Roundwood and District Newsletter

March 2005 Issue No 25

Sponsored by Frank Lawless Alarms

This newsletter is produced by the Communications group of the Roundwood and District Community Council

Roundwood & District Community Council Update

Heritage Council projects

The Roundwood Heritage Walks were officially launched by Deputy Liz McManus, supported by Councilor Andrew Doyle on Sunday the 20th of February at an unveiling of the recently erected mapboard outside the Old School. In attendance were some of the key players in the project including Tim O’Regan, Coillte Teo, Ned Fleming, Dublin City Council, our very own Claire Chambers, who pioneered the project with her committed team and Terry Kavanagh, Chairman of Roundwood & District Community Council.

Then to the Parish Hall, for a welcome hot cup of tea and sandwiches from Betty Cullen, Mollie Byrne and the rest of RDCC team. All attending were treated to entertainment by a talented quartet from Roundwood Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Eireann of Caoimhe and Finlay Brennan, John Fleming and Brígh Strawbridge.

Once some warmth was restored, the CD, “Roundwood - Glimpses of Yesteryear through the Seasons”, was formally launched by Deputy Liz McManus. The CD’s are for sale in the shops for €10….a good St Patrick’s Day present! A special tribute should go to all those who contributed to the CD, the interviewers, interviewees, the singers and performers. A huge amount of work went into compiling all this information into the CD. Claire Chambers undertook all this and she deserves the majority of the praise for the successful completion of this project. Well done Claire!

Terry Kavanagh expressed his thanks to all that were involved in the projects. These included Wicklow County Council, Coillte Teo, Dublin City Council, the Irish Heart Foundation and Wicklow Uplands Council. Thanks also to William Belton who supplied the public address system and to all who contributed to the success of the launch event.

Slí na Sláinte leaflets

Slí na Sláinte (The Irish Heart Foundation) adopted two of the walks to promote healthier lifestyles. These two walks are clearly marked with signage. The Roundwood & District Community Council, in conjunction with Slí na Sláinte, has produced leaflets of these walks. It is hoped that they will be made available to the public through the shops, bed and breakfasts, etc. If you would like a small quantity for your B&B or outlet please contact any member of the community council.

Wicklow County Council Pride of Place Initiative

Some of you may have seen the write up in the Wicklow people about the Wicklow County Council Pride of Place Initiative. We do not have details yet, but applications need to be in by 18^th March. Roundwood has a lot going for it this year (the Youth club, Active retirement, music, sli na slainte, heritage, the first responders, all the sporting activities and many others) so we should have a go. If we are not in we cannot win. Even if we were shortlisted we would benefit from all the training. We are in with as good a chance as any other group. If you would like to support the RDCC, please contact a Committee member.

Architectural Heritage of Wicklow

This handsome book was recently published and Roundwood features in it twice. The first mention is the Draw-off Towers of the Reservoir built around 1865 (fig 113). The second may come as a surprise; the Old School (fig 137) built in 1923. We tend to consider it as just an ordinary part of the village but it adds to our unique streetscape.

The aim of the book is to raise awareness and thus a better appreciation in a drive to protect the county’s built heritage. This may sound pompous, but look with fresh eyes. What is your favorite scene? Is it coming up the road from Bray, the Church to the right, the hall to the left and Doyle’s Garage dominating the corner? Or just the rough stone buildings along side Byrne’s shop? Or the old water pumps tucked around the village? Or just the pubs?!! All these are part of our built heritage and need to be cared for. Diversity is what makes us unique.

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

The working group is happy to announce that there was a good response for nominees to the Parish Pastoral Council. It is intended to have the election of candidates at Saturday night and Sunday morning masses on 12th and 13th March. The ballot papers will be given out at mass and time will be set aside during mass for you to cast your vote. It is hoped that the new Parish Pastoral Council will be presented to the Parish at 11.30pm mass on Easter Sunday the 27th March in the Church of St. Laurence O’Toole, Roundwood.

EASTER CEREMONIES IN ROUNDWOOD PARISH

Thursday 10th March Fr. Lar Gallager, a young Redemptorist Priest in charge of youth, will visit our Parish and will lead a Holy Hour at 7pm with reflections on the Eucharist followed by Mass.

Friday 11th March Fr. Lar will visit the schools of the Parish.

Saturday 12th March Fr. Lar will lead the Penitential Service and will be chief celebrant at the 8pm Mass. Folk Group

Sunday 13th March Fr. Lar will preach at Moneystown Mass at 10a.m. and Roundwood Mass at 11.30pm.. Youth Group

Holy Thursday Mass in Moneystown Church 5pm . Choir

Mass in Roundwood Church at 8pm. Folk Group

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in Roundwood Church up until 12 midnight.

