A Potholing parody on the roads of Kerry. Photograph: Charlie Farrelly

Castleisland based community activist, Charlie Farrelly has taken to Facebook to highlight the problems of potholed roads and Kerry County Council’s attitude to its full time/ seasonal workers.

Mr. Farrelly is one of those workers in the category which sounds like a contradiction in terms – but that’s how they’re listed by the council.

“The potholes continue to get bigger despite Kerry County Council being awarded in excess of €4 million for repairs prior to the general election,” said Mr. Farrelly and he accompanied his piece with a photograph of a wellington booted potholer facing, quite distinctly in the direction of Australia – or, at least where ‘it’ thinks Australia is.

“This funding for Kerry was announced by then Deputy Arthur Spring on February19th. and Kerry County Council is using the excuse that they don’t have the manpower to start these repair works.

“Well I wish to inform the Kerry public that K.C.C. has in excess of 20 drivers and general operatives who are sitting at home having been left off work last October / November.

“Kerry County Council offered the excuse that they had lack of work for these full time / seasonal workers, some of whom are sitting at home for the 20th year in succession.

“Shame on our county councillors and elected national represenatives for letting Kerry County Council continue to treat the people of the county in such a disgraceful way by leaving the county roads in such a deplorable state when they have both the money and the personnel at their disposal,” said Mr. Farrelly.

Sinn Féin TD, Martin Ferris speaking to John Drommey, Irish TV at last month’s General Election 2016 count in Killarney. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Martin Ferris TD will visit the East coast of the United States to take part in St. Patrick’s Day and 1916 celebrations. This trip which takes in Boston, Springfield, Tampa, Miami and New York State will focus on ongoing developments in Ireland and Irish emigrant issues including the undocumented Irish. It will also focus on the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Rising and its legacy.

Attraction of Co. Kerry

It is also an opportunity to highlight the continuing attraction of Co. Kerry as a tourist destination to the Irish American community. This trip is entirely financed by Friends of Sinn Féin in the US and there is no cost to the taxpayer associated with the visit.

During the trip Deputy Ferris will be a guest of Boston GAA at the Boston St Patricks Day parade. He will also be guest speaker at the University of Tampa and will lay a number of wreaths at commemorations in New York and Boston.

Community Activists

“I am honoured to accept this invitation to travel to the US for the 1916 celebrations and look forward to meeting community activists and civic and union leaders during my visit,” said Deputy Ferris.

I particularly look forward once again in meeting with Congressman Richard Neal who has been a great friend to Ireland over many years. I also look forward to meeting Bob Buckhorn, Mayor of Tampa, who I know also takes a keen interest in all things Irish. I would like to thank the Irish community in Boston who have invited me to participate in various functions surrounding the centenary and St Patrick’s Day and I look forward to meeting the many groups that I am scheduled to visit.”

The late Nora McSweeney, nee Duggan. ©Photograph: John Reidy

The tight knit world of traditional music has been saddened at the announcement earlier today of the passing of Scartaglin native and Anablaha resident, Nora McSweeney – née Duggan.
Nora was a daughter of the late and well known Scartaglin fiddle player, Mikey Duggan and his wife Margaret. May God be good to her.
The announcement and arrangements are as follows.
The death has occurred of Nora McSweeney (née Duggan) Anablaha, Killarney and formerly of Knockrour East, Scartaglin.
Beloved daughter of Margaret and the late Mikey. Very sadly missed and dearly loved by her heartbroken husband Pat and her loving children Padraig and Niamh, aunt Kathy, cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, relatives and many friends. May She Rest In Peace.

Reposing at O’Shea’s Funeral Home, Cathedral Place, Killarney on Friday evening from 7pm to 9pm.
Removal at 9pm on Friday evening to Kilcummin Church. Requiem Mass on Saturday morning at 11am. Burial afterwards in Holy Cross Cemetery, Kilcummin.
House Private Please.
Date Published: Wednesday 16th March 2016. Date of Death: Wednesday 16th March 2016

Mayor McCarthy (right) pictured with Councilman Hennon in Philadelphia City Council.

Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council and Ballymacelligott native, Cllr. Pat McCarthy is in the United States promoting Kerry during the course of the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
On Sunday he attended Mass in St. Patrick’s Church and then joined Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney in the Philadelphia Parade which was watched by in excess of 200,000 people. He was interviewed live by FOX 29 TV channel and Irish TV in a special programme which will be screened next weekend.

Tourism Officer
The Cathaoirleach, who is accompanied by John Griffin, Tourism Officer with Kerry County Council, met with former Philadelphia Rose of Tralee representatives and Councillman Bobby Hennon, Majority Leader in the Philadelphia City Council, in City Hall. They discussed Philadelphia police and fire services participation in the Heroes Week Gathering of Emergency Services which will form part of the ‘Tralee 800’ celebrations in mid June.
Later Cllr McCarthy made a courtesy call to Sr. Pauline McShain, heir of the McShain Estate, whose family owned Killarney House and who bequeathed Ross Castle, Lough Leane and Innisfallen Island to the Irish State. Sr. Pauline, who is now approaching 90 years but in good health, asked him to convey her good wishes to the people of Killarney and County Kerry.

Mayor McCarthy (front centre) and John Griffin (beck second from left) at a Destination Kerry Promotion in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Travel Trade
The visit to Philadelphia concluded with a meeting and tourism presentation by John Griffin to the Philadelphia Travel trade jointly hosted with Tourism Ireland, American Airlines and Shannon Airport marketing. American Airlines commence daily direct services from Philadelphia to Shannon in early May and Kerry tourism is set to benefit greatly from the service. Philadelphia is the preferred gateway for residents from the states of Pennsylvania, Delaware, Southern New Jersey and Western Maryland which have a combined population in excess of 25 million, of whom 3 million claim Irish ancestry.

