Streete and District

The 8p.m.Mass this Friday evening is in memory of the late Sister Christina (May) Moore, Tinode and the 11a.m. Mass on Sunday, 10th May is in memory of Annie Kiernan, Kilmore and deceased members of the Kiernan family.First CommunionFirst Communion takes place in Boherquill this Saturday and we trust all the children have a great day. Mass is at 11.30 a.m. in Boherquill.Alzheimer"s tea dayAlzheimer"s tea day is this Thursday, May 7th so you might consider holding a tea party with neighbours or workmates. Please remember those who cannot remember. For any details regarding donations etc. please phone 1800719220 or online www.teaday.ieCongratulationsCongratulations to Streete Wildlife Clay Shooting Team on winning the Co Longford clay shoot on Sunday the 26th. They now go on to represent their club in the All Ireland Shoot on Sunday the 12th July and we all wish them well and will miss them at our vintage on the same day.LourdesThere will be a pilgrimage to Lourdes on 27th May to the 1st June. Bookings 01 2410860 or 01 6789555.EnrolmentEnrolment forms are now available for 2009/2010 for St Fintan"s N.S, Lismacaffrey and must be returned by Friday the 15th May.Walking FestivalPlease read Ramblers section of these notes or phone Brian 086 2596656 or Paddy 0879937533 for any other details. Please support us as we enter our 10th year. All welcome. Friday 7 p.m., Bus leaves Parish Park 10:30 am Saturday and Sunday 9:30 am.AwardThe Westmeath Co. Council Cathaoirleach"s Awards 2009 took place in Belvedere House and Gardens last Thursday, 30th April when the keynote speaker was Mr. Culm Murray R.T.E. The function was attended by the County Manager, Mr. Danny McLoughlin, Cathaoirleach Cllr. Joe Whelan and many dignitaries. There was an array of awards with overall winners selected for five categories, which were - Environment & Heritage; Community Involvement; Youth Development; Active Citizenship and Arts and Culture. The overall winner in the Active Citizen category was Brian Nerney who had been nominated by Boherquill Rambler Members, as each nominee had to be nominated. The writer wishes to thank the members and also the P.R.O. Philip Epps for his kind remarks in the Rambler section of these notes. The awards received were a signed certificate from Cllr. Joe Whelan and a beautiful specially commissioned bog oak piece by Celtic Roots, Ballinahown. A further special award for one of the final five was presented to Mona Joyce, ATK Community Centre, Athlone for her exceptional commitment to helping many for over thirty years at the Centre and I congratulate her on this well deserved recognition. A great evening was had by all.Boherquill RamblersThanks to Boherquill Ramblers P.R.O. Philip Epps for the following report, which so many look forward to each week. 'The Ramblers were transplanted from their usual country surroundings on April 24th when they paid one of their occasional visits to Dublin. Oliver Usher was their guide for the day and his great knowledge of the history of the city provided a varied and absorbing day for the group. The day"s walk started at the Wellington Monument in the Phoenix Park, whose 1,760 acres were busy with walkers and joggers. The monument was erected in 1817 in memory of the Duke of Wellington.'A different kind of monument formed the next destination for the Ramblers. The Irish National War Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge are dedicated to the memory of the 49,400 Irish soldiers who died between 1914 and 1918 in the First World War. The British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens designed the Gardens which are set over 20 acres in a symmetrical style with formal sunken rose gardens and stone steps and fountains. The Ramblers visited two of the four granite Bookrooms which contain the Books of Remembrance listing the names of the soldiers who perished in the First World War; the names can also be accessed on a computer in one of the rooms.'The colours of the original roses represented the colours of the army battalions involved in the War while the trees, many of which are covered in blossom at this time of the year, are laid out in military formations between the paths which radiate from a central temple.'The peaceful dignity of the Memorial Gardens was a complete contrast to the next venue for the Ramblers. Kilmainham Gaol"s long and tragic history can be sensed during a tour of the dark corridors and cold cells. The prison was opened in 1796 and during the next 140 years it was the scene of much suffering and injustice for the men, women and children who were held there. Public hangings were held over the front entrance in the early years before they were moved inside and the execution room where eleven people were hanged can be visited during the prison tour.'During the famine 9,000 prisoners were held in horrific conditions in 400 cells. The gaol is probably best known for holding the leaders of many failed rebellions over the years: Robert Emmet was held in Kilmainham after the failed rising of 1803 before being taken to Thomas Street for execution. The most infamous executions were those of the 14 leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising. The cells where the men spent their last hours can be seen as well as their final letters and other memorabilia in the gaol"s museum. The most poignant of these letters is from Joseph Mary Plunkett to Grace Gifford; Grace was allowed into the gaol at 11pm on May 3rd. 1916, the couple were married and then Grace was taken away and after a further brief meeting, Plunkett was executed at 4 o"clock the