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| Claregalway Badminton Club | The Apostolic Society |
| Special News | St. Joseph's Young Priests Society |
| Bruach na hAbhann | Juvenile Hurling Club News |
From a positive point of view, many would see it as a good year, particularly people who are starting off and getting the garden off the ground. The more experienced gardeners will view it as a disappointing year with harsh weather in Spring for bulbs/shrubs etc., a very wet Summer which was detriment to the summer bedding plants and then an extremely wet and windy Autumn. However, with Christmas approaching, we can turn our thoughts and plans to the new year and enjoy our Christmas with friends and family.
The lawn needs very little care at this time of the year and only cut it, (raise the mower) if the ground is firm. Leaves should be cleared from the lawn as they smother it, and can be placed on a compost heap. It makes a great compost when broken down. Your vegetable garden can also be tidied up. Remove all the old debris and dump it or place it on the compost heap. The cleared area can be dug over or rotovated and any kind of organic material dug or rotovated in. Ideal material would be seaweed "dung", material from your compost heap and mushroom compost. Mushroom compost contains a high degree of lime which is ideal for Brassica's but not ideal for root crops so beware.
A lot of people are still planting bulbs because November was so wet, but will still grow but may be late for flowering. All the Winter bedding plants can still be planted, winter pansys, polyanthus, wallflowers etc. all of which add some colour on a drab day. Roses and fruit trees can also be planned now and most garden centres would have a good stock of them at the moment. Also Bareroot trees, Conifers and Hedging are done at this time of year, between now and March and they are usually cheaper than any of the potted varieties, so save and get planting.
A common
question at this time of the year is "What do I do with my roses
at this time of the year"? Well, basically it is very simple. Roses
as a rule, other than climbing varieties, can be cut back by approximately
a third now.
Some varieties can be quite tall and with all the wind they rock over
and back, water lodges in the hole at the base and if you get frost, it
can damage the plants. To prevent this happening, cut the roses back by
a third and do not be fussy where you cut them. The main pruning and feeding
is done in March, around St. Patrick's weekend and I will detail that
in due course.
Christmas is not Christmas without a Christmas Tree and nowadays there is a huge variety to choose from. The most popular nowadays is the noble fir. This is a beautiful full green/blue non-shed conifer with a beautiful scent. These trees are specifically grown by growers for Christmas. The next is the lodge pole pine or scots pine. This is another non-shed light green tree. The third tree is the old traditional Norway spruce, not as popular nowadays, as it sheds so many needles. Lastly, there is the artificial tree, of which there are some very realistic types, but like Coca Cola, you can't beat the real thing!
For the "Love of your life", who is gardening mad, you never know what to them? Do I get a plant, tools or a Book. Well, there is a huge range to choose from, pottery, plants, tools, books etc. Perhaps the answer is a gift voucher from our garden centre and let your "Loved One", choose for her/himself.
A lot of people are asking what is actually in flower as a tree or shrub at this time of year to give as presents. Four that spring to mind are Hammamelis mollis (Witch Hazel), Viburnum Tinus, Viburnum Bodnatense Dawn, Mahonia etc.
During the festive season, a lot of people will receive pot plants as gifts and do not know how to take care of them. I will name a few and outline how to look after them.
1. Poinsettias
- They like average warmth, with lots of light, water
thoroughly but wait until the compost is moderately dry before
watering again. If the room is very humid, mist the leaves
occasionally.
2. Solanums - The Christmas Cherry likes a cooler room temperature
lots of light and keep the compost moist at all times. Mist occasionally.
3. Cyclamens - They like a cool room temperature, lots of light
and keep
moist at all times, using soft water (rain water) semi tepid (lukewarm).
Put pebbles on the tray or saucer if possible.
4. Christmas Cactus - They like an average room temperature, well
lit
spot, no sunlight, water liberally when the compost begins to dry out.
5. Chrysanthemum - Bright light is essential, but shade from the
mid-day
sun. Keep the compost moist at all times. A cool 50 - 60 °F.
temperature is ideal. After flowering most plants are discarded, but
pot chrysanthemums can be planted out in the garden where, if they
survive, they will revert to their natural growth habit.
Lastly, Glynn's Garden and Fruit and Vegetable Centre is open every day to Christmas Eve for all your fruit and vegetable needs, plants, Christmas Trees, holly wreaths, holy, fresh flowers, pot plants, fruit baskets, gift vouchers, pottery, ceramic pots, lights, Christmas Decorations. We look forward to helping you.
