Thursday, May 6, 2010

Did you know that you can now access your funds 24/7?
All you have to do is apply for a CU Cash account, and we will issue you with an ATM card and unique PIN.
The CU Cash ATM is conveniently located on the main street in Naas.
Key Benefits:
24 hour access to your cash
No more queueing to withdraw
NO Transaction charges!
About the CU Cash Card
Funds will be debited from a separate balance, known as the CU Cash account. You must ensure that there are sufficient funds in this account, before making ATM withdrawals.
There is a daily withdrawal limit of €350.
You can use the CU Cash Balance to withdraw funds at the counter, as well as from the ATM, provided there is sufficient balance and no arrears on loan balances.
How to apply for a CU Cash Card
Simply complete a CU Cash Card application form available from the Credit Union offices. Alternatively you can download an application form from the website and return to us at 20, North Main St., Naas.

Tim’s Diary

We seem to be coming out of the cold weather at long last. It has been a spell of very extreme weather and it has really taken a toll on the road surfaces. We even have pot holes on Barrack Street! What a state on the Dublin Road.! Two nice size ones are beginning to develop right outside our front door. The daddy of all pot holes is the one just past the cemetery as you head up towards Ardenode Cross. If you drive fast into it will rattle your teeth let alone your suspension.
As always with Cheltenham over thoughts turn to Aintree and Punchestown. The Grand national renewal is stiil a bit hard to decipher but a few bob each way on Jimmy Mangan’s Whinstone Boy should give you a good run for your money. Punchestown seems a long way away yet but keep and eye out for Special Account.
Staying with the nags look out for a BBC Four Storyville programme which follows a year in the life of three horses in Paul Nolan’s stables. A camera crew follwed Joncol, Ardalan and Cuan na Grai for 12 months through thick and thin. If you are of a sensitive nature be ready for some robust language as PN watches his charges.
Michael Lyons was the previous CEO of AMNCH Hospital in Tallaght.
Profile of Tommy Nugent

Margaret and Tommy

We visited Mr. Tommy Nugent Senior of Ballybought this month - a famous all-round sportsman in years gone by. He was born in Birmingham, England in March 1904 and he was one of a family of four who came to live on the Commons when he was only 4 years old. He went to school in Ballymore and he remembers Miss Hegarty, Miss Kelly, Miss Farrington, Miss Haydon, Miss Byrne and Mr. and Mrs. McBride teaching there at that time. He left school at the age of 13 and went to work for "rich Christy Dunne" in Johnstown Hollywood for 30/= a quarter.

One of the things that stand out in his memory of years ago was the day Tommy Leahy and Mick McDonald held him under the water in the Liffey for "five minutes”. "They left me for dead" he said. "This was the sort of devilment boys got up to in those days".

He loved handball and he remembers Tom and Joe Morrissey building the Ball Alley in 1910. They lived beside the alley where Dr. Purcell now has his stables. The very first Handball Club was formed by Bernard Purcell, Ned O'Rourke, Pat Conner, Blacksmith, Jimmy McGrath, Jim Byrne, Schoolmaster, Jack McGee, Myles McGee, Peter Nugent, and Myles Lawlor. He remembers paying his first 1/= membership fee. The first singles match played there was between Kit Jordan and Patsy Devoy and the first doubles match between Art Doran and Myles Lawlor versus Jimmy McGrath and himself, which the latter pair won. Tommy Leahy was the top player of his time and "I remember playing him for a bet and winning" Tommy recalls gleefully.

As a youngster he carried the newspapers from Harristown station to Ballymore for Graces and McGuires. Jimmy Smith the Blacksmith ran the mail car to Harristown at the same time. On one occasion, he recalls Bernard Purcell having a bet with Jimmy Smith that Tom would beat him in a race to Harristown. Smith drove the car himself as the usual driver, Jim McLoughlin was a pal of his. In spite of all he won the race quite easy.

Football played a big part in his life and he talked of great players like Mickey Dwyer, Tom Donnelly, Myles Lawlor and Winders brothers. He said he won a "Long Kick" competition with a kick of 65 yards from Anthony Nolan and Noel Cullen. Athletics was another sport he enjoyed and he recalls taking part in races with P. Halpin and Jim McLoughlin.

He joined the Fenians in 1917, Frank Driver being a local leader. He worked for some time with the County Council and also on the E.S.B. scheme. He married Margaret Toomey of Ballysize in 1937. He got a house in Bolabeg as he was then employed by Capt. Spencer Freeman and the couple had 6 children. The years passed, times were hard and ill health forced him to retire early. They moved to their present home and he recalls the many friends who saw him through over the years. Mrs. McLoughlin of Tinnycross; Mrs. McGrath, The Commons; Mick McDonald, Mick Maher and Mr and Mrs. Murray of Ardenode.

In later years, his pastime of training donkeys brought him a lot of pleasure and satisfaction. He won many a donkey derby, but when grass got expensive, he had to give this up.

Céilí dancing and old-time waltzing was another great favourite of his, and many was the all-night house dance he attended in the old days.

He is happy to see snobbery gone out of football. He admires to-day’s youth, but blames their parents for over indulging them. He has 5 grandchildren and their eldest son, Pat lives at home with them. He enjoys reading and looks forward to The Echo every month.

(Matt Purcell - Courtesy of Ballymore Echo, November 1977)
Matt’s Memories

Business
For an hour each Saturday at 10am, RTÉ1 has a programme on business. One of those featured on that programme on Saturday, February 27 was Kevin Keenan (Senior). Kevin is still working a full week even though he is 83 years of age. He has a full truck driver’s license and all safety certificates required to work at sand and gravel.

He talked about loading his first truck in 1950 with a shovel and unloading the same way. The tipper truck, washing and screening equipment emerged in time. His two sons now run the business. His son Tom attended the interview with Kevin (Senior).

The Nugents of Ballybought
Madge Nugent is the only surviving Nugent now. She has one girl, two boys and two grandchildren and is married to Des Tyrrell of Blessington. Joe’s wife Rita, two sons and three grandchildren survive the late Joe.

Tommy died in June 1982, aged 78 and Margaret died in August 1983, aged 68. Two girls died in infancy; Lucy Ann died in November 1975, aged 31 while Pat died in August 2000, aged 60 and Joe who died last year, aged 67.

In his younger days, Tommy was a “dog man”. He used to breed and train sheep dogs and had success at the Wicklow dog trials. Two of his dogs were named ‘Fly’ and ‘Spot’. Fly spent her time between Ballybought and Ballysize, Hollywood. Paddy Toomey had his farm at Ballysize and was Margaret’s brother. Fly used to walk the 4 miles along the road between Ballybought and Ballysize regarding both as her home. For the most part, she stayed where she felt most welcome at any given time.

Tommy used to loan Fly to Paddy to gather the sheep off the mountain as she was a wonderful sheep dog and worked so well on the whistle. She was a great help to Paddy as she did the entire running around the mountain and brought the sheep down. She would spend weeks with Paddy and then come back to Ballybought where Tommy would work her with sheep.

Spot was very loyal to Tommy. He was a great housedog and also excelled at the sheep dog trials.
Handball Michael Dowling, who has been in top handball form lately, won a Leinster Golden Masters Singles Title. Over the years, Michael has performed at the highest level, winning a Senior All-Ireland Hard Doubles title in 1990 with no less a player than Tom O'Rourke . To date, Michael has won four All-Ireland titles. In times past, his namesake and late father won three All-Ireland titles including two at senior level. After taking a break from the game, Michael is again playing top class handball - congratulations to you, Michael.

Another provincial winner was Gerry McGrath. Gerry was playing for Wicklow and won the Emerald Masters "B" Singles title. Gerry plays most of his practice matches in Ballymore Eustace and we have come to regard him as one of our own. Like Michael, his next game is against Mayo on March 20. This time the venue is Coolboy and Gerry's opponent is Joe Neary.

Frances
Having arrived early for Frances O’Donoghue’s funeral I decided to explore my nearby surroundings. This was my first time in Manor-Kilbride. Next door to the Catholic Church was Craul’s Supermarket. In days gone by, Jimmy Craul and his band used to play for the handball club when it was having its Lenten Dances in the Parish Hall in Ballymore Eustace. I believe Jimmy is now deceased.

Next I came to a school and got talking to a man who referred me to his mother. To my surprise, this lady was very familiar with our Bugle and myself. Little by little, I realised I knew her of old. It was Bridget McLoughlin (nee Conway) who used to live near Ballymore Eustace before marrying Tony McLoughlin. The man I met earlier was their son who now lives near Ballymore Eustace. Chatting to Bridget, we recalled the days when Teresa Shannon was caretaker of the old National School in Ballymore Eustace.

Returning to the Church, the first one I met was John Browne who had been at the funeral of the late Jim Dunworth the previous weekend. Next I met Anthony and Mary Campbell and I sat beside them in the Church. In front of us was one of Alice Cullen’s sons and later, I met Alice herself, she being a sister of the late Frances. Then, I met Rose and little Sophie.

I also met Patsy O’Donoghue and his daughter Sarah, both of whom worked with me in South Dublin County Council. I gather the Campbells were in Manor-Kilbride before at funerals including the funeral of a daughter of the McLoughlins who died in a motorbike accident on the dual carriageway. The last one I met was Mary O’Neill (nee Cullen) now of Rathdowney, Co. Laois.

Congratulations
Congratulations to the History Society, the Juvenile GAA and James Kavanagh on their recent Awards successes. Best wishes to all the nominees who have contributed so much to our community.

Deaths
As the funerals of Jim Dunworth and Elizabeth (Lil) Horan (nee Flanagan) were both covered in the February Bugle, I won’t go into them further except to say, Jim is interred in St Mary’s Cemetery while Lil is interred in Burgage Cemetery. Reading the February Bugle, I realise I would have known Jim’s wife Kitty and all his children, who of course are all grown up now. Lil Horan is a grandaunt of Barry Hennessy’s wife, Barry being a son of former local resident, Bren Hennessy.

