Munster Express Online

Late Paddy Godfrey

The friends were legion who learned with a deep sense of grief of the demise of Paddy Godfrey, Pond Villas, Tramore who was pre-deceased by his wife Philomena in 2006 and his infant son Myles in 1963.

Aged eighty-two years, Paddy was one of nature’s special gentlemen who always gave of himself wholeheartedly when a helping hand was required. Many tributes have been paid to his memory but the finest was provided mutely at the removal to holy Cross Church. The grief and heartfelt sympathy of everyone in the huge concourse was evident in this fitting tribute, with Order of Malta members from Tramore and far beyond paying their own special tribute to a leader who was an inspiration to all.

Assisted by Fr. Tom Rogers, Holy Family Parish, Waterford and National Cadet Chaplain Order of Malta and a family friend Fr. Tom Hogan, Dublin and Tramore, Monsignor Michael Olden P.P. celebrated the Requiem Mass. In his homily, he said that Paddy was a very highly respected man in this community and beyond it. It was nice to see so many members of the Order of Malta present to pay their respects and show their appreciation for Paddy’s great work over the years. His life was crowded and interesting and above all full of goodness and Christian living.

The church was an important building in his life and another major cornerstone was the pond Road headquarters of the Order of Malta. His father Michael was a founder member in 1945 and when he died in 1971 Paddy took over as leader and remained at the helm until his health declined. He was the supreme volunteer, the ultimate good Samaritan on a daily basis. He was by deep instinct a sympathetic and understanding person when dealing with illness, death and bereavement. As well as efficiency he brought a kindness, gentleness, refinement of manner and a dignity that was Christianity at its very best. Paddy dealt so beautifully, not just with the sick or injured person, but the family who were broken hearted or traumatised by shock or grief. Accounts of his kindness, thought fullness of manner towards those in trouble are everywhere to be heard. Mention was made of another towering Christian, Nurse Ann Flynn of Love Lane who worked with Paddy as a key person in Tramore Order of Malta and died in 2001.

For decades Paddy supervised the collection of rents in the Tramore, Carbally, Dunmore East region. His Christian concern was experienced by others as he crossed the thresholds of countless houses and dealt with families through the ups and downs of their lives. Paddy listened to many a sad tale and his visit to any house was the visit of Christ who was his model all of his life.

The burial took place in St. Patrick’s Cemetery.

Deepest sympathy in their sad loss is extended to his bereaved daughters Maria and Tracy, sons-in-law Tom and Vincent, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, extended family and many friends. May he Rest In Peace.

Holy Cross Church

St. Teresa’s Homes – Argentina

Fr. Liam Hayes SVD, a native of Cappmore, Co. Limerick, has spent the last twenty years caring for the forgotten poor and destitute in Obera, Northern Argentina. He established two homes there including a Hospice where these poor people can end their days with dignity. St. Teresa’s Homes were established with the generous support of the Irish people. The St. Teresa Support Fund has now been given charity status here in Ireland. Fr. Hayes will speak at the 11a.m. and 12 noon Mass at the Holy Cross Church on Sunday, 20th April and a collection will be taken up after Mass.

There is a fund raising table quiz in Harney’s Dunhill at 8.30p.m. on Monday, 21st April. Teams of four €20 and all proceeds to St. Teresa’s. A recent visitor to the Homes was our own Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Dermot Ahearne T.D. who laid the foundation stone for the latest phase ie: a home for severely disabled young adults.

If you are hard of hearing there is a ‘loop system’ in Holy Cross Church to help people who have hearing aids. You must especially remember two points about this:

1. The loop system operates in the centre aisle of the church and not at the sides.

2. You adjust your hearing aid when you come into the church.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament every Thursday after 10a.m. Mass and finishing at 6p.m.

New School

A number of pupils from Gael Scoil Philib Barun, Tramore attended the official opening of Waterford City’s first all-Irish Secondary School, which like their alma mater cois farraige is housed in pre-fabs.

Marie Keating Foundation

Our mobile unit will visit Cairn Dubh, Glenville Community Centre, Tramore on Thursday, 24th April from 12.30 to 4.30p.m. The unit will provide free adult health screening for BMI, Lung Function, Fitness Test, Blood Pressure Check and Cholesterol Test (five Euro). This is being provided by third year health promotion students currently studying at W.I.T. You are invited to take advantage of this service.

Bereavement

Sincere sympathy in their sad loss is extended to the family, relatives and friends of the late Tadgh O’Donoghue, Highfield, Tramore, formerly of Dublin and Waterford. May he Rest In Peace.

