Santa Comes to Hollyfort

Come to Hollyfort on Sunday 9th December and meet Santa Claus in the Old School at 6 pm. There are presents for all the children.

Then walk down to the village and help us light up the Xmas Tree at 7 pm.

Hollyfort Dev Group/Tidy Towns AGM Notice

The fifth Annual General Meeting of Hollyfort Development Group will be held on 22nd November 2018 in Old School, Hollyfort at 8pm.

All welcome to attend

Hollyfort News : Autumn '18 Issue 2

Hollyfort's Issue 2 of Hollyfort News: is now available and our Tus workers will deliver your copy to your door. Copies are also available in Cooney's shop.

Winter Melodies Concert - AED Fundraiser

Another Successful Year in Tidy Towns

‘Some excellent efforts have been done over the last year and the vast majority relate to remedial work . . . and the continuation of the old school house renewal project.’   Adjudicators Report 

It is another good year for the Hollyfort Community following the results of  the Tidy Towns Competition 2018, with the village  being awarded 260 marks. This is an extra 9 points over last year, the second highest   increase in number of points awarded in County Wexford. The adjudicator was  impressed with the village and its idyllic rural charm and stated that ‘much has been achieved since you have entered the competition’. A huge vote of thanks to everyone who supported the efforts of the Tidy Towns group.

The full Hollyfort report can be read here or Tidy Towns website.

Roll on 2019.

First Car Boot Sale

It was a perfect Sunday for Hollyfort’s first Car Boot sale on 23/9,  as the sun shone on the Old School Car Park. A wide collection of goods were on sale, from plants, books, toys, clothes, fresh vegetables and curious knickknacks.  A big thank-you to all supporters on the day.  

Wild Herbs and Nature Walk and Talk

Family Walk and BBQ - Sun 1 July 2018

A Day for Philip

We are proud to have been part of 'A Day for Philip'
and to celebrate the life and work of Hollyfort's very own Philip Casey, poet and writer.

A wonderful day to unveil Philip's plaque on Grove Bridge followed by readings of his poetry in the 200 year old St. John's Church, with refreshments in the Old School.

Photos on Facebook.

Hollyfort wins Gold and first prize in 'Little things Matter'

 Hollyfort wins first prize in 'Little Things Matter' Photography Award. John Noblett's bicycle adorned with flowers is a wondrous sight in Hollyfort.

Roy and Carol at North Wexford 2K Awards with Double Gold Standard Award

Dates for your Diary

14 June 2018: Book Launch 'Coming Ashore' by Carol Boland at 7.30 in Old School Hollyfort

24 June 2018: Philip Casey Commemoration Plaque. Starting on Grove Bridge, Hollyfort at 2.30 followed by reading of his work in St. John's Church and refreshments in Old School, Hollyfort

1 July 2018: Meet Your Neighbour. Nature walk on Mt Nebo followed by B-B-Q in grounds of Old School. More details nearer the date.

Tip of the Month - June

1. 
   
2. 
   
3. BEE-WARE!
4. 
   
5. Plant pollinator friendly habitat
   Plant native vegetation to attract pollinators using the Xerces Society’s “Pollinator Friendly Plant Lists.” This step will increase the biodiversity of your yard or garden while providing forage for bees, butterflies and birds. To control weeds, use mechanical methods (like barriers or physical removal), biological methods (like placing nematodes and other microorganisms in your garden) and least-toxic gardening methods, like organic.
6. Let weeds grow
   Mow the lawn less often to let clover and other flowering weeds grow. These will provide a nutritious habitat for bees and other pollinators. Avoid products that are meant to kill clover and other flowering weeds.

Tip of the Month May

• Share With Friends: Share things like books, magazines, movies, games, and newspapers between friends and neighbours.
• Our new 'share a book' library will soon be up and running in the the Old School.
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Hollyfort Revives May Day Bush

Taking part in the Wexford May Bush Festival, Hollyfort TTs set up a May Bush in the village. The start of the revival of a tradition which was lost many years ago.

Great News - Community Veg Garden for Hollyfort

We are delighted to announce that St. John's parish, Hollyfort, has offered the community a strip of land to develop a community vegetable garden.
The strip is behind the Old School House and, once it stops raining, we will start preparing the ground.
This project will encourage young and old to produce healthy products to eat or to sell!
Either way, we look forward to hearing from anyone who would like a plot or has expertise in growing vegetables.

The Last Straw

Hollyfort Tidy Towns is a member of ChangeX. This is all about doing less… less consumption, less waste, less straws.

Plastic straws are of no real value or significance to most people and they contribute massively to the plastic pollution problem in our oceans, waterways and beaches.

By spreading the word every time you ask for 'no straw' wherever straws are served, and by requesting that restaurants & bars only serve straws upon request, you will help save the planet from single use plastic pollution one straw at a time. 
Little things do matter.

