€2 - Tuamgraney€¦ · exploding volcanoes, firing rockets, and making lemon and potato batteries!! They went on a biodiversity tour to the Irish Seedsavers Association in Scarriff.

€2

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Table of Contents

Introduction ..................................................................... 4

Snapshots of the Parish .................................................... 5

Youth Club ....................................................................... 7

Bodyke National School ..................................................... 8

Tuamgraney National School ............................................. 9

Bodyke Camogie Club ....................................................... 10

Bodyke Hurling Club ......................................................... 13

Marriages 2012 ................................................................ 17

Tuamgraney Handball Club ............................................... 18

Memories ......................................................................... 20

Annaghneal Badminton Club .............................................. 23

Dawn Mass ...................................................................... 24

Parish Social .................................................................... 26

Mass & Community Gathering in Annaghneal ...................... 29

Croagh Patrick Climb ........................................................ 31

Pilgrim Walk ..................................................................... 33

Harvest Mass ................................................................... 33

Strictly Come Dancing East Clare ....................................... 34

Baptisms 2012 ................................................................. 35

Deaths 2012 .................................................................... 36

Tuamgraney Development Association ............................... 37

Mayor of Tuamgraney ....................................................... 39

East Clare Golf Club .......................................................... 40

East Clare Heritage Centre ................................................ 41

FÁS ................................................................................. 42

Communion & Confirmation 2012 ...................................... 43

3

Beannachtaí

na Nollag

4

Introduction It gives me great joy to introduce our Parish Magazine for

2012. Our magazine is a wonderful way of looking back

at all that we have achieved over the past year. With

gratitude I thank all who give of their time week in and

week out to organisations in our parish. Your

commitment is truly heroic.

The year gone by was a wonderful year with the election

of our new Mayor, Ted Minogue, the great exploits at the

World Championships of our handballers, the huge

success and work around the “Strictly Come Dancing”

extravaganza, Tuamgraney Development Association’s

achievement in winning a Bronze Medal in the Tidy

Towns Competition, and the wonderful musical “The

Pirates of Penzance”, to mention but a few highlights.

A huge challenge for us as a community is to get people

more involved in a voluntary capacity in our community.

What a difference it would make if people thought of

giving a little of their time each week to a community

organisation. Maybe reading about the wonderful work

done in these organisations will jolt you into thinking that

it’s all of our responsibility to make a community, not just

a few.

I thank the Pastoral Council for their hard work in

producing this booklet. I thank all those who contributed

articles and photographs. I hope you enjoy reading this

magazine, especially if you are away from home. May

these pages bring a little flavour of home to you and may

the Christ Child be close to you and your loved ones this

Christmas.

Donagh O’Meara

5

Snapshots of the Parish

6

7

The Youth Club began in the autumn of 2012. There are about 40 members from secondary schools in the area. It takes place in Scarriff Community College Sports Hall at 8pm every Friday night and ends at 10pm. It is supervised by trained people from the community. When we join we pay €10 membership for the year. After that we sign in and pay €2 each every night. It goes towards trips and treats.

We have soccer goalposts which we use to play soccer matches which can last for up to two hours. We also play pool, badminton and cards. We have great craic chatting and playing against each

other. The youth club is a great way to make new friends, see old friends and to chat to them as you might not see them during the week. We plan trips such as going bowling, going to the cinema and also love take-aways! New members are always welcome. Come along and have some craic and bant!!! Seán Browne November 2012

8

Bodyke National School

Bodyke National School introduced Aistear to the

Junior room this year. Aistear is the early childhood

curriculum framework for all children from birth to six

years. The word Aistear is the Irish word for journey

and was chosen because early childhood marks the beginning of

children’s lifelong learning journeys. Aistear is the outcome of extensive

research, consultation, planning and development by the NCCA in

partnership with the early childhood sector. Aistear can be used in the

range of early childhood settings including children’s own homes,

childminding settings, full and part-time daycare settings, sessional

services and infant classes in primary schools. Highlighting the fact that

children learn many different things at the same time, the Framework uses

four interconnected themes to describe the content of children’s learning

and development: Well-being, Identity and Belonging, Communicating,

and Exploring and Thinking. Aistear highlights the critical role of play,

relationships and language for young children’s learning. Our children are

having lots of fun learning through play and fun interactive activities!

