Dia is Mhuire dióbh go léir a cairde and welcome to my Report.
Oh where tell me where have my golden finches gone. I never had so many little birds coming to feed on my peanut feeder but not a trace of the beautiful golden finches. I have the green ones and the blue ones and the brown ones and the yellow ones, but no trace of the affor mentioned. Their multi-coloured bodies topped off with a bright red splash on the head always stood out among the others. As I said another time I did see one in the garden but not at the feeder where I could enjoy it’s beauty.
I’m fortunate to have a very novel stand this year for feeding the birds. It’s a high rise wire stand on wheels which was rescued from the recycling unit. In perfect condition painted green, like something discarded from a shop. The various stages up along forms the perfect waiting areas for those who are awaiting their turn and while they wait not ten feet from my window it’s the perfect opportunity for me to study each one at close range. The ones that can’t cling on are kept busy picking up the bits that the others let fall. I notice that the young robins are beginning to get their red breasts. And the mothers feeding their young who are as big as themselves is comical to watch. While the poor old crows look on without a hope. But then they get the household waste.
The Green Glens was a blaze of light and colour for the three day equestrian event which started on Friday. Entries came from at home and abroad and numbers were high as usual. Competitions went on in various arenas ending with the Grand Final which was held in the Main Arena, late on Sunday evening. The venue was a picture of colour and brightly coloured plants and flowers and a monster TV screen which conveyed the details to all parts. It all came to an exciting end the Grand Final with prize money of €30.000 which was won by an American lady who is here learning the business as an equestrian student with Cian O’Connor. The organisers thanked the Duggan Family for accommodating them for this prestigious event and were full of praise for it all.
It’s great to see so many fields being ploughed and newly tilled at the moment. Some that I haven’t seen ploughed for as many as twenty years or more. The dry conditions were ideal for the powerful tractors to turn several sods at a time and churn up the soil which has been lying low for so long. Different stages of the work, draw different wildlife. It was always a great draw for the seagulls to follow the plough . It never failed to fill us with joy and wonder when we were young. Because living so far inland, we never saw seagulls only at tilling time. They would boldly land at the heels of the ploughman and vie with one another for whatever spoils he turned up. And back then when lots of farmers ploughed at the same time, say in the Spring, the flocks were kept busy going from one farm to the other ,and we loved the scene as they went and came. The steady horses paying no attention to their comings and goings ,but themselves watching for the headland to tear a bite of grass off the ditch before turning in to head off to the other end. When dinner time came they were unhitched ,the traces and reins tidied up and they were left off the drink ,and get fed ,while the ploughman did likewise. Horses were great, they were very intelligent and they knew what to do. So after their drink from the stream they’d head for the stable unattended just as himself headed for the kitchen door. There wasn’t much time for delay, turning just one sod at a time took a long time to finish a field. Soon to outfit was complete again and the whole scene of the pair of horses the man and the seagulls resumed. One of the nicest things was the four-o’clock tea . The horses knew it as good as the man, and availed of picking off the ditch. Oh the taste of the home-made current cake, still warm from the oven plastered with butter and the mountains of hot sweet tea to kill the thirst of the man behind the plough as we sat on a mound of the newly turned soil. Us small ones playing with the worms or playing chases in gay abandon, leaving it to the others to wonder if the job would get finished by cow-time. The harrowing and the seeding and the liming to follow, another job for another day. Farmers worked long hours, to get things done up to fit in with the weather. Their philosophy being, I’d rather work a day, than worry a night.
Today I saw a very large number of wood-pigeons picking their way along a newly tilled field. All fresh and rich looking after the night of heavy rain.
I still say, they are out there. Coming from town yesterday I saw a little hedge hog near the Men’s Shed on the edge of town, so I turned around and went to investigate ,but sadly found that he was dead after being hit by a car. They were quiet common in my young days, we saw them all the time. How I wish.
Keep your glad rags at the ready. It’s all happening in Carriganima again this weekend. The one and only Cliona Hagan is the main artist but from 8 pm the popular, fantastic Kelts will be there to entertain you . See the Web. for details. Don’t miss it.
The newly formed Blackwater Vintage Group will hold their first ever vintage run on Sunday August 18. Checking in at Aubane Social centre from 10 am for a 12.30 start.
Notices from our Mass leaflet this week.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine Sat. Aug 24. Cost E30 per person. Please ring the Parish Office for more details.
There’s a notice on our Mass leaflet this week to say that the diary for Mass bookings for 2025 will open on Wednesday August 7.
A note of thanks to all those who combine Mass offerings for all their deceased relatives at one time.
Annual Padre Pio Ceremonies on Sunday August 11, at the Church of the Holy Spirit, Turners Cross from 2.30.
A welcome to all those who are visiting our town this week, may they travel safely home.
Thought for the Week. According to Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Be the Living Expression of God’s kindness, Kindness in your face, Kindness in your eyes, Kindness in your smile.
Here are the results of this week’s lotto draw which was held on Bank Holiday Monday night. Numbers drawn were 4.,11,16,21 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to Kathleen O’Connor c/o Margaret Bourke, Margaret got €50 seller’s prize. €50 went to Tuco Ramier, c/o The Mal Paso. €20 each to Phillip ‘Chef’ Daly, c/o Colemans. Healy Family, Keale, Michelle Ford, Cork c/o Eily, Paudie Healy, c/o Tom Carroll, Geraldine O’Sullivan, c/o Cronin’s Centra, Jim Scriven, c/o O’Regan’s Mills, Catherine -Shane Jenks c/o Cronin’s Centra, Maura O’Sullivan, Dooneen, c/o The Bush Bar. Next draw August 10. Jackpot €3,400.
Slan abhaile agus beannacht libh go leir.
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