Well done and thanks to all who turned out Saturday 13th April for Ogonnelloe Spring Clean – we had 14 volunteers and collected a big trailer-load of refuse from both sides of the main road from Two-mile gate to Smith’s Cross. Thanks also to those who regularly collect rubbish along the roadsides and paths to help keep Ogonnelloe litter-free throughout the year.
Ogonnelloe Exchange café: is on Saturday’s from 10:30 am to 1pm. All are welcome. This week Ogonnelloe National School Parents Association are hosting. All proceeds go to funding school equipment and school supports.
The Cul Camp will take place in Ogonnelloe this year from August 12th to 16th – bookings can be made at Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps
East Clare to raise its voice with concert in aid of victims of war in Palestine: The organisers of the ‘East Clare for Peace in Palestine’ concert wish to thank everyone who helped bring this hugely successful event together at short notice; Scarriff GAA club for kindly hosting FOC, all who attended, those who sold tickets, those who generously donated prizes, those who manned the door and sold refreshments on the night. Most of all, we’re eternally grateful to our performers, who got a late call for this 11th hour event and committed without hesitation and gave their brilliant best on what turned out to be a really special celebration of peace and Christmas. Despite being ‘last minute’ in timing and organising, the event surpassed all expectations, not least entertainment value. However, the €6,363 profit generated from it was more than double what we hoped for! The proceeds go to the Irish Emergency Alliance, an alliance – Action Aid, Christian Aid, Trócaire, World Vision, TearFund, and Plan International – that has established a ‘Middle East Emergency Crisis’ to provide immediate help to children and families affected by the ongoing violence in Gaza, West Bank, Israel, and other areas affected by conflict the ongoing horror in Gaza. On behalf of all involved, thank you all for your support!
Hall update: The first phase of work to the Parish Hall was started in Mar ’18 and the second in Sept ’18. The total cost of the development including both phases, sheds, canopy, projector, screen lighting and sound is €302,000. After receiving grants we took out a loan of €70,000, of which to date we owe €48,991. This loan will be repaid in 2029. Our main income is Hall rental and the monthly envelopes and without these we could not meet our repayments. Our appreciation and thanks goes to the community for their continued support. We have a wonderful Community Centre with great facilities which the community of O’Gonnelloe can be very proud of and with your continued support we will be able to meet our monthly payments and finish the loan.
Ogonnelloe Exchange: Thank you to all the volunteers who looked after the community café every Saturday during the year. It is very much appreciated. We wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a healthy & peaceful New Year.
Community Text System Launched: Community Text number 089 267 8204 Over the past year people gave their phone numbers to members of the Communications Committee for inclusion in a community text system created to disseminate local information by text message. Those who have already signed up will receive a text message over the next few days. If you wish to be included text your number to 089 267 8204.
This is a simple channel for relevant, non-commercial, local community information moderated by the Communications Committee. The database will never be shared with any other person, organisation or group within or outside the community.
Jewellery Item Found: a jewellery item was found on the grounds of St Mary’s Church on Saturday 14th October. Please contact Parish Office to reclaim.
Helplines: • ALONE (for older people) 0818 222 024 • Women’s Aid Helpline 1800 341900 • Pieta: 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444 • Clare Haven 065 6822435 • Samaritans, Ennis – 065 6829777 • St. Vincent de Paul, East Clare – 086 3921492.
Raheen Day Centre welcomes new referrals at any time. If you or someone you know would like to avail of this service where you can meet people, avail of hairdressing, chiropody, music sessions, advocacy support and a hot meal – call Áine on 061-923215 for further information.
Age Friendly Mornings at Scariff Library: lots of services in place to enable and support older people in the community. All are welcome to join us every Tuesday morning from 10.30am to watch a film, play a game of cards, read the papers, have a chat with friends, enjoy a cuppa or just relax and enjoy the space. For more information please contact 061 922893.
Community Information System: As part of the Community Development Plan the Communications Strand is in the process of establishing a community information network. This will involve compiling a database of the mobile phone numbers and email addresses of as many people as possible in the community. The database will be used to disseminate community information to community members primarily by text message and also by email. It will be a one-way, no-reply system carrying only community information and coming through one source. It will not be a chat-group or a forum. It will simply be a one-way channel for relevant community information moderated by the Communications Strand. The database will never be shared with any other person, organisation or group within or outside the community. Over the next few weeks members of the Communications Strand, people you know personally, will contact you in person to get your permission to add your phone number and/or your email address to the database. No one’s contact details will be added without that person’s express permission. We encourage you to participate. We believe this service will be of great benefit to the community and will keep people informed of a wide range of community activities, initiatives and opportunities. Eugene Hogan & Jim O’Brien Communications Strand
The O’Gonnelloe Community Development Plan: ogonnelloeparish.ie/…/OGonnelloe-Community-Development-Plan.pdf
O’Gonnelloe Community Development Plan
O’Gonnelloe Ukraine Support Group: A group drawn from community, sporting and social organisations in O’Gonnelloe has been established to ensure that we are in a state of readiness to support any Ukrainian refugees who arrive here for short or long-term stays over the coming weeks and months. Our first meeting was held in the O’Gonnelloe Community Hall recently and a priority actions from this were to ascertain if there are any vacant residential units in the parish that could be made available for Ukraine families and if there any properties/homes in the community that refugees are going to be located to. The purpose of this is so we can put a support programme behind the new arrivals. We would ask that anyone who needs support from our group, assistance in making a property available or, indeed, a support network in place for any refugees that arrive to please email us at ogonnelloeukraine@gmail.com or leave a note with your contact details into the parish office at O’Gonnelloe Community Hall.
SVP East Clare: Behind each headline people see in the paper or on the news are real life people who are losing so much. As always, your donations make a difference, meaning that our volunteers can continue to support those most in need in East Clare. Our bank details below can be used for online or in branch donations. You can also contact SVP East Clare, in confidence, on 086 392 1492 or via email at stcaimins.eastclare@svp.ie. Account Name: East Clare SVP. Bank of Ireland. IBAN No: IE91 BOFI 9044 1363 2045 45. BIC No: BOFIIE2D.
Clare MABS: Are you struggling to make ends meet? Are you worried about money you owe to lenders, credit cards, banks and mortgage lenders? For free, confidential and independent advice please contact on 0761 072430 or email us at ennis@mabs.ie