Category: Regional Report

The end of another season of Lent is in sight, goodness knows I’ve seen a lot of them but the ending is always the same. First a sense of relief, then the nagging feeling of guilt, or remorse to see if I did all the right things. Did some act of mortification, such as fasting from one of my favourite things, or perhaps put the few bob into my Trocaire Box or did some kind act for someone in need. Well as they say the game isn’t over yet. We still have this week to make up for any of our shortcomings and a last minute effort could make all the difference. At Masses over the weekend we were given the list of all the ceremonies that we can avail of in the run-up to the excitement of Easter. The seven churches in our Pastoral area have various ceremonies at various times details of which can be found in each church, or on this week’s Mass leaflet. Please support them well. There was never more need for prayer with the amount of disturbance that is going on around us.  With world leaders playing ping pong with our future. But we still believe in the power of the God who by prayer alone has seen us through all the difficulties of the past.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 15th April”

Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.

The count down is on for all our young people who are due to be confirmed  on tomorrow Wednesday,  April 9^th and our Bishop Ray Browne will be a very busy man to get through them all. 88 in our own church representing Millstreet, Cloghoula and Cullen starting at 11 am and at 3 pm almost 40 in Derrinagree taking in Dromagh. Confirmation was always regarded as a very big step compared to First Holy Communion. A time when they received the Holy Ghost to fill them with enlightenment for the future. A time to take a pledge  a promise to God to stay away from certain things. It used to be intoxicating drink, but as I said last week now its drink, drugs and gambling. We wish them all the best of luck and God’s Blessing on their big day and hope that they and their families will enjoy their family gatherings afterwards.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 8th April”

Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.

Watch it, mind yourself, this is Fools Day, April the first. In olden times it was a day to be dreaded because somebody might make a fool of you. It was all very innocent really. Say to a pal or sibling ‘your lace is ripped or there is a mouse on the shelf above you etc.’ and of course you’d jump  or react and then you were called an April Fool making you feel foolish that you got caught. Then you’d spend the rest of the day trying to catch them back but great fun for the one who caught you. It was always a relief when the end of the day came and you were free from pranksters for another year.  There’s a lot of that sort of humour gone out of the world today and it’s a pity.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 1st April”

Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.

Travelled from Cork by bus at the weekend and it was a joy to view the countryside in brilliant sunshine. The fields looking lush and green others ploughed up and ready for the planting season. Cattle grazing but I have yet to see baby lambs. I’d say I’ll have to take a different route to find them and I will,  le cúnamh Dé.

I’m all a thither and I suppose  my mental storage is not what it used to be and when I get a blast from the past everything else has to take a back seat and what’s the cause for this eruption in me.  Well it all stems from the fact that I came across some copies of Clara News during the week and reading it over filled me with wonder and awe. I’m sure  that some of my readers are asking ‘what’s Clara News’. I can  not recall when it came to an end but the copies that I found were in March 6^th 1994 and April 1st, 2001. Clara News grew from humble beginnings, one page to be precise to a twenty pages publication which covered everything that went on in the parish for many years.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 25th March”

Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.

