Countywide Notes: Community info from Athboy to Trim
ATHBOY
Jim Bird presented €300 to Athboy Tidy Towns from a check-out collection he organised at his shop. Many thanks are expressed to everyone that contributed to Jim and the Centra staff. This is a very welcome donation and much appreciated. Everyone is asked to support the local community by shopping local.
BOHERMEEN
St Ultan’s Historical Society which incorporates Bohermeen, Boyerstown, Cortown and district will once again publish a Christmas calendar. This will be its ninth year in a row to produce it. Like in previous years, the calendar will contain some local images of people, events or local landmarks. Over the years the society has used over 300 photographs in the publications. The calendars which provide an excellent Christmas present for many at home and abroad will be available to buy from mid-November and will have a very limited print run.
BROOMFIELD
The Teach Raithneach Broadband Connection Point is now live, and ready to use by all who wish to do so. Broadband at Teach Raithneach can be accessed from outside the building in the car park, or from anywhere inside the building when it is opened. Once accessed it willfacilitate seven-day access from that point.
This facility is free to users and is particularly suited to those whose home Broadband is weak or non-existent. Students who are undertaking their courses online, in whole or part online, are encouraged to use the facility. People are asked to let people know in advance if they wish to use the facility, so that they can agree on a time when Teach Raithneach is opened.
The possibility of setting up a number of ‘hot desks’ in Teach Raithneach to facilitate workers who wish to work from home is under consideration. It would welcome suggestions on this initiative. Contact (087) 272 9154.
DULEEK
Beef factory Eurofarm was recently due to mark the processing of its 1,000,000th animal, according to the Irish Farmers Journal. Set up by Michael Fox in 2003, it is one of the few remaining independent factories outside the large groups.
CARLANSTOWN
What a wonderful gesture by the team at Centra Carlanstown who have sent this message out to people in need. Well done on this act of human kindness.
"We are now almost eight months into this pandemic and the country is in recession. If anyone is not working, not getting paid, has had their hours cut and runs out of food or necessities please don’t let you or your kids go to sleep on an empty stomach.
“Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to send me a private message. We will do anything we can to help. It may simply be a case of dropping off a food parcel and leaving. No one has to know, and where others are concerned, it never happened."
Due to the current Covid pandemic, St Michael’s GFC has decided to postpone its weekly lotto until further notice. Many thanks for all support and the club lotto hopes to be back soon.
DUNSHAUGHLIN
Local couple, Declan Fahy and Kate Scott, with partner, Paul Cosgrave, have founded a company with the aim of creating a safe environment for young children to play with the technology that drives image filters on social media apps such as TikTok and Snapchat. They use augmented reality technology to interact with traditional toys and boos designed for three to 12 year olds.
JOHNSTOWN
Members of Johnstown Tidy Towns and anyone who would like to join in will be planting bulbs every Sunday as part of its 10am clean up.
To comply with Covid restrictions it is inviting any family (household unit) or individuals who would like to participate in planting to message the group via Facebook.
Planting sessions leading up to December will take 30 minutes to an hour, suit all ages and abilities and does not involve anything strenuous.
During Clean Up over the weekend, it planted bulbs near the Kentstown Road junction. There are eight remaining locations to get involved in and people can help Johnstown erupt with Spring Colour.
We can ensure safe social distancing and there's no strenuous work involved. Volunteers to keep Johnstown litter free meet every Sunday at 10am outside the shopping centre.
KELLS
Meath LSP is starting a new four-89week Walk ‘N’ Tone programme for adults 55yrs+ starting from Thursday 22nd of October on Kells Walkway at 11am. Participants will get the opportunity to try 30 minutes of outdoor gentle exercises incorporated with walking.
Don’t miss out on a space as numbers are limited. To register or more information contact Luke at luke.condie@meathcoco.ie or call (046) 906 7337.
