Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a chairde, and welcome to my weekly report.
The month is moving on, some days are as sweet as summer, others with a brrr to send you searching for your woollies. Showers come sending us running, well trying to run for cover. In our minds, I speak for those of my own ilk of course, we think that we can run and bend and twist and turn as we did in our youth but alas putting it into practice is a different matter. Old habits die hard and how we’d love to be able to tear around at work or play as we did in our young days. Days of hard physical work, days climbing mountains, engaging in long walks, never having to stop and think if I can make it or do it, in your youth, yes you can and what a joy it is when the task is complete. But you never lose the feeling of achievement that such challenges bring and today when I see younger people doing great things I pat myself on the back and say, “I’m so glad I climbed Carrauntoohil twice when my girls were in their teens we cycled from Achill Island to Millstreet twice on bicycles that had no fancy gears and the Ring of Kerry also. Those were great days for cycling, roads were not too busy and safety was taken for granted. On a bike you can see the country inch by inch, smell the air, stop for a better look at something that caught your attention, talk to people along the way. You can discover places to come back to with the car and tell others about it. Eating at the side of the road was a joy in itself. Apart from a welcome break, the food tasted so much better and over night stays at a friendly B&Bs, gave you the opportunity to meet the residents and get the story of their particular place. But nobody can do it all, I never climbed Mushera Mountain, why, I don’t know and I can safely add that I won’t now, but I’m pleased with what I did and my advice to any one starting out is to do it all while you’re young because the years mount up faster than you think. A nice walk in our Park still fills me with great satisfaction, sometimes with the aid of my walking stick, it’s best to slow down but also best never to give up.
Paddy Murphy is not a man about town, you’d rarely see Paddy except in the shop once in a while, he speaks in soft tones and never pushes his point, yet in him you will find a beautiful, intelligent, ambitious person who when he gets a notion into his head, will pursue it to the end. Being from the same general area, I’ve known him and his parents before him all my life. Paddy is the man who gave us the CD which is in circulation at the moment comprising of almost 30 songs both old and new. Many were at the point of extinction, until Paddy came round with his little recorder and asked people sometimes begged people to share these old precious gems with him. None of us knew what he was going to do with them, we didn’t know enough to ask questions, but now all has been revealed. He has compiled all of his findings into a lovely slim CD consisting of up to 30 songs which will bring many happy memories to many people and all for a very good cause. All proceeds will go to our National Schools in the town. I can see this CD making a wonderful Christmas Gift. People all over the World will adore the contents, They will hear songs that their Father’s sang ,and I could see a tear coming to the eye now and then. At E10 each, very soon copies will be on sale at Wordsworth, Capabu, Post Office, Colemans and you can even get it by emailing , <email> and be reminded that all proceeds will go to our Presentation Convent Girls School and the Boys National School. Well done to the friendly Paddy Murphy, Tullig, who made it all happen.
We are being reminded that it’s time to renew our Text Alert membership 2022. In light of recent happenings it is of vital importance that everybody comes under the umbrella of this wonderful scheme. Those who wish to partake please put your name and address plus your mobile number and €10 into an envelope and hand it into Wordsworth Book Shop or Guerin’s Shop in Ballydaly. Before Friday November 19th.
Mass will be said at Tubrid Well This Friday evening November 13th starting at 5pm.
Great crowds attended the Blessing of the Graveyards after 11.30 Mass on Sunday. People visited the resting places of their loved ones and chatted with friends and neighbours in the cool sunny afternoon. Many thanks to the members of our Clergy who make this occasion so special every year. Look up the Parish news letter on line and get the details of all the extra church services which are held every November.
Sadly the Covid Virus is spreading quite rapidly, let us pray for a full recovery of all our acquaintances who are within its grip at the moment.
A special tree was planted in Aubane on Sunday as a tribute to Riobard O’Sullivan, otherwise known as the Bard. Surely a fitting memorial to a man who gave so much to his country and to his people. I have yet to see this development as the time clashed with our 11,30 Sunday Mass in Millstreet. But in his honour I will go. His story should never be allowed to die and the story of his brave wife who had to work so hard to bring up her large family on the grim side of Mushera Mountain, while he was so cruelly confined to jail. Her story makes heartfelt reading .Still with history Spike Island is within everybody reach now and a great place to visit. The boat ride across opens up a picture of the city of Cobh, with it’s multicoloured buildings and terraces of houses, topped off by the magnificent Cathedral. On the Island there are lots to see, the special hall where names of many of our locals are displayed as a reminder of the time they were incarcerated there that we may all be free. The well known Nellie Ogdan, 1903-1908, better known as Little Nellie of Holy God was born on the Island because her father worked there and there is a special shrine to her ,which will remind people especially children of her short saintly life. She died at the Good Shepherds Convent in the North side of Cork City and when it was shut down the Body of Little Nellie was exhumed and taken to where she was born, Spike Island. It’s a beautiful and interesting place to go and they often have special events and offers throughout the year which are well worth looking out for , and can be found on line.
Here are the results of this weeks Lotto Draw which was held on Sunday Night. Numbers drawn were 14,18,20,22 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to the Lane Family, Drishane Rd. the seller was D.P. Lane and got €50 sellers prize. €50 went Noreen Buicke, Murphy’s Terrace. €20 each to Hanna FitzPatrick ,Dromtarriffe, Kieran Curtin C/O Centra, Alan O’Leary c/o James O’Leary, Sean Twohig, C/O Tom Carroll. Pa and Mag Dineen, c/o Jackie, Gobnait Kelleher, Aubane. Vincent O Sullivan, c/o Colemans, Joan Cronin C/O Colemans. Jackpot for next week €17, 200 .
Next draw on November 14th.
45Drive at the Canon O’Donovan Centre tonight ,all precautions such as wearing masks and sanitising strictly adhered to. Admission €10 Stars at 8.30 sharp. More of the same at Ballydaly Hall on Sunday nights. Again with an 8.30 start Admission. €5.
Don’t forget the Mass at Tubrid Well on Friday at 5 pm.
Agus sin a bhfuil, a chairde, Take God Care at all times.
Slán.
