Latest news with #Avondale
RNZ News
19 hours ago
- RNZ News
Man charged with arson after church fire in Auckland
A blaze has gutted the church at Saint Mary's Catholic School in Avondale, Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Victor Waters A man has been charged with arson after a fire tore through an Auckland church. An investigation was launched after a fire at St Mary's Church on Great North Road in Avondale at about 4.20am on 14 July. There were no injuries, however, the building was seriously damaged. Detective Senior Sergeant Rebecca Kirk said officers arrested a 42-year-old man at a New Lynn property on Monday night. He has been charged with arson and will appear in Auckland District Court on Tuesday.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- RNZ News
Photo of person of interest in Avondale church fire released
A person of interest in the burning of a church in Avondale, July 2025. Photo: Supplied Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to in relation to a fire that significantly damaged a school's church in Auckland this week. The fire broke out at St Mary's Church on Great North Road in Avondale in the early hours of Monday morning. Police say they are seeking the public's help to identify a man captured on security cameras. Anyone with info was urged to call 105 and cite reference number 250714/2083, or call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. General manager of the Catholic Diocese of Auckland James van Schie on Monday said he was "absolutely shocked and devastated". "The tragic loss of their beloved church is a great sadness for the Catholic community of St Mary's Avondale." A blaze gutted the church at Saint Mary's Catholic School in Avondale, Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Victor Waters He said the parish was established in 1921 and the church itself was rebuilt in the late 1950s. He also said at the time he was hopeful CCTV could help provide clues on the cause of the fire. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
The Panel with Holly Bennett and David Farrar Part 1
media arts about 1 hour ago Tonight on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Holly Bennett and David Farrar. Employers won't be able to stop staff from talking about their pay in new legislation being backed across the political spectrum, and film fans were outraged at Avondale's Hollywood Cinema when an entirely AI mini film played at the beginning of a screening.
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Around the Districts: Rathdrum and Tinahely
Avondale GAA lotto draw Tuesday, July 8, No jackpot winner 12, 18, 21, 23 two match-three winners Teresa and Chris Byrne c/o Anthony Michaela Byrne c/o Online Thanks for all your continued support Next draw Tuesday, July 15, jackpot €3,000. Tickets can be purchased on the clubforce app. Avondale GAA Club Memorabilia If anyone has any memorabilia connected to the Avondale GAA club (Cups, medals, programmes, etc) Can you please contact Sandra O'Shaughnessy at 083 3575421 or contact Victor O'Shaughnessy with details. Exciting Opportunity for Our Club The Irish Farmers Journal has launched an exciting competition starting on July 3, offering a chance to win a top-of-the-line Husqvarna mower valued at €30,000. This amazing mower will significantly reduce the time spent on grass cutting, providing numerous benefits to our club. Let's get involved and maximise our chances of winning this fantastic participate, simply enter the competition on behalf of our club. The more entries we have, the better our chances of winning. Buy the Irish Farmers Journal starting July 3. Collect three tokens over four weeks and send them to the Irish Farmers Journal. Let's come together and make this happen for our club. Congratulations Avondale GAA Club would like to send its congratulations and best wishes to former player Shane O'Neill and his beautiful bride Rachel on their wedding day today. We wish you both a lifetime full of love and happiness and future Avondale footballers and hurlers. Thank you Thank you to Helen and Noel Jacob of Jacob's Well for sponsoring the match ball for tomorrow's Intermediate football championship. Jacobs Well have been very generous with their sponsorship over the years and they are the first to sponsor the match ball for this year's championship. We'll have a different sponsor for each football and hurling game as a way of thanking our sponsors throughout the championship. Congratulations Avondale intermediate football team and management made the journey to a sun drenched Echelon Park Aughrim on Sunday last to start the intermediate football campaign Avondale got off to a flying start and at half time Avondale lead on a scoreline of Avondale 3-09 (18) to Barndarrig 0-03 (3) in the second half Avondale kept the lead on Barndarring and won on a scoreline of Avondale 5-18 (33) to Barndarrig 0-10 (10) Next up for Avondale intermediate football team is a match against Ballinacor on Sunday, August 3, at 7.30 p.m. in Aughrim. The Senior Hurling Championship 2025 Next up