It is great to have free public WIFI in Kells town centre. Kells is being the first recipient of major investment by Meath County Council with the backing of the European Commission’s WIFI4EU programme and the Department of Rural & Community Development.
Meath County Council has secured up to €120,000 in funding and is delivering the network in collaboration with County Meath Chamber.
KENTSTOWN
The death occurred on Sunday of Conor ffrench Davis, Brownstown, Navan, after a long illness.
A veterinary surgeon of Brownstown, Navan, Conor was a well loved and respected member of the community for more than 50 years, having moved to Brownstown in the 1960s. Aside from his professional practice, he was a founding member of Knockharley Cricket Club, to which club he devoted much love and care as groundsman and otherwise.
He will be sadly missed by his loving wife, Prue, his sister Sarah, his brother Mark, his children Dermot, Dominic, Stephen, Michael, Nicola and Sarah and his 13 grandchildren, relatives and friends. The Funeral Mass will be streamed at 11am on Wednesday from The Church of The Assumption, Kentstown, Seehttps://www.churchservices.tv/
Removal on Thursday to Bonnifinglas Graveyard, Foxford, Co. Mayo, for burial.
KILDALKEY
To celebrate the launch of the Kildalkey 2021 Calendar (available to buy from tomorrow) it is giving away a free copy of the calendar to the family with the scariest Halloween decorated house or garden in Kildalkey. To be in with a chance to win, people are asked to post a photo on its Facebook page and the Calendar Team will choose a winner on Friday 30th October.
The Kildalkey Calendar team has been busy over the last couple of months putting a wonderful calendar together. Thanks are expressed to everyone who entered both the photography and kids art competitions. The winners have all been notified and we’d like to thank both Anita Reynolds and Councilor David Gilroy in helping to choose them. The great news is the calendar is almost ready and will be available to buy from Tuesday 20th October. Look out for members of the team who will be busy selling over the next couple of weeks. If anyone would like to pre-order a copy, they can do so by private messaging the Kildalkey Tidy Town & Development Facebook page or by emailing kildalkeycalendar@gmail.com. Calendars are €10 each.
Remember all proceeds will be going towards Christmas lights and all the volunteer groups in Kildalkey.
KILLYON
Killyon Community Development Association are working hard to keep the area tidy and litter free. CCTV shows some person(s) repeatedly dumping bags of rubbish at its recycling area. If anyone sees or knows anyone dumping or littering in the area, they are asked to please report to Meath County County Environmental Section and help Killyon Community Development Association to stop the mindless dumping and littering.
LAYTOWN
Thanks are expressed by the Beach Management Committee Laytown Bettystown Mornington to everyone who showed up to help beach clean recently. If people enjoy the beach, they are asked to please help keep it clean for themselves and others. The next litter pick will take place on 2nd Saturday in November. Keep an eye on the group’s Facebook page for more details.
MOYNALVEY
The recent news of the retirement due to injury of racehorse Sizing John was met with some nostalgia around the area as the Jessica Harrington-trained 10-year old provided Robbie Power with many high profile success, including the 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup, the same season as the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, and the Punchestown Gold Gup - the first horse to win three Gold Cups in one season. He was owned by the late Alan and Ann Potts.
NAVAN
Navan Community Sponsorship Group (NCSG) has been set up to sponsor and welcome a refugee family into the community and is formed under the Department of Justice & Equality Community Sponsorship Ireland scheme.
Under this scheme, we will welcome a Syrian family who may have come through several refugee camps in the Lebanon or Jordan. Families who find themselves in these situations are often forced to move repeatedly within a short space of time. . For more information, email navancommunitysponsorship@gmail.com
The designers of the Solstice Arts Centre, Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara, have received the Pritzker Prize for Architecture, having been named the laureates last March. They are the first Irish citizens to receive this internationally recognised distinction, and the fourth and fifth women in its 42-year history. Ms McNamara is from Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare, and Ms Farrell from Tullamore, CO Offaly.
