Laragh & Glendalough News Issue 150 - October 2009

Presentation to Fr. Kevin

By now all parishioners should have received their invitation to Father Kevin's farewell gathering. A presentation will take place at 8 pm on Saturday 26th September in Scoil Chaoimhín Naofa. We hope to see as many as possible - everyone is welcome. For further information contact Clare on 0404-45417.
Father Kevin has been asked to be chaplain to the parish of St. Vincent de Paul, Marino while he continues the preparation for the Eucharistic Congress. We thank him for his support and unstinting service over the last four years and wish him well in his new appointment.

Local Artists Art Exhibition

Well done to the five local artists, Hazel McCoy, Jessica Fahy, Margaret Holden, Deborah McCoy and Joe Carter, who exhibited their work for the first time at the Brockagh Centre recently. A huge crowd turned up for the opening night and was 'wowed' by the level of talent of the artists. The artists wish to thank everyone for their support and encouragement.
There will be another Local Artist exhibition on Sunday 11th October (11 am until 4 pm). Please see local press in the coming weeks for details of the artists. We hope to make this a regular event at the Brockagh Centre so if you are interested in exhibiting your work contact Deborah on 0404-45600.

Rural Transport

Little did they know when they were leaving their houses on Friday last that they would make the papers and the news but Della Nolan, Lil Cullen, Sally Miley and Sally Jones appeared on TV3 and in the local and national press as part of the protest to oppose An Bord Snip Nua's recommendation to scrap Wicklow Rural Transport. Users and providers of the rural transport scheme congregated in Avondale House to highlight their opposition to any reduction in the current service. For many people in the local area, particularly older members of the community who do not drive, the Friday service is a lifeline as they can go shopping, to the doctor, chemist and bank. Supporters of the rural transport service plan to keep pressure on the Government to continue the scheme.

First Responder Volunteers

Laragh, Roundwood and Moneystown Community First Responder schemes are in need of more volunteers and are recruiting for the next County Wicklow training session in October. Please contact Stephen on 086-8133154 (Laragh), Marian on 087-2502201 (Roundwood) or Catriona on 086-81384383 (Moneystown). The time you give to the scheme is up to you, and as a member of this group you get the chance to help people in your community. Please support.

Tidy Towns

We improved very, very slightly in the 2009 Tidy Towns Competition - scoring 245 marks. This was an increase of just 2 marks on 2008. A copy of the results can be viewed in the Brockagh Centre and Laragh Post Office.
Our next clean-up is on 3rd October. Meet as usual opposite Lynhams at 11 am. As always, new volunteers would be very welcome.

Hill-Walking

Are you interested in meeting up with a group for hill-walking once a month on a Sunday? All age groups, experienced and novices are welcome to come on a 3 to 4-hour walk. Ideas on routes, etc. are welcome. Contact Ingrid on 0404-45699 for more information. The first walk will take place on Sunday 4th October - please meet outside Lynhams at 11 am.

Death

We offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Charlie Connolly who departed this life recently. We extend our condolences in particular to his wife May, his sister, Nellie, his daughters, Catherine, Colette and Maisie and his son, Patrick. May he rest in peace.

Wicklow Mountains National Park

Nature Trail Guides
As part of the annual National Trails day on Sunday 4th October, Wicklow Mountains National Park is launching a series of nature trail guides to help visitors appreciate the varied natural heritage of Glendalough. Each nature trail guide follows one of the existing and very popular Walking Trails of Glendalough. These nature trail guides will be available free of charge during National Trails Day.
The following nature trail guides can be picked up from the National Park Information Office between 10 am and 5.30 pm on 4th October:
" Nature Trail Guide to the Birds of Glendalough
" Nature Trail Guide to the Trees of Glendalough
" Nature Trail Guide to the Wild Flowers of Glendalough
" Mammal Tracks and Signs
'Mammal Tracks and Signs' has been written with young families in mind. Mammals are much harder to see than birds so it is necessary to go and look for the tracks and signs they leave behind. This guide encourages children to look for remains of hazelnuts eaten by red squirrels and hoof prints of deer.
The other Nature Trail Guides have been written for visitors who would like to identify some of the birds, trees and flowers in Glendalough. The leaflets may be downloaded from www.wicklowmountainsnationalpark.ie
Deer Rut Walk
The hills are full of activity at this time of the year. On Saturday 3rd October you can hike to see the deer rutting as stags fight for hinds. This hike will be off track and is not suitable for children. Hiking boots, rain gear, and a certain level of fitness are essential. Booking is required.
Deer Watch
Take a walk in Glendalough on Saturdays 10th and 17th October and stop en route to see the deer. The National Park staff will have telescopes set up between 11 am and 4 pm with guides on hand to discuss the deer and their ecology. Directions to the telescopes can be obtained at the Information Office. Getting to the scopes will involve a hike but will be along one of the way-marked routes. Please note that participants will not be escorted on the walk. The walk is suitable for all ages and booking is not necessary. Hiking boots and rain gear are recommended.

