July Mona NewsletterIndexStaplestownTimahoeCoillDubhGreenPageIndex-July-01
____________________ July Editorial __________________
ANNUAL SUMMER JAMBOREE

This year the date for the main social event of the year has been moved away from the August bank holiday weekend, as so many are away on breaks then. It is on Saturday August 25th at St Kevin's GAA pavilion, Staplestown. The Grand Raffle for a weekend break for two and other fine prizes will also be held on the night. This is the one occasion in the year where our registered charity -Tir na Mona, seeks both to provide fun for all the community as well as raise the funds vitally needed to pay for essential operating costs.

In order to make it more attractive to everyone we have:

  • moved it away from the August Bank holiday weekend
  • reduced the ticket price to £5
  • introduced the huge raffle

It promises to be the social event of the year for the area, and with the new floor and decoration complete, St Kevin's Pavilion is the perfect place for the occasion. Please support both the raffle and Jamboree and most of all do try to come on the night!

Feargal Mac Eoin, Chairperson, Tir na Mona


MESSAGE FROM THE MONA TEAM

The Newsletter is taking it's annual break in August and will be back again with the September issue. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped with producing the newsletter during the year.

We are saying goodbye to some of our regular contributors and welcoming new people to the team. In the Donadea area Bernadette Crean & Liam Holton are taking a well deserved break, having been involved in the newsletter from the start; in Coill Dubh Mary Larkin is taking over from Rosaleen and Pat Flaherty joins the crew in Timahoe. Contact details are on the back page for each area.

If there is anyone who would like to become a regular or occasional contributor you will be very welcome so please contact your local co-ordinator or Morna at the Tir na Mona office. If you are involved with a group or club we would welcome articles about your activities. This month we are delighted to include articles from Tiermohan National School Newsletter.

We would also welcome anyone who could help with the distribution of the newsletters. Remember, the newsletter is put together and distributed free of charge to 1000 households. The production costs are covered by our advertisers and we would like to remind our readers to support the Newsletter by supporting those advertisers. Perhaps you run a business or service and would like to let us know about what you do. Why not advertise in the MONA.

Maybe you are new to the area and would like to get involved in your new community or would like to know what's happening around the area. Perhaps you have talents or interests you can share with your neighbours. 2001 has been designated as the International year of the Volunteer so this might be a good opportunity to give something to the community you live in. Getting involved can lead to making new friends, learning new skills, gaining a sense of well-being by knowing that you have done something to make life better for your self and your neighbours. Community is about getting to know your neighbours, both new-comers and those who have lived here all their lives. A community is only as strong as the people who live there; the more people are willing to put into their area the stronger the community will be. So go on - get involved in your community.


INFORMATION RESOURCE CENTRE

We are at present setting up an Information Centre in Allenwood Enterprise Park. To date we have all the necessary forms for the Motor Tax Office, Waiver forms for K.C.C. and lots of information on Social Welfare. In the very near future we will also be able to offer a Photocopying, Typing and Laminating service. If you feel there are other services not needs not being addressed in the area or indeed surrounding areas of north West Kildare, we would be delighted to hear from you. You can contact Bernie or Denise at 045-870804


CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations and the very best of good wishes are extended to Paul and Loraine Grogan on the birth of their beautiful baby daughter, Rachel.

Well Done

Well done to Emma Owens, winner of the £5 book token for the first correct answer to the children's crossword competition in last month's MONA.


CHERNOBYL

Many thanks to all the girls who helped in the bag-packing in Tesco, Maynooth, on the 28th, 29th & 30th June on behalf of the children who will be coming to the area from Chernobyl this summer. The children arrived on Sat 28th of July for their life-giving break. Every week that these children can spend away from the contamination in their homeland literally gives them extra life. The support of everyone who contributed throughout the past year to the effort to bring children from the areas affected by the Chernobyl disaster and to the orphanages in that area are greatly appreciated. Your ongoing support is greatly needed so please keep these children and those who care for them in mind The fire and explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear reactor happened 15 years ago and unfortunately, the effects will continue for thousands of years.


TRANSPORT SEMINAR

In April 2000 the OAK Partnership held a Transport Seminar in Edenderry. From that seminar a Transport Working Group was set up to look at ways of improving transport provision in the North Offaly/North West Kildare area. The main aim of the Working Group is to identify and assess the transport needs of the greater OAK area and to identify practical solutions to meet specific needs.
OAK has commissioned a study to look at setting up local transport initiatives which would aim to link to existing Bus Eireann services. Part of this study involves carrying out a transport survey. This survey will enable the Transport Working Group to identify existing transport provision, identify gaps in existing service provision and identify areas for pilot transport initiatives.
OAK has picked the Tir na Mona area as one of the areas to be surveyed. We would appreciate your assistance in filling in the enclosed TRAVEL DIARY for the period of 1 WEEK. The completed forms should be returned to OAK Partnership, Edenderry Business Park, Edenderry, Co. Offaly.


