Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my first report of 2020.
Not only have we a New Year, but we have a new decade. Going forward from today I feel ill- prepared to give an account of the happenings of past number of weeks because of a long spell of flu, I missed out on Christmas completely. The lovely closing down parties before it where the many things I’m involved in around the parish, where everybody will recap on the past year, revamp friendships and plan for more of the same ‘after Christmas’. I missed all the lovely church services and the Women’s Little Christmas party etc.
Mind you I didn’t spend my time out, saying “why me”. It does us a lot of good sometimes to take a step back. Take time to think over what you’re missing and how much we miss them. The involvement, the companionship and the support of such things become all the more important and worthwhile when you are separated from them for a little while. Buíochas le Dia, all is well again.
Who would want to be a royal? God love the Queen, she’s having fierce trouble with her gang at the moment. First the Prince Andrew affair and now Harry and Meghan. ‘Tis tough at the top but they say that running a country, an empire, a government is only the very same as running a home. It’s all connected to people. People get married, have children, get work, time passes. But things change, children grow up ,and in their effort to meet the challenges of their own lives. They spread they their wings and in the process they go far beyond the plans and rules of their parents. Looking back thinking of all the changes that have taken place since I was young, you’d be forgiven for saying “that can’t be true”. Like the queen’s family today, we had to push our way ahead ,often against the wishes of those who went before us. I’ll never forget when in the mid 80’s we had to change from hay to silage. Looking back I suppose Climate Change was starting. Rainy Summers made it impossible for us to save the hay. So silage making was introduced. And the changes it brought were enormous. Hay sheds that were lovingly built and cared for by those before us had to be pulled down. Horses were replaced by tractors, and new machinery bought to suit their needs. Beautiful hand-built stone entrances and walls were pulled down to make way of the wide powerful machines that replaced the humble horse and cart. That is only one example of the heartbreaking changes that our old people had to witness, as we forged ahead in our quest for a better life. It hurt them to the core to see what they had so labourously put together being raised to the ground. Are the Queen and her gang much different today?
Millstreet is looking good as we approach the new decade, Like every other rural town it has the stay awake and alert to remain ahead of rural decline. This is a Leap Year ,so all the single girls will be free to propose to the man of their dreams on February 29. It’s a year that will see a new state-of-the –art Children’s playground built in our Town Park. Fundraising is ongoing for this welcome development and donations can be handed in at the office at the Youth Club, the Credit Union etc. The Adult Gym at the Youth Club is open every morning from 9.30 til 12 and opens again at 5 pm. Fully trained manager on duty at all times. The contact number is, 087 1184043.
The Cullen Special Needs Association got off to a great start last night with their their 35th annual Weigh-In. In spite of the bad weather 71 people attended. Proceeds go to their Special Needs Association. Please support them well.
Our Presentation Convent School, opens the new Season with a beautiful new Sign over the Gate and a new Principal Teacher, And we want to wish the Lovely Siobhan Buckley (Liscahane) every success in the years ahead in her new post.
There’s a new branch of Macra na Feirme in the parish, Well worth joining. They will hold a Gala Table Quiz at the Clara Inn on Friday January 24th at 8.30. Please support them well.
Our Parish Church Choir got a new lease of life this week. Following the retirement of Jane Daly who served us with distinction for the past 22 years it was with great relief that the lovely Edel Fraser offered to fill the void. We wish Edel every success and co operation as she takes up her new post.
Those in need of Adult Learning, will start the season off in a beautiful new premises in the Main St. Complete with a fertile garden at the back, a suitable place where people can learn to grow their own. Marie Twomey is in charge and to find out more about all the help and classes that are available, give her a ring at 0867707301.
All the many leisure activities are starting up again. The Monthly meeting of the Community Council will be held at the Wallis Arms tonight January 14th .starting at 8.30 The sales of the Parish Calendar will calculated at this meeting so all sellers please attend.
Our Active Retired Group never tire of planning new places to go and new people to meet. Give their Secretary Mary a ring at 087,0537172.
Fresh cooked meals are served every Monday To Friday at the Canon O Donovan Centre. They also provide Meals on Wheels . They have a number of regular day-trippers but also give meals on a casual basis, meaning that if you only need it once give them a ring in the morning and put your name in the pot. The full meal is soup, dinner, dessert, tea. But the customer can choose what they need from the list. Contact number is 02970926.
45Drive at the same venue every Tuesday night at 8.30
Dancing in Ballydaly Hall on tomorrow Wednesday night January 15th from 8.30 to 10.
45Drive in Ballydaly Hall on Sunday nights.
Millstreet Gramophone Circle meeting this Friday night January 17th at the Day Care Centre ,starting at 8.15. Presenter Paddy O’Leary, Kiskeam. All welcome.
The Men’s Shed is open every Tuesday night also the Knitting Club.
Millstreet Vintage Club will meet for coffee and chat at the Wallis Arms Hotel on next Sunday January 19th at 11 am in aid of MaryMount Hospice. For details ring Daniel Lane, 0872213848.
Here are the results of this weeks lotto draw which was held at McCarthy’s Bar on Sunday night, Numbers drawn were 8,11,22,32, and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to Martin Cotter, Rathcoole, the seller was Colemans and they got €50 sellers prize, €50 went to Gerry O’Sullivan, Liscahane, €20 each to Patsy Vaughan Keale, Lydia Murphy, Clara, John and Martin Healy, Killarney Rd.Paul O’Connor, Lackabawn. Myra Sheahan Knockbrack. Mike Sheehan, Minoe Row and Liz Cronin Stonefield. Jackpot for next week €6,600 the draw at the Clara Inn on Sunday night.
Before I close my first Report of 2020 I want to wish you all a very Happy and successful New Year.
