Eily’s Report – 21st January 2020

Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a chairde, and welcome to my report.
With the huge volume of traffic on our roads today there is danger lurking at every moment which I found out to my peril in the past few weeks. Travelling to Macroom for the NCT on my little 12C Renault Clio  which was fully serviced to give it every chance of passing. The morning was very wet with lots of surface water on the roads. About two miles from journey’s end I met a driver who swerved from the water on his side of the road and hit my wing mirror (never stopped) sending it flying out of its cosy nest. Luckily it held on by the wires at the back and I was able to pull in at a lay-by and press the mirror back into place, and continued on my way to the test which I passed. It was my lucky day, buíochas le Dia. Those who  rose early on Monday morning were met by a surprising blanket of snow in places. It was light and those who didn’t leave the warm valley between the sheets until ten missed the show. By then the snow was all gone but left some hidden danger spots in the way of unwary motorists. Sporadic snow and ice pose the greatest danger to road users, it can give them a false sense of security until they hit a bad patch and all of a sudden their plans for the day takes a sharp turn for the worse.

Still with cars, the event which was held in town of Sunday by all branches of our Vintage Club was a joy to behold. All makes of ancient vehicles lined the Town Square and there was no shortage of interested fans to view them. Meanwhile there was welcome for all at the Wallis Arms Hotel for the huge Coffee Morning which was held by the group in aid of Marymount Hospice. Many people used the occasion to become members of the Vintage Club and the refreshments were very welcome on the cold but dry day. Well done to Danny Lane, Gneeves who organised the event assisted by his lovely wife Sheila and a host of others far too numerous to mention. The proceeds of the great venture will be presented to Marymount Hospice in the near future.

A group of our  people of varying ages and interests travelled to Freemount last week where they recorded two programs with Jimmy Reidy for his well known slot of Round the Fire on Monday nights. They will be aired on 103 FM on the last Monday night of this month, January 27th and the first Monday night of next month February 3^rd. We’ll remind you of that again.

The annual Machinery Show which was held at the Green Glens last week drew record crowds on both days. Open each day from 12 noon to 10 p.m. Exhibitors came from all parts of the country including Northern Ireland.   Businesses of every kind but especially food and drink  as well as accommodation  outlets did very well.  So  it was considered a very good Show all round.

The people of Ballydaly are about to celebrate 60 years of their popular Hall at a party to be held there on this Friday night January 24th.  Over  all those years the homely  building has been the heart and soul of their rural community, and looks likely to continue on the same theme in the years ahead. We’d like to congratulate the people of Ballydaly on their highly successful 60 years and wish them God’s Blessing and every success in the years ahead.

The annual Weigh In continues in Cullen every Monday night, starting at 8, with a short break at half time for a motivational talk. Please give them your best support. This week 60 people weighed in and 160 pounds weight were lost.

Eucharistic Adoration has resumed  in the Parish, after the Christmas Break. It will be held in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel  in Millstreet on Tuesday and Wednesdays from 10.30 am to 10.30 pm.  In Cullen on Thursdays from 10.30 am to 7 pm and in Ballydaly on Saturdays from 10.30 to 12.30. Please be reminded that slips of paper and a box are available at the back of the church where you can write your request, no need to put your name. Place it in the box, this box will be placed in the Prayer Room and your request will included in the prayers of all who pray there.

The people of Carriganima are preparing to honour one of their best known sons, An tAthair Peadar O Laoghaire  from the rural district of Lioscarrigaun, where a special plaque to his memory is mounted on the house where he was born. He died a hundred years ago.They are bringing out a book to coincide with the great event which will be held in the Village of Carriganima on the weekend of March 20/21, and they are inviting people to submit any stories, folklore, etc. that they may like to have included in the book,closing date the end of January.

Many thanks to the Pub in Carriganima who gave a welcome donation to our Millstreet Website fund in recent times. Donations are always welcome support this important service.

Still with Carriganima the great pioneer of local TV  Dan Joe Kelleher asked to  remind you that he transmits  past programs  from Clara Mountain on a regular  basis. Over all the past 50 years he has preserved some real gems and is pleased to run them again. They can be got on channel 35. Anybody with an old Television should be able to get them without changing their every day sets .

A Very Happy Birthday to the lovely Gubby Twomey, Murphy’s Tce. Who celebrated her 98 birthday during the week. We wish you many more years of health and happiness with your lovely caring family.

Here are the results of this weeks lotto draw which was held at the Clara Inn on Sunday Night. Numbers drawn were 1,7,25,27 and the Jackpot was not won, €100 went to Tim and Kathleen McCarthy, Carriganima, The seller was The Bridge Bar & they got €50 sellers prize, €50 went to Pat O Connor,c/o Margaret Bourke, €20 each Dan Creedon. Millstreet, Pauline Sheehan. Kilcorney, Kate Kelleher, Aubane, Kitty Cronin, The Rectory, Julia O’Reardon, Killowen, Ann and John O’Connor, Dan FitzGerald and The Front Bar , c/o the front Bar of Corkery’s. Jackpot for next week €7,000 the draw at the Wallis Arms Hotel on Sunday night.

Fundraising for the new Children’s Playground in the Town Park is going well, but more is needed. Any donations can be handed in at the Youth Complex or into a special account at the Credit Union. And the good news is that the organisers are confident that the new development will up and running on time for the summer holidays, so please help to get the last of the funding in as soon as possible.

The Town Park which was closed for the Coursing  is open to all now again. The track around the edge is popular with walkers of every ages  and the outdoor exercise machines are widely used.

The contact number at our Day Care Centre is 029 70926, for details of all they have to offer Nursing care, Chiropody ,Bingo, Singing. But their food service is the most important.where they have fresh cooked dinners from Monday To Friday for residents as well as day trippers.  If people are temporarily in need of a meal, maybe because of flu or an injury, they can ring the centre in the morning and place an order to be delivered by the “Meals on Wheels” service.

Don’t forget to join Sean Radley every Tuesday night on Cork Music Station. Which can be accessed through our website.

Please take good care during these dangerous icy times. Even without it there is a great deal of people falling and getting injured. Some with broken arms or legs, others with painful injuries. There seems to be no explanation for it as it happens in many different circumstances. So the only thing for it is to proceed with caution and have your phone or personal alarm with you at all times.  In the event that you can’t remember the number of the person that you want to call then dial 999 where you will always get a swift reply.    Check your TextAlert  messages from the Gardai, regularly and always report anything suspicious.

Agus sinn a bhfuil a chairde, slán is beannacht Dé libh go léir.