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The end of season Wildlife Dinner held in Powers Tullahought last Saturday night was an enjoyable evening and a huge success. The total raised on the night in aid of Windgap National School was €1000.

Special thanks to the Tullahought District Gun Club members for their excellent contribution and those who attended from neighbouring Gun Clubs.

Thanks to those who generously sponsored prizes for the night. Thanks to Kilkieran Cottage Restaurant - chef Neil McEvoy and team did a brilliant job preparing the food on the night.

Lastly thanks to everyone that came out and supported the night. Below is the list of sponsors and prize winners announced on the night.

FAUGHEEN AGAINST PYLONS: It was standing room only as the Club House in Faugheen was packed to capacity as over seventy people attended the Faugheen against Pylons group meeting. The meeting was called to discuss the Eirgrid proposals to erect forty five meter pylons across the Lingaun Valley on the proposed route between Kildare, Great Island and Cork.
K2 CORRIDOR: The meeting hosted by the Faugheen against Pylons group was led by Pete Smith and Breege Phelan. The local group is part of a community Alliance called the Suir Valley Action Group who have many personal and environmental concerns for the Lingaun and Suir valleys along the K2 Corridor. In a co-operative way it is looking at joining the Pylon Alternative Alliance led locally by Robert Duggan.  The P.A.A. is an umbrella group for many of the concerned community Groups along the entire Eirgrid Route. Its main aim is to share information and co-ordinate the efforts of the many volunteers and their communities. 
URBAN AND RURAL POWER: Amongst the aims of the group is to highlight the concerns of the residents of the rural areas where the route is planned to the residents of the more populated areas that use the countryside for social and recreational purposes and are not as directly affected by proposed developments.
POLITICAL POWER: Highlighted too was the power of the people in the run up to the local and European politicians. This comes at a time where the amalgamation of Tipperarys North and South County Councils, altered boundaries in Kilkenny, and the changing of the Leinster European constituency into a Southern one take place. In addition the reduction in seats in some areas has major implications for sitting and hopeful to be elected representatives and their parties. Having gone past the submission stage for the Eirgrid project the ultimate power now lies with the local and regional politicians.
OVER POWERERED: The new route with an apparent capacity to almost treble the peak power requirements has also worried the communities. Its substantial over capacity is seen as potential to take on additional power from yet to be announced wind farms that would spread out from it across local valleys and hillsides.
KILLURNEY 2B EMPOWERED; The next information meeting of the Suir Valley Action Group on the Eirgrid proposals takes place in Killurney on the 4th of February
WHATS ANOTHER YEAR: Further Disappointment was expressed in the locality after the four years work of community members on plans to provide a playground in the area suffered another setback. The latest update received that it will be at least another year before the project will be even in the queue for potential Grant Funding. Owing to the delays of some parties getting their ducks in line on the proposed parish site, the intuition of the volunteers now led by Marie O'Shea, Barbra Kelly and their committee that the funding bus had left a year ago, in February 2013 were well founded. 
