Around Portarlington Way

Centenary Events in Portarlington

The Portarlington 1916 Commemoration Committee would like to announce the following dates for events we have organized to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the 1916 Rising. All members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Laois 1916 Commemoration

Saturday April 23—- This is the weekend of the 100th Anniversary of the Rising & we will be unveiling the Proclamation etched in granite and mounted on a plinth outside Portarlington Library along with the raising of the Tricolor. The Proclamation will be read by local school children. This event will take place at 3.00 pm.

Friends Together

Portarlington Friends Together meet every Tuesday & Friday in Portarlington Community Centre from 2-5pm. This is a free club where people can meet for a chat & a cuppa, play a game of cards or some board games. Meet new people & make friends. Two phones up and running on 085-2148322 & 085-2148505.

St. Vincent de Paul news

St Vincent de Paul

Dancing continues every Monday night in The Gandon Inn, from 9.30pm to 11.30pm in aid of Portarlington St V de Paul. April 25-Solitaire. Come along for a great night out. Admission €7. All welcome.

Diamond Wedding Celebrations 

“It all started in 1954 when Seamus Duffy cycled into Portarlington Savoy Cinema from Walsh Island with May McCann on the crossbar. A few dates later at dances and getting to know each other they headed off to England for work. Two years later on Easter Monday April 2 1956 in Yorkshire they said I do! Soon after their marriage Seamus had a choice of joining the army or returning home. Deciding Ireland was for them they travelled home and Seamus started working with Bord na Mona, while May worked at home to bring up their 5 children.

Seamus & May Duffy Cushina who recently celebrated their 60th wedding Anniversary with family & friends in the Gandon Inn.

60 years on they now have 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. They have lived in Cushina since 1957. You will never see one without the other, going everywhere together. They love going to Lourdes with Portarlington Parish pilgrimage. Also enjoy Hotel breaks around Ireland with family and local groups. Enjoy the Gandon Inn every Monday night. Always loved dancing. A very gentle humble loving special couple. Two peas in a pod. Unfortunately their health has let them down in recent years but they keep the best side out and look after each other admiringly. As said by their family– “We have very happy memories of our Annual trip to Tramore for Summer holidays, the 8th December to Dublin to see Santa & the excitement of bringing home the turf!! Mammy and Daddy always went without and sacrificed to provide for us. As a family we are so proud of them”. Congratulations & best wishes Seamus & May. Good health & many more years together.

Conservation Work

Laois Offaly Irish Wildlife Trust Conservation Volunteer Work Group Enhancement works take place at Marian Hill, Portarlington on April 30, 10am-2pm. Work to enhance this community nature park. Bring a packed lunch and dress for the weather.

Laois Wildlife Trust Laois/Offaly Branch needs our help

Contact- Email us at: sec.iwtlaoisoffaly@gmail.com & follow updates on our Facebook page (facebook.com/IWTLaoisOffaly)

Monster Raffle

Coláiste Íosagáin Parents Council wish to thank all who generously supported their recent Easter Draw and wish to thank all the Sponsors for the prizes.

1st Prize €200 Hamper Coughlan Eng Tullamore – -Marcus Bennett
2nd Prize €100 Central Stores – ———————Diarmuid Faherty
3rd Prize €100 Supervalu Hamper –—————-Tony Crimmin
4th Prize €50 Colgan Sports ————————- Claire Fox
5th Prize €50 Colgan Sports – ———————–Johanna Pender
6th Prize €50 Colgan Sports – ———————–Deirdre Bryan
7th Prize €50 O’Deas Bistro –————————Naoise O’Dea
8th Prize €50 O’Deas Bistro – ———————–Emma Knight
9th Prize €50 Phone Credit – ———————–Annette Pierce
10th Prize €50 Phone Credit ———————– Sandie O’Leary
11th Prize €50 Phone Credit———————— Gwen Noons.

Sympathy

Deepest Sympathy to the family of Bernie Murphy (nee Bracken) Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry & formerly Garryhinch who passed away on March 28. Bernie will be sadly missed by her son John, daughter in law Julie, her 3 grandchildren, partner Brian, brothers Eamon & John Bracken, sister Kathleen, her extended family & friends. Requiem Mass took place on March 30 in O’Connell Memorial Church, Cahersiveen, with burial after in Killavarnogue Cemetery. May Bernie rest in Peace.

God rest their souls.

Sympathy

Deepest Sympathy to the family of Mary Hynes (nee Knight) St Joseph’s Terrace who passed away on Monday April 11. Mary was predeceased in recent years by her brother John, sister Elizabeth (Dempsey), & grandson Adam. Mary will be sadly missed by her loving husband Danny, devoted daughters Lorraine & Karen, grandson Alex, brothers Michael, David & Gerry, sister Pauline, her extended family, neighbours & friends. Requiem Mass took place on Thursday April 14 in St Michael’s Church, with burial after in St Michael’s Cemetery. May Mary rest in Peace.

Club President Carmel Moore welcoming newest member Geraldine Kennedy

Portarlington Speakers

The Speakers are moving their venue to the Heritage Hotel, so if you want to empower yourself, build your confidence, improve your presentation skills at the same time as meeting new friends and having some craic then come along on the first and third Tuesdays of each month from 7.45pm to 9.30pm. You can socialise afterwards and listen to traditional music in the bar. Next meetings 7.45pm on Tuesdays April 19, May 3 and May 17. See us on FaceBook and/or MeetUp.

Arlington AFC Lotto

Results for April 4. Letters: C-N-M-K. No Jackpot Winner. Next Jackpot €3,700. Draw will take place on April 19.

Your Arlington AFC news here.

HOST FAMILIES

Host families wanted for Spanish Students. June 29 – July 27 2016. In Laois, Offaly, Kildare & Dublin. Generous payments / one student per family /. Host family must have a teenager who is willing to host the visiting student. The student integrates into family for four weeks. Urban and rural families welcome. Further information, contact 087-2062162 after 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Anytime at weekend.

Port GAA Club Lotto

Results for week 15. Numbers Drawn 9-12-25-29. No Jackpot Winner.
€50 Winners Aileen Hennessy c/o Noreen Mooney & Marian Emma James c/o Rose McCann. €25 Winners Lorna Mulpeter c/o M Confrey & Bernie Flanagan c/o M Fallon. Jackpot Next Week €1,500.
Results-Laois Shopping Centre ACFL Div 1 1A Rd 5-Portarlington 0-13, Arles Killeen 2-10.
Laois Shopping Centre Junior League Rd 3-Portarlington 2-10, Spink 0-09.