Valentia UNESCO Project
The Cathaoirleach is also due to visit Washington DC and will highlight the Valentia UNESCO project with US Chief Scientist and director of NOAA, Dr. Kathy Sullivan, whose ancestors hail from Lauragh near Kenmare. On Thursday Cllr McCarthy will participate in the New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade, attend meetings with a number of tourism and public officials and attend the New York Kerryman’s Association Annual Dinner on Saturday evening.

Éamonn Breen is calling a meeting for the Ivy Leaf Art Centre on Monday night at 8pm. ©Photograph: John Reidy

A meeting is being called to organise an appropriate commemoration for an event surrounding the Easter Rising of 1916 in the Castleisland area.
It is being convened by Éamonn Breen and will be held in the Ivyleaf Art Centre on Monday night, March 21st at 8pm.
“With the 1916 Easter Rising to be celebrated over the coming weeks it is well to remember that the actual Rising took place on Easter Monday 24th April 1916,” said Eamon.
“It was also a time of chaos throughout the country for the Irish Volunteers with orders and counter orders being issued.
“In Kerry there was the ill-fated attempt by Roger Casement to bring German arms ashore at Banna Strand. We must also remember with pride that Castleisland answered the call to arms, as on Easter Monday evening 24th April 1916, up to a 100 men gathered at Dysert outside of Castleisland, five companies were represented Castleisland, Cordal, Scartaglin, Firies and Currans,’ he said.
An account by Jim Batt O’ Mahony a local captain in the Irish Volunteers states:
“Tim Leahy and M O’Connor, Knockeen were dispatched to Tralee for information and an order was received from Patrick Cahill to demobilise, to hold in readiness for service until further notice. The men were held under arms for a week and were dismissed with orders to hold in readyness.”
Plans are afoot to commemorate this event on Sunday evening the 24th of April 2016 at Dysert exactly 100 years after this historic occasion.

Hearing Ireland’s Call: Jack Daly working out in the gym at An Riocht Health and Leisure Club in December.
©Photograph: John Reidy

People in the know have been talking about and predicting great things for another rising start in the world of Irish rugby for the past couple of years.
Their talk was well placed and their predictions spot on. It has been announced that Currans teenager, Jack Daly has been selected to the Irish U-18 Rugby squad.
Someone will, eventually, commission an indepth survey into how the Currow / Currans region of our neighbourhood keeps on turning out rugby players of such calibre both male and female.
Two local and neighbouring Castleisland clubs have sent their messages of congratulations to Jack Daly and his family.
Castleisland RFC posted: “The news just keeps getting better, Jack Daly has been selected on the Irish U-18s team. A great honour for Jack, his family and our club.”

Seán McCarthy pictured on a triumphant return to Castleisland during his basketball days.
©Photograph: John Reidy

The nearby An Riocht AC – where Jack does his weight training – also send its congratulations with the following: “Massive well done to Jack Daly from all at An Riocht , hard work pays off.”
The good news doesn’t end there either as Currow youth Seán McCarthy is also on the verge of a major breakthrough in Munster rugby circles.
According to Munster Rugby News, Sean McCarthy is the third up-and-coming player to advance to the senior squad next season, joining academy colleagues Rory Scannell and David Johnston in gaining promotion to the senior ranks.
The 22-year-old will commence a one-year development contract at the start of the 2016/17 season.
A native of Currow, McCarthy has made 12 appearances for Munster A in the British and Irish Cup and has started every game of this season’s campaign.
The Shannon clubman represented the Ireland U20s on 7 occasions during the 2012/13 season.
With JJ Hanrahan, that makes three players from within a few miles of each other currently playing the game at that high level and all with the potential and promise to go further.
Congratulations to them all and may every road rise with them.

Out of all the colour and excitement of yesterday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade came a roundabout compliment for Cormac O’Mahony’s always topical, ever arty float.

The Journal picked out Cormac’s Danny and Michael Healy Rae and the Red Cow Roundabout float as one of its best in Ireland.

This year’s parade was an all out affair and the sheer numbers taking part was well up on other years.

Some remarked last night that the number of spectators was down on other years but the town was buzzing for hours after the final float had left the street with some of the pubs crowded up to closing time.

It was another reminder of the town in the good times and if an excuse can be found for three or four more days like this in the round of the year – then you could be talking about noticing a recovery.

There were more hands on deck too this year with the involvement of the Castleisland Chamber Alliance and this will come as a blessed relief to the existing and over worked committee.

Charlie Farrelly was delighted with the way the day turned out and he was being congratulated by those who came to town simply to be entertained.

Children were much more visible this year and they all made huge efforts as the 1916 Easter Rising took prominence as a theme.

The Cullen Pipe Band certainly added its own charm to the event and Clonmel hero, Coolavanny Bingo and handlers, Noel Browne, Pat and Eddie Mahony got a rousing round of applause as they rounded the Market Cross bend and onto Main Street.

LOTTO
The lotto was held in the Halfway Bar on Monday 7th March 2016 for a jackpot of €2000.  Numbers drawn were 4,6,17,27.  There was no winner.
Lucky Dips
1.Pat Murphy, c/o Tom Leen
2. Kiera Nolan, Ahamore, Causeway
3 Denis Reidy, Knockeen, Castleilsand
4 Michele Moore, Raheny, Dublin
5 Martina Reidy, Knockeen, Castleilsand
Sellers Prize : Tom Leen.
The jackpot now stands at €2,100 and can be played at www.ballymacgaa.com

SENIORS
Our Senior Team began their Co. League campaign on Sunday when Dr. Crokes B will visit Ballymac for Round 1 of the Co. League.  This game is due to throw in at 2.00pm.  Best wishes to team management of Paud O Donoghue, Tom O Shea, Dennis O Connor and Sean Brosnan and players in their quest for a quick return to Division 3 for our Senior Team.