‘I tore my ould breetches going over the ditches, St.Paterick’s Day in the morning.’ This adage was chanted out in our house when I was a child every St.Patrick’s Morning for as long as I can recall and it set us young ones off on a tangent to find Shamrock for going to Mass, while the others saw to the milking and feeding the stock and taking the milk to the creamery. While the rooster crowed from his highest vantage point ’to warn off the evil spirits from the world’. Youngsters can be devils at slagging one another and if our find was not the real three leafed thing ,” Ah that’s  only  clover, the cows will be after you.”  Clover being every cows favourite food.  By keeping a watchful eye we soon learned how to identify the real thing.  Then there was the problem of pinning it on to our coats.  Every home had needles because so much of our clothes were either home knitted or home sewn. But a headpin was rather special. Men had one almost permanently on the lapel of their coats, stuck down at the peak where it could be easily retrieved when needed.  Picking thorns was an art in itself and because of the way the work was done back then there were plenty of them to pick.  If the victim couldn’t reach the spot himself there was always a willing hand nearby to pick a thorn for them. Children screamed during the ‘operation’ while the elders just grinned and bared it. The offending piece had to be removed or it could turn septic.   When it was over the pin was dutifully returned to it’s place on high and work resumed. However it didn’t always go swimmingly. Certain thorns and the time of year often caused a problem.  The  thorn of the Black Thorn bush at the start of the growing season was one to be avoided or handled with extreme care. To make us aware of the danger, we were often given accounts of where the likes led to the demise of a person. One example remains embedded in my mind of a young man who emigrated to America to make a better life. He was conscripted into the army and served in the wars of the time. He returned home where he bought a farm, got married and started a family but alas in the course of his work at  making his land better he suffered a prod from a Black Thorn bush and died of blood poisoning.  Anyway on St. Patrick’s morning the pin was again brought into action to keep the national emblem well secured and put safely away afterwards for the next time.

Our 11.30 Mass was everything that a St.Patrick’s Day Mass should be. Our wonderful pipe band played us in, its loud strains filling every inch of our mighty church.   A member did readings and in these days of clerical scarcity we were honoured to have as many as four priests on the alter at one stage. The weather favoured our parade at five in the afternoon and there were prizes for the various entries and the best dressed window. The results will be published as soon as they come to hand. In the absence of a hotel the fast food outlets did a lively trade at the end of the day. Well done to our Community Council all those who worked so well together to make our annual parade in honour of our Patron Saint the great success that it was. This years Grand Marshal was none other than the one and only racing driver supreme Billy Coleman.

Merit where merit is due our popular Garda Sargent Paul Lynch told me that a bus driver who ferried a number of our young people home to Millstreet from a night out in Killarney of Sunday night March 16^th   told him that he had never met a more honourable, respectful and well behaved group of young people returning from a night out.  He was so deeply touched by them that he saw fit to meet our Garda member and let him know. Well done to that group they did themselves and all of us proud.

A beautiful ceremony was held at Coleman’s Garage at four pm on St. Patrick’s Day.   A prestigious event by any standard. When the proceeds of the  recent 50^th anniversary celebrations of Billy’s winning of the British Rally Championships which came to a massive €47 050 were divided between three very deserving local causes, namely The Canon O’Donovan Centre.  St. Joseph’s Hospital and Marymount Hospice.   Well done to all those connected to this venture and especially Billy himself a lovely humble man never craved the limelight himself, yet made history and made Millstreet proud. The offer of refreshments had to be declined as everybody rushed away to view the Parade.

The Holy Season of Lent is moving on and I hope that those who gave up some favourite thing are not feeling the pinch. But of late we are being told that maybe it’s better to do something else rather than to be cranky or irritable with those around us because of our fasting.  There are plenty of  other ways of doing our bit during Lent like paying a visit to needy/lonely persons or giving a few extra bob to a collection box, the choices are far and wide. Think about it and I’m sure you’ll be a happier person for it, but more importantly,  so will those around you.

Please be reminded that the great clean-up of our approach roads, Liscahane Black Shed road and Macroom road will take place this coming Saturday  March 22. Meet at the Square where bags, hi-viz jackets etc will be provided.   New volunteers welcome. Please give your best support.

Cullen & District Special Needs  Association want to thank all those who supported the Weigh In this year.

The AGM of our Pitch n Putt Club will be held on Friday March, 21 and the Parish Centre from 8.15.

Millstreet Gramophone Circle meeting at the Canon O’Donovan Centre Friday March 21. Presenter Con Kelleher. Starts at the Canon O’Donovan Centre at 8.15  All welcome.

Eucharistic Adoration every Tuesday from 10.30am to 7.30pm

 Legion of Mary Meeting every Tuesday night from 7.30 at the Parish Centre.

