Broomfield & District Residents Association

For General Association Information,

Contact the Association Secretary, Gerard Weldon on 087-2729154.

Welcome to Broomfield & District!

Broomfield & District is a rural hamlet that straddles the Dublin – Derry (N2) road, north of Slane in Co. Meath and south of Collon in Co. Louth. The Associations headquarters is Teach Raithneach (House of Ferns) Heritage and Cultural Centre, and is located at Starinagh, Collon (turn right on the N2 at Geraghty Concrete if coming from Slane, left at Geraghty Concrete if coming from Collon). A map of the District is available in Teach Raithneach.

When visiting such places of note in the Boyne Valley as Newgrange, Slane, Mellifont Abbey and Monasterboice, you should also take time out to savour the scenic beauty, peace and tranquillity, and the many places of historical interest that Broomfield & District has to offer. Ideally suited to walking and cycling. Enjoy the scenic beauty of the surrounding countryside, and interpret the various places of historical interest visible from the many elevated vantage points along the way.

Guided Tours of the District can be arranged. Individuals, groups and the corporate sector can be catered for. Contact Gerard on 087/2729154 for further information or to book a tour of Broomfield & District.

 Teach Raithneach, Heritage and Cultural Centre, Starinagh, Collon

Pride of Place.

The Anti Litter League Competition starts on Monday 20th February 2012 and will run for 6 weeks up to Friday 6th April 2012. Judging will take place on a fortnightly basis and points will be lost for the presence of Litter. The League Results will be published and broadcast in the media bi-weekly for the first 2 rounds of judging, with the last round of results remaining a mystery until the Awards Ceremony in April, when all winners will be announced. Judging will take place each week from Tuesday to Friday only.  

Public Meeting Well Attended

The Public Meeting held in Teach Raithneach on Thursday 2nd February 2012 was well suported with over 100 in attendance.. The purpose of the meeting was to provide an opportunity for Community Members to express their views on issues of concern to them, including: the Septic Tank Registration Charge, the Household Charge, Community Employment Scheme cuts, Care of the Elderly, and the cost of Auditing Accounts and Insurance costs for Voluntary Community Organisations. Meath East Dail Representatives, Minister Shane Mc Entee, TD., Dominic Hannigan, TD. and Regina Doherty, TD., all attended. The Meeting was Chaired by Pat Dunne, Chairman of Broomfield & District Residents Association. A detailed account of the proceedings will be posted here in due course.

Men's Shed Project.

Good progress has been made by Broomfield & District Residents Association, in conjunction with Meath Partnership, to establish a Men's Shed at Teach Raithneach. The Men's Shed provides a dedicated, friendly and welcoming meeting place for older men to get together and undertake a variety of mutually agreed activities.

Programmes running at other locations include the following: woodwork, restoring artefacts, painting, photography, card playing, darts, rings, bowls, computer classes, other hobbies and pastimes, as well as going on trips. Members decide the activities.

All Men in Broomfield & District and the wider Community are cordially invited to attend an initial Meeting with Kay O'Connor from Meath Partnership, who is the Co-ordinator of the Men's Shed Projects in Co. Meath. The Meeting takes place in Teach Raithneach on Thursday 23rd February 2012, starting at 8.00 pm. Please, spread the word about this exciting new initiative, and feel free to invite friends and acquaintances to the Meeting. Refreshments will be served. If you require any further information, or wish to express an interest, please contact Gerard on 087-2729154. 

Support for Local Traders.

At the January Meeting of Broomfield & District Residents Association, there was unanimous support for a motion by the Association Secretary calling for the Associations and Community Members 'Support for Local Traders and Business Interests where possible'. The Motion read:

'We should support our Local Traders and Businesses. When we need sponsorship, financial or in kind for our activities throughout the year, we turn to Local Traders and Businesses. We are always well received. There is an obligation on us, individually and collectively to support them now in these economically difficult times. Spend locally, help protect local jobs and businesses'. 

Teach Raithneach Activities.

Bridge Classes.

Bridge Classes every Monday night, starting at 7.30 pm.

Set Dancing. 
Set Dancing Classes with John Mc Evoy every Monday night at the earlier starting time of 8.30 pm. Refreshments served. Contact Gerard on 087-2729154.

Irish Dancing Classes. 
Scoil Rince Ni Fhaircheallaigh ( Farrelly School of Irish Dancing), has been providing quality tuition and classes in Irish Step and Ceili Dancing for 32 years. Classes in Teach Raithneach every Tuesday from 6 to 7.30 pm. Beginners always welcome. Suitable for boys and girls of all ages and levels. Contact Grainne on 086-3707227 or Olive on 086-3502157 for further information. 

Art Classes. 
Art Classes every Tuesday evening at 7.30 pm. Beginners welcome.
Contact Maura on 086-8091819.

Children's Art/Craft Classes. 
Children's Art/Craft Classes every Wednesday in Teach Raithneach. Suitable for boys and girls aged 5 to 12 years. €5 per child, per session. Contact Teresa on 086/3212986 for details.

Youth Club. 

Watch this space or contact Anita on  087-9218339 for details of all Youth Club activity.

Tir na n-Og Active Retirement. 
The Tir na n-Og Group meet on the first Friday of the month from 6 to 8.30 pm. New Members always welcome. Contact Siobhan on 087/6437114.

News.

