Community and GAA notes Dec 7th

Tidy Towns Celebration

Timoleague Tidy Towns Association has good reason to celebrate again this Christmas having gained a record mark in this year’s competition, thus retaining its gold medal. As has been the norm for some time, the local committee issue an open invitation to all to a festive celebration at The Community Hall. This will take place on Sunday next, December 8^th. People are asked to gather at The Cross at the village centre at 5.30pm. The first item on the agenda will be carol singing, so why not join in with the local singers to spread the festive good news to all present. The Christmas lights will be officially switched on at 6pm. News from Lapland has come back to the organising committee that the man himself, Santa Clause will be passing our way also at around this time, so weather permitting, it should be a joyous occasion for all age groups. The plan is that Santa will lead all the children down Abbey Street and into the Community Hall where the real party will commence. Mulled wine and minced pies and lots of other festive goodies will be on offer courtesy of Molaga Tidy Towns. This is a big thank you to all the community for the fantastic work that the local people do for tidy towns. Without this magnificent “meitheal” each year, Timoleague would not be within three marks of Ballincollig, who were judged Ireland’s tidiest town this year.

Christmas Raffle

A big thank you to all who bought and sold tickets on Friday last. The wet weather necessitated the cancellation of ticket selling at the village centre but those selling at Centra were indoors and reported brisk buying throughout the day. Tickets are available at the usual village outlets and will also be on offer at The Community Hall on Sunday night.

Vincent de Paul collection

The annual Saint Vincent de Paul church door collection will be taken up at Timoleague and Clogagh churches this week-end. All the monies collected are distributed in the local family of parishes. You are asked to give generously, as you always do, at this time.

Timoleague Festival AGM

The annual general meeting of Timoleague Harvest Festival was held at The Community Hall recently with a large representative crowd present. Festival chairman, Sean Deasy welcomed everyone and in a wide-ranging address, thanked all those who contributed to the success of the long running event. The hard-working committee were praised by all and the fruits of their labour was to be seen in the treasurer’s report. All funds raised are ploughed back into local community projects and this year The Green benefited from the generous profits. An in-depth discussion on this year’s events was entered into and new plans for future festivals were also discussed. Generous and well-deserved tributes were paid to outgoing chair Sean Deasy, who informed the meeting that he was not seeking re-election. Valda Smith was elected chairperson and Valda will have Josephine Kelly as secretary and Miriam Hodnett as treasurer for 2025.

Lottery Draw

There was no winner of the Argideen Rangers GAA club lotto jackpot of €5,000 last Sunday night at Charlie Madden's Bar. The numbers drawn were 1,13,24 and 30. Lucky dip prize winners included:Ann Crawford, Darrara; Frankie. Gabriel, c/o Bingo; Tadgh and Chris Crowley, Main St; Gráinne Murphy (online) and Hayley and Mike McSweeney, Chapel Ave.

Next week’s draw will take place at Monk's Lane on Sunday night, December 8th at 9pm when the jackpot on offer will be €5,150. As we approach the festive season, there will be extra prizes of bottles of whiskey on offer each Sunday night in the lucky dip draw. Tickets at €2 each or 3 for €5 can be bought at Foley’s Centra, Pad Joe’s Bar, Monk’s Lane, Charlie Madden’s Bar, The Brewery Bar or from any club officer. Supporters of the draw are also asked to avail of modern technology by using the club’s on-line link by visiting www.smartlotto.ie where one can avail of the user-friendly website. There is also a link to this site on the club website.

Volunteers Made Welcome

The public appeal for new volunteers to help with the erection of the Christmas lights and The Christmas Tree was most positive. It was gratifying to see a new army of people answer the call and join with the tried and trusted to undertake this annual task of giving the village streets a nice festive make-over. Those in the greater Timoleague area were never found wanting and it is heartening to witness this great community spirit for which the area is noted.