Parish Fête: The Parish Fete will take place on the 4 August in the Ballydehob Community Hall, beginning at 2:30 PM. There will be all the usual stalls including the White Elephant, Country Produce, Book Stall, a Portrait Stall, etc. In addition there will be teas and cakes served and for the children there will be face-painting or for those who like exercise there will be the Bouncy Castle.
Confirmation: Confirmation will take place on Sunday 22 August in Saint Matthew’s, Aughadown. Henry Love, Gavin Arnopp, Cillian Hayward, and Aidan Bowen will all be confirmed on that day. The time of the service will be published on our web site and in parish announcements at a later date.
Toilet is underway: The Toilet behind Ballydehob Church is underway. Thank you to those on the select vestry who have been instrumental in making it come to fruition. It has been a long time in the planning, and I know are looking forward to its completion. Are there any volunteer cleaners out there? It is not too early to offer your services.
Healthy day at the School: Saint Matthias National School held a healthy eating and exercise day on the 15 June. The day started with yoga and some outdoor activities. We then made fruit smoothies and followed that by having sandwiches with leaves, herbs and vegetables from the school garden. We finished the day off watching some films that the children had created. Great work, and thank you to all those who had a hand in making the day such a success!
Reverend Stephen McCann
Kilmoe Union Online
The Kilmoe Union of Parishes, comprising Holy Trinity in Schull, Teampol na mBocht in Altar and St Brendan's in Crookhaven, now have their own web site which you can see at www.kilmoeunion.com
Rectory Repair Update
The repair work on the Rectory is almost complete and heartfelt thanks to all of you who have helped and made contributions to date. The work done on the building has stopped any further deterioration, completed essential repairs and also made a warm and welcoming home for Steve and Heidi McCann for which they are very grateful.
To date, you have raised the majority of the money required; a tremendous achievement. At this stage we still have two main pieces of work to undertake - the painting of the outside of the Rectory and the re-roofing of the outbuildings which need urgent attention.
If you feel that you can make a contribution to help us to meet these costs then please do so. All gifts of money, no matter how large or small, are very welcome and very gratefully received.
To make a donation, please visit the Donations page.
Fashion Show
On Friday 12 March, M&M Productions staged their internationally renowned Fashion Show in Ballydehob Community Hall.
Knowing the reputation of the leading players in this esteemed organisation, over 250 eager members of the public flocked to the venue expecting a show to remember.
They were not disappointed.
The redoubtable organisers, Essie Shannon and Maud Swanton, had assembled a stunning cast of over 50 models, ranging from 8 months to 80 years of age.
Throughout the evening, this talented ensemble, ably supported by a full back-up team and totally efficient front of house management, showed off the best in local couture, culminating in a parade of exquisite wedding dresses spanning almost a century.
The delights of the night were fully augmented by wine and other refreshments and a raffle of glittering prizes.
The success of the evening culminated in a grand total of €3,500 for the rectory Repair Fund, a truly magnificent achievement for all concerned.
The chief movers and shakers of M&M Production, Essie and Maud, would very much like to thank:
• Our two compères, Annie and Noelle
• The Whizzer Scissors for hair care on the night
• Catriona’s Beauty Salon for make-up on the night
• Hegarty’s and Gala Stores – sponsors
• Community Hall Committee
• All raffle prize providers
• Each and everyone who helped advertise the event, decorate and set up the hall, and helped during the show itself and to clear up afterwards
• The Company of Models
• The fashion outlets who kindly provided the costumes for the evening - * Liz Crowley * Hourihane Sports * Kids and Teens * Sean Murray * O.T.T. * Trendy Kids * Fiona's * Venus * * Ballydehob Charity Shop *
• All those who entrusted their wedding dresses to others to wear as part of the grand finale of the show
• Every one of you who came and supported this event and made it possible to raise such a large amount of money
And a word from our Rector:
‘The entire fashion show seemed to come together like a rich tapestry, woven together with an array of variously hued threads.
The success of the evening was measured not only in the funds it raised, but in the friendship, merriment and community spirit fostered. Altogether, it was a brilliant and memorable evening, which is still being talked about.’
Reverend Steve McCann
For a glimpse of what the audience saw, or to remind yourself of what it was really like, please visit our Fashion Show Album where you will find a few snapshots from the night courtesy of David Hayward.
18 April - Céilí
Thanks to everyone who helped, supported, donated to and attended the céilí. Duggan's Lane, playing for the first time in Ballydehob, delighted a huge crowd with brilliant music. Also attending was a large contingent of French visitors who arrived the day before on their twinning visit and who were accompanied by their host families.
The evening was a great success and raised €1,080 for the Rectory Repair Fund, once again , thanks to all who helped, supported and danced!
Rev. Grattan Bannister Memorial
The headstone over the grave of Rev. Grattan Bannister has now been erected and the photo shows the splendid memorial which it has been possible to erect in his memory through the generous donations from many of his friends and members of this community, Kilmoe, Ballydehob and Baltimore Unions, The Cork Astronomical Club, local GAA clubs, the Schull and Ballydehob Community Care Associations and Freemasons in Skibbereen, Cork and Wicklow.
For visitors wishing to go to visit it, the grave is row 1, no.44 of the cemetery on the Colla Road in Schull.
There is still some money left in the fund and a promise of more to come, which will be used to install a kerb stone around the grave and to plant some heather on it when the weather is more suitable for planting.