© Matt Purcell (March 8, 2010).
Ballymore Eustace GAA Club
Juvenile Football & Hurling
An Báile Mór
The News
As with every year we plan to run a football academy for children who are attending school in senior
and Junior infants. Given the large numbers of boys and girls currently being catered for in the older
age groups we will not be in a position to run the academy this year unless we get extra help. Due to
the age of the children attending the academy we require a ratio of 1 adult to every 5 children. Please
contact any member of the committee if you are interested in helping out. Unfortunately we will not be
in a position to cater for non primary school going children.
The Boys
The boys U14 team have started the Kildare Féile football competition. In the first game away to
Castledermot the lads started with a win by 4-3 to 2-4. This was a good result given that we were short
a number of the older lads and were losing by 2 points at half time. Despite the half time deficit the
lads rallied to win helped by goals from Ross Fennell, following good work by Stephen Doyle, and
Shane Barrett. Dylan Waters and Enda Stewart Byrne also chipped in with points. In the backs Craig
Byrne and Darragh Kelleher marked their men tightly.
The second game was a home game to Naas which ended in defeat. The lads started well and were
leading coming up to half time but allowed Naas to score 2 goals and were 5 points down at the break.
A great start to the second half saw the lads come more into the game and they scored 1-4 without
reply, the goal coming from Patrick Murphy, to lead by 2 points with 10 minutes remaining.
Unfortunately Naas scored a goal against the run of play and went on to win the game. There were
good performances from Darragh Kelleher, Kevin McLoughlin, Adam Murphy and Stephen Piggot.
Next Juvenile GAA primary school disco will be in the resource centre on Friday 26th March at
7.00pm. Admission will be €4 euro per child (max €6 per family)
Punchestown Festival Disco will go ahead – details to follow
The Girls
The U14 girls played Dunlavin in a challenge game in Dunlavin on Saturday with Dunlavin winning
on a scoreline of 1-2 to 1-1. This was a good workout for the girls and everybody got a run out.
The U10 hurlers continue to take part in the South Board Astro Hurling Blitz in Athy on Sunday
mornings. This is proving to be a very successful event and the lads, mostly U9, are acquitting
themselves very well. The training in the handball alley is paying dividend. This Friday, 12th Marchwill
be the last indoor hurling session in the handball alley.
Hurling training returns to the pitch on Mondays from 29th March at 6.30pm.
More information about the club can be found on our website
http://www.kildare.i e/ballymoreeustacegaa/ and the club has a facebook page that you can become a
fan of Ballymore Eustace GAA to get regular updates.
Coaching motto:Children first, Winning second
Ballymore Eustace GAA Club
Senior GAA
An Báile Mór
Ballymore Eustace GAA Senior Scor Competition.
This is our second consecutive year to be involved in the Kildare finals of Scor Sinsear. The cultural wing of GAA.
Last year we were pipped by much larger clubs like Athy and Maynooth, but we learned valuable lessons from that
experience.
This year 2010, the 40th anniversary of Scor, we entered into three categories, Solo Singing, Instrumental Music and
Ballad Group. These were held in Allenwood GAA on 28th Feb. Of the three categories we came second in Ballad
Group and first in Kildare in Instrumental Music, this to represent not only BME but all the clubs of Kildare in this
category in Leinster Semi-finals.
These were held in the lovely village of Ballymore, Co. Westmeath on Sunday 7 March. There was fierce competition
with teams from Longford, Westmeath, Louth and Dublin, but our five members, K & J. Junker, Concertina and
Guitar; J. Harney, Flute; A. Doyle, Fiddle and P. Cassidy, Mandolin and Banjo have made it through to represent
Kildare in the Leinster finals to be held on 28th March again in the village of Ballymore, Co. Westmeath .
Wishing them the very best of luck in the village that bears our name ‘they also wear the same colour jerseys’ sure
this must be destiny.
Keogh Cup Round 1
Ballymore 1-8 Castledermot 2-7
Ballymore got off to a disappointing start to their Keogh Cup campaign with a two point home defeat against a
determined Castledermot side. Ballymore made a dream start and were 1-2 to 0-0 up inside five minutes thanks to a
fisted Eoin Kavanagh goal and points from Steven Dwyer and Mark McCarville putting the home side in the driving
seat. Castledermot then opened their scoring with a point before two Kavanagh points kept Ballymore in control.
Castledermot responded well to the home side’s pressure resulting in three unanswered points to put them firmly back
in the tie. A point from Paul Browne on the stroke of half time gave Ballymore a 1-5 to 4 points lead. Castledermot
came out for the second half a different team and although it was a tight scrappy game the home side were never able
to go up a gear and as a result lost a game they really should have won. Ballymore only scored 3 second half points
from the boot of the slim looking Tommie Archibald, Keith Fennell and an Eoin Kavanagh free. In a disappointing
affair no one player stood out as Ballymore will look to improve in the coming weeks.
Keogh Cup Round 2
Raheens 1-5 Ballymore 3-7
With Raheens having won their first two games and Ballymore losing their opener only a win would keep Ballymore
with any hope of progressing into the semi-finals of the Keogh Cup. Despite Raheens short of some of their regular
starters Ballymore put in a good performance especially in the first half where at half time Ballymore led by 3-4 to 1
point. A goal from Paul Browne, two Eoin Kavanagh penalties and points from Eoin and Shane Kavanagh, Tommie
Archibald and Mark McCarville put the winners in control while Raheens could only respond with a Ross McMahon
free. Raheens applied plenty of pressure in the second half but Ballymore were able to hold out despite a goal from
Kevin Thompson midway through the second half. Two Eoin Kavanagh frees and a point from from play from the
same player was enough to see off the challenge from the home side and put Ballymore back in contention for the
semi-finals. In a much improved team performance Keith Conway, William O’ Donoghue, Alan Rooney, Shane and
Eoin Kavanagh stood out.
More information about the club can be found on our website http://www.kildare.ie/ballymoreeustacegaa/ and the
club has a facebook page that you can become a fan of Ballymore Eustace GAA to get regular updates.
Coaching motto:Children first, Winning second
Ballymore Ladies GFC

Awards Night
The Awards night was held on Saturday 6th March in The Thatch. There was a great attendance by the Ladies team, committee, management and also many supporters. It was an enjoyable night with plenty of dancing despite some unfamiliar tunes! John Hubbard was MC for the night and I think all would agree, he did a great job introducing each award winner. (He may be recruited again for next year!). Congratulations to all the award winners. They were well deserved.

Player of the Year: Stacey Balfe
Throughout the year, Stacey proved to be one of the most dedicated and enthusiastic members of the team. Her sense of fun and fearless attitude were always on hand to lift the team’s spirits through long, cold training sessions (sometimes to the dismay of our management team!). Stacey’s commitment and attendance at training was an example to all. This continued to her performances on the pitch. She was unwavering in the full back line, marking some of the best players our team came up against. Stacey’s dedication and attitude has been further rewarded by being voted captain for 2010.

Young Player of the Year: Teresa Gorman
Despite Teresa’s young age, she is a founding member of the team. Her career began at the tender age of 11 but she has not looked back. She has a fearless attitude and is never fazed when she comes up against bigger, stronger and older opponents. Teresa has had much success with both Ballymore and Eadestown underage, already having a number of championship wins under her belt. The future is definitely bright for this young but experienced player.

Most Improved Player: Louise Burke
Louise Burke has always been a quiet but steady presence on the Ballymore team but this year. Her attitude, dedication and skill has seen her progress into a central, dependable and reliable player. During the last year Louise has played in numerous positions on the pitch. She has accepted these changes without complaint and has used the opportunity to prove her adaptability and talent. We look forward to seeing this continued improvement through 2010 and everyone would do well to remember that no matter where you play Louise is competition!

Club Person of the Year: Jackie Smith
We would like to extend a warm welcome to Jackie who has joined the management team as a selector. We’re sure you’ll keep both Simon and Joe on their toes throughout the year! Jackie has been a steadfast member of the club as player, county board delegate, PRO, and is now vice-chairperson as well as selector for the Ladies team and joint manager of the U/12 girl’s team with Lesley Tutty. She is always on hand to help out within the club through fundraising, representing the club at county board level and cheering on the team at matches.

Jackie has great enthusiasm and efficiency for her work within the club and we are confident that her involvement and relationship with the club will be a long-lasting one.

Special Awards
Special awards were also given to out-going committee members Bid Meade, Jacinta O’Rourke and Sharon O’Donoghue, for their invaluable contribution to the club. They have been involved since the Ladies club was started. A special award was then made to John Hubbard himself for his involvement in team management for the last 3 years, as well as supporting underage teams. He was also one of the founding members of the underage girls’ schools team, which provided many of our mature players with their first experience of football. He will be greatly missed by all team members but will continue to be an avid supporter.

Last Man Standing
Another great effort all round for the Last Man Standing Competition with 156 playing. We managed to get 145 people safely over the first hurdle heading for Week 2, which is a far cry from the usual massacre we experience in Week One. As usual, it is only fair to make a show of a select few who did not get their value for money and never managed to get past week one.

Poor Natasha Graham (Ballymore GAA PRO) bowed out after picking West Ham but fear not, there is still some hope with husband Dave still in with a chance to win the €500. Juvenile GAA players Oonagh Deegan and Amy Horan managed to out smart Paul Murphy who picked Wolves on Mick Horan’s sheet...........but that’s hardly surprising, Paul!!!! Aoife O’Toole managed to keep everyone on her sheet after the first week........a nice surprise for her considering she usually never has ANYONE left at that stage!!! Ballymore Ladies would like to thank everyone involved for your continued support. Best of Luck to those who manage to stay in the competition until the next edition of the Bugle, when we will have another update from Lesley.

Bag Packing
Thanks to all those who helped out and supported the bag-packing in Dunnes Stores in
Blessington on Friday and Saturday, February 26th and 27th.

Training
Training continues every Monday and Wednesday. The Ladies have just finished 6 weeks of aerobics on Mondays in Naas with a noticeable improvement in fitness. Monday and Wednesday training starts at 8pm at the pitch, everyone togged out, ready to train and on the pitch at 8 sharp! The Ladies are also doing a run in Punchestown on Saturday mornings at 10am. The club are looking for new players so if you’re 14 or more (we’ve no max age limit!), please call up to a training session or get in touch with a club member.