The above events are free of charge. To book a place or for further information please phone 0404-45656/45425.

St. Kevin's Ladies

The St. Kevin's ladies' soccer dinner dance which was held in the Glendalough Hotel on 12th September was a great success. Player of the Year went to Sammy McCoy, Most Improved Player went to Niamh Gregory and Best Club Member went to Michael Healy. We want to thank all who sponsored raffle prizes and to everybody who came on the night. Well done to all the girls who survived their first league and who will be working hard for the cup next year.

Household Hazardous Waste

On October 17th there will be a collection of household hazardous waste (paint, fertilisers, chemicals, etc.) from Bray Recycling Centre on the Boghall Road (9 am to 2 pm).
On 24th October items may be brought to Colaiste Bhríde, Carnew (9 am to 12 noon) or to the Old VEC car park in Rathdrum (2 to 5 pm). For further details contact the Environmental Awareness Office at 1890-222276.

Goodbye to Father Stephen

A small presentation was made to Father Stephen Ezenwegbu on September 5th to thank him for the generous service he gave to St. Kevin's Parish over the summer months.
We wish him well both in his further studies and in his new position as chaplain to Corpus Christi parish, Drumcondra.

Volunteers Needed

The choir of St. Kevin's Parish is urgently looking for new members - both singers and instrumentalists. Male voices would be particularly appreciated. For more information please contact Angela on 086-3059946.
If your talents do not lie in the musical direction then perhaps you might be prepared to serve the parish as a Eucharistic minister, reader or church cleaner. Contact Clare on 0404-45417 if you are interested in offering your services in any of these areas.

Mobile Library

The mobile library will be in Laragh on Thursdays 8th and 22nd October from 10 am until 12 noon.

The Brockagh Resource Centre

Car Boot Sale
The Car Boot Sale will return on Sunday, October 4th from 11 am. The Car Boot Sale usually takes place on the first Sunday of every month. Vans must be booked in. Refreshments will be available. For further information please contact the Brockagh Centre on 0404-45600.
Glendalough Market and Craft Fair
The Glendalough Market and Craft Fair takes place on the second Sunday of every month. The next fair will take place on October 11th from 11am to 4 pm. As usual there will be lots of food, plants, gift and craft stalls - refreshments will be available and parking and admission are free. Amongst the activities on offer will be 'Angel Card Reading' and 'Blind Healing' (donation only). There will also be an art exhibition. To book a stall phone 0404-45600.
Tuesday Night - Dance Night
As a rule, Tuesday night is dance night from 10pm till late with the Wicklow Man. However, please note that the Wicklow Man will not play on Tuesday 6th October but will play on Wednesday 7th instead.
Saturday Social Dance Nights
Our next social dance nights will take place on Saturday 26th September (with Brian McDermott) and Saturday 31st October (with Jimmy Coyne). Doors will open at 9.30 pm and refreshments will be available.

Baptisms

We extend a very warm welcome to the following children who were baptised in St. Kevin's Church recently: Katie Marie Roche (daughter of Jason and Anne Marie); Daniel Thomas Abraham Doherty-Bester (son of Helen and Paul); Fionn Dermot Kennedy (son of Neil and Angela); Christiana Marie Delamere (daughter of David and Antoinette).

What is Montessori?

The bright and sunny classroom is bustling with activity as the children go about their daily activities. A glance around the room will reveal children busy pouring beans or sewing in the practical life area, cleaning up the snack table after enjoying a snack with a friend, or mixing beautiful paints at the easel. The floor is dotted with children working on the tower of cubes or the long rods on their individual rugs. Insets are being traced, books about animals are being coloured, children are learning their sounds with sandpaper letters or reading to a friend in a quiet corner. Children are using beads for counting, adding or multiplying or they are exploring other cultures and places from the geography folders and jigsaws.
In a Montessori environment, we will teach your child to serve his/her own snack, pour their own drink, to take care of their own needs. Your child will be made aware of the control of body, e.g. if the child picks up a tray of work with one hand and it spills then your child will soon learn to use two hands. This is done in a way without reprimand. It's merely done by example and by making the child use its own cognitive reasoning. What a discovery that is to the child! What a boost to the child's self esteem when the child discovers things from his/her own curiosity! Independence and the reward of doing for oneself is the most important task taken on in a Montessori environment. Praise from within the child's own mind and from their own actions is priceless. They find satisfaction in their own doings, not dependence on someone else telling them they are doing it right or wrong. This age is your child's most curious age. A Montessori environment will challenge and enlighten your child's natural curiosity of their world.
Montessori preschools are fabulous learning environments. All children, whatever their abilities or interests, reach their full potential. Many children learn best in different ways and the equipment is designed for this.
Call Michelle on 086-8543649 to drop in and see for yourself what a Montessori classroom is like at BamBam Play and Learn (ECCE Free Preschool Year available).