The Blue Star Programme is a flag you receive for

learning about the European Union in schools. For the

Blue Star projects Bodyke National School did a

PowerPoint presentation on Anne Frank. She was a

girl who lived in an attic with her family. They were

also hiding there to stay off the streets during the war. They had a secret

staircase behind an old-looking book case. Another project we did was on

World War II and Italy.

The school is also working on its second green schools flag

for Energy. They have been working hard on a lot of

different projects and initiatives and have been learning lots

about Energy. Here are some of the fun activities they have

been doing: They held a no Energy Day where the children

experienced a day at school without electricity, heating or lights. They

held a science afternoon where the whole school got together and

completed lots of science experiments on the theme of energy, including

exploding volcanoes, firing rockets, and making lemon and potato

batteries!! They went on a biodiversity tour to the Irish Seedsavers

Association in Scarriff. They completed a Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

project and put together a book to share tips on Recycling.

9

Tuamgraney National School

The pupils of Tuamgraney National School have continued to distinguish

themselves throughout 2012 with many achievements.

Great efforts were made by students and staff to make

Tuamgraney National School a greener place to be and in

May we unveiled our first Green Flag after much hard

work. The children are now busily collecting information

about our energy use with a view to achieving a second

Green Flag very soon.

Both boys and girls made it through to Cumann na mBunscoil

hurling and camogie finals respectively. Both teams fought

hard on the day and the boys emerged victorious. A wonderful

homecoming celebration was held for both teams in Bodyke

GAA Club.

Children participated in a wide

variety of competitions this

year including Doodle for

Google, Unicef Appeal, Marion

Keane Basketball Tournament,

Indoor Hurling and the Schools Handball

Competition.

As always a great response was

received to our charitable collections.

The children contributed lovely gifts to

the Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal.

We also took part in Jack and Jill

mobile phone collection and clothing and newspaper

recycling initiatives.

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Bodyke Camogie

Club 2012 was a great year for our club and much progress has been made at

all levels. Under age training has increased both in size and quality,

thanks to our dedicated coaches, whose voluntary contribution is vital to

the success and future of our club. Our aims to develop team spirit, skills,

fitness and a love of the sport have come to fruition, and we celebrate this

as the camogie calendar draws to a close.

We would like to thank most sincerely the parents and community in

general, who have helped out or contributed to any fund raising activities.

We would also like to thank our sponsors whose contributions were much

appreciated.

Tim McGrath Water Pumping & Treatment Systems

Hassetts Bar, Tuamgraney

Cobblers Rest, Bodyke

Teach Ui Bhriain Bar & Eating House, Tuamgraney

Stars of the Future - Victorious U8s Back row, l to r: Fiona O’Brien, Amy Healy, Ciara Healy, Izzy Healy, Megan Kilkenny.

Front row, l to r: Sineád Doyle, Lauren Doyle, Leah Minogue, Chloe O’Brien, Roisin

Sheedy, Chelsea Tubridy.

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The club’s aim to compete at adult level was also accomplished. This

encourages our under age players to keep up the sport, which is of great

importance to us.

Junior A Cup Finalists & Junior B League Winners Back row, l to r: Niamh McMahon, Sinéad Doyle, Ruth Minogue, Lottie Dowling, Kate Minogue,

Rachel Grogan, Aisling Fitzgerald, Gráinne Quigley, Michelle McNamara, Orla O’Brien,

Geraldine Ryan, Hazel Minogue Front row, l to r: Claire Madden, Una Kavanagh, Aideen Wiley, Catherine McNamara,

Anne Marie Fitzgerald, Louise Hayes, Clara Malone, Edel O’Grady, Nuala Kilkenny.

U11 Division 1 Shield Winners with Clare U21 player, David McInerney, Tulla Back row, l to r: Ellie Chapman, Hannah Minogue, Karen Hayes, Sarah Minogue,

Rachel Murray, Molly Kilkenny.

Front row, l to r: Tara McCarthy, Leah McInerney, Anne Marie Gillespie, Roisin Minogue, Shauna Doyle, Claire O’Brien, Valerie Hayes.

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The club was delighted with the amalgamation with Tulla this year, from

U14 to minor level which culminated in success for the U16s when they

won the shield final, defeating Scariff Ogonnelloe in a very exciting game.