COUNTY COUNCIL VISIT: In a major work of co-operation, County Council Chairman Pat Dunphy led a maintenance crew from the Callan Area Office and joined local resident Eamon Doyle to review a number of road infrastructure issues in the area. These included a dangerous situation following the collapse of a stretch of a roadside ditch into a dyke on the busy Kilmoganny to Piltown road in Glencommon. Also reviewed on the Carrick on Suir road to Callan and the motorway in Knocktopher were the outcrops of rock on tight corners on the edge of the roadway in Birchwood. Following the review the protruding rock opposite the Victoria Bridge that has destroyed many tyres over the years is to be removed. Nearby the much larger rock face closer to Delaney’s Public House is to be painted to highlight it as a hazard to oncoming motorists. Since the visit work has commenced on the road in Glencommon and two further visits have been made to the flooded road are at the Lake in Tullahought where the road dissects the townslands of Kilmacoliver and Poulrone. 
FOOTBALLERS WIN: A young wind assisted Windgap side built up a match winning lead in the first round of the Junior League championship in Carrigeen on Sunday. With a brace of goals from corner forward Niall Walsh and another from Gary Lyons the side extended their first half lead to run out winners. A feature of the game played on good ground conditions was the atrocious weather conditions and the size of the panels with over forty players togged out between both sides. In the era of the new black card the side is to be complemented for not incurring one. The Windgap side was Michael Power, Edward Cunningham, Shane Walsh, Paraic Walsh, Peter Landy, PJ O'Keeffe, Sean Foley, Jim Power, Peter Hennessey, Adrian Landy, Aidan Mackey, Darragh O'Shea, Gary Lyons, Gerard Purcell and Niall Walsh. Substitutes at half time were Phillip Lonergan, Emmet Landy with Noel Power, James Murray and Mathew Enright also being introduced. The panel was completed by Tommy Lonergan and Valentine. Gavin Quilty was the referee. The side has a bye this weekend and training is planned in the Sportsfield in Tullahought in preparation for the next three games. 
WINDGAP JUNIOR CLUB: The first Junior Club get together takes place in Windgap Community Centre on Friday 28th of February from 3 to 4pm. To participate a person has to register and pay the €10 registration fee to any committee member. The group will meet fortnightly and a €2 fee is required to cover costs. Club rules and consent forms are being organised and will be sent to each registered member by Friday 21st. They can be returned to the  organising committee of Lena Young, Helen Walsh, Triona Moloney Michelle O'Brien and Mairead O'Rourke
CARD RESULTS: Winners at the Hurling Club Progressive Twenty Five Card game held in Guinans on Friday night were 1st. Niall Lanigan and Mattie Enright with thirteen games. 2nd place with ten games went to John Kenny and PJ Barron. The winner of the Table Prize was John Bambrick and Laurence Foley. Other prizes went to PJ Barron, John Kenny, Seamie Hawe, Michael Power and Robbie Meagher.
EMERGENCEY SERVICES: Twice in two nights the Fire Brigade was in the Tullahought area. This followed the closing of roads through fallen trees on Saturday night and a fire in a shed in the locality on Sunday evening.
LOTTO: This Weeks Winning Numbers were 5, 17, 18, 19 and bonus number 24. Next weeks Prize fund is €5,300. Tickets available from any local committee member.