Here are the results of this week’s lotto draw which was held on Monday night.  Numbers drawn were 19,20,27,31 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to Connie Healy, Murphys Tce, the seller was his wife Paula and she got €50 sellers prize. €50 went to Mick & Mairead Walsh c/o Corkery’s. €20 each to Anne Ducey, c/o Sheila Lane, Denise Smith c/o Michelle Whelan. Catriona Twohig, c/o Guerins, Colin, Simon & Eve Murphy, c/o Corkery’s, Denis Murphy, c/o Rita O’Reilly, Aoifa Moynihan c/o Guerins, Jerry O’Connor, c/o Mike Healy,  Neily McSweeney, c/o The Bridge Bar. Next Draw March 23. Jackpot €9,400.

Sinn a bfuil a cairde.Slan is beannacht de libh go leir.

1. Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.

Everybody has one and I suppose it’s my turn to have one too, even if I didn’t want it. When the common cold is doing the rounds it’s not easy to hide from it. So I’m sitting beside a very large box of tissues and mopping away ’till I run out of bodily fluids and then perhaps I’ll get a little respite. Flu jabs do nothing for the common cold, it’s a lad all of it’s own and the plan is to give it time and  soon all will be well again.  le cúnamh Dé.  Five years ago we had worse trouble when we were told that the illness that we felt was Covid 19. A new name in the medical world and we would do well to cast our minds back to the devastation that it led to and it will make the common cold seem like a dawdle.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 11th March”

Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.

The kiss of the sun for pardon, the songs of the birds for mirth, one is nearer to God in the garden than any place else on Earth. (Forgive me if I borrow a few words from William Wordsworth) And I shall have some peace there for peace comes dropping slow.

The weather forecast this week is enough to put anybody in a poetic mood. Warm and sunny all the way. The beautiful sunshine on Monday is a good start and we’ll take it from there, one day at a time. Our March Fair got ideal weather on Sunday but sadly the crowds didn’t come. But the usual stalwarts never fail.  Honor with her real bargains in gold pieces, the man with the multi-coloured rugs and matts and the man from Kerry with his fine display of shrubs and trees. Horses being confined to the Fairfield were away from the naked eye and they would have been  my favourite .  Up to lately you’d see some chickens and pups for sale in boxes at the corner but not any more. If you were to have a mere six hens/fowl nowadays you should have to herd number.  In Nebraska hens/fowl are big business. Not for big numbers like here, but for show. The shows are for children. It’s hard to imagine the interest and the excitement it creates. It’s up to the youngster to look after their own birds and breeding the best is very competitive. There are catalogues of the best prize winners and they spend big money in owning a good one. I often wondered, if it could  happen here.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 4th March”

Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.

Isn’t it divine when the sun comes out ,you want to run outside and grab it up before it goes away again. I wonder is it silly to think that the few stolen minutes in the sun does you good. How long does it take to make a difference? Minutes, half an hour, a full hour. I wish I knew. Well in any case I get out even for a moment. This morning I soaked up the morning rays at my little suntrap outside my back door and even if it didn’t do any good to my body it certainly did wonders for my mind. The birds were enjoying it too and their song was like balm to my sun-hungry me. My moments of bliss only lasted about half an hour when the elements changed their mood and it started to rain again. From my kitchen window I can see my camellias, I have them in two colours with a cheeky azalea fighting for notice in between and they are all ready to blossom. Other people’s camellias are flowering for ages mine just now, and others will follow according to their time.  But for now the moment is mine. And as the buds slowly emerge there is something new to look at every morning and admire for the day. All around the garden growth is in the air. The snowdrops have done their duty for now and the daffodils are well there. The bluebells and the wild garlic are ready to do their bit and it’s worth using the bit of sun to walk among them even for a few moments.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 25th February”

Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my Report.

