NEWS

BALLINACREE/MOUNTNUGENT - 29/08/06
 

CYSTIC FIBROSIS PRESENTATION
Congratulations to members of Mountnugent ladies football team who successfully competed in the Dublin City mini-marathon recently in aid of Cystic Fibrosis. Antoinette Farrelly, Orla McEnroe, Tracey Reilly, Karen Kevin, Emma Smith, Bridget Brady, Maeve O'Reilly and Laura Smith took a break from their football schedule and enjoying the challenge of the mini-marathon.
The girls raised a wonderful total of 1,750 which they presented recently to Rosaleen Cronin treasurer and Raymond Dunne chairperson from the Cavan branch of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. Raymond Dunne thanked the girls and everybody who contributed, the monies will go towards the research and welfare of the children at the branch.
Rosaleen Cronin spoke emotionally about the illness, "Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease where both parents are carriers of an abnormal gene, the disease is uncurable but treatable with modern day drugs and physio". Rosaleen also outlined that babies just a few weeks old have been diagnosed with the illness. Symtoms are runny nappies, weight loss and chest infestions. The Cavan branch give lots of support and care to the patients and their families, so well done to everyone involved.

CONDOLENCES
Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Paula Heery, Tubrid who passed away recently. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all during this most difficult time. May she rest in peace.

MOUNTNUGENT FESTIVAL OF FISHING
Fourteen boats launched off from Crover Pier carrying twenty-four young enthusiastic fishing competitors for the annual Bank Holiday Junior Fishing Competition on the beautiful Lough Sheelin.
The young boys and girls taking part also learn about the safety aspects of fishing and pick up a few tips along the way from the senior fishermen. Organiser, John Murphy was delighted with the turn-out and described the competition as "very successful due to the wonderful community spirit of Mountnugent". Well done to John who has been running the competition for 25 years, he is a very dedicated member of the community and enjoys being involved in this wonderful event. He would like to thank all the boatmen who kindly donate their time and boats and; Suzie and Ned Reilly of Polakeel who donated all the fishing prizes and the perpetual trophy in memory of their son, Kevin who was a very keen fisherman.
Donal Harton of Finea received the Kevin Reilly Memorial Trophy and a lovely fishing prize for his trout catch which weighed in at 1.6 kg. Local girls, Sarah King placed second with her catch of an undersized trout and Alva Givney placed third with her 1kg pike. Victory stayed in the Harten household with, Connor placing fourth with his 750g pike. All competitors received fishing prizes and are members of the Lough Sheelin Trout Protection Association.
So congrats and well done to all the other competitors who travelled from all over the local area: Andrew Egan, Liam Breannon, Bernie O'Reilly, Pauric Kelly, Darren Harten, Alan Donohoe, Eve Boxwell, Marcus Gaffney, Owen Smith, Liam Smith, Mark Fox, Sean Nolan, Shane O'Reilly, Rsisin Duffy, Kieran Duffy, Ken Moeran, Denise O'Shea, Aaion Fitzpatrick, Martin Cullen and Barry Givney.

BAPTISM
Congratulations is extended to Con and Maureen McEnroe, Kilbride, parents of, Cian Patrick McEnroe who was welcomed into the church when baptised recently.

BEREAVEMENT
Sympathy is extended to Miriam McCabe of Tonagh on the tragic death of her father, John Egenton of Dromone. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Egenton family at this most sad time. May he rest in peace.

