HERITAGE WALK

On Saturday last, August 22, local historians Jim Shannon and Peader Cullen lead a historical walk of Hacketstown. This starting at the 1798 monument the site of the battle of Hacketstown. Jim told us that the first mention of Hacketstown was in the 13th centuary with the bulding of the castle where the Catholic Church is today. The group then went to the St Joseph Baptist Church where Captin Hardy was buried in 1798. Peadar Cullen pointed out that the church was a convent hence no window on the south facing wall so the nuns couldn't see the outside world.

The now scouts hall was once a Methodist Church back in the 17th and 18th century. Local man Anton Sheels contacted the decadence of the last worshipers and secured a ninety nine years lease on it, it's now in use for the youth of the town. Then across the road to what was Lyons public house, now Cullen's, which was raided by the black and tans in 1920. The group then proceeded down Pennhill where one of the houses was a public house owned by Thomas Shannon, Hacketstown's leading Parnellite in 1890. The walk continued past Bridge St, the scene of the death of Hardy 1798. Next was Denis Shannon's public house, now Fr Mc Cormack house, where there was a man-slaughter case in 1837. Rev Mr McGhee's residence in 1798 was where Kealy's pub is now. The group were well entertained with amusing stories about each place along the way. This Carlow historical and archaeological society.

For details on any of the events, contact Noreen Whelan 059 9131597 or visit www.heritageweek.ie This is sponsored by Carlow local authorities

LADIES FOOTBALL

Hard luck to the Clonmore ladies footballers who were beaten in the semi-final. All the girls played a great game but were narrowly beaten by Old Loughlin. They will now play in the B Championship which will be played shortly.

COLAISTE EOIN

Colaiste Eoin Hacketstown will open for first years only on Monday August 31. From 9am to noon; buses are available from 12pm.

WELL DONE

Well done to all the boys and girls who took part in the community games all Ireland final in Athlone over the last two weekends: Larry Doyle Jason Kelly, Rory Mcguire, Molly Scott , Josh Moore , Emma Lyons, Edward Byrne, David Doyle, Suzanne O'Neill, Emma Wall, Eion Fitzgerald, Bronagh Walsh, Molly Scott, Emma Lyons, Anna Doyle, James Whelan, Cormac Malee, Josh Bowes, Daniel Quigley, Colm Moran, Josh Moore, Brian Keogh, Jessica Nolan-Byrne, Caoimhe Byrne, Shannon Byrne, Sarah Tallon, Rachael Hickey, Mayghan Doyle, Megan Kane. More details next week.

COMMUNITY CARE

Are you interested in the caring profession and working with the elderly? The Back to Education Initiative (County Carlow VEC) will be delivering the Community Care Fetac Level 5 modules in the Tullow area in September 2009. Modules will include Care for the Older Person, Safety & Health at work and First Aid. Courses are free of charge to those who have either left school early, are unemployed, hold a medical card or are outside the labour market (eg Home maker/Home carer) Contact Lorraine or Margot on 059 91

39532 for further information.

CABARET

Tickets are now on sale for the Hacketstown juveniles football club fundraiser cabaret in September. Get your tickets in any of the local shops and from any of the committee members.

CRISP

The CRISP training centre Hacketstown, in association with Carlow Co Enterprise board, is presently offering the following courses: Blogging for small business, which deals with setting up a blog use of word press, writing blogs ect: The Hacketstown crisp centre is also offering courses commencing early/mid September: ECDL computers made simple/ beginners, Intermediate computers ect: for enquiries call 059 6171733 or call into the CRISP centre.

GAA EXHIBITION

The Carlow GAA 125th anniversary exhibition by Charlie Cooney present of the GAA will open all this week from 7.30pm-9.30 and on Sunday 23, from 2pm to 5.30pm. This major exhibition presented by Coiste Chontae Ceatharloch Cumann Lúthchleas Gael in association with Carlow County Museum and Carlow historical and archierological society in Dr Cullen's park. Visit the many photos trophies and medals to celebrate the 125 years of the GAA for more information contact Carlow County museum 059 9172492

COUNTRY MARKET

Baltinglass and District Country Market takes place every Saturday morning from 10am to 1pm at the old Badminton hall Church hall so please come along for fresh free range hen and duck eggs home butter and buttermilk homemade bread and cakes, fresh vegetables and fruit also arts and crafts.