Category: Regional Report

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

How many times did we hear it said that hot nor cold won’t  ‘plaze ee.’ In our young days those words were thrown at us more that once as we pleaded for more than our parents were inclined , or could afford, to give us. A remark which always sent us on our way and it can still be said of us. How we longed for some fine weather as the rain pelted down on us for the past couple of months and out of the blue along  came a heatwave.  It was beautiful to feel the sun and see the world around us from a different perspective. Dry and warm, good enough to make plans. Plans for a long-awaited day by the sea or even go to the bog, or wash the blankets or duvets and have them fit to go back on the bed before night. But for some of us at any rate, the heat was a bit too hot and as the days dawned the build up of heat both by night and by day indoor and out was a little over-bearing. Though I hate to admit it.  A just time to say well hot nor cold won’t ‘plaze ee. Apart from the slight discomfort it was a joy to see how the world around us reacted to the fine spell. Painters were out in an effort the catch up with lost time and get the house renewed. Those who had their turf still in the bog lost no time to try and retrieve it . It was a rare sight to see the bog road to Gneeves all lit up at night as the convoys of the precious winter warmer was being ferried safely home. People of the land worked over-time to get their planes re-seeded while the land was dry enough . Funny enough I found that in my own garden my roses which had given up the ghost for this year ,came to new life, and sent out  a brand new crop of every hue.

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

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

The Sun, The Sun, The Sun. All the pointers were for it in the past few days and how we longed for it to come and it’s here with a bang. For how long we don’t know but the secret is to make full use of it while it lasts. The whole country was alive with events and plans for more, just at the mention of a fine spell. Our town was a hive of activity on Sunday with colourful stalls flanking the sides as they always do for September Fair. Our Car Vintage Club filling Noel C Duggan’s carpark for their assembly and the usual registering and so on. People leaving the church after 11.30 Mass in brilliant sunshine had lots to see at as they eased their way through the thoroughfare. Always interested in things of the land, I met a little fellow as he came out of the Fair Field at Minor Row on Sunday morning. He looked the part of a little lad who was involved in the horse trade. Riding crop in hand, skinny body with a skinny trousers tight around his little legs, He told me he was 14 and they had a horse for the Fair and lots of them at home. I asked what breed and he said Irish Draught ( the ones that we always kept on our farm), what colour, brown. I asked him what would they be selling the animal for and he said about €8.500. Didn’t know they made that kind of money but he said they’re gone up mad lately. Then I asked him what would the buyer do with the horse and he said hunting.  I asked him his name and where he came from and he told me, I told him mine and as we parted he reached out his little hand and we shook as we said goodbye. I enjoyed that.   A member of our Gardai as well as members of the Club keeping perfect order and the long line of cars of every make and colour left the town behind and headed off on a beautiful scenic route all in aid of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. They enjoyed a wonderful BBQ at the Pub in Carriganima.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 5th September”

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

With September on our doorstep and children about to return to school,’tis hard to believe that the year is moving on so fast. It’s a time when in the past we looked forward to the annual September Fair. The very thought of it almost raises the excitement within me as I recall crowds and the carnival in O’Leary’s Lawn (now the Town Park) and loud speakers on all the poles in the town blaring all the lovely music and songs that were popular at the time. Mighty stallions would be paraded through the streets with strong men at both side, reins in hand to keep them under control. People and animals all mingled together, there was no mention of Health & Safety and yet I can’t recall that there was ever any serious injury. People were naturally vigelant back then because they lived with danger all the time. There were no proper fences to keep animals under control, so they broke out and galloped free sometimes where people especially children were and had only a split second to jump to safety. Where some repairs were in progress boards with nails sticking out of them were another hazard. Many the unsuspecting passer by stepped on one at their peril. An experience I had more than once. Such things made us very watchful, very clever and the dangers at the Fair bore no threat to us at all. Beforehand there would be a Carnival Dance to choose a Carnival Queen and once chosen she would be free to elect her own ladies in waiting, four of them. This was in the day when there were no mobiles phones, nor on-line shopping and outfits were a lot less fashionable than they are today. So you can imagine the excitement in the run-up to the parade. We waited with bated breath to see the beautiful gowns , worn by her ladyship and her attendants. How we wished it could be us, but it was never to be. Pony trotting was very popular back then, the course was from town to Kilmeedy Bridge. The driver beautifully dressed whip in hand was a sight to behold and the clip clop of the nimble hooved  beauty was music to our ears and a gymkana on the lawn was also a crowd puller.