BRIDGE: Winners at the Killamery Bridge Club game held in the Olde House were 1st. Moira Hickey, and Catherine Bourke. Best Gross: Elizabeth Murray and Rita Phelan. 2nd Margaret Comerford and Helen Lanigan. 3rd Peggy Vaughan and Rita Houlihan. 4th: Noreen Hayes and Stella Tennyson.
NOTES: Contributors and Clubs are invited to email items for publication with a name and contact number to windgapnotes@gmail.com by Sunday evenings at 6pm. For all the local news visit the parish website windgap.ie

WINDGAP PARISH NEWSLETTER     26 JANUARY 2014







MASSES DURING THE WEEK
Monday & Friday in Dunamaggan at 9.30 a.m. First Friday mass in Windgap at 7.30 p.m.  No mass this Monday
Wednesday & Thursday in St. Joseph’s Home, Kilmoganny at 12.10 p.m.
Tuesday in Windgap at 9.30 a.m.
Saturday:  Kilmoganny at 7.00 p.m.; 
Sunday: Tullahought at 9.00 a.m.; Windgap at 10.00 a.m.; Dunamaggan at 11.00 a.m.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in St. Nicholas’s Church, Windgap each Monday from 10.00 a.m. – 8.00 p.m.
Holy Hour each Wednesday from 3.00 - 4.00 p.m. St. Leonard’s Church, Dunamaggan. 
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ANNIVERSARIES: Nicholas O’Shea, Melleaghmore, mass at 10.00 a.m. Sun 26th; Crowley Family, Tullahought, mass at 9.00 a.m. Sun. 26th; Ned & Mary Costello, Ballinalina, mass at 9.00 a.m. Sun. 26.
Thomas & Margaret Kennedy, Melleaghmore, mass at 10.00 a.m. Sun. 2nd.
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TAIZE YOUTH PILGRIMAGE: A youth pilgrimage to Taizé, France, organised by Ossory Youth, under the Patronage of the Bishop of Ossory, will take place from 17th to 24th August 2014. The Taizé community is an ecumenical monastic order in Taizé, Saone-et-Loire, Burgundy, France. Over 100,000 young people from around the world make a pilgrimage to Taizé each year. The Pilgrimage is open to Transition year, 5th year and Leaving Cert students and the closing date for applications is Wed 29th January 2014. For additional information, including cost, and application forms, contact Patrick Bookle, Ossory Youth at (056) 7761200, (087) 2129006 or pbookle@ossoryyouth.com.
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MASS FOR CHILDREN WHO WILL RECEIVE FIRST HOLY COMMUNION next May will be celebrated on Sunday 26th January in St. Nicholas’ Church, Tullahought at 9.00 a.m.
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“Cherishing Our Past”: Scoil Aireagail, Ballyhale, will mark its 55th anniversary year of education in the community when it hosts a ‘Cherishing Our Past’ reunion event in the school. The event will entail a photographic exhibition which will feature past pupils, staff and the evolution of the school itself. An exhibition of current and past students’ practical work will also feature. Most importantly, the event will be a great opportunity to meet old classmates and teachers, not to mention principals. It will take place on Friday, April 4th with the exhibition remaining open on April 5th. Refreshments will be served on the evening. The school would welcome any old photographs or pieces for the evening’s exhibitions. Please contact the school in relation to any aspect of the event.
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South Kilkenny Historical Society lecture: 1798 - South East County Kilkenny and New Ross Speaker: Mr Richard McElwee on Thursday, January 30th at 8.00p.m. in Mullinavat Parish Hall (opposite church) Admission: €5 (members and students free)All welcome.
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THE SHRUGHAWADDA PLAYERS will meet on Tuesday night next 28th January at 8.00 p.m. in St. Eoghan`s Centre, Kilmoganny to read for a new play. All members are welcome and new members are especially very welcome.
****************************************************************************************WINDGAP JUNIOR CLUB: ITS HERE! WINDGAP JUNIOR CLUB IS READY TO HAVE FUN! 
The first club get together will take place at the Community Hall, Windgap on Friday 28th February from 3.00 p.m. – 4.30 p.m. Any person who has registered and not paid €10 registration fee should do so immediately to any committee member. A €2 cover child per child per club day is required to cover costs. The club will meet fortnightly. Club rules and consent forms will be sent to each registered parent shortly. Please sign same and return to any committee member by Friday 21st February. 
Committee Members: Lena Young, Helen Walsh, Triona Moloney, Michelle O’Brien and Mairead O’Rourke. 

ITS HERE ! WINDGAP JUNIOR CLUB IS READY TO HAVE FUN ! 
Our first club get together will take place at the Community Hall, Windgap on Friday 28th February @ 3 pm – 4.30 p.m.  
We ask that any person who has registered and not paid €10 registration fee should do so immediately to any committee member. A  €2 cover child per child per club day is required to cover costs. The club will meet fortnightly. 
Club rules and consent forms will be sent to each registered parent shortly. Please sign same and return to any committee member by Friday 21st February. 
Committee Members: Lena  Young, Helen Walsh, Triona Moloney, Michelle O’Brien and Mairead O’Rourke. 

J. J. Kavanagh and Sons Junior Football League Group B

Windgap 2- 10  Carrigeen 0-2

Windgap footballers were off to a great start in the junior football league with a comprehensive away win to Carrigeen.

JJ. Kavanagh and Sons Junior Football League Group BSunday 26th Jan 2014 @ 2.00 PM in Carrigeen.

