Latest Laois News: Around Portarlington Way
Your latest news from Emo, Killenard and Portarlington
PORT TIDY TOWNS
We are calling on the people of Portarlington to help us. We have spent a lot of money in planting perennials around the town. We would greatly appreciate if people live near the Kilnacourt entrance , top of station road, the Credit Union and anywhere u may see new plants to help us with the watering of the plants so they don’t die. The weather is particularly warm. If anyone can help us to establish the plants we would be so grateful. It would be great to have the support of the community. We are a five strong committee who need the Towns help to keep it looking well. Every little bit helps. Thank you.
PARENTS FIRST
Parents First are excited to bring a new programme, ParentChild+ to Tullamore and are holding an Information Session for home visitors on Wednesday June 14 from 10am to 11.30am.
Venue: via Zoom. ParentChild+ is a ‘learning through play experience’ for children aged 15 – 24 months. It is designed to strengthen the natural bond between parents and their children while encouraging a love of learning through reading and play.
To book your place for the information session and receive the session via Zoom link please e-mail dolores@parentsfirst.ie. To find out more information about Parent/Child+, please see the link http://www.parentchildplus.org
LIBRARY EVENTS
Breast Cancer Awareness Talk-Carol Scot from Breast Cancer Ireland will give a talk on cancer awareness. Thursday June 22 at 11am. FREE EVENT but booking necessary – call 057 8643751 or email portarlingtonlibrary@laoiscoco.ie to book a place.
Adult Book Club-Meets on the last Tuesday of the month at 11am.
Baby Book Club-Rhymes and stories for 0-3yrs of age. Booking essential – call 057 8643751 or email portarlingtonlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Knitting Group-Meet every Friday from 10:30am to 12:30pm. New members always welcome.
AIR CORPS GRADUATION
Congratulations to Conor McCarthy from Portarlington who graduated from the Irish Air Corps at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel on Friday June 2. Conor is 22 years old & attended Colaiste Iosagain. His hobbies include GAA and soccer. He joined the Air Corps as he was interested in the military, and engineering.
The 77th Apprentice class joined the Irish Defence Forces in September 2019, and conducted six months of Recruit and Three Star military training.
On completion of their basic military training, they then began their maintenance training on April 20, 2020.
The eight (8) Airmen were posted to their new units in the Irish Air Corps as qualified aircraft maintenance technicians. The General Officer Commanding the Irish Air Corps, Brigadier General Rory O’ Connor, presided over the ceremony and welcomed these new members in to the Irish Air Corps.
FOREST FEST
Forest Fest at Emo 2023 welcomes the Proclaimers on Friday July 21. Have you got your tickets sorted for this Summer’s best Festival. The Festival takes place from Friday 21 to Sunday 23.
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PORT WOMENS SHED
Join us every Thursdays at the Portarlington community centre 10.30am-12.30pm. Lots of activities every week. For more information, you can drop in, or phone 087 911 1003 or e-mail-portarlingtonwomensshed@gmail.com.
CONCERT BAND
The bands are looking for anyone who is interested in joining the band to contact Pat Donegan & committee members. For more information contact 0838510428.
SYMPATHY
Deepest Sympathy to the family of Derek Ryan, Kilnacourt & Formerly Dublin, who passed away on Wednesday May 31. Derek will be sadly missed by his sister Thora, rothers Alan, Barry & Gregory, extended family & friends. Funeral took place in Dublin on Saturday June 10. May Derek rest in Peace.
SYMPATHY
Deepest Sympathy to the family of Mary Catherine (Maura) Connell (nee Duffy), Ballycullane, Portarlington who passed away on Thursday June. Maura was predeceased by her parents Joe & Peg, brothers Michael & Joe. She will be sadly missed by her loving husband Tony (ex Garda Siochana), sons Paul (Australia), Brian (Dublin) & Alan (Brussels), daughters Jean (Ballycullane) & Louise (Maynooth), grandchildren, extended family, neighbours & friends. May Maura’s gentle soul rest in Peace. Funeral took place on Saturday June 3.
SYMPATHY
Deepest Sympathy to John O’Byrne & family Station road on the death of John’s brother Fr Gerard O’Byrne, Rathangan, Co. Kildare who passed away on Saturday June 3. Predeceased by his parents Thomas & Ana, brothers Edward, Donal & Hugh & his sister Mary. Fr Gerard formerly served in Portarlington many years ago. He will be sadly missed by his brother’s John & Fr William (PP Kill), nephew Fr Thomas (Carlow), nieces, nephews, extended family. Bishop Denis Nulty, the priests of Kildare & Leighlin, parishioners of Rathangan & former parishes. Fr Gerard’s funeral took place on Tuesday June 6 in the Church of the Assumption & St Patrick, Rathangan, with burial after in St Patrick’s Cemetery, Rathangan. May Fr Gerard rest in Peace.
CEMETERY MASSES
The following are the dates for Cemetery Masses for the Parish. Killenard-Friday July 7 at 7.30pm. St Michael’s Cemetery-Friday July 14 at 7.30pm. Emo New Cemetery-Friday July 28 at 7.30pm. Emo old Cemetery-Saturday August 12 at 7.30pm.
CILLIN KEEPS WINNING
Congratulations to Cillín Hoey from Droughill Portarlington on his Bronze medal win at the All Ireland Schools Championships on Saturday June 3. Cillín finished 3rd in the junior boys 80m sprint hurdles representing Coláiste Iosagain Portarlington. Cillín qualified for the all Ireland’s with impressive wins at the South Leinster’s and then the Leiinster Schools.
PORT GAA NEWS
LOTTO-Laois Clubs combined Lotto draw takes place as usual, every Tuesday night. Next week’s Jackpot is €6,800. Tickets can be bought from club members or online via www.play.clubforce.com.
BINGO
Bingo at Port GAA Centre every Tuesday night at 8pm. Over €3,000 in prize money to be won. Free parking and wheelchair accessible.
GRACEFIELD LOTTO–Lotto results for June 6. Numbers drawn were 9-30-21-17. No winner of Jackpot. €50 each to John Kelly, Lil Geoghegan, Mary Mullens, Ciaran Direen & Anna & Emily Kirwan. Promoter’s prize-Anthony Earley. Next week’s Jackpot-€4,400.
O’DEMPSEY’S
Cúl Camps are back at O’Dempsey’s from July 31 to August 4. Places must be booked online at – www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie