Author: Seán

Pipe Band at Béal na mBláth

Millstreet Pipe Band not only featured in the main RTE news bulletins on Sunday but also in many of today's national newspapers including this picture in the "Irish Daily Star". The Band has dedicatedly been attending the annual Béal na mBláth commemoration for many years and adds enormously to the atmosphere of the national historic event. We thank Patsy McAuliffe for alerting us to the above picture and to "Centra" for acquiring a copy for us before closing time. (Seán)

[read more …] “Pipe Band at Béal na mBláth”

Twinning Twirl

Not so much a dancing but a talking "twirl" by members of Millstreet Twinning Association who had a very pleasant get together at McCarthy's Bar, The Square, Millstreet on this Sunday evening (22nd August) in the knowledge that Cork are now in the All-Ireland Football Final. Our Friends from Pommerit-le-Vicomte will be arriving in Millstreet on 18th September 2010 marking the 25th Anniversary of the official twinning of our two communities. (Seán)

Fr. Con’s Presentation in Ballydaly

Fr. Con Kiely is presented on Friday, 20th August 2010 at Ballydaly Community Hall with a cheque in excess of €10,000.00 in support of his wonderfully dedicated missionary work in Ecuador, South America. Included with Fr. Con and Josephine Kiely who is presenting the money which is the result of a recent fund-raising project within Millstreet Parish are Fr. Con's sisters (from left) - Mary Dillon, Mairéad Sherlock and Sr. Agnes Kiely. More pics. to follow later during the week. (Seán)

Bernard’s Splendid Choices

Bernard O'Donoghue, Cullen & Oxford (centre back row) with just some of the large attendance at his presentation of this month's Millstreet Gramophone Circle's meeting in the Canon O'Donovan Centre, Millstreet on Friday, 20th August 2010. Bernard's Classical and Irish musical choices were universally applauded. Maurice Linehan expressed splendid words of thanks and appreciation. (Seán)

“Hot Country” on Sky 201

A reminder that the “Hot Country” music programme is transmitted on the Showcase Channel (Sky 201).     Hugh O’Brien,  Co-ordinator of this wonderfully popular Country and Western broadcast which includes  lots of  Irish inputs , indicates that the weekly one hour programme may be seen on Sundays (8-9pm), Mondays (8-9pm), Tuesdays (2-3pm) and Saturdays (2-3pm).  (Seán Radley for www.millstreet.ie)

Mid-Summer Barbeque Success

"Best Summer Outfit" Winner, Joseph Lawler, accepts his €100.00 prize from Tadhg O'Flynn (Sponsor) at the highly successful Mid-Summer Barbeque and Dance/Disco in the Wallis Arms Hotel on Friday, 6th August. Also included (from left) Connie Linehan ("The Kelt" member), Tony McCaul (Organising Committee member) and Tom Flahive ("The Kelt" member). More pictures to follow in coming days.

Drishane Drama Camp

Drishane Drama Camp Concert was held on Friday, 30th July 2010.   For the past two weeks a wonderful combination of international and local young people took part in the splendidly creative project.    The Concert presented a most enjoyable mixture of song, dance and drama.  There will be a full report with lots of pictures in next week’s “Corkman”.   Great credit is due to all who helped to co-ordinate the magnificent presentation.  Here we share the first of a number of images from this uplifting event at Drishane, Milllstreet.  (Seán)

Enjoying refreshments following the superb Drishane Drama Camp Concert on Friday, 30th July

Donncha Team Training at Town Park

Renowned Cork footballer, Donncha O’Connor was at Millstreet Town Park this evening (29th July) to conduct a very comprehensive training session with Millstreet GAA Juvenile Club members – the Under-14s and the Under-16s.   We were also introduced to the new addition to the local Juvenile Kit – the “Under Armour Skin” – clothing which keeps sportspeople cool in the Summer and warm in the Winter.   Many thanks to Michael for alerting us to this Town Park happening.  (Seán)

Donncha O'Connor pictured with Millstreet GAA Juvenile Under-14s and Under-16s at the Training Session on this Thursday evening in Millstreet Town Park.

