Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a chairde, and welcome to my weekly report.
OOOh, those showers are windy and cold, a big change from the soft tropical like days of recent times. It’s takes a lot out of the system to take such rapid changes in temperature. Mind you we did get prior warning from those whose business it is to keep an eye on what’s in store for us from the skies but we are slow on the uptake because they have been proved wrong so many times, a little bit like the boy who called wolf.
Among other things we had no less than two local weddings at the weekend and they must be counting their blessings today that the Good Lord blessed their big occasions with brilliant sunshine. What a difference is the weather, for the past couple of weeks people have embraced the out of doors with a hunger to be outside, from high powered car events, to strolls in the woods or traversing food fairs, very often raising massive amounts of funding for needy cases. New attractions are coming on stream all the time and each with the under the skies in mind.
Spike Island springs to mind and it is fast becoming the Alcatraz of Ireland and one of the most visited places in the Europe. But it wasn’t always like that. About twenty years ago we had the honour of getting a special pass to go there and all efforts were being made at the time to close it down for good. I can remember being struck by the size of the place and the beauty of it’s situation. Standing in the middle of Cork Harbour. I’m grateful to see it now in it’s rejuvenated state with it’s memorial to all those who were imprisoned there during the war of Independence and lot’s more. Going there alone, gives the feeling of travelling out during your holidays. I doubt if I could make the grand tour on foot today like I did in the past and if the day comes when they provide transport for those like me, I’d be there in a flash.
Other places not to be missed down there in each side of Cork Harbour are those underground courts which were built to protect the Harbour from invasion from the sea. We got to see them in the past and when you’re there it is hard to imagine that they have remained almost unknown to us over all these years. The magnitude of them in the underground state really boggles the mind and they are free to all visitors. They featured on the popular Nationwide TV show some time ago and I hope it jogged the interest of many people to go there.
Travelling is made so easy nowadays. Nothing like it was in the past. But then people didn’t travel much then. It was either walk or cycle or go by horse and trap. When my Dad married again in 1942 after five years of widowerhood we went on lots of trips on the horse and trap. To places like Rylane, Kilnamatyra, Clondrohid where his relations lived. I suppose he was anxious to show off his new bride. For us youngsters of eight or nine it was excitement at it’s best. Just my sister and myself would be taken. The boys should stay at home to milk the cows and so on. The planning would go on for days. A letter should be written to the cousins to let them know of our intention and wait for a response. Then there was the problem of the weather. When the long awaited day came, if it was raining all would be cancelled. How we looked forward to these outings and we would pray and pray to God not to send rain or another plan would have to be made. When eventually all was right and the day dawned, we’d be up early, the horse would get an extra helping of oats for breakfast and following our own grub we would load up. And away we’d go. Our new Stepmother was shown all the sights along the way and she was always fascinated as to how our Dad knew all the crossroads. On arrival they all looked Mick’s new wife up and down and he was as proud as punch. Everywhere we went she proved popular with them all and continued to be so for the rest of their time. We even went to Killarney on the horse and trap one day and drove down to see Ross Castle. I’m not sure if that was any kind of record for a horse drawn trip or not, but our little animal did it well. For anybody travelling on their own the humble bicycle was the answer. Not everybody had one of course. I can remember my Dad and our friend next door embarked on the Ring of Kerry one time. I can’t remember hold long it took. But I do recall that it was during the War and everything was scarce. Food was rationed, we had compulsory tillage when inspectors came round to see if you tilling the right amount of land and growing growing your full quota of grain . Needless to say the horse and plough were the only weapons available for this laborious task day after day the movement went on as a man and a pair of horses moved at walking pace back and forth the field to turn just one sod at a time, which was wearing on both man and beast. Yet the ploughman could often be heard singing as he went and the sea gulls followed him close up to his heels to pick up the newly unearthed worms. Making it a picture postcard scene. It was also very wearing on machinery. Getting spare parts was near to impossible. Iron was scarce because of the war effort. Pierse of Wexford were the manufacturers, their name was brandished on every farm implement and can still be seen in old discarded parts in places to this day. But they couldn’t keep pace with the demand. So when passing through Kenmare on the trip round the Ring of Kerry Father spotted a precious steel bar for his plough in a hardware shop. The steel bar was a very important part of the plough. About four feet long It was fitted at the foot of the implement it’s function was to split the earth which was then spread apart by two iron wings called sideboards and because it bore most of the brunt of the job it wore out quickly. Not to miss out on his good luck on sourcing the badly needed part, he purchased the steel bar which would be about the bulk of a the handle of a spade and very heavy and he secured it along the bar of his bicycle leaving the ends extending slightly over the wheels front and back and resumed the journey sharing with his pal the joy and good fortune of his find. On arriving home, the story of his long cycle of the Ring of Kerry took second place to his account of how he found a steel bar for the plough and work resumed on the field next day.
