interest in the families of her neighbours and friends and will be sadly missed by all in Burgage. Originally from Eadestown, she was an avid GAA fan and supported both Wicklow and Kildare – indeed, the weekend she died was the clash between the two counties and she fully expected to watch the game on tv. She was renowned also for her deep faith and devotion to Padre Pio. (And also devoted to the Donegal Crooner, Daniel O’Donnell but was disappointed in his last concert when “he wore tight trousers and did too much prancing around”.)
Predeceased by her husband Tom, Kitty is survived by daughters Kay, Mary and Patricia; sons Tommy, Martin, Ciaran, Christopher and George, grandchildren, sons and daughters in law etc. She will be missed by her many neighbours and friends in Blessington where the Shannon kitchen was open to generations of youth. She was renowned too for her love of animals, having always had a ‘tribe’ of cats and generations of dogs – all named “Prince” - and a yard full of fowl. The Late Kitty Shannon of Burgage, salt of the earth, an absolute dote. God Bless you, Kitty, rest in peace, amen.

NUGENT

We, the family of the late Patrick (Pat) Nugent of 594 Briencan, Ballymore Eustace would like to thank most sincerely all who sympathised with us on the sad loss of our dear brother Pat, son of Mona and the late Patrick Nugent.

To all who sent Mass Cards, perpetual enrolments and letters of sympathy. To the Naas Ambulance Service, Naas Gardai, Dr.Fay, Fr. McDonnell and Hughes Funeral Directors.

To Fr. Kelly, Shay and Margaret Eustace for making the funeral mass so special for Pat. To all the staff and friends of Kare Naas.

A sincere thanks to close relatives, neighbours and friends who helped and supported us during our difficult days and to those who travelled long distances to be with us to attend the removal, Funeral Mass and burial.

As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as a token of our sincere appreciation.
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for your intentions.

Kindergarten


September, September, will we remember…
The beginning of the school year in Kindergarten is very exciting this year for some young and new children have joined our group.

In a few weeks of playing and meeting each other and learning the “kindergarten ways” we all will settle in and enjoy each other’s company.

Our first big festival is going to be the Lantern Walk and after our parents have made beautiful lanterns for us we will be surprised by a wonderful puppet show and afterwards we all will brave the season and dare to go for a walk with our lanterns….
The wind will be huffing and puffing, but we love it!

All together we welcome the first of Advent and with it the wonderful walk through the Advent Garden, or also called Advent Spiral. Many of the children will bring their small and big siblings and everybody will wander through the dark to bring light into each other’s hearts.
A wonderful event.

The Christmas preparation is an amazing event. Peacefully and magically the children play and help each other while we all are busy baking biscuits, practicing our play, making gifts, sewing….and wishing wishes.
I wonder whether they come all true.



Allow half page for Only Worn Once section please
INTRODUCING
ONLY WORN ONCE Clothing Boutique
At O’Keefe’s Home & Garden Centre, Naas Road

An unusual boutique recently opened by Megan O’Keefe and selling, as the name suggests,
“Only Worn Once” clothing. Wedding dresses, gowns, bridesmaid and debs’ dresses, special outfits for the races, function or family party. Better still, Megan’s new shop includes jewellery, shoes and bags.

How many of you have hundreds of euros worth of designer clothes lying in the back of the wardrobe? Well, I have! (Usually too small or bought on impulse and then I hate it when I get home). Ladies, don’t tell me most of you don’t do the same………..

Debs Wear
In these changing times and trends, why spend €400 / €600 on a gown or debs’ dress when you can pick up a lovely dress, new or only worn once from €50! Wow, in difficult economic times, that sounds like a winner to me. Megan has a large selection of Bridal gowns from €140 and brides-maids’ dresses from €50.

How it works?
Megan accepts clean outfits, she puts a small mark up on top of your price and when she sells the items, she calls you to come and collect your money. Nice and simple, everybody wins, you get more space in your wardrobe, a few euros in your purse and we’re all happy! Best of luck to you, Megan – great to see a young person taking a new initiative – Rose

“Come and visit our new clothing boutique, where you can try on items in comfort, no appointment nessecary. See our large selection
of styles and colours. Amazing gowns, fancy shoes and handbags.” – Megan
Sporting Kids Raise a cool €25,000 in aid of Barretstown!
What a marvellous day the recent ‘Stars Day’ at Barretstown offered young sports enthusiasts – and I’m talking the Daddies, Mammies and grandparents too. Gaa hurling and football legends such as Sean Og O’ Hailpin, Joe Canning, ‘Jayo’, Dermot Early and Anthony Rainbow; rugby dynamos Donncha O’ Callaghan and Gordon D’Arcy plus a plethora of stars from popular RTE drama, “The Clinic” (to attend to injuries, just in case!) joined in the fun to raise a marvellous €25,000 in aid of the centre. Wow! Not bad going for an afternoon’s work………. Thankfully the rain held off to deliver a fantastic family fun day on Saturday 29th August. Families from all over Ireland arrived from 9am, eager to meet their sports and acting heroes.
Children and their families participated in rugby, soccer, hurling and gaelic drills with their idols whilst budding young entertainers joined actress Amy Huberman and ‘The Clinic’ team on stage. Soap sculpture, bracelet making and picture framing were amongst the many activities that could be tried out in the Arts and Crafts room. In addition archery, high ropes, zipline, pony rides and bouncy castles ensured no child was idle on the day.
Parents were also busy mingling with the stars and when this got too much, the ladies were able to retreat to the Castle Drawing Room for a professional make over by L’Oreal with a massage area for a real chill-out treat. (To think I missed a good look at Sean Og and a massage……damn, my loss!).
“Join the Stars” day culminated with a most entertaining show in the theatre by the budding actors who had been practising hard with help from The Clinic team. Afterwards, they were joined on stage by the sports stars and any other children who wanted to join in the grand finale. The stars appeared to derive great pleasure in supporting the centre which serves children and families affected by serious illness.
Sean Og said before leaving, “Being at Barretstown was good for the soul, an amazing place”. Tomas Mulcahy, presenter on the Sunday Game said: “Just a short few lines to say how impressed we all were with Barretstown. It was my first visit there and I really enjoyed the experience - all the stars were delighted to help out and are more aware now of what Barretstown actually achieves. Any chance I get to plug this place on TV, I certainly will!”.
Well done to management for organising the event, to the stars who gave their time and tips on the day and to you, the children and families who supported the event. A great day out and a great result - €25,000 in the bank for Barretstown - now that’s something to shout about!!
- Rose

