Lorrha Notes

Teresa Kerry recently made a presentation of framed items of Martin O’Meara V.C. to Lorrha Development Association. Teresa put the items together herself with the help of her brother Patrick O’Brien who lives in Tasmania as a memorial tribute to the great Martin.
Pictured above is Teresa handing over the items to Rose Mannion Chairperson Lorrha Development Liz Hussey Vice Chair Mary Coen Secretary Ralph Drake Louis McCormack Dev. Treasurer Harry Houlihan Tus worker with Development Association.
The Development Association is presently looking for a suitable place for these items to put on display for public viewing.
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Born in Lissernane Lorrha on Nov 6th 1885 Martin enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force as a private and embarked for France in December 1915. The following year under heavy gunfire Private O’Meara laid his life on the line and brought in the wounded from "No Man’s Land" under intense gun fire. He also carried ammunition and bombs through a heavy barrage and undoubtely he saved many lives. Reaching the rank of Sergent he was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1916 the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy. He died in 1935 and is buried in Karrakatta Cemetery Perth Western Australia.
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Sympathy.

Sympathy is extended to Tony Coen Lorrha on the death of his brother Jack in the U.S. Burial took place on Thursday 12th April in the States. May he rest in peace. Sympathy is also extended to well known Lorrha publican and Historian Pat Hough and his sister Chrissie Dooley Kinnitty on the death of their sister in-law Mary Dooley Navan Road Dublin and formerly of Neilstown Roscrea on Monday April 9th. After funeral Mass in St. Fergal’s Church Camross on Thursday interment took place in the adjoining cemetery. May she rest in peace.

Late Harry Gunning.

The death took place on Friday April 13th of Harry Gunning Cloghan and Lorrha. A well know character throughout Offaly and further afield Harry will be best remembered for the many years he represented Offaly in the ploughing Championships a time spanning over 50 years. He represented Offaly in the All-Ireland series long before a club was formed in the County and was a sub in the World championships in 1973 having qualified in Cork and his dream of a club in Offaly was finally realized after many years of trying to have one established. Affectionately know as Harry the ploughman when he retired from competitive championship he turned his attentions to judging up and down the country as well as tutoring and encouraging all younger people coming up in the sport and those showing an interest in it. So much was his own interest in helping others he was tutoring in the North Tipp Championships as recently as two years ago and indeed Harry wouldn’t have it any other way other than to keep going.
Taking an interest in all sport when not playing badminton in Cloghan Hall he followed the hurling and football of St. Rynagh’s coaching and selecting and served as Chairman of the club for a time in the late 70’s early 80s. A popular man who liked to socialize and chat with friends and neighbors he will be missed by all who knew and came in contact with him not just in Cloghan and Lorrha where he lived for a short time but all around the country too. Husband of the late Maureen he is survived by his wife Charlotte family and friends to whom sympathy is offered.
Removal took place from his home in Lorrha on Sunday to St. Mary’s Church Cloghan for funeral Mass. Burial took place afterwards in Clonmacnois Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Knock Summer Festival.

The annual Knock summer festival will take place on Saturday 28th July. The day will include talks workshops music prayer and reflection. The theme for the day is ‘ONE’. The day is free of charge and is for all people from 17 to 30. For further information call (087) 6927850 or visit the web site www. knock-shrine.ie/youthfestival.

Omna Singers.

An evening of music with Omna Singers and friends will take place on Friday 20th April in the Church of Ireland Portumna. Donations for Asthma Society of Ireland.

Energy Tip For The Week.

The energy tip for this week from the green school committee in Scoil Lua Naofa Lorrha is use the clothes line to dry the washing rather than using the clothes dryer.

Men’s Sheds Group

What is a Men’s Sheds Group? A Men’s Shed is any community-based organisation which is open to all men where the primary activity is the provision of a safe friendly and inclusive environment where the men are able to gather and/or work on meaningful projects at their own pace in their own time and in the company of other men and where the primary objective is to advance the health and well- being of the participating men.

The idea was introduced from Australia back in 2009 by John Evoy from Wexford. The Men’s Sheds movement is based on doing things together and the groups being targeted are mostly older men in rural areas who are either retired semi-retired ort unemployed. Currently there are at least 40 of these groups up and running in small towns and villages throughout Ireland. Examples of the type of activities some of the groups do are: boat building and restoration bike restoration wood turning metal work and vegetable growing projects.

John Evoy is coming to the Community Hall in Lorrha on Wednesday 25th April 2012 at 2.30pm to explain about the Men’s Sheds Group in the hope of setting up such a group for the men of the parish.

Spring Clean.

National Spring Clean is in full swing around the country with people volunteering a little time to cleaning up their towns and villages. Lorrha Development are organizing a clean up around the village and on the approach roads on Tuesday evening April 24th at 7pm. From outside the Community Hall. Litter pickers bags and gloves will be provided. If the time doesn’t suit you come along at whatever time you can manage or call (086) 8647166.

Recent Weddings.

Congratulations and good wishes is extended to Patrice Murray and Gareth Heagney Portumna who were married recently in Lorrha and to Jessica Kennedy Rathcabbin and Brian O’Meara Coolderry who were also married in Lorrha last week-end. Many good wishes for the future is extended to both couples.

Art Exhibition.

Portumna library is hosting a children’s art exhibition of creations by the students of Ute Duggan "Bramble Art" from 25th April – 9th May. All welcome.

Lotto Win.

