Dia is mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my Report.
Greetings dear friends, sorry for my absence last week when my dear sister-in-Law Jo (Joanne) Corkery went to her eternal rest. Many thanks to all who supported us in our grief. Your attentions were much appreciated. 77 is not old by today’s standards and we will miss her. She was part of our family since she and my brother Ted came from London to live in Rathmore, in the 90’s, where they found great happiness among the friendly community there. After Ted’s passing sixteen years ago she continued to live a full life. She endeared herself to many as a care worker and she took part in local fundraising events etc, many of which involved long walks which she so enjoyed accompanied by others of similar pursuits. She joined us on holidays over the years and when her health began to weaken. Both members of my own family and her near neighbours in Shinnagh stepped in to help until it was evident that she could no longer live by herself in her own beautiful home . For the next three years while still being regularly visited by family and friends and taken to the CUH for treatment by them she got the royal treatment at the Care Home in Killarney, where she gently passed away on the day that God called her giving her two sons time to arrive from London at the closing minutes.
I will always feel a special attachment to Ted’s family. When our mother died in 1936, we were all young. I was just three and a half and Ted was the one who took care of me. I followed him everywhere, trailed after him around the mucky farm yard, falling and rising. I followed him when he went trapping rabbits and fishing in the local streams and even though there were many other siblings Ted and I formed a bond that never faded. His caring nature for me never weakened, even on his deathbed, by which time I was married and retired with a grown family, he whispered to Jo, “How is Eily going to manage without me.” And that is why I’m eternally grateful to the members of my own family and the kind neighbours in Shinnagh and indeed to the people of Rathmore for all they did for Ted & Jo from beginning to end. May God reward them all.
When you get a sudden shock or surprise, they used to call it a bad land in my young days and even though I’m well past my young days I’m still not immune to ‘a bad land’. It happened a couple of weeks ago when I drove into town of an afternoon for no more than a couple of coloured pencils to finish something that I was working on. Little did I think that the trip would cost me over a €100 . That was THE bad land. I drove slowly down around the corner in town, turned left, looking for a parking place and took it handy turning into the space outside Van Stans porshe and wham, the edgy corner of that new development there went right through my tyre and it went down like a shot. I drove up to Motor Factors where I got help, a friend came on the scene and he took me to O’Hanlons in the West End where I made my purchase, then back to my jacked-up model in Church Street where all was put right again. The moral of my story is to warn other motorists to beware of that evil kerb. I examined it at close quarters since and it looks quite damaged proof that others have hit it and made it very edgy. Just the right thing to damage a tyre. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Once again we are on the Eve of the Holy Season of Lent. The one time of year that nobody looks forward to, but one that leaves us with a feeling of guilt if we don’t do something by way of doing some form of penance. But before that today Shrove Tuesday. We can pig out on juicy pancakes and we don’t even have to make them, saving us the trouble of mixing the flour and the eggs and the milk etc. Pancakes come on bundles, in the shops these days, all ready to be put on the pan, doused with sugar or honey and a splash of lemon, yum yum. Savoury pancakes are great too and every cooking program on tv at the moment try to surpass each other with their tempting variations. Enjoy them to the full.
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and Blessed Ashes will be distributed and all masses, to remind us to ‘Remember man/woman you are but dust and into dust you shall return’. Please check the Mass times on the Church Missalette on the Web for details.
We have no less than three Horse Shows coming up. One early in May, one Early in July and another in Late July.
Millstreet Gramophone Circle meeting this Friday night February 16th at 8.15 at the Day Centre. Presenter Jim O’Sullivan. All welcome.
Our Day Centre want to thank all those who supported their recent Church Gate Collection.
The AGM of the Ballydaly Social Group Tuesday February 20.
Chair Yoga in Cullen Community Centre every Wednesday 11 to 12 noon. In Rathmore every Friday 6.45.
Well done to the Marian Players Rathmore ,and their supporters on another highly successful Pantomime Season. Which raised a massive €24.000 for the Kerry Parents & Friends.
The sponsored Weigh In continues in Cullen every Monday night plus Exercise to Music with Hannelie. 36 people attended last night and 50lbs were lost with four nights to go.
A very Happy St. Valentine’s Day to all those who like to engage in lauding the one they love by way of special treats.
Here are the results of this weeks lotto draw which was held on Sunday night. Numbers drawn were 2,14,22,29 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to our Longford Mum, the Seller was Michelle Whelan and she got €50 sellers prize. €50 went to Aisling Browne, c/o Jerry O’Mahony. €20 each to Colette O’Connor, c/o Mary O’Connor, Jack O’Connor c/o Trevor, Mary O’Connor, Pat Joe Creedon c/o self. Patrick & Julie O’Riordan c/o Colemans, THER c/o Tom Carroll, Leanne, Cian & Kate McCaul, c/o Juvenile Club, Breeda Burke, c/o Ann Burke, Con Healy, 38 Murphys Tce c/o Paula. Next Draw February 18th. Jackpot €2.400.
Finally I find it hard to put in words the sympathy that I on behalf of our Community want to convey to the Healy Family on the tragic death of their five year old little boy Matthew. May God console them and let them know that they can rely on the support of us all, at this sad time.
Sinn a bfuil a cáirde slan is beannacht De libh go leir.