MINORS
CHURCHILL 3-08   BALLYMAC 4-09
Played on a very fast pitch in Churchill this was a thirteen a side game as our opponents had not enough players. Again we were guilty of not taking point chances and were 2 points to no score down after 12 minutes. David Long was fouled and Darragh Regan pointed from the free. Tomás O Connor pointed from Robert O Dowds pass. Tomás again pointed when Robert was fouled. Michael Hoare goaled from David Long pass and Robert pointed again from David’s pass.Churchill pointed while Tomas and Darragh Regan pointed for us. Michael Hoare put Tomás through for a fine goal while Churchill got the final point of the half to leave the half time score Ballymac 2-06 Churchill 0-04
On the resumption Churchill got two points with Michael Hoare pointing for us. Our opponents then took over and scored 2-02 without reply inside the next ten minutes.Sustained Ballymac pressure led to a  goal from Eoin O’Malley. Tomás again pointed while at the other end Churchill got through for a goal. Once again Tomás worked his way through for a point and James Mc Donnell sealed the win with a late goal. Micheál Reidy, Keelan Brosnan and Eddie Rogers worked hard and our subs made a valuable contribution on a day when we did not make life easy for ourselves.

TEAM & SCORERS; Barry Lyons, Eddie Rogers, Max O Brien,Kevin O Connor, Micheál Reidy, Eoin O Malley (1-0), David Long, Keelan Brosnan, Michael Hoare(1-1), Darragh Regan (0-2,) Liam O Malley, Tomás O Connor (1-5), Robert O Dowd (0-1), SUBS; Chris Lowe, Joshua O Keeffe, James MC Donnell (1-0), Tadgh Brick.

REGISTRATION
Closing date for Membership registration is fast approaching.  Prospective members can register online at www.ballymacgaa.com or with any Club officer.

INTER COUNTY TEAMS
A number of players from the Parish are currently involved with various Kerry teams as they prepare for inter County action.  Micheal Reidy and Tomas O Connor are part of the Kerry Minor Football Panel as they prepare for the forthcoming Munster Minor Football Championship.  Tomas is also part of the Kerry Minor Hurling team.   Maria Quirke is now  a well established member of the Kerry Ladies Senior Football squad while Ashling O Connell is on the Kerry U14 Football panel for the forthcoming Munster Championship game against Cork to be played this weekend.   The progress of all these players to inter Co. Level is a testament to the hard work being put in at underage level within the Club.
FAOI 6
U6 Academy Boys & Girls had another great morning with a large turnout. Lots of fun game’s and learning new skills was enjoyed by all. Please practice wearing gum shields at home in preparation for the pitch in a few weeks. The academy is due to start next Sunday the 20th of March on the training pitch in Ballymac at 11.00am
FAOI 8/10
The academy is due to start for both the U8’s and the U10’s next Sunday the 20th of March at the usual time of 11.00am in the training pitch.
SCOR NA bPAISTI
The Castleisland district final of Scor na bpaisti took place on Sunday evening in Knocknagoshel. Ballymac were very well represented in most catagories. The club had 3 winners on the night. Ella Quirke won the recitation with a brilliant version of “Dancing round me Handbag”. The figure dancers, Abbey Leahy, Alice Brosnan, Laura Kelly, Emma Daly, Ella and Maggie Scanlon, Ri-Ann Zyang and Ella Quirke danced beautifully to claim the title.

Our Leiriu group were magnificent with their version of events that happened in 1916. In a very moving piece written by Maurice O Connell there were very few dry eyes in the house! The cast of Micheal and Conal Savage, Emma and Thomas Leen, Jared O Bhriain, Eimear Curran, Jamie Sugrue and Tom Long preformed exceptionally well on the night.

All three acts now go forward to the County Semi Final on Sunday 10th April at the Tintean theatre in Ballybunion.
Ballymac GAA club also won the best club award on the night.  Many thanks to all the boys and girls that represented the club so well on the night and to everyone who helped prepare the kids for the show.

BUS TO CASTLEBAR
Ballymac carried a bus load of young and not so young supporters to Kerry’s National League game in Mayo on Sunday last.  Many thanks to Jer Lynch for this organisation of this bus.  A great day out was had by all.

LUXEMBOURG ROSE
Congtratulations to Sile Reidy of Kilmore, Kielduff who last weekend was crowned the 2016 Rose for the Luxembourg Centre.  We look forward to welcoming Sile home in August for her participation in the Rose of Tralee Festival.

The late Hannah O’Leary, Breahig, (centre) pictured with Catherine Brosnan, Knocknagoshel (left) and Rita McCarthy Castleisland Day Care Centre at a Positive Ageing Day at Knocknagoshel Community Centre in September 2013. ©Photograph: John Reidy

The death has occurred of Hannah O’Leary, (nee Curtin) Breahig Cordal, Castleisland, Co Kerry, March 18th 2016. Peacefully, after a short illness. Beloved wife of Mossie and cherished mother of Billy, Anne and Eileen. Sadly missed by her loving husband and family, daughter-in-law Geraldine, son-in-law Brendan, her adored five grandchildren, Gearoid, Ronan, Paul, Aoife and Ella, sister Eily, brother-in-law Sean, all extended family, relatives, neighbours and many friends.
Reposing at Tangney’s Funeral Home, Castleisland on Saturday evening from 5pm to 7pm followed by removal to Castleisland Parish Church.
Requiem Mass on Sunday at 11.30am. Burial afterwards in Kilbanivane Cemetery. May she Rest in Peace .

Date Published: Friday 18th March 2016. Date of Death: Friday 18th March 2016.

Brian Caball informing us of ongoing plans to keep Roger Casement’s 1916 heroics in our thoughts. ©Photograph: John Reidy

If the outpouring of patriotism on St. Patrick’s Day still grips you,  there are several more events and occasions on which you may show your love of flag and country and for the people who died for the freedom we enjoy today.
An email from Brian Caball informs us that Tionól Mhic Easmainn or The Casement Gathering continues its annual remembrance of the unselfish work of Roger Casement in Ireland and abroad….his courageous efforts to improve and uplift the lives of oppressed people in Africa, in South America agus in Éirinn iathghlas oileánach féin.

