by Niamh Bn. Uí Loinsigh
July (Iúil) – In Ireland of the past, July was a month marked by scarcity of food before the harvest, and people looked forward to the end of “Hungry July” by celebrating what is commonly known today as Garland Sunday. Like most old Irish pagan festivals, it was co-opted as a Christian one, yet had – been celebrated long into prehistory. Its origins are in the pagan festival of Lughnasadh (named after the god Lugh), which is one of the four major seasonal festivals, along with Samhain, Imbolc and Bealtaine. While Lá Lughnasa occurs on August lst, the Garland Sunday celebrations moved to the last Sunday in July. Today, Garland Sunday is an annual day of pilgrimage, also known as Reek Sunday for the climb of Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo, known as Ireland’s holiest mountain. It is where St Patrick is said to have spent 40 days and nights fasting. To honour him, pilgrims ascend the mountain on this day, praying for special intentions or as an act of penance. Many of them climb barefoot, performing circuits of certain sites on the mountain before attending Mass in a modern, purpose-built church on the summit.
Julianstown Tidy Towns – Our Tidy Towns group are continuing to weed flower beds in the village for Meath Co. Co. Pride of Place and the National Tidy Towns competitions. The briars on the Dublin Road which had enveloped the trees have been cut back and its’s amazing to see how much they have grown. Larry Lenehan and Ann Hanley were busy strimming the grass and re-planting the flower planter on the Duleek Road. There are a lot of verges and beds to be weeded and if you have an hour or so free perhaps you could give us a hand. We are meeting every Saturday mornings at 11 am or Monday to Wednesday in garden. Well done and thanks to all the Community Volunteers who are out and about making a difference. There would be no Pride of Place without them. Many thanks to Uniplume who have supplied us with Pollinators for the raised beds and again if you can help with the weeding please come and join us. It’s wonderful to see all the people who have created wildflower beds , each year they are getting so much better and there’s some spectacular sights, the nicest thing is not only are we helping natures pollination but introducing beautiful natural wild flowers that many have forgotten about , grasses, forget me nots, oxeye daisies , cornflowers , just to name a few.
This lovely looking plant is called Giant Hog Weed and it is growing very happily in the grounds of the Old Mill Hotel. It is an extremely dangerous plant and should be always avoided as it can give you a really nasty burn, which in some cases may necessitate hospital treatment. You cannot miss it as it grows to about 5 to 6 metres. There is a smaller version of it named ‘Hog Weed’ this can also give you a burn, but not as bad as its bigger relation.
16 Beautiful Planters have been placed around the village. Laytown Road bed got a make over Another job done the bridge and bed got a summer clean. Weeding can be very thirsty work as Oscar can confirm!
Whitecross National School – I hope all the teachers, boys and girls have a great summer holiday and in September you will be entering you new school. It already looks amazing and if any parents or past pupils would like to donate towards the ‘little extras’ that are needed for the school please log on to www.idonate.ie/event/2897_whitecross-virtual-walk-around-ireland.html
St. Mary’s Catholic Church – First Communion ceremonies will take place in the parish in the Autumn (subject to Government guidelines) on Saturday 9th October for Whitecross and the 16th October for Stamullen
Confirmation Ceremonies in the parish will take place on Friday, 20th August.
We are waiting for more information from the Bishop’s office regarding times of Ceremonies. All of these dates will be subject to Government guidelines and restrictions and are subject to change.
Your prayers are requested for the repose of the soul of Pauline Crosbie whose funeral took place in Julianstown last week. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends. R.I.P.
St. Mary’s Church of Ireland are having a Fundraiser – During July, the “Walk Quarter of a Million Steps for St. Mary’s ” initiative will take place. So far, six people have mentioned they will participate. Perhaps you are willing to put on your runners and walk to raise funds for the parish too!
If you would like a visit (preferably outdoors) or to go for a walk and chat, please let me know. Please also tell me of any illnesses or other needs as clergy are not notified if people are in hospital. The Revd. Katharine Poulton
Julianstown & District Community Association support the re-instating of a Full-Time Garden Station in Laytown which will serve the growing population of East Meath.
Garda Station – The Population of the Laytown/Bettystown Municipal Area (of which we in Julianstown form part of) now stands at over 33,000 . We on the East Coast have larger populations than towns such as Ashbourne or Kells who have full-time Garda Stations. It is stated that if we have an emergency the Ambulance comes from Drogheda; if we have a fire, the Fire tenders come Drogheda. However, if we have threatening behaviour from gangs, fights, accidents, break ins, drugs, we are patched through to Ashbourne and depending on which part- time garda station is open it takes at least 30 minutes to attend , and a life could be at risk. We NEED a Full-Time facility, and well done to (The lady )who organised the protest on the beach recently. We thank Fergus O’Dowd, TD and Ged Nash TD for highlighting this issue in the Dáil last week.
16 Beautiful Planters have been placed around the village.
Another job done the bridge and bed got a summer clean.
Laytown Road bed got a make over