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Gortanumera Bridges the Generations
Teams of "Gortanumera Volunteers" led (from the front) by Dermot Hickey, ensured that Gortanumera was gleaming for its Double Anniversary Celebrations last weekend. Ceremonies focused on the school, on the church and on the community.

Scoil Mhuire Gortanumera Since 1860: Is nostalgia a "thing of the past"? Scoil Mhuire celebrated with a display of School Registers and photos dating back to the early 1900's. Hundreds of past-pupils returned to find themselves and loved ones on the School Registers. Notebooks, cameras and phones were used. Proof was recorded that school attendance was even better back in the days of "the cane" than it is today! Former classmates were re-united, some after seventy years. Past-pupils regaled in their memories until almost midnight!

Church of The Ascension Since 1935: Bishop John Kirby presided at Mass concelebrated by six priests all of whom have served in Gortanumera. The Gortanumera Choir enriched the liturgy. The Procession of Symbols before Mass, represented local volunteers in the Church, the School, Gortanumera Development Association, Churchill Cemetery Committee, Gortanumera Group Water Scheme plus local involvement in sport and culture of all kinds. Parents, pupils and locals read scriptures, psalms and reflections. Bishop Kirby lauded the vision and work of seventy-five years ago. He sees that same vision and effort alive in Gortanumera in 2010.

The Tent at Gortanumera: The Tent at Galway Races" may be famous but the Gortanumera Tent has surpassed it! Free refreshments were prepared and served, all by Gortanumera volunteers. Nobody counted calories or cholesterol as they recalled centuries in the history of both local landmarks. The entire celebration was a "Bridge Back Across The Generations". Please God; Gortanumera will hold similar celebrations in 2160! The Gortanumera Community Spirit will still be thriving!

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Portumna U-10 Camogie Girls Claim County Title
The U-10 camogie girls pulled off a great win in the U-10B County Final last Saturday in Loughrea. This is the second time in history for the camogie club to claim this title. Portumna were first to get a score when a free from Shauna Muldoon went into the top of the net. This was followed by a superb point from Aisling Harte. This brought us to the end of the first half leaving the half time score Portumna 1-1 to Shamrocks 0-0.

With no changes in the second half Shamrocks were to claim their first score of the day with a point from play. This was to be followed by a second goal from midfielder Shauna Muldoon to put them ahead by 2 goals. However, this lead was short lived when Shamrocks scored their first and only goal from a free. With time running out the ref blew the final whistle giving Portumna their claim to victory. It was a thrilling game with so much tension between the sides and some fine individual displays from many girls. The goalie did her share whilst the backs cleared their lines time after time. The midfielders controlled a lot of ball and sent in some great ball to the forwards who in turn put pressure on the opposition. All in all it was a close encounter between the two sides having drawn in their previous meeting. It was Portumna who went out deserving winners in the end. The final score was Portumna 2-1 to Shamrocks 1-1.

Well done and congratulations to: Niamh Quinton, Lisa Greenwood, Sarah Brien, Aideen Tully, Roisin Tully, Aoibhinn Goode, Shauna Muldoon (Capt), Molly Fitzgerald, Shauna Murray, Aisling Harte (V.Capt), Sarah Hanbury, Anita Hickey, Saoirse O’Toole, Alanna Williams, Natasha Hynes, Sarah Jane Foley, Ava Downey, Martha Tuohy. Management: Yvonne Muldoon, Niall Kelly, Bridget Brien.

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Book Launch - Poems With a View to Nature
A new book of poems by Clonfert woman Margaret Hurley entitled "Poems with a View to Nature" will be launched in Clonfert Community Centre on Sunday 11th July at 8 pm. All proceeds from the publication go to Concern for 3rd World Famine Relief. Margaret as her poetry clearly illustrates has a close affinity with nature. The poems Margaret has chosen for this book describes the magic of nature and reflects on the changing colours of the year. In a gentle but persuasive manner it is a reminder for us to tune into the wonders of the world that surrounds us. This is a limited edition so come to the launch and get your copy.

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Fr. Brendan Lawless - Ruby Jubilee Celebration
This year 2009-2010 is the year for priests and Pope Benedict XVI named St. John Vianney as a patron of the year in this the 150th anniversary of his death. There is little enough similarity between the French village of Ars in the early to mid 1800’s and the various parishes of Ireland today. The deanery of Clonfert comprises of 7 parishes and within those we have 3 priests who between them have 150 years of faithful service to the Church and its parishioners.

Father Naughton celebrated his Diamond Jubillee (60 Years) last weekend in Woodford, Fr. Sean Lyons Duniry is celebrating his Golden Jubilee (50 years) this week and Fr. Brendan Lawless PP Portumna celebrated his Ruby Jubilee 40th year as a priest last Monday 28th June in St. Bridget’s Church. The Bishop of Clonfert John Kirby officiated at the Mass. The local choir – St Brigid’s Folk Choir under the direction of Mary Joyce were in great voice, the opening hymn “Ode to Joy” by Beethoveen was followed by the Procession of Celebrants which included children from St. Brendan’s Portumna and Scoil Mhuire, Gortanumera National Schools. The Communion songs were “Ave Verum by Mozart, “Pie Jesu” an Andrew Lloyd Webber Compisition was sung by soloist: Conor O’Meara , and “God has a Plan For You” was sung by Anna Browne. Muirne Goode played some tunes on the harp and gave a show stopping vocal performance of “The Fields of Athenry”.

