Local Notes: Frank Leahy proceeds, Special Olympians honoured and more from St Paul's
Babs Murphy and Bernie Murphy pictured recently taking advantage of the beautiful sunshine while strolling in the People's Park in Waterford city. Photo: John Power
“I want to feel the shape of surprise! I want to wake one evening at summer’s end and walk through the peaceful sleep of ripened berries, old oak, weeping willows not seeing at all! I only want to feel their rest like a child with their eyes closed feels the shape of surprise” - Kathleen Deignan
A huge congratulations to Philo (David Phelan) for being one of our Superheroes. A true role model and motivator to many individuals in Tory Services not only in the Gym but in Waterford Muay Thai. Always up for the fun and laughter but also inspiring all to reach their full potential!
St. Paul’s Community College are very proud of our two students, Caoilinn Reville and Steven Cooke, who were part of the team of young people who have brought such joy to the people of Waterford in winning an All-Ireland Minor Hurling Title. Thank you Caoilinn and Stephen and all involved.
This summer, your support can help get kids back to being kids despite genetic conditions. For instance Chloe has a genetic condition which causes tumours to grow along her nerves which means that Chloe is in immense pain. Frequent migraines and regular flare-ups of arthritis make daily activities difficult. She often has to miss school, and spends a lot of time in bed, rather than being out with her friends or playing sports.
Her mum, Lisa says: "When things are especially bad, Chloe will sometimes ask me why – why she has to be like this, why she can’t be like her friends – and I just don’t know what to tell her." With the help of her healthcare team, Chloe is able to manage her condition through various pain management treatments. Also during hospital visits she has done a lot of work with the play department, which is a great help for her. Please give what you can so that other sick and injured children – and their families - can get the world-class care they need. Many children in this area and others have been helped immensely in Crumlin, Temple Street, Tallaght and Connolly. E-mail: info@childrenshealth.ie or phone: 01 7091700. Thank you for your support.
Bernie Clancy with all her children, grandchildren, spouses and partners had a wonderful day at Dublin Zoo recently. A special day to remember as they strengthened family connections and had a fun day together. Even the weather was good!
Sincere sympathy to the family and friends of John Tobin, Roanmore Park, Waterford, who died on June 25. Formerly of Green Street and late of CIE (train driver). John passed away peacefully in the tender care of the staff of SignaCare Ferrybank surrounded by his loving family. Predeceased by his loving wife Nancy, his parents Richard and Margaret, brother Patrick, sisters Mamie, Peggy and Nellie, he is sadly missed by his sons, David and John, daughters Lillian and Margaret, son-in-law Jimmy, sisters Ann Flanagan and Phylis Tobin, nephews, nieces, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends. May he rest in peace. He reposed at Thompson’s Funeral Home, Barrack Street, Waterford on Friday, June 27, with Requiem Mass on Saturday, June 28, in St. Paul’s Church, Lisduggan, Waterford, followed by burial in St. Otteran's Cemetery.
The active travel stride to school initiative has commenced outside Butlerstown School. It will encourage the students to use the church car park, walk or cycle to school, reducing reliance on cars and helping to create a safer, greener community. A wonderful addition to the area.
Just a reminder that the school office has closed for the summer holidays. It will re-open on Monday, August 11. If you wish to pay school fees we will be open on Tuesday, August 5, from 9.30am – 12.30pm. Wishing everyone a restful summer break!
Waterford Special Olympics had the annual Awards Night at the Tower Hotel on July 3. As always we were well represented by local award winners Mark Ledwell for basketball, Seamus Giles, Larchville, for Boccie, and Colm Brennan, Lacken Road, for camping. Well done lads! A great achievement!
Deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Patrick Henderson, Willow Terrace, Lisduggan, Waterford, who died on July 2. Formerly of Kilmacow and late of Hearn's Joinery, Arco and WIT, Paddy passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family, in the wonderful care of Waterford Palliative & Community Care teams and the Keogh Practice. Predeceased by his parents, brothers Tony, George and sister Eileen and niece Catherine, he is sadly missed by his loving wife Mary, daughters Annette and Rhonda, son Kieran, sons-in-law Gene and Pat, daughter-in-law Mary, grandchildren Niamh, Sean, Shane, Jill, Padraig, Jack, Eve, great-grandson Ben, sister Philomena, nephews, neighbours and friends. May he rest in peace. He reposed at Thompson’s Funeral Home, Barrack Street, on Friday, July 4, with Requiem Mass on arrival on Saturday, July 5, in the Sacred Heart Church, Ferrybank followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
Marie Kimber and her daughter, Aoife, are just home from a very enjoyable holiday in Sardinia. The weather was beautiful and very warm - a big change from home! Lots of interesting places to explore and sun, sand and sea every day! Welcome home again both of you!
