CAROLS ALL AROUND:

CAROL SERVICE: Thursday 13th Dec: The pupils from Granagh National School invite one and all to their annual Carol Service at 8pm in the Church.

CHRISTMAS MARKETS:

Thursday 13th, Dec, 10.30am - 12.30pm. Farmer's market will be held at the Garden Centre, Bruree. Shop local and get some lovely home crafted Christmas gifts in the well stocked shop as well home baking, smoked salmon & jams.

Thursday 13th Dec, 4pm - 8pm. Organic Market in the Gym at An tIonad Glas College, Drumcollogher. A wonderfully different take on the usual markets. An array of craft displays, Sweet & Savoury Confectionery, Tea, Soup, Nibbles and much more.

CHOMHBHRÓN:

We offer our sympathies to the family of the late Ita Herlihy(nee Flavin), who passed peacefully at her residencein Strand, Monagea. Mother to Kay Chawke and Pat Herlihy and Grandmother to Emma, Eamon, Alan, Aislinn and Eoin. Predeceased by her husband Patrick and granddaughter Niamh. Deeply regretted by her sons Donie, Liam, Pat, daughters Anne (McMahon), Kay, and Maria (Gibbons), daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, nieces,neighbours, relatives and friends. She was reposed at Reidy's Funeral Home in Newcastle West on Tuesday, 11th with Requiem Mass in Monagea on Wednesday 12th . Burial afterwards in the local cemetery. Go dtuga Dia sonas siorai di.

COOLRUSS CHRISTMAS LIGHTS:

The Carroll Family, Christmas Lights are in the final of the ''Energia - Most Christmassy Home ''. To help them get more money for their very deserving charities, from a prize fund of € 3,000 - please text - Home 4 to 51155 . Only one vote per phone will be accepted.

GAA - AGM:

Friday 14th: Granagh Ballingarry GAA Club welcome all to their AGM at 8pm.

GRANAGH ICA:

Any information/photos/articles that people would have collected over the years - Jim Houlihan is looking for them. He is organising a tribute to honour the ladies who made up Granagh ICA for the last thirty years. It is being planned for the Community Centre on January 11th, 2019. The loan of any relevant information would be much appreciated. Contact Jim on Mob. 086-8814495.

'THE FLOWING TIDE':

Monday & Tuesday 17th/18th Dec: Schoolyard Theatre, 8pm: An original Irish play ‘The Flowing Tide’,written and directed by Katie Holly and under the musical direction of Catherine Horgan - this is a comedy show not to be missed. An evening filled with everything Irish that we all love. When the show was performed previously, they had the crowd laughing throughout and encouraged them to sing along with the actors, which led to a great atmosphere. The cast includes Keith Hanley, Teresa Horgan, Willie Lyons & Martin Hennessy. The backing choir includes Joanne (Treacy) O'Brien and her husband Noel with a live band including the talented McAuliffe sisters . Booking on 087-2523192.

NEW PASTORAL UNITS:

In case you missed the weekly bulletin, the Limerick Diocese has been divided into sixteen pastoral units. This has come about due to the decline in the number of priests, their increasing age profile and the increased demands on each priest now. It is hoped it will promote greater lay involvement in the Church. Each priest will be a co-Parish Priest and they will move around saying Masses in each of the parishes. The Granagh/Ballingarry parish is now in a unit with Rathkeale and Clongagh/Knockaderry. There will be one pastoral council for each unit, made up of members from each of the parishes.

REMEMBERING OUR DECEASED:

For the month of December, we remember our family, friends and neighbours, whose mortuary cards are displayed on the Church noticeboard:- Tom Herlihy, Joe Scanlon, Kingsland. Josephine Murphy, David Hartigan Coolruss. Maura & Kevin O'Donoghue, John O'Rourke, Doorluss. Bridget & Daniel Fitzgibbon, Noreen Ann Biggane, Kilmore. John Carey, Patricia Whetham, Mary Noonan, Ned Chawke, Granagh. Michael Pitman, Lisduane. Margaret Sheehan, Joseph Toomey, Kilatal.Tommy Broderick, Kilmacanearla. Jimmy O'Carroll, Liskennett. Canon Liam Houlihan, Salford. William Leane, Thurles. Ellen O'Connor, Croom. Laura Enright & Richard Collins, Banogue. Mary O'Leary, Cork. Mary Sheahan, Loughill. Bridie O'Brien, Ballyagran. MaggieMae McMahon, Tullylease. Anna Neville, Croagh. James O'Brien, Ruan. Mary McNamara, Ballybrown. Nancy Cregan, Derryclough.