The U14 Bodyke Tulla team have also provided fantastic entertainment,

reaching the final against Truagh/Clonlara. Well done to Katie Minogue and Ciara Doyle who represented the club in

development squads at county level.

CLUB COMMITTEE 2012

Chairman: Liam Doyle

Secretary: Hazel Minogue

Treasurer: Sinead Doyle

P.R.O.: Katherine Minogue

C.W.O.: Nuala Kilkenny

To our players, who showed great spirit and dedication throughout the

season, congratulations and well done! You are a credit to yourselves and

to the parish.

Bodyke Tulla U14C Cup Finalists Back row, l to r: Chloe Walsh, Roisin Minogue, Ciara Doyle, Orla Moroney, Michaela Culloo,

Catherine Meade, Hannah O’Reilly, Ava Quigley, Katie Minogue, Kellie McInerney,

Rachel Minogue, Sarah O’Brien, Amber Meskell. Front row, l to r: Sara Minogue, Sinéad Conlon, Aoife Floyd, Niamh O’Brien, Bridin Dinan,

Leisha Culloo, Chloe Crowe, Tara Gleeson, Molly Kilkenny.

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Bodyke

Hurling

Club

Introduction

This is our account of the activities of Bodyke GAA Club 2012 on and off

the field of play including underage hurling, our progress in adult

championships and Club development.

Juvenile Hurling

It was another great year for underage hurling in Bodyke, we competed

well at all levels from U6 to U18. We played in U8 blitzes and U10

blitzes, and matches at U11 and U12.

Our U13 team qualified for division 3 final, but were pipped by Eire Óg in

a great game.

In U14 we competed in both A and C levels. In the C grade we had wins

over Whitegate, Crusheen/Tubber, Eire Óg and Parteen. We then played

Whitegate in the semi-final, where we came through in a very good game.

O’Callaghan’s Mills provided the opposition in the final but despite a

great performance our opponents came out on top.

The highlight of the year was winning the U14A Championship with an

amalgamation of Bodyke/O’Callaghan’s Mills - our first year in the

competition. Our first competitive game was in Féile na Gael against

Wolfe Tones in which we lost after a great contest. In the A championship

we won seven out of eight games in group to qualify for the semi-final

where Wolfe Tones were our opponents once again. After a great hours

hurling we won by a single point. Cratloe were our opponents in the final,

which we again won by the narrowest of margins after some nail biting

moments. The referee’s final whistle led to great scenes of joy. Twelve

boys from the parish played a part in this great achievement. The club

would like to thank all mentors who helped out during the year and Peter

Casey for all his help with coaching.

The club would like to congratulate Tuamgraney/Bodyke National School

who won their first Cuman na mBunscoil.

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The U16 Team

Back row, l to r: Dale Harrington; William Fitzgerald; Adrian Healy; Evan Tobin; Seamus Quigley (Captain); Seán Browne; Evan Healy; Ian Murray; Oran Treacy and Paul Kelleher.

Front row, l to r: Dean Flower; Liam Doyle; Sean Cushen; Cian Minogue; Sean Pearl;

Oisin Slattery; Peter Flower; Ciaran Hickey and Liam O’Donnell.

The team with their mentors - Barry O’Brien, Flan Murray and Seán O’Halloran

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U-15/U16

Our U15s were defeated in the first round by Tulla.

We went undefeated in the U-16 D Group stage and qualified straight to

the final where we defeated Meelick.

We assisted Tulla in the U-16 B division. The team produced some fine

displays to qualify for the semi-final which they won to set up a final with

Ballyea. This was another very tight affair with Bodyke/Tulla coming out

on top to take the title back to East Clare.

Minor B

We amalgamated with Tulla and came through the group undefeated with

two draws and two wins. This set us up to meet St. Joesph’s in the quarter

final and after a game in which both sides had long periods of dominance

in either half we came through to stake a place in the semi-final. Our

opponents here were Inagh/Kilnamona but unfortunately the team came

unstuck against a very good side.

Seamus is presented with the trophy by the Chairman of Clare Bórd na nÓg, Martin Reynolds

16

For a fourth year running the club ran our own GAA Camp for boys and

girls up to age 14 which was again a major success. Many thanks to club

members who coached the boys and girls for the week

Stephen McGuire Tournament

The fifth annual minor hurling tournament in memory of the late Stephen

McGuire took place in June at Bodyke GAA Club Grounds. The

tournament was played off in one day with 20 minute a side games and

provided an entertaining afternoons hurling. Bodyke/Tulla came out on

top in the final, defeating Smith O’Briens in a very entertaining game.

