The boy who is all Heart

The 4-year-old son of Irish immigrants bravely battles congenital heart disease and continues to beat the odds

“I have a special heart you know,” a vivacious four-year-old told the Irish Voice last weekend.

Little Adam was born with a rare congenital heart condition. It has been an extremely difficult first couple of years for Adam and his family, but things are getting better.

“It’s going to be a great Christmas this year,” said Adam’s mom Lisa.

Adam has been through several invasive surgeries since his birth. His last surgery was this past August, and since then Adam has shown signs of great improvement.

“Look at him, he is just like any other four-year-old,” laughs Lisa as her precious son drags his little two-year-old sister into the living room to play with their Lego.

Over a fine lunch spread last Saturday at their Yonkers home, Adam and his family shared with the Irish Voice the joy they now feel that their son is finally living a normal life.

Lisa, 39 and John, 33, are Irish immigrants. Lisa hails from Co. Cork and John from Co. Fermanagh. The happy couple met in a local establishment a few years ago.

When they became pregnant with their first child they shared the joy and excitement every couple experiences before the arrival of their unborn. However, their world came crashing down around them when Lisa was 35 weeks was pregnant.

A scan at St. John’s Riverside Hospital in Yonkers revealed that something was seriously wrong with their precious baby.

“I couldn’t believe what I was hearing [read more …] “The boy who is all Heart”

Santa Arrives at Parent and Toddler Party

On December 20th Santa arrived to the Parent and Toddler Party much to the delight of the children in the G.A.A. Hall. Great morning was had by all which included face painting and spot prizes. Many thanks to Billy Sheehan of the Wallis Arms Hotel, Joanne of Centra and our friends from Aubane Community Centre who all contributed to the morning. We, the committee members, would like to wish parents, grandparents and childminders a very Happy Christmas and we hope to see you all in the New Year when we return on Tuesday, January 10th 2012. (a special thank you to Carmel Walsh for the pictures)

[read more …] “Santa Arrives at Parent and Toddler Party”

Lost Terriers

These two lost terriers turned up in the Millstreet area together about 5 or 6 days ago.  They are very friendly.  They may be missing from their home or have been left off by someone.
If you know where their home is contact Thomas at <email>
There are more photos of them below:

[update: these little lads were spotted on millstreet.ie by their owner, who took them back to their home in tanyard wood]
[read more …] “Lost Terriers”

Death Notice: Fr. Ronan Herlihy, OFM Capuchin

The death has occurred on Monday, December 26, 2011 of Rev. Fr Ronan HERLIHY OFM Cap of Knocknagree and Millstreet. Rosary this Tuesday evening at 8pm. Removal on Wednesday at 6.30pm to the Main Church, Holy Trinity. Funeral on Thursday after 12 noon Requiem Mass to the Capuchin Community Cemetery, Rochestown, Cork. Donations, in lieu of flowers, to St. Francis Hospice, Raheny, Dublin.

Methodist Update for Christmas

Happy Christmas to Everyone.

Of course for many people in Ireland it will be a Christmas that will be very tight financially. With job losses, mounting debts and falling incomes many people will feel that they have little to celebrate. However Christmas is not about celebrating because all is well – it’s about celebrating the fact that in to our world God has come and he offer us himself whatever our circumstances. None of the main characters in the story of the first Christmas had much reason to celebrate. Mary and Joseph were a very young couple faced with bringing up a child in a world that was very hostile to children of doubtful parentage. Then there were the shepherds, a group of people who were much ostracised in those days and looked down on by everyone. However they all ended up celebrating and worshipping God because they realized that [read more …] “Methodist Update for Christmas”