Sam Mc Guire visits the Day Centre

Ice bucket challenge .Donal Nelligan and Marcella Finn cool down after cycle with a bucket of ice cold water

Cheque presentation from Currow Cycle club. €8386 was raised by annual charity cycle on first Sunday of September

Christmas Newsletter 2014

                                                        

Newsletter  No  13...................................................Christmas 2014  

Friends,

Here we are at years end and preparing for Christmas 2014. What a year we have had as the sun shone on and on.  The lovely memory will take us through whatever winter presents to us in the months ahead.

Our Centre is always a welcoming place, and despite work pressures, our staff welcome us all with full hearts.  What great people they are, God bless them.

The Board of Management  wish you all a happy and blessed  Christmas and a healthy New Year.  Thanks for co-operation always and thanks especially for helping  our fund raising.

My New Year wish for you all is that we will look out for one another and be there for one another.

God Bless you all,

Kindest Regards

Monica Prendiville

Chairperson Board of Management

Christmas Parties

Mon 15^th – Music by Stevie Donegan

Tues 16^th-   Music by Pat Cassidy

Wed 17^th   - Music  by Stevie Donegan

Thurs 18^th – Music by Stevie Donegan

Fri 19^th -        Music by Pat Cassidy

Finances and Fundraising 2014

A huge Thank you to everyone who organised, supported and participated in fundraising events for the Day Care Centre in 2014.  It is indeed very heartening to see this level of support for the day centre and it is through your support that services have been maintained over the past number of years.

We would also like to thank the H.S.E. who are our main financial support.  Budget for 2014 remained the same and we did not get any budgetary cuts from the H.S.E. this year so hopefully this will be an indication for future years where we can look forward to more financial security.

Fundraising in 2014

Annual cycle                      €8,386.93

Ceilí by T.J. Nelligan         €790

Church gate collection   

Scartaglen                         €265

Castleisland/Cordal         €1540

Brosna/Knocknagoshel  €530

Currow/Currans               €545

Once again Thank  you to everyone who supported these fundraisers in any way.

The Gospel Tree

There once was a shining Christmas tree

Standing out where all could see

Its brilliance captured every eye

And seemed to cheer each passer by.

“The lights are so bright”, they would say

And hesitate to walk away.

The tree stood proud ablaze with light

For every light was burning bright

Then one bulb was heard to say

“I’m tired of burning night and day

I think I’ll Just go out and take a rest

For I’m too tired to do my best

Besides I am so very small

I doubt if I’d be missed at all”

Then a child lovingly touched the light,

“Look, mother, this one shines so very bright.

I think of all the lights upon the tree

This one looks the best to me”

“Oh my goodness”, said the light

“I almost dimmed right out of sight.

I thougt perhaps no one would care

If I failed to shine my share”

With that a glorious brilliance came

For every light had felt the same

Our Gospel, like this Christmas tree,

With little lights which are you and me

We each have a space that we must fill

With love, and lessons and good will.

Let’s keep our tree ablaze with light

With testimonies burning bright

For our Gospel is a living tree

That lights the way to eternity.

Staff

Sadly we had to say farewell to David O’ Donoghue who finished his C.E.Scheme in October.  Welcome to Ann Walsh in his place. Congratulations to physiotherapist Mary Kilkenny who is expecting a baby in 2015.

Christmas closure

Castleisland Day Care Centre will close on Tuesday 23^rd Dec @ 4.00p.m.

Re-opening on Monday 5^th January.

Wishing you and all your families a happy and peaceful Christmas.

ut Positive Ageing WeekWhat is Positive Ageing?

Day Care Cycle

Castleisland Day Care cycle on Sept 7th .
Registration from 9am for two routes 10miles or 50miles.
Helmets compulsory.

Daniel O Donnell visits the Day Care Centre

Castleisland Day Care Centre was delighted when singer Daniel O’ Donnell paid an unannounced visit to the Day Centre.