Family Walk /River Bingo Sun 15/4/18

Annual Family Walk

Join us on Sunday 15 April on a Family Walk on Mt Nebo, with refreshments afterwards in Old School. 

Take advantage of our four new benches along the trail, thanks to Wexford's 'Access For All' grant.

Meet at the car park on the Monaseed road at 11.30 am.

Free event. All welcome. Afterwards join us for River Bingo!

River Bingo

Join us on Sunday 15 April at 2pm after the Family Walk, at Grove Bridge for a Bingo Balls race down the river Bann. Starting at the metal bridge, pre-paid numbered balls will be dropped into the river. The first ball to cross the finish line under Grove Bridge will win a super prize. There are also many great prizes for the runners-up. 

Each ball costs €5 and you can buy as many balls as you can afford! Bingo Balls are available from Cooney’s Shop and committee members. 

Fundraiser for Hollyfort Tidy Towns.

Tip of the Month - April

Going Zero Waste

A lot of these things are SUPER easy to do, it just takes a little bit of commitment. Obviously, you don't have to do everything on this list. Going zero waste is a journey, and a lot of times there is more than one option.

There is no one correct way to do something. Rather there is a multitude of ways ranging from best to better to not so good. Weigh all of your options and be a conscious consumer. Reducing your consumption is the most important thing you can do.

But, in the meantime, pick a couple of things and give something new a try! You have to start somewhere. And, don't let only being able to do a little prevent you from doing anything. All the little things add up to massive impact!

Check them out here

Four Benches for Mt Nebo Walk

Thanks to Wexford Co. Co. Access to All grant, we have installed four benches on the Mt. Nebo Walk. We hope these seats will encourage more people to take advantage of the wonderful facility that is on our doorstep.

A family walk has been organised for Sunday 15th April. Meet at the Car Park at 11.30 am. All welcome.

Hollyfort Newsletter

We are pleased to announce that Hollyfort now has its own Newsletter.

We will be delivering Hollyfort News straight to your door, or you can pick it up in Cooney's.

 Due out in April, Keep an eye out for it!

Tip of the Month - March

Commercial Alternatives

Baking Soda is a mild abrasive that provides economical and ecological alternatives to many cleaning chores, from removing scuff marks on linoleum floors to rinsing hairspray and shampoo buildup from hair and brushes.
Bon Ami Polishing Cleanser, sold since 1887, contains no chlorine, phosphates, dyes, or perfumes. Because of its mild abrasive quality, it can be used on porcelain, stainless steel, cookware, glass-top ranges, cultured marble, and fiberglass. It also can be used to clean butcher-block tops, woks, food processors, white shoes, luggage, boats, and swimming pools.
Fels Naptha is a rugged bar soap invented in 1894. A staple of some laundry rooms, it also can be used to help deter the effects of poison ivy, especially if you wash with it directly after exposure to the weed. Some gardeners use it as an insect repellent, shredding it and sprinkling it around plants.
Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap is biodegradable and extremely versatile. The label lists 18 uses, from shaving and shampooing to treating athletes food and purifying water. Invented in 1935 by Bronner to kill the odor of diapers, it has been on the market since 1941.
20 Mule Team Borax, sold since 1890, is a good disinfectant and mold killer and a very cheap household cleaner. It can be used as a polish for stainless steel, as a toilet bowl cleaner, as a fabric whitener and softener, and as a stain remover for blood, chocolate, and grease. Some people use borax to kill fleas by sprinkling it on their carpet, then vacuuming it up.

Feed the Birds

Birdwatch Ireland warns: harsh weather can spell doom for our garden birds - please feed our feathered friends!

Tip of the Month - February

Do-It-Yourself Green Cleaners

• Drain Cleaner: Pour a half-cup of baking soda down the sink and add at least a cup of vinegar. Cover the drain and wait a few minutes, then rinse with a mixture of boiling water and salt.

http://www.earthshare.org/2008/09/springclean.html

Community Veg Garden for Hollyfort

A community vegetable garden is being planned for Hollyfort village to inspire people  to grow their own food. We plan to clear a plot of land close to the village and turn it into a vegetable garden with raised beds and maybe even a poly tunnel. If you know of suitable vacant land. Please let us know.

But we need volunteers, adults and children, to make our plans come true. Check out our GIY site
here and join our group of volunteers.

Vote of Thanks to John and Trevor Noblett

A BIG thank-you to John and Trevor Noblett for brightening up Hollyfort Village with our giant Xmas Tree. And for taking it down, which is just as hazardous! Also thanks to Frank D'arcy for donating the tree.
This is the fifth year of  Santa and the Xmas Tree and we all appreciate the work that goes into making Christmas so festive for the Hollyfort community.

National Bird Day - 5th January

Did you know National Bird Day is 5th January? 

Check it out here