Community Games
Following the cancellation of the Community Games Finals due to torrential rain earlier in June, the re-scheduled finals were thankfully bathed in sunshine. Schools had just broken for summer holidays the previous day which no doubt heightened spirits on the day. Tom Murphy ran a cracking race in the 800 metres final finishing third – congratulations Tom!
And a huge ‘well done’ to everyone who participated. We had a great day - from the thrill of watching the children compete to simply enjoying the heat of the sun on the banks of the track – the phrase “The best things in life are free” springs to mind! We look forward to seeing everyone again next year and will keep you posted with up-coming winter events in the coming months.
Ann Murphy


Back To School

What drew this long forgotten episode of school life to mind recently was the start of the new school year and the universal fear of every parent, when after the first four years of a young child’s life being weaned, nurtured and protected from infancy to early childhood on to the point when the process of formal education begins; the ‘apron strings’ loosen and the child is set out to a world of wider learning and inevitable dangers. It is probably the most heart-rending moment of separation for any parent, yet consoled by a knowledge that the three hour time to redemption is definite, and the first day at school will have concluded.
When one of my younger brothers, Ciaran aged 4.1/2 years, came with me on his first day to St. Patricks National School in Drumcondra, he was wearing a young boy’s fur coat, fashionable enough at the time, though not considered so at St. Patricks. Even though I was aged only 6.1/2, I was aware of what might happen to him. At that time we lived on Griffith Avenue, Dublin, and my father drove us to school each morning on the way to his office. On that day and for some further months, Ciaran, a frail, shy but very intelligent chap (he was later threatened with expulsion from Clongowes for ‘running a book’ on major horse races when he was age 14) was under my care. As we waited for the school gates to open and while I was talking to a pal, I noticed the school bully badgering Ciaran, pulling at his coat and causing him to cry. What propelled me at that instant in time or how I did what I did I will never know, but I flung myself physically at Breathnach, whose head hit the school wall with an audible thump. We both fell to the ground, but already I was raining blows to his head with little fists no larger than ‘drum sticks’. I was dragged off him, and when the school gate opened a few minutes later, all the boys stood aside to let the two of us through first, an acknowledgement that the deed would not be repeated.

At age 11, I was already an old hand so to speak, well experienced in life after six years at St. Patricks, and having passed the entrance examination, was due to start secondary school at Clongowes Wood College, a place I was familiar with from visiting three of my older brothers who had already passed through those hallowed halls and my turn was at hand (two more were destined to follow me).
The Castle entrance-gate at Clongowes is a high imposing structure, its surrounding land once owned by the Eustace family, lead in a straight tree-lined kilometer to the Castle, surrounded by a moat, and later owned by the Wogan-Brownes, one of whose descendents, Ronnie, who is a good friend, ‘still alive’ he says, ‘but barely kicking’.
Beside the Castle were the ‘Pleasure Grounds’ as they were known, covering perhaps ten acres with exotic trees, flowers, plants and undergrowth, a wonderland where even Alice would be overjoyed. It was where we would walk with our parents when they came to visit.
Beyond that, the college farm stretched across hundreds of acres, large and well-stocked with its huge herd of cows, its own dairy, poultry, pigs and the vegetable garden, providing fresh nutritious food in plenty for young growing men.
The very thought of going there was exciting and as the cases, hamper and books were loaded into the car and the journey to a new school began, I was oblivious to any form of nostalgia for home, the Chestnut-tree-lined avenue, even to Jack, the blind man with the white stick whom I used to help across the junction at Grace Park Road beside our house, every day. A new life lay ahead for me, not so much of books or learning, rather to sports – of rugby, cricket, tennis, swimming, athletics, all laid out across vast open grounds; and indoor, sports facilities at the gymnasium; the billiard tables, tennis tables, or just fooling around in the long galleries.

Along with my parents, I waved a last farewell to the rest of the family, leaving Dublin on this new adventure with no regrets. We passed through Chapelizod and Lucan, negotiated our way through Celbridge, by-passing Straffan and sped on towards Clane. It was on this straight open road that the full impact of the nature of this journey to my destination began to fully dawn. On previous visits, the college itself with its castellated battlements could be seen through threes in the distance. I was sitting alone in the back of this big car, speeding like a rocket, but now I wished it to slow down, for new and urgent thoughts were now running through my mind. I needed a delay in time before parting from my parents, because leaving them, seemed as though it was to be forever. When we left Griffith Avenue earlier on that September day, the Chestnut tree leaves were turning a bronze colour and I would not return until Christmas when their branches would be naked, waving dark and ghostly skeletal limbs against a full Moon – and within the hour I would be alone, totally alone for the first time in my life. Even though there would be about 360 other students along with the fearless Jesuit fraternity, the concept of such companionship had no meaning whatsoever to me in the sense of family, of the protection of my parents and older brothers.

We turned right at Clane, speeding along that weird and twisting hedge-lined road with fairy raths and hidden laneways on either side until we reached the castle gates. Up to that moment, and over the past years, it was a thrilling sight to see, with its portcullis hanging in ominous threat, ready to descend and mortally wound any highwayman or band of brigands daring to venture through its portals. Now things were different. I wished it to descend at that moment, to fall and block the entrance. Far ahead in a straight line, the shape of Clongowes castle, widowed in ivy, beckoned forward, waiting for me.
As my mother waved goodbye and closed the door of the car for the last time, suppressed tears ran down my cheeks. I was alone; but I was not abandoned, for a good Jesuit father came to accompany and introduce me to some new school-friends.
In afterthought, that closing door eventually lead to the opening of many others, just as it did when Lucy opened the ‘Wardrobe’, placed there in the room by C.S. Lewis.
Michael Ward.
on passing by- again


Well didn’t the Summer just fly past. I suppose it was all the great weather that was foisted upon us, day after day of glorious heat and sunshine. At least that’s what I thought we were going to get after all the weathermen told us we were going to get one of the best summers ever. So much for long range forecasts. It definitely seems that all we can look forward to are endless dreary Julys and Augusts, rain sodden with the odd bit of sunshine just to show us what we are missing. Maybe it’s time to start advertising Ireland as a cool wet summer destination rather than the forty shades of green. I can only hope that someone is going to invent a tomato that will ripen without sunshine, or perhaps we should all grow rainforest crops. They would certainly have grown well this year.

