Bruff Partnership

New Managers for Shannon Development

Shannon development has appointed two Limerick natives as the new Regional Managers for Limerick City and County. Finbarr Brougham who has represented Shannon Development at the Bruff Partnership Meetings is one of the people newly appointed and we offer our congratulations to him.
Finbarr Brougham and Eoghan Prendergast (the other appointee) are both experienced executives with the Development body.
They will work with the communities to help develop Limerick as the centre of the Shannon Region.
Finbarr Brougham believes his new job will keep him busy!

Recent News!

Bruff Cultural and Arts Society will be on the main Street tomorrow to finish the job of removing the Christmas lights!
The have also confirmed the dates for the Bruff Summer Festival 2007 as the 3rd, 4th and 5th of August.
Sport
Bruff RFC: Nenagh Ormond Vs Bruff: "Ormond Park will be the place to be on Sunday when these two arch rivals meet in their Division 3 decider. Nenagh have leapfrogged over Bruff with some fine performances this season" Maybe Bruff winning tomorrow will cheer everyone up after Munster's defeat today!
In the McInerney Cup, Bruff will play St. Senan's at Bruff at 2.30pm on Saturday 20th.
Soccer:Errea Sport Div 1A League: Saturday 20th. Bruff Utd v St. Geraldines 10.30am Bruff

Recent News items News!

Another day of rain, sunshine, hailstones and some flash floods with the Fire Brigade called out in Kilmallock to clear some roads!

It is good to see that this site bitsfrombruff is receiving so many 'hits' (visitors) from all over the world..... friends in Bruff have obviously passed on the address. I have heard that some people tried to get the site but could not. Initially it was necessary to type the full web address into your web browser address line...but now Google will find it for you! Just type bitsfrombruff into the Google search box and you will find the site!

Recent News Items!

St. Patrick's Festival
We gather that the Community Council are organising a St. Patrick's Day Parade. This would of course duplicate the event advertised in the last Bruff Cultural and Arts Newsletter as quoted below

"Plans for next Year
Early in the New Year we will have a meeting to develop and plan our projects for 2007. We will issue invitations to other individuals and groups to join with us in this planning process. Our plans
include an open air dancing platform/stage for the Grove, celebrations for St. Patrick’s weekend and of course the Summer Festival"
The Deise : Cultural and Arts Newsletter : Published 15th December 2006

who had made plans, but have no wish to clash, so they have cancelled their arrangements: see Cultural and Arts Society news below!

Changing Chips!
Rumour has it that the Snack Bar (Anthony O'Connor's) is changing hands. We will see what the new owners bring to the culinary scene in Bruff! Maybe soon we will have an Indian Takeaway to add to the ethnic mix!

Bruff and Drink Driving
Bruff entered the national debate this week with Derry O'Meara, local publican being interviewed on Limerick 95fm. Local publican Derry, talked about the Bruff pubs initiative with a courtesy bus. Three pubs (Derry's Bar, Clancys and Dave Clarkes) have combined to provide a free courtesy bus. He indicated that maybe a second bus would soon be provided.

Drains, Mains and Sewers!
INSITUFORM an English firm has been working in the Main Street this last week. They are using high tech equipment to survey the main sewers. It also looks as if work may begin on the water treatment works with activity near the entrance

Stormy Weather!

Bruff is experiencing gale force winds (100 to 120 kph) as a fierce storm moves across the Atlantic. The Newswire blog (Limerick City) included an accurate warning early on Tuesday (based on reports from a tornado watch centre in USA!)..... whilst at the same time little warning from Met.ie or RTE. Throughout the night Bruff has had either no electricity or very low power. Power restored at 12.00 noon!

Bruff and District Cultural and Arts Society

Reminder! The next Committee meeting is due to take place on Thursday 18th January at 8.30 pm in Clancy's Restaurant.

As we said in our last Newsletter we had plans for organising a St. Patrick's Festival, including bookings with Bands from Wales and USA. We had a very innovative approach planned for a weekend spectacular. We now find that The Community Council are going to organise a Parade and therefore we will not duplicate events...... but we wish them the very best!

Summer Festival 2006. We have plenty of photos' of the Summer Festival and a selection will appear on www.bruffsummerfestival2006.blogspot.com
We will also include photos of the two Historical walks on the www.bruffpictures.blogspot.com For those who enjoyed them we are a having a Town Historical walk as part of the Ballyhoura International Walking Festival and I will give further details soon so that it can be noted in diaries!
Christmas Festival 2006... we don't have so many pictures...in particular Santy coming down the Main Street with his wonderful horse and carriage..... if you have some we would love a copy!