We also remember two of our regular Tea Dancers, Moira Winters, Hospital and George O'Riordan, Adare, whose second anniversaries occur this year. Suaimhneas sioraí doibh go léir.

SHARE YOUR GIFTS:

If you would like to give a Christmas gift of Love this year, why not have a look at the Trocaire living gifts which help make this world a better place for some unfortunate families. You can send a cheque to Trocaire, Freepost NS244, Maynooth, Co. Kildare or call 1850 408 408 or do it online at www.trocaire.org/gifts

KING OF THE HILL:

No lie-in on St. Stephen's Day. !!!! Burn off those Christmas Day Calories.... Registration at the Rock Bar, 8.30am to 11am. Teams of three - thirty euro. Rules provided there plus two sliotars, bring your own hurleys. The team that completes the course with the least number of pucks wins the perputal trophy.

XMAS Fm RADIO:

It's back on air at 105.5fm. It's Ireland's radio station dedicated to Christmas music, usually broadcasting from 26th Nov to 26th Dec. Since its introduction in 2008, the station has raised over €1,250,000 for Irish charities. This year their charity partners are Temple Street Children's Hospital. To get a request played and donate €2 , text to 50300 and put 'Xmas' before your message.

GET WELL:

Thinking of all in the parish who may not be feeling the best at the moment - Peggy Treacy who is in hospital. Those who are unable to get out and about and all in our Nursing Homes.

CONGRATULATIONS:

Marian Noonan, received Golfer of the Year award at the Adare Manor golf club, a great way to round off her year as Lady Captain.

Congrats to the following Granagh/Ballingarry Camogie players who made the panels in the recent county trials: U13s: Kate O'Connor, Kate O'Gorman, Rachel O'Connor, and Eimear Hogan. U14s : Kayleigh Twomey, Sophie McDonagh and Shannon Carey. U15s: Abbie O'Shea, Aisling Irwin, Elaine Frawley, Laura Frawley and Emily Flynn. U16s: Maeve O'Connor, Alicia O'Callaghan and Leah Twomey.

Engagement: Congratulations and good wishes to Paul O'Brien and Katie O'Connor who just announced their engagement.

GO RAIBH MAITH AGAT.

As 2018 draws to a close we thank all those who have contributed their services and time to help make this a great little parish to live in. We usually take them for granted and do not realise how important they are until something happens or they are missing. We have Pat Gubbins managing the Dairygold store, singlehandedand we have the O'Gorman family and staff supplying our every need at the shop from 6am to 10pm. Our local Postmen and Women who deliver all kinds of everything these days, don't mention elections and referenda though !! Our thanks to Fr. Dan who looks after our spirtiual welfare and even if the Church isn't overflowing, he keeps coming back to us. Where would we be without Kathleen Twomey who is so dedicated in looking after our Church and to Kay and Shane who stand-in for her at times. Also Sr. Margaret who travels back and forth to look after the 'Do This in Memory' programme for the Communion children. Special thanks to the rota of Altar Servers who are always there for our weekend Mass and are much appreciated for their contribution to the various ceremonies throughout the year.

To the teachers and staff of our school whose job must be one of the most demanding, as anyone who has to deal with children knows. To the Leaders of the Youth Club, who also know what the latter entails. To the many volunteers in our local organisations - trainers, coaches, committee members, officers - without each and every one, giving freely of their time, there would be no clubs or activities in the parish.

We have several Nurses and Carers in the parish, another demanding job, we thank them for their patience, thoughtfulness and the care they give to their patients.

This is only a small sample of what goes on in a parish and shows how much we need each other in our everyday lives.

DIARY:

Wed 12th Dec: 'Wake Up to Climate Change' Talk, MIC, 7.30pm.

Wed 12th: Open Mic Night, Friars Gate, 8pm.

Wed 12th: Give Blood at the Longcourt House Hotel, 5-m - 8pm.

Thur 13th: Give Blood at Hazelwood College, Drum, 6pm - 9pm.

Fri 14th: 'The Countess Salon', Friars Gate, 8pm. (Opera, Song & Musical Favourties).

Sat 15th: Salsa/Latin Workshop & Xmas Party, 9.30pm, McGraths, Kilfinane.

Mon/Tue 17 &18th: 'Little Bo Peep's Christmas Mix-up', F. Gate, 10am & 12pm.