Windgap Tullahought Notes April 22nd

BREAKFAST SETTING: An early morning of grass frost, bright sunshine and clear blue skies dissected by the soaring flights and almost celebratory flights of the returned house martins set the scene for an event with a difference in Windgap on Easter Sunday morning. It all added to the euphoria of the arrival of twelve fluffy drown ducklings that were hatched by their wild parents at the lake in Tullahought a couple of days earlier. From eight o’clock, the fragrance of cooking sausages and puddings being prepared for the communities first Full Irish Breakfast wafted their way from the Parish hall out into the village street. 
SETTING THE SCENE: Inside the hall the hard work of the previous days was to be seen as its newly built tables were laid out in a banquet style for the occasion. Warm and colourful its walls and tables were covered in decorations and flower arrangements in the Easter colours. On the stage a remeberance tree was also provided by the youth club. By the kitchen an array door an array of stainless steel containers were used to keep the food at the perfect temperature, Just inside it a frying pan big enough to cook rashers off of a whale was being prepared. Elsewhere car parking stewards and carloads bearing food and acouplements were arriving. The fundraising brainchild of Nicholas Hawe, he was assisted by a team of cooks, waiters, waitresses and volunteers of all ages too numerous to mention. The group using the GAA Club Rooms as a back up kitchen had the show was quickly on the road. 
NEXT: Throughout the morning the individual diners and family groups arrived in waves from milking, from early morning mass in Tullahought and after the ten o’clock mass in Windgap. Their numbers were swelled by passers by and visitors from far and near, as the miracle of the bacon and sausages was resolved by the nearby supermarkets in Callan. For many of the early arrivals it was away to Limerick for the day on a full stomach for the Hurling League semi finals as the volunteers who toiled all day just made it home to see the two o’clock throw in. With them went the noise and banter of a memorable get together day for all involved. 
NEW TABLES: Supporting every breakfast that was served was an array of sponsors who were listed on each table that had been made for the occasion by Andy O’Neill, Shane Doyle and Pat Walsh. 
EASTER RESULTS: "Local" product was a strong theme in this weekend's event, from the scores of homemade brown breads supplied by volunteers to the door prizes on display in the hall. The Prize winners and prizes were;
1st prize a handmade patchwork quilt by Bridget Comerford went to Walter Power, Nine Mile House.
2nd prize the Easter bunny extravaganza cake created by Pauline O'Shea from 2 nice 2 Slice went to Kathleen O'Shea, Windgap.
3rd prize, a still life painting by local artist Sheila Cross was won by Joan O'Gorman, Skough.
4th prize a trailer load of firewood from Simon Brophy went to James Fahy c/o Leo Conalty
5th prize was a turned lamp by john Ryan which went to Robert Meagher Kiltrassy.
6th prize a fruit hamper to Eileen Hawe, Coolhill
7th prize an Easter egg to Rory Dullard
8th prize a fruit hamper to Detty Byrne
9th prize a box of sweets to Katie Daly
10th prize was the Easter Bunny Hamper to Babette Conalty
11th prize an Easter egg hamper to Gavin Cleere
THANKS: Thanks are extended to all who provided sponsorship, raffle prizes, prepared the hall, and those who contributed to, and helped on the day, but most particularly to the local community for the remarkable attendance, creating a wonderful feel-good factor and for providing funding. For all the photos visit windgap.ie 
HURLING NEWS: Windgap received a walk over in the All County Junior Hurling League at the weekend. In a quiet week the school side play Clogh Mooneenroe, whilst the Junior B travel to Graiguenamanagh to play the home side in Dr Tierney Park the minors ply John Lockes o9n Monday in Windgap 
DOUBLE WIN: The boys and girls of Windgap Hurling and Camogie Clubs recorded a double in Windgap on  Thursday night when the boys defeated O Loughlin Gaels and the girls had a victory over Lisdowney
EUROPEAN ELECTIONS: An election story with a difference sees an independent candidate from Ballyhea, that consists of a shop and church on a crossroads in North Cork set out to be elected in the Southern half of the country, A current national sports journalist and a passionate live long hurling fan Diarmuid O’Flynn is seeking to lead the region on the road to Europe. This follows their three year long weekly Saturday morning march in Ballyhea against Austerity and the problems it has caused. A surveyor in the construction industry for over twenty years, Diarmuid and his community have taken up the battle for the ordinary citizen who has suffered from carrying the debt burden incurred by others. Like many others Diarmuid, his family and community was hit by the necessity of emigration across every generation with himself and eight of his sisters and brothers departing Ireland in search of work. Closer to home in Windgap, the local hurling and camogie sides that have depended on players working and studying in various parts of England, Scotland and Wales to make the commitment to continually return for the league and championship games looks like being further hit.  The new seasonal issues arise through the reduction in the Summer Jobs market for students. The result will apparently see more of them stay away or move away for the main months of the Hurling and Camogie seasons. Having lined out in the National league for his county and played on his return with his club until he was fifty. Diarmuids story is synonymous with many a local tale. His life experiences and his decision to run in the forthcoming European elections may eventually help to turn the tide for both all communities across the country.  
LOCAL ELECTIONS: Following the lifting of the embargo on election posters Johnny Maher of Fine Gael was the first out of the blocks in the Southern Area followed by John Burke the Independent runner. At the other end of the Parish in the Western area a plethora of posters including European ones are to be seen. Locally the election sees two candidates Matt Doran and Brendan Fennelly both living within a few fields of each other in the South area in Kilmoganny contest the West and South areas respectively. To date canvassing has been thin on the ground.
TIDY TOWNS: Following the clean up of the Tullahought area the previous week the main Carrick on Suir Road to Callan and the motorway in Knocktopher between Billy Hawes Cross and the Slatequarries continues to be heavily littered by passing vehicles. Elsewhere the hope is the Kilmacoliver Loop one of the most popular of the Kilkenny walking trails is to re-open.
RE-CYCLING: There was a great turnout of materials for recycling at the WEEE Ireland free re-cycling day held at the Car Park in Windgap on Thursday last. 
CLUB NEWS: This Weeks Winning Numbers Lotto Numbers were 6, 11, 21, 27 and Bonus number 3. The numbers brought a match three cheque to Eamon Doyle. This Weeks Prize fund is €8,450.
YOUTH CLUB: The club are holding a Community evening planting flowers and doing up flower pots and containers for the village on Friday next from 3pm to 5pm. For further information contact any Youth Club leader.
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

