6 NIGHT RUN - Over in a Flash:

Time to Go....says Ashlinn.

GRANAGH PLAYERS:

And so our six night run of ' The Foggy Dew ' has come to an end. At this stage, everyone is both exhausted and disappointed in equal measure. It certainly brightened up our weekends, there was a great buzz every night and with a cast of twenty two, no shortage of chats and laughs. After a three year break, it was great to see the Hall full again each night and we were so sorry to turn away people this weekend. The audiences were really supportive and appreciative and the cast fed off this energy. Of course, it would not be possible to run this event without the support of the local community and members of the Development Association. The Hall has to be got ready, kitchen and contents washed, dressing room tidied out and stage equipment tested. The backroom team have to be sorted and we are lucky to have Mary Morrissey & Lorraine Fitzgibbon, who do the make-up every year. This year our lighting was in the hands of Shane & Tomas Toomey, with Eileen Power on continuity. Next, we have rotas for the car-parkers, Tom Hickey usually coordinates all this with his willing helpers. Then the very important job of sandwich making, some of the cast come directly from work and don't have time to eat, so the sangies are very much appreciated. We have a host of bakers, tea makers and washer-uppers who have the kitchen running like clockwork, even Ramsey couldn't fault them.! Thank you ladies - Mary, Marian, 2 Annes, Shauna, Niamh, Emma, Eileen & Simone. Special thanks to Mary B, who sent over her delicious apple tart every night, not a crumb was left. At the other end of the kitchen, the gang sorting the raffle tickets and prizes are kept busy and Bridget is setting up the shop. Ann & Mary are in the box office ready to meet and greet with Martin, Patjo, Sean and Mike on front of house duties. Our set artists were Grace & John Griffin and John English did lots of the carpentry jobs. We have to thank John O'Brien who supplied all the authentic looking guns and rifles, you couldn't have a war without them.! Through a friend of a friend we got a 'housecoat' from Patsy in Emly.

Finally, we are so grateful to our sponsors for their continued support in these very challenging times for all businesses. It is wonderful to see the community spirit in action, long may it continue. Now, the tidy-up begins, first thing Monday morning we met Patjo and Martin out collecting all the road signs, for safe storage until next year. While Jimmy Sheehy may be focusing his thoughts on the Oscars, the rest of us must get back to the hum-drum of our daily lives..

CHURCH NEWS:

Wed 1st Feb; St. Bridget's Day. Ón lá le Bríde amach, Tá an tEarrach ag teacht " Granagh - Thur 2nd; Mass 10am with Blessing of Candles. Fri 3rd; St. Blaise, Mass 10am, Blessing of Throats.

Ballingarry: Wed 1st, Mass 10am with Blessing of Candles. Sat 4th, Mass 7pm with Blessing of Throats afterwards. Candles available from O'Gormans & O' Gradys for Church and home use. Candlemas Day is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. You can leave your candles at the Church Altar to be blessed, with you name on those for home use. Every home should have a blessed candle for important events, family occasions, in times of sickness, worry or need.

Also, we welcome three new Ministers of the Eucharist; Aileen Murphy, Mary Lynch and Ber Chawke.

CHOMHBHRÓN:

We send our sympathies to the family of the late James Hickey, Kilatal, late of Hickey’s Bar Croom and JH Enterprises, who passed away peacefully, after a short illness at St. John’s Hospital, on 24th Jan. Son of the late Tom and Nell. He is deeply mourned by his wife Anne, devoted dad to Rachel, Carol and Jane, brother Thomas, sisters Susan, Eileen and Kay, aunts, sons in law, adored grandchildren, relatives, kind neighbours and a large circle of friends. He was reposed at Daffy’s, Requiem Mass was celebrated on Saturday in Granagh, which was followed by a private cremation on Sunday. Go dtuga Dia suaimhneas sioraí do.

ACADEMY AWARDS:

Who would have thought that Granagh would have a link with the upcoming 95th academy awards in Los Angeles on March 12th. In fact a quarter of this year's nominees are Irish, but our interest will definitely be focused on Joan Sheehy. Huge congratulations to Joan for being part of the Oscar-nominated An Cailín Ciuin, where she played the part of Úna, the nosey neighbour.! This is the first ever Irish language film to be shortlisted for Best International Feature Film, a coup for Colm De Bairéad and his cast. The success of the film is already unprecedented and has been a real triumph. Competition, as always, will be tough but we wish them all the very best of luck.

CONGRATULATIONS:

Sending best wishes to Rebecca Noonan, who is heading off to Spain on a new venture, we wish her every success. Congratulations to Marianne Kelly and Ger Geary who got engaged over the weekend, great excitement in Kilmore. After finishing her stage debut Sunday night, Grainne Lynch was heading off to Bulgaria, very early Monday morning, to begin her six year medicine course. We hope she enjoys college life there and her studies go well.

MORE DRAMA:

Lots of local drama groups preparing for the stage. Knockaderry/Clouncagh present The Factory Girls on Fri 3rd and Sun 5th at 8pm, tickets on the door. Athea present ' The Anniversary' on Feb 9th, 11th,12th, 16th, 18th, 19th, booking on 087 6926746. Abbeyfeale present 'Many Young Men of Twenty' in the Glorach Theatre beginning 14th Feb for eight nights. The Schoolyard Theatre present 'The Bell Ringer' from 8th Feb up to 25th Feb. On 26th there is a 3pm Matinee which may suit some also. Tickets on eventbrite.ie Granagh Players were delighted to have Charlie McCarthy, writer/director of 'The Bell Ringer' in the audience last weekend, he really enjoyed our production.