Before the drizzly rain started today there was a lively wind blowing outside and while savouring my first meal of the day I let my eye wander over what was happening in the great big world beyond my kitchen window. At ground level there was little change, just the weather beaten lawn and judging by the skies it was in from more. However high up in the sky the crows were playing high jinks. In full wing they seemed enjoy riding on the wind. They allowed themselves to be carried by it and play a variety of games. At times to soar ’til they were nearly out of sight and then drop wing and fall from on high at great speed, only to catch themselves at the last minute and rise again. They flitted in and out amid the flock and it was easy to see that they were having a great time.   As a little reward for the free show I threw out a few scraps and it didn’t take them long to spot them and dive in for the morsels. After that they disappeared into wherever crows go after their morning rounds. Very soon the misty rain pulled a curtain over the scene and I was glad that I saw and enjoyed it at the beginning of my day, my week.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 18th February”

Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.

A lovely Spring day T.G., February 11, the Feast Day of St. Gobnait, the patron saint of bees. Cold perhaps but it’s not stopping the little birds from singing their loudest songs from the highest trees. I think they like it when we come out. They seem to sing all the louder when we do and come out we should when there is no storm and rain. There is still a lot to see even after the ‘big  wind’.  To pick up the things that are lying around in it’s wake, gives us the chance to find the new life that is lurking below. Tender shoots have a strength all of their own and it never fails to amaze me to see how the soft tender beginnings of the daffodils can make their way up through crushed down leaves and last year’s nettles plus a few stones, to arrive strong and green and determined to play their part in the game of life which Mother Nature devises for them year after year, century after century, even if it’s too early for planting yet but it’s nice to be planning that is after we clean up the place after the severe weather. It’s great to see farmers out on the land. Their work is more important than our gardens and we wish them well. There are no sheep in my view and I’m sure baby lambs are arriving around this time.  They give the Spring and head start every year. To see them playing and prancing in the fields would raise anybody’s spirits. The very thought will make me drive out some day to where I can stop and admire and enjoy them.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 11th February”

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.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 4th February”

Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.

Well, well, well, well what can we say, how can we talk about the strongest storms that ever hit our country.  No doubt we were well warned, but nothing prepares you for the extreme. You fool yourself along thinking that it can’t be as bad as they’re saying. We’ve been warned in the past and we felt that the warnings were overdone and foolishly told ourselves that it’ll be the same this time, but it wasn’t. Judging by the devastation that was done in other places, we feel that we didn’t fare too badly, really. We had very little disruption in our power supply and we are hearing from people from all parts of the country where they have no hope of it’s return until well into next month. One thing which struck me was a new departure, Electric cars. People were grounded in a way that they’d have a chance to go anywhere. Another first was to see a wind turbine, bent over.  One example the effects of the power cut was of a man who was invited to a birthday party up the country and the first thing he asked for was a shower, lucky for him he had a petrol car. We have yet to hear the many other stories of how the big wind affected others.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 28th January”

Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.

Despite the weather warnings of a foggy, rainy week with storm ahead, today Monday is everything that a lovely Spring Day could be. A day which allowed us to venture out of doors and take stock of how things are looking following the snows and ices of past weeks. It was a joy to see, so many things coming to life. Lovely green shoots on early shrubs like the Camelias, the flowering currents and fuchsias. I saw a brave little primrose making an appearance and the crocus not far behind. Here and there I found some things that needed my attention while the perky little robin looked on.

Our morning Mass today (Monday) was very special. In keeping with our Jubilee year and as part of the Diocesan Retreat the Choir attended, special prayers on peace and hope were said and the Priest also gave a short sermon in keeping with this important occasion. More details can be found on the Diocesan website.

The weekly Eucharistic Adoration begins today following the 10am Mass and ends at 7.30pm.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 21st January”

Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.

And welcome to 2025 , a New Year full of plans and hopes and prayers to make it a good one.  Le conamh Dé. God knows the Christmas period put us to the test, with snow and ice and all the things  that falls victim to them. Blocked and impassable roads, abandoned cars and trees down from the weight of snow. Even our religion was affected like never before. When did we ever experience Masses being cancelled, moreover during the Festive Season. Funerals didn’t escape, with coffins of loved ones having to be transported by any means possible and our Parish Priest transported by jeep. But the elements didn’t stop the rather regal removal of Dan Joe O Connell, R.I.P. a horse lover all his life, it made waves to see four jet black steeds in high plumes lined up in our church yard to ferry his remains to his final resting place. Only goes to show that combined effort makes everything possible.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 14th January”

Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.

