Laragh & Glendalough News Issue 152 - December 2009

St. Kevin's Parish

The Christmas arrangements for the parish are as follows:
Thursday 24th December (Christmas Eve)
'Midnight' Mass at 9 pm
Friday 25th December (Christmas Day)
Mass at 9.30 am and 11.30 am
Saturday 26th December
Mass at 10 am and 7 pm
Sunday 27th December
Mass at 9.30 am and 11.30 am
Friday 1st January (New Year's Day)
Mass at 9 am and 7 pm
Confessions
Thursday 17th December (at 8 pm)
Communal Celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, led by Fr. Willie Walshe (Kiltegan). Similar celebrations will be held in Rathnew (Monday 14th at 7.30 pm) and at 8pm in Rathdrum (Monday 14th), Wicklow (Tuesday 15th), Arklow (Wednesday 16th) and Roundwood (Friday 18th).
Saturday 19th December
Individual Confessions from 10.30 to 11.30am, 6 to 6.45pm and after the Vigil Mass
Thursday 24th December
Individual Confessions after 9 am Mass and from 3 to 4 pm

Santa Claus is coming to Town

On Sunday 13th December Santa will leave Lynham's Car Park at 12 noon and make his way to the Brockagh Centre, by horse drawn carriage, where he will stay until about 3 pm. This event is organised by Laragh Foróige Youth Club.

Chernobyl Children Christmas Walk

The 4th annual Christmas Walk in Glendalough in aid of Chernobyl Children takes place on Monday 28th December. Hike or walk via one of three routes through Glendalough and then return for mulled wine, mince pies, hot chocolate and traditional music at the Glendalough Hotel. Walks start from 11 am, returning to the hotel by 4 pm for some well earned Christmas cheer. Route 1 is a 14km, challenging hike starting at 11am. Route 2 is a 10km, intermediate hike starting at 11.30 am and Route 3 is a 3km, family walk which is suitable for children and buggies and starts at 2.30 pm. All welcome - please come and join us. For further details and sponsorship forms contact Jean on 086-0601418 or Robert on 087-9769772; you can also email jstaceyotoole@yahoo.ie

St. John's Church

Supper Dance
The parish is extremely grateful for the widespread support for its recent parish supper dance and for the excellent hospitality provided by the staff of Lynham's Hotel. The funds raised will assist with the ongoing programme of refurbishing the parish church.
Christmas Services
Sunday 13th December
7 pm - Blue Christmas Service in Glenealy*
Sunday 20th December
6 pm - School Carol Service in Rathdrum
Christmas Eve
6 pm - Crib Service in Rathdrum
11.45 pm - First Eucharist of Christmas, Glenealy Parish Church
Christmas Day
9.15 am - Laragh Festival Eucharist
10.45 am - Rathdrum Family Service
Sunday 27th December
10.45 am - United Parish Carol Service, Rathdrum
N.B. St John's has the usual Sunday service each week at 9.15 am.
*This is a reflective service for people who find Christmas can be lonely or painful as they think of those who used to share the festival with them.

Birth

Congratulations to Ciaron and Claire Redden O'Neill on the birth of their baby boy, Darragh, on 27th September 2009.

Scoil Chaoimhín Naofa

Knitting
Pupils in Rang 3 and 4 are beginning some exciting knitting projects. The knitting skills of anyone interested in assisting the class would be greatly appreciated. It involves working with a small group of children on a Friday between 1.30 and 2.30 pm. Please contact the school if you are available. Needles and wool provided!
Operation Christmas Child
Many thanks go to all who participated in this wonderful cause for children less fortunate than us in countries all over the world. A fantastic 97 boxes were delivered to the depot. We are delighted that a little bit of Christmas cheer will come from Glendalough again this year!
Thank you
A big thank you to Caroline - a parent who donated a wonderful array of books, jigsaws and games to the school and also to a dad, Dominic, who donated lovely bulbs - we look forward to a colourful display in the spring.
Beannachtaí na Féile
Nollaig Shona agus athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh. The staff and pupils of the school would like to wish all a very Happy Christmas and every success for 2010.

St. Laurence O'Toole's Feast Day

The return of Fr. Sean O'Toole for the Feast of St. Laurence brought many happy memories to the community. Parishioners of St. Kevin's were very glad to welcome parishioners of St. John's and their rector, Canon John McCullagh, to the celebration. Special thanks go to Sr. Genevieve for presenting such a great insight into the life of St. Laurence and to all those who provided the refreshments in the Coach House afterwards.

