Issue 1417 August 28th 2022

Mass intentions this week

William Reynolds (RD) Baltinglass

Saturday 6pm: Breda Daly (1^st A), Dillon Quirke

Sunday 10am: Fr Gerry Foley (1^st A), Maura Lawlor

We also Remember: Phyllis Nixon

Monday: Mass offered for the Sick & those in Hospital

Tuesday: William Ryan (Birthday Rem), Nora Ryan (Birthday Rem)

Wednesday: Special Intentions, Thinking of You

Thursday: George Brown (A), Pam Byrne (RD)

Friday: First Friday of the Month, Masses will be offered for all on the November Altar List of the Dead

Mass Times this week:

Saturday 27^th August: Blessington: 6pm, Lacken: 7.30pm

Sunday 28^th August: Blessington: 10am, Manor Kilbride: 11am, Valleymount – Baltyboys Cemetery Mass 12 noon (No 11.15am Mass in the Church) In the event of bad weather, the Mass will be in the Church instead of at the cemetery. Crosschapel: 11.30am.

Tuesday 30^th August:Holy Hour & Adoration 7pm to 8pm in Church of Our Lady.

 Friday 2^nd September: First Friday of the Month,Masses will be offered for all on the November Altar List of the Dead

ACCOMMODATION NEEDED For a Ukrainian family, grandmother, daughter & child in Blessington area. If you can help, please call: 085 726 8971

Final reminder for Summer Dues Envelope Donations – available in all our Churches to support the priests of the Diocese. You can take one as you visit the Church this week and return to the Parish Office or to the collection boxes in the Church. Many thanks to all who have returned a donation.

St Mary’s Schools & Blessington Parish Lotto. Numbers drawn on 18^th August: 1, 5, 26, 27. Weekly €25 Winner: Brona Tracey. Next Jackpot is €1625

Eadestown Field Day & Horse Show will take place on Sunday 4th September from 12 noon in Punchestown Racecours.e Wheel of Fortune, Art Exhibition, Plant & Shrubs, Produce Stall, Books, Tea/Coffee & Barbeque. Lots of fun activities for children & families. Free Admission – Donations gratefully accepted at the Gate! (Free raffle ticket included with your donation)

Many thanks to all who supported the Bric-a-Brac Sale last weekend. €360 was raised & will go towards improvements to Valleymount & Lacken Churches.

Blessington Parish Office is open from 9am  to 1pm, Monday to Friday. Mass Cards & Gift Items available. Bookings for Mass Intentions. Newsletter Items. Call: 045 865 327 or Email: office@blessington.info

Blessington Bowls Club Thursday at 7.30pm in St. Kevin’s Hall, Blessington. Guests are most welcome, why not come along and bring a friend.

Blessington & District Day Care – THE WELCOME PROJECT. We invite you to join with the Blessington & District Day Care in spreading our wings, embracing our community & joining together to extend our services to the older members of our Community. 6 WEEK FREE COURSE at The Coimin Centre Blessington on Fridays from 10am to 1pm September 23^rd & 30^th October 7^th, 14^th, 21^st & 28^th  To kick things off, we ask you to join us in September for CHANGING GEARS with Age & Opportunity

• 6-week course, developing skills for Positive Ageing & building connections with others.
• The programme invites you, your neighbours & friends, to come together once a week to meet up & enjoy a lunch.
• It offers an opportunity to get back out there after Covid-19 & make friendships with others in the wider community & with other community groups.
• Where you have no transport or feel you cannot get to us, we can try arranging to bring you to the Coimin Centre in Blessington.
• If you are interested, please contact:

Valerie Hamilton at 045 865 412, Michael McLoughlin at 087 226 3717 & Bride Gleeson at 045 867 103. The Closing Date is 28^th August if you are interested, please contact us as soon as possible as places are limited.

Blessington Bowls Club resume on Thursdays at 7.30pm in St. Kevin’s Hall, Blessington. Guests are most welcome, why not come along and bring a friend.