The crossword seems to attract the same people most of the time so to try and liven it up a bit we have decided to hold the draw every second month rather than the present monthly one. You can send in both entries when you have them finished and both will be entered into the draw. Because the draw will now be two monthly our sponsor, Naas Insurance and Finance, will now forward a token for one hundred euro for the winner. Not a bad prize in these recessionary times so get your entries in.

Speaking of recessionary times it looks like the next few months are going to be tough ones in all manner of ways. We can look forward to NAMA, the Lisbon referendum and then the mother of all budgets.
NAMA looks like being one of the riskiest set ups in the entire history of the state. What the taxpayer is being asked to do is unprecedented and could enslave the ordinary taxpayer for decades. I have to admit to not knowing all the ins and outs but from what I can gather if the government gets it sums wrong we are all going to suffer on a scale not seen before. The Irish banks covered by the states banking guarantee have about ninety billion in property loans on their books. This money was used to buy property, land banks and development sites. At the height of the Celtic Tiger this was thought to be worth over one hundred and twenty billion but in the present times most analysts regard its current value as no more than thirty billion. This in effect leaves the banks nursing a whopping sixty billion of what is essentially bad debt.
I know the banks like to call it impaired loans but it is just bad debt. The Government proposes that NAMA will take all these impaired loans off the banks to enhance their balance sheets and enable them to maintain enough reserves to stay solvent, thus freeing up capital to restart the flow of credit, thus hopefully kickstarting the economy. All sounds good so far, or it not actually good, at least the lesser of evils. The problem for Mr Lenihan and the Government is deciding what the assets are actually worth at the moment. It has been suggested that the property sites and land banks could take at least a decade to regain anything like their former value which means the taxpayer will be carrying the can for all this time. NAMA will have to assess the kind of prices these properties will be likely to achieve in the next seven to ten years and that’s where the real problems lie.
If the Government pays more for the loans than the property eventually realises on the open market then the taxpayer is going to be left paying for the difference. Mr Lenihan has stated that in this eventuality he will impose a levy on the banks to claw back the losses but it is anyone’s guess how long this would take.
If, on the other hand the Government pays too little for the loans the banks will be massively undercapitalised when they write them off. Faced with possibility of a bank going bust the Government will be forced to inject billions in capital to ensure they remain solvent. Unfortunately with this Governments record I really cannot see them getting it right. All we can do is hope. At least what is proposed seems a bit more factual than Fine Gaels idea of a good bank and a bad bank. After all the time that have had to come up with this idea it seems no one has even been able to work out what it would cost. Remember Enda Kenny in a radio interview. How much would your plan cost?. “Its not a question of determining how much it would cost” Have you worked out any cost?
“ I don’t have a final figure” Do you have a ball park figure? “ I don’t have a ball park figure” 10 billion, 20, 30? “ I don’t know” Hardly confidence inspiring stuff.
As if this wasn’t enough to exercise the Governments collective mind the Lisbon referendum is rolling round again. We got it wrong the first time so we are getting another chance, hopefully to get it right this time. No one knows the exact figures but I would imagine a fair share of the NO vote the last time was to give the fingers to what many people saw as the Governments arrogance. Perhaps this time people will examine the issues and vote accordingly. I voted no last time out but I honestly think we are better off as far into Europe as we can get in these perilous times and will be voting yes.
Our final trial will be the budget. This will probably be Mr Lenihans last chance to bring in some reform of public services. If he goes down the taxation route I don’t think NAMA or Lisbon will even register on the public radar. We now have a working population, slowly shrinking, who have been taxed as far as they can be. A belt can only be tightened so much before you strangle the wearer. We are being slowly crucified by taxes, levies and stealth. The bottom line is that in this situation we cannot afford to continue to spend over twenty billion on a public service which has become like a bottomless pit and which besides offering bad value for money offers inferior services. The time has come to call a halt before we all go over the cliff, public servants included.

I don’t know how many of you watched it but I found the funeral of Ted Kennedy incredibly moving. For a Senator to have four presidents at his funeral is unprecedented in American politics. By his own admission he was far from flawless and yet he has been described as Americas greatest legislator. It is easy to dismiss him as a wealthy ne er do well and yet I wonder how many of us could have faced all the tragedy that befell him and still functioned. May he Rest In Peace.

All for now. Mike Edmonds. Sept 09.

The Magic of The Druids…..Well, if you're thinking of the Druids from Irish Folklore who dressed in long dark robes and did magical things, you're on the wrong track! Think dark leathers, hot engines, rock 'n roll, beer and craic - cos that's what was on offer at the Druids M.C.C Rally held recently in Poulaphouca House. About 700-800 bikers got together for the Druids 18th Annual Weekend, the last four having been held here at Poulaphouca.Local bike enthusiasts Biddy and Willie Meade, Christy Shannon and the Fisher brothers - James, Eddie and Michael were amongst the local faces which were mostly Irish bikers with a small number of visitors from England and the Continent. And the musical line up over the weekend was brill with live music on Friday night and super bands ‘Badge’, ‘Voodoo’, ‘The Gypsies’ and ‘Kick Back City’ rockin’ The Fall on Saturday night! Poulaphouca is ideal to host the event with ample camping facilities, scenic views and a band podium. ’Rear of the Year’ goes to the biker featured here - he obviously had mighty crack.............but the Biker Babe Award goes to little Cein Nao Meade........talk about being hot..........it isn't legal to be that cute............... and he is only 12 months old now, having attended the rally at ten months old. He’s a little keen, alright………
The Druids would like to thank Rita, Frank and staff for facilitating the event and also The Gardai for their co-operation. Great weekend, no incidents, just mean machines, hot music, men and women in leathers………
The group also do several charity runs, one of which was in aid of Barretstown this year. Ride on……………… Rose
Recent Deaths
The editors of the Ballymore Bugle would like to extend our deepest sympathy to all the families of the deceased
as listed below. There have been many deaths since our last edition and our hearts go out to
the families who are grieving – Rose and Tim

The late Jack Kaine of Glashina was a well known character within farming and equestrian circles and very much involved with St Mary’s community, Blessington and St John’s of Ballymore Eustace. Pre-deceased by his wife, Rhona nee Neale, Jack is survived by his daughter Elizabeth, son James, grandchildren, daughter and son in law and members of the extended family* and pre-deceased by sisters, Nellie and Dorrie who were similarly well known and loved in both towns. Jack was an ardent huntsman in his time, having rode in many a point to point at Punchestown – he even attended this year’s National Hunt Festival reputedly on all six days, despite his failing health. He will be remembered for his warmth and congeniality and as a gentleman – the late Jack Kaine, may he rest in peace, amen.