 

ARCHERY SILVER MEDALIST
Dean Clarke of the Loughcrew Archers rose to the challenge while taking part in the European Bowhunter Archery Competition in Portugal recently winning silver in the cubs section. Dean aged eleven, took the lead on the first day of the four day event and competed strongly against his main rival, Maxi Gregor of Austria.
Conditions for the competition were not ideal, as the course was set out on mostly rock terrain with no shade which didn't suit the Irish competitors as the temperatures soared to 40 degrees making it more a test of endurance than a competition of archery skills.
Dean thrived in these difficult conditions and was the only one of the Irish team who made an impression. Dean placed a well deserved second with a fine score of 1722 to Maxi who scored 1850, Guglielmo Donadoni of Italy placed third with a score of 1540.
Many congratulations to Dean from the Loughcrew Archers and the local community, this is a wonderful display of skill under such difficult circumstances.
Well done to Loughcrew Archer competitors: Mark and Pat Mangan, Willie Carr, Don Priestley and Mark Ivory and the rest of the Irish party: David Lester, John O'Rourke, Don Bradley, Eddie Ryan, Mark Usher, James Boyle and Geraldine Swayne who gave the competition there best shot resulting in most of their arrows left twisted and bent if not melted. The competition will take place in Switzerland next year, which should give the Irish competitors a better chance of success.
`The Loughcrew Archers have been very busy over the Bank Holiday weekend, they hosted a hunting trails which resulted in a fun day for all. Next on the cards for this fun group will be the Irish Field Archery Federation 3D Championships on August 26 and
27 which will be hosted by the Loughcrew Archers. This two-day event is expected to draw a very large group of archers from all over Ireland, so the very best of archery luck to the Loughcrews.
 

RETREAT YOURSELF TO A NOVENA
An evening novena will take place in Knock on Thursday August 17 also, a one day retreat at Lough Derg on Tuesday August 22. For further details or to book a place, please contact: Marie Donoghue on 046 924 2091.

BLOTTO
Well folks, you have another chance to strike it lucky in the St Brigid's GFC blotto, there was no recent jackpot winner. The next draw will take place on Monday August
28 for the jackpot of 9,550. Best of luck to everyone.

THE ABBEY
Monthly Divine Mercy devotions will take place on Sunday August 20 at 3pm. On Sunday August 27 annual mass for the deceased Norbertines will take place in the Abbey cemetery at 3pm.
On Thursday August 31 the Holy Trinity Abbey, Kilnacrott will host Dermot O'Brien in concert at Crover House Hotel, Mountnugent at 8.30pm. Tickets will cost 15 and are now available at the Abbey office. All proceeds will go towards the Abbey apostolate, your support would be greatly appreciated.
A one day retreat to St Patricks Purgatory in Lough Derg will take place on Tuesday September 12. A 53 seater bus will leave Holy Trinity Abbey at 7.30am via Crosskeys/Cavan Cathedral. Cost will be 40 inclusive. Booking with 10 deposit can be made at the Abbey Office.
For details on regular meetings and upcoming events, please contact the Abbey office on 049 854 4416.

WEDDING BELLS
Congratulations to Aisling Cooke of Ross and Ian Fitzpatrick of Castlerahan on their recent wedding in Mountnugent church. The occasion was made very special by Fr Kelly of Castlerahan who celebrated the mass and by all 270 family and friends, some of whom travelled from England and America.  The beautiful bridemaids of Collette Kearney, Pamela Murphy, Regina Hetherton and Amanda Brady were radiant in red joined by the well groomed bestmen of Conor Kelly, Brian McCabe, Gerry and Enda Fitzpatrick.  The wedding reception was held in the new Radisson Hotel, Cavan with Aisling and Ian stopping off for a surprise champagne reception at the Bridge Inn, Mountnugent and at the bride's workplace, Tesco of Cavan. The wedding party enjoyed the lovely meal and beautiful gardens of the new hotel, the popular couple were joined by 70 more friends later on whereeveryone enjoyed the fun, frolics and dancing into the early hours.  The happy couple jetted off on honeymoon to tour around Italy. Aisling and Ian are wished every health and happiness from Mary, Jonathan, Fergal and Michael Cooke and;Donny and Mona Fitzpatrick and family.

