The Spirit of Christmas Giving is Alive and Well

Bronntanas Nollaig ó Gaelscoil Aogáin: Tomás Ó Conchúír, Priomh Oide le: Helen Prendiville, St. Vincent de Paul; Lúc Mac Curtáin, Katelyn Ní hÓráin, Paris NicChárthaigh, Eddie Ó Se, Betty Rioran and Babs Kelliher St. Vincent de Paul.

Winners of the Browne’s Agri and Builders’ Providers Christmas Draw. Seated from left: Vincent Murphy, PC; P J McAuliffe, Browne’s Agri; Neilie and Shane Warren, Gneegvuilla – first prize winners. Back row: Tom Lawlor, Castleisland, fifth prize; Con Curtin fourth prize; John O’Sullivan General manager, Lee Strand; Timmy O’Mahony, Castleisland third prize winner; Anna and Alex Ahern, Ballymacelligott accepting second prize on behalf of Kieran Ahern. Photograph: Joe Hanley

Bank of Ireland Castleisland branch manager, Paddy Garvey pictured with staff and representatives of local charities at the presentation of Christmas Hampers at the bank. Included are from left: Helen Costello, Bank of Ireland; Lisa Geaney, Kerry Parents and Friends; Jane McKenna, Retail Business Insurance Bank of Ireland; Mr. Garvey, Catherine Casey, Bank of Ireland; Rosemary Pender, Society of St. Vincent de Paul; Maeve Neilan, Bank of Ireland and Castleisland Day Care Centre representatives, Marcella Finn, Nurse/Manager and Monica Prendiville, Board of Management. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Customers, Donal O’Connor, Rathmore (left) and Babs Kelliher, Castleisland (right) pictured with AIB staff members: Ronan McAuliffe, Fiona Moloney, Margaret O’Sullivan and Gerardine Buckley at the AIB Castleisland Customer Appreciation Day to thank their customers for their business over the last 12 months. Manager Ger O’Connor and his staff would like to wish everyone a Happy & Peaceful Christmas. ©Photograph: John Reidy

The Spirit of Christmas Giving has gripped the area as we march with great anticipation into the last few hours to the Holy Season.
At Browne’s Agri their massive, annual Christmas Draw official, Vincent Murphy PC, drew the following winners: First Prize of €2,000 Shopping Voucher for Browne’s went to Neilie Warren, Gneeveguilla; Second Prize of €1,500 Shopping Voucher to Kieran Ahern, Gortatlea, Ballymacelligott; Third Prize of Two ton of Premium Polish Coal to: Timmy O’Mahony, Camp, Castleisland; Fourth Prize of One ton of Premium Polish Coal to: Con Curtin, Killarney Road, Castleisland; Fifth Prize of A Half ton of Peat Briquettes to Tommy Lawlor, Tonbwee, Castleisland.
The Castleisland Parish Choir members sang their hearts out on Monday night at the Church of Saints Stephen and John and all for the Glebe Lodge Residential Centre here in Castleisland. Their performances, in both choir and solo, drew generous and genuine applause from the best audience to they’ve had to dat for this annual event.
Gaelscoil Aogáin staff and pupils took part in the recent Radio Kerry Christmas Charity appeal day for St. Vincent de Paul.
“All the children and staff wore something Christmassy and got into the spirit of giving. Everyone was asked if they could contribute some non perishable items for this appeal and we were astounded by the response we got. We collect over 50 bags of food and presented them to the local St. Vincent de Paul branch earlier this week,” said Priomh Oide, Tomás Ó Conchúir.
Bank of Ireland: Meanwhile, down the street, the Bank of Ireland didn’t feel in the least ‘hampered’ by the Gaelscoil presentation to the local charities as they had a fine selection of baskets of seasonal goodies themselves and manager, Paddy Garvey and staff presented them to: Castleisland Day Care Centre; Kerry Parents and Friends, Castleisland Branch and the Society of St.Vincent De Paul, Castleisland.
The AIB Castleisland Branch got into the Christmas spirit too and set up a seasonal, customer reception area inside the front door of the office during the week. There was tea and coffee for people who drove cars and stronger stuff for people who didn’t. All kinds of treats were on offer by way of saying thanks to all the bank’s loyal customers for their business over the past 12 months.

At An Riocht AC:  The biggest members’ draw of the year took place earlier this week and the following winning tickets came out of the draw drum. The first prize of €1,000 went to Mike Lynch, Fahaduff with €100 each to: Noel McMahon, Firies; Caitriona Dennehy, Cordal and Sheila and Jerry McMahon, Kilcow, Castleisland. The GOAL Mile will be held at An Riocht AC on Christmas Morning from 10-30am to 12-30pm and all the proceeds from this great, annual event will go to local charities with a contribution to GOAL.