Important Dates:

• National Bird Nest Box Day, 14^th February, St. Valentine’s Day.
• Litter League starts on Monday 20^th February and will run until 6^th April 2012.
• National Tree Week. Sunday 4^th to Saturday 10^th March 2012. Plant a tree.
• May Bush Competition. Tuesday 1^st May 2012.
• Bealtaine Festival. Month of May. This year’s theme is, ‘What kind of old do you want to be?
• Meath Active Week, Monday 4^th to Sunday 10^th June 2012.
• St. Columcille’s Day, Saturday 9^th June 2012.
• An Post Meath Heritage Cycle Tour, Sunday 29^th July 2012.
• 2012 is European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations.

Bird Feeding.

Bird feeding has resumed at various locations throughout the District. The largest Feeding Station is on Hungry Hall Park along the N2 south of Collon village. If you are visiting Hungry Hall Park, please feel free to put some food on the Bird Table. Our feathered friends will be delighted to sample your left-overs. Fruit, vegetables and bread are particularly popular. 

Bird Feeding at Hungry Hall Park began on Thursday 1st December 1994 when the Bird Feeding Programme was launched by Fr. Paddy Mc Donnell, PP. Collon. Currently there are 16 Bird Peanut Feeders of varying sizes and a Bird Table on Hungry Hall Park. Other locations where Bird Feeding takes place include Carrickenane (Carraigh na n-Ean - Bird's Rock), Lambert's Bridge, Starinagh, Boyd's Bridge, Starinagh, Patron Tree, Starinagh, Doe Bridge, Hurcle, Newtownfortescue Cross, Grangegeeth and Teach Raithneach.

Tree planting at Hungry Hall Park was launched on Friday 21st February 1992 by the Pupils of Collon, Slane, Stackallen and Tullyallen National Schools. Maxol sponsored 100 trees which were supplied by Crann at the time.

 Some of the participants in the Broomfield 10K Mini Marathon2011

Where is this? Where was the photo taken from? 

Set Dance Ceili in March 2011

Community Alert.

As daylight hours get shorter and the hours of darkness get longer, please keep an eye out for your elderly neighbours, especially those who are living alone. Call on them as often as you can. Make sure that they have all their needs and that they are ok. Thanks!

The new Community Alert Text Messaging Service is receiving very positive feedback from the Community. It has been used on a number of occasions since its launch and had all Community Members on ALERT in minutes. Community Members who have Socially Monitored Alarms, please check to ensure that they are working correctly. The Monitoring Station supports and encourages the checking of alarms on a regular basis. Please make sure that the yearly monitoring fee is paid by the due date to ensure that the service continues. If you require a Socially Monitored Alarm or any other security measure, please contact Community Alert Secretary Sarah on 087-6128206 for information.

Community Alert and Litter Free Status Signs on the Broomfield Road 

Broomfield Walking Group.

Tuesday and Thursday evening walking has finished for the Autumn/Winter months. Sunday walking continues as usual at 12 noon. Wear suitable clothing and footwear, and a High Visability Vest is essential. Contact Josie on 086/1692641 for details.

Newtownfortescue Cross, Grangegeeth 

The Great Famine Commeration Stone

 Newtownfortescue Cross, Grangegeeth.

Phoenixtown Bridge, Grangegeeth 

 Children's Garden.

Work in the Children's Garden has finished for the Winter months, and will resume again in March 2012. Contact Teresa on 087/9375550 for details.

The Children's Garden at Teach Raithneach (above and below) 

Members of Tir na n-Og play a game of Kurling

Tir na n-Og Garden Planters alongside the Children's Garden at Teach Raithneach

Heritage.

The Heritage Sub-committee is taking part in the Meath Oral History Collection with the help of Tom French and Meath County Library (Local Studies Section). With the aid of a digital recorder, the Group are out and about meeting people and recording the stories that they have to tell.

The Heritage Group are also working on a new project, documenting derelict houses and remembering the people who lived in them. This work will be on-going over the Summer months, and it is envisaged that a publication will result from this research. If you can assist with either of the above, please contact Maura Roche on 041/9826314.

A collection of the work completed by the Heritage Sub-committee over the years.

Broomfield Bonus Ball Lottery Results.
Draw Date: 11/02/2012 
Bonus Ball Numbers: Lotto = 05, Lotto Plus 1 = 44, Lotto Plus 2 = 44 
No Jackpot Winner!
Next Week's Jackpot: €10,000.

€20 Prize Winners: Niall & Caoimhe Weldon, Cardrath. Sonia Smyth, Tallanstown. Kit Kearns, Dublin. Vincent Magee, Dromin. Shannelle Smyth, Tallanstown.

Winners Promotors: Gerard Weldon, Sheila Matthews, Sean Magee and Margaret Hanratty .

Next Draw Date: 18/02/2012.

Still Fiver Friday all week in Broomfield.

Bonus Ball Lottery Envelopes can be purchased as usual at €2 each or 3 for a €5 (fiver). Good value with the Jackpot at €10,000. Thanks for all the support. 

Fitness Class.
Fitness Class, Aerobics and Toning. Contact Margaret on 086-8962724.

                 Children's Art and Craft Outside Mural at Teach Raithneach 

Sub-committee Secretaries and Contacts.
Youth Club, contact Anita on 087-9218339.
Tir na n-Og Active Retirement, contact Siobhan on 087-6437114.
Children's Garden Project, contact Teresa on 087/9375550
Community Alert, contact Sarah on 087-6128206

Walking Group, contact Josie on 086/1692641.   

Heritage, contact Maura on 041-9826314. 

To book facilities in Teach Raithneach, contact Alice on 087-9360018.