Around Portarlington Way
ANOTHER PORT SUPERSTAR
Rachel Lawless is 13 years old and a 1st-year pupil in Colaiste Iosagain. Rachel boxes with Portlaoise Boxing Club & she is trained by her Dad Ray Lawless. She has 2 Leinster titles and 2 Laois- Kilkenny- Carlow titles.
Recently Rachel won the Michael Andrews competition defeating the current all Ireland champion in the final of the Michael Andrews competition in the National Stadium in Dublin. She is also a very keen footballer and plays on the U/14 St. Conleth’s team.
All her family & friends are so proud of her, especially her parents Ray Lawless & Eimear Coogan Lawless.
Well done Rachel & the best of luck for the future from all the people of Portarlington.
Rachel Lawless who recently won competition defeating the current All-Ireland champion in the final
SOCIAL SERVICES BINGO
Portarlington Social Services bingo resumed on last Wednesday February 1 & will continue each Wednesday night at 8.30pm in the Social Services Centre. We welcome back all the old players & also welcome new players. Come along & enjoy a few games, a cuppa & meet your old friends or make new ones.
AGM
The AGM of Portarlington Social Services/Meals on Wheels took place on Friday January 27.
In the year 2016 the centre cooked & delivered 5,634 meals. It cost up to €50,000 to run the Centre for the year. That is why all funding & donations are most important in the running of our Service.
We acknowledge all the donations from the public we receive, between our flag days, private donations & events that groups run for us.
Thanks to our wonderful staff for the high standard and quality which they achieve in preparing the dinners. Thanks to the 70 plus voluntary delivery people. We could not operate without their help.
Our thanks to Martina Smyth supervisor of the Community Employment Project for her continued support and help.
We think once again of all the wonderful people associated with the Service who passed away in the last year. May they Rest in Peace.
The Committee for 2017- Chairman-Rory Whelan. Secretary-Ann Bourke Dunne. Treasurer-Geraldine O’Reilly. Card secretary for Delivery people-Breda Dunne. Committee-Paul Mooney, Ken Dunne, Jenny Champ, Mary Maher & Rita Behan.
Trustees-Mrs Dorothy Odlum, Dr Adrian Honan, Geraldine O’Reilly & en Dunne.
Presenting a cheque to Meals on Wheels
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 13-Solataire. Come along for a great night out. Admission €7. All welcome.
HAPPY HEARTS
The Happy Hearts/Active Retirement Club takes place every Thursday in the Portarlington Community Centre between 2-4pm. Activities include Bingo, Bowls, Cards, Art, Table Tennis, Darts, Rings, Table Quiz, Talks, Sing along, Crafts & Dancing. We also go on day trips 7 short breaks throughout the year. New members over 55 always welcome. For more information contact Barbara @ 086-1999405.
FRIENDS TOGETHER SOCIAL CLUB
The Friends Together Social Club meetings are held on Tuesday & Friday in the Scouts Den
on Main Street. Parents & children welcome. Call in for a cuppa & a chat. Phone: 087 2788472 for more information.
Friends Together News Photo courtesy of Con Murphy Photography
Portarlington St Patrick’s Day Parade
The St Patrick’s Day parade committee would like to invite you all to view the activities for the day.
Events this year-Annual Childrens Colouring Competition in conjunction with Portarlington Library. Ceili night on Saturday March 11. The parade on March 17 will start at 3.30pm. Our group has gone above and beyond this year to Celebrate St Patricks Day and with a limited budget struggle to raise awareness of our events.
This year the Parade itself is all about the “Battle of the Floats” Prize money totalling €600 will be divided between the following categories: 1) Best Team float. 2) Best Business float. 3) Best Private Group / Residents Committee float. We will also have our perpetual trophies for the following categories- 1) Best young Group Marching- Trophy award. 2) Best Group for Entertainment- Trophy award. 3) Best Float in the Parade- Trophy Award We are looking for all local clubs, organisations and business to come on board.
To participate in the Parade as ever is free of charge and Business will be charged €50. As it is a day for the Green all participants must have a theme. The parade will be leaving Station Road at 3.30pm and groups are asked to assemble at 2.30pm. For further information we ask to either email portparade@gmail.com or via facebook. As always we will have music and entertainment in the main square from 2.30pm including Bouncy Castles, Raven Haven Avaries and much more. All activities are free of charge. We would also like to put a call out for Volunteers and if anyone can assist on the day to please contact us for further information. If you would like more details please call Karen on 087 2638140.
