Dia is Mhuire dióbh go léir a cairde and welcome to my Report.
I’m writing this on July 15th St. Swithins Day and it’s raining. What did I tell you last week as if you didn’t know already that if it rains on the fifteenth of July, it will rain for the next 40 days. I’ve seen it happen many times over the years but have no memory of ever being washed away because of it. We don’t all agree about the weather. I needn’t tell you we’d all love to get up every morning to brilliant sunshine and carefree warm days but alas without the precious rain we can have nothing. Even as recent as last week a farmer told me that they were feeding this year’s silage to the cattle because the pastures were picked clean, for want of rain and what a blessing not having to water the flowers every day. So be grateful.
What a busy week I’ve had and have to admit that it’s taking it’s toll but well worth the effort just the same. Three days at Milltown Malbay with a friend, soaking up the wonders of what our Irish Music and Cultures mean and are all about. Not just to ourselves, but to people of every race and colour from around the world and to see how a little town in the West of Ireland marketed one of their local sons who had the gift of playing the pipes. Built an annual festival around him and put their little town on the world map. There are classes in every sort of musical instrument, dancing and singing plus a Céilí every night. The pubs and food outlets do a roaring trade and every nook and cranny is turned into tea rooms, fast food outlets. Some back yards with rugged chairs and tables beside the turf shed and even a rug for your knees, in case it’s chilly, anything to draw the crowd. A few miles down the road at Spanish Point the fest stretches out to accommodate those who like to take part in the daily singing and playing from 10 am to 2 pm at the Armada, followed by more of the same from 3 pm across the road. It’s hard for me to do justice to what Milltown Malbay is in July every year. The people work around the clock and don’t mind admitting that the Willie Clancy week is their life line for the whole year. Pays the tax, insurance, oil bills, education for their families, holidays, the list goes and on.
The town is cleaned every morning. Big trucks come round to rid the back yards of rubbish in preparation for a new day and the machine for washing/brushing the streets, that I’ve only ever seen in big cities, freshens it all up. Delivery men come with supplies of food etc and can be seen to flit hither a thither with delivery dockets in hand. You can’t but be amazed at how a poor town in a poor part of the country was able to turn one man’s talent into a life-saving event for the whole of the West of Ireland. I have to be thankful to God for giving me the health and the friendships that has enabled me to go there for the past forty years. A lot of them have gone to their reward with the passage of time. But they have been replaced in no small measure by hoards of young people who carry on the music and traditions that have been handed on from one generation to another by the firesides of Ireland of old. Saying a prolonged goodbye to Milltown after three wonderful few days. My week ended with an equally wonderful family gathering on Spike Island on Sat. But that’s another story for another day.
The annual pioneer pilgrimage to Knock Shrine takes place on Sunday 21stMass at 3 pm. It will be followed by a Eucharistic Blessing and procession to the Shrine. Pioneers along with friends and relations of people living “one day at a time” welcome.
Due to the great success of last year’s Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock it will be repeated again this year on August 24. For Rathmore, Millstreet, Boherbue, Dromtarriffe and Ballydesmond. Bus now being organised.
Defibrillator in Kilmeedy. Located at J.D. Buckley, Construction, Kilmeedy Castle. P51,VE81. Available for public use.
Thought for the week. It’s not about how much we do, but how much love we put into what we do, that counts. ( Mother Teresa).
Eucharistic Adoration in Millstreet Church every Tuesday from 10.30am to 7.30pm. Confessions every Saturday at 12.30. Legion of Mary Meeting at Parish Centre.
Our active retired Club are going on their outing to Waterford on tomorrow Wednesday with an early start of 8.30. Calling the Lismore Castle, Tramore Strand etc. and meals along the way. Our ARA club is by far the biggest around with 160 names on the book, thanks to the wonderful committee who make the organisation so attractive for the members.
Got my first jar of the new seasons gooseberry jam this week from Noreen. But alas as I longed for a taste found I couldn’t take off the cover. I didn’t want to punch a hole on the lid because it may be wanting again. Not to be outdone I took it to town when I went shopping and asked the first strong man that I met to do the needful and he even seemed to be delighted to be asked. He turned it with such ease, o.m.g I thought am I gone this bad.
The Cullen Special Needs Association were blessed with fine weather for their annual vintage day on Sunday last and the committee are truly appreciative of all the people who turn up to volunteer with the venture every time. Without their help this wonderful fundraiser could not be held.
Here are the results of this week’s lotto draw which was held on Sunday night.Numbers drawn were 13, 25, 30, 32 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to Kathleen McCarthy, c/o Colemans, Colemans got €50 sellers prize. €50 went to Tommy Sheehan, c/o Rita O’Reilly, €20 each to Paudie Healy, c/o Tom Carroll, Gordan Carroll, c/o Tom Carroll, Michael Hickey, c/o Ita, Noel Collins c/o MalPaso. P.S, ENA D.J. c/o the Bridge Bar, Cormac Dineen, c/o Centra, Murphy Family, c/o Guys ’n Dolls, Bandee c/o Lehane. Jackpot for next week €2,800 .
The village of Carriganima was gaily be-decked at the weekend for the arrival of the renowned T.R Dallas on Sunday night, the weather was kind and a great night was had by all. This week every town and hamlet in the county will be ablaze of red /white as we all pledge our support for the Cork Hurling team. I believe its 19 years since we last won this accolade which means that lots of our supporters were not even born back then. No wonder the excitement is rife and we wish them the very best of Good Luck.
We would like to extend a very warm welcome to anybody who is home on holidays or visiting the area at the moment. The big attraction this week is the Pony Young Riders Show at the Green Glens from 18 to 21st. Admission is free a lovely place to take the children.
Please stay safe on this exciting weekend ahead.
Sinn a bfuil a cáirde, Slán is beannacht Dé libh go léir.
Eily, thank you once again for your interesting reports each week. I love the little personal stories you include, the pot of jam one made me chuckle. I had the same difficulty recently with a pot of damson jam from last year’s harvest that I found at back of a cupboard and had to wait for my son to come and unscrew the lid.
Wrists not as strong as they were!!