Issue 1395 13th March 2022

Mass intentions this week

Billy Horan (RD) Blessington, Dr PK Joyce (RD) Blessington, Peter Plant (RD) Manor Kilbride

Saturday 6pm: Molly Brady (A), Oliver McDonnell (3^rd A)

Sunday 10am: Pat Kelly (Lisheen) (4^th A), Paddy Magee (A), Mary & Patrick Stynes (A)

We also Remember: Laurence Kinsella, Bill Twyford, Edward O’Toole, Paddy Keogh (25^th A), Deceased Members of the Keogh Family, Sadie Fortune (5^th A), Deceased Members, of the Fortune Family

Monday: Mass for Blessington List of the Sick

Tuesday: Mary Reid (RD), Peter Hudson (RD)

Wednesday 9.30am: Margaret Kinsella (A), Mark Byrne (RD)

Holy Day Vigil Mass 6.00pm: Larry Whelan (RD), Patrick Byrne (RD)

St Patrick’s Day Mass 10am: John Magee (A), Paddy Magee (A)

Bank Holiday Friday: Special Intentions, Get Well Intentions

►Saturday 12^th March:  Blessington: 6pm, Lacken: 7.30pm

►Sunday 13^th March: Blessington: 10am, Manor Kilbride: 11am, Valleymount: 11.15am, Crosschapel: 11.30am,

►Tuesday 15^th March: Holy Hour and Adoration for the intentions of families from 7pm to 8pm. All welcome to join & spend some quiet time with the Lord.

►Wednesday 16^th March: Vigil Mass for St Patrick’s Day 6pm in Blessington

►Thursday 17^th March – St Patrick’s Day Mass Times: 10.00am Blessington, 11.00am Manor Kilbride, 11.30am Crosschapel, 11.15am Valleymount

►Friday 18^th March – Bank Holiday: Mass at 11am in Church of Our Lady, Blessington

St Mary’s Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto. Numbers drawn on 10th March: 9, 17, 20, 30. Weekly Winner €25: Laura Humphries. Next Jackpot is €650. www.blessingtonparish.ie  https://www.ourparishfundraiser.ie/parish/blessington

Could you be the Blessington Rose? The Rose of Tralee International Festival is emerging from a two-year break & plans to hold Rose Selections in local communities. In Blessington, this is being facilitated by Blessington & District Forum & the Wicklow Rose Coordinator.  We are therefore looking for young people (Roses & Escorts) between the ages of 18 & 30 to participate in a Blessington Rose selection festival (1st May in Tulfarris House Hotel) which will select the Blessington Rose who will then go forward to the Wicklow Rose selection on 5^th June in Arklow & if successful, to the national event 19^th to 23^rd August in Tralee.  Please indicate your interest (name, contact details etc) to blessingtonrose@blessington.ie  Application form can be found at  https://www.roseoftralee.ie/apply-2021/c/0/i/61082600/be-a-rose-2022

St Brigid’s N.S. Manor Kilbride are still accepting enrolments for all pupils wishing to start in September.  Please contact the school office on 01 458 2550 for an enrolment form. St Brigid’s will also be having an open evening for all prospective students & their families on Wednesday 23^rd March 2022.  The school will be open from 6pm till 7pm.

St Patrick’s Day in Manor Kilbride Hall. Community Social Gathering 12pm to 2pm. Vintage style Tea & Old-Time Music. Hosted by Glen Heste Pure Mile along with Kilbride & Lakeside Music Committee. All welcome.

8th Wicklow Blessington Scout Group. We have Beaver, Cub, Scout, & Venture sections for Boys & Girls. We are in the process of restarting the groups following Covid Lockdown. To enable us to re-open some sections & take in new youth members we need Adult Scouters, without Scouters we cannot do this. If you are interested in becoming a leader, please email us  enquiriesblessingtonscouts@gmail.com

Lacken National School & Naíonra – Now taking enrolments for September 2022. Contact: 045 865 086 school@lackenns.com  for enrolment forms.

Blessington Men’s Shed is now open every Monday & Tuesday from 10.30am to 12.30pm.The kettle is always on!! New members most welcome.

For Sale in Blessington Men’s Shed, 2 dining room tables & matching chairs, in perfect condition. For further information, contact John Flynn: 087 2977678.

