Laragh & Glendalough News Issue 141 - December 2008

St. Kevin's Parish

The Christmas arrangements for the parish are as follows:
Wednesday 17th December
Scoil Chaoimhín Naofa Christmas Pageant (in St. Kevin's Church) at 7 pm
Wednesday 24th December (Christmas Eve)
'Midnight' Mass at 9 pm
Thursday 25th December (Christmas Day)
Mass at 9.30 am and 11.30 am
Weekdays (26th December to 1st January)
Mass at 10 am daily
Confessions
Thursday 18th December

Communal Celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, led by Fr. Willie Walshe (Kiltegan), at 8 pm (similar celebrations will be held in Rathdrum on Monday 15th, in Wicklow on Tuesday 16th, in Arklow on Wednesday 17th and in Roundwood on Friday 19th - all at 8 pm)
Saturday 20th December
Individual Confessions 10.30 to 11.30 am
6.00 to 6.45 pm
After Vigil Mass
Wednesday 24th December
Individual Confessions 10.30 to 11.30 am

The Blue Glass Studio

The Blue Glass Studio will be at the Christmas Craft Fair in the Brockagh Resource Centre on Sundays December 7th and 14th.

Santa Claus is coming to Town

On Sunday 14th December Santa will leave Lynham's Car Park at 12 noon and make his way to the Brockagh Centre, in a horse drawn carriage, where he will stay until about 3 pm.

Chernobyl Children Christmas Walk

The 3rd annual Christmas Walk in Glendalough in aid of Chernobyl Children takes place on Sunday 28th December. Hike or walk from the Visitor Centre via one of three routes and return by 4 pm for mulled wine, hot chocolate, mince pies and some traditional music in the Glendalough Hotel. The first hike (a challenging 14km) starts at 11am, the second hike (an intermediate 10km) starts at 12 noon and Route 3, a 3km family walk which is suitable for children and buggies, starts at 2 pm. For further details and sponsorship forms phone Jean on 086-0601418, Robert on 087-9769772 or email jstaceyotoole@yahoo.ie

St. John's Church

The committee of the annual Church of Ireland Parish Supper Dance for Laragh and Rathdrum would like to thank everyone who attended the event on November 21st. A special thanks goes to all who donated raffle prizes, made desserts and helped out in any way. Thanks also to the management and staff of Lynham's Hotel for a great night and to John Flood for the entertainment.
The parishioners of St Johns and their linked parishes were delighted to welcome both their former rector Rev. Olive Henderson and her husband and the incoming rector Canon John McCullagh and his wife Ruth to what was a most enjoyable occasion. The new rector will be instituted at a service in St Saviour's, Rathdrum, on Tuesday 9th December at 8 pm.

We wish all in the community a happy and holy Christmastide and every blessing for 2009.

Christmas Services
Sunday 21st December
10.45 am - School Carol Service in St. Saviour's Church, Rathdrum
Christmas Eve
6 pm - Crib Service in St. Saviour's Church,
11.45 pm - Midnight Service in St. John's Church, Laragh
Christmas Day
10 am - Holy Communion in Glenealy Church
11.30 am - Family Communion in St. Saviour's Church
Sunday 28th December
10.45 am - Parish Carol Service, Glenealy

The Brockagh Resource Centre

The Brockagh Resource Centre wishes to thank all our friends and patrons for their support throughout 2008. We wish you all a Happy, Holy and Peaceful Christmas and New Year and look forward to seeing you all again in 2009. The Centre will close on Tuesday 23rd December and will re-open at 9 am on Monday 5th January, 2009.

Christmas Craft Fairs
The remaining Christmas Craft Fairs take place on Sundays December 7th and 14th. There will be a huge variety of gifts available (over 40 stalls); many are handmade and great value for money! Teas, coffees, veggie wraps, soup, cakes and desserts are also available for those who want to spend a bit of time browsing. Well-known artist, Lance Neal, will be exhibiting his paintings on 14th December. Christmas trees will be available both days and Santa will be arriving by horse and carriage on Sunday 14th, so there will be plenty to suit everyone. Parking and admission are free. Call Colette on 0404-45600 for further details.

Christmas/New Year Arrangements
The Brockagh Centre is delighted to host The Roundwood Variety Group's forthcoming production of 'Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat'. However, there will be some disruption during the rehearsals and production and any activity or class that normally takes place in the hall will not take place during the week beginning 26th January. We wish to thank all groups whose classes will be disrupted for their co-operation.
Badminton will finish for 2008 on Thursday 18th December and will resume on Thursday nights only during January (from the 8th) except for the week beginning 26th January when there will be no badminton. Normal play will resume in February on Monday and Thursday nights.

Line Dancing will finish for Christmas on Wednesday 17th December and will resume on 7th January (at an earlier time of 7 to 8 pm for January only). There will be no line dancing on 28th January. Line dancing will resume its normal time slot of 8 to 9 pm on 4th February.