Good Friday Walk in Banna
On Good Friday, March 25th beginning at 11am, a guided walk will take place from the Banna Strand Car Park to the Casement Memorial and on to McKennas’ Fort – now appropriately called Casement Fort.
The walk will be led by the Tionól Chairman, Seán Seosamh Ó Conchubhair and the journey, entitled ‘Casement’s Last Walk as a Free Man’, will trace the steps of the 1916 patriot.

Second Session

Roger Casement – a portrait of the 1916 hero by the late Desmonds Avenue, Castleisland artist, Tom Wren.

At 7.30pm on Easter Monday, March 28th The Gathering’s second session will be officially opened at Meadowlands Hotel by Helen O’Carroll, Curator of Kerry County Museum, and two researchers, Dr. Tim Horgan and Brian O’Daly, will speak on ’1916 – Forgotten Heroes’ and ‘The Wireless Way in 1916′.A thought-provoking evening with no little discussion is expected to ensue! Agus beidh fáilte roimh chách.

Lonely Banna Strand
Then, three weeks and three days later, at 3pm on Thursday, April 21st and coinciding with the actual date of Ruairí Mac Easmainn’s fated landing at ‘Lonely Banna Strand’, a wreath will be laid in his memory at Casement Fort (McKennas), Ardfert, and an oration will be given by Uachtarán Náisiúnta Chonradh na Gaeilge, Cóilín Ó Cearbhaill. Agus, arís, beidh fáilte roimh an bpobal mór.

Best Actress Award: Imelda Dowling-Garvey of the Listowel Drama Group. ©Photograph: John Reidy

The 2016 Kerry Drama Festival concluded with a Saturday night performance of Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit by Listowel Drama Group.
“The performance, to a full house, was a worthy curtain closer to a week of outstanding productions.
Indeed, Listowel Drama Group came second in the confined section as well as winning best actress for Imelda Dowling-Garvey,” said festival director, Jerome Stack.
“Our adjudicator, Mr. Michael Twomey was well received by the audience each night for his concise, entertaining comments by the audience and for his professional approach and attitude,” said Mr. Stack.
The winners and categories are as follows: Open Section: 1st. Dalkey Players with Jane Eyre; 2nd. Palace Players with The Gili Concert; 3rd. Brideview Drama with The Belfry. In the Confined Section: 1st. Shannonside Drama Group with The Kings of Kilburn High Road; 2nd. Listowel Drama Group with Blithe Spirit; 3rd. Skibereen Theatre Society with The Quiet Moment.
Local artist, Kevin Barry mounted an exhibition of previously seen and new painting pieces in conjunction with the festival. One in particular, a new work on the late Danny Broderick caught the eye of many of the theatre goers over the week.
The late Danny was part and parcel of the Kerry Drama Festival from the time of its revival in the Ivy Leaf in 1988 under the stewardship of Jerome Stack and his committee.
Danny was also an integral part of the Island Players and took on leading roles in many of the plays. He also got stuck into set design and construction with Jerome as producer down through the years.
Danny passed away while indulging in one of his great hobbies, playing pitch & putt at the local course on May 13th 2010. Fittingly, there’s a tournament in his memory which is played on the course each summer for the past five years.

The late Ger McAuliffe.
©Photograph: John Reidy

There is an air of sadness and shock in his native Brosna and in his adopted Castleisland at the passing of Ger McAuliffe.

Ger (58) passed away unexpectedly at his home on Saturday night and the sad news has been filtering throughout the area since.

A gentleman to his fingertips, Ger’s relaxation was a game of pool and a few hands of cards with his friend, John Scollard at Hartnett’s Bar. There was never a need to ask if they were enjoying themselves as hop balls and laughter were the chief emissions from the huddle around the card table.

May God be good to him.

The announcement and funeral arrangements are as follows:

The death has occurred of Ger McAuliffe, 2 St. John’s Park, Castleisland, Co. Kerry and late of Two Gneeves, Brosna. March 19th 2016 (unexpectedly).

Beloved husband of Joan, much loved father of T.J, Jim and Shane and loving son of Bridie and the late Timmy. Sadly missed by his loving wife and family, mother, brother John, sister Anne, daughters-in-law Therese and Mairead, his three adored granddaughters, Nessa, Saibh and Kate, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, uncle, aunts, all extended family, relatives, neighbours, many friends and work colleagues at Rhyno Mills, Castleisland.

 Reposing at Tangney’s Funeral Home, Castleisland, on Tuesday evening from 4.30pm to 7pm, followed by removal to Castleisland Parish Church. Requiem Mass on Wednesday at 11am. Burial afterwards in St. John’ s Cemetery, Castleisland. Family flowers only, please. Donations in lieu to The Alzheimer’s Society c/o Tangney’s Funeral Home .

May He Rest In Peace

Date Published: Sunday 20th March 2016. Date of Death: Saturday 19th March 2016

Michael Healy Rae, TD injured in a Sunday evening farm accident.  ©Photograph: John Reidy

There was a saying that had great prevalence here a generation ago: ‘A Close Call – Said Dave Geaney’ – and it was attributed to one of our colourful vets.  There were several more but the one above will do nicely for what I’m at here.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae is currently recovering in Cork University Hospital after a farm accident or ‘A Close Call’ in Kilgarvan yesterday evening.

He is being kept in Cork University Hospital for tests and observation.

This has been confirmed by his son Jackie Junior who said “my father is recovering well at present.”

There’s no keeping the Kilgarvan political clan out of the news of late and Michael appeared on The Week in Politics also yesterday after a hectic St. Patrick’s Day schedule of visits to his new constituents.

And there’s the news of the house in Castleisland and the Irish Water contract. Look at what has happened in Kerry since Danny and Michael were elected to Dáil Éireann. Ultan Dillane has burst onto the Irish Rugby scene and fellow Tralee man Brian Cooper rode a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner the other day.