Lots more pics below [read more …] “Donncha Team Training at Town Park”

Cullen Vintage Event 2010

Joining renowned poet, Bernard O'Donoghue (Oxford) at the annual Cullen Vintage Day - from left, wife Heather and sister Eileen (Manchester). Bernard, a native of Cullen, will be presenting his musical choices at the next Millstreet Gramophone Circle on Friday, 20th August 2010 at 8.15p.m. in the Canon O'Donovan Centre, Millstreet.

A very successful Vintage and Threshing Event organised by Cullen & District Special Needs Association was held in Cullen on Sunday, 25th July to coincide with the Feast of St. Laitiaran.   One of the biggest attendances in recent years – and the number of participants also increased.  We recorded for our website and for LTV2.  We share just one of many pictures (more to follow in coming days) from this annual most enjoyable happening. (Seán)

Town Park Flower Power

The wonderfully impressive work of the local FÁS Employment Scheme completing one of a number of splendid flower-beds at Millstreet Town Park. From left: Denis Hickey (Supervisor), Derry O'Connor, Pat Lane and Shane Browne.

Following on Hannelie’s recent uplifting feature on Millstreet Town Park we are preparing a series of pictures illustrating the magnificent amenity it truly is and we also focus on the dedicated team who continually maintain and develop the superb gem we have in Millstreet Town.   Here we focus on the excellent work of FÁS who on this very Monday morning added a further flower-bed feature further enhancing this hugely popular location. (Seán)

More photos below: [read more …] “Town Park Flower Power”

New P.P. Arrives

Very Rev. Jack Fitzgerald, the newly appointed Parish Priest of Millstreet Parish celebrated his first Mass in the Parish Church, Millstreet at 10.00 a.m. today (Thursday).   Fr. Jack, a native of Boherbue,  had previously been the P.P. of Abbeydorney in North Kerry.

Welcoming Very Rev. Jack Fitzgerald, P.P. after Mass at St. Patrick’s Church, Millstreet this morning (Thursday) – from left: Mary Murphy, Ballydaly; Con McSweeney, Tooreenbawn & Annmarie Murphy, Ballydaly.

School Photograph of 1950s

As promised on 15th July 2010 we now feature that very special c.1954 school photograph kindly provided by Joe Hickey (Killarney & Millstreet) and identified by Joe, Jerry Lehane and Tommy Burke – all of whom appear in the picture. The location is Millstreet Boys’ National School on Clara Road and the teacher is Mr. William (Bill) O’Keeffe. It’s likely that there are two classes included – possibly, 3rd and 4th Class. We are hoping that someone may identify the one person we have been unable to identify.  (Seán Radley for www.millstreet.ie )

Note: a larger photo has been uploaded for a better view of the picture. Click on the photo below to see it:

Front (from left): Connie Murphy, Tommy Dowling, Maurice Linehan, Teddy O'Mahony, Joe Devine, Teddy O'Leary, Brendan Burke, Tommy Burke. Second Row (from left): Eugene Barrett, Patrick (Patsy) Twomey, Brendan Kiely, Jerry Lehane, Michael O'Leary, Christopher Murphy, Michael Singleton, Joe Hickey, Michael Carroll, Connie Hickey. Third Row (from left): John Joe Forde, John Lee, Vincent McSweeney, Ted Cotter, John (Jack) Evans, Maurice O'Donoghue, Timothy Scally, Paddy Joe Cotter, Jerry Cronin, Daniel O'Shea, William (Billy) Corkery, Basil Gurry. Fourth Row (from left): Mr. William O'Keeffe, Patrick M. O'Sullivan, John Radley, Finbarr Buckley, John Carroll, Desmond Palmer, Kevin Cronin, Anthony (Tony) Fitzgerald.

Canon Declan Leaves for Listowel

Dan Duggan bids farewell to Canon Declan. Also included (from left) - Martin Cleary (Sacristan), Sharon Lane (Parish Secretary) and Fr. James McSweeney.

Canon Declan O’Connor who had spent seven years in Millstreet parish – firstly,  five years as Chaplain of Millstreet Community School in the 1980s – and the past two years as Parish Priest of Millstreet – takes up his new role as P.P. of Listowel on Wednesday, 21st July 2010. Canon Declan has been co-ordinating the hugely significant work relating to the restoration of St. Patrick’s Church, Millstreet and has, with the Restoration Committee, achieved phenomenal success with the important project. We wish Canon Declan every happiness in the years ahead and wish to express our sincere thanks for all that has been accomplished.