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

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

Yet another Horse Show is over at the Mighty Green Glens and the story is the same every time. Both judges and competitors always say that they prefer our local venue to that of the much publicised Dublin Show. They love the homeliness and convenience of it all. Free nearby parking ,very important, plenty of food outlets etc.  Accommodation has changed a lot in recent years and the awful years of the pandemic let many things hanging mid-air but our shows continue to be held. It raises the spirit to see the big lorries arriving and leaving and people ringing around to see who has a bed to let. For a night or perhaps more if a horse qualifies. Being with it since the very beginning, I can’t believe that I didn’t go to the Show this time. Age is having it’s effects. But apart from that we had some funerals over the same period.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 22nd August”

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

It’s a good job that there is always something to keep the spirits up and this past week was no exception, Buíochas le Dia. All heads were raised in  Cloghoula when a big white passenger Bus turned in the Ballinatona road at hi noon one of the days and came to a halt at the homestead of the Sheahan Family. It turned out to be a group of Farmers all the way from Canada in the United States  who were curious to learn more about  Conor Sheahan’s unusual breed of cattle which they saw on-line back home. I must thank the same Conor for filling me in  on the details of the exciting venture. The animals  are a Japanese breed of stock called Wagyu and the visitors were delighted to see them here in Ireland where they thriving and doing well.   During their four hour stay the guests were free to roam the fields and farmyard buildings  and ask questions etc. before sitting down to a scrumptious meal of said meat on the menu all expertly cooked and served by our own Craft Butcher in town, Tony. Conor told me it is the most expensive meat of all and is delivered by courier to the best Hotels in Dublin.  This weekend the Rotterdam Team is coming to Ireland and they will be treated to Wagyu meat for their gala dinner at the Mansion House. Plans are afoot to stock some butcher shops down south  in the near future. We wish the Sheahan family continued success with the latest extension to their business. But different breeds are nothing new to Ballinatona. Next door the O’Riordan family have stocked up with  a herd of Dexter Cattle and doing very well. It’s great to see young farmers diversifying and reaching out to new ideas and  markets. God Bless their work.

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

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

Oh what a lovely day can do, and a lovely weekend is immeasurable. To get a fine Bank Holiday in the middle of bleak forecasts was nothing short of a Gift from God. For the first time in a long time, people from all walks were able to live the dream, carry out the plans they had made for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Others were not fortunate. Up the country there were damaging floods where people had to sleep in their drenched homes until help was available next day. For a small island like ours it’s difficult to imagine such extremes.

Roads were extra busy because of the Bank Holiday Weekend nd places and communities along the way held functions that were suited to their places. In brilliant sunshine. Very often raising much-needed funds for various causes. One of the most novel  to my mind is the Sheep Races in Bearra.

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

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

 Welcome to the month of August. With a wing and a prayer the summer might still come. Up till now the weather has lived up to all the predictions of climate change and judging by things abroad, we’re not getting the worst. So whatever about the wing we’d better keep up with the prayer.

Memories, how they play tricks on the mind. Especially when you get older. The very mention of something from the distant past can send you into a phase of your life which had remained hidden away for decades. There is an item on the website at the moment where somebody is asking if anybody can remember the Davis Family who lived in Millstreet away back and had connections in Ballyvouskil. It must be 80 years or more since I sat in class with Hanna Mary Davis at the Presentation Convent school here in Millstreet, I can still see her as plain as if it were now. Her light  thick brown hair cut in a bob, her calm gentle ways, quiet spoken. Right away I could recall that she had an older sister who was a nun. But other details failed me until I got the help of Nora (Broker) Kelleher and Kitty Cronin, both ladies who are blessed with outstanding memories and perhaps mixed in different circles than I.  Between us we figured out that there were three girls in the Davis family. Hanna Mary, Sheila and Barbara who became a nun.  Davis was not a Millstreet name. Their Dad came to work in the brush making factory in the Drishane Estate.  They lived at the Tanyard as many of those working in Drishane did. Another name which came into the area to work for the French Order of Sisters was Sexton. Two brothers Jehr. and ?, were employed as ploughmen  there. They came from the Skibbereen area of the county. In time Jerh Sexton married into the house in Church Street which was a very popular public house and the name Sexton went over the door of a business place in Millstreet for the first time. The place has changed ownership  many times over the years and always retained it’s popular acclaim as it does to  this day, as Pomeroy’s Clara Inn.   Hanna Mary left school at sixth class and like so many more of her equals disappeared into the big world which took them away from the everyday/years of closeness at school. We all followed the paths that Life had in store for us and it’s only when we hear the name mentioned again that it all comes flooding back.