The late Dermot Byrne, Salthill, Galway and formerly of Ballymore Eustace. A retired Major General in the Irish Defence Forces, Dermot was a son of the late “Master Byrne” and grew up in Tinnycross House. He is survived by his wife Phyllis and children Jim, Deirdre, Nicky and the late Vinny; brother Des who regularly makes trips to Ballymore and keeps in touch via the Ballymore Bugle, sister Molly, brother Terry and pre-deceased by Harry and Séamus, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, relatives and friends. May he rest in peace, amen.
The late Jean Carton, Dunlavin and formerly of Hillcrest, Ballymore Eustace and Ballyfermot, Co Dublin passed away after a short illness. A petite bubbly person, Jean was always upbeat and chatty; she will be sadly missed by her husband, Steve and children Gemma and David; sisters and brothers, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, relatives, neighbours and her many friends. There was a huge attendance at the funeral service from her native Dublin home and the rural communities of Ballymore and Dunlavin. Jean’s love of shopping and a hunt for a bargain was humorously referred to during the service which was officiated by Rev Fr McGowan, former parish priest of Ballymore Eustace. A lovely person, the late Jean Carton, may she rest in peace, amen.
The funeral of the late Nicki O’Reilly (nee O'Hea) of Ballycutlane, Coughlanstown and formerly Barrack Street, Ballymore Eustace drew one of the largest attendances ever witnessed in the village with strong representation from members of the racing fraternity. Nicki is survived by her husband Charles who is a Director at Punchestown Racecourse, children Alexandra, James and Harry, members of the extended family and friends. As a mark of respect and a sign of the affection in which she was held, management at the racecourse closed their offices on Friday before her funeral and I understand Kevin Myers dedicated one of his columns to Nicki also. The Late Nicki O'Reilly - may she rest in peace, amen.

The late Jack Murphy - formerly of Main Street, Ballymore Eustace, Comdt. Jack Murphy aged 91 more recently resident in Monkstown, Co Dublin died after a brief illness. He is predeceased by his wife Mary and survived by his daughters Anne, Maire and Oonagh, sons Ivor and John, brother Raymond, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and members of the extended family. Jack's sisters, Dr Laura Murphy and Pat Burke are sadly deceased and were very well known within the local community. May he rest in peace, amen.

The late Manzie Kelly of Barrack Street, Ballymore Eustace and St. Vincent's Hospital, where he died peacefully on August 13th. He will be sadly missed by Marie, Billy, Frank, Henry and Maria and their families, relatives and friends. There was a strong GAA representation at his funeral as Manzie had been a handball player and also a member of the famous 1953 football panel. May he rest in peace, amen.

The late Therese Bolger of Cannycourt, Brannockstown who died peacefully at Tallaght Hospital, deeply regretted by her mother Maisie, sisters Mary, Aine, Kay and Bernadette, , brother Stephen, sister and brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. May she rest in peace, amen

The late Joe Cahill of Liffey Heights – aged only 47, his death must have been very hard on family and friends. Survived by wife Bridget and daughter Lisa, brother Matt, sisters Hilda, Bernie and Monica, sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends, Joe was a great buddy of the late Noel Hartigan who sadly died at a relatively young age. I had heard Joe had taken ill and was in a coma but I did not hear of his death until after the funeral. Very sad, I remember seeing Bridget (Biddy) and Joe dating and he was the finest looking chap you’d lay eyes on. The late Joe Cahill, may he rest in peace, amen.

We extend our sympathy to the family of the late Davey Byrne, formerly of Hollywood and Blessing ton. Davey had worked in England for many years in the construction industry – a son of the late and very well known character, the “Gunch Byrne”, Davey will be missed by family and friends, may he rest in peace, amen.

We offer our condolences to the family of the late Frank Slattery (71); a brother of Barry, Frank was a large than life character who died suddenly. Frank actually took ill whilst out playing golf and we hear his golfing friends at Newlands Golf Course gave him a terrific send off. He is survived by his wife, Denise and their two daughters plus members of the extended family. May he rest in peace, amen.

- Rose

A GOOD READ

I am afraid I only managed to read one book over the last month or so- it was so huge I had to save it for when I was sure there would be enough time to finish it – being a slow reader can be a curse at times! However, “The Northern Clemency” by Philip Hensher (Paperback: Harper Perennial: 15.00 euro) was worth the effort and time it took to digest its 738 pages. Nominated for the Man Booker prize last year, it is a very well written novel, spanning two decades in the lives of a couple of middle class families living in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.

Perhaps the fact that it was set in my home city, from 1974 to 94, when I was still living in Northern England particularly endeared the book to me, but I like to think it was also because it is a genuinely good story that gets you involved with the lives of the families right from the start.

Hensher is good at evoking an era and the novel opens in the seventies with the mixed fates of the Glovers and their new neighbours the Sellers, freshly arrived from London. As the book unfolds we gradually get to know all the family members and the depictions of the children and teenagers are particularly good . There are some interesting plot twists, although I did find the occasional explorations of characters on the outside of the family a little diversionary- I think Hensher is at his best when dealing with the main characters themselves.

