Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.
Today we parted with another of our esteemed citizens. Liam Coffee was a household name, he was there always. He being a few years my senior, as far as I was concerned ‘my Millstreet’ was never without Liam Coffee. I heard his name before I ever knew him to see. He went to the boys school with my brothers and his name would come in their after school stories in the evening. I remember his Dad Garda Ed. Coffee. Back then members of the force were always walking in the town or standing the barrack gate as we went and came. Garda Ed. seemed to be very involved in the social affairs of the town /community. I wonder am I right in thinking that he was the instigator of the Pipe Band. Likewise Liam was a great community man and in my young days we had people who were always at the ready to take the stage to sing or perform . The same people were active in our church choir and so on. People like Tadg O Driscoll, John Joe Tangney, Liam Coffee, Maurice Murray/O’Callaghan , Larry Moynihan, Kit Radley, Teresa Corcoran, Rosie Todd, Abby Murphy and lots more. We didn’t have any fancy halls in town back then to hold local concerts but we did have a fine cinema which other towns didn’t have and some of our plays and concerts were staged there. We had a hall in Minor Row also and we enjoyed functions there as if they were the Albert Hall. I can still recall the songs that some of our local artists sang. Larry Moynihan would thrill us all with his heartfelt rendering of Jerusalem. Morris M O’Callaghan’s party piece was his recitation of the ‘Green Eye of the little Yellow God’ and we sat stiffened at his well put words. Liam liked the lighter vein of ‘A woman, a woman, Oh what can she be, whatever she is ,she’s necessary. Coupled with a ‘Man oh a man any woman will say, whatever she is we like her that way. Rosie’s rendering of the ‘Teddy Bears Picnic’ will stay with us for ever. Most of these were in the Parish Choir and there was never any trouble in getting them to sing or recite when the occasion arose. Liam’s time with the Millstreet Pipers Band is History and how fitting it was to see them all at his Requiem Mass, all in Uniform as the played some fitting tunes to their departing member. May the lovely soft-spoken Liam Coffee, rest easy as we send our sincere sympathy to his lovely wife Noreen, his sons James and Edmund, and siblings Maureen, Teresa and Joe. RIP.
This is Farm Safety Week and not before time I hear you say. It is alarming to read the newspaper headings every morning. The deaths on our roads have reached fever pitch. Traffic is dense and all going too fast. Split second timing is vital. If one driver makes a mistake it leads to disaster for many. Those of us who live at the side of a busy main road find it perilous to get our place in the two-way bumper to bumper passing parade. Getting in can be just as bad and friends of mine complained that they found it hard to make a speedy entry when the entrances on both sides look similar to mine. So I got a length of reflective tape and lined the curved walls on both sides of my gate and especially at night, they light up the scene making it much easier for those who come and go. This tape is available at Motor Factors here in town. It can be bought by the metre and is very reasonably priced.
We have another equestrian event coming up at the mighty Green Glens. This time it will be rather a family event with youngsters competing and parents accompanying them. The Show will run from July 29th to July 31st inclusive. I’m sure there will be a brisk demand for accommodation. If you have any to offer please ring the office at the Green Glens 029 70800.
Our Prayer Group under the title of ‘Ireland Needs Fatima’, held their monthly prayer meeting at our Town Square on Saturday last at four o’clock. This event is held once a month in the town and all are invited to join in. Mary Dennehy led the Holy Rosary and Marie Twomey was there with her lovely guitar to lead the singing of hymns. The weather was kind and no rain fell while the ceremony was held. The Statue of Our Lady of Fatima was present and at the end people were given the choice of taking it home for a while. I opted for the choice and it is proudly standing on my table here now where I hope it will bring many blessings to me and mine. Others are entitled to bring it to their homes also. For details give me a ring 086 316 3285. In the present climate we need all the prayers and devotion that we can get. DV.
Our Active Retired Group are heading for the waters this week. On tomorrow Wednesday they will board a bus at 9 am for a tour of Cork Harbour which will include a two-hour cruise to the Port of Cork. The bus is fully booked for this exciting event. Ending with dinner at the Castle Hotel in Macroom.
Please be reminded that our ARA is open to both men and women. If you’d like to become a member ring Mary at 087 053 7172. Paid up members are covered by ARA insurance for all of it’s activities, and they will be reminded by text of all forthcoming events and activities.
Line Dancing classes will be held from September 27th. For details Ring 086 0873223. Right away.
Following the highly successful concert by Gina & The Champions in Carriganima last week the spirits are all fired up for more of the same this weekend, Sunday to be precise. The ever popular Declan Nerney will be putting the revellers through their paces like never before. This time the show will be opened by a new boy in town called Pat Mulchrone, he will get the show on the road at seven then the mighty Nerney will make a novel entry, all of his own making. Don’t miss it. Admission€15. A prayer for dry weather, again.
Our hearts went out to the members of the Cullen Special Needs Association who had to cancel their Vintage Day Festival on Sunday because of soggy ground. We pray they have better luck next time.
Don’t do what I did, oh, don’t do what I did. Not using my upstairs bedrooms I opened the windows on the twist ‘n turn setting to keep the place aired and happily forgot about them for a while and on going up to check on Sunday evening I was shocked, horrified to find that birds had gotten in through the small space and made the place their own. OMG. Both rooms are en suite, but the birds didn’t know the rules of a human habitation. Soft furnishings, mirrors, carpets came in for decent helpings of their you-know-what. There are times when you want to run away from home and God knows this was mine. Insurance will compensate you for flooding, fire damage, broken fittings but not a penny to restore your home after a visit from your feathered friend/enemy. Buíochas le Dia, with the help of my family and an excellent local cleaner ,my world will soon get back to normal. But with a very expensive and tiresome lesson learned. Don’t let it happen to you.
A few items from our Mass leaflet. There is a notice from Millstreet Hospital thanking all those who contributed to their recent Church Gate Collection which amounted to €2,893.40.
O’Callaghan Coaches have buses available for the Grandparents Pilgrimage to Knock next Sunday. 064 663 1095.
Kerry Diocesen Pilgrimage to Knock Saturday, August 26th.
Eucharistic Adoration in Millstreet Church every Tuesday from 10.30am to 7.30 pm. Please support it well. Sign up for a fixed hour every week or drop in any time. EA is a world wide prayer event and vital in the world of today.
Legion of Mary Meeting every Tuesday night at the Parish centre at 7.30 All Welcome.
Please note that the Statue (Large)of Our Lady of Fatima is available to any household which would like to have it for a week. Contact Gobnait for details 085 825 2149.
Here are the results of this week’s lotto draw which was held on Sunday night. Numbers drawn were 6,8,21,22,and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to Patrick Cronin, Liscahane. The seller was Colemans & they got €E50 sellers prize, €50 went to Thomas O’Connor, c/o Mary O’Connor. €20 each to Yvonne Murphy, Keale, c/o Colemans, Denis Carroll, Coolnagullagh, c/o The Clara Inn, AnnMarie Kelleher, c/o Margaret Bourke. Joan Anders, Kilmeedy, c/o me Fein. Noreen Murphy, Post Office, Lauren Buicke, c/o Capabu, X9Mums c/o Michelle Whelan.
Next Draw July 23rd. Jackpot €10,400.
Agus sinn abfuil a cairde Slán is Beannacht Dé libh go léir.
