Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde
Fondest greetings dear friends and I wish you all the very best as we embark on the year of 2017.
We had a great Christmas, in that we were not hit by any fatal accidents or disasters since we last met. Baoichas le Dia. The flu did spoil the holidays for many and lots of our people are still battling the bug. And we wish them a speedy recovery. To those who made it home for Christmas, we hope they enjoyed their stay and had a safe return afterwards.
Our Church and the Community at large did all the Christmassy things and lots of money was raised for good causes before and during the holidays. In the Church our Christmas Crib looked amazing as did the three churches in the parish. Each one choosing their own unique way of celebrating the birth of Christ.
On the wider spectrum the program was wide and varied. The Annual Christmas Day Climb of Mushera Mountain went ahead as planned, as did the New Years Day plunge in the freezing waters of the Blackwater. This year because of the new bridge many people from the other side came to partake. We had little children performing in school plays and once again the lovely Gillian Gilbourne did us proud by receiving the Best Dressed Lady Award at the Leopardstown Races. Many Congratulations Gillian, her award winning outfit being made by a local Polish Lady.
Belated congratulations to Sean Radley who celebrated his 66th birthday on January 8th the same day as Elvis Presley, God Rest him. Further congrats to Sean on getting his free travel pass, long may you live to enjoy it.
The 6th annual Womens Christmas Party which fell this year on January 6th was held at the Wallis Arms Hotel and it was a joy to be there. Many thanks to Mairead Daly who started it 6 years ago. She is now bowing out with the hope that that this important feature, will continue far into the future.
A very successful hare coursing was held in the Town Park which this year marked the 103rd meet to be held in Millstreet. And now that it is over the popular Town Park will reopen to the public in the near future.
We had lots of visitors to our town over the festive season, many of them pursuing our many walks and mountain trecks. Plus some hair-raising paragliding taking off from the top of Clara and landing on the low-lands below.
We had a visit from the World Cycling Champion Breifne Earley, who is on a mission in aid of suicide awareness. Having contemplated taking his own life at one stage, but stepped back from the brink, he now devotes all his time to helping others who may find themselves in the same situation. Having won the Round the World cycle race for the cause, this 31 year old from Co. Leitrim, is now walking the Bearra Breifne Way from Castletownbere to Leitrim. And his progress can be viewed on Facebook. He also gives talks at schools etc around the country.
His book entitled Pedal the Planet is on sale at Wordsworth in Millstreet, and many other leading books stores.
Kerry Samaritans are contactable 24/7, their number is, 116 123.
We are urged to pray for Family life in all its forms, because it is the true fabric of out society.
And now that the Festive Season is over, things are beginning to turn to normal around the parish.
The Cullen Special Needs association kicked off their 36th annual Weigh In on Monday night, and will continue every Monday night for the next number of weeks . 72 people weighed in and from next Monday night they will have jive lessons so please support them well in the great work that they do.
Community Council Meeting will be held at the Wallis Arms Hotel tonight starting at 9, all members please attend.
And a note from the community council urging people to sign up for the all important, TextAlert System.
Forms available at Wordsworth where you can pay the Annual fee of €10 and put your name on the list.
The weekly Parish Lotto Draw resumes on next Sunday night January 15th,
It will be held at the Bush Bar with a Jackpot of €8,000.
45Drive at the Canon O Donovan Centre every Tuesday night. Proceeds go the Centre Fund. All Welcome.
The GlenTheatre will stage John B Keanes, The Chastitude on Friday & Saturday January13th/ 14th starting each night at 8.30 and in Dublin on Sunday January 15th.
The Marian Players in Rathmore are staging Sleeping Beauty this year and the curtains go up on January 28th at 7.30.
The annual Machinery Show will be held at the Green Glens on January 17/18.
All schools reopened this week, please be aware of the increase in the volume of traffic, chiefly around schools and bus stops.
There is a list of religious events coming up at the Retreat Centre in Ardfert. Please ring Anna O Donoghue at 087944 71 05 or contact our Parish Centre for details at 02970043.
Eucharistic Adoration will resume next Week In Millstreet on Tuesday and Wednesday Jan. 17/18 and in Cullen on Thursday January 20th.
In closing I want to send a sincere and speedy Get Well Wish to all those who are down with the flu at the moment.
Agus sinn a bfuil a Cairde ,slan is beannacht De libh go leir.
