Bearna na Gaoithe: Sagart Paróiste: Fearghus Ó Fearghail
An Cúigiú Domhnach Fichead Saor: 16/17 Meán Fómhair 2016

Recent Death:  Daniel (Danny) Brennan, Arles, Co. Laois
Anniversaries:  Windgap: Watty Culleton, Coolhill.
Tullahought: Thomas Purcell, Inchanagloch.

MassTimes: Weekend: Windgap: Saturday, 7.30 pm. Tullahought: Sunday, 10 am. 

Weekdays: Tuesday, 9.a.m. Otherwise at usual times (except in the event of a funeral).

Windgap: Readers: September: 17, Marie Brown; 24, Larry O’Shea; October: 1, Sean Foley; 8, Heather O’Brien.

Eucharistic Ministers: September: 17, Ann O’Shea; 24, Breda O’Shea; October: 1, Eileen O’Gorman; 8, Margaret Mackey; 15, Joan Waters; 22, Liz Jackson.
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Collectors for September: Tom & Margaret Mackey.
Tullahought: Eucharistic Ministers:, September: 4, Leo Conalty; 11, Patricia Power; 18, Mary Walsh; 25, Eileen Grace.
Windgap:  Weekday Mass on Tuesdays changed to 9 a.m.

Harvest Festival this weekend in Windgap and Tullahought. Our thanks to all who have prepared the churches so beautifully.
Ballytobin Open Day: The annual Open Day at the Camphill Community, Ballytobin will take place on Sunday, 18th September, from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm. This is an important fund-raising occasion for the community.
Camogie: Comhghairdeas to the Kilkenny Senior and Intermediate Teams on their All-Ireland wins and particularly to our club players.
Windgap Senior Camogie Team are playing Piltown in the first round of the championship on Sunday 18th Sept – in Windgap. All support welcome (Anne)
Windgap Junior Hurlers are playing Piltown in Piltown at 11.30 am this Sunday in the last round of the league. Your support would be much appreciated.
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.
Pietà House: Kilkenny Federation ICA are having a Loop Walk in aid of Pietà House on Saturday, 8 October at 11 a.m.  The walk will start at the lake. Refreshments will be served in the community centre afterwards.  All are welcome. Further enquiries to Maria Landy at 0879518384. 
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.
Fr Nicholas Sheehy Commemoration: Sat. 24th September, 11.00 am, The Main Guard, Clonmel, Tipperary County Museum will host a talk by Prof. Maurice Bric (UCD) on the 250th anniversary of Fr Sheehy’s execution. Adm free. Fr Sheehy, PP of Clogheen, Burncourt and Ballyporeen, was hanged, drawn & quartered in 1766 having been found guilty in a show trial which stemmed from his supposed involvement with the Whiteboy movement. To book your seat please contact Julia on 07 61 06 5254 or email [email protected]
Golden Jubilee: Sr Alice Aylward celebrated her Golden Jubilee last Sunday in Tullahought and sent a very nice thank you card in which she expresses her thanks to the parish community. She wrote: “I was amazed and overwhelmed by the hearty welcome and lavish hospitality ... To me the whole event demonstrated a vibrant, committed parish community, the fruits of whose labours are evident everywhere in the scenic and picturesque surroundings. Borrowing from Laudato Si, Tullahought area/vicinity, “is a caress of God”. Míle buíochas! May you be richly blessed! Beannachtaí” (Sr Alice Aylward).
Faugheen Meeting: Dunoair have appealed the Tipperary Co. Co. refusal for eight wind turbines overlooking the Knockroe Passage Tomb to An Bord Pleanála. The Caiseal Conservation Committee and the Suir Valley Environmental Group are holding a public information meeting on Thursday, 22 September, in Faugheen Clubhouse at 8pm. Please come along and find out what you can do to help; we will have advice for all those who wish to send observations to An Bord Pleanála.  It is important to see a good crowd there, so please spread the word. Thanks to all who turned out in Knockroe for the visit of Minister Heather Humphreys during the week and for Dr Muiris Ó Suilleabháin’s talk (Richard Walsh).
Priests of the Parish: James Purcell was born in Gaulstown, Kilmacow, early in 1842 and studied in St. Kyran's College (1856/7-61), and Maynooth (1861-69). He was ordained in 1869. He served as curate in Gowran (1869 - 72) before being appointed to Windgap on 8 December 1872. He spent four and a half years in Windgap. While there he had the pleasure of seeing a local lad James Cosgrave (W. Reg.: Cosgrive, born 1848 Barnathasna), then a pupil of St. Kieran’s, and later a priest of Ossory diocese, obtain the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy at the Catholic University, in June 1874. He had the altogether sadder experience of having to look after a close friend Fr Joseph Dunphy who spent his last days with him in Windgap. A native of Kilmacow, who had been teaching in St. Kieran’s and a younger contemporary of his in Maynooth, Fr Dunphy died at the age of thirty. Solemn Office and High Mass for him were held in Windgap Chapel on 3 January 1876 after which he was buried in Kilmacow with his relatives.
Fr Purcell subsequently served as curate in Ballycallan (July 1877-June 1885) and Slieverue (June 1885 - Dec.1889) before his appointment as PP Dunnamaggin on 16/17 Decembe.1889. He served for almost thirty-three years as parish priest of Dunnamaggin, living in Kilmoganny (in what is now St. Joseph’s Home). He died 17 March 1922 in his 81st year. His funeral mass was celebrated in Kilmoganny and he was buried in front of the chapel in Kilmoganny where there is a monument with an inscription in Irish to his memory. Votes of sympathy at his passing were passed by the various clubs in Kilmoganny – the Gaelic League Class, the local Company of the IRA, the Sinn Fein Club, the Temperance Club, and the Old-Age Pension Sub-Committee. 
Fr Purcell was described in his obituary as a man of extremely fine physique and noted athletic prowess. For some years before he died he was invalided and was helped in the parish by his nephew and curate Fr Edmond Purcell.
Callan WWI Memorial contains the names of 188 men and three women who enlisted in Callan for the Great War. We are compiling our own list for the parish of Windgap. People from the parish enlisted in Callan, Carrick, Clonmel, England, New York, USA, and Brisbane, Australia.