There are people here only wishing that the political stalemate could be sorted out so that the brothers’ common sense call for a Minister for Rural Affairs can be heard in the chambers and beyond. Michael Healy Rae’s own name was linked with a job with just that title before the weekend. And fellow turf-cutting campaigner and TD, Michael Fitzmaurice was linked with a ‘big job’ in the department of agriculture.

Here’s wishing Deputy Healy Rae a speedy recovery.

Meanwhile: Any talks or hopes of a coalition being formed between Fine Gael or Fianna Fail have been thrown into serious doubt following on from revelations by Deputy Healy-Rae.

He has confirmed that following on from lengthy discussions with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister Michael Noonan, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin that it looks very uncertain that any common ground can be formed between the two parties.

“It now looks following on from these discussions that the only possibility of a Government is a minority Government” which he stated “it would be very hard to put together,” he said.

Deputy Healy-Rae has actively encouraged the two leaders to come together sooner rather than later because if they cannot come to a successful conclusion the other opportunities should be explored as a matter of urgency, as he believes delaying on this matter is not helpful for the economy as uncertainty is not good for business, tourism , farming or any other sector of irish society.

Kerry Gold: The St. Mary’s Castleisland U-11 Mixed Basketball team after their thrilling win on Sunday. Front row: Eoghan Shire, Patrick O Shea, Ciara Casey, Tara Kerin and Amy Curtin. Back row: Tracey Hartnett, Coach; Blaithnaid Casey, Finn Nolan, Kian Downey, Rebecca Reidy, Christopher Devane and Conor Brosnan, Coach. Photograph Courtesy of Joanne Downey.

Yet another local team of little heroes and heroines set forth on Sunday and played their hearts out for their team-mates, their club and their community. St. Mary’s Basketball Club Mixed U-11 team qualified at the weekend for the Munster championships in July in UL.
They had three group games and they overcame Kenmare, Fossa and a much fancied Gneeveguilla/Rathmore side on their way to the Kerry Gold.

They faced Duagh in the semi final and won by 20-7. They met Ballymacelligott in a hotly contested final which went down to the wire with Castleisland worthy winners on a score-line of 9-5.

The team includes: Eoghan Shire, Patrick O Shea, Ciara Casey, Tara Kerin, Amy Curtin
Blaithnaid Casey, Finn Nolan, Kian Downey, Rebecca Reidy and Christopher Devane. The team is coached by Tracey Hartnett and Conor Brosnan. They now go on to compete in the Munster finals on July 2nd in UL.

Ballymac senior squad made a winning start to their Co League campaign on Sunday last.

Ballymac played host to Dr. Crokes B in the first round of the 2016 Division 4 county league campaign. The home side opened the scoring in the second minute with a point from play by Daniel O’Shea. Vincent Horan increased the lead a minute later with another point.  Points from Christopher Donciel and Bryan O’Shea levelled matters for Dr. Crokes. Both sides had goal chances which they failed to take advantage of. . Ballymac dominated the middle ten minutes of the first half. Aidan Breen pointed from play , Shane Dowling tapped over a rebound from the Crokes goalie and a long high ball into the Crokes square was finished to the net by Padraig McCarthy. Aidan Breen added another point for the home side. With ten mintues remaining in the first half the score was Ballymacelligott 1.5 to Dr. Crokes B  0.2

A ball which came off the Ballymac crossbar was put over for a point by midfielder Paul Clarke. The deficit was further reduced by Cillian O’Regan with a point from play.. Crokes were awarded a penalty in the 24th minute which subsistute Brendan Falvey converted. Padraig McCarthy and Cian Counihan pointed for the home side . Three points for the visitors through Philip O’Connor , Christopher Donciel and Brendan Falvey left the half time score at 1-7 apiece.
Jonathan Keane opened the score for Ballymac in the second half with a point from play. Crokes replied with a point from their centre back  Eanna Kavanagh. Padraig McCarthy and Keith O Leary exchanged points. Midway through the second half Crokes edged ahead with a point from play by Brendan Falvey. Corner back for Ballymac, Liam Dunne goaled when he got on the the end of good work by Vincent Horan and  Padraig McCarthy . Two more points for the homeside through Daniel O Shea and Vincent Horan left the final score at Ballymacelligott  2-11  Dr. Crokes  B  1-10
Ballymacelligott Team: Padraig O’Connor , Michael Leen , TJ Casey, Liam Dunne, Cian Counihan , Luke Sweeney, David Long, Aidan Breen , Matthew Galvin , Eanna Reidy , Padraig McCarthy, Jonathan Keane, Vincent Horan , Shane Dowling , Daniel O’Shea.  Subs used: Chris Leen, Mossy Shanahan, Cathal De Lacy.

Our next game takes place away to Churchill on Sunday 3rd April at 2.00pm.

MINORS
Following two wins in their first two games in the Co. League our Minor team will hope to keep their good run in this competition going when they travel to face John Mitchels on Saturday 26th next at 4.00pm.

FAOI 16
Ballymacelligott hosted Castlegregory on Sunday at 6 o clock in the first round of the U16 Central District Competition.  From the outset Ballymac were in complete control and notched up three scores without reply from the visitors. The visitors tried hard and registered 1.2 before half time to Ballymac’s 1.8.

The second half was a more even affair with both teams scoring 1-3 to leave the final score at Ballymacelligott 2-11 to Castlegregory 2-5. This was a very good team effort by the home side with all players playing to their potential.

Ballymacelligott  Players :  Darragh Lynch , Kevin Linehan , Tadhg Brick , Eoin Culloty , Liam O’ Brien , Cathal Dunne , Diarmuid Lynch, Joshua O’Keeffe,James MacDonnell , Barry Lyons , David Rogers , James Carmody , Alusin Jah , Cillian Gallagher , Daire Keane , Cian Godley , Jonathan Lowe , Brian Cassidy , Aidan O’Brien.

