Stages in irish history

Another month, another Deeside Doings brings us into mellow October. It used to be marked by the evening devotions or October devotions to Our Lady that were such a mainstay of other times. October was traditionally set aside, along with May, for prayers to Our Lady. . Perhaps we can keep some of this tradition alive by focusing a little on devotion to our spiritual Mother this month.

The disappointing summer weather is well behind us and we’ve had a chance to enjoy a few tranquil weeks. Now our fields are strewn with chestnuts, beech nuts and acorns. The autumn mists and the swirl of fallen leaves remind us that harvest is all but over as our days grow shorter and the evenings become darker.

We have had several priests visiting the parish this summer. These included Fr Jude and Fr Martin, who’ve recently returned home after spending time with us this summer. We’d like to thank them for their immense help over the summer months here in the Parish of Ardee & Collon and wish them well in their future blessed and religious endeavours.

Autumn is over the long leaves that love us,

And over the mice in the barley sheaves;

Yellow the leaves of the rowan above us,

And yellow the wet wild-strawberry leaves.

The hour of the waning of love has beset us,

And weary and worn are our sad souls now;

Let us patt, ere the season of passion forget us,

With a kiss and a tear on thy drooping brow.

The Falling of Leaves from Crossways

by William Butler Yeats

Marriages

We congratulate the following couples who were married

recently in our parish:

Karen Kinsella & Danny O’Connor

Deborah Fay & Gregory Pepper

Joanne Mc Donnell & Joseph Carroll

Baptisms

We congratulate the families of the following whom we welcome

into the community:

Matthew David Mc Carthy

Shea Gerard Mc Cormack

Niamh Anne Rogers

David Cian Mc Gee

Caoimhe Anne Carolan

Deaths

We express our sincere sympathy to the families and friends

of the following: –

Esther Mc Mahon

Paul Hopkins

Mary Getty

Michael Munster

Kitty Slevin

Rose Magee

Mary Corbally

Kathleen Traynor

Paddy Campbell

Bessie Buckley

Kevin Balfe

Sheila Mc Cartney

Acknowledgement

The family and friends of the late Mary Corbally, Moorehall Lodge and late of Cuchullain Terrace, Ardee would like to thank all those who sent flowers, cards and expressions of sympathy during their recent loss.

A special words of thanks to the Management and staff of Moorehall Lodge for their excellent care and kindness towards Mary during her stay, also the Doctors and Palliative Care Team.

To the priests of the parish, especially Fr Mc Geough who visited Mary regularly and celebrated her funeral mass, also the Sisters of Mercy.

Thanks to the Sacristan, Joe Daly, to Paddy Neary and Ruth Kelly for the beautiful music and singing and the Order of Malta for Guard of Honour.

Special thanks to Tommy and David Byrne, Undertakers for their professional advice and caring manner in handling Mary’s funeral.

We trust this acknowledgement will be accepted as a token of our appreciation.

Paddy Campbell

With the recent death of Paddy Campbell Ardee has lost a precious link in the historic chain that connects us to another era, now all but forgotten in the mists of time. He was a veritable treasure-house of local lore and, as such, he could recall at will occurrences, events and personalities that colourfully dappled Ardee’s history and folklore over a period of almost ninety years. In doing so, he never failed to see the humorous side of things and it was a treat to listen to him and to watch his eyes twinkle as the occasion demanded. His sense of the great innate value of these recollections prompted him to complete a comprehensive scrapbook of press-cuttings, photos etc. for his family.

In truth, Paddy was a true Ardonian with a multi-faceted personality. First and foremost, he was a committed businessman, always forward-looking and not stuck in that rut-of-time outlook which at first supported but later was to destroy many businesses. He was born into a well-known and highly respected local family, proprietors of Campbell’s Hotel. Situated at Market Square, it was a landmark, not just to locals, but in the hinterland surrounding Ardee and also too many passing through, especially by bus, as it was a designated bus-stop. Although generally referred to as a hotel it also included Grocery, Bar, Hackney and Funeral Undertaking services.

When Paddy decided that the day had come to relinquish some of his varied responsibilities he sold the ‘Hotel’ and the traditional businesses it encompassed and opened a Supermarket on the adjoining site. The long-held way of shopping and the overall trading environment may have changed but Paddy took all in his stride. He was still the aproned Paddy everybody knew and recognised - a trusted shopkeeper who knew his customers and their requirements only too well. There are those who would unhesitatingly attest to his quiet generosity, while none would question his integrity or his earnest commitment to whatever committee or cause he might espouse.

Such causes blossomed with new community needs and if he deemed them to be deserving of his input he readily agreed to lend a hand. Paddy was the last surviving male member of the first-ever group to don the uniform of the then Knights of Malta (now Order of Malta) in Ardee. This was established here in the early years of World War II as part of our national preparation in case hostilities were to extend to our shores.

He was also a member of a local committee set up to help raise funds for the Ardee Sisters of Mercy at a time when they, like so many others, were finding it difficult to make ends meet. This committee decided to hold a carnival in the field in front of the convent. It was to commence on a Sunday evening. That morning Paddy bought his usual Sunday paper on the way home from first Mass (8 a.m.) and was startled to read that a fire had destroyed the local electricity generating plant in the Short Cut the night before.

For a while disaster loomed but then the Thorne family, proprietors of Ardee Chair Factory, came to the rescue by offering the use of their generating plant in their premises alongside the Ash Walk. It took a bit of effort to install a temporary connection to the convent field but the carnival opened on time and proved to be a great success.

When it was announced that a new church was needed in Ardee our first formal Parish Council was established. Paddy found another ready outlet in it for his willingness to help a worthy cause. This was further evident in his consistent support over the years for our parish magazine, Deeside Doings.

