Wexford woman with a keen interest in sport and bingo celebrates her 100th birthday
When Maggie met Gerry Boland, they married and settled down on the farm in Templeudugan where they would raise their five sons and five daughters.
It didn't take much for Maggie to get up to speed with what needed doing around the farm and had no fear of the daily tasks including milking cows, making butter, baking bread, while also using her creativity to knit and sew.
As their children got older, four of them emigrated to Australia, where herself and Gerry on a few occasions travelled down under to visit Sean, Pat, Clare and Diarmuid.
While Maggie navigates life without her beloved husband Gerry who died 18 years ago, she now finds comfort in spending time with family and friends who are dear to her, including their 27 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren, and attends the weekly bingo in Rathnure Hall every Tuesday night. She also enjoys Telly Bingo, watches every sport she can on TV and also tunes into Mass each morning.
Maggie was delighted to be celebrating her 100th birthday last month and as many never make it to this age, some never enjoy good health quite like Maggie.
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Irish Independent
16-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Wexford woman with a keen interest in sport and bingo celebrates her 100th birthday
Maggie attended Drummond National School and Borris Vocational School before securing work in Borris Post Office. After a time there, she was transferred to Gorey Post Office, which she travelled to daily by bicycle, and sometimes she got the train from Enniscorthy. When Maggie met Gerry Boland, they married and settled down on the farm in Templeudugan where they would raise their five sons and five daughters. It didn't take much for Maggie to get up to speed with what needed doing around the farm and had no fear of the daily tasks including milking cows, making butter, baking bread, while also using her creativity to knit and sew. As their children got older, four of them emigrated to Australia, where herself and Gerry on a few occasions travelled down under to visit Sean, Pat, Clare and Diarmuid. While Maggie navigates life without her beloved husband Gerry who died 18 years ago, she now finds comfort in spending time with family and friends who are dear to her, including their 27 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren, and attends the weekly bingo in Rathnure Hall every Tuesday night. She also enjoys Telly Bingo, watches every sport she can on TV and also tunes into Mass each morning. Maggie was delighted to be celebrating her 100th birthday last month and as many never make it to this age, some never enjoy good health quite like Maggie.
Irish Independent
01-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Around the Districts: News from Kilkerley, Knockbridge, Louth and Shelagh
Kilkerley The usual communion rounds by clergy take place this week but note that Fr Gerry will do his calls on Friday (not Thursday). Family Tree Healing mass is in Knockbridge on Monday next July 6, at 8.00pm preceded by confessions and rosary. St Oliver Plunkett 400 celebrations take place in Drogheda on Saturday and Sunday next July 5/6 and on Sunday, July 13, in Louth Village there will be a procession from the church at 2.00pm to Ardpatrick for mass at 3.00pm with refreshments afterwards. Rally of Life takes place in Dublin on Saturday next, July 5, at 1.30pm. Bus leaves Dundalk at 12noon from Holy Family Church. Cost is Skerries, €20, details from Patricia 087 7671657. Remember in your prayers, Anthony Reilly, Courtbane, formerly Rathmore, Helen O'Connell, Dublin Rd, Haggardstown, Peter Holland, Skerries, who died recently. Good wishes to all who are hospitalised or in nursing homes or unwell at home presently. Dancing Dancing continues on Sunday nights in the Community Centre from 8.30pm to 11.00pm as follows- This Sunday, July 6, The Wicklow Man plays; Chris Dallet plays on Sunday, July 13, Silver Moon (Donal and Bobby) play on Sunday, July 20. Jackpot €15,000 Kilkerley Emmets Lotto Draw on Tuesday, July 1, had a Jackpot of €15,000. Numbers drawn on Tuesday, June 24, for jackpot of €15,000, were 05, 06, 11, 15. No winner. Match 3 winner got €200 for Susanne Dunne 5, 11, 15, 21. Thanks to all who support the lotto. Entry €2 or three for €5. join onlne via website or Clubzap. Flag Day Kilkerley Emmets Flag Day takes place this Saturday next, July 5. Hopefully you can spare some time to help