In Memoriam

A Memorial Mass for the late Anne Smith (nee Cullen), Hotel Square, Tramore and Ranelagh, Dublin will be held in the Holy Cross Church, Tramore on Saturday, 19th April at 11.30a.m. The celebrant will be Monsignor Olden P.P. May she Rest In Peace.

Voluntary Housing Association

If you are an older person and have concerns about living alone, we would like to hear from you regarding protective sheltered housing in the Tramore Area. Your response is essential to ascertain the current need for this project.

Write to Sandra Thompson, Tramore Voluntary Housing Association Ltd., The Coastguard Station, Tramore. This is a Community Project for the people of the Tramore Electoral Area.

Quiz Night

A table quiz in aid of local volunteer Liam O’Brien, who is travelling with Niall Mellon Township Trust, will be held in O’Neill’s Bar, Summerhill at approx. 8.30p.m. on Thursday, 17th April. Teams of four €20 will test their wits against quiz master supreme Matt Keane, so come along and enjoy the night. All donations welcome – please call 087 2742470.

Tramore Whist

Results of the Whist Drive which was held on Monday, 7th April:

Top Score, Maura Guest;

First Gent, Gregory Tobin;

First Lady, Maureen Coyne;

Other winners, D. Power, F. Kealy, B. Dwyer, L. Thornton, T. Crosbie, K. Thornton, J. Shorthall, B. Murray, B. Taylor and F. Reynolds.

The Whist is held every Monday night at eight o’clock sharp at the Community Centre, Pond Road, Tramore. All are welcome. Cash prizes.

Klub Muzik

The Riverstown based Klub Muzik would like to thank all the pupils and their families who attended and collected money for the sponsored walk on Good Friday. Special thanks also to Peter and Paula Burns, Riverstown Stores for the drinks and snacks. We raised over €800 which will go towards new equipment and the running costs of the club.

Draw Mhor Exhibition

Last chance to view the local art groups paintings at Tramore Coastguard Station, Love Lane. Open daily from 10a.m. to 5p.m. until Friday, 18th April.

Community Care

The A.G.M. of Tramore Community Care – Meals on Wheels will be held in the Community Centre, Pond Road on Friday, 18th April commencing at 4p.m. The official opening ceremony for the refurbished Centre will be performed at 5p.m. by Minister Martin Cullen, with a joint blessing being performed by Monsignor Olden and Rev. Johnston.

All who have helped in any way over the years with Meals on Wheels or with other activities run by us are cordially invited to attend this very special event. Refreshments will be served after the ceremony.

Congratulations

Well done to Keith Flavin on winning the boys 2, 31kg National Boxing Title in the National Stadium at the weekend. It was in fact Keith’s second national success and he really did it in style this year on a scoreline of eleven nil in the final. Little wonder then that his club experience great difficulty in finding opponents for this talented eleven year old, who will probably have to set his sights on tournaments in England. Best wishes in the future to this potential Irish International. Keith is the son of James and Helen Flavin, Paulstown, Kilkenny and grandson of Johnny and Peggy Flavin, Carrigavantry, Tramore.

Astro Turf

April, according to tradition, ‘borrows’ up to fifteen days from March for tanning purposes (leather not sun bathing) so all the regulars are glad of the central heating and hot showers at Graun park, particularly the goalkeepers. Phone 086 8807521 or drop into the Clubhouse any evening after 6pm to book an hour or a birthday party with a difference on Tramore A.F.C.’s all-weather surface. Reduced rates available on Saturday and Sunday afternoons on a first come first served basis, so apply now.

Tramore A.F.C.

Ladies and Schoolgirls corner:

Buala Bhos

Congratulations to the Stella Maris under nineteen squad on winning the southeast Schools League with wins against Presentation (Waterford) Scoil Ruain (Kilenaule), St. Declan’s (Kilmacthomas), Scoil Airgeal (Ballyhale) and a draw versus Ursuline (Waterford) was enough to give Barry Musgrave’s side the League Title.

Squad: Jade Shanahan, Emma Butler, Sally Jacob, Vikki Falconer, Ciara O’Neill, Catherine Power (Captain), Kate Rockett, Samantha Flynn, Eimear Gallagher, Amy Nolan, Michaella O’Neill, Emily Holmes, Niamh Walsh, Beth Cummins, Lorna Malone, Aisley Harpur, Claire Bradley, Cathy Linehan.

Southeast Schools Under Fifteen League:

Stella Maris (Tramore) 2-0 Blackwater (Lismore).

Goalscorers were Niamh Walsh and Emily Holmes.

Colaiste Brid (Enniscorthy) 0-2 Stella Maris.

Goalscorers were Beth Cummins and Lorna Malone.