Despite all the demands on his time for business or community purposes, Paddy was steadfastly a dedicated husband and family man. His home responsibilities never took second place to other involvements and at his Diamond Wedding Anniversary celebration in August 2007 he surely must have experienced great gratitude and pride in the wealth of family love bestowed on him and his wife, Kitty. Shortly before he succumbed to his final illness he was actually laying the groundwork for the celebration of his ninetieth birthday in November.

Over the years Paddy approached his leisure time with the same enthusiasm and commitment that he put into providing for his family. Holidays for him were definitely not in the lying-in-the-sun-on-the-beach category. He was an avid traveller and his many holidays abroad included sites of historic and geographic interest as far afield as the Grand Canyon.

Ah yes! Paddy Campbell was a unique person whose varied experiences of life included an era in which hardship and want were commonplace for all too many but his journey through it was marked by numerous personal milestones which will now form the basis of a precious memory bank for all who loved him.

On behalf of Deeside Doings I extend sincerest sympathy to his wife, Kitty; his daughters Máire, Róisin, Áine, Caitríona; his sons Séamus, Mícheál, Pádraig, Eoin and their respective spouses and grandchildren, as well as to his brother, Kevin and sisters, June and Mary.

Ní bheidh ár leithéidí arís ann” (‘the like of us will never be again’) is one of the more famous quotes in the Irish language and it is to be found at the very end of An tOileánach (The Islandman) by Tomás Ó Criomhthain (Tomás Crehan). Having completed this epic account of life on the Great Blasket, Tomás explained that his sole purpose in writing it was – “to set down the character of the people about me so that some record of us might live after us, for the like of us will never be again”. I am strongly of the opinion that this quotation was the epitome of all that inspired Paddy to recall his memories of other days, other times and other people. We hope that the documentation and local lore much treasured by him will fulfil that dream.

Is cinnte nach mbeidh do leithéid arís ann, a Phádraig, agus guímíd go mbeidh do chuimhne beo le fada an lá. I gcomhluadar na naomh go raibh tú ar feadh na síorraíochta.

Tom Joe Ruddy

“The Talent”

Throughout the first half of the 20th Century practically every parish in Ireland had to supply its own form of community entertainment. Groups of like-minded people came together, sometimes on an informal basis, to fulfill this need. As a result, dramatic societies were formed to stage plays or sketches. The most popular plays generally had an Irish kitchen setting but more ambitious groups were prepared to try their hand on ‘serious stuff’. As often as not script, cast and staging had to be modified to take local constrictions, such as availability of premises and personnel, into consideration.

Concerts too were organised and there was always a ready supply of local ‘stars’ to fill the programme. Some of these were more than willing to ‘tread the boards’ while others needed a bit of coaxing or arm-twisting to get them to appear on stage.

All this took place in the pre-television era which ultimately spelt its doom. But truth to tell, the coming of TV entertainment into our homes did, at first, help to add new flavour and ideas for local impresarios in planning their totally amateur productions. Here in Ardee there never was any scarcity of talented volunteers ready to parade their acting abilities in public. Gradually, however, the emphasis changed from the staging of plays to what became known as ‘light entertainment’. This involved a certain amount of drama with singing, music, dance and the odd novelty act thrown in for good measure.

It’s difficult to know for sure if this trend developed of its own accord, or was it inspired by the then-growing trend of fundraising for one community purpose or another? What is certain is that the concept of adding an element of competition to such proceedings raised their public image and appeal, thereby contributing to the demise of the traditional Dramatic Society.

It would probably be true to say that the newly formed Ardee De la Salle Past Pupils’ Union was to the fore in introducing this new element to the world of entertainment in Ardee. In short, ‘The Talent’, as it eventually came to be known locally, was born. This originally took the form of individual artistes competing against rivals, not necessarily from the same locality. Thus, pride in one’s home turf was an important incentive in focussing a competitor’s preparation and presentation. Recently redundant Dramatic Society personnel found a new outlet for their wealth of stagecraft experience in coaching hopeful stars of the future. These newcomers to the scene were often plucked from relative obscurity for entertainment qualities, which had never really been in demand before the age of TV.

We didn’t realise it at the time but we had entered the realm of local superstars. Some of these, like any comet, would rise to great heights in a blaze of glory only to burn and fade away as many modern-day superstars still do. Others would attain and maintain a more lasting status of true stardom, well, locally at least! Little wonder therefore that some have remained as household names in the nostalgia of that era, even to this day. And when former ‘Talent’ enthusiasts meet, they fondly recall not only those onetime giants of the local entertainment scene but also the rehearsals, the rows and the rivalries that evolved.

Although a new interest in stage presentations blossomed with the introduction of individual competitions it was really the launching of these on a team basis that brought about the almost surreal atmosphere that surrounded their every aspect as far as competitors, mentors and supporters were concerned. Teams were formed on an area, (e.g. parish, townland, housing estate), club or place-of-work basis. This did not necessarily mean that all team-members had to be associated directly with the particular team of which they were members. Indeed, it was regarded as somewhat of a coup to poach a worthwhile entertainer from another area or to nab a newcomer to the town who had the name of being especially talented in one form or another before the opposition learned of his/her presence in their midst.

It should be clearly pointed out, however, that no team depended solely on those who participated on-stage. Every group had a dedicated back-up squad of willing volunteers. These unsung heroes designed and sewed costumes, made and painted scenery begged and borrowed various items as circumstances demanded in the hope of making their presentation that bit more colourful and spectacular than that of their rivals. Nothing was too much to ask of them and as one aspect of proof of this it must be recorded that the first (and perhaps the only) ‘revolving stage’ ever to appear onstage in Ardee was the brainchild of one irrepressible local enthusiast. If the then biggest weekly show on TV, “Sunday Night at The London Palladium”, could feature a revolving stage why couldn’t the Parochial Hall do likewise!

