Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.
Welcome to the month of August. With a wing and a prayer the summer might still come. Up till now the weather has lived up to all the predictions of climate change and judging by things abroad, we’re not getting the worst. So whatever about the wing we’d better keep up with the prayer.
Memories, how they play tricks on the mind. Especially when you get older. The very mention of something from the distant past can send you into a phase of your life which had remained hidden away for decades. There is an item on the website at the moment where somebody is asking if anybody can remember the Davis Family who lived in Millstreet away back and had connections in Ballyvouskil. It must be 80 years or more since I sat in class with Hanna Mary Davis at the Presentation Convent school here in Millstreet, I can still see her as plain as if it were now. Her light thick brown hair cut in a bob, her calm gentle ways, quiet spoken. Right away I could recall that she had an older sister who was a nun. But other details failed me until I got the help of Nora (Broker) Kelleher and Kitty Cronin, both ladies who are blessed with outstanding memories and perhaps mixed in different circles than I. Between us we figured out that there were three girls in the Davis family. Hanna Mary, Sheila and Barbara who became a nun. Davis was not a Millstreet name. Their Dad came to work in the brush making factory in the Drishane Estate. They lived at the Tanyard as many of those working in Drishane did. Another name which came into the area to work for the French Order of Sisters was Sexton. Two brothers Jehr. and ?, were employed as ploughmen there. They came from the Skibbereen area of the county. In time Jerh Sexton married into the house in Church Street which was a very popular public house and the name Sexton went over the door of a business place in Millstreet for the first time. The place has changed ownership many times over the years and always retained it’s popular acclaim as it does to this day, as Pomeroy’s Clara Inn. Hanna Mary left school at sixth class and like so many more of her equals disappeared into the big world which took them away from the everyday/years of closeness at school. We all followed the paths that Life had in store for us and it’s only when we hear the name mentioned again that it all comes flooding back.
The garden, God love the garden, the months are not kind, but still there is a lot to enjoy. I’m sure I should not be feeding the birds, but they are such good company that it’s hard not to. The ordinary finches, robins, wrens etc. continue to come and go but of late I’ve had two ringed pigeons and even as late as this week a hawk landed of the garden seat right outside my window, but didn’t stay long enough for a photo. In the distance between me and the river I often see a tall grey heron or two, standing like statues in the long grass and overhead a number of mallards made their presence felt by their loud quacking as they fly from one feeding ground to another. You’d wonder what do they say to one another. Recently a mother duck was seen crossing our busy road with her brood in tow. Needing to say all traffic came to a halt while mobile phones captured the novel scene. In the grasslands further along keep your eyes peeled and you may see a wild deer grazing in fields with the neighbours cattle. But watch out for them as you drive as they can cross at the very worst time.
Still with safety, it is amazing how many people fall and come to grief, and they’re not all elderly folk. Though if I were to admit it, they can be the most likely. Probably it can be put down to the fact that elderly folk will often take risks, because they don’t have help near at hand to do something for them. Rather than wait for someone to come a fix a curtain rail or put a dab of paint on something, they will venture up on some precarious stool or so over reach and the rest is history. It can all be so maddening. Take the bottle of ketchup or the jar of jam or honey. Twist as you may, but it will not budge and there is nobody around to help. The sure fire appliance that the family gave you is a no no. So in frustration you give up and have your meal without it ,and very often never think of it again till you sit down to eat again and repeat the process. GRRRRR.
Our dear friend who was a hundred last year had a fall recently and she had to be carted off in the ambulance. After a few days in hospital, she pleaded to be left home but a few more days in a care home were recommended much to her disgust. Finally she got the word to go home. She needed very little help to get from the car to her own door and on sitting down on her favourite chair she breathed and long contented sigh of relief and said, aaaahh that’s grand. No place like Home.
The Communal First Saturday Devotions will take place on This Saturday, August 5th at the Church of the Resurrection, Killarney. Devotions will begin with the Fatima Intentions followed by the Rosary and the Celebration of Mass at 9.30. This is to fulfil Our Lady’s request at Fatima for the conversion of sinners, to make reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and to obtain World Peace. Please support it well. If you cannot attend ,perhaps you can be there in spirit by praying in a special way, wherever you are on that special day.
Here are the results of this week’s lotto draw which was held on Sunday might, Numbers drawn were 12,13, 22, 31 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to Ann Ducey. The seller was Sheila Lane and she go €50 sellers prize, €50 went Jerry O’Brien, c/o Corkery’s Bar. €20 each went to Lynches, Kilcorney, c/o Jerry O’Leary, Kate Dennehy, c/o Joan Sheehan. Aisling Browne c/o Jerry O’Mahony, Cait Cronin c/o Patsy Corcoran, “Our Nutelle Mom,” c/o Michelle Whelan. Patrick & Nikki Coleman c/o Colemans, Tommy Burke, c/o Ann Burke ,Nicola O’Connor, c/o OLeary’s. Next Draw August 7th, Jackpot €10,800.
Paddy Murphy has the proceeds of yet another one of his popular CDs ready to hand over. He always does his great work for good causes and this time it’s for the Guide Dogs for the Blind. Ably assisted by Eileen Tarrant they raised €2,000 which they will present later this month. Well done to all those who took part.
Look up our website every day for details of all about Millstreet and beyond. Don’t forget to tune in to Sean tonight on CMS from 9.10.
Agus sinn abfuil a cairde Slán is Beannacht Dé libh go léir.