The emphasis in this novel is, I feel, very much on the story itself. As we get into the mid eighties the backdrop is inevitably the dramatic backdrop of the miners strike and the book provides some interesting social commentary here on the damage done to communities by the divisive strike. Although in each of the eras selected we get very detailed vignettes of each of the family member’s lives, I am conscious that the writer does not delve specifically into their individual psychology- he merely describes what is happening to them. In this way the reader is left to make their own minds up about the character- what appeals to them and what they may dislike.

I admired this quality in Hensher as a writer, but at the end of the novel, I wasn’t sure what I really knew about any of the characters- I knew about their lives and things that had happened to them, but I wasn’t sure exactly what empathy I felt for them- it was slightly odd really! So, although at one level I really enjoyed the actual story and the reality of this tale of Northern life, I was left feeling a little unsatisfied by it- perhaps I would have preferred fewer characters but more depth? I could certainly recommend it as a good yarn, but for me I think it sacrificed a little more depth to its substantial breadth.


ANGIE RUANE
IN PLACE OF THE ‘OLD LIBRARY’
and other Tidy Towns news
Many of you will have noticed that the ‘Old Library’ is long gone and, now, in its place is a brand new building. This will be used to provide storage for the FÁS workers tools and machinery, a small meeting area for the CDA, and the BME Tidy Towns Group, and shelter, washing, refreshment break, and toilet facilities for the FÁS workers. The erection and internal fittings are complete. All that remains is the connection to sewer / wastewater drainage, electricity and water supplies. The FÁS team are landscaping, paving, and tidying up the site. The consensus seems to be that this development is a worthwhile improvement.

None of this would have happened without all the hard work, determination, organisation, and supervision during the planning & construction stages by Jimmy Pearse. This project was Jimmy’s idea and he carried it through from inception to fruition with his usual enthusiasm and thoroughness.

The CDA have temporarily funded the costs to date. We have applied for a grant from the KTK Grant Scheme, but our application, submitted in April 2009, has not been acknowledged and this gives us some cause for concern.

Some additional Tidy Towns snippets:

· Results of the 2009 Tidy Towns Competition.
The results of the 2009 Tidy Towns Competition were announced at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, on 7th September. Ballymore Eustace has achieved a magnificent and well deserved increase in their score, by twelve points, to 274. Thank you to all the people who contributed to this success:
· the Tidy Towns group and other stalwarts who work continually and quietly behind the scenes
· local businesses for their financial, material and moral support
· local individuals who gave generous donations
· last, but not least, all the people of Ballymore Eustace who have ‘kept their patch clean’ and for their help and encouragement

The Adjudicators’ report, which can be downloaded from the Tidy Towns website – at: http://www.tidytowns.ie, then go to The History, Adjudication Reports, 2009, Kildare, Ballymore Eustace - will be included in October’s Bugle; the comments contained in it provide useful pointers to help us achieve even better scores in next year’s competition.


· Damage to the River Liffey Bridge
In early August, vandals dislodged some capping stones on the wall of the River Liffey Bridge at Ballymore Eustace, along a length opposite the Ball Alley. The stones were left on the highway; which presented a serious hazard to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The vandals were apprehended by local Gardai. David Hall, Naas Area Engineer, Kildare County Council is, at present, seeking to reach an acceptable agreement with the culprits regarding the repairs.


· Water Damage to River Walk at Doran’s Meadow.
Following very heavy rain, during the “summer” that was in it, the bank at Doran's Field along the River Walk collapsed. Damage has extended to the pathway alongside the stream. The damage has been reported to Kildare County Council, Councillor Martin Heydon, and COVA Properties (the present owners of Doran’s Meadow). At the time of writing, KCC had not carried out any of their promised actions. COVA Properties expect their fencing contractors to carry out remedial work on their side of the stream. They will be sinking posts close together along the old fence line and back-filling to replace the eroded material.

Recession

So what’s new? Nothing much, we’ve just come through another long wet summer and facing into a wet autumn if our weathermen are right. Recession is the only show in town and seems to be the main topic of conversation whenever two or three are gathered together unless you want to get into the pros and cons of Lisbon which is still with us and now Nama has joined the ranks. I’ve written about Lisbon in a previous article so my views are well known on that subject: stay with Europe no matter what! Nama is a different subject altogether and is been designed to get us out of the financial mess that so called experts and financial wizards in banking circles have landed us in. Already there are opposing opinions about Nama. Our government says it’s the way to go, while some economists think the opposite. Frankly I don’t understand all the manipulations that were worked on by these so called experts and financial wizards. However I feel I’m standing tall with the best of them for the said experts didn’t seem to know either what they were about! Vanity investing might best describe their actions. Apparently the banker builder bubble was allowed to grow while our Central Bank, Financial Regulator and the Department of Finance stood idly by The one message that is appearing loud and clear from these shenanigans is that the rescue operation is going to come from the pockets of you and me the ordinary taxpayer. Put that in your pipe and smoke it at your ease!
Questions will be asked as to what will happen to those who got the country into this mess. I believe there has been a resignation or two but is that sufficient? It’s too early to speculate as to what would happen if these ‘experts’ had to stand up in a court of law and defend their actions. They would probably plead first offence and get away with a caution. I have a different if somewhat more radical plan. I’d arm them all with slash hooks and send them out along the highways, byways, and motorways of Ireland to cut that noxious weed ragwort growing in profusion all along our roadsides and in fields. I mind the time when it was an offence to allow this weed to grow and can remember Guard Carroll from Ballymore coming up our avenue on his bike, the squad car of the time, and advising us to get thistles and ragwort cut that were growing in the fields, otherwise face a stiff fine.
This is not such a daft idea as you may think for I’ve seen it in operation. Allow me to digress. Many years ago I was setting off from Vancouver, Canada on a motorbike to travel the states of America. A fellow biker who had done a similar trip gave me this piece of advice: watch your speed limit if you hit the southern states for they don’t just fine you and send you on your way. No, you get carted off to jail and, depending on your offence you spend some time either rock breaking in a rock quarry or, the lesser of two evils, cutting weeds along the highway. Armed guards with rifles cradled in their arms stood at strategic intervals keeping watch. It was sound advice for it was very tempting to break the 50 mph that ruled at the time. Just imagine, mile after mile of highway as far as the eye could see rising and falling with the gentle undulations of the surrounding prairie with the odd car or freight truck for company. But that was then and this is now and I don’t know if the said practice is still in vogue!
So back to the present. The government tell us that Nama is the way out of our financial predicament even if it takes forever. Some say it will take so long that our grandchildren will be involved in the rescue operation. I’d be very cautious of any grand plan that the present shower in power would put before the country. Didn’t they land us in the soup in the first place paying no heed to the bubble that was growing before their very eyes, and that grand man Bertie wondering why anyone who didn’t believe in the gospel according to Fianna Fail didn’t go out and commit suicide. Arrogance personified, and their present leader doesn’t do apology either. At the next election I propose that instead of giving those in power at present a vote, we give them slash hooks, and send them out along with the bankers and financial wizards to cut ragwort and thistles.
Forget about recession and lets finish on a high note. A recent poll taken among the 24 to 40 year olds showed an upbeat attitude in spite of our economic crisis, and that’s surely a positive. When you’re on the bottom there’s only one way to go and that’s up!
Yrs Jeffers.
PAGE 2
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Birthdays - happy birthday to Carmel Moylan on celebrating an ‘important’ birthday recently…..
I’ve no sympathy for her, she looks bloody great……
Belated birthday wishes to Mary Kelly and indeed, belated get well wishes to you also.