FAOI 12
Our U12 boys team had their first outing of 2016 when they travelled to Keel to take on the locals in a challenge game on Sunday last.  This proved to be a very good workout for the lads in preparation for the Co. League which commences on the 3rd April.  Training continues this Wednesday at 6.30pm in the new field.

FAOI  6
Academy under 6 Boys & Girls had another fun packed morning in the Hall learning new skills and games. There will be no academy next Sunday morning as it is Easter Sunday. The next academy will be in the Hall on Sunday the 3rd of April. Any queries please contact Neilus @ 087/9329302.

FAOI  8
The academy for our U8 panel commenced last Sunday morning with a good turnout for the first session of the year. There will be no academy next Sunday morning as it is Easter Sunday. The next academy will take place on Sunday the 3rd of April.

FAOI 10
Our first outing of the year took place at the academy last Sunday morning for our U10 panel. We had a strong turnout for the first session of the year. There will be no academy next Sunday morning as it is Easter Sunday. The next academy will take place on Sunday the 3rd of April.

QUIZ
Many thanks to all who supported the File Fund Raising Quiz held on Friday night last.  Thanks to all the organisers and also the Quiz Master Kieran Moriarty.

KERRY U-14 GIRLS TEAM
Congratulations to the Kerry U14 squad which included Ballymac’s Ashling O’Connell on their victory over Cork in the Munster Championship last weekend.

Ballymacelligott U-11 Community Games silver medal winning basketball team with Coach Mike Broderick. Included are: Aoibhinn Broderick, Orla O Connor, Ciara Palmer, Ellie Quirke, Roisin Rahilly, Evan Boyle, Niall Collins, Tom Long, David Lucid, Micheal Savage.

BASKETBALL COMMUNITY GAMES
Our U11 mixed Basketball team took part in the Kerry Community Games finals on Sunday last.  In the morning session in Duagh we were victorious in all our games against Rock St Caherslee, Ballydonoghue/Lisselton, Duagh/Lyre and St. Brendans Oakpark.  These victories qualified us for a semi final against Currow Currans in Castleisland in the afternoon where we played some superb basketball to qualify for the final against Castleisland.  Although the final was a low scoring affair spectators were kept on the edge of their seats throughout due to the closeness of the game.  With just 20 seconds remaining Castleisland led 7 – 5.  Our team attacked seeking an equaliser however, luck was not on our side and the homeside extended their lead on the break with seconds remaining.  While our boys and girls were disappointed they can hold their heads high as they did themselves and their Parish proud on the day.  Great credit must be given to coaches Mike Broderick and David Long and Community games co-ordinator Sheila O’Rahilly for their time devoted to coaching and organising the team.
Panel : Aoibhinn Broderick, Orla O Connor, Ciara Palmer, Ellie Quirke, Roisin Rahilly, Evan Boyle, Niall Collins, Tom Long, David Lucid, Micheal Savage.

LOTTO
The lotto was held in O Riadas on Monday 14th March for a jackpot of €2,100. Numbers drawn were 12,17,18,20. There was no winner.
Lucky Dips
1. Joan O’Reilly, Gortatlea
2. Katie Leen, Chuethall
3. Tina O’Connor, Caherbreagh
4. Thomas Murphy, c/o Tony Marshall
5. Sarah O’Connor, c/o Paula Silles
Sellers Prize : Maurice O’Reilly. The lotto now stands at €2.200 and can be played at www.ballymacgaa.com

CENSUS 
The 2016 Census of Population will be held on Sunday April 24.  Over the coming weeks your Census Form will be personally delivered to your home and every person in Ireland, including visitors, on that night is obliged to complete it.  All Census Enumerators carry ID.  When you fill in your census form on this night, you’re giving information that will help to understand what Ireland needs for the future.
The importance of the census is that it accounts for everybody in the country, including visitors, no matter where they are. The results provide invaluable information on not only population size for the country as a whole, but also about the make-up of the population of towns, villages, and other small areas across the country. Further details can be had on census.ie

SYMPATHY
The Club extends its sympathy to the Wrenn family and Cordal GAA Club on the death of Tom Wrenn.  Tom refereed many Ballymac games at Senior and underage level and in his role as chairman of Cordal GAA Club was to the forefront in many of the recent developments within the club.

Michael Healy Rae, TD being released from CUH today. ©Photograph: John Reidy

The home-farm accident injured, Michael Healy Rae, TD is being released from Cork University Hospital today after being admitted on Sunday.

In a short statement, the Kilgarvan politician wishes to thank all those who sent their best wishes during his period of enforced down-time.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank so much everyone who has been so kind to me over the last number of days since my accident.

“I am so thankful to the management and staff in Cork University Hospital for their great care since Sunday and also to the Gardai who were so good to me and my family on Sunday night.

“I am being released today from Cork University Hospital and the extent of my injuries are not too serious just a few fractured ribs, but I will just have to take it easy for a number of days.

“Thanks again so much to everyone who have been so kind to me and I would also like to say my thoughts and prayers are with the McGrotty and Daniels family after their tragedy and to the people of Brussels this morning, may god bless them all.” Michae.

Deirdre O’Sullivan, Miltown/ Castlemaine GAA Club PRO.

Milltown / Castlemaine GAA Club News by: Deirdre O’ Sullivan,  PRO

Wonderful Response to Registration Evening

We had a wonderful response to our registration evening. Thank you so much to all the parents/guardians of the young footballers. Here’s to a great year of Friends, Fun and Football. These are the names of the  lucky winners of our Easter Eggs. Congratulations to you all .

U-6:Ódhran O’Sullivan,Shane O’Neill, Rachel Enright,Eimear O’Sullivan, James O’Sullivan and Aishling Quirke.

U-8: Darina Ellen Burke,Ella Kate Halpin,Tomás Griffin,Sarah Hogan, Lucas Mekas O’ Carroll and James O’Reilly.

U-10:Adrian Flynn Connolly,Cian O’Brien, Diarmuid Quirke,Shane O’Sullivan, Gearóid Quirke and Damien O’Connor.

