Around the Districts: Dunleer and Slane

Contact

All Dunleer parish news big and small welcome via email maryroserafferty@gmail.com or you can pm me on Facebook. Please note that the weekly deadline for submissions is 10am every FRIDAY morning, anything sent later might not get in until the following week.

Fiona Smyth

Deepest heartfelt condolences to the family friends of Fiona Smyth (née Kearney), Slieveboy, who passed away late last week suddenly following an illness surrounded by her beloved family. Fiona, beloved wife of Noel and loving mother of Aoife and Clodagh.

Predeceased by her mother Alice (née Fulcher). Sadly missed by her husband, daughters, father Tommy (Snr), brothers Thomas, Paul, Peter and Terence, sisters Angela, Breege, Ann-Marie and Emma, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, friends and work colleagues.

May Fiona’s gentle soul rest in peace.

Garden of Remembrance

The Garden is presently in progress and the completion date is 31st May 2023. The contract was given to John Douglas of Douglas Horticulture to complete the garden.

It will be officially titled ‘ The Grace Gifford Plunkett Garden of Remembrance and Reflection.’ Grace was married to Joseph Mary Plunkett briefly before he was executed in 1916 at Kilmainham Gaol.

The guidelines asked to be named after a Woman of the Revolution. It will be officially opened on Sunday June 25th 2023 at 3pm at the Garden of Remembrance on the Ardee Road.

Sponsored walk

The Dunleer Tidy Towns hope to have a sponsored 5Km Walk on Saturday, May 27th at 11am from the Market House out the Cappoge Route and back in the Dromin Road. If you see us on the Street collecting for the Walk please donate to help the town build and prosper. Register on Volunteer Day Saturday April 2nd 2023 at 11am in the Market House, Main Street.

Dunleer Golf Society

The next outing of the Dunleer Golf Society takes place in Holywood Lakes on June 3rd 2023 and will be sponsored by Alan and Lorraine Shearman, Dunleer.

Dromin fundraisers

Annual Cycle or Walk in aid of Ardee Hospice Homecare takes place on June 17h 2023. You can Cycle the 60km (No Helmet No Entry) or there is a 7km walk. BBQ afterwards until 2pm. Registration from 8.30am at the Village Saloon Dromin. Start time is 10am and Entry €30 is payable at registration.

Bucket collection

The Dromin Fundraisers will also be holding a bucket collection in Dunleer and Ardee on Saturday June 10th.

Dunleer & District Historical Society

The society is happy to announce the annual excursion this year will be to Armagh on Sunday, June 4th. Their first stop will be The Armagh Observatory and Planetarium where they will be treated to a guided tour of the Planetarium exhibition area, a science talk from an astronomer and a dome show. Afterward, they can walk around the lovely Georgian building which houses the Observatory opened by Archbishop Richard Robinson in 1790. Rokeby Hall, just outside Dunleer was built as the country residence for Richard Robinson, Lord Rokeby, Archbishop of Armagh. A buffet lunch will be provided at the Armagh City Hotel. In the afternoon they will visit the magnificent twin-spired R.C. Cathedral on the hill for a guided tour. They will finish with a walk around the Church of Ireland Cathedral where one point of interest is the plaque on the wall to mark where Brian Boru is buried. Itinerary; Bus leaving Dunleer 8.45 a.m. Sharp, 10.00 a.m. Planetarium Dome Show, Guided tour of Planetarium exhibition area, and science talk from an astronomer, p.m. Armagh City Hotel - Buffet Lunch, 2.30 p.m. Guided Tour of St. Patrick’s Cathedral R.C, 3.30p.m Walk around C.o.l. Cathedral. €50 Per Person, Lunch included in price

Contact any committee member or call to the Dunleer library to book a place. You can contact Muriel on 0861556996

Dunleer to Lourdes

Dunleer Parish annual Pilgrimage to Lourdes takes place from September 28th to October 3rd 2023, price is €775pps. Spiritual Director Michael Murtagh. Price Includes return direct flights Dublin/Tarbes (Lourdes), 20kg checked in bag, coach transfers to/from Lourdes airport, 5 nights in the 4* Hotel Paradis, Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, Services of a Marian Pilgrimages guide throughout, Mass daily and spiritual activities, all airport taxes and Local city taxes, Travel insurance upto 85 years (€20 extra for those over). Single room supplement €175. Only €100 deposit is required to book.