Daniel who is in the area at the moment will be appearing in the I.N.E.C. in Killarney for five sold out shows on August 12^th, 13^th, 15^th, 16^th & 17^th .

According to Nurse Manager Marcella Finn, we were all just flabbergasted when Daniel O’ Donnell appeared at the door and walked into our Day Room.

Daniel who had visited the Day Centre two years previously in 2012 was familiar with the Day Centre and was able to make his way in unannounced.

As on the previous occasion both clients and staff were impressed with his easy manner and friendly disposition.  Daniel took time out for individual photos with everyone and treated us to a sample of what may be in store in his concerts when he sang “Forty shades of Green” and “Our house is a home”.

All at Castleisland Day Care Centre would like to thank Daniel for taking time out of his busy schedule to visit and added that  Daniel O’ Donnell’ will continue to be at the top of our playing list at the Day Centre, as is normal anyway

Castleisland Day Care Centre Cycle is on Sept 7th

Castleisland Day Care Centre officially launched their Annual Fun Cycle.  This is the 8^th year of the cycle which is aimed at  all cyclists.

This year we have two routes, an easy 10 mile route and for the cyclist who is looking for more of a challenge, a 50 mile route.

According to event organizer, John Breen of  Currow Cycle Club this event is for all levels of cyclists .The 50mile route may be of particular interest for someone who might be beginning preparations for the Ring of Kerry 2015 or for cyclists who may be winding down after this years Ring.  He went on to say that the shorter 10 mile route is geared towards families and beginner cyclists and is a great incentive for people  to get on their bikes and promote cycling as a way to get active and healthy.

Registration  is €20 with special discount for families and  takes place at Castleisland Day Care Centre between 9.00 a.m and 9.45 a.m .Cycling helmets are compulsory for all cyclists and under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The cycle gets under way from the Day Centre at 10.00 a.m.

At  the launch of the cycle nominations were made to Castleisland Day Care Centre Board member Donal Nelligan and staff member Marcella Finn to accept the Ice Bucket Challenge. So it seems that cyclists will not only be treated to live music and food at the end of the cycle but  will also get to see both Donal and Marcella getting a bucket of Ice Cold water thrown on them. 

Heritage Week at Castleisland Day Care Centre

Castleisland Day Care Centre is once again delighted to celebrate National Heritage Week       23^rd to 31^st August. 

This year’s theme is Discovering  the past, Build the future.

According to Nurse Manager, Marcella Finn “This week is a great week in which we can value our heritage and  enjoy and promote our sense of place and the natural and cultural heritage that it contains. Marcella added that Heritage week is particularly significant for our elderly clients who attend the centre as our elderly generation have a huge contribution to make to our Irish Heritage.

Events organized by Castleisland Day Care Centre are as follows.

If any member of the public has an interest in any of these events please feel free to call in to the Day Centre and join in.

Mon 25^th @ 11.30 a.m. Tim Murphy Slide show of old photograph of Castleisland town.

Tues 26^th – Mary Howard – East Kerry Roots organizer with old photographs of Killarney town

Wed 27^th @ 11.30 a.m. – Basket weaving and Making Soda Bread with Peggy Reidy and Leo

Thurs 28^th @ 11.30 a.m. – Robert McGuire – History of the Castle in Castleisland town.

Fri 29^th @ 11.30 a.m. –  Mike O’ Donnell – Storytelling and old Irish yarns with renowned Kerry  