THE ABBEY
The Dermot O'Brien concert will take place on Thursday August 31 at Crover House Hotel in Mountnugent at 8.30pm. This promises to be a great nights entertainment with tickets costing 15 which are available from the Abbey office. All proceeds will go towards the Abbey Apostolate and the Fr Norbert Nicolo's convent building fund in Tanzania. Your support would be appreciated.  Please note also daily at the Abbey, mass including morning prayer of the church takes place at 9.30am; midday prayer at 12.45pm; evening prayer of the church at 5.45pm and evening mass at 8pm. For further information on regular meetings or upcoming events, please contact the Abbey office on: 049 854 4416.

MOUNTNUGENT FESTIVAL
Well what a Bank Holiday weekend packed with lots of fun and laughter. The Mountnugent Festival committee pulled out all the stops and were delighted with the great support the festival received. The weather was on side and everyone enjoyed this wonderful annual event. Well done to the committee for all their hard work and many thanks to the many local sponsors, without their backing, the festival would not remain a free family weekend.  Congratulations goes to all the winners and to everyone else, well done for taking part.  The duck race winners were Amanda Duffy, Alva Givney and Leah Williams.
James Tynan, Natasha Hyland and Jessica Duffy were beautiful bonny babies with Natasha winning 'overall baby. Philip Mulryan was the mini digger champion. Pavement art winners were Orla Lynch and French student, Laura Ter Schiphorst.
Mountnugent U'14's team won the Tony Murray Memorial Cup with Ballymachugh taking the honours in the U'10's blitz followed by Mountnugent, Oldcastle and Ballinacree.  Triathalon winners were Leonard Tierney, Enda McEnroe and Dallan Kearney. Carmel Coyle and Orla McEnroe won the ladies boat racing, Donal Lynch and Dallan Kearney won the mens with Brigid and Paul Campbell winning the mixed boat race. The Champions captained by Chanice Cribben won the childrens walking treasure hunt.

WEDDING JOY
Many congratulations to locals, Mary O'Sullivan and Paul Hussey on their recent wedding in St Brigid's church, Ballinacree. The happy couple are wished much health and happiness for the future.

NEXT STEP
Wishing every success to the following students who will be taking the next big step into post primary education from Monday August 28.  St Fiach's National School of Ballinacree bid farewell to Pauric O'Connell, Michael Brady, Sean Farnan, Darach Geraghty, Emma Cullen, Olivia Beirne and Claire O'Sullivan.  Scoil Bhrmde National School of Mountnugent bid farewell to Christian English, Elaine Smith, Aoife Barkey, Nikkol O'Reilly, Elizabeth Quinn, Aoife Duffy and Denise Cahalan.

MOUNTNUGENT OR BUST
Navan Road Club members of Larry, Noel and Ken Clarke, Ciaran Harte and Andy O'Brien were delighted with the success of their recent 'Mountnugent or Bust' charity cycle. Over 3,500 was raised on this most enjoyable spin for the Arc Cancer
Support Centre. The cycle started in Navan on a beautiful sunny morning and travelled to Kells, Virginia, Oldcastle finishing in Mountnugent.  The Arc Centre cares for people and their families diagnosed with cancer regardless of where they live. It's also a voluntary organisation who offers its services free of charge. The 'Cuban Five' were joined by club members Davy
Harrison, Gerry Clarke, Fr Joe Deegan PP of Slane (who is a keen cycling enthuiesist), Imelda Tully and Emma Clarke who was taking part in her first big charity cycle.  Vinny Clarke drove the clubs minibus and was a tremondous help on the trip
and gave great support to the many bucket collectors. In Oldcastle, Michael Heery president of the AAI gave the cyclists a great welcome. Davy Harrison, a former champion athlete made a special presentation to Michael for his great support.
On arrival in Mountnugent, the charity cyclists were greeted by the great Joe Moynagh organiser of the 17th Mountnugent Grand Prix cycle race on Bank Holiday weekend. Over 40 cyclists from all over Ireland took part with victory going to
Stephen Surdival from Dublin. Also taking part was Philip Cassidy who was one of the all time greats in Irish cycling with victories in the 1983 and 1999 Ras.  The Mountnugent or Bust charity cyslists would like to thank most sincerely
everyone for their generous contributions. Many thanks to Joe Moynagh and his gang, for their great support, the Carnaross Inn for producing refreshments on the day to all. Well done to everyone who helped in any way and to all the supporters. Congrats to the Navan Road Club members for their great committment to such a caring charity and they are wished every success for the future.

