Windgap Tullahought Notes Dec. 22nd

CÉÁD MÍLE FÁILTE: A hundred thousand welcomes are extended to all visitors to the area over the Christmas period and to also those who travel to other places to keep in touch with their friends family and the local diaspora. Scattered further than ever across the globe, Christmas and New Year greetings and best wishes are extended to one and all.  
FUN, WALK, JOG OR RUN: Meet the friends, take in the fresh air on the highways and byways and shake off the surpluses of Christmas day at the Annual Fun and Family Walk on St. Stephens Day December 26th. The event commences from the GAA Club Rooms at 11.30 in aid of Windgap Community Development whose next project could, should be the provision of a playground. All are welcome. 
TEA AND TALK: Next to the Gathering the inaugural cuppa in The Parochial House after Christmas morning Mass was one of the highlights of the year past. With many friends, returning to the area from near and far it again provides the opportunity for a chat to reflect on the past year and give a glance ahead. With the great tea lady Mrs Doyle also known as Pauline McGlynn again on holidays the contents of the cuppa are again unknown. 
KEEPING AN EYE OUT: Recent weeks have seen another rash of burglaries carried out at houses in the locality and surrounding areas.  The break ins were carried out whilst they were both occupied and unoccupied . In another instance farmers gates were also stolen. The main focus was on the southern half of the area stretching towards Piltown and Carrick-on-Suir. 
CARD GAME: The next Progressive 25 card drive in aid of the Hurling Club will be held in Guinans on Friday 3rd of January. All are invited to attend 
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES: The Mass times for Christmas are as follows. On Christmas Eve in Windgap at 6.00 p.m. Kilmoganny 7.15 p.m. Dunnamaggin at 9.00p.m and on Christmas Day in Tullahought at 9.00 a.m. Windgap at 10.00 a.m. Dunnamaggin at 11.00 a.m.
ANNIVERSARY MASS: The fifth anniversary mass for Sharon, Zara and Nadia Whelan of Roscon takes place on Christmas Day at 10am in Windgap
PARISH RAFFLE: The annual Parish Raffle  took  place on Thursday 19th in the Parochial House.  
 WALKING: The walking groups continue each Saturday morning where they meet at the lake in Windgap at 9.30am. and also at the Community Centre in Tullahought on Mondays and Thursdays at 7.30pm. All are welcome to take part at any place or time.
LOTTO: Numbers  8, 12, 14, 22 and bonus  1  were drawn last week and brought a match three cheque to  Willie Moloney. A winner it the recent draw was Mary Egan. The draw adjourns for the Christmas break and the prize fund in the New Year is € 6,000.
GALMOY WINDGAP: Having lost the remaining minutes and lines of Gerry Drennans match report on the Galmoy Windgap win over Young Irelands in the under sixteen league final in last weeks notes, the game continued as……. “David Doyle continued policing the ever dangerous Carey. Elsewhere Conor Grace was in fine form at wing back, and midfielders Jack Delaney and Patrick Grace working their socks off they dominated. Niall Walsh put over some nice points and Conor Drennan also weighed in with a brace before Walsh closed the deal with a goal from a 20 metre free. The Young Irelands lads tried hard with Sean Roche, and Geoff Brennan doing most to support Sean Carey, but this was not to be their day. Joe Pyke, on behalf of Bord na nÓg, presented the shield to joint captains Kieran Phelan and Niall Walsh. The winning panel received their medals from Brian Cody at a function in Galmoy Parish Hall on that same Saturday night. Galmoy/Windgap: James Culleton, Ryan Murphy, David Doyle, Sean Phelan, Conor Grace, Kieran Phelan, Robert White, Jack Delaney(0-1),Patrick Grace, Conor Drennan (0-2),Niall Walsh(2-5,1-3fs),Josh Price, Oisín Phelan(2-1), Brandon Phelan(0-1),Cathal Phelan. Sub: Patrick Doyle for Cathal Phelan 48 mins. Young Irelands: Jamie Mahoney, Tyler Lennon, Jamie Bryan, Jeremy Farrell, Michael Carey, Sean Roche, Kevin Brennan, Philip O Donnell, Tommy Byrne, Ted Drea (0-1),Geoff Brennan, Daniel O Connor, Robert Dunne, Sean Carey(0-8,0-2fs),Adrian Nolan. Sub: Shane Nolan for Ted Drea 47mins. Referee: Eamonn Larkin (James Stephens)”
MANY THANKS: Thanks go to the many people who supplied material to the notes during the past year and have helped to record the ongoing activities of the community. For a look back at all the local news, and events supported by videos and photographs go to Noel Smiths website windgap.ie. 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.
 

