The parents’ council in conjunction with the Board of Management are hosting a retirement function for him on Thursday, May 27 from 9 pm in the Owenass hall. Tickets are available from the parish officer or from any parents’ council member. All are very welcome to attend.

MONTESSORI SCHOOL: Majella’s Montessori school will be opening in September at Acragar Cottage, Acragar, Mountmellick. Enrolment is now taking place. One of the aims of the Montessori approach is to assist in the development of your child’s character, their personality and individual needs, while guiding them in language development, perceptive skills, creative activities and independence. The school will also have arts, crafts, outdoor activities, music, outings and lots of fun. For further information please contact Majella Fitzpatrick, Bridge Street, Mountmellick or phone 0502 44014.

PTAA: The Association thanks all the schools, the drama group and all who participated in the centenary concert in the Concert Hall on May 7. It was a great success.

The buses to the Croke Park rally on Sunday, May 30 will leave O’Connell Square at 9am. The pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Sunday, July 18. The names of those intending to travel should be given to Sheila Kearney or Ollie Kelly as soon as possible. Any monies outstanding for tickets to the rally are to be paid immediately.

ANNUAL PRESENTATION: The annual presentation of gold and silver Pioneer pins will take place on Friday, June 11 in the Convent. The sixth class boys and girls of St. Joseph’s GNS and St. Patrick’s BNS will receive their Pioneer pins at this presentation.

In honour of the centenary a special medal in honour of Fr. Cullen is being presented to senior members. Anyone wishing to receive any of the above awards should contact any of the council members or phone 0502 24610 or 0502 24531.

COMMUNITY CARE: The Community Care Association is holding the annual outing on Sunday, July 4. Those travelling will visit Enniskerry and receive lunch at the Grand Hotel in Wicklow. Anyone interested should give their names to Sheila Kearney before June 30.

ICA: There was a good attendance at the monthly meeting. Two ladies will travel to An Grianan at the end of this month. Mass for deceased members was celebrated on Wednesday, May 19.

The ladies who competed in the ICA All-Ireland drama competitions gave very good performances but unfortunately were not among the winners. Thanks to producer Marian Murray and Breda Payne for all their help.

Votes of sympathy were passed with the following families - Conroy, Conlon, O’Rourke, Gallagher and with Sr. Patricia Ging and Monsg. Gray.

MILLENNIUM COMMITTEE: A meeting was held on Tuesday, May 11 to elect a mardi gras committee. Those elected were: chairperson, Michael Gormely; secretary, Ursula Delaney; treasurers, Eileen Dunne and Mary Dunphy; committee, Paddy Braken, Paul Boyd, Roberto Cashera, Tony Kirwan, Tom Dunne, Catherine Delaney, David Conroy and Jim Blanc.

The mardi gras festival is planned to take place from Wednesday, August 11 to Sunday, August 15, 1999. Any persons or organisations interested in participating are asked to contact any of the above named.

OLD SCHOOL WHIST: May 14: top score, M. Gowing; ladies, 1, T. Conroy; 2, B. Kennedy; gents, 1, J. Bracken; 2, M. Pierce; halves, 1, J. Delaney; 2, M. Poole; best of three, V. Hutchinson. The committee welcomes your continued support every Thursday night at 9 pm.

SALE: A sale in aid of local charities is being held at Rev. Donohue’s rectory on Saturday, May 29 from 2 to 5 pm. Stalls will include plants and cakes and afternoon teas will be served. Everyone welcome.

COMMUNITY CARE WHIST: Top score, Vera Hutchinson, Coolbanagher and Marie Fitzmaurice, Clonygowan; ladies, 1, Mick Buggie, Stradbally; 2, Maida Dunne, Portlaoise; gents, 1, Alice McRedmond, Clarahill; 2, Fran Tobin, Clonygowan; halves, ladies, 1, Maire Ni Duinn, Portlaoise; 2, Carmel Scully, Killanure; gents, 1, Jim Delaney, Ballyfin; 2, Mary & Tom Gowing, The Heath; best of three, John Bracken, Mountmellick.

Top score, Kit Molloy, Clonaslee; ladies, 1, Kathleen McHugh, Clonygowan; 2, Maida Dunne, Portlaoise; gents, 1, Donal Conroy, Clonaslee; 2, Veronica Kearns, Mountmellick and Rita Fitzpatrick, Esker; halves, ladies, 1, Mrs. A. Mahon, Cappabeg; 2, Breda Cooley, Portlaoise; gents, 1, Mary Gowing, The Heath; 2, B. O’Brien and Cecil Thompson, Mountmellick.

DRUID GOLF: The Druid Golf society are holding their next outing at Rathdowney Golf Club on Saturday, June 5 with a tee off time of 10am. The time sheet is available behind the bar.

Results of the last outing to Birr: Visitors - 1, Pat Peake; 2, Pat Brophy; 3, John Joe McEvoy; category 1, Colm Dempsey; members - 1, Eddie Kelly; 2, PJ Dempsey; 3, Matt Doyle; 1st 9 holes, Jim Bergin; 2nd 9 holes, Michael McCrohan; category 1, Gerry Mulvaney; category 2, Ger Kerns.

DARTS: The Druid darts Collie Cup competition came to a close on Friday, May 14. Winners this year were Matt Doyle’s team from Killeigh. Thanks to all the participants and all the helpers over the weeks.

