Local notes: Celebrations, jazz mass and Tour de Picnic in Stradbally
Stradbally woodland railway
COMMUNITY CHOIR
Exciting times ahead as we launch our own community choir. All are welcome to join this exciting new initiative. The first rehearsal is on Wednesday 11 September at 8pm in St Colman’s NS. Our aim to hold a Christmas concert in December. The choir is open to ages 16 years plus with no upper age limit.
JAZZ MASS
We look forward to welcoming to 6.30pm Mass on Saturday the Kill Singers from Co Kildare, who are going to share with us their jazz Mass. Come along to what promises to be an uplifting celebration of Mass. All are welcome.
MONDAY PRAYER GROUP
The group will resume on 9 September at 8pm. All are welcome.
VICARSTOWN COMMUNITY HALL 20-YEAR CELEBRATIONS
The celebrations take place on Friday, with the opening ceremony at 7.30pm, food served at 8.30pm. Tickets available from committee members, email communityhallviarstown@gmail.com or text or call 086 2594132. Admission: adults €20, juveniles go free.
CONGRATULATIONS
To Sr Beatrice Lakes, sister of Josephine Flynn, Vicarstown and the late Molly Farrell, Stradbally, who is celebrating her 90th birthday this week. She also celebrates her platinum jubilee as a Brigidine sister, that’s 70 years. A beautiful, gentle, kind and adored sister and aunt, grandaunt and great grandaunt. Wishing Sr Beatrice health and happiness.
WOODLAND RAILWAY
What a wonderful heritage week open day we had. Thanks to the passengers for making it one of this year’s busiest days and to our wonderful volunteers for making it all happen.
Special thanks to Laois heritage office for their help and the decorations on the engines and platform.
TOUR DE PICNIC
While Tour de Picnic was not held at this year’s Electric Picnic, nonetheless the challenges facing special needs children and their fundraising requirements are ongoing. Kolbe Special School, Portlaoise has made huge efforts to secure a new school build, which is underway. This is a huge success story for the children, staff and families of Kolbe and the wider Laois community.
The school’s main fundraiser will take place at the national ploughing championships, where they will raffle a quad bike. Lines are €10 or three for €20. There is also an opportunity for local businesses to contribute with your logo/brand displayed at the Kolbe stand for the three days of the championships as a thank you.
STRADBALLY TOWN AFC
A and B preseason training for the CCFL 24/25 began on Tuesday 27 August at 8pm at T&S grounds, Timahoe. New players welcome. Phone 085 1303284.
LUGGACURREN 10k-5k
The 31st annual Luggacurren 10kms takes place on Sunday 8 September at 1pm. Prizes in all categories. This year, we will also have a noncompetitive 5kms and 10kms, which will commence at 12.30pm. All entrants will receive a souvenir t-shirt and refreshments will be served after the event.
AFC ‘SPLIT THE POT’
Congratulations to Phil Quirke, who beat the post-Picnic blues in last week’s draw. Fran and Eamon Beale picked up the €50 bonus.
REACH FOR THE SKIES
A brave group of parishioners, together with Fr David, are taking to the skies to raise money for the parish. The sky dive will take place on 6 October at Clonbullogue Airfield. We are raising much-needed funds to improve the experience of all who attend Mass in our churches. We, firstly, plan to
upgrade the sound systems in all three churches. You can support this effort by searching Stradbally Parish on GoFund.com. Thank you for your generosity and support.
BUS TO KNOCK
A bus will travel on 8 September, the birthday of Our Blessed Lady. Contact 085 7482558 for further details.
PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA
From 12-19 June 2025. Booking forms are available. For more details, contact Maura O’Brien on 087 1210263 or John Colton 087 9874944.
STRADBALLY GAA
The lotto draw takes place every Tuesday night. Thanks to all who purchase tickets.
WOMEN’S CYCLING RACE
Ras na mBan will return to Laois on Thursday, when cyclists from around the globe will go head-to-head in the 105kms race winding all through Laois, from Stradbally to Mountrath.
Cyclists will begin the race in Stradbally, passing through Emo and Clonaslee before climbing ‘The Cut’ in the Slieve Bloom mountains.
LAOIS PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS
The national ploughing championships return to the central and scenic location of Ratheniska from 17-19 September for the third year in a row. Laois Co Council is providing a marquee for local businesses, food, craft, service providers and community and voluntary groups to exhibit at Europe’s largest outdoor event.
STRAD TRAD
The next Strad trad in Dunne’s will take place on Friday.
