Local Notes: Grand National celebration, Confirmation, Nons-stop draw and market news
Stradbally Market is an ongoing success.
The Sacrament of Confirmation was celebrated in Stradbally on Monday, March 31, at Holycross Church. Sixty-three candidates received the sacrament including: 27 from Seafield NS; four from St James' NS and 32 from Our Lady of Mercy NS. The celebrant was Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, with Fr Edmond Cullinan PP, also in attendance. The church was beautifully decorated for the occasion and was packed to capacity with parents, teachers, sponsors, and the confirmation candidates. The children provided a lovely choir singing beautiful hymns during the ceremony. Dina Walsh accompanied the choir on the organ. Bishop Cullinan thanked the teachers from the three schools, Mr Doyle, Ms Mitchell, Mr Walsh, and Ms Millar for their preparation and work with all the pupils. Following lots of family photographs, many with the bishop, the families retired to celebrate the happy event for the rest of the day with their children. Congratulations to all those children who received their confirmation.
The 'Holy Places' collection on Good Friday will be taken up at all ceremonies in support of the work of the church in the Holy Land. This includes supporting parishes, schools and hospitals, as well as relief to victims of war. Churches and local people rely on pilgrims who are no longer there because of the war. Please give generously to this cause.
It is getting closer to the start date for the parish draw, which will start just after Easter. The draw costs €20 for 12 weeks. It is the main fundraiser for the parish to raise funds that cover such things as insurance and maintenance. We invite you to support the draw either by joining with a local promoter or becoming a promoter and filling a card yourself. Cards are available at the Sacristy of the three churches after mass at the weekend.
Congratulations to local breeder, Kieran Cotter and the O'Byrne family, The Lodge, former owners of the winning horse, 'Nick Rockett', who won the 2025 Grand National at Aintree on Saturday, April 5. Trained by Willie Mullins with his son Patrick Mullins on board for owner Stewart Andrew and his late wife, at huge odds of 33-1. An emotional and incredible win. Well done also to local jockey Jack Power on winning the 12.55 Mares Handicap Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday, on 'Heather Honey', trained by Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith for owner Mrs S Smith.
The market was held on Saturday outside on the sun filled Square. There were lots of visitors choosing from the great range of fresh fruit and vegetables and lovely fresh bread, scones, tarts, buns, jams and local cards. It was lovely to meet Rev Isobel Jackson and her husband Norman visiting the market, catching up on Stradbally happenings. It is 15 years since they moved from the village to Cork. Rev Isobel is currently Rector and Dean of Newbridge Union and Kildare Parish Group. They are frequent visitors to the village. If you wish to preorder from the market please call Margaret on 087 6337215 just drop by and pick up. The producers will be back again next Saturday at 10am.
