Kosovo Orphanage Collection

The church gate collection which took place on Sunday, February 15, in aid of the Children"s Orphanage in Kosovo raised a total of €1,478. This orphanage is home to 30 children who are both mentally and physical challenged. The donations received will be used to purchase two washing machines and two dryers for the orphanage. The organisers of the collection greatly appreciate the level of support received and would like to thank all those who contributed to the success of this collection, the donors, collectors and the churches for their help. Lourdes Fund Party Night The Carmelite Lourdes Fund (Moate Branch) Annual Party Night takes place in The Well on Tuesday, February 24, (Pancake Tuesday). Once again there is a fantastic programme with some of the top names in the music business giving their time to help raise funds for this great cause. Your support will be very much appreciated. Fr Hipwell Memorial A committee has been convened to organise a memorial cycle to both recognise and celebrate the life of Fr Gerry Hipwell O Carm. A meeting will take place in the Carmelite Pastoral Centre on February 25 at 8pm. Anyone who would like to be associated with this tribute is welcome to attend. Any monies raised will go to fund extra curricular activities in Moate Community School.   Student of the term awards in MCS Every term in Moate Community School a number of students are rewarded for their positive participation in school life. The criteria for receipt of this award are many and varied, from attendance to behaviour and from academic achievement to extra curricular participation. This term"s deserving winners are, First Years: Felicity Heavin, Nicole Egan, Shane Colgan and Simon Geoghegan. Second Years: Alan Kelly, Sarah Claffey, Amy Fagan and Niall Killane. Third Years: Eamon McCabe, Emma Buckley, Susan Scott and Aisling Claffey. Transition Years: Sarah Malynn and Roisin Smyth. Fifth Years: Caroline Kelly, Emmet Heavin, Catherine Lynam and Anna Dalton. Sixth Years: James Daly, Grainne Higgins, Michelle O"Connor and Aoibhe Smyth. Congratulations to all the winners. Science Students Having Fun With Sensors Students at Moate Community School have been experimenting with Sensor Technology in their science practical. The school recognises that it is essential for the students to develop their skills in using modern technology which would be used in the science working environment. The sensors are connected to a small hand held computer, called a data logger, or directly to a PC or laptop. Data is collected via the sensors, transmitted to the computer, which then displays the data in different formats, such as graphs, tables or meter readings. The graphs and tables enable the students to understand the process and bring science to life. The students raise interesting questions and draw predictions from their graphs. First years used motion sensors to match a given graph based on their own position. This was also a great lesson in communications skills as the students performed this activity in teams and developing their enthusiasm from maths as well as science. Other students used a temperature sensor to investigate the energy available in crackers and almonds. Many other sensors are used to enhance science practical. The students and teachers find it an effective learning method. The school is actively involved in the Discover Sensors program run by Discover Science and Engineering, which supports the use of sensor technology in hands-on scientific investigations.   Moate Museum and Historical Society The 37th AGM of the Moate Museum and Historical Society was held in the Grand Hotel, Moate, on Monday, February 9. The annual mass in remembrance of deceased members and relatives was held in the Carmelite Church at 10am the same day remembered, in particular, those members who passed away since the last AGM; Teresa Vickers, Mary Costello. They are both sadly missed by the Society, their families and friends. The AGM commenced with an address from Martina Griffin, President of the Society, in which she referred to the many activities enjoyed by the members during the year. The day trip to Kilbixey, hosted by the Kilbixey Historical Society, the weekend trip to Derry and the various lectures over the course of the year, in particular the Liam Cox, 100th Anniversary evening which was a very successful night enjoyed by all who attended. Reference was also made to the Society"s activities for Heritage Week 2008, celebrated by the daily opening of Moate Museum, a