Osteoporosis Talk

A very interesting information morning with Marion O'Neill from the Irish Osteoporosis Society took place recently in the Brockagh Centre. The disease affects all age groups and both sexes and 1 in 5 men and 1 in 2 women over 50 will develop a fracture due to osteoporosis. If you have any queries regarding osteoporosis you can lo-call 1890-252751 or speak to your doctor about a DXA scan which can diagnose it. Exercise and Vitamin D play an important part in helping to reduce the risk. If you wish to find out about suitable exercise classes ring Bernadette in the Brockagh Centre on 0404-45600.

Adult Guidance Service

The next Adult Guidance service will take place in the Brockagh Centre on Monday 7th December (11 am to 1 pm). There will be no Adult Guidance Service in January but the service will resume on Monday February 1st. This careers/education service is free, friendly, confidential, supportive and available to all adults over 18 years of age. For more details contact Irene Hayden on 086-8061569.

Death of Vera Pettigrew

The parishioners of St. John's learnt with deep sadness of the death of Vera on November 17th. She had come to the Rectory in Annamoe with a young family when her husband Stanley was appointed as Rector of Calary and Derralossary and soon made her mark in the local community where she is remembered with affection. She reciprocated that regard in her lovingly observed memoir of those years. A generation of schoolchildren will also remember the exploits of 'Fionuala the Glendalough Goat'. We extend our sympathy and the assurance of our prayers to her husband and their children Judith, John and Michael and all the family circle.
When Canon Pettigrew was appointed as rector of Wicklow parish, Derralossary and Calary were disjointed and Derralossary (Laragh) was joined to Rathdrum and Glenealy.

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 Tuesday 15th December. The first clinic of 2010 will take place on Tuesday 19th January. Clinics will continue thereafter as usual on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. No appointment is necessary for this free and confidential service.

Golf Society Quiz

How well do you remember the past year? Have you been paying attention in 2009? If so, you should go to Lynhams on Friday 4th December where Glendalough Golf Society is holding a Table Quiz. All questions are based on news, sports, TV, movies and music from 2009. Excellent prizes are up for grabs and a great night is guaranteed. The entry fee is €40 per team of 4.

The Brockagh Res

ource Centre

The Brockagh Resource Centre wishes to thank all friends and patrons for their support throughout 2009. We wish you all a Happy, Holy and Peaceful Christmas and New Year and look forward to seeing you all again in 2010.
The Centre will close at lunchtime on Wednesday 23rd December and will re-open from Tuesday 5th January - please call 0404-45600 to check opening times.
Christmas Craft Fairs
Remember to shop local this season and give your support to the remaining Christmas Craft Fairs which take place on Sundays December 6th and 13th. There will be a huge variety of gifts available (over 40 stalls) - many are handmade and great value for money! Teas, coffees, soup, cakes and desserts are also on offer for those who want to spend a bit of time browsing. There will be an art exhibition in the main hall on Sunday 6th - Deborah McCoy (wildlife), Pat Conroy (castles and dragons) and Ann and Stanley Hollinshead (landscapes). Etain Feeley, Dublin-based landscape artist, will be exhibiting on 13th December. Inbhear Mór Marching Band will be here from 12.30 until 2 pm on Sunday 13th and Santa will also arrive by horse and carriage shortly after noon. Parking and admission are free. Call 0404-45600 for further details.
The Wicklow Man
The Wicklow Man will play on Tuesday 22nd December as normal but he will not be here on Tuesday 29th December. Instead he will play on Friday January 1st from 9.30 pm until late before resuming his usual Tuesday slot on 5th January.
Christmas and New Year Arrangements
Please note that because of the staging of 'Oliver' some classes may not take place in the week commencing 25th January.
eXtra eXercise on a Monday morning finishes on 7th December and will return on 1st February at 11am. Contact Valerie on 087-6319667.
Badminton finishes on Thursday 17th December and will resume on Thursdays only in January (from January 7th). There will be no badminton on 25th and 28th January.
Youth Club finishes on Monday 14th December and returns on 11th January from 8 to 9.30 pm. Contact Margaret on 086-8479761.
Tae Kwon Do will finish on Friday 18th December and return on Tuesday 5th January. Please note that there will be no Tae Kwon Do on Tuesday 26th and Friday 29th January. Go for Life/Active Retirement will finish on 15th December with a Christmas lunch and will return on Tuesday 2nd February.
Rachel's Tuesday Night Yoga will finish on 15th December and return on Tuesday 12th January. Contact Rachel on 087-3161446.
Kicks Boxercise class will finish on Tuesday 15th December and return on Tuesday 5th January. There will be no class on Tuesday 26th January.
Happy Days Carer & Toddler Group finishes on 16th December and returns on Wednesday 13th January. Contact Elaine on 087-9289831.
Kate's Elevation Dance will finish on Wednesday 9th December and return on 13th January. Contact Kate on 086-8256775.
Viva's Wednesday Night Yoga will finish on 16th December and return on 13th January. Contact 0404-40000.
Line Dancing will finish on 16th December and return on January 6th.
Hilde's Advanced Thursday Morning Yoga will finish on Thursday 17th December and return on 14th January. Contact 0404-40000.
Children's Ballet will finish on Thursday 17th December and return on Thursday January 14th. Contact Lyndsay on 085-8113102.
New Classes for 2010
Children's Art Classes If there is sufficient demand art classes for 4 and 5 year olds may be held on Monday or Tuesday afternoon. If you are interested please contact us on 0404-45600 to book your child's place.
Stitching & Sewing If you would like to make your own clothes and update your wardrobe or learn or improve your sewing machine skills then please register your interest now with the Brockagh Centre on 0404-45600.
Drawing Classes This six-week course would suit people who have some drawing experience and wish to develop their ideas further. The cost is €15 per class. Courses may be held mornings and evenings depending on demand. For further details contact the Centre on 0404-45600.
Easy & Gentle Yoga Two gentle yoga classes take place on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. They are suitable for all ages and abilities and are particularly suited for the newcomer to yoga.