BLOTTO
Don't forget to get your four lucky numbers in for the St Brigid's GFC blotto, the jackpot is the very handy sum of 9,550. The next draw takes place on Monday August 28. Best of luck to everyone.

DARREN THE BRAVE
Darren Knowd (4) of Mountnugent will begin his school years on Friday September 1 at his local school, Scoil Bhrmde. Darren is a very brave little boy and is an inspiration to everyone in the parish. On the eve of St Patrick's Day, the Knowd family faced the unknown when Darren became ill unexpectedly.  Early diagnosis showed Darren's kidney function was poor and the little boy became very ill. The Mountnugent community gave wonderful support to the Knowd family of which they are very grateful. Darren received great treatment in Cavan General and Temple Street Hospital, where he underwent a major operation to repair his weak kidney.  The great news is, brave Darren has recovered very well and requires a further minor operation which is scheduled for Septermber 21. The community are delighted with this news and wish Darren and the Knowd family every blessing. Kieran, Antionette, Keith, Ellen and Darren relocated from Swords to Mountnugent and have become wonderful ambassadors for the community. The family would like to take this opportunity to thank
everyone who sent mass cards, said prayers and gave them such great support in their hour of need.

HERITAGE WEEK
To mark Heritage Week 2006, the dedicated members of Ballinacree Historical Society will present ' a celebration of our education, past and present' in the community centre, Ballinacree on Saturday September 2 at 8.45pm.  This presentation will include a talk by historian Antonia McManus of Trim, entitled 'The Irish hedge schools and their books'. There will also be a very interesting display of educational records, photos, old school books and much more relating to the schools in the
parish through the years. This promises to be a most interesting evening and the Historical Society members would be delighted with your support.

BIRTHDAY GIRL
Margaret Cullen of Clontyduffy is wished a very happy 11th birthday, she is a very stylish young lady who loves fashion alot and is also a big Kelly Clarkson fan. Have a great day, Margaret.

BAPTISM
Many congratulations to Caroline and Paul Jackson on the recent baptism of their beautiful sons, Alfie and Harry. The Jackson family were home on holiday from London and Caroline is the daughter of Johnny and Tess Brady of Polakeel.
The occasion was made very special by the presence of Johnny's cousin, Fr Michael McCabe SMA priest, formely of Crossra who performed the baptism ceremony. Afterwards, the families enjoyed a wonderful evening at Crover House Hotel, Mountnugent. The parish wish the Jacksons every blessing for the future and look forward to seeing them soon
again.

WHISTERIA LANE
Congratulations to all the most recent winners at the whist drive night in Ballinacree community centre: Martin Clyne first gent; Val Goldrick second gent; Michael Lennon and Jim Bennett third gent (tie); Margaret Crowe first lady; Mary Carolan second lady; Josie Harrison third lady; Kit Lee half-time gent; Teresa Keogan half-time lady; Danny Fay and Margaret Crowe last four games (tie).  Jimmy Meehan, Peter Diffley, Josie Harrison and Seamus Clarke were all delighted
raffle winners. Well done to everyone involved and best of luck for next week. Remember, new members are always welcome, just come along on Thursday night at 9 o'clock.

SCHOOL'S BACK
Back to school already, can you believe it! Where did the Summer go! St Fiach's National School of Ballinacree and Scoil Bhrmde National School of Mountnugent open their doors on Thursday August 31 and Friday September 1 to the delight of all the pupils and parents. The community are delighted to welcome back all the children and teachers, and wish them a fun and safe school term.