Ballroom Dancing will resume on Wednesday 4th February. For further details call Deborah on 086-8547322.
Tuesday Night Dance Night will run over the Christmas period - there will be a Christmas Party Night on December 16th. The Wicklow Man will also be playing on 23rd and 30th December. Dance nights will continue as normal every Tuesday night in the new year with the exception of Tuesday 27th January.
Youth Club finishes on Wednesday 17th December and returns on Wednesday 7th January.

Happy Days - Carer & Toddler Group will finish on Wednesday 17th December with an end-of-year party in the hall - all are welcome. Happy Days will resume on Wednesday 7th January.

Yogatree classes finish on Thursday 18th December and start again on 15th January - kids' yoga classes will be back on 22nd January. Don't forget yoga is great for your health, fitness and wellbeing. Contact Hilde at 0404-40000.
Rachael's Yoga will finish on 16th December and will return on Tuesday 13th January with Level 1 (Gentle/Beginners) and Level 2 (Stronger) yoga from 7 pm.

Tae Kwon Do & Kicks - the last class before Christmas is on Friday 19th December - see local press for details of dates when classes will resume. There will be no classes on Tuesday 27th and Friday 30th January.

Adult Disco Jazz - the last morning and evening classes take place on Monday 22nd December. There will be no evening class during the week beginning 26th January. Contact Lyndsay Howard on 085-8113102.

Kids' Dance Classes (with Kate Redmond) will finish on Wednesday 17th December and resume on Wednesday 14th January.

TaiChi/Chi Kung/Meditation - all of these classes (Beginners/Elementary and Intermediate) recommence in the Brockagh Centre in January - dates to be confirmed.

Toddler Music & Movement - the final class before Christmas is on Monday 22nd December.
Children's Ballet finishes on Monday 22nd December. Contact Lindsay Howard on 085-8113102 for post-Christmas arrangements.

Active Retirement/Go for Life - the last session will take place on Tuesday 16th December and will be followed by Christmas lunch in Lynhams. 'Go for Life' will return on Tuesday 3rd February.

Adult Guidance Service

The Adult Guidance service in the Brockagh Centre will resume in the new year on Monday, February 2nd. This careers/education service is free, friendly, confidential, supportive and available to all adults over 18 years of age. For more information or to make an appointment contact Irene Hayden on 086-8061569.

Citizens Information

The Citizens Information Centre at the Brockagh Centre will be open for information relating to your rights and entitlements from 10 am until noon on Tuesdays 2nd and 16th December. The first clinics of the new year will take place on Tuesdays 6th and 20th January. No appointment is necessary for this free and confidential service.

Scoil Chaoimhín Naofa

Hallow'een Disco
The Parents' Association organised a Hallow'een disco for the children in the Brockagh Resource Centre. The children helped to decorate the hall with spooky decorations that they made. Everyone had a fabulous time. A lot of effort and creativity was put into the costumes - congratulations to the prizewinners: Fionn Hayes, Nathan Delamere, Luke Kearney, Andrew Doyle, Lauren Roche, Megan Foster, Kevin Duffy, Emer Lynham and Tiffany Byrne.

Readathon
Well done to all the children who recently took part in the MS Readathon. During October and November the participating children were busy reading books and raising funds for the Irish Multiple Sclerosis Society. They raised over €1000 for this very worthy cause.

Operation Christmas Child
As part of 'Operation Christmas Child', pupils filled shoeboxes with gifts for less fortunate children around the world. The whole school formed a human chain to help load over eighty boxes which will be transported overseas in time to bring Christmas smiles to many children.

Christmas Outings
Junior and Senior Infants are looking forward to Sleeping Beauty while the older classes will see The Snowman in the National Concert Hall.

World Record Breaking 'Big Sing'
Our school choir took part in the 'Big Sing' on Thursday 27th November when they sang Des'ree's song 'You Gotta Be' along with choirs across Ireland and the UK. They broke a world record for the greatest number of children singing the same song at the same time! In doing so they also helped to raise money for Childline and Special Olympics.

Christmas Pageant
We are extending an open invitation to everyone in the community to join with us on Wednesday 17th December at 7 pm for the school's Christmas Pageant in St. Kevin's Church.

Thank You
As 2008 draws to a close, a sincere thank you to all who supported the school during the year. Nollaig faoi shéan is faoi shonas daoibh go léir.

Laragh Ladies Soccer Team

Our new ladies soccer team has been a great success, so if you are interested in getting fit and having fun then call 086-1225786 as we are always looking for new members. We meet every Wednesday evening at 7.50 pm in the football field. Our first match will be played before Christmas - see local press for details.

