Moate Matters

Convent Girls National School Enrolments: Enrolments for children starting school in September, 2009,are being taken at the moment in the Convent Primary School, Moate. If you wish to enrol your child please contact the secretary at 6481740 for enrolment form. All forms must be returned to the school before April 2nd. In order to secure a place for your child it is very important to contact the school immediately. Moate All Whites GAA Lotto Numbers drawn: 7, 8, 11, 15. No jackpot winner. Fourteen match three winners, Pat Claffey, Joe Lowry, Shuin Clarke Reddin, S Dolan, Crona Lawler, Mrs M McLoughlin, Mary Berry, P Guinan & P Coffey, Olivia Byrne, Margaret Rhatiggan, Stephen Fahy, Carol Heavin, Ingrid Buccafurri, Paul O" Brien. Promoters Prize, Pauline Coughlan. Attendance Prize: Martina O"Brien. Moate Community Games Community Games is very busy at the moment.Quiz and Draughts competitions are ongoing with training taking place most weekends. Best of luck to the U10 Draughts team who are in the County semi-final having already beaten Beechpark/Coosan and Castledaly in earlier rounds.The team members are David Mullins, Nicholas Hamm, Ciaran Lynam, Andra Lynam, Fiachra Cunningham, Garbhan Cunningham and Cathal O"Brien. Good wishes also go to the U12 team who had great wins against Beechpark/Coosan, Retreat, Baylin/Mt. Temple and who are due to take part in the County semi-finals on Wednesday next in Mullingar.Team members are Jessica McCormack, Lisa King, Rachel Gillivan, Paul Gorman, William Higgins, Stewart Coyne, Padraig McGovern. The U14 team have reached the Zone Final having beaten Castledaly. This team is made up of Claire O"Brien, Brenda O"Brien, Jay Dolan, Kevin Booth, Ruairí Cunningham, James Casey, Karol Knól. Anyone interested in becoming involved in Community Games are asked to contact any member of the committee. Dun na Sí News The Anally Ceilí Band drew a large crowd to Dun na Sí on Friday night last. The music was superb and a most enjoyable nights dancing was had by all present. Members of the Moate Branch of CCE are advised to pay their yearly subscription as late affiliations may not be accepted after next week. Got a party or a social gathering in mind? Dun na Sí is the ideal place to hold it, with a friendly atmosphere, a roaring turf fire and full bar facilities, what more could a person want? For further information ring Moira or Teresa at 094 6481183. A reminder that the Mass for deceased members of the branch will be held on Friday night next February 13, starting at 8pm. Everyone is welcome. The next set Ceili at Dun na Sí will be held on Sunday afternoon next, February 15, with music by the Matt Cunningham Ceili Band. Dancing is from 4pm to 7pm. Tea served at all Ceili"s.   Congratulations Best wishes to Nicola Allen and Mark Nulty who are to be married in Corpus Christi Church, Mount Temple on Saturday next. Greetings also to Grace Kinahan and Oliver Murray who are getting married in the Church of the Holy Family in Tubber, also on Saturday next. Happy 30th birthday greetings to Aisling O"Connor who was celebrating last weekend, although not a Moate native, Aisling does have strong connections with the town.   Correction The current Tuar Ard spring programme brochure has the "Starting Over" exhibition by local artist Conor Jones dated February 13, this should read February 20. The exhibition will launch at 8pm.   Brother Against Brother Has it ever happened before in Irish boxing? The all Ireland elite boxing championship has thrown up a novel semi final combination in the super heavyweight category with two sets of brothers in opposition. Moate Boxing Club members David and Joe Joyce will face the experienced Crampton brothers from the St Broghans club in Daingean. Joe received a bye into the semi final while David stopped his quarter final opponent Gareth Smith from Crumlin BC in the first round with an awesome display of power punching. David was leading 4-1 when the referee stopped the fight. Joe is first in action on Friday night when he takes on Anthony Crampton with David in the ring on Saturday night against Thomas Crampton. If both Moate boxers were to win on Friday night it is unlikely that they would actually box a final, but reaching the final would make them the leading boxers when representative selection takes place. Olympic silver medallist Kenneth Egan is in action on Friday night which is sure to add a few extra bodies at the gate. Friday and Saturday night both have a variety of interesting contests on the bill so any boxing fan with time to spare should make their way to the National Stadium where a night full of wholehearted and skilful boxing is in store.   