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Local News 2007

On Saturday 29th of December festive celebrations continued in the form of a T-Party. This has become an annual event in the village and is much anticipated by locals and visitors alike.
What you may ask is a T-Party? Well it is much like a Fancy Dress event. People of all ages dress up and were guided by the letter T this year. Anything goes.... from the Teletubbies to Terminator to Trash Can.
Everybody went to great lengths to make the occasion a huge success. All local hostelries were visited in the early evening and continued later in the Bay View Hotel until the small hours of the following day.
The whole event was organised to add a bit of colour to the evening but primarily to raise funds for worthy charities.
Brú Columbanus and Kerry Mountain Rescue were the lucky benefiiaries on this occasion and will share €2,100.
While the work of Kerry Mountain Rescue is well known, many may not be aware of Brú Columbanus. The aim of Brú Columbanus is to provide accommodation to families of long term and critically ill persons who are patients at any of the Cork City Hospitals and Hospice, particularly the families of critically ill children.
The main promoters were Colm Gibson and Aoghán Courtney and they would like to thank everybody who supported the event and the sponsors : Scariff Meats, The Smugglers, Local Bars, Trish and Katrina's Salon, Skellig Water Sport and of course The Bay View Hotel.
We say well done to the organisers and to all who took part. Thanks to Emer Hogan for the pics. Click to see larger versions.

Micko was in NY recently to launch his new book "Blessed and Obsessed" and met up with a few Waterville natives.

A marvellous night out was had at the Dog Track, Tralee on Saturday evening 17th Nov.
This was primarily a combined fund raising exercise by the GAA Club, The Rowing Club and IRD. The three organisations combined their resources and this entailed an enormous amount of effort to make the evening run smoothly. The whole event turned out to be a resounding success.

The evening was especially significant in that a number of locals had dogs competing and better still a few were winners on the night.

Many thanks to all who sponsored races and lent support to the occasion.

Click the pictures to see larger versions.

Seamus O'Sullivan gets a nominators prize from Radio Kerry's Murt Murphy.

B.A.H. Photo From The Past

Here's a shot from the past, taken in the Butler Arms a few years ago...well maybe more than a few.
Who are they? When was it taken?
Click to enlarge.

Minor Team '77

Here's a shot of the minor team of '77. Click the pic to see the full team. Can you name them ?
Where are they now ?

A large local contingent headed for the Big Apple to celebrate the wedding of Ian Galvin and Julie Mingione on Friday 3rd of August.
The happy event took place at the plush Chateau Briand, Carl Place in Long Island. New York
The official ceremony took place outdoors under glorious sunshine. Afterwards there was a reception indoors, consisting of tasty nibbles of every kind to suit all palates and beverages to suit all tastes. The evening continued with the main reception upstairs in the beautiful banqueting room. Speeches were kept to a minimum with best man Denis Everett capably fulfilling his duties. Guests got up and danced between courses as is the custom in the U.S., a little different to what some of the guests are used to but a wonderful idea nonetheless.
The whole occasion was one to remember. We wish Ian and Julie a long and happy life together and hope to see them soon in Waterville. Click the pictures to enlarge.

On a glorious Saturday afternoon Cathy, only daughter of Christy & Mary Daly of Spunkane exchanged marriage vows with Mike, only son of Michael & Nuala O'Sullivan of Spunkane and formerly of the Lobster Bar. Fr. Danny Broderick P.P celebrated their Nuptial Mass in the Oratory in Waterville. The Bridesmaids were Jennifer Speight and Grainne Daly. Bestmen were Robbie Cotter and Brendan 0'Sullivan from New York. The Groomsmen were Noel O'Sullivan, and Cathy's brothers David, Christopher, Fenton & Conor. Flowergirl was pretty Emily Jouen. The Kingdom String Quartet played the lovely Church music.