WATER SCHEME UPDATE

Oliver Donnellan, contractor for the Timahoe-Donadea water scheme began work on 10th April 2001 in Tiermoghan, Cooltrim, Belgard and Portglorian. Work is now heading towards Ballagh Cross. Although progress has been slow a second crew started on 21st June and another crew is to start very shortly, which will speed up the works and we hope to see water flowing to all the households in the scheme in the very near future.
The full cost per household is £620.44 - from which is deducted the £30 initial deposit and the £300 paid as a first installment - leaving each household a balance of £290.44 to be paid as a final contribution. Your local collector will let you know when this amount is due
.


SCOIL NASIUNTA THIR MOCHÁIN
TIERMOHAN SCHOOL NEWS
VOL. 3 NO. 10 JUNE 2001

We're close to the end of the year. May we take the opportunity of thanking everyone involved with the school for all their help and support during the past year. The school closed on June 29th at 12.00 noon. We re-open on Monday September 3rd at 9.3Oam. This first day will be a half day to allow for a Staff Meeting and the school will close at 12.3Opm.
Junior infants were invited to school for the morning of June 29th from 9.3Oam until 10.3Oam. This usually helps settle children and parents for September. Junior Infants will be in school from 9.30 until 12.30 for the first two weeks, beginning on Tuesday 4th September. From Monday 24th September they will attend for a full day, going home at 2.OOpm.
We wish everyone a safe summer.

SLAN GO FÓILL

We say "Slan go fóill" to a wonderful bunch of sixth class children who move on to secondary school in September. We hope they remember with fondness their days in Tiermohan NS. Please call and visit soon.
Children in sixth class are: Alison Hennessy, Adrian Maguire, Eilish Holton, Amy Coyle, John Cheasty, Claire Fitzgerald, Jordan Swift and Sarah Cullen. A Graduation Mass was held on 28th of June for the children and their parents.

CONFIRMATION

The children from Tiermohan NS and Newtown NS were confirmed by Fr Paul and Fr PJ in a lovely ceremony on June 3rd in Newtown Church. The Bishop had previously visited the parish on May 27th where he presided over the pledge ceremony for the confirmation candidates.
The children confirmed were Elaine Fennell, John Cheasty, Nicole Canning, Debbie Gill, Amy Coyle, Mary Gill, Sarah Cullen, Blair Walsh, Jordan Swift, Patrick Grehan, Claire Fitzgerald, Philip Kidd, Carrie McGrath, Alison Hennessy, Thomas Mulligan, Eilish Holton and Adrian Maguire.

WELCOME

We welcome all our new Junior Infants as they begin school. We welcome Benjamin Browne, Tristan Canning, William Connors, Dean Curtin, Aaron Hickson, Jake Howlett, Luke Menton, Ian Prendergast, Emma Doran, Jennifer Foley, Una Glennon, Maeve Holton, Kelly Maher, Beatrice Mc Cabe, Katie Reid and Emma Stack.

SAFETY GUARDS

Two safety guards from the senior classes are on duty each day to remind children not to run out onto the road. They also remind parents to be careful in their cars when collecting children.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

This is the land of lost content,
I see it shining plain,
The happy highways where I went
And cannot come again.

Houseman, A.E. (1859-1936)

THE DAY WE TOOK OVER THE SCHOOL

One day our principal was sick and never turned up and neither did the other teachers. At 10:00am we realised that our teachers weren't coming in, so we {sixth class} called an assembly and announced that we were going to take over the school. Of course there were a lot of disagreements. Then our principal called and told us to ring all the childrens' parents but none of them believed us. So we talked and talked until we came to an agreement to split the classes.
John and Adrian would mind 5th and 4th. They did PE. Amy, Alison and Jordan would mind 1st 2nd and 3rd. Sarah, Eilish and I played games with 1st, senior infants and junior infants.
When the parents came to collect the kids they believed us. It was the best school day ever. OH! I forgot to say silly Mr. Sweeney left the keys to the school unde
r the mat.
The next day all the teachers came to all and we( sixth class) explained everything. The teachers couldn't believe it. And that was the day we took over the school.
By Claire Fitzgerald

SUPERGRAN

Last summer I had the most amazing time. It all began when my parents sent to stay with my grandma down the country. I was very excited, as I had not seen her in a long time. A small pint sized woman met me at the station. She wore glasses and carried a walking stick in her right hand. She greeted me with a big wet kiss on my cheek and took me straight home for lemonade and cake. It was just like a normal vacation until one day my grandma and I went shopping. We stopped by at the bank to get some money. My grandma was filling out some forms when a suddenly a masked man shouted, "this is a robbery as he waved a gun in the air. Everyone began to panic but I could see a strange look on my grandma's face. While the robber was busy filling the bags with money my gran tightened her grip on her walking stick and struck out at the robber. He fell flat on the ground and the police were called immediately. I told my parents the whole story that night on the phone. They were amazed and delighted. I could not wait to get home and tell my friends about my crime-fighting supergran.
By Martin Larkin

ASTHMA:
A magazine for asthma sufferers was sent to the school recently. If any parent wants to borrow it, please contact the school.

