Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.
You just never know what will greet you when you get up in the morning. Weather wise it could be anything in the present climate. Sometimes it can look all calm and serene giving you a false image of what the night was like, until someone asks did you hear the rain and thunder during the night which obviously you didn’t. Well when pulled back the curtains on Sunday morning, I could see that it was frosty but the scene that met my gaze in the corner, down at the end of my yard was to say the least surprising and mysterious. Everything looked so grey and different from the rest around it. Forgetting the cold I drew on my dressing gown and slippers and went off the investigate. In the corner there was a cascade of ice and icicles. A small pipe on the garden hose had burst and was sending a thin spray of water gushing into a leafless shrub in the corner and because the spray was so fine it was freezing as it landed resulting in a fairyland of beautiful icicles of many shapes and sizes every little limb sporting one of a different shape and size. The ground beneath was like a copple on glass. Luckily the stop cork was right there and I was able to turn off the flow And in no time it was frozen too. But you know’ in hindsight I think I’m sorry now that I didn’t let the water on and allow it to continue with it’s beautiful work of art. But at least for as long as the big freeze continues I have my very own glass/ice décor in my garden in good time for Christmas. How we loved the icicles in the cold winters when we were young. Back then there were lots of little streams flowing through the land. As drinking places in every field for the cattle. They were our cooling off and play areas in Summer but in winter they took on a wonderland all of their own. The busy water as it flowed along turned into ice on the overhanging briers and long grasses and how we loved finding the different ones. Some like a cows horn others a walking stick or a frog or snail in our young imaginative minds. But like everything else today they’re long gone from the scene. But I couldn’t help being excited all over again at the beautiful cascade of frozen ice of many shapes and sizes that was in my yard on Sunday morning.
Speaking of stop corks, do we ever have enough of them? In the past the stop cork was something that was buried away somewhere out in the garden well out of sight and when an emergency arose there was consternation as we searched for it while the house was getting flooded . There is nothing worse than to see water gushing out of somewhere in the house and not having the ability to turn it off. Lucky for me I became aware of that need many moons ago and got some installed in several places both in the house and outside and hence I had one at my disposal when I needed it this week. They are much easier to fit nowadays and with the onset of Christmas it might be a good – gift idea for someone to look at where some may be needed, especially in the home of the elderly.
Our St Vincent de Paul church gate collection went ahead at the weekend and we hope that those in charge got a good response. However if for some reason you missed it there are many ways how you can still contribute. You can drop your donation into the letterbox at the Parish Office and also there is a box in the Church beside to Holy Water tank where you can give and still with the subject of Holy Water, how great it is to see the beloved Holy Water in the wells in the church again. That and the return of the collection baskets at Mass are all very welcome signs of progress in our fight against Covid.
Many thanks to the nice person who left a supply of Red Berry Holly on my doorstep during the week.
The sudden cold snap is taking us all by surprise. A short time ago we remarked on the fact that we were out in summer attire and now with the arrival of artic conditions it’s not easy to adjust. Personally I’m staying very much behind closed doors to keep warm and the danger of falling is ever present when Jack Frost is around. This is the time when younger folk can look in on the elderly, especially on those with no immediate family and bring them the things they need from the shop.
The organisers of our Active Retired Christmas Party were delighted with the response to their hard work. Both Ladies Mary Sheehan and Mary Sheahan (Chair & Sec) are at the helm and they left no stone unturned in the efforts they made in making it such an outstanding yule time event. In excess of a hundred people sat for the meal at 2 pm on a cold Saturday afternoon and it was followed by music and dancing to Peter Lane of Blackwater Sound Fame. It was specially pleasing that people from a few neighbouring towns came to join us and pleasing also was the fact that more men are coming along to these events. Both genders are welcome and we hope that in the New Year the trend will continue.
Please be reminded that the pupils of the Boys National School will present a Carol Service in our Church on this Thursday from 10 am and all are welcome to attend. It may also be streamed so we could see it from the comfort of our own homes.
It’s Christmas time and the place is awash with fundraisers and parties. Santa coming to Cloghoula National school on December 23rd.
Members of Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club went to Dublin to compete in the World Championships. Comhaltas will have a music session at Corkery’s Bar on Sunday from 6-8. CloghoulaMore Riding school is expanding all the time. Contact Neil. 087 272 7759. Collection for Penny Dinners at the Pub in Carriganima open until December 16th for all kinds of non-perishable foods. Still with Carriganima, The Roche Family hosted a monster fundraiser on Sunday in aid of a young person at their home again this year, well done to all involved. The list goes on and on.
Our 2023 Calendar is in the shops . Its full of pictures re 2022 lots of groups printed on good quality paper good enough to be framed. Proceeds will go to our all important website. Paddy Murphy’s CD is in the shops also a classic of 30 items and proceeds will go to the Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Here are the results of this weeks lotto draw which was held on Sunday night. Numbers drawn were 1,3,18,23,and the Jackpot was not won. é100 went to Denis, Connie, Eileen, Hannah and Conor The seller was O’Regan’s Mills and they got €50 sellers prize. €50 went to Noreen and Molly Mae, c/o The Bridge Bar, €20 each to Gillian Linehan. Cullen, John Murphy, Park View, Shane Brown c/o Colemans, Maeve O’Neil Omagh, c/o Shane. Waterford fan c/o Shane Brown. Niall Sheehan c/o O’Regan’s Mills. Super Piper c/o Michelle Whelan. Next draw December 18th. Jackpot €4,800.
Bake sale at the Parish Centre this weekend December 17/18, in aid of the two Transition year Students who are going to Lourdes as helpers next year. Please support them well.
The AGM of the Town Park will be held in Jan. 27th. 2023.
Cullen & District Special Needs want to thank all those who supported them in the recent Christmas Mass and Party.
Ballydaly Church Gate on Sun. December 18th in aid of Cullen National School.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament every Tuesday from 10.30 to 7.30. Christmas Confessions in Millstreet Church on Tues, Dec.20th.from 7.30pm. Please look up the Church missalette on our website for all details of our church services.
Please keep safe and warm in the present clime. It is of utmost importance that we the elderly stay indoors in case of falling . We send our best wishes to our friend Bridget King who had a fall in the street recently had to be taken away in the ambulance. A man much younger than I stepped outside his back door two days ago and fell flat on his back on the icy concrete. We have all the comforts of life such as light heat, food, shelter, communication , tv , to keep us happy until we get our freedom again. Take plenty of warm/hot drinks and if the impromptu cup of tea/coffee gets a little boring try a humble Oxo cube. It has been a wonderful standby ever since I was a small child.
Agus sin a bhfuil, a chairde, have a good week , Slán.