Patrickswell News 04 December 2008

SCHOOL NEWS

Sixth Class visited the Helix Theatre in Dublin this month for the Fis Film National Awards. The young filmmakers were delighted when RTE's Aonghus McNally announced that the movie “Whiskey in the Jar,” made on location in Patrickswell School, had won the award for Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction. This was the third year in succession that the school took home an “Oscar” from the Helix. There was further good news on the movie front when the school was informed that “Sneakers” the movie made in the school in 2007 is to be shown at cinemas in Dublin, Cork, Derry and Galway as part of the Fresh Films Showcase, to inspire other young people to get involved in movie-making. The film will also be shown as the short feature before a Disney movie at the Irish Film Institute in Dublin before Christmas. This event is already fully booked out! “Sneakers” has also been getting attention at an international level. It has been short-listed for an international film-making award at this December's Camera Zizanio Film Festival in Pyrgos, Greece. School teams enjoyed their participation in four Gaelic football leagues this term. Pride of place went to the Girls Football team who defeated St Paul's NS in the Corn na Modhscoile final. The team reached the final in peak condition thanks to the excellent management of Miss Balfry and Gary Kirby. Once again, the generosity of pupils and parents was demonstrated by the magnificent response to the Samaritan's Purse appeal, which resulted in 130 shoeboxes filled with Christmas gifts being collected in the school for children in dire need of a helping hand and a sprinkle of Christmas cheer across some of the world's poverty stricken communities.

Patrickswellians will have another opportunity to exercise their legendary generosity when the Annual Third Class Jumble Sale takes place in early December. Bric-a-brac, books, DVDs, toys, electrical goods, computer games etc. are being sought for this very popular fund-raiser (all proceeds go to the Bothar charity). Jumble Sale donations may be left in at the School Office.

GOLF SOCIETY

We held our Annual General Meeting last week in the Cu Chulainn Bar where we planned our strategy for the upcoming 2009 season. Many motions were discussed with great passion and some were passed and with some more being defeated which made for a very constructive meeting. An information leaflet will be forwarded to all members in due course.

The following officers and committee were elected to run the affairs of the society for 2009.

President Sean McDermott, Captain Jimmy O’ Rahilly, Vice Captain John O’ Brien, Secretary Gerry Molyneaux, Handicap Secretary Gary Kirby, Treasurer Seamus Enright, P.R.O. Kieran Darcy. Committee Kieran Carroll, Tony Hurley, Mick Naughton, Tom Dundon, Mick Barry, Frankie Nolan, Denis Conway, Jimmy Mulqueen, Paddy Shanahan, Tony O’ Neill and Liam Quinlan. Membership for 2009 is now available and can be purchased from any of the above.

Our Christmas outing will be held in Ardagh on Saturday December 6, we hope to see you all there.

FRIDAY CLUB

The Friday Club is as active as ever. Along with its usual creative, recreational and social activities, it has now got a chiropody service up and going for its members on the last Friday of the month 3-5pm (during the time the Club meets in the Community Resource House). This is for a trial period of three months and will cost €10 for members. For more information contact Eileen or May on 087 6550044. The Friday Club is also working with Rural Bus to see if the service from Askeaton to Dooradoyle can be expanded to include Patrickswell – if this can be organised, it will be open to the wider community. If this is something that interests you, please contact Evelyn on 086 2507273. We wish to acknowledge the support of West Limerick Resources in working with us on these two projects.