Lorrha Notes
A Merry and safe Christmas to all our readers.
On sale throughout the parish and surrounding towns. If you wish to have a copy posted to you, call (086) 8647166 or email info @lorrhadorrha.ie
So Close.
It was so, so close for the McIntyre family as they just missed out, by mere seconds, on taking away the top prize of €15,000 and being crowned ‘Ireland’s Fittest Family’.
Sixteen families started the grueling event and over several weeks, twelve families went home after giving their best. Davie Fitzgerald also went packing and it was down to Anna Geary, Donncha O’Callaghan and Derval O’Rourke. Last Sunday night’s episode saw four families battling it out in the final of four events and after two more families were eliminated it was down to our own parish family the McIntyre’s, and the Kinsella’s from Wexford. The grand finale turned out to be a huge fight of massive strength, and ultimately inspirational shows of endurance from both camps with horrible disappointment for our own parish family.
As they looked at the challenge ahead of them, Aiden McIntyre was delighted that the mountain wasn’t as steep as he thought, but that was before the challenge commenced! First event up was ‘Mountain Madness’ in Kilruddery, which lived up to its name, with the McIntyre’s coming in second place. In round two, ‘Sling Shot’, Aiden, Eoin, Niall and Clodagh made it their own as they did in round three ‘Mountain Escape’ with Aiden getting help along the way from his two sons. Things were looking good for the family from Portland as they seemed on course for the top prize, with the Kinsella family nipping on their heels throughout. The grand finale was nail biting stuff as the two families went head to head, and they were neck and neck with so little between them, while their respective mentors Donncha and Anna were fighting their own battles too. However, for the McIntyre family, it just wasn’t to be, and it was heartbreaking for them as they came so close with the Enniscorthy family and Anna Geary celebrating after a grueling final. The parish of Lorrha was weighing in behind Aiden, Eoin, Niall and Clodagh and while we are hearth broken for you, we are also very proud of your wonderful effort and well done on getting to the final in the first place. Anyone else from the parish fancy their chances in Irelands Fittest Family??
Gun Owners Reminder.
Gardai are reminding people that if they have a gun it must be licensed. Gun owners must submit their fully completed renewal notices together with photos and supporting documentation to your local Garda station. Please submit as soon as possible and do not leave until the last minute to renew.
Seperman Nelius.
R.A.G.S. golfing society held their annual away weekend to Westport recently under the captaincy of Kevin Hough and management of James O’Meara. It was a really enjoyable weekend that was had by all and great golf played by the young and not so young, with Mike Coughlan taking the spoils. One of the societies long time members Nelius O’Meara, on his arrival in Westport, proceeded to climb Croagh Patrick and not to be outdone by that achievement, the following day he set off on a bike and cycled the Greenway to Achill, a trip of 100 km. But this was merely just a warm up for two further days of golf, thus earning himself the title ‘Superman Nelius’! Well done Nelius and all the members are looking forward to what surprises you have planned for the next R.A.G.S. outing.
Lorrha School Notes.
Christmas Draw.
This year we held a Christmas raffle with the draw taking place in the school on Friday December 17th. Our thanks to the late Fr. John Donnelly and his extended family for their donation of briquettes to the school community. Many thanks also to those who donated prizes and a special word of thanks to all who bought and sold tickets.
The winners were, Lorraine Kinsella, Martina Duggan, Luke Heenan, Sarah Delahunt Heenan, Lochlinn McGrath, Anna Young, Megan Moten, Mona Haughton, Dan Kennedy, Conor Kennedy, Emma Kennedy, George Harding, Zara Curran. Well done all.
Well Done.
Congratulations to the Lorrha junior camogie team and mentors on winning the County final recently. There was a number of the girls who are past pupils of the school and two of the three mentors are also past pupils. Well done to all.
Young Artists.
Congratulations is extended to Colin Keon Coughlan and Saoirse O’Meara, winners of the art competition which was organised by S.C.É.A.L. Barbara Tierney made the presentation to the two young students. Well done.
Commiserations.
