The St. Patrick’s Festival committee have just launched their Christmas Card collection featuring various scenes of Clane. You can purchase them from the Photo shop or from any committee member…
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Christmas Market and Festival – calling all local businesses and crafts people…
Following the great success of last years ‘Christmas Festival & Market’ Clane Project Centre will be running the event again this year.
On Sunday 8th December 2013 at the Westgrove Hotel, Clane from 1.30 – 5.30pm
Like last year there will be numerous stalls for seasonal fare complimented with Entertainment, a Kids playarea and a visit from ‘Santa’.
Clane Project Centre are looking for local Crafts people, Bakers, Businesses, Designers, Artists and everyone in between!
If you would like the opportunity to display and sell your wares they would be delighted to hear from you.Raffle Proceeds are to the ‘Little Way Cancer Support Centre’ Clane, Co. Kildare.
The Stall will consist of 6ft table with white table cloth. €30 cost of a stall for the day.
If you require any further information and if you would like to take part please do not hesitate to contact Marie Sheehy or Ted Murray at CPC Office on 045 861500.
Clane Poet publishes in aid of St. Brigid’s Hospice
David Joseph Cribbin is a poet who was born and grew up in Clane. He has published poetry in many poetry magazine and has had two of his collections published. When his father, Thomas J. Cribbin, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, in June of this year, he decided to donate the proceeds of his latest collection Father Crow and Other Poems to the St. Brigid’s Hospice in the Curragh after seeing what a wonderful job they do out there.
Thomas Cribbin, RIP
David said, “Dad himself had a way with words , he used to call his beloved GAA, ‘Nothing but 30 men in a field chasing a bag of wind.’ I’ve always loved that phrase ‘bag of wind’ instead of the prosaic – ball.”
Thomas passed away in August and David wrote the eulogy for his father and included the poem Return, which he wrote for him while he was being cared for in St. Brigid’s Hospice
Return
You’re going home,
returning never to
be turned away again,
returning never to
return to away again.
You’re returning home.
Your sheep are there –
their sleet fleece begging
to be sheared,
echoing the Sun’s heat
in a shining peal reply,
grazing in unconscious
contentment on dew
covered pastures,
luminous jade in
an eternal spring morning.
You’re returning home.
Your dog Shep is there,
his coal and milk pelt
wind tossed in the warm
breeze, doppelgänger
for the sea of
honey meadow grass
waving welcomingly
to you, beckoning you
to come and join Shep
bobbing in and out
of joyful reveal
and conceal.
You’re returning home.
Your water cart is there,
remade as you first
made it, fitted out with
its baker’s drums to
draw the rain clear water,
to thirsty mouthed cattle
on a gentle glide
home.
You’re returning home –
returning never to
be turned away again,
returning never to
return to away again.
David Joseph Cribbin
Clane
2013
If anyone wishes to donate by buying the book, it is available here – http://www.amazon.co.uk/
Have you seen this dog?
A local resident has lost their soul-mate, a Bichon Frisé taken from a car in the Aldi car park on Thursday March 28th. If you have any information please contact us and we will pass on the message.
Happy Birthday…North Star Swimming Club!!
North Star Swimming Club was set up inSt. Raphael’s Pool, Celbridge, in 1992 to provide swimming lessons for people with disabilities living in North Kildare. This was a subsidiary of a similar swimming club in South Kildare, which has since dispersed. The Club originally only catered for people (children and adults) who had Spina Bifida or Cerebal Palsy. Due to increasing demand the club now endeavours to provide lessons and an introduction to swimming to people who have a disability. The members travel from Dublin, Meath and Kildare.
Currently there are 25 members, ranging in age from 6 to 50+. There is also a long waiting list.
Initially the club ran one session. However due to increased demand, a second session was introduced in 2008.
The first session generally provides one to one support in the pool, ensuring members feel safe and comfortable in the water. The aim is to help each member to reach their full potential and above all to have fun.
The second session is for more independent swimmers. The aim of this session is to develop the members stroke/water skills, to increase their stamina and to continue to grow in confidence in the water.
The North Star Swimming Club is unique in that it provides for the individual needs of each member.
The Club is run by parents of swimmers and volunteers. Money to fund the club mainly comes from fundraising, donations and a small annual membership fee. The membership fee was introduced recently due to a reduction in fundraiser income and donations/ grants and increased costs.
The Club is also an extended support network for parents/ guardians/ family of members. Parents are not required to get into the pool. This provides time for them to chat and to share experiences etc.
There is an important social aspect involved in the club for all who are associated. There is an annual trip to the National Aquatic Centre in Blanchardstown. The end of year dinner before the summer break is a favourite event (where acknowledgements of the hard work throughout the year are recognised). And not to forget the Christmas Party where we are joined by our ex-sister club. These events are vitally important for the Club as it allows members, volunteers and families to socialise.
It is important to note that all the helpers give of their time on a voluntary basis. This requires a commitment of at least two hours each Sunday afternoon during the school terms. In addition some help to organise and assist with fundraisers, the annual social events and try to raise the profile of the Club is given. These volunteers are vital to the club’s existence.
To celebrate our 20th anniversary the Club is holding a celebratory get-together for members, past and present. The Club would be happy to hear from former members and helpers who would like to join the celebrations. The party will take place in St Mary’s GAA Club Leixlip on the 29th September 2012 from 4pm. Please contact Valerie @ northstarswimmingclub@gmail.com before 1st September 2012 to confirm bookings.
Finally, the Club would like to thank all those who have supported it over the past twenty years, both those who gave of the time and those who assisted financially. It is only through their charitable assistance that North Star Swimming Club has managed to maintain its valuable service to the community.
Interesting in teaching English?
Failte Isteach runs English courses for non-English speaking adults who need assistance with their spoken English skills. The classes are held in Clane Parish Centre each Thursday evening from 19:00-21:00. The atmosphere is one of friendly assistance in developing spoken skills in small groups rather than traditional lessons. They need extra tutors to help their growing number of students. Tutors do not need formal teaching skills – only an ability to speak English and a willingness to help those who are struggling to.
For anyone interested in finding out more please contact Peter Thew at pthew@ireland.com or on 086-958-3116.
Clane Slí na Sláinte
Did you know we have a Slí na Sláinte route in Clane? It’s signposted and over 4.1km long. There is a also an accessible 2km Abbeylands Slí. For more details have a look under the “Places to Explore” menu above… then when not grab a coat and enjoy it!!