Don't forget that you can catch additional local updates on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/windgap.kilkenny.9

A parish wide spring-clean continued this evening Monday, with work progressing in Windgap village, Tullahought and  on the Garryricken, Butlerswood, Garrythomas, Cotterstrown road. 

WINDGAP PARISH NEWSLETTER     27 APRIL 2014
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MASSES DURING THE WEEK
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: Joan Murphy, Windgap mass at 10.00 a.m. Sun, 27th; Lunga Trububisth, mass at 10.00 a.m. Sun. 27th; Mary O’Meara, Baunreigh.
***************************************************************************************** EDMUND RICE PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK will take place on 29th May. Anyone wishing to travel, please contact 056 – 7728317
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TROCAIRE BOXES should be returned to the Churches as soon as possible.
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FIRST HOLY COMMUNION will be celebrated in St. Nicholas’ Church, Windgap on Saturday 10th May at 11.00 a.m.
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THE TAX REBATE SCHEME which benefits Charities, i.e. The Parish enables it to reclaim the tax paid on recordable donation from the year 2013 and subsequent years whether the tax payer is self-employed or a PAYE tax payer. Donations of €250 or greater qualify. The tax rebate is €112 approx. for each €250 donated. Please fill in the forms which were circulated with the Annual Parish Income & Expenditure accounts and return them to the Presbytery or at week-end masses. Your cooperation would be greatly appreciated.
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IF THERE ARE EMERGENCIES during the next two week please contact Rev. William Dalton P.P. Callan. 056 – 7725287 or 086 - 8506215   **************************************************************************************
FUNDRAISING FOR THE ALZHEIMERS SOCIETY will take place on Thursday May 1st in the Parochial Hall, Callan from 10.30 a.m. – 12.00 noon. The Coffee/tea morning is organized by the Callan & District Active Retirement Association. Donations for the raffle would be appreciated.
****************************************************************************************Windgap “Full Irish” Breakfast – Thanks; A massive crowd attended the Windgap “Full Irish” Breakfast on Easter Sunday morning in the community centre. All age groups were represented from across the parish and beyond. The spirit and enthusiasm displayed by all of the community was notable, and reminiscent of last year’s local gathering events. Thanks to all who provided sponsorship, raffle prizes, prepared the hall, and those who contributed to, and helped on the day, but most particularly to the local community for the remarkable attendance, creating a wonderful feel-good factor. A sum of approximately 4,000 Euros was realised on the day, funding the new tables for the community centre, as well as planned community projects. 
Raffle Winners: 1st: A handmade patchwork quilt by Bridget Comerford went to Walter Power, Ninemilehouse. 2nd: “Emma” Easter bunny cake by Pauline O'Shea in 2 nice 2 Slice went to Kathleen O'Shea, Windgap; 3rd : A still life painting by local artist Sheila Cross to Joan O'Gorman, Skough; 4th: A trailer load of firewood from Simon Brophy went to James Fahy c/o Leo Conalt; 5th: A turned lamp by john Ryan to Robert Meagher Kiltrassy. 6th: A fruit hamper to Eileen Hawe, Coolhill; 7th: Easter egg to Rory Dullard; 8th: Fruit hamper to Detty Byrne; 9th: Box of sweets to Katie Daly; 10th: Easter Bunny Hamper to Babette Conalty; 11th: Easter egg hamper to Gavin Cleere