Aaah we’ve reached another milestone. Christmas 2024. And looking back we have a lot to be thankful for.  We  were given the wherewith to cope with whatever  stumbling blocks we met along the way in the past year and  look forward to more of the same until Christmas comes around again. Christmas can be many things to many people.  A Season of giving and remembering and looking back and taking stock of how we’re doing. Each one of us doing it our way depending on our circumstances and our attitude. It’s great to see the shops full of people searching for the last few things before they close. People meeting people and wishing one another the compliments of the season. Children all agog about what Santa will bring and good people such as St.V de Paul volunteers making the last minute effort to make sure that those in need are cared for. Our Community Council have much to celebrate this Christmas. Their combined effort made it possible for two families to move into the two apartments at the old cinema at the West End. The members put their shoulders to the wheel to put the final touches at the last minute on Saturday just before the new residents moved in. All the requirements, furniture, bedding etc. were bought from the local stores   while others donated good quality bits and pieces. It gives us all a good gut feeling, especially in this Holy Festive Season to think that up to eight people are now enjoying our hospitality  and will add much to the everyday life of our community  from now on.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 24th December”

Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.

Red sky in the at night is the shepherd’s delight. Red sky in the morning shepherd’s warning. Well if the sky this Monday morning was anything to go by then we are in for some  mighty bad weather ahead. I got a phone call soon after 8am to see if I was up to see the wonderful sight that was lighting up our skies to the East. My iPhone did little to capture the  splendour before me. Any regrets about bad days/nights to come didn’t enter my head. I just marvelled at the scene above me. All too soon the blood red clouds and skies faded into their usual winter coats, as I got on with the task of dressing myself for the day ahead. The day ahead is different for us all, and I suppose it’s up to each one of us to live it as best we can, depending on our own individual circumstances. Not everybody was born with a silver spoon in their mouth and it is wonderful that we have so many good-living people who do so much to make Christmas/life  better for those who are down in their luck. Our local branch St. V de Paul Society did very well in the annual Church Gate collection again this year ,and we can be happy in the thought that the little we gave will be wisely spent on the cause that we gave for. Others organised food collections and further to that I know that  there are people who  look after the needy in private.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 17th December”

Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.

Time is flying, with the first ten days of December already gone. Let us not waste our days before the 25^th. Or we will end up in a mad rush and spoil the lovely Festive Season for ourselves and those around us . Think about it and if you do you’ll have to agree that getting ready for Christmas could go on for months ahead of the big day. All through the year we come across bargains and offers that would make great Christmas gifts but we tell ourselves that there is plenty of time and other chances will turn up and before we know it we’ve fallen into the same old trap of buying at the last minute. There is a great air of celebration around the place with two weeks more to go. The lovely Christmas Cribs which were made by our gallant Men’s Club have made a great difference this year. The one at the Chapel Gate was blessed by Canon John last week. He invited us all out after the ten o’clock mass one morning and a great crowd assembled.  Likewise he blessed the other one on the grounds of our hospital. Each time he complimented all those who were responsible for these two  new and welcome features in our Christmas scene.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 10th December”

Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.

And welcome to December, the last month of the year. The month when we look back in disbelief and ask ourselves, ’where did it go’  Not an easy question to answer but it’s up to ourselves how we spend our time and when we look back and pick out the things that we did in those past months maybe we could tell ourselves that we didn’t waste them after all. Our way into Mass on Sunday was made all the more spectacular with the placing of the beautiful wooden crib at the gate thanks to the  efforts of our Men’s Club. Everybody stopped to admire their presentation, complete with the all the figures of the age old Christmas scene. It is a wonderful addition to our way into Mass for the Holy Season of Christmas.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 3rd December”

Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.