Ned Doyle 7-A-Side Tournament

We hosted a Seven-A-Side tournament for the second year running in

memory of the late Ned Doyle. Clooney/Quin emerged victorious with

victory over O’Callaghan’s Mills in a great final. Seán Doyle representing

the Doyle family presented the Ned Doyle Cup to the winning Clooney/

Quin captain Conor Harrison.

U21

We joined forces with Tulla and competed in the B grade. In the first

round we drew Crusheen and after a thrilling hour’s hurling the sides

finished level. Unfortunately the team failed to produce the same level in

the reply and exited the Championship.

Junior

Our first game in Junior C Championship saw us face a strong Clarecastle

side and despite a committed performance defeat was our lot.

Intermediate

We competed in Intermediate league but failed to make the knockout

stages. We were paired with Ruan, Newmarket and Ogonnelloe in the

Championship. We lost both our first two games against Ruan and

Newmarket and drew with Ogonnelloe. These results meant we had to

face Corofin in a relegation playoff battle which we lost by the narrowest

of margins. We then had one final chance against Meelick to maintain our

status but again defeat was our lot by one point.

Field Development

After considerable investment over the past number of years no major

projects were undertaken this year although with the assistance of our

local FÁS Scheme our grounds are being kept in great condition.

17

Fundraising & Other Club Activities

The club would like to thank everyone who assisted and contributed

towards our fundraising initiatives in 2012. The club would also like to

say a sincere thank you to our main Club sponsor, Binmaster/Clare Waste

& Recycling Ltd.

Further information on all club activities throughout the year and

upcoming events can be found in the Club website and our Facebook

page.

Conclusion

Congratulations to all our members that were part of Clare County Squads

at all levels during the year. Congratulations also to our members who

continue to excel at the game of handball on their successes during the

year with Tuamgraney Handball Club and Clare. Special congratulations

to Diarmuid Nash on winning the world U23 title with Diarmuid and Niall

Malone being very unlucky to lose the world U23 doubles final.

Finally the club wishes to convey its condolences to all who lost loved

ones during the year. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.

Congratulations

to

Lorraine Hassett & Brian Kenny who were married

on October 5th 2012

in St. Joseph’s Church, Tuamgraney

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Tuamgraney

Handball

Club Another World Handball Title For Nash

Diarmaid Nash is once again

World Handball Champion after

a stunning win at the recent

World Handball Championships

held in Citywest, Dublin.

Tuamgraney clubman Nash

collected the 40x20 Mens 23 &

Under Singles after a powerful

21-6, 21-4 win over Caolan Daly (Tyrone) in the final, having overcome

Limerick man Seamus O'Carroll in an epic semi-final and Fergal Collins

from Ballina, Tipperary in the previous round. It's a remarkable third

World title for the Scariff star who took the 15 & Under Singles and

Doubles (with Niall Malone) accolades at the 2006 Worlds in Canada.

Nash and Malone also reached the 23 & Under Doubles final this time

round but lost out to Limerick pair Seamus O'Carroll and CJ Fitzpatrick.

Nash was also in One-Wall handball action at the World Championships

where he played Mens Open Singles and Doubles (with Robbie

McCarthy, Westmeath) and represented his country as part of the official

Ireland team that reached the final of the Federations Cup against USA.

There were other good performances in Citywest from Tuamgraney

players, including Mark Rodgers, Clodagh Nash, Barry Nash, Patrick

Fitzgerald, Ciaran Malone and Paul Healy. Diarmaid's exploits at the

World Championships capped a busy and successful year for Tuamgraney

Handball Club.

Apart from Nash's achievement in reaching the All-Ireland Senior Singles

semi-finals and the final of the Irish Nationals Mens Open in both 40x20

and One-Wall, our younger stars continued to pick up silverware on the

national stage. The Derg Community Games girls team won Munster and

Diarmaid Nash

19

National titles while the club picked up our first ever National Féile na

nGael titles, winning the Girls Division 2 and Boys Division 4 events.