Deirdre & Michelle
Ballymore Ladies GFC PROs
Ballymore Eustace Community Games

Art
It's been a busy few weeks for the games. The local art competition took part last month after school and was well attended by a flurry of eager young artists. Results as follows:-

U 8 Girls U 8 Boys
1. Mardi Kinsella 1. Jack Sammon
2. Caitlin Barrett 2. Ryan Duff
3. Laura Gallagher 3. Liam Crowe

U 10 Girls U 10 Boys
1. Tara Ann Murphy 1. Malachy Sammon
2. Orla Clarke 2. Oisin Breslin
3. Sophie Dooley 3. Jack Murphy

U 12 Girls U 12 Boys
1. Kaja Natenek 1. Owen Murphy
2. Rachel Fanning 2. Jordan Deegan
3. Rachel O’ Reilly 3. Aaron Deegan

U 14 Girls U 14 Boys
1. Ellen Carter 1. Patrick Murphy
2. Hazel Stewart-Byrne 2. Tony Og Sheridan
3. Victoria Natanek 3. Zac Kinsella

As usual, the standard was very high and Aileen Murphy, resident artist with the local art group, had an extremely difficult time picking three from each category. Special thanks to Aileen for kindly judging the competition and to all the mums who volunteered to supervise and organise the event on the day. Thanks also to Mairead O' Flynn for allowing the use of the school.

The County Art Final was held in Newbridge early this month and Jack Sammon came first in his category to bring home a gold county medal - well done Jack - a great achievement - and to everyone who took part on the day.

Cross Country

The football pitch was the venue for this event with results as follows:-

Boys U-10 - 400m
1 Tadgh Barrett
2 James O'Brien
3 Conor Gilroy

Girls U-10 - 400m
1 Caoimhe Winders
2 Tara Winders
3 Katie Gilroy


Boys U-13 - 1200m
1 Caolin Halpin
2 Mark Barrett
3 Aaron Deegan

GIRLS U-13 - 1200m
1 Amy Horan
2 Niamh Winders
3 Kim Kelly

Many thanks to Jarlath Gilroy for organising this event.

The Cross Country County Finals took place in Newbridge. Well done to Kim Kelly who came 5th in the U-13 county final and therefore qualified to represent Kildare in the National Finals in Athlone next month. Also, well done to Amy Horan, Caolin Halpin and Aaron Deegan who ran excellent races against very stiff competition.

Political Correspondence:

Deputy Seán Power tabled a parliamentary question to the Minister for the Environment & Local Government seeking an update on the construction of a new waste water treatment plant for Ballymore Eustace, Co Kildare. In his reply, Minister Gormley (dated 23rd February, 2010) confirmed that the Ballymore Eustace Wastewater Treatment Plant was included in the Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 under the serviced land initiative. However, in April 2009, following a review of the serviced land initiative the Department informed all local authorities that this scheme was being discontinued and that all existing scheme approvals were withdrawn. This was due to the economy and in particular, the oversupply of housing in some areas.

Since then, the Minister informed local authorities that where they were of the opinion the continuation of a scheme was necessary for the proper development of an area, it was open to them to make a case to the Department by 29th May 2009 and KCC resubmitted for the Ballymore Eustace scheme; a decision is expected from the Department in the coming weeks.
Let’s not turn ‘Recession’ into ‘Depression’!
Get out, get active - let’s get Ballymore into better shape

Each year the month of April is set aside for An Taisce National Spring Clean.

The objectives of the National Spring Clean are to:
Encourage clean-ups throughout the whole month of April
Galvanise the practices of recycling and re-use where possible
Increase the number of Events and Participants
Promote personal responsibility for litter
Heighten awareness of litter and waste issues
“Communities all over Ireland have recently been hit hard by the damaging effects of winter flooding, snow and ice as well as the negativities of the current economic climate. The National Spring Clean, Ireland’s largest anti-litter initiative, is urging people to help to revive their community spirit this spring by volunteering some time” said a spokesperson for An Taisce.
Voluntary Impact Cleaned Up!
505,000 volunteers all over Ireland turned out in April 2009 and cleaned up their areas with 1,596 tonnes of rubbish and litter collected. In Ballymore Eustace, the Tidy Towns, pupils from Scoil Mhuire and others take part each year in litter-picking. This year, we would like to get the whole community involved in the Spring Clean.

If you have a few minutes to spare during the month of April why not join the Tidy Towns litter picks or, if you prefer, get out with a friend and clean up around your own area. If your property needs a paint touch up, get the paint brush out (there’s always someone passing by to have a chat with and get the local news and maybe a tip for Punchestown).

It’s great to hear that some of the Ballymore Eustace Punchestown Festival events are being revived. Let’s have the village looking its best for the Races and encourage people to stop and shop. Show that Ballymore Eustace is still a nice place to live and that Ballymore Eustace is still open for business.

Ballymore Eustace Tidy Towns

OFF THE CUTTING EDGE
By Pastor R. Dunlop
EASTER JOY
Among the many controversies in the history of Christianity, one of the most intense and divisive concerned the date of Easter. Ecclesiastical wranglings aside, it is a happy arrangement that in the Western church it
occurs in Spring.
As the natural creation is bursting into new life Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ.
In the immediate aftermath of Christ’s rising we are told that “the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord”. This sense of joyfulness from the living Lord has percolated down through the centuries. While it depends on faith, rather than sight, it is not unreal. In fact it is one of the kingpins of the Christian message. A notable thinker and writer sees it as pivotal.

“Without His Resurrection, the death of Christ would be of no avail, and His grave would be the grave of all our hopes (1 Corinthians 15: 17). A Gospel of a dead Saviour would be a miserable failure and delusion. The Resurrection is the victory of righteousness and life over sin and death” ( P. Schaff).
There is an unbreakable connection between the Risen Lord and the risen life of His followers. In short this means three things:
1. Easter people are formed and transformed by a relationship with the Lord of life and not only by rules and regulations. St Paul comes straight out and says “if anyone is in Chris, the old has gone, the new has come”.
2. Joy is a central ingredient of valid and vital faith. Gospel Choirs are frequently heard in modern Ireland. One of their best numbers is an old hymn, sung with new gusto. It runs like this:
O happy day that fixed my choice,
On Thee my Saviour and my God,
Well may this glowing heart rejoice,
And spread its raptures all abroad.
This leaves little room for gloom.
3. Easter 2010 comes at a time of downturn for most of our population. While it would be unwise and inappropriate to be drawn into artificial giddiness, we should not miss the opportunity to cheer each other up with authentic inner joy which rises out of hearts re-tuned by the Risen Lord.
4.
Happy Easter to one and all.





POULAPHUCA DAM 70th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION



The Wicklow Uplands Council in association with the Blessington & District Forum have organised a commemorative event to mark the seventieth anniversary of the creation of the Poulaphuca reservoir in Wicklow. The leading UCD archaeologist Dr. Chris Corlett and two local historians, Aidan Cruise and Seamus Balfe will present a “walk and talk” event in the Poulaphuca House from 11:00am until 1pm on Saturday 20th March 2010. Admission is free but sturdy footwear is required for the walking section.

Chris Corlett is an archaeologist and the author of the recently published book "Beneath the Poulaphuca Reservoir", an in depth study of the landscape and the people before the flooding of the valley. Aidan Cruise has lectured extensively about the history of the area and has recently published a book “The Dublin and Blessington Steam Tram”. Seamus Balfe, chairperson of the Lakeside Heritage Group, is actively involved in walking tours of the area. Aidan and Seamus will lead a short walk to areas of interest as part of the event.
The day is kindly sponsored by the historic Poulaphuca House Hotel seven kilometers south of Blessington on the N81 via Tallaght. Light refreshments are available.

The Wicklow Uplands Council was established in 1999 to promote the sustainable use and enjoyment of the local environment in partnership with the people who live, work and recreate there, by undertaking projects which benefit the community, environment and users of the Wicklow countryside. The Blessington & District Forum is an umbrella group that represents the social, political and cultural interests of the area through lobbying, organising cultural events and the running of a community theatre.
A Flight To Venus.
We boarded an Aer Lingus 320 Airbus at Dublin airport bound for Paris. The aircraft seemed to be new, its interior imbuing a sense of freshness, as cheerful staff welcomed us, and guided us through the spacious cream-coloured interior decor to our plush seats, with ample room to stretch our legs and relax until we arrived at our destination. Thoughts of safety or security just did not arise, partly because Aer Lingus had such a terrific safety record over so many decades. This new adventure had such a mollifying benefit on reflections over previous experiences we had elsewhere, when packed into a claustrophobic aluminium cylinder with wings, fastened into bucket seats, we hung on for dear life for the whole journey.

By comparison, it is well to think of really brave men, back to that first navigator of the upper regions to outer space, Icarus, brave soul, who in order to escape from King Minos’ labyrinth in Crete, he donned a pair of wings fashioned by his father Daedalus, and flew off into the sky. Despite warnings to be careful and not to go too close to the Sun, Icarus, being young and adventurous paid no heed. He soared through the air like a bird with wonderful power. Taking advantage of the swirling currents of air he grew in such confidence that nothing now could stop him from landing on the Sun. He soared upwards, flapping his wings harder and harder, flying higher and higher until alas, the Sun melted the glue attaching his wings and poor Icarus fell a long, long way back into the sea.
Think too of another brave man, albeit ultimately unsuccessful, yet he was chief artist and mechanical scientist to Rasselas, the Prince of Abyssinia (a Utopian state, now Ethiopia), whose researches into flight had the sceptical support of Rasselas (‘there may be a danger of too quick a descent’), and whose theories on flight were not so different than those of Icarus. Having devised a pattern of wings similar to those of a Bat as being most suited to the human form, he pleaded successfully on his own condition that ‘I will try the first flight at my own hazard’. On the morning appointed, the artist/scientist appeared in full costume for the inaugural flight. From a high promontory he waved his wings to gather volume, and leaping from his stand on a high promontory, he launched himself into the air and fell straight into the lake below, ‘half dead with terror and vexation’.

