Laragh & Glendalough News Issue133 - April 2008

Choral Concert

Then NUI Maynooth Chamber Choir was established in 1982 and has since gained recognition as one of Ireland's leading university choirs. Currently the choir has many engagements with concerts and competitions and is also preparing for an upcoming trip to Paris in June where it will be performing in several different venues.

The choir will be performing in St. Kevin's Church, Glendalough at 8 o' clock on the 29th of March. They will be singing a selection of sacred motets ranging from early tudor style to later Romantic and Contemporary works by composers such as Byrd, Tallis, Bruckner, and Part. A collection will be taken at the end of the concert for charity.

Dinner Dance

Annamoe Community Development is having a Dinner Dance on Friday 28th of March at 8.30p.m in the Glendalough Hotel. The music will be by the Wicklow Man and tickets are €25 each.

Bealtaine Festival 2008

There are lots of events planned for this year's Bealtaine Festival which celebrates creativity in older age. The highlights of the festival are Mick Lally's appearance on the aftenoon of Saturday 10th May and the appearance of Johnny McEvoy on Saturday night 24th May. These two events in the Brockagh Centre are being run in association with Wicklow Arts Office.

On Friday 2nd May we are invited to Conary to join Pat Nolan and Co. for the screening of highly acclaimed film "Grow Your Own". On Saturday 3rd May there will be a Dance Night at the Brockagh Resource Centr. On Tuesday 6th May Declan Lynch will entertain us in Brockagh Centre with an extract from his hilarious book "The Poor Ould Fella" and we hope to be joined by our friends from Avoca on that day. For all you technophobes there will be a demonstration on Tuesday 13th of May on how to use you mobile phone - this should prove to be very interesting and popular.

These are lots more events planned such as a mini treasure hunt and picnic in Glendalough, a walking trip, a social morning with someof the children from St. Kevin's National School, an art exhibition and much more. All the activities have been organised by Lucy and Valerie from the Laragh/Glendalough Activer Retirement Association in conjunction with the Brockagh Centre. Phone Bernadette/Pauline in the Brockagh Centre on 0404-45600 (after 31st March) for further or for booking.

Shopping Trip

The shopping trip this month is on Saturday March 29th - we are going to Gorey. Please contact Mick Dunbar on 087-8176630 on or before Thursday 27th March to confirm your place. Space is limited so be sure to book early. Many thanks to Wicklow Rural Transport for providing this service.

Variety Performance

On Saturday April 5th at 8pm a talented group of young peopl (14 to 17 years) from Peacehaven in the U.K. will be performing in the Brockagh Centre with special guests Innovations Theatre School from Avoca. There will be song, dance, drama and lots more, so make sure not to miss it.

Laragh Youth Club

Laragh Youth Club would like to thank the Laragh Lads for the great fundraising night that was held recently in Lynhams. The winner of the cash prize was Caroline Murphy. The Youth Club would also like to thank all the ticket sellers and all who donated prizes for the raffle and auction as well as everyone who supported the fundraiser on the night.

Deer Society Exhibition

On Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th April there will be an exhibition of Deer Heads in the Brockagh Resource Centre. Irish Deer Society members value the countryside of Ireland and all its wildlife and regard the 3 species of deer as part of our heritage. We are devoted to improving the welfare of wild deer in Ireland.

The Brockagh Resource Centre

Car Boot Sale

The next Car Boot sale will take place on Sunday April 6th from 11am. Subsequent Car Boot Sales will take place on the first Sunday of every month. For further information contac that Brockagh Resource Centre on 0404-45600.

County Market & Craft Fair

The Glendalough Market and Craft Fair will be back on Sunday 13th April from 11am to 4 pm. This market takes place on the second Sunday of every month. New stall holders are always welcome (€30 per stall). Parking and admission are free. Home-Baking, preserves, plants, pottery, jewellery and much more will be on offer and refreshments will also be available. If you would like to book a stall phone 0404-45600.

Tuesday Night - Dance Night

Remember that Tuesday night is dance night at the Brockagh Centre from 10 pm till late with the Wicklow Man.