Blessington Car Boot Sale St. Kevin’s Hall on Sunday 28th August 7am to 4pm Tea/Coffee. Indoor & Outdoor Spaces. Free Parking. Toilets. Tables €10. Bargains Galore! Pat Conlan: 086 075 2072

Run the Lakes of Blessington, Co Wicklow Medals awarded to all finishers. Tickets from €18 – book now to avoid disappointment. https://www.popupraces.ie/race/the-lakes-10km-5km-2022/ Proudly hosted by the Lakeshore Striders & supporting the Irish Heart Foundation. All proceeds of this event will go to Lakeshore Striders AC & The Irish Heart Foundation. Send us a message on Facebook or Instagram if you have any questions. Facebook: /lakeshorestriders – Instagram: @lakeshorestriders

Anam Cara South Dublin is holding its monthly Parent Evening for bereaved parents on Monday 12^th September at 7:15pm in the Maldron Hotel, Tallaght. This event is free and open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death, or whether their death was recent or not.

FUEL STAMPS are a great way to help budget for your fuel costs. Start saving now towards your fuel bills during the winter months.  The Stay Warm Saving Scheme is an easy payment option plan which enables households to budget for their central heating oil & or solid fuel by saving €5 Stay Warm Saving Stamps on the savings card & using the stamps to pay (in full or part payment) for fuel supplies. The Scheme is open to all households in the Blessington area and full details are available on the card. This initiative is in association with the Department of Communications Energy & Natural Resources. The €5 Stay Warm Saving Stamps & Savings Card are only available from Hennessy’s Hardware and SVP Shop. 

Blessington Chess Club Improve your memory & Concentration. Learn Chess. Blessington Academy Starting Summer 2022,  www.facebook.com/chessacademy2022  For All Ages & Levels. Info Email: blessingtonchess@gmail.com

Further Education & Training Centre Blessington – Courses starting September 2022. Office Skills, EBusiness, Tourism, Childcare, Healthcare, Horticulture, Employment Skills, SNA Learn new skills or brush up on old skills. Please contact Irene Hayden 086 806 1569 or Karen Townsend 086 850 3833 for more details.

Free Mattress Collection Sat 27^th August 2.30pm – 5pm. Hazardous Waste Collection Sat 10^th Sept 2.30pm – 5pm Rampere Recycling Centre Baltinglass, W91PK06 HOUSEHOLD WASTE ONLY

Lakeshore Striders Medal triumph at the Wicklow Athletics Off Road Championship. The West Wicklow Club sent a strong contingent across the gap to compete in the inaugural Wicklow Athletics 10km trail race on Saturday 20^th August. A tough course with a 300m+ climb through Derrybawn Woods, brilliantly marshalled by host Glendalough AC. The Lakeshore ladies increased the club medal haul with Sarah Byrne taking gold in the under 35 section, club secretary Deirdre Grogan took gold in the F50. Blessington’s Niall McHugh claimed silver in the M35-49. Lakeshore Striders attracts members from towns & villages across West Wicklow with sessions, in Blessington, expertly coached by Shane Connolly. New members are always welcome! The club can be contacted via Facebook: /lakeshorestriders or Instagram: @lakeshorestriders

Blessington GAA are excited to announce our 24-hour Walkathon, happening on August 27^th from 10am & finishing 24 hours later! This is the biggest fundraiser the club has had in three years & we appreciate everyone’s effort & support. All monies raised will go towards the development of the club, its’ grounds, teams & charities. Huge thanks to our main event sponsor Renault Ireland, giving 1 family & 1 team who raise the most funds €500 each for the charity of their choice. Our All-Star members will close out the walkathon setting off at 10am on Sunday morning, all welcome to join in & support them in the final laps. Follow us on social media for all the latest updates Raising Funds for your club & charities. 45 Teams | Family Fun & Games | Prizes

KARE Community Employment Programme Support Workers required for 19.5 hours per week. KARE, BLESSINGTON, Co. Wicklow. No experience necessary. Accredited training will be provided – Funded by DSP. Applicants must be over 21 & in receipt of a qualifying Irish social welfare payment for one year or more. Please contact your local DEASP/Intreo office to check your eligibility. Informal enquiries to Elaine 045 448 700. Give me a call!! Or email me at elaine.nolan@kare.ie

Crafternoon Tea / Crafty Bake & Take is seeking a Baker and a Kitchen Porter to join our team. Drop in a CV or send to crafternoontea.ireland@gmail.com

MANOR KILBRIDE MUSIC SCHOOL re-opens Monday 6^th September.Introducing Flute Expert Lina Andonovska. Lessons with Lina will suit beginners and improvers from age 8 upwards. Flutes available for hire. Also ideal for experienced or ‘return to flute’ players who wish to improve their skills. Lessons also available in all wind and brass instruments, piano and drums. Visit website www.manorkilbridemusic.com Contact Maria 087 965 6257 or e-mail info@manorkilbridemusic.com