The reception was in Waterville Lake Hotel and a delicious wedding feast was enjoyed by a large number, including Mike's grand­mother Maureen who will be celebrating her ninety-third birthday shortly. The happy couple will reside in Dublin where we wish them many years of wedded bliss.

Youth Club Win Munster Final

Our 5 a side under 18 Youth Club soccer team travelled to Killarney on Sunday 22nd April to compete in the Munster Finals of the National Youth Work Games. Having already won the county title they defeated Kilfenora of Clare in the semi final. In the final they faced Ahane/ Lisnagry from Limerick. In a tough match they again proved too good for the opposition and won on the score line of 3-1.
The boys are now through to the National Finals in Limerick on June 30th. The team members are Daniel O'Dwyer (Capt), Adrian Walsh, Gerard Grady, Dean Murphy, Greg Gibson, Stephen O'Dwyer and Conor Daly. We wish them the best of luck.

News Release 23 rd April 2007

‘Ireland’s Family Carers can be summed up in one word “inspirational’”

Ireland’s Family Carers of the Year Honoured with Special Awards

Ireland’s Family Carers have been honoured at The Carers Association’s Carer of the Year Awards held today at a special ceremony in Dublin. Newstalk’s Claire Byrne and Minister for Communication, Noel Dempsey presented Awards to Ireland’s Carer of the Year and Ireland’s Young Carer of the Year.

The Carers Association received a record number of nominations for this year’s Carer of the Year Awards. In total, 600 family carers were nominated and regional awards recipients were; James Kelly (70), Dublin, who cares for his wife Patricia since she suffered a stroke, Mairead McCabe (43), Cavan, caring for her sister and parents in law, Theresa Cuddy (40), Laois, who cares for her two children who have Muscular Dystrophy and Margaret Curran (65), Kerry, who has been caring for her husband for over 29 years following a serious accident.

“We received a record number of nominations for our Carer of the Year Awards 2007”, says Enda Egan, CEO of The Carers Association. “These Awards are important for recognising the enormous contribution of family Carers who care for their loved ones full-time in the home, often with little acknowledgement. This year’s nominations highlight the commitment, courage and strength of our family Carers, often in the face of very difficult circumstances”.

Ireland’s Carer of the Year 2007 was chosen from the four regional winners and Minister Brennan presented Margaret Curran from Kerry with the Award and a holiday to Sicily, courtesy of Sunway Holidays.

Margaret’s husband, John, suffered a neck injury helping with house renovations in 1978. This tragic accident left John paralysed from the neck down and totally dependent on Margaret for his everyday needs. Since the accident, Margaret has devoted her entire life to caring for John as well as raising the couple’s four children. Margaret’s many nominations describe her positive outlook on life and her gentle, loving, outgoing and caring nature. Margaret is always willing to help fellow community members and enriches the lives of everyone she meets. She continues to be an inspiration to all who know her and truly deserving of the accolade of Irelands Family Carer for 2007.

James O'Shea
1944--2007

Margaret Curran

At a most pleasant function in Tech Amergin last Friday, March 31st, Margaret Curran was presented with the award of Munster Carer of the Year by Minister for Sport & Tourism John O'Donoghue.
With over fifty nominations Margaret has been chosen from a large number of entrants and will now go on to attend the Carer of the Year ceremony in Dublin later this month where the Overall Carer of the Year will be announced.
Margaret has been caring for her husband John, following an accident that left him a quadriplegic. She has dedicated her life to looking after John's every need and has been caring for him full time for the past twenty nine years. We say this award is well overdue and we wish Margaret well in the final.