AA Meetings

Closed AA Meetings (for those with a problem with alcohol) will continue in the Brockagh Centre every Monday night at 8.30 pm over the Christmas and New Year period.

Laragh IT

The timetable for new IT classes will be out soon - look out for classes for Absolute Beginners (from turning on the computer), Improvers, Pre-ECDL and ECDL as well as Introduction to Photo-editing and Internet & E-mail.

Oliver

Roundwood Variety Group is in rehearsals for its forthcoming performance, Oliver, which will take place nightly at 8 pm in the Brockagh Resource Centre from Thursday 28th January until Sunday 31st January. There will also be a matinee on Saturday and Sunday at 3 pm.

Mobile Library

The mobile library will be in Laragh on Thursdays 3rd and 17th December from 10 am until 12 noon. Details of the 2010 timetable will be published next month.

Create a CV for Free

Are you unemployed and in need of help to prepare a CV or search the internet for jobs? Would you like a one to one with a career guidance tutor? Call Deborah at the Brockagh Centre on 0404-45600 for an appointment. This service is free. Many thanks go to the DSFA and Wicklow VEC for funding this opportunity.

Active Retirement Lunch

The Active Retirement lunch on 8th December has been cancelled and a Christmas lunch will take place on Tuesday 15th December in the Glendalough Hotel instead. There will be entertainment and prizes. Contact any committee member or the Brockagh Centre for details.

Laragh GFC

The Laragh club and his many friends were greatly saddened at the death of Jimmy Conway. Jimmy was a former club secretary and won a Minor Football Championship with Newtown in 1969. He scored 2.1 that day against Dunlavin. Three years later he won an Intermediate Championship with Laragh when they beat Valleymount. He was back again for his third championship medal in 1976 when Laragh beat Blessington in the Junior football final. He was a talented free-taker and won many a game for Laragh with his accuracy. Another great love of his was music. He will be remembered by all for the times he played with the Laragh Lads and gave us many happy hours of entertainment.
Jimmy will be sadly missed by all who knew him. We in the Laragh Club would like to extend our sincere sympathy to his wife Marie, sons Morgan, Johnny and Tony, daughters Ashling and Grace, brother Eugene, sister Imelda and his extended family. May he rest in peace.

Baptisms

We extend a very warm welcome to the following children who were baptised in St. Kevin's Church recently: Kevin Dominick Healy (son of Peter and Jurga); Mia Siobhain Hamilton (daughter of Gary and Marie); Caoil Fhinn Marie Stephens (son of Niall and Una).

Marriage

Congratulations to Colette Healy and John Gaffney who were married in St. Kevin's Church on November 19th. We wish them much happiness in their lives together.

Cut This Out

And Stick It on Your Fridge
'My Rhythms Body Movement Dance' sessions will take place at the Brockagh Centre on Saturday 16th January 2010 from 7.30 to 10 pm. You will be sure to de-stress your tired body, have fun, energise yourself, meet new people and come away with your batteries recharged. Where else could you get so much for so little ….. all this for a mere €5. For more information please contact Sherron on 086- 8788311.

Scenic Wicklow

The Glendalough Gallery in the Brockagh Resource Centre is delighted to exhibit the works of landscape artist Etain Feeley from Friday 11th December until Sunday 13th December. The exhibition entitled 'Scenic Wicklow - A Retrospective', will be officially opened by Mary White TD on Friday 11th at 8 pm. There will also be a poetry recital by Martin Swords. For further details contact the Centre on 0404-45600.