Local Notes: Rugby blitz, Tidy Towns and little stars
The Metal Man rises out of the summer mist at Tramore. Photo: Joe Evans
Almost 500 primary school children from several different schools recently attended a tag rugby tournament at Ard Scoil Na Mara Secondary Sschool in Tramore.
The blitz was organised by the Tramore Rugby Club community resource officer, Conal Fitzpatrick and was supported by Munster Rugby development officers, club coaches and Ard Scoil na Mara school staff. TY students from the school who had undertaken Munster Rugby’s TY coaching course programme were on hand on the day to referee games and help the blitz run smoothly.
Other Ard Scoil TY students also helped to chaperone primary school kids to and from the toilet facilities and were an absolute credit to their school. The event was a culmination of a very successful year for Tramore Rugby Club whose members have helped to promote rugby in the locality as well as significantly boost their own player numbers this year.
Tramore Rugby Club is in the process of branching from a mini’s only club into Youths’ rugby and it is envisaged that this process will run in tandem with the expansion and development of rugby in the secondary school. It is hoped that events like this will also help the club secure access to a dedicated rugby pitch in the local area. Pitch or not, organising a rugby event that finished with so many happy and smiling kids and teachers has to be considered a massive success in itself. Onwards and upwards.
Lots of progress and improvements have been made to the picnic area beside Tramore AFC. The whole area is receiving a bit of a face lift from the local authority, Tramore Tidy Towns team and from a local TÚS worker. The flower beds have all been weeded and touched up, the shrubs and trees have been pruned and some trees which were unsuitable for the area have been replaced. A special mention must be made toJohn McGuire of McGuire's Garden Centre in Woodstown, who lent us his expertise in choosing the plants that would thrive in the area. He was also kind enough to give us a discount. We are very blessed to have such good souls lending their support to our cause. There are more jobs to be done so please get in touch if you would like to join our lovely volunteers.
It is with sadness we record the passing of Dr Martin O’Boyle, The Cove, Tramore, who died on Monday, May 27. He was a former Director of Community Care, Waterford. and a longtime member of Waterford Harbour Sailing Club. Predeceased by his wife Antionette Clancy, Martin will be sadly missed by his loving children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother, nieces, nephews, extended family, relatives, neighbours, and friends. His remains reposed at Killure Bridge Nursing Home on Wednesday evening with a private cremation to follow at a later date.
The group was busy planting marram grass on the sand dunes late last month. Marram grass is hardy and vigorous in binding sand, but the increasing visitor numbers and weather events are taking their toll on dune areas worldwide. Let’s get together again in September, in Tramore, for the new planting season to create an even bigger, positive community response. Also, the Tramore Eco Group held a successful guided Dunes walk learning about dunes habitats, biodiversity hotspots and history in the area. Thanks to our members Katrina, Catherine, Alan, Marina, Emily and Paul for their knowledge and advice.
Little Stars Creche, Moonvoy Valley, wants to thank everyone for their help during their fundraising week in honour of our late friend and colleague, Teresa. A special thanks to Sunlife, who made a very generous donation. Together, an outstanding amount of €1,650 was raised. Thank you to each and every one of you who donated or baked to help us raise this money for Waterford Hospice
