Community notes March 19th

Ukraine Children at Local School

Last week we reported on the return of some Ukraine men to their native land to take up arms to defend their country and that others were trying to arrange the safe passage of their families out of the country. Two weeks ago, saw the arrival of a family to Timoleague village  as reported in the front page of this newspaper. A Ukraine native who has worked for a local farmer for the past few years was overjoyed to see the safe arrival of his wife and two children in Timoleague last week. The farmer has housed the family in the old family residence which has been vacant since the recent death of his father. The two children, twin boys began school in Timoleague on Monday last. They are in 6^th class.

They are the first pupils from Ukraine to attend the school. The school pupil population in Timoleague is represented by nine nationalities Irish, English, French, Hungarian, Polish, Moldovan, Romanian, Swiss and now Ukrainian. How times have changed. Not many moons ago it was confined to our own. Now we live in a diverse society and all these other nationalities help to enrich our ever- expanding society. The two new pupils are wished well in their new surroundings.

Coffee Morning Success

On Sunday morning last the parents association of Timoleague National School organised a coffee morning fundraiser for the Irish Red Cross to aid the people of Ukraine. It was an outstanding success and the pupils had the local Community Hall decorated with art work which added greatly to the event. The parents association would like to publicly thank all those who supported the event, those who baked and donated financially on the morning. A total of €3,200 was raised and donations are still rolling in.

Plug Pulled on Games

All games scheduled for Argideen Rangers and Ibane went by the wayside on Sunday last due to the constant rainfall on Saturday afternoon. The pitches in Timoleague and Barryroe were closed due to the wet playing surface of both venues. Argideen intermediates were due to travel to Ballinora for a hurling game and Ibane under 17’s were hosting Castlehaven at Timoleague. There will be many other fine dry days over the coming months to play these games and get rid of the backlog.

Tidy Towns AGM

Timoleague Tidy Towns held its annual general meeting at the Community Hall on Monday night last. The chairman Donal Barry welcomed all and gave a brief run down on the projects undertaken over the past year. Outgoing secretary Sheila Walton gave a detailed report of the year’s activities. The treasurers Michael and Pauline Bean reported a healthy balance at year’s end. Both Pauline and Michael had flagged some time ago that they were both stepping down from officership after five years as joint treasurers. All present were loud in their praises for the sterling work undertaken by the Abbey Street husband and wife team over the years. They both said that they would continue to work for the Tidy Towns Association, an organisation close to their hearts.

The officers elected for 2022 were as follows: Chairperson: Donal Barry; Secretary: Sheila Walton; Treasurer: John Michael Foley; PRO’s: Valerie Burns and Edward Mc Sweeney.

Celebrations

There was celebration on the double in Timoleague on Saturday night last. The local racing stable of Padraig Butler was represented in the winner’s enclosure at Gowran Park when Da Capo Glory won The Goresbridge Maiden Hurdle in impressive style winning by some 24 lengths in a field of 15.  Backed heavily she was installed as favourite and didn’t disappoint at 11/8. She was ridden by her usual pilot Darragh Allen.

 It was also a week-end to remember for Patrick O’Driscoll of Abbeymahon. He had a birthday celebration on Saturday night and he was a winner in the Argideen Rangers Lottery draw on Sunday night.