SPORTS NEWS

The girls and boys gaelic football teams competed in the INTO mini 7's recently. Both teams trained down in Cappagh pitch under the watchful eyes of Mrs Cooke McCarthy of Newtown NS and Mr Sweeney.
The boys met very difficult opposition and were beaten in each game they played. The girls won one game and are to be complimented on a fine performance. As usual, many thanks to the parents who gave lifts and to Lorraine McNally and Cappagh club for organising and delivering the jerseys.
The girls' basketball took part in a blitz in Ballymany NS, Newbridge, recently. They were beaten by GaelScoil Chill Dara by 12-5 in their first game. A close second game saw St Patrick's beat the girls by 14-6. The final game between Tiermohan and Newtown finished in a draw, 4-4.
The boys had similar results the following day. Robertstown beat us by 12-4. In the second game Tiermohan's lead was shaved by Rathcoffey who finally won by 8-6. The final game with St Patrick's finished in a draw, 8-8. Rathcoffey went on to win the boys' blitz and St Patrick's won the girl's event.
Many thanks to the parents who gave lifts and support on both days.

BOARD OF MANAGEMENT NEWS

Many of you are aware that a new temporary classroom (prefab) will be erected during the holidays to cater for the increased numbers. There will also be a new teacher who will begin in the school in September.

SUMMER CAMPS

An Art Camp will take place in St Kevin's, Staplestown, from July 16th to 20th. Contact: Dan Young@ 045-863665 or 087-6992894

Kilcock GAA Summer Camp will take place from July 2nd to July 5th. The venue for football and hurling will be Scoil Dara. The cost is £20 per child. The contact number is Eugene at 01-6287083. Further information on camps in Kildare is available from David Murphy at 087-266 1438

A music summer camp for kids/teens will be held locally. All classes will be 1-1.5 hours daily for a week. For further details, contact Audrey at 087-247 7867.

MANY THANKS ONCE AGAIN TO:

Paul Coyle for his generous donation of a printer for the computer in the office
Joe Doran for work done on the plumbing system.

The Geraghty family who carefully weeded around the beech hedge.. To all those who gave Independent Tokens to the school. We have collected enough for our camcorder.. To all those who gave Tesco tokens to the school. We have ordered two CD players and some computer software.

ESSO WILDLIFE CHALLANGE

In May, the students from 4th, 5th and 6th classes in Tiermohan National School put together a booklet about what their school was doing for the environment. Their booklet included information on their recycling compost bin, their recycling paper area and their battery recycling box.
They entered their project in the ESSO Wildlife Challenge. They were delighted to win the prize for the overall winners in Kildare. On Friday 15th June, Don Conroy visited the school to present a prize of a nesting box to the school. The pupils also got pencil cases, binoculars and a Don Conroy book.


TABLE OF EVENTS, IN THE COMMUNITY

20th July Staplestown Table Quiz, St. Kevin's G.A.A. @ 9.30pm
27h July Table Quiz, Kelly's Bar, Timahoe. @ 9.30 p.m.
30th July 3rd Aug Art Camp, St. Kevin's G.A.A.
7th Aug 10th Aug G.A.A. Summer Camp, St. Kevin's G.A.A.
22nd Aug Final date for articles for the Sept. issue of the MONA
25th Aug Tir Na Mona Jamboree, St. Kevin's G.A.A


COMMUNITY ALERT

Neighbours! We want to alert you to the fact that there is a rash of petty thievery happening in the community at the moment. Remember to take sensible precautions against the opportunistic thief – Don’t leave your car unlocked . Don’t leave valuables in plain sight in your car. Rremember to check your doors and windows are closed when you leave the house and last thing at night. Let’s watch out for each other and especially for the more vulnerable in the community. We can nip this in the bud if we are vigilant. If you see anything suspicous contact your local community alert group

  • Timahoe Paddy Maher 087-2582320

  • Coill Dubh John Roddy 860354

  • Staplestown James Egan 869564

  • Donadea Iggi Callaghan 869409 & district Donadea/ Dolores Kennedy 869206 Tiermoghan Or the Tir Na Mona office at 869977

  • Or your local Garda station or 999.


    If you have an article, advertisement or news item you would like to include in this newsletter, please contact:

  • Staplestown, Mary Murphy 869416
  • Timahoe, Hugh Maher
  • Timahoe, Bernard Owens 863676
  • Coill Dubh, Rosaleen 860023 (school)
  • Donadea, Bernadette Crean 869118

    Email: pgmhr@indigo.ie



The views represented in this Newsletter are not necessarily the views of the MONA committee. While every attempt is made to print factual information, we are not responsible for third party information that may be incorrect at time of going to press. Where errors occur, every attempt will be made to redress and amend. All parties have the right to reply within the MONA Newsletter.

Thank you.



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