Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a chairde and welcome to my report.
If it’s heat you’re looking for, well you have it. Maybe a little too hot for some of us, but there are places to hide if the scorching sun is too much for you. At my time of life any sort of extremity is dangerous and on Saturday as I watched younger folks wallowing in the noon-day sun, I admired from my undercover abode. The heatwave hadn’t begun on Thursday when our ARA organised bus trip to Ballyheige was held. Skies were dull and the ground wet as we drew close to the beach, but joy of joys the day broke into a soft warm rainless few hours as we went for long walks along the sandy beach. It’s a long time since I’ve been to Ballyheige, not since the times that I’d pile all my grandchildren in the car and head off for a week. Three boys and three little girls all under ten, the youngest four. We didn’t always go to Ballyheige, other venues were Ballybunion, The Wheel INN in Beara etc. It was the highlight of the year, when I’d have fixed the date and booked to seaside caravan, the excitement was electric. They’d join me with their little belongings, bucket and spades, summer attire, sleeping bags, a bit of pocket money and a severe warning from the moms and dads to be good for Nana. Coming from a family of seven myself, it was so natural to have the crowd around me. God Rest Dan, we left him at home, he would be far too nervous of the harmless pranks and games of the young, so that it was better that he took the week off from us all. Books could be written on the things we did and the wonderful times we shared, all the time the bonds between us all was getting stronger. While in Beara I took them in the cable car out to Dursey. All in our little family car and we’d sing our hearts out along the way. At night we’d go to the merries if they were there. They loved the slot machines, great when they won but not when their few coppers ran out. Back in the caravan we’d play cards and tell stories ,while one by one my little charges fell off to sleep. We never got any setback or accident, T.G. except for one stormy night in Ballybunion. Our abode shivered and shook and was in danger of blowing over like those around us, and Michelle held a holy cross in her little seven year old little hand all night asking God to protect her little four year old brother Dave and He did. Next morning we emerged bright eyed and bushy tailed ready for another fun day. Time flies, children grow fast and Ballyheige was our last place we went to. One day my six as I called them, gathered around me and asked if they could stay in a tent, it being our last night. They’d met others in the dunes that day and formed a plan. The eagerness in the little faces took me by surprise. I needed to think, so I told them to go off and play while I made up my mind. Soon they were back for my reply and I said yes because the last thing I wanted was to disappoint them, but my mind was racing. The work started just beside the caravan and you never saw a tent going up so fast. Driving pegs throwing on the cover, securing it all hands on deck and finally to pull up the zip. Then it was off to play until I called in for food. The weather was not good, rainy, cold and they didn’t go out again so we played games and we told stories and talked about the days happenings until it was time for their big adventure. They bundled up their sleeping bags, a flashlamp, music, the tuck box etc. etc. and spilled out the door. But alas they were not long outside when they came with the bad news that the tent was all wet inside and they couldn’t use it. Needless to say the disappointment was soon forgotten and we had more fun till they fell asleep and I with a feeling of relief like never before. We came home the next day our week was down and we came home next day they were getting bigger then and went on holidays with their parents. Life went on and our bonds of love and friendship still to the good. And whenever they meet, they can’t wait to recall those wonderful childhood years. But it was only when Ken, the oldest, got married many years later, that I plucked up the courage to tell them that I threw a bucket of water into the tent all those years ago ,it was easier than having to tell that I couldn’t allow them sleep in it. There are ways, don’t you agree.
Soon David will be coming home from Oz for a holiday with his wife and family and already the cousins have a place booked a place where they will all meet up and recall more stories of all the places we went to in their young days, not forgetting Ballyheige.
A million congratulations to the lovely Nora Kelleher, Minor Row on going all the way to 90 years of age and going there in such a youthful way. At school and in town all our lives it’s always a pleasure to meet Nora, the years have made us so familiar that we’re never short of something to say when we meet. Well done Nora and we wish you many more years of good health and happiness.
