Laragh & Glendalough News Issue 153 - Jan-Feb 2010

Scoil Chaoimhín Naofa

Children Helping Children in Haiti
The pupils will be fundraising for the survivors of the Haiti earthquake in two ways in the coming week.
The word HAITI will be spelt out on the floor of the school hall and we aim to fill the letters with coins - so check the glove compartments or back of the couch for loose change. The hall will be open between 1.15 and 1.45 pm and 2.20 and 2.45 pm from Monday 25th to Friday 29th so come along and add a coin to help the country.
St. Brigid's crosses, handmade by the pupils, will be sold through the school and in some local premises for €2 each. All proceeds will go to help the above.
Adult help is needed with this activity and parents or local people are asked to come to the school hall from 1.30 pm on Tuesday 26th, Wednesday 27th or Thursday 28th to lend a hand. No expertise is needed - training provided on the job! Your support would be really appreciated.
Google Competition Winners
Once again we are delighted to have 3 regional finalists in the Doodle 4 Google My Future Competition. Congratulations to Emily Gibbon (2nd), Kevin Duffy (5th) and Indi St. Clair Kenny (1st). These winners will go forward to a public vote for the final stage which we hope you will support. Further details will follow.
Enrolment Application Forms
Enrolment application forms for September 2010 will be issued on Friday 27th January. If you are expecting one and do not receive it shortly after that please contact the school office on 0404-45460. If you wish to enrol children for September 2010 and have not already contacted the school you should do so as soon as possible.

Staff Reunion Glendalough Hotel

There will be a Reunion Party for past and present staff of the Glendalough Hotel on 30th January. The cost is €25 per person for food and entertainment. There is also a special B&B rate of €30 per person on the night, i.e. a total of €55. Contact the hotel for details on 45135 as soon as possible. The night will start with drinks in the hotel bar at 7 pm. This event is open to locals as well as staff - it only happens about once every twenty years, so don't miss it!

Senior Citizens Raffle

The results of the raffle are given below. Thank you for your support.
1st Prize William Farrington
2nd Prize Claire Walsh (Wexford)
3rd Prize Annette Turner
4th Prize Deirdre Lynham
5th Prize Marie Cowman
6th Prize Niamh Kinlan

Beechwood Deliveries

We would like to thank Pauline Fahy for organising the monthly delivery of this newsletter in the Beechwood area for many years. Pauline has moved house recently and a replacement is urgently required. If you would be prepared to take on this role please contact Pauline (0404-45600) or Nuala (0404-45167).

Clothes Bank for Laragh

Please bring your clean but unwanted clothes, towels, sheets, shoes, etc. to the new ISPCC Clothes Bank behind the Brockagh Centre. Recycling banks for glass bottles and aluminium cans are also available on the same site.

Chernobyl Children Christmas Walk

Many thanks to everyone who supported the annual Chernobyl Christmas Walk on December 28th. A special thank you goes to Christopher Stacey and Robert Farrelly, the main organisers of the walk; to Pat Casey and the staff of the Glendalough Hotel; and to Comhaltas members from Roundwood and Bray. The sum of €2,646 was raised and all the proceeds go to keeping children in foster care in Belarus. Don't forget to put the date in your diary for next year.

St. John's Church

There will be Holy Communion in St John's at 7.30 pm on Ash Wednesday, 17th February.

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 Tuesdays 2nd and 16th February. No appointment is necessary for this free and confidential service.

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.
This year we will have two sets of Olivers and Dodgers who will do three shows each. We have a huge cast with a big chorus of women, teenagers, pit singers, veterans and newcomers. Aisling Doyle will again take on the role of director and choreographer and Jackie Curran-Olohan is back in her role as musical director. The industrious sound, lighting, backstage and front-of-house people and the hard-working parents will be on hand as always to bring our show to its usual high standard. Thanks go to the Brockagh Centre for its co-operation and the use of its excellent facilities.
Tickets cost €15 and can be booked by telephoning the Variety Group contact number at 086-2451829. Booking early is essential - in previous years our shows have been sell-outs.

Code of Ethics in Sport

Wicklow Local Sports Partnership is organizing a workshop in the Brockagh Centre on Basic Awareness in Code of Ethics on Wednesday 17th February from 6.30 to 10.30 pm. For further information call the Local Sports Partnership on 01-2878184.

