Local News 4th Feb 2009

COMHBHRÓN:
We extend our deepest sympathy to wife Theresa, sons Mike and John, daughters Marian, Anne, Bernie, Patsy & Rose on the
death of husband and father, Jackie Chawke. After a short illness, he passed away peacefully in the midst of his loving family.
He was one of nature's gentlemen who always had a salute and handshake for everyone and loved the chat.
He dedicated a huge amount of time to the local group water scheme and was a great man for the stage himself. He will be
sadly missed by family, friends and all his grandchildren. Go dtuga Dia suaimhneas sioraí da anam uasal.

GRANAGH PLAYERS:
Apologies to anyone we inconvenienced as a result of the cancellation of the Play on Saturday 31st.
Cast, crew and audiences really enjoyed both performances over the weekend. We had wonderful feed-back from the
audience members and they were full of praise for all our actors. Indeed it was well deserved as each of them gave fantastic
performances. They were complimented for their professionalism and attention to detail. It is marvelous to have such talent
in this small parish and we are sure there is more out there, just waiting to be discovered.
Congratulations to Jimmy Sheehy, producer extraordinaire ! This was not an easy play to interpret and produce but as usual he
stepped up to the challenge and did it in fine style ! He chose all the music and now we are hooked on the Tom Waits song ' Martha'.
I cannot commend the actors highly enough. Marylee Stapleton ( Eileen) had to adjust from last year's bag apron and wellies to
fishnets and mini skirt. It was a huge change of character but no problem at all to Marylee and with a swing of her hips she was off.
Brid O'Gorman ( Molly) also had another huge adjustment to make. It was a big change from the pipe smoking, bitter old grand-
mother to a modern, cigarette smoking (herbal), cleaning lady with false eyelashes - you could expect anything from her !
Belated Birthday wishes to Brid from all the Crew.
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Jim Chawke (Joe), is just a natural talent on stage, he could turn professional if he ever decided to change careers. He makes it look
so easy but I know he puts in allot of work behind the scenes. For his 'drunk' scene, which was so credible, he said he did have about thirty
years practice!
John Bennett (Georgie), had another challenging role this year. He has to portray Georgie as a bit of a lapdog and hanger on, with
no ambition, just total infatuation with Eileen. John carried this off with ease.
Liam Kelly (Steven) seemed to slot into the part this year as if it was made for him. He had to give the impression of being aloof, a bit
above the rest, not really interested in what was going on around him, hoping things will not change. Of course that's nothing like the real
Liam, totally opposite actually ! He did great in his debut performance.
Joe Noonan ( Danger Doyle) what can be said about him that hasn't been said already. He is the man who caused the whole trouble in the
first place and now comes back again to turn everyone's lives up-side-down again. However, he does it with style & panache and has the
accent and swagger to go with it. Joe has given this character a life of his own and one would believe he was just back from London !
Sincere thanks to everyone who donated raffle prizes, people were exceptionally generous.
Many thanks to the ladies who arrived each night bringing home baking and sandwiches with them - Anne Fitzgibbon, Mary Carroll,
Kay Chawke, Mary Boyce, Mary Morrissey and Eileen Noonan. They were all multi-tasking, switching from setting out teas to selling
tickets to wash-up duties. Not forgetting the men of course, who fell in wherever they were required - Sean Cagney, Mick Houlihan,
Martin Carroll and Pa Joe Boyce.
The lads managing the parking have it down to a fine art and seemingly there are targets set as to how quickly the yard can be filled.
The DVD is out, hot off the press and will be available in O'Gormans, €15.
ONE MORE TIME:- The Cast were disappointed that they were not able to have a night for the School and so decided that they
would give one more performance on FRIDAY 20th Feb. We will be purchasing a Data Projector and Laptop which the school
require. So, pass on the word, anyone who has not seen this Play, this is the last chance.! It is a fabulous piece of entertainment, great
laughs, excellently produced and acted.

GRANAGH Utd F.C.
Lotto Results: There was no winner of the € 2700. in the lotto draw this week. Numbers drawn were 2,19,24,29.
Lucky dip winners of € 20 each were Joe Condon & Claire McMahon, Granagh. M.O'Keeffe, Croom.
Next week's Jackpot is €2800.
Junior: On Sunday 1st our Juniors travelled to play Ferry Rangers in a fixture that has proved in the past to be very tight and Sunday was no
different. It took a half an hour of play and a Kevin Fitzgibbon solo effort before Granagh broke the deadlock to make a half time score of 1-0 to
the visitors. The second half produced no goals and so the final score remained 1-0 Granagh. Well done to both team and management as three
points away from home is never easy.
The Club would like to offer its sympathy to Denis, Fergal & Colm Noonan on the recent death of their Grandfather, Jackie Chawke.

PILATES CLASSES:

Our Exercise/Toning classes will return to the Community Centre on Wednesday nights 11th Feb, 8 - 9pm. Our Instructor once again is Maria
Fitzgerald. The seven week course fee for Adults - €55 and Students €35. You will need to bring your own mat. Further Enquiries to
Anne Hickey 086-8615864.

YOUTH CLUB:
Congratulations to Sophie Butler, Graigacurra, on her recent win in the Limerick Youth Service Variety Show. She performed in the Solo singing
competition with one of her own original songs and now goes forward to the Munster Finals. Equally well done to Jessie Stapleton, who also
sang in the competition and performed excellently.

MORE DRAMA:
The Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards 2008 have been announced and delighted to say that Joan Sheehy has been nominated for Best Production for
' Buck Jones and the Bodysnatchers '. The run in the Georgian House, Pery Square, was sold out so anyone lucky enough to see it can appreciate
how it got the nomination. We wish her the very best of luck.


* GREASE *
Banogue is getting ready for their big production of that famous musical Grease and we wish them every success with it. Once again Mike Larkin is
producing with Paddy Dwane leading the orchestra. They are on stage on 7th & 8th Feb and again the following weekend, 13th, 14th & 15th.