For all their modern facilities and scientifically based techniques, modern-day athletes and others in training for various events could learn a lot from the sheer dedication and commitment of all involved in producing a competitive ‘Talent’ presentation. Among other considerations, the timing of each item on a programme as well as that of the overall production was crucial. The strict rules laid down meant that failure to observe the timing aspect could result in penalty points being deducted from the overall marks achieved. These marks were allotted under a number of headings such as Presentation and Entertainment Value. To afford a semblance of impartiality adjudicators were invited from other towns or communities not involved in the competition they had to judge. Despite this seeming neutrality, cries of “We was robbed!” were not uncommon after a particularly close decision and it was not unknown for neighbours to fall out over what was regarded as a biased result.

But all of this only added to the excitement (‘Talent’ mania?), which gripped a community in the throes of stage fever. On one memorable occasion the supporters of a particular team began queuing outside the Bohemian Cinema after it closed on a Saturday night in order to be sure of getting tickets for the next heat which were to go on sale on Sunday morning. If you ever wanted to witness community pride and community involvement this was it at its best. It’s little wonder therefore to realise that lots of people once associated with a ‘Talent Team’ still have vivid memories of their favourite highlights of those wonderfully crazy moments. I myself regularly meet people, not necessarily from Ardee, who are only too delighted to reminisce and recall faces, places and events etched forever in that sacred memory spot where only the most valuable treasures are stored, only to be taken out occasionally and dusted off before being replaced once again in safe keeping.

Unfortunately these memorable visits to glory days now gone bring with them a tinge of sadness as we recall youthful, or for that matter, aged faces that once shone for a time in our temporarily shared footlights. These, now enshrouded in a more permanent and everlasting glory, should be remembered by all of us who can still do so, as we recall those days when we lived and acted out Shakespeare’s timeless quote: “All the world’s a stage”. It certainly was so for all who added such a pleasant footnote to that chapter in our lives, which we still fondly call ‘The Talent’.

Tom Joe Ruddy, Sep. 2008

The Press-cutting and photo which follow appeared in the Dundalk Democrat on Saturday 5th May 1962. (I apologise in advance if the photo does not print out well). If anybody has material of any nature, e.g. tickets, press-cuttings, photos etc. relevant to Team Talent Competition in Ardee or surrounding areas I would welcome the loan of same so that other articles might be published about those heady (and sometimes heated!) occasions. All material will be returned to owners.

Final of Ardee Talent Contest was Exciting.

Ardee’s second annual team talent competition ended on Friday night last when the Chair Factory and St. Brigid’s Hospital met in a very exciting final in a crowded Parochial Hall, victory going to the Hospital side by the narrow margin of 1 point.

The standard was very high and it was a pity indeed that there had to be a loser. Sponsored by the De la Salle Past Pupils’ Union, the competition could be said to have firmly established itself in the Deeside town and all associated with this year’s event are deserving of a big share of praise.

The adjudicators, Messrs. J. N. McDonnell and N. Dunne, Dublin, expressed themselves as very pleased at the standard. They singled out for special mention, Fintan Stanley, the young accordionist and The Prefects (Drogheda) on the winning side and Philip Sharkey who was compere for the Chair Factory.

Thanks

After the result was announced, Rev. Brother Bernardine, deputising for Rev. Brother Ciaran, Superior (unavoidably absent), sincerely thanked the teams who took part in the competition; he also thanked the judges and all who supported the event. The J. J. Thorne Perpetual Cup was presented to Seán Stokes (captain) together with a cash prize of £20, while £10 was presented to Mr. Sharkey on behalf of the runners-up.

Proceeds of the competition go to providing scholarships to the De la Salle Secondary School.

Where did we get that word?

81 – Proverb

The Latin for word is verbum. Proverbium means a common saying. It appeared on Old French as proverbe in the 12th Century. In 1303’ the Old Teatament Boke of Prouerbyys was publshed in English. The funny spelling is not a mistake. The letters u and v were, and are, interchangeable in Latin. There were many attempts to confine v to consonants and u to vowels but this usage was not commonly adopted in English until the 16th Century. Strict Latinists never got to like v. A few years ago, I bought a Latin grammar published in 1999. There was no v in it. Caesar's laconic dispatch, ueni, uidi, uici, announcing his victory at the battle of Zela,was so spelt in the grammar and, probably, so spelt by Caesar. The yy indicates that the e was pronounced at end of the French word and that pronunciation remained when it came into English.

Proverbs, in the past, were sometimes called naywords or bywords. Nayword has become obsolete. Byword was common enough not so long ago, though not quite a synonym for proverb.

Paroimia is the Greek for proverb. From it comes the English paremiology, the study of proverbs, and paremiography, collections of proverbs. Where you find a word ending in -ology or -ography, you are sure to find experts in the long grass nearby. First, they will define the thing. "A proverb is a short, generally known sentence of the folk which contains wisdom, truth, morals, and traditional views in a metaphorical, fixed and memorizable form and which is handed down from generation to generation." This is the definition given by Wolfgang Mieder, an expert on proverbs, the expert, perhaps. Lord John Russell said more pithily, "A proverb is the wit of many and the wisdom of one." If you are not quite sure what wit is, it would be hard to better Alexander Pope' couplet, "True wit is nature to advantage dress'd, / What oft was thought but ne'er so well express'd

After definiton, the experts divide things into classes. Experts love classification. Here are some of these classes with examples:

Comparisons: As smart as a bee; as cross as a bag of weasels; as cute as a fox.

Questions: Does a frog have feathers? Cad a dhéanfadh mac an chait ach luch a mharú?

Rhymes: While the cat's away, the mice can play; An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

There are some wise saying that are not quite proverbs, such as maxim, a

wise saying or precept, e.g., 'Nothing venture, nothing win,' or 'What goes up must come down.' An adage usually gives wise advice. We also have aphorisms, epigrams, and apothegems, to mention but a few.