We settled ourselves into the comfort and warmth of our spacious aircraft taking in all the wonders of science and technology, amazed at how the world had advanced in such a short time. An air hostess came to us, ensuring we were comfortable. We looked out the port window, surprised at how far below us the runway was, and that if you had to abandon and jump, you’d surely break a leg - poor brave Icarus of short duration. Within a short period of time the rest of the crew arrived on board when the absolutely unimaginable happened.
‘My name is Mary McCarthy. I am your Captain on this aircraft. The flight to Paris will take about two hours. I hope you all have a pleasant journey!…and she was smiling across at me!’
I felt just as Icarus and Rasselas felt, but in lots of different ways. We’re on the way to Venus in more ways than one; total burnout, and just one planet from the Sun
A woman, blonde, age about 26, attractive, 10 stone in weight and 5’6” tall, Captain of such this huge machine I was sitting in and about to take to the air and expecting to stay afloat up there travelling about 400 mph for two hours! A chick, driving a commercial aeroplane! I thought in that instant of the Eiffel Tower toppling into the Seine and Paris in a state of chaos.
I looked across at Bride, my wife, seeking a look of similar fears, but there were none. ‘It’s a woman pilot’ I said. ‘Yes’, she smiled, ‘Isn’t it great!’ I felt sick.
‘Fasten your seat belts, we are ready for take-off’. It was the young woman Captain again. The engines screamed as the plane raced down the tarmac, then with a slight jolt we were airborn. Speeding upwards at a forty five degree angle at two hundred miles an hour, and as this was the most critical part of any adventure like this I wondered if she could hold the joystick in place considering the pressures involved. The knuckles on my hands were now white-boned with tension as they held the seat arms. ‘Look’, my wife beckoned, ‘out the window, see how small Dublin looks from this height’. Like Rassels scientist, I feared the thought of back-tracking along the same angular course we had scaled, silently urging the lady Captain to level out, so that I might live again.
Soon all was calm and I could look out the window, but not down, to see if any other planes or missing Amelia Erharts were close to us; but I suppose as most male drivers tend to stay clear of errant females in charge of even a tractor, most male fliers know their onions too. It’s when they all come back to earth and relate stories of near misses and sightings of flying saucers in the upper regions that the trouble really starts.
Crossing the English Channel, Bride pointed to a trawler in the sea, while at that same time I asked the air hostess to find out at what speed and height we were travelling. When we were told 525 mph at 37,500 feet, Bride’s trawler became an ocean liner as much as our plane was but a cigar to those below us.
As we approached the coast of France, we realised how pleasant the flight had been, how smooth and relaxing, and I thought greatfully of our lady Captain, but still had reservations about Paris, when lo! and behold we flew into a snow shower, and then as we descended through snow clouds, the Captain informed us that we would be landing ‘by wire’.
Charles De Gaulle Airport is very big, very expansive and a very busy place. It was not until we reached close to 100 feet that we could see the ground was covered in snow, and too late to abandon the landing.
Whatever about my initial reservations on female pilots and on Captain Mary McCarthy’s ability to control a large commercial aircraft, she brought that plane down as softly as a Dove might land on your pillow; and by the time we travelled the approximate five kilometres to the terminal building in the plane, the excitement of being in Paris was made all the more glorious. If ever I meet Captain McCarthy again, I will give her one great big hug.
Michael Ward.



Congratulations to Johnny Murphy (LJ) this year’s President.

Fund Raisers..
The annual quiz took place on the 26th February in Paddy’s. There was a nice crowed there, all eager to win the quiz, a spot prize, or something! Tom O’Rourke was quizmaster and delivered a wide range of questions with great humour and know how. The quiz was very competitive – definitely no trading answers..... But trying was fun though. Congrats to the winners; Brendan Daly, Colin Daly and Denis Mahon.

The auction generated a nice few bob and for this a very sincere thanks to all who either sponsored auction items or bought them.


Quiz Master Tom O’Rourke


Next up is Long Johnny’s Classic Golf Outing. There is nothing surer – it is classic. LJ’s Couglanstown is a good day out; golf, soup ‘n rolls and a local social event, with proceeds going to both the Golf Society and Ballymore Senior Citizens, so please support.

The date for this outing has been moved out to 27th and 28th of March. The format has changed slightly in that it will be a shot gun start at 8:30 and 12:30pm. The entry sheet will be up in Paddy’s shortly. All Welcome!

Next Outing 10 April Lutrellstown Castle.

Maureen Doyle Memorial Cup
This year’s outing is being organised by Poulaphuca Golf Society. Timesheets will be up in both Poulaphuca and Paddy’s. The date for your diary is 24th April, Boystown Golf Club. Maureen was very involved in Boystown Golf Club which makes it a very appropriate venue to honour her memory.

Annual Subs
Ita McCarron, Treasurer, is currently collecting annual subscriptions.
on passing by - again
I don’t know what to make of all these advertisements in the media for gold. They all stress they will take any amount, any condition, and the only stipulation seems to be that you have to be over eighteen to take part. How they are going to check this is beyond me, so basically anyone could send in stuff and get paid. It certainly seems like an almost foolproof get rich scheme for burglars and thieves. Rob some gold, send it off in the insured envelope and get the cash. As the gold is all melted down to make new ingots you don’t even have to worry about the stuff turning up again as evidence. Although most of these companies are only offering about forty per cent of the gold’s market value that is still a lot more than your average thief receives if he tries to “fence” stolen gold so it’s a win-win situation for the thief and the company buying the gold. I just wonder how long its going to be before the burglary rate goes through the roof.

I know Willie O’Dea finally did the right thing and resigned but the whole episode has left a new stench on the Government. O’Dea’s attempts to slither away from the mess were not only embarrassing but totally below the level of conduct we are entitled to from a T.D., never mind a Government Minister. When I heard him portray himself as a victim it was both funny and shocking. His speech in the Dail was riddled with half truths, inaccuracies and lies. The assertion that affidavits’ are routinely changed was rightly rounded on by legal experts but let us not forget that O’Dea is one of these experts so had to know he was indulging in porkies. He used legal niceties to deny perjury and bolster his position. One wonders where the whole sorry saga would have gone if the reporter had not recorded the interview. Then again it wasn’t the first time O’Dea was caught on tape to his detriment. What was almost as bad was the attitude of the Taoiseach and other Ministers. For Brian Cowan to say that lying under oath in a legal document was a “personal matter “brings into question his judgement. When he says it about a serving Government Minister it surely brings into question his attitude towards the laws of the land. Then again the upholders of these same laws don’t seem to mind that O’Dea didn’t see too much wrong with lying and don’t seem to be minded to take any legal sanctions against the ex Minister. So what else is new.

While we are on the subjects of Ministers attitudes it would be churlish not to mention Trevor Sargent and present Justice Minister Dermot Ahern. After Mr Sargent made what he called an accidental boo boo he at least had the apparent backbone and morals to tender a swift resignation. Returning to his old form Pat Rabbitte opined that it was too much of a coincidence for the information to come into the public domain so soon after the Greens had forced the resignation of O’Dea. Addressing Minister Ahern he mused that you could only regard it as a coincidence if you believed in the tooth fairy. Rather than laugh and smirk his way through as he had done during the O’Dea vote of no confidence Ahern got the back up. The following day he announced that he had ordered the Garda Commissioner to instigate an investigation into how private Garda documents found their way into an evening newspaper and to provide him with a report on the matter. In a massive break with tradition Ahern then promised that the report would be published as soon as it was ready and hoped that all the people who had smeared him would withdraw their unfounded comments. The decision to publish the report raises two profoundly disturbing issues.
For years and years we have become used to politicians calling for reports any time the brown stuff hits the fan and yet the majority of these reports never see the light of day. Where the reports are eventually published it is normally on foot of public or media pressure and yet we now have a Justice Minister pressurising the Gardai and promising publication because he himself feels under pressure. What about all the other people who were under pressure and were never given the chance to protect their good name, either in public or in a report.
The second problem with publication is the effect on the whole legal process. If an individual is named in the report as the source of the leaked documents then taking legal proceeding at a later stage against the individual would be a waste of time and money as the individual would have no problem convincing a Judge that the publication of the report had prejudiced his chances of a fair trial.
Then again if one was devious enough I suppose if you wanted to clear your name and prevent sanctions against the person who leaked the documents then publication would be the perfect way to go.

On to another Ahern. Isn’t it grand to see how well Bertie is getting on since the ungrateful rabble in Fianna Fail forced him onto the backbenches, especially in light of how he almost singlehandedly brought us the Celtic Tiger, which he knows we would still have if he was still in charge. At least he is in a better position than most to keep the recessionary wolf from the door. Oh how ye all laughed when Bertie won a small sterling fortune betting on the horses. Just to show that the luck was no fluke he recently won ten grand on a lotto in his local, an amount not to be sneezed at but still a mere trifle compared to the taxpayers largesse towards our dear Bertie. Despite the cut in salary announced in the budget Bertie still takes in over ninety six thousand euro a year as a TD. His expenses have probably dropped as he seems to rarely visit the Dail what with all the foreign lecture tours, book signings, pub openings etc but this non attendance does not impact on the big money. Just to ensure that no hardship is endured he is also entitled to a pension as an ex Minister. Fair enough, one would say, sure wouldn’t we all like to look forward to a nice pension. The problem is that the pension is almost ninety nine grand a year, yes, ninety nine grand. To really put the icing on the cake he doesn’t even have to wait for it, it’s paid to him now. And hes not the only one. Other former Ministers, still getting the TDs salary, include Rory O’Hanlon, eighty two grand, Michael Woods, thirty three grand and Michael Noonan, thirty nine grand. It used to be said that the only time the Dail chamber was full for a vote was the same time that the vote was carried unanimously by the House. And the vote was for? Salary and pensions of course. See, they are not as thick as they look.
I am not sure what will happen but at the time of writing Aer Lingus management has finally found some backbone. After four months of negotiations with the unions one group has rejected the plan. The response of the managers?
Good Luck lads and lassies. Finally some sense.
All for now, Mike Edmonds, March 2010.
NATIONAL HUNT RACE WEEK, PUNCHESTOWN APRIL 20th – 24th Well, Cheltenham is just over so it’s time to look at what Punchestown has to offer.
Considered the grande finale of the jump season with top class horses, trainers and jockeys from both sides of the Irish sea competing for honours and settling scores, this year’s programme includes Grade 1 races and of course, the famous La Touche Cup, always a favourite with the home crowd.
Tuesday, 20th April - Kerrygold Champion Steeplechase
Wednesday, 21st April - Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup
Thursday, 22nd April - Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle
Friday, 23rd April - Rabobank Champion Hurdle
Saturday, 24th April - Ballymore Champion 4 year old Hurdle
Live Entertainment The entertainment package at the Festival is second to none, with the main stage hosting a variety of live music, children's entertainment, fashion shows, best dressed finals and expert betting panels.

