Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.
The sun goes up and the sun goes down and the hands of the clock keeps going around and this week all roads lead to the West, or the Westht as they used to say. The first week of July sends music lovers of every ilk making their way to the Co. Clare town of Milltown Malbay. A town which grew from being a small rural village to a world famous hive of all things trad and all in the name of one of their talented pipers, the humble Willie Clancy who passed away over half a century ago. But his community refused to let him die. Instead they built a huge festival in his memory, to be held on the first week of July every year. They developed classes and concerts and opened them to all who wanted to learn and learn they did. Classes were held in rooms and parlours all over the place where local homeowners were willing to let a room for a few hours every day and going along the streets the sound of music came wafting out of these places. Age didn’t matter. The young and the not young sat side by side in their hunger for our traditional Irish music and how to take part in it. Needless to say they need listeners too, and I am one of them. I was fortunate to be part of the Sliabh Luachra group who made the trip across the ferry every year to bring their own branch of Irish Music to the multitudes. Their input was nothing short of being sensational, and today the tunes that were played by Johnnie O’Leary, his daughter Ellen(and now by his famous grandson Byron) and many others are being played all over the world. Music lovers came from Australia, America, Japan ,Russia and lots of places in between. Believe it or not, there are about six Irish Music outlets in Moscow. (Were before the war anyway) and some of our best players go there to join in.
Music is more than just music it brings people of different nationalities and creeds and colours together. There are no barriers as far as music is concerned. The airs, the melody and the stories that go with them do wonders for the entire world. Of course music and dancing go hand in hand. They drive one another. The more the dancers hit the floor the better the musicians play. Our music and our cultures are as old as time itself. They were kept alive during wars and famines and we feel it our duty to keep them going. I was reading an article in a book written by a man from the Kerry Border who was involved in our fight for freedom. Like all his equals he was often on the run and staying in friendly houses along the way to recover and get some sustenance. I enjoyed his story when he added that before leaving ,they often danced a set, very often to puss music but it raised their spirits for that moment before he returned to the fray. The town of Milltown Malbay is quite and mostly uneventful for the rest of the year, but on the first week of July it will be taken to dizzy heights , Old friends of the past 40/50 years will meet .new ones will be made and the pubs and food outlets etc will make enough to keep them going for the rest of the year. A big improvement from the early days when it was impossible to get a meal or a place to stay. Goes to show what a community can do when they stand hand in hand to honour one of their own.
Please tune in to Sean Radley on CMS tonight for his interview with Jerry McSweeney ,ex-Killarney Road who presents 2 CD’s of the very best of our Traditional Music by the great late Jerry Kavannah. We look forward to more great things on that Station as Bernard Crowley joins with Sean to bring even more enjoyable material through the magic of tv/radio. The station can be accessed through our website.
Still with music, of a different kind. All roads lead to our beloved Carriganima Village this weekend for a gala evening of music with the renowned Gina and The Champions. Plus Peter Lane of Blackwater Sound fame. Peter opens the show at 7.15 followed by Gina & Co. at 8. Admission €15.
Further to that on July 23 at the same venue will see the return of the well known Declan Nearney plus Pat Mulchrone on his first visit to the famous pub. Two wonderful concerts not to be missed. For further details ring Sean at 087 260 0640.
Please support them well.
A lovely tame pigeon just landed on my patio outside and he is enjoying the seeds that I threw out for the young birds. So I’m getting double the value. Some flowers and plants in the garden are going into seed already. Collect them and scatter them in other places to give us even more colour next season.
Soon we will be able to sit out by the bank of the Blackwater at Dooneen beside to new bridge where the County Council has given permission to some of our best volunteers to place a cosy rest place, with the elderly in mind and where they can sit beside the river, park the car and read a book or talk to a friend perhaps have a picnic once the lovely facility is complete.
Here are the results of this week’s lotto draw which was held on Sunday night. Numbers drawn were 4,11,20,26 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to Ria Shannon & Mary C. The seller was Colemans and they got €50 sellers prize, €50 went to Breda O’Leary c/o Colemans. €20 each to Paul McCaffrey c/o Colemans. B&M Crowley, Tullig, c/o Lehane. Breda Fitz Minor Row, c/o Colemans, Siobhan Tarrant & Niall, Minor Row c/o N. Tarrant, Muriel Cronin c/o Paula Healy , Paul McCaffrey, Lackabawn, Con. Healy, Murphy’s Tce. Denise Neenan c/o Lehane & Robert. Next draw July 9 Jackpot €9.000.
Millstreet Hospital Annual Church Gate Collection will take place this weekend July8/9 in Millstreet & Cullen. Your continued support would be greatly appreciated.
Booking Forms are available at the back of the church or at the Post Office, for the Kerry Diocese Pilgrimage to Knock on Saturday August 26.
St. Vincent de Paul are currently looking for people to join their conference . This is a vital service that supports people in our local community who are going through difficult times. The local conference visits people in their own homes to offer friendship ,support and practical assistance with empathy and compassion. The Conference covers Millstreet, Ballydaly, Cullen, Kilcorney, Rathcoole, Dromagh & Dernagree. If you are interested please email Eileen O Sullivan President of St. Patrick’s Conference by Fri. July 21 . <email>
Cullen Annual Vintage Day Sunday July 16th.
In the light of all the road accidents, please take care during this holiday season.
Thought for this week on our church leaflet, Don’t ask God to guide your steps if you’re not willing to move your feet.
Agus sinn abfuil a cairde Slán is Beannacht Dé libh go léir.