Congratulations to Ger Mannion and family Rathcabbin who was a lucky lotto winner last week-end. Ger son’s Diarmuid appeared on Saturday night’s winning streak on RTE to play for his dad and he took away a holiday in the Caribben along with cash. Well done to all and enjoy..

Concert.

" The High King’s will appear in concert in Banagher on May 11th (Offaly Fleadh Ceoil Weekend) in Colaiste Na Sionne. This concert is in aid of Ken Lucas’ climb of Mount Everest for Crumlin Children’s Hospital. Tickets €25 available at Banagher Post Office or from Ken Lucas (087) 7977235 doors open at 7pm. Please support.

Social Dancing.

Social dancing continues in the Lorrha GAA clubhouse on Friday night to the music of P.J. Murrihy. All welcome.

St. Ruadhan’s Active Retirement Association.

On Wednesday 11th April the members enjoyed a delicious meal at the Shed in Lorrha. Lil & Denis Maher and their staff looked after us so well and made us feel very welcome. The meal was followed by some lively music from Pat Conlon. Many thanks to all concerned for making it a very enjoyable day. The committee and members would like to offer our deepest sympathy to Charlotte Gunning (McCabe) and family on the recent death of her husband Harry Gunning. To the Lambe Family Lorrha Parish on the recent death of Sarah Brennan Borrisokane who died recently. Also to the Coen family Lorrha on the recent death of Tony’s brother Jack who died in New York. May they rest in peace.

Medieval Night.

Lorrha Dorrha Historical Society held their first Medieval Night of what will be an annual event in Maher’s Lorrha. It was a hugh sucess. People made a hugh effort with costumes ranging from monastic and celtic times right up to 18th century. Once entering Maher’s gates it was like stepping into the past.The highlight of the night was when O’Sullivan’s Beare’s men approached the gates of Maher’s and set forth their champion O’Connor Kerry to fight McEgan. It was a splendid display and looked realistic. This was played out by professional swordsmen Luke Walsh (Dundrum) and Philip King (Tallagh). A Truce was ensued and 0’Sullivan’s Beare’s men were invited into a banquet. Guests were welcomed with a glass of mead.Traditional food such as pig on spit roast haunch of venision pheasant and rabbit was served. Music on the night was provided by Noreen Ryan Darren Bourke Sean Burke and also Luke Walsh and Philip King who left their swords to sing and play music. Guests who were thought to be involved in witchcraft were brought to the stocks where the severe punishment of having wet sponges thrown at them. The winner of our Limerick competition on the night was Kathleen Cahalan and 2nd Brian Kelly. The winner of best dressed lady was Dianne Dagg and 2nd Catherine 0’Brien. The best dressed man on the night went to Martin King and 2nd was Peter Slevin. Many thanks to all who helped out setting up and on the night including our musicians fighters and sponsors of prizes John Horan Tyres Ferry Filling Station Donna and Mark Mannion [Bridge Road filling Station) and Pat Cahalan. Thanks to Denis and Lil for spendid food and atmosphere. Funds raised will go towards the Beire Breifne Walkway. We hear there is going to be an invasion of Vikings next year!

For Sale.

A small car trailer is on offer and up for sale. Call (086) 8647166.

5 Day Weather Forecast.

Today Wednesday April 18th
A cool bright day with showers. The showers will be heavy and prolonged at times especially over Leinster this morning with a risk of hail and thunder. Some sunny spells also but top temperatures just 9 to 11 C. in fresh northwest winds which will be strong and blustery this morning along the south and southeast coasts.
Tonight

The showers will die out in most places tonight and good clear spells will develop but some will persist along west and southwest coasts. Temperatures will fall to between 1 and 5 degrees with some ground frost and the northwest winds will gradually decrease light to moderate.
Tomorrow

Bright and fresh for tomorrow Thursday with sunshine and scattered showers a few heavy. Top temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees in mostly moderate northwest winds.

Outlook

The cool and showery weather will continue on Friday and during the weekend and the weather is likely to stay cool and unsettled early next week as well.

Details: A mainly northwest to west airflow will prevail across the country fresh or strong on Friday but moderating considerably over the weekend. The general trend will be for showery conditions to continue. Heavy and locally thundery showers may develop anywhere each day but there will be sunshine as well in between the showers. Daytime temperatures will be a few degrees below normal for the time of year. At night many places will become dry with clear spells and the nights will be cold with grass frost inland.
The unsettled and cool weather is likely to continue early next week with rain or showers at times and cold nights with some ground frost.

Smile Awhile.

Julie Andrews Turns 79

To commemorate her birthday actress/vocalist Julie Andrews made a
special appearance at Manhattan ‘s Radio City Music Hall for the
benefit of the AARP. One of the musical numbers she performed was ‘My
Favourite Things’ from the legendary movie ‘Sound Of Music’. Here are the
lyrics she used:
(Sing it!).

Botox and nose drops and needles for knitting
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings
Bundles of magazines tied up in string
These are a few of my favourite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts hearing aids and glasses
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses
Pacemakers golf carts and porches with swings
These are a few of my favourite things.

When the pipes leak When the bones creak
When the knees go bad
I simply remember my favourite things
And then I don’t feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring
These are a few of my favourite things.

Back pain confused brains and no need for sinnin’
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin’
And we won’t mention our short shrunken frames
When we remember our favourite things.

When the joints ache When the hips break
When the eyes grow dim
Then I remember the great life I’ve had
And then I don’t feel so bad.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>
(Ms. Andrews received a standing ovation from the crowd
that lasted over four minutes and repeated encores.