My Rhythms Dance Session

The next 'My Rhythms Body Movement Dance' session at the Brockagh Centre will take place on Saturday 20th February 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. The cover charge is only €5. The first half hour is for stretching and warm-up. Tell all your friends. Loose clothing is advisable - bring your own refreshments but no alcohol. For more information or to be included on a mailing list for future dates contact Sherron on 086 - 8788311.

Healthy Food Made Easy

Healthy Food Made Easy is a free 4 week 2-hour programme especially for the over 55s. It is a fun course where you learn about nutrition and cooking with practical cookery demonstrations and you get a chance to try out the recipe. If you are interested please contact the Brockagh Centre on 0404-45600 as we need 12 participants in order to be able to run this course in March.

Go for Life/Active Retirement

Go for Life/Active Retirement will be back in the Brockagh Centre on Tuesday 2nd February at 11am. All are welcome for some light exercise, a bit of fun and a cuppa.
Tuesday Transport
If there is anybody who would like to come along on Tuesday morning but cannot get there due to lack of transport etc. please contact Bernadette at the Brockagh Centre on 0404-45600.
Active Retirement Lunch
The next date for the Active Retirement lunch is Tuesday 2nd February in the Wicklow Heather.

Adult Guidance Service

The next Adult Career Guidance service will take place in the Brockagh Centre on Monday 1st February from 11 am until 1 pm. This careers/education service is free, friendly, confidential, supportive and available to all adults over 18 years of age. For more information contact Irene on 086-8061569.

Table Quiz

Wicklow Lions Club is holding a table quiz in the Leitrim Lounge, Wicklow Town, on Thursday 18th February at 8.30 pm. The cost is €30 per table of four. Proceeds go to the Wicklow Branch of the Diabetes Federation and Wicklow Arts Festival.

Czech Twinning Trip

Our Czech twinning partners are very anxious that we visit in spring or early summer this year. The trip is open to everyone in the area - new participants are very welcome. There will be a meeting to discuss possible dates at 8.30 pm on Monday 8th February in the Glendalough Hotel.

The Brockagh Resource Centre

The Brockagh Resource Centre wishes all friends and patrons a Happy New Year. Thank you for your support throughout 2009 and we look forward to your continued support in 2010. We have enclosed the Brockagh 2010 Bulletin with details of all our courses, classes and regular activities. We have also included details of some new classes that we hope to be able to offer e.g. Stitching & Sewing with Aisling Noone, Mountain Skills Training with Christopher Stacey and Transformation Meditation.
Car Boot Sale
The next Car Boot Sale will take place on Sunday 7th February from 11 am until 4 pm. Vans must be booked in. Contact the Brockagh Centre on 0404-45600.
Country & Craft Market
The next Country & Craft Market will take place on Sunday 14th March from 11 am until 4 pm. Contact Colette on 0404-45600.

Dancing the Rainbow

Dancing the Rainbow classes aim to be a creative and movement experience that focus on the energy flow in the body and use the ancient system of the chakras to promote awareness of where the energy may be over or under-active. The aim is to encourage the practice of deep embodied relaxation while also encouraging a stronger energy flow within the body - thus increasing overall health and vitality. They are also a fun way to exercise and relax.
The classes are 1½ hrs long and will take place in the Brockagh Centre over an 8-week period (dates and times to be confirmed depending on interest). For further information please call Joanne Boyle on 086-8452640.

Death

Terry Cunnington died on 23rd December. Terry lived in Laragh for many years having previously been in the transport business in Jersey and served in the navy. Prayerful sympathy goes to his wife Breda and daughter Sheena. Fr. Oliver shared in the funeral service in St John's.

Deal or No Deal

If you are over 18 and would like to be part of the audience for the above show you can book both your free ticket and a place on the free bus to Ardmore Studios by phoning the Brockagh Centre on 0404-45600. There is a prize of €500 on the day for someone in the audience. The bus will leave at 9.30 am on Friday 5th February and return at approximately 3.30 pm.