On behalf of all at Glynns, we thank you for your custom and wish you a Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year.
Bosco McDermott,
Glynn's Garden and Fruit and Vegetable Centre
Tel: 091 799135
Connacht
Juvenile Open Championships
Congratulations to all our players who took part in this competition which
was held in Galway Lawn Tennis Club in November. A special mention to
our U11 squad who entered and played so well. Well done to Mary Kelly
,who was the winner of the Girls Doubles.
All Ireland
U17 Championships
Congratulations to John Forde who won Gold and Silver Medals in the U17
All Ireland Championships which took place in Sligo recently. John has
been selected on the Irish U17 Team to play in the International Competition
in Wales in January. Well done John and Good Luck in the Competition.
Senior
Singles County Championships
Congratulations to Brian Casserly who won the Division IV Competition.
Brian played extremely well and had decisive wins in all of his games.
Well done to Christopher Keane who won the Division III Competition. Christopher
had a very exciting 3-set Final and was a very deserving winner.
In Division II, Cathy Casserly had to overcome some very strong opposition
to win out and Cathy also reached the final of Division I. Well done to
Ross Forde who also competed in this competition, and played some very
competitive games against the best of senior players in the County.
County
Leagues
Our Division III team have done very well in the first half of this Competition
securing three wins out of four matches. Well done to all.
Out Division IV have not done as well, having one win out of three matches,
and one match left to play in the first round.
Congratulations
to Marian and Frank Keane, Mullacuttra on the birth of their baby daughter
Laura Marie.
Congratulations
also to Helen and Owen McArdle, Gortadubha, on their bundle of joy Leane
Frances.
Congratulations
to Tom O'Reilly of Cloon, who achieved a unique record of winning 1st
prize in the County Ploughing Championship recently. He achieved similar
success in 1947. Well done Tom.
BRUACH
NA hABHANN
Steeped in history, Claregalway offers a myriad of delights. We find the
ruins of the picturesque Franciscan monastery which dates back to 1290.
This friary has withstood time and powerful historical upheavals such
as the Suppression and the expulsion of the friars by the Cromwellian
troops. Close by lie the remains of Claregalway Castle which was strongly
fortified in 1642 by the Earl of Clanricard. Now aptly situated on the
banks of the River Clare, which winds its way through Claregalway, you
find the newest treasure, Bruach na hAbhann.
The restaurant provides a homely yet stylish atmosphere, with a warm welcome
always guaranteed. Our chef has compiled a menu of high quality, classical
cuisine using local, fresh produce. A selection of wines from both the
old and new world is available to compliment Chef McArdle's culinary creations.
We appreciate that you have a favoured dish or special dietary requirements,
if you have such a request please don't hesitate to ask.
Bruach
na hAbhann Restaurant, Summerfield, Claregalway.
Telephone 091-799199.
Well, we have made it past the one year mark, and we can look back on it indeed with a sense of pride and celebration. Our first year in business proved to be challenging and satisfying.
We at "Bruach na hAbhann" would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers and friends who have supported us throughout the year. We wish all of you a happy and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Management
and Staff.
For further
information or appointment contact Evelyn Kitt (091)798485. Open late
most nights. Christmas vouchers available.
We collected
used stamps. The money from these from a dealer will be used to help spread
the Gospel of Christ in Missionary countries, so keep collecting used
stamps for us. Everyone is called to be a missionary, so you can be of
tremendous help by doing this.
Many thanks to all the people who supported our Church Gate Collection
on the first week-end in July, to all the people who donated cakes to
our sale of work on October 11th, to all the people who gave donations.
To our Hononary members who pay £2.00 a year and who pray for the
Missions, a very special thank you. The money collected in this way help
to buy the materials for the vestments and dresses, wool, etc. If anyone
has odd balls of wool we would be glad to get same as it helps in making
cot blankets and smaller items of knitting and clothing.
A very special
thanks to the Carnmore Ladies Club who gave us such wonderful help and
who made children's dresses, small linens and of course to many lovely
cakes for our cake sale, and who always has such great welcome for us
when we visit them.
We have our meetings on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. Our next
meeting is on January 26th 1999. You are welcome to come along and help
us in any way you can.
Beannachtaí an Linbh Íosa oraibh uilig.
Sarah McCallan.
"I must pay a special tribute to the Apostolic workers throughout Ireland. Over the years they have done an outstanding, amazing job. It would be very difficult to equip the many mission churches without their silent toil. All who support them are doing a great missionary work".