Good Friday Stations of the Cross in Moneystown Church at 12pm. Choir

Ceremony of the Passion with Holy Communion and veneration of the Cross in Roundwood Church at 3pm. Folk Group

Stations of the Cross in Roundwood Church at 8pm.

Saturday Vigil Easter Vigil Mass with ceremonies in Roundwood Church at 9pm. Choir

Easter Sunday Mass in Moneystown Church at10a.m.. Choir

Mass in Roundwood Church at 11.30pm. Folk Group.

EILEEN APPEARS IN FAIR CITY!

You may have noticed in the recent scenes of Harry & Dolores Molloys'
daughter Jessica's funeral in the Irish soap, Fair City our very own Eileen
Fanning was part of the congregation in the Church. Before the episode was
screened Eileen was to be seen starring in the RTE Guide and in the Ireland
on Sunday as part of the promotion for the episode. Well done to Eileen and
hopefully we'll see plenty more of her on television in the future.

FLEADH CEOIL COMES TO ROUNDWOOD

Roundwood, after a gap of ten or so years, is hosting the 2005 Wicklow Fleadh Ceoil. It will be held on Saturday the 23rd of April and will start at 1 o'clock. The solo musician and singing competitions will be in the new school, the Comhra Gaeilge, a competition in Irish Language proficiency is in the old school and. the bands and group playing will be in the parish hall (starting here at four). Later that evening there will be a session with guest musicians and set dancing.

Apart from the bands, grupai Ceoil, there will be under age and adult competitions in all the traditional instruments, ranging from the tin whistle to the uileann pipes and in lilting whistling and singing.

Entries and details of the Comhra Gaelige are to sent to Jerry Crowley at jercrowley@eircom.net.

All other entries please send to Ned Fleming at candnfleming@eircom.net.

If you have any ideas for the day, or if you would like to help, contact one of the Roundwood Comhaltas Committee; the committee consists of Janine Brennan, Eileen Patterson, Jean O'Toole, Ned Fleming, Jerry Crowley and Maura Dewar.

If you can't wait, there will be a session in the Complex bar on Sunday the 13th of March starting at 4pm.

Cleachtadh a dhéanann máistreacht!

Wicklow Mountains National Park Event

A forest walk will take place in Glendalough starting from the Information Office at 2pm on Sunday the 6th of March. Please book in advance on 0404 45656.

Roundwood School News

Sri Lankan Boat Appeal

We have finally reached our target of 3,000 Euro for the Tsunami appeal. We are very grateful to Terry Kavanagh who organised a walk and donated the proceeds of 400 Euro towards the cost of the boat and to the Coach House who donated 140 Euro. The rest 2,460 Euro was raised by the pupils.

The boat has been named the "Roundwood Raft" and the cheque is on its way. Congratulations and thanks to everybody who helped in any way to make the project a success.

Write a Book Competition

Children from fifth and sixth class took part in the "Write a Book" competition organised by the Blackrock Education Centre. The children enjoyed writing their stories and reading stories by children from other schools.

Down to Earth Theatre Company

The "Down to Earth" Theatre Company will visit our school on Friday 18th March. The day will consist of a forty five minute Drama followed by workshops for the children from second to sixth class.

Credit Union Quiz

Two teams took part in the Avonmore Credit Union Quiz which was held in Rathdrum on Sunday 6th February.

Team "A", Sarah Fleming, Jennifer O'Gorman, Caoimhe Brennan and Neil Foot came fourth while team "B", Amy Kenny, Robert Scott, Zara Healy and Edward Salley came third. Well done and congratulations to all involved.

Athletics club notes for community council newsletter Feb 2005

EVENTS UPDATE

Date	Event	Venue	Time
5^th & 6^th Mar	Leinster indoors T&f	Nenagh	10.30
11^th March	Wicklow AI book launch and County star awards, Winter league road race presentations	Gaa complex	8pm
12^th mar	All Ireland junior indoor T&F	Nenagh
13^th mar	AAI Indoor relays	Nenagh
13^th mar	Tsumai fundraiser 2 mile	Avondale Rathdrum	11 am
13^th Mar	Summer league junior & senior 1^st stage 2mile- jnr.	Avondale,Rathdrum	10am
19^th &20^th mar	All Ireland juvenile indoor T&F	Nenagh
2^nd&3^rd april	All Ireland juvenile indoor T&F	Nenagh
4^th april	Community games c.c.	rathdrum

This was a quiet month with only the SCHOOLS C.C. At the East Leinsters Leinsters Fiona McKenna, Jonathan Philips,John Fleming ,Cormac Carty Kevin Belton Aoife Kavanagh,Eleanor Carty qualified for the Leinsters. At the Leinsters Schools C.C. Fiona McKenna ran a brilliant race to come 3^rd in the minor girls.

