Recent Deaths:    Michael Duggan, Ballinteskin, Hugginstown  
Sr Margaret Doyle, Mooncoin
Anniversary:     Tullahought:     Greta Purcell, Kilmacoliver


Mass Times: Weekend: Windgap: Saturday, 7.30 pm. Tullahought: Sunday, 10 am. 
Weekdays: Masses at usual times (except in the event of a funeral).

Windgap: 
Readers: August: 6, Tom Mackey; 13, Eimear O’Shea; 15, Ciara Smith; 20, Rita Phelan; 27, Caoimhe O’Shea
Eucharistic Ministers: August: 6, Breda O’Shea; 13, Eileen O’Gorman; 15, Margaret Mackey; 20, Joan Waters; 26, Liz Jackson
Collectors for August: Richie Downey, Mary Lonergan.

Tullahought: Eucharistic Ministers: July: 31, Eileen Grace, August: 7, Leo Conalty; 14, Patricia Power; 21, Mary Walsh; 28, Eileen Grace.

Mystery Tour of Templeorum: During Heritage week 2016 the South Kilkenny Historical Society is putting on a Local History Mystery Tour of Templeorum on Sunday, 28th August from 3pm to 6pm. Meeting place: Templeorum Church (Eddie Synnott, 086 8124349).

Fr Raftice: Fr Raftice has moved from the nursing home in Ferrybank to that of Drakelands in Kilkenny and is keeping well as he approaches his 86th birthday. Nár laga Dia é.

Do you what to know more about your Church and your faith? If so why not take part in a course offered in St Kieran’s College for the coming year.  Two nights a week from Oct to Dec and Jan to May this course will explore areas such as Scripture, Moral Theology, the Church, Liturgy and Sacraments, and Church History.  It is intended for those who are new to theology and those who want to explore it a little further.  For further information see www.ossory.ie or contact 056-7753624 or 087-9081470.

Callan’s World War I Memorial due for unveiling Sunday 28 August. Callan’s Memorial to the memory of all who participated in World War I will be unveiled on Sunday 28 August 2016. Many from outside Callan signed up for military service in World War I in Callan including some from Windgap. We are making a list of those from Windgap who fought in WWI. At present we have 15 names from the parish of Windgap.

Callan CBS Kenya Immersion Programme: A group of 15 students and 3 teachers (including Cian Ryan) from Coláiste Eamon Rís will be travelling to Kenya next Easter to take part in an immersion programme. They will be busy fundraising throughout the coming year having to raise €30,000 towards the trip. In addition each participating student will have to raise €500 towards his own expenses. 

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Pilgrimage to the Shrines of France: 7 - 14 Oct. 
An opportunity to visit Lourdes,Avignon,Ars,Paray-Le   Monial, Nevers, Paris & Lisieux; 7 nights; cost €799 including insurance. For further information please contact Fr. Larry O'Keeffe, PP Mooncoin Co. Kilkenny. 