And to the mighty Mick (Micheal) Ryan from the Front Street, three score. Mick’s son Leonard won a bronze medal at the World Transplant Games in Australia to give his Da an early birthday present

Congratulations
To all the students who received college or university places recently – not easy in these tough economic times, so make the best of student life whilst you can.

Get well wishes to Elizabeth Deegan, supermam, super stylist, superwoman!

Gerry’s feel good factor
Do you know its always great to meet Gerry Stevens out anytime, anywhere – oh yes, he will make a holy show of you if he can and will never miss an opportunity to slag the hell out of you – but he’s such a fun person, always chirpy and cheery. He should be put standing outside the doctor’s clinic every morning, definitely better than medicine or vitamins………..

Wedding bells
Congratulations to newly weds, Emma Marshall and Roy Clarke of Briencan who were married recently in Tulfarris House Hotel and to Anne Winders and Mark Doyle of Boleybeg who celebrated their wedding reception in the Ardenode Country House Hotel. Health and happiness to both couples.



CECIL HAIL and HEARTY
Well Readers, I nearly had heart failure when we collected the July edition of the Bugle and I saw “the late Cecil Winders” name and facing looking out from the handball page………. Totally my fault, I typed the caption weeks earlier, fully intending to run the names by John Browne or Tom O’Rourke before going to press but family matters took precedence and I completely forgot….
Sorry, Cecil who took it in good stead (thank God!). I wasn’t sure which Winders was in the photo – I thought it was Cecil but I knew there was another deceased brother and meant to check it out…..
Also to Justin Byrne whom I named as Fergal……… Blonde month for me!
Apologies again – Rose

IN a small box please:

PANTO TIME AGAIN!
Oh yes, it is………..Well, not quite!
If you fancy yourself on stage with
The Bandhall Players
for another side splitting panto,
contact Tommy Dwyer on 087 952 4270.

Practise will commence next month so
aspiring thespians, comedians, song and dance artistes,
Be sure to put your name down now.

In a display box:

Painting
Drawing
& Calligraphy
Jospehine Hardiman, continues her One Day Workshops at her studio near Punchestown over the Winter months. Why not brighten up those long dark days of Winter and learn some new skills. Josephine teaches both beginners and improvers and with a maximum of 6 persons per class, you are assured of individual tuition and demonstration.
September 26th Calligraphy, the Art of Fine Writing
October 10th Watercolour, Painting & Flower Studies
October 24th Watercolour, Landscape Painting
November 14th Drawing with Pastels/Landscapes
December 6th Graphie & Charcoal Drawings
Classes are held on Saturdays from 10.30am to 3.30pm. all materials supplied with lightly lunch included. Contact Joesphine for further details – 045 866708 Email josephinehardiman@eircom.net
I have tried mightily to resist this but after Saturdays match against Down I gave in. After all what bad poet could resist a manager whose name rhymes with the county that he manages.!!!

The Ballad of Tony Hannon
From Ballymore long ago he came,
Fleet of foot and sure of aim,
Right or left boot like from a cannon,
The giant that they call Tony Hannon.

He pulled on the jersey of Ballymore,
Not the green/gold but the blue and d’or,
Any took his place on Aughrim field,
His boot some scores would surely yield.

He plied his trade as a Hollywood son,
No not the US bit off the N 81.
And soon became a clubman champ,
In wind, or fine or even damp.

Then came a man from Waterville,
He’d been round, many bainisteoir roles did fill,
“I’ll have to bring just one good man in,”
Who heard the call, one Tony Hannon.

His dad’s monument just might be Hillcrest,
But Tony Junior will not rest,
Until In Croker the Garden County lands,
And On Sam Maguire he gets his hands.

You know we are behind the Lilywhite side,
Our own James we watch with pride,
But as the Wicklow boys they ran on,
A lot of Ballymore eyes were on Tony Hannon.

So Pat Spillane is back on the telly,
He tells it like it is, straight from the belly,
And two hundred miles right up to Wicklow,
It’s three times a week for the man called Micko.

What small village can have such a boast,
One on a county team is enough for most,
But in Ballymore we have a BRACE,
James for the Lily’s and Tony, Wicklow Ace.

Up in Avon Ri big Conal is a quiver,
Cause down by the banks of the Liffey river,
TWO men are plotting his downfall,
And hope to knock him off the ball.

So raise a cheer for our county neighbour,
And wish Micko well in his hard labour,
We feel pride when runs our local man on,
So give three cheers for Tony Hannon TR
Matt’s Memories

James Kavanagh
Delighted to see James Kavanagh, who performed well against Wexford, again did so in his Leinster Senior GAA Football match against Laois. Kildare qualified for this year’s Leinster Final against Dublin who were in terrific form against Westmeath in their semi-final match. They didn’t win on the day but they played a lot better than any of the sports columnists predicted – I look forward to the next draw for Kildare. James is a son of Vincent and Oonagh Kavanagh. In times past, Vincent served on the Handball Community Development Committee and also on the Handball Community Management Committee on which Vincent was one of our top fundraisers. Oonagh for her part was to the forefront on the Athletic Committee and always a great GAA supporter.

