Baltinglass Jotter

In an article published last week on the latest research by Dr. James O’Driscoll funded by the Community Monuments Fund and co-ordinated by the Heritage Office of Wicklow County Council, the discovery of cursus monuments in Baltinglass is outlined.

A cluster of up to five Neolithic ‘cursus monuments’ was identified through the most recent lidar survey of the Baltinglass landscape. Cursus monuments are large ceremonial sites where communities gathered to perform rituals often associated with their dead. The Hillfort sites discovered by Dr. James O’Driscoll in 2017 further identified three of these sites to be dated back to the early Neolithic age (7000-1700 BCE). This was the first systematic survey of cursus monuments in Ireland with only one identified and excavated in Newgrange. These monuments have been uncovered in many parts of western Europe and it shows the growing importance of Baltinglass during the Neolithic period.

To read the article in ‘Antiquity’ by Cambridge Press, log on to Cambridge.org and search for ‘Exploring the Baltinglass cursus complex: routes for the dead’.

Darkness Into Light walk

Baltinglass has the second highest number of participants in the county of Wicklow for the dawn walk happening on May 11. It is not too late to sign up at darknessintolight.ie if you plan on taking part. The entry is €26 for an adult and €5 for a child. The walk is starting at Scoil Chonglais at 4.15 a.m. Many food establishments in the town will be open on the morning to provide an early breakfast for participants.

The Country Music Show

The annual Country Music Show in aid of Baltinglass Hospital, Patient Comfort Fund will take place this coming Sunday, May 5 at 2 p.m. at the Glen Lounge, Castleruddery.

Artists performing at the show this year are: The Michelle Murphy Band from Wexford,

Alistair Fingleton from Castledermot (currently appearing on the Glór Tíre TV show on TG4), and Tommy B from Grangecon.

There will be dancing from 2 p.m. until 6.30 p.m. Admission is €10 and there will be Monster Raffle on the day.

All money raised on the day goes to the patients of Baltinglass Hospital to give them a better quality of life. For example, the provision of musical entertainment, leisure activities and many other activities. This event is organised each year by Tommy Byrne and friends. Come along to enjoy while contributing to a worthy cause.

Day Care Boutique

Baltinglass Day Care Centre will have a pop-up shop with some great bargains in clothes and shoes next Saturday, May 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call in around the back of Baltinglass Community Hospital where the day care is located and have a browse. All proceeds go directly to Baltinglass Day Care Centre.

Garda Rally

The launch of the GSMC Mini-Stages Rally takes place on Friday, May 10 in Germaines. Drivers and club members will be evident around the town. All in preparation for Round 4 of the Midlands-East Rally Championship on Sunday, June 9. Watch out for road closures on June 9 on Wicklow.ie.

Knockananna Car Boot Sale

Knockananna’s Award Winning Car Boot Sale is on this coming Saturday, May 4 in the community hall from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tables are provided and it is €10 for a pitch. All are very welcome to come along and sell your preloved items, and for buyers have a cuppa with us along with some lovely home baking. You never know what you might find. The eircode is Y14 T10. Look forward to seeing you there.

Afternoon Tea Dance

On Wednesday, May 8 at 3 p.m. Baltinglass Active Retired group will join with other Seniors in Baltinglass & district in an Afternoon Tea Dance in Inisfáil. Funded by Creative Places Baltinglass, this celebration of creativity in aging features music by the local Black Knights Band.

Variety Show

St. Joseph’s parish will be holding a Variety Concert on Friday, May 24 towards the refurbishment of the Church and the Lalor Centre. A host of artists will perform on the night, so keep the date free. Watch this space for more information.

Kickathon

Well done to the Baltinglass GAA participants in the 24-hour Kickathon in the Handball Alley last Friday. The fundraiser is for both Scoil Naomh Iósaf and Baltinglass GAA Club. The fund will be used to help the school fund equipment and materials needed for each class for the new Primary School Maths Curriculum. It will cost around €350 per class to provide the materials needed. Baltinglass GAA will use the donations to provide the equipment and facilities required for the juvenile players.

The gofundme.com page is still open. So far €3,605 has been raised of the goal of €4,000. To donate log on to gofundme.com and search for kickathon.

Active Retired activities

The weekly Coffee Mornings for May will be in Baltinglass Golf Club each Friday at 11 a.m.

Bookings are being taken for a trip to see The Odd Couple in the George Bernard Shaw Theatre, on the week of May 23. Details are available from Mary at 087 299 9571.

The group would like to support the fundraising Variety Concert in St Joseph’s Church, in aid of Church Restoration and The Lalor Centre on Friday, May 24 at 8 p.m.

On May 29 members are invited to bring along their paintings for display in the Art Exhibition at the next monthly meeting.

Yoga Class is now fully booked. Bridge starts after May 1. Bowling continues.

Congratulations

We wish Bia Blasta big congratulations on the celebration of their 15 years in business last weekend. A celebratory drink of prosecco (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) was offered to all customers over the weekend. May Natalia and Lucas continue in business in Baltinglass for many years to come.

Baltinglass Credit Union

Baltinglass Credit Union continued with their six draws to celebrate their 50th anniversary and last Friday it took place in Castledermot and Hacketstown on Saturday. Any member who is signed up for the Member’s Draw is in with a chance to win. They will also have spot prizes for any member who calls into the branch where the draw is being held.

The winners on Friday were: €5,000 – Thomas Mulhall, Shillelagh; €1,000 – Casey Tobin, Castledermot; €1,000 – Bernadette Sinnott, Baltinglass; €500 – Annie Kinsella, Moone; €500 – Marguerite Mulhall, Shillelagh.

The winners on Saturday were: €5,000 – Seán Ryan, Kiltegan; €1,000 – Myra Kearney, Baltinglass; €1,000 – Bernadette Prendergast, Dunlavin; €500 – Diana Byrne, Baltinglass; €500 – Michael Howard, Baltinglass. The next draw will be held in the Dunlavin office on Thursday, May 2, Tinahely office on Friday, May 3 and back to the Baltinglass office on Friday, May 10 at 12 noon.

Donard Market

Looking for a great day out? Come to Donard Community Hall (eircode W91 YW57), on Sunday May 19. They are holding a country market from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., the market has something for everyone including jewellery, flowers, paintings, sourdough, printed unique cups and mugs, books, candles and honey.

Summer School

Lights, Drama, Action is taking bookings for their summer programme in July. If you would like to book your child in for July 15 – 18 in Baltinglass or July 29 – August 1 in Ballymore Eustace (Band Hall) do book early to avoid disappointment. It will cater to children aged 3 – 13 years and will include activities such as singing, dancing, acting, arts & crafts, creative writing, games. Contact 085 2791939.

Barn Owl Survey

Oran O’Sullivan, Coordinator of the Wicklow Barn Owl Group will give an illustrated presentation on The Barn Owl survey of Wicklow 2023 /24 next Wednesday, May 8 in Donard Community Hall. The Donard Imaal Local History and Heritage group will be hosting the event. The presentation will begin at 8 p.m.

Sad passing

We were very saddened to hear of the death of PJ Hanlon who passed away suddenly last Tuesday, April 23 in his 97th year. PJ was well known in the community and had a great memory for people and places. He was very involved in the local branch of Macra na Feirme, a long time member of the West Wicklow Historical Society serving as Chairman in 2004-2005, and an active member and supporter of The Men’s Shed in Baltinglass.

We pass on our condolences to his wife Kathleen of 66 years and sons and daughters, Charlie, Tommy, John, Martha, Paddy, Colette and Karena and all his extended family, relatives and friends.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.