Curates of Windgap: John Walsh (contd.): When Fr Walsh was in Windgap he attended the funeral in Kilmacow of Fr Nicholas Phelan who died of “typus fever” in the Rower in April 1867 and who was buried in his native Kilmacow late in the evening before the requiem Mass next day in Kilmacow. The date of Fr Walsh’s appointment as curate in Callan is uncertain but he was succeeded by Edmund or Edward Walsh, a native of Clogga, Mooncoin. Edmund was baptised 21 January 1840, probably the day after his birth. The son of James Walsh and Ellen Walsh, he studied for the priesthood in St. John’s College, Waterford. At that time the diocesan seminary in Kilkenny (St. Kieran’s) was not functioning and had been limping along for almost two decades. He was ordained probably in 1866. His first curacy was in Windgap where he spent a year (July 1866-July 1867). It was a time of Fenian activity in Ireland and in March 1867 the police stations in Kells, Windgap and Harley Park were ‘broken up’ (moved, I presume) because of their proximity to other houses which might have been set on fire and caused great danger. In March 1867 the local newspaper reported a large encampment of Fenians on Slievenamon and the presence of two companies of soldiers in the workhouse in Callan, presumably to counter Fenian activity. The Freeman’s Journal reported on 10 April the arrest in Callan of 
“a young man named John Locke, an assistant in one of our National Schools, who was at once lodged in the local bridewelL Sub-Inspector Lawless and party then proceeded to his residence, accompanied by a crowd of women and lads, and made a most diligent search, but nothing treasonable was discovered. It appears the prisoner is a person- of nice literary tastes ...  In the evening- the prisoner was removed to Kilkenny jail under a strong escort.
John Locke’s poetic prowess was already recognised. Presumably he had sympathisers in the parish, but if he had, the bishop did not know about them, for on the occasion of his visit to Windgap the previous June he congratulated its priests and people on being entirely free from “Fenianism and drunkenness”!  The PP must have given the Bishop (a native of Luffany) a good report. Fr Walsh served subsequently as curate in Glenmore (1867-71), Rosbercon (1871-81), Urlingford (1881-85), Castlecomer (June-Sept.1885) and Inistioge (Febr.1887-Dec.1888); he retired from active ministry in Inistioge. 
The Lingaun: “The trout and salmon always in the Lingawn, and the stately deer, all life and celerity, on its green arborous banks” (“An breac ‘sa bradán a gcomhnaighe ann san Loingeán agus an fiadh mordha, do beodha, biodhgamhuil, air bhruachaibh glasa, craobhacha na h-abhann”). This tradition was recorded by John Dunne, schoolteacher in Poulacapple (resident of Garryricken). He also wrote in a footnote to his article “The Fenian Traditions of Sliabh na mBan” published in the JKAS in 1851, that Cuinneóg was the word used for a churn in Killamery. It means in Irish a churn or a pail.  Is it still used?

CAMOGIE IS TOPS: Off the pitch former Windgap player and club secretary  Catherine Fleming home from Sydney took in Tullahought Sportsfield where she started playing Camogie on her list of venues on her recent hen party. The following day she was joined at the senior league championship game with Muckalee by another former club star Sarah McCarthy who continues her sporting career with a league winning soccer side in Brighton. On the pitch Lisa Phelan made a welcome return after a series of sporting injuries that she incurred after her return from Australia. Their support and the addition of local hurler and fitness trainer Adrian Landy to the backroom team saw the side collect the league points.

CLUB NEWS: Best wishes are extended to club player Edward Cunningham who has emigrated to take up a teaching post in Beijing. A regular club player his departure overlapped with a visit from his former teammate Stephen Purcell who has returned from Brussels for his Summer break.

TOP PLAYER: Denise Gaule was awarded the player of the game award in Kilkenny’s All Ireland Senior Camogie semi-final epic victory over Galway that went to extra time in Thurles on Saturday. The side play Cork in the final in Croke Park on Sunday 11th of September.

KILKKENNY, TIPPERARY UNITE: Residents on both sides of the Kilkenny/Tipperary border breathed a sigh of relief last week when the Dunoair plan for eight giant wind turbines overlooking the Lingaun Valley was refused planning permission by the Tipperary Co Co planning department. In a week which saw the two Counties qualifying to renew rivalries in the All Ireland Hurling Final this border area celebrated a significant victory. Ironically while the hurling supporters of both counties have to wait for the first Sunday of September to find out who emerges victorious, it is on the following Monday that the next hurdle in the wind turbine saga will be played out. Following the planning refusal Dunoair have four weeks to consider whether to lodge an appeal to An Bord Pleanala and the cross border community will anxiously await the outcome. The total of over two hundred objections lodged with Tipperary County Council demonstrated the huge public rejection of this development. These included many individual objections, and objections from the local school, environmental, historical and community groups.

DEFIBRILATOR THANKS: The Committee would like to thank most sincerely everyone who helped in any way with the recent fundraising at the Graveyard Masses in Tullahought and Windgap. The total amount raised over the two evenings is €1,605.63. Thanks to your efforts and generosity the group are now well on our way to being able to purchase a defibrillator for the Killamery area and also to continue our training and servicing of equipment etc. The Raffle Results were: Tullahought: Dan Phelan (Hamper). Other prize winners were: - Fr. Fearghus Ó Fearghail, Paddy Egan, Paschal Skehan, Mary Fleming, Gina Phelan, Kathleen Duggan, Mary Meehan, Ava & Jack Culleton. Windgap: Rose Byrne (Hamper). Other prize winners were: – Mary Walsh, Ann O’ Shea, Larry Cantwell, Sr. Anne, Eleanor Hayes, Babette Conalty, Liam O’ Shea, Marie Malone and Colin Byrne.  
  
