Blessington Bulletin

Blessington AFC are delighted to announce that they will be running a Club Football Summer Camp. The camp will run from July 15 to July 19 from 10am to 2pm. Spaces will be limited so you are advised to book early so as not to be disappointed.

This camp is open to everyone. You do not have to be a member of Blessington AFC to take part. Payments can be made in two instalments one in April and the other one in May.

The camp will be for girls and boys aged 5-14 years and it will be taking place at the club’s Crosschapel Grounds. Log onto to Blessington AFC website or Facebook for all the relevant details.

Darkness Into Light walk

The Darkness Into Light walk will commence at 4.15 am on Saturday May 11 from Blessington Town Square. This popular event raises much need funds for a very worthy charity and the local organisers are looking for your support so please make sure to take part in the walk. The walk takes place throughout Ireland on that day and a lot of money is raised for Pieta House which treats people who suffer from depression.

West Wicklow Music Festival

As part of the West Wicklow Music Judi Jackson will perform songs of jazz greats including Nina Simone, Billlie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Tickets are still available if you check out their website. Her concert will take place at Tramway Theatre, Blessington on Saturday May 18 at 8pm. It promises to be an event not to be missed so make sure to get your ticket in plenty of time. Judi was the winner of the year at the Jazz FM awards.

Féile An Chnocain

This Festival will take place from May 2 – May 6 in Ballyknockan and it promises to be an event not to be missed. There will be lots to suit all ages including, live music, ceili, stone cutting museum, family fun day, guided hike, market stalls and much more. Make sure to get to Ballyknockan over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Book launch

Barry Kinane will launch his new book ‘ Welcome to Granite City’ on Saturday May 4 at the Stone Cutting Museum in Ballyknockan. It is a social history of Ballyknockan.

Fundraiser

This is a final reminder All roads will lead to the Glen Lounge, Castleruddery this coming Sunday May 4 for an afternoon of great country music which is all in aid of Baltinglass Hospital Patient Comfort Fund. The event will commence around 2pm and continue until 6pm.Appaering on stage will be Michelle Murphy, Alister Fingleton of Glór Tíre fame and Tommy B. All businesses in the area is asked to donate to this very worthy cause. The event is being organised by Tommy Byrne and friends. Make sure to get along on the day for what promises to be a very enjoyment afternoon.

Parish Lotto

There was another Lotto draw for the Parish/ St. Mary’s National Schools on Thursday April 25 with another new jackpot which was not won . This previous jackpot had survived a lot of Lotto Draws. The winning numbers drawn were 4,7,21,27. The weekly winner wins €25. The next Lotto draw will have a brand -new jackpot which will be standing at €1450. If you would like to join the Lotto or wish to find out some more information about the Lotto draw you can contact the Parish Office which is open from Monday- Friday tel. 865327 or you can log onto Blessington Parish website.

Cemetery Sunday

Cemetery Sunday will take place at Burgage Cemetery on Sunday May 19 at 3pm. There will be mass which will be followed by the blessing of all the graves in the cemetery. Parishioners are asked to notify relatives and friends living outside the area in plenty of time in case they may wish to attend the ceremonies on that afternoon. Hopefully the weather will behave itself as if the weather is good it will lead to a more enjoyable event. The organisers would like to advise parishioners to make sure to tidy up the graves of your loved ones before the event.

Sr. Anna Byrne

A final reminder Sr. Anna Byrne will speak at the 6pm mass this Saturday May 4 on the roll parishes can play in addressing the problems caused by climate change. All green school members, Tidy Towns volunteers and those people who are committed to sustainable living are invited to come along to the mass.

Deaths

Sadly there were a number of recent deaths in the parish.

Tiernan Scally, formerly of Black Ditches, Valleymount and late of Santry, Dublin. Funeral arrangements for Tiernan will be later. He was well known in the Valleymount and surrounding area and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Kathleen Tyrrell, St. Joseph’s Road died in Naas Hospital last week. Her remains were removed to the Church of Our Lady, Blessington last Thursday morning April 25 for her funeral mass and her burial took place afterwards in Burgage Cemetery, Blessington. Kathleen loved gardening and also enjoyed watching snooker and golf on tv. Kathleen will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

Josie Tyrrell, The Forge, Blessington died in Dunlavin Nursing Home last Tuesday April 23. Her remains were removed to the Church of Our Lady, Blessington last Friday April 26 for her funeral mass and her burial took place afterwards in Burgage Cemetery, Blessington. Josie was well known in the Blessington area and will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

Condolences to all the families at this very sad time in their lives.

Valleymount Community Walk

Valleymount Community Walking Group made their own piece of history on Saturday April 27.Their inaugural walk took place in Hollywood taking in the Heritage Trail which included the watery lane site of the old forge, the dispensary, the old coach yard, St. Kevin’s well, Church of Ireland church, St. Kevin’s chair/cave the old Post Office, school and finishing off with in Hollywood Café with a well earned cuppa.

Their next walk will part of the local Greenway. It will start at the Avon and it will take place this month. Details will be announced closer to the walk.

Little Library

Valleymount’s Little Library has had to close due to it being leaky which meant the books were getting damaged. The organisers will be constructing a new Library and they hope to have it available in the next month or so.

Little Library has been a great success since it began operating six years ago in Valleymount. The library is situated outside Valleymount Hall.

Bowls

Blessington Bowls Club played their last way match of the season last Thursday night April 26. Their opponents were league leaders Brownstown who look set to win the league.

Blesso won the corresponding fixture at home 3-2 but this away match was always going to be their toughest match of the league and it proved to be just that. The hosts had a comfortable win on both mats. They won the match 5pts to nil keeping them on track to be league winners.

Blesso team members were A team Donie McEvoy, Rita Nugent, Brendan Doyle and John Keogh, B team Liam Houston, John Bohan , Tom o’ Neill and Joe Mc Mahon. Blesso have two matches to play this month against Prosperous and Ballymore Eustace both at home.

Fake €20 in circulation

There is a warning to local residents to be very careful. Fake €20 are in circulation in the Blessington area. A number of them have been found in some of our local shops. You have been warned.

First Friday

This coming Friday May 3 will be the first Friday of the month and on that day Priests will bring Holy Communion to those in the parish who are sick or housebound. If you would like a Priest to visit you on that day or knows someone who does make sure to give all the relevant into the Parish Office before Friday morning.

Recycle Lorry

Please note that the recycle lorry will be outside Blessington Community College this coming Saturday May 4 from 10am – 12 noon.

The lorry will take paper, cardboard, plastic and tin cans. You are advised not to leave bags outside the college before 10am.

This is a great service and gets a lot of support from residents in the area especially those who live out in the country. Do not bring household rubbish to the lorry.