Such a special event in memory of beautiful Yvonne on Saturday, July 20. Yoga, swim and coffee morning at Baginbun Beach. Bridget BL Sandle Yoga in Duncannon has very kindly offered to host the yoga class starting at 8.00am. (Please bring your mat). Swim is optional after yoga, with a hot cuppa and baked treat available for everyone afterwards. All proceeds to be donated to Fethard RNLI Lifeboat Station and Solas Cancer Support Centre. Both charities are fantastic organisations, run entirely by local volunteers, supporting communities in Wexford and Waterford. Thanks for all the support. It is an honour to be able to celebrate the wonderful legacy she has left behind, with so many beautiful people she has called friends. Much love, Drought family.
Delighted on behalf of St. Paul’s Parish Frank Leahy Run to deliver a cheque to the national award-winning Larchville/Lisduggan Residents Association. John Hearne presented the cheque to Chairman of the Resident’s Association, John Burns. This fantastic group won the All-Ireland for the Best Community in All Ireland and were second the year before. They were recently cleaning up old bushes at the car wash at the back of Waterford Shopping Centre. They have also established a free gym to support mental health, fitness and inclusion – offering a safe space for all, without cost or stigma. A brilliant team, they also won the Best Place for Old Folks to Live Award. A great community!
And they were delighted to support Waterford Irish Dancing, presenting a cheque to Geraldine Halloran and her beautiful two grandchildren who are fantastic Irish dancers. Geraldine does Trojan work on our committee for our annual event. The presentation was made by Councillors John Hearne and Jason Murphy.
1st Division Cup Result. St. Paul’s FC 3; Kilmacow FC 2. A thrilling game on The Moon as the Parish took an early lead through Jake O’Connor and added a second through our nemesis Jimmy Byrne and our 3rd goal came from Stephen Keating. In between Kilmacow pulled two goals back. Best for the Parish were two young talents, Jimmy and Kian Moran. Well done! The Gaffer Mark Colfer and his squad, on we go. Up the Parish!
2nd Division Cup Result Dungarvan Celtic 3, St. Paul’s FC 0. We took the pitch with 10 players, and those 10 players gave their heart and soul to try and earn a result. Dungarvan Celtic who top our league found it hard to break us down but in the 54th minute they brought on a few subs and took the lead. Game ended 3-0. The lads never gave up, had few chances. But so proud of this team. Well done all – a little break now for a few weeks and we will come back and we will fight on!
Sean Kelly “King of the Castle” Cycle – supporting Men’s Mental Health. The facts are stark: three out of every four suicides in Ireland are male. There is a particularly pressing need for a targeted approach to mental health awareness, education and suicide prevention towards men. On Sunday, August 3, Cycle against Suicide will host its Sean Kelly “King of the Castle” cycle, a powerful event, which is a rallying call for men’s mental health, aimed at raising awareness, starting vital conversations, and fostering a community where men feel supported, understood and empowered to seek help when they need it. Open to men and women of all abilities. Further details and registration available at https://eventmaster.ie/event/QmDBSnKSOy.
The bereavement support group provides a safe space for family members who have experienced the death of a loved one because of problem substance use or related issues. The group is facilitated by two trained psychotherapists and will include respite and other opportunities that may be relevant. This is a free service specific to the South East Support Network. Commencing on Tuesday, August 26, from 10.30am to 12.00pm, and will continue for 8 weeks at the Millennium Building, Church Road, Lisduggan, Waterford, X91 FN5V. For further information email: info@serfsn or phone Riona 086 6045805 or Catherine 083 0162069.
If you have any notes for this column, please contact nualacolfer33@yahoo.co.uk or marian.murphy@hotmail.com before Thursday each week.
