By Peg Prendeville

History was made in Knockdown on Sunday last with the biggest crowd ever  attending the annual Vintage Run. There was not an inch of room to spare inside or out for all the people and cars. The weather was perfect, people were in good form; tea, coffee,  sandwiches and pastries were  available from 11 am to 6pm to anybody who wanted a bite or a sup. There was great excitement in watching the many tractors and cars heading off on their run. Tons of prizes were won in the raffle and music flowed all afternoon. Well done to the enthusiastic Vintage committee members who put so much work and long hours into ensuring a successful day.

Sympathies to Patrick Langan, of the Vintage committee, and his family on the death of his aunt Joan O’Connor at the weekend.

Congratulations to Ciara O’Grady who was mentor for Laurel Hill FCJ in the Build a Bank challenge, which is an AIB initiative for students. They opened a bank ‘Bank Of Hearts’ and chose the specialism Backing School. So it was all about healthy Hearts! They fundraised since last October to get 30 students defibrillator training.

Over 200 schools competed and in February Laurel Hill went to Cork for the regional finals and were one of 48 schools successful to compete at National level. The

National finals were held in RDS and, thanks to Ciara’s motivation, Laurel Hill won overall for ‘Backing School’. Over 30 students are now fully trained in the use of  defibrillators  and cardiac arrest and they have left a legacy of €500 in the school to train incoming 1st year students for the next 4 years. Events throughout the year included heart screening for students, stress free corridor, healthy afternoon tea, and schools talks from Rosie Foley and Michelle Herbert. Well done to Ciara who, obviously, works in Allied Irish Banks in Limerick.

Ballyhahill Parents Association sent the following: Congratulations to our Easter Raffle prize winners Lorraine Dillon, Ross Phillips, Claire Dillon and Kasey Kiriakaki. Thanks to everyone for selling and buying lines and for the continued support to the school. The kids had a great evening at the school disco in the Parish Hall on last Sunday evening. Thanks to all the kids for coming along and making it a fun evening for all and to the Hall Committee as always for the use of the hall. The school is still collecting old clothes, curtains, shoes etc so if you are doing a spring clean please drop your black bags to the school when it reopens on the 9thApril.  Every little helps! 

A reminder that on the weekend of April 7th /8th  we, in the Loughill/Ballyhahill parish will be changing the evening Mass to Ballyhahill at 6pm and the Sunday morning one to Loughill at 10 am.

Ceremonies for the weekend are as follows:

Holy Thursday – Ballyhahill @ 7pm

Good Friday – Passion in Ballyhahill @3pm

Good Friday – Stations in Loughill  @ 7 pm

Holy Saturday – Vigil Mass in Loughill @ 9 pm

Easter Sunday – Dawn Mass in Kilteery. Time will be announced at the weekend.

Ballyhahill @ 10 am.