Dia is Mhuire dióbh go léir a cairde and welcome to my Report.
The Holiday season is on and the weather is promising, so get out into the great out of doors because the countryside never looked so inviting. I covered a few extra miles since last we met and I want everybody to see and enjoy what I saw. Time and place don’t matter because the show goes on everywhere. All along the way the scene just keeps on repeating itself. The carefully tended gardens, and the wild open countryside compliment each other. The cattle or sheep gently grazing on the level and on the mountainside and the pastures green following the night rain. The corn fields, the potato fields showing great promise even in the wake of a long wet Spring. Buiochas le Dia. I love our winding roads because there is a different view around every bend. Picnic places are dotted in scenic areas if you’d like to bring your own food and drink in the view while you eat. Of course there are many cafes and restaurants also, but with the way things are these days you can never be sure.
A young friend of mine went to visit the Muckross complex during the week and picked up some wonderful information at Farm section which left her sleepless with excitement, because she got the link which she wants everybody to know about so that they can avail of it also. It is an archival project which was assembled back in the 1930s. Where 5,000 schools around the country were asked to get some of their pupils (National) to write an account of things at home or in their own district. I became aware of this about twenty or more years ago when we got word that some body or group from Dublin were coming to town and bringing with them a sample of the above mentioned. To my amazement at the time one account was written in the 30’s by a next door neighbours daughter whom I knew well. Other samples were given out to those present but at the end of the night. We were very disappointed that they were all taken away again. The fact of the matter was that they were taken away to be categorised and put on line so that they’d be available to all. The end result is a detailed account of all the parishes in the Country. The names of the Town lands ,the names of the fields in every town land, the people who lived in them plus an account of any other interesting features such as Holy Wells, Mass Rocks. Forts etc. When given the contact details, each one of us can log into our own place of interest. Some letters written by the children were in Irish and are there in the original hand-writing but also in print ,for easier reading. The contact www.duchas.ie –the schools collection.
A couple of weeks ago our family (Buckley) held a family gathering at Spike Island. There were several generations in the group, some from the USA and they went to visit the picture of their great Grandfather John Buckley (Ballinatona) who was a prisoner there in the early 20’s along with other men from the district, John Hickie. ( Jack Sean Gabha), Roger Kiely, Sean Moylan to name but a few. It was important that this assembly took place while two of Johns own children Con & Teresa, were still alive to attend and they were the first to be pictured with his image. All the others stepped up to the line ending with the youngest a three year old little fellow called Fionn, who was his great grandson about five times removed. It was indeed a very refreshing occasion for us all, to see where our countrymen endured cruel and demeaning conditions so that we may all be free. It is good to keep their sacrifices alive in the generations that follow. There is a special room there dedicated to the memory of Little Nellie of Holy God. Little Nellie Ogden, lived there during her short life as her father worked on the Island. But when her Mother died Nellie was in very bad health and was taken into the care of the Good Sheppard Sisters in the North side of Cork City, where she amazed everybody by her deep love for God in spite of her declining /decaying little body. Before she died at just over four, she had received her First Holy Communion and her Confirmation because the Bishop was so impressed by her devotion to God. The house where she lived with her parents in Spike, is newly painted and easy to see as you step off the ferry . There is little spoken about this little saint today, but when I was young her story was on everybody’s lips. And I was delighted to get my photo with my hand on the knob of her door that day in Spike. When my grandchildren were small I took the six of them to visit Little Nellie’s bedroom and grave at the Good Sheppard Convent and took many photos to mark the occasion. The place is demolished now so those primitive snaps are very precious now.
Many thanks to all those who send me messages online or in person, words of encouragement ,which enables me to write my humble report every week.
Please keep up the good work in keeping Millstreet clean and tidy. The wooden containers made by the Men’s Shed are making a lovely difference. In spite of our defeat against Clare, we are slow to take down our red/white flags. It’s as though we are telling our team that we still believe in them. The mighty Summer Horse Show will be held at the Green Glens starting on August 2nd. It’s great to see the huge horse carriers rolling into town. We wish them every success and fair weather.
Our Active Retired Club ladies are invited by the Millstreet Pitch’n Putt Club on Wednesday August 7th at 7 pm for an evening of chat and fun and lessons if desired in the game of Pitch ‘n Putt.
A great night was had by all in Cullen on Thursday night where they celebrated the Feast of Saint Latiaran, their patron Saint. It was a wonderful night of music etc. when all their local music lovers joined in the big celebration followed by refreshments to revive the age old custom on that special day.
Carriganima rocked to the sound of music on Saturday evening from 6 o’clock. When no less than a trio of the best came to take part in the extraviganza. Declan Nerney coming for the third time, then a return by T R Dallas and the lovely Effie Neill, all intent to giving the historic village a night to remember. Well done once more to all involved.
Church Gate collection this weekend will be in aid of our Pastoral Centre.
Eucharistic Adoration every Tuesday in Millstreet Church from 10.30 am to 7.30 pm. Confessions every Saturday from 12.30. Legion of Mary meeting every Tuesday night at the Pastoral Centre at 7.30.
45Drive at the Canon O’Donovan Centre from 8.30.
Please join Sean Radley on Cork Music Station every Tuesday from 9.30pm.
Here are the results of this week’s lotto draw which was held on Sunday night. Numbers drawn were 14,15,26,30 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to Matthew O’Riordan c/o Cronins. The seller was Cronins West End Centra, and they got €50 seller’s prize, €50 went to Michael O’Leary, c/o Corkery’s, €20 each to Fosters c/o Sheila O’Mahony, Helena & Molly, c/o the Bridge Bar. Mairead Moynihan ,c/o Patsy Corcoran. Gerard Golden ,c/o The MalPaso. Gone to Paris, c/o Lehane, Mary O’Keeffe, c/o Paula Healy. R. Guerin ,c/o Lehane and Robert, Tommy Burke, c/o Ann Burke. Next Draw Bank Holiday Monday August 5th Jackpot €3,200 .
Before I close I want to wish you all a very Happy Bank Holiday weekend . A very sincere welcome to anybody who visiting here at the moment and our thoughts are with those who are ill or receiving treatment. Please stay safe.
Slan abhaile agus beannacht libh go leir.
