Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.
I love Pancake Day, it gives us an opportunity to have a party. There were few sweet things when I was a child, my Dad was a savoury person, always sticking to the plain unsweetened foods. Except at Christmas when he would make a huge cake, put a few currents in it and loads of margarine to make crumbly and delicious. But that was it then until shrove Tuesday and pancakes. Our cook, Pete had very few culinary gifts, but he would try. In summer if we could steal a few apples from the neighbours orchard, we’d bring them home and he would cut the up and put them into the mix of the everyday soda bread as a treat when the Da wasn’t around. No sugar added in case it would be missed. But sour and all as it was we’d eat with relish. The thought of having an ‘apple tart’ gave us a great sense of pride. The mix for the pancakes was easily got. Eggs, of which there was plenty and the same went for the flour and the milk. We never heard of lemons, at pancake time, but the good blessing of sugar made it all go down well and that was it. Pancake day over. But when my Father married again our step mother came, she would continue to make pancakes for my Dad for a few more days after Shrove. Never a lady for the open countryside, she’d still make her way to the tillage field where he would be ploughing the land in readiness for the Spring sewing. Plate in hand and a gallon of hot tea, she spared no effort to please her new man. The horses taking advantage of the break would as it were, switch off close their eyes and dip the head their lower lip flapping slightly up and down as if in prayer, until tea time was over and then it was back to the task in hand. It really was a beautiful time of year back then. So full of promise and the program was the very same year in and year out. Same horses, same plough, same harrow, same everything that was handed down from Father to Son to continue the same work and methods of work that their forefathers did for generations in the past right up through the 40’s. They say that many new inventions come after a war and looking back I think that it was in the late 40’s and early 50’s that we saw the first signs of change. New methods began to appear and since then nothing seems to stay the same. Primitive and all as they were, we still remember the old times and customs with love, they never fail to bring a smile. Enjoy the pancakes.
With the passing of Shrove Tuesday in it’s wake we’ll have the season of Lent. The time when we all feel that we must do something for our souls. ‘Tis hard to know what people can give up this year, with the ban on smoking in so many places and the price of drink gone up the two old stalwarts are already off the radar. Lent these days is more about helping others, doing good deeds, rather than abstaining from some of our favourite things. To get us off to a good start, Blessed ashes will be distributed at 10 am Mass on tomorrow Ash Wednesday. To remind us that we are but dust and into dust we shall return.
Eucharistic Adoration as usual today after ten am Mass until 7.30 this evening. Legion of Mary at the Parish Centre this evening at 7.30. Confessions in our church every Saturday from 12.30 to 1 and please be reminded that morning masses are preceded by the holy Rosary and many other prayers, recited by Mary Dennehy. All of these religious services can be got on line.
The Statue of Our Lady of Fatima is doing the rounds at the moment and people are welcome to put their name on a list if they would like to have it in their own home for a week or so. Pat Breen is the man to give you all the details. Ring him at, 086 851 0423.
The Marian Players in Rathmore excelled themselves again this year with their ever popular Panto which they always hold for charity. This year they donated €22,000 to the Kerry Parents & Friends. For Special Needs. We offer them our heartfelt congratulations on their great success.
The AGM of our Active Retired Association was held at the Day Centre on Wed. Night and was very well attended. Special guest was a man called Frank Fahy from the West of Ireland ,and he gave a very enlightening talk on ageing ,and how to cope with our advancing years with grace and wellness. He spared no effort in explaining how we can keep ourselves fit and independent as we get older. Walking and exercising playing a big part. He demonstrated those new lightweight walking sticks ,which are used in pairs to keep the body well balanced and upright at all times and handed some around for us to try. I must say I found them extremely good. In the near future they will be made available to ARA clubs all over the country . These walking aids were first introduced to Men’s Shed members and now to the ladies as well.
At the election of Officers Mary Sheahan remained on as Secretary, assisted by Kit O’Sullivan. Chairperson Nuala O’Riordan, vicechair, Mary Sheehan, Margaret Leader is the new Treasurer Assisted by Delores Goggin. A very pleasant tea and refreshments then followed . We wish the new committee every success in the future. Members have their weekly coffee morning at the Tea Room in the Wallis Arms Hotel on Thursday mornings at 11. All members welcome. For those who may like to become members please ring Mary at 087 053 7172. The Club has 109 paid up members at the moment.
The first day of March falls on Wednesday and March Day was always held on the Sunday nearest the First . Time will tell how it works our this year. These country Fairs went back to the very beginning of our rural events and were looked forward to for both their business and entertainment values in the past. I miss our March Fair Day as I used to know it and how great it would be to see it built up again to meet the demands and the needs and enjoyment of our people today.
Weekly Weigh In continues in Cullen every Monday night, exercise to music each night followed by the weigh in. This week 44 attended and 47 lbs lost. Just four more weeks left to go, so go there if you want to lose those few extra lbs and at the same time support a very worthy cause.
Here are the results of this weeks lotto draw which was held on Sunday night. Numbers drawn were 3,4,19,23 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to Brien Dineen, Irish Rail. The Seller was Tom Carroll, and he got €50 sellers prize. €50 went to Liam McCarthy. Doneraile, €20 each to Angel Kelleher, Moulnahorna, D. J. Golden, c/o P, Healy, Mike Sheehan. Minor Row, Ian Buckley, Keale, Maura Cotter, Liscahane, Kevin Hickey, Kilmeedy, Con Healy, Murphy’s Terrace and Jerry Heineken, c/o The Bridge Bar. Jackpot for next week €6,200 the draws on Sunday night.
Agus sinn abfuil a cairde Slán is Beannacht Dé libh go léir.