her Deniese Gaule celebrates Windgap Clubs first Senior Medal with parents Dinny and Joan

More photos from Croke Park

SENIOR MEDAL FOR WINDGAP: Congratulations are extended to Denise Gaule and the Kilkenny Senior team on winning the county’s first All-Ireland title in twenty two years in Croke Park on Sunday. It saw Denise bring the first Senior All Ireland Camogie medal to the club in a game where she certainly played her part with such accuracy in her free taking and a superb display in a highly committed team effort led by team manager Ann Downey. Adding to the local achievement was Piltown’s Kelly Anne Doyle whose father Gay played with the Windgap Club and also Piltown’s Intermediate All Ireland medal winner Jennifer Norris whose father Seamus was also a club player. On the day there was a huge local turnout with forty two members of the Camogie club traveling in style by J.J Kavanagh bus to the Intermediate and Senior All Ireland Finals. A great weekend was had by all that included those making their first visit to Croke  Park and those wrapping it up with a long overdue visit to a an All Ireland Camogie homecoming.

DERBY DUO DILEMA: In a renewal of inter club rivalries between neighbours Windgap and Piltown the Windgap senior Camogie team is playing  Piltown in a first round championship tie and relegation semi-final in Windgap on Sunday next. With both sides led by All Ireland medal winners the clash is scheduled to take place at 11am. In Piltown the same sides meet in the Junior Hurling 5th round tie which sees the twelve teams in the two groups all line out at 11.30am. With brothers and sisters playing with both sides it is hoped that all involved with the four teams will get an opportunity to see both games. For the supporters it may be the second last game of the season, or hopefully the start of a successful championship run for the Windgap sides. Supporters are asked to check the relative throw in times before travelling.