As you make your way around the racecourse and through the many restaurants and bars, you will come across live street theatre with jugglers, stilt walkers and mime artists. The après racing music throughout the pavilions, bars and public areas is always a crowd pleaser. You have been warned – bring your dancing shoes! Already, Friday’s corporate bookings are full – not surprising with several excellent group packages available (€29 per person for group of 10 or more)
Best Dressed Ladies Competition
Glamour is an essential element of the Punchestown festival and while the racing superstars go head to head on the track, Ireland’s most stylish ladies will be decked out in daft feathers and sexy summer numbers (even though the weather leans more towards the thermals than the Tropics)

What will The Perfectos be at this year? Jackie O’Neill could set up her own tipster stand, seein’ as she cleaned up last year… and I hear Bill McCormack is locking the gates at 11pm, with strict instructions that no “mad ones from Ballymore are allowed in..”

I thought we leant a bit of class to Mc’s last year but I’m not sure The V Man will take our booking this year!!! More details next in next month’s edition – Rose


Walking Sunday, 2pm on18 April @ Punchestown

Walking Sunday will take place this year on 18 April at Punchestown Racecourse, sponsored by Sherry Fitzgerald O’Reilly, Naas, who are delighted to continue supporting this traditional precursor to National Hunt Raceweek.

Walking The Track
Such is the excitement about the annual Punchestown Festival that, for over 100 years, locals have walked the track to inspect the course and jumps in an effort to predict the form for the races. Attendance had been dwindling until 2007 when Sherry Fitzgerald O’Reilly began their sponsorship and revival of local interest in the event which has grown year on year with over 4,000 people attending in 2009.

The Millbrook Cup
Many businesses and organisations have joined in their support of this great family day out. As well as the 2.2mile walk around the track, the Millbrook Cup cross country race and a fun run, there will be a competition prize draw with great prizes, fun dog show classes, fancy dress competitions, a carnival, goody bags for early starters, children’s walking certificates, doggy rosettes for dogs that walk the course and much, much more.

Family Fun!
Punchestown’s newly refurbished Dobbins Restaurant will open for light refreshments and the Festival Ticket Office also open. The fun kicks off at 2pm, admission is free, and walkers, joggers, runners and dogs of all ages are welcome to come along and join in the fun!

See local press for a full programme of events or contact Sherry Fitzgerald O’Reilly on 045-866466.


In a strip across the bottom:

To celebrate National Hunt Raceweek, The Ballymore Eustace Punchestown Festival Committee will be hosting the following events in conjunction with K Fest:
· Children’s Fancy Dress & Party,
· Art Competition at Soil Mhuire and Scoil Chaoimhín Naofa
· CowGals and Cowboys host a Mega PIG ON A SPIT @ Murphy’s Marquee
(profits in aid of the local Senior Citizen’s Association)
· Local Artist’s Exhibition - Full details in April’s Bugle!
Begging for Alms.

According to the newspapers the Bishop of Ferns, Dr Dennis Brennan, has called on his parishioners to set up a fund to help his church pay compensation and legal bills arising from child sex abuse claims. 60,000 euro per annum over twenty years is the amount requested. A tidy enough sum one might say and the first question that comes to mind is why should the ordinary parishioner be asked to cough up for something they are not responsible for? Secondly, isn’t his church in ownership of some very valuable property? Couldn’t some of that be cashed? Does the church produce a yearly balance sheet giving financial information such as assets and liabilities, income and expenditure? That sort of information would enable the people of Ferns to assess the Bishops appeal better. I’m sure Bishop that you are aware of that biblical piece of wisdom, “that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of an needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven”. Sell some property Bishop and you’re killing two birds with the one stone. You’ll raise enough to cover the compensation and legal bills, and make the path to heaven easier! Dr Willie Walsh the Catholic Bishop of Killaloe and I are on the same wavelength: he sees no reason why property should not be sold to raise funds, he also thinks the Pope should meet the victims of child clerical sexual abuse. Father Fortune from Ferns paid the ultimate price, a total tragedy, but how many others have even acknowledged the wrong that was brought on these children. Previously when trouble arose the Hierarchy’s answer was to move the culprit on to another diocese. The recent visit by the Irish Bishops to the Pope brought no answer to the question. As far as we were informed the only thing they were instructed to do was to stick together. Could that have been a reprimand to Archbishop Dermuid Martin who sought to have a little light thrown on the matter.
Enough said about the church. We are confronted daily in our newspapers with reports of neglect and abuse of our children. What are our leaders, the HSE, and social services doing about these scandals? Like the church they are acting like the three wise monkeys, see no evil, do no evil, hear no evil’. Only the other day Alan Shatter brought to light the leaked story of Tracey Fay, only 18 yrs. old, who died of a drug overdose, the only way she knew of ending a life of horrendous abuse and neglect since babyhood, and that was eight years ago! How-an-ever, Mr Barry Andrews, Minster of State for children has recently set up a State appointed panel to investigate and report on the death of children in Stare care. A move in the right direction!
We have also heard of another leak, this one about Trevor Sergeant, an honourable man by all accounts, who went to the cops with certain information three years ago. Willie O’Dea also took a dive but continues to be paid for a job he will not be doing, and George Lee was in and out before you could blink. Nobody asked his opinion on matters important it seems. Some time ago we were promised transparency in all matters political. So far the transparency we get is through leaks, and the information is three years old.
St Patrick’s Day is coming up fast and the usual suspects will by heading off to foreign climes. The excuse given for this yearly exodus is that they are off selling Ireland. Humm, do the French leave France on Bastille Day or the Americans immigrate on the Fourth of July? Here at home I suggest that Corporal O’Dea, who is temporary at a loose end, take the salute at the GPO for the march past. Any monies spent on carousing stays at home, or better still, collection boxes be passed around, the proceeds go towards the relief of abused children. In the Celtic tiger years we squandered money like it was confetti, now is the time for a bit of belt tightening but it shouldn’t be at the expense of the needy. Abused children come into that category!
Members of any religious denomination are subject to the laws of the land just the same as lay people, so when, one might ask, will the State prosecute the perpetrators of child sex abuse? Don’t hold your breaths! So far, I can only think of one, Father Brendan Smith, but hope springs eternal!
Should the people of Ferns wish to set up a fund, it should be clearly stated that it is for ‘abused children’. Jeffers.


A GOOD READ

Both books I read this month were set in Israel and interestingly both contrasted how things were there in the forties and now in the present day. “A pigeon and a boy” by Meir Shalev (Paperback: Shocken: 12.00 euro) was originally published in Hebrew and was sent to me as a gift by some Israeli friends. It is a wonderfully evocative novel, revolving around Yair, a disaffected Jewish tour guide who is experiencing a mid- life crisis. Yair’s move to leave his rich and beautiful American wife Liora and strike out on his own is precipitated by the death of his mother, with whom he was very close. His mother leaves him a bequest in order to find “somewhere of his own” and in his quest for home we witness his parallel search for his identity. Juxtaposed with Yair’s engaging story is that of a young boy raised on the kibbutz, over forty years earlier who develops a passion for homing pigeons.

Shalev navigates skilfully between these two characters, their eras and their stories and I found this captivating. I particularly liked the character of Yair as he is reunited with his childhood friend Tirzah, and pursues a search for his identity. He reflects on his upbringing in the well to do home of a Jewish paediatrician and why he always felt like the ugly duckling amidst his beautiful family.

The novel explores what is it to be a parent an d a child and is permeated by a yearning for a sense of belonging – a spiritual as well as a a physical home. Although the book is vividly descriptive of both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv at particular points in their history, it is principally about human relationships, not politics and I found it tremendously moving. It is also a lovely “coming of age” story in terms of the ill-fated young pigeon fancier, so would make good reading for older teenagers.

The second book, “When I lived in modern times” by Linda Grant ( Paperback: Granta: 9.60) was discussed on BBC Radio 4 some time ago and so coincidentally I acquired it just before I received the Shalev! Grant is a British Jew and her book tells the story of Evelyn Sert, a young hairdresser from Soho who (also after her mother’s death) sets out to find a new home in the Palestine of 1946. Having endured the rigours of the London blitz and a slightly precarious upbringing where she never knew her father, Evelyn feels she is tough enough to face the adventures that await her in the brave new world of Tel Aviv. However, after a baptism of fire in the tough, communistic setting of the Kibbutz she eventually finds refuge back in the city, where her vivid impressions of the time and place paint a powerful picture.

Grant describes the burgeoning state and its people very well, and her depictions of the Bauhaus architecture in Tel Aviv, espousing all that is “modern”, epitomise the blossoming post-war spirit of the late 1940s. The author also shows how the Palestine of the time had become a cultural melting pot for people from all over Euroe who were looking for a new place to build a home, some with more success than others.

Evelyn’s adventures are recounted with energy and her relationship with an enigmatic young freedom fighter make for a great plot. I did find the depiction of their relationship a little two-dimensional in places, although Grant’s portrayal of the British ex-pat community in their dying-days is clever and is a homage to the end of imperialism. This writer s does have a very journalistic eye and is a good story teller, but I think I found the characterisation in Shalev’s novel more satisfying and authentic. Both good reads….

I hope to visit my friends in Israel later this year and both these stories were instrumental in deepening my understanding of that troubled and fascinating part of the world.

Angie Ruane
























































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Bits ‘N Bobs with Rose

Lotta Luck for Ballymore Winners!
Congratulations to Noeleen O’Connor who won the Bingo Jackpot in Ballymore recently and to Martin Deegan, who had a major win - €3,800 – in the Kilcullen GAA weekly lotto. Well done, Martin – and to Bobby Walker, who sold the winning ticket.


A Mighty Woman
Mother’s Day fell last Sunday and for me, it was a sad day, what with the recent death of my mother in law, Frances. My mother, Ivy, died almost four years younger than I am now – Peter was only 11 years old, Laura 13 and David, aged 18. Over the years, we looked to Auntie May in Galway as the substitute mother figure and to Nannie Frances on the ‘other side’.

Despite separating from her son, Paul, Nannie maintained a close and affectionate relationship with me over the years, as she did with all her sons and daughters in law. She was a marvellous character; big hearted to a fault but bright as a button with it. Everything interested her – politics, current news, celebrity gossip – she followed everything on the radio and television. As for sports, snooker and tennis especially, she became an addict. Many years ago, she found a little white owl with a broken wing and took it to a vet in Naas, hoping to save the injured bird. The surgeon said there was nothing could be done, the little bird required an amputation urgently but would survive on one wing if kept indoors and fed.

Living in a granny flat next to her son Billy’s house, that didn’t bother Nannie; so home Snowy came, minus a wing and the O’Donoghue sons where charged with killing small animals such as mice and rabbits and freezing their inner organs for Nannie’s latest best friend. And best friends they became, much to the disgust of Bingo, her cockatiel who was not impressed and the pair had an on-off-on again friendship over their lifetime!