Deegans of Chapel Street
In the early fifties, the late grandfather of the Deegans of Chapel Street and Dinny Lynch did work on the lawn for my late father. Nowadays, a Rotovator would do such work. Despite this hard work, Mr. Deegan lived to be over ninety years of age. His son, Edward, did a great three page Profile for the Ballymore Echo in February 1979. Edward was born in May 1907. Edward’s son John did the artwork for the front page of the Ballymore Echo.

D.J.Cullen
Recently met D.J.Cullen of Elverstown coming from Mass and he was in good spirits. Sometime ago I met D.J. with a sister of his that I used to see near Rathgar Road in Dublin.

Birthday
By the time you read this, Peter McGrath will have celebrated his 84th birthday.

Capetown
Dropped in to Janet Deegan and found her showing photos on her laptop of her time with Denise Kelly and the Neil Mellon enterprise in Capetown which was featured in a recent edition of the Bugle. Having enjoyed some of the photos, I had to go on my way.

Anniversaries May 9 and 10
On May 9 the anniversaries of Tom Gill, Michael Coyle (Mylerstown), Elizabeth Bolger
and Sister Marion (Isle of White – Lil Halpin) were celebrated. The following day, the
anniversaries of Teddy and Elizabeth Deegan of Briencan and their son Terry were
celebrated. Pat Deegan’s (Dowdenstown) anniversary was also celebrated. On the same
date the anniversaries of May Cott, Mary Conway and Margaret Taylor were also
celebrated. The Leinster Leader carried an In Memoriam from Patricia Gordon
O’Brien for the 11th anniversary of May Cott.
Lisa
Recently met Lisa Rooney (nee Winder) for the first time in a long while. Lisa is now the proud mother of four children the youngest of whom was with her along with two of Pat Tracey’s children. Lisa is a daughter of Pious and Geraldine Winder and sister of Trevor and Paula. In my handballing days, I often visited the Winders and had many a game with Pious with whom I won my sole Senior All-Ireland title.
The Singer
I suppose I should not have been surprised but I had never seen Gail Kinsella (nee Murphy) in a choir before. To date, I have not heard her sing but I guess as she is in the choir that she has inherited her late father, Johnny’s singing voice (as has Aine). Heretofore, I assumed her expertise extended only to planning and artistry matters.
The Experts
When I used to visit St Mary’s Cemetery I frequently met Bridgie and Johnny Cooke there. Usually, they were maintaining the grave of Bridgie’s brother Sean and his wife Jean. Bridgie’s parents are buried in Naas Cemetery as is Bridgie’s brother Gerry. Bridgie’s brother Tommy is buried in Dublin but I cannot say I knew him. Bridgie’s brother Dinny is buried in St Mary’s Cemetery. In days gone by, the late Dinny bought his cottage and site at Dowdenstown from my late aunt Jane and her husband Stephen O’Connor. Talking to Bridgie, I gather she knew my late mother’s people, the Keegans of Two-Mile-House, well.
Leader Photos
On April 9 the Leader carried photos of Lorcan and Phil O’Rourke, Seamus “Sos” and
Colette Dowling and Fr Joe McDermott all of whom were supporting Newbridge Parish
Day at the Curragh Races. Up to January last, Lorcan was the handball Riarthoir and had
been since the late Joe Lynch retired from that position about twenty years before.
Seamus Dowling was a good football player and for a time he Managed the Kildare
Senior GAA Football Team. His wife Colette ran a travel agency in Newbridge.

On May 7 Emma Harris’s picture appeared in the Leinster Leader in recognition that the
15 year old had written a book – quite an achievement for one so young. On the same
date, the Leisure Section of the Leinster Leader contained a photo of Grainne Glancy in
the company of Leighlann and Heidi MacKenzie-Smith.

Recently, the Leinster Leader ran a series called: My First School Photos. This series ended with photos of children from Ballymore Eustace but did not contain any captions.

Marie Wolfe
Reading the May Bugle, I see I referred to Maria Wolfe when I should have referred to her as Marie Wolfe. Apologies Marie.

© Matt Purcell (June 30, 2009).
Kildare Steiner School –our journey

Since our relocation from Dunshane to this magnificent site just outside Dunlavin, the school community has worked together to create a place of beauty in which our children can be educated.

Our St John’s festival on June 26th marked a seminal point in that journey as we hosted a bustling and happy Open Day for all our families and a host of guests. The sun shone down on us as a number of last year’s projects, including the artistic Cob Oven finally came into their own. The barbecue was steaming as friends and guests helped themselves to lovely organic salads, breads and deserts. There was a real carnival atmosphere, helped along by our very own Dorly, on fiddle, with her fellow musicians and a hardy bunch of set dancers…the bonfire was also a big hit with children and adults alike…

As at the end of term we have a thriving little school with 24 children in the kindergarten (3 and a half to 6 years) and 26 children in the main school (across two classrooms), enabling us to keep our classes small and focused. We would like to see the school grow and develop further next year, and in fact we will have dedicated Class One, reflecting ten children moving up from the kindergarten to the main school. We intend to develop our polytunnel further and continue to enhance the now lovely parent ands toddler garden by having more sessions in that area. So…if you are a family with pre-school children who would like to get to know the school, why not come along to parent and toddler and experience the wonder of the Steiner approach first hand? You WILL find it interesting and appealing…..Alternatively if your child is currently in a mainstream school and you are considering a transfer, now is a good time to pursue that, so give is a call on 045 401919- or call me as I am handling enrolment and can talk about the transfer experience, having moved my own son here after third class- Angie Ruane
Hatmore Park,
Derry.
July 2009.

Dear Edior,
On a recent visit home to BME I read you June edition. You commented on the shortage of birthdays. Perhaps I can help.
In the month of April three members of your community reached 65 years, OAP staus. Francie Deegan, Jim (Bumps) Winders and John Kelly. Yours truly on May 1st. In July John Brown.
Then you have John (Jack) McDonald who hits the big 60 on August 28th. Vincent McDonald celebrates on August 27th. Christopher McDonald 26th July.
Happy Birthday One and All!