Happy Days

Happy Days drop-in for under 7's and their carers takes place on Wednesday mornings from 10.30am till 12 noon. Happy Days is about adults and children coming together to have fun and to support one another (no meeting when primary schools are on holiday or the week containing a bank holiday) All are welcome. For further information details call Caroline Stacey on 086-6045434.

Smile for You

Discover Tai Chi at the Brockagh Centre. Would you like to fell relaxed less tense and more vibrant; more effective in you daily life; more in tune with your surroundings? Would you like to have more fufilling and peaceful relationships with family, friends and work colleagues? If so, what not come to a weekly class and be introduced to an age-old, tried and tested method. Weekly classes in Tai Chi( Chi Kung Meditation) will be held starting on Monday 14th April from 7pm. This date is also an open night for newcomers or for anyone who would like to try it out - the introductory offer for one evening is €10. For further information or to book your place call Heather on 087-2383888.

Art Exhibition with Robert Steenson

There will be an art exhibition by Irish artist Robert Steenson on Sunday April 13th from 11am until 4.30 pm at the Brockagh Resource Centre in Laragh. Robert comes from county Down and his work has been sold not only in Ireland but in the USA, Canada, the UK and Europe. He paints with oils and acrylic on canvas and reclaimed slate. His subjects range from historical buildings to Irish landscapes including dolmens. A range of his work can be viewed and purchased at the forthcoming exhibition.

Adult Guidance Service

Co. Wicklow Adult Guidance Service, a project of Co. Wicklow VEC, has launched a new outreach guidance service to the Brockagh Resource Centre. This facility is free, friendly, confidential and surpportive and is available to all adults over 18 years of age. Services provided include one-to-one career/education guidance, information on all local/national courses and on education grants, rights and entitlements, preparation and interview skills. Irene Hayden, Guidance Counsellor, will be available in the Centre from 11 am until 1 pm on Monday 7th April. To make an appointment contact Irene on (086) 8061569.

Knock Trip

There will be a bus trip to Knock on June 15th from Laragh and Roundwood. The bus will leave at 7.30 am and arrive back at 9 pm. A maximum of 50 people can travel. The trip is organised by Charlie Connnelly, Susie O'Neill and Sally Miley and costs €25 - you can pay on the bus.

Death

We wish to extend our sincere sympathy to the family of Peter Paul Murray, Drummin, Laragh East. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time. May he rest in peace.

National Employment Rights Authority

The National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) was established under the Social Partnership Agreement "Towards 2016" to achieve a national culture of employement rights compliance. NERA provides information to employees and employers through its information unit, monitors employment conditions through its labour inspectorate and can enforce compliance and seek redress. Its remit covers many aspects of employment rights including wages, annual leave, working hours, redundancy, dismissal, and notice. Detailed information on employment rights can now be obtained by:

Visiting www.employmentrights.ie
eMailing info@employmentrights.ie
phoning: 1890-808090 or 059-9178990

If you would like to find out more you can also visit the Citizens' Information Centre at the Brockagh Resource Centre. This completely free and confidential service is open to the public from 10 am until 12 noon on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. It can provide you with information on your rights and entitlements on topics as diverse as social welfare, family law and healthcare. The next clinics will be held on 1st and 15th April. No appointment is necessary.

Yoga, Poetry in Motion

"If the mind, that rules the body, ever so far forgets itself as to trample on its slave, the slave is never generous enough to forgive the injury, but will rise and smite the oppressor." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

If your good intentions to get more excercise, eat well and take a positive steps to reduce stress have slipped (or have stayed only intentions) then spring is an ideal time to make a fresh start as nature does every year. Join us in a yoga class and set off on your personal journey towards optimum health and wellbeing.

Yogatree's classes for people of all ages resume after Easter at several venues in the county. On Thursdays we are at the Brockagh Centre in Laragh. Pick up a flyer at reception in the Centre with details or call us on 0404-40000. Sign up for the six weeks term of yoga to get a discount: shame-off stress and shape-up before the summer. Both men and women are welcome, as are those of you who would like to do some yoga during pregnancy. Call in advance so that we can find you a place in a class that would meet your needs at the suitable venue and time.

Children's yoga classes take place in Moneystown as well as the Brockagh Centre.