Kilmoganny Golf Society’s first outing of 2014 goes ahead this Friday morning at Ballykisteen Golf club, Limerick Junction, Co. Tipperary. Tee times start at 10.55am. Names please to Dermot O’Shea (087 4193229) or Peter at Moran’s Shop, Kilmoganny. Society membership is only €30 and guests are very welcome to join us for the outing to meet the members.

Apologies as this is a belated announcement.

http://dkk.ie/50/Kilmoganny-Golf-Society.html

A massive crowd attended the Windgap “Full Irish” Breakfast on Easter Sunday morning in the community center.   All age groups were represented from across the parish and beyond.    The spirit and enthusiasm displayed by all of the community was notable, and reminiscent of last year’s local gathering events.

Thanks to all who provided sponsorship, raffle prizes, prepared the hall, and those who contributed to, and helped on the day, but most particularly to the local community for the remarkable attendance, creating a wonderful feel-good factor. 

A sum of approximately 4,000 Euros was realised on the day, funding the new tables for the community center, as well as planned community projects. 

Raffle Winners:  
1st prize: A handmade patchwork quilt by Bridget Comerford went to Walter Power, Ninemilehouse.
2nd prize: “Emma” Easter bunny cake by Pauline O'Shea in 2 nice 2 Slice went to Kathleen O'Shea, Windgap.
3rd prize:  A still life painting by local artist Sheila Cross to Joan O'Gorman, Skough. 
4th prize: A trailer load of firewood from Simon Brophy went to James Fahy c/o Leo Conalty.
5th prize: A turned lamp by john Ryan to Robert Meagher Kiltrassy.
6th prize: A fruit hamper to Eileen Hawe, Coolhill
7th prize:  Easter egg to Rory Dullard.
8th prize: Fruit hamper to Detty Byrne
9th prize: Box of sweets to Katie Daly
10th prize: Easter Bunny Hamper to Babette Conalty
11th prize: Easter egg hamper to Gavin Cleere

Great performances from the Windgap girls and Boys U14 Hurling and camogie teams on Thursday night in Windgap.  The girls had a comprehensive win over Lisdowney ,while the boys had an equally impressive win over O'Loughlin Gaels.