For further details contact gmichaelmurtagh@gmail.com or Parish office 041 6851278.

Badminton

There is Badminton in the Lann Léire Pavilion every Wednesday and Thursday from 8pm to 9pm. It cost just €5 for the session, All are welcome to go along and try it.

Slimming World

Slimming World Dunleer group takes place in the Market House main street Dunleer every Wednesday at 6pm. The lovely Lynne is the consultant who has ten years experience. For further info you can contact Lynne on 0879839776 or just pop in.

Trad sessions

Scoraícht Lann Léire holds open Trad sessions every Tuesday evening at 7pm. For all info on events you can follow them on their facebook page; Scoraícht Lann Léire.

Set dancing

Set dancing classes take place in the Scoraíocht Hall, every Thursday night from 8 to 10pm. It is €8 pay as you go. Everyone is welcome for a dance and cup of tea. No experience needed.

SLANE

Contact

Contact Sean on 087-6783729 or email swall32@gmail.com if you have an item for this column.

Public meeting

Slane Community Forum is holding a public meeting ‘10 years of focused community activity and achievement’ in the Conyngham Arms Hotel this Wednesday evening May 24th at 8pm. The agenda includes a brief review of activities and achievements over 10 years and review of progress and landmark events.

Individual cross community organisations will outline their activities and plans by way of a brief presentations by individual community groups. Activities and plans, current and future will be discussed and there will be a general discussion which will also provide the opportunity for individuals to put forward suggestions and become involved in various activities and projects.

Community Centre Draw

Congratulations to Edel Barry who was the lucky winner of €1000 in the Slane Community Centre Grand Draw for May. To register your interest in joining the draw and a chance of winning €1000 each month follow the link on the Slane Community Centre Facebook page or contact any committee member. The maximum number of members in the draw is 200 and places become available at different times throughout the year.

Table quiz

Down Syndrome Ireland Louth/Meath Branch have a table quiz in The Village Inn (Hardings) on Friday June 2nd starting at 9pm. Gather your team and put your knowledge to the test while supporting a great cause. Table of four is €40 and there will also be a raffle on the night with attractive prizes.

Award for Paula

Congratulations to local woman Paula Faulkner who recently received a Civic Achievement Award from the Laytown/Bettystown Municipal District in recognition for her sterling work in organising the St Patrick’s Day parade in the village. Since Paula took charge of the event the St Patrick’s Day parade in the village has reached a whole new level. The was also recognition for the Francis Ledwidge Museum Committee and the awards were presented by chairperson of the Laytown/Bettystown Municipal District Cllr Wayne Harding.

Tidy Towns AGM

Slane Tidy Towns’ agm takes place on Tuesday June 6th in the parochial hall, Main Street, at 8pm. The outgoing committee is looking forward to seeing some new faces. Volunteers are always needed to help with ongoing work.

Elite summer camp

Elite Stage School and Productions have a number of summer camps at different locations throughout the county including one in Slane Parish Hall from August 14th to 18th.Activities include dancing, drama, singing, Zumba and arts and crafts. The times are 9.30am - 12.30pm for four to seven year olds and 1pm - 4pm for eight year to 13. There is also a camp in Rathkenny Community Centre from July 24th to 28th. The cost is €90 and sibling discount is available. Places are limited in each camp and to secure a spot contact Aine on 085 8255006.

Blotto results

Number drawn in the Slane GFC Blotto draw last Wednesday night were 6, 13, 14, 19. There was no winner and the jackpot is now €1,025. The spot prize winners were Colm Devin, Jim Smith, Susan Murray, Andrew McCann. You can get envelopes for the blotto as well as tickets for the next 50/50 draw on Clubforce, in local shops and at the bingo in Toddy Harding Park on a Wednesday evening.