Cian Minogue picked up a Community Games Handball All Star award

and Conor Downes and Mark Rodgers were Munster Primary Schools

champions. Clodagh Nash won the Munster u-14 Doubles championship

(with Doireann Murphy, Clarecastle) and the club had County champions

in Willie Fitzgerald, Cathal Doyle, Oran Treacy, Sean Pearl, Amy Barrett

and Ava Quigley.

It was also a special year for two of our

leading ladies, Aisling Fitzgerald and

Edel O'Grady. Between 60x30 and

40x20 championships, Aisling picked

up four Munster titles and Edel joined

her for two Munster Doubles titles.

Tuamgraney's handball future certainly

glows bright as we look forward to

2013.

Tuamgraney Handball Club's Féile Boys & Girls winning teams. Back: l to r: Ciaran Hickey, Fiona Hayes, Cian Minogue, Ian Murray, Clodagh Nash,

Amy Barrett, Oran Treacy. Front: Seán Pearl, Ciara Doyle.

Munster Champions

Aisling Fitzgerald and Edel O'Grady

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Memories of some of our

Older Parishioners

(four of whom are now sadly deceased - May they Rest in Peace)

Cuimhneamh an Chláir (Memories of

Clare) was established in February 2009.

The oral history and folklore collection

group digitally record, preserve and share

the memories and lore of our county’s

oldest citizens. Cuimhneamh are a voluntary, independent and not-for

profit organisation who work in all communities across county Clare. By

resurrecting the old tradition of cuaird, Cuimhneamh are building a

valuable resource for our county. By illuminating the value of our older

people, Cuimhneamh helps address social isolation, empowers older

people and demonstrate their value to broader society. It also generates a

resource that will impact on current and future generations in terms of the

social and cultural well-being.

A number of interviews have been conducted in the Bodyke/Tuamgraney

Parish by the founder of the group Tomás Mac Conmara, as well as Ruth

Minogue and Anne McNamara, who are Cuairteoirí with Cuimhneamh an

Chláir. Below are snippets from some of those interviews.

Kathleen Nash (1910 - 2011)

‘Ah twas lovely, there’d be a candle

on the window always, there’s no

candles now, tis all electricity.

There’d be candles and holly all

over the place. If you had a dresser

or anything there’d be a pile of holly

up there. You’d have berries mostly

if you could get it. You’d be visiting

neighbours like and the neighbours

they’d visit you for Christmas. When

I go home now, all the neighbours

will come in to see me’.

Recorded by Tomás Mac Conmara in Roscrea 14 October 2009

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Mary Bridget ‘Babs’ Durack (1918 - 2010)

Dinny Moloney used to

come down in his trap

every Friday and they’d

all come down for their

pensions and they’d all

call up for a drink, you

know and they knew no

badness, no badness.

Then in the winter then

and at Christmas they’d

be a sing song …. but as I

say, nobody knew

anything about any

badness. Joe Noonan, Joe was a wonderful singer and his favourite song

was, at Christmas he’d always sing ‘Christmas eve in London’, ‘and the

snow lay on the ground’. Well you’d stand up in the middle of the street

to listen to him……..’

Recorded by Tomás Mac Conmara in Tuamgraney 4 November 2008

Mary Kate Counihan (1920 - 2011) Mary Kate Counihan who was born in the early 1920s spoke of a haunted

area in Tuamgraney that her parents had warned her to stay away from.

‘The Hollow Sound’

“There was a place called ‘The Hollow Sound’…..and there was

supposed to be a tree there and there was a Brady man … there were very

high up in Tuamgraney one time … and he was killed there, he was hung.

We were….every time we’d go in there, we’d get this awful feeling that…

oh God, we weren’t allowed even, we were told not to go in there to the

hollow sound do you know. There was one of them hung inside there and

the tree was in there and we were always frightened of that tree because

he was supposed to be seen … You’d go in there through where Mike

Murphy was a man that lived in the lodge, you’d go straight in and you’d

go off to the Big House…The Hollow Sound that was the name of it.

There was a little bridge and a little river there. Then the forestry came

and it was planted……..I’d say the trees weren’t touched….”