guided historical walk of Moate by Fr Jimmy Murray O Carm. The museum was also opened one evening for a talk on the items in the forge, guests included Ned Lynam, who donated all the blacksmith items and Charlie Finneran, owner of the Derryglad Museum and our own Society member Tom Longworth. They talked of the Lynam family involvement in the blacksmith trade in Moate over a number of generations and also explained the use of many of the forge items in the Museum. The President also paid tribute to the officers and members of the committee for their continued commitment and dedication to the society. The minutes of the 36th AGM and the Secretary"s report were read out by the Assistant Secretary Mary Greene and the Treasurer"s report by Maura Roche. All were passed and approved by the members present. Officers: President, Martina Griffin; Vice-Presidents, Vera Hughes and Tom Longworth,; Secretary, Mary Greene,; Asst. Secretary, Pauline McGowan; Treasurer, Pat McKenna; PRO and Museum Director, Yvonne Lane; Asst. Museum Director, Mary Raftery. Committee members: Fr Jimmy Murray O Carm., Fr Andrew O"Reilly, O. Carm., Mona O"Connell, Sean O"Farrell, Dermot Robins, Marie Fitzgerald, Gerry Kerrigan, Bernie Moran and PJ Elliffe. Special thanks were accorded to Maura Roche, on her resignation as treasurer, for her dedication and efficiency in carrying out the job of treasurer over the last number of years. Pat, Bernie and PJ were welcomed to the committee. The management and staff of the Grand Hotel were thanked for their kind and courteous service throughout the year. The meeting concluded with refreshments for all. The AGM was followed by the showing of a recording of the open evening held in the Museum during Heritage Week which featured Ned Lynam, Charlie Finneran of Derryglad Museum and Tom Longworth. The first lecture of the spring season will be held on Monday, March 9, at 8.15pm in the Grand Hotel. Westmeath Transportation Lists to Australia will be presented by Micheal O"Conluain. Battle of the Reds The much anticipated Moate Celtic Battle of the Reds Draw took place in Bo Allen"s lounge on Sunday last with Streamstown native Graham Cochrane scooping the two match tickets, plus travel and accommodation to the Manchester United v Liverpool match in March. The second prize of a mountain bike went to Deco Whelan of Moate. Anita Mulryan, also from Moate, was the winner of an ipod. The biggest cheer of the night was when Moate GAA legend Tommy Broder was pulled out as the winner of the ten pints of porter! Hopefully he still has some left for the upcoming weekend. The club would like to thank everyone who purchased tickets throughout the last few weeks, with thanks also going to the many pubs and shops in the surrounding area, the players and community alike who bore the brunch of the crunch to sell the tickets. Your support is much appreciated.   Dun na Si News The annual mass for the deceased members of Comhaltas which was celebrated by Monsignor Noonan last Friday night was very well attended. The usual chit chat with a cup of tea in hand took place afterwards. This is a night when friends of loved ones like to meet and exchange pleasantries. The attendance at the Sunday set ceili was unusually small. However, those who did attend enjoyed a great afternoon"s dancing. The restaurant at Dun na Si is going full steam ahead at the moment. It is a nice cosy place with good food situated right in the heart of the Heritage Park. The Thursday night special is proving to be a great attraction. For further details contact 090 6466797. Moate Bridge Club The results for last week were 1st Net, Joe Creggy and Larry Flanagan; 1st Gross, Shelia Flanagan and Eileen White; 2nd Net, Joe Casey and Kathleen Cooney; 2nd Gross, Michael O"Halloran and Seamus Buckley. Molloy Heads to Vilnius Moate boxer Gary Molloy has been selected to box for Ireland in Vilnius on March 15. The team has commenced training each Saturday in Dublin with the high performance squad and will report on March 7 to the National Training Facility where they will remain until they depart for Lithuania on March 11. The Moate Community School student has represented his country on previous occasions but this is his first trip to eastern Europe. The success gained at the national U21 and Intermediate championships have earned Gary the right to the number one ranking in the country and while there are many others looking for his place, the Moate boxer is currently in pole position and can look forward to many more trips in the future.