STRADBALLY

Youth Theatre

Stradbally Youth Theatre will be hosting DNA, a play by Dennis Kelly in the Dunamaise Arts Centre on Saturday May 4 at 3pm. This show is for people aged 12 and upwards. Tickets are priced at €8 and €5 for youth theatre members and students. To find out more contact the booking office at 057 86 63355 or online: www.dunamaise.ie.

ANGLING CLUB

The annual general meeting of the Stradbally and District Anglers will be held on Tuesday, May 2 in St Mary’s commencing at 8pm. All members to attend and new members welcome.

WHIST DRIVE

The following are the results of the whist drive held on April 19. Top score Anne Stephenson, 1st lady Birdie Langton, 2nd lady Molly O’Brien, 1st gent Michael O’Brien, 2nd gent Ena Wallace and Mai Hendy, 1st half Lena McEvoy, 2nd half Dawn Stanley and Cecil Thompson, lowest score Eithne Moran, hatching Lily Pearson and George Stephenson, raffles 1 Freda Coyle, 2 Freda Coyle, 3 John Harrison 4 Alice Finn and 5 Molly O’Brien. Next whist drive will be held on Friday, May 17 at 8.30pm and all are welcome.

FORESTRY FESTIVAL

The Irish Forestry, Woodland and Bio Energy Show 2013 will take place at Stradbally Hall Estate on Friday and Saturday, May 10 and 11. The show is a bi-annual event that will feature forest and woodland machinery with all the ancillary activities that go with tree growing and harvesting. The show will host the National Tree Climbing Championships and will feature the top tree surgeons competing for a place to represent their country at European and world events.

LAOIS HUNT

The Laois Hunt Point to Point racing will be held in the Lawn, Stradbally on Sunday, May 19 with the first race starting at 2.30pm sharp.

CCÉ COMHRA

Comhrá Gaeilge is a competition during the Fleadh for U/9, 11, 13, 15, and 18s. It is a conversation in Irish and can be most useful as a preparation over the years for the oral exam in the Junior/Leaving Certs. We encourage the children to take part the Laois Fleadh will take place in Stradbally on the weekend of June 1 and 2. Entry to the competition is €2 per competitor. Further information from your local branch or 085 713 8940. It is open to members of CCÉ and non-members.

CANCER SOCIETY

The Irish Cancer Society are holding a church gate collection on the weekend of Saturday, 18 and Sunday, May 19. Your continued support for this very worthy cause will be much appreciated.

TEA DAY PARTY

A tea day party will be held on Thursday, May 9 in Droimnin Nursing Home, Stradbally from 11am-12 noon for the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. All welcome. Your support please.

WOODVIEW

The Woodview Residents Estate, Stradbally of 28 houses and 14 maisonettes welcomed its first resident in 1978 - the last 35 years has seen some residents come and go and also many recalled to their eternal reward, young and old. Inviting all residents to take part in a remembrance rosary procession around Woodview on Wednesday, May 1 commencing at 7pm remembering all our living and deceased members.

MAIN STREET

The residents’ annual general meeting takes place on Wednesday, May 1 in St Mary’s Hall commencing at 7.30pm.

Great Famine

The Committee for Commemoration of Irish Famine Victims ask both churches to ring the bells on May 12 at 2pm to remember and honour the victims of the Great Famine (An Gorta Mor). This simple gesture of bell ringing will help on the long unfinished road to peace and reconciliation when both churches unite and lead by example.

MOORE ABBEY

A huge thank you to all who contributed money and prizes to the Tony Harris fundraiser. Just over €1,000 was raised for Moore Abbey, Stradbally. The cheque will be presented on Monday, May 13 in the Gandon Inn. Music on the night is by Declan Aungier. Dancing continues every Monday night from 10pm till 12pm. All are welcome.

GARDEN club

Stradbally Flower and Garden club are organising a visit to Huntington Castle and Gardens, Carlow for Saturday, May 4. Anyone wishing to travel please give your name to Dorrie at 8625217 or Vera at 0857254361 or to any member of the committee as soon as possible as seats are limited.

SYMPATHY

Deepest sympathy is extended to Lorraine Ramsbottom on the death of her mother Mary Norton, Athy who died recently.

YOUTH CENTRE

Volunteers needed, drop into the centre and give your name.