Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.
You can’t bate (beat) the Irish. For weeks we’ve been punished and lashed by all kinds of weather, culminating in the worst gales that ever hit the land, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake and people on the point of despair. Then a little over a week later along comes the Feast Day of St. Brigid and suddenly the mood changes into an extravaganza of celebrations and parades in every corner of the Country. I feel like saying ‘Congratulations Bridget at last you have ‘arrived’. A National Bank Holyday all to yourself. Never have I seen so much excitement. It was as though every community, every single person wanted to shake off the shackles of Storm Eowyn and be part of it all. It was as though we were only too glad to change the subject and face the future with new hope, now that our Mary of the Gaels got her place among the Elite of the Great where we can pay new homage to her and be confident of her help in the future.
The Aubane social society packed them in for two nights at the weekend for their own locally produced show “Darby ‘o Gill and the Little people”. The entire cast was drawn from the local community and the ‘little people’ were delighted to do their bit, the excitement was palpable there was also a fine program of set dancers, individual singers, a magician. etc and a draw for many prizes. In true Aubane fashion following the show there were lovely refreshments where everybody met and chatted with everybody else. Well done to all at Aubane on their wonderful event which they aim to do it all again in the years ahead.
Meanwhile the Marian Players in Rathmore did what they do every year, they staged their annual show this time Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Every year they raise lots of funds for the Kerry Parents and Friends. Well done to those who continue to forge ahead year after year in spite of the many negative things that threaten our rural places around the country.
Well done to Corkery’s Bar on hosting the afternoon tea party, organised by the Board of our Juvenile GAA club which had to be deferred from the Women’s Christmas because of the weather. It was done in style on Sunday with tables gaily be-decked and tasty bites provided by the popular “The Pastry Fork” caterers. Special mention was given to Pat and Caroline Corkery for making the event so enjoyable.
Last week we lost one man who was a beacon in our community. The death of Jerry Collins came as a devastating shock not just to his family to many in the wider community. Jerry did many things, but his business at his tyre centre on the edge of town earned him great renown, and in the three years since his retirement his services there have been missed more that I can say. It was plain the Jerry loved what he did and nothing was a bother. He spoiled us all with his personal attention. Believe me I know as I’m one of those who is finding it very difficult to cope without him. Women and cars are a bad mix. We know how to drive maybe check the petrol gauge but beyond the steering wheel we can be vague. While filling your tank Jerry would cast his eagle eye over your vehicle, the tyres, the oil, the air, the drop of water for the windscreen and so on, so we always felt safe in his hands. These were features that we didn’t even have to think about. Some time after his retirement I went and had my tyres checked on my way to Cork and to my horror I was told that only one of my tyres was fit to be on the road. Luckily I was able to get a new set there and then. But there was a lot more to our friendly filling station. Jerry also stocked bottled gas and coal and kindling etc. People of my calibre can’t take advantage of a bargain supply of coal which is delivered in block and laid down in the yard. Jerry supplied you with the numbers of bags that you’d need depending the room you had in the shed. Not only would he personally deliver but he would empty the bags and take the bags away. Further to that he would even find the loop on the sewing and pull it and leave the cord in case I’d want it for anything because he knew how precious that thread/twine was to the housewife which she would wash and use it to tie a roast in the oven or so, where a plastic or nylon would melt and burn or hang up a picture or an ornament in the garden. Jerry was that meticulous about what he did, it just came a second nature to him. I could go on and on about how we still miss him three years on. Others have their own wonderful memories of when Jerry and his lovely wife Patsy owned the pub in Church Street, now the Clara Inn but my loss and the loss of so many others like me at losing Jerry as our treasured garage man will go on forever. May God reward his kindness as we offer our sincere sympathy to his grieving wife Patsy and to his wonderful family. RIP.
It’s delightful to see a bus shelter going up in our town. It’s a first on our street a feature which our town has pleaded for for a long time. It is well placed in the Town Square adjacent to the Post Office and the Public Post box etc and is built on the site of one of the first petrol stations in the town. We hope that bus times will be displayed in the new facility to enable people to avail of it’s service.
Christmas gifts are still coming because of the holdup at the Festive Season. This week I got one, with a difference. In the form of the jotter of old with all the pages but these are not tie on but held in place by a clip . The lovely coloured paper is rather rough and lumpy, because its full of wild flower seeds Each leaf is free to be removed and put in the ground, and there’s one for every month of the year.
The AGM of our Active retired Club will be held tomorrow Wednesday night February 5th at the Canon O’Donovan Centre. Starting at 7 pm. It’s the perfect opportunity for new people both men and women to come and join this very popular Club . All paid up members are covered by ARA Insurance. Throughout the year they organise many regular classes and well being courses, further to that they offer coach tours to concerts and even five day tour away to a different popular place every year . The AGM starts tomorrow Wednesday night at 7 pm.
Our Lady of Lourdes Novena continues at Knocknagree Church which began on Monday, February 3 continues until Tuesday February 11th. During the Novena people will have the opportunity to visit the Church, light a candle, or say a prayer at the specially erected sacred space in honour of the Novena. There will be two petition boxes. One where petitions will be read out and the other where the petition will not be read out. All Masses are 8 pm except on Saturday when it will be at 7.30. Rosary will recited before Mass each night of the Novena. It starts at 7.45 before 8 o’clock Mass and 7.15 before 7.30 Mass The novena will end on the Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes, with a Healing Mass with Anointing.
Eucharistic Adoration in Millstreet Church every Tuesday from 10.30 am to 7.30 pm.
Confessions in Millstreet church every Saturday 12.30 to 1.
Legion of Mary meeting at the Parish Centre every Tuesday night at 7.30 all welcome.
Diocesan church gate collection this weekend 7/8 in aid of Lourdes Helpers.
45Drive at the Canon O’Donovan centre every Tues. night from 8.30 sharp.
Cullen & District Special Needs Sponsored Weigh In every Monday night. Weighing By Mairead Reen Music and Exercise with Hannah.
Yoga le Cheile , offering a wide variety of programs. Contact Denise at 086 890 1234.
Agus sinn a bfuil a cairde. Slan is Beannacht.