out on the day and get your name in asap to Caroline Deery 083 4385007 or Catherine Shevlin 0876537411 for the Roster, to crew as many locations as possible around town. Blessing of Graves Cemetery Sunday will take place on Sunday, July 13, with 10.30am mass in the cemetery, weather permitting. Athletic Club There will be a three week break in training from July 1 and resuming on Tuesday, July 22. Blackrock Beach races take place this Thursday and as it is a Club event we are hoping a big number of members will attend to represent Kilkerley AC. Coaches will be in attendance. Emmets GFC Intermediate League Rd 12 is this Sunday, July 6, at home to St Brides at 3.00pm. Rd 13 on Saturday, July 12, at home to Roche Emmets at 7.00pm; Rd 14 on Saturday, July 19, away to Dundalk Gaels at 7.00pm; Rd 15 on Saturday, July 26, at home to Mattock Rangers at 7.00pm and Rd 16 on Thursday, July 31, at 8.00pm away to Stabannon. Next junior game is at home v Mattock at 7.30pm on Tuesday next, July 8. On Wednesday last our U14 Boys drew 2-14 to 3-11 in the A Championship Group 3 away to Dreadnots. On Tuesday last our minor boys U18 Div 3 lge team lost 4-12 to 3-17 to O'Raghallaighs at the Gaelic Grounds, Drogheda. Scorers- Stephen Kelly 3-1; Adrian Conlon 1-4; Luke Shevlin and Ryan Holland 0-2 each; Tadhg Fitzgerald, Alex Babbington and Oisin McElroy 0-1 each. Then on Thursday last they drew 2-15 each away to St Kevins Lannleire. Our scorers- Luke Shevlin 1-5; Ryan Holland 1-2; Shea Finnegan, Alex Babington 0-2 each; Stephen Kelly; Adrian Conlon; Tadhg Fitzgerald, and Oisin McElroy 0-1 each. They play away to Clans this Friday at 8.00pm. Huge thanks to O'Callaghan travel, Dundalk for sponsoring a new set of jerseys for the minor team. #SupportLocal #ClubSponsor #Gratitude #OCallaghan Travel #MinorBoys. Your ongoing support is really appreciated and the club is proud to you as part of our team. Check out O'Callaghan Travel when planning your holiday. 042 9330600 info@ Further minor games - Thursday, July 10 away to Dreadnots; Friday, July 18 at home v Dundalk Gaels at 8.00pm; Thursday, July 24 away to St Pats at 8.00pm. In Div 2 league our U16 Boys lost at home 0-7 to 3-14 against Roche Emmets on Monday 23/06/2025. Our U10 Mixed played well in the Hunterstown Blitz in games with Clans, Plunkets and the home team. U9 Girls did well in the Blitz in Louth Village on Sunday morning last in games against St Pats, Young Irelands and St Mochtas. Our Girls lost in the U14 A Championship QTR Final 4-7 to 5-14 away to St Brides. Junior B Girls Team lost 0-14 to 2-7 on Sunday last away to Roche. Bowls Bowling in the Community Centre will resume on Wednesday, September 3, at 7.45pm, following the summer break. New members welcome from juveniles upwards. CES Vacancy The following vacancy exists in Inniskeen West Louth Development CE Scheme - 1 Caretaker Groundsperson for Kilkerley Emmets GFC. Eligibility applies to this vacancy. If you are interested please contact Cathriona O'Rourke CE Office on 087 2055119/ cathriona@ or any committee member of Kilkerley Emmets GFC. ALONE This organisation has a national support for older people to enable them to stay living at home for longer. Volunteers are needed in your area so if you are willing to provide companionship or make calls to Older People once a week then call Fiona on 086 1366539 or email or sign up here: Full training and support provided. St Vincent de Paul From time to time families and individuals can find themselves in real need. It may be big or small, short or long term, so if you find yourself in that space contact our Help Line at St Vincent de Paul Society on 1800 677 777 in complete confidentiality or contact the local Kilkerley, St Therese Conference and you will also be treated with total confidentiality. Knockbridge Parish News Rally of Life takes place in Dublin this Saturday, July 5, at 1.30pm. Bus leaves Dundalk at 12noon from Holy Family Church. Cost is €20, details from Patricia 087 7671657. The usual communion rounds by clergy take place this week, but Fr Gerry will do his calls on Friday (not Thursday). Family Tree Healing mass is in Knockbridge on Monday next at 8.00pm preceded by confessions and rosary. St Oliver Plunkett 400 celebrations take place in Drogheda on Saturday and Sunday next July 5/6 and on Sunday, July 13, in Louth Village there will be a procession from the church AT 2.00PM TO Ardpatrick for mass at 3.00pm with refreshments afterwards. Remember in your prayers, Eamonn Kirk, Ballinclare, Helen O'Connell, Dublin