Congratulations to SOPHIE LOSCHER on again pole vaulting her way into the A.I. ACAMEDY for Elite athletes

WICKLOW ALL STAR AWARDS, WICKLOW A.I. BOOK LAUNCH ,ROAD RACE PRESENTATIONS – 11^TH MARCH GAA COMPLEX

This will be a good evening - The Wicklow All Star awards for 2004 will be presented here – A suprise personality will launch the book which will be on sale for 5 euro. On the night MAKE SURE TO BUY THE BOOK FROM THE ROUNDWOOD PEOPLE.

Wicklow AI 4 stage Summer league for juniors up ie 15 year olds (U16) and older starts on 13th march . The same day as the Tsumai fundraiser for all athletes ,their families and friends both in Avondale ,Rathdrum. All are welcome to come and support this good cause. Do come along.

Football Focus

Scór

The Wicklow county finals of Senior Scór were held in Carnew on 18th February. An Tóchar were well represented in many categories at this competition. The standard was very high in all events and our competitors did us proud with their performances throughout.

After a lapse of many years our set-dancers revived this event in the competition. Those dancing were Paul Brady, Conny O’Connell, Richie Cullen, William Belton, Elizabeth Belton, Sheila Kavanagh, Pauline Kavanagh and Helena Lawless. This group now goes on to represent us in the Leinster semi-final, which takes place in Bree, Co. Wexford on Saturday 5th March. Your support will be much appreciated.

In the solo-singing section Claire Crowley represented us. Jack Byrne took part in the recitation. The Question Time team consisted of John Byrne, Derek Neilson and Owen Mulrane. Novelty Act cast were – Seamus Gaskin, Don Ferguson, Eugene Shortt, John Loscher and Michael Connolly. Once again a big ‘thank you’ to all these performers who did so well on stage. Well done to Scór secretary, Don Ferguson for putting such a huge effort into organising the local group.

An Tóchar Seniors

Our senior men’s team start their league for 2005 next Sunday 6th March away to Kiltegan. Kick-off is at 11am. Training has been hampered a little by recent snowfalls but hopefully our lads will bring home the points. Their next league fixture is on 13th March at home to Avondale starting at 11am. Then it’s away to Blessington on 20th March again at 11am. You are all welcome to come and support this team.

Membership Fee

The An Tóchar club membership fee is now due for the coming year. The fee is €50 for adults and €25 for students. Fees to be paid to Declan Wolohan or Denis Healy.

Changing the shape of the ball!

Good luck to club member, Conor Kenna, who plays in the semi-final of the Leinster Senior Cup in rugby with his school, Saint Gerard’s. They face the mighty Blackrock College. This game takes place in Landsdown Road on Thursday 3rd March at 4pm and will be televised on Setanta Sports at 7pm.

GAA Lotto Tickets

Thank you to everyone involved in the buying and selling of the GAA club lotto tickets. Your support is much appreciated and will help fund the upkeep of the well-utilised complex. We now need to recruit additional volunteers to sell lotto tickets. Please make contact with Catherine Byrne on 086 8595912 and she will be happy to give you more information.

Junior Bs and Cs

These two teams are in hard training every Monday and Wednesday night at 8pm under the watchful eye of Nick Nolan. All new members and mature eligible players are very welcome to put on your boots and come along.

Social Calendar

A date for your diary is Friday 18th March. Event is Fun Table Quiz. Venue is the complex lounge. Time: 8:00pm. Price is €20 for a table of four. Don’t miss it, and bring all your friends along!

County Minors

Well done to Hugh Kenna and Kieran Crowley who are representing us on the county minor panel and training hard with them every week. This county team beat Longford last Saturday in Arklow.

GAA Player Profile

Name: Ronan Marah

Date of Birth: 12th Sept 1993

Favourite Position: Half Back

Fav.Football Player; Kieran McDonald

Favourite Hurler: D J Carey

Other Sports: Rugby, Athletics.

Favourite T.V. Programme: Father Ted

Favourite Movie:Jack Ass

Favourite Music:R & B

Favourite Food:Steak and Chips

Ambition: Win Leinster Final