It was hilarious to see Snowy perched on the back of Nannie’s sofa, watching TV intently. Current affairs didn’t grab her, neither did the soaps but sports, Snowy loved sports – football yes, but snooker was ‘her thing’! She’d scuttle up near the screen and watch the break of balls, and then her neck would do that weird flick rotation thing that owls do, as she followed the path of a particular ball. When the competitors would take a break, Snowy would head back down the sofa again (to tease Bingo) before the game resumed. Hilarious!

We will miss Nannie so much – she was a great story-teller and a devil to put a good spin on a yarn; all her grandchildren were familiar with her buddies and activities in Crooksling where she was ‘Director of Operations’. In delivering her eulogy, one of her sons noted that her late husband, Willie, had warned her that smoking would kill her; Willie was a pioneer, a fit man who dropped dead 26 years prior to Frances, who continued to heap sugar into tea, smoked like a trooper and had the occasional whiskey or sherry. As Patsy said “Just as well my father was a farmer, not a doctor…”

Sadly, her latest cockatiel, Sooty, predeceased his owner by 24 hours – and the grandchildren maintained that, as Nannie had been in hospital for 3-4 weeks prior to her death, the bird died from sudden nicotine withdrawal… God bless you, Nannie Frances, you were the liveliest ‘bird’ I knew. X

More Mighty Women
And, speaking of mighty women, I popped into the post office the other day and bumped into Eileen Conway, Eithne Daly, Bridget Clarke, Eileen Gordon, Maggie Dowling, Evie Horan and Eileen Murphy. Later that day, I called into Rita O’Rourke and had a good chat that evening with Barbara O’Neill. Visiting Barbara was Bernie Clarke of Hollywood. Now I know some of the afore mentioned ladies may ‘only’ be in their seventies but my God, they put me to shame with their energy. What vitamins are they on? I’m pushing fifty and I haven’t half their vitality! Bernie Clarke looks like a Spring lamb, hard to believe she has children my age and older.

And I’m not forgetting you, Nellie Carroll – Nellie had us all in stitches recently in Langan Butchers, she is pure dynamite.

Confessions Online?
I took a week’s work experience with The Right Hook programme recently and was amused to be researching a new pay telephone line service, “Confessions Online”, a service for French Catholics to confess their sins over the phone... Whatever next!

The service works like most of those (irritating) automated answering services:
“For advice on confessing, press 1. To confess, press 2. To listen to some confessions, press 3,' says a soothing male voice, welcoming the caller to 'Le Fil du Seigneur', or 'The Line of the Lord' service”.
'In case of serious or mortal sins, the service advises you that you must confide in a priest - and all for the excellent value of 35 cent minute! There you are, no panic at all, go out and set fire to your neighbour’s house, have an affair, rob your local bank and then call 'The Line of the Lord' and you can relieve yourself of all guilt. What’s the phone number? Find it yourself!
Devout churchgoers will be delighted to note that it is not approved in any way by the Catholic Church in France. It wouldn’t get past Kathleen Lawlor in Ballymore anyway.


CLUB NOTES & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Ballymore Eustace History SocietyThe committee would like to thank the co-editors of The Bugle and members of the CDA for the wonderful night of the Ballymore Awards. We were delighted to be joint winners with the Juvenile GAA. It gives us great heart to know that our work is appreciated by the members of the Community. Again, thank you very much for "The Person of the Year Award" – The History Society.

Irish Cancer Society Daffodil Day
A date for your diary - there will be a coffee morning held on Daffodil Day, Friday 26th March in The Thatch, Ballymore. A very enjoyable morning is guaranteed and all support would be appreciated.
Russborough House
Russborough will reopen for guided tours on Sunday next, 14 March 2010 and subsequently, every Sunday and bank holiday in March/April 2010, and every day from 1st May to 30th September inclusive. See www.russborough.ie for additional information.


Mother and Toddler Group
All are welcome to join in the fun and chat at the Ballymore Eustace Parent and Toddler Group. We meet Tuesday mornings from 10.30am to 12 noon at the Village Resourse Centre. However every first Tuesday of the month the group meet up instead at the Fun Factory in the M7 Business Park. For further information please contact Una Bagge on 085 7581600.

Fifth String at St John’s
“Fifth String”, a collaboration of five fine musicians - harpist, Mary Keenan; Jeanette Bean on the flute; violinist Lisa Dowling; Paul Flood on guitar and vocals, with singer, Angela O’Toole – will perform at St John’s Church on 16th April @ 8pm.

The concert in April is being organised in aid of St John’s and Breast Cancer Research; tickets are €20 each – with complimentary wine served on the night. As St John’s is relatively small, please book your seats early - contact Janet on 087 629 0278 or Hilary on 087 650 7195 to order tickets. If you’d like to hear excerpts from the group’s debut CD “Secret Chords”, check out www.myspace.com/fifth5string

Leinster Leader Local Notes
For inclusion in the local notes section of the Leinster Leader newspaper, please forward any club notes, fundraising events or local news
Alternatively, drop the note into Rose’s home letterbox; all notes must be received by 6pm on Sundays to secure inclusion.

SHOP LOCAL - SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL TRADERSYour local business community gives local employment
and supports local clubs and intiativesBut they, in turn, need your continued support to survive.
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CLUB NOTES & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Church of Immaculate Conception Restoration Committee
Thanks to all who supported the Christmas Fair, especially those who helped out on the day or supported in any way.

Christmas Hamper Winners:
Eileen Murphy, Amy Horan, Monsignor J Wilson, Mary Browne, Mary Murphy, Donna Barrett and Claire Doyle.

The Village Calendar in aid of church roof, stairs and safety glass in the gallery was also a great success.

A sincere thanks to all the sponsors, to our local shops and parish office for sales, not forgetting parishioners for their generosity in purchasing! A total profit of €,6500 was raised from the above and put towards outstanding restoration loan.

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Scoil Chaoimhín Naofa, Hollywood
Seachtain na Gaeilge was in full swing last week at Scoil Chaoimhin Naofa in Hollywood.
Mass was celebrated on Thursday, with the school choir singing all the hymns in Irish.
The Ceolchoirm (Concert) was held on Monday and, as the children are singing "Ireland's Call" in Irish, Phil Coulter will be a guest as he has never heard his song translated to Irish before. The Armagh Rhymers performed on Tuesday, followed by the Céilí Mór and closing of the Seachtaine.

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SHOP LOCAL - SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL TRADERSYour local business community gives local employment
and supports local clubs and intiativesBut they, in turn, need your continued support to survive.
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Big Win for Noeleen
Congratulations to Noeleen O’Connor who won last month’s bingo jackpot in The Resource Centre. Noeleen bagged a big win: €6,000, much to the delight of the attendance and bingo master, Gus Kavanagh. Bingo continues every Wednesday night at 8.30pm, profits in aid of the Resource Centre. It’s not often Gus Kavanagh is pleased to hand over money but on this occasion, he was delighted

Wedding bells:
Congratulations to Kim Hughes, Dublin and Michael Glesson, Barrack Street, who recently celebrated their marriage.

Bugle birthday role:
Birthday wishes to Nicola Piggott, whose 40th we missed earlier this year.
Young Paddy Barrett who will be 6 on St Patrick’s Day and to Uncle Pat Barrett who celebrates a much bigger birthday…..and to Pat’s daughter, Hayley who celebrates her 20th. To Annie Messitt, how will celebrate her 100th in April (see bottom of this page); to Barbara O’Neill whose 81st I missed last month; Mark Darker, Bugler photographer who is 19 this month and studying ferociously…To hairdresser, Elizabeth Deegan, who was out on the razz a few weeks ago celebrating another birthday - sure, she could pass for a child (she cuts my hair – I have to be nice, Rose). And to Ciaran next door and fellow hairstylist, Edrina Browne; to Frank Sammon, Joe Murphy and to mother and daughter, Mary Murphy and Maria Shaw. Also to Kathryn Kavanagh of Hollywood, to ‘young’ Thomas O’Rourke and to all our Bugle readers celebrating a birthday!

Get Well Wishes
To Mrs Lila Curley.
Good Luck in Your New Home
Wishing Gerald and Christine Gough all the best in their new house in Camolin, Co. Wexford.
It was a day out with The Perfectos last year that drove Christine away…

All the best
All the best to Colm O’Driscoll who is off to the States for 7 months.

Tragedy and Joy
It was great to see Breda and Max Piper home last week, along with Danielle and young Tato. Sad to say that once again, Breda’s family have been hit with tragedy; Breda’s 34 year old nephew, Keith Henderson, died after crashing his car en route to show his delighted mum, Kathleen, photos of his first born child. What a dreadful tragedy for the family to have both a christening and funeral held on the one day. We extend our sympathy to his wife, parents, brother and sister and the extended family.

Baby joy
On the return of the Piper family to England, there was, at least, some good news in store as Eoin’s partner, Katrina gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Makaile, a whopping great 9lbs 13ozs.

CONGRATULATIONS
To all the boys and girls in 5th and 6th class, who are receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.
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Condolences
The Editors extend our deepest condolences to the families of the following, who are recently deceased:

The late Mary Fay (nee Doran), late of Athlone, Co Westmeath and formerly, Ballymore Eustace. A daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Art Doran, the latter having been principal teacher in Ballymore girl’s national school. Mary is survived by her husband, Danny; son John; grandchildren Catriona and Lugh, in-laws, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. Mary kept in touch with former friends and neighbours in Ballymore and will be sadly missed, may she rest in peace, amen.

The late Paddy Magee, Glebe East, Blessington, sadly missed by his loving wife, Mona, brother John, sister Theresa, brothers and sisters-in-law, nephews and nieces, relatives and a large circle of friends. May he rest in peace

The late Catherine ‘Kitty’ Finn, Slieverua, Ballymore Eustace, who died in the tender care of the nursing staff of Beechpark Nursing Home, Kildare Town. Deeply regretted by her sister, Mrs Sammon of Tipperkevin, brother and sister-in-law, life-long friend Joe, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. May she rest in peace, amen.

The late William (Willie) Headon of Athgarett. Oldest of the Headons of Sillagh, he is survived by his wife Irene, children Gene,Yvonne, David, Bernadette & William. Brothers Denis, Gerard and Noel family and many friends. Willie was an active man taking great interest in farming and business in general. He was a very active member of the Curragh Golf Club until a few years ago. Ar dhies De go raibh a anam.

