Baltinglass Jotter

Baltinglass Fairtrade and Baltinglass Hope for Humanity will have a presence at McAllister this coming Saturday, May 11, from 11 a.m. to midday to show support for the people of Gaza. Feel free to join, drop by for a chat, or beep as you pass to show your support to stop the mass killing of the Palestinian people. This daytime vigil will happen every second Saturday if you would like to plan ahead and come along.

You can also send a postcard to Minister Simon Harris appealing to him to use his position to act for the people of Palestine, through this link: lovefromireland/products/p4p.

Baltinglass clean-ups

Baltinglass Tidy Towns is appealing for volunteers to help with weekly clean-ups every Thursday at 6.30 p.m, meeting at the lock up (beside the Credit Union) in Baltinglass. Helping out with our clean-ups is a great way to socialise, exercise and give something back to your community. We hope you can help us some evenings over the coming months as every pair of hands means so much.

Darkness into Light

The Darkness into Light walk is taking place this coming Saturday, May 11. It is not too late to sign up at darknessintolight.ie if you plan on going along. The entry fee is €26 for an adult and €5 for a child. The walk is starting at Scoil Chonglais at 4.15 a.m. All food establishments in the town will be open on the morning to provide an early breakfast for participants.

New opening hours

Horans is back open on Tuesdays. The kitchen will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. serving breakfast, lunch and an a la Carte menu in the evenings. Feel free to book for special occasions by phoning 059 6481733.

Barn owl survey

The Barn Owl survey of Wicklow 2023/24 will be presented by Oran O’Sullivan, Coordinator of the Wicklow Barn Owl Group, on Wednesday this week, 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.

Baltinglass Rathvilly Macra

The Baltinglass Rathvilly Macra is holding a Batshit Bingo night in Inisfáil, Germaines on this coming Friday, May 10, starting at 8.30 p.m.

This is a fundraising event for Make the Moove, a movement run by Macra volunteers and advocates to support mental health among the rural community through counselling, mental health training programmes and crisis response teams.

Last year Baltinglass/Rathvilly Macra club raised a massive €2,500 for Make the Moove at their fundraising bingo event and included some great prizes from household appliances to concert tickets, wheelbarrows to weekends away and much much more.

Tickets are €15 and can be booked through Eventbrite.ie. This is no ordinary bingo and is open to everyone. Come along for the craic and to support.

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 four of the Midlands-East Rally Championship on Sunday, June 9. Watch out for road closures on June 9 on Wicklow.ie.

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.

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 2999571.

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.

Baltinglass Library event

There is a series of events happening in the library over the coming weeks: Friday, May 10 – 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Crafting with Olha – Water Colours for Adults (Booking essential). Saturday, May 11 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Crafting with Olha – Acrylics for Adults (Booking essential). Tuesday, May 14 – 3.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. Wool Craft for eight- to 12-year-olds (Booking essential. Parent/Carer must remain in the library).

These are free events. Please book at the library 059 6482300 or email baltinglasslib@wicklowcoco.ie.

Social dancing

With Spring in the air it is time to get out and about and what better way to do that than a good old knees up. There will be social dancing in O’Toole Hall in Rathdangan on Saturday, May 11, from 9 p.m. to midnight. Music is by Jimmy Hogan and Lar Kenny. Refreshments will be served. All are welcome to come and dance the night away.

Rathdangan Market

Rathdangan community will be holding a Pop-Up Pantry and Food Market on Sunday, May 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Rathdangan Community Hall and Pantry. There will be lots of food stalls including Gra Aran, Grangecon Store Cupboard, Graney Goodies, Mac ‘N Cheese, Aoibhneas Chocolates and lots more. Daisy Cottage Farm will be supplying the cakes for purchase in the Pantry. A welcome feature is the Live Music Hour between 12.30 and 1.30 p.m. performed by Jazz Token. Everyone welcome to come along and browse, relax and chat to friends and neighbours.

Golf classic

The fundraising golf classic for Scoil Chonglas will take place on Friday, May 24, in Baltinglass Golf Club. A team of four is €160, Student Team €100. If you are not playing you can sponsor a Tee for €100 or sponsor a Green for €50. For Team Registration and Tee Times contact Joe Sweeney at 087 9735931. For Tee Box Sponsorship contact Elma Nolan at 087 3558523.

New hire

Baltinglass Credit Union is hiring for a Teller/Clerical Officer. This is a permanent part-time role. The closing date is Friday, May 17. For a full job description and how to apply, go to baltinglassscu.ie/jobvacancy2024.

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 and a car boot sale. Running from 11 a.m. till 4 p.m., the market has something for everyone including jewellery, flowers, paintings, sourdough, printed unique cups and mugs, books, candles and honey. The car boot sale, running at the same time, is open to anyone and, if you would like to book a spot, please ring 087 8777580.

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 to July 18 in Baltinglass or July 29 to August 1 in Ballymore Eustace (Band Hall) do book early to avoid disappointment. It will cater to children aged three – 13 years and will include activities such as singing, dancing, acting, arts and crafts, creative writing, games. Contact 085 2791939.