Builder Francis Hoey, architect Frank McGahon, principal Bridie O’Sullivan and Fr Gerry Boyle, PP, Lobinstown, at the opening if the Newtown NS extension.

Countywide: Notes from your area

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Builder Francis Hoey, architect Frank McGahon, principal Bridie O’Sullivan and Fr Gerry Boyle, PP, Lobinstown, at the opening if the Newtown NS extension.

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Newtown NS principal Bridie O’Sullivan with student council members Robert Morton and Padraig Byrne.

John Donohoe

Published: Sat 24 Dec 2022, 4:16 PM

ASHBOURNE

A new six-week Meet 'n’ Train programme suitable for complete beginners starrts in Ashbourne Community School on Tuesday 31st January at 7pm. Each session includes a variety of exercises suitable for men and women of all ages and incorporates cardio, strength, core and flexibility. Fee is €20 for six weeks. Registration can be completed at meathsports.ie from 18th January.

This six-week programme is specifically aimed towards young people from 10-16 years with the main emphasis on participation, fun and fitness. In a fun, social setting, participants will have the opportunity to learn the key basketball skills and play in a supportive environment without the pressure of competition.

This is aimed towards complete beginners and those with previous experience. This programme is delivered by qualified basketball coaches. Fee is €20 for six weeks. The programme starts on Wednesday 25th January at 5.45pm in Ashbourne Community School. Registration can be completed at meathsports.ie from 18th January.

BETTYSTOWN

These six-week circuits incorporate cardio, strength, flexibility and balance and is suitable for women of all ages and fitness levels, especially complete beginners. The programme started in Colaiste na hInse, Bettystown on Wednesday 25th January at 7pm. Registration can be completed at meathsports.ie from 18th January.

BROOMFIELD

A heartfelt thanks to Scheme Workers in Broomfield and District without whom a significant amount of the work carried out in 2022 would not have been possible. Teach Raithneach was painted from top to bottom during the year, together with the routine day-to-day maintenance and upkeep of this excellent community facility. In many instances, scheme workers went above and beyond the call of duty, and their job description to ensure the smooth running of Teach Raithneach and Association activities.

DOWTH

Models in 3D of Neolithic art from the recently rediscovered Dowth Hall Passage Tomb will be made available for the public to view virtually from Wednesday 21st December. In 2017, a large and previously unknown Neolithic passage tomb was found at Dowth Hall during excavations undertaken by Devenish and UCD School of Archaeology. This tomb, and the megalithic art within it, are amongst the most significant discoveries in the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site in the last 50 years.

Though the passage tomb was damaged over the course of its long life, many elements of it remained intact. At least one-third of its surviving structural stones including chamber orthostats and kerbstones were decorated with megalithic art, similar to that found in the nearby passage tombs at Knowth and Newgrange. Human remains from one of the burial chambers at Dowth Hall have been dated to circa 3100 BC.

The Discovery Programme was given permission to use photogrammetry software to create 3D models of the megalithic art at Dowth Hall. The 3D models of six of the art pieces have been completed and will go live on The Discovery Programme's Sketchfab account to mark the Winter Solstice. More information on the art can be found in this year’s winter edition of Archaeology Ireland.

DULEEK

As part of the Feel-Good Project in association with Meath County Council, Free Yoga classes with Monique will be held in the Duleek Courthouse from 7.30pm to 8.30pm on 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st January. Everyone is asked to bring their own mat. Booking can be made through the office on (041) 988 0523.

DUNBOYNE

Six-week circuits incorporate cardio, strength, flexibility and balance suitable for women of all ages and fitness levels, especially complete beginners, starts in Dunboyne Community Centre on Monday 30th January at 6pm. Registration can be completed at meathsports.ie from 18th January.

This six-week programme is specifically aimed towards young people from 10-16 years starts on Tuesday 24th January at 5pm in Dunboyne Community Centre. Registration can be completed at meathsports.ie from 18th January.

FORDSTOWN

'Born in Meath, Made in Hollywood', a new radio documentary by Little Road Productions Ltd., will broadcast at 12 Noon on Monday 26TH December on LMFM Radio.

Brothers Owen, Matt and Tom Moore from Fordstown were stalwarts of the early Hollywood film industry, between them boasting over 600 Hollywood film credits.

This one-hour radio documentary retells the story of the journey of the Moore Brothers from a small boreen in Meath to Hollywood film stars, along with their contribution to the 'Golden Age of Hollywood'.