Across the bottom of the page, in a strip, must be prominent:

ANNIE TO CELEBRATE 100th BIRTHDAY!
Annie Messitt, former housekeeper to the late Monignor Browne and Fr. Kelly will celebrate her 100th birthday on April 10th April. What a pet she used to be, an absolute lady and there are many of her friends here in the village who still keep in touch and visit her regularly.

If any of you who knew her would like to send her greetings, her address is: Shannagh Bay Nursing Home, Seafront, Bray, Co. Wicklow. Annie is in good health and remembers all her old friends here; her family are having a party for her and Mag MacD has promised loads of photos for The Bugle.
If she doesn’t come up with the pics, I suggest someone loan her a pair of crutches…. R
Tim’s Diary.

Well the snow and ice has finally gone away. We were hit very badly by water shortages in work, at one stage the centre was without water for twenty two hours. Thankfully it returned and we were able to maintain a service. Looking at the difficulties that South Dublin County Council experienced makes me appreciate our own local authority. The workers in Kildare County Council are deserving of praise, the way that they kept the Naas- Ballymore – N81 route clear was excellent. Well done to you all.

Contrary to previous reports Willie (Bill) Ryan has not retired! He had simply got very lazy in the last few months. I am pleased to report that he is now back at work. We have made a donation to the sick & indigent (or should that back indignant) carpenters fund in recompense.

Finally got racing again in Punchestown on the last day of January. “Big Zeb” looks the part. H s jumping has come on a lot since the last fence loss to Master Minded. Whilst Inoma James took the National Trial I think that he only has an outside chance at Aintree, if he goes.

As far as Irish Cheltenham prospects, surely our bankers will be Solwhit and Dunguib. Will Go Native handle Punjabi? And maybe Voler La Vedette in the David Nicholson. The Champion Bumper is always a bit of a lottery; I oppose all the Mullins clan to go for a horse of DK’s who won pulling up in Leopardstown, Hidden Universe. Our exchange friends Betfair have him at twenties at the moment. And don’t write off Weapons Amnesty to put one over on Pandorama and give Mr. O’Leary some of his sponsorship money back.

Coverage of the People of the year elsewhere. Colette & I went to the Ballymore Inn to see one of the nominees Liam Lawler performing at a fundraiser for Haiti. Well done to all concerned.

What about George Lee, the shortest political career that I can ever remember. It will be interesting to see if the Chief Blueshirt comes out of it OK. Is George U.S. bound to take over from the homesick Bird?
Waste Not Want Not.

“Wilful waste makes woeful want”, write that out five hundred times and I promise that you’ll never forget it. I haven’t! It all took place many years ago in boarding school. The headmaster had access to the school from his residence through the school dining room. Coming down to breakfast one morning he spotted a piece of lumpy porridge on the top plate of plates stacked. Eleven others and I sat at that table. He stopped, viewed the scene, and enquired who had left the lump of porridge. No one owned up, hence all twelve were instructed to write out “wilful waste makes woeful want” five hundred times. It was wartime and there was food rationing, so I guess he had logic on his side. It was a lesson well learned!
But how are we as a nation vis a vie waste? So so I’d say. A small item caught my eye in the daily paper t’other day: Farmleigh that pile of bricks and mortar above in the Park that the taxpayer maintains, had two dignitaries staying in it in the year gone out. It must surely qualify as the most expensive B@ B in the whole world never mind the country. Have we not got some top quality hotels in the city that could look after the needs of said dignitaries? How come we never see or hear what it costs to maintain that place the round of the year? And how come we never hear about those electronic voting machines. Remember them? At the time they were supposed to be the last word in getting out election results pronto, and saving the electorate endless time and energy. Last we heard of them was they were shoved into a cupboard somewhere costing a mint in storage chargers. 50 million was the last figure I heard mention of. Today we have a medical scanner installed for the last six months but can’t afford to pay someone to operate it apparently. Would you buy a car if you couldn’t afford a driving licence? It only cost four million, let it lie there for a while, something or someone will turn up At present we have floods everywhere and a water shortage. Ask someone in charge how come, and the blame will be laid at the cold snap we’ve had. Our cold snaps come in ten year cycles we’re told, so there should be lots of time for both private householder and those in charge of our waterworks to be ready for the next time, and have all those pipes buried good and proper! Dream on.
But commodities are not the only forms of waste; we have waste of time for example. Sitting gazing at some mindless soap on TV, and there’s no scarcity, is a great time waster. Listening to some politician as to how he/she is about to save the nation is another prime example of time wasted. Someone gazing out the window is not necessary time wasting, he/she could be hatching up some great plan. Could be described as time well spent! There is an inordinate amount of time wasted both on radio and TV, and in our daily papers on giving us news, especially on TV. First the newsreader tells us about some breath taking event, then immediately refers us to our ‘special correspondent’ in such and such a place where the event has or is taking place who gives us the same news.
There is discussion going on at present about the involvement or influence of church, specifically the Catholic Church in our schools but it applies to all denominations. Since the formation of the state all faiths have had an interest in our primary schools, and the resident priest or parson has played his part in promoting his particular faith. But times they are a changing and we are becoming multi cultural as a nation. The catholic numbers in some primary schools are being outnumbered by other faiths or no faith at all. What’s a man to do except open his prayer book and carry on. Isn’t that what our missionaries did years ago in foreign lands and they ran the risk of being put in a pot and stewed for lunch. There are some who would suggest that attempting to spread the gospel in this day and age is wasted effort, others would differ, and that’s what makes the world go round. But the biggest waste of time and money has surely got to be the amount spent, since the formation of the state, on the restoration of the Irish language. Making it compulsory in our schools and collages killed it right from the start, for we Irish don’t like to be compelled, and unless one got a job in the civil service it was of no use in finding work at home or abroad, and over the years a lot of us had to find work abroad. Unless one uses a language in our daily work it’s as dead as the Do Do.
I’d better not waste any more time on this article! Jeffers.
OFF THE CUTTING EDGE
By Pastor R. Dunlop

THE POWER OF RECONCILIATION
Those who endure the trial of dissension or dissolution find that the word reconciliation is music to their ears. It impinges on all life’s relationships, especially when they break down.
There are many situations that require the kind of healing which reconciliation provides.
It is somewhat surprising how many people meander through life balanced only by tolerating chips on both shoulders, staying out of sorts with colleagues, relatives and neighbours.
It is well to remember that reconciliation carries a heavy price tag, especially in situations of prolonged brokenness.
“In the words of Desmond Tutu “some people think reconciliation is a soft option, that it means papering over the cracks. But the Biblical meaning means looking facts in the face and it can be very costly; it cost God the death of His own Son.”
FACING FACTS IN THE FACE
1. A primary requirement is to look at things as they really are. While it may be natural to fall out and fall in again, we are often under pressure to settle for something less than healed relationships.
2. Archbishop Tutu helpfully points to the Divine model and suggests that for reconciliation to be real and lasting it needs to be spiritually induced.
3. The contribution of a skilled mediator is often central to a long and complex process. Whether on the personal or societal front an important factor is hearing both (or more) sides of the story. This facilitates fact-finding, which creates neutral ground for negotiation. A question – would the Good Friday Agreement have been possible without the skills of President Bill Clinton and others?
4. Historical hurts and divisions often leave a legacy of hatred and suspicion which demands hard work and great intensity of purpose to change.
5. Reconciliation is usually a long, delicate and difficult process. It is vital to keep the desire for healing at the top of the agenda and at the centre of life’s relationships. While division is a powerful weapon when wielded with psychological and emotional force, reconciliation is positively powerful and is worth chasing with every ounce of energy we possess.

SCOIL MHUIRE IN ACTION

"Friendship Week" was held in January to focus on importance of making good friends and not getting involved in bullying. During the week the focus was on all aspects of friendship and how to avoid bullying. Patricia Kennedy of "Sticks and Stones" anti-bullying theatre company gave workshops to 5th and 6th where they explored the issues of cyber-bullying and text-bullying through discussion and role-play. Patricia also hosted an information talk for parents and all parents were invited to come to the school for the talk where Patricia addressed these issues and answered questions from concerned parents.

Raising Funds
Senior pupils read thousands of books before Christmas and raised a whopping €5,000 for the Multiple Schlerosis of Ireland. Pupils also raised €800 through their annual Talent Show and proceeds this year were given to the Ballymore Chamber of St. Vincent de Paul, who always support our school so generously.

Attendance Certificates
Attendance award certificates were presented to 48 pupils who did not miss a day since September. These pupils are working towards achieving a gold medal at the end of the year, if they still have a perfect attendance record.

Our mathematics whizzkid, Mark Daly 5th class who won 1st prize at the recent Maths and Science test in St. Kevin's Community College, Dunlavin. Well done Kevin

As Gaielge!
This picture of nine pupils includes those awarded with "Cainteoir na Miosa" for January. These are the pupils who make the greatest effort at using their Gaeilge to communicate outside the classroom. We work on phrases on a weekly basis and the teachers pick out the pupil in each class who has made the supreme effort to use their new phrases to communiciate as Gaeilge. (Tá sibh ar fheabhas! – Tim agus Rose).

Mairead O'Flynn, Scoil Mhuire, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare
Ballymore Ladies GFC

AGM
Ballymore Ladies held their Annual General Meeting in January. Outgoing Chairperson Jacinta O’Rourke opened the meeting by thanking Caroline for the Agenda and welcoming everyone who came along.
Jacinta then thanked John Hubbard for his contribution and hard work as part of the management team over the last few years. John has decided that it is time to freshen things up (on the team, not himself!) and it will also give his 4 girls a break! John said he had enjoyed his 3 years with the club and felt the best football had been played in the last year. John will stay involved with the juveniles. He thanked Simon and Joe for their support and said the future would be bright for the Ladies.
Jacinta O’Rourke (Chairperson) and Bid Meade (Treasurer) were also thanked for everything they’ve done for the club over the years. Jacinta said they’d enjoyed their time with the Ladies and wished the club all the best for the coming season.
Johnny Murphy, Chairperson of Ballymore GFC, thanked Caroline Deegan for making the last Bag Packing fundraising event such a success. He explained that they had elected a new senior committee with 3 of the ladies (Dawn, Lesley and Aisling) being a part of it. He hopes that all the clubs will work together and is planning to organise a monthly meeting to ensure this happens. He wished the girls well in the new season and hopes the silverware will come for the Ladies.
Although there was no cup brought home last season, there were many improvements on and off the pitch. Congratulations were offered to all involved in the Camel Night, where the proceeds went to Crumlin Children’s Hospital. It is hoped to have another one during 2010.
Ballymore Ladies Committee 2010
Chairperson Aisling Rigney
Vice-Chairperson Jackie Smith
Treasurer(s) Anne-Marie Gorman and Aisling Hubbard
Secretary Caroline Deegan
Vice-Secretary\Registrar Stacey Balfe
PRO(s) Deirdre Hackett and Michelle Hubbard
County Board Delegates Louise Tutty and Jackie Smith
Fundraising Committee Aisling, Lesley, Anne-Marie, Sheena, Dawn, Steph and Stacey
Management Team Simon Murphy and Joe Piggott

Awards Night
The Awards night will be held on Saturday 6th March in the Thatch starting at 9pm. The Ladies who have been nominated for awards will be presented with them and there will be a dj. With no matches for another while we look forward to seeing all you all there for a good night.