Making sure this year’s Portlarlington parade is the best ever!
BINGO
The Swimming Association would like to remind you that BINGO will continue as usual in the G.A.A Centre opposite Lidl at 8.30pm every Tuesday night. Great prizes on offer including a Jackpot of €1,000, and now we have an extra leaflet which we pay out what we take in. Price of books goes from €3 – €6- €8. Flyers €2 each. Come along and try your luck.
PORT TRAIL BEGINNERS WALKING GROUP
Port Trail Beginners Walking Group began a new walk in January. This is an open group and you can join in at anytime. The new walk is suitable for Beginners, and the walk takes about 30 minutes. The routes are optional. Meet at Park Lane car park, beside the Medi Centre, on Monday evenings at 7.30pm. Please feel free to join in and stay fit for 2017. Further info from Donie @ (086) 3288858.
CREDIT UNION ANNUAL SCHOOLS QUIZ
Portarlington Credit Union would like to thank all who took part in their Annual School quiz in Colaiste Iosagain. They would like to thank all the schools and students who took part. It was as always a fun night for all involved and a very close competition. Well done to all the students you all done fantastic representing your schools. The winners on the night were Competition A-Walsh Island National School. Competition B- Emo National School. Well done guy’s you will now progress to take part at Chapter Level in March.
The December winner of €10000 is Cathriona Kennedy pictured here receiving her cheque from Michael McEvoy Manager Portarlington Credit Union .
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
Befriending Laois is a free visiting service which offers friendship to older people. Volunteers are trained and Garda vetted and visit people in their own homes. If you would like to volunteer or wish to avail of the services of Befriending Laois, please contact Laois Partnership Company on 087 2720715 or email befriending@volunteerlaois.ie.
GIRLS SOCCER CAMP
Easter Soccer camp for girls takes place at Arlington AFC on April 12 & 13. Each girl receives 2 days FAI coaching & a full soccer kit and ball. For more information phone 1890653653.
TABLE QUIZ
A Table Quiz will take place on Friday Febuary 17 at 8.30pm in Portarlington Golf Club, Garryhinch. ALL welcome. €40 for a team of 4. Hot snacks will be served on the night.
ARLINGTON SOCCER CLUB
Lotto results for January 24. Letters drawn V-H-T-M. No winner of Jackpot. Next draw will take place on February 7. Jackpot €5,800.
Your Arlington AFC news here.
GALA CHARITY BALL
The Annual Charity Ball takes place on Friday February 24 in the Heritage Hotel Killenard. This year all proceeds go to Laois Down Syndrome. Tickets available from- Marie Corcoran @ 087-7589896 or Colette Kennedy @ 086-2654277. You can also call to Saoirse Care Charity Shop Main Street.
Portarlington GAA Club Lotto
Results for week 5. Numbers Drawn 8-14-25-32. No Jackpot Winner. €50 Winners Tom Coleman c/o Pat Burbage and Pat Burbage c/o himself. €25 Winners Caroline Kavanagh c/o Pat Burbage and John Connell c/o Rose Mccann. Jackpot next week €5,600.
Registration for 2017 is now open and can be done in the GAA centre every Wednesday between 7-9pm.
U6 football training has started again for 2017 and is on Sunday Mornings at 10am in the hall.
Hurling training for all ages at 11am every Sunday in the hall.
League winners Portarlington GAA! Photo courtesy of Portarlington GAA.
It’s the Laois GAA All County Draw time and we would ask you to support the club by buying a ticket yourself or split the cost between a family / friends .This is a major fundraiser for both CLG Laois and for Portarlington GAA .Tickets sold are entered into the 4 draws with 25 prizes each which have jackpots ranging from €10,000 down to €250.Tickets can be obtained from our Treasurer Madeline Ward at 085 1018048 or in the GAA Centre every Wednesday night or from any committee member.
Keep up to date with what’s going on in Portarlington GAA Club by liking our Facebook page (Portarlington GAA Club) or following us on Twitter @PortGAA or our website clgportarlington.com