After spending three  long  days housebound by torrential rain, blizzard-like snow and horrific gales, my mood was not in a good place when I opened my laptop to write this week’s report. But then just as I wrote the first few lines the phone rang, I’d forgotten to pay in advance for our A.R.A. Christmas dinner at the Castle Hotel in Macroom on the first week of December.  There was nothing for it but to abandon the job in hand and head off to pay the needful. As you’d expect the ladies in charge like to get the money all on the same day, bank it and put that task to bed. In town of course there were other things to do, which involved going to a few different shops. Well it was a real uplifting experience. Each place I went the staff were busy putting up their Christmas displays. Half empty boxes, wrapping paper all over the place and a real air of expectancy about. Soon my dismal air turned to thoughts of Christmas and all that goes with it. Driving through town people were busy putting up the Christmas lights along the streets. What was our tent in the square stripped of its overcoat and the skeleton being adorned with festive apparel. Then I needed petrol and as I still haven’t mastered the art of filling my own car and even though Colemans are only too willing to give me a fill,  I beckoned to a nice young man who was passing and asked him if he’s oblidge, which he did asking me first how much I needed and told him to fill it up, job done, he had he politely asked me if I’d like him to go in and pay the bill for me ( with my money of course) but declined as I needed to go there anyway. I asked him his name, one which I cannot pronounce, obviously he was from some foreign clime.  I came home feeling a new person ,having met so much  goodness and that wonderful feeling that you get from a town, all working together for the common good. Need I say please support your own town in the runup to Christmas. We have a lovely town and Community please honour it with your support and co-operation. Rural towns all over the country are struggling and it is up to each one to seek  supported from their own. Shopping can be made easy giving vouchers and every business in town provides them. Goodness knows you have to give special gifts to certain people but very few householders will frown on a voucher for petrol or oil or coal.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 26th November”

Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.

Being prepared either in mind or body for the rapid changes in our weather isn’t easy. For the past week or so we’ve been wallowing in the mildest stretch of fine weather in a long, long time and then wham, we are told that snow is on the way. The fine snap was indeed a welcome gift from Mother Nature. It was great that we were able to go outside and enjoy the wonders of Autumn all around us.  Also it was great to see cattle out grazing on rich grassy paddocks which were dry a bare a couple of months ago and farmers having to feed them with their precious winter feed. This welcome handout will help to stretch their supplies much further.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 19th November”

Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.

The  weather may be unseasonable but it certainly is lovely. It’s so unusual to see the leafless trees and plants sticking out new buds and even a few blossoms. My lemon tree which didn’t do so well earlier on is having a hay day. New tops on the branches and even a flower and strange as it may seem we may as well enjoy them.  The lawn continues to need mowing and the mushroom like fungi pops up all over the place.  It’s nice to be able to get out more and with the leaves all gone off trees the views are much better as you drive along.  It’s hard to believe that Christmas is only a matter of weeks away.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 12th November”

There is no Report from Eily this week as a mark of respect on the death of her adored great grand daughter Leah Mae Forde, Cork .

Please pray for her grieving parents and all the family.

Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.

Oh Thank God, the weekend for changing the clocks is over. I have no hesitation nor shame in admitting that I got it all wrong. To go forward or backward which should it be. You’d think that it was a simple thing to do, and do you know I’m still thinking, did I lose and hour or gain one. There is a big difference between the clock on the wall and the body clock and I’m not the only one to be confused by it. All over the country babies and little children will be waking at wrong times because of it, so why should I worry. The difference is most noticeable in the evenings when the darkness comes down so early. It takes a lot of planning to find a way to pass the long hours before bedtime, on your own. Thanks to the many pastimes which we are picking up again at classes and group meeting we have lots to choose from. Knitting and Crochet etc. are growing in popularity and can be done while watching TV. Others are learning card games such as 45 and bridge which will enable them to play in organised games in parish halls. It is very import that as many events for the elderly, be held in the daytime. With the night coming down at six o’clock, it isn’t easy to face out to something at 7.30.or 8. ‘at our age’.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 29th October”

Dia is Mhuire dióbh go léir a cairde and welcome to my Report.