Household Hazardous Waste

Householders who wish to dispose of hazardous waste (paint, fertilisers, chemicals, cleaning agents, etc.) may bring items to Bray Recycling Centre on January 23rd (9.30 am to 2 pm) or to Arklow Recycling Centre on January 30th (9.30am to 2 pm). For more information contact the Environmental Office at 1890-222276.

Pioneer Dance

The Wicklow Regional/Laragh Pioneer Association dance will be held in the Brockagh Centre on Friday 12th March. Music will be by Richie Halpin and dancing will commence at 9.30 pm. Refreshments will be served. Your support would be much appreciated.

Laragh GFC

November Draw
Laragh GFC and Juvenile Club draw winners for November were as follows:
1st Prize €300 Brian Windsor
2nd Prize €200 Jenny Miley & Ellen O'Gorman
3rd Prize €50 Edward and Marie Ward
4th Prize €50 Eamonn Windsor

Annual Disco and Presentation
Laragh Juveniles held their very well-supported annual disco and presentation evening on December 6th in the Glendalough Hotel. The club is very grateful to Leighton Glynn who kindly turned up to present the kids with their medals and certificates.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Eimear Conway and Joe Keogh on the birth of their son Eoghan. We wish them all the best for the future.
2010 Calendar
Our 2010 calendar is still on sale in McCoy's shop at a cost of €10. The club would like to wish all its members, supporters and friends a very happy and successful new year in 2010.

Christmas Tree

Thanks to Tony Porter who did a wonderful job lighting up the Christmas tree again this year and also to Laragh Electrical, Coillte and their helpers Niall, Richard, Clifford, Adam, James, Shaman and Casey.

Mobile Library

The mobile library will be in Laragh on Thursday 28th January and Thursdays 11th and 25th February from 11 am until 12 noon. Please note the change in time.

Hermitage

Many's the fainthearted
Full of fear and fright
Guided from dark danger
By the calling bell and light

Some are the downtrodden
Seeking to find their way
Some are the lost forgotten
Journeying out to pray

Others seek the hallowed ground
To stand where Kevin stood
To walk by the lake where Kevin walked
To the Saint's cell in the wood

Most are good God fearing
Knowing right from wrong
Longing to touch the hermits hem
To grow in the hermits song

Longing to touch the hermits hem
To rest in the sanctuary found
To grow in the way of the hermits step
In Glendalough Holy ground

To grow in the way of the hermits step
To find in themselves again
The simple truth of quiet content
The core of self, the inner being
The honest look, that way of seeing
The hermits gift, the hermits tranquil way

Martin Swords Oct. 2009

GDDA

Presentation Night
The Glendalough and District Development Association (GDDA) held a presentation night for Finian McEvoy in December 2009. Finian has been involved with the GDDA since it was founded in 1990. Due to commitments in his many other areas of interest, he has decided to step down from the board of the GDDA.
Tributes to Finian were paid on the night by the Chairperson Mr John Preston and by Mr Pat Casey and Mr Denis Carter. They spoke of the great work Finian has done for the community, the tremendous effort he put into fund-raising, his contribution to the Brockagh Resource Centre, his determination in having a badminton club for all ages in the Centre and his role in the formation of the Tidy Towns committee.
The board of the GDDA wishes Finian all the very best in his future endeavours - especially with his voluntary work, both locally and further afield - and we fully intend taking him up on his offer to help out on specific projects in the future.
We Need Your Help
The GDDA was founded to co-coordinate sustainable development for the benefit of the local community (in the area encompassing Laragh and Glendalough). The Association has been involved in various projects over the years and played a particularly important role in the production of the Laragh/Glendalough Local Action Plan in 1998, the Tidy Towns committee and the Millennium Capsule project. The Association was also responsible for the building of the Brockagh Resource Centre in 2000. We are now actively looking for people who are interested in their community and who are willing to give some of their time to work with the GDDA on a variety of projects. Those interested in joining us should contact Pauline Fahy on 0404-45611 in the Brockagh Centre.

AGM of Avonmore Credit Union

The AGM of Avonmore Credit Union will take place in The Meetings, Avoca on Thursday January 28th at 8 pm.

Thanks to Good Neighbours

The recent prolonged spell of snow and ice and subsequent floods affected many in the area. Their hardship was greatly reduced by the assistance of some very good neighbours - many thanks to all who gave so generously of their time and resources at that time.