Lorrha Notes
Dóirín Saurus, Fethard Historical Society, presenting the winning author Gerard O’Meara, with the Tipperariana ‘Book of the Year’ award for 2016, for his publication, ‘Lorrha People in the Great War’. Ger’s book is available in the local shops in Lorrha and Terryglass. It is also stocked by Supervalu in Portumna, Banagher, Birr and Roscrea as well as the Nenagh Bookshop and the Bookworm Bookshop in Thurles. In Tullamore can be purchased at both Midland Books and the Offaly Historical and Archaeological Society on Bury Quay.
Well Done Ger.
Congratulations is extended to Ger O’Meara who picked up the Tipperariana Book of the year award 2016 for his recent publication “Lorrha People in the Great War”. Ger was presented with a specially commissioned ‘Art Piece’, by artist and potter Doirín Saurus , which evoked the image of the ‘Cemetery Headstone’ which is one of the iconic images that remind us of the needless slaughter of millions of men during that awful war. The award was organized by the Tipperariana Book Fair / Fethard Historical Committee and the Book Fair will be held in Fethard on Sunday 12th February. Well done Ger. A selection of photographs can be viewed on the parish web site www.lorrhadorrha.ie
Parish Responders.
Following the round of Cardiac First Responder training in Rathcabbin in 2015, Rathcabbin Community First Responders were formed and are now registered with the National Ambulance Service. This group of locals will endeavour to provide timely help before an ambulance arrives if a cardiac, choking or a stroke emergency is rung into 999 in the Rathcabbin area.A similar group is being formed in Lorrha to provide assistance in the Lorrha end of this large parish.
If you ring 999 or 112 you will be asked for your Eircode to pin point your location quickly, so please memorise your Eircode or keep it in a prominent place in your house. Ask someone with access to a computer if you do not have yours. This is vitally important for people living in housing estates or big townlands with a few roads like Gurteen, Rathcabbin or Portland, Lorrha.
There are defibrillators located outside Kelly’s Rathcabbin, the garage at Walshpark, Lorrha Hall, Moatefield GAA clubhouse and Redwood National School.
Church News.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament continues on Thursday’s from 10am to 8pm in Rathcabbin Church. We invite all parishioners to come and stay a while in the presence of Jesus.
Next Saturday, 11th February is the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes – World Day for the Sick.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes: Saturday 11th February is the 159th anniversary of the Apparitions of Our Lady to St. Bernadette in Lourdes. This year’s Diocesan Pilgrimage will leave Shannon on Monday June 26th, returning on Saturday July 1st. The cost this year is still €692 per person sharing. €10 discount for online booking at www.joewalshtours.ie. Booking forms can be obtained from: Joe Walsh Tours, 143 Lower Baggot St, Dublin 2. Telephone: 01 2410810.
Knock Pilgrimage to New York: A special pilgrimage to New York from Knock will take place from 8th – 14th May. Flying directly from Ireland West Airport to JFK, the pilgrimage offers a chance to be part of a memorable and historic trip. Itinerary includes a Requiem Mass on WSaturday 13th at Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral for the re- internment of the remains of John Curry, the youngest of the Knock witnesses which will be celebrated by His Eminence Cardinal Dolan. If you would like to find out more or make an enquiry, please contact Joe Walsh Tours on 01 2410800 or email: bronwyn.clinton@joewalshtours.ie
A chance to reflect, think, chat and hopefully help answer that ‘Call to Priesthood’ – taking place on Friday /Saturday February 17th / 18th in Pallotine College, Thurles. Friday dinner at 6pm followed by time of prayer. Meet others thinking of Priesthood and some recently ordained priests. Stay overnight, breakfast and a brief talk on discerning a vocation, preparation for mass, lunch, discussion and departure. Advance booking is required; Contact Fr. Joe Walsh, Templemore – 0867714888.
Spring De-Clutter.
When cleaning out your wardrobe to make room for the spring collection, please remember Lorrha Development/Tidy Towns who continue to collect unwanted clothes throughout the year. Items of clothing must be clean and dry and in good condition please and we can supply bags if you want. We can also collect to make it easy for you, just call (086) 8647166, (086) 8493595 or (087) 2601413 with your name and details. Please note we cannot accept Duvets, bedding, household linen, pillows, cushions, carpets, rugs and maths including bath toilet and shower math’s, soiled or wet clothing. All money raised from all fundraising ventures is used for the ongoing work around Lorrha Village which helps to keep two adults employed. Many thanks for your continued support.
Well Don Kevin.
Congratulations is extended to Kevin Cahalan who was successful at trials recently and picked to go forward in the upcoming season where he will represent Lorrha GAA club on the Under 14 Tipperary football team. Impressed by his North performance, the selectors picked Kevin who had captained the North Division team over their eight week match and training period. Well done Kevin and all the best in the future.
Lorrha Camogie:
Best wishes to two of our players Celine Cleary and Clodagh McIntyre as they take part in camogie All Ireland semi-finals with their schools. Clodagh will be competing in the senior B semi-final with Portumna CS in Ratharney at 1pm on Saturday and Celine will be competing in the senior C semi-final with Borrisokane CS on Saturday in Borrisoleigh at 2pm
Training: Training continues on Friday night in Moatfield with indoor circuits at 8.30pm and outdoor training starts this Sunday 12th at 11.15am, all players are asked to make every effort to attend.