Mary McLaughlin.

PS In fact the class of ’58 should reach OAP status this year, Margaret, Nuala and many ore who I don’t know their married names.
God Bless, love the Bugle. MM




KTK KILDARE COUNTY COUNCIL COMMUNITY LEVY FUNDING

Readers, I thought as a member of the KTK Kildare County Council Projects Liaison Committee, I should give you an update on the current applications and payments to date. Unfortunately, I am sometimes as much in the dark as you, despite being a member of the said committee! Communications and scheduled meetings initially were poor with regular cancellations, no follow up correspondence and very little written confirmations to committee members from Kildare County Council.

Things improved when Ann Rowan, Senior Executive Officer with KCC took over the management of the KTK Fund Committee but with the recent local elections and new council sub committees to be established, we have fallen into ‘no-man’s land’ again but hopefully, this is only a short recess. A quick ‘re-cap’ on funds paid out to date:

From the files it appears that the Tidy Towns submitted 3 applications in 2007 – for seating, surfacing of pathways and fencing along the River Walk. From what I remember, the surfacing of the River Walk pathway was not considered as comprehensive resurfacing of this area will be carried out on the completion of new sewerage treatment plant (Don’t ask, the sewerage saga would make the Bible look like a short story). The Tidy Towns received €1,000.

The Tidy Towns furthermore were passed to receive €2,000 for street signage in 2008.
Liffey Heights Residents Association received €1,000

Ballymore Eustace Historical & Heritage Society received €4,000 for the printing of an historical book later this year which includes comprehensive photographic and editorial. The society hope to launch the book in September/October and hopefully, will do well with pre-Christmas sales.It appears from Kildare County Council records that in June 2008, we, the committee discussed and approved agrant of €500 to the Parish Board of Management (Church) but this money does not appeared to have been paid. All amounts under €1,000 once confirmed by the committee do not have to be approved by the Naas Area Committee (County Councillors) so why the group never received the money is a mystery.

In recent months, the Naas Area Committee have approved:Scoil Mhuire – ‘Suimhneas Garden’ - €5,000.Ballymore Eustace Band Hall Committee - €10,000 for resurfacing of the Bandhall car park, as one of the first applications received, this group have been a bit unfortunate with further requests for information, updated quotations submitted and misplaced. Now finally, the money has been approved but there isn’t enough in the fund to cover the amount granted. Kevin Keenan stressed in a meeting earlier this year that he would only pay outstanding levies into the fund when he saw some positive action from Kildare County Council and the committee! I have every confidence that Tommy Dwyer will blow the ear off Kevin until KTK submit further monies……….To date, a payment of €10,000 has been received from KTK and an estimated balance of €69,264.29 is outstanding. KTK confirmed this figure in March and Kildare County Council have since written to them requesting payment.However, in an email I received from Ann Rowan in reply to queries for this article, I note Ann wrote the following “The payments to the School and the Band Hall can only be made when money is received from KTK (and confirmation from the bodies that the work has been carried out).” When work has been carried out???? This was never a stipulation of the conditions of the fund and I have confirmed same with Billy Hillis who was formerly the chairperson and past member of the KTK levy committee. “How could community groups have the work carried out before they received the grant?” I will raise the matter with Ann Rowan this week but won’t have the reply in time for this month’s Bugle edition.Further applications to be reviewed:

Tidy Towns/Fas Storage Facility
Application submitted by James Pearse/Tidy Towns to erect a Tiglin prefabricated building on the old library site, intended for storage of tools and machinery, meeting area and shelter, toilet facilities etc. Previously, a wonderful plan was drawn up by Des Kennedy Jnr but was ‘scrapped’ by the CDA due to lack of funding or sponsors.

BME Trout & Salmon Anglers AssociationProposing to carry out habitat improvements to the feeder streams of the Liffey. “They would need to contact the Fisheries Board before any action is taken” – Ann Rowan.Bme Gaa
“Initially they sought grants of up to €30,000 for 4 projects, but we have sought further clarification.” – Ann Rowan.Ann advises me that “We cannot schedule a meeting until the council has elected members to the committee. We will let you know.” Willie Callaghan was re-elected to KCC in the local elections but JJ Power was not and they were the last serving members of KCC. It’s a bit much for the existing five members of Athy electoral area and Naas electoral area not to be invited to select 2 members to sit on this committee……………and so, the saga continues. I honestly thought we had approved a few smaller applications over the past few years but the recorded minutes of the meetings are basic. Please, if you applied to the fund via The Bugle but heard nothing back, let Mike Edmonds or I know as Mike is also a community representative sitting on the committee.
Rose



Off The Cutting Edge
By Pastor R. Dunlop
IS HONESTY THE BEST POLICY?
The fact that the title of this piece is posed as a question rather than an assertion indicates that there are different views on the subject.
We have come through such a series of tribunals and enquiries, low standards in high places, that we are tempted to think that corruption is endemic. It is more than easy to slip into the habit of being economical with the truth. There is something of a paradox in the fact that dishonesty was rampant in times of plenty and still lingers now that the downturn has come.
A great deal hangs on what set of ethics governs behaviour.
The spectrum may be stretched from white lies to complicity with falsehood, and eventually to barefaced perjury. The saying that a person is lying “through their teeth” is heard quite frequently.
Historically, the Quakers and the Amish people refused to swear an oath on the Bible and took seriously the injunction “Let your Yea be yea and your nay, nay”.
Honesty in all life’s dealings and relationships is an honourable aspiration.
1. It builds up communal integrity and accountability.
2. It creates an inner peace and sense of wellbeing. Those who tell the truth sleep with an easy conscience; while it may cost them materially to stand by the truth, ultimately they will enjoy a calmed mind.
3. It lays out an example for the upcoming generation.
Dishonesty often passes down the familial line but it should not be forgotten that truth-telling is contagious.
4. It spreads the responsibility of civil society in areas such as taxation and maintenance of essential services. Citizens are right when they expect honesty and integrity from those who hold the reins of political power, whether nationally or locally.
5. Democracy, when working well should ensure that there is mutual honesty between the ruler and the ruled.
6. Although it may mean flowing against the stream, there is every reason to make a good case for the maxim “ Honesty IS the best policy”.