ATHLETICS: The Laois track and field championships were held in St. Abbans on May 14 and May 16. Mountmellick AC members had the following results: Friday, May 14: girls u-11 600m, 1, Aine McEvoy; boys u-11 600m, 2, Jonathan Fulham; senior womens shot, 1, Aoife Hoey; girls u-13 4x100m, 3, (team), M. Maher, Laura Gorman, Patricia Lawlor and Aine McEvoy. Girls u-15 4x100m, 1, (team) Donna Delea, Emer Bogan, Edel Maher and Sharon Ryan. Boys u-17 4x100m, 1, (team), Owen Dooley, Liam Bloomer, Donnacha O’Mahony and Denis Quinn.

Sunday, May 16: girls u-16 hurdles, 1, Aoife Hoey; boys u-10 80m, 1, Jonathan Fulham; boys u-16 100m, 1, Donnacha O’Mahony; girls u-12 600m, 1, Aine McEvoy; girls u-14 200m, 2, Emer Bogan; 3, Mary McGuirk; boys u-17 200m, 1, Donnacha O’Mahony; 2, Denis Quinn; boys u-11 long jump, 1, Jonathan Fulham; senior ladies long jump, 1, Aoife Hoey; senior ladies high jump, 1, Aoife Hoey.

Congratulations to them all from all in Mountmellick AC.

FITCLUB: The fourth Fitclub summer camp takes place from Monday, July 12 to Friday, July 16 in Mountmellick. For enquiries please contact Darren Conroy at 0502 44400.

SQUASH PRESENTATIONS: The annual squash presentations night was held recently in Watchorne’s Lounge, Mountmellick. Prizes were given for the spring league sponsored by Denis O’Connor, Suzuki, Mountrath; the first timers league sponsored by Moll’s Diner, Monasterevin and the club championships sponsored by Bank of Ireland, Mountmellick and Watchorne’s, Mountmellick.

Spring league: winners, Ciara O’Loughlin, Lenora Lyons, Michael Ennis, Ivan O’Neill, Darren Conroy and Fint Duff; runners-up, Imelda Whittle, Derek Reddin, Bill Devereux, Brian Reddin, Celine Dunphy and Dick Duff.

First timers league: ladies, Lenora Lyons; 2, David McKane; 3, John Delaney.

Club championships: plate winners (divisions 1-5), Fint Duff, John Conroy, Ann Marie Conroy, Kevin Dunne and Ciara O’Loughlin. Runners-up (division 1-5), Peter Watchorne, Ray Hogan, Ollie Daly, Tris Cuddy and Grace O’Neill. Winners (division 1-5), Jimmy Farrell, Paul Lalor, Pascal Dunphy, Paul Sefton and Senora Lyons.

Other awards: most improved player - Tris Cuddy, Imelda Whittle and Ollie Daly. Best newcomer - Lenora Lyons and Kevin Dunne. Club personality, John Conroy and player of the year - Paul Lalor.

COMMUNITY SCHOOL SPORT: Mountmellick CS junior ladies footballers completed the Leinster double when they defeated St. Mark’s of Tallaght on Friday, May 14 having beaten them the previous week in the senior final. Full time score Mountmellick CS 1-3 and St. Mark’s 0-4.

Team: Mary Culliton, Nicole Dunphy, Caroline Bermingham, Nicola Lee, Alda Watchorne, Grace Weston, Fionnuala Cleary, Emma McEvoy, Rachel Farrell, Deirdre Halley, Aileen O’Loughlin, Aishling Whelan, Lucy O’Loughlin, Aoife Cleary and Linda Lee. Subs: Johanne Clinton, Marie Lynch, Dianne Lawlor, Karen Kelly, Lisa Dempsey and Irene Dalton.

FIRST COMMUNION: Saturday, May 22 was a busy day in Mountmellick parish with First Holy Communion celebrated in both Churches, St. Mary’s of Clonaghadoo and St. Joseph’s, Mountmellick.

The children of Clonaghadoo NS attended with their parents in St. Mary’s Church. They were David Whelan, Josephine Dalton, Ronan Gorry, Barry Grennan, Lisa Strong, Eoin Hogan and Mark Abraham.

Children from The Rock NS, St. Joseph’s GNS and St. Patrick’s BNS received the sacrament in St. Joseph’s Church.

The Rock NS - Leona Dowling, Louise Bergin, Conor Dooley, Fiona Burke, Chantelle Murphy, Michael Cleary, Stephen Dempsey, Sarah Booth, Keith Storey and Ben Storey.

St. Joseph’s GNS - Jennifer Barraclough, Grace Brennan, Lorraine Byrne, Sarah Blanche, Gemma Conroy, Carley Conroy, Chloe Carroll, Rebecca Deegan, Gemma Deegan, Rachel Delaney/Smith, Aisling Dunphy, Hilary Dunne, Leanne Dalton, Aisling Dunne, Leanne Deffew, Annaliese Dunne, Amy Farrell, Danielle Fenlon, Linda Forde, Emma Galvin, Simone Hibbitts, Aideen Kelly, Lorraine Lee, Antoinette Monaghan, Laura O’Sea, Victoria Reid, Julie McDonagh, Margaret McDonagh and Tina Tuohy.

St. Patricks BNS - Declan Behan, Kevin Bennett, Stephen Burke, Robert Byrne, Shane Christie, Barry Comerford, James Conlon, Eamonn Coss, Niall Donoher, Karl Donoher, Gary Donoher, Andrew Dunne, Christopher Dunne, Colin Dunne, Jason Feeney, Ben Forde, Shane Furlong, Conor Glynn, Cathal Gorman, Oisin Hanlon, Peadar Holohan, Brian Kearney, Dean Lawlor, Stephen Murphy, Michael McCrohan, Daniel McGuirk, Rory O’Sullivan, James Quigley, Paul Strong, Gary Thompson, Kevin Tynan, Aaron Tuohy and Emmet Ward.