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

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

God helps those who help themselves and it certainly proved to be true when Sean Murphy once again braved the elements and went ahead with the Declan Nerney Concert in the lovely village of Carriganima  on Sunday night.  Nora Tarrant and myself had the honour of conveying the popular Star from Mary O’Sullivan’s parlour across the road to his magnificent band stand inside a huge marquee. In his opening cupla focail, Declan said that  he was in awe of the venue and in Sean and his helpers. At 3 o’clock that evening  he said, with the rain pouring down there was little hope of going ahead with his show under the skies but when  he returned a little after 6 he found a huge marquee in place which covered the entire dancing area from side to side. Once again the spirit of rural Carriganima came into play as the rain continued to fall. They pressed ahead as the people slowly started to arrive and by 8 o’clock the rains had stopped as we marched the great Declan Nerney onto his stage, secure in the knowledge that the show could go on. The irony of it was that the marquee wasn’t even needed because there was no rain for the rest of the night. The new boy in town Pat Mulcrone entertained the crowds in the bar from early on so a great time was had by all and the crowd was even bigger than last time. Well done to all.  Buíochas le Dia.

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

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

Today we parted with another of our esteemed citizens. Liam Coffee was a household name, he was there always. He being a few years my senior, as far as I was concerned ‘my Millstreet’ was never without Liam Coffee. I heard his name before I ever knew him to see. He went to the boys school with my brothers and his name would come in their after school stories in the evening. I remember his Dad Garda Ed. Coffee. Back then members of the force were always walking in the town or standing the barrack gate as we went and came. Garda Ed. seemed to be very involved in the social affairs of the town /community. I wonder am I right in thinking that he was the instigator of the Pipe Band. Likewise Liam was a great community man and in my young days we had people who were always at the ready to take the stage to sing or perform . The same people were active in our church choir and so on. People like Tadg O Driscoll, John Joe Tangney, Liam Coffee, Maurice Murray/O’Callaghan , Larry Moynihan, Kit Radley, Teresa Corcoran, Rosie Todd, Abby Murphy and lots more. We didn’t have any fancy halls in town back then to hold local concerts but we did have a fine cinema which other towns didn’t have and some of our plays and concerts were staged there. We had  a hall in Minor Row also and we enjoyed functions there as if they were the Albert Hall. I can still recall the songs that some of our local artists sang. Larry Moynihan would thrill us all with his heartfelt rendering of Jerusalem. Morris M O’Callaghan’s party piece was his recitation of the ‘Green Eye of the little Yellow God’ and we sat stiffened at his well put words. Liam liked the lighter vein of ‘A woman, a woman, Oh what can she be, whatever she is ,she’s necessary. Coupled with a ‘Man oh a man any woman will say, whatever she is we like her that way. Rosie’s rendering of the ‘Teddy Bears Picnic’ will stay with us for ever. Most of these were in the Parish Choir and there was never any trouble in getting them to sing or recite when the occasion arose. Liam’s time with the Millstreet Pipers Band is History and how fitting it was to see them all at his Requiem Mass, all in Uniform as the played some fitting tunes to their departing member. May the lovely soft-spoken Liam Coffee, rest easy as we send our sincere sympathy to his lovely wife Noreen, his sons James and Edmund, and siblings Maureen, Teresa and Joe. RIP.