The great 80,000 year old Halley’s Comet made very little news following the deadline which I thought was last Saturday night.  I expected to see pictures of it on every paper and screen. But no. The Comet holds a very special place in my mind because my mother-in law ,who was born in 1900, never stopped talking about Halley’s Comet which was visible to the eye when she was a young girl. She loved to tell how herself and her brothers and sisters  climbed up the   steep incline above their house at Ballinatona  after nightfall to see the great wonder in the sky. She said it was like a big bright star with a long tail moving across the dome of the world and that it would not be seen again for  80 years.  She told that story over and over and it instilled in us a sense of wonder and awe and it stirs me now again to hear of Halley’s Comet.

Our town is all the poorer this week at the unexpected passing of Humphrey Hickey. In his early fifties. Humphrey was many things to many people for many different reasons.  Devoted to his family, he helped at home when needed and he made regular trips to visit his brother Paul and his sisters Margaret and Kathleen in America. He was very proud of the great lives they made for themselves over there including  the popular Diner that they set up and continue to run in the Bronx. As a Community man he was like no other. Always held down a full time job,  but he made time to volunteer  whenever help was needed around the town. Be it the St.Patrick’s Day Parade or putting up the Christmas Lights or the Willie Neenan annual Race etc. he answered the call. He loved his regular runs around the Glebe and was welcome at houses all along the way to drop in for a slug of water as he went along. Even his very Christian name stood out. Humphrey. There could be ten Tom, Jack or Harrys, but only one Humphrey. And when him  mentioned you knew there was a willing man for a job. He will be sorely missed in our Community.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 15th October”

Dia is Mhuire dióbh go léir a cairde and welcome to my Report.

Millstreet featured largely on last week’s Irelands Own. It’s dated Oct.11.2024. The  back cover is devoted entirely to Millstreet.  Singing it’s praises and lauding the work of it’s people. Written by a man called Denis J Hickey, it highlights all our best assets and features such as our Holy Tubrid Well, source of our water supply our medieval forts and castles and our many entrepreneurs and lots more.  Giving us all good reason to be proud of our own place. Further to that I had the honour of having a letter published on the letters page of the  same weekly. It was a first for me, in the shape of a comment that I made on an article in a previous issue about the renowned Dr.Aidan McCarthy from Castletownbere, whom I’ve just discovered was a close relation to our own Fr. Paddy and the O’Byrne Family. His book A Doctor’s War is well worth a read. During the Japanese invasion of Malaysia etc, the Beara Medic found himself totally emersed in the conflict, he was taken prisoner and endured years in concentration camps and extreme cruelty. But at the end when the enemy was defeated and the Japanese general at their mercy his men wanted to kill him right away for all that he had done to them. But the Dr. Aidan said no, two wrongs never made a right. The man was so delighted and grateful that his life was spared that he presented his mighty sword to him. The sword was the symbol of all that  this man stood for, his country, his pride his everything, and this was his way of showing his gratitude. That sword  is now at the home of Dr. Aidan at the McCarthy public house  in Castletownbere. On a visit to Beara one time,   I’m very proud to have been photographed with that historic weapon in my hand by kind permission of his daughter and how wonderful it was for me to present a copy of it to Kevin O’Byrne who is a staunch historian but only ever heard the story of the sword. Never dreamt that he would see a picture of it or know where it is kept today. The truth is stranger than fiction.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 8th October”

Dia is Mhuire dióbh go léir a cairde and welcome to my Report.

We are into the last week of the month of September, and looking around it has all the signs of it. The lawn no longer needs its weekly trim and the last roses of summer will be gone, but for the boost that they got from the few lovely warm days which we got during the week. It was lovely to see them  waking up again, even though it was not very seasonal. But as some take their own  annual break others are coming into their own. The lovely Virginian Creeper is already making it’s annual appearance. Having remained in the background while others flaunted their multi-coloured blossoms they are now coming into their own as they drape themselves around every hedge and wall and even along the ground, if they can’t find a platform to cling to.  If we are wise we will take a little of our time to admire them before we have to call on the man with the mighty machine that will make short work of the months of growth on our hedges and walls.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 24th September”

Dia is Mhuire dióbh go léir a cairde and welcome to my Report.