MINISTERS VISIT: The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys intends to visit the Knockroe Passage Tomb next Thursday evening the 15th September at 6.30pm. The visit is expected to last about an hour and it is expected that one of the additional highlights will be Professor Muiris O'Suilleabhain address as he will be in attendance to brief the Minister on the history of the site. All are welcome to the dual winter solstice site for the historic occasion.

HALL MEETING: A Windgap Community development company meeting takes place on Wednesday evening in the club rooms at 8pm. The main purpose of this meeting is to finalise our end of year accounts etc. It will be followed by a second meeting in about two weeks to give updates on Hall progress, playground fundraising etc. All are welcome to attend.

TURBINES RETURN: Just last month the communities along the Lingaun Valley were thrilled when Tipperary County Council refused planning permission for the eight giant wind turbines overlooking the Knockroe Passage Tomb and the Kilkenny - Tipperary border. However the latest news is the Dutch Company involved, Dunoair have now appealed the County Council refusal of planning permission for the wind turbines to An Bord Pleanala. The appeal was lodged on Monday 5th September and the community groups opposing the plans have just four weeks to respond to this latest development. In the past few months over 200 objections were made to the proposed development when it came before Tipperary County Council. This was thanks of the community groups across the area that have helped to protect the Passage Tomb and the rich heritage across the wider landscape by making submissions through the various historical & environmental groups and as individuals. In addition it was supported by the contribution to the fund used to retain the services of a planning consultant. As a result of the appeal the community intend to carry the success at the Council level forward to An Bord Pleanala as they are not prepared to see the local heritage destroyed. As a decision on the An Bord Pleanala appeal is likely to take a number of months it is likely that the area will have a Turbine free Winter Solstice at Knockroe for another year at least. 

PUBLIC MEETING: The Caiseal Conservation Committee/Suir Valley Environmental Group are holding a public information meeting in Faugheen Hall on Thursday the 22nd of September at 8pm to provide assistance and information to all individuals and groups who are interested in making an observation to An Bord Pleanala. The group are calling on all members of our cross border communities to come along and play your part in protecting our important heritage and unique landscape.

HERITAGE WEEK: The annual Heritage Week and Art Exhibition week celebrated in Tullahought was opened by An Cathaoirleach, Comhairle Chontae Chill Chainnigh, Mr. Matt Doran. It included a Cheese and Wine Reception a lecture on a “Sense of Place in a Kilkenny, Tipperary context” by Mr. Joe Sullivan and a Traditional Music session with song and storytelling. Day two saw the Art Exhibition continuing and a lecture by an tAthair Fearghus O’Fearghaill on the 400th anniversary of the death of Hugh O’Neill in Rome.
Sunday commenced with an Under 12’s Camogie and Hurling Blitz for the Mike Shield in Tullahought Sports field between Kilmacow, Grangemockler-Ballyneale and the local sides with a Butter Making demonstration and a trip over the Kilmacoliver Loop Walk. Further details of the teams and events to follow in the forthcoming notes.

COMMUNICATIONS ISSUES: The recent comments on the irregular mobile coverage and poor intranet that continues to be an issue in the area has attracted wide support. In addition to Fáilte Irelands plans to include the local attractions in the Ireland East promotion the difficulty with visitors on a night out in the local pubs that have a great traditional music tradition walking up and down the road trying to connect to the elusive signal to arrange a lift or taxi home are contradictory. In addition stories of residents arranging to meet emergency services, ambulances, caredoc some miles away owing to the poor coverage have been added to those trying to meet online deadlines for college bookings and the daily business of the self-employed, and farmers. For many reading an email with a file attached is almost impossible whilst downloading music and films is futuristic.

TIDY TOWNS: The countdown has started for the volunteers in Windgap and Tullahought villages to the announcement of the Super Valu Tidy Towns results which take place on Monday week in the Helix in Dublin. Never looking better both villages are expected to show improved results.