Road, Haggardstown, who died recently. Vintage Club Our Knockbridge Vintage Club Road Run scheduled for last Sunday was cancelled due to a bereavement within our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time. St Brides LGFA On Wednesday last, the U16 Div 1 Quarter Final away to Cooley ended in defeat 3-9 to 0-8. Training each Saturday morning at 10.00am for U11 and U12 Girls. St Brides Camogie Training in the pitch every Friday evening at 5.30pm for juveniles U6s, U8s, U10s, U12s. Centre Anyone wishing to book the Parish Centre for funerals and other occasions please contact Jean Myers directly at 042 9338670. ALONE This organisation has a national support for older people to enable them to stay living at home for longer. Volunteers are needed in your area so if you are willing to provide companionship or make calls to Older People once a week then call Fiona on 086 1366539 or email or sign up here: Full training and support provided. Hurling Club members are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Eamonn Kirk. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends and everybody in our community at this sad and difficult time. Eamonn will be remembered with great respect and his loss will be deeply felt across our community. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. The senior team lost 3-16 to 3-12 on Wednesday last away to Truagh. On Monday of this week June 30, the re-fixture with St Fechins in the Maurice Murphy Cup Final was to be played. This Thursday, July 3, at 8.00pm it's a home match with Castleblayney and on Thursday, July 10, its away to Clontibret at 8.00pm. Juvenile training in the pitch every Friday evening at 5.30pm. U6s, U8s, U10s, U12s, all welcome. Golf Classic 2025 takes place on Friday, July 25, in Ardee Golf Club. 4-person scramble | €200/team (meal included). GUI/Non-GUI prizes; Tee times from 12:30 (€50 deposit); Tee sponsor options: €150 / €100 / €50; Contact Declan: 087 134 5234 Bootcamp Great skills were displayed by all at the St Brides GFC Skills Bootcamp held on Tuesday evening of last. A roaring success and well done to the organisers on a wonderful event! Massive thank you to St Brides Mothers and St Brides Dads and Lads for donating a new Skillmaster Rebounder for the bootcamp. St Brides GFC Eamonn Kirk RIP - St. Brides GFC wishes to express its deepest condolences to his wife, Áine, sons, Cillian, Emmett, and Nathan; daughter, Naoise and the entire Kirk family on Eamonn's passing. Eamonn wore the St. Brides jersey for many years and was a valued member of the team that played in the 2002 senior final. Off the pitch, he was deeply involved at the committee level and served as chairman of the club during the period from 2010 to 2012. During this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Áine, his children, Cillian, Emmett, Naoise, and Nathan and the extended Kirk family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. Rd 12 of the main league for the Intermediate men's team is this Sunday, July 6, away to Kilkerley at 3.00pm. Rd 13 on Saturday, July 12 away to Stabannon at 7.00pm, Rd 14 away to Roche at 7.00pm on Saturday, July 19, Rd 15 on Thursday July 24, at home Dundalk Gaels at 8.00pm. Rd 16 on Thursday July 31, away to Mattock at 8.00pm. Junior men play at home to Newtown Blues at 7.30pm on Tuesday next, July 8. U16 Fixtures- (h) v Dundalk Gaels on Monday next, July 7; (a) v Irelands at 8.00pm; Monday, July 14, (h) v Plunkets at 8.00pm; Wednesday, July 16, (a) v Cooley at 8.00pm; Monday, July 21, (h) v St Nicks at 8.00pm. Lotto continued on Monday last, June 30, for a jackpot of €14,000. Numbers drawn on 23/06/25, (16, 20, 30, 32) for Jackpot of €13,600. No Winner. No Match 3 winners. Play Online at Tickets on sale (Priced €2, or 3 lines for €5) from MacNamee's Bar, Today's Local Shop, Lisa's Chipper, Harrys Bar, Dundalk, The Big House Bar, Dundalk, McKeown's Bar, Dundalk, Wee House, Dundalk, The Copper Kettle and from the committee. St Vincent de Paul From time to time families and individuals can find themselves in real need. It may be big or small, short or long term, so if you find yourself in that space contact our Help Line at St Vincent de Paul Society on 1800 677 777 in complete confidentiality. Golf Classic Knockbridge Hurling Club Golf Classic 2025 takes place on Friday, July 25, in Ardee Golf Club. 4-person scramble | €200/team (meal included). GUI/Non-GUI prizes; Tee times from 12:30 (€50 deposit); Tee sponsor options: €150 / €100 / €50; Contact Declan: 087 134 5234 Yoga Class in