AGM
Lessington FC held their AGM recently at the Coimin Center Blessington and there was a good turnout from members.
The outgoing committee wishes to express its thanks to all those who participated in the evening. The following people were elected to the new committee.
President – Eugene Tyrrell
President – Alan Moore
Vice President – JP King
Hon Club Secretary – Eoin O’Connor
Juvenile Secretary – Alan O’Donnell
Honorable Treasurer – Ken Lynch
Vice-Treasurer – Lar McGrath
Registrar – Edwina Hardy
Academy Director – Tony Bridger
Child Protection Officer – Jill Moore
Designated Liaison – Alan Moore
PRO – Adam Cullen
Senior Representative – Gary Mahon
Junior Reps – Joe McGarry
Draken Wasswa
Hugh Magee
After more than 25 years outgoing club secretary Vincent Balfe and underage secretary Lillie Balfe have decided to hang up their boots and take a much needed break and enjoy being spectators watching their son and grandsons play for the club. They have both given so much to the club and its members and the new committee would like to thank them warmly for all they have done for the club over the years. Without volunteers, they could not run the club.
The football leagues are now in summer vacation, but they will still have plenty of football in Crosschapel during their summer camps in July and August. Booking terms and conditions are available on the club’s Facebook page.
Football tournament
After a long wait, Blessington FC are delighted to be able to host the James Nolan Memorial Tournament at their Crosschapel ground on Saturday 23 July.
The club would like to see all teams participate in a fun day of soccer in memory of James.
Coaches and players can invite friends/family to join the day.
James lost his young life in Poland while supporting the boys in green at Euros in 2012. Any support will be greatly appreciated by the club.
Champions of Leinster
Congratulations to the Wicklow women’s minor football team for winning the Leinster final beating Westmeath in the final.
The match was played at Athy and the following Blessington players were on the team: Emily Rose O’Toole, Alana Carroll, Aoigheann Bailey, Orlaith Ni Ghallchobhair and Saibh Fisher. Saibh was the player of the match.
They will now face Leitrim in the Irish semi-final later this month.
The girls deserve big credit for their achievement as few Wicklow sides even reach a Leinster final let alone win one.
We wish the team good luck against Leitrim in the All-Irish semi-final.
Tadgh Beirne
Eadestown’s Tadgh Beirne was outstanding for the Irish rugby team last Saturday in their historic victory against the mighty All Blacks in Dunedin, New Zealand.
Ireland dominated the All Blacks from the first kick-off and should have won a lot more. The final score was 23-12 in favor of Ireland, with the All Blacks scoring a late consolation try.
Many Irish teams have failed in their bid to win in New Zealand and this current team will now go down in history as the very first team to do so and Tadgh played a major role in that victory. He leaves the series tied at 1-1 with everything to play for this coming Saturday in the third and final Test. Come on guys in green.
Lacken Church
Saturday July 16 marks the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and is a special day for the parishioners of Lacken.
Lacken Church, which was built in 1811, was dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel in 1882 by Father Edward Rowan. Father Rowan was a Carmelite priest and Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the patroness of the Carmelite Order.
On July 16, falling on a Saturday, the novena of prayer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel will be offered for the intentions of all parishioners. It is said that prayer has never been known to fail. Be sure to get a copy and read it.
Garage sale
The monthly car boot sale which takes place at St Kevin’s Community Center in Blessington is approaching and with the removal of restrictions organizers are able to allow indoor and outdoor stalls making is great news for merchants and customers.
As usual there will be plenty of bargains for sale and why not drop by the day and check them out. People attending the garage sale are advised to use the St Kevin’s car park where there is plenty of space. The garage sale will take place on Sunday July 24 and will be open until approximately 3 p.m. Further information can be obtained from Pat Conlon. Call 086 0752072.
Parish Loto draw
The Parish Lotto draw, which raises much needed funds for St Mary’s National School and Blessington Parish, takes place every Thursday and this time there was no jackpot winner in the very last draw.
The winning numbers drawn were 4, 10, 15 and 21. This means that there will be a brand new jackpot in the next draw. It will amount to €1,400.
Last week’s draw took place on Thursday July 7th. There is a weekly winner who wins €25 and so far the jackpot has only been won twice since it started a few years ago.
The next lottery draw will take place this Thursday, July 14. Those who would like to participate in the lottery draw can do so. Contact the parish office for all the details. Remember the good old saying “if you’re not in it, you can’t win”.
Spanish students
Spanish students have been regular visitors to Blessington during the month of July. Organizer Paloma has been bringing young Spanish students to the area for many years. They stay with host families and attend Blessington Community College for English lessons from Monday to Friday. Students are also taken on a variety of day trips while they are here. They seem to mix well with the locals.
All the students are from the Madrid area of Spain and the guys are football fans and followers of Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid. We hope they will have a good time with us.
summer stars
There is another reminder from Blessington Library regarding their summer star reading program which is underway and will run until August 31.
All children who sign up receive a free library bag and reading card to track their reading progress. At the end of August there will be an award ceremony, certificate and medal for all participants. There will be plenty of events planned so be sure to register.
Reading is a wonderful way to spend summer vacation and there’s a lot of fun in reading a book. Kids, if you’re not already participating, be sure to register today. The library is open every day from Monday to Saturday inclusive.
Fuel stamps
Fuel stamps are a great way to help you budget your fuel expenses. Start now to save on your fuel bills during the long winter months. The Stay Warm Savings Program is an easy payment options plan that allows households to budget for their central heating (gas, oil or solid fuel) by saving €5 on Stay Warm stamps on the savings card and by using stamps to pay for fuel supplies.
The scheme is open to all households in Blessington and surrounding areas and full details are available on the map.
The initiative is in association with the Ministry of Communications and Natural Resources. The pads and Stay Warm Card are only available at the SVP Shop and at Hennessy’s Hardware.
chess club
The Blessington Chess Club would like to remind you that its academy will soon be starting for all ages and all levels.
Further details can be obtained if you email blessingchess@gmail.com. You can also check out their Facebook page (facebook.com/chessacademy2022).
Punchestown Racecourse
Here is a review of Punchestown Racecourse:
They are delighted that the place is once again vibrating with shows and entertainment. Despite the best efforts and cooperation of most, they must now ask the public to make alternative arrangements for walking and recreation during this busy time in the interest of safety.
The racecourse will remain closed to the public until further notice. They are delighted that so many people have enjoyed and shared in the lovely surroundings of Punchestown. Now is the time to get back to business, to generate income so they can continue to care for this special place.
Funfair
A funfair, or carnival as they were once known, has arrived in Blessington and set up shop at St Kevin’s Community Centre. It was open for business last Friday, Saturday and Sunday but by fairground standards it was small but still drew a good crowd over the three days. Those who participated seemed to enjoy the various rides and of course the ever popular Bumping Cars. In the good old days, carnivals came to town almost every year and lasted a few weeks.
In addition to Bumping Cars, Swinging Boats and the Roulette Table, you had Rings and Pistiol Shooting to name a few. Fairgrounds are ideal for families, with something for all ages.
Rector
Blessington Union of Parishes, which includes Blessington, Cloughleagh, Ballymore Eustace and Hollywood, is still without a permanent rector since the Reverend Leonard Ruddock left the parish at the end of March to take up a new post in Dublin.
The latest news is that a new appointment will not be made until at least September of this year.
In the meantime, the Sunday service continues in the various churches of the parish, with a lay person providing the service.