for Avondale GAA is the senior hurling championship where Avondale senior hurlers will travel up to Echelon park in Aughrim on Saturday, July 19, at 6.30 p.m. to take on St Pat's in the first round of the senior hurling championship 2025 All support is much appreciated. Championship Fixtures Championship Season sees our four adult team fixtures the championship group stages senior hurling Avondale v St Pat's Saturday, July 19/18.30/Aughrim Senior hurling Avondale v Bray Emmets Weekend of the 23rd/August 24 TBC Intermediate football Avondale v Ballinacor Sunday, August 3/midday/Aughrim Intermediate football Avondale v Aughrim weekend of the 8/August 9/10 TBC Junior hurling Avondale v Aughrim Wednesday 23d July/19.30/Aughrim Junior hurling Avondale v Bray Emmets Wednesday, July 30/19.30/Avondale Junior hurling Avondale v Knockanna Wednesday, August 6/19.30/Knockananna Junior hurling Avondale v Éire Óg Wednesday, August 20/19.30/Avondale Junior B football Avondale v Bray Emmets Thursday, July 17/19.30/Avondale Junior B football Avondale v Baltinglass Thursday, July 31/19.30/Baltinglass Junior B football Avondale v Blessington Thursday, August 14/19.30/Avondale. Tea and Coffee After Mass On the second Sunday of the month, tea and coffee will be available at the back of the church after the 11.30 a.m. Mass All are welcome. Thank you to the hospitality group for providing the refreshments. Blessing Of the Graves Blessing Of the graves – Famine Graveyard A Mass will be celebrated in the famine graveyard on Wednesday, July 16, at 7.30 p.m. All are welcome. Masses in Clara Vale Church and Greenane Sunday, July 20, in Greenane at 10 a.m. Sunday, July 27, Clara Vale at 9 a.m. Also in the Rathdrum parish church 6 p.m. vigil Mass on Saturday and 11.30 a.m. Mass on a Sunday 11 a.m. Mass on public holidays and 9 a.m. Mass on a Monday Wednesday Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. Eucharistic service on Tuesday Mass and Blessing Of the Graves 202 Glenealy Cemetery Saturday, July 19, at 3 p.m. Killoughter Cemetery Tuesday, July 22, at 7.30 p.m. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Clara Vale Church summer sale The Clara Vale summer sale will take place in the grounds of the church on Sunday, August 10, at 1.30 p.m. The committee are looking for items for stalls such as cakes home produce firewood plants new or nearly new items There will be tea raffles lucky dip and other attractions for more information contact 086 8144745 or 087 6895033. The Row Hard Go Home Success The parish extends its congratulations to the rowing team of local men Tom Nolan Michael Dowling Cormac Conroy and Diarmuid O'Briain, who recently broke the record for rowing around ireland the team cut the record in half as well as beating the record the men raised funds for Rathdrum Cancer Support and Vartry Rowing Club Wicklow. All support for theses organisations is greatly appreciated. See to donate to two great charities. Ballinacor Community field day Ballinacor Community field day takes place Saturday, July 19, from 2 p.m. A fun afternoon for all the family with field games, stalls, waterslide, dog show, barbecue, face painting, races and more. All proceeds to Ballinacor Community Project. Rathdrum Trout Anglers This year Rathdrum have the Honour of hosting this year's T. A. F. I all-Ireland River Senior Championships. We will be hosting it on the Avonmore River on August 16 and 17. There will be the First two-day Inter-pro, with a new format held by TAFI Where no controllers will be required. Provincial Entries deadline to be with Rathdrum Trout Anglers is to be in by Friday, July 18. Deadline for Practice for anglers competing is Monday, August 4. Day tickets can be purchased on or in the Wise Owl Shop, Main Street Rathdrum. Head Organiser Mark Driver can be contacted at 086 0349273 if required. Once entries have been received a Private WhatsApp group will be compiled where further information to all anglers will be given to all competing anglers. Details of entries will be sent to Provincial Secretaries to notify all qualified anglers in coming days. Further information and details to follow. Hon. Secretary Mark Driver. Rathdrum Welcomes World Record Breakers The four Heroes of Diarmuid O'Briain, Tom Nolan, Cormac Conroy and Michael Dowling smashed the World Record for an unsupported row around Ireland in just over 15 days, overcoming adverse weather and challenging sea conditions. Thousands followed their journey on social media and generously supported their chosen two causes – Rathdrum Cancer Support Group and Vartry Rowing Club, Wicklow. The successful row by Diarmuid, Tom, Cormac and Michael coupled with the funds raised through the Go Fund Me Page is truly amazing. Rathdrum Cancer Support Group is looking for a massive attendance in Parnell Memorial Park to meet, thank, and congratulate the Row Hard or Go Home Team on Saturday, July 19, between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Please come along. All welcome. Your Notes Any groups or organisations who want to put notes in to the Rathdrum notes