Lorrha Notes

Tanya Byrne from Portland has recently returned from a three week volunteer trip to Uganda where
she was working as a nurse with Nurture Africa testing children and adults for HIV. The 21 year old UCD student was delighted to have had the chance to experience this side of life. You can read her story in next week’s edition of both the Mindland Tribune and the Nenagh Guardian. 

Tidy Towns Report.

Many congratulations is extended to all who helped in whatever way to increase the Tidy Towns rating for Lorrha by a fantastic 13 extra marks bringing the total to282 which now places Lorrha in third place in North Tipp after Birdhill and Terryglass in Category ‘A’ and no marks were lost in any category either which is wonderful. The committee received a very favorable and encouraging report which couldn’t have happened without the co-operation and civic spirit of all who strive to support and help throughout the year. Lorrha Development Association offer sincere thanks to all and to the three scheme workers Michael John and Harry for all the work they do around the village. Well done all and keep up the great work.

Let’s Connect Reminder.

An estimated 70 million people worldwide are of Irish decent and many claim “Irish” as their primary heritage. They or their ancestors traveled abroad from parishes across Ireland and are now dispersed throughout the world making a difference wherever they are – in their communities through their social networks or their businesses. Many retain their sense of “Irishness” even though they may be many generations removed from Ireland. They have a contribution to make to our lives as we have to theirs.
Ireland Reaching Out is a new programme which can support local efforts to invite their Diaspora worldwide to connect and become involved in their place of origin. This is an idea which has potential for tourism and economic prosperity in our Parish.
To further this programme an information meeting will be held in St. Ruadhan’s Community Hall in Lorrha on Thursday night September 20th at 8p.m. All are welcome.
If we are going to survive as parish communities the onus is on ourselves.

National Ploughing Championships.

The North Tipperary Ploughing Association would like to wish all their competitors participating at the National Ploughing Championships the very best of luck and a safe journey to the South East. This year the National Ploughing Championships will place in Heathpark New Ross Co. Wexford from 25th – 27th September and each day North Tipperary will have a competitor participating across the many ploughing classes.

Gratitude.

Pat and Darina Kelly The Village Store Rathcabbin wish to say a huge big thank you to everyone who helped to make the shop relaunch such a success. The support and good wishes of the local community has been a great confidence booster and the shop is striving every day to improve its service and repay the loyalty shown to it – a little shop with a big heart!! Many thanks.

Social Dancing.

Social dancing continues every Friday night in the GAA clubhouse with dancing this Friday night to Checkers from 9.30pm to 12.30pm.

Volunteers Gratitude.

Tanya Byrne Portland who spent three weeks during the summer in Uganda as a volunteer with Nurture Africa wishes to extend thanks to everyone who supported her fundraising efforts prior to leaving. ‘An amazing organisation’ is how Tanya describes Nurture Africa for the work they have and are doing as it is remarkable and they are changing the lives of thousands of children and adults. She was overwhelmed to see at first hand the money that is been donated is really going to the most vulnerable and is being spent very wisely. ‘I’d like to thank everyone again for all of their support which is so greatly appreciated from myself and the organisation’. Well done Tanya.

Portumna Country Markets Coffee Morning Demonstrations and Talks this Friday Sept. 21st 9-12 am

In conjunction with the Shorelines Arts Festival an extra special Country Markets this week: from Dermot’s Herbs to Maureen’s Desserts from Cheese to Pork join Sunny Meadow Farm Killeen Farmhouse Cheese Oldfarm Pork Anne Hilty on Fondue and more… in Portumna Town Hall.

Brian Friel’s The London Vertigo – a One Act Play in Portumna Castle at 7.30pm this Friday Sept. 21st

In conjunction with the Shorelines Arts Festival and Co. Galway’s Culture Night join us for this satirical amusing costume farce set in 1750’s – with cast members from the Lorrha Group and Portumna Players & directed by Marian Frawley. Full festival details on www.shorelinesartsfestival.com.

Open Evening.

Omna Singers are holding an open evening on Monday 24th September at 8.00p.m. in An Gairdin Portumna. All adults who are interested in singing are welcome.

Social Dancing.

Declan Aungier will provide the music for a social dancing night in Carrig Community Hall Birr on Thursday night September 20th. from 9.30p.m. to 12.30a.m. Refreshments and draw on the night. All welcome.

Personal Invitation.

Workers wanted at the Borrisokane Jobs Fair. All are invited to Borrisokane Community College on Thursday night September 20th from 7.00 to 9.30p.m. and check out the creation of potential new enterprises in Borrisokane.

Smile Awhile.

As a bagpiper I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a Funeral Director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends so the service was to be at a Pauper’s cemetery in the back country.

As I was not familiar with the backwoods I got lost and being a typical man I didn’t stop for directions.

I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch.

I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. I went to the graveside and looked down and saw that the vault lid was already in place. I didn’t know what else to do so I started to play.

The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. I played like I’ve never played before for this homeless man.

And as I played ‘Amazing Grace’ the workers began to weep. They wept I wept we all wept together. When I finished I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head hung low and my heart was full.

As I opened the door to my car I heard one of the workers say "I’ve never seen nothin’ like that before and I’ve been putting in septic tanks for twenty years."