Mobile Library

The mobile library will be in Laragh from 10 am to noon on Thursdays 4th and 18th December. The 2009 timetable is not yet available - details will be published in the next Newsletter.

Lance Neal Painting Exhibition

There will be an exhibition of paintings by well-known artist, Lance Neal, during the Christmas Craft Fair in the Brockagh Centre (phone 0404-45600) on Sunday 14th December. Born in the U.S. in 1944, Lance began to draw and paint when he was very young and sold his first painting when he was 14 years old. He came to Ireland in 1966 and has lived in Wicklow since. He draws his inspiration from the beauty and harmony of nature, capturing the tranquillity, serenity or turmoil of land and seascapes. Lance feels great art of any kind is never exclusive but binds people together in shared experience. All prints are individually signed by the author.

Wicklow Man Christmas Party

There will be a Christmas Party in the Brockagh Centre on Tuesday 16th December with dancing from 9.30 pm until midnight. Admission is €10. Music will be by the Wicklow Man and there will be spot prizes, food and fun.

Wicklow Mountains National Park

There's more to see in winter than one might imagine. Take a break from the Christmas shopping for a day and join us on Saturday 13th December for a stroll of one to two hours in Glendalough. Participants should wear suitable footwear for venturing off track. Booking is essential and will be taken on 0404-45656/45425 from Saturday 29th November only.

Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Colour Dreamcoat

Roundwood Variety Group is in rehearsals for its forthcoming performance, Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Colour Dreamcoat, which will take place nightly at 8 pm in the Brockagh Resource Centre from Thursday 29th January until Sunday 1st February. There will also be a matinee on Saturday and Sunday at 3 pm. More details in the next Newsletter.

Adventure Sports First Aid

A First Aid course will take place in the Brockagh Centre on 24th, 25th and 31st January 2009. This is a Remote Emergency Care Level 3 course and participants will receive certification from Remote Emergency Care and also receive Irish Heart Foundation defibrillation certification. The cost of the course is €250. For further information contact Pat Reid on 045-866117, or 086-8210349 or e-mail patreid@esatclear.ie

Ashford Christmas Fair

The Christmas Fair for Killiskey Parish, Ashford, will take place on Saturday 6th December (12 to 3pm). Christmas cakes, wreaths, books, toys and refreshments will be on sale.

Glendalough Lead Mine

Glendalough Mining Heritage Committee are currently collecting photos of people who worked at the Glendasan Mine between 1948 and 1957 and are anxious to collect photos of the following:- Audrey Smith, Glendalough; Sean Sweeney, Laragh; James Lawlor, Kilifine; Frederick Lawlor, Kilefine; Patrick O'Maloney, Laragh; James Sullivan, Annamoe; Charles Byrne Jr, Annamoe. If you can help contact Robert at 0404-40147. All photographs will be returned.

Thank you from Graham & Amanda

Graham and Amanda Ward would like to thank everyone who attended their recent birthday party in the Brockagh Centre for all the great gifts. Hayley and Denis would also like to thank everyone who made it such a wonderful day!

Hilltop Treks Christmas

It's that time of year again - Santa's on the way, the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping and all the eating and drinking too much is starting to take its toll! So why not get away from the Christmas madness for a few hours and unwind with a walk in Wicklow? A moderate 3 to 4 hour guided walk of Scar and Lough Dan will take place on Sunday 21st December. We will have a festive theme on this walk with mulled wine and minced pies to help you on your way. The price will be just €25 and it's important to book early as places are limited. For more information email Terry@hilltoptreks.ie, ring Terry on 087-7849599 or visit www.hilltoptreks.ie. Terry will also be back in the new year at the Brockagh Centre with his yoga and walks.

Tidy Towns

Congratulations to the Tidy Towns Committee who received €300 from Wicklow County Council in recognition of effort relating to the Main Street in Laragh. Margaret Bolton accepted the award at a recent presentation.

Musical Theatre for Children

Musical Theatre/Singing Workshops for kids will be held at the Brockagh Centre each Saturday in December from 2 to 5 pm; classes will be divided by age. So if you want to have fun and enjoy singing, from chart songs to great musicals, look no further! The workshops will be facilitated by Leslie Dowdall and Honor Heffernan, both of whom are well known in the music industry. For more information call 086-3378473.

Laragh GFC

We had a large turnout at our dinner dance last Friday night. County Board representative, Victor O'Shaughnessy, appealed to young people to stay away from drink and drugs and instead get their buzz from donning the Laragh jersey and playing the game. Club chairman, Richard Cullen, thanked all who attended and Lynhams for providing an excellent meal. He also spoke of the great tradition in Laragh for the game stretching back over 100 years and the hope that it will continue for many more years. This year's Club Person of the Year went to Brian Windsor and Footballer of the Year went to Brendan Ward. Medals were presented to the team as winners of the Carter Cup.