In a moving homily Bishop Kirby described what the World was loke in 1969/70 Richard Nixon was President of the United States, Jack lynch was Taoiseach, DeVelara was President of Ireland, Tom Ryan was Bishop of Clonfert and Brendan Lawless was ordained to the priesthood. Times were very different then. So for forty years Fr. Lawless has ministered in different ways to different people. He has kept alive the mystery of God’s presence. He did this through the administration of the sacraments particularly the Blessed Eucharist in the celebration of Mass. The Bishop went on to say “it is not easy being a priest in the world today, or in the Ireland of today. The damage done by the continuing scandals has been colossal. The number of offenders is small, but the fall out has been very large. Many of our contemporaries look with askance on our motivation for being priests. Instead of being viewed with favour people now doubt our integrity, if we feature on T.V. films or on the big screen we will be shown as somewhat isolated in our own community or perhaps as a troubled or even malevolent figure. And still the priesthood is crucial to the continuing vitality of the Catholic community.” So as we celebrate the jubilees of these 3 priests we pray that there will be always those who will come after them to continue the work of the Lord. Times will be different and there will be new approaches, but we will always need young people who will give themselves to keeping alive the mystery of God’s presence in our world.

When Mass was over the congregation moved down to the Town Hall, there they had a night of “Jollification” there was wine, cups of tea, sandwiches, minerals, finger food etc. Chris Smith made a presentation of a watch to Fr.Lawless on behalf of the people of Portumna. after that the band played well into the night. We can’t wait for his Golden Jubilee!.

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Davitts Camogie Club
U-12 County Final: Commiserations to our u12 team who lost the county u12 A final on Sunday evening in Kilimor. This was an excellent encounter with both teams very evenly matched. Davitts were unlucky early on as a few efforts on goal by Taragh Moloney went narrowly wide. Oranmore opened their account with a free from Eimear O Donovan on eleven minutes. Oranmore struck for goal with twenty minutes gone but Davitts replyed immediately with a goal from Elizabeth Burke to leave the score at half time 1-1 to 1-0 in favour of Oranmore.

Oranmore opened the second half with a converted free from Eimear O Donavan & an excellent point soon followed this from play by Rachel Hannify. But Davitts did not lie down and replied with two converted frees from Taragh Moloney. The Davitts side tried hard and threatened the Oranmore goal on numerous occasions. However when referee Joan Poland blew the final whistle it was Oranmore who emerged victorious on a scoreline of 1.4 to 1-2. Credit must go to the Davitts girls who fought hard right to the final whistle but unfortunately it was not their day.

The club would like to thank the management team of Geraldine O Byrne,Tom Breheny, Annette Breheny and Rena Kissell for the huge amount of work they put in with this team. The club and parents appreciate their huge effort.

Thank You: Davitts committee would like to thank everyone who contributed in any way to their recent clothes collection. It was a huge success with a large amount of clothes and old mobiles phones being collected on the morning.

Congratulations: Davitt’s would like to wish the best of luck to their former Senior team captain Rita Broderick who married Tommie Larkins native, Niall Kelly last Friday 2nd July in Tynagh church. Best wishes to both of them in their future life together.

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Woodford Playground
A very successful night was held at the Galway Greyhound Track on Sat 26th June to raise funding for Woodford community playground. Well done to Paula Tuohy and her fundraising committee for all their hard work and efforts to make it such a success!! The winner of the E500 was Gavin Dervan, Ballinakill. The 5 lucky dip winners were Robbie Canning Woodford, James & Mary Lyons Easterfield, Brian Porter Clondagoff, Dr. Fahy Portumna and Parick Morris Birr. The winner of the hamper sponsored by O'Mearas was Maura Forde, Bolag Woodford and the spot winners were Ollie Conroy, Naoise Conroy and Justin O'Byrne.

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Shorelines Arts Festival
From one Festival to another, Shorelines Arts Festival will take place Sept 16-19th and a meeting of the Arts Committee will take place at 8,15pm on Thursday, July 15th in Na Calai. The programme is now coming together so any ideas you have, please come and join the group.

Portumna Arts Group would like to thank the Chamber of Commerce for the successful Outdoors Festival. Those who took part in the Creative Crawl enjoyed the relaxation and discovery of Portumna's wonderful inspirational sites.

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The Marie Keating Foundation
Mobile unit & Nurse will be in Portumna on Thursday 22nd July from 10.30am to 1pm in the square and from 2-4pm at the GAA grounds (in conjunction with GAA Cul Camps).

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Traditional Music & Singing Workshop
A Traditional Music & Singing Workshop under the stewardship of Marian Staunton takes place in Portumna from July 13 – 16th inclusive. All instrumentalists and singers are welcome to attend. Open to adults and children it consists of 4 x 2hr. evening sessions and costs € 40.00. Special attention will be paid to local music i.e. the compositions of Fr. P.J. Kelly and the performance of Fr. Jack & Charlie Coen. Early booking is essential. Further information from Marian at 085 2737695.

Megan Byrne from Duniry came 3rd playing the Piano in the Connacht Fleadh in Mohill Co.Leitrim, she is a student of Marian’s.

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Portumna Angling Club
The local angling club entered a new chapter in its history last Saturday when the new clubhouse was offically open by the President of the club Mr Gary Kenny, he spoke on the history of the club and being. Gary cut the tape and declared the new Clubhouse open. Also present were Fr. Lawless P.P. Portumna and Mrs Anne Menheneott Church of Ireland, together they blessed the boats, the blessing of the boats was an annual event and it fell away a number of years ago, it is great to see it making a comeback on the angling club calender. The other gueat speakers were Mr Eamon Hayes long time member of the club and the newly elected County Lord Mayor Mr Jimmy McClearn. The Secretary Mr Gerry Larkin has put into tremendous work into getting grants for the club and they have manacured the grounds and built a new boat shed. The Cahirman of the club Mr Brian Gordon thanked everyone for coming along and said they are always looking for new members, after the proceedings the whole Gordon family of which there are many spent the afternoon cooking up food on the Bar-B-Que, it was a great day. Well done.

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