Kilbride GAA Pre Paid Lotto in aid of our New Pitch Levelling Project, Community Playground & Walking Track in Manor Kilbride. The Club are running the Annual Pre-Paid Lotto, please support if you can. Select your 4 numbers to enter into 41 draws throughout 2022 for €100. The Jackpot is currently at €2400, deadline is the 13th of March – to enter online see: www.kilbridegaa.com/pre-paid-lotto/  or email: info@kilbridegaa.com   or phone: 0863113443

Eurovision Voices St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral Charity Concert on Monday 25th April at 7:30pm in aid of Peter McVerry Trust, Blossom Ireland & Dogs Aid. Tickets €30 from Eventbrite.ie

Rathmore Church and Graveyard. Since the beginning of February work has recommenced on the restoration of the very overgrown parts of Rathmore Graveyard. These works began in 2019 with a number of groups working & great progress was made. Unfortunately, Covid put paid to further work, until now. Rathmore is a Historic Graveyard, the oldest inscription dates back to 1682 but there are unmarked Headstones & Marking Stones which we understand predate this. The work we are doing at the moment involves clearing around & revealing the Headstones & Marking Stones, which for the most part have become completely covered by heavy grass, brambles & ivy. Once cleared we are then in a position to cut the grass to allow access to all parts of the graveyard. The work we are doing is under the guidance of the Heritage Officer in Kildare County Council. Our priority in doing this work is, not to cause damage to the Historic Headstones & Marking Stones, to be respectful to the people who are buried there & to maintain & encourage the abundant wildlife & Plant Life that exists there. This work we are doing is slow, so far, a small group of volunteers working with hand tools & trimmer’s have been making progress. In conjunction with this work, we are collecting as much information about the people who are buried there, to let their relatives know about the restoration work that is being undertaken. If you are interested in getting involved in this project as a volunteer, whether it’s because you have a relative buried there or purely for the depth & wealth of History that is associated with the Graveyard & St Columcille’s Church. Please contact a member of The Friends of Rathmore Graveyard. Bernie Phibbs, Blessington 087 9309460 – Willie Gillespie, Rathmore 045 862116  Nuala Wall, Rathmore 087 9481930 nuala.wall@gmail.com

Blessington Library Weekly Events for Children – TUMMY TIME: Thursday, 11.30am. For babies who haven’t started to crawl yet. Babies can play beneath the beautiful light projections of Tovertafel. TODDLER TIME, Fri, 11.30am. Song, movement and rhymes for toddlers. Suitable for children aged 1 – 3 year olds. CHILDREN’S STORY-TIME, Sat 11.30am. Join us for some tall tales and fun stories. Suitable for children aged 3 – 6 year olds. 6-Week Ukulele Course for Teens. Learn to play ukulele with Pat Byrne in Blessington Library. Starts Thursday, 24^th March at 6.30pm. Suitable for 12 to 16-year-olds. Ukuleles available to borrow for the duration of the course.Please book at blessingtonlib@wicklowcoco.ie  or on 045 891 740

West Wicklow Cancer Support – Weekly Meditation with Gemma Deeney for people touched by Cancer, continues Wednesdays 11.15am in the Primary Care Centre Blessington. Please Contact us on 087 434 6004 or westwicklow15@gmail.com   if you would like to reserve a place.  Do bring your own blanket & pillow. No charge. “The best cure for the body is a quiet mind”

Parent & Toddler Group – Tuesday & Wednesday – 10am to 12 noon in St Kevin’s Community Centre, Blessington

Kilbride Under 14 Ladies Football team are recruiting players for this season. If your birthday falls within the following dates Jan 2008 and Dec 2010 and you want to play Gaelic football, please let us know. Contact Joanne via text message: 086 845 0247 or email: info@kilbridegaa.com

Rugby at Russborough for age groups U6, U7, U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, boys & girls! Tuesday 7pm to 8pm and Sat 11am to 12:30pm. All Welcome to Blessington Mini-Rugby! join@blessingtonrugby.ie

Go Fonez, Blessington. We sell & repair phones, tablets & laptops. New phones & used phones in stock. Great range of Gadget Accessories in stock. ALSO – Elfbar 600 puffs available in store. Main Street, Blessington opposite SuperValu. 089 973 8350

Quality Affordable Garden Care – Experienced Horticulturist. Over 10 years’ Experience in soft landscaping & garden maintenance. Free Quotations www.Day2DayLandscaping.com  Email: greg@day2daylandscaping.com  Phone: 086 052 2222

Painter & Decorator – Interior & Exterior. Phone: Damien 085 826 0431

Jones Power Tools Ltd – Sales Service and Repairs. Specialises in Stihl and Honda. Stockists of Fleetwood Paint. Contact:- info@jonespowertools.ie Phone:- 059 6481033

Bathroom Upgrades, Plumbing & Heating, Showers, Roofing, Windows, & Doors. Internal & External Insulation. Call Paul 086 309 1829.

SEETHRU Solution – Your local trustworthy cleaning service for: Windows, Gutters, Fascia, Pressure Washing, Softwash, Carpet & Upholstery. Greg: 085 858 1850

Paragon Bathrooms. Full Bathroom Renovations. Showroom Open, Main Street, Blessington. Call Aiden 085 137 8770

Gardening –  For Hedge clipping, Beds overhauled, Strimming, etc  Phone Mark 085 133 7714

Blessington Roofing and Guttering. All Roof Repairs Slate Tiles Chimneys Guttering Fully Insured Free Quotations 24/7 Emergency call-out. 25 Year Guaranteed Roof Installation and Roof Repairs. Call Today for a free no-obligation quote. 087 379 4038 www.roofrepairsandguttering.ie