FUN, WALK, JOG OR RUN: Meet the friends, take in the fresh air on the highways and byways and shake off the surpluses of Christmas day at the Annual Fun and Family Walk on St. Stephens Day December 26th. The event commences from the GAA Club Rooms at 11.30 in aid of Windgap Community Development whose next project could, should be the provision of a playground. All are welcome. 
SCRAP COLLECTION: Windgap Hurling Club are wrapping up their Scrap Collection this week. The proceeds of which will assist the repairing of the Ball Stop netting behind the goals. For more details contact PJ Egan, PJ Barron, Simon Brophy or any member of the committee. All last minute donations of scrap greatly appreciated.
SOLTICE: Part of the area since time began and then lost and forgotten for thousands of years a visit to the Coshel to see the morning and evening solstice is now a stable part of the annual celebrations. Taking place on the Saturday this year good viewing opportunities should arise to see the relationship of the rising and setting suns to the burial chambers. Ideal opportunities should also arise in the surrounding days as well. 
TEA AND TALK: Next to the Gathering the inaugural cuppa in The Parochial House after Christmas morning Mass was one of the highlights of the year past. With many friends, returning to the area from near and far it again provides the opportunity for a chat to reflect on the past year and look ahead. With the great tea lady Mrs Doyle also known as Pauline McGlynn again on holidays the contents of the cuppa are again unknown. 
INTERNATIONAL WIN FOR CLARE: On Friday week dual European Bronze medal Holder Clare Grace traveled to Belfast to join the home town team in the City of Belfast international tournament verses Poland in the Whiterock Leisure centre. Boxing well above her weight in the 75 KG class she overcame Elizabeth Wocik from Poland on a majority 2-1 decision. Her opponent the holder of two European Youth Gold titles and had recently took the Olympic champion grade to four rounds. On the trip she was joined by her parents Eileen and Michael and coach Jimmy Walsh from the local Callan Boxing Club
CARD RESULTS: Winners at the Progressive 25 card drive held in Guinans on Friday night in aid of the Hurling Club was 1st. Nicky and Gracie Landy with ten games. Sharing second place were Nuala Moore, Tess Greally and Angela Vaughan, Martin Hanlon. The table prize was won by John Kenny and Paddy Barron. Other prizes went to John Lanigan, Eamon Hawe, Lizzie Grace, Gracie Landy, Tess Greally, Eamon Doyle and Pat Power. The next game takes place on Friday 3rd of January in Guinans.
WIZARD OF OZ: A blast from the past with a difference saw every one of the ninety four pupils of St Nicholas National School play a part in a local adaptation of the Wizard of Oz in front of a full house in the Community centre on Wednesday evening. 
RESPECT: Just weeks after the community in Tullahought collected their second Bronze medal the “long pavement” out of the village was the scene of a form of vandalism or a lack of respect. The unusually wide grass margins, up to fifteen feet at both sides, for a country road, that stretch in a straight line for three quarters of a mile and are maintained by eight landowners and the community is being used as a dirt track by passing drivers. Not content to pull in at the many passing places and entrances, some cars and jeep drivers have decided they would drive along it for long stretches, spin the tyres and swerve in and out causing damage to the well mowed surfaces. On the places where the margins were non existent the boxwood hedges were pucked about.
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES: In a busy time for the local PP of Windgap and Dunnamaggin Fr. Nicholas Flavin the Mass times for Christmas are as follows. On Christmas Eve in Windgap at 6.00 p.m. Kilmoganny 7.15 p.m. Dunnamaggin at 9.00p.m and on Christmas Day in Tullahought at 9.00 a.m. Windgap at 10.00 a.m. Dunnamaggin at 11.00 a.m.
COOLAGH CARDS: The Christmas card-games continue every Thursday at Coolagh Hall for prizes of hams and hampers. You are most welcome to come along to try your hand at the hugely entertaining game of 25’s. The Christmas raffle will be held on Thursday next for prizes totalling €900. Tickets at €5 are available from any Coolagh Committee member.
ANNIVERSARY MASS: The fifth anniversary mass for Sharon, Zara and Nadia Whelan of Roscon takes place on Christmas Day at 10am in Windgap