Knockbridge Community Centre on Tuesday evenings from 7.00pm – 8.00pm. For Booking or more information Contact Alan on 0857326964. All levels welcome. Fitness Class These Fitness Classes for females over 50 years of age continues each Monday at 10.00am at Stephenstown Pond. Bingo The bingo sessions continue in the Community Centre on Thursdays at 8.00pm. Further information from James Watters on 087 2568895. Louth St Oliver's 400th As we all know St. Oliver Plunkett whose 400th anniversary of his birth is being celebrated this year had a very close connection with Louth parish. He ordained Priests and lived with his Brother in Ard Patrick and to Celebrate this there will be a procession leaving Louth Church to Ard Patrick on Sunday 13th July. The procession will commence at 2pm. Mass will be celebrated at Ardpatrick at 3pm. This will be followed with refreshments. Lets hope the weather stays fine to help us celebrate this very historic event. Parish draw The Louth Stonetown parish fundraising draw was held last Sunday after Mass and the winner was Maria Shakey who received the prize of €150. The committee would like to thank all who helped sell or bought tickets. The next draw will take place on Sunday July 20th after Mass. Monthly Communion Fr. Campbell will do the monthly Communion rounds this week on Friday not Thursday. Blessing of Graves Blessing of the Graves will take place in Louth as usual on the first Sunday in August which is the 3rd of August at 6pm. This will be preceded by an Blessing of the Graves in the Monastery cemetery at 5.30pm. Congratulations We send congratulations to St. Mochtas Player Eimear Byrne who is part of the Louth football team who has reached the All the All Ireland Football semi final and we wish her and the team all the best. Best wishes We send best wishes to Paddy Kettle who has retired from his post with St. Mochtas school Louth. Paddy give tremendous service to the school and will be sadly missed. Paddy was loved by all teachers fellow staff but especially by the pupils. We thank Paddy for the great service he give to the club and wish him well in his retirement.
Irish Independent
27-04-2025
- Irish Independent
Serenity on the scrapheap and a history lesson over hot dogs — tales from my day by the docks
It might not be everyone's idea of the good life, but, for us, this was honest toil, far from the cares of the tormented world. It was that sunny week in Dublin in early April and we were down in Hammond Lane, probably one of the most unglamorous locations in the city. As he undid the ropes, I looked over our precious cargo that would soon be consigned, literally, to the scrap heap. There was a metal bath, a wheelbarrow without wheels, old filing cabinets, the remains of a Grant back boiler and an assortment of scrap metal packed on the back of the truck. Gerry had been here before, many times, but it was a first for me and I found the whole process fascinating. Hammond Lane Recycling Ltd, despite its name, is down the Pigeon House Road in the south Dublin docklands, with its headquarters in Portadown, Co Armagh. The recycling division is where metal is crushed and sorted before being loaded on to ships bound for exotic destinations around the globe. The finality of it is almost like a funeral procession for the mundane things we take for granted in modern life There is nothing glamorous about it, but, for us, this is the beauty of it. It's not about the money, it's about the gritty reality of where once-treasured objects often end their days. The finality of it is almost like a funeral procession for the mundane things we take for granted in modern life, everything from old washing machines to metal girders and much, much more. The original Hammond Lane, from which the current company takes its name, is a small, nondescript strip of disused land between the Four Courts and Smithfield in central Dublin. It is believed to be a corruption of Hangman's Lane — it was on the route from the courts to the gibbet at Oxmantown where those unfortunates who found themselves on the wrong side of the law were sentenced to swing. I'd come across the name inscribed on the coalholes which decorate the granite pathways of Dublin's Georgian squares. If you look down, you'll see the small iron discs emblazoned with names like Hammond Lane Iron Foundry, Tonge & Taggart, Sharkey of Church Street, Windmill Lane Iron Works and so on. The oldest of them don't carry any name but are decorated with geometric designs, before someone in the 19th century discovered it was