Carlow’s Pat Carroll who has worked at Buckingham Palace for 60 years has been presented with a gold medal by Queen Elizabeth.

Pat Carroll poses with the medal he received from the queen for his 60 years of service at Buckingham Palace.

Pat  started working as a palace messenger on the day of the queen’s coronation in 1953.  He worked in the lord chamberlain’s office before becoming a state porter, welcoming guests to events at the palace and today after 60 years the  84-year-old still works part-time as a state porter.

The Royal Victorian Medal was established by Queen Victoria in April 1896 and is issued in recognising personal service to the royal family.

“This was a wonderful surprise. ” Pat said afterwards. “I hadn’t a clue.  I’m so proud to have served the queen.   It’s been an honour.

Carlow GAA are away to Limerick this weekend in a rare National League double header

All Carlow GAA roads lead to Limerick this weekend as the two counties meet in a National League Double header in football and hurling at Pairc na Gael, Ennis Rd, Limerick. This is the very first time that both counties have met in both codes on the same day and it promises to be a very special occasion.

The day’s timetable is as follows

National Football League Div 4 ….throw in 12.45pm …..Limerick v Carlow

National Hurling League Div 1B…throw in at 2.30pm ….. Limerick v Carlow

The Shannonsiders under the auspices of the Limerick County Board extend a hearty “Cead Mile Falte ” to their visitors from Carlow in wishing them a pleasant trip to the Treaty City. Pairc na Gael is amongst the largest of the GAA stadium in Ireland and is the home and headquarters of the Limerick GAA with a capacity of 50,000.

Life in London on a social setting has brought together the County Associations of both Co Limerick http://www.limerickexiles.co.uk/ and also that of  Co Carlow http://www.carlowassociationlondon.co.uk/ at various functions and both organisations are really looking forward to this fixture. Both associations have been involved in various charity fun raisers in the past and are counting down the hours to relish the excitement of this one.

Limerick and Carlow Association members share the podium at a London Olympic event.

Here’s wishing that both teams have an injury free game and may the true winners be the sport of football and hurling.

Full match coverage on the day will be broadcast live on radio in both counties with coverage in Limerick live on95fm or on the internet by visting www.live95fm.ie whilst in the Carlow area you can tune in to 96fm or via the internet on http://kclr96fm.com/

Kclr96fm will be broadcasting live from 12.45pm

CALLING ALL CARLOVIANS IN LONDON

Its countdown to the 2013 St Patrick’s Celebrations and Carlow Association London plan to be out in force on the biggest Irish day in the world’s calendar.

Will you be there in your County Jersey or Irish Top waving your flag and banner.

You’ll be made very welcome. Beigh fáilte romhat

The 'Follow me up to Carlow' float and group at the parade last year.

London is planning great celebrations with the mayor’s office presenting a free day of family fun. Come out on St Patrick’s day and help paint the town GREEN. The parade leaves the top of Piccadilly by Green Park at noon. Come along and join the craic in following the ‘Follow me up to Carlow ‘ banner. Make it the event where all Carlovians in London can experience ‘The Gathering’ outside Ireland.

Watch out for the puca, a giant inflatable dragon, which is being brought over by award winning artists Bui Bolg. At over 36 metres long and eight metres high, the brightly coloured puca will be an incredible spectacle as it winds its way through the streets of central London.

Also see the wonderful floats from Irish County Associations, marching bands from across the UK, sports clubs and Irish Dancing schools.

The parade finishes in Trafalgar Square to a backdrop of Irish culture from noon until 6pm. The day has everything rom traditional and contemporary music, including the house band from RTE’s Late Late Show. God only knows who you’d bump into up. The packed programme has something for everyone – including DJs and a huge outdoor ceili, comedy tent, film arena, children’s area, food stalls and much more.

Following Carlow all the way.....

More info on http://events.london.gov.uk/events/st-patricks-day-parade-and-festival

We are delighted to hear that 21year old Grace Kenny from Crawley who has strong links with Tullow has been nominated by The Celtic and Irish Cultural Society to represent it in the 2013 Rose of Tralee contest.

Grace Kenny

Grace’s roots are in Tullow, County Carlow. Her dad Martin now deceased and all his 8 siblings were born and grew up there before moving to Horley in Surrey for her Grandad’s work. It was a big decision for the whole family to move. Because of the economic situation in the county at that time there was very little work and Larry Kenny her Grandad took the decision like other Irish families of that era and emigrated. Her Nanny Kenny was born in Rathvilly, Carlow and Grandad is from Craanford in Wexford.  Her trips back to Ireland take in visits to family in Carrigtohill in County Cork, Bray in County Wicklow and Island in County Wexford and values her trips to Tullow to meet the last remaining member of her Grandparent’s generation, her Aunt Maggie still alive at the grand age of 96. Grace talks about Carlow as a wonderful place to visit and recalls great trips home. “Carlow is a beautiful, little place. Especially in Tullow in the Summer, it’s serene and quiet and everyone is just so friendly.”

A former pupil of Hazelwick Secondary School in Crawley Grace is studying Politics and International Relations at Portsmouth University and after graduating is looking forward to taking a year out and travel to Asia to work in an orphanage in Nepal teaching English to the children there. Following on from that she wants to return to studying to gain a master’s degree in gender politics at University College Dublin.

