Portlaoise News

Portlaoise Panto

Portlaoise Pantomime’s staging of Treasure Island runs from Saturday January 18 to Saturday January 25 next with matinees on January 18, 19 & 25 at 2.30pm (sharp). Nightly shows at 8pm in the Dunamaise Arts Centre. Tickets from the Dunamaise.

Christmas Trees

The annual sale of Christmas Trees in aid of Laois Hospice and the Portlaoise Lions Club commences on Friday, December 6. Support appreciated.

Christmas lights & Market

Santa will be in town on Friday, November 28 for the the Downtown Portlaoise Christmas light switch on at Market Squre. (Apologies for the incorrect date in last week’s paper). The annual Downtown Portlaoise Christmas Market is on Sunday, December 1 from 10am-6pm.

KITCHEN CHOIR

The 65 Kitchen Choir present their unique brand of music and song show at the centre on Thurs/Fri/Sat, November 28, 29 & 30 at 8pm. €15.

Motor neurone Table Quiz

A table quiz in aid of Irish Motor Neuron Disease will be held in Peig’s Bar, Portlaoise on Wednesday Novenber 20 starting at 8pm. Table of four costs €20.

Concern

The annual Concern Christmas Fast collection takes place on November 28,29,30.

YOUTH CAFE

18-25 year old club. Are you unemployed, job seeking or a student out of college and want somewhere to hang out on Wednesday 2.30pm - 5pm and on a Friday morning 10am - 1pm? Come and meet new friends, play pool, Playstation or use the internet, also help with CV and career guidance. Also, we would like to thank all in Delaney’s Pub, Main Street, Portlaoise and everyone who supported our recent table quiz there, especially prize sponsors. It was a great night and we raised €240.

Retired Nurses & Carers

The Retired Nurses and Carers Club annual mass for deceased members in the Day Care Centre on Tuesday, November 26, at 8pm. Also the annual dinner will be held on Monday, December 9, at 3pm in the Killeshin Hotel. All are welcome.

Divine Mercy Group

Special offer £150 off pilgrimage to Medjugorje, June 4 - 11, 2014, £649 to £499 if paid in full by December 10. To book contact Joe Conroy, 087 1464062.

Laois Birdwatch

The Laois branch of BirdWatch Ireland meet on Tuesday, November 26 at Portlaoise Parish Centre at 8pm. This month photographer Brian Bastick will show a selection of his wildlife shots taken around Emo. On Sunday 1 December, we will travel to Pollardstown Fen, outside Newbridge. Meet at County Hall Portlaoise at 8am.

Anam Cara

This voluntary organisation that supports bereaved parents is hosting a bag pack fundraiser in Dunnes Stores Portlaoise on Saturday, November 30. Volunteers needed. Contact Clodagh 01 404 5378 or c.curley@anamcara.ie

Laois Carers

November meeting in the Portlaoise Parish Centre on Tuesday, November 26 at 11am-12.30pm.

PARISH SCHOOLS

Junior infant enrolment for 2014/15 is underway for Portlaoise Parish national schools (Scoil Mhuire, Church Ave, Sacred Heart, Church Ave, Scoil Bride, Knockmay). Enrolment forms available from schools. Bring birth & baptisimal cert if applicable.

Portlaoise GAA

Portlaoise GAA One Moment in Time A Pictorial Collection 1887-2013 compiled by Peter O’Neill in shops around Portlaoise. The book is a celebration and recognition of members form the past 126 years.

The heath ns

The Heath NS is accepting applications for junior infants for the school year 2014-15 during November. Application forms are available from the office. Closing date for receipt of completed forms is Friday, Nov 29. For info contact the school principal Mr David O’Brien on 057 864 6658.

ACTIVE AGE

November events at the Parish Centre each day from 3-5pm. Festive choir practice each Wednesday from 4.45pm to 5.45pm. Proceeds to charity; Wed 27 - ladies fashion show & choir practice follows. Indoor bowls every Monday from 2.30-4.40pm at St Mary’s Hall. New members welcome. Tel 057 8621571.

Cuisle Sale

Christmas sale of work on Friday, December 13 at 11.30am Please donate unwanted gifts or cakes.