Men's Health Workshop

Gentlemen, come along and discover yourselves. Sam Rao will be sharing his knowledge, expertise and insights for maintaining health and well-being at this one-day Wellness Workshop in THerapeutic Yoga for Men. Sam is in his 60's and would put most men half his age to shame with his enthusiasm and vibrant health! Dare to do it!

All levels of ability will be welcome. His theme for the day is simple and empowering: 'My health , My Responsibility'. Only men are welcome! The event will take place on Saturday 12th April at Moneystown National School; the day includes a delicious organic lunch prepared by yogi chef Jennie Keogh at Yogatree.

Enquires/bookings: call Emer or Hilde on 0404-40000 or email: info@yogatreeireland.ie

Household Hazardous Waste

Householders wishing to dispose of hazardous waste (paint, fertilisers, chemicals, cleaning, agents, etc) should note the dates of the next quarterly collections in the county. On April 19th, between 9 am and 1 pm, there will be a collection from Rampere Landfill & Recycling Centre, Baltinglass, and there will also be a collection from Blessington Council Depot between 2.30 pm and 5 pm. On the 26th of April items may be bought to the Avoca Recycling Centre (10 am to 1 pm) or to the Old VEC car park Rathdrum (2 pm to 5 pm). For further details contact the Environmental Awareness Office at 1890-222276.

Daffodil Day

A big thank-you to everyone who contributed to the Irish Cancer Society's annual Daffodil Day which raised €152 locally. The money collected helps to provide free nursing and cancer information services

National Spring Clean

Now in its 10th Year, National Spring Clean is Ireland's biggest anti-litter campaign. National Spring Clean encourages people from all walks of life to take pride in their local environment and to throughout the whole month of April.

You can get involved on a individual basis by choosing an area near by to clean-up or you can come along to one of the regular events organised by the Laragh/Glendalough Tidy Towns committee. Clean-ups take place on the first Saturday of every month - the next one will start at 11 am on Saturday 5th April. If you have even on hour to spare we would be delighted if you joined us at our usual spot on the green opposite Lynham's Hotel.

Get Well Wishes

We send our very best wishes to Penny Kelleher and hope that she will make a full and fast recovery.

Brainwave

Thanks to everyone who contributed so generously to the recent church door collection for Brainwave - The Irish Epilepsy Association. The collection raised €439.67. Many thanks also to the collectors. The Community Epilepsy Specialist Nurse (CESN) can be contacted from 9.30 am to 1 pm on the telephone helpline (01) 4554133.

Mobile Libarary

The mobile library will be back in Laragh between 10 am and 12 noon on Thursday April 10th and Thursday April 24th.

Czech Twinning Project

As reported in the January-February newsletter, the community and area of Laragh/Glendalough has be formally twinned with the community and area of Otrocineves, a small village in the Czech Republic. Our visits so far have been extremely successful and preparations are once more under way to welcome our Czech friends - some old, some new - who will be visiting on St. Kevin's weekend I.e. 29th May to 3rd June. A programme of events associated with the visit will be published in next month's newsletter. Anyone who is interested in gettingin involved with the visit or indeed with the whole twinnning programme should contact Brendan at 0404-45167

Laragh GFC

Win Over Avondale

We are back in Division 2 after break of 14 years and we celebrated in style with a good win over Avondale in the League.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Craig McCoy, Steve Olohan and Stephen O' Neill who are all on the Avondale Community College team that won the Leinster Championship recently.

Best Wishes

We would like to wish Thomas Cullen a very speedy recovery

Juveniles

Laragh Juvenile GAA training commenced on Wednesday 26th of March at Laragh GAA football pitch. The hour's training starts at 7 pm. This training is for Under 8's, Under 10's and Under 12's. Any young person who wishes to play but has not yet registered is still welcome.

Table Quiz

The club is also hosting a table quiz as one of this year's fundraisers. It will take place at 8 pm on May 1st in Lynhams Hotel. More details will be available closer to the date.

Kitten Found

Have you lost a kitten? A female that has been recently spayed was found wandering in Glendalough on Saturday March 14th. She is black with tan markings and was wering a collar with a bell. She is currently being cared for at 8 Mountview, laragh. If you are the owner , or can help in tracing the owner, please call Eily or Arthur on 0404-45634.