May 2025

May (or Bealtaine as Gaeilge), is the beginning of Summer in Ireland. Bealtaine is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals, and it marks the start of the summer season. Traditionally, rituals were used at this time, many involving fire, to protect crops, dairy products, and people, and encourage growth.

If you are interested in volunteering, you can browse the full list of volunteer opportunities through our website www.volunteercarlow.ie . You can contact us on 059 9173033.

Regards,

Helen, Natasha and Sinéad

Carlow Volunteer Centre

Spotlight on Volunteer Opportunities

Information for Organisations

Browse trainings offered by Volunteer Ireland on their website www.volunteer.ie/training.

If your organisation needs help involving volunteers, please contact us. We offer full guidance on the process of involving and managing volunteers for the benefit of your community or voluntary group.

National Volunteering Week 2025 takes place from May 19th to 25th this year.

Carlow Volunteer Centre have a number of things planned for this week;

On Tues 20th, KCLR will start its Power of Volunteering series with a piece on Carlow Volunteer Centre recorded at our Thursday Morning Integration Craft Session.
On Wed 21st, there will be an Open Volunteer Coffee Morning in our office. Come along for a chat and find out about volunteering.
On Thurs 22nd, there will be a Coffee Afternoon for Volunteer Involving Organisations. If your organisation would like to attend, please contact sinead@volunteercarlow.ie or natasha@volunteercarlow.ie

May Events

Board Games Saturday happens every Saturday Morning from 10am to 12:30pm in Bagenalstown Library.

Our Community Integration Craft Mornings take place on Thursdays at 10:30am in the Carlow Volunteer Centre Office. Volunteer are knitting/crocheting purple hearts for Signacare Nursing Home. Contact us for more information.

Our Chess & Draughts Club continues in Carlow Volunteer Centre on Thursdays from 10:30 to 12:30pm. This club is suitable for beginners and improvers, and is open to all who want to play chess or draughts in a social setting. Please contact Sinéad on sinead@volunteercarlow. ie for more information or to book.

Tullow Road Youth Project has a Multi-Activity Drop-In on Thursdays from 3:15pm to 4:45pm. It is €2 per session and is aimed at 10 to 12 year olds. 48 John Sweeney Park R93 WN12. Contact Brid on 085 7897279 or Ciara on 085 8571372 for more information.

Tullow Youth Project Open Day is on Saturday May 3rd from 2pm - 4pm in the Bishop's House. This is a great chance for 6th class students, parents and guardians to have look at the activities that take place. For futher information contact Cathy on 085 8338732, Johnny on 086 7806405 or call the office on 059 9152297.

Carlow All Stars - Inclusive GAA for ages 4 to 18. This initiatve is designed to be fun, supportive and inclusive for all abilities. The Carlow All Stars kicks off on Wednesday, May 7th at Ballon GFC, running from 6:30PM–7:30PM. Contact: Paul Fahy on 087 444 2515. Register HERE.

Programme Schedule:

Weeks 1–3: Ballon GFC (R93 F792)

Weeks 4–6: Kildavin / Clonegal

Weeks 7–9: Palatine GFC

Wednesday Wanderers Summer Sessions are back starting April 30th. Dates for May are May 7th - Rathwood, May 14th - Carlow Town, ParkMay 21st - Bagenalstown Swimming Pool, and May 28th - Oak Park. To select tickets, click HERE.

Bike Week takes place from 10th to 18th May. As part of this there will be free bike hire at the Mullichain Café in St. Mullins to celebrate. Phone 051 424440 or email mullichaincafe@gmail.com to reserve. Booking is essential.

Community Seed & Plant Swap takes place on Saturday, May 10th at 2pm in Siopa Glas, Ballon. Bring along plants and seeds for swapping and get ready to diversify your gardening space, while making lasting connections within the Carlow gardening community. Refreshments are on offer and chances for a chat.

Join Carlow Sports Partnership for their Women's Hike on Saturday, May 17th from 10am to 3:30pm along Kelly's Lough. Departing from Drumgoff, this is a Grade B trail. To book your place, click HERE.

The next Dementia Awareness Training by Friends of ASI Carlow takes place on Friday, May 23rd in Bethany House. This 90min training is open to all businesses, organisations, clubs and community members where they learn how to support those living with dementia and become a dementia inclusive service. Contact Tara on tara.rice@alzheimer.ie for more information and to book your place.

Carlow Volunteer Centre

C/O Carlow Local Authorities

Athy Road,

Carlow.

R93 E7R7

Tel: 059 9173033

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse