Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a chairde and welcome to my report.
Anybody looking at the web would have to say that we are a community apart. Helped along by suitable weather it is a pleasure to see so many out-door events being held. There is something about the out-of-doors that makes a difference. Lots of fundraising for good causes and enjoyable things for folks to take part in. Having spent more than two years undercover it’s a real pleasure to see communities organising events, in some cases brand new events, different things starting up by young people which can give an injection of new life in the years to come. Take young Neil Corkery, son of Sheila and Neily at his beautiful new residence in Cloghoula, himself and his wife Noreen started up a Pony Trekking business. Pony trekking is new in the area and judging by the interest in it. it will grow and flourish in the years ahead. At the start of the school holidays this year, they held a pony camp which proved extremely popular with the youngsters. As well as rides Neil had a wide range program of games for them, all with an equestrian theme. Last week five of his ponies took part in the Pony Young Riders competitions at the Green Glens and with great success. The business is proving very popular not only with the Irish, but also with tourists from many parts of America. From base in Cloghoula, visitors are taken on the scenic route over the local hills and shady forestry ways. Their service provides riding lessons for beginners at a young age. Plus livery services, which means they will stable ponies for those who have no place to keep one at home. More and more people are showing an interest in this new and welcome service in our parish. If you would like to learn more, give Neil a ring 087 272 7759. In closing I want to wish Neil and Noreen continued success for the future.
Still with horses, The popular Mounted Games, called The World Pares Championships, will be held at the Green Glens this week Thursday 28th to Saturday 30th inclusive. Twelve countries taking part, including Australia.
The Summer Horse Show with all the usual attractions, will be held in August, from the10th to 14th. Admission is free. Please do not miss these outstanding events.
It is sad that accommodation is so scarce nowadays as people try to recover from the long years of Covid. But sadder still is the number of houses which are lying idle in many places. Some wise people have already taken the plunge and refurbished small places , annexes, granny flats etc and let them out to tourists on Air B&B and they are making a difference. A rising tide rises all craft and the more people who can be kept locally the more our shops and other services will benefit.
Well now, that was a bad shock, a bolt out of the blue, that we were going to lose our AIB Bank Link, hole-in-the-wall, our cash point, call it what you like but the idea of it being taken from us was a bridge too far. Goodness knows they have made some dreadful changes in the past, changes which have downgraded our lives for ever more where people power counted for nothing and now this. It’s mind boggling to think what our town would be like without this 24/7 facility. A place where people can go at any time and get their cupla punt for whatever reason and what is going to be the alternative, what is their plan for our future without it. But that’s a foolish question , haven’t we enough experience to know from previous changes, that they just draw the line on something, without any plan for a follow-up, leaving communities high and dry. People like me don’t take easily to change. We were never used to it. In our young days things stayed the same. Our currency never changed, neither did the times when of the banks and Post Office, the shops, Mass times. We wore the same coat going to Mass until we outgrew it, the same with our boots. We had bacon and cabbage for dinner every day. Our bread was home baked every day. Turf was cut with the sleán. We had the same cobbler and the same Blacksmith. The same postman. the same undertaker. The same Mass and confession times and when a priest was changed, it was the cause of great wonder and discussion. As long as people paid their rent and rates twice a year, they heard little more from the government. Goodness knows you had to keep the law. To be caught out after dark with no light on your bike was a sure way of ending up in court and a fine. Also a man from the state came to the door in summer to tell the landowner to cut or pull ragwort and dock weeds and to spray the cows for the Warble fly. For his own good the farmer did these things anyway. But it being the Law gave them an air of importance. The Warble fly was a great pest in fine weather. When they came among the cows with a loud buzzing noise to lay their eggs on them. To do so they had to pierce through the tough skin causing great pain which sent the animal galloping blind through crops and fences in search of shelter and bushes to rub off the attacking grub. At milking time it was a hard task to find and to round up the frightened creatures. Very often with udders torn by thorny wire and briers. Resulting in many kicks and spilled milk on warm summer evenings. When cow hides were tanned and hung outside the shoe-makers door, to be used for the making of the hobnailed boots that the men wore by the series of holes it was plain to see the damage done by the dreaded grub, the warble fly.
Can we be blamed for the way we find change difficult and scary. No sooner are we into one thing, than it’s changed to something else overloading our weary brains.
The first thought that crossed my mind when I heard that the Bank Link was closing was of the staff in our Post Office. These gentle ladies who do so much for us year after year, always with courtesy and efficiently. Nothing is a problem, Monday to Friday from 9 am and even a half day on Saturday. Now and then it would be well for us to let them know how much they are appreciated. Many thanks ladies.
Our wonderful Tidy Towns Group need your help both manually and financially. Rising from the ashes of the past two years of Covid they are determined to bring our town back to looking it’s very best again. Please help them in any way you can.
On last Sunday, the fourth Sunday in July, we celebrated world grandmothers day. It was established by Pope Francis in 2021 and this year the Pope will begin his Apostolic journey to Canada and visit the Shrine of St. Anne, the Mother of Our Blessed Lady and Grandmother of Jesus. Our church was crowded on Sunday when families gathered to laud the leading ladies of their families, to celebrate Grandmothers Day.
Mass in our Church every day. On Monday and Friday at 7.30 pm and Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 10am. Rosary before each Morning Mass. Eucharistic Adoration in our Church every Tuesday from 10.30 am to 7.30 pm. Confessions every Saturday.
From 12.30 to 1. Legion of Mary Meeting in the Parish Centre every Tuesday night at 7.30.
Here are the results of this weeks lotto draw which was held on Sunday night. Numbers drawn were.6,18.28.29 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to Ash Coras, Millstreet, The seller was the Bridge Bar and they got €50 sellers prize. €50 went to S O’Riordan c/o Willie Rae, €20 each to Niall Sheehan, c/o O’Regan’s Mills, Linda and Mary Coleman, c/o Colemans, Patrick Murphy c/o Colemans, Chris, Veron Twomey, c/o Marie Twomey, M Murphy, Pound Hill, Benny Murphy, c/o Rita O’Reilly B &F c/o Corkery’s Bar.
Next draw Bank Holiday Monday, August 1st Jackpot €20,000.
There is a host of events planned in the area for the Bank Holiday weekend. Look up the web and many other places for the ones of your choice.
In closing I want to wish you all a very happy and safe Bank Holiday weekend. Slán.