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

NOTES: Contributors and Clubs are invited to email items for publication with a name and contact number to [email protected] by Sunday evenings at 6pm. For all the local news and photos visit windgap.ie
WINDGAP TULLAHOUGHT NOTES August 23rd. 2016

Apologies - We are saving trouble publishing the parish bulletins due to technical issues.  Please see documents attached below. 
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​Windgap Camogie Club are running a bus to the Camogie All Ireland Finals on Sunday 11th September anyone that would like to travel please contact Helen on 0872774634 or any committee member  it will be a great day.

We wish the Senior & Intermediate Camogie Teams all the very best next Sunday  especially  Denise Gaule  who plays on the Senior Team and Niamh Bambrick who is with the Intermediate team.

Our Next Senior Camogie  Match is on the 18th September in Windgap v Piltown 

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 Chainnigh, 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 Shield in Tullahought Sports field 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: 

RADIO QUIZ: The GAA club are hosting a section of the “Drive for Liam Quiz” on Thursday 25th of August in Powers of Tullahought. Teams of four are €20 and all are welcome.

ANCIENT EAST: The promotion of the Ancient East in the Lingaun Valley suffered a setback on Friday when invited delegations in the local villages were left waiting for hours and in some cases stood up as a Fáilte Ireland team visited the area. Seen as the first step after the public meeting held by Kilkenny Leader Partnership, the knowledge and input of locals who know the local villages and have developed and promoted the historic sites was seen as a key asset to the promotion of the area. 

CROSS BORDER SUPPORT: The championship trail of the Tipperary Senior Footballers received congratulations and support from the pulpit in recent weeks as Fr. Fergus Farrell PP lauded their efforts as they overcame former Sam McGuire winners in Derry and Galway. On Sunday his family lineage saw his sympathies go to Mayo, whilst his Johnstown roots are expected to swing the former Fenians players support to the Black and Amber in the weeks ahead. The sides outstanding run recalled memories of the All-Ireland Senior Football semi-final in the locality when the local Slatequarry Miners representing Kilkenny and Leinster played Clonmel's, Tipperary’s and Munster representatives in the match played in Carrick-on-Suir in 1900. After a win for the locals the game was resolved in the Board Room with Tipperary going on to defeat Galway in the Final.

TONY NOLAN: One of the stars of the “ Thank GAA its Fridays” show on RTE in the run up to the All-Ireland Senior Football Semi Final was Tony Nolan of Mullinahone, whose father Mick played Football with Tipp in Croke Park on Bloody Sunday and is the rare holder of All Ireland Junior and Senior Football medals.  Tony is one of life’s great characters and an ardent GAA man no matter what code, county or team is playing. As a volunteer in 1980's Tony helped to build and plastered the new 40x20 Handball alley in Windgap. As a Handball player he was a proud wearer of the Windgap Jersey and was competitive as any on the road to county championship victories, Tony retired from the alley, with huge disappointment, not from age, but only when the shoulder would swing no more.  Living in Killahy Street on the Thurles Road out of Mullinahone of Charles Joseph Kickham, the Kelly’s, O’Meara’s, Brett’s and Leahy's fame, the Blue and Gold is proudly flying as the locals pass by to the big games in Semple Stadium. Tony who worked as a plasterer for generations has added greatly to the Tipperary Kilkenny traditions through a mix of humour, pride in the GAA and a serious competitive streak. Married to a Cork lady Ann, who still strives to understand his passion for the games, the tales of his support and sporting exploits are legendary. In Dublin for the football game with Mayo on Sunday, Tony will be back in Croke Park supporting his county hurlers on Sunday week.

ALL IRELAND TICKETS: Tickets for the game are available through the local club officers.

COMMUNICATIONS ISSUES: Irregular mobile coverage and poor intranet continues to be an issue in the area that has been highlighted in recent times. Scenes of visitors on a night out walking up and down the road trying to connect to the elusive signal to arrange a lift or taxi home are legendary. In addition the online demands of the self-employed, students and farmers trying to get the basic information and keep up to date with their requirements are slow tedious and often impossible.