What about the Book of Proverbs, then? It is said to have been authored Solomon the Wise. The exegetes, Biblical experts, that is, cannot prove this, nor can they disprove it. It is seen as a training text in wise living for people, young people in particular. One can infer from this Book that wisdom is basically ability or skill, but, more than that, it is the disciplined living of the well trained and, theologically, it is embedded in and supported and directed by the Fear of the Lord God. The Hebrew name for this book is Mishe Shlomoh. The Greek translation is called Paroimiai paroimiae. The opening word of the book in the Latin Vulgate is parabolae. Parable is a partial synonym for proverb.

World Youth Day 2008

MY SYDNEY 2008 ENCOUNTER WITH POPE BENEDICT XVI

On the 6^th of July, 2008 sixty-seven of us set out to Sydney on what would be worthy and worthwhile experience. We left here knowing that we are to be great ambassadors of the Armagh Archdiocese, our various parishes and families.

Our first port of call was Nelson New Zealand where we spent six days touring and interacting with the citizens of the place. Here we had the opportunity of having a community liturgy and sight-seeing with both the youths and the elderly of the land. We visited some good places in Nelson which included a visit to the Waimea Winery, Museum, and Aquarium. We equally had a mass with the bishop of Wellington diocese as the chief celebrant. During the mass, the bishop commissioned pilgrims from the parishes in Nelson. At the end of the mass, we had a get-together dinner and were equally treated to the taste of dishes of the land. There was also a display of the traditional Irish music. Those who don’t know how to dance were taught to dance and this was very interesting.

After six days of interaction and much fun, we left for Sydney. On reaching there, we had our registration for the programme and were introduced to our host families and parish. With this, we knew we were fully ready for the week’s events. I could not wait for the programme to begin because I knew immediately on arrival that it was where I wanted to be at that moment. One could feel it in the air that something remarkable was about to happen.

A lot of things happened in Sydney which space will not permit me to write about in this article. Within the eight days we spent in Sydney, we had three days of Catechesis- which gave us the opportunity to know more about our faith and the teachings of the Church. Each day of the catechesis began with a talk by a bishop and ended with a concelebrated mass. At the end of each catechesis, we went to the city for the youth festival. Here the pilgrims were entertained by artists both within and outside of Sydney. There were equally Stations of the Cross and pilgrim walk- a walk of three and half hours.

In all the events I participated in, none of them made a big impression on me in a way that the presence of the pope touched me. I have heard and read a lot about Pope Benedict XVI but encountering him in Sydney was to make the difference. The pope arrived in Sydney on the same day we got there. He immediately went for three days of silent retreat which reminded me of Jesus’ prayer and fasting before taking any decision. Within the period of his retreat the pope visited a dying Australian police who had requested to see the pope before he dies. Pope Benedict not only prayed with him but gave him communion and equally anointed him. The man died few days later. This act of the Holy Father I saw to be encouraging as it has helped me to appreciate my first Friday calls to the sick in the parish. A ministry I found to be spiritually nourishing and fulfilling. I see the faith of the sick and elderly to be challenging and uplifting.

It was equally interesting to see the pope chatting freely with pilgrims who accompanied him in the ferry that brought him to Sydney Harbour: the place where he was received by the World Youth Day pilgrims. This made me to think about the grandparents’ care and attention to their grandchildren. One wonders what becomes of these children if these people are not there to mind them. I salute you grand mums and dads in the parish. May the good lord continue to bless you with good health and strength. From this act of the pope, it can be said that any plans to carry the youths along in the activities of the Church requires close contact with them.

Only in this way can the Church see and move with her young population. Another act of his holiness that was moving and touching was to see him out in a cold Saturday night praying and worshipping the one true God with all the pilgrims. He could have delegated someone else to do it on his behalf but chose rather to lead the pilgrims himself. The beauty of it all is that the Holy Father performed all his function throughout the whole week with a warm smile on his face and never showed any sign of weakness. I hope that he continues to enjoy good health.

World Youth Day Sydney 2008 was one huge experience that will live in my mind as far as I remain on the face of the earth. May I use this medium to thank Canon Clyne and parishioners for the opportunity and for your moral and financial support to us. We will be disposed to share our experience with anybody and group that may want us to do so as the experience cannot be exhausted in this article. Thanks and God bless.

Hunterstown active retirement group

Annual Summer Draw

1^st Prize: 14” Flat Screen TV

Lilly Callan, Tierney Street

2^nd Prize: DVD Player

David Mc Gee, Smarmore

3^rd Prize: Hi-Fi System

John Lynch, Hunterstown

4^th Prize: Sunday Lunch for 2 at The Hunterstown Inn

John Lynch, Hunterstown

Ferdia Car Draw Tickets

Nancy Mc McCullough, Drakestown

Tony Matthews, Ferdia Park

Betty Fedigan, Annaglog

Malachy & Pamela Mc Kenna, Smarmore

Ben Mc Ateer, Moortown

Thanks to all who bought lines and who helped in any way

ARDEE TERRY FOX RUN 2008

Sunday 19^th October 2008 is the date for this year’s Annual Terry Fox Run in Ardee. The event will follow the same format as previous years, leaving the Church of the Nativity Ardee at 2.30pm. Participants will take a route down through the town and head out the Link Road, taking the first right turn and back into the town again.

Last year was the first year that the mid Louth Branch added a new dimension to the event by asking local businesses for their financial support, however at a recent meeting of the Committee it was decided to suspend this strategy for this year and concentrate on increased participation in the event.

Local clubs and Schools are invited to contact Committee Members in the run up to the event to register their respective group for participation. Primary school children however must be accompanied by an adult on the walk for safety reasons. Sponsorship and t shirts will be provided.

The event was very well supported last year by a group of up to 100 people and realised in excess of €10,000. Each year has seen the event get progressively bigger over the last number of years and it is hoped 2008 will see our biggest participation to date.

