Countywide Notes: What's happening in your area!

ASHBOURNE

Ashbourne Tidy Towns started clean-ups in the area with the section it is trying to rejuvenate near the Killegland Graveyard and Crestwood. The contrast before and after is great, however some dog owner insists on throwing their bagged poop into the water with bags submerged. Imagine what this will do to tadpoles and young frogs? The bags were also removed from trees before the nesting season. Most of the rubbish collected is recyclable, glass, paper coffee cups, cans and plastic bottles and wrappers. There are two bins located literally 100 to 200metres away and everyone is urged to use these rather than discarding of rubbish in such a careless manner.

ATHBOY

Athboy is taking on #JerusalemaChallenge and it has some prizes up for grabs in #AthboyTownVouchers. Everyone in Athboy is invited to learn the simple dance moves or make up their own. Then send in their short clip and Athboy Anois will add them all together.

This effort is to raise spirits and have some fun while following public health advice. The deadline is Monday 1st March! Contact Athboy Anois via Facebook for more information or email athboyanois@gmail.com

CLONEE DUNBOYNE

Irish Water, working with Fingal County Council, is progressing essential infrastructural works at Deerhaven Park, Littlepace, Dublin 15. Works will start on Monday 1st March and are scheduled to be completed within eight weeks. Works are being carried out by Carty Contractors Limited on behalf of Irish Water and will be delivered in adherence with current government and HSE advice on Covid-19. Two water outages are scheduled to take place from 8am to 8pm on Wednesday 3rd and Tuesday 9th March.

While these works are ongoing customers in Dunboyne, Loughsallagh, Clonee, Stirling Road, Damastown, Littlepace, Williamstown, Allendale, Ongar, Mount Symon, Portersgate, Hartstown and Lohunda will experience a water outage. Following the completion of the works it may take a number of hours for the network to refill and for normal water supply to return to all impacted customers.

These works are part of a national upgrade programme and will involve the construction of a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) Chamber and other essential works off the existing pipeline which runs through Deerhaven Park.

DUNSHAUGHLIN

Meath Alzheimer Cafés are now being held online. The next Virtual Café is on Wednesday 3rd March at 11am. Guest speaker is Elaine Crocker, ASI Helpline Adviser, who will speak on ‘Supports and Resources for Family Carers.’ All families/carers and loved ones living with Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia are welcome to join. If anyone wishes to take part they should email meathvirtualcafe@alzheimer.ie to receive an invitation to attend.

There is no charge for this service. Contact Day Centre at (046) 902 7007 for further information.

KILMESSAN

The Covid-19 pandemic put a stop to any plans last year to mark the bicentenary of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the village, but local historian Mary Gannon has made up for this with a book recording the history of the church building.

Mary’s publication, ‘Celebrating the Bicentenary of Our Parish Church 1820-2020 - 200 years of history accompanied by photos’ is available for €10 in local stores. Mary says as well as putting the church in its historical context, it is an acknowledgement of the past generations of parishioners for their generous donations of the furnishings which are still enjoyed in the church today.

She writes: “To the general observer, this church may appear as just a small country church of cruciform design. However, like every other building in a community, it has played a part in the lives and generations of parishioners as they gathered to celebrate their joys and sorrows through the two centuries within its walls.”

Mary also has a personal family insight into the church as her late granduncle, Joseph, was a sacristan there, and related some information to her in the past.

All proceeds from the sale of the books go towards the upkeep of the two parish churches, Kilmessan and Dunsany.

NAVAN

Great news that Navan RFC invites the local community (within 5 km under current COVID restrictions) to use the walking tracks on the club’s grounds. It is hoped that all the local community can avail of these facilities and enjoy the opportunity to walk in the fresh air and in safety.

Navan RFC has been granted a Sports Capital Grant to build a walking/running track around the club grounds. The club is in the process of getting tenders for the completion of this work, which it hopes to have completed by mid-year. In the meantime, it has setup two tracks, mostly on grass, to allow the community to walk in safety in the club grounds.

RFC does not allow dogs onto the club grounds for health and safety reasons. It would ask that if anyone sees people walking dogs within the club grounds that they politely remind them of this rule. If people persist in walking dogs it will have to close the club grounds to all.

When walking in the club grounds, people are asked to stick to the tracks outlined; avoid the playing areas of the pitches; be mindful of litter; do not bring your dog; adhere to all current COVID restrictions and recommendations; and finally, enjoy the facilities Navan RFC has to offer.

Learn how to paint with Watercolour Course starting on Friday 12th March at 7.30pm. This is a free online course funded by LMETB. To register email maria@claremontstadium.ie for a six week online course.

SUMMERHILL

Sona Sásta (Meals on Wheels) are doing a collection service for meals at the Community Centre from Monday to Friday. Contact (086) 877 8566.

TRIM

For anyone interested in finding out more about the programme of Alcoholics Anonymous, there will be an open public Online Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous with Al-Anon participation at 8.30 pm, Monday, 1st March via Zoom. Enter the Meeting ID: 386 826 0298 and Passcode: 12steps when requested. People can also phone in and listen on (01) 653 3895 if they prefer.

Wilkinstown

For anyone in the Wilkinstown area who wants to make their patch of road litter-free, they can contact in the Wilkinstown Development Group via Facebook and ask for pickers, gloves and bags to help them get started. There is a limited supply, so first come, first served.