QUIZ NIGHT FOR UGANDA: Please join us in Tullahought Community Hall for a family table quiz on Friday August 19th at 8pm to raise money for 2 different projects. In September Eoin Ryan will travel to Uganda to work for a number of weeks at the Alexas Medical Centre in Uganda. All money raised will be used to buy medications, fund immunization programs, fund community healthcare awareness initiatives, including family planning, pre-natal care and hygiene. Next March, Cian Ryan along with a number of students from Callan CBS will travel to Kenya as part of the Kenya Immersion Project. All money raised will go towards funding various community-based projects in Kenya. Tables of 4 people 20 euro. Raffle on the night. 100% of money fundraised will go towards funding projects in Uganda and Kenya. 0% of fundraised money will go towards covering volunteer costs.

RADIO QUIZ: The GAA club are hosting a section of the “Drive for Liam Quiz” on Thursday 25th of August.

HERITAGE WEEK: The annual Heritage week is celebrated in Tullahought from the 26th to 28th August. The commence on Friday 26th August at 8.00 pm with the Official opening Heritage Week and Art Exhibition by An Cathaoirleach, Comhairle Chontae Chill Choinnigh, Mr. Matt Doran. It will be followed by a Cheese and Wine Reception and at 8.30pm by a lecture on a “Sense of Place in a Kilkenny/Tipperary context” by Mr. Joe Sullivan. The evening comes to a close with a Traditional Music session, song and storytelling session that starts at 9.30pm.
On Saturday 27th the Art Exhibition continues from 3pm in Tullahought Community Centre and will be followed at 8.30p.m by a lecture by An tAthair Fearghus O’Fearghaill on the 400th anniversary of the death of Hugh O’Neill in Rome (20/7/1616).  The talk will focus on the Flight of the Earls and their last days in Rome.
Sunday 28th commences with an Under 12’s Camogie and Hurling Blitz for the Mike Williams Memorial Shield at 11.00am in Tullahought Sportsfield. In the village the Art Exhibition continues with a Butter Making demonstration by Breda McDonald at 2pm. It will be followed by a trip over the Kilmacoliver Loop Walk Starting at Tullahought Community Centre at 2.30pm: 

LOTTO: Numbers 1, 8, 18, 27 and bonus number 15 were drawn this week and brought a match three cheque to Matthew O’Shea. Next week’s prize fund is €8,700
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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 and photos visit windgap.ie
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B ALERT: After the seasonal decline, robberies have returned to the area well before the short dark evenings of winter with farm machinery and diesel being amongst the more recent targets. As a result householders and property owners are advised to keep a watchful eye for unusual activities and strange vehicles. 

DUCKSIE WALSH: The sudden death of renowned handballer Michael Ducksie Walsh breaks a lifelong link with the local Handball Club. Founded in 1984 when Ducksie was than the national champion he played an exhibition game on the opening night after Fr. Garret Phelan PP and Fr. Dan Delaney opened the alley. On the court he amassed record title wins in every code and grade from Club to World Titles. As a player to the day of his final illness, Ducksie's life revolved around Handball with his weekly coaching sessions helping the local Féile team to the Clubs first ever Division 1 National title just a few weeks ago and thirty two years after his first visit to the club.  His loss to his family, friends, opponents and the game will be immeasurable, whilst his name and achievements will last forever.

CROKE PARK: Lining out in Croke Park to greet the Waterford and Kilkenny senior hurling players on Sunday last as they arrived out on the field were Moya and Padraig Egan from Tullahought whose parents Mary and Tom are from Waterford and Kilkenny respectively.

