Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.
I didn’t sleep very well last night, I don’t know why but the shut eye evaded me for hours. Everybody has their own way of dealing with insomnia. It has to be very annoying for those who suffer from it regularly. Thankfully that is not the case with me, not very often anyway. And when it does I just lie there and resign myself to the fact that this is it for me till the morning. Reading a little often helps or a glance at Facebook. The loss of sleep leaves you drowsy and not in full command of your plans for the new day. But with a little effort I’ll get by. It’s a lively day outside. There is a fresh breeze with a brightness without direct sunshine and the flowers and rose trees are dancing to the tune of the birds. Enough to spur anybody out of a lazy mood.
This is no way for me to greet you on this the June Bank Holiday. I hope that you are all enjoying the break. The world is full of things to do. Over the weekend posters and the media were full of Festivals, and walks and marathons and fundraisers which left something to suit all tastes. The O’Mahony family in Clara outdid themselves in Fundraising when Jerry & Anne Marie held a Coffee Day , in aid of the Irish Kidney Association, in memory of the lovely daughter Eimear, who passed away ten years ago. This event was held in glorious sunshine at their beautiful home on the Western slopes of Clara Mountain. Huge crowds turned up to support their cause . Temporary tents and seating were erected on the lawns and it was nothing short of Carnival atmosphere with parents indulging and chatting as the visiting children played and rolled and tumbled on the lawn.
Meanwhile Jerry’s brother Denis aided by their sister Mary took on the mammoth challenge of climbing the highest mountain in Ireland Carrauntoohil, more than 15 times over the weekend. This is the equivalent of the Everest-scale elevation in aid of cancer research. Well done all round.
Down at the Green Glens Arena the Millstreet International Horse Trials were held from May 28 to June 1st. Next events there will be The Pony Young Riders July 3-6 And The International Show July 23 -27th.
The Annual Mass at Tubrid Well on Friday night was another success story. Again the crowds came in large numbers, the lovely church choir attended to bring the month of May 2025 to a prayerful close. Needless to say that with the Inter. and Leaving Certs Exams on the doorstep, special prayers were said for all the students taking part.
Many people, including families took to the air and to the sea to travel to sunny places abroad and we wish them a very happy break.
More to look forward to. An unforgettable day is guaranteed on Saturday June21st for the live Music Busking Fest. There will be Various busking spots around the Main Street a great Community Spirit and delicious local food. Check their Facebook page for details.
Snippets of history keep coming up on Facebook from time to time. This week we saw a poster advertising the opening of the Maple Ballroom ,in Pound Hill which was built by the late Mick Casey on May 30,1952. Doormen were Bill Dunne and Jerh Ford. That was a mere five years before Dan and I got married. The excitement in the town was electric. Our very own dance hall in Millstreet. It had a cloak room where you handed in your coat and it was minded for a few pence and a toilet one for the men and one for the women. Luxury like we never knew it. The hall was built in what used to be Hegarty’s Yard. The nub centre of a big farm with land on both sides of the main Macroom road and the Liscahane by- road out of town. As children going and coming from school we were met by the men with the big horses and carts ferrying the needs and the products to back and forth to the Yard. The roads were rough with sheets of stone mending the holes here and there. Stones which were broken with a hammer by men sitting on a bag of straw at the side of the road. Wheels were of iron and a clip called a line spin held them in at the sides. The whole thing made a noise all of it’s own and we could hear them from far off. The clip clop of the horses iron clad hooves the crack of the axle as the load swayed from side to side is a memory that will always stay. People are living happily today in the buildings where cows were kept in Winter and milked in Summer, They were milked by the wives of the workmen and they all lived in the houses down the way which was called Hegarty Street.(Pound Hill today) Well off people from the town sent their maids there every morning with large jugs for the milk. It was measured out to them from the churn, warm and frothy. We often met them and we were always enthralled at the beautiful jugs they had ,we had nothing at home like them.
In time the Hegarty Dynasty fell into decay, the rolling fields were sold off in lots and Hegarty’s Yard became a memory. In time the lovely Maple Ballroom fell victim to bigger fish, the well known Star Ballroom. But the dregs of Hegarty’s Yard still lives on as an industrial estate where many people run modern day businesses and families living in the same buildings which housed the cattle and where revellers danced many a happy hour away.
Up to sixty members of our Active Retired Club are due to go on a four/five day coach trip to Arklow next week.
We were sad some weeks ago when we heard of the closing of Fr. Paddy O’Byrne’s Shop in the West End after 150 years trading. But all is not lost. The good Padre wants you to know that as ever, he is available for Confessions and for Mass Cards anytime. Being a dedicated athlete all his life, he goes for his walk in the Park every day. If he is not there when you call please call again. His door is open until 5.30 every day except on Sunday.
The list of Masses for the month of June are on the parish leaflet and can be checked on line.
Feis Laitiarain will be held in Cullen on Sunday June 8, with all the usual attractions. Competitions include singing, ballad groups, poetry, music & dancing. Starts at 12 noon. Please give it your best support.
Kerry pilgrimage to Lourdes September 14-19. Cost €969. For details contact 066 915 1208.
Bus to Knock Shrine from Boherbue & Kiskeam on Wednesday June25. contact 087 750 0151.
The battle with litter goes on and our Tidy Towns Association are asking for your continued support ahead of their next judgment on June 16th .
Here are the results of this weeks Lotto draw which was held on Bank Holiday Monday night. Numbers drawn were 11,16,28,31 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to Sean Twohig c/o Colemans, €50 sellers prize went to Colemans, €50 to Buckley c/o Michelle Whelan. €20 each to Tarrant Family c/o Noreen Tarrant. Donal O’Mahony c/o Colemans, Trevor O’Connor, c/o Mary O’Connor, Lucy & Sean Wiseman,c/o Colemans, Yola Rodan, c/o Capabu, Kit c/o Patsy, Breda, Noila & Belle c/o Reens, Catherine Jenks c/o Eily. Next draw June 8. Jackpot €11 600.
In closing I want to wish every success to all our young people who will be starting their exams this week. Please be reminded that there is a place for everybody and if you do not get the points of your dreams, there could something far better waiting for you down the line. Your best is all that any parent, grandparent and indeed great grand parent are asking of you. Fondest love to you all.
Slan is beannacht.