Carrigeen versus Windgap in Carrigeen. Referee for game is Gavin Quilty

Windgap Tullahought Notes Jan. 20th 2014 with Jimmy Walsh

HERITAGE OF WINDGAP: Opening with haunting fiddle music and superbly narrated by Frances Brett the story of the heritage of the Windgap area on a recently released CD takes the listener from pre the Egyptian Pyramid times through the local hills and vales with a fantastic mix of song, story, religion, politics, history and folklore right up to the present day.
Sold out at the Summer Gathering, a limited number of CD's of the Heritage of Windgap are now available for €8 from Simon Walsh in Brett’s store in Kildrummy. The entire proceeds are going to support the St. Nicholas national school building fund. 
GAP IN THE WIND: Celebrating the "Gap in the Wind" where the natural passing place occurs between the Bearna Breac and Carraig na gCapall the story includes inserts from the parish choir along with those of Mary Ann Quann and John Comerford re-reading their riveting contributions as collected from them by their teacher Mrs. Jones for the Folklore collection back in 1937. It wraps up with the appropriately named "The Climb" from Miley Syros as recorded in studio by St. Nicholas school choir.
HERITAGE SITES: Amongst the many areas visited on the CD are the largest Calvary Grotto in Europe, the Slatequarries, Ahenny, Killamery of the High Cross, and Brooch and the Coshel in Knockroe. In them the diverse skills with marble, slate, silver, glass, stone, animal husbandry and cosmos alignments carried out to exceptional standards over thousands of years are to be seen to be appreciated.
Included too are the melodious list of the towns lands of the area, old wives tales, piseogs, and the local traditions of the May Bush, St. John, St. Brighid, St Martin, the predictions from the contents of a Shrove Tuesday pancake and a note of the prayer of King Malachy the High King of Ireland well over eleven hundred years ago
SIGHTS ANSD SOUNDS: Amongst the many items included to awaken the senses of the area are the imagined sounds of  St Gobáin leading a thousand monks in chanted prayer in Killamery, to recent ones focused on the many country roads where John Doran’s traveling shop was a welcome sight and the sounds of Nick Dempsey’s Cart on the way to the creamery were recalled. Capturing it all with an international flavour is a verse written by a former Windgaponian Lydia Phelan now residing in Switzerland that flowed.....
Windgap is a place of sounds,
of breezy gaps and creaking mounds, 
a place where times and sounds lie still,
a place of memories and sloping hill….
Produced in the studios of Community Radio Kilkenny on the Hebron Road the CD was sponsored by Brett Brothers. 
A HIDDEN GEM: The brainchild of Kate Moloney and the Gathering Committee the CD has provided more than enough appetizers to whet the appetite to visit and see the many sights. It also provides an invitation to delve further into the past, to share and celebrate the heritage of the area and to retain and protect it for future generations.
PROGRESSIVE 25: The next Hurling Club Progressive 25 card drive takes place in Guinans on Friday 24th of January and all are welcome to attend.
BRIDGE: Winners at the Killamery Bridge Club game held in the Olde House were 1st. Noreen Hayes and Annette Meagher. Best Gross: Kathleen O'Shea and Moira Hickey. 2nd Peggy Vaughan and Gracie Landy. 3rd Sarah Crowley and Elizabeth Lanigan. 4th: Margaret Comerford and Pat Arrigan
YEAR BOOK ARCHIVES: All editions of the Kilkenny GAA Yearbook from 1972 to 2012 are now online on the County website kilkennygaa.ie under the Resources tab. The valuable archive has been provided compliments of Gerry O'Neill and the County Year Book and IT committees
CAMOGIE: Former Windgap camogie player Alison Walsh now teaching in St. Mary' secondary school in Glasnevin saw her side qualify for the Dublin county final when they defeated Loreto college on the Green, by a single point in the semi-final. The achievement occurred on the schools very first time to enter a team.
FOOTBALL: The throw in for the 2014 junior football season takes place on Sunday at 2pm when Windgap travel to play Carrigeen in Carrigeen. The games continue over the following three weeks with Tullougher Rosbercon at home in Windgap followed by a visit to Graiguenamanagh and a visit from Muckalee for the final round.
CLUB MERCHANDISE: Currently available in most sizes are Club Hoodies, Jerseys and Hurling Balls and Helmets at cost price. Also available in time for the new season training are large red training jerseys, adult togs at cut prices along with and a number of rain jackets. For further details contact any committee member or call 051 648366.
LOTTO This Weeks Winning Numbers were 11, 17, 18, 21 and Bonus number 5. Next Weeks Prize fund is €4,950.00. Willie Moloney was a recent match three winner.
NOTES: Contributors and Clubs are invited to email items for publication with a name and contact number to windgapnotes@gmail.com by Sunday evenings at 6pm. For all the local news visit the parish website windgap.ie

Scoil Shan Nioclas are delighted to announce that Tullahought & District Gun Club will donate the proceeds of this year’s End of Season Wildlife Dinner to the school building fund. Details of the occasion are outlined below. 
To help in the planning of the event, please contact the school by Thursday, 23rd January to indicate how many tickets you require.

Windgap.ie is hosting a new "Small Ads Noticeboard" at http://www.windgap.ie/notice-board--buy-and-sell.html#/   This will operate as a pilot in the coming weeks.  If it is useful and used, it will continue. Lets call it an experiment. 

This has been requested by several users during the past year. Ads are free.