Kildimo Community Notes W/E Dec 17 2011

Kildimo ,Pallaskenry Church Choirsat Carol Service in Kildimo Church last week-end 2011

ANNIVERSARIES:  Past and cherished members of our community who will be remembered in church ceremonies include Michael O’Kennedy ,Eileen & Bridget O’Brien, and Mary O’Rourke .The months Mind Mass for the late Jim Cullinane will be celebrated on Thursday Dec 22 @ 10.00 in Kildimo Church Solas na nGrást dóibh.
 

RECENT DEATHS:  From the adjoining parish of Clarina, Mary Ellen Lyons (nee McCarthy) passed away in her 94^th year in the care of Corbally House Nursing Home on December 5.  Mary Ellen was originally from Ballynacarriga where her relatives still reside.  She was predeceased by her husband Henry and she is mourned by her family and her only surviving sibling, Margaret Madigan of Morenane.  Her funeral took place to Mount St Laurence Cemetery on Wednesday December 7, following Requiem Mass in St Joseph’s Church, Ballybrown.May she rest in peace. 

NATIONAL SCHOOL:  A ‘Food Appeal’ is being organised by the school on behalf of the local branch of the St. Vincent de Paul.  All items of a food nature, such as vouchers and items of food are requested.  The collection point is at the school during working hours and the closing date for donations is December 16.  

SANTA COMES:  This most welcome visitor is due at the Seven Sisters Pub on Sunday next December 18.  Application forms accompanied by a €6 fee should be returned to the National School or the Seven Sisters.  Participants will be entertained by Bobo the Clown and there will be many other fun activities in advance of the arrival of Santa.  You can have a photographic record of the meeting by an accredited photographer to delight your child into old age.  As usual the Youth Club are running the event under supervision.  Enquiries and offers of help to Dermot at 087 9319005.  
 

ST. NICHOLAS:  Spare a thought for the Saint who is responsible for the origin of that kindly all-dispensing gentleman associated with Christmas.  The original St. Nicholas seems to be well established in Ireland, with even a church dedicated to his name in Adare, as well as the fine Collegiate Church in Galway where Christopher Columbus is reputed to have prayed before he embarked on his journey into the unknown.  Because of the Saint’s reputation for charity, he is the patron of a host of activities and professions, including bakers and bankers, fire-fighters and florists.  He came from the coast of Turkey which is nowadays much frequented by Irish tourists and hopefully some of these visitors may visit his birthplace in Petrara.  It is nice to think- especially if you’re from Kilkenny- that it was his divine intercession that resulted in his choosing that county for his final resting place.  Not far from the much-visited Cistercian Abbey of Jerpoint, on the grounds of Belmore House, is yet another church dedicated to the Saint.  In addition, and this strengthens the claim of the Noresiders, there is a tombstone in the area reputedly marking his grave.  This stone bears a carved image of the Saint, accompanied by two others.  It is these two others, representing Norman knights who returned from the Crusades, who are credited with returning the body of the Saint to this spot.  The general area within the lands of Belmore House, has an ancient hidden Norman town which once had streets and houses with citizens carrying on all the activities associated with any such, this same town now lying undisturbed under the rich sod of the river bank.  The presence of fourteen taverns within the town complex, is testament to the popularity of the area to tourism in the middle ages and up to the Dissolution of the monasteries, specifically nearby Jerpoint Abbey in 1540.  Just as well that these Kilkenny people are so modest, for they are not wont to brag about their treasures of culture or sport.
 

‘AVA’ IS TOPS:  Her many years of hard toil in the carrot fields of Ballydoole and the academic fields of psychology and management, have finally resulted in Ava Battles securing the position of Chief Executive Office with Multiple Sclerosis Ireland.  Following her graduation, Ava has held a succession of positions in diverse fields of health care management with the ISPCC and with the Irish Epilepsy Association.  Her early education was pursued in Kildimo National School and Copswood College before progressing to third level studies in Galway.  Congratulations to the new CEO, her family and friends and all those who fostered her evident talent.

 

BANTRACHT NA TUAITHE:The Kildimo ICA at its final meeting for 2011 expressed sympathy to the following:
May Galvin on the death of her sister in law, O’Brien Family, Fortmiddle,Colmanswell & Ballyagran ICA on the death of ICA member Mary, Lyons & McCarthy families & Clarina ICA on the death of Mary Ellen Lyons, a long time ICA member of Clarina guild.
Condolences were also expressed to Guild President Kathleen Hayes on the death of a member of her extended family.
I líonta Dé  go gcastar sinn.

.
 

COMMUNITY LOTTO:  “Give a little, it will help a Lotto”  is the catchy call to support your local Community Lotto.  All profit from this initiative is channelled back into community projects for the benefit of community members.  The Lotto is conducted every Tuesday evening on a rotational basis in local pubs.  On Tuesday December 6, the draw realised numbers 1, 2, 6 & 20.  As the Jackpot eluded capture, ‘Lucky Dips’ of €20 each were drawn by Kathleen Coughlan, Court; Rory O’Brolcháin, Ballycasey; Brian Barrett, Knockroe; Peggy Gleeson, Ballynacarriga and Mary Rogan, Ballyculhane.

 

THE BALLYBROWN JOURNAL:   The eleventh edition is out and available in Clarina shops for €10.  As usual everyone is catered for in this lively local journal which is a product of the local Pioneer Abstinence Association.  Profits from the Journal go towards funding religious pilgrims to Lourdes.  The pages of ‘New Arrivals’ will be bought up for their future delight and their numbers indicate a healthy state of humanity amongst our neighbours across the Maigue.  Among the interesting historical articles, the Editor Tom Donovan uncovers an interesting period in Papal history when in 1860 the newly-established Italian states were felt to threaten the Papal holdings and Pope Pius 1X called for armed assistance.  Ballybrown rose to the fore in their contribution of nearly three hundred pounds to fund the operation.  You might like to compare Kildimo’s donation to the cause, a mere £145.  There are lots more nuggets of information to be gleaned from the 162 pages, which will make a great present for friends at home and abroad.

KILDIMO BROOCH:  Next time you’re visiting Leinster House, pop in next door to our National Museum where the Silver brooch found in Kildimo is presently on show upstairs in the Viking Room.  Unfortunately it is not known exactly where the brooch was found or if it was associated with any important local historical site.  The brooch itself is in silver, with round bosses in the places where more artistic brooches display semi-precious stones or enamel.  It is in circular format with a pointed pin attached to the circle, which pin would be inserted into the fabric of the wearer.  Somewhat similar brooches were found with the Ardagh Chalice.  Limerick on the Shannon river was an important port in earlier times when the Vikings established the town of Laemrich- the rich loam- and used it as a base for ransacking all the monasteries within their range.  Affluent Viking or native Irish ladies who wore their wealth on their clothes in earlier times, did so for safety from thieves whereas nowadays Banks assure us that their establishments are best resorts for our personal wealth.

COMMUNITY ALERT: At the recent meeting of the local Community Alert, the following were returned as officers for the coming year.  Dermot Mullane, Chairman; Roisín O’Keeffe, Hon Secretary and Pat Ahearne as Treasurer.   Garda Noel Nicholson attended and advised on security matters which he is always willing to offer any householders or business persons on an individual and private basis. Any member of the committee will also advise on matters of home security.

YOUTH CLUB:  Members will meet for their last time in 2011, on Friday evening December 16.  Ciara Mullane recently shared her expertise on Nail art, but this was seemingly restricted to the female members.  Dermot Mullane, Club Leader is always willing to hear from persons with similar skills to share with the youth members.