By Grace Tierney
Happy New Year to all! 2021 was challenging in many different ways so it’s great to be wiping the slate clean and starting a new year. If you want motivation to leave the sofa this spring, check out #100DaysOfWalking online. The idea is to walk each day starting on the 1st of January (and ending on the 9th of April), although you can start on a later day if it suits you better. Walkers share photos from their walks online and you don’t have to do a huge trek. It’s a great start to the year and if you like photos of cute dogs walking with their owners, you will be very happy.
Fr. Michael Hynes, who is stationed in Gormanston army camp and Dundalk after returning from a tour of duty, will be helping out with parish masses for the next while, and is very welcome to St. Patrick’s Stamullen and St. Mary’s Julianstown. His assistance helped provide extra services over Christmas and hence more social distancing options. The new Christmas Crib beside the village tree was a lovely addition to the main street this year too.
Congratulations to Scott Guildea of Franciscan College Gormanston who represented Ireland at an international badminton competition recently. We’ve mentioned Scott’s great talents with the racket many times over the years and it’s wonderful to see him doing so well and still competing in a sport he loves.
Congrats also to the first ever under 21s hurling team from the village who made Meath hurling history during December by playing against Wolftones in the U21B championship, and making it a tight result too. Onwards and upwards!
There’s plenty to look forward to in the village this spring. With the school ramps actively reducing speeding on the Stamullen Road there are plenty of hi-vis workers still busy in the area. We’re looking forward to the City North walkway (hopefully opening around the same time as we go to print), the upgraded water piping, fibre cabling, and surely that footpath to St. Clares/Talbot Group must be coming soon too? If you stand still long enough in Stamullen these days somebody will either dig you up or put a traffic cone on your head.
It’s wonderful to see the cafe at the Seamus Ennis Centre in Naul re-opened as a new business. Now named The Cottage Pantry (https://www.facebook.com/cottagepantrynaul), it launched on the day of the Christmas Fair and aims to provide tasty, locally sourced food alongside barista coffee and is open 8a.m. until 5p.m. daily except for Tuesdays.
Well done to the Coco Bliss coffee dock in the village who ran a Christmas Toy Appeal in aid of the Children’s Health Foundation during December for delivery to Temple Street Hospital. It was wonderful to see all the generous donations.
If you’re looking for a fun bit of indoor gardening this month, have a look at the locally saved sunflower seeds from the De Buitlear family. All proceeds from the seed sales go towards growing plants to give away next year in our community. You’ll find them at https://gardeningwell.ie/hikashop-menu-for-products-listing/product/1-sunflower-seeds. Sunflower seeds are easy to grow and good for the bees so this is a win-win really.
** Please note changes to public health Covid 19 restrictions may affect events/services. Check with organisers.
Got Stamullen news? Send it to Grace (087-9074145) or grace@meathcoaster.com