Ron Meets Baby Jacob

It was indeed a very special moment – one to be truly treasured – when Ron Gerrard met with Baby Jacob Nowak. It all happened this Saturday afternoon (17th July 2010) at the very welcoming home of the Nowak Family. A royal welcome was accorded to Ron and Tom (Grainger) when we visited the Nowak home at Killarney Road, Millstreet. We had not at all expected the delicious meal which was all ready to be served in the Polish manner. Joining Jacob was his Mum (Wiola), his Grannmother (Grazyna Nowak), his sister and neighbour, Thomas Duggan. Jacob’s Dad (Mariusz) had not returned home from work before we left. Ron made the very impressive presentation of €655.00 and a beautiful self-made timber lorry toy to Baby Jacob who found the lorry the most interesting of all! Ron and Tom had organised the splendid fund-raising event on Friday with the very kind permission of all at Supervalu, Millstreet. It was one of the most sincere occasions I have ever witnessed as this afternoon’s presentation between Ron and Baby Jacob took place. We feel hugely privileged to have been in such company. Here we share that very memorable occasion. (Seán Radley for www.millstreet.ie)

A royal welcome at the Nowak home...Orange the favourite drink!
Mariusz (Jacob's Dad) is pictured third from left at recent Drishane Fete for Baby Jacob preparations

lots more photos below: [read more …] “Ron Meets Baby Jacob”

Ron & Tom Support Fund

Tom Grainger’s friend Ron Gerrard from England is a gifted woodturning craftsman. Because of his own sight challenge, Ron was delighted on today (Friday) to set up a table of his exquisite art pieces at the inner entrance of O’Keeffe’s Supervalu, Millstreet with the kind permission of Manager, Joe Fitzgerald & Owner, Maurice O’Keeffe. The proceeds of the sale will be presented to the Baby Jacob Fund tomorrow evening. Here we share images of today’s fund-raising project.

Tom Grainger & Ron Gerrard at their Baby Jacob Fundraising Project

[read more …] “Ron & Tom Support Fund”

School Photo of 1950s – Coming Soon

Photographs from the Past are one of the most popular features on our website. Joe Hickey of Glenflesk, Killarney and formerly of Shanaknuck, Millstreet  has very kindly made a school photograph of the 1950s available to us. This we shall feature on the site in a few days time when we have identified as many names as possible. We would hope to also feature it on “Clara News” and on a possible future publication “Picture Millstreet Again”.

Joe Hickey with school photograph of 1950s

Book Launch Success

Here we share a selection of pictures from the very successful Book Launch of Gerard O’Meara’s “Magic Moments” which took place at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow on 14th July 2010.   The book was officially launched by Paddy Carleton in the presence of a capacity and very appreciative audience.

“Magic Moments” Book Launch

On Wednesday,  14th July 2010 (Bastille Day),  supreme photographer Gerard O’Meara’s fascinating book of enormously interesting photographs of the 1960s, ’70s and 80s relating mainly to the Mallow area, will be launched after 8.00 p.m. at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow. In a splendid foreword to Gerard’s book, the renowned Declan Hassett writes: “There is an innate sense of decency about Gerard O’Meara. He brings to life, and to his chosen profession, photography, that natural awareness of the importance of those with whom he comes in contact in his work as a “recorder of local history” through the camera lens.” The superb book is available in Mallow at Philip’s Bookshop, Katie’s and Monument House. We wish Gerard every success with this highly significant publication – guaranteed to be in huge demand and a best seller.

Gerard O'Meara, Photographer, Mallow with "Magic Moments"

Art Supple Interview

LTV2 recently recorded an interview with Art Supple of Youghal who continues to be such a supreme legend in the world of Showbands. The interview will be broadcast when LTV2 season recommences in the Autumn. Special thanks to videographer Denis O’Leary (Macroom) who kindly provided technical facilities for the interview.

Art Supple being interviewed by LTV2's Seán Radley