Literature Group

Meets Wednesdays 10-45am-12.45pm in the Parish Centre. Tutor-led informal discussion. Contact Nancy 086 604 8671 or Hilary 087 635 6715.

Baton twirling

The Happy Hearts Club Portlaoise & Laois Sports Partnership host a baton twirling show on Saturday November 30 at 12noon in Portlaoise College. Features world champion twirlers. Marian, 086 8857116.

open door Theatre

Laois Open Door Theatre variety show on Sunday, December 15 Portlaoise Parochial Hall at 8pm. Call 087 9614235.

Portlaoise singers

Songs of Love concert with the Portlaoise Singers on Sunday December 15 at 8pm at The Portlaoise Heritage Hotel. Tickets from the Dunamaise.

Vocalese christmas

Candlelight Christmas Concert at St Peter’s Church, Market Sq on Thursday, December 12 at 8pm.

Knock

Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine for night vigil on December 7. Bus leaves Portlaoise at 7pm. Maura, 086 3344722

PARISh LOTTO

Portlaoise Parish Lotto draw results for Thursday, November 28. Numbers: 3,5,10,19. Jackpot won by Pat Farrell - promotoer Mary Arthur. The 27 match 3s won €38 each. Next week’s jackpot is €17,000.

Credit Union Draw

Portlaoise CU car draw at Mulhall’s Portlaoise on Friday, November 29 at 12 noon.

Ladies badminton

Wednesday & Thursday mornings, Portlaoise GAA Hall. Call 057 8660631.

HEATH BRIDGE CLUB

Results for Wednesday Nov 13. N/S 1st Caroline Delaney & Angela Hughes 2nd Nora Aldritt & Maureen O’Leary Gross Teresa Fitzgerald & Denis O’Leary 3rd Anne Doolan & Michael O’Brien4th Celia Handy & Olive Power E/W 1st Anne Phelan & Therese Stokes 2nd Kay Conroy & Ita Kennedy Gross Eileen & Jim Fingleton 3rd Marian Mills & Catherine Reilly 4th Mary Ryan & Mai White. A celebration will take place after bridge on Wednesday, November 27, to celebrate the club’s 21 years. It is hoped that as many members as possible will be present for this occasion.

Portlaosie bridge

Results Nov14: Nine and a half Table Mitchell movement. Ns 1st Sally Collins & Brenda Scully, 2nd Eileen Fingleton & Paddy Conroy, Gross Anne Doolan & Jim Fingleton. E/W 1st Mary Downey & Helen Williams, 2nd Maire Fennin & Kevin Kennedy, Gross Mary Conroy & Celeste Sweetman. Results Nov 18,Thirteen & a half table Mitchell movement. N/S 1st Anne Phelan & Tom Handy, 2nd Kathleen Ramsbottom & Peter Conroy, Gross Mary Conroy & Celeste Sweetman, 3rd Ethel Cullition & Catherine Keane, 4th Mary Downey & Helen Williams E/W 1st Mary Claffey & Ette Kennedy,2nd Retia Arrigan & Carmel Doorley, Gross Damien Nee & David Forde, 3rd Maura & Barry O’Callaghan, 4th Bridie Hourigan & Hannah Meade.

The proceeds (€1,300) from charity night were shared equally by the Cuisle Centre and ARCH. P.J. Gorman accepted for the Cuisle Centre Lena Kelly accepted for Arch. Both expressed their delight and gratitude. Anne Doolan the club President thanked all who contributed to this very successful event.

Bridge Monday & Thursdays in the Sue Ryder Centre, Kilminchy from 7.30pm.

Advent prayer

Night prayers for 15 minutes every evening during advent at 7.30pm at SS Peter & Paul’s Parish Church. Sunday evening prayer and benediction every Sunday also from 6pm.

late Anne sweeney

Condolences to the family of the late Anne Sweeney (née Hannigan) of Coote St, Portlaoise who passed away on Saturday, November 16. Beloved wife of the late Edward and much loved mother of Myra, Martin, Nickey, Angela, Theresa, Tony, Olive, and David she is also deeply regretted by extended family, relatives and friends. Reposing in her daughter’s residence at Woodland Villas with removal to SS Peter & Paul’s church for requiem mass. Burial afterwards in SS Peter & Paul’s Cemetery.