THERE was a huge turn out for the Clonaslee Show. In brilliant sunshine people gathered in the Community Centre grounds where they enjoyed the sights and sounds of livestock, music, fun fair, side shows, and even a Falconry display.

The Community Centre was also full of people who viewed the many items on display from cookery and vegetables to arts and crafts. There was also live music in the centre and many enterprise stands as well as nurses from Mountmellick Hospital to check people’s blood pressure. The Tug of War competition was won by Clonaslee and the Glamourous Granny was won by Mrs Kathleen Dunne of Clonabeg. Kathleen a member and former president of Clonaslee ICA has forty one grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren. All the twelve people who entered the Glamourous Granny competition won prizes. The draw for a £50 voucher for Slieve Bloom Nurseries was won by Madge Casey of Mohill, Co. Leitrim. The special class in the cookery competition was won by Kit Carroll, Shracullen, Clonaslee, who received £100 for her swiss roll, brown and white soda bread. In second place was Mary Jennings of Kilcormac and third was Irene Crampton, Rathangan. Locals to win trophies at the show and extend thanks to all sponsors and the many people who helped set up the field and centre and all the stewards and helpers they had on the day.

marriage: The marriage between Mary Jane Carroll, daughter of Mr and Mrs Oliver Carroll of Mountmask, Birr and Joe Kennedy, son of Mr and Mrs Eamon Kennedy of Cloonagh, Clonaslee took place in St. Colman’s Church, Kilcolman on Friday, September 3. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Fr. John Slattery and the readings were read by Teresa Kennedy, Patrick Kennedy, Declan Carroll and Catherine Fitzgerald. The bride, who was given away by her father wore a full length classic gown of white silk with matching veil and carried a bouquet of roses and gypsophilia. She was assisted by her friend Catherine Dunne, bridesmaid, who wore a purple satin gown. Best man was Seamus Kennedy, brother of the groom. Flower girl was Cloe Kennedy and page boy was Oliver Carroll. The reception took place in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore and the couple are touring Ireland on their honeymoon.

successful walk: There was a good turn-out for the guided walk held by the local walking club recently. The walkers which included people from many parts of the country enjoyed the scenic views of the Slieve Blooms and the history and legends attached to them.

hurling: The Gaels met Portlaoise for the replay of the semi-final of the senior Hurling Championship on Saturday, September 6. Short of two of their best players Darren Rooney out through injury (although he did join in after fifteen minutes) and Barry McEvoy who was on his honeymoon, the team put in a brilliant effort but were beaten by 3 points. Portlaoise opened the scoring and were ahead by 3 points before Kevin Flynn scored for the Gaels followed by a point from James Young to put the Gaels in the game. Further points from Mark Rooney and James Young left the Gaels trailing by 2 points at half time on a score of 0-6 to 0-4. The second half saw James Young go into action and equalised for the Gaels in the thirty fifth minute. Portlaoise came back and the sides battled it out and with six minutes remaining were level pegging. However Portlaoise got the upper hand and ran out the eventual winners on a score of 0-12 to 0-9. Every Gael player gave it one hundred per cent and the management and team gave supporters a year not to be forgotten.

Team and scorers: Sean Corcoran, Martin Fallon, Seamus Dooley, Enda Fitzgerald, Eddie McEvoy, Declan Rooney 0-1, Tommy Smith, Philip Bennett, Declan Conroy, James Young 0-6, Mark Rooney 0-1, Kevin Flynn 0-1, John Bates, Pat Hyland, James Conroy. Subs. Mark Rooney for Pat Hyland and Rory Conroy for John Bates.

The Gaels have not finished yet, on Sunday next, September 19 they will again grace O’Moore Park when they meet Kilcotton in the senior ‘B’ final. The club extend congratulations to member Noel Foynes on his re-election as a selector on the Laois senior hurling team. The clubs also extend best wishes to Andrew Rowney and Rona Conroy on the occasion of their marriage which took place on Friday, September 10. In the weekly draw the £50 winner was Olive McEntyre of Birr while Finbar Rosney, Oliver Culliton, Lena McCann (Mountmellick), Paddy Culleton and Celina Doyle of Wicklow won £10 each. The minor hurling championship game against Ballyfin fixed for Mountmellick on Sunday, September 5 was cancelled owing to the tragic death of Rory Culliton, Ballyfin player.

