< Previous© January 2019 The Meath Coaster10Having been calling for street lights to be installed at the junction at Piltown for the past 4 years, we finally had a decent dis-cussion on the possibility of getting them. There have been several accidents, near misses as well as confusion at this junc-tion, particularly on dark wet nights, but unfortunately none have been recorded on An Garda Siochana’s system since 2003! So, according to statistics, it is a safe junc-tion. I do know of accidents at this junc-tion and am not sure why they are not on the system. Perhaps they weren’t reported or, if reported, weren’t logged for several reasons. I’ve called for these lights to be installed in the interest of avoiding acci-dents and not have to wait until there is a fatality there. A traffic count has been called for so we’ll see how that goes. Bus sheltersWe’re still waiting on NTA to reply. These, long overdue, promised shelters are still absent so the Council have agreed to contacting NTA to put pressure on them for installationPotential good news story: We were in-formed that Meath County Council are looking to purchase and identified proper-ty in Bettystown for the purpose of com-munity facilities (Library, meeting rooms etc). After all the residential development over the last 20 years, this is long overdue but has to but welcomed with both arms. If it comes to fruition, along with the new civic building at the beach, they’ll be such fantastic assets to the Meath coast. We, as councillors, often complain that projects take so long from inception to completion , if (and when) these projects get under-way it will all be worth the wait. Bettystown-Laytown Spine RoadSpine Road CPO Oral Hearing – This hearing was held in City North Hotel on 12th Dec, ’18. I wouldn’t fancy coming up against either planning legal special-ist, but here’s praying for a favourable re-sponse for a much needed, urgent project . Decisions by An Bord Pleanala can take some time and it is expected a decision will not be reached before March ’19. That said the decision made against St Colmcilles development at Seafields, Laytown, was the quickest timeframe I’ve witnessed by the Bord. One which I, per-sonally, am disappointed with.Volleyball Ireland I’ve spoken with Volleyball Ireland with a view to hosting another international beach event this summer. Talks have begun between themselves and Meath County Council to see this through. After the success of the Sand Yachting in 2017, it’s great to see the beach being recognised for the fabulous amenity that it is and how lucky we are here on the Meath Coast.With the celebrations of the elections in 1918, I’d like to remind each of you over the age of 18 to ensure you are registered to vote – www.checktheregister.ie or ask one of your councillors, we can check for you. You can register with Meath County Council. I’d like to wish each and every one of you a very happy and safe 2019. And if you should need to contact me – 0864068270 eimear.ferguson@members.meathcoco.ie© January 2019 The Meath Coaster11© January 2019 The Meath Coaster12The Stamullen Roundup By Grace TierneyThe children of St. Patrick’s NS are starting their journeys to Holy Com-munion and Confirmation. First up is the Do This in Memory enrolment Mass, 7p.m. on 12th January. Please note, the ser-vice will take place in St. Mary’s church, Julianstown, not in Stamullen church. Also, the Christmas Eve Family Mass will be at 4.30p.m. in Stamullen this year.The Stamullen Art Group would like to thank everybody who supported their sale in December. The Stamullen Road Club would also like to thank those who helped with their annual poker classic. Gaybo was missed, of course, but the community rallied round. Congrats to the overall win-ner Paudge Howard and the other finalists.Stamullen post office is now open across lunchtimes Monday to Friday. Very handy!A free basic iPhone, iPad, smartphone, and tablet class is starting in St. Patrick’s GAA on Friday the 11th of January, running from 10 a.m. until noon. If you would like to book a place please call Angela on 046-9280790.If you’re looking to be an energetic, flex-ible new you this spring check out the pilates and yoga courses available in The Seamus Ennis Centre, the massive list of sports available at St. Pat’s GAA, the Star of the Sea athletics club, or pop into Atomic Fitness. They’re all happy to help. Mature movers continues on Wednesdays in St. Pat’s GAA at 12.30 – queries to Ru-airí at 046-9067337.Stamullen FC’s over 35s team is look-ing for new members, especially a goal-ie. They’re an active, social team who sometimes do overseas trips. If you’re interested contact Mel at 087-9398067 or mbrow99@gmail.com.Well done, and thank you, to the vol-unteers of Stamullen Tidy Towns. This year in addition to their weekly tidy-ups they’ve installed a new flowerbed beside the chinese takeaway, a new seat at the church, potted up new shrubs, and cleared back the area around the motorway bridge massively. They earned 246 points in the Tidy Town competition, up 6 on last year, which is great. They really need new vol-unteers of any age as they’re a small team. You don’t have to be an expert gardener, just enthusiastic. They’ll be resuming in the spring or you can contact them via their facebook page. Their annual quiz will be held in the New Year, so keep an eye out for it locally.Thanks to those who setup the lovely Christmas lights in the village, our very own “wild lights” in Stamullen. Also to the team behind the annual Santa visit to the village children. It’s appreciated.Happy New Year to All!Got Stamullen news? Send it to Grace (087-9074145) or grace@meathcoaster.comChristmas snow reindeers in StamullenProvidingProfessionalPrint Services to Meath Coaster Since 2009Tell your story this year!Self-publishing packages for local authors.