Lorrha Notes
Merry Christmas to all our readers. Stay safe and keep well…..
Photo by Rose Mannion.
Pastoral Area Christmas Mass Arrangements.
Christmas Eve: Mass in Lorrha Sunday at 9.00pm. Mass also in Lorrha on Saturday evening 23rd at 6.30pm.
Christmas day: Mass in Rathcabbin at 11.30am. No Mass in Rathcabbin on Sunday morning Dec.24th.
Borrisokane on Christmas Eve at 7pm. Christmas Day at 10.30am. Aglist on Christmas Eve at 2pm. Terryglass Christmas Eve at 8.30pm. – Christmas day at 9.30am. and Mass in Kilbarron on Christmas Eve at 6.30pm.
Sacrament of reconciliation in our Parishes: Next Sunday 17th, there will be a simple penitential service at the beginning of Masses. At the end of Masses there will be the opportunity for an individual blessing or confession if desired.
Please note No Morning Mass Sunday 24th Dec. The vigil Masses are the only Masses for the fourth Sunday of Advent : 6:30pm Lorrha, 7pm Borrisokane & 8pm Kilbarron.
Lights Camel Action.
The pupils of Lorrha NS present “Lights Camel Action” in Lorrha NS this Wednesday night December 20th at 7pm. This performance is now fully booked. There will be a raffle on the night. Entry is free. All enquiries to the school office on luanaofa@gmail.com.
Rathcabbin NS Christmas Concert.
The pupils of Rathcabbin NS present their Christmas concert in Rathcabbin Hall on this Wednesday December 20th. There’s a matinee at 12.45 and the evening show is at 7.15pm. Christmas music, singing, dance and plays from all the pupils. €10 per adult and €5 per child. All welcome.
Carol Service.
A Carol Service will be held in St Ruadhans Church of Ireland on Thurs 21st December at 8.00 pm. Followed by some light refreshments. Everyone is welcome.
Sympathy.
Sympathy is extended to the Larkin family Kilcormac and Lorrha on the death of Michael Parkinson, Terryglass. Michael passed away peacefully in the loving care of the staff of Portumna Retirement Village on Friday 15th of December 2023. Predeceased by his parents William and Nora (Quinlisk) and his brother Johnny. Michael will be deeply missed by his sister Mary and his extended family and many friends and neighbours to whom sympathy is extended.
Michael’s funeral Mass took place in The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Terryglass on Sunday last. May he rest in peace.
Lamha Beo.
Join us at Kelly’s Last Chance Bar Rathcabbin for the “Lamha Beo” photographic exhibition, featuring the incredible works of 12 talented local individuals. Discover the artistic skills of Mary Hanrahan, Pamela Kennedy, Sakie O’Brien, Mary O’Brien, Celine Guinan, Richard Haslam, Barry Noyce, Sean Lambe, Aubrey Claffey, Ute Dugan, William Holmes, and Michael O’Meara on Thursday, December 28th, starting at 8:30 PM. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in their captivating skills!
Charity Golf Outing.
A charity Golf outing will be held on Friday December 29th in Portumna Golf Club with all proceeds going to MSF Gaza Fund. Tee time from 11.15am. For further information please call Donal Brady on (087) 222 5516. All are welcome.
Christmas Special Card Game.
Rathcabbin Hall special card game will take place on Friday 29th December at 8.30pm. Everyone welcome.
Entertainer Seán Keane for Rathcabbin Hall.
Looking for a Christmas present? Well look no further than Patrick Cahalan or Nancy White who will sell you tickets for the forthcoming Seán Keane concert which will take place on Saturday 13th April 2024 at 8pm. Just call (087) 6962 490 or (087) 7613 458 and your present is sorted.
News From Lorrha School.
As we bid farewell to our former principal Mrs. Olive O’Meara on her retirement from the school after 35 years, we also get set to welcome her successor Mr. John Skehan who will take up his position on January 8th.
We extend our thanks to all our pupils who did our school proud and their parents on Saturday night 9th by participating with oozing confidence, in the celebrations to mark Olive’s departure. Well done all.
Art competition: Congratulations to our winners, Megan, Rachel, Ava, David, Bonnie and Soraya in the Rathcabbin Tidy Towns Christmas Fair colouring competition! Many thanks to the Rathcabbin committee for inviting us to participate.
Silverware in the school: A big Thank You to the Lorrha Premier Intermediate team members for bringing the Liam Devaney (North Cup) and Seamus O’Riáin (county) cups to our school where the pupils were delighted to get their hands on the silverware. Captain Michael Dolan, Michael Kennedy, Ciarán Hough and our past pupils Colm and Christopher Fogarty, Niall McIntyre and Tom Duggan took the time to answer questions and sign their autographs. They were accompanied by selector Shane Brophy. Well done lads, it was wonderful to see you all and again our thanks for calling around. Our pupils loved every minute.
Quiz: A huge well done and thanks to Eoghan, Patrick, Megan and Rachel who represented our school in the North Board GAA Primary School Quiz recently. A great experience for all!
Birr Theatre: Our juniors travelled to Birr Theatre last week for the Christmas play ‘Elf Saved Christmas’ and they had a tremendous time too.
School Play: A massive well done to all our pupils who performed ‘Lights, Camel, Action’ Christmas play in school last week and many thanks to their families for coming along and supporting them.
A huge thank you to their teachers Ms. McLoughney and Ms. Harding. Well done all.