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

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

There is only one way for me to start my Report today and that is to talk about the trip of Gina and the Champions  to Carriganima on Saturday night last July 8 2023.  No words of mine can do justice to the courage and determination of Sean Murphy to take on such a mammoth function as to invite the great Gina & the Champions into the humble space at the back of what was known in the past as Mattie Maghúns and dancing is not new to the Village, I have a faint memory of a dance hall there many moons ago and they gave  a welcome bread & jam and tea.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report -11th July”

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

The sun goes up and the sun goes down and the hands of the clock keeps going around and this week all roads lead to the West, or the Westht  as they used to say. The first week of July sends music lovers of every ilk making their way to the Co. Clare town of Milltown Malbay. A town which grew from being a small rural village to a world famous hive of all things trad and all in the name of one of their talented pipers, the humble Willie Clancy who passed away over half a century ago. But his community refused to let him die. Instead they built a huge festival in his memory, to be held on the first week of July every year. They developed classes and concerts and opened them to all who wanted to learn and learn they did. Classes were held in rooms and parlours all over the place where local homeowners were willing to let a room for a few hours every day and going along the streets the sound of music came wafting out of these places. Age didn’t matter. The young and the not young sat side by side in their hunger for our traditional Irish music and how to take part in it. Needless to say they need listeners too, and I am one of them. I was fortunate to be part of the Sliabh Luachra group who made the trip across the ferry every year to bring their own branch of Irish Music to the multitudes. Their input was nothing short of being sensational, and today the tunes that were played by Johnnie O’Leary, his daughter Ellen(and now by his famous grandson Byron) and many others are being played all over the world. Music lovers came from Australia, America, Japan ,Russia and lots of places in between. Believe it or not, there are about six Irish Music outlets in Moscow. (Were before the war anyway) and some of our best  players go there to join in.

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

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

The thunder showers abounded  and people going into 11.30 Mass on Sunday got a rather unwelcome cleansing as they hurried in. There were many also stories of the heavy rains that fell at 2 am the previous night which seemed to have aroused many from their sleep. The evidence was plain to see next morning judging by all the debris strewn in many places but the warm air prevailed and when the torrents subsided all were free to go again.  It’s hard to believe that the longest day is gone and from now on each day will be a little shorter but only a little. There will still be plenty of time to enjoy the out of doors.

I knew that as soon as the Cork Show was over that the new spuds would be out all over. The struggle at Springtime has paid off. The hard work of selecting of the seed,  cutting  the scealslaanes, the weeding and spraying and finally digging has come to fruition the new cabbage keeping pace with them is a guarantee of a dinner that is as old as time itself. Coupled with a fine piece of bacon of course. New ideas come on stream all the time especially these days when sparing fuel is top of the list. In our days there was what we called a double cooker, simply a saucepan with another one sitting into it. They were regarded as the bees knees. To heat a baby’s bottle, or scramble an egg or make porridge, without burning them.  Today they are much more bigger and more modern.  We call them steamers and they come in many shapes and sizes, large enough to cook a whole meal ,over  just one ring on the gas or electric.  The bacon long ago took much longer to cook so it had to be put on long before the cabbage and the adding of same caused the pot to cool down a great deal ,and took ages to come back up to temp. again. Now people put the cabbage in the steamer at the same time as the bacon underneath, and when time  comes it can be toppled in with the meat  for flavour and the spuds put in the top section and the whole meal cooked together. A friend who is long gone to her eternal reward told us how she could reheat cold boiled potatoes ,even new ones. Put them into asaucepan cover them with cold water and bring them to the boil, then drain them and allow them to steam for a minute or two, and it really works.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 27th June”

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

The fire and brimstone of the past few days has left the place looking fresh and green and so much  more alive ,following the hot dry spell. Not everybody likes the rain, but we can’t survive without it and we are thankful that it came. I doubt if the heavy showers did any harm to the turf in the bogs, I’m told its as hard as iron due to the very hot weather.

I know you’ll be glad to hear that our friend who had the cycle accident continues to improve. This mighty son of Kilnamatyra Tom Scriven takes some beating. His mind perfectly clear, but needs lots of rest and in between is up for a joke. He would be the first to say buíochas le Dia, being a very religious person, proud of the Faith that was handed on to him at his native Kilnamatyra as a child. I found it rather disturbing to learn that in spite of the terrible impact which threw him over the fence and out of view, that his feet/shoes were still firmly attached to the pedals and his head helmet still in place.

