In Passing
by Seán Radley
CORK 2005
January 8, 2005 saw the official opening of Cork as the European Capital of Culture for 2005. What a colourful firework display was witnessed on that Saturday. On the Sunday an occasion which had a direct link with Millstreet took place in Cork City Hall at a spectacular Tea Dance. The famous Pádraig Pearse Harp which had been presented to Drishane Convent many years ago by Senator Margaret Pearse (sister of Pádraig) had, in turn, been given to the Cork School of Music where it would continued to be played rather than be a Museum display item. In recent years it has been superbly restored. It was officially played for the first time since restoration at Cork City Hall with the Cork Pops Orchestra on Sunday, 9th January as a very significant cultural event of Cork 2005 – European Capital of Culture.
The historic event featured recently on LTV2.
WEB
Over 21,000 hits on http://www.millstreet.ie/ in the first eleven days of January is certainly uplifting news for Hannelie O’Connor and all those involved with the newly revised Millstreet website. This proves the popularity of the website with an increasing number of new visitors who become regular browsers of the site. Feedback to our email address <email> is wonderfully encouraging with lots of suggestions like the inclusion of a street map of Millstreet and continuation of photographic galleries of life in our parish. We’ve even had web visitors from Austria, Hungary and lots from emigrants in the five continents. This month’s website Personality of the Month is John Kelleher, Aubane. We encourage you to inspire your relatives abroad to log into our website at least weekly for updates of their native Millstreet and to visit our “Links” on the site which includes Fr. James McSweeney’s excellent spiritual site http://www.todayismygifttoyou.ie/ which changes daily. The valuable assistance of Michael Cashman, Tullig in the ongoing development of our local website is deeply appreciated. We especially appeal to those abroad who regularly visit http://www.millstreet.ie/ to let us know by sending us a brief email to <email>
LTV2 MILLSTREET
We’ve now reached Programme 10 with our signal continuing to improve. Response has been enthusiastic. One of the easiest ways of receiving the Local Channel is to tune into Channel 4 (UK) on the Seán O’Connell, Knocknagree multichannel service (should one already have this system in place) on Thursdays from 10.00 to 11.00p.m. with a repeat on Sundays from 8.00 to 9.00p.m.. The Local Channel just logs into the UK Channel 4 for those two hours weekly. Alternatively (but a more complicated approach) one may also get both LTV and LTV2 (Millstreet & Macroom) by arranging to automatically tune into the VHF (just above RTE 2) signal from Mushera or UHF (Channel 50) from Tullig but this is, however, dependent on correct direction of the aerial system in one’s home.
The present LTV2 service is being provided free of charge through the voluntary group of enthusiasts who believe in the tremendous potential of a Local Channel which is community based and non-commercial. While lots of necessary equipment has been voluntarily bought by members of the core group the cost of transmission aerials and broadcast equipment used on the mountains and in the studio is quite substantial and will need public financial support if the weekly broadcasts are to continue. In the near future ways by which the funding of such projects will be suggested.
MUSEUM NEWS
The famous “Irish Examiner” photograph taken by photographer Denis Minihan continues to reappear consistently in the newspaper in its promotion of its professional prints service of past pictures of the national paper. It was taken in Millstreet’s Carnegie Hall in the 1980s and features Rosemary Healy, daughter of Denis and Nora who lived in Church Street at the time. The child is seen reading a book in front of the beautiful stained-glass door at the entrance of the
Carnegie Hall.
We thank Maurice Walsh of Ickenham for much appreciated copies of the “Irish Post” which included an excellent photograph of Tony and Delia Barrett receiving a presentation in recognition of their splendid work for the London Cork Association.
To James O’Shea of Cork we also extend thanks for extra very interesting information relating to his remarkable research into the history of the O’Shea Family who originally came from Carrigacooleen, Millstreet. A splendid Clan Gathering took place at the Duhallow Park Hotel last Summer. Members of the Family were very much involved in the construction of some of Cork’s most famous buildings including the renowned Opera House.
One of the most significant presentations to Millstreet Museum took place recently when Seán & Catherine Buckley together with Nora Creedon arranged to donate the many historic Cups and a Shield associated with the very famous Kilcorney Feis. The important occasion was recorded by John Tarrant and has received much newspaper coverage. It will also be shown on LTV2 Millstreet. Míle buíochas to the Kilcorney Feis Committee for such a generous gesture. The valuable items will be on display for generations to come.
Millstreet Museum / Tourist Information Centre is open on Tuesdays from 10am to 3.30pm and on Wednesdays/Fridays from 10am to 5.00pm. Our e-mail address is <email> while our telephone number is 029-20844.
Our Faithful Departed
The very special tribute delivered in such a heartfelt manner at the funeral of the late Seán O’Riordan, Church Street, Millstreet by Jerry Doody appears under the GAA webpage on http://www.millstreet.ie/ . We also very especially remember the most memorable 40th Anniversary to the Priesthood of the late Fr. Michael Cashman of Tullig who recently went to his Eternal Reward in New Zealand where he has so dedicatedly ministered for many years. The late Timothy Duggan, West End was such a wonderful Barber who shared a wealth of fascinating stories and humorous tales in such a welcoming manner.
We also extend our sincere sympathy to the relatives of Mary Goggin, Priest Cross; Jim Fitzpatrick, Carrigaline, Rathmore; Christopher (Sonny) Byrne, Dublin & Rathcoole; Liam Miller’s two daughters who died in a road accident in France….Liam had directed Eurovision ’93 in Millstreet; Michael O’Connor, Coolikerane; Denis (Denny) Murphy, Shanaknuck; Denis Sheahan, Glenbeigh Village, Co. Kerry (father of Billy, Wallis Arms, Millstreet); Adrian Ryan, London & West End, Millstreet (brother of Marie, “Moyne Hill”, Station Road); Anne Lehane (mother of Michael of LTV Macroom); Helena Hegarty, Churchtown, Dublin (mother of Edel Fraser, Claraghatlea, Millstreet); Sr. Pius Singleton (Drishane Sister) of Cullen and the English Mission; Hannah McSweeney, Meenskehy East.
May they all rest in peace.
BRIEFLETS
We extend heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to John Kelleher, Aubane on his recent retirement following many years of wonderfully dedicated service to the Millstreet Branch of Cork Co. Council. As Martin Corcoran, B.E. who made one of the many presentations to John at a hugely attended special retirement function at the Duhallow Park Hotel, stated John’s utter commitment to such major projects as the construction of the new Keale Bridge, was of enormous importance. John recently presented very generous financial support for the work of LTV2 Millstreet.
We congratulate Eilish O’Rahilly, Killarney Road, Millstreet on her recent engagement to Brendan Breen, Beaufort, Co. Kerry.
When the ever-popular dog “Rooter”, at the age of fifteen, died recently it marked a very real change at the Square, Millstreet. Owned by the Manley Family, the black dog became a favourite pet not only to Anthony, Ursula and Family but became such a popular animal friend throughout the town. He used even win the local Lotto Draw! He used to recognise my car or even the sound of it when I lived at the Square and make his way over to patiently wait for his favourite biscuits.
Two excellent articles appeared in recent “Ireland’s Own” issues (January, 2005)…. one on the history of Kilcorney Feis beautifully written by Mary Gaffney, Killarney Road, Millstreet and featured a colour picture of Seán Buckley, Kilcorney. The other very interesting article related to the Showband series when the featured Band was “Pat Max and the Specialists” with its members from Ballydaly, Rathduane, Rathmore and Millstreet.
Thought for reflection: When considering the Country Code – Take nothing but photographs – Leave nothing but footprints!
