Latest news from Emo, Killenard and Portarlington

SANTAS HELPERS

This is the 3^rd Christmas that Santa’s Helpers have helped families in the Laois areas who have found themselves struggling to live just day to day. Anyone with children always want to give their children a magical Christmas with Santa. Last year Santa’s helpers reached in excess of 180 families in our local communities across Laois. Over 30 of these were in Portarlington. We are hoping to do better this year. You can donate on this link- santashelpers482@gmail.com. If you are based in Portarlington & you can help, you can contact Ann Bourke Dunne at 0874116101. E-mail annmdun@hotmail.com. 

STREET LIGHTS
Our beautiful Street lights are now lighting up our town. The town looks amazing. Well done once again to the Committee. Donations are still welcome on their Go Fund me page, as well as the buckets which can be found in: Centra Main St, Super Value, Hummingbird, Eamon Bracken Menswear, The Anvil Inn, Fletchers Hardware, O’Deas Bistro, Solas Garden Shop, Post Office & Coopers Florist. Light a light for a loved one is back this year. Envelopes are available in Centra, Main St! Just €5 to get your message shown in the Room With a Brew coffee shop window Christmas display. All proceeds go to the Portarlington Christmas street lights

CONCERT BAND

Both Adults and children are welcome to come along and try out an instrument, or listen to the band playing great tunes. Call into the Old Girls School at Kilmalogue Cross 0n Thursday evening, or contact Pat on 083 – 8510428 if you have any queries.

LIONS CLUB

The members of Portarlington Lions Club are each taking it upon themselves to do a Members Solitary Walk, which in Covid times allows us try raise funds without the worry of groups in a limited time frame. Each Club funds itself, and this last 20 months has left us with no fundraisers due to restrictions. As a small club we’ve helped many people and many causes in the past, and we’re asking that you donate to a member as part of our Christmas appeal. The appeal starts on Saturday December 11 at 10am outside the Credit union and at club member Brian Whelan’s electrical, on the Main street, with a bucket collection.  Our members then have the following week to complete their 20k. We can only help those who need help if the money is available, and we appeal in these difficult times to help us help others.  100% of monies raised is used in our community. Kind regards Karen Dunne Club (President) and all the volunteer members of Portarlington Lions Club.

GROW
Launch of New Grow Mental Health Peer Support meeting will take place every Thursday afternoon from 2.30pm until 4.30pm in the Social Services Centre, Link Road, Portarlington.At Grow Mental Health Organisation we understand what you are going through. Reach out to us now & start getting the support you need. Any person over 18 years of age are welcome to attend. We are confidential, & asking for help is the best thing you could ever do.  If you require any further information in relation to this meeting. Please contact:  Assumpta on 086 8114135 or e-mail assumptalyons@grow.ie.

SYMPATHY

Deepest Sympathy to Christine & Shay Gallagher & family, the Railway Bar Portarlington on the death of Christine’s mother Bridie Roche (nee Byrne), Blackwater, Co Wexford, who passed away on Saturday November 20th. Bridie was predeceased by her husband John. She will be sadly missed by her daughters Christine, Teresa & Josephine, sons Francis & Sean, brothers, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, neighbours & friends. Funeral Mass on Tuesday November 23rd at 1pm at St Brigid’s Church, Blackwater, with burial in the adjoining Cemetery. May Bridie’s gentle soul rest in Peace.

SYMPATHY

Deepest Sympathy to the family of Liam Shanahan, Tara Co. Meath & formerly Edenderry road Portarlington (ex ESB) who passed away on Monday November 22. Liam will be sadly missed by his loving wife Margaret, daughters Michelle, Lorna & Deirdre, sons Diarmuid & Niall, his 6 adored grandchildren, brothers, sisters, extended family, neighbours & friends. Funeral Mass took place on Thursday November 25 at St Colmcille’s Church, Shryne, with burial after in the adjoining Cemetery. May Liam rest in Peace.

BINGO 

The Port GAA Bingo is now at the earlier time of 8pm every Tuesday at the Portarlington GAA Centre. Patrons are asked to arrive early, face masks and covid certificate are required for entry.  Up to €3,500 in prize money to be won. 

PORT LOTTO 

Portarlington GAA Club weekly lotto draw Jackpot is now at €5,800. To be in with a chance to win each week just click on the link here, or you can buy your tickets from any Committee member.  

PORT GAA

Portarlington GAA Club would like to acknowledge the huge amount of support that the People of Portarlington, our own Club Members & the Local Businesses have given to our Senior Football Team over the last few years, which culminated in their magnificent achievements of winning the Senior Football Championships of 2020 & 2021 as well as the 2021 Division 1A League Title in the last number of months. It takes a huge collective to be successful in any walk of life and with all of your support over those years, it gave the team & management every chance to achieve these recent successes. From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to extend our huge gratitude & thanks for your amazing support and look forward to seeing you all again on Sunday December 5 @ 1pm in O’ Moore Park, as we begin our Leinster Club Campaign against St Loman’s Mullingar.

GRACEFIELD GAA 

 Lotto results for November 22. Numbers drawn were 28-19-26-9. No winner of the €2,600 Jackpot. €50 each to Matt Murphy, Liam Cullen, Patrick Kiely, Tommy Weldon & Rita Kelly.  Promoter-Tiggy Murphy.  Next Jackpot-€2,800. Tickets from your usual seller, also from Centra Shop, Gracefield, and Anthony Early’s Shop Gracefield, or alternatively you can now do it online if you follow the link below.  https://smartlotto.ie/gracefield-gaa/.