On the other hand I want to send my sympathy to the family of Mary Bridget O’Riordan, formerly of Kilcorney. A classmate of mine and the very first Ban Garda in the country. May her soul Rest in Peace.
I got a lovely long letter from a nice man who lives in London and likes to build his own memories based on my cupla focail. From the parish he went to London over 40 years ago. He didn’t say what he worked at down the years, but his Catholic Faith which he learned at home is still very important to him today and he loves to keep up with what’s happening over here.
It saddened me on Sunday when we were told in Bishop Browne’s letter that Dromtarriffe will no longer have a priest resident in the parish. Alarming, awful, dreadful, sad, are just a few of the words coming into my mind. The other priests in the Sliabh Luachra Pastoral Area who are down to the board already will have to spread themselves even thinner to bring the Lord to the people and our Canon John, Moderator of it all. Things are slipping away from us and is there anything we can do or is it already too late. Will God send more workers to his vineyard, before more churches are shut down. We had such a healthy Catholic religion when we were young. We accepted the rules of God’s Law (and if we sinned, we were forgiven.) There were lots of room for improvement, in our Church but they shouldn’t be allowed to cause it’s demise. Changes came to other things, business, education, infrastructure and they were all the better for it. Why the negative effect on the one thing that is more important to us than any of them. It costs very little to be a follower, if you can’t afford the cupla punt to support it, nobody’s going to ask you for it. Let others speak for themselves, but this winding down process in our church, is the most upsetting thing of all for people of my era. We have been using it as our yardstick since our time began for us and looking back at what prayer has done for us over the years, I feel pity for those who don’t want or can’t tap into it. It’s a life line. Try it.
A cat was paying his regular visit into my garden during the week, but on his way he spied something in the grass and set himself up for the kill as I watched from afar, lifting a leg, not putting it down, moving a back limb, crouching down, dead intent on the possible prey, then wham, a thrush swooped down and hit him on the head, and I jumped as high as the feline and the show was over.
Just in case we get bored, our ARA group have booked another exciting event for us. A trip to the Everyman Theatre in Cork to see ‘Letters of a Country Postman’, By John B Keane. On Wednesday August 24. Tickets limited, Call 087 053 7172 for details. It is regrettable that more men do not take part in these outings. Just one man went on the bus to Ballyheige last week and there were many empty places. Ivor was lauded and spoiled and profoundly thanked for coming and it is hoped that others will follow in his lead. The world won’t come to you, you must take the first step.
The scorching sun on Sunday was too hot for me to go to the Vintage Day in Cullen and see the tour of the town in honour of Film Star Brien Dennehy who had close Millstreet Connections.
Eucharistic Adoration every Tuesday in our church, from 10.30 . Confessions every Saturday from 12.30 to 1.
Legion of Mary Meeting every Tuesday evening at the Parish Centre at 7.30.
Cardiac Resuscitation & Defibrillator Refreshed Course in Cullen Community Centre, tomorrow Wednesday night July 13 at 7.30 and on Saturday July 16. From 10.30 to 12noon. To book a place ring 086 162 6607.
Here are the results of this weeks lotto draw which was held on Sunday Night. Numbers drawn were,4,15,17,25, and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to Amanda Kelleher, Macroom, The seller was me fein, and I got €50 sellers prize. €50 went to The O’Connor Family, Tullig, €20 each to Sean Moynihan, c/o Michelle Whelan. K. Kelleher, Aubane, Disneyland Bound, c/o Michelle Whelan. Georgie Sheehan, Liscarroll. Molly Moyhihan, c/o Colemans. Noreen Carroll, Derinagree, Pat & Mike, Keale, Sheila Lane , c/o The Camogie Club. Next draw 17.7.2022. Jackpot €20.000.
Every good wish to all those who are on holidays, especially those who braved the chaotic scenes at airports in their quest for some warm sunshine and relaxation and a very sincere get-well wish to those who are ill at the moment.
Sinn a bfuil a cairde. Slán.
