Around the Districts: Ballyhea, Boherbue, Meelin, Rockchapel and Western Duhallow

Irish Independent

06-06-2025

Church news
Mass Times – Thursday, June 5, 10 a.m.; Friday, June 6, 10 a.m.; Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m. and 7.30 p.m.; Sunday, June 8, 8.30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Adoration and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament will take place on Thursday after 10 a.m. Mass.
Holy Communion – Only those receiving Holy Communion should approach the Altar and only on a seat-by-seat basis.
Anniversary Masses – Booked Anniversary Masses are accepted on the understanding that Funeral Masses and month's mind Masses take precedence.
Month of June – The month of June dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Feastdays for the coming week – Thursday, June 5, St Boniface, bishop and martyr; Friday, June 6, St Norbert, bishop; Saturday, June 7, St Colman, bishop; Sunday, June 8, Pentecost Sunday.
New Crucifix – The parish has acquired a large out-door Crucifix from the Redemptorist Monastery in Esker, Co. Galway. To defray the purchase and transport costs a subscription list is now open for anyone who would like to support this initiative. Subscriptions may be left into the sacristy at any time.
Collectors for June – 8.30 a.m. Mass: Paudie Morrissey. 11 a.m. Mass: Tadgh Mortell.
Readers – Saturday, June 7: Ger. O'Shea. Sunday, June 8: Audrey Morrissey. Saturday, June 14: Louisa Carroll. Sunday, June 15: Mary Byrne.
Church Altar Flower Arrangers – Saturday, June 7, and Saturday, June 14: Bernie Leahy.
Irish Catholic Newspaper/Sacred Heart Messenger – The Irish Catholic newspaper and the Sacred Heart Messenger are available in the Porch for purchase. Irish Catholic €3, Sacred Heart Messenger €2.
Pilgrimage to Medjugorje – Leaving Cork on August 20 to September 4. Early booking offers available. Money can be paid in instalments to spread out the cost. For more information, please contact Mary Cott, Group Leader 086 1220850.
Church gate collections – No church gate collection taken up at St Mary's Church, Ballyhea is endorsed by the parish. Any group or organisation intending to collect outside the church gates are asked to present copies of their permits in the sacristy, together with copies of letters of authorisation of those collecting on their behalf. This should be done before the collection commences.
Parent and Toddler Group
The parent and Toddler Group in Ballyhea is now meeting Friday mornings from 10 a.m. to midday in the Parish Hall. Coffee and tea is provided. €3 donation please.
Ballyhea National School enrolment.
Application forms (Admission notice) for September 2025 are available on the School Website (ballyheans.ie/) or by calling to the office at Ballyhea NS Completed forms to be returned as soon as possible. Prospective parents may contact the school at 083 1475817 for further information or to facilitate a school visit.
GAA club news
Lotto – Get your tickets before 5 p.m. on Saturday from Costcutters Ballyhea, Corbett Court, The Idle Hour or from any of the ticket sellers or they can be purchased online at play.clubforce.com/play_newa.asp?ll_id=199#Anchor Thank you for your continued support.
The first three numbers of the National Lottery Main Draw will be the jackpot numbers. If a number higher than 42 is drawn in the first three, the draw will continue with the next number drawn under 42. The club appreciates the support of lottery players and supporters.
Groundskeeper Position – A part-time position is available as Groundskeeper for 19.5 hours per week at Ballyhea GAA Must qualify for Community Employment. Please contact Kathleen at 086 836 97 64 for further details.
Club membership – Membership fees for 2025 are currently being taken. Anyone wishing to pay online can do so by going to foireann.ie and selecting Ballyhea Club. Memberhip can also be paid to any committee member.
All players must have membership paid before the commencement of all competitions. Membership fees for 2025: Adult €75, Adult Player €100, Juvenile player/student €50, Family €150, OAP/Unwaged €30.
Ballyhea in Black and White – 'Ballyhea in Black and White' is a collection of memories from local photographer Michael McGrath and photos that have been collected. It features some great GAA and camogie memories from down through the years. Books can be purchased at Costcutters shop in Ballyhea for €20.
Online Shop – The club's online shop is proving to be very popular. All the latest club gear can be purchased from the O'Neill's website. Check it out at oneills.com/shop-by-team/GAA/ireland/ballyhea-GAA.html
BCommunity Alert
Ballyhea Community Alert has successfully set up a Text Alert Network to immediately alert our community when an incident occurs. Prompt information to and from Gardaí deters criminal activity.
If you are interested in becoming a member of our Text Alert Network please phone any of the following people for information and sign up details – Phil Ryan 087 2937465, Pat Daly 086 1220114, James Horgan 087 2572271, Willie Meaney 087 1936842, Con Walsh 086 8570355. The fee for this service is €10 annually.
BOHERBUE
Retirement gift
A committee has been formed to make arrangements to recognise the upcoming retirement of our Parish Priest Rev Fr Jim Kennelly.
Details of events will be communicated over the coming weeks to allow everyone in the Parish the opportunity to wish Fr Jim the best in his deserved retirement.