Hi Readers,
Happy New Year to everyone.
The holiday is over and we are back on duty
More photos of the Commemoration Ceremony for Caherguillamore held just before Christmas in Grange will be published on our sister site (bruffpictures.blogspot.com )
The picture above shows TD John Cregan laying the wreath as the press photographers snap away! (Click on Picture for detailed view)
Bruff seems to have been peaceful enough at Christmas. There is a new Hackney cab service being run by Eric Lye, former proprietor of the Olde Bakehouse Restaurant, (telephone number for Morning Star Hackney Cabs is 087 0614550)

The Bruff Partnership Committee with aims to promote enterprise in Bruff following the closure of Microtherm is recently formed group that deserves strong community support and participation. A meeting of the group planned for Monday 9th January was cancelled. When I have more news I will bring it here.

Any Group or individual who wants an item included in The Deise, (The Newsletter of Bruff and District Cultural and Arts Society) should contact me by e mail: dfthurlow@gmail.com.

The demolition of MartinTreacy's Pub

The demolition of Treacy's Pub began on the 11th December. Last night the final demolition occurred. The pub has been demolished to improve the Hospital Rd. Junction. The picture on the left shows Martin Treacy the last proprietor of the pub. The site is a well known landmark in the town; the side wall of the building had the enormous Sarsfield mural painted on it in 1991. The photo below shows the scene at 8.00pm on Tuesday 12th as the final stage of the demolition begins

Three of the BCAS committee members keep Santa company during a quiet moment!

Margie Nagle, Bruff's own Soprano

The Three Tenors

Bruff is buzzing!

There is a real and vibrant air in the town. The 'Evening of Sacred Music' followed on from the Christmas Festival last weekend. The town lights are splendid with more promised this coming week.

The Limerick Gospel Choir

Mary O'Keefe, the Presenter for the evening, introduced the Limerick Gospel Choir. This talented group were not unfamiliar to the Bruff Community. They appeared in the 'Jazz at the Bakehouse' series of shows masterminded by Jon Kenny, last year. Their distinctive contribution began with their vocals being heard over the excellent sound system, well before they appeared in the aisle of the Church. Whoopi Goldberg had nothing on their singer/conductor, as they launched into "I will follow Him". Their enthusiasm brought the school choir group, (who had been assigned seats in the balcony) to their feet again as they swayed and waved and sang along with the Gospel Singers!

Derek Moloney

A distinguished Tenor Derek Moloney brought a hush to the audience with a superb 'She moved through the fair' Although there was a shyness from the congregation downstairs, it brought a standing ovation upstairs. Derek had a relaxed approach and instantly developed a rapport with the audience.

Lucernarium Irish World Academy

This multi-cultural group from the University of Limerick started the second half, with an exquisite set of chants and praise items from several international traditions.

An Evening of Sacred Music Music

Last evening a group of volunteers, known as Fr. Joe's Roof Raisers, provided Bruff with a stylish and classy evening of music. The event took place at our local Catholic church, Ss. Peter & Paul's Bruff. The event was styled "An Evening of Sacred Music". The Programme began with the local school Choir from Ard Scoil Mhuire, conducted by Edel McEniry. (regular readers will know that Edel as well as being a talented local teacher, is also our current Morning Star Rose.)
This charming contribution was followed by a talented local Soprano, Margie Nagle, who contributed an exquisite 'Ave Maria'.
The Limerick Tenors, Tony Sheehan, Sean O'Shea and Eugene O'Connor finished the first half of the concert.
The country is awash with tenors, but these three contributed so well to the evening. They followed the pattern of so many Tenor trios, with group items followed by solo contributions. A highlight for the evening may have been " You Raise me Up".

Edel McEniry, the current Morning Star Rose with members of Clonmel Youth Concert and Marching Band.
The band performed so well in the atrocious weather and the people of Bruff look forward to welcoming them back for the Summer Festival.

Santa came to town.....

Yesterday, Christmas arrived in Bruff. Santa was carried down the Main Street in a fine carriage. As the carriage passed each set of lights the lights came alive. The parade was led by the Clonmel Youth Concert and Marching Band, who are currently All Ireland Marching Band Champions!The town was so alive, the atmosphere great, the crowds happy.... and all this despite the ferocious weather! The Main Street looks great with a great Christmas tree at each end and lights all the way down the street.

Well..we had the Dance..

Well we had our Dance last night...it was enjoyable..those who attended had a good time but it was not so well supported. On to tonight and the Christmas lights lighting ceremony... but again time is a problem and we have yet to finish putting up the last of the lights!

Christmas Lights.... Diarmuid .... our youngest helper