Windgap Tullahought Notes April 22nd with Jimmy Walsh

BREAKFAST AT EASTER: An early morning of grass frost, bright sunshine and clear blue skies dissected by the soaring flights and almost celebratory flights of the returned house martins set the scene for an event with a difference in Windgap on Easter Sunday morning. It all added to the euphoria of the arrival of twelve fluffy ducklings that were hatched by their wild parents at the lake in Tullahought a couple of days earlier. From eight o’clock, the fragrance of cooking sausages and puddings being prepared for the communities first Full Irish Breakfast wafted their way from the Parish hall out into the village street. Inside the hall the hard work of the previous days was to be seen as its newly built tables were laid out in a banquet style for the occasion. Warm and colourful its walls and tables were covered in decorations and flower arrangements in the Easter colours. On the stage a remeberance tree was also provided by the youth club. By the kitchen an array door an array of stainless steel containers were used to keep the food at the perfect temperature, Just inside it a frying pan big enough to cook rashers off of a whale was being prepared. Elsewhere car parking stewards and carloads bearing food and acouplements were arriving. The fundraising brainchild of Nicholas Hawe, he was assisted by a team of cooks, waiters, waitresses and volunteers of all ages too numerous to mention. The group using the GAA Club Rooms as a back up kitchen had the show was quickly on the road. Throughout the morning the individual diners and family groups arrived in waves from milking, from early morning mass in Tullahought and after the ten o’clock mass in Windgap. Their numbers were swelled by passers by and visitors from far and near, as the miracle of the bacon and sausages was resolved by the nearby supermarkets in Callan. For many of the early arrivals it was away to Limerick for the day on a full stomach for the Hurling League semi finals as the volunteers who toiled all day just made it home to see the two o’clock throw in. With them went the noise and banter of a memorable get together day for all involved. Supporting every breakfast served was an array of sponsors who were listed on each table that had been put together for the occasion by Andy O’Neill, Shane Doyle and Pat Walsh. As part of the event a monster raffle for an elaborate Easter cake, tapestry, hampers, local paintings and timber was arranged. Further details of sponsors and prize-winners to follow next week. For all the updates and photos visit windgap.ie
HURLING NEWS: Windgap played host to the Erin’s Own from Castlecomer in the All County Junior Hurling League in Windgap on Saturday evening. Behind form the third minute the sides were level on four occasions before they adjourned with Windgap having gone 0-8 to 0-6 ahead at the break. Three early second half points saw the home sides lead extended to five. With former county player veteran Sean Meally marshalling the Comer defence a golden run of seven points on the trot saw the visitors 0-14 to 0-12 ahead. Having saved a twenty one yard free during that period the home side with a never say die attitude rallied and were tied at 0-14 apiece entering the dying moments. As the visitors counterattacked their defence was overrun and a point resulted from a goal chance to give Windgap a 0-15 to -14 lead. From the puck out a soft free was conceded as the resultant score saw the sides sharing the spoils at 0-15 each when referee Willie Kearney called time.
On Sunday evening the side Junior B side travelled to Ballyhale where they went down to Ballyhale Shamrocks. Lining out for the side was Vincent Purcell who made the journey home from Limerick straight after the Kilkenny verses Galway league semi-final to participate. See Barry Henriques match reports in the Sports Pages. 
EUROPEAN ELECTIONS: Coming from Ballyhea, that consists of a shop and church on a crossroads in North Cork, current sports journalist and live long passionist hurling fan Diarmuid O Flynn is to lead his community on the road to Europe. This follows their three year long weekly Saturday morning march in Ballyhea against Austerity and the problems it has caused. A surveyor in the construction industry for over twenty years, Diarmuid and the community in the area have taken up the battle for the ordinary citizen who has suffered from carrying the entire debt burden incurred by others. Like many others Diarmuid and his family and community was hit by the necessity of emigration across every generation with himself and eight of his sisters and brothers departing Ireland in search of work. Closer to home in Windgap, the local hurling side that has depended on players working and studying in various parts of England, Scotland and Wales to make the commitment to continually return for the league and championship games looks like being further hit.  The new seasonal issues arise through the reduction in the Summer Jobs market for students. The result will apparently see more of them stay away or move away for the main months of the Hurling and Camogie seasons. Having lined out  in the National league for his county and played on his return with his club until he was fifty, Diarmuids story is synonymous with many a local tale. His life experiences and his decision to run in the forthcoming European elections may eventually help to turn the tide for rural and urban communities across the country.   