                                       storyteller

Newsletter No 11....................................................Summer 2014 Traditionally the Irish year was divided into two parts, Ó Samhain go Bealthaine is Ó Bealtaine go Samhain. Bealthaine – Good Fire, connected with the sun’s warmth and the consequent fertility of crops and cattle. Féile na Bealtaine aims to highlight and promote traditions, culture and the arts to people of all ages. Castleisland Day Care Centre marked Féile na Bealthaine with workshops from local artist Breda Galwey. Breda gave us a little introduction to art and you never know some hidden talents may have even been unearthed. A big thank you to all Breda’s art students from Wednesday who shared some of their art work. We believe that the pieces are in high demand with some of them now on display in the U.S.A. Local school will also help us celebrate Féile na Bealthaine with visits from Scoil Muire gan Smál on Thursday May 22nd and Gaelscoil Aogán Choir on Tuesday May 27th and Wednesday June 4th. The grand finale for our Bealtaine celebrations will be a visit from The Butterfly Theatre Company with their production “Musical sensations” on Friday May 30th at 2.oo p.m. This is a star studded event with songs from all your favourite musicians, Doris Day, Gene Kelly, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland . We would encourage anyone who wishes to attend (not just the Friday group) to come along on Friday 30th @ 2.00p.m. for a great afternoon of musical entertainment. Survey Thanks to everyone who contributed to our independent survey carried out on the first week of April. The full report on the survey is available to anyone who wishes to read it. Please ask a member of staff. Knitting Thank you to everyone who contributed to our knitting project in aid of Chernobyl. The knitting needles and yarn are safely stored away until 2015 when le cuanamh Dé we will be able to pull them out during Lent again. A big” Thank you” to Eileen Hanafin Ballymac and her family who will ensure the safe passage of all our blankets and teddy bears to those that appreciate them in the Chernobyl area. Alzheimers tea day We raised €180 from collection for Alzheimers. The money was passed on to Mary Murphy of Cordal who does great work every year raising funds on Alzheimers Tea Day. Staff We wish our chef Helen Greensmyth a speedy recovery from planned surgery. Welcome to Elizabeth Hickey who is replacing Helen until her return in mid July. Chiropodist will visit on the following dates Mon Jun 16th, Tues Jun 17th Wed Jun 18th , and Thurs Jun 26th. Events to watch out for Tours As in 2013 we have decided to hold our main tour later in the year probably in mid to late September. This is due to the fact that a lot of local groups hold their tours in early Summer and we sometimes end up clashing with other groups. We will however hold individual group day trips. These will be as follows: Tuesday June 3rd - Keanes Restaurant Curraheen Wednesday June 11th - Ballygarry House Hotel Thursday June 19th - Ballygarry House Hotel Friday June 27th - Keanes Restaurant Curraheen Monday June 30th - Ballygarry House Hotel Cost €20 will be collected on the day of the tour only. Social Sunday group will be holding their tour on Sunday 8th June to Kate Kearney’s Cottage, Killarney. Reminder that the Social Sunday group will be taking a break for the Summer months returning on Sunday October 12th. Family week from Monday July 21st to Friday July 25th. We are extending an open invitation to any family members who would like to come along on the week beginning Monday 21st July All the young people are invited free of charge with a contribution of €5 for older family members. Family week is a great opportunity for clients to introduce family members to Castleisland Day Care Centre and for family members both young and old to meet the staff and get to experience what we do in the Day Centre. As in the past we will have a packed schedule for this week with a magic show by Sylvano, music, song, dance and games. Daniel O’ Donnell A letter of invitation has been written to Daniel O’ Donnell inviting him to visit Castleisland Day Care Centre. We were thrilled in August 2012 when Daniel visited our centre on a sunny Monday afternoon. Fingers crossed that he will be able to take time out from his busy schedule to call to us again when he is in the Killarney area doing his concerts in August. Sympathy to Daniel on the death of his mother. She always held a very special place in his heart. Cycle Castleisland Day Care Centre Annual fundraising cycle will take place as usual on the first Sunday of September. This cycle would not be possible except for the hard work of Currow Cycle Club who nominated Castleilsland Day Care Centre as their charity in 2008 and have been running this cycle on our behalf since then. It would be great if you could support us by taking a sponsorship card when they become available and by encouraging family members/friends to participate in the cycle. Heritage Week Watch out for events to mark Heritage week from 23rd to 31st August. The Day Care will celebrate the week with events and speakers. Summer Holidays. We are closing on Friday July 25th @ 4.00 p.m. and re-opening on Monday August 11th.