Local Notes: Happy 80th birthday, local lotto, sympathies and big breakfast success
Nuala Dunne celebrated her 80th birthday at the event
After a lovely mass celebrated on Christmas Eve by Fr Denmead, accompanied by an excellent choir in St Mary’s Church, Touraneena, Christmas passed peacefully in the village and the surrounding areas. May 2025 bring good health, new opportunities and happiness to all our readers.
There was a big turnout again for the Sliabh gCua/St.Mary’s GAA Club annual St Stephen’s Day Big Breakfast event. There was a terrific atmosphere with people meeting up with their neighbours and other family members, loved ones home from abroad for the holidays and visitors to the area, all enjoying the craic and a chat over a scrumptious breakfast. During breakfast, we marked a great milestone for Nuala Dunne, Touraneena, as we celebrated her 80th birthday. Happy birthday Nuala from all. Thanks to everyone who attended and supported another successful Big Breakfast event and last but not least, a huge thanks to the players for all their hard work. Looking forward to next year already.
The jackpot numbers for the draw held on Sunday, December 22, were 5, 7, 30 and there was no jackpot winner. As it was the last draw before Christmas instead of the five x €20 prizes, there were 10 prizes and the winners were: Thomas Keane, Pa Hallahan, Christine Cliffe, Maeve Butler, Marion and Dermot, Sean Power, Sarah Gleeson, Maurice Cliffe Jnr, Mush Keane and Majella Hickey. The promoter’s prize was won by Brendan Tobin. The first draw of 2025 will be held on January 12, so don’t forget to have your tickets purchased in time. Also a reminder that the lotto yearly and half-yearly ticket options are now available to purchase. It costs €80 to be entered into all 50 lotto draws for 2025 or €40 for inclusion in 25 draws. Please contact any member of the Sliabh gCua Community Centre or Sliabh gCua/St.Mary’s GAA committees to purchase. The Lotto committee would like to thank everyone who supported us in 2024, your support is much needed and much appreciated.
We extend best wishes to John Power who will be providing a badly needed ‘Out Of Hours Tyre Service’. John can be contacted at 087 1270997.
We extend our sympathy to the Shanahan family on the recent passing of Nicky Shanahan, Abbeyside. Nicky would have been well known by many of our readers in the parish as in years gone by, he taught the tin whistle to many of the pupils of St Mary’s National School, Touraneena. We extend our sincere sympathy to his wife Mary Ann, daughter Ann, son Nick, daughter-in-law Dawn, son-in-law Jim O'Callaghan, brother John, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, extended family and friends. Nicky is predeceased by his parents Nicholas and Mary Shanahan, sisters Anna and Kathleen, and brother Paddy. Requiem Mass was in St Augustine's Church, Abbeyside, followed by burial afterwards in St Laurence's Cemetery, Ballinroad. May Nicky rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Last week’s riddle was: I can flow like a river and come from dust, I age hard as iron, but never rust. What am I?
Answer: Concrete. (liquid state before solidification). This week’s riddle is: What do you call a robot that takes the longest route?
Answer in this column next week.
