Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my Report.
The Sun, The Sun, The Sun. All the pointers were for it in the past few days and how we longed for it to come and it’s here with a bang. For how long we don’t know but the secret is to make full use of it while it lasts. The whole country was alive with events and plans for more, just at the mention of a fine spell. Our town was a hive of activity on Sunday with colourful stalls flanking the sides as they always do for September Fair. Our Car Vintage Club filling Noel C Duggan’s carpark for their assembly and the usual registering and so on. People leaving the church after 11.30 Mass in brilliant sunshine had lots to see at as they eased their way through the thoroughfare. Always interested in things of the land, I met a little fellow as he came out of the Fair Field at Minor Row on Sunday morning. He looked the part of a little lad who was involved in the horse trade. Riding crop in hand, skinny body with a skinny trousers tight around his little legs, He told me he was 14 and they had a horse for the Fair and lots of them at home. I asked what breed and he said Irish Draught ( the ones that we always kept on our farm), what colour, brown. I asked him what would they be selling the animal for and he said about €8.500. Didn’t know they made that kind of money but he said they’re gone up mad lately. Then I asked him what would the buyer do with the horse and he said hunting. I asked him his name and where he came from and he told me, I told him mine and as we parted he reached out his little hand and we shook as we said goodbye. I enjoyed that. A member of our Gardai as well as members of the Club keeping perfect order and the long line of cars of every make and colour left the town behind and headed off on a beautiful scenic route all in aid of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. They enjoyed a wonderful BBQ at the Pub in Carriganima.
The wonder pub which was preparing to host a gala Concert at 8 o’clock that evening with the renowned singer Cliona Hagan. Not the best known in these parts ,but the crowds will never forget her visit. For all the right reasons. Again the sun shone down on the open air venue and left a warm glow in its wake. Before taking to the stage Cliona & her band were treated to refreshments and time to dress up at the home of the lovely Mary O’Sullivan across the road ,while our own Peter Lane of Blackwater Sound fame entertained the crowds out front as they arrived, and arrive they did. People of all ages, there was seating for those who needed it and indoor and outdoor bars and other facilities. She played the music the people wanted to hear and the floor was busy all the time. Some dancers well fit for Dancing with the stars. At the end this Dolly Parton- like star, sat down on the edge of the stage with legs dangling and urged the crowd to come closer she wanted to feel as one with them and all joined in on the singing while waving their lit-up mobiles phones. She said she will always treasure the memory of her visit to Carriganima, the friendship, the hospitality and the fun feeling of it all. Dancing is making a huge comeback. The Stage in Mushera held going in spite of inclement weather and in the crowd in Carriganima we met people who were dancing in Kilnamartyra and Freemount in the afternoon and still made it to Carriganima. Needless to say the weather plays a big part. As is the norm in Carriganima the visiting star is ushered in by locals. This time, as the evening sun shone through, it was the honour of our own two Sean’s, Sean Radley and Sean Murphy. with local volunteer Jimmy Murphy bringing up the rear dressed all in black complete with cap and all to match the band members. People waited with mobile phones held aloft to capture this lovely parade. Cliona found this a very touching gesture and complimented them on it.
At the end of the day what can we say, say about Sean Murphy and the people of Carriganima, a tiny village without a shop or post office, a pub with very little space. But with a big heart, a heart that stops at nothing to stay alive, and flourish. Our hearts and support go out to Sean and all the people who come to support him. With Sean at the helm, everybody in willing to roe behind him. And as we go to each event the same people are there, there to do whatever is to be done to ensure yet another successful event and see everybody enjoying themselves and returning home safely. The lovely Cliona was impressed.
And keep September 23rd in mind. The Carriganima Annual Walk in aid of both Millstreet and Macroom Hospitals will be held on that day . It marks a wonderful friendly gathering every year and I know it will again on September 23rd 2023.
Check our website for all the details of what is happening around. It is updated every day by our dedicated crew who work behind the scenes to keep Millstreet on the map. At this time of year many of our winter pursuits will be starting up again and perhaps new ones added. The renowned Duhallow Choir classes will resume this week. Set Dancing in Ballydaly Hall begins on Wednesday September 13 from 8.30 to ten. All welcome.
The annual Pipe Band Church Gate collection will be held in Ballydaly on September 10th, Millstreet on September 16/17 weekend . Please support them well.
Friends of Millstreet Hospital wish to thank all those who supported their recent church gate collection which realised €400.
The AGM of our Community Council will be held at the Adult Learning Centre on Tuesday September 19th at 8. The Community Council in a very powerful body in our town, Since it’s inception in 1977 it has done trojan work for our Community at all levels .Nothing stays the same, times change and we must all change with them and the AGM of the Community Council is a great place to voice your opinions. New members welcome.
The leaves are turning into their Autumn colours. The reds and russets are beginning to show, But the nice weather is coaxing the roses to make one more effort before it’s too late, and a rose looks lovely any time of year. I’m giving a lot of my TLC to my Phormiums at the moment. Their new growth is having a hard time trying to push up through the old stuff which is wet and mucky in its path. The withered strips are easy enough to pull out and it’s only when you do that you can see the lovely new growth making every effort to come through. Give them a little of your time while the sun shines and they will more than compensate you next year ,when others give way to strong winds etc.
Sadly there is a great deal of this years turf still in the bogs due to the bad weather. By now some badly damaged by the continuous rains. Perhaps this fine spell will help.
Morning Masses this week are at 10am. Adoration of the Blessed sacrament every Tuesday from 10.30 to 7.30pm. Legion of Mary Every Tuesday and 7.30pm. Confessions every Saturday from 12.30 to 1. Please keep up the prayers in whatever way that suits you.
Here are the results of this week’s lotto draw which was held on Sunday night. Numbers drawn were 2,14,17,29 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to Breda Mannix. c/o Mary O’Connor. Mary got €50 sellers prize. €50 went to Catherine Moynihan ,c/o Michell. €20 each to Saoirse O’Riordan c/o M.O’Connor, Sheila Healy c/o Michella, Jack O’Riordan. c/o Jack. Jimmy O’Leary c/o Jimmy, Olivia Pomeroy, c/o The Clara Inn, Ann Burke c/o A Burke , Rita & Dermot O’Flynn c/o Capabu. Chloe & Nigel c/o Nigel.
Jackpot for next Week €11,800.
Agus sinn abfuil a cairde Slán is Beannacht Dé libh go léir.
