EAST-WESTWith Chris Fingleton
TULLOW Sun Holiday Group is celebrating its tenth anniversary and, to mark the year they first took flight, the organisers are hosting a Friendly Reunion in Mount Wolseley Hotel on Wednesday 16 November.
Since its formation, the group have clocked up thousands of air miles, formed hundreds of friendships and helped create many fond memories.
The holidays are organised in conjunction with Elliot Travel, Baltinglass, who ensure travellers receive the best possible value.
One of the women behind this successful group, Margaret Ronan, recalls the very first holiday to Tunisia in 2001 as “a wonderful experience”.
“Since then, we have enjoyed many happy holidays and we all hold a special memory of each and every trip,” said Margaret.
Destinations visited by the group over the past ten years include Morocco, Cyprus, Tunisia, Lanzarote, Costa Del Sol, Poland, Croatia, India and Portugal. The group have even managed to fit in a Mediterranean cruise in their busy itinerary.
“We have repeated the Tunisia and Turkey holiday at least seven times, due to popular demand,” said Margaret.
The Tullow Sun Group now has a mailing list of around 300 holidaymakers and takes in three trips a year.
“This is a great way to make friends and meet like-minded people,” said Margaret.
She added: “Single people are made most welcome on all holidays. They have the security of being with a group and the opportunity to make friends.”
Next week’s reunion at Mount Wolseley promises to be a night of celebration, information, fun, music and dancing and, like one of the group’s excursions, is an event not to be missed.
Sheila scoops €11k in lucky lotto win
SHEILA Barrett from Stratford scooped the Stratford Grangecon lotto jackpot of €11,250 on Monday 17 October. The winning numbers were 1, 3, 8 and 10. This is the second time the jackpot has been won since the lotto started last December. The first big win was shared by two people, but the amount was a lot less.
Sheila, a stalwart supporter and avid follower of Stratford Grangecon GAA all her life, was absolutely delighted. On first hearing the news, she could hardly believe it. It was a great boost for Sheila, who buried her husband Jim in December 2010, and Jim was also a keen football supporter.
And the family connection with GAA continues, as Sheila’s grandson and great-grandchildren are presently involved with the club. The seller of the ticket was Paddy Keane and the promoters were Jim and Brigid Bollard. There were also nine match-three winners, so a few people got close!
The Stratford Grangecon lotto has been a tremendous success for the club and has brought in much-needed funds.
Additional prizes of Christmas goodies will be added for November and December. The final draw for 2011, which takes place on 19 December, is going to be a celebration of a very successful year’s lotto, and even more Christmas fare will be available, in addition to the usual prizes.
The new jackpot now stands at €6,000, so keep buying tickets and be in with a chance of winning a nice windfall at Christmas.
Tynock Christmas Craft Fair
TYNOCK NS will hold a Christmas Craft Fair on Sunday . December in Kiltegan Hall.
The event promises to have something for all the family and, along with the many crafty ideas for that all-important Christmas present, there will be face painting, carol singing, a visit from Santa and lots more. The event is also a great opportunity for craftspeople to showcase their wares.
Stalls are still available for hire at €30 each. Students will be charged €20 per stall.
If you want to book a space, or if you would like further information on the Tynock Christmas Craft Fair, please contact Angela on 059 6473210 between 9am and 3pm. Alternatively, you can email tynockschool@eircom.net.
Promising young oarsman names boat after his late uncle John
A PROMISING young rower has named his boat after his uncle, who died suddenly two years ago. Kilian Doyle from Rathbawn, Tullow who, earlier this year, rowed for Ireland against England, Scotland and Wales, named his boat after his uncle John Keogh, who died on 30 July 2009.
The christening took place at the blessing of the boats ceremony at Carlow Rowing Club recently.
Kilian is son of Eamonn and Anna Mai Doyle, Rathbawn, Tullow. He is a past pupil of Scoil Padraig Naofa, Tullow and is currently studying at Knockbeg College, Carlow.