Used Postage Stamps: Don’t forget that we continue to collect your used postage stamps which we forward to the clergy for Missionary work. We also continue to collect used batteries which helps with contributing to the LauraLynn hospice foundation. So please bring all your used stamps and batteries to the school.
Enrolling: Lorrha N.S. are enrolling pupils for the 2024/25 school year. Application forms are available from the school, from the website or message the facebook page. You can also call the school on (090) 9747295 or email luanaofa@gmail.com. Appointments can also be made to view the school and see what’s on offer or to talk to a teacher by calling the school or sending an email. We look forward to hearing from you.
Christmas Wishes: The staff and pupils in Lorrha N.S. wish to extend Christmas wishes to everyone and hope you have a blessed Christmas and many good wishes for the new year.
New Single.
Lorrha man Darran Bourke recently released his new single “Forever and Amen”. Written and performed by the talented Darran, the scenery for the song was shot in St. Ruadhan’s Church, Lorrha. “Forever and Amen” can be downloaded and streamed on all platforms or you can watch on U-Tube.
Christmas Greetings.
Rathcabbin Players wish everyone a Happy Christmas and look forward to seeing you all at their forthcoming play “Don’t Tell The Wife” by Sam Creed. Watch this space for further details.
GAA News.
There was No Winner of this weeks lotto jackpot of €3,100. The numbers drawn on 18 December were: 10-12-28-30. 2 Match 3’s share €100: Mary Cleary & Denis Duggan. Promoters: Maria Brophy, Madeleine Maher, & PJ Nevin.
Christmas lotto spot prize winners: – Nancy White, Alice Kelly, The 4 Girls (c/o Betty Houlihan), Ann Power, Caroline O’Brien, Lauren Donoghue, Timothy Tierney, Joe Ryan, – Eileen Hogan, Betty Reddish, Seamus Sherlock, Ogie Moran, Niall Brophy.
Promoters: Noreen Houlihan, Louise Mannion, Eamon Maher, Kelly’s, Sean Mannion, D&K Mannion.
Next draw will be on St Stephen’s Night for a jackpot of €3,200. Team 7 in charge of the draw. Thank you for your continued support and Happy Christmas to all our players.
Dinner Dance: Takes place on Saturday, January 13th in the County Arms Hotel, Birr, with North & County premier intermediate hurling championship winning team to be celebrated on the night. A band and DJ will play. Tickets, €50, which would be the perfect Christmas present, are now available. Contact secretary Maureen Guinan 0872426965 for details, with the option available of paying on Revolut.
Retro Jerseys: If you’re not going to the dinner dance but are still on the look-out for a Christmas present, what would be better than a retro Lorrha jersey, with both blue and white versions available. Contact Aidan McIntyre for details.
Christmas Sets: Lorrha GAA Christmas sets are on sale in Oliver Douglas’ Birr for those who are on the look-out for Christmas presents.
Tipp Clubs Draw: Congratulations to Edel Hogan Hoctor, Shinrone, who won €300 in the Tipperary Draw last Friday.
Social Dancing: Christmas Party takes place this Friday night in the Tony Reddin Centre from 9.30pm. If you want to start the Christmas early, then what better place to start it with the excellent Dave Lawlor and Michael Cahill.
Charity Golf Outing: Organised by Donie Brady for the MSF Gaza fund takes place in Portumna Golf Club at 11.15am on Friday, December 29th. Contact Donie Brady 0872225516 for further details.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our club members. We look forward to getting back on the field in 2024.
The day started with a lovely surprise during the set-up and preparation by Rathcabbin Tidy Towns for their Christmas Craft Fair. Vincent Corcoran arrived with a nod to our native and local craft in the form of a generous donation of turf. Great timing and lovely to be able to sell it locally on the day!
This day included 13 craft tables to support crafters or all ages selling their produce and festive gifts. We’re happy to hear the positive feedback from craft tables on business level for them and the enjoyable day in general. It’s great to support younger school pupils having their first experience of managing a table and selling their wares. It’s more than a craft fair and talent did shine. It’s a festive appreciation day where we give back locally and say thanks to all by bringing this event to life for Christmas season. We included a magician for the children this year and hosted a festive art competition for all three schools locally. Their artwork decorated the community hall on the day and many of them got to meet Santa too when he paid a visit that evening. We’d like to thank the main sponsors for our 19 raffle prizes on the day – Mulrooney’s, Secret Essence, Bobby Mcloughlin, Pamela Kennedy, Keith Brady, In Your Prime and Ladies Day Boutique, Portumna, Hassetts of Banagher, Doherty’s Roscrea, Corrib Oil and the many beautiful donations received from locals that went into hampers and prizes we created for the day itself.
It’s been a great year of progress for Rathcabbin Tidy Towns. We look forward to our AGM shortly after taking decorations down in early 2024. We thank everyone who helped and supported Tidy Towns throughout 2023 and hope you enjoy a festive break! We welcome new volunteers who’d like to get involved from next Spring onwards.
Did you know??
A dramatic fireball was sighted crossing Ireland caused by Space debris in 2012.
The Bible is widely considered to be the best selling book of all time with estimated total sales of over five billion copies.
In 1960 the largest earthquake ever recorded was a magnitude 9.5 in Chile.
On the 26th of March 1982, Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder released the single Ebony and Ivory in the UK
The budget for the film Titanic, was higher than for the Titanic itself..
Thought for the week….
Sometimes things become possible if we want them bad enough…
Smile awhile..
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