38
NEWS
TOPIC • 8 May, 2014
DOWN MOATE WAY FIRST COMMUNION DAY IN MOATE Pupils from St. Brigid’s and St. Oliver Plunkett’s National Schools in Moate will celebrate a very special occasion on Saturday, 17 May . First Communion for the pupils of the second class will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s Church, Moate with Fr. Liam Farrell and Monsignor Bernard Noonan officiating at the ceremony.
MOATE SHORTS THANK YOU Moate’s Carmelite community would like to thank all who supported their annual auction in aid of the church heating fund. Your generosity was much appreciated. ANYONE FOR TENNIS Moate’s tennis courts are open and fully operational. Anyone wishing to book the courts can contact 087 6104460. WELCOME Thank you to all who travelled to Knock shrine on Monday of this week with the Moate pilgrimage on the St. Therese National Day. The pilgrimage was led this year by Fr. Bernard O’Reilly O.Carm. LEINSTER FLEADH This summer’s most eagerly awaited event in Moate, the Leinster Fleadh, had a very successful launch on Monday night of this week. This will be a great event for moate and the local Comhaltas branch are already busy preparing for the July competitions. Well done to all at Dún na Sí for hosting the excellent launch. EMERGE There is still time to go along and view the art exhibition at Tuar Ard showing the works created by local artists at workshops with local artist Leslie Wingfield.
The late Peter Egan There was deep sadness in Moate and Mount Temple at the news of the death of Peter Egan, of Fairfield, Mount Temple, on 1 May, 2014. Peter passed to his eternal reward peacefully at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore. He was the husband of the late Angela (née Duffy) and will be deeply regretted by his loving family, son Noel, daughters Michelle, Mary and Carmel, brother, sisters, sister-in-law, brothers-in-law, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. Peter’s funeral Mass took place in Church of The Immaculate Conception, Drumraney, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. May he rest in peace.
With The Rambler
ART IN THE PARK A CONTINUED SUCCESS MOATE Community School students have been involved with the Art in the Park project at the Midlands Amenity Park since it first opened and with new sculptures being put in place at the park, the bond between the school and the facility grows ever stronger.
Taking part in the Art in the Park project has afforded the students an opportunity to exhibit their pieces in Collins Barracks in Dublin, at an exhibition last year, but above all, it has enhanced the unique park landscape. The Art in the Park scheme invites students to collaborate with artists to produce fascinating designs, some of which are selected for placement in the grounds. The project is based on the ethos that the park is of and for the people of the community. Involvement with the scheme has been very beneficial for the students and has given a permanent and treasured gift to the local community,
The annual Sports Day at St. Brigid’s Primary School, Moate, was another rollicking success, great each event hotly contested but enjoyable for participants and spectators alike. The event was held on Friday last, 2 May, with the weather conditions perhaps a little more changeable than hoped for but nonetheless, the event once again proved to be great family day out. School management and staff would like to thank everyone who helped out in planning the day, who gave of their time on the day itself and also parents and family members who came along during the day.
Moate young environmentalists qualify for People’s Choice finals Renowned artists and sculptors, Geraldine O'Reilly and Ann Meldon-Hugh, with TY students, Aisling McCormack, Sethu Makapela and teacher, James Hatton of Moate Community School.
MOATE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGNER DIES THE death has occurred of Esta Carter, Moate, on 29 April 2014. The activist and human rights campaigner passed away after a brief illness, at Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore, on Tuesday of last week, to the regret of her relatives, friends and neighbours. Esta, who was in her 82nd year, was well known for her committed activism. A firm believer in animal rights and welfare, Esta was no stranger to the protest line. Esta was born in the UK and studied to become an architect. A life long member of Amnesty International and Aosdána, Esta campaigned tirelessly for the rights of other living beings right up to the time of her final illness. Esta moved to Ireland in adulthood and lived for a while in Sligo before making Westmeath her home. Esta had the courage to act upon what she believed in, to live her life by the ethics she held so dearly and sincerely. A resident of Coilin Bui, in Moate, she was known as a lady of great character, of sincere beliefs and as a true friend. She proudly supported local businesses and was well known as a patron of Moate's cafes and was often to be found buying floral bouquets at Castle Flowers which she would send to her friends. Frequently, she would be accompanied by her beloved dog Bonnie and her cats as Esta was a great animal lover. Esta’s passing deeply sad-
Fun galore at annual sports day
dened those who knew her and at her remembrance service at Hugh Flynn’s funeral home on Saturday morning, her friend and fellow activist, Margaretta D’Arcy described her as a lady “who had a lot of love to give”. Friends for more than forty years, Margaretta and Esta shared many campaigns together and both were members of Aosdána, an Irish association of artists. Esta was known in equal measure for her sweet singing voice and her sharp tongue! She had a beautiful laugh and a brave heart. She loved to read and was a remarkable raconteur. Former Minister Mary O’Rourke also spoke at the service, recalling Esta’s love of travel and the fabulous collection of postcards from points all over the globe she sent to friends. Esta visited many countries and as a committed environmentalist, enjoyed going to China to see pandas in the wild, seeing the Himalayas and flying over Mount Everest in a tiny plane! Esta enjoyed many other exotic adventures and shared tales of them with her friends on many happy
The late Esta Carter occasions. In recent years, Esta gave much time to anti war protests and only three weeks ago, carried out the last of a long number of vigils at Shannon airport. Although she had a hip and knee replacement in the past two years, she did not let this slow her down in any measure. She was a regular visi-
tor at the Hill of Uisneach, loving to be there at dawn. The famed occasion when she burst a tyre of her van and had to hitch back from Uisneach to Moate with Bonnie in tow did not put her off at all and only made for yet another colourful story in her impressive library! Esta loved her garden and was often to be found there
enjoying the sunshine and the rain. Esta was generous to her friends and the community. She established flower beds, trees and ornaments in the Coilin Bui estate, she did it alone, refusing help from anyone. She bought football posts for the children and put in place a garden bench for people to enjoy the sunshine. She remembered the local children's birthdays and gifts for them at Christmas. She often called to neighbours with delicious cakes and treats and was known to drop into Moate Garda station to donate baked treats for local Gardai. Inspirational, witty, creative, a lady of grace and charm, Esta is a great loss to Moate. Esta will certainly be remembered for her vibrant personality, her intelligence, her vision, her courage and her sincerity. A dynamic woman who lived up to her own ideals and chased her dreams to the fullest, Esta’s life was rich and full and she will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched. Esta's remembrance service took place on Saturday morning last in Moate, followed by cremation in Mount Jerome Crematorium, Dublin. May she rest in peace.
Young people from Moate Communtiy School were jubilant this week upon hearing that their eco-art and design action projects have been shortlisted for the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards, to take place in Dublin on 20 May. The project from the Moate students was among seventy five submissions from across the Republic and Northern Ireland to be selected for the finals of the Young Environmentalist Awards Showcase and ceremony, to take place in the Mansion House, in Dublin. While the Moate group is now preparing for the final and hoping to impress the judges enough to scoop one of the 10 category prizes, the students are also seeking the public’s support with their projects. Until 14 May, these young environmentalists are looking for the public’s vote to help them lay claim to the prestigious ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist People’s Choice Award. The People’s Choice Award is one category that is out of the judges’ hands, with the public having all the power! The 75 shortlisted projects range from creating biodiversity trails, delivering environmental workshops in schools and setting up a ‘city farm’ to harvest crops and cut down on food miles. The public can now vote for their favourite project on www.ecounesco.ie. So get voting to keep the Moate environmentalists in the running for this prestigious award. Your support will make all the difference!