Last Man Standing
Last Man Standing is returning. It will start on the weekend of March 5th. Contact any team or committee members before this date to participate. It is 10euro to enter with the possibility of winning 500euro.

Training
Training is every Monday and Wednesday. The Ladies will be improving their fitness with 6 weeks of aerobics on Monday’s at 9pm in Naas. Wednesday training is at 8pm up on the pitch. The Ladies are also doing a run in Punchestown on Saturday mornings at 10am. The club are looking for new players so if you’re 14 or more (we’ve no max age limit!) please call up to a training session or get in touch with a club member.

A number of the team are also playing college football. Michelle Hubbard is playing for Froebal College Senior Ladies Team, Marilena Norton is playing for Waterford IT and Fran and Louise Burke are playing for Tallaght IT. Best of luck to all.

Thanks
Thank you to all out going committee members for your invaluable contribution to the club. Best wishes to the new committee and to those remaining on. We know you will carry on the hard work of last year’s committee. Thanks to our out-going PRO Sharon O’Donoghue for extending her PRO duties into this year. We really appreciate your contribution!

Deirdre & Michelle
Ballymore Ladies GFC PROs
KILDARE STEINER SCHOOL- OUR KINDERGARTEN

The kindergarten or “child’s garden” gives children a little safe space, all of their own. Created to inspire a sense of peace and harmony there is a lovely atmosphere as soon as you cross the threshold….The colours are muted and beautiful and the toys are usually made of natural materials , with lots of wood, baskets of stones, wool and pinecones. Children enjoy singing together, cooking each day and of course lots of creative work involving paint and pastel crayons. A big part of the Steiner Kindergarten is also the child’s interaction with nature, and everyday sees small adventures in the outdoors, in our lovely play area, or on walks into the woods. If you would like to come along and see our magical place, call Angie on 086 4005211 and she will arrange a visit.


The services provided to members take care of most of the financial requirements year by year.

The best way to utilize the credit union is to arrange a loan with them.


Loans represent some of the best value in the market. We have the following loan products available to members
What are the interest rates on loans with Naas Credit Union?
Motor Loans – 6.9% APR
Standard Personal Loans – 9.25% APR
Home Improvements Loans – 7.75% APR
Student ‘Bright Spark’ Loans – 7.75% APR


What are the benefits of borrowing from Naas Credit Union?
Interest is charged on the reducing balance of the loan, that way you pay less interest as the loan decreases.
No “Hidden Costs” There are no documentation, completion or other arrangement fees.
No penalties for early loan repayment.
Free Loan Protection Insurance –your loan is paid off in the event of your death or permanent disability (Terms and conditions apply).
We can support flexible repayment options, additional repayments can be made at any time to your loan without penalty.
We are not affected by the European Central Bank rate, so unlike many other institutions, there is no need to worry about the ECB interest rate increases with the Credit Union.
Competitive Repayment Protection Insurance product is available.
Top up loans are available.
The difference between Inclusive and Reducing repayment options
Inclusive repayments give the members a flat repayment for the life of the loan. initial repayments will be cheaper at the start but more interest is repaid by the member.
Reducing repayments are more expensive at the start however the member pays less interest overall
The Credit Union was set up to lend to members for productive means and we must also ensure the safety of our members savings. It is therefore necessary to establish a members repayment capacity prior to granting a loan. To help establish this we will request the following documentation from our members in support of their loan application
Income verification
3 months Bank statements
COGHLANSTOWN; By Ronald F. Eustice
COGHLANSTOWN, pronounced Cocklanstown, (also called Ballycotelan) is a townland in the Parish of Ballymore-Eustace, and lies on the northern bank of the River Liffey, near Harristown Station in County Kildare, Ireland. The name has in the course of centuries, undergone various changes; it appears in ancient documents under the following forms: Ballycotelan, Ballicutland, Bally-cutlane, Cotlanston, and finally Coghlanstown. As the sept of MacCoghlan or Coghlan, belonged to the western portion of the King’s County, we may conclude that this townland took its name from an Anglo-Norman resident probably of the name of Cotlan; at which period a castle was erected, and a church built, dedicated to St. James, as a Blessed Well, dedicated to him, is still pointed out close to the old churchyard.
The Eustaces of Ballycotelan were a very early branch of the family. For five generations the FitzEustaces (later Eustace) held the Castle of Ballymore. The castle at Ballymore, situated at a vital crossing of the River Liffey, it was considered to be one of the most important forts on the English Pale. The fortress protected the territory from intrusions by the native Irish septs that lived in the vastness of the Wicklow Mountains, whom the Eustaces and other Anglo-Normans had dispossessed in the 12th and early 13th centuries.

As early as 1355, Geoffrey FitzEustace and the Sheriff of Kildare had been ordered to inspect and report upon Ballymore Castle and other defenses of the Pale. Major General Sir Eustace Tickell in an article titled “The Eustace Family and Their Lands in County Kildare” published in the Journal of the Kildare County Archaeological Society, Volume XIII, Number 6 (1955) speculates that Sir Maurice of Ballycotelan, Thomas FitzOliver, Constable of Ballymore Castle in 1373, and Roland FitzOliver of Castlemartin were brothers. He states, “If so, this would afford the link between the FitzEustaces of Castlemartin and the powerful Ballycotlan branch.”

The Churchyard of Coghlanstown, containing extensive ruins of a Church dedicated to St. James, lies near the Stonebrook demesne, on the opposite side of the public road, and four miles from Kilcullen bridge in the Ballymore-Eustace direction. The Church ruins are in a very fair state of preservation. Internally they measure 50 feet in length by 17 feet in breadth; the walls are 3 1/2 feet thick.

In the West Wall there is a built-up doorway with a window above it; the gable is surmounted by a little belfry.
In the North Wall there is an arched entrance leading into the Church, with a small, square niche on either side of it. Close to this entrance, inside the Church, there is a doorway leading to a flight of steps which wind up to another doorway in the wall about seven feet from the ground. Externally there is a square projection where this staircase is placed. This peculiar and unusual feature in ecclesiastical architecture was connected with a pulpit, which was reached from the staircase. Between “the pulpit stairs” and the east wall is an ogee-headed window, and near the latter a square niche known as ‘‘a Locker,” which was placed to the left of the altar.

In the East Wall there is a handsome little ogee-headed window of two lights; there is also a square niche to the right of where the high altar stood.

In the South Wall, near the east end, is a niche called “a Piscina,” out of which the perforated saucer-like stone has been removed; two more ogee-headed windows in good preservation are pierced in this wall; and then opposite to the entrance in the north wall there is a wide, arched recess, lit by a narrow round-headed window, causing a projection in the wall on the outside; this recess probably served as a Baptistery. The head of a rude, square font, pierced in the middle, lies sunk in the ground near the recess; it is formed out of a rough block of granite about 2 feet square.

There are two objects of special interest—a granite cross base and a seventeenth-century limestone cross-shaft. The cross-base is situated in the north-eastern portion of the burial-ground; it consists of a roughly squared granite boulder, 32 inches by 21 inches, having a socket in it 10 inches deep, with sides measuring 15 inches by 9 1/2 inches; the cross itself is not to be found inside the churchyard and is likely the cross erected in the ditch a few hundred yards in the Ballymore Eustace direction. The limestone cross-shaft in the church was erected to the memory of one of Roland Fitz Eustace in the seventeenth century. In its present fractured condition it is 2 1/2 feet in length, with sides of 10 and 7 inches; at the upper end it is encircled by a projecting portion which contains the socket (5 1/2 by 2 1/2 inches) in which the head of the cross was fixed. Along the projecting band ran an inscription in Roman capitals, 1 3/4 inches high, of which only a few letters are now traceable.

The sides of this cross shaft each bear a sculpted shield above a fluted panel; the designs on them are: -
1. In incised letters: “Euftace Lord Portlester” with the date 1462. This refers to Sir Roland FitzEustace, Knight, (son of Edward FitzEustace, Lord Justice of Ireland who died in 1454). Sir Roland was created Baron Portlester, County Meath in 1462 and was the founder of New Abbey, near Kilcullen Bridge in 1486. He was buried at New Abbey ten years later in 1496. His daughter Joan married Maurice FitzEustace of Coghlanstown, constable of Ballymore Eustace, who died 1520. Their son Christopher Eustace of Coghlanstown joined with his cousins and others during the Silken Thomas Rebellion and was executed;
2. Two fleurs-de-lis, the coat of arms of a family that has not been identified;
3. The FitzEustace Coat of Arms: “Or , a saltire gules,” above which is an Earl’s coronet and which should have been a Baron’s if correctly cut;
4. A serpent, probably representing the arms of the town of Naas.

Half mile to the east of the Coghlanstown churchyard on the road to Ballymore Eustace (almost directly across from Hazel House Bed & Breakfast), there is a small plain unringed granite cross set up in the ditch by the roadside in the Stonebrook demesne. The cross stands 4 1/2 feet above the ground, and measures 31 inches across the arms; the sides are 14 inches and nine inches in width. There is a tradition passed down through generations that the cross was being conveyed from Tipperkevin to Coghlanstown and when the cart on which it was carried broke down, the cross was erected on that spot.

Sources: The Eustace Family and Their Lands in County Kildare” published in the Journal of the Kildare County Archaeological Society, Volume XIII, Number 6 (1955).
Photos by the author.