Bikes and cycling have changed a lot since my young days. Back then there were no fancy gears nor clips to hold your feet in place and we had both a man’s bike and a woman’s bike. The man’s similar to the ones of today with its bar from the saddle to the handlebars, but as all the ladies wore skirts at that time the frames was fashioned in such a way that the lady could slip her foot across in safety and dignity to  meet the other pedal without having to throw her foot over the saddle like the men. The bike  was regarded  as a very useful thing and learning to ride a bike for the very first time was regarded with the same egotism as passing you driving test today. There were no stabilisers like today, to practice on.  People had different ways of riding a bike and very often you could tell a lot about the person on board just by looking at them. The smart and upright sort had the saddle at the right height worked the pedals with the tip of the toes and wore clips to keep the legs of the pants from getting stained by the oil on the chain. Belted overcoat securely tied and headgear be it a hat or a cap just at the right angle.  Then you had the lad who never got it right but still succeeded. The saddle too low and working the pedals with his insteps, was the sign of a cabog or foolish person.  Few things were worse than having the saddle too high. This could be the result of many persons using the same machine and it would be too much trouble to change it for each one. The seesaw movements that went with it was enough to give one a pain in a very delicate area. Looking back I can see a very close resemblance between the bike and the donkey. They were things of equal purpose. Handleable by young and old and always at the ready to do small jobs. Today the bike is a very high class mode and used only for pleasure and exercise, back then it was a must and a big come up from shanks mare. They often bore heavy loads. A bag of potatoes or turf or other commodities on the bar, or a box of chickens or baby ducks for the market on the carrier at the back. Once on board the driver could be heard singing a lively song or whistling a merry tune , to shorten the road as they used to say. The bike also took large numbers of rabbits when there was a good market for them and many a machine bore the tell tale signs of the dried blood down along the wheels. But was there anything as nice as a spin on the bar from a beau. A lad and lass in union, she on the bar cuddled in his arms as he all masterful and caring and close, wiled away  the miles.  Bikes were big business back then. There was at least one bicycle shop in every town and people saved long and hard to buy one. There were different makes to choose from, the Raleigh being the favourite. I think mine was called a Triumph. Roads were bad a punctures were numerous so many shops stocked the necessary requirements to fix them. There was a special little bag buckled to the saddle to take the patches and the glue/solution, to deal with the many setbacks. During the war tyres were scarce and not  quality so the breakdown kit was a must. Even when the bike had run its race and was no longer useful for the purpose for which it was made, we children enjoyed hours and hours of bowling the bare rim along the yard driven by a piece of stick.  Most of us fell off bikes at one time or another and lived to tell the tale. One twilight when cycling  down Pound Hill I pulled the wrong brake and went out over the handlebars, people thought I was badly injured when I wasn’t getting up, but I was anxiously checking to see if I’d torn my silk stocking, which would be a great tragedy indeed. Where would I get the price of another pair. That’s what it was like back then. Today we often see old bikes or even parts of, all painted up and placed in gardens perhaps as a fond reminder of a loved one who used it in their day.  Many bicycle shops opened in the town over the years ,but the one that stood the test of time is still in business by John Lehane on the Main Street who  provides bicycles for hire every year. This week we extend our sincere sympathy to John on the death of his lovely wife Mary (Hickey) who was a dear school pal on mine. RIP.

This week we offer our sincere condolences to our Dear Canon John FitzGerald, his brother Fr. Tadgh and  Ena on the death of their  mother Eileen. At the great age of 104. Eileen was sister of the great Dan O’Connell Knocknagree who did so much to revive the cultures and traditions of Sliabh Luachra for many years.    May Eileen’s soul Rest in Peace.

Our best wishes go to all the students who have finished their exams, many will be seeking Summer work to earn some ready cash or perhaps pay for their further education. May the Help of God go with them all the way.

Father’s Day, a time when all the Dads will got pampered for the honour of being a Dad. There is a nice prayer for Father’s Day on this weeks Missalette which says  Dear God, We ask you to bless all the fathers in our Parish today and always. Help them to be a father like You. Give each one the patience and grace to handle situations in a loving way.  For the fathers who are no longer with us , we ask that you give them a room in your heavenly home, where they will continue to watch over us. Amen. I want to wish Fathers near and far a very Happy and enjoyable Fathers Day on Sunday.

The Boys National School Annual move-thon will be held in the Town Park on tomorrow Wednesday, June 21st .

