THE annual Festival of Carols was held last Sunday in St. Mary's Church with a full appreciative audience in attendance. At the outset Fr. Declan Hennessy gave a short address on Christmas and his main concern for this season was peace in the home, in the country and in the world. He also brought laughter as he remarked on school children and their three free nights of lessons. The proceedings commenced with the Thomas Davis Pipe Band performing Ava Maria from the organ loft. See Amid The Winter Snow and Calypso Carol were played by Scoil Ghobnatan School Band under the baton of Jan Ryan. Mary Healy and St. Mary's Church Choir sang Joy To The World and We Three Kings of Orient Are. Conductor Ann Cox brought the best out of the Convent Primary School Choir with Do You Hear What I Hear and Spanish Carol. Dressed in their traditional performing costumes, Cor Mhagh Ealla were excellent with Past Three A Clock and In The Bleak Mid Winter with conductor Mark Slade. Rahan National School Choir and Band did themselves justice with Sans Day Carol and Good News under Tina Connolly. Susanna Russell and her Church of the Resurrection Choir performed Hush Be Still and Sweet Bells of Bethlehem while St. Patrick's Boy's National School closed the 50minute event with Silent Night and Following A Star with Sandra Carroll. Finally the congregation sang O Come All Ye Faithful. The event was hosted by Tadgh Curtis. Raceway in Dungarvan recently. This championship was held over a total of 18 races throughout the year with Aidan finishing in first place ahead of many experienced drivers, which declared him the deserving champion. Well done Aidan. Centre at 8pm. May we take this opportunity to wish all your readers a happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year. GAA LOTTO: Wheelspinner Brian Dineen c/o Tom O'Neill won €75 in the Mallow GAA Members Weekly Lotto Draw last Tuesday December 8 in Carrigoon. The €30 lucky dip winners were Kevin Byran c/o Anne O'Neill, Kathleen O'Connor, Patrick's Place c/o J.O'Brien, Elaine Sheehan c/o Ronan and Bronagh O'Flynn c/o Club. The numbers drawn were 14 - 20 - 21 - 28. The jackpot is currently at €6,100. The €20 Sheehan's Butchers Voucher Winners were Maggie Murphy, Peter Barry, Jimmy Bohan, Tadgh O'Riordan, Margaret Buckley, Patricia O'Callaghan, Frances Lane, Allyson and Nathan Sheehan, Mike McKeown and Merrissa Walsh. Spinning the wheel on Tuesday December 15 was A.O'Callaghan c/o P.McCarthy. GAA 45: First, Margaret Buckley, Etta Lane, Lena O'Keeffe and Joe Sheehy. Second, John O'Flynn and Dan Healy. Ladies, Josie Sheehy, Nora Culloty, Mary McDonnell and Lill Cunningham. Mix, Dan and Nora Hanley and Richard and Noreen O'Brien. Gents, James and Jimmy. Spot, Sean O'Callaghan and Jerry O'Donoghue. Raffle, Noreen and Dan Hanley, Tom Begley, Mick Walsh, Jerry Cronin and Kathleen Walsh. Cards every Wednesday in Carrigoon commencing at 9pm. All are welcome.