CHERNOBYL CHOIR: On Saturday afternoon members of the local choirs visited the City Hall in Kilkenny where they made their annual performance in aid of Chernobyl relief funds.
GALMOY WINDGAP WIN U16 SHIELD: Gerry Drennan, reports on Galmoy Windgap’s 4-10 to 0-8 win over Young Irelands Gowran in the recent under sixteen shield final. “The ability to hit goals at crucial times saw Galmoy Windgap finish their year on a winning note when they overcame Young Irelands Gowran in this U-16 League Shield final at Bennettsbridge on Saturday November 16th 2013.Sean Carey was in flying form early on for Young Irelands and d hit two early points to put his side in front. The Gowran lads seemed to be operating off a ‘feed Carey’ policy as they were sending in some quality low ball. In the 10th minute Galmoy Windgap got off the mark when Jack Delaney sent in a long delivery. Niall Walsh gathered, beat two men and batted to the net past the advancing Jamie Mahoney. Over the next ten minutes both Walsh and Carey exchanged three points each from play and placed balls to leave the winners ahead 1-3 to 0-5 after twenty minutes of play. Then some beautiful interplay between Niall Walsh and Oisín Phelan saw the latter send a cracker to the Gowran net. Phelan added a point almost immediately following a Brandon Phelan pass. Sean Carey gathered a Geoff Brennan delivery and replied before he was fouled himself and converted. In the 27th minute Galmoy Windgap finished their half in style when Oisín Phelan caught a Brandon Phelan cross, side stepped two defenders and netted. Ted Drea pulled one back for Gowran with a great point from the right wing on the stroke of half time. Little did we know, but this was to be Young Irelands’ last score of the day as Galmoy/Windgap led at the break 3-4 to 0-8. The second half belonged to the winners as they turned on a very stylish performance. With David Doyle policing the ever dangerous Carey, Conor Grace in fine form at wing back, and midfielders Jack Delaney and Patrick Grace working their socks off they dominated. Niall Walsh put over some nice points and Conor Drennan also weighed in with a brace before Walsh closed the deal with a goal from a 20 metre free. The Young Irelands lads tried hard with Sean Roche, and Geoff Brennan doing most to support Sean Carey, but this was not to be their day. Joe Pyke, on behalf of Bord na nÓg, presented the shield to joint captains Kieran Phelan and Niall Walsh. The winning panel received their medals from Brian Cody at a function in Galmoy Parish Hall on that same Saturday night. Galmoy/Windgap: James Culleton, Ryan Murphy, David Doyle, Sean Phelan, Conor Grace, Kieran Phelan, Robert White, Jack Delaney(0-1),Patrick Grace, Conor Drennan (0-2),Niall Walsh(2-5,1-3fs),Josh Price, Oisín Phelan(2-1), Brandon Phelan(0-1),Cathal Phelan. Sub: Patrick Doyle for Cathal Phelan 48 mins. Young Irelands: Jamie Mahoney, Tyler Lennon, Jamie Bryan, Jeremy Farrell, Michael Carey, Sean Roche, Kevin Brennan, Philip O Donnell, Tommy Byrne, Ted Drea (0-1),Geoff Brennan, Daniel O Connor, Robert Dunne, Sean Carey(0-8,0-2fs),Adrian Nolan. Sub: Shane Nolan for Ted Drea 47mins. Referee: Eamonn Larkin (James Stephens)”
PARISH RAFFLE: The annual Parish Raffle takes place on Thursday 19th in the Parochial House. All are welcome to attend for the 7.30 throw in.
WALKING: The walking groups continue each Saturday morning where they meet at the lake in Windgap at 9.30am. and also at the Community Centre in Tullahought on Mondays and Thursdays at 7.30pm. All are welcome to take part at any place or time.
LOTTO: Numbers 4, 13, 14, 19 and bonus 11 were drawn last week and brought a match three cheque to Mary Egan. The draw adjourns for the Christmas break and the prize fund in the New Year is €5,650
IN THE COMING WEEKS: A lack of material, allied to time constraints saw a famine of notes recently. To be covered in the coming weeks are the Presentation of medals in Galmoy and Windgap where Brian Cody and Walter Walsh were involved respectively, the Hurling Club AGM, a bit of “out and about” the local elections and all of the Christmas events and festivities.
COMPLIMENTS: Thanks go to the many people who supplied material to these weeks’ notes and have helped to record the ongoing activities of the community. 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, photographs go to Noel Smiths website windgap.ie