So why not get involved. It takes only an hour on a Sunday afternoon and it is in support of a really worthy cause: CANCER RESESARCH. For further information and Sponsorship Forms please contact any Committee Member or Ruth Kieran 087 9185810 or Maria McCabe 087 6138325.

“DO SOMETHING REALLY WORTHWHILE.

SOMETHING THAT REALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE”

MARIA MCCABE, SECRETARY, MID LOUTH BRANCH,

IRISH CANCER SOCIETY

Parish Centre News

We are back in action again after all the repairs have being completed. We are delighted that the whole centre is now in very good shape and fully functional. Since we have opened again we have been fairly busy with most of our groups back in action and we thank everyone for their patience and continued support.

We have a good number of birthday parties booked so we would recommend that if you are thinking of having a party in the centre to book early. The rate is the same as before.

There are a few hours still available at night during the week especially on Monday and Thursday nights. There is also a lot of free time during the day when we would like to see the centre been utilised.

Regrettably we have had to increase the rates due to rising costs but we have kept them as low as possible

As the Parish has invested so much in the Centre I would like to see it as fully utilised as possible so if you have any ideas or requests please contact the Centre, phone 041-6856721.

On Saturday 22nd Nov we welcome Tommy Fleming on his first visit to the Centre promoted by Ardee Celtic.

Paddy Ward, Manager

Text Box: Why don't angry witches ride their brooms?
They're afraid of flying off the handle

Who won the skeleton beauty contest?
No body

What do skeletons say before they begin dining?
Bone appetit !

moorehall lodge news

10^th Anniversary Celebrations

We will celebrate our 10^th Anniversary on Saturday 18^th October 2008.

On the day we will have a special Anniversary Meal for the Nursing Centre Residents at 12pm followed by Mass at 2pm with the Chief Celebrant Bishop Gerard Clifford and Celebrant Canon James Clyne.

Entertainment on the day will be provided by one of Ireland’s best loved female singers Mary Duff along with Irish traditional musician Hughie Murphy.

Refreshments will be served after Mass.

All Welcome

Camino Walk to Santiago de Campostela

Many thanks to those who kindly sponsored the Camino Walk to Santiago de Compestela, which I completed in July in aid of Cystic Fibrosis. The Portuguese Way to Santiago is certainly the road less travelled to Santiago and was a truly memorable journey. Much of the route follows the original Roman military road that connected Portugal with Spain. I walked for six days, roughly 20km a day, through varied types of terrain. The Pilgrim’s mass, which is celebrated in the Cathedral in Santiago each day at noon, is very special and the swinging of the giant incense burner, the Botafumeiro is an amazing experience!

Denise Kelleher,

Smarmore

Ardee Concert Band

The future of the band is definitely secure as we had a fantastic response to our enrolment night 30 young people turned up on Wednesday 17^th September with a view to joining the band. Unfortunately we had to turn away others who were too young. The group was so big, it has been divided into two classes. The Tutors for this year are Aisling Reilly and Adam Byrne. The band is very proud of these two young people who both have come up through the ranks of the band themselves and are willing to give their time to teach this group. We also thank Laura Jones and Alan Cox who took last years recorder group from which 21 students are about to progress on to instruments.

The 21 students have been divided into groups, lessons will start on Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute and Percussion. Tutors Susan Connolly, Laura Jones, Tony Flanagan, John Gaynor, Kevin Reilly and Paul O Brien will give these classes. Our band rehearsals are ongoing, our junior band rehearsals with conductor John Gaynor and Senior Band with conductor Harry Kelly. The band room is a hive of activity and music is very much alive in Ardee.

Of course none of the above could happen if it was not for the generosity and support of the people of Ardee especially in our recent church gate collection for which we say a big thank you. Our ongoing Sunday night bingo sessions continue in the Bohemian Centre with the Jackpot heading for €4,000.

The band has a busy time ahead with the North of Ireland competitions on November 1^st and a special date for your diary is our annual Christmas concert, which this year is on December 4^th, hopefully all our new recruits will be ready to give their first public performance.

Finally the band welcome back Sean O Brien and Fiona Reilly back to band both on crutches but doing well and able to blow their instruments. It’s great that we have a lift in our new extension. We also welcome a new member into the senior band, Annamaria O’Brien wife of Paul. Annamaria is lending a hand to the boys on percussion.

Ardee bridge club

With the new bridge season underway Ardee members were quickly out of their traps. Ken Walsh and Brendan Byrne were 2^nd in the Lillian Logan Memorial Trophy in Dundalk and Liam Farrell and Tony Harty finished 4^th and were also best A's.

The Paddy Taaffe cup was held in Drogheda Gate Club on the 21^st September. Again Ardee members featured very well, with Margo Noonan and Maura Hand finishing 3^rd and Brian Kieran and Pat Duff in 4^th place.

The member’s cup for 2007/08 season was finally decided on the 24^th September. With four member’s neck and neck going into the last round, it took a superb game from Liam Farrell to edge out his chasers and claim the cup.

Well done Liam!

Results for 3^rd September 2008

1^st	J Halpenny & L Farrell
2^nd	P Duff & B Kieran
3^rd	K Walsh & T Lawlor
4th	M Moonan & M Hand

Results for 10^th September 2008

1^st N/S	M Mc Kenna & B Kennedy	1^st E/W	N Mc Cabe & A Griffin
2^nd N/S	T Mulroy & E Bellew- Molloy	2^nd E/W	B Shearman & M Crawley
3^rd N/S	P Duff & B Kieran	3^rd E/W	B Shearman & M Crawley

Results for 17^th September 2008

1^st N/S	K Walsh & T Lawlor	1^st E/W	B Shearman & M Crawley
2^nd N/S	R Carolan & L Brennan	2^nd E/W	M Moonan & M Hand
3^rd N/S	P Carolan & P Callan	3^rd E/W	N Mc Cabe & A Griffin

Results for 24^th September 2008

1^st N/S	L Farrell & K Walsh	1^st E/W	E Hanratty & B Kennedy
2^nd N/S	J Halpenny& J Weldon	2^nd E/W	J Callan & K Duff
3^rd N/S	P Carolan & E Matthews	3^rd E/W	A Keenan & K Hickey

Ardee Community games

Community Games

At the end of August this year the community games was held in Mosney for the last time, after 40 years.