Father Oliver Leavy, Kiltegan Fathers.
ST. JOSEPH'S YOUNG PRIEST'S SOCIETY
This is a
Society of lay people founded by Mrs. Taafe (a Galway woman) in 1895.
The Society fosters vocations to the priesthood and religious life by
prayer and helps financially in the education of students for the priesthood.
The Society works through branches. A group of people in a parish form
a branch with the approval of the Parish Priest.
Students are supported spiritually in following the call of the Lord by the prayers of its members. They are assisted financially from the members contribution. Financial help are needed by students towards the cost of seminary education and students expenses. Because of other demads a small contribution or none at all. In such cases the Society adopts the student and helps to finance his education for the priesthood.
Students in all Irish dioceses, who are eligible for assistance, and who are recommended by a Board of Priests appointed by the Four Archbishops in Ireland are helped by the Society.
As well as Irish students the Society assists students for the priesthoood in many other countries, where the need exists, for instance in Asia, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, Philipines and Sri Lanka, in America, Brazil, in Africa, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Ghana, Uganda, Zaire, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
The task
of fostering religious vocations devolves on the entire Christian Community
taking part in the work of the Society is one way in which lay people
can respond to the tas. They look to the future, and to their children's
future. They want to hand on their faith and their love for the mass,
for which priests will be needed.
You can help the Society by coming along to the meeting of the Claregalway
Branch of the Society which is held on the second Friday of each month
in the S.M.A. House at 8 p.m. Next meeting is on January 8th, 1999.
Sarah McCallan.
The Juvenile
Hurling Club held its Annual General Meeting on Monday night 23rd November
1998. It was well attended and it opened with a minutes silence to the
memory of those connected with the Club, who died during the year, especially
young Jason O'Donoghue, Martin Walsh, Paddy Somerville and Mattie Greaney
and for all those who died during 1998. Our prayers are with you.
The meeting
then proceeded with the Secretary's report. The outgoing Secretary gave
a detailed account of the clubs activities during the year. It covered
all the groups and teams from U10 to U16. He outlined in detail all the
championship campaigns of the various groups. He paid special tribute
to the team managers, selectors, helpers and teams who tried so hard to
bring back a juvenile cup to Carnmore. The highlight of the year was the
U16's, under the guidance of Declan Walsh and John Noone, reaching the
County Final. Once again Lady Luck deserted our team on Final Day and
we bridesmaid once again. This team must be getting quite used to that
now but that does not make it any easier, as they lost two County U14
finals in a row in 1996 and 1997. When this team start winning they won't
know where to stop.Tomás Grealish took his panel to Kilmacud Crokes
on St. Patrick's Day and Croke Park in the afternoon to see the Club Finals.
Everybody had an enjoyable day out.
Paraic Hessions
U12's got to the City League Final losing to Rahoon Newcastle .John Fox,
John Carr and Paraic O'Donoghue provided guidance and tuition for the
U10's every Saturday from April until Halloween.The Secretary paid special
tribute to Canon Noel Mullin, P.P. Claregalway, Nuacht Chláir and
Madge Burke for their help during the year.
Mr. John Kenny then gave his Chairman's address. He said that although
no trophies were won, it was not for the want of trying and effort from
everybody involved. The Chairman thanked everybody for their sponsorship
and in particular everybody who bought tickets for dances, raffles and
the draw during 1998. He appealed for more parents to get involved in
the running of the club in the coming year.
Treasurer
Ronan Walsh gave a detailed account of the Clubs income and expenditure.
He paid special tribute to Mr. Johnny Kerrigan for raising so much on
his own, year in year out.
He stated it was getting harder to make ends meet with the price of everything
going up. He thanked all the sponsors to the Club and also the local shops
and businesses in Carnmore and Claregalway for their generosity.
Officers
elected for 1999
Chairman - John Kenny re-elected.
Vice-Chairman - Patrick Killilea.
Secretary - Pat McCartan.
Assistant Secretary - Michael Walsh.
Treasurer - Gerry Glynn.
Assistant Treasurer - Ronal Walsh.
The delegate to Coiste Iomana na-nOg is Gerry Glynn.
P.R.O. - Michael Walsh.
The Election
of Team Managers and Selectors was deferred until later. A lively debate
then took place covering a large variety of topics all related to Juvenile
Hurling in the parish.
Wishing you all a peaceful and happy Christmas and best wishes for 1999.
Michael Walsh,
P.R.O.
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