CEMETERY SUNDAY
There was a large attendance at our cemetery Sunday devotions recently. The rain stayed away which helped this most spiritual out-door occasion. Devotions to our deceased relatives and friends of the parish began Saturday evening with an ecumenical prayer service and blessing of graves in Killeagh cemetery.  Cemetery Sunday began with a prayer and blessing service at Kilbride cemetery followed by mass and devotions in Ballinacree cemetery which was celebrated by Fr Oliver Devine PP who was joined by three local con-celebrants. Fr Devine would like to thank everyone associated with maintaining the cemetery, who took part in the ceremony and a special mention to the combined choir of Ballinacree and Mountnugent for their beautiful singing and music.  Many thanks to Michael Callery who donated his sound system for the service and to Kevin Walsh for providing amplification for over twenty years. In commemoration to all our dear departed loved ones, the parish especially remember family members who passed away since last year's devotions:
Brigid McGinn, Lismacannican; Christopher Clarke, Moate; Ronan Coyle, Moate; Martin Friary, Tubrid; Michael O'Reilly, Kilbride; Margaret Reilly, Tubrid; Micky Tighe, Crossdrum; Rose Fitzsimons, Kilbride; Pat Browne, Dungimmon; Margaret-Anne Farrelly, Crossdrum; Kitty Rennicks, Ross; John Cooke, Mountnugent; Paddy Moynagh, late of Tonagh; Helen Flood, Halfcarton; Benjoe Garry, Ardfrail; Michael Corrigan, Mountnugent; Kathleen Cooke, Ross; Gretta Pasche (nee Gilsenan), late of Mountnugent and Paula Heery, Tubrid. May they all rest in peace.

ROAD RACE RUNNERS
Athletes from St Brigid's AC travelled to Castlepollard recently to take part in the North Westmeath AC 5K road race and juvenile competitions.  Kevin Gilsenan gave a great performance in placing second with fellow athletes, Joseph Blake, Matthew McGowan, Shane and Alan Moore and Donal Plunkett featuring strongly in the boys U'9. Well done lads.
In the girls U'11, Cliona Plunkett, Martha Colgan, Aine Plunkett and Rosie Flynn showed girl power with good running performances. Well done girls.  Darragh Tabram performed strongly in the boys U'11 when placing third alongside, Conor Delaney who featured well in seventh.  Girl power was in full force in the girls U'13 with strong performances from Ciara Delaney placing second, Jenna McCann placing third, Gillian Hawdon placing fourth and Siniad Gilsenan placing fifth.
Michael Flood and Stephen Browne ran strongly in the boys U'13 placing fourth and fifth. Enya Tabram took the honours in the girls U'15 with a fine performance.  Congrats, Enya.  The Morrissey brothers were in top form with strong runs which saw
Tadhg in the boys U'15 and Johnny in the junior men both placing second. Congrats and well done to all who took part.
If you would like to become a member of this fun and active club, please contact: Martin J Heery on 049 854 1449 / 086 856 4160 or Pat Plunkett on 049 854 0317 / 087 265 7051.

THE ABBEY
The countdown is on for the Dermot O'Brien concert at Crover House Hotel, Mountnugent this Thursday August 31 at 8.30pm. This promises to be a great night of entertainment with proceeds going towards the Abbey apostolate and
Fr Norbert Nicolo's convent building fund in Tanzania. Tickets cost 15 and your support would be appreciated.
On Sunday September 3 the Kilmore diocese Legion of Mary annual afternoon of prayer will take place at the Abbey. Eucharistic adoration resumes on Tuesday September 5 at 6pm. For information on regular meetings and
upcoming events, please contact the Abbey office on: 049 854 4416.

SCOUTS HONOUR
Great news for all the boys and girls in the area, Mountnugent Scouts will be back in action around mid September. The scouts are involved in many outdoor activities like, orienteering, hiking, absailing and canoeing, they also learn great skills in rope working and compass.  The scouts are open to boys and girls from 10 - 14 years old and is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors. The Mountnugent group are currently looking for leaders to join this fun and active club. The leader positions is open to male and females over 18, and will receive full training.  If you are interested in becoming a scout or a leader, for further details, please contact: Kieran Knowd on 087 272 2835.