It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…thanks to Baltinglass Christmas Lights volunteers, Tom Lennon, Catherine Pellegrini, Robert Curtis, Suzanne Sheehy, Declan Kirwan, Susie Cloake, Stuart O’Moore, Tracey Barrett, Bernard Cloney, Fulvio Pellegrini and Graham Johnston.
The Christmas Tree is looking fabulous at McAllister and Santa came to visit all the children and adults last Saturday, December 9 for the switching on event.
Teacher in Scoil Chonglais, and the Carlow Rose contestant, Caoimhe Deering from Carlow was the special guest who turned on the town lights and Christmas tree.
Well done to everyone for all the work to make Baltinglass light up this year.
Awards Night
A great night was had recently at the Blessington and Baltinglass FETC Awards Night with a Presentation of Certificates for QQI Levels 3-5.
There was a presentation of certificates to all learners on the night from Horticulture to Art to SNA to Office Skills, Tourism, Healthcare, Pathways to Employment and English courses. Well done to all and congratulations.
Don’t forget we are enrolling for courses starting in January 2024 for further information please contact us at 045 891099 or email blessingtonfetc@kwetb.ie
Credit Union draw winners
Congratulations to the winners of the Baltinglass Credit Union final Cash Draw of the year held last Saturday at the Credit Union’s Tea Day. A nice First Prize win for Bridie Brady from Stratford worth €10,000. €1,000 winners were Ann Core, Castledermot; Francis Keogh, Donard, Michael & Margaret McNamara, Castledermot, Mark Lawlor, Baltinglass and Olive & Seán O’Brien, Baltinglass. Members can join this Cash Draw for €40 per year deducted directly from your Credit Union account. Drop in to fill out at entry form or download the form from www.baltinglasscu.ie.
Baltinglass Town AFC
The Baltinglass town football club is holding a raffle this year to support the club’s activities. There are some great prizes so far with hampers from Fishers and Veronicas, vouchers for Hair Hive and Istanbul and a prize from Pattersons, and lots more to come. To buy a ticket contact Paddy at 083 089 2200 or message the club on facebook or Instagram @baltinglasstownafc. The draw will take place at Kiltegan Astro on Wednesday, December 20 at 7.45 p.m.
Credit Union Calendar
Baltinglass Credit Union is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary in 2024. To mark this anniversary they have a very special 50th Celebratory Edition 2024 Calendar available in all branches. It is entitled ‘A walk down memory lane’ with photos capturing the essence of each of their district offices. Make sure to pick up a copy before the New Year.
The Credit Union will be open in Baltinglass up until Saturday, December 23 and on that day will be open as usual from 9.30 – 1 p.m. They will then be closed until Friday, December 29 and on that day will open from 9.30 – 7 p.m. and on Saturday, December 30 from 9.30 – 1 p.m.
Window Display Competition
The judging for the Christmas Window Display Tidy Towns competition takes place on Monday, December 18. Baltinglass Tidy Towns welcomes new participants and asks you to get in touch if your business is on the outskirts of the town so that they can pay you a visit ahead of the judging.
Kiltegan news
There will be a Community Carol Service in St. Peter’s Church, Kiltegan on Sunday, December 17 at 7 p.m. followed by refreshments.
The Kiltegan Christmas Whist Drive will take place on Friday, December 15 at 8 p.m. in St. Peter’s Parish Centre.
West Wicklow Journal
Don’t forget that you can buy your copy of the 12th West Wicklow Historical Society Journal in Veronicas Gift and Card shop in Baltinglass. You can also purchase a copy online and have it posted out to you. Log on to www.westwicklowhistoricalsociety.ie/journals. Lots of interesting articles from the locality of West Wicklow.
Find the Elf – Shop Local
Wicklow County Council is holding a competition to find the BMD (Baltinglass Municipal District) Elf Paidi who has escaped and is hiding around the district. If you find him scan the bar code to let them know where he is and be in with a chance to win a book voucher for yourself and your school. You could take a selfie upload and tag the local business. All entries must be received by midnight on Christmas Eve, December 24.
Rampere Recycling
Rampere Recycling Centre will be open up until, and on, Saturday, December 23, then on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 from 8.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Centre will be closed for the Christmas break from December 24 to 28 inclusive. Normal opening hours resume on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, 8.30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Creative Places Choir
Baltinglass Sings is an initiative funded by Creative Places Baltinglass and is made up of members of the Baltinglass community and conducted by Paula Phelan.
The group have been meeting every week for an hour since September 2023. On Wednesday, December 13 the community is invited to come along and listen to an Open Rehearsal of the group at 7.15 p.m. for a 7.30 p.m. start in Inisfail, Germaines.
Shop Local
More options to shop local is an art and craft gift or a frame, from Artlines in Lathaleer Industrial Estate. They are openTuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Consider a voucher for Imperial Garden Chinese takeaway for someone who needs a break from cooking. Or keep yourself warm this Christmas and stop by Parkmore Stores and grab a bag of logs or some tasty treats for your furry family friend, or just stock up on goodies or groceries. Make someone smile with a personalised gift from PrintGift.ie who can print any picture or text on mugs, glass, slate and more. Visit www.printgift.ie or phone 087 1754484. Treat someone you know to a nail treatment or eyebrow and lash treatment from D’lux Beauty on Edward Street or a car valet from Slaney Valeting.
Masses for Christmas
Christmas Eve, December 24 at 6 p.m. in Baltinglass and 8 p.m. in Grangecon. On Christmas Day, December 25 at 9.30 a.m. in Stratford and 11 a.m. in Baltinglass.
Active Retired
Coffee Mornings for December are being held in the Golf Club on Fridays at 11 a.m. with the later start next Friday, December 15 for Christmas Lunch at 12 noon in the Golf Club.
The next monthly meeting will be held on January 31, 2024. This will also be the AGM.
Sensory Gardens Christmas Lights
Something festive and fun to do between now and after Christmas is to visit the Delta Sensory Gardens in the Strawhall Estate in Carlow to enjoy their Christmas lights and water features. The Gardens are set on 2.5 acres of land and are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday to Friday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Weekends and Bank Holidays.
They are part of the Delta Centre for adults with disabilities. You can also enjoy a coffee and a treat at the popular Thyme Café while you are there. Admission to the Gardens is €6 for adults and €5 concession (students and senior citizens).
Pilates classes
JFK Rehabilitation and Injury Clinic will be starting a Pilates Class for adults in Scoil Naomh Iósaf on Thursday, January 11 at 7 p.m. It will be a weekly class and is suitable for beginners and people of all ages and fitness levels. Each class will cost €10 and there are package deals available for multiple classes. To book your place text John at 087 795 6977 as numbers will be limited.
Recent deaths
We express our sympathy to the Barron family on the recent and sudden death of James Barron, Weavers Square, Baltinglass and formerly St. Enda’s Road, Terenure on December 4. James will be sadly missed by his brother Pat and sister-in-law Helen and all his extended family, relatives and friends. The funeral took place in The Victorian Chapel, Mount Jerome, Harold’s Cross.
We extend our sympathy to the Moran family on the death of Kathleen Collins (née Moran) from Coventry, UK and formerly of Tinoran, Baltinglass on November 27. She will be sadly missed by her children Esther, Michael and Caroline and her brother Peter and sister-in-law Betty and all her extended family, relatives and friends.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anam dílis.