U-12: Ben Downes, Sarah Leane, Conor Spillane, Laura Scanlon, Maura Burke and Cathal Daly.

U-14:Jack Griffin, Aimee Griffin,Kelsey Kerins,Caoimhe Burke,Maggie O’ Dowd and Patrick O’ Sullivan-Langford.

The two club tops were won by Conor Giles and Aaron Dinham.

Family Draw: Padraig Hogan and family won the ‘Lily O’ Brien’ Easter Egg – which was kindly sponsored by PK’s SuperValu, Killorglin.

Miltown / Castlemaine U-12 A and B teams both of which had victories at the weekend over Glenbeigh in the County League.

Club Lotto

The next lotto draw for €6,600 will take place on Thursday, March 24th in The Castle Inn Bar, Castlemaine.

Numbers drawn in our last draw were 2:11:16 and 30.

Our lucky consolation prizewinners were: Two x €50 each to Ashleen Carroll, Kiltallagh and David Toche Callinafercy and Four x €25 each to Kathleen Counihan, Castlemaine, Gerard Murphy, Noreen Griffin, Croughmore and Rita Knightly, Annascaul.

Congratulations to you all and thank you for supporting our Lotto Draw. Tickets for our next lotto jackpot are on sale in the usual outlets and from our regular ticket sellers.

We are as always very grateful to Mike O’ Shea and sons- Builders, Farran for generously sponsoring our GAA Lotto.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Thank you to all the boys and girls who came out on St. Patrick’s Day and walked with our club in the parade. We appreciate your support.

Winter Fun Football
Training For U-10 and U-12 teams only will continue in the Nagle Rice Community Hall, on Mondays. Please remember your €2 to cover hall rental and don’t forget your gum shield.
Please Note
U-12 and  U-14 Winter Fun  Football  will be on Tuesdays at 6pm. Same requirements as above.
Player Injury
Please note that if a player gets injured at training or in a game, it is the players responsibility to inform the coach /trainer /referee AND club secretary / Insurance Officer Mike Carroll within 60 days of incurring the injury.
Furthermore all Physiotherapy sessions must be paid directly by the player to the therapist. On producing a receipt, the club will then reimburse you the agreed amount per session. This reimbursement is for up to a maximum of eight visits per injury. Please adhere to these guidelines as No Exceptions Will Be Made

U-12: Lee Strand County League Div 4 A and 4B

We had a great start to the County League with both green and white teams winning away to Glenbeigh/ Glencar.

On Friday 25th March , the UNDER 12′s are at home to Kerins O Rahillys. Throw in is at 5 p. m. Why not come down to the Milltown Castlemaine GAA pitch and cheer them on!

Under 16-Division Two Kelliher’s Toyota Tralee Central

We are away to Churchill on Thursday March 24th with a 6 p.m. start.

Please come along and support the boys and their management team, in their first competitive game of the season.

Cúl Camps – Save the Date

Cúl Camps will take place in our club from JULY 11th to JULY 15th. This is always a wonderful week of fun and activities for all who attend. Further details in the coming weeks.

Email Addresses

We are in the process of updating our contact details, which includes e mail addresses. If you have new contact details, you can private message me, Deirdre O’ Sullivan on my Facebook Page with new details. Some emails are coming back with an undelivered status.

LÁ NA gCLUBANNA

In 2016, the GAA plans to celebrate the importance of your club in your community. Lá Na gClubanna will take place on Sunday, 8th May, 2016.

Counties have been asked to keep the morning and afternoon fixture free to enable all members to fully participate in this event.

More details in the coming weeks.

REVISED DRESSING ROOM/ SIDELINE GUIDELINES
Please note that under age players are not permitted inside the dressing rooms prior to or after a senior game or inside the surrounding fence wire when a senior game is ongoing. This is to protect all parties involved. We ask parents and guardians to continually remind their children of this rule which will be strictly enforced. We appreciate your ongoing support and cooperation.

Appropriate Football Gear

Can all underage team managers, trainers/coaches please ensure that all players representing Milltown / Castlemaine are dressed in club colours, green and white socks and togs.  This is to avoid any inconvenience prior to games. We would also ask parents/guardians of players to inform their children of this County Board Rule.

DEFIBRILLATOR
Our club defibrillator has now been relocated to outside the doors of the clubrooms and is available to the community.
As we are all aware, access to a defibrillator can save some one’s life.
Our club is compiling a list of qualified individuals who are competent in using a defibrillator. You never know that perhaps your own life or the life of your son/daughter/ mother / father/ brother/sister/granny or grandad may be saved some day by someone on this list.
Please contact Deirdre on 086 17 03 332, if you wish to place your name on the list or private message me on FB.

COUNTY LEAGUE-SENIORS

Well done to our Senior Football side who defeated Kenmare Shamrocks 1-13 to 0-14 on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Kenmare . It is encouraging to get an early two points on the board. Well done to all the panel and management involved.

MID KERRY LEAGUE

Seniors play Keel at home at 4 p.m. next Sunday. Please come along and support the panel and management team.

MINOR COUNTY LEAGUE 3B:

The full time score in Killcummin on Saturday afternoon was: Kilcummin  4-9 ,Milltown/Castlemaine  5-7.  Well done to the players and their management team on their one point victory.

The drama unfolds as the story of is played out at the Church of Saints Stephen & John during the Good Friday Dramatisation of the Passion and Death of Christ by the Tralee based St. John’s Parish Actors and Choir. ©Photograph: John Reidy 3-4-2015

This year’s Good Friday Ceremony and Pageant of The Passion of Christ will take place at 3pm in the Church of St John the Baptist, Castle St. Tralee, and later at 8pm in the Church of Saints Stephen and John here in Castleisland.
This Fr. Pat Ahern production of The Passion with a cast of 40, is now in its fourteenth year and this will be the second year in which the St. John’s Liturgy Drama Group will travel to Castleisland for an evening performance.
They delighted their congregation last year with the colour and presentation of the event and the 2016 cast will include parishioners from the of Castleisland, Cordal and Scartaglin areas.

