Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.
Despite the weather warnings of a foggy, rainy week with storm ahead, today Monday is everything that a lovely Spring Day could be. A day which allowed us to venture out of doors and take stock of how things are looking following the snows and ices of past weeks. It was a joy to see, so many things coming to life. Lovely green shoots on early shrubs like the Camelias, the flowering currents and fuchsias. I saw a brave little primrose making an appearance and the crocus not far behind. Here and there I found some things that needed my attention while the perky little robin looked on.
Our morning Mass today (Monday) was very special. In keeping with our Jubilee year and as part of the Diocesan Retreat the Choir attended, special prayers on peace and hope were said and the Priest also gave a short sermon in keeping with this important occasion. More details can be found on the Diocesan website.
The weekly Eucharistic Adoration begins today following the 10am Mass and ends at 7.30pm.
This week we offer our sympathy to our Canon John FitzGerald on the death of his uncle’s wife, Hanna Mae O’Connell of Knocknagree. RIP. Hanna Mae was the woman who gave her full support to the well-known Dan O Connell of the dancing pub. From humble beginnings they turned the village local into a world renowned mecca of all that was traditional and historic in their beloved Sliabh Luachra. It was a must for so many of us weekend after weekend year after year, where we met trad lovers from all parts of the world. The local people shared their gifts and talents. Local stories were told of how the music was written and by whom. In the days when writing gear was confined to the classroom, the talented composers used whatever they had at hand to jot down their wit. It’s a well known fact that when a wave of inspiration hits, it has to be written down immediately before its lost and to hear how they did it indeed awe inspiring, for me at any rate ,and to quote a cupla focail of my own as follows. ‘They wrote it on the dusty roads and they wrote it on the bogs. They wrote it on Fag boxes and they wrote it on old logs. They wrote it anywhere at all before the tune was gone, Sure they’d go through fire and water, for to pass the music on.’ Enthusiasts learned the steps and learned to play the music and the songs in this humble family pub and the name Knocknagree became and International. Soon people of every race and creed were dancing the Kerry sets and playing it’s music and today it is well rooted in the far ends of the Earth, even in Russia and Siberia. Dan himself was a great man to give everybody a chance to take part and his praise of his native place was music to their ears. Sliabh Luachra home of the Runaway bog, is renowned for its longevity. It’s a proven fact that the people there live longer than in other places , and Dan loved to tell the newcomers that ‘the men in Sliabh Luachra live to be very old and the women don’t die at all’. Then one night he proudly told us that they were going to an ordination. His sister’s son was going for the priesthood. Did we ever think that the young man would today be our own treasured Canon John FitzGerald. God rest their kindly souls, they brought great joy to a great many people.
The great annual Machinery Show is on at the Green Glens today Tuesday, January 21 and again tomorrow January 22. This event proves a great crowd puller every year with people coming from the faraway ends of the country to boost their business.
The weekly Weigh In continued in Cullen on Monday night with Mairead Reen doing the weighing and Hannah providing the music and exercise. 60 people weighed in and 184 lbs were lost. Well done.
And well done to the gallant Transition year students of our Community School who have come on board to keep our town litter free. With their help and moral support, we look forward to a cleaner tidier place which will no doubt lead to an increase in our chances in the overall Tidy Towns Competition in the future.
We get all sorts of lovely things at Christmas. Most in containers fit for the bin. Candles are extremely popular. Scented ones especially which fill the house with fragrance. But what of the container, the heavy glass jar with the wax all inside the edges. A useful tip, place it into the sink face down and pour hot water on the upturned base and very soon the whole thing will fall clear away leaving a lovely clean glass container, ready for its next assignment.
A few items on Our Active Retired Club. All members and intending members please register at the Parish Centre tomorrow Wednesday, from 2.30 to 3.30.
Weekly Coffee morning at the Kall & Dynne, every Thursday morning from 11.
Stay Fit Classes at the Parish Centre on Mondays for 12-1 and from 1-2.
Swimming starts this week on Monday & Tuesday.
Line dancing date to be confirmed.
The AGM of the Active Retied Club will be held in early February.
The Marian Players in Rathmore are rehearsing at the moment for another popular Panto. This year their choice is Snow White. They open this Sat night Jan25th. Go early to be sure of a seat.
Meanwhile the Aubane Social Club are preparing for their locally produced stage event, which they will open on Bank Holiday weekend.
Weekly Knit & Natter at our local Library every Wednesday from 2.30. All welcome. Last week they celebrated a very special Birthday of one of their members. Many congratulations to my sister-in law Maureen Corkery who was a healthy 94 on the day.
Next Saturday morning January 25th will see the repeat of a popular program which was recorded for Kerry Radio in 2023 by the well known broadcaster Frank Lewis. It features many aspects of the everyday life of the Millstreet and the program will run from 9-11 am.
Here are the results of this week’s lotto draw which was held on Sunday night.
Numbers drawn were 14, 22, 24, 27 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to Denis and Chris Hickey, Mount Leader. Denis was the seller and he got €50 sellers prize. €50 went to Abby Kelleher c/o The Bush Bar. €20 each went to Billy Mortell c/o Mary O’ Connor. Denis Murphy c/o Rita O’Reilly, Joan O’Connor, c/o Joan Casey. Pamela Brophy, Rathcoole, c/o The Camogie Club. Trevor O’Connor c/o Mary O’Connor, Sean & Anita c/o Corkery’s Bar. Denis & Marie Twomey, c/o Denis T. Catherine Jenks, c/o Eily Buckley. Next draw Jan. 26th Jackpot €7.800.
Sinn a bfuil a cairde. Slan agus beannacht.