It would pay you to drive through the country a see the Rowan Trees. The Mountain Ash.  They are weighed down with bright red berries. The Rowan tree grows in the wild so you can happen on them anywhere and in these fine sunny days they light up your way as you travel along, especially byroads and hilly areas. I had an occasion to go on such a trek today and believe me all along the way from the top of Bealac to the top of Sliabh Luachra they lit up my way. A beautiful gift from Mother Nature and still with the gifts of Mother Nature, I’m feasting on succulent damsons from Noreen’s Garden at the moment and the birds are feeding off the wild raspberries along the roadsides. To name but a few.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 17th September”

Dia is Mhuire dióbh go léir a cairde and welcome to my Report.

September is moving along beautifully, giving us lots of sunshine and  some of the loveliest hours of tranquil pleasant moments if you were lucky enough to capture them. The fruits of the Earth continue to mature and ripen.  Every day there are offers of juicy plums, damsons, and wild crabs . Soft fruits which have to be nipped at the right time before they over ripen and fall of the branch.  The same goes for the hazel nuts. How we loved to climb the precarious limbs to retrieve them. When we had teeth of our own, it was no bother for us to crack the hard shells  with our teeth to get out the little treasure within. Rose hips are ablaze of colour just now as their greenish yellow fruits are fast turning to a rosy red. We have often heard of Rose Hip syrup but never made any.  There was really no need to venture into the world of such high class preserves when our world was full of blackberries and strawberries, rhubarb  and a whole range of  items  which gave us enough of jars of   jam  to see us right through the winter.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 10th September”

Dia is Mhuire dióbh go léir a cairde and welcome to my Report.

Welcome to the month of September. When our climate was fairly predictable, September was the month when we reaped the fruits of our labour. By the end of this month the hay would be long stored into the haybarns and the last of the grain crops, the wheat and the oats and the barley would have reached the stage of full maturity.  September was a busy month, but then as the farmer lived hand in hand with the weather, every month was a busy month. Cold weather in winter, when Mother Nature sent frost and snow to turn everything off and let the land rest in preparation for the planting and growing seasons ahead. There was no forward predicting of the weather like there is now and I can often remember seeing my Dad with a worried look in his face as he tried to find the best was forward and saying in a low toned voice, ‘May God direct me’ and He did because we survived. By September the turf which was won from the  bog in Caherdowney, five miles away, was drawn home by animal power. The horse and crib, by the grown men or the old reliable humble donkey by my growing brothers. The potatoes which were dug and stored in shallow pits in the field were  temporarily covered with a light covering of earth and straw. Very often children got days off from school for this important work and even with breaking backs we still looked on it as being better than going to school.  With the corn threshed and the all important grain, stored in the loft it was time to go back to the  potato field and sort the spuds. Needless to say on the day that they were dug, we emptied our buckets into the pit big ones and small ones all together. Hence the task of separating the big from the small later on. One of the coldest places on earth is when you go on your knees around the pit in an open plain with where was no escaping the icy breeze. There you knelt hour after hour sorting the big from the small. The call for the dinner giving a welcome respite before returning again.  The small potatoes or the waste as they were called were dumped in a shed where they were fed to the pigs and the geese and the fowl.  How we loved watching the ducks as the swallowed the small ones whole  and we could see them moving down along  inside their long necks until the ‘lump’ went into the crop and waited for the next one. The right-sized spuds were carefully loaded on to the horse and butt and transported into the yard and carefully stored, either indoors or in an outdoor pit but well protected from the winter frosts and the marauding rats. The supply had to see the family and the animals fed, well into  the next year. Like the wheat and the oats, hay, straw (for bedding the animals)and the turnips and the mangolds . Every month was important but September was special because it was a culmination of all that was done in the previous months. In many places Harvest Thanksgivings or Harvest dances were held when as they used to say, the cares of the year was over.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 3rd September”