Around Portarlington Way
MARIAN HILL NATURE AREA
The Irish Wildlife Trust & the PCDA would like to thank everyone who turned up to help on Saturday January 21 at the Marian Hills Nature Area in Portarlington. So many local community groups represented including Portarlington Tidy Towns, Portarlington Community Development Association, Port Trail Walking Group and Wildlife & Conservation Group. Massive thanks to Hughie and all the gang at Laois Hire for providing the digger to dig the new wildlife pond and other earth works on site! Super effort from all involved and the site is really taking shape. Now we have the habitats such as the pond, meadow and woodland in good order we will move to focus on access and infrastructure on site. Thanks for support from Laois Co Co through LA21 funding which has helped enormously. Standby for more updates soon.
WELL DONE SEODHNA
Congratulations to Seodhna Hoey on winning the Leinster Sports Star award for best Senior Athlete in Laois for 2016. In 2016 she won 3 County titles, 6 Leinster titles along with 4 Silver and 4 Bronze medals in the shot, discus and hammer events.
Seodhna Hoey at the Leinster Sports Star Awards.
She also won National titles and 3 Silver medals.
Receiving the Leinster star award was a big achievement. She puts in a lot of hard work, time and dedication to her training. We would like to wish her all the best for 2017.
TABLE QUIZ
The St Patrick’s Day committee are holding a Table Quiz on next Friday February 3 at 9pm in the Anvil Inn. Table of 4 only €20. Plenty of fun guaranteed. Raffle on the night. Tables are limited, so please book early from the Anvil Inn or contact Noel Bodie at 086-8157487. This year’s parade will be spectacular.
Thanks to all who organised, participated in & supported another great Paddy’s Day parade!
SOCIAL DANCING
An Evening of Social Dancing takes place in The Parochial Hall, The Square, Portarlington on
Saturday February 4 ( World Cancer Day) commencing @ 8pm. Music by James Sunderland and his band Mountain Ash. Proceeds to Portarlington & Monasterevin Union of parishes
& the “Give us a Song campaign for Cancer Research”. Tickets €10.
KNIT KNAT DONATE ONCE AGAIN
A big well done to Rita Forsyth & the ladies of the “Knit Knat Club” in Portarlington on their donation of a cheque for €2,400 to Down Syndrome Ireland “Laois Branch”.
This club continue every year to raise money to donate to different charities.
PORT MEN’S SHED
Bored on a Monday? At a loose end on Tuesdays? Need to get occupied on Wednesday? Feel like a chat on Thursdays? Then why not call to the Men’s Shed any of these days?
Not only do we have a woodworking workshop, we have a relaxation room where you can sit and have a cuppa, listen to the radio or enjoy a game of darts.
In Men’s Sheds we learn from your skill and you could learn from their skills. New members are always welcome! Port men’s shed is open on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10.30am to 1pm and on Wednesdays from 6.30pm to 9pm.
All your Portarlington news here.
Why not drop in and see for yourself? Membership is free as is the coffee and tea.
GROW
Grow Community Mental Health Movement meets every Thursday at 7pm in the Jobs Club, Oriel House, Upper Main Street, Portarlington. If you feel anxious, isolated or depressed why not join us and learn a practical psychology of mental health. Contact John on 086 – 8033126. Website: www.grow.ie Infoline: 1890 474 474
Community Mental Health Movement in Ireland
JUNIOR BAND FOR PORTARLINGTON
The First night of Portarlington Concert Band is happening on Monday February 6 at 7pm in the Portarlington GAA Centre. Come along, all welcome.
Boys & girls age 9 years & older are invited to join. Instruments provided, which include Flutes, Clarinets, Trumpets, Trombones, Saxophones, Drums & Percussion & low Brass. Parents can contact Pat Donegan @ 083-8570428 for more details. He will be only too delighted to give you all the details. Also if you would like to give some of your time to help it would be greatly appreciated.
St Vincent de Paul (Dancing)
Dancing continues every Monday night in The Gandon Inn, from 9.30pm to 11.30pm in aid of Portarlington St V de Paul. February 6-Checkers. Come along for a great night out. Admission €7. All welcome.
All your Social Dancing News
FRIENDS TOGETHER PORTARLINGTON
Our meetings continue as usual on Tuesday & Friday in the Scouts Den on Main Street from 2.30-5pm. Parents & children welcome. Come in for a cuppa, a chat & some games if you like. Volunteer drivers needed to transport people. Phone: 087-2788472.
Friends Together News
ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
The St Patrick’s day committee have had their first meeting & there is plenty in store for all ages. They would like you all to get your thinking caps on as they will be having a battle of the floats. They will give out €600 in prize money divided between-
(1) Best team float
(2) Best business float
(3) Best private/ residents committee float.
There will also be much more on the day. They are hoping for some new members to join the team, so if you have some spare times please come on board and make it even better than last year. Contact Noel Bodie @ 086-8151487.
Making sure this year’s Portlarlington parade is the best ever!
ACTIVE RETIREMENT CLUB
The Portarlington Happy Hearts/Active Retirement Club invites new members over 55s to join their Club. Meet every Thursday in the Community Centre from 2pm to 4pm. Lots of activities. We also take day trips & short holiday breaks. For more information contact Barbara @ 086-1999405.