Recorded by Ruth Minogue in Raheen Hospital (November 2010)

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‘The Hungry Grass’ Moira Hannon explains a piece of folklore that she had heard from her

parents in her native Corofin. “Supposing there was two people in a house or maybe one person and

they went out to count the cattle…and they never came back in and they

died outside…and they decayed where they fell. And in years afterwards,

people would say Oh, I got the hungry grass there….You’d get hungry

straight away if you walked over the spot the person died”.

Recorded by Tomás Mac Conmara & Edel Greene in Raheen Hospital

(October 2010)

Flan O’Brien, Ballymalone (1927 - 2011)

The Christmas Block

‘Myself and Liam often brought in a block, Christmas block you used to

call it in them times. Catch it between us abroad in the yard. Full length

of that you can see it (open hearth fire), eight foot and build the fire up

again it (laughs) and then you had two of ‘em then you see when twould

be burnt! You could sit on ‘em when I was a young lad, eight or nine

years in them times at the end of it here and the other end beyond there.

And then ‘twould burn across the middle you see, you’d shove it in to it

and you’d a noble block again. That’s the Gospel truth, Christmas block

we used to call it for the Christmas. Oh, the Lord save us, all my brothers

were there, they’re gone to God a lot of ‘em. Well that’s the way it was

Tomás in my time, to tell you the truth’

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Annaghneal Badminton Club is a very successful club with just under

fifty junior members ranging in age from five to twelve, coming from

Flagmount, Feakle, Tulla, O’Callaghan’s Mills, Tuamgraney and Bodyke,

who train on a Friday evening from seven to ten.

We also have a group of about fifteen teenagers who train on a Thursday

evening from seven to ten.

Many of these kids have entered into local competitions and some into

Munster competitions. There have been a few medals brought back to the

club with some promising players coming up. Congratulations to Ciaran

Hickey & David McGrath on their wins, and to Oisin Clune on coming

third, at the recent Munster Inter County Championship held in U.L.

There is also an adults club on Wednesday nights from 7pm onwards.

For any further information you can contact John Hickey on 087-9150365.

24

Dawn Mass A large crowd gathered on Easter Sunday morning on the shores of Lough

Derg at Two Mile Gate to join Fr. Donagh in celebrating Dawn Mass.

Below are some of the images captured on this very special occasion.

25

26

A very enjoyable Parish Social was held in the East Clare Golf Club on

Friday 27th April, where Larry McEvoy very ably provided the musical

entertainment. See below some of the photographs taken on the night.

27

28

29

Mass and Community GatheringMass and Community Gathering

in Annaghneal Hallin Annaghneal Hall

Friday 15th JuneFriday 15th June

30

31

A group of thirty pilgrims climbed Croagh Patrick on Sunday 7th October.

Check out some of the images captured on the day!

32

33

The Harvest Mass was held on Sunday 14th October in the Church of the

Assumption, Bodyke, at 11.30am. The beautiful Harvest Altar Display can

be seen below.

Pilgrim

Walk

Fr. Donagh led a Pilgrim Walk on Friday June 29th to commemorate the

Eucharistic Congress. Despite the showery weather a fine crowd of

parishioners, together with a number of welcome visitors from

Ogonnelloe Parish, gathered at the Handball Alley in Tuamgraney at 8pm

and walked in Raheen Wood, stopping at six stations along the way for a

prayer and reflection. Those present enjoyed refreshments and a chat

afterwards.

______________________________________________________

34

Strictly Come Dancing East Clare was a phenomenal success

this year, bringing together the communities of East Clare to

jointly fundraise for cancer research. Funds raised (in the

region of €70,000) go directly to cancer research.

Both Bodyke and Tuamgraney were ably represented in the

competition, with Liam and Aideen Wiley strutting their stuff

for Bodyke, while Shay O’Neill and Louise Hayes stepped out

in style for Tuamgraney. Well done to both couples for giving

of their time to such a worthy cause. A special word of thanks

must go to Maureen Madden for her excellent work throughout

the campaign.

The East Clare communities have surpassed the expectations of

the organising committee, both in terms of money raised and the

wonderful community spirit which was evident throughout East

Clare during the lead into the Grand Finale. The Strictly Come

Dancing East Clare organising committee

would like to thank everyone who helped

with fundraising events, selling Voting

Cards and especially their generosity with

their contributions in such difficult times.

The Strictly Come Dancing DVD is now

available and would be an ideal

Christmas gift.