WORLD GAA GAMES: Local player Shane Walsh is a member of the European Hurling panel that takes part in the World GAA games that are hosted in Dublin during the week with the finals being played in Croke Park on Friday. Representing Paris Gaels and France he joins players from Antrim, Clare, Dublin, Tipperary, Galway, Wexford and Offaly who represent clubs in Gibraltar, Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain and France on the side.

CLUB NEWS: Windgap 5th round league championship game scheduled for the weekend has being postponed owing to the All-Ireland Senior Hurling semi-final draw. Displaying great heart, determination, teamwork and no small amount of skill the county side battled to the final seconds of the fifth minute of injury time to almost snatch victory from a seemingly insurmountable position as the clock ticked agonisingly towards the seventieth minute. The not to be missed replay with Waterford takes place in Thurles on Saturday evening.

BUZZARDS ABOUT: A feature of the skies this summer has been the sight of the buzzards that arrived in the area a few years ago extending their territory. Soaring alone or in pairs they often attract attention with their unusual strong sharp calling tones. Much larger than hawks they were extinct in the country a century ago and have returned from Scotland and Wales via Antrim and Wicklow.

COUNTY NEWS: Jack Doyle and Padraig Foley are joined by Eoin O’Brien for the County under fourteen hurling teams training in MW Hire Park Dunmore on this Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

GALMOY WINDGAP: The minor side continued their good run with a win over the Fenians in Johnstown during the week. Kilmacow on Saturday. The result sees them move to second place behind St. Lachtains to qualify for a semi-final place.

CAMOGIE: On Tuesday evening last the senior team all gathered in Windgap to play the last round of the league championship match against St Martins. It was a calm evening and as the crowd gathered the referee blew the whistle and threw in the ball. Annie Phelan got the first score of the game and Windgap settled down to have a great game in front of a huge home crowd. There was great passing of the ball and the work rate has been improving with every game. Well done to mentors John Bergin and Adrian Landy. Annie Phelan went on to score 2.3 Denise Gaule scored 1.5 Lisa Phelan scored 3 points Caitlinn Moore scored 1 point and Molly Walsh and Margaret Purcell between them got the last goal. The Windgap side was Amanda Power, Phena Heffernan, Catherine Foley, Elaine Power, Eimear Moylan, Elaine O’Shea, Ciara Molloy, Deirdre Purcell, Denise Gaule, Caitlynn Moore, Niamh Bambrick, Lisa Phelan, Margaret Purcell, Ann-Marie Phelan, Aisling Cody. Subs: Molly Walsh, Jane Walker. The next game will be the first round of the Championship against Piltown on the 26th August.

MINORS; The Minors played in Windgap on Wednesday evening against St Fiachras this was a closely contested match with Windgap winning by two points going into extra time before St Fiachras got a match winning goal to win and leave the girls were very disappointed. They are playing Slieverue in Windgap on this Wednesday 10th at 7.30pm

LOTTO: Numbers 6, 7, 9, 24 and bonus number 14 were drawn this week and brought a match three cheque to Kathleen Doyle. Next week’s prize fund is €8,350

COURSES: Kcat Art & Study Centre in Callan are taking enrolments for courses commencing in September. The courses are Ceramics - Tues mornings 9.30 - 12.30. Sculpture - Mon 9.30 - 4.30. Photography - Wed mornings 9.30 - 12.30. Animation- Details on request. To ensure a place or for further information please contact Rachel or Alice on 056 7755115

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 and photos visit windgap.ie
 

DEFRIBILATOR FOR KILLAMERY: The defibrillator committee are holding their Annual Cake and Home Produce Sale on Friday, 5th August, after the Cemetery Mass in Windgap. They would greatly appreciate any support for this very important event; by bringing cakes, home produce (jams, flowers, vegetables, eggs etc.) or by making a donation to the fund.  Items for the sale can be left in to the tented area in the village on Friday from 6pm onwards.  Raffle tickets for a Hamper and other prizes will be sold at the Cake Sale and the draw will take place after Mass. The committee will also hold a similar raffle after the Cemetery Mass in Tullahought on Thursday, 4th August. All support would be gratefully appreciated as the fund is providing training for a new group at present and 48 operators will need to do refresher courses before the end of 2016.  Three of our Defibrillators are due to be serviced and pads will need to be replaced.  We also intend to purchase a 5th Defibrillator shortly for the Killamery area.  For further details please contact Joan O’ Gorman 086-1024892, Richie Walsh 087-9963355, and Helen Hawe 086-8834042, Miriam Barron 087-7773233 or any member of the committee.