Away from her studies she is big into political debates, which she loves organising and getting involved in and feels it is essential for young people to be engaged in politics in providing that platform for their voice and opinions to be heard.  Volunteering is high on her list of activities in Portsmouth on helping at the local Salvation Army café a few mornings a week before classes. Summer breaks sees her helping out at a local youth wing assisting with homework, cooking and arranging fund raising activities with them.

In her spare time – as if there is any left – she follows London Irish Rugby loves to travel and experiencing different cultures, recently visiting Rome at the end of last year.

And there’s more…the great passion of her life is Irish Dancing and has been for the last 17 years!  As a senior member of her dance school she now helps each the younger members. Her trophy cabinets are bursting with her many awards won from her travels to dancing competitions across Europe. Some of the highlights have been winning 8^th in the European and World W.I.D.A Championships in 2009, winning the UK Dance Challenge in 2010 and coming 2^nd in the Celtic National and European Championships last year.

She says “ The pinnacle of my dancing experiences however is being part of the Celtic Colleens and getting through to the live semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent in 2010. It was such an unbelievable experience being able to perform on live television in front of all those people doing something I love.”

On being nominated for the contest Grace said, “I am absolutely thrilled to be taking part in this exciting experience. It will be such an honour representing Crawley in the Rose of Tralee contest and a fantastic opportunity for us all to celebrate the Irish culture we have in our town. I hope I can do all my friends and family here and in Ireland proud!

I’m sure you’ll all agree her credentials make her the ideal contestant in this world famous contest and all of us here in the Carlow Association London wish her the best of luck.

ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE Division 4 CARLOW V LEITRIM at Dr Cullen Pk at 2.00pm

Anthony Rainbow has announced his starting fifteen for Carlow’s Allianz NFL third round clash at home to Leitrim on Sunday 3rd March. Having won their first 2 matches against Tipperary and London Rainbow expects Carlow’s winning streak to continue.

This is a big one for this team and the league. If a win is secured it really sets them up well for their visit to Limerick on March 10th. Best wishes Carlow from The Carlow Association London.

KCLR96fm will be broadcasting the match and you can listen live on http://kclr96fm.com/

There are two changes to the side that narrowly beat London two weeks ago. Shane Murphy and Shane Mernagh come into the fold in place of Barry John Molloy and Alan Kelly. One notable positional switch is Shane Redmond at left half forward from full back. Daniel St Ledger does not feature in the squad despite reports that he would be fit to play.

Tinryland's Shane Redmond moves to left half forward from full back.

The Carlow line-out is as follows
1. Trevor O’Reilly (Tinryland)
2. Shane Murphy (Clonmore)
3. Shane Mernagh (Kildavin/Clonegal)
4. Benny Kavanagh (Éire Óg)
5. Kieran Nolan (Fighting Cocks)
6. Derek Hayden (Éire Óg)
7. Tony Bolger(Rathvilly)
8. Darragh Foley (Kilbride)
9. Brendan Murphy (Rathvilly)
10. Shane Redmond (Tinryland)
11. Paul Reid (Palatine)
12. Eoghan Ruth (Éire Óg)
13. Brian Murphy (Rathvilly)
14. Ray Walker (O’Hanrahan’s)
15. William Minchin (Old Leighlin)
Subs:
16. Andy O’Brien (Naomh Eoin)
17. Conor Lawler (Palatine)
18. Jeffrey O’Donoghue (Rathvilly)
19. Kevin Byrne (Rathvilly)
20. Martin Doyle (Naomh Eoin)
21. John Murphy (Grange)
22. Keith Jackson (Tinryland)
23. Alan Kelly (Rathvilly)
24. Ciarán Moran (Palatine)
25. Jack Kennedy (St Patrick’s)
26. Keith Hession (Éire Óg)

The London Irish Centre
50-52 Camden Square
London
NW1 9XB at 8pm

Do come and hear how last year went and see our plans for the coming year.
It would be great to see you there and please pass the word to all your friends.

Tea and refreshments available.

Yes our 44^th Annual Dinner takes place this year on Saturday 27th October in the famous CROWN MORAN HOTEL http://www.crownmoranhotel.com/ at 152 Cricklewood Broadway, Cricklewood, London, NW2 3ED.

‘The Crown’ Pub is one of London’s most iconic pubs in North London and was cited by The Dubliner’s in their well-travelled song McAlpine’s Fusiliers - “The ‘craic’ was good in Cricklewood and they wouldn’t leave the Crown”

The much looked-forward-to event is the Number 1 fixture in our yearly calendar and the ideal opportunity for all Carlovians and their friends in London to catch up for some good old ‘craic caint agus ceoil’.  The event promises a fun packed evening with special guests over from Carlow and added to that a host of surprises - certainly a night not to be missed.

Celtic Crunch

Music for the evening is by Helen Mullen (accordion, fiddle and whistle) her brother Noel Mullen (guitar, mandolin and bodhran) and singer guitarist Mark Laffan of CELTIC CRUNCH http://www.celticcrunch.com/About%282431563%29.htm

Reception at 7.00 for 7.30 sit down

Tickets are £30 and available from

Ned 07802462741

Noreen 01293513189

Claire 02076094650

All welcome!!!!!

New members always welcome. Come and join us with your ideas, enthusiam and energy!!!

Look forward to meeting you all there!!!

Call Claire for more information: 07958 978486