Local Notes: First Communion, parish draw, Tidy Towns and local market
Lots of events taking place in Stradbally
The children from Our Lady of Mercy NS and St James' NS received their first communion at a special Mass on Saturday, May 3, at Holy Cross Church Stradbally. Fr.Edmond Cullinan PP was the celebrant. The church was beautifully decorated for the occasion by Maura O'Mahoney and Marilyn Doyle. Many thanks to them both for their arrangements both for Easter and for the Communion. A children's choir from the schools led by Mrs Olivia Jones sang during the celebration. The church was filled with families and godparents. The children who received their first communion were: Bobby Crowley, Brianna Whelan, Cian O'Beirne, Cillian Cummins, Danny Roe, Diarmuid Douglas, Eva Lawlor, Fionn O'Reilly Gearóid Casey, James Kiely, John Patrick Fennell, Lily Fansworth, Mila Halpin, Saoirse Coffey, Sean Doyle, Tadhg Cunningham, Tadhg Walsh. Thank you to Mrs Keane, their teacher who prepared them for their big day and their parents and families who supported them. Congratulations to all the children who had lots of photographs taken after mass, the weather was glorious making it a day to remember.
The parish draw results for Stradbally, Faha and Ballylaneen, were composed of: Draw 1: € 150 Maireád Coffey, Curraheen; €25 each - Helena Ketch c/o Gráinne Morrissey, Joan Power, Ballingarry, Andrew Dunlea, Little Island Cork, Brendan Troy, Fahafeelagh, Eileen Flynn, Glen East, Kilmacthomas and the Promoters Prize went to Pat Power, Ballylaneen. The results of Draw 2 were: €150 Noel Costello, Rockville, Stradbally; €25 each - Fr. Desiderio c/o Pat Power, Niamh Coryell c/o Eileen Sheehan, Pat Enright Abbeyside, Olive and Derek Hanlon, Currabaha, Donal Brennan, Carrigahilla. Thanks to everyone that supported the draw and especially thanks to all our loyal promoters.
Our Stradbally Tidy Towns committee is busy preparing our entry for the 2025 tidy towns competition. The entry has to be completed and emailed by May 12. It is a busy time getting facts, figures, and information on time. In sourcing information you might be interested to know that 28.75 tonnes of glass was removed from our Bring Banks last year and 4.920 tonnes of textiles. These are amazing figures from a small village. It also shows what an asset the Bring Banks are in the community. We would ask that if you intend to do any painting or decorating in the local judging area, that you keep in mind that judging will begin in the first week of June. We are working hard to be looking our very best for that date.
Another outside market but it was not quite as warm as the week before. The stalls were filled with lovely fresh produce and there were lots of fancy buns, tarts and cake to tempt the shoppers on the street. Richard was busy in the Cove Bar keeping the customers filled with coffee and tea while Ken looked after the 50-50 draw outside the front door. You can preorder any of the produce for sale by calling Margaret on 087 6337215 and literally driving by and pick up.
