____________April Donadea News____________ |
Newtown Hall
Work has
commenced on the refurbishment of the kitchen in the Newtown Hall. The work is being
carried out as a Training Project by the local FAS C.E. Scheme. The co-ordinator of
the work is FÁSs trainer Dave Corcoran.
St.
Patricks Day Parade
Josh Rose
was always keen to have a chance to express a few ideas he had for a parade float.
Tir na Mona fresh from its success in the Naas Easter Parade in 1998, decided to give Josh
the brief to design the float. On calling in to Joshs yard over the past month, I
saw a few great novel items take shape. Every spare piece of binder twine, straw,
cloth and metal was deployed to shape this gents ideas into substance. A
beautiful Thatched House with a half-door emerged. A Washing Stand with Bath-pan,
Clothes Wringer and Wash-board was the next item to appear. With great skill, he
created a holding frame for cutting sticks with a Cross Cut Saw. He had his Bog
Barrow and Turf Basket at the third item for the float. With Bunny Mangan supplying
good Timahoe Heather, things looked like shaping up well. Pat McLoughlin and Aidan
Murphy, the Mackeys, the Gills, the Maguires and others of the Tir na Mona crew, all
helped Josh to put the final touches to the float. Patricks Day arrived, a
beautiful summer like day. Blue skies, heat, a day for T-shirts and short
sleeves. We lined up outside Kilcock with Mick Mooney, from Moyvalley with his
"Bog Mobile," joining our float. Mickey Harris from Cloncurry also joined
up, Una Nolan and her "washer woman" from The Newtown Choir were all ready for
the fun. The basins, pots, pans and poes all rattled and glistened in the bright
sunshine as we moved off. The Bog Bicycles first followed by Mick Mooneys Bog
Mobile, the two women holding the Tir na Mona Banner next, then David Flood driving the
truck that drew our float was next. Good cheers from our neighbouring floats
started what was a most pleasant reception from the people of Kilcock. The Parade
route was lined with hundreds of people and they cheered and waved us on.
"Golly" Cleary as M.C. gave us a great welcome as we passed the "Viewing
Stand". The women were washing, the men were sawing, the turf cutters were
cutting. All to the great amusement of the crowd. Thank-you Kilcock for the
"Great Reception". Next, on to conquer Enfield with our "Earthy
Charm". As we entered Enfield, hundreds of people lined the long street on the
main N4 route west. The crowds responded to Alan Byrnes song
"Its a long way to Tir na Mona". With great applause and cheer - we
knew we had won their hearts!! Billy Carey as M.C., gave "Tir na Mona" a
great description as we faced the viewing stand. The float stopped at the stand and
our "Washer Women", "Bog-cutters", musicians and "Lumber
Jacks" gave a great display of "Old Working Ways". Mick Mooney at
this stage had pushed his wheel barrow longer than "Molly Malone", and he was
very much "Alive! Alive! O!" When the parade was over some of our group
got down to the serious business of "Drowning the Shamrock". Back to Roches Pub
and we were all celebrating our victory in Kilcock - we still did not know how we fared in
Enfield? Mick Mooney went to the function in Enfield and he was presented with our
prize "Most Humorous Float" in Enfield Parade. Well done Tir na Mona - we
had scooped 2 prizes in 1 day. Already Josh Rose is planning next years
float. Watch out for it as it should be worth seeing!! Well done to all who
participated and especially David and Nora Flood for providing the transport. A
"Celebration Night" for all involved in the float is arranged for Roches Pub on
Monday 19th April at 8.30pm. Please come along!
Friends
Of The Forest, Donadea Group
up-date
We have
been beavering away at various meetings and gatherings since our last up-date. On
24th February, we met with Charles McCreevy at Government Buildings. This went very
well and subsequently Mr. McCreevy will be going on a Walk-about in Donadea Forest as a
guest of ourselves and Coillte. The Walk-about will take place to show Mr. McCreevy the
beautiful amenity. He will also plant a tree and we hope join us all for
refreshments afterwards. On 9th March, we met with Coillte and the Lime Avenue was
discussed yet again. Mr. George Hipewell, on that night, undertook to resurface the Lime
Avenue to an easily maintained standard. Great news indeed! We have since then,
received the report on this beautiful avenue from the experts, and are delighted to report
that all is well, though some trees may need to be topped and trimmed. We plan to plant
Daffodils and Aconite all the way up the avenue for the Millennium. We will keep you
informed. Congrats to Tir na Mona on your success on St. Patricks Day with the
float. Well Done.
P.R.O.
N. Walsh.
Coffee
Morning
A Coffee
Morning will be held on Sunday 2nd May in Donadea Forest (in offices at the back of the
castle) from 11am onwards. Proceeds are in aid of St. Peters Church Fund, Donadea. The
event is being hosted by "The Friends of Donadea Forest" who will also be
holding a Sale of Work at the event. Come along for a Coffee Morning with a
difference.
Sympathy
Sincere
sympathy is extended from the community to Andy Noone and family on the recent and sudden
death of Mai Noone. May she rest in peace.
Dead-line
The
dead-line for the next issue of the Mona is the last weekend of April, Saturday 24th. If
you would like anything published in the next issue, you can ring any of the names on the
back page or leave your items at their respective houses. Any item left after that date
may not be included in the next issue. Remember too, that all the schools will be
able to submit articles, poems and stories for inclusion in the next issue and at the end
of the year the best item will receive a prize. So get writing.
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