HURLERS DRAW: Jimmy Coyne won 12th prize of two Nights B&B and an evening meal in the 5th and final Hurlers Co-Op Draw. The venue is the Monart Spa Hotel in Enniscorthy. Thanks are extended to all who supported the club by purchasing a ticket in the annual draw.

CAMOGIE NEWS: The senior side went down to Danesfort in a challenge game on Sunday evening.

CLUB NEWS: The juniors had a good win over Cushinstown in Glenmore over the weekend. The game was played in preparation for their league championship game against Piltown on the weekend of 17th and 18th of September.  

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

NOTES: Contributors and Clubs are invited to email items for publication with a name and contact number to [email protected] by Sunday evenings at 6pm. For all the local news and photos visit windgap.ie
 
 

Recent Death: Mary Brennan, Ballyneale
Anniversary:    Windgap:     Dick, Tom and Phil Phelan, Rossaneny
 Margaret Hawe, Coolhill, John Murray, Killamery

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 September: Tom & Margaret Mackey.
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).

Ballytobin Open Day: The annual Open Day at the Camphill Community in Ballytobin will take place on Sunday, 18th September, from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm. This is an important fund-raising occasion for the community which, as you know, cares for children and adults with special needs.

St. Vincent de Paul outing to Knock 10 September: The annual outing will take place on Saturday, 10 September. Bus will leave Windgap church at 7 am. Please contact any member of the Vincent de Paul, if interesting in travelling.

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 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. 

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.
Camogie News: Windgap Minor Camogie team are playing Sliverue in Windgap on Monday 29th August at 7.oclock. All support welcome.
Clothes Collection: Supporting ministry of Fr Nicholas Ngulutu, St. Joseph’s, Kavisuni, Kitui, Kenya – All types of clean ladies, gents and children’s and paired shoes welcome. Date of Collection: Thursday, 8 September, before 12 noon; Venue: Windgap Church car park.
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New Student for Ossory: Sean Hickey, a native of St. John’s Parish, Kilkenny, will begin his training in Maynooth this week. Aged 28 he has been discerning his vocation for the past number of years. We pray that the Lord will guide him & help him on this journey of continuing discernment & that he will continue through to priestly ordination & ministry in Ossory.
Fr Raftice: Fr Raftice is getting on well in the splendid surroundings of Drakelands in Kilkenny and is looking forward to celebrating his 86th birthday. Nár laga Dia é.

Callan WWI Memorial Unveiling, Sun. Aug. 28. Callan WWI Memorial Committee extends a warm invitation to all for the unveiling of the memorial plaque on Sunday, 28 August. 
The day’s events begin with a special Commemorative Mass at 11.00 a.m. for all who took part in the first world war. This will coincide with the Centenary of the Battle of the Somme. Deputy Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces Major Gen. Kieran Brennan and Chairman of Kilkenny Co. Council, Councillor Matt Doran will be in attendance on the day.  Refreshments for all will be served in the parish hall afterwards.
The Memorial Plaque will contain the names and rank of 175-200 men who enlisted in Callan. The present Garda Barracks which was then an RIC Station was the recruiting centre. The recruits paraded down Green St. led by Fr. Delahunty C.C. on 4th Aug. 1914 before departing for the front.  The largest number from the same family answering the call must surely have been the five Bergin brothers, two of whom lost their lives during the war.
The Guard of Honour on the day will be drawn from serving members of the 3rd Infantry Battalion, Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny, who hail from Callan. St. Patrick’s Brass & Reed Band will be present. A recitation of “In Flanders Fields” will be given by Thomas 0’Callaghan. WWI memorabilia will be on display on the day. 

​Golden Jubilarian Priests 2016: Four priests of the diocese of Ossory celebrated the golden jubilee of their ordination this year – Fr. Jim Crotty, P.P., Ferrybank; Archdeacon. Sean 0’Doherty, P.P. Durrow; Fr. Denis Purcell, retired, & Fr. Tom McGree, C. C. Durrow.