in the Wicklow people newspaper should forward the information via email to Sandyshaugh44@ text/Whatsapp the message to 083 3575421 before 1pm on Sunday. Tinahely Baby Massage and Reflexology Classes Join these lovely classes with you and your baby. Learn different massage strokes and reflexology techniques to help you and your baby. Also a lovely way to meet other parents in your area. Keep an eye on our instagram and facebook pages @wellness_by_meadows for upcoming classes. You can also contact Claire on 087-1491850 with any queries. Fairgreen Resource Centre The Fairgreen Resource Centre is located to the rear of the Courthouse and is a purpose built social centre where you can relax and meet new people. Tinahely Active Retirement Tinahely Active Retirement Association meets every Tuesday morning from 10.30 am to 12.30 for coffee and a chat. The group runs a variety of activities and courses during the year along with annual outings. All are welcome to join. Vincent's Community Shop Vincents's Community Shop is located on Barton Street and is open Tues to Sat from 11am to 4pm daily. It offers a wide range of household goods, quality clothes along with a host of other items ranging from giftware, to books, jewellery, collectables and vintage items. Tinahely Craft market The Craft market has had a face lift. The outside has been painted, window boxes in place and we have added a few touches to the inside, all ready for the summer season. There are new crafts available, Marilyn with her hand spun and hand knitted shawls, Aileen Crossley has copies of her gorgeously illustrated Irish Children's book and art by the local girl Allison. Please come in and have a look. Support your local shops and crafters. Tomnafinnoge Athletics Club Tomnafinnoge Athletics Club is kicking off Track & Field training at The Fairgreen, Shillelagh. Sessions run every Tuesday and Thursday from 6.30pm to 7.30pm and are open to kids aged 4 and up. Come join the fun, stay active, and develop your athletic skills! New members welcome! Tinahely Toastmasters Hone your Public Speaking, Communication & Leadership skills with us! We are an official Toastmasters International Club. Join our next meeting free as a guest. We meet 7.45pm to 9.45pm on the 2nd & 4th Thursday of every month. Contact 087 2786503 for more information.
RNZ News
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Indian community celebrates Rath Yatra with colour and devotion
A cultural parade organised by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha New Zealand in Avondale. Photo: Supplied Hundreds of members of the Indian community marked Rath Yatra with vibrant celebrations in cities and towns across New Zealand. The annual Hindu festival, which originated in the coastal city of Puri in Odisha State, celebrates the journey of deities Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra. Also known as the Festival of Chariots, it traditionally features a decorated chariot pulled by devotees in a symbolic procession of unity and blessings. In Auckland, celebrations were led by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha New Zealand and the New Zealand Odia Society. The annual Hindu festival, which originated in the coastal city of Puri in Odisha State, celebrates the journey of deities Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra. Photo: Supplied The largest gathering took place at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Avondale, where more than 500 people took part in the chariot procession and cultural parade. "The weather was not on our side this year, but hundreds still turned up," said Sidd Doshi, one of the organisers. "Our tradition is to take the deities out among the people," Doshi said. "On this special day, instead of remaining in the temple, they are placed on chariots and taken through the streets to bless the community." BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha also held celebrations in Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Rotorua, with smaller events in Whangarei, Napier, Nelson and Dunedin. The New Zealand Odia Society hosted events in both Wellington and Auckland. In Wellington, celebrations took place at Redwood School on 29 June and featured Odissi dance performances and other cultural programmes. Rath Yatra celebrations in Henderson, Auckland, organised by the New Zealand Odia Society. Photo: Supplied In Auckland, the event was held at Sriram Mandir in Henderson and began with a puja of a handcrafted chariot, built by members of the organisation. The highlight of the day was a musical drama adaptation of Patent Medicine, an iconic play by renowned Odia writer Fakir Mohan Senapati. "This year, the Ratha was adorned with the sacred Patitapaban Bana flag, sourced directly from Puri," the NZ Odia Society said in a statement. "The programme included Odissi dances, a soulful chorus by adults, group performances and an instrumental ensemble performed entirely by children," the statement said. "The music was choreographed by Basant Madhur, founder of the Sargam School of Music."