When the Moore family, father Tom, mother Rosanna (nee Carry) and their then four children Tom (13), Owen (10), Matt (8) and Mary emigrated to the US as steerage passengers on the SS Anchoria in May 1986, little did they know that their journey would take all of their children to the silver screens of Hollywood while three of them would make such a mark on the film industry that they would have their own stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Using interviews with Turtle Bunbury, broadcaster, historian and author, who featured the brothers in his recent book ‘The Irish Diaspora’, and Dr Ruth Barton, Professor of Film Studies at Trinity College Dublin, along with on location commentary from local historians Stephen Ball and Kenny Timmons, the documentary uncovers the story of these siblings who were household names across the US by the mid 1920s, known as the Roaring Twenties, and became as well known as the other Hollywood elite of the Golden Age, starring alongside names like Mae West and Cary Grant.

KELLS

Mums on the Move is a new 'come & try' programme scheduled just after school drop off time and is an ideal way for parents to incorporate exercise as part of their daily routine. Each programme contains a mixture of circuits and pilates. This allows all participants to include cardio, strength, flexibility and balance as part of their overall programme workout. The programme starts in Kells Family Resource Centre on Wednesday 25th January at 10am. Registration is now open at eventmaster.ie

KILBERRY

The Kilberry Amenity & Heritage Group hosts the Christmas 6km Family Fun Run Day after a few years break due to Covid. It takes place on St Stephen's Day and begins at 11am sharp. Stewards and signage will be in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable event.

It is open to runners, joggers, walkers and families and family pets are also allowed provided they are on a lead. Entry is €5 and €15 for a family of 4. Families are encouraged to get out for a wonderful fresh air experience.

It begins this year in the car park of The Kilberry Pub & Kitchen and the new starting time is 11am. Participants are requested to arrive at 10.30am for registration.

KILBRIDE, CLONEE

Community groups in Kilbride are again coming together this year to organise a GOAL Mile on St Stephen's Day at 12 noon at Kilbride GFC Grounds.

Organisers are hoping to make the event truly a community affair for all age groups and will be linking up with the Tidy Towns, GAA, Scoil Bhride, Scouts, ICA, Church, Bowls and other community groups, businesses and residents to support the fun event.

It is hoped that it will be a great opportunity for the community to meet up in a safe environment on the day and add to the Christmas spirit as well as, of course, raising funds for the fantastic charitable organisation GOAL.

Donations can be made at the Kilbride GOAL Mile fundraising page at goalmile.org.

LOBINSTOWN

Newtown National School was alive with the Christmas spirit despite the frosty, cold weather on Sunday 11th December. The school celebrated the official opening of its new extension which has of a state-of-the-art ASD classroom, sensory room and sensory garden.

The large crowd gathered on the day included Fr Gerry Boyle, representing the Patron, Bishop Deenihan; Fr Timothy; European Commissioner and past parent, Mairéad McGuinness and Cllr Paddy Meade. Past and present parents, pupils and staff were delighted to meet up and chat. Fr Boyle officially blessed the new building. Bridie O’Sullivan, Principal, paid tribute to the architect, Frank McGahon, of McGahon Architects, Dundalk for the design as well as Francis Hoey of CF Hoey Construction who built the extension. The cutting of the ribbon was performed by student council members. The history of education in the Newtown area can be traced back to 1788 in the parish of Lobinstown. The current school opened in 1975 stands in the shadow of the old school built in 1842.

The official opening concluded with the pupils singing 'Jingle Bells', accompanied by Claire Dillon on guitar, just as Santa arrived in his vintage car. The excitement of the children was wonderful to witness as they gave Santa a Newtown céad mile fáilte. As Santa met with the families, the parent association provided refreshments for everyone. The day concluded with prize giving in art and a raffle.

NAVAN

Well done to everyone involved in the fantastic production of Little Red Riding Hood, which finished in the Solstice Arts Centre at the weekend. Once again, St Mary’s Musical Society staged a professional, polished, energetic and fun production for all the family. Well done also to everyone who worked on the stage and behind it to bring such brilliance to the Navan stage.

Meet n Train

A new six-week programme Meet 'n’ Train programme suitable for complete beginners begins in Claremont Stadium on Monday 30th January at 7pm. Registration can be completed at meathsports.ie from 18th January.

STAMULLEN

Meditation

As part of the Feel Good Project in association with Meath County Council, free meditation classes will be held in the Stamullen Parish Hall from 7.30pm to 8.30pm on dates 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th January. Booking can be made through the office on (041) 988 0523. For any enquiries email duleekdft@gmail.com.

TRIM

Mums on the Move

Mums on the Move is a new 'come & try' programme scheduled just after school drop off time and is an ideal way for parents to incorporate exercise as part of their daily routine. Each programme contains a mixture of circuits and pilates. This allows all participants to include cardio, strength, flexibility and balance as part of their overall programme workout. The programme starts in Trim GAA Hall on Monday 23rd January at 10am. Registration is now open at eventmaster.ie