In Killamery (on the N76 - 5 miles pass Callan, Co. Kilkenny heading in the direction of Clonmel)
On Saturday, December 28th
Starting at 12:00
Novice Starting at 1:00
Horses €25 Ponies €15

Complimentry soup and sandwiches served in the AULD HOUSE PUB 
All jumps optional - We have added more jumping and more land to ride out this year.

PRIZES FOR BEST TURNED OUT HORSE & RIDER, PONY & RIDER

Organised by
Tack & Hack Club
And Kilmoganny Hunt
KILMOGANNY HUNT

For info Contact Declan (086-0894264) or Frankie Hughes (086-8638648)
Or TACK AND HACK CLUB on FACEBOOK

ALSO ON THE NIGHT THERE WILL BE A GET TOGETHER FOR EVERYONE WITH DRINKS, MUSIC AND RAFFLE.....NO ENTRY CHARGE....DONATIONS WELCOME..

Christmas Morning Get together and "Kids christmas card exhibition"in Windgap Parochial House

https://www.facebook.com/events/1406413459599262/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming
 
Windgap to Tullaghought Stephens Day Walk or Run

https://www.facebook.com/events/251275441703884/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

Christmas Greetings from Windgap N.S 

Christmas is only a few sleeps away. We can’t wait! Families have taken the decorations out of the attic and have dusted them off.

All the children around the world are running up the walls with excitement because the big man in red is coming – yes, Santa Clause. In school we have two weeks of holidays, thank God.

Christmas in Ireland is special. A few weeks before the 25th all the children stay up late to watch the Toy Show. People go Christmas shopping in Christmas decorated towns. The excitement is building up with all the carol singing and people coming back to Ireland from different countries.

But there is one place in Ireland that is really special to us – Windgap. There is a lot going on in Windgap for Christmas. We had the Bazaar on Sunday 8th. On Christmas Eve there will be a children’s Mass in Windgap at 6pm. We are making hand-made Christmas cards. The best ones will be put up on windgap.ie. All of them will be displayed in the Parochial House on Christmas Day.

On Christmas morning we get up about 6 a.m. to look at our presents. The excitement of looking under the Christmas tree, fully decorated, and finding presents! It’s brilliant seeing them for the first time. At around 2pm most families have dinner with our grandparents. Then in the evening all the rest of the family come over. In Steven’s house they are very excited because it is the first Christmas that his niece, Ruby understands about Christmas.

On St Stephen’s Day at 11.30 a.m. there is a walk to work off the turkey. It starts at the GAA pitch. You can run, walk or jog it.

Some families have lots of visitors for Christmas. They have a lot of fun together. Others like to stay inside and sit in front of the fire and hope for snow for Christmas. Neighbours call for a chat.

