Dia is Mhuire dióbh go léir a cairde and welcome to my Report.
The sun is making a fine appearance as the merry month of May rolls on. Dramatic sun-downs light up the evening skies like never before. The recent setting sun threw up a variety of scenes as it skimmed over the highs and lows of the landscape. Scenes to be admired and captured on camera to be treasured again and again and shared with those who missed them. The system played a thick on me leading me to think that I was with the fairies. I took a fine image of Sundays evenings sun-down from inside my conservatory window my back to the tv. The picture came out great showing the full volume of the bright orange clouds high over Clara Mountain but to my dismay on checking my handiwork I got a shock to see the face of a weird looking man inside my wall looking straight at me. The world of the supernatural, sprang to mind as I slammed my phone shut to give myself time to think, not always easy when you’re on your own. Then I steadied myself and opened it up again. Only to find that the mystery man’s face was a reflection from the television which was in the room behind me. Ahhh, the relief. Welcome and all as the sun may be please take good care to cover up well. The hot rays on the sun are really very burning as I found out first hand. So please wear good sun-block.
They are telling us now to make this a “No Mower May” In other words to leave everything in the garden grow. The wild flowers, the wonderful herbs which are such an important part of the diet for our birds and bees. Back in the day, all of these things came naturally because the pace of life was very different and slower. Crops grew on for later in the season which gave everything the opportunity to mature and develop to the full. Looking back I suppose nobody can be blamed really for the way things turned out. Seasons were changing. It was no longer easy to save hay because of all the rain. So silage making was the only answer. We looked upon it as a great welcome blessing. The rain no longer a problem. Silage could be made anytime. But in hindsight of course the cost to our wild-life was enormous. Hay was allowed to grow on until it was fully mature which gave the corncrake, the pheasant, the hares, rabbits and the bees time to feed and reproduce. To rear their young make them strong enough to get out of the way from the primitive mowing machine or wheel rake. The easing of the heavy work was a very welcome change. Rich green young grass was chopped up by massive harvesters and packed into open pits for silage. Sweeping away in its path all the unborn of the wild. While we wallowed in the new-found leisure of not having to spend long hard days in the meadow, turning the damp hay with our pikes to get it dry and with the same pikes storing it into tall benches in a hot galvanised shed to be drawn out again with the same pikes and fed to cows in enclosed stalls on cold winter days. With silage it was a matter of self service where the animals fed themselves and their houses cleaned out by tractor, making the big change from the old days of using the four-pronged dung fork to heave the heavy straw-laden helpings out up on to the every-rising heap outside the stall door. To be piked away again out on the land to grow our food and then replace with a fresh smelling bed of golden straw. Ready for tomorrow. I doubt if the corn crop affected the environment so badly. Grain had to be allowed the ripen fully before being harvested, giving all a chance to put their house in order before the crops were cut.
Did we ever think back then that we were going down a slippery slope. Like the words of the well-known song ’ The road down hill was the easy road and that was the road we went.’ A lot of people came and went since then, but I’m still here to see the turn that has come about as a result of ‘ our modernisation’. But we have young enterprising people who are as ambitious as we were in our day and every day we hear of new ways that they are finding to combat the damage that was done by the past generation. We will be well advised to follow in their lead as they build a better and healthier world. Help now and do not mow this May.
We never know the full extent of the wild life that colonise our countryside, until perhaps we see one killed on the road. This week I was sad to see the remains of a little hedge-hog outside my gate. Which goes to show that they are out there. And only come out when our noisy world goes to sleep.
The trees and shrubs and crops are advancing at a great rate at the moment, Buíochas le Dia and along my way to town I love once again to see the huge crab tree in full bloom. Across the road from the ancient Fort, where foxes, and rabbits and badgers etc have made their homes since time began the mighty crab tree shows off her full coat of blossoms. As the year moves it’s fruits will be tossed around the busy road by the speeding traffic. Where they are out of bounds of the casual picker. In the past we always had special haunts, off the beaten track where we gathered the free fruits and made the most gorgeous crab-apple jelly. Ah that’s another story.
Our Active Retired members went to Tubrid Well on Bank Holiday Monday where they recited the Rosary and joined in may hymns associated with the month of Our Lady.
The Holy Rosary is said in Tubrid every Monday and Wednesday night and in Aubane on Thursday nights during the monthly of May all starting at 8pm. Please attend them well.
On Sunday next May. 12th our Active Retired Association will host their annual Tea Dance at the Wallis Arms Hotel from 2.30 to 5.30 with music and refreshments hand massage by Red Cross Members and visitors to meet. Don’t miss it. All welcome.
Our Presentation National School held a wonderful open day on Monday of last week. It was very well attended and all were treated to some succulent refreshments in an atmosphere of joy and fun with people meeting people and enjoying the occasion. A full tour of the building was meted out to all, of parents meeting the children in classes and there was a special tour of the grand section for children with special needs which was added on ,thanks to the proceeds on last years similar occasion. They one drawback which comes up from time to time is the fact that this wonderful place of learning has no Hall of it’s own.
International Riders from all over the World will converge on the mighty Green Glens at the end of May till June 2nd.
Our Adult Learning Centre knows no limits. Their gardens at the back are geared towards the teacher and the learner. With expert tuition available to those who like to take part. Raised beds are already bearing full grown onions, garlic, etc and you can even rent a raised bed, and do your own planting and get the help you need to grow your own. As well as that the centre has Art and computer training and lots more.
For full details Ring Marie Twomey 087 680 5448.
Community singing with Marie every Thursday night at 7.30.
Chair Yoga every Friday at the Day Centre from 3-4.
ARA Coffee morning at Kall & Dyyne every Thursday from 11 am.
We are told that if we do not fight for to get our tent returned near the monument at the town Square we will lose it. So please lobby you politicians right away to get this welcome feature replaced .
Good Luck to all those who will take part in Darkness to Light please support them well.
Here are the results of this weeks lotto draw which was held on Bank Holiday Monday night. Numbers drawn were 1,4,7,26 and the Jackpot was not won €100 went to, Eoin O’Callaghan, Drishane View the seller was Tom Carroll and he got €50 sellers prize, E50 went to Ray McCarthy, c/o Paula Healy. €20 each went to Geraldine Goggin, c/o Tom Carroll, Denny Lane, Drishane Rd. Willie O’Connell, Cullen c,/o Reen’s, Shane & Pat Dineen c/o Paula Healy, Noreen O’Connor, c/o Mary O’Connor, Ml. Hickey, c/o Ita. Sandra & Hailey Enright, c./o John. Mary Jo Buicke c/o Tom Carroll.
Next draw May 12. Jackpot €4 800.
Sinn a bfuil a cáirde, Slán is beannacht Dé libh go léir.