Squad: Gemma Linehan, Ciara O’Neill, Vikki Falconer, Sally Jacob, Emma Butler, Eimear Gallagher, Lorna Malone, Tara Power, Jill Howlett, Sinead Lohan, Niamh Walsh, Amy Nolan, Beth Cummins and Emily Holmes.

Internationals

Congratulations to Ciara O’Brien and Jessica Gleeson who both played for the Irish Schools Team last weekend in Galway. Well done girls.

Cup Finals

The Wexford under fourteen Cup Final has now been fixed for Sunday, 27th April versus Ferns United. Kick off in Curricloe at 1pm. Please come and support the girls.

The under sixteen Wexford Cup Final will see Tramore playing Fethard Rangers on a date to be announced.

Senior League

The West Waterford East Cork Ladies Senior League will start shortly and new players should note that training for the Ladies Senior Squad will take place every Tuesday at 7pm at Graun Park.

On The Astro

Training times for Schoolgirls are under thirteen from 4 to 5pm on Friday and under sixteen from 5 to 6.30pm on Friday. New girls welcome to Graun Park.

Tramore Dart League

Last week we had the draw for the semi-finals of the ‘B’ group to be played at home venues on Thursday, 17th April with Alfie’s ‘A’ Vs. O’Neill’s and Dunhill ‘B’ Vs. Dunhill ‘A’. One leg only, first to give, reverse doubles if needed. We had to change semi-final dates for ‘A’ group to 1st May for Fenor Vs. Seahorse and 8th May for Murphs Vs. G.A.A. All games in O’Neill’s as they are sponsoring this competition. The ‘B’ final then is on May 15th and the ‘A’ on May 22nd, also in O’Neill’s.

Happy Birthdays

To Francis Rockett, Tramore, and to Kathleen Nutt, Coast Road, Tramore who celebrates on Saturday. Also best wishes to Marion Campbell, and Philomena Sullivan, Glendoire, Tramore.

Lucky Winners

Lucky winners at Pond Road Bingo were Mrs P O’Connor, Mary Morrissey, Ann Rowe, Peggy Weldon, Monica Weldon, Butlerstown Agnes Hayes, Fenor, Pat Hutchinson and Tommy Brennan. There was a “this is your life” surprise for Teresa Walsh, Waterford, who celebrated her birthday, as Stella, the popular bingo caller, sang “Happy Birthday” to her.

Tramore
Camogie

Congratulations to the Tramore junior camogie girls, who beat Tallow in the first round of the 2008 league. The scoreline was Tramore 7-5, Tallow 2-2. This was a great start for the girls, who have been training hard since February. They played Tallow in their home grounds on Michael McGrath field.

Things were going well for Tramore from first touch-off, when Carol Farrell scored their first goal, only to be followed by a hat-trick from her not 10 minutes into the game. Carol had a great game in forward, scoring 4-1 in total. Let’s hope she can follow that in every game! Other scorers on the night were Susan Drohan, Deidre Keane and Laura Cullen. The young star of our team, Niamh Welsh, came on in the second half and played a great game for us, also scoring a great goal. Not forgetting Catherine Power, who was on top form through out the game with some fantastic hurling on display. All girls played well on the night. We would like to thank all supporters and mentors for their help and work through out the evening and year. We will be looking to the next game with great enthusiasm, but not getting too far ahead of ourselves, by the scoreline of this first game. We still have a lot of work to do… Player of the Match went to Catherine Power for an outstanding performance. Well done to all, and we hope to see you at the next match which is Friday and we will be playing Ferrybank, so please do come along and support us.

Get Well Wishes

All her friends are delighted to see Pauline Kiely, Knockenduff, home from hospital, It’s good to see you back on the bike again, Pauline! We would like to wish Ann Marie Power, Marine Drive, a speedy recovery.

Tramore
Races

Photos from Monday’s Tramore Races see Friday’s ‘Weekender’ edition; Sunday’s are on Sport 20.

Stella Maris
News

Stella Maris Arts Week gets underway this year from 14th to 18th April. The exhibition will be officially opened by Mr. Ollie Breslin of Waterford Youth Arts on Tuesday 15th at 7.30pm and will be followed by a cheese and wine reception in the school.

The students are looking forward to the many workshops which will take place during the week in: Art and Craft, Jewellery Making, Drama, Dance, Costume Design and much, much more!

Stella Maris Green School Committee have been very busy recently as they have just gone through the process of renewing their Green Flag status for the school for the 3rd time. Congratulations also to Ms. Driver and the girls who have just heard that they have been short-listed for the finals of the ECO UNESCO Environmental Awards.