Latest Laois News: Around Portarlington Way
All the news from Portarlington, Killenard and environs
PORT SOCIAL SERVICES
The Committee of Portarlington Social Services/Meals on Wheels once again would like to thank everyone who helped keep the Service running this past year. To our wonderful cooks, volunteer deliverers, the public for their kind donations & everyone who has made it possible to continue running our Service.
Next year it will be the 50th anniversary of the 1st AGM. We ask any of you out there who could give their time to join our committee, to contact annmdun@hotmail.com or contact the Centre any morning from 9am to 11am at 0578623461.
CHARITY EVENT
“Run the Nation”. On Saturday May 22 a team of four friends, Paddy Whelan from Portarlington, Mick Eustace, Neil “Toffee” Davis and Kevin Eustace from Athy, will drive to the 26 counties of Ireland. In every county both Kevin and Toffee will run one mile each and do it all in under 24 hours. This is to help raise money for the Irish Cancer Society.
This is unique, and it is believed it was never done before. Fundraiser in Castlepollard in county Westmeath at 12 noon on Saturday the 22 and finish 24 hours later, Sunday 23 in Athy county Kildare. The final leg will be 1.219 mile long giving a combined running distance of a full marathon for both Kevin and Toffee. As the lads are doing the running the driving will be shared between Paddy and Mick.
Over 22,000 people are diagnosed with Cancer in Ireland each year. The Irish Cancer Society has been badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. With their annual Daffodil Day fundraiser cancelled again this year. Anyone that would like to donate can do so on the fundraising page here where already over €3,000 has been raised. Toffee, Paddy and Mick all work fulltime jobs, while Kevin is studying for his leaving cert this year.
EMO
A notice to the public that from Friday May 14 the lake walks at Emo Court will be closed due to maintenance for three weeks. Apologies for any inconvenience.
SVP VINCENT DE PAUL
The St Vincent de Paul shop Main St Portarlington is now open to the public. At the moment we can only accept 3 bags per person due to space. A big thank you to you all for your support and we hope to see you all again.
PORTARLINGTON CONCERT BAND
Can you help Portarlington Concert Band? This committee have been helping children in our Community to play an instrument. All at affordable fees for their family. Contact Pat McCann @0838510428. You can donate on the link here.
SYMPATHY
Deepest Sympathy to Margaret Terrett & family, Arlington Estate Portarlington, on the death of her father William (Willie) Taylor, Ballymacrossan, Geashill who passed away on Tuesday May 11. Willie was predeceased by his loving wife Mary. He will be sadly missed by his sons Thomas, John, Martin, Michael, Patrick, Robert & Raymond, daughters Margaret, Dolores, Josephine & Carmel, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, neighbours & friends. Funeral took place on Thursday May 13 at St Mary’s Church Raheen, with burial in the adjoining Cemetery. May Willie rest in Peace.
SYMPATHY
Deepest Sympathy to the family of Gerard (Gerry) Doyle, O’Molloy St Tullamore & formerly St Brigid’s Square Portarlington who passed away on Monday May 10. Gerry was predeceased by his loving wife Kathleen, parents James & Anna, sisters Janey, Lonie & Rosie. He will be sadly missed by his son James, daughters Annamarie, Janet, Georgina & Anna, grandchildren Craig, Shauna & Callum, brother Eamon, sisters Teesie (Conlan), Carmel (Foster), Nuala (Whelan) & Anna (Beacon), extended family, neighbours & friends. Funeral took place on Thursday May 13 at the Church of the Assumption Tullamore, with burial after in Clonminch Cemetery. May Gerry rest in Peace.
SYMPATHY
Deepest Sympathy to Esther Powell & family Droughill Portarlington on the death of Esthers brother Fintan O’Neill, Mountmellick who passed away on Saturday May 8. Fintan was predeceased by his loving wife Siobhan. Sympathy to his extended family. Funeral took place on Tuesday May 11 at St Joseph’s Church Mountmellick. May Fintan rest in Peace.
SYMPATHY
Deepest Sympathy to the family of Anthony (Tony) Mack, London & formerly St Patrick’s Tce Portarlington who passed away on Tuesday May 11. Tony was the son of Ann & the late Joe Mack, 11 St Patrick’s Tce. He will be sadly missed by his wife Karen, mother Ann, sons Martin, Anthony & JohnJoe, daughters Kelly & Sarah, brothers Martin, Raymond & Brendan, sisters Angie, Ann & Olive, grandchildren, extended family, neighbours & friends. May Tony rest in Peace.
Portarlington RFC are now offering FREE parents’ fitness classes during Minis training on Wednesday evenings!! The classes are being run by Karol from KJ Fitness from 6.35pm to 7.15pm, and are suitable for everyone regardless of your fitness levels.
No need to register or book, just pop over to Karol at the training area beside the equipment sheds and join in while your kids do their training. There is no charge but there will be an opportunity to make a donation to the club if you like. If you have any queries then you can contact Karol on 086 377 1154. Don’t miss this opportunity to get active.
PORTARLINGTON G.A.A.
Port GAA bingo continues online via Zoom. €3,000 in prizes each week. Single books- €8, available for purchase through clubforce at the link here, where you can also find further details on how to play.
For anyone local who wishes to purchase a book for the Online Bingo but who do not have email access, you can order from the club by texting 085 8264994 via text or WhatsApp giving your name and address. A reply will be sent back when books are ready. Books can then be collected in Brian Whelan’s Electrical shop on Main Street. Full payment upon collection. Cut off for Online book purchases is 12pm on Tuesdays and for phone purchases is 6pm on Monday evenings.
GRACEFIELD GAA
Lotto results for May 11. Numbers drawn were 29-18-6-23. No Jackpot winner. €50 each to the O’Reilly grandchildren, Jane Fanning, Maureen Grumbley, Stephen Carroll & Anne Crossan. Promoter-Michael Knight. Next Jackpot-€13,800. 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/
FURTHER EDUCATION
Portarlington Further Education and Training Centre are now accepting online applications.
They offer a wide variety of exciting QQI accredited courses through their Further Education and Training Programme including Business, Accounting, IT, Healthcare, Childcare and Social Care to name but a few. New for September 2021 PLC Courses commencing.
Get in quick before all spaces are filled. For more information visit their new website https://portarlingtonfetc.ie/ Call -(057) 862 3161.