Notices

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Bagenalstown St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place again this year at the usual time of 1pm from the McGrath Hall, Railway Road. Proceedings will get under way with the blessing of the shamrock at 12.45pm and the parade will leave at 1pm sharp. The theme of this year’s parade will be “Celebrating our National Heritage”. Walking groups and floats are asked to bear this in mind and decorate their groups or floats accordingly.

The parade will be led by the Colour Party bearing our national flag, R.D.F. followed by the Killeshin Pipe Band, the O.N.E. UN veterans and anyone else who wishes to join in. The route will again be down Church Road, Royal Oak Road, Long Range, Regent Street, High Street, Main Street, Market Square, Kilcarrig Street, Station Road tol finish back at the McGrath Hall. The reviewing stand will again be located at the corner of Fair Green at the Fire Station as the committee feels this is a safe area with plenty of room for activity afterwards.

There will be the usual prizes on offer for Best Overall Float, Second Overall Float, Best Walking Group, Second Walking Group, Best Vintage, Second Vintage, Junior Fancy Dress and also a special prize. There will be a prize for guessing the Mystery St. Patrick and prizes for the best decorated windows around town.

Music on the reviewing stand will be provided by the ever popular Adrian Ryan and, of course, to finish off the evening the Junior Talent Show in the McGrath Hall at 3pm will have a prize of €100. Anyone wishing to enter this competition can contact Dean Egan on 085 1039100 or Michael Cahill on 086 3896534 as there are a few places left, but numbers will have to be limited.

So it is now full steam ahead for the day, the committee has worked hard organising the parade, the only thing they can’t control is the weather but hopefully it will be fine. Do go out and enjoy the parade on our national Feast Day

Autism Fundraiser

Be a voice for children with autism and join the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon team on June 4 to raise funds for Carlow’s Saplings Special School for Children with Autism. Registration and transport provided. For more details contact Carol 087 9952727.

Rural Primary Schools

An important public meeting on the future of rural primary schools will be held at Lyrath Hotel, Kilkenny, on Thursday night, March 15 at 8 pm. The meeting will be addressed by Nicky Brennan and Helen Carroll (’Ear to the Ground’). All interested parents and community groups are urged to attend.

Dawn Mass

Dawn Mass will be celebrated on Mt. Leinster on Easter Sunday, April 8 at 6am. Buses will leave the Parish Church on Easter Sunday morning at 4am for Mt. Leinster.

Bereaved

Deepest sympathy to the family of Josie Brennan, Royal

Oak, who died recently; to Mrs. Muriel Dunne, Kilree Street, on the loss of her mother, Margaret O’Brien, Wexford; Seamus Mahon, 5 Pairc Mhuire, on the loss of his sister-in-law Christine Mahon, London; to Mrs. Marcella Kearney, on the death of her sister Sheila McDonnell, Tynock and to the family of the late Dr. Eamon Gavin, Royal Oak Road, who died recently.

Fashion Show

Transition Year’s Mini Company in Presentation De La Salle College, Bagenalstown, will host a Fashion Show and support Parents Council fundraising on Thurs Mar 29 in the school. 8pm. sharp with doors open at 7.30 pm. Tickets €10 available, from the school 059 9721860.

Pope John Paul 11 Awards

Congratulations to last year’s Pope John Paul 11 Awards candidates who received their awards at a ceremony in the Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow, on March 2. Mgr Brendan Byrne, Diocesan Administrator and Mary Kennedy from RTE presented the awards.

The recipients of a Gold Award were Vicky Nolan, Ciara Nolan, Leanne Dermody, Patrick Robinson, Shauna Fitzpatrick, Marianne Galpo and Michelle Bridgette. The recipients of the Papal Cross Award (the highest achievement in the award) were Aoife Maher, Donnacha Murphy and Sean Kinsella. As part of the proceedings, message of congratulations was read from President Michael D. Higgins. Congratulations also to Pamela Whelan, Parish Pastoral Minister, who facilitated the young candidates.

The awards were launched in October 2009 to acknowledge the contribution young people make in the Church and as a way to encourage more young people to get involved in their local parish and community. Mass for those who received their awards will be held in the Parish Church on Saturday, March 24, at 6pm.

Novena

The guest speaker at the annual Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Tuesday, March 13, (7.30pm) will be Johnny Murtagh, the 42 year old Irish flat racing jockey from Navan, Co. Meath. He has won many big races around the world including Irish Classic races, England’s biggest races, and Frances biggest race the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe. Johnny will give a personal testimony with reference to living with addiction.

Daffodil Day

Daffodil Day this year will be on Friday, March 23 celebrating its 25 years anniversary. If you have one hour to spare and would like to help out, please contact Marian at 97 21164 for the rota. Alternatively if you can help by donating fresh daffodils contact Mary on 085 1521232 or leave into Mary Foster’s house on Thurs. March 22. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Yoga Course

A new heated yoga course will start on Wed. March 21 at 7.30pm at the Family Resource Centre, Royal Oak Road. Book early as numbers are limited. Call Marian on 086 3082450.

Fundraiser

The Parents Association at Borris Vocational School is holding an American Tea Party on Friday, March 23 in the school hall. Tickets €10. Further information from the school on 97 73155.

National Spring Clean Week April 2012

Community groups and voluntary organisations are invited to participate in the Carlow Spring Clean Campaign. This approval entitles your group to a refund of the hire of one mini skip, for one day during the month of April, subject to a maximum cost of a one day mini skip hire. Also register with An Taisce nsc@antaisce.org to avail of a FREE clean up skip. For further details please contact Jannette @ 059-9136203

Carlow County Council Launches National Spring Clean 2012 in Bagenalstown.

Carlow County Council will launch National Spring Clean in the Town Park in Bagenalstown at 11am on Thursday March 29 and Assets Model and Face of An Taisce. Sarah McGovern will help launch the event for the county. All welcome to attend and play your part to “love where you live” by volunteering your services for an hour or two. As part of this launch Carlow County Council are also hosting a WEE collection where people can dispose of all of their old electrical equipment for FREE. For further details please contact Jannette O Brien at 059-9136203 or email jobrien@carlowcoco.ie

Healthcare Courses

Barrow Training are pleased to announce the following workshops and courses:

Workshops:

Clinical Observations: Kilkenny May 14 Fee €60

Clinical Observations: Naas May 21 Fee €60

Challenging Behaviour: Waterford May 27 Fee €60

Challenging Behaviour: Naas May 25 Fee €60

Introduction to HACCO: Kilkenny May 1 Fee €60

Care Planning: Waterford May 16 Fee €60

Wound Management for Nurses: Kilkenny May 15 Fee €60

Wound Management for HCAs Kilkenny May 15 Fee €60

Dealing with a Major Clinical Incident: Carlow May 21 Fee €80

Courses:

Major Award in Healthcare Support starting in Naas in April (Can book on a module by module basis – Funding available)

Major Award in Healthcare Support starting in Waterford in March (Can book on a module by module basis – Funding available)

Challenging Behaviour FETAC level 5 – Carlow, April 10, 17 and 24 Fee €200

Alcohol and Drug Addiction FETAC level 5 Carlow April 11, 18 and 25 Fee €200

Train the Trainer FETAC level 6 Carlow May 28, June 4, 11,18 and 25 Fee €425

If you require further information on any of the courses above, contact Barrow Training and Consultancy, Market Square, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow. Ph No: 059 9721416

Principal retires

Best wishes to George Darcy, Principal of Queen of the Universe N.S. who retired last week after 37 years of teaching service. A very popular and charismatic man, George was a teacher of the highest ability, always approachable, caring and helpful. He was loved by his students and held in the highest affection and respect by his colleagues, pupils’ parents and his community.

Here in St. Andrew’s Parish, Bagenalstown, this occasion was marked with a deep sense of sadness and gratitude for a faithful public servant in the best sense of the word, at Mass in St. Andrew’s Church on Wednesday February 29. A packed church celebrating the occasion with George and his wife Maria, demonstrated the tremendous regard and appreciation that he is held in, in our community. Fr. Paddy Byrne said that in his retirement speech, George spoke of his love for his great town. ” He embodied all that is noble and wonderful regarding the teaching profession. His compassion and extraordinary sense of inclusivity has cultivated his school, the Queen of the Universe N.S. to be recognised in a recent whole school inspection report as a “school of excellence”. A team player, George’s leadership empowered staff and parents in a cooperative spirit to always have the very best environment, where children’s needs come first and foremost”. Fr. Byrne continued “We all remember our teachers for many reasons. Mr. Darcy will be remembered with tremendous fondness and affection by generations of young people who have passed through his diligent, compassionate care.”

Only son of the late George and Brigid Darcy, George grew up in Pairc Mhuire with his two sisters Maureen and Ann. From the age of four he was a pupil at Queen of the Universe N.S. and St. Brigid’s N.S. He studied for his degree at St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra and his first job was teaching in St. Brigid’s N.S. Bagenalstown where he was employed for 15 years. In 1990 he was appointed Principal of Queen of the Universe N.S. George and Maria have two children, Fiona and Stephen.

George was very involved in Muine Bheag GAA Juvenile Club; he trained the U12 and U14 football teams and the club was very successful under his guidance. He was also involved with schools football and hurling. George has a very strong involvement with St. Andrew’s GAA Football Club as a player, committee member and mentor of the teams. He played county football with Carlow and he was one of the mentors involved with the Carlow U21 football team that reached the Leinster Final in the 80s. George is still involved today with St. Andrews as a committee member and also as a selector with the recently promoted senior team.

