Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.
Time is flying, with the first ten days of December already gone. Let us not waste our days before the 25th. Or we will end up in a mad rush and spoil the lovely Festive Season for ourselves and those around us . Think about it and if you do you’ll have to agree that getting ready for Christmas could go on for months ahead of the big day. All through the year we come across bargains and offers that would make great Christmas gifts but we tell ourselves that there is plenty of time and other chances will turn up and before we know it we’ve fallen into the same old trap of buying at the last minute. There is a great air of celebration around the place with two weeks more to go. The lovely Christmas Cribs which were made by our gallant Men’s Club have made a great difference this year. The one at the Chapel Gate was blessed by Canon John last week. He invited us all out after the ten o’clock mass one morning and a great crowd assembled. Likewise he blessed the other one on the grounds of our hospital. Each time he complimented all those who were responsible for these two new and welcome features in our Christmas scene.
On Thursday evening Marie Twomey was joined by a large number of her Community Singers for a singing session at the hospital. The lovely nurses and staff gave us the grand tour of the extension to this homely facility on our door step. Away back in the 70’s there was widespread rumour that the place was to be closed. But we all helped to mount a protest. We made banners and picketed the County Hall and wrote letters to the relevant departments and for once people power won the day and how pleasing it is for us now to see this fine place enjoying and wonderful extension which will double it’s capacity. It was great to meet a number of our people who can no longer cope at home, being cared for in such a grand manner, some close to home where family and friends can pop in to see them. Back in history it was called the Union or the Workhouse, a place connected with want and hunger and death. We have the Paupers graveyard on the Clara road known locally as the Keel, an uneven and humpy plot where those who died were buried without a name or headstone to let the world know that they ever lived. In my young days a stigma hung over the place as it went on to care for old people. It was a form of disgrace that ‘they threw their old father/mother into the Union’. Then in the forties and fifties when the scourge of TB ( Tuberculosis) plagued the land we had a TB Hospital there. It was so widespread that places opened up all over the Country, known a Sanatoriums. Here in Millstreet it brought many new people into our area. Especially nurses etc. who came to work there. Some married locals and made their homes here. It was feared by all because TB was such a contagious disease and as yet, no cure had been found until Dr. Noel Browne broke the mould and defied even the Catholic Church to get his message across. Patients spent seven or eight years in these places and some never came home. In hindsight they must have been cold places to live and work because windows had to be kept open in an effort to let in some clean air and stop it spreading. People were fearful of visiting people there in case they got infected. I can remember that those who were able were given hobbies or pastimes to while away the time. The lovely leather handstitched purses or prayerbook covers which they made are still to be found in places to this day. In time the Sanatorium was demolished and the rest upgraded to hold elderly people and they even had a maternity room and labour ward. As well as many others my three babies were born there, Back then you spent a full week in hospital after giving birth, the love and care that we got from the nurses and staff was second to none. Family was on our doorstep and they could pop in for a visit any time. The late D. Cribben was our Doctor there. Needless to say the maternity section no longer exists but the caring of the elderly goes on and with the new section ready to roll it will double the capacity for more. Oddly enough the extension has been completed for ages and it only takes the mere dotting of an I or crossing of a T to set it in motion and I think that our newly elected politicians should be lobbied to get this bit of officialdom off the ground.
The Cullen Special Needs Association forged ahead in wind and weather on Saturday to stage another one of their highly popular Christmas parties which opened with Mass By Canon John at 1 pm. It was indeed a worrying time for them as they prepared their food etc the previous night as the Storm Darragh howled outside. But it was a case of he who dares wins. Next day their members came in wheelchairs etc. and the local men were there to help each and every one to get into the lovely warmth and welcome which awaited them. Local vintage Clubs presented them with a cheque for €1.123. 00. The place was full to capacity for the lovely refreshments and music and plenty of chat. Some members of The Red Cross gave comforting hand massage to anybody who wanted it, every member got a Christmas Gift before going home. You have to take your hat off to the wonderful Cullen Special Needs Association who stop at nothing to bring the Christmas Spirit to some many year after year.
Our Church was full to capacity on Sunday when parents with children going for their first Holy Communion (Next May) filled into the seats at the top of the church. Many parents and their child did the readings and parents went on to help with the lighting of candles etc. Children also did some of the singing will Edel our organist. All in all it was a wonderful occasion where children and parents were as one in the build up for their big day next year. Fr. Tarrant who celebrated the Mass told the children that he still remembers his own First Holy Communion Day and so will they when their turn comes.
Please remember the North Cork Hamper Appeal, the drop in centre in Millstreet is at O’Regan’s Mills. Collection at the West End Car Park on December 14 from 11-12noon.
Millstreet Gramophone Circle on Friday night December 13. Presenter Eithne O’Keeffe, Boherbue. Starting at 8.15 at the Canon O’Donovan Centre. All welcome.
Please look up our website for details of all that is happening in the run-up to Christmas. Times for all the Masses and the Penitential Rite is available at the back of the Church. Get one and perhaps pass one on to somebody else.
The AGM of our Lotto was held at the FEC centre on Sunday night. It was very well attended and many aspects of the project discussed. For almost thirty years this highly successful fundraiser has been the life’s blood of our town. It represents our Millstreet GAA, Town Park & Community Council. Sec. Marie Twomey read the minutes of the previous meeting which was in 2019 after which Covid set in. Co-Chairmen Noel Buckley and Denis Twomey spoke and they both lauded the success of the Lotto and thanked all those who help in any way to make it the great fundraiser it is in our Community.
Community Council meeting will be held tonight again at the FEC centre starting at the earlier time of 7 pm.
The Community Council annual Calendar for 2025 is on sale in many places in the town and at Guerin’s Shop in Ballydaly. A wonderful publication full of colour and information. €10 and the proceeds will go to the Cinema project fund.
A reminder from Mary to say that those wishing to join the next’ Staying Fit for the Future’ class with Catherine which begins on January 6th. should register now. Ring 021 434 7096.
Here are the results of this weeks lotto draw which was held on Sunday night. Numbers drawn were 1,6,9,31 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to John O’Callaghan ,the Seller was Tony’s Butchers and he got €50 sellers prize. €50 went to Ann Kelleher, Moulnahorna c/o Eily. €20 each to Tara Forde ,19 Altamount, Willie o’Connell, c/o Reens, Noreen Tarrant, Liscreagh,c/o Self, Donnacha, Ollie & Maise, c/o M.Murphy, Matthew O’Riordan c/o Cronin’s Centra, Ciara, Rebecca c/o Lehane & Robert. Christy Dunne c/o Cronin’s Centra, & Noel O’Sullivan c/o Noreen Tarrant. Next Draw December 15. Jackpot €7.000.
It’s great to see our only Bank getting an upgrade. But watch out for the new road signs in Church St. Yellow lines are now in place as well as a well marked white written sign.
Eucharistic Adoration every Tuesday from 10.30am to 7.30pm. Legion of Mary every Tuesday evening at the Parish Centre at 7.30. Confessions in Millstreet church every Sat 12.30 to 1.
Slán is beannacht Dé libh go léir .