Midland Warriors Midland Warriors will take part in an U8, U10 and U12 blitz in Dubarry Park on Saturday next, February 14. Players are asked to meet outside the Carmelite Church at 10am on Saturday morning. Could parents please confirm the availability of players and let the coaches know if they can drive players to the match. The weather conditions have made it difficult to complete fixtures lately causing the cancellation of both the training scheduled for last Sunday and the U16 challenge game in Creggs last Wednesday with driving conditions contributing to the cancellation. The U16"s have a home game against Ballinasloe in the Showgrounds on Sunday next, with Kick off at 12 midday.   Songs of the Legends for Baby Caoimhe Present a spectacular nights entertainment featuring songs of the Beatles, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash and Elvis amongst others performed by Ireland"s leading entertainers in Moate Community Centre on Monday next, February 16, at 8.30pm. Tickets available from Harten"s Giftshop, the Auld Shebeen and various other outlets in the Midlands. Contact 086 3678732 for further information. Proceeds will go to Baby Caoimhes Journey of Hope. Don"t miss out on a great night.   Connaught Cross Country Championship The athletes of Moate Community School strived through the harsh weather conditions on Sunday week last as they set off on their journey to Dangan in Galway with coaches Aoife Halligan and Blaithin Seoighe. The day got off to a fantastic start with Anna Redmond finishing in a comfortable second position, Anna was followed soon afterwards by her team members Shannon Hennessy and Ellen O"Kelly-Lynch. Next up was Patrick Heffernan and Jordan Rooney in the Junior boys competition, both athletes did the school proud coming in 24th and 30th position in a difficult race with over 100 runners. Arlene Coughlan represented the school in the Girls Intermediate competition, with an extraordinary race she finished in 5th place and guaranteed herself a place in the All Ireland Final. Arlenes" place in the All Ireland final was soon matched by Thomas Fagan who ran an incredible race ensuring the bronze medal was brought back to Moate Community School. Dwayne Farrell put in a huge effort but missed out on a place in the final. Aoife Hogan was flying the flag for Moate CS in the senior girls race and finished in a steady 5th position to book her place in the all-Ireland final. Stephen Fitzpatrick and Clive Dalton made an impact on the senior boys race, Clive came in 10th position after a remarkable finish to his race as he sprinted to the finish line. Stephen was pipped at the post finishing in 18th position and narrowly missing out on a place in the all-Ireland final. There is no doubt that these fine young athletes have a big future with Moate Community School well represented in the Connaught Championships. The all-Ireland final is fixed for March 7 in Jordanstown, Belfast. Best of luck to Arlene, Aoife, Thomas and Clive in their preparation for the race.   Carmelite Notes St Valentine Day February 14th Fr. Valentine, a holy priest who lived in the third century during the rule of Claudius II, Claudius sent many men to war, he banned marriage altogether because he didn"t believe in these young men forming lasting relationships. Fr Valentine attempted to change the situation by marrying young couples in secret. Claudius caught Valentine marrying couples and sentenced him to death. Many of those young couples visited him in prison, with flowers and notes to express their gratitude. Valentine apparently fell in love with the jailer"s daughter and before he died, passed her a note that said, 'From Your Valentine.' St. Valentine died on February 14, and was later buried near Rome. St. Valentine"s body was exhumed in 1836 and shipped to the Carmelite Church, Whitefriar Street in Dublin. In recognition of John Spratt, a Carmelite priest, who in 1835 was invited to speak in Rome. When the city"s elite, including representatives of Pope Gregory XVI heard the gifted orator, who worked on behalf of Dublin"s destitute poor, they granted him Valentine"s body, suggesting he bring back the remains to the Carmelite Church. World Day of the Sick The Annual Mass to mark the world day of the sick will take place at the Church of the Nativity, Beaumont at 3pm when the anointing of the sick will take place. A bus will leave from the Carmelite Church at 12.30pm. Those interested please