You can click on the image here for all the Holy Week and Easter Ceremonies.

In the run-up to last year’s first ever such staging of a pageant of this kind here, the Tralee based group and its choir promised drama and colour for its  Castleisland audience at the Church of Saints. Stephen and John.
And that’s exactly what they delivered. They entertained the near capacity crowd with scenes we never witnessed in the parish church here before.
In spite of the fact that they had performed the whole ‘show’ twice – once in rehearsals – already that day in Tralee, they gave it all and everything for their fresh and appreciative audience in Castleisland.
It was billed as ‘A Solemn Celebration of the Passion and Death of Christ’ – with musicians, singers and a 30 plus strong cast of actors in costume.
The well suited costumes are the produce of the women of the group and their sewing machines. They were made initially for the Tralee group’s involvement in the Fr. Pat Ahern created ‘Dance of Life’ pageant in 2000. This was a celebration of the coming of the Millennium. It involved 800 singers and a cast of 200 and was performed in the Green Glens Arena in Millstreet.

Monsignor Dan O’Riordan wrapping up the hugely successful 2015 Good Friday Dramatisation of the Passion and Death of Christ by the Tralee based St. John’s Parish Actors and Choir at the Church of Saints Stephen and John. ©Photograph: John Reidy 3-4-2015

Getting the group out from Tralee last year proved a master stroke for the genial PP Monsignor Dan O’Riordan.
‘Fr. Dan’ – as he is known in the area, is a former PP of the St. John’s Parish in Tralee and he had the inside track when it came to coaxing the talented troupe out of their natural habitat.
“He’s a great man for the parish,” “That was like bringing the whole story of Good Friday to life – like you were there,” “I’ve never seen anything like this here before and I hope they do it again.”

These are just a handful of the positive comments which flowed from the delighted and entertained audience in the immediate wake of the event.

Well they are doing it all again and it will all happen at 8pm on Good Friday night.
A huge number of the attendance stayed back to do the Stations of the Cross after last year’s show. The church stayed open up to midnight to facilitate the crowds doing so.

The cold is gone but the rain is back and the weather will be patchy over Easter. ©Photograph: John Reidy

The kind of weather which plagued us from last November to a couple of weeks ago is back this morning. Not with the same continuity though as we’re in for a patchy spell of Easter weather – and the cold is beginning to disappear.
The following is the Met Éireann forecast up to Good Friday night.
Today
Rain clearing this morning to bright spells and just isolated showers. Highest temperatures 10 to 12 degrees with moderate south to southwest winds veering westerly with the clearing rain.
Tonight
Tonight will be largely dry with just isolated showers. Winds will be light and will back southerly once again overnight, increasing moderate by morning. Lowest temperatures 2 or 3 degrees.
Tomorrow
Tomorrow, Friday, will be dry to start but increasing southerly winds will bring rain on to western coasts by early evening. Highest temperatures 11 to 13 degrees.

Dr. Ailís Brosnan (centre) pictured with Ireland AM presenters, Anna Daly and Simon Delaney during her appearance on the show.

Diet and nutrition expert and Castleisland native, Dr Ailis Brosnan has fascinating insights into what really helps people to lose weight. With a Doctorate in Health Sciences (psychology) and over 20 years experience in the field, she believes the secret to losing weight is to understand the psychology behind healthy behaviour and what does, or doesn’t, motivate people into making healthy choices and lifestyle changes.

Healthy Cooking at An Riocht AC

The Castleisland woman who’s making waves in the area of psychology and weight loss. Dr. Ailís is featured here in a half-page in the Irish Sun recently.

Dr. Ailís will present a Healthy Cooking Demonstration at An Riocht AC Clubhouse, Castleisland from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, April 2nd 2016. The cost of the demo has been reduced from €59.00 to €49.00 and the event is being flagged as ‘A workshop to get inspired in the kitchen,’
You’re invited to come along and enjoy a day filled with great tips and ideas to help you create quick and easy, healthy recipes for you and your family.
Learn tips and techniques for great smoothies, juices, salad dressings, energy balls, dips and more.
A fun, relaxed atmosphere with the opportunity to ask questions and sample delicious food.
All the recipes are based on using healthy, plant-based, whole-foods and will be gluten and dairy free – nuts will be used. All welcome but places are limited!

Dr. Ailís featured on the Irish Daily Star recently.

Huge demand from Media

Recently, Dr. Ailís is in huge demand from radio and tv stations and newspapers in a bid to provide their listeners, viewers and readers with a more powerful insight into how the battle of the bulge can be tackled from the mind outwards.

Ailís works with people, firstly by getting them to create a vision of how they want to be and then helping them achieve that goal on a step by step basis.
“I love helping people to do what they never thought they could and for many people it’s not just their bodies that changes, their lives change for the better to,” she said.

During her extensive travels in India, Africa, the Middle East, South America and Europe, as well as her work in the UK and the USA, Dr Ailis has explored a myriad of different approaches to health and well being.

You can see the programme for the cookery demonstration at An Riocht with a click on the image here.

Change Mindset and Habits

She has used all that experience and insight to develop a programme that works by helping people to change their mindset as well as their habits around healthy heating, exercise, sleep and self care.
“Irish women in particular are not good at prioritising themselves but if they do they are in a much better position to help others,” she says.

Last weekend, Dr Ailís outlined her 10 step programme to better health and weight management at the Mind, Body, Spirit and Yoga Festival in the RDS.

Dr. Ailis Brosnan holds a first class honours degree in Exercise Science from DeMontfort University in the UK; a Master’s degree in Health Promotion and Wellness Management and a Professional Doctorate degree in Health Sciences Psychology.

She can be contacted on Mobile: 085 7725133 / Email: ailis@YourHealthyLivingCoach.com / Web: www.YourHealthyLivingCoach.com