On a gentle little hilltop above the village fair.
You will see a lovely Grotto bedecked with flowers rare.
It’s the handwork of people who once graced this peaceful scene,
And left their mark upon it which forever remains green
With dedicated labour both the parson and his flock
Did raise this lovely structure from virgin earth and rock.
And as you tread those shady walks where the birdies chirrup and sing,
You sense their tireless labour to honour Christ our King.
And as they trod the pilgrim’s path the road we all must tread,
They left behind that lovely shrine………………
TRANQUILLITY: On a grey overcast damp Monday evening, the ongoing work of generations at the lake at the crossroads and now the site of the latest addition to the village landscape was now a truly peaceful and memorable setting. In the quietness, it saw the alluring new pathway meander away from the lake through the trees. Nearby, some the local ducks swam by in slow motion whilst others waddled in single file by the waters edge. In Presidential fashion a Heron was to be seen walking tall, straight and stately as if taking, a salute, whilst he inspected the recent development and acknowledged the erection of "Story Stone". Its presence outlining the story of the Grotto links the sharply contrasting amenities that was once just a boggy corner in the lower village and a craggy outcrop above and the upper village.
THE FINAL TOUCH: Thanks are extended to Shay Powers and Tony Lanigans crews, the volunteers and the local TÚS worker Dermot Houlihan who put the stone in place and completed the landscaping. Included too are the various individuals, committees, family members and local Parish Priest Fr Nicholas Flavin who were actively involved. The work completes the dreams of many community members and benefactors who have done trojan work to recall, acknowledge and promote the built, religious, oral and written heritage of the area.
JOE GRINSELL MEMORIAL: A Monster Auction will be held in Powers Tullahought on Saturday night October 5th at 8pm. All proceeds together with all monies collected from the sponsored walk to Slievenamon will be presented to Carrick-on-Suir River Rescue on that night.
To view the complete list of auction items, please visit our website www@windgap.ie
KEEPING IN TOUCH FROM AFAR: "I read the Kilkenny People each week simply to see what is going on in Kilkenny and I found this email address. I particularly search the Community section to see if anything is posted for Callan and Windgap. I have an interest in these areas because of my family origin and hopefully one day I will have the opportunity to visit. I am not sure this is the proper forum for this information but thought I would send this note anyway as it may be of interest to someone. Also, I would be happy to share information with the Callan or Windgap Historical (Genealogical) Societies if they exist.
My great great grandparents John Saunders and Mary Lonergan were married 11 Feb 1821 in Callan Parish. Their place of residence was recorded as Scribin (Screhan) at the time of their marriage but they relocated to Roscon in the Windgap Parish ca 1833. They had ten children (five born in the Callan Parish and five in the Windgap Parish) one of whom died in infancy in Co. Kilkenny. John and his wife Mary and the remaining nine children immigrated to the US in 1853 arriving in the Port of New Orleans, Louisiana and making their way by steamboat up the Mississippi River to Lafayette County, Wisconsin. Their eldest son Thomas married Anastasia Nolan (Nowlan) daughter of Matthew and Honora (Hawe) Nolan (Nowlan). The Nolan (Nowlan) family was from Garrythomas". The sender of the mail, Mike Saunders has found it is difficult to do research in Ireland since the church records in the Callan and Windgap Parishes go no earlier than 1821 and would enjoy making contact with anyone related to any of these families. Email contact details can be got from windgapnotes@gmail.com
RIVER RESCUE CAKE SALE: A Cake sale takes place in Tullahought community centre on Sunday 6th October after the nine o’clock mass. All proceeds are in aid of Carrick River rescue. For further information visit http://www.carrickriverrescue.ie/
TRAD FOR TROCAIRE: A Trad for Trocaire Session takes place in Guinans Lounge at 10pm on this Saturday 5th Oct. For the occasion everyone is invited to come along, enjoy the music, join the sing song or sing your party piece and support a great night where all the proceeds go to help Trocaire.
BRIDGE CLASSES: Classes resume in St. Eoghan's Centre in Kilmoganny on Wednesday 2nd of October. For further information call 087 2557498.
CLUB NEWS: A committee meeting will take place in the Club Rooms on Wednesday evening at 8pm. Last weeks winning Lotto numbers were 3, 8, 9, 17 and bonus 24. Next weeks jackpot is €5650
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE: The next meeting takes place on Tuesday next the 8th of October in the GAA Clubrooms at 8pm.
ZAMBIA CLOTHES COLLECTION: Callan CBS is looking for donations of unwanted clothes, linen, books and shoes. All funds raised will be going towards the Zambia Immersion Project. Three staff members will accompany eleven 5th year students to Zambia next Easter where they will spend time helping in schools, orphanages and hospices. All donations will be greatly appreciated. Contact Darragh O'Shea at 0872609749 or leave donation bags in to Callan CBS.
COMMUNITY ALERT LAUNCHED: Windgap parish launched its new Community alert text system recently. The fully user funded system with the support of the Gardaí was launched in Windgap Community by Chairperson Danny O'Shea. Anyone who wishes to be kept up to date on the movement of suspicious vehicles etc is invited to contact any member of the committee for details.
LIVE ON TWITTER: Windgap GAA’s Twitter account reported live from the recent Galmoy Windgap minor hurling championship tie with Graigueballycallan. To follow all the local Hurling, Camogie, Handball and Football News follow Windgap GAA @WindgapGAA
WALKING: The walking groups continue each Saturday morning where they meet at the lake in Windgap at 9.30am. The plan for Saturday 5th October is a trip over the Bearna Breac. Mid week walks take place on Mondays and Thursdays at 7.30pm from the Community Centre ion Tullahought. All are welcome to take part at any place or time.
POTTERY CLASSES: Adult Pottery classes commence in Camphill Kyle, on Tuesday 24th and run for eight weeks from 7:30-9:30pm. The courses cost € 100 (all materials included). In addition Children's Classes (age 6-12), start on Wednesday 25th of September and run for 5 weeks from 6pm-7pm, costing € 40 (all materials included). For more information or to book, contact Sonja on 086-3050428.
BRIDGE RESULTS: Outstanding results from the Killamery Bridge club game in the Auld House in Killamery. 1st. Kitty Meagher and Rita Houlihan. Best Gross; Catherine Burke and Helen lanigan. 2nd. Moira hickey and Rita Phelan, 3rd. Mary Joy and Mary Walsh.
COMPLIMENTS: Thanks go to the many people who supplied material to this 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 and sport from Noel Smith visit the local website windgap.ie