Lots of families have their own Christmas traditions. Kris Kindle is a new tradition in Ireland, where you buy someone a present and they don’t know who got it for them (until you tell them!). All the children in Garryricken make gingerbread on the last day of school before Christmas. Heather’s family began a new tradition three years ago by carol singing for Chernobyl. It is important to give your time to those less fortunate than us. Her family are also beginning a new tradition this year by going to the Caiseal to witness the winter solstice.

Best wishes from Windgap NS to you all, whether you are at home or away from Windgap this Christmas.

Slideshow contains a random selection of entries.  Don't forget to come along to the parochial house on Christmas day after 10 am mass.  Cards will be judged and winners announced.  If there are any late entries, please let us know at http://www.windgap.ie/feedback.html

Report on Eco Song Competition
By Blade O'Gorman, Emily Culleton, Steven Grace and Mark McCoy

Windgap N.S. Entered the Echo Song Competition which was on KCLR96FM. We came third. Ciara Smith and Heather O'Brien from 6th class wrote the song. The hardest part was practicing singing the song. We practiced at least one hour a day. We used Ready or Not by Bridgit Mendler as backing music. We made very catchy lyrics for the song. It was brilliant. We recorded the song and later sent it to KCLR. The 15 enteries to the competition were judged. Only the best five got on KCLR. First place won €800, second place won €400, third place won €300. The five top songs were played on KCLR radio. After a week Mrs. Lowry got an email saying to listen to KCLR everyday this week. On Wednesday they announced on KCLR that Windgap N.S. came third. Only 5th and 6th class were in the classroom when it was announced. We screamed and shouted with delight. Ms. Irish came in and thought that One Direction were in the school! Everyone came in and heard that our song was on the radio. We won €300. Everyone was awarded a night off homework. It was amazing. A big thanks to everyone who was invo

 WINDGAP PARISH NEWSLETTER     16 DECEMBER 2013
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: Mamie & Mary Murphy, Rossaneny, mass at 10.00 a.m. on 15th December; Margaret Murray, Garrythomas & Bridget Dooley, Lismore, mass at 10.00 a.m. Sun. 15th.
James Power, Slatequarries, Mass at 9.00 a.m. Sun. 22nd.
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CHRISTMAS MORNING: An opportunity to meet friends and chat in the Parochial House, Windgap with a cup of tea etc. will take place after 10.00 a.m. mass on Christmas Morning. All are welcome.
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PARISH RAFFLE: All tickets for inclusion in the draw are to be returned not later than Wednesday next 18th December to the Parochial House, Windgap. Draw will take place in the Parochial House, Windgap on Thursday 19th December at 7.30 p.m.. All are welcome to attend the draw.
**************************************************************************************** ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BAZZAR: Thanks to all who organised, supported and helped with the Annual Bazaar.
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Diocesan Youth Pilgrimage to Taizé, France organised by Ossory Youth and 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 17th 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 their First Holy Communion next May will be celebrated on this Sunday 15th December in St. Nicholas’ Church, Windgap.
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OSSORY FAITH DEVELOPMENT leaflets at the back of the Church so as to assist you in reflection and prayer during Advent. 
ADVENT TEXTS: A short text message will be sent to anyone who texts their mobile number to Ossory Faith Development Group 085 0 8313100 or e mails their number to afd@ossory.ie
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SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION will be celebrated during masses at the following times:
Tullahought 9.00 a.m. on Sunday 15th December: Windgap 10.00 a.m. on Sunday 15th December;
Kilmoganny 7.00 p.m. on Saturday 21st December: Dunamaggan 11.00 a.m. Sunday 22nd December. 
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CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES:
Christmas Eve: Windgap at 6.00 p.m.; Kilmoganny at 7.15 p.m.; Dunamaggan at 9.00 p.m.
Christmas Day: Tullahought at 9.00 a.m.; Windgap at 10.00 a.m.; Dunamaggan at 11.00 a.m.
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FUN WALK, JOG OR RUN: St. Stephen's Day Annual Family Fun Walk, Jog or Run, starting at Windgap GAA Grounds 11.30a.m., adults €10, in aid of Windgap Community Development.