BEAT FM SPORTS STAR! Local international boxing star Clare Grace was selected as the Beat FM South-East Sports Star Award recipient for March . The full list of nominations were Shane Kavanagh (Carlow), Paul Breen (Tipperary), Joe Gough (Waterford), Daryl Jacob (Wexford) and Clare Grace (Kilkenny), The event was run by Beat 102-103 in conjunction with Mount Wolseley Hotel Carlow.
GALMOY WINDGAP: On Monday evening the minor hurlers from Tullougher Rosbercon visited Windgap to play in the minor league. In a ding dong affair the visitors were a point ahead at the break after Tim Molloy got the home side’s goal. On the restart Galmoy Windgap forged ahead to lead by four points but failed to pull away even after Cian Hynes added their second goal. As a result the final outcome remained on a knife edge with only a score between the sides until referee Willie Kearney called time on a 2-14 to 2-12 victory for the combined side. The team were best served by Niall Walsh, Peter Hennessey, Kevin Duggan, Pat Grace David Doyle and goalkeeper Oisin Phelan. They travel to Dunnamaggin for a local derby tie meeting with Dunnamaggin on Monday evening next. Best wishes are extended to Darren Grace for a speedy recovery after the game.  
TIDY TOWNS: Following the clean up of the Tullahought area the previous week the main Carrick on Suir Road to Callan and the motorway in Knocktopher between Billy Hawes Cross and the Slatequarries continues to be heavily littered by passing vehicles. Elsewhere the Kilmacoliver Loop one of the most popular of the Kilkenny walking trails has been closed.
RE-CYCLING: There was a great turnout of materials for recycling at the WEEE Ireland free re-cycling day held at the Car Park in Windgap on Thursday last. 
CLUB NEWS: This Weeks Winning Numbers Lotto Numbers were 12, 20, 24, 27 and Bonus number 5. This Weeks Prize fund is €8,100.
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     20 APRIL 2014
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MASSES DURING THE WEEK
Monday & Friday in Dunamaggan at 9.30 a.m. First Friday mass in Windgap at 7.30 p.m.  
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: George Moore, Birchwood, mass at 9.00 a.m. Sun. 20th; Josie Quinn, Ballinalina, mass at 9.00 a.m. Sun. 20th; Edward, Mary & John Doyle, Curragh, Laurence & Margaret Purcell, Gortuaglough & Eddie O’Shea, Glencommon, mass at 9.00 a.m. Sun. 20th.
Joan Murphy, Windgap mass at 10.00 a.m. Sun, 27th; Lunga Trububisth, mass at 10.00 a.m. Sun. 27th.
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EDMUND RICE PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK will take place on 29th May. Anyone wishing to travel, please contact 056 – 7728317
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TROCAIRE BOXES should be returned to the Churches as soon as possible.
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FULL IRISH BREAKFAST: All ticket sellers to have money or unsold tickets returned to GAA club rooms on Wednesday next 16th at 8.30 p.m. Tickets for the Full Irish are on sale at the door today, the committee would like to thank all those who have purchased tickets already and thanks also to tickets sellers. A big thank you to all who have donated valuable prizes for the raffle and to all who are baking brown bread and not forgetting all the food sponsors who have made this event possible. Breakfast will commence at 9.30 a.m. and for all travelling to the match in Limerick you are guaranteed not to be delayed.
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THE TAX REBATE SCHEME which benefits Charities, i.e. The Parish enables the Charity i.e. the Parish to reclaim the tax paid on recordable donation from the year 2013 whether the tax payer is self-employed or a PAYE tax payer. Donations of €250 or greater qualify. The tax rebate is €112 approx. for each €250 donated. Please fill in the forms which will be circulated with the Annual Parish Income & Expenditure accounts and return them to the Presbytery or at week-end masses. Your cooperation would be greatly appreciated.
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Beginners Irish classes for Adults takes place in Droichead FRC from 11am -12pm every Friday. €2 per session. For more information, please call: 0567755660
A Creative writing group takes place in Droichead FRC every Friday at 10.30am. A talented writer will facilitate the group. All participates must pay €2 per session.
The Care & Repair programme offers a free service in the Callan area that carries out minor home repair jobs.  Are you over 65 years old? Do you need simple DIY jobs done? If so, please call 056 77 55 660 Ext 1
****************************************************************************************ABSOLUTE BEGINNER SPANISH CLASS: The Spanish class will be for absolute beginners so if you are thinking of going to Spain on holidays and want to brush up on your Spanish, this would be a perfect opportunity. The class will commence on Tuesday April, 15th from 6.30 p.m. – 8.00 p.m.. Please ring 056 7755660 ext. 1 to book a place. The class will be €2 per session.
****************************************************************************************PAT WALSH annual Parade in Dunamaggan will take place on Easter Sunday after 11.00 a.m. mass. Cabaret on Easter Sunday night in Townsend’s. Proceeds in aid of the Nurture Africa Uganda Appeal of Johanna & Aisling Cody.