a perfect form of advertising. Anyway, that's all I knew about Hammond Lane until Gerry proposed we make a trip with a load of scrap metal he had accumulated. We loaded up the pickup truck and made our way carefully through the leafy lanes of the south city to the docks. A sudden left turn and you find yourself among mountains of twisted metal, with a soundtrack of tearing and grinding. Cranes, like giant aphids with huge metal teeth, lifted and dropped tonnes of metal, sorting it from one pile to another. Others feed a huge crusher which grinds the scrap down into smaller pieces, forming a heap like a metal Sugar Loaf. I'd always loved the scrapyard scene in Pulp Fiction and now I found myself in the real thing. Gerry drove the truck on to a weighing scale, got the nod from the guy inside the office and then drove through the hills of twisted metal until he found the right place to dump our cargo. It was lunchtime, so we had to unload it ourselves. Looking around, I spied a nearby mountain of crushed cars. Looking at the shapes they had been reduced to, it was hard to believe that at one time in the not-too-distant past, these vehicles had been driven out of a showroom, someone's pride and joy. Now, crushed like beer cans, they were piled on top of each other, blocking out the blue sky. After carefully unloading the pickup, so as not to injure ourselves, we drove back to the weighing scales where the empty truck was reweighed. They subtract that from the original load and pay out on the weight of the scrap. Gerry headed into the office to conduct the business end of the deal. I got out of the cab and watched the cranes sorting iron, steel and scrap into huge bins until Gerry returned with the stash and said: 'OK, it's time to call on Deke.' Driving back on to the Pigeon House Road I couldn't help being reminded of that old phrase, 'Where there's muck there's brass.' In today's world, scrap metal has a price and Hammond Lane Recycling Ltd has a turnover of €66m, reporting a healthy profit of €16m last year. Deke's, for those who don't know it, is a diner in an old container on the roundabout just off the entrance to Tom Roche's original Toll Bridge, between Ringsend and what was the Point Depot on the north quays. I'd never been, but if you want tasty hot dogs and a little lunchtime philosophy and reminiscing, dispensed by the proprietor as he's cooking, then this is the spot. Deke has been running the diner for 24 years and it has now become a landmark amid the sprawling container parks, where lorries are lined up outside waiting to collect and deliver cargo. But it isn't only a truckers' spot; on the walls are photographs of various celebrities (if you'd call them that) who have dropped in at one time or another: Bertie Ahern, Michael D, Niall Quinn, Gerry Adams, Glen Hansard, even our current Taoiseach Micheál Martin, although I'd suspect he's not really a hot dog kind of guy. 'They were all here over the years, and many more,' says Deke. Fortified with hot dogs, it was time to leave the prosaic world of scrap metal and tall tales behind Before his present calling, he was a sailor and he's knowledgeable about the history of the docks, having, among other things, sailed on the Guinness boats, the Lady Miranda and the Lady Patricia. One of the photographs on the wall is the last voyage of the 'Miranda' named after the wife of Lord Iveagh and later the lover of Ryanair founder, Tony Ryan. There is no one else there that sunny afternoon and Deke is in full flight, eventually getting to the case of the Ouzel Galley, a famous ship that sailed out of Ringsend in 1695 with 50 crew and officers bound for what is Izmir in Turkey today. When it didn't return after three years, it was presumed lost and the crew declared dead. Then, in 1700, under Captain Eoghan Massey of Waterford, it sailed back up the Liffey and into the folklore of Dublin, with disputes, crew-members' wives remarried and endless litigation about who owned its cargo. The Ouzel Galley Society was formed and a pub was named after the ship in Dame Street. A plaque commemorating the ship's adventures can still be seen on Commercial Buildings on College Green. But with our cargo safely delivered that sunny April afternoon and fortified with Deke's hot dogs, it was time to leave the prosaic world of scrap metal and tall tales behind and with an empty pickup we sailed home to await another adventure in the lesser-known corners of Irish life. Maybe a trip to the mart next time, but we'll be mere observers at that spectacle.
