Portlaoise News

Gymnastics

Enrolment for the new term, for new and existing members, will be held in Portlaoise Gymnastics Club, Lismard Business Park, Timahoe road, Portlaoise, on Saturday August 23 and Saturday August 30, from 9am to 2pm. Enquiries call 086 0717699.

Fatima fund

Fatima fund dance takes place on Wednesday, September 17 in the Castle Arms Durrow. Features Solitaire and Twice Shy features guests Checkers. Raffle prize two nights at the Great Northern Hotel and Leisure Centre, Bundoran. Free bus from Lyster Square, Portlaoise at 8.30pm to and from Durrow. Dancing 9am-midnight. Tea served and door prize. Subscription €10.

Run for Cuisle

Cuisle run in Ratheniska on Saturday, September 6 at 6.30pm. Full details in coming weeks.

MACRA HALL

Portlaoise Macra’s hall on the Timahoe Rd is available for use for community groups and classes. Large hall complete with stage and also small meeting room. Central location with ample parking. For more enquires please phone Ann Maire 086 3253100.

Drive-in bingo

Portlaoise GAA Club have launched the drive-in bingo sessions at the grounds in Rathleague. The fun family bingo is on the last Sunday of August and September at 3pm. Overall payout on each day will be €7,500 which includes an accumulative jackpot starting at €1,000. In support of the club, Portlaoise Musical Society and Multiple Sclerosis Ireland.

Suicide Prvention

ASIST Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training teaches the skill to be more alert to the signs and risk of suicide. Two day training workshop provided by the HSE takes place on Wednesday and Thursday, September 10-11 9am-5pm. Training is free. To book contact the HSE Suicide Prevention Resource services 057 9357807 or 086 8157320.

Holy Land

Portlaoise Parish has announced that its Pilgrimage to the Holy Land will take place on September 1- 26 2015 led by spiritual director Msgr John Byrne PP. Cost €1,395 pps, €355 single room supplement.

historical Architecture

Portlaoise Library host a series lectures on the historical architecture in the library in Lyster Square Wednesday evenings 7pm From July 30 to September 3. The lectures include features of vernacular architecture such as the thatch cottage and traditional farm buildings as well as the well-known Stradbally Market House and also a study of the gate lodges.

Active Retired

Would you avail of a pick up drop-off transport service at a nominal cost to attend the Active Retirement Club on Wednesday afternoons in the Parish Centre. If so please put your name address and a contact number in the special transport survey box at reception in parish centre or contact 057 8621571 or 057 8621971.

ARA Portlaoise resumes on Wednesday September 3, after summer break. September 15-18 trip to the ARA National Bowls at Gleneagles Hotel Killarney. Further details from Bernie Downey 0877602148 or Paddy McEvoy 0868581203.

Autumn holiday to Quality Hotel, Clonakilty, Co Cork. Dates from Monday, September 29 to Friday, October 3. Bus leaves parish centre on Monday at 10am. All inclusive price is €275 per person. Single supplement €10 extra per night. Further details from Trudy Tel. 0578621297 or Andy 0578621571. Note Trudy will be in the parish centre Fridays in July from 10.30am to 11am to take names and deposits.

Cuisle Centre

A children and young people’s programme called ‘Beyond Words’ is being offered to support children aged 5 years - 19 years, whose family member has a cancer diagnosis, on Monday-Tuesday, August 18 and 19 10-12noon Primary school children, 2-4pm secondary school children.

A children and young people’s programme called ‘Beyond Words’ is being offered to support children aged 5 years - 19 years, whose family member has a cancer diagnosis, on Monday-Tuesday, August 18 and 19 10-12noon Primary school children, 2-4pm secondary school children.Children 5 years upwards - 19 years. Who have been bereaved by cancer Wednesday, August 2014, 10- 12 noon; primary school children, 2-4 pm; secondary school children. Places limited. Telephone 057 8681492.

Heritage Week

Drawing Workshop

Irish flora and fauna drawing workshop during Heritage Week on August 23 10.30-11.30am (children) and

12.30pm - 1.30pm (adults) with local artist Conor Brennan. Admission free. Booking is essential as places are limited. In Portlaoise Library, library@laoiscoco.ie T 057 862 2333 www.laoislibraries.ie www.facebook.com/LaoisLibraries

Walking tour

Walking tour of Portlaoise on August 23, 3pm – 4.30pm as part of Heritage Week led by local historian Michael Parsons. Hear about the people and places that make Portlaoise great. Meet at James Fintan Lalor statue in the grounds of County Hall. Contact Laois Heritage Society, teddyfennelly@hotmail.com T 087 2416512 F www.facebook.com/laoisheritageforum

Raven Haven

On August 27 from 11am - 12pm Shay Cullen talks about the Barn Owl and other Birds of Prey and then allows you to meet them in person. Booking required. Portlaoise library, library@laoiscoco.ie T 057 862 2333 www.laoislibraries.ie www.facebook.com/LaoisLibraries

Portlaoise Camera Club

On August 27, 7pm - 9pm expanding on their highly acclaimed show this exhibition builds a significant culturalarchive of inspiring portraits documenting Laois people and their special relationship with our country. Dunamaise Arts Centre, info@dunamaise.ie T 057 866 3355 www.dunamaise.ie www.facebook.com/dunamaise

Famine Talk

By Dr Emily Mark-Fitzgerald Commemoration and Communities: Remembering the Great Famine on August 27 8.30pm - 10pm. Contact Laois Heritage Society E teddyfennelly@hotmail.com T 087 241 6512 F www.facebook.com/laoisheritageforum

Geology For Kids

August 28, 10.30am - 11.30am. A workshop aimed at children (aged 8-12) covering rocks, minerals and fossils including hands-on experience and arts & crafts. Booking required. Venue Portlaoise Library, Lyster Square, Portlaoise

Contact Irish Geological Association. michelecastiaux@gmail.com 057 862 2333 www.geologyandenvironment.com

Sean Nós And Brush Dancing

Class For Children on August 28, 11am - 12.30pm. A fun workshop with Maureen Culleton for children aged 8 - 12 years on traditional Irish sean nós and brush dancing. Beginners welcome - plenty of help for everyone. Booking required. Dunamaise Arts Centre.

The Wildlife of Laois

Introduction to the Wild Animals and Places of Laois August 28, 7pm - 8pm by Ricky Whelan (zoologist and chair of Irish Wildlife Trust Laois/Offaly Branch). Booking required, Portlaoise Library.

PORTLAOISE BRIDGE CLUB

Results for Thursday July 31. Ten table Mitchell movement. N/S 1st Cella Lalor & Sr Rosario, 2nd Angela Colgan & Tom Joyce, Gross Paddy Conroy & Eileen Fingleton, 3rd Carmel Hughes & Maureen Fitzpatrick, 4th Claire Fennin & Kevin Kennedy. E/W 1st Bridie Eagan & Hannah Meade, 2nd Anne Bergin & Kay Horan, Gross Damien Nee & Tom Handy, 3rd Pat McEvoy and Kay Walsh, 4th Brian Webster & Elana O’Hora. Results for Thursday the 7th August 7. Six table Mitchell movement. N/S 1st Breda Scully & Gretta Gavin, Gross Sally Collins & Noreen Kilkenny. E/W 1st Tom Joyce & Angela Colgan, Gross Paddy Conroy & Damie Nee.