Local Notes: Sympathies, warm welcome, Leaving Cert results, church news and more
The late Dermot 'Dod' Whelan
We wish Fr James Cadman a very warm welcome to the parish of Ballyduff/Portlaw. We are delighted to have him as Parish Priest and we wish him every best wish during his time here. We look forward to getting to know him over the coming months and years.
A huge congratulations to all the young men and women who received their results last week. We hope that whatever path you take brings you joy and fulfilment and that your life is filled with good health and happiness.
On Sunday, September 7, 2024, our community and surrounding areas were rocked and shaken by the death of popular local man Dermot (Dod) Whelan.
A happy and lovable character, Dod was a great community man, always ready to help out, and he was, of course, a staunch Ballyduff GAA man. While speaking to his wife Ann recently, she told me how the time has passed by in a blur.
She was conscious of the help and support she has received and how much she wanted people to know what it has meant to her and asked for my help in conveying that to you all. She wants to express her grateful appreciation to all of the Ryan and Whelan families for their help and support during Dod's illness and since his death. It has not gone unnoticed and your kindness continues to give her support and comfort.
She extends a special thanks to the Lourdes Committee, who made it possible for herself and Dod to travel to Lourdes during his sickness. To Sean and Callum Lyons, who held a fundraiser in the Ball Alley at Tom Cheasty Park, it really meant the world to Dod.
To John O'Leary for his very kind words at the graveside and to Maurice Doyle, who erected a gazebo at the graveside to shelter the family from the weather. To Fr Francis Xavier for the beautiful Mass and the parish choir who enhanced it with their lovely hymns.
To Gala, O Donnachas, The Sweep, neighbours, friends and family who brought food and refreshments to the house during the days leading up to the funeral, it was all greatly appreciated. Ann would like to thank her brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews for their help and support during Dod's illness, during his funeral and for their continued support, which she feels around her every day.
To Dod's brothers, in-laws, Noely and Lorraine, John and Joanne, Anthony and Jason, thank you for all your help during his illness and for the help you continue to give to Ann.
Dod had so many friends and your visits to him in hospital in Dublin and Waterford and to him at home really helped to keep his spirits up. He enjoyed the laughs and the chats, the match reports and the telling of stories from times gone by.
Thank you to Joe and Mark for erecting tents at the house to accommodate people calling to his wake and funeral.
To his beloved GAA club, he would have been so proud and delighted to see every age group, from little children to adults, stand as a Guard of Honour from the house to the church to see him off on his final journey.
Dod was a proud Ballyduff man, proud to wear the red and white of his club and a proud community man. He will never be forgotten and we hope he now enjoys peace and comfort in Heaven where there is no more pain and suffering. We ask him to work his magic for some club titles and, if he could arrange an All-Ireland win for Waterford, we would be very grateful.
We extend our deepest sympathies to Bridget Power, Ballyduff Village, on the recent death of her sister, Martina Foran Scanlon. A resident of Clonard Park, Ballybeg, Martina will be deeply missed by her husband Jim, sons Darren and Daniel, daughter Deborah, mother-in-law Nancy, son-in-law David, grandchildren Leah and Charlie, brother, sisters and extended family and friends. Following her Funeral Mass in St Paul's Church, she was laid to rest in St Nicholas' Church graveyard. May she rest in peace.
As the autumn and winter evenings begin to draw in, you may be thinking of taking up a new pastime. From Thursday, September 3, at 7.30pm, the 30s card game will return to Ballyduff Community Centre. All individuals or teams of three are very welcome at a cost of just €10 per person. This is a wonderful social activity and a great way to get to know people in the area.
The club's kit shop is now open with all the latest club gear and accessories on sale. Check out the link on the club's Facebook page. Check out the club's Facebook page for all the latest fixtures and news. Join the club's monthly cash draw, which raises money for the development of club facilities. The seventh annual Terry Butler Cup Final took place recently and Ballyduff AFC came out on top in a 2-1 win over Portlaw United FC. A huge well done to these U10 players, who showed great skill and commitment. Terry Butler is a name which will always be remembered in both clubs as a player, a coach and a solid club man. The club was delighted to be joined by Terry's wife Eleanor and his son Darren on the day, who presented the Terry Butler Cup to Ballyduff captain Mark McCarthy. The Player of the Final award went to Daniel Murphy.
Our community and surrounding areas are coming together to support the Hoban family, who tragically lost their home and belongings in a devastating fire recently. This beautiful family needs immediate support and help and so an iDonate page has been set up for the family, who need clothing and essential items and face temporary accommodation and living costs. Every euro counts, so please give what you can. Please visit the Facebook pages of Ballyduff Lower GAA Club or Ballyduff AFC and scan the QR code or click the link to donate. While you are there, take the time to share the page on your own social media pages and help spread the word. Together we can help.
Our church renovation committee now moves on to Phase 2 of our church renovations. This phase will include upgrades to the storm water drainage system, repairs to the belfry walls and the application of epoxy sealer, along with painting the church internally and externally. To complete these works, the committee is working hard to raise funds for our beautiful church. Our church is a place which holds a connection with our loved ones gone before us and will be a beacon of light for our children and grandchildren. It would be fantastic if it could now be painted inside and out and given the fresh, clean look that it deserves. Donations, however big or small, are always greatly appreciated and the committee would also love to hear of any fundraising ideas you may have. Remember that donations can be given to any committee member, paid by bank transfer to IBAN IE87AIBK93427541618180 or you can simply place them in an envelope marked Church Renovation Fund and place it in the offertory basket at Sunday Mass or hand it into the sacristy.
Ballyduff's club shop is now open for all gear and accessories. Check out the club's Facebook page for all details. Congratulations to the Portlaw/Ballyduff Division 2 players who are Minor Hurling Champions after beating Stradbally in Fraher Field. The team put on a great display of hurling and deserved this win. Congratulations to all the team, coaches and background staff. Recent works at Tom Cheasty Park were completed thanks to €74,000 from the National Lottery Sports Capital Programme. A big thank you to all the local suppliers who worked on this project and lots more exciting improvements are planned for the next round of funding.
People will forget what you said.
People will forget what you did.
But people will never forget how you made them feel.
If you would like to include any news in these notes, please get in contact by Thursday at lunchtime. The email address is spillanelinda2017@gmail.com.