Over the years many Ardee children have taken part in the games and have gone on to represent Louth in the national finals in Mosney. This year was no exception with 14 children competing at National Level, they were Barry Faulkner, Kevin Murray, Hazel Mc Guinness, Emma Fay, Ciara Leacy, Paddy Duff, Karl Faulkner, Patrick Conlon, Caitlin Rogan, Daire Mc Connon, Brendan Leacy, David Conlon, Kayleigh Fay & Brian Sullivan. All of these athletes did extremely well in their events and are a credit to their area.

Barry Faulkner, competing in his last year at the games, had an exceptional race in the boys under 16 marathon, and along with his team mates, Jake McDonnell and Kevin Murray, brought home the gold medal for Louth.

Congratulations to all who took part and good luck for next year when the games move to their new venue in Athlone.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Ardee Credit Union who has been very kind in sponsoring Ardee Area Community Games over the last number of years and also to thank everyone who helped in the organizing and running of the area.

Ardee Athletics club

Ardee AC in Claremont Stadium for Navan Sports

Last Sunday Navan Athletics Club held their annual sports in the Claremont Stadium. Some athletes started their events at 11 ' O clock. The U-14'S Aoife Donnelly & Emma Fay were first up with the Javelin Event, in this both girls competed well. The girls also competed in the 100m & 200m sprints at a later stage in the day. In the 100m, Emma came in 4th place while Aoife came 5th and in the 200m event Emma had a 2nd place finish with Aoife close on her heels in 3rd place. Great success for both girls.

For the younger athletes Niamh Tenanty & Conor Mc Mahon took part in the U-9 60m sprint, for the boys there were 2 heats, with Conor coming 2nd in his heat & 3rd in his final. Niamh did herself proud by winning her heat & easily winning her final. Conor & Niamh also participated in the U-9 Ball throw. Well done to 2 very young athletes.

Next up was the U-10 80m sprint with Naoise Mc Connon coming 3rd in this 3 heat event & 6th in the final. Naoise also took part in the U-10 Long-jump, doing very well in this event too. In the U-11 Boys 300m, Daniel Gillespie had a fantastic 6th place finish in the final.

In the U-12 100m sprint Killian Byrne had a great run, while he also took part in the U-12 Long Jump event. Well done to all the athletes who took part today in Navan.

Note: Training continues for the Cross-Country season every Tuesday & Thursday at 6.30 in the boy’s school field.

Ronan Mc Coy

Ronan McCoy of Cappock’s Green, Ardee spent a two-week school trip working in Lesotho (pronounced Le-soo-too) last year as one of a group of Clongowes College students. Among the tasks they undertook were the construction of a small playground and the planting of trees in a hilly area to prevent soil erosion.

Lesotho is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Its people suffer greatly from poverty and disease (mainly AIDS and HIV). Ronan was so affected by what he witnessed that he decided to return and spend a year working there, particularly with orphans and in schools.

His fund-raising activities for this epic mission culminated in a special function in Ferdia House, Moorehall Village at 8:00pm on Friday 26^th September. The gathering included some dignitaries, family members, local friends and neighbours, as well as fellow-students and others associated with Clongowes College.

Among the dignitaries present was Her Excellency, M. Manette Ramaili, the Lesotho Ambassador to Ireland. She was accompanied by the Director of the Lesotho College of Education. Mr. Dermot Ahern TD, Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, despite having another engagement elsewhere, found time to be in Ardee for this event. Rev Michael Sheil SJ, former Rector of Clongowes and mentor to students involved on official school trips to Lesotho was also present.

Mrs Anne Commins, a resident of Moorehall Village, opened the proceedings by welcoming the special guests as well as the general gathering of supporters for Ronan’s cause. Tom Joe Ruddy then took over as Master of Ceremonies.

Mr Ahern was first to speak. He reminded the gathering of our record as a nation renowned for our generous assistance to people and countries in need. He was also loud in his praise of the commitment of young people in general and of Ronan in particular for the manner in which they espouse so many worthy causes. He closed by wishing Ronan every blessing in his undertaking.

Her Excellency, the Ambassador, demonstrated not only her command of the English language but also her ability to use it to gain and maintain the attention of an audience. In her discourse, sprinkled with the odd humorous reference, not to mention the ‘Cúpla Focal’, she explained the background to Lesotho’s current problems. She went on to say that Ireland, more than any other nation, had come to the aid of her people over the years. She praised Ronan for his decision to return to Lesotho to work with and for its deprived children.

Fr. Sheil’s speech was both informative and entertaining. There was no doubting his esteem for his former pupil and the mission on which that same ex-pupil was about to embark. He also paid glowing tribute to the present Irish Ambassador to Lesotho and his wife for all they are doing for the people there.

Last to speak was Ronan himself. He used a selection of slides that explained better than words what motivated him to make his momentous decision. He thanked all who have shown such inspiring support for him – his family and those who have contributed much-needed donations.

He wished it be clearly understood that all his expenses (travel, accommodation, subsistence etc.) will be taken care of by his family so that every cent he receives by way of donations will be spent directly for the betterment of those in Lesotho who need it most.

Ronan will spend the first five months of his time in Lesotho in a remote mountainous region working with and on behalf of orphans. He will then return to ‘city life’ where he will spend most of his time teaching English to youngsters. It is widely accepted that education is a must in dealing with the problems of the Lesotho people and that English is necessary to make full use of whatever international assistance is available.

We hope that much good will come from Ronan’s generous sharing of his youth, his time and his talents with the deprived people of Lesotho.