In addition to these events the committee has also arranged to set up an account for his retirement gift. Parishioners from both Boherbue and Kiskeam areas and groups may wish to arrange their own personal gifts or to use this account according to their own preferences.
The account details are as follows. Account name: Fr Kennelly Retirement Fund. Location: Newmarket Credit Union. IBAN: IE38NEEU99224810181853
The closing date is Friday July 11th. Please feel free to share these details within any organisation or clubs you may be involved in.
The Committee also intend to insure that any costs associated with any of the celebrations are kept to a minimum and all details will be shared with the community at a future date.
Knock pilgrimage
The annual Boherbue/Kiskeam pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Wednesday June 25th. Details from Philomena on 029 76116 or 087 7500151or Maura on 029 76217.
Thank You
The Boherbue Girl Guides and Araglen Desmonds Bui Ladies football Mother's and Others group wish to sincerely thank all who supported their recent football blitz in aid of the Guides upcoming International Camp at Clongowes in August.
Thanks to the teams who took part, those who supported the raffle, the sponsors or those who helped in anyway to make it a success.
Nevin Cup
Boherbue Nevin Cup squad scored a 5-19 to 2-7 win over St. John's on Friday evening last. The game attracted a big following to the Gneeves venue where the home side were on top throughout.
They opened the scoring with four points which was followed by Cathal Ducey goal in the 11th minute and from there on it was clear there was only going to be one winner. Further goals from Adrian Murphy, who also netted a penalty in the second half, and Sean Og Sheehan plus a flurry of points left the half time score at 3-11 to 1-4. From the restart the game followed along the same pattern with Boher's final goal coming from the boot of Patrick Daly.
Team: Donal Murphy; Bertie Buckley, Liam Daly, Padraig Aherne; Diarmuid Murphy, Niall Murphy, Darragh Tompkins; CJ O'Sullivan, Patk Daly; Sean Og Sheehan, Adrian Murphy, Timothy Murphy; Brian Herlihy, Dan Sheehan, Cathal Ducey. Subs: Richard Moynihan, Hugh Patrick O'Connor, Paul Cremin, Tim Murphy, Mike Murphy, Dermot Hickey.
Cemetery Mass
The annual Mass in Boherbue Cemetery takes place on this Friday night June 6th at 7.30pm.
Lotto
The numbers were 19, 24, 28, 29. Lucky Dip: €50 Eileen Mc Sweeney, Islandave; €20 each Fr Jim Kennelly PP; Jamie and Finn Lismire; Ml O'Sullivan, East End. On line John Aherne. Seller Tony Ankettell.
MEELIN
Cliona Hagan at Quinlans
Quinlans Beer Garden presents Cliona Hagan in concert on Sunday 15th June. First up will be Glen Rambler from 4pm–6pm, followed by Cliona Hagan from 6pm-8pm. Tickets €20. Tel [phone].
ROCKCHAPEL
Rockchapel Gathering Weekend
The Rockchapel Gathering Weekend will take place from June 6th to 8th, promising a packed programme of entertainment for all ages:
Friday, June 6th: The weekend opens with a concert at Bruach na Carraige at 8pm, featuring acclaimed Fermanagh band Tully, with support from Rockchapel's own McAuliffe Family.
Saturday, June 7th: The ever-popular Community Cuppa returns, with music from Jim Kiely and Friends, and magic for the kids. Afternoon events include a kids' music session in Murphy's Bar hosted by John McNulty and a singing session in Paddy Molly's Bar hosted by Eibhlín and Liam Broderick. The day culminates in the Three Counties Challenge Variety Show in Rockchapel Community Centre.
Sunday, June 8th: Festivities begin with a traditional Trad Mass, followed by a lively Craft Fair on the Church grounds. Family fun abounds with an Animal Roadshow, face painting, art corner, kids' tractor run, and more. Food and refreshments will be available all day.
The weekend will close with a free outdoor concert, starting with Up in Smoke (3.30 to 5.30pm), followed by The Rising (6pm-8pm), and DJ Donal keeping the party going into the night. Pub sessions will also take place nightly, with all musicians welcome to join.
This year's Rockchapel Gathering promises to be the biggest and most entertaining yet. For updates, visit the official Rockchapel Gathering Weekend website or follow on social media.
WESTERN DUHALLOW
Cullen Feis
On this Sunday June 8th the village of Cullen will celebrate its annual Feis Laitiarain, one of the oldest annual events anywhere in the country.
Starting at 12 noon with competitions in Singing, Music including Bands, Dancing etc. The age groups are under 8, 8 to 10yrs, 10 to 12, 12 to 14 and over 14. There will also be the annual sports which too attract a lot of competitors, novelty events and many extra items that create a Carnival atmosphere. Tea, coffee etc will also be available.
The award winning local Pipe Band too will give a recital. Further details from 086 2173796 or 087 2316298.
Cemetery Masses
Knocknagree: Friday, June 6th 8pm. Boherbue: Friday, June 6th 7.30pm. Kiskeam: Monday, June 9th 7.30pm. Gneeveguilla: Monday, June 9th 8pm. St Mary's, Millstreet: Monday, June 9th 7.30pm. Drishane: Tueday, June 10th 7.30pm. Nohoval: Wednesday, June 11th 8pm. Ballydesmond: Sunday, June 29th. Cullen: Thursday, July 3rd 7.30pm. Cullen: Old Cemetery Thursday, 24th 7.30pm.
Invitation
On Sunday June 22nd the 11am Mass in the Church of the Sacred Heart will be the Retirement Mass from the Kiskeam side of the Parish for Fr Jim Kennelly PP. Everyone welcome.
Kiskeam Lotto
The numbers were 7, 18, 20, 25. Lucky Dip €50 Vincent Guiney, Knocknanough. €20 each Francis O'Keeffe, Knockeenadillane; Jerome Casey, Drominargle, Boherbue; Regina Sheehan, online Seller Christy O'Keeffe.