Meath LSP is starting a new four week Walk ‘N’ Tone programme for adults 55yrs+ starting from Tuesday 27th October in Claremont Stadium, Navan at 11am. Participants will get the opportunity to try 30 minutes of outdoor gentle exercises incorporated with walking. Don’t miss out on a space as numbers are limited. To register or more information contact Luke at luke.condie@meathcoco.ie or call (046) 906 7337.
Race Day in Navan scheduled for Saturday 19th Decemberwill now transfer toFriday afternoon 18th December. This switch is to avoid a clash with the All Ireland Senior Football Final in Croke Park which is scheduled for Saturday 19th December (the Hurling Final will be Sunday 13th December, which is already a blank racing day). Dundalk are also set to race on Friday 18th December but as an evening meeting, so there will be no direct clash with the rescheduled Navan fixture
For further details, please consult the Horse Racing Ireland website.
Active first responders are available for community support during the increased restrictions. The group is happy to help out with light shopping, post collection or drops and medication collection. People are asked not to hesitate to contact its support number on (086) 885 3713 9am to 5pm.
Jim O’Donnell, who died recently in Dublin, and formerly of Navan, was a former assistant director general at the Institute of Public Administration. Jim was director of the publications division and originated the highly regarded IPA Yearbook and Diary in 1956, and continued to manage its publication for 30 years. He is survived by his wife, Mary, daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren, to whom sympathy is extended.
NOBBER
Meath LSP is starting a new four week Walk ‘N’ Tone programme for adults 55yrs+ starting from Friday 23rd October on the new Nobber Walkway at 11am for 30 minutes. To register or more information contact Luke at luke.condie@meathcoco.ie or call (046) 906 7337.
STAMULLEN
Meath LSP is starting a new four week Walk ‘N’ Tone programme for adults 55yrs+ starting from Wednesday 21st of October in St Patrick’s GAA, Stamullen at 11am. To register or more information contact Luke at luke.condie@meathcoco.ie or call (046) 906 7337.
SUMMERHILL
Summerhill has been transformed again this year into Scary Town as members of its Junior Tidy Towns group have decorated the village with a wonderful, seasonal Halloween theme. Great colour and fun around the village.
Contact can be made with personnel at The Community Centre office on (046) 955 7178 on Tuesdays only at the moment or by email at sumcomcc@gmail.com for enquires or bookings. Facebook page is Summerhill Community Centre and all relevant information should be available there.
TRIM
Cllr Aisling Dempsey says: "Thank you to the Trim traders, the Garda Station and all members of our community who lit up blue, pink and yellow on Thursday 15th October. It was clear to see the number of families affected by pregnancy and infant loss, as they walked around the town, stopping for a picture here and there, lighting a candle. It was truly touching.
"In such worrying and sometimes dark times, it was a beautiful reminder that life is precious, we need to protect our most vulnerable and that we are a strong and resilient people.
“As soon as I approached Trim traders to light up, within the hour they had a huge number of their group signed up to take part, including the very touching hot air balloon tribute that was filmed on the evening. The businesses who remain shut or are open but struggling deserve a special thanks for making the effort."
Baby Loss Awareness Week finishes each year on 15th October with the global Wave of Light’. 15th October is also International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day and is recognised across the world.
Meath LSP is starting a new four week Walk ‘N’ Tone programme for adults 55yrs+ starting from Monday 26th October in Trim Porchfields @ 11am. To register or more information contact Luke at luke.condie@meathcoco.ie or call (046) 906 7337.
Meath Food Bank based in Trim is looking for an administrator volunteer to help with basic administration tasks in a busy community food bank.
For more details or to register interest visit the National Volunteer Database website.
Tasks include office administration support; data inputting; correspondence; other ad hoc admin duties with a time commitment of six hours per week. The exact days of volunteering can be discussed according to the volunteer's availability with some hours can be done remotely.
Garda vetting and confidentiality agreement are part of the screening process for this role.