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 Email:   roofingr7@gmail.com

Paying too much for SKY or Virgin Media? We Install or Repair Free to Air and Saorview! No more Bills! Call Billy 086 868 0053

New Weight Loss Programme Starting September in the Avon for more info contact Fiona 087 125 7152  fionaoconnor70@gmail.com

Local Dog Walker/Pet Minder/Cleaner Available. Contact Fionnuala 087 054 8123

Guitar Lessons. Private Tuition. Contact Greg: 086 275 2005

House Assistant required Paid position. We are coming from the United States to visit Ireland and will be renting a holiday home in the Blessington area for the month of September. We need help for the month with weekly grocery shopping, occasional dinner preparation, some cooking and clean up after dinner. Please contact Kate at kp.mackay@hotmail.com

Community Employment Job: Building Caretaker: St Kevin’s Community Centre. Job Reference: 2235231. This is a developmental opportunity, no experience necessary. Duties will include, but not limited to: General light maintenance. Some cleaning duties. Painting. Assisting in general operations of the centre to include keyholding, setting up rooms for meetings etc. Adhere to health and safety. Hall duties.  Please contact us on 085 252 3563 or martincahill@blessingtonce.ie Please note *You must be in receipt of a social welfare payment for the last 12 months to qualify for this position. *

Community Employment Job: Building Caretaker: Hollywood Community Centre. Job Reference: 2235257. This is a developmental opportunity, no experience necessary. Duties will include, but not limited to: Light maintenance, Admin duties, Cleaning. Painting, assisting with general operations of the centre & this could include keyholding, setting up rooms for meetings etc. Adhere to health and safety. Flexible hours required due to the nature of the role to include after hours. Report to reception & or assigned committee member.  Please contact us on 085 252 3563 or martincahill@blessingtonce.ie Please note *You must be in receipt of a social welfare payment for the last 12 months to qualify for this position. *

Method Physio are starting 2 new classes at the end of August/Beginning of September…. Aqua Fit and Bone Health Classes. Aqua Fit will take place at the Pop-Up Pool coming to Blessington & is suitable for adults of all ages & fitness levels. Classes starting in the week beginning 12^th September. Bone Health classes are suitable for those with Osteoporosis /Osteopenia or those looking to improve bone health. Classes commence On 22^nd of August at All In Fitness Gym. All classes must be booked on our website at www.methodphysiotherapy.ie and go on sale the 14^th August. Any queries or difficulty booking contact us on 045 857 444

Local Builder Available – All services under one roof, Windows & Doors, Plumbing, Tiling, Roofing, Plastering, Electrical, Carpentry, Insulation. All levels of construction services available. Fully registered. Call Paul 086 309 1829

Happy Days School of Performing Arts! Established in Blessington for over 27 years. Saturday Classes 10am to 12noon in Tramway Theatre, Blessington! Give Your Child the Confident Edge! Classes in: Speech and Drama, Dancing, Musical Theatre & Singing! + Optional Exams with the Leinster School of Music and Drama etc. Give your child a competitive edge and improve their communication skills in a fun filled atmosphere! For further information visit www.happydaysdrama.ie   Or email: happydaysdrama@gmail.com  or call / text Grainne 087 679 5470

VALLEYMOUNT COMMUNITY PRESCHOOL LTD. Looking for an Early Years Educator, Monday to Friday, 20 hours per week, starting Thurs 1^st Sept. Minimum Fetac Level 5/6 or equivalent required. Apply with CV and cover letter to preschoolpayroll@gmail.com  Closing date Friday 19^th Aug at 5pm. Please don’t hesitate to contact us by email with any queries.

U – STORE – IT – HOLLYWOOD – Convenient Storage Units to Rent. Individual Lockups. CCTV on All Units. 15 X 10 and 25 X 15. Suitable for Furniture etc Call: 087 356 7601

Interior Designs by Elizabeth Creative, Unique, Personal. Please phone: 086 088 1806. Email: elizabethdoyle.ed@gmail.com

Gardening – For Hedge clipping, Beds overhauled, Strimming, etc Phone Mark 085 133 7714 (Greenleaf Garden Care)