CAMOGIE: The under 12's continued with their go games when they went down to Ballyhale Shamrocks in Ballyhale, their next game is against Tullougher.
The minors played a challenge match against Clonea as their last match against St Fiachras was postponed and is now due to be played on Wednesday in Windgap at a time to be confirmed. 
Denise Gaule was a member of the Kilkenny Seniors Camogie team who played Offaly. The result saw the side qualify for the All-Ireland semi-final to be played in Nowlan Park on Saturday 13th of August.

CLUB NEWS: Windgap hosted a competitive, skilful Junior A game between neighbours Dunnamaggin and Carrickshock on Friday evening. With the former four points up at the break Carrickshock against all the odds ran out winners by a single point. Amongst the home side helpers as match officials were junior players Michael Power and Peter Hennessey.

OUT AND ABOUT: A feature of the skies this summer has been the sight of the buzzards that arrived in the area a few years ago extending their territory. Soaring alone or in pairs they often attract attention with their unusual strong sharp calling tones. Much larger than hawks they were extinct in the country a century ago and have returned from Scotland and Wales via Antrim and Wicklow.

COUNTY NEWS: Jack Doyle and Padraig Foley were selected on the County under fourteen hurling panel that travelled to Dungarvan to play Cork on Saturday.

GALMOY WINDGAP: The minor side continued their good run with a three point win over Kilmacow on Saturday. The result sees them move to joint second place with Piltown in the nine team group behind St. Lachtains. The side plays the Fenians in the final round on Thursday.

GRAVEYARD MASSES: The annual cemetery masses continue on Wednesday 3rd August in Killamery, Thursday 4th of August in Tullahought and Friday 5th of August in Windgap. All are at 7.30pm.

TIDY TOWNS: Following the first round of judging in early to mid-June both Tullahought and Windgap committees are hopeful for a second visit by the adjudicators. Currently ongoing nationwide it takes place amongst the potential national award winners after a review of the adjudicators first round results. The final results will be announced in the Helix Theatre in Dublin on Monday 26th of September. In Windgap the return of ducks to the lake has become an added feature.

LOTTO: Numbers 4, 5, 12, 18 and bonus number 27 were drawn this week and brought a match three cheque to Kathleen Doyle. Next week’s prize fund is €8,000

OUTINGS: The annual Vincent De Paul trip under the guidance of local committee members Biddy McKenna, Kitty Egan, Eamon Doyle, Catherine Meagher and Margaret Phelan travels to Kinsale on Wednesday. Sunday last saw a handful of locals make their traditional annual trip to climb Croke Patrick on Reek Sunday.

INTERESTING COURSES: Kcat Art & Study Centre in Callan are taking enrolments for courses commencing in September. The courses are Ceramics - Tues mornings 9.30 - 12.30. Sculpture - Mon 9.30 - 4.30. Photography - Wed mornings 9.30 - 12.30. Animation- Details on request. To ensure a place or for further information please contact Rachel or Alice on 056 7755115

CARERS SUPPORT: Kilkenny Carer's Support Group, Tuesday 2nd August 2016, 3.00-4.30pm at The Village Day Centre (behind the Village Inn Pub). Information and support for past/present carers of people with Alzheimer's/Dementia. Everyone is welcome. Drop in to the group or for more information call 056 7771230.NUACHLITIR: Notices for the weekend Masses can be emailed to fearghus.ofearghail@dcu.ie or (085) 8830756 or be dropped into the Parochial House by Thursday evening.

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 and photos visit windgap.ie



 
 

Do not forget to keep an eye on updates at the school website at http://www.windgapns.ie incuding: 

3rd,4th,5th &6th Class go on a school tour to Hook Head Lighthouse and Dunbrody!

​3rd-6th class School trip to Dublin Zoo!

and latest news at: LATEST NEWS