Poulacapple Community loses lovely Lady:-

In Kickhams great novel "Knocknagow" one of the central characters whose welfare was the concern of the whole community was the much loved Nora Leahy. the entire locality rejoiced and mourned in turn as Noras state of health went up and down. For many years the late Nonie Roche could have been regarded as a modern day Nora Leahy in the townlands of Poulacapple. Nonie became ill with severe diabetes about twenty years ago but in the interim she never let her illness get her down and she remained a devout and religious person who always had the interests of the community and her neighbours at heart. She rejoiced at their triumphs and mourned at their losses. Symbolic of this part of her life was a handmade christening shawl made by Nonie which was shown to the congregation at her funeral mass by her niece Bernie Flynn and had been used at the Christening of Bernies family. Nonie was a master of the art of crochet and loved to demonstrate and use this craft to produce many beautiful items. Nonies recent death took place in St Lukes Hospital Kilkenny. Her remains reposed in Molloys Funeral Home Callan and were then removed to St Michaels Church, Mullinahone. In attendance at her funeral obsequies were Fr McGrath PP Mullinahone and Fr Dalton PP Callan. Nonie was herself a member of the Burke Family. She and her husband Jackie came to live in Poulacapple in the summer of 1957. Because of their work with Kilkenny Mart etc both Nonie and Jackie kept close contact with Callan but this did not stop them becoming very accepted members of the Poulacapple community. At her funeral mass the readings were recited by Nonies family including her nephews and nieces and her grandchildren from Reading, England, Liam and Karen. Speaking at her funeral mass Fr McGrath PP spoke of Nonies ability to accept "the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune", of her kindness, her lack of spite and her willingness never to try and get even in a dispute. Nonie will be greatly missed by all but by none more than her husband Jackie, who now hale and hearty at 80 had looked after Nonie devotedly during her long drawn out illness. Nonies death means that the sole surviving member of the Burke Family of Dunamaggin is her sister Nelly O'Grady of Westcourt, Callan. Nonie was brought back to her native Co. Kilkenny for burial and was interred in Kilbride, Callan. Her exile in Co. Tipperary was over. To her family, including her husband Jackie, her son Michael and her grandchildren Liam and Karen and her sister Nelly, we extend our sympathy. To her extended family and to her many friends we offer our condolences. May this modern day "Nora Leahy" rest in peace in her native Co. Kilkenny. Suaimhneas siorai di.

Jack Brett Golf Classic:-

The 2nd annual Jack Brett memorial Gold Classic has been arranged for Easter Saturday March 26th. This year the venue which alternates will be Slievenamon. The format this year will be a 2 ball scramble, Fee off times that Saturday will be from 10am to 1pm so early booking of times is essential. Places and times may be booked in the Castle Bar and Lounge Mullinahone where the time sheet will be filled in. You may phone 052-53385. Last year teams representing Mullinahone and Carrick-on-suir contested the Jack Brett Memorial Trophy which ended in a welter of excitement. Proceeds from the event will be donated to a local charity. Further details during the coming weeks.

Co. Council Bin Collection:-

Customers of the above have been informed in writing that revised waster collection routes will come into operation on Monday next March 7th. For example route 10 will in future be collected on Tuesdays not Wednesdays. the first Tuesday collection will be one of recyclables and will take place on Tuesday March 8th. Then every second Tuesday recyclables and wheelie bins will alternate with the first wheelie bin collection on March 15th. All customers have been provided with their own personal calendars with the collections days for the rest of 2005 marked in green (recyclables) and red (wheelie bins). Please consult your own personal calendar for your details.

Under 21's Fail:-

Our under 21 footballers began their campaign in O'Sullivan Park, Ballingarry on Saturday afternoon last. Sean O'Mearas troops began well and with a supply of ball reaching the full forward line they went into a five point lead at one stage. A penalty conceded on the stroke of half time saw the sides go in level at 2-6 each. Mullinahone scored the first point of the second half but it was to be their last score of the game as the opposition took over and eventually ran out 5-13 to 2-7 winners. For those expecting a first step back to the great football days of early 2001 it was a setback. Playing at full forward Kevin Bolger appeared to have the class to make an impact at adult level. However when the supply of ball was cut off this threat was also snuffed out. Mullinahone will be looking for positives from Saturdays game but they may have to search rather hard. Our footballers last chance at under 21 level will come on Saturday afternoon next at Monroe when we play Brian Borus who also lost our in the first round. This time the losers drop out and the winners go back into the competition at quarter final level. Our under 21 record in recent years is not good but then we had a very poor run in the 1990's before Sean Walzer came along in 1997 or so to produce a South Tipp winning team.

Sports Hall : Open Day:-

The development of the Sports Hall is now well under way. Completion has reached the 75%mark. Over the last few weeks the main playing floor has been completed and the gym area has been fitted out with equipment. The hall will be open to the public for viewing on Sunday afternoon next march 6th from 2pm onwards. All are welcome. On the fundraising side of things the committee are now compiling a list of names of the people who have supported the development by purchasing a square. These names are to be inscribed on a plaque which will be placed in the hall. The names will also be put into a draw with a substantial prize fund. Anyone who has not yet purchased a square still has an opportunity to do so. Members of the Sports Hall Development Committee and the GAA Committee will be calling around to people once again or you can contact any of those mentioned below directly to purchase your square. Eddie O'Meara, John Bermingham, Grainne O'Meara, Bridget Quirke, Jim White, Sean Reilly, Jackie Bolger, Albert Curran, Ollie Vaughan and Paul Quirke.

Local Lotto:-

After a brief hiccup the local lotto is back on track. The first draw of the new lotto year was held on Tuesday night last February 22nd. The missing week was due to the court licence having expired, The numbers drawn were 2, 20, 22 and 26. There was no jackpot winner but congratulations to Brendan O'Sullivan who won the match 3 prize of EU150. the lotto draw will now continue to take place on Monday nights except on bank holiday weekends when the draw will be deferred until Tuesday nights. the jackpot on Monday March 7th could be EU2350 but if you are not in you will not win.

Weekly Envelopes:-

Our parish newsletter this week tells us that parishioners will receive their new envelopes during the current week. Thanks to the five ladies who organise the distribution, Catherine Comerford, Angela Brett, Grainne O'Meara, Brenda Rowan and Helen Cahill. Thanks as well to those who then distribute envelopes to each house in their own townsland..

Table Quiz:-

A special Table Quiz will take place in Nonies of Ninemilehouse on Friday March 18th with a 9.45pm start. The purpose of the quiz is to raise some funds to help with the upkeep of the Carrigmoclear Memorial and the route leading to it.

Knocknagow Social Club:-

After their winter break the members of the Knocknagow Social Club are back in session. the first meeting took place in the Knocknagow Centre on Wednesday March 2nd. Next week the members are off to Ballingarry to pay a return visit to their colleagues in "the land of no surrender". Membership of the Knocknagow Social Club or retired peoples association is open to all retired persons in the Mullinahone area. An influx of new members to the club early this year would be welcome.

Good Luck:-

Good Luck to Mohober NS who this Saturday will represent Mullinahone Credit Union in the chapter final of the National Credit Unions Primary Schools Quiz Final. The chapter final will take place in Kilkenny.

Rural Social Scheme:-

Applications are now being accepted by BNS for those who are eligible to work on the RRS programme. In order to be eligible you must be in receipt of Farm Assist or have a her number and be in receipt of unemployment assistance or disability allowance. A copy of the guidelines and application forms are available from Bernie Byrne BNS Rural Development, 42 Parliament Street, Kilkenny or phone 056-1152111.