East Clare

35

Baptisms

2012 Jason Aaron Moloney 11th February 2012

Saoirse Suzanne O’Halloran 18th February 2012

Seán Patrick O’Halloran 18th February 2012

Lara Grace O’Dwyer 25th February 2012

Tara Bridgid Cooney 26th February 2012

Patrick Seán Malone 25th March 2012

Aoibheann Kate Kelly 13th May 2012

Philip Hogan 3rd June 2012

Sarah Alice Moroney 23rd June 2012

Ellen Angela O’Neill Kavanagh 26th August 2012

Cathal Michael McNamara 29th September 2012

Iarla Gerard Kelleher 4th November 2012

Leah Amy Walsh 10th November 2012

36

Deaths in the Parish 2012

Josephine Scanlon, Drewsboro 23rd February

Jim Hogan, Bodyke 29th March

Jack O’Brien, Coolreagh 20th May

Margaret Ashcroft, Aylesbury, UK 22nd August

(formerly of Callahy, Tuamgraney)

Mary Noonan, Drewsboro 28th August

Mary O’Connor, Tuamgraney 19th September

David McGrath, Lisbareen, Bodyke 19th October

Denis White, Coolaun, Tuamgraney 22nd October

Martha Brady, Caherhurley, Bodyke 30th October

37

Tuamgraney Development AssociationTuamgraney Development Association Success in Tidy Towns 2012

This year saw Tuamgraney take another step upwards on the National Tidy Towns Ladder. TDA representatives were invited to the Helix in Dublin where they were rewarded for all their hard work with a Bronze Medal. Margaret O’Meara, Mary Cassidy, Damian Heaney and Liam Furlong were presented with the actual Bronze Medal at the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis, on Thursday 29th November. A bronze medal did not happen overnight and reaching this level of the competition has taken seventeen years. We all agree that we have a very different Tuamgraney today than we had seventeen years ago. This change is testimony to the work of the TDA over the years and includes not only the current committee, but many people who have worked hard on the committee in the past.

The community's continued support of the TDA, both financially and in terms of the attention that is given to homes and businesses, plays a large part also in the success, as does the work of Maeve and all the FÁS workers. Thank you to all. It is important that we build on this success and our aim is to achieve a silver medal in the next couple of years and to work towards the ultimate prize in the future. But Tidy Towns is not just about prizes - it’s about pride in the place in which we live, it's about a sustainable environment for the future and it's about the community coming together. Well done to everyone.

Clare in Bloom

Tuamgraney was also once again successful in the Clare in Bloom competition this year, taking 1st place in Category 3 of the competition. Members of the TDA attended a presentation at Áras Contae an Chláir on Monday October 8th and the positive feedback from all over

Margaret Furlong, Mary Cassidy, Noreen Rouine and Peggy Ryan of the TDA at the Clare in Bloom Awards

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the county about Tuamgraney was great to hear. Riverview Estate came 2nd in the Housing Estates category and also received the Judges’ Special Award. We congratulate all of the residents on their continued hard work and development of the estate. This year it looked fantastic and this was also noted in the positive feedback from the National Tidy Towns adjudicator. Well done to all involved. Bodyke village also did very well, receiving an Endeavour Award on the night.

Christmas Tree

The lighting of the Christmas Tree in the Memorial Park, Tuamgraney, took place on Saturday 8th December. The school children were involved and Christmas Carols were sung.

Much credit is due to Haulie Hogan, Niall O’Brien and Conor Daly for their hard work in erecting the tree. The new star at the top this year makes the tree look even more impressive.

You can see the Christmas Tree in all its glory on the back cover of this booklet.

The lights on the Christmas Tree in Bodyke were switched on following 11.30am mass on Sunday 9th December. Once again the school children were involved, as you can see from the photograph with Fr. Donagh below.

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Following a most exciting campaign which really captured the

imagination of the local community, 2012 saw the election of the first

Mayor of Tuamgraney, in the person of Ted Minogue. Five candidates

were vying for the position, namely: Una Dillon, Frances O’Neill, Tony

Dillon, Liam Furlong and of course Ted himself.

Ted was elected on Sunday 3rd June at a very entertaining night in

Hassett’s Lounge Bar, Tuamgraney.