It’s just as well that those people can’t come back and see the changes that have been made since their time. We’ve had time to adjust and slowly and continuously go with the times. But for anyone to see the now and the then , all of a sudden would surely die of shock.
The lovely Equestrian Event, Games on Ponies was held at the Green Glens recently. It almost passed unnoticed, a far cry from the European meeting which was held here a few years ago. Teams came from 11 countries and were royally received by the Community Council when the whole town came to a stand still for the Parade and to give them a real Millstreet welcome. Following the great reception which they received then, the International Organisers promised to hold the World Event in Millstreet next time and we sincerely hope that when the time comes the covid bug will be well gone by then.
Our Active Retired Group Coffee Morning resumed at the Wallis Arms Hotel on Tuesday morning and their social afternoon of Bingo etc also made a comeback at the Canon O’Donovan Centre on Friday. Swimming sessions are also on the list and to get details of them all contact Mary at 087 053 7172. Please do not feel alone and without a friend.
The ten am Mass often gets the day off to a great start for many. Afterwards it’s a good place to meet a friend or someone new for a walk in the Park, a Cup of Coffee at a Café or just a casual meeting of a friend in a shop.
For the very best of local entertainment tune in to Sean Radley every Sunday at 12.30 and every Tuesday night at 9.30 on Cork Music Station which can be sourced through our website or on your phone.
Marie Twomey can be contacted at the Adult Learning Centre where the motto is that “Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of things that matter least” A Personal Effectiveness class will start there on Wednesday, October 6th, starting at 2.15. For details of all that happens there give Marie a call at 086 770 7301.
There is a note from John Kelleher to say that a monster Tractor run will be held by the Aubane Community on Sunday October 10th. Registration at the Centre at 11.45 for a 12.30 start. Refreshments will be served and proceeds will go to the Aubane Community Centre Fund. Please support it well.
Music and dancing at the Mushera Platform is back also. Because of the uncertain weather they held their first cession in Ballinagree at the weekend. Watch out for their next fixture, it’s an outing not to be missed.
Here are the results of this weeks lotto draw which was held on Sunday night. Numbers drawn were.15,20,29,30 and the Jackpot was not won.€100 went to Marie & Martin Murphy, Pound Hill, The Seller was the Clara Inn and they got €50 sellers prize. €50 went to Katriona Hickey, Kilmeedy, €20 each to Grace O’Callaghan, c/o Irish Rail. M, Crowley, Tullig, Mgt.&Tia Kiely c/o Shane Browne, John D & Denise Buckley, Kilmeedy, Martin O’Mahony, c/o Lehane. Mary Rose & Rachel Keane c/o the Mal Paso. Jerry O’Sullivan, Keale, Linda Coleman c./o Colemans.
Jackpot for next week, €16,000. Draw on Sunday night, October3rd.
The weekly 45Drive continues at the Canon O’Donovan Centre every Tuesday night starting cat 8.30 sharp. Admission €7. Bring a partner or come on your own . All proceeds go the Centre Fund.
Our sincere sympathy goes to all those who lost loved ones recently and especially to Fr. Paddy O Byrne whose Sister Peggy Collins passed away during the week. We offer our prayers and best wishes to people who are sick at home or in hospital.
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be extended to children of various schools in the coming days and weeks and we wish them God’s Blessing as they prepare to become strong and perfect Christians.
Sin a bhfuil, a chairde. Have a good week. Slán agus Beannacht libh go léir.
