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MOBILE LIBRARY
The mobile library will be
at its usual location in Staplestown car park on Thursday
8th February and Thursday 22nd February from 11.50 - 12.30
p.m.
STAPLESTOWN MILLENNIUM
CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Temperatures were low,
but the spirits were certainly high on the 16th of December
as the change of venue and the ever-improving musical
accompaniment made the Christmas Celebration 2000 most
successful in the history of the group.
Since September the preparations were under way for the
annual venture of the Staplestown Millennium Choir: Their
Christmas Celebration. Usually the concert is held in
Staplestown Church, but with the addition of the Greystones
Orchestra and the ever-increasing attendance, a larger
venue was required. St. Kevins’ GAA centre became the
latest venue to hold the event.
Rehearsals for the performance began in earnest at the
end of September. Each Thursday night the Church became
the cradle for the new material that was to be performed
in December. Soon the once a week slot became too little,
and another rehearsal was required – but wasn’t it worth
it! Nothing could have prepared ears for the Hallelujah
Chorus performed by the Choir, as a speechless yet appreciative
audience applauded the Orchestral and Choral blend of
the famous piece from ‘The Messiah’. (There was one person
who clapped before it was finished. Tch Tch! You know
who you are…)
The awe inspiring ‘O Holy Night’ with soloist Willie Kane,
as always left hands waiting to join in applause. Christmas
just wouldn’t be complete without the Staplestown Choir
reminder of what Christmas is all about.
Seven members of the Artane Boys band, including Raymond
Dunne, who returned for his second Christmas Celebration
with the Choir, joined the Greystones Orchestra, under
the baton of Ronan O’Reilly with Hazel Fortune as their
Leader.
St. Kevins GAA generously allowed the use of their premises,
with special thanks to Pat Cox and Alice Casey for their
help. The bare look of the interior was obliterated by
the outstanding decoration overseen by Fidelma Palmer
and Silvano Burella, with the Christmas trees provided
by Coillte. The two teamed together to created a scene
depicting the sight of a Christmas Night.
All of the hard work was done, as always (I’m gonna get
creamed for this…) by the ‘lads’ in the choir. They’re
always there when something awkward has to be done. I’m
not going to name them all, you know who you are. Big
thanks lads, it doesn’t go unnoticed. All this work was
complimented by the lighting on the night. Planned, organised
and controlled by Jim Colgan, who works with us every
year. Thanks Jim, without you we’d really be in the dark!
The man with the Duracell battery in his back was of course
Brian Maher. Brian managed to break the audience Vow of
Silence, culminating in a congregational rendition of
some of the well-known Christmas pieces, such as O Come
all Ye Faithful, and Hark the Herald. His introductions
to each of the pieces performed by the choir added a personal
touch to the evening.
Rehearsals with the ‘energetic’ Junior Choir demanded
an extra pair of hands this year, in the form of Loretta
Brown. We can’t tell you how she did it, but the help
was much appreciated. Emer O’Carroll and Audrey Myatt
provided the musical back up for rehearsals, and in Audrey’s
case, on the night as well. Many thanks to you both. The
event would not be possible without the support of the
community, in particular our Parish Priest, Fr. Pat Ramsbottom.
His unquantifiable help, encouragement and inspiration
never fails to boost spirits in the group. Words can not
thank you enough.
Then we get to the “driving force behind and in front
of the scenes”, as Brian put it “… the name etched on
everyone’s forehead – the unstoppable force…” which takes
human form in Ms. Elaine Kane. What can I say that hasn’t
already been said? Anyone who has any association with
the choir or knows anything about music and production
knows how much this lady puts into every rehearsal, not
to mention the show! One must question, however, her moral
standing on cruelty to animals, considering the leopard
skin she wore on the night - Have you no shame woman???
My only regret is my inability to join the group on the
night or rehearsals during the year. I can only hope to
be back (or allowed back!) next year. Having said that,
being in the audience for once in four years was joy.
To see the talent, charisma and potential of the group,
and their leader from a perspective not looked from in
a while made me realise the uniqueness of the community.
They are an indescribable group of people, a privilege
to work with, not to mention a joy to listen to. And to
quote Brian again “long may it continue”.
As a footnote, the group always welcomes new members.
So if you see yourself as a budding star of the Staplestown
Millennium Choir, rehearsals take place on Thursday Evenings;
7:30pm – 8:30pm for the junior choir, and 8:30pm – 9:30
for more senior members (have to be Politically Correct
about this!). If you feel like a chat before showing up,
you can approach any of the members, or speak to us after
11:15am mass in Staplestown Church.
Also, I wish to apologise to anyone who finds my sarcastic
style of writing insulting, it is by no means intentional.
I am, at this stage, used to being sued for libel so my
solicitors’ details are available from the Mona office!
Finally, Happy New Year to you all on behalf of the Staplestown
Millennium Choir.
Alan Brereton
A VISIT FROM CHERNOBYL
One local family had an
extra guest at heir table this Christmas Day as they played
host to a lovely fellow from Chernobyl called Sergeui. This
is the second time Sergeui stayed with the Browne family
where he had a great time. Although he experienced a white
“post” Christmas while here it wasn’t as cold or as in Belarus
where the snow is over 5 ft deep at the moment. Diane wold
like to thank all those who donated or helped to raise funds
for Sergeui. One little boy had a Christmas unlike any he
has had before.