contact the Carmelite Shop or phone 09064 81160. Zimbabwe A Country in Crisis: A Carmelite Response An illustrated talk by Dr Alan Maire on the desperate situation facing the people of Zimbabwe, how the Carmelites are responding and what we can do to help will take place in the Carmelite Pastoral Centre, on Friday, February 13th at 7.15pm with an exhibition of photographs which will continue until Sunday, February 15th. Copies of these can be ordered in the Pastoral Centre. Proceeds raise will go to help the Carmelite Relief Fund for Zimbabwe. Dates for Your Diary Wednesday, February 25th, Ash Wednesday. Kosovo Orphanage Collection The Church gate collection on Sunday February 15th will be in aid of the Children"s Orphanage in Kosovo. This Orphanage is home to 30 children who are both mentally and physical challenged. All donations are greatly appreciated. Lourdes Fund Party Night The Carmelite Lourdes Fund (Moate Branch) Annual Party Night, The Well on Tuesday, February 24th (Pancake Tuesday). Your support will be very much appreciated Relics of St Thérése The Carmelite Community is looking forward to the return of the reliquary of St Thérése. There will be an opportunity to venerate these relics everyday" between the 20th and 27th March inclusive. Taster Camp at MCS The highly successful taster programme for incoming students to Moate Community School continues again after the mid term break. On Monday February 9th the Spanish programme took place and on February 23rd the German programme will take place. Mary Duff for Tuar Ard Former Meath person of the year Mary Duff will be playing in Tuar Ard on February 19. This is a must for all fans of country music and easy listening. Mary is well known to audiences all over the world, having appeared as the guest of Daniel O"Donnell on most of his concert tours. The relationship with Daniel has helped Mary to develop her own solo career, Mary will undertake her first solo tour to the USA later this year. Mary has not deserted Daniel and will be re-joining the Donegal crooner when he resumes touring in June of this year. Be warned though, one of Mary"s favourites is a song called Beautiful Meath - this lady often wears her fathers all Ireland football medal on a chain as she performs! Tickets for this concert are sure to sell out quickly so if you intend coming along to Tuar Ard on Thursday 19 you would need to reserve a ticket. Further information is available from 6482042. LOLS at Home on Sunday Four lads from Moate, Co. Westmeath are currently lighting up the Irish music scene with their unique mix of infectious riffs and catchy, upbeat tunes - and they are now taking bookings for their 2009 party diary. The LOLs will be performing their live energy filled show in the Auld Shebeen on Sunday, February 15 at 9.30pm. Guinan Family Relief Fund A meeting took place in the Carmelite Pastoral Centre last week with a view to helping the Guinan family following their recent traumatic experience when, through no fault of their own, considerable damage was caused to their house following a fire in the unoccupied house next door to theirs. The meeting was attended by both of local representatives Councillors Tom Allen and Joe Whelan. A committee was elected on the night and this committee will endeavour to raise some much needed funds to assist the Guinan family at their time of need. Committee: Chairman, Stephen Fahy; Assistant Chairman, Michael McCallon; Secretary, Helen Broder Dunne; Treasurer, Maggie Higgins; Assistant Treasurer, Deborah Adamson. The committee have opened a bank account at the local branch of Bank of Ireland in the name of the Guinan Family Relief Fund. Donations can be made to this account by transfer or post to Bank of Ireland, Moate, quoting sort code 90-17-81 and account number 20416361. Moate Bridge Club Last week"s winners were 1st net, Vincent Cronolly and Ann Killian; 1st Gross Sheila Flanagan and Eileen White; 2nd net, Michael O"Halloran and Seamus Buckley; 2nd gross, Joe Casey and Kathleen Cooney. Brosna Comhaltas A date for your diary, Brosna Comhaltas will be hosting a Seisun in the Tuar Ard Arts Centre on Friday, February 27. More details next week. Handbags in Mount Temple This is not a report on the latest football match in Carn Park but an invitation to people to come along to Mount Temple Hall tomorrow night Thursday, February 12 where a selection of bags to suit all ages and genders will be on offer. A selection of books, scarves and some jewellery will also be on offer. The proceeds are in aid of the Mount Temple Church Restoration fund.