Dia is mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my Report.
In spite of the cold weather, mother nature is doing her best to get on with her program for the year. Even the few days with less rain is having an affect. In the distance cattle can be seen grazing where the land is high and well drained bringing a surge of hope and perhaps a hope to do some planting even at this late stage. By this time in former years planters would be scanning the drills to see the first stalks on the potato field, coming through, always a delight to see. But not without it’s concerns, because the fear of frost held them in its grip until the last days of May. People were great in olden times for setting vegetables. Some in large quantities such as turnips and cabbage which they shared with the animals, but also onions and lettuce and radishes and brussels sprouts and peas. A small section was cordoned off at the verge of the potato field and a ridge raised up and manicured in every detail giving it the feeling of a ‘cut above the rest’. Some people saved the seeds from the previous year’s crop where they allowed some plants to grow on and blossom and ‘go into seed’ which they carefully collected and kept in a dry place for the following year. Some were able to say that they had the same ‘strain’ of plants for years and years. My Dad was good at this kind of thing. I would be with him as he prepared the ground and with the handle of the shovel he would press the parallel grooves all along the length of the ground. Then we would both inch along dropping in the seeds as we went before carefully covering them up again with the powdery soil. Maybe the sun was always shining back then or maybe he only did this work on a fine day, I can’t recall. Looking back at it now it all sounds so pleasant and wholesome. But God, how I hated that work, I don’t know why but it irked me to the bone and I did it with a puss on me afraid to open my mouth, because I knew what was good for me. Needless to say I’d rather be off playing with the dogs or riding the donkey etc. As well as drills of cabbage which we shared with the animals. My Dad would plant other cabbages, such as Greyhound and Savoy on the ridge. Smaller and tastier heads than what was called cow-cabbage. The Savoy lasted all winter and we often kicked the snow off the head when sent for some for the dinner in winter time. The peas had to be staked. Another fairly boring task. It involved breaking limbs off nearby trees and bushes and sticking them deep into the ground to support the plants. Pigeons were the plague of the kitchen gardener. They loved to wolf down the newly planted cabbage plants which brought The angry Da out with his shotgun to put them to flight. With a bit of TLC the garden flourished and the moaning at planting time was soon forgotten when you’d sit on the warm ground and devour a belly-full of baby carrots, onion leeks or juicy peas when sent out to bring some in for the dinner. Gifts from Heaven, all having been blessed with Holy Water on the first of May.
The bluebells are coming out and judging by Geraldine’s picture of Ballydaly this week, the wild garlic is flourishing. My little Japanese Maple is putting on her cover of lovely chocolate/red leaves, which means she’s blocking off some of my distant views, but that is a small price to pay for the pleasure that she will give me in the months, le cúnamh Dé.
Hold on to your walking boots, the O’Sullivan Beara Way is getting another lump of money to further enhance the route. The famous walk from Beara to Breffni was carved out by the defeated Donal Comm O’Sullivan Bear in 1604 following the Battle of Kinsale and has captured the interest of countless adventurers ever since. The funding will be spread over the entire journey with each area availing of the benefits. The mighty Jim O’Sullivan from Beara who spearheaded the whole venture informs me that this is a very exciting development and any more information will be passed on as soon as it comes to hand.
Our volunteers who worked so hard on Daffodil Day to raise funds for Cancer are pleased to report that their efforts amounted €8,031,00. Many thanks to all those who helped in any way for this important cause.
Millstreet Gramophone Circle this Friday night, starting at 8.15 at the Canon O’Donovan Centre. This month it is listeners choice.
.All welcome.
A notice from our Community School to say that on this Thursday night they will celebrate a Culture night, comprising of music, song and dance from around the world, with special foods and a guest speaker. All welcome Starts at 7 pm.
A notice on this week’s Mass Leaflet thanking those who brought in their Trocaire Boxes. If you haven’t done so please hand it it to the Parish Office during the Week.
Tune in to Sean Radley every Tuesday night from 9.30. on Cork Music Station for the best of local entertainment and to hear again some of Jimmy Reidy’s excellent programs which he made over the years.
45Drive at the Day Centre every Tuesday night starting at 8.30sharp. More of the same in Ballydaly on Sunday nights and in Cullen on Wednesday nights all at 8.30. Ring our Library for details of the many leisure activities that are held there every week.
Community singing with Marie at the Adult Learning Centre every Thursday night from 7.30. All welcome.
The Men’s Shed is open every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday, from 2 -4 pm. They have kindling for sale at a bargain price of two bags €5. Selling in some shops and at their premises in Church Street.
Our Active Retired Association have Chair Yoga every Friday at the Day Centre from 3-4 pm. And meet at the Lovely Kall & Dyne Restaurant in the Town Square, on Thursday mornings at 11 for coffee and scones. All members welcome.
For full information on all their other activities of the please ring Mary at 087 053 7172.
And watch out for the opening of the Mushera Platform on May 5th.
On behalf of our Active Retired Association, I’d like to offer our sincere sympathy to my sister-in-law Maureen Corkery, Liscahane, on the death of her sister Betty Cashman, Kilbrin who passed away this week. Betty celebrated her 100th birthday in recent times.
May her soul Rest in Peace.
Mass is celebrated in our Church every day of the week ,except on Thursday. Eucharistic Adoration every Tuesday from 10.30am the 7.30pm. Please continue to pray in whatever is the best way for you, pray for an improvement in weather conditions and for those who are affected by conflicts all over the world. Also those nearer home who are concerned about their health etc. In this troubled world, we are nowhere without the Help of God.
Here are the results of this week’s lotto draw which was held on Sunday night. Numbers drawn were 1, 12, 24,25. And the Jackpot was not won €100 went to Declan Ryan, c/o Angela Kelleher. Angela got €50 sellers prize. €50 went to Mary O Sullivan, Station Rd. €20 each to Christy Dunne, Bolomore, c/o The Bush. T.M.E.R c/o Tom Carroll. Eileen O’Riordan, Tullig c/o Capabu. Sham & Jackson, c/o M. Twomey, Meabh & Eanna, c/o The Bridge Bar, Mary O’Connor, c/o Margaret Bourke, Eugene O Callaghan c/o Tom Carroll, Anna, Mamo, Dan, & Magge c/o D.Twomey. Next Draw April 24. Jackpot €4,200.
Sinn a bfuil a cáirde, Slán is beannacht Dé libh go léir.
