Local history buffs to gather at St. Lucy"s Well

Once again, National Heritage Week seems to have passed Delvin by, despite the bountiful array of buildings and sites of historical importance in the area. But in neighbouring Clonmellon, local history enthusiasts are getting ready to make their annual pilgrimage to St. Lucy"s Well at Killua.The tour of Killua Cemetery and St. Lucy"s Well takes place on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 27, and is expected to attract a number of interested tour-goers from Meath and Westmeath.Recognised by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage as a structure worthy of preservation, the St. Lucy"s Well monument houses a holy well which was built between 1780 and 1820, consisting of an earthen and rubble stone mound on an irregular plan, containing a small limestone-faced chamber on a square plan with a corbelled limestone roof.Entry to the well is accessed by an archway, which features an oval stone with the carved inscrption 'Saint Lucy'.The structure is said to have been built by Sir Benjamin Chapman during the construction of gardens to the east of Killua Castle, and the well is associated with an early medieval church dedicated to St. Lua, which is located to the south of Knock Killua townland.Next Wednesday"s guided tour of St. Lucy"s Well and Killua Cemetery - which is organised by Meath Archaeological and Historical Society - starts at 3pm, and admission is free.All visitors are asked to assemble at Killua Crossroads before the tour. The site is suitable for children, and features car parkig and wheelchair access. For directions and further information, contact MAHS Vice-President John Gavin of Clonmellon on (046) 9433882.National Heritage Week, which runs from August 24 to 31, is a nationwide celebration of Irish history, archaeology and culture co-ordinated by the Heritage Council with support from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.Plans afoot for Bracklyn piggeryWestmeath County Council is considering an application from a north Westmeath firm seeking planning permission to build a pig rearing unit at Bracklyn, Delvin.On Thursday last, August 14, Ballynegall Feeds Ltd. applied for permission to build a unit designed to accommodate 744 sows, facilities to rear weaners to 30kgs, staff facilities, to install a proprietary waste water treatment system, percolation area, and to carry out all ancillary site development works.The total floor area of the proposed development will be approximately 6,532.5 square metres. Ballynegall Feeds have also applied for permission to retain an existing overground 4,500 cubic metre slurry tank, and an underground reception tank.The firm intends to submit an Environmental Impact Assessment as part of the development, and a Council decision is due on or before October 8.New Maryvale course for Delvin parishionersParishioners in Delvin have been offered the opportunity to take on a one year course in Ministry and Evangelisation orchestrated by the Maryvale Institute, Birmingham, England.The distance learning course allows students to pursue a qualification by studying at home, following guidelines set down by the Institute. The course is intended to help participants deepen their own faith, and to take an active part in the life of their parish.This year"s course begins with a day of study in Castlepollard on October 4, and further information may be obtained by contacting the Parochial House in Delvin on (044) 9664127. Last year"s course attracted the interest of a number of parishioners in the Delvin area.Young Delvin athletes set for MosneyBest of luck to a number of young athletes who will make their way to Mosney next weekend to compete in the Community Games National Finals on Sunday, August 24 - the last national finals to take place at the Meath venue.Five girls from Delvin - Karen Gaffney, Saoirse McGrath, Aoife McGrath, Lisa Cooke and Niamh Horan - will compete for medals in the Under 12 relay finals; Conor Dolan will participate in the Under 12 long jump; Christopher Lynch will fly the maroon and white flag for Delvin and Westmeath in the Under 16 high jump, while Dean Poynton runs in the Under 10 60m hurdles.Community Games in neighbouring Brownstown will be represented by Conor Shaw (Under 12 Long Puck), Dearbhla Reilly (Under 14 Long Puck) and Clíodhna Barrett (Under 16 100m).