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COUNTY NEWS
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 6 October, 2017
A Bitter Sweet Harvest Festival at St. James’ Church of Ireland, Stradbally By Richard Cutbill
Active Retirement – From left to right: Jack Collins, Agnes Collins, Lynda Dempsey and Maura Baldwin of "Tay and Mahon Valley Active Retirement" after a walk on the Greenway at Durrow before returning to the Barron Hall to meet with other members. Peter Jones of WSP (Waterford Sports Partnership) visited us and spoke of the different exercises and physical activity opportunities for older adults. Peter says he understands that everybody does not want to be involved in exercise activity, a chat with your friends is also important. During the Summer some of our members took part in Bicycle Training for learners and relearners, then took to the Greenway. Peter explained the different Physical Activity Programme for men and woman aged over 50. WSP has plenty of opportunities to help us get active in 2017. Most popular are cycling and walking, also swimming, Pitch and Putt, sailing, table tennis, darts, bowling. Our next gathering of "Tay and Mahon Valley ARA" is on Monday, 9th October, Barron Hall, 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m., special guest Mary Kiersey will talk on Reflexology. For those interested we will meet in Durrow car park at 1.00 p.m. for 40 minutes walk (weather permitting). You are welcome to join us.
STRADBALLY RECENT BAPTISMS Mila Jean Halpin, daughter of John and Madeline Halpin, Durrow, Stradbally was baptised at Holy Cross Church, Stradbally on Sunday, 24th September, 2017. The sponsors were Eimear Crotty and Bernard Keane. Fr. Jerry Condon, P.P., officiated. Ava Aisling Connors, daughter of Mark and Anita Connors, Fahafeelagh, Kilmacthomas, was baptised at Sacred Heart Church, Faha on Sunday, 24th September, 2017.The sponsors were James Maher and Alissa Blake. Fr. Jerry Condon, P.P., officiated. John Patrick O’Gorman, son of Ambrose and Triona O’Gorman, Kilan, Co. Wexford was baptised at Holy Cross Church, Stradbally on Sunday, 24th September, 2017.The sponsors were Anthony O’Gorman and Ann Marie D’Arcy. Fr. Jerry Condon, P.P., officiated. Bethan Brid Jones, daughter of Peter and Martina Jones,The Comeraghs, Stradbally was baptised at Holy Cross Church, Stradbally on Saturday, 30th September, 2017. The sponsors were Darren Ware and Sheila Carver. Fr. Jerry Condon, P.P., officiated. Ava Marie Costello, daughter of Sean and Helen Costello, Whitewell, Stradbally, was baptised at Holy Cross Church, Stradbally on Saturday, 30th September, 2017. The sponsors were Christina Barry and Oliver Costello. Fr. Jerry Condon, P.P., officiated. MOMS AND TOTS Mom’s and Tots get together on Tuesday morning 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st October, 2017 at St. James’ Hall Stradbally at 9.30 a.m. All are welcome. CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to Brendan Gallagher, Castlecraddock, Dunhill and formerly of Kilmacthomas on his Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore. The Ordination by Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan took place at Holy Cross Church,Tramore with large numbers of family, friends, clergy and parishioners from Dunhill, Kill, Kilmacthomas and Tramore attending. The six Deacons and their families from the Diocese of Cloyne, Co. Cork, recently ordained, and who studied with Brendan also attended. TIDY TOWNS Stradbally Tidy Towns Committee are delighted to have increased their marks once again winning a Silver Medal and 3rd place in the county.We are very pleased with our very positive report a copy of which will be delivered to each house in the judging area in the coming week. It is also available online for anyone that
has the internet. Our thanks to everyone that supports us especially our community, our sponsors, our community employment supervisor and workers, the council overseer and workers, the local papers who print our news, our schools, our churches, and our resident photographer. Congratulations to Lismore and Dungarvan on their gold medals, Ardmore, Ballymacarbry and Waterford City on their silver medals and Tramore on their bronze medal.Well done also to our neighbours Kilmac who keep increasing their points each year. With 870 entrants this year it is no easy task to win an award. We are delighted to see Clonea Power entering the competition and starting with a base line of 202 marks.We have been in contact with this new enthusiastic committee and we wish them well and our support. GOLDEN YEARS FESTIVAL Golden Years Festival is in Waterford on November 13th, 14th and 15th, lots of activities over the 3 days: Ecumenical Service on the 14th in Christ Church Cathedral with Waterford Male Voice Choir; also Fashion Show, Singing Competition, Dancing, Mulled Wine Reception, Art Competition,Variety Show and Music. Something to suit all tastes.We are also studying programme for Theatre Royal to end of 2017. TEA DANCE "Tay and Mahon Valley ARA Tea Dance on Sunday 17th December, Gold Coast, 1.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m., open to members and non members, please contact Anne Power 087-1274191, or Biddy Carroll 0876196812. BARRON HALL Barron Hall 2018 Calendar a work in progress. Great to see Chi Gunk, Acupuncture,Yoga, Whist and Active Retirement in the Hall, expect to have positive news on "Panto" soon. Saturday mornings, 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. cleaning and maintenance, you are welcome to join us. Some interest to start dancing classes, and or dances in the Hall. Any Barron Hall queries please contact Nicola on 087-7160700. The Hall will be open from 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. on Saturday, 7th October to collect clothes for recycling. As well as old clothes you can bring belts, bags, old school uniforms, bedding, curtains and books. Money from these items will go towards the continued restoration of the Hall. Cllr. Ray Murphy will have his Monthly Clinic in the Barron Hall on October 7th, 12.15 p.m. to 12.45 p.m. to answer your queries and questions.
I WAS requested to photograph this very special occasion by some parishioners, which from my personal view turned out to be a very moving and delightful experience indeed. The Rev. James Mulhall (Curate), together with his wife Suzanne and children Jacob and Hannah are being relocated to a new parish in Kells, Co. Kilkenny. This being a massive loss to the village, as they had become an integral part of the community following their seven years of service. This was to be the Curate’s last service in the parish and it coincided with the Harvest Festival Thanksgiving. It was an opportunity not to be missed by the Curate James and the parishioners to praise and thank each other for their special time spent together, to say their goodbyes and extend their best wishes for the future. This was a very special service with a mixture of love, joy and sadness, which was very emotional. The parishioners, St. James’ NS teachers and pupils are to be congratulated for decorating the
church with flowers, fruit and vegetable arrangements which was most inventive and beautiful. The Stradbally village is a special place, the Rev. James
Mulhall and the Parish Priest Father Gerry Condon often work together and support each other’s functions, creating harmony and respect.
Children from Stradbally National School bring their harvest gifts of fruit and vegetables placing them at the base of the Altar.
Further presentations from School and Parishes to the Rev. James and his family. Pictured (l. to r.): A pupil with Heather Huston (Head Mistress, Stradbally NS), Suzanne Mulhall with their children Jacob and Hannah; Rev. James Mulhall, Jenny Hunt (Comeragh COI), Jenny Cashin (Dungarvan COI) and Winston Boyle (Lay Reader, Treasurer and MC for this part of the service after his own excellent oration on behalf of the parishioners).
The Mulhall family with their very dear friend Rev. Jenny Crowley.