Thank you: Many thanks to all those who attended our medals presentation night. A special word of thanks to Noel McGrath for doing the presentation and to our chairperson Bernie Cleary for organising the lovely surprise. Thank you to Teresa and all in the Ferry Inn for a great evening, to Sean and Alan O’Meara for providing the music and to Rose Mannion for being photographer on the night.
Business Course.
Starting your own Business Course commencing in Birr on Wednesday 15th February. Running over 6 consecutive Wednesday evenings until 22 March from 7 – 10pm. For more information and to reserve a place please contact Local Enterprise Office Offaly, on 057 9357480 or download application form from www.localenterprise.ie/Offaly
Struck by the ‘amazing goodness of people’ – says Olive Foley as Mayor presents Limerick’s Book of Condolences on husband’s passing. 10,000 signatures as messages pour in from around the world
The wife of the late Anthony Foley has described the 10,000 signatures on Limerick City and County Council’s Book of Condolences presented to her this week as another reminder of the ‘amazing goodness of people’.
Speaking after being presented with the Book of Condolences by Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon at City Hall, Olive Foley said that as overwhelming as her husband’s passing has been, the generosity of the public has still shone through at all times.
“As dreadful as this has been, I cannot help, even at the most difficult of times, but see the amazing goodness of people. You’re dealing with something that is almost too much at times but there’s always someone at your side, some message coming through.
“The greatness of this is really that it’s there for everyone, every time there’s a tragedy, people respond in amazing ways. Ireland is a special place in that regard and Limerick too. We had incredible support in Killaloe but it was like there was a small bridge between Killaloe and Limerick at that time, and very much since.
“To have 10,000 people sign a book of condolences says it all about Limerick. It has a huge place in our hearts and even the journey home with Anthony, passing Thomond Park and seeing so many people there, is something we will never forget. We thank everyone across the city and county for their support and for all these signatures. We will never forget it.”
Said Mayor Kieran O’Hanlon: “Anthony Foley was a hero of all of Limerick and it’s fair to say that his passing was one of those few moments in your life that you will always remember where you were when you heard the news. It stopped us all in our tracks. We had to come to terms with the sudden passing of someone whom we all had a connection with, even for those who didn’t know him.
“Anthony achieved so much in his all too short time here with us but was a really modest person. I think it’s because of that he had a special place in our hearts; a down to earth guy who did so well. His death, therefore, deeply impacted so many people and the number of people who signed the book of condolences reflected that. We never saw anything like it. So many people wanted to honour Anthony that we even increased capacity on our websiteLimerick.ie to enable them to do so.”
The Mayor also paid tribute to Olive, her sons and the Foley family for the way they have responded to his passing. “Anthony was a hero to us all and Olive is now very much the same. You just had to stand back and admire the way she and the boys and the wider family met Anthony’s passing. She has been so brave and so eloquent, from her homily at his funeral to everything she has done since.
“The online initiative by the family to have others remembered in Masses alongside Anthony in the run up to Christmas was also remarkable. It brought thousands of people together who are grieving. That solidarity has given so many people strength and it was an incredibly selfless thing for the family to do. There’s not much we can do at times like this except let people know we are there for them and Limerick certainly did that for the Foley family.”
GAA News
Juvenile Medal Presentation: took place in Moatfield last Saturday night. North medals were presented to our U12 hurlers and county medals to the Lorrha Rovers Gaels U14 hurlers by All Ireland winners Brian Hogan and John McGrath while Tipp football George Hannigan was also present.
Senior: Lorrha have been drawn against Templederry in the first round of the North Senior Hurling Championship. The game is likely to be played after the County Championship group games have been played. In the County League, Lorrha will face JK Brackens away in the opening round on Sunday 12th March. Ballina, Roscrea, Burgess and Holycross/Ballycahill are also in the group.
Under 21 Football: Lorrha have been given a walkover by Ballinahinch/Templederry in the quarter final of the North U21 ‘B’ Football Championship and will now play Silvermines in the semi-final in Moatfield, likely on weekend 18 or 25 February.
Gaeltacht Scholarships 2017: Applications are now being accepted with a closing date of February 20th. Applicants must be 2nd year, TY’s & 5th year students they are asked to contact their local GAA club for the relevant forms and procedures. Applications form from secretary Michael Kennedy
Membership: for 2017 is now due. €90 – Adult player; €50 – Minor/College student; €30 – Non-playing Adult (+€70 extra for gym membership); €20 – Juvenile (16 and under); €90 – Family (2 adults and 2 children, capped at €100 for three or more children). Closing date for membership for all adult and juvenile players is the last day of February to be insured in training and games while the closing date for all membership is 31st March. It is important to remember that our total number of adult members by 31st March is the number the County Board will use towards our ticket allocations for Tipperary games so it is in your interest to have membership paid by then. Membership can be paid to club registrar Louise Mannion or can also be done online at www.locallotto.ie. Members can also log onto www.grma.gaa.ie to get their new GAA Rewards card.
Lotto: Our jackpot is €4,200 with a Match 3 pot of €100. You can play online at www.locallotto.ie.
Social Dancing: on Friday night with Adrian Ryan. Dancing 9.30pm to 12.30am.
Line Dancing: On Wednesday 15th February at Lorrha GAA complex, a night of Line-Dancing will be held from 9.30pm to 12.30am. Admission €8. Refreshments and Raffle on door tickets. One of our patrons will win a donation for a charity of their choice on the door tickets also. See you there.