The PURE Mile

The PURE mile is an initiative of PURE (Protected Uplands Rural Environment). The organisation is running a competition to keep a mile (1.6 kms) of rural road litter-free with careful maintenance of flora and fauna. Applications must be made on or before 30th September. Details and application forms are available from Ian Davis of PURE at 0404-45547

Active Retirement

The Laragh Glendalough Active Retirement's next lunch date is in Glenmalure on Tuesday 6th October. For queries contact the Brockagh Centre on 0404-45600 or any committee member.

Homeopathy Clinic

This two-weekly service is available by appointment at the Brockagh Centre on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month from 2 to 7 pm. The next clinics will be on 1st and 15th October. The service includes your homeopathic prescription plus support/re-prescription service until you feel better. There is a nominal fee of €15 for short consultations and €40 for longer consultations. To make an appointment, contact Paul Dixon on 086-3091237 or alternatively please e-mail Paul@wicklowhomeopathy.com

An Evening of Angels & Mediumship

An evening of Angels and Mediumship, an audience with Ann O'Connor (Angel Card Reader) and Carol Byrne (Medium), will take place in the Brockagh Resource Centre on Tuesday 6th October at 8 pm. Tickets are priced at €22.50 and are available from Ann's Angels on 053-9174926 or from the Brockagh Centre on 0404-45600.

Harvest Services in St. John's Church

A special harvest thanksgiving service takes place in St. John's, Laragh at 8 pm on Friday, 25th September. A harvest supper will be served in the church afterwards and all are welcome to this traditional service. The Sunday service on 27th September at 9.15 am will also have a harvest thanksgiving theme and will be particularly attractive for families.

Scoil Chaoimhín Naofa

Hello and Goodbye
As the year begins we welcome 'new' pupils and a new teacher to the school. We welcome Liam Atkinson, Jack Conroy, Eric Cullen Murnane, Alanna Delamere, Cian Duffy, Jack Gibbon, Colin Hanlon, Liam Hawkins, Makenzie-Molly Kendellen-Murphy, Elyjah Kinsella, Teagan Scott, Holly Shanks, Sophie Stakem, and Dean White to Junior Infants, Domas Silaikis to Second Class, Ellie Rose Muldowney to First Class and finally, Keelan Gleeson and Marcus Gleeson to Sixth Class.
We are delighted to formally welcome back Múinteoir Rosemary and Múinteoir Kathy. Equally, we are delighted to welcome Ms. Rebecca O Neill to the teaching staff of the school - she replaces Múinteoir Róisín who has returned to teach in Cork. Múinteoir Marian, through Viatores Christi, has volunteered to work in South Africa for the next year. We wish them every success.
After almost 10 years in the school, Lorraine Byrne's position as Special Needs Assistant came to an end in June. We will all miss her greatly among us and wish her well.
Help with Reading
Parental support in the school has been much appreciated over the years. This year we seek volunteers to work in the school; it could mean 15/20 minutes per week to help out with reading in the Junior Classes. We have made this appeal to parents but it is also open to grannies, granddads, neighbours, friends, etc. who might be able to help. If you know of someone, please encourage them to contact the school.
Art Competition Winners
Congratulations to the pupils who won prizes in the Wicklow Co. Co. Environment Art Competition: Amy Poland, Kaitlin O'Toole-McGuinness, Megan Foster and Sally Nolan.
Triple Crown and 6 Nations Cup
The school had the privilege of a visit from the Triple Crown and 6 Nations Cup on Thursday 17th September. Our rugby coach, Neil Short, brought the trophies to the school that morning. Green jerseys replaced the usual blue uniform and faces were painted to celebrate. Great excitement prevailed as each pupil had their photo taken with the trophies; some aware of the significance - others thrilled just to hold a big shiny trophy! Teachers and other visitors to the school were equally delighted to participate in the experience.

Citizens Information

The Citizens Information Centre at the Brockagh Centre is open for information relating to your rights and entitlements from 10 am until noon on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. The next clinics will take place on 6th and 20th October. No appointment is necessary for this free and confidential service.

AA Meetings

Closed AA Meetings (for those with a problem with alcohol) are held in the Brockagh Resource Centre in Laragh at 8.30 pm every Monday night.