Although George has retired from his teaching profession, happily he has not withdrawn from our community and we wish him well as he undertakes a new stage in his life. May the Lord bless him, his wife Maria and their family.

Novena

The Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help will continue in St.Andrew’s Parish Church on Tuesday, February 6. Guest speaker will be Vicky Sandall (Stories of Faith and Inspiration). Vicky is one of “the religious team” at KCLR, her co-presenters are Fr. Micheal Murphy and Fr. Dan Carroll and she can be heard every Saturday morning with Soul Agenda between 9 and 5 and every Sunday morning with Sunday Matters between 10 and 11.

Vicki Sandall is a native of Dublin, now living in Kilkenny. She is married with three grown up children. She trained as a nurse at the Adelaide Hospital in Dublin.

Autism Support

Carlow ASD Support Network is holding their monthly support meeting on Tuesday, March 6, at 7.30pm in The Dolmen Hotel, Carlow. Topic for the evening is “Transition from Primary to Post-Primary” with guest speaker, Mr. David O’Flaherty, Principal, and other staff members from Bagenalstown Vocational School, followed by a cuppa and a chat. For further information please contact www.carlowautism.com, email carlowasdgroup@gmail.com or telephone 085 740617. Go along and don’t feel alone, feel supported.

National Pride of Place Competition

As part of Bagenalstown’s entry in the National Pride of Place Competition a number of the committee members are undertaking a local history project. The idea is to assemble a visual and text based presentation of the history of Bagenalstown. The presentation would be located in a prominent local building as part of the initiative but would remain thereafter on permanent exhibition. The presentation will be based on a number of themes, for example, the Bagenals, the Barrow Navigation, industrial heritage, etc. If you would like to participate in the project please contact Cllr. Liam O’ Brien, 087-9249446.

Car Boot Sale

The Parents’ Council at Presentation De La Salle College, Bagenalstown is hosting a ‘Car Boot Sale’ in the school grounds on Saturday, March 24. If you like the idea of rummaging through peoples goods to find a bargain, then this is the place to be. 9.30am – 12.30pm. €20 per pitch. Free entry to buyers. To book a pitch call 059 9721860 during school hours.

A Place at the Table

The upcoming Diocesan Eucharistic Congress will take place on Friday evening, March 9 and Saturday, March 10 in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow. There will be three keynote speakers – Baroness Nuala O’Loan, Rev. Michael Drumm and Rev. Peter McVerry. Thirty two different workshops will take place over the two days. If you are interested, please register with the Parish Office as soon as possible.

Table Quiz

A table quiz in aid of Drumphea National School will take place on Friday, March 9 at 9pm in High Nellies Bar, Garryhill. Table of four €20. Cash prizes. All welcome.

Drama Club

Rathanna Drama Club presents a two act comedy “ Move Over Mrs.Markham” in Rathanna Hall on March 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10. Doors open 8pm. Adm €8.

Barrow Training

The following courses are currently available Understanding Mental Health: FETAC level 5 in Enniscorthy Enterprise Centre on March 8,15 and 22 from 9.30am to 4.30pm.Fee €200.

Introduction to Nursing: FETAC level 5: Kilkenny Education Centre, Callan Road on March 24, 31, April 7, 14 and 21 from 9.30am to 4.30pm.Fee €350. FAS CE participant €250.

Supervisory Management for Healthcare Managers: FETAC level 6.

Kilkenny Education Centre on March 24, April 14, 21, 28 and May 5. from 9.30am to 4.30pm. Fee €595.

Occupational First Aid Refresher: Enniscorthy Enterprise Centre. from 9.30am to 4.30pm. Fee €80

Contact Marian/Liz in Barrow Training on 059 97 21416 for further details or to book a place.

Confirmation

St. Andrew’s Parish Church on Saturday, March 10 at 2pm.

Bereaved

Deepest sympathy to the following who were recently bereaved Mrs.Hilda Agar, on the loss of her husband Michael and brother George; Mrs. Lily Plunkett, Royal Oak Road and her family on the loss of her husband Jim; Martin Meaney on the loss of his niece Patricia Grace (nee Moore), Tipperary and the family of the late Jim Murphy, Upper Ballinakill, Garryhill.

Education Cuts

A public meeting for schools in the Carlow/Kilkenny area with regard to the recent budget cuts will take place in the Lyrath Hotel, Kilkenny, on March 15 at 8pm. Guest speakers will be Nicky Brennan, former GAA President; Helen Carroll, Ear to the Ground, RTE and Fr. Paddy Byrne. The meeting will be chaired by Joe McKeown, incoming CEC Rep. INTO, District 10. To make this

Effective a large turnout is necessary.