book launch: A history of the O’Dunnes entitled ‘Duthai Ui Riagain’ written by Seosam MacCaba, a native of Clonaslee will be launched at a special function taking place in the local Heritage Centre on Friday, September 24 at 8 pm. The book which was recently published by the author’s daughter Mary McCabe should be of interest to numerous people not least of whom bear the name Dunne or Conroy (a branch of the Dunne clan) as well as many others throughout the Slieve Bloom area of which the Dunne’s were Chieftans. Seosam MacCaba (Joe McCabe) was headmaster for many years. Paddy Heaney, local historian will perform the honours at the launch which is being organised by local man Michael Dunne. All are welcome to attend and the book will be on sale for those who wish to purchase a first edition.

whist results: Results of the Parish Hall Whist Drive for Sunday, September 5 were as follows: top score S. Fitzpatrick, Brittas; gents 1 Mrs B. Conroy, Brocca; 2 M. Kelly, Ballyfin; ladies 1 Mrs O. Davis, Mountbolus; 2 (tie) Mrs F. Gleeson, Garryhinch; Mrs E. Doolan, Mountbolus; qrs 1 M. Barrett, Bellair; 2 Mrs E. Matthews, Bellair; 3 Mrs M. Quigley, Dairyhill; 4 Mrs M. Coyne, Mountbolus; juvenile S. Fitzgerald, Brittas; F. Tobin, Clonygowan; Mrs K. Mullen, Mountbolus; M. Kelly, Ballyfin; T. Delaney, Gorrough.

congratulations: The community extend congratulations to Kathleen (Kit) and John Carroll, Shracullen, Clonaslee, who celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Saturday, August 28. The couple were joined by their family relatives and friends to celebrate the occasion at a party held in Tullamore recently.

clonaslee Show Dog Show: Trophies–The Tackle Shop, Rahan. Trophy was won by Keith Gault, Enniskillen. (Best Large Dog). The PF Corbet Trophy went to Brigid Daly, Portlaoise (Best Gun Dog). The John Syles Perpetual Cup went to Brigid Daly , Portlaoise (Best Overall Dog of the Show). Best Sheep 1 John Phelan, Clonduff, Abbeyleix; 2 Elizabeth O’Grady, Clonballogue, Tullamore; 3 Henry Dowse, Rathvilly, Co. Carlow. Best Gundog 1 Brigid Daly, Shaen, Portlaoise; 2 Edward Donaghue, Capoley, Portlaoise; 3 Claire Slattery, Ballinagar, Tullamore; 4 Yvonne Ferriter, Clonballogue, Tullamore. Best Terrier 1 Emma More, Ballinamona, Thurles; 2 Linda Hamilton, Co. Tyrone; 3 Sean Smith, Ballyfin; 4 Linda Glaxton, Abbeyleix. Best Large Dog 1 Keith Gault, Greenacres, Enniskillen; 2 Vincent Birmingham, Tullamore; 3 John Cusack, Clonaslee; 4 Niamh Walshe, Clonaslee. Best Large Dog confined to Clonaslee 1 John Cusack, 2 Niamh Walshe. Open Class for Miniature Dogs 1 Phil Cunningham, Patrick, St., Mullingar; 2 Tom Cunningham, Patrick St., Mullingar; 3 Albert Garrett, Springhill, Borris-in-Ossory; 4 Valerie Dooley, Portlaoise Rd, Abbeyleix. Cheekiest Looking Dog 1 Justin Colton, Rahan Rd., Tullamore; 2 Marie Davis, Athy; 3 Natasha Daly, Portlaoise; 4 Louise O’Reilly, Rathgree, Edenderry. Best Small Dog confined to Clonaslee 1 Ciaran Maher; 2 Louise Cusack. Nicest Dog led by a Girl 1 Linda Hamilton, Co. Tyrone; 2 Claire Slattery, Billinagar, Tullamore; 3 Daniel Dunican, Mountbolus; 4 Michelle Daly, Portlaoise. Nicest Dog led by a Boy 1 Liam Smith, Ballyfin; Darren Daly, Portlaoise; 3 Kevin Daly, Portlaoise.

The Friskies All-Ireland Championship winners were: Large Dog 1 Patricia O’Donovan, Cork; 2 Alan Lemon, Belfast; 3 Con O’Keeffe, Co. Cavan. Small Dog 1 Linda Hamilton, Co. Tyrone; Ciaran Gray, Co Cavan; 3 Rachel Grogan, Scarrif; 4 Brigid Daly, Portlaoise. Overall Champion was Patricia O’Donovan, Rose Cottage, Cork with Linda Hamilton of Co. Tyrone in second place.