CHERNOBYL CONTAINERS
For all those who enquired
when the next containers are going to Chernobyl the dates
are as follows: Goods including food, bed linen and medicines
to be left with Anne Smyth @ 863675, Marie Reilly @ 863732
or Mary Murphy @ 869416 by 12th February.
Many thanks to all those who help in this cause – to Gwen
and her “army” of blanket/sheet manufacturers; to Neil Conroy
of Tesco Maynooth for his kind donation of food; to Eugene
Hall for the huge amount of food he collected from various
sources; to a local family for a fabulous donation of £1000;
to Paddy & family in Timahoe for a very large donation of
food items and to all thos who purchase a little each week
to make hampers. Your help means more than thanks can ever
say.
ST KEVINS G.F.C
On Sunday 7th January St.
Kevins held their A.G.M in the clubrooms Staplestown. Having
opened the meeting before a big attendance, Chairman Pat
Cox invited Fr Ramsbottom to address the meeting. Fr. Pat
expressed his delight at being able to attend. He finished
by saying a prayer for all deceased members and indeed all
parishioners.
Secretary Alice Casey prepared a detailed report, expressing
delight at being involved with St. Kevins. Chairman Pat
Cox took the opportunity to thank everyone for their help
and understanding in this his first year as Chairman.
Pat then announced that, having been to a number of meetings
he was delighted to announce the appointment of former Kildare
star, Paul McLoughlin, as our club trainer for the coming
season. He especially thanked Brian 0’ Keeffe for his tremendous
work through his training of St. Kevins.
Mary Reilly and Denise Cox gave a very good account of the
financial position of the club. They warned against “any
slackening” of fund raising efforts due to the fact that
the club has, and will have, a mortgage for the next 15
years due to our new ¼ million pound Sports Hall and improvements.
The following reports were given:
First Team: - John Noone, Second Team: - Anthony Delaney,
U/14 / U/16: -Danny Lane (with special mention of our double
winning U/14’s and league winners U/16’s), U/13 / U/11 /
U10: Frank Kilcoyne, Minor amalgamation: -Niall Carew, U21
amalgamation: - Gordon Ward.
The nomination of a player on the executive committee, by
the players, was agreed. The club took the opportunity to
thank the following:
Our Sponsors All referees for “putting up” with us again
this year
Our gatemen, the coldest job of 2000
Our supporters and anybody who, in any way, helped in the
millennium year
Pat Cox closed the meeting by wishing all a safe sporting
year.
The following are our officers for 2001:
Life President: Jim Heffernan
Presidents: Fr. Ramsbottom, P.P, Séamus Russell & Andy Noone
Chairman Pat Cox Vice Chairman Martin Murray
Secretary Alice Casey
Asst. Secretary: Sarah Dunne
Joint Treasurers: Denise Cox & Mary Reilly
Joint PRO’s: Joe Fox & Sinéad Casey
Irish Officer: Sinead Cox
Co. Board Delegates: Joe Fox & Thomas Mahoney
U/age Chairman: Danny Lane
U/age Vice-Chairman: Frank Kilcoyne
Selectors for the coming year:
1st team Paul McLoughlin, John Noone & Noel Mc Cormack
2nd team: Anthony Delaney, Joe Fox
U/21 team Gordon Ward, Niall Carew Minors: Noel Mooney,
Mark Fitzharris U/16 team: John Joe Cahill, John Noone
U/14 team: Frank Kilcoyne, John Casey & Mark Fitzharris
The club would like to thank Kildare footballer David Hughes
for presenting our U/14 and U/l6 with their medals for their
achievements throughout the year. The lads were also presented
with tracksuits on the night.
We would also like to thank Michelle Lee, her dancers and
their parents for the dance-a-ton held in the hall. Their
efforts raised £466, this money will go towards the new
sports floor which we hope to have in the hall in the coming
months. Irish dancing is held in the hall every Monday night,
all new dancers are always welcome.
Our Christmas Draw was held in the clubrooms on Saturday
night the 9th December 2000. It was a huge success again
this year; thanks goes to all who bought and who put time
into selling tickets for our draw. Congratulations go to
the lucky winners in this draw.
£10,000 winner Pat Mangan jnr, Timahoe
£5,000 winner Ronald & Betty Masterson c/c Denise Ccx
£1,500 winner: Sean Deane c/o Ger 0’ Brien
£1,000 winner: Pat Cosgrove, Timahoe
£500 winner Gerry Fitzharris, Gilltown
£250 winner Martin Murray, Timahoe
£250 winner Mairéad & Eamonn Dwyer, Coill Dubh
£250 winner Mary Gill, Prosperous
£250 winner John Cosgrove, Prosperous
£250 winner Brendan Byrne c/c Frank Kilcoyne
CAKE SALE
The Altar Society are holding
a cake sale in the “old school” after 11.15 am Mass on Sunday
11th March. We are relying on the usual bakers to produce
their confectionery delights to which we have become accustomed.
Your support for this cake sale will be much appreciated.
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