Commiserations to the McIntyre family in the final of ‘Ireland’s Fittest Family’. You did yourselves proud and your parish too.
Enrolment.
We are now accepting enrolment for September 2022. Application forms can be downloaded from our school website www.lorrhans.ie or by calling the school on (090) 9747295.
Christmas Wishes.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our pupils, parents, staff and friends of the school, a happy and safe Christmas with many blessings throughout 2022.
Pilgrimage to San Giovanni.
A fully escorted pilgrimage with a Spiritual Director will take place to San Giovanni in Italy to include a visit to the Shrine of St. Philomena in Mugnano and a walking tour of Pietrrlcina, birthplace of St. Padre Pio, from the 18th to the 22nd of April 2022. Direct flights from Dublin to Naples Airport and coach transfer from there. The price of €669 per person includes breakfast and dinner with lunch on three days. For bookings and enquiries please call Michael or Anne on (087) 2677656.
Christmas Masses.
Christmas Eve Mass will be celebrated in Lorrha at 6.30pm. Christmas Day in Redwood at 9am and in Rathcabbin at 11am. St. Stephen’s Day in Rathcabbin at 11am Mass of the Holy Family.
Mass in the Pastoral area will be celebrated in Borrisokane on Christmas Eve at 2pm and at 7pm (family Mass), Kilbarron at 6pm, Terryglass at 8pm and Aglish at 9pm (Family Mass). On Christmas Day in Terryglass at 9.30am and Borrisokane at 11am.
Pilgrimage to Medjugorje.
Medjugorje Irish Centre Pilgrimages April – Oct 2022: 7 Nights Apartment B&B with return Airport transfer from Dubrovnik or Split from €315 per person sharing. Guaranteed Airport transfer price for any flight. Contact us for details & book the dates that suit you. Tel. 01 4434510 or email reservations@med-irishcentre.com
COVID-19 Support Line for Older People.
ALONE manage a national support line and additional supports for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). If you or someone you know needs support this Christmas, please call our National Support and Referral Line on 0818 222 024 from 8am – 8pm, seven days a week. ALONE operates 365 days a year so we will be there to take your call when you need us most
Join our Big Family Christmas.
By setting your place at the Mary’s Meals Big Family Christmas table, you’ll help to feed a hungry child for a whole school year for less than €20. You’ll get a beautiful digital placemat, featuring the name of your friend or loved one, to email or print out and pass on. Go to www.marysmeals.ie to set your place or call Patricia on 086 314 0814 Mary’s Meals feeds over 2 Million children each school day in 19 of the world’s poorest countries. At least 93% of all donations go directly to their charitable activities. Food changes the story; with your help they can make a difference.
Aware.
Aware is the national organisation providing free support, education & information services to those impacted by anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and related mood conditions. Aware was founded by Dr McKeon & a team of volunteers, many of whom had their own experience of depression or bipolar disorder & who wanted to support others. That is still Aware’s ethos today; volunteers are the backbone of the organisation. You can direct potential volunteer here: https://www.aware.ie/get-involved/volunteering/. All the relevant information, training dates and full application form can be viewed on that page.
GAA News.
Thanks: to Dan Kennedy, after 33 years of working with the club as grounds-man, has retired. Dan was very approachable and extremely professional in his work and whoever replaces him will have big shoes to fill.
Merry christmas and Happy new year: to all our club members. We look forward to getting back playing in the new year.
AGM: was held last Thursday night and our officers were re-selected.
President: Phil McIntyre. Vice-President: Michael Liffey. Chairman: Aiden McIntyre. Vice-chair: Hubert Duggan. Secretary: Maureen Guinan. Assistant secretary: Michael Kennedy. Treasurer: Niall Brophy. Assistant Treasurer: Adrian Molloy. Registrar and assistant treasurer: Louise Mannion. Lotto co-ordinator: Kevin Molloy PRO: Niall McIntyre. Child welfare officer: Tom Kennedy. Healthy clubs officer: David Fogarty. Development officer: Tony Coen. Hurling officer: Ken Hogan.