The grand sum of €11,772 was raised during the campaign and after

expenses for the Tuamgraney Community Weekend over the June Bank

Holiday, just over €10,000 was left. A total of €2,130 was donated to

mayor Ted Minogue’s nominated charity - a local charity for cancer

research, which culminated in a big event called "Strictly Come Dancing

East Clare" in August (see page 34) .

The remaining €8,000 will go towards a community weekend for

Tuamgraney for the next four years. This year’s weekend was a great

success and it is hoped to build on this for next year. Planning for 2013

has already begun, “The Gathering” being the theme for next year’s

Community Weekend in June.

Mayor of Tuamgraney Ted Minogue being congratulated by former Mayor of Clare Pat Hayes

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East Clare

Golf Club

East Clare Golf Club in 2012 has once again attracted over 4000 visiting

golfers to our area. From its beginnings in the early 1990s it has continued

to be an added visitor attraction in East Clare. In addition to the golf

course our clubhouse also attracts many visitors and is very popular for

christening parties, communion parties and other social functions.

This years Captains Kevin Mannion and Catherine Minogue and Club

President Peg Hanrahan represented the club at many functions around the

county and beyond and continued to spread the good news of our facility

here in East Clare. The Club ran a very enjoyable Festival of Golf in June

and this proved to be very popular with the golfing fraternity. It is

proposed to hold another Festival of Golf next summer.

Following the recent Annual General Meetings the new Captains for 2013

have been installed. They are Derek Kenny and Mary Collins. Redmond

Walsh takes over as club President for 2013.

The Club introduced a very attractive limited membership offer for new

members in late 2012. Under this offer new members can join for €480.00

and also this fee can be spread over 6 months. For any non members

thinking of joining, this is the ideal opportunity. This would also make an

ideal Christmas present.

East Clare Golf Club wishes everyone

a Happy and a Peaceful Christmas.

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East Clare Heritage

On Saturday 26th May 2012 a Walking at Whitsun pilgrim walk took

place, organised by the local faith communities and East Clare Heritage

Centre. The walk took the route of the minor roads from Mountshannon to

Tuamgraney and was followed by an ecumenical service at Saint Cronan’s

tenth-century church to mark the Christian feast of Pentecost.

East Clare Heritage commemorated the 125th anniversary of the Bodyke

Evictions in July 2012, in recognition of the achievement of the Bodyke

tenants who fought so tenaciously and successfully the evils of

landlordism during the land wars of the late 19th century. A talk on the

Evictions by John S. Kelly was held on Friday July 20th in the Heritage

Centre. In addition, the centre hosted an exhibition of original documents

such as maps, letters, eviction notices and photographs relating to the

Evictions. “The fruit derived from struggle is the sweetest of all

pleasures” - let us not forget!

During Heritage Week in August the centre hosted a number of events,

including a childrens’ afternoon, culminating in the showing of the award

winning film “The Secret of Kells”.

The award winning Celtic Traditions Concert Series, featuring Kate

Purcell and special guests each week, resumed at St. Cronan’s Church &

Heritage Centre in April 2012 and continued until the end of October.

Ger Madden’s latest book, “Portraits of Mountshannon”, which is an

East Clare Heritage Publication, was launched by the County Librarian

Helen Walsh on Friday the 7th December and is now for sale locally.

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Community Employment

Scheme

BAT Community Council Ltd. are a group of people from local

organisations that sponsor a Community Employment Scheme in

our area.

Community Employment is a programme funded by

the Department of Social Protection. It is designed to

help people who are long term unemployed and other

disadvantaged people to get back to work by offering

part time temporary placements in jobs based within

the local community.

At present we are employing 19 people who are

working in various places locally. These include

Bodyke Village, Annaghneal Hall, East Clare Golf

Course, Bodyke Hurling Field, St. Coolan’s Burial

Ground, Tuamgraney Village, East Clare Heritage Centre,

Tuamgraney Handball Club and Bodyke Parish House.

Their work consists of maintenance of the villages and graveyards,

involvement with Tidy Towns, gardening & landscaping, heritage

& tourism, sports and administration.

Therefore the scheme benefits both the community and

the participants. The criteria for participating on the

Community Employment Programme are based on age

and length of time in receipt of various Social Welfare

payments.

If you are interested in joining a scheme you should contact the

Department of Social Protection, 42 Parnell Street, Ennis, Co. Clare

065 6829213.

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The Communion class of 2012

The Confirmation class of 2012

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