N EWS in Brief

Church Notice

DARAGH Roddy, son of Helena and Pat Roddy, Ravensdale has made history by winning the World Irish Dancing Championships in Montreal over the Easter holidays

A pupil of De La Salle College, Daragh won the under 18 men’s competition and was a clear winner by placing first in all 3 rounds in front of 15 adjudicators from across the world. Daragh dances for his Aunt Niamh Roddy-Murphy and is now the 3rd generation of his family to win World Irish dancing titles. He also won the Ulster Championships in November last and the very prestigious All Ireland title in Killarney in February of this year.

“I am immensely proud of Daragh and what he has achieved. He is a very hard working young man and has been on top form since the commencement of the 22/23 competitive season last September. To have won every major title in the one season is not something that happens very often in your competitive life, if at all, so it’s truly very special indeed” Niamh stated

“ I am so happy for him as he is a very humble young man who is always cheering everyone else on and his much deserved success is testament to his hard work and dedication”

Daragh comes from a rich family heritage in Irish dance, and has now firmly etched his name in to the history books by becoming the 3rd generation of the Roddy family to win the world title. He shares this title with his grandfather Tony Roddy, his father Pat Roddy, his aunt/ teacher Niamh Roddy-Murphy and their late cousin Bertie Roddy, RIP.

His grand mother Úna Roddy was also a runner up!

Marie Keating lost her life to breast cancer 25 years and her son Ronan Keating will be running 100K across the 30 days of June to raise awareness and show support for the Foundation he and his siblings set up in her name. Joining Ronan in the challenge is his wife Storm, children Missy and Jack, Dancing with the Stars Judge Arthur Gourounlian, Today FM presenter Dara Quilty, broadcasters Glenda Gilson, Norah Casey, Laura Woods and Anna Daly, to name but a few.

2023 is the fourth year of the event and to date over €4million has been raised for breast cancer services in Ireland, including the state-of-theart Clinical Trial Centre in the new Breast Centre at Beaumont Hospital.

100K in 30 Days was founded by Co. Louth (Blackrock, Dundalk) couple Niall Carroll and Cara McAdam and launched in 2020 after Cara was diagnosed with breast cancer. They are delighted to team up with The Marie Keating Foundation for this year’s event.

Liz Yeates, CEO of the Marie Keating Foundation and breast cancer survivor, said:

“Some of the breast cancer services provided by the Marie Keating Foundation that will benefit from this year’s event include our community nursing service, Schools Cancer Awareness Programme, , Comfort Fund, BRCA Peer To Peer Support, Survive and Thrive Programmes and Positive Living Workshops supporting our Cancer Community at every step.”

100K in 30 Days for breast cancer in aid of The Marie Keating Foundation takes place over the month of June. Organisers are calling on everyone – runners, walkers, those in wheelchairs, families, colleagues, schools, community groups and sports teams, whether you’re based in Ireland or abroad, to join the #pinkarmy and take part in the June event. Registration is now open at www.100kin30days.ie.