School of Speech & Drama

Congratulations to the students from the Nolan School of Speech and Drama, who recently completed their examinations. The students were examined in Speech and Drama as well as Effective Communications. The examinations were held in the Convent Bungalow and all students were awarded First Class Honours by Ms. Kerrie Heasley, Examiner, Leinster School of Music and Drama, Dublin

Speech and Drama Examinations

· Preliminary grade

Niamh Byrne, Greenan View, Drumconrath – 90 marks

Sinéad Byrne, Greenan View, Drumconrath – 90 marks

Caoímhe Carrie, Old Dawsons Demesne, Ardee – 91 marks

Niamh Mc Guinness, Bohernamoe, Ardee – 95 marks

Tara Mc Guinness, Bohernamoe, Ardee - 94 marks

Hannah Angela Russell, Smarmore, Ardee – 94 marks

· Primary Grade

Orla Hoey, Roestown, Ardee – 93 marks

Laura Martin, Rathlust, Smarmore, Ardee - 90 marks

Abi McAlester, Purcellstown, Ardee- 94 marks

Shauna Rooney, O’Dolan Tce, Ardee - 92 marks

Alison Kieran, Ashville, Dunleer - 85 marks

Hannah Landy, Smarmore, Ardee – 93 marks

Effective Communications

· Grade Two

Aoife Taaffe, Roestown, Ardee - 90 marks

Rebecca Mary Russell, Smarmore, Ardee – 95 marks

Classes will resume on Monday, 29^th September. If you would like further information on any of the above courses contact Geralyn Nolan between 7pm and 8pm at 041/6853389. Class places are limited and early booking is advisable.

Rally for life

A group of MPs in Westminster have put forward a proposal to extend the 1967 Abortion Act to Northern Ireland, despite strong opposition from people, politicians and churches.

In order to send a clear pro-life message to Westminster we should join together to speak out for the right to life of unborn children. Since this may be the last opportunity to do so, a special

Rally for Life

will take place at

Stormont Parliament Buildings, Belfast

Saturday 18^thOctober 2008 at 1:00 pm.

This Rally will be addressed by local, national and international speakers. A number of coaches are being organised to attend and people interested in travelling to Stormont can find details about these by telephoning 048 9027 8484. Other groups might wish to arrange their own transport and they are strongly urged to do so.

Even if you cannot go yourself you can help this historic cause in various ways, e.g. by praying, fasting, helping to distribute leaflets. Please encourage your neighbours and friends to do likewise.

“ “ “ “ “ “ “

Ardee Credit Union…. Its Your Place

Heading to college? Let us help you get ahead……

Don’t let a lack of finance hold you or your children back from going to college. Our Student Loan Scheme offers loans to student members at a very attractive interest rate of only 4.99% ….yes 4.99%!

Repayments on €1,000 over one year amount to only

€19.74 per week

Finance your future with a loan from Ardee Credit Union!!!

Call us on 041 - 6853453

Our Car Draw continues to be a great success! Recent lucky winners were

· June John McCoy, winner of a Toyota Auris supplied by McCabes Drogheda

· July Evelyn Clarke, winner of a Kia Cee’d supplied by Slane Hill Motors

· August Geraldine Maguire, winner of a Toyota Auris supplied by McCabes Drogheda

· September Arlene Marron winner of a Seat Leon, supplied by Conachy Motors, Dunleer.

We remind all our existing Car Draw members that the annual subscription of €60 for 2008/2009 will be deducted in early October and we hope to have even more prizes on offer next year. Remember the annual fee is only €60 - So if you haven’t already signed – join today you too could be one of our lucky winners!!!

Hassle free finance with Ardee Credit Union !!!!!

Lowest interest rate available anywhere
Interest payable only on the reducing balance
No fees or transaction charges
Flexible repayment terms
Loans insured at no extra cost*
Easy application process and quick decisions
Repayment Protection Insurance available for extra peace of mind

Ardee Credit Union is run to benefit our members – the people who save with us and borrow from us – for people not for profit

Some examples of our low loan repayments:

Loan Amount	Loan Term	Weekly Repayment
€1,000	1 Year	€20.04
€7,000	5 Years	€32.67
€12,000	5 Years	€56.00
€15,000	5 Years	€70.00
€20,000	5 Years	€93.32

*Certain terms and lending conditions may apply

Freephone 1-800-200-789 today

Know your Rights

Question

What deductions is my employer allowed to make from my wages? How can I be sure they are correct?

Answer

Under the Payment of Wages Act 1991 you are entitled to receive a payslip which will show your total wage and any deductions made.

An employer can only make deductions from your wages if they are: required by law, for example tax and social insurance (PRSI) provided for in your employment contract, for example occupational pension contributions made with your written consent, for example, trade union subscriptions to recover an overpayment of wages or expenses required by a court order, for example, an attachment of earnings order in a family law case or due to your being on strike

An employer may also make deductions if they suffer a loss through your fault (for example, breakages or till shortages) or if they supply you with a service as part of the job (such as a uniform) but only if:

§ they are allowed for in your contract

§ they are fair and reasonable

§ you have received a written notice of the deduction - a full week's notice if the deduction arises from your mistake

§ the deduction takes place within 6 months of the loss/cost occurring.

Complaints about unauthorised deductions may be made to a Rights Commissioner within six months. You can contact the Rights Commissioner Service at the Labour Relations Commission, Tom Johnson House, Haddington Road, Dublin 4, Tel: (01) 613 6700, Lo-call: 1890 220 227.

If you are not receiving a payslip or if the information on your payslip is falsified, you may complain to the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA), Government Buildings, O’Brien Road, Carlow, Lo-call 1890 80 80 90.

Further information is available from your local Citizens Information Centre.

Question

What social welfare support is there to help with heating costs in the winter?