next morning. Two crosses mark the places where the 14 men were executed by firing squad in the sombre silence of the stone-breakers yard.'Ernie O"Malley, the uncle of Ramblers member Brenda O"Malley was one of the few escapees from the Gaol. In 1921 he escaped with two other men and was again imprisoned during the Civil War when he only escaped execution because he was severely wounded. He went on to become a distinguished author in later life. Kilmainham Gaol was closed in 1924, the last prisoner being Eamon De Valera and the buildings remained empty until a voluntary group began its restoration in the 1960"s, a task which was completed by the OPW in the 1980"s. The Ramblers emerged in thoughtful mood and made their way through the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham, now the Irish Museum of Modern Art, passing Bully"s Acre graveyard on the way where Robert Emmet is rumoured to have been buried.'The Ramblers were raised in mind and body during their final visit of the day as they rode the escalators up through the seven floors of the Guinness Hop Store. Five of the floors are given over to a description of how Guinness is brewed, to various exhibitions and to a retail store. But the literal high point is the Gravity Bar on the top floor where floor-to-ceiling glass windows give a 360 degree view of Dublin City and beyond as far as Dun Laoghaire Harbour and the Wicklow Mountains to the south and Howth Head to the north. The price of admission includes a pint of Guinness in the Gravity Bar, a treat which quite a few of the Ramblers enjoyed to set them up for the journey home. The meal together in the Hilamar Hotel in Kinnegad was a fitting way to end the day which was made so enjoyable by the efforts of Oliver Usher and by Brian Nerney who drove the coach as usual.'Paddy Croghan led a walk in Doorey near Ballymahon on Sunday May 3rd. Because of early Bank Holiday deadlines a full account of the walk will be included in next week"s notes.On Thursday April 30th, at the Westmeath County Council Cathaoirleach Awards for 2009 in Belvedere House, Ramblers Chairman Brian Nerney was presented with an award as winner of the Active Citizenship Category for his commitment to the community and his work with the Boherquill Ramblers. Both the Ramblers and the Streete area in general are very lucky to have such a tireless campaigner and organiser in their midst. The Ramblers are delighted to congratulate Brian on his award and thank him for all his efforts on their behalf.Next weekend, from the 8th to the 10th of May, the Ramblers will host their 7th International Walking Festival which will cover some exciting new territory and promises to be as enjoyable as previous years. On Friday 8th, a bus will leave Boherquill at 7pm. for Derrycassin Forest where the walk will start at 7.30pm. This one-and-a half hour walk will be free and as in all the weekend"s walks, all are welcome. On Saturday the bus will leave Streete Parish Park at 10.30am. for a walk along the Westmeath Way, starting at 11 o"clock at Mullingar Railway Station. The fee of €10 includes the bus. On Sunday a bus will leave at 9.30am. for Mass in Fore followed by a walk at 11am. Fee including bus is €10, concessions on Saturday and Sunday to paid-up Ramblers €5. Please wear strong footwear and bring a packed lunch as the walks on Saturday and Sunday will be longer. Details can be obtained from Brian Nerney at 043-6685116 or 086-2596656 and Paddy Croghan at 087-9937533. E-mail bnerney@o2.ie or see web www.irelandwalking.ie. Do come along and help the Ramblers to mark 10 successful years since their foundation.FatimaThe Annual Westmeath/Longford Pilgrimage to Fatima will take place from 7th to 14th May 2009. It is always a very popular and enjoyable pilgrimage guided by a Franciscan Spiritual Director. For further details and bookings please contact Maura on 086 8069891 or 0449371170Swimming RotaThe swimming rota for 7th May - Rita Hatton; Julia Badrick and Marie Keary. The winner of last month"s draw was Frances Butler. The next parents" group meeting takes place at 9p.m. on 21st May in the school.Pastoral CouncilThe sponsored walk organised by Boherquill Ramblers some weeks ago raised a total of €3,474 and the winner of the prize of €50 was Clare Blessington, Lisryan and the bottle of whiskey also went to Lisryan, as it was won by Brendan and Anne Murphy. Thanks to the Ramblers Club and to all who walked and also to all who donated to the card sellers as well as Stephen Keary and John Murtagh, Jnr. for supplying great music at the end. Well done to all.TwinsA belated congratulations and best wishes for the future to Colm and Breda Smyth, Lismacaffrey on the birth of their twins Sinead and Anna some weeks ago. We wish parents and baby"s a healthy and happy life. Colm is son of Frank and Jean, Lismacaffrey and Breda is daughter of Tommy and Anna May Reilly, Finea.FestivalDon"t forget Boherquill Ramblers 7th Walking Festival this weekend 8th, 9th and 10th. For details see notes or contact Brian 086 2596656, email bnerney@o2.ie or see website www.irelandwalking.ieCongratulationsCongratulations to young Eamon Campbell son of Willie and Breege, Lismacaffrey who won a beautiful trophy and €200 in a wildlife competition when he was able to answer 55 questions on the subject. The competition took place in the Mullingar Park Hotel a week ago. This was a great achievement for someone so young and is hopefully the start of a wonderful build up of knowledge on the subject. Well done Eamon. No doubt there will be a more informed detail of this in the Streete Wildlife section of these notes.