Around Portarlington Way
TRACTOR RUN
A Tractor run will take place in Portarlington on Sunday August 26 at 11am. All proceeds will go to the Portarlington Community Development Association ongoing Projects. The biggest of these projects being the Derryounce Walks & Trails. To book a place contact Eddie Fitzpatrick @ 0872580428, also the PCDA/LOVE PORT office @ 0858568801.
VOLUNTEER DRIVERS
The Irish Cancer Society needs an extra 20 drivers for our Volunteer Driver Service in Laois, to drive cancer patients to and from their chemotherapy appointments in the following hospitals –Tullamore, the Mater, St. James’s, St. Vincent’s and Tallaght. We are looking for drivers with free weekday availability and who have a car available to them. Drivers should be able to commit to driving at least two full (week) days a month. All volunteer expenses are paid. If you would like to volunteer, please call Laura on 01 2310 594, e-mail transport@irishcancer.ie for an Application Form.
Lea Castle. Photo courtesy of Con Murphy Photography
FRIENDS TOGETHER
The group continue to meet every Tuesday & Friday in the Scouts Den on Main St from 2.30pm to 5pm. Lots of activities & outings.
FUNDRAISER-A fundraiser will take place on Wednesday July 25 from 7pm to 9pm in the East End Hotel. Doors open at 6.30pm. Lots of fun on the night, including Disco, Magician, Bouncy Castle, Face painting & lots more. Adults & children under 3 admitted free. Admission per child €7.
MONDAY NIGHT DANCING
Dancing in Aid of Portarlington St Vincent de Paul continues every Monday night in the Gandon Inn Hotel & Restaurant. July 30-dancing to Brian McDermott. Admission €8. Dancing 9.30pm to 12. A great night assured.
All your Social Dancing News
BINGO
Bingo continues every Tuesday night at 8.30pm in the Port GAA Centre. Prize money given out each week is over €2,300.
RECENT WEDDINGS
Congratulations to the following couples who were married in the Parish recently- Niall Scully, Closelands & Caoimhe Gorman, Kilmullen. Stephen Conlon, Mountmellick & Sinead Whelehan, Closelands. Kevin Burke, Galway & Jacqueline Dowling, Ullard. Declan Carty, Ballycrystal, Geashill & Aoife Connolly, Doolagh. David Maher, Monasterevin & Grainne Murphy, Lea. Kevin Gorman, Geashill & Anna Osyp, Poland, Glen Brophy, Killeen & Joanna Tasak, Poland & Kris Finlay, Station Rd & Lee Cooper, Clonanny. Wishing all the couples health & happiness in the future.
HERITAGE WEEK
Preparations are underway for Heritage Week 2018. More than 70 events are registered for Laois so it looks like this year’s will be the best yet! Heritage Week takes place nationally from August 18 to 26, and full details are at the Heritage Week website, www.heritageweek.ie. A guide is available in libraries and locally and there is more information on Laois County Council’s website. Events include: Lea Castle Conservation update August 23, 8-9pm in Portarlington Library also in Clanmalire House, Ballybrittas on August 24, 8-9pm; Family walk hosted by Irish Wildlife Trust Laois Offaly branch takes place in Garryhinch woods on August 19, 11am-1pm; Tour of Lanlord’s Georgian House at Mount St Anne’s, Killenard on August 23, 10am-4pm; Irish History Live August 23 in Portarlington Library 11am-12pm; Naturally Wild with Dale Treadwell on August 21, 10am-11am; Photography exhibition of Portarlington’s buildings hosted by Lea Castle Conservation Group August 25-26, 10am-6pm in the Parochial Hall, Market Square.
All your Portarlington news
Photo thanks to Con Murphy Photography
PORT TEXT ALERTS
Sign up for Text Alerts now with Port Text Alerts. Community Text Alerts is up and running in Portarlington & Killenard. Forms to sign up to the scheme are available in the Loveport office in the Community Centre or by emailing porttextalert@gmail.com. or visit www.portarlington.ie and download it from the site. Phone the Love Port office @ 085-8568801 for more information.