Answer

The National Fuel Scheme, operated by the Department of Social and Family Affairs, is intended to help people who are dependent on long-term social welfare or Health Service Executive (HSE) payments as their sole income and who are unable to meet their heating needs.

The Fuel Allowance is a weekly payment of €18. If you qualify for the basic Fuel Allowance, you may also qualify for an extra €3.90 per week for smokeless fuel if you live in an area where there is a ban on smoky coal. The Smokeless Fuel Allowance may also be payable to those who do not qualify for the basic Fuel Allowance if they are receiving Illness Benefit, Occupational Injury Benefit or Jobseeker’s Benefit/Allowance for at least three months, or receiving Family Income Supplement. If you are already on a means-tested social welfare payment you will not be subject to another means test for the Fuel Allowance.

The Fuel Allowance means test requires that you and the members of your household do not have more than €100 per week in combined income, or savings/capital of €58,000 or more above the appropriate maximum benefit/assistance rate for your household. For example, someone without any savings receiving a Widow’s or Widower’s (Contributory) Pension of €203.30 per week should qualify if his/her weekly income does not exceed €203.30 plus €100, that is €303.30. Where two or more people living in the same household qualify for the allowance, only one allowance is paid. The allowance is paid for 30 weeks from the end of September to mid-April.

If you think you are eligible, you should apply immediately as the allowance will not be backdated. Application forms (NFS1) are available at your post office or your local Social Welfare Office or by telephone on Lo-call 1890 20 23 25.

Question

I am regularly disturbed by excessive noise from a nearby building. Is there anything I can do to stop it?

Answer

As a first step you should approach the person or business causing the noise to explain that it is a nuisance and try to come to a mutually acceptable solution. If this is unsuccessful you may refer your complaint to your local authority, or take your complaint directly to your local District Court or to the Environmental Protection Agency, P.O. Box 3000, Johnstown Castle Estate, Wexford, Tel: (053) 916 0600.

Your local authority has the power to investigate complaints about neighbourhood noise and has equipment to measure sound levels. It can bring noise complaints to the District Court. In addition, local authorities have similar powers to the Environmental Protection Agency which can require a person or body to take specific measures to prevent or limit noise and can prosecute those that don’t comply.

If you wish to take a complaint to the District Court, you may engage the assistance of a solicitor but you are not required to. You should consult with the Clerk of your local District Court about an appointment for the hearing of your case, referring to the relevant law: Section 108 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 and the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 (Noise) Regulations 1994 (SI No. 179 of 1994).

You must use a specific form of notice to inform the person or business that you will be taking them to court. The form ‘Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 - noise form of notice’ is available in the Court Forms section of the Courts Service website, www.courts.ie. You can contact the Courts Service at 14-16 Phoenix Street, Smithfield, Dublin 7, Tel: (01) 888 6000.

The District Court will call both parties together to hear both sides of the case. If the court finds in your favour, it can order the person or body to limit the noise, reduce the level of noise or stop the noise completely. Any orders made by the court must be complied with. The maximum fine for conviction on breach of noise regulations is €3,000 or 12 months in prison or both.

Cheeky monkey montessori school

Cheeky Monkey Montessori School and After School Club are now enrolling for Phonics Classes, starting on Mon 13th and Wed 15th October, for 9 weeks, Junior class 14:15-15:30, Senior Class 15:15-16:30. Classes are aimed at children who are finding reading/spelling difficult. Learning through Montessori, Letterland and Jolly Phonics activities.

Classes are limited to 4 children per class. for more information please contact: Adell/Marie on 087 9834304

John michael talbot

Join us as John Michael Talbot leads an evening of prayer in song in

Church of the Immaculate Conception, Termonfeckin on

Wednesday 15th October @ 8.00pm

Tickets €10 each available at Parish Office Tel: 685 0920

WHO IS IT THAT’S COMING?

John Michael Talbot is acclaimed by many as the world’s leading Catholic singer/musician over the last 30 years, recording over 50 albums. He is probably best known and liked for his calming, meditational songs, but he has written for liturgy and personal prayer in various ‘styles’.

His story is one of a great vocal and musical talent who comes to know Jesus Christ. In JMT, who joined the Catholic Church in 1978, you will meet someone using his obvious gift to help spread the Good News. He sings and plays with conviction as a ‘Troubadour for the Lord’. He is the founder of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity community which is based in Arkansas, USA.

JMT is returning to Co Louth after a hugely successful visit in April 2005, when he led a packed Church of St Nicholas, Dundalk in a musical journey of praise.

Check out the official website, www.johnmichaeltalbot.com for more information about JMT and a chance to listen to some of his songs.

For further details Contact

Tel: (041) 980 2752 or E-Mail: termonfechinparish@eircom.net

Halloween Recipe

Barm Brack

350ml cold water
540g sultanas
275g sugar
275g butter
400g self raising flour
1 tsp mixed spice
3 – 4 beaten eggs

Optional: Chopped nuts, glace cherries mixed into cake

22.5cm square cake tin

Preheat the oven to 180˚ / Gas 4

Line the cake tin with greased parchment paper

Wrap trinkets such as coins, rings in parchment paper (as tightly and neatly as possible)

Put the water, fruit, sugar and butter in a saucepan and bring to boil.
Boil for 5 – 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
Sieve flour and mixed spice into a large bowl.
When boiled mixture has cooled, pour into the flour and mix well.
Add beaten eggs and beat well. Pour into the prepared cake tin.
Push the wrapped trinkets into the cake mixture (i.e. below the surface so there is no trace of them when the cake is cooked)
Bake in a preheated moderate oven for approximately 1 ½ hours. After 30 minutes reduce oven temperature to 160˚C / Gas 3 for the remainder of the cooking time. Test with a skewer – if skewer is dry, the cake is ready.)

This cake can easily be made without the trinkets. If you are putting the trinkets in, don’t forget to forewarn your guests.