Eily’s Report 27th September

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

We sought them here were sought them there, we sought them here, sought them everywhere and it paid off. Not wanting to bore you about wild mushrooms, I have to tell you that they were found in the most unlikely places once the word was out that they were in season.  Before I go on, I want to thank the kind person who told us about them at the start and even went on to share them with the neighbours. How nice it is  that we still have kind people who are willing to share. Some were found by walkers in the Town Park and even in St. Mary’s Cemetery as well as many other places,   keep looking, the season may not be over yet. Wild mushrooms don’t have the long shelf life as the cultivated ones do, so the plan is to put them into an egg packer and it will prolong them for a few days longer. By the way this plan applies to all mushrooms.

Still with foods from the wild, last Thursday we had the Department of the Environment’s first Sustainable Development lecture/meeting at our wonderful Adult Learning Centre which is just off the Main Street. Not many people know of the place  hidden as it is at the back of the town houses, tucked away in what used to be a plot of waste ground, but is now a mecca of learning and education serving people from many foreign countries as well as our own. Under the leadership of Marie Twomey (Station Rd)  I have to say that I was very impressed by what can be achieved in such a small space. Literacy classes, language, computer, art, cooking, to name but a few  and out the back a green area  which houses a giant tunnel and where last week’s lecture was held. In view of climate change, the theme concentrated on foraging for foods from the wild. There was a very large attendance and many people brought along samples of wild berries and nuts and fruits as well as leaves and stems which were considered poisonous in the past but edible now. The popular Norah Kane (who gives the yoga sessions on Fridays) was there to talk on preserves, such as making jams and jellies, plus  sloe liqueur and lots more in her own upbeat style. A specialist from the Department called Paul made easy work of planting seeds on the subject of planting more Native trees.   His method making it a task which is within reach of us all as we do our own bit for the environment. Some of what I saw there reflected the things that I saw when I was a child. People saved seeds of many things for the next season. They would let some plants such as cabbage or onions or lettuce etc  grow on at season’s end, grow into ‘starters’ as they called them and when the seeds ripened they put them away in a dry dark place until the following Spring. Oak trees, mountain ash, and pines were also propagated from Acorns and nuts etc.   In the days prior to electric fencing  and powerful machinery, controlling cattle was a real problem  so thorny trees and briers were all important as people tried to protect their crops.  Thorny wire, was a help but when it hung on loosely from one poorly driven post to the next, no. So it was a regular task to cut and spread ,whitethorn trees across every weak point in the fence.    Few small  farmers, or dairy men, were as well set up as the landlord and big landowner who could afford proper help to improve their places.  And in my rambles to this day I can see where they reigned just by looking across the countryside. Their fields are still there ,in perfect squares ,with solid ditches of built stone and with a row of strong white-thorn trees planted  closely on either side, still standing up to the test of time hundreds of years later. While evidence of lesser man is there yet with fields of irregular shapes divided by second rate fences. The best way I can describe the people back then is that they were very sound. They treasured the learning that they got from those before them and even though it would be worthless today, it worked for them in many ways. They knew the old cures and they used them and passed them on and now those who mocked them out of existence are out searching eagerly for them again. Some things were considered ‘ fierce’ dangerous and the thorn of the black thorn tree stood out but only at a certain time of year. Late May, I think,  a stab from one could be fatal. In fact one young Father from another part of the County having worked in Oregon for years and  was conscripted had to fight in the American Civil War.  He  came home and bought a farm, married settled down, had a young family, only to get a stab from the dreaded Black thorn while fencing his land and died of blood poisoning. So the old people knew what were about.

If you missed that Environmental Lecture last week, there will be others so please be on the lookout for them. We’re never too old to learn.

For full details of all that goes on at our Adult Learning Centre, please ring Marie 087 6863887.

Our Community Council are holding their AGM  at 8 pm on September 4th, this time at the Adult Learning Centre. Due to the pandemic it’s a few years since they held one. Many things have changed in that length of time and the Council is ready for change.  Noel Buckley has occupied the chair for many years and did so with dedication, dignity and pride,  now our Community Council needs a new Chairman. Someone who will take on the mantle of this important feature of our town. Give it some meaningful thought and if you can help in any way  then please do. All welcome at the AGM on September 4th.

You never know what’s out there, a few weeks  ago  I saw a dead hedge hog  killed by a car, just outside my gate.  Happily last week I saw a very live stoat/weasel speeding across the road near here.

People have asked me to mention  that the roads around the Corner and Church Street in our town are in  very bad condition.  But especially at the crossing ,where the damaged surface makes it very difficult for pedestrians to cross.

I received  a fast call from TG4 lets me know that yours truly will feature on Brendan Begleys show at 10 on Sunday night.

The Millstreet ARA will have tea & scones and Bingo at the Day Centre on Friday next from 1.30. Men and women welcome. Next Yoga October 7th.

Here are the results of this weeks lotto draw.

Numbers drawn were 10,15,23.29 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to Patrick & Mags, the seller was Joan Casey and she got €50 sellers prize. €50 went to Gordan & Carol c/o Tom Carroll, €20 each to Eileen Dineen, c/o Reen’s, Con Healy, Murphys Tce, Bridget Casey c/o O’Leary’s, Sean Twohig, c/o Mary O’Connor, Geraldine Dennehy, c/o Joan Casey, Dave Barrett, c/o Colemans & Oisin McCarthy c/o Paula Healy, Jackpot for next week €2,600 the draw on  Sunday October 2nd.

Eucharistic Adoration every Tuesday In our church from 10.30 to 7.30 pm. Mass every day at 10 am preceded by the Holy Rosary and prayers from 9.40. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and at 7.30 on Friday and Monday Confessions every Saturday from 12.30 to 1.

Legion of Mary Meeting every Tues, at 7.30pm.

Look up our website every day ,it is full of news and important information thanks to the wonderful people who give their time free of charge for our benefit.

Chair Yoga with Norah, continues every Friday From 3 pm at the Day Centre.  Chiropody now available at the same venue on the 3rd Friday of every month. Please book in advance, ring 087 896 2626.

You are invited to choose a date for Lifesaving CPR and use of an AED which will be held at our Day Centre on Oct. 5th or Oct. 19.  Cost €10.                        From 7-9. Contact 029 70026

45Drive there every Tuesday night at 8. 30 sharp and 45Drive has resumed in Ballydaly on Sunday nights also at 8.30.

Set dancing in Aubane on Monday nights.

Don’t forget to tune in to Sean Radley tonight from 9.30 on Cork Music Station for the best of entertainment .

The cold snap today left me reaching for my woollies and putting on a nice fire and closing the windows and doors which has swung open without much interruption for weeks.  Leaves are beginning to fall and could pose a slippery threat to those walking or indeed driving and the drop in temperature turning our minds to indoor things. This week my jigsaw made it’s appearance on my table, just to make sure that my idle moments are taken up searching for another piece.

Saturday marks the first day of October, the middle month of Autumn.

Agus sin a bhfuil, a chairde, have a good week ,Slán.