Boyne Music Festival

Slane Castle is one of the venues as the Boyne Music Festival gets set to celebrate 10 years of internationally acclaimed music making and artistry this summer with concerts, poetry, walks, workshops and more from July 27th to 30th. It will feature artists including Robert Cohen (cello), Mia Cooper (violin), Zoë Conway (violin), Anna Devin (soprano) and Alex Petcu (percussion).

There will be a morning workshop for amateur chamber music ensembles led by Boyne Music Festival artists at Townley Hall on Wednesday July 26th before the festival officially opens with a concert in the ballroom of Slane Castle on the Thursday at 8pm. This concert is preceded by a 10th anniversary celebratory dinner in the beautiful surrounds of the castle which is a wonderful opportunity to experience local cuisine while also marking this exciting milestone with other festival guests.

The festival returns to its spiritual home at Townley Hall on the Friday for an exciting evening of classical, contemporary and traditional music by Irish composers. The concert is preceded by a special event for

BMF Friends including a tour of Townley Hall and an opportunity to meet the artists.

For younger audiences, there will be a children’s workshop and family concert at St Peter’s Church, Drogheda, on the Saturday led by the captivating clarinetist, Jessie Grimes.

Classical music enthusiasts will be treated to well-loved repertoire from Beethoven, Saint-Saëns and Holst, as well as contemporary music from Kevin Puts and Osvaldo Golijov in concerts on Saturday 29th at 8pm at St Peter’s Church, Drogheda, at 8pm, and then on Sunday at 5pm to close the festival at Townley Hall. Tickets are on sale www.boynemusicfestival.com from April 18th where full programme details can be found.

Rossin Rovers Summer Camp

Rossin Rovers Soccer Club FAI Football Camp takes place at their grounds Monknewtown (C15 N24H) from July 10th to 14th, and registration is now open. Come and join the fun this summer and train like a pro. The camp is for boys and girls six to 14 years, from Monday to Friday 10am - 1pm. Each child receives an official camp top, backpack and ball. Booking details are on the club Facebook page.

Joker Draw

There is big money to be won in the Joker Draw which raises funds for the St Patrick’s Day Parade in the village. It takes place in Lynch’s Bar every Sunday evening and you can get your envelopes in any business in the village. Envelopes are €3 for one week and €20 for seven weeks.

Coerver Coaching Camp

Slane Wanderers Soccer Club is hosting a Coerver Coaching Summer Camp at the Wheatfield from July 17th to 21st from 10am to 1pm each day for boys and girls seven to 13 years. Online booking is now open and can be made by following the link on the club Facebook page.

Little Wanderers for boys and girls aged four to six has returned on Tuesday evenings at 6.30pm in Wheatfield Park.

Blessing of the Graves

The Blessing of the Graves take place in Monknewtown, Knowth, Dowth and Fennor, starting at 3pm on Sunday, August 13th. The Blessing of the Graves on the Hill of Slane and St Erc’s Cemetery is the following Sunday, August 20th, starting at 2.30pm.

Walking group

The Slane Striders Walking Group meet each Tuesday evening at 7.30pm for walks around the Slane/Boyne Valley area. They also meet on Thursday mornings at 10.30am. New members always welcome. For further information contact Lucy Kennedy on 0874649876.

Family Fun Day

Rathkenny GFC have a family fun day at the club grounds on Sunday June 18th from 10-5.30pm. There will be plenty of entertainment for all the family including face painting, boys and girls football blitz, BBQ and lots of other activities. Cash only on the day and all proceeds go towards the clubhouse extension.

Couch to 5k

Rathkenny Athletic Club are going ahead with their Couch to 5k programme again this year to coincide with their annual road race on August 18th. The Couch to 5k will commence in mid June and the cost is €80 which covers the C25K programme with an experienced coach, entry to the club road race and club membership for the remainder of 2023. If you never ran before and are thinking of taking it up or maybe you are a lapsed runner or just want to increase your daily steps then this programme will be ideal. Contact 086 0724911 for more details and to book a place.