The new Games Room at the Community Centre was officially opened by the Minister for Arts & Sport, Mr John O'Donoghue on Friday evening March 31st. The original centre was opened in 1979 and has been a focal point in the community ever since. It is used on a daily basis for indoor soccer, badminton, basketball, bingo and meals for the elderly. In the late nineties a state of the art créche was incorporated with the centre and is a great success.
In 2003 the committee members met with Minister O'Donoghue regarding the possibility of securing funding for the Games / Meeting room extension to the centre. The response was positive and an assurance of support was given.
An application under the 2003 Sports Capital Programme was made and on the 23 Feb 2003 formal confirmation that a grant of €102,000 had been allocated to the project was announced. This was made up of National Lottery funding and included €17,000 from the Clár Programme..
When the building was completed it was furnished with a pool table, soccer table, bowls and bowling mat, and other floor games. More will be added to these in the future.
The room is a great asset to the centre and is being used by the Youth Club, Keep Fit Classes, Senior Citizens,Community Care and other local groups.
In the picture above is Mr John O'Sullivan, Chairman of the Committee welcoming the Minister and members of the public to the formal opening. Click the picture to see more.

Local Athletes

Congratulations to local athletes Mary Fitzgerald, daughter of PJ and Sheila and Greg Gibson, son of Patricia and Derry who have been selected on the Irish team for the forth-coming schools internationals in Dublin City University on the 31st of March.
Mary came fourth in the National Finals (2000 metres) while colleague Greg was 10th the 5000 metres.
We wish them both the very best of luck.

Fashion Show

The GAA Club in association with the Rowing Club presented a fashion show in the Waterville Lake Hotel on Friday night last, March the ninth. The proceedings kicked off with a cheese and wine reception and there was a special prize for the best dressed lady, which was won by Mrs. Sarah Curran from Beenbane.
The event was an outstanding success and was an evening to remember. Local talent, both male and female were in action and modelled the large selection of clothing like seasoned pros. The compere for the evening was the knowledgeable Ms Geraldine O'Dwyer

Huge credit to all the organisers wo worked tirelessly and who left no stone unturned to make sure the show went like clock work.
Both clubs would like to express their gratitude to all the retail outlets who kindly agreed to have their outfits modelled and to evrybody who supported the event. It certainly was terrific entertainment. Click the picture below to see some more.

25th Wedding Anniverary

Well known "Beenbaner" Mary O'Dwyer and husband Seán "Cashlagh" O'Sullivan celebrated their silver wedding anniversary recently.

Family and friends gathered at the Lobster Bar for the occasion and welcomed the guests of honour with a surprise party.
Mary is the daughter of club president Donal O'Dwyer and his wife Maura while Seán is the son of Eileen and Johnny "Caslagh", sadly both now deceased.
After a wonderful meal the party continued in the bar where many more gathered and wished the couple continued years of health and happiness.

Mary's mother Maura showed she can still dance a step or two as can be seen in the picture on the left.

Click the pics to enlarge.

It was an extra special event for the O'Sullivans as it was their first time together for quite a while.

The annual senior citizens party took place in the Bay View Hotel on Sunday January 14th. The day began with mass which was celebrated by Fr Danny Broderick and afterwards a wonderful meal was served up by the hard working committee members.

Old friendships were renewed and new friendships were formed. After the meal Paddy and Rose provided the musical entertainment.

The important question was who were the most senior citizens present at the party. Eventually it was discovered that Mary O'Shea, 95 in May, from Lower Waterville was the most senior lady while Paddy Daly, 86 in March, from Islandboy took the male title. We wish them continued good health.

Some former committee members joined the ranks of their elders this year but were willing to lend a hand just the same to ensure everybody had a pleasant time. Micheál Donnelly was the inimitable compere for the evening and made sure everybody had another occasion to remember

A welcome visitor to the party was Mary Murphy and her husband Gerry O'Donovan, home on holidays from the town of Caribou in the state of Maine, USA. They intend to stay in Waterville for a few months. Mary is the daughter of Bridie Murphy, The Terrace.

A great day was had by all and many of the guests won spot prizes for their agility on the dance floor. Well done to all the helpers and organisers for another terrific party and also to the young local dancers who performed the set, jigs and reels for their elders