Here are the results of this weeks lotto draw which was held on Sunday night. Numbers drawn were 4,6,10,15 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to Cody & Bailey c/o Mgt Bourke. Sellers prize of E50 went to Mgt. €50 went to Mary Rose Kelleher & Mike Keane, €20 each went to Mgt. Smyth c/o Mgt. Bourke, Emer Sarah O’Sullivan, c/o Colemans. Kieran Lonergan c/o Michelle Whelan. The 3 Murphy’s ,Clarabeg c/o Rita O’Reilly. Nigel & Tommy c/o The Wallis Arms, Trish Carroll c/o Tom Carroll.  J&A Murphy Drishane Rd. c/o Colemans. Jimmy O’Connor, Tullig, c/o The Wallis Arms. Next Draw June 25. Jackpot €9 000.

Eucharistic Adoration every Tuesday from 10.30 am to 7.30 .Please support it well.

Look up our website every day for details of the many events which are happening in our area and beyond .

Tune in to Sean Radley every Tuesday night on Cork Music Station. From 9.30.

Every good wish to those going on holidays and remember there’s lots to enjoy at home if you are not. Gardens are due their first trim ,new things still coming up and birds singing from dawn till dusk. Be aware of it all.

If you’d like to put your name down for a cruise of Cork Harbour contact Mary Sheahan just now. At 087 053 7172.

Agus sinn abfuil a cairde Slán is Beannacht Dé libh go léir.

A lot happens in a week, some good and some not so good but my story today is one of a miracle, a real miracle. Last week I told you about our dear friend who was hit by a car while out doing what he loved best,cycling. He was found by County Council Workers and airlifted to CUH where his tests revealed a very serious brain injury.  He was put on life support over the Bank Holiday weekend,  the doctors to come on Monday to remove it. In the meantime his family said their goodbyes and invited his closest friends to do the same.  While we all waited for that phone call to say he was gone, a very different account came to say that our 68 year old friend had woken up and called his family members and friends ,(including myself) naming each one. He replied  correctly to their questions. He took some liquid food and very soon taken out of the high-dependency room. A week later he can walk a little with the aid of a zimmer frame and is in a four-bed ward. Needless his wife, son and daughter are almost afraid to think that this is not all a lovely dream and that they will wake up and find that it was. Nobody knows what his future holds, but right now they are treating his case as a pure miracle. The medical team are dumbfounded, so also the nursing staff and all connected with his case.

And to quote the thought for the week from this weeks missalette.

‘Those who wait upon God get fresh strength, they spread their wings and soar like eagles’.

Needless to say this Godfearing family were in our prayers from the start  and  recovery so far is inspiring, proving once again that we must never give up on the Power of God.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 13th June”

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

Welcome to the month of June, with the first week almost gone already. You’d wonder if we make the most or even the best out of our time.  In spite of lists a reminders we still miss things that we meant to engage in and swear that it will never happen again, but it does. Maddening isn’t it. But maybe I’m the only one. The Month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, just like the month of May was dedicated to Our Blessed Lady. Many books and leaflets carry the story of how important it is that we up our devotion to him for the good of all.  Being  an avid reader of Irelands Own  the 130 year old Magazine which was there when we were born and still there,  strong as ever. It’s about the only booklet that has never changed it’s standards  never strayed from our belief in God and all Godly things. While at the same time remaining highly interesting and entertaining. The Sacred Heart was always our mainstay in life.  No Catholic Home was complete without the picture of the Sacred Heart on the kitchen wall and a little lamp lighting below it. In the days before Electricity a paraffin oil lamp was used. It demanded a lot of attention, keeping it in oil, trimming the wick and seeing that it was placed safely away from danger. When a religious mission came to town, the last night was always set aside to consecrate every family and home to the Sacred Heart. Special pictures were easily available at the religious goods stalls out in the street. The picture had room to write the names of all those living in the house and it was hung up with deep devotion in a prominent place where it was plain to see by all and how some of them lived on even when the house became deserted due to members growing and leaving and the elders passing away. Every time I go to Killarney I can see the Statue of the Sacred Heart on a window of a house which is deserted for years. The picture still enjoys pride of place in many homes but alas not as many as before, new homes are built and the décor very often does not include the picture of God.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 6th June”

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

They say that if play with fire you’ll