© January 2019 The Meath Coaster14Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa, Bettystown.Our Sacred SpaceThank you to Ms McGee for the beau-tiful Advent display on our corridor. All the children have written their Advent Promises on the candles.Wellness Week FundraiserCongratulations and well done to our pu-pils for raising €1,196. We will be pur-chasing our Defibrillator in the New Year.Christmas GardenThank you once again to our fabulous vol-unteer gardeners who set up our Christ-mas garden, and to the parents for donat-ing the decorations. Happy New Year from all the staff at Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa© January 2019 The Meath Coaster15Now enrolling for our Spring term 2019 Classes recommencing week of Monday 14th January in all weekly Venues.For details on classes in your area call Jane on 086 4113301jojinglesnortheast@gmail.com www.jojingles.ie/northeastTuesday (9.30,10.30 11.30am & Saturday’s (9.30,10.30 11.30am & 12.30) Barlow House, Narrow West Street Drogheda Monday’s (9.30,10.30 & 11.30am)Drogheda Presbyterian Church, Colpe, opposite Grange Rath. Ireland Regional Franchisee of the Year 2014The SanctuaryUpstairs @ Riverside Home & Gifts, Coast Road MorningtonSANCTUARY HAIR SALON MARTINA 0876009845Wishing all our Customers a Happy New Year© January 2019 The Meath Coaster162018 was another wonderful year for the local Fit Kids/Fit Teens Dance Club.Fit Kids/Fit Teens Dance Club.Their FKFT Crew started the year by battling their way through several auditions and performances with TV3 to eventually be crowned Runner's Up in Ireland's Got Talent 2018. Since then the Crew have performed at many exciting events and TV productions, for the Taoi-seach, and even an invite to travel to India to perform for an audience of 60,000!Other highlights included two of the Club's young dancers Abo Obhakhan and Daphney Ndjatang travelling to Belarus with TG4 as backing dancers to Ireland's Junior Eurovision entry, where they had an amazing time. Some of the Fit Kids/Fit Teens parents also travelled to South Af-rica where they brought educational sup-plies, provided by the young dancers and helped with the building of two schools for the disadvantaged.The Fit Kids/Fit Teens continued to domi-nate the Hip Hop scene in the competitive field with Tomi Akingba being crowned All Ireland Hip Hop champion 2018. The Club's Crews also claimed victory in The Irish Hip Hop Masters in Tralee.Most recently the Laytown and Drogheda Seniors delighted the crowd at Santa's arriv-al at Scotch Hall with a festive performance. Many of the dancers and parents were also involved in the RTE production of 'The Greatest Show....That Never Was' seen on TV on Christmas Day.The Club finished the year with their Christmas Circus themed display- 'The Greatest Snowman' with every single child dancing their hearts out and FKFT Founder Jacinta Cassidy was delighted to win the Lifetime Achievement Award for her work with young people in Ireland.2019 is looking like another positive year with many events being planned. Jacinta is inviting all twelve to eighteen year olds to a FREE trial class on Thursday17th January at Laytown Parochial Hall from 6pm to 7pm!!! §© January 2019 The Meath Coaster17NEW General Practice / Family DoctorsNow open at Aston Village, DroghedaWe are now accepting New Medical Card & Private Patients From the East Meath area.Aston Medical is led by Dr. Gabriela Murillo who has been serving patients for over 10 years in the greater Drogheda area.To Register:Call in to the practice (ample free parking & wheelchair accessible)Call us on 041 9865041www.Astonmedical.ie Email info@astonmedical.ieGoogle Maps A92 RT20© January 2019 The Meath Coaster18Loreto BalbrigganAs we leave Christmas behind it is time to set a fresh start for the new year. Reformed eating habits are a great place to begin. Loreto Balbriggan had local entrepreneur and past pupil Evelyn Garland in to open their annual market day. Evelyn is the founding member of Fit Foods and has appeared on Dragon’s Den with her product. Evelyn also addressed the senior business students. She was an inspiration to any student wishing to further an entrepreneurial career and allowed them to see that there are many ways to succeed in life apart from the conventional paths. See more about Evelyn’s product on www.simplyfitfood.com/. Speaking of career choices our Careers Fair for fourth fifth and sixth years was a phe-nomenal success with hundreds of parents and students attending. All parties have reported back that the range of careers rep-resented and the level of information from a wide range of colleges, institutions and apprenticeship programmes as well as the armed forces was hugely informative for students making important career choices. Many thanks to all past students and pro-fessionals who gave time out of very busy lives to contribute to the evening. Science WeekThroughout science week the students at-tended various events as part of Science week . They also carried out experiments and observed dissections in their science classes. On Tuesday, 2nd years attended a talk in DIT for a talk on ‘Plastics and the Ocean’. TY students attended a talk on the “Physics of Martial Arts” in the Science Gallery. On Wednesday, students attend-ed a lecture on ’ Careers in Chemistry’ hosted by the Royal Chemistry Society. © January 2019 The Meath Coaster19Two 2nd year groups attended a talk in DIT on the Zoological discoveries of Thomas Parke, the first Irish man to cross Africa. On Thursday, 6th year students represented the school at the ISTA Regional Senior Science Quiz in TCD and came seventh place out of 50 schools. The week drew to an exciting conclusion when all 1st year students visited the Big Bear Planetarium.Careers FairCongratulations to Bettystown and Gor-manstown studenats Emilie Molloy and Marie Weldon. Both students were placed in the Christmas card competition run by Jigsaw the mental health agency for young people. Jigsaw does tremendous work to support young people who may be hav-ing difficulties coping with the stresses of modern living. Emilie came 1st in the Junior Category and Maire came 3rd in the senior category. Their cards were printed and sold by Jigsaw to raise funds.Loreto Balbriggan continues to work with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment as one of the schools chosen for consultation with regards to review of the senior cycle programme. Parents, students and teachers have all been consulted as part of phase one of the process. The consultations have focused on the purpose of senior cycle, futures thinking and pathways and flexibility in the context of the senior cycle education programmes presently available.Congratulations to our Senior Choir who along with the Senior Choir from Loreto Bray performed for the Loreto Education Network conference in Killashee Hotel on Saturday 24th November. The choir is made up of 90 senior students. They performed two songs and a samba piece. Next >