Dia is Mhuire dióbh go léir a cairde and welcome to my Report.
Many,many thanks to all those compliment me on my weekly report. Some in person, some online. The trouble is I don’t often see the ones online and fail to say thanks, I’m still not great at finding certain things online. In fact I’ve never found the fine reply that I got from Jerry Doody about the Metal Bridge and I was looking forward to telling you all about it. Some you win some you lose, but you keep going.
Our trip to Donegal last week was great and even though I had been there before. You’d always see different things, next time around. Over fifty of our ARAs travelled, a few from other places and we all stayed at the wonderful Great Northern Hotel in Bundoran. The place was kept busy with many of our equals from other places and it’s pleasing to know the we the older folk can still play our part in keeping many hotels around the country going. Add to that the Parks and great houses where we pay our way plus the many cafes and restaurants that we frequent along the way. Our organisers especially Mary Sheahan, left no detail out of her tight program from beginning to end. Even getting us back to Millstreet on Friday evening in good time to cast our votes. Some even with ample energy to attend the public Mass in St. Mary’s Cemetery. The enjoyment that we got from our trip will see us in good stead in the weeks and months ahead. Thanks to all those who planned it all so well.
A great crowd gathered in Drishane on Sunday,( by kind permission of the Duggan Family) when our Vintage Club held a mega event in aid of the Local Critical Community First Responder Group. Vintage cars, private cars, tractors, jeeps etc all piled on to the greens. At the lower level, there were food outlets, people stood in groups chatting and where little children played in gay abandon while the responder group explained the details of their new services to all who wanted to listen. On asking I was told that in future at times of crisis we can ring 999 or 112 and there are no less than ten volunteers in our area who are fully equipped, ready to drop everything and come to your aid. Be it a heart attack, or stroke or accident etc. Members stood at the main entrance with buckets and it was up to yourself what to give. It was held from 10.30 am to 2.00pm. Traffic one way and by 2 o’clock vehicles of every ilk joined the long procession out the lower gate and up through the arch of green trees that lined their way to the main road. The venue which played host to the cream of the world’s bloodstock the previous week ,once again went into action and helped raise a great deal of funds for this new and worthy cause. Well done all round.
Gardens are looking relieved following their trim after the “No Mow” system in May. Already the turn of the year is beginning to show with many seed heads on show after their blossoms have done their bit for another year. Still there is plenty to gladden the eye. My Laburnum which gave very poor show last season continues flower away in the near distance. Old roses which I have with me all my life are in full bloom at the moment filling me with memories of childhood days, long before many of the exotic bloomers of today made their appearance. Everything in the farmyard ran free back then, pigs, sows, hens, ducks, geese, birds, dogs, cows, calves, turkeys, children, adults and more all fought for their place on the unfenced area around the dwelling house.
In some places a few houses were situated very close and with poor fencing you had the problem of stock or fowl straying into the neighbours place, destroying treasured little crops of say early cabbage, or spuds or flowers and there was often pure war, women especially enraged by the loss of her labour loud voices could be heard in the still of the evening. But as they were all in the same boat, next time the accuser may have been in the wrong and in spite of all, peace restored. Though not always. Flowers made no money, so they were deemed a casual extra. The Bean a’ Tighe was the one who usually tried to get some flowers going and she was forever on the lookout for an old broken bucket or pan that she could put in a safe place if one could be found on a nearby ditch or under a bush where she could at least try. Or near the front door where she could keep an eye on it. Neighbours mixed a lot that time and they traded cuttings of geraniums or rose bushes and that is how I have that age old rose bush two in fact flowering away outside my window now. Needless to say my own family have taken cuttings over the years thus passing on the breed of plant that has survived through famines and wars and lovely times too, why should I break that link?
I got the grand tour of the tunnel and planting at the garden behind the Adult Learning Centre of late and it is truly amazing what can be grown in a small space. Especially nowadays when we are urged to grow our own. Already their crop of onions are hanging up to dry while their selection of fruits and veg are a joy to behold. Stalks (Spuds) tall and rich on the outdoor raised beds which have been leased by many locals. Indoors three rows of tightly packed pots of flowers are ready for our tidy towns volunteers to plant them out. Long ridges carry a wide variety of things to eat. While the foundation of an ornate sally fence is neatly growing into shape. Expert advice was available for this great development to ensure the best possible success in all things. I was impressed.
The Cullen Special Needs Association will hold their Annual Vintage Afternoon on Sunday, July 14th. Please be ready to give them your full support in the great work for their worthy cause.
Cullen Community Chair Yoga continues every week. Please note the change of day this week, Thursday June 13 , from 11 to 12 noon.
Aubane Social Club Fun Day June 23. From 2 to 5pm. Don’t miss it.
Bus to Knock Shrine from Boherbue /Kiskeam on Wednesday, June 26 Contact Philomena 029 76116.
Church Gate Collection in aid of Courtmacherry Life Boats, in Millstreet. this weekend June 15/16. Please support it well.
Rosary & Prayers will be recited on the Main Street, Killarney on June 13th from 3pm. The Statue of Our Lady of Fatima will be present.
Please look up the web or Missalette for the dates and times of the many Masses in June and early July.
Here are the results of this weeks lotto draw which was held on Sun. night. Numbers drawn were 14,18, 20,29 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went Sheila Nagle The seller was Joan Casey and she got €50 sellers prize. €50 went to M.O.M c/o Lehane, €20 each to Waterford Fan, c/o Shane /Centra. Stacia Twomey Dubh c/o M.Twomey, Shane Tarrant c/o Noreen Tarrant. The Boss, c/o Michelle Whelan, Saoirse O’Riordan and Margaret Rea, c/o Mary O’Connor, Joan Wall, Station Rd, Conor Horgan c/o Michelle Whehan, Cathy B, Patryeje, Louise and Emma c/o Colemans. Jackpot for next week €5,800 the Draw on Sunday June 16th.
On behalf of our Community I want to wish every success to the management and staff of our newly opened West End Cafe originally known as Nibbles, which opened on Monday.
Thought for the week on our Sunday Missalette. ‘Kind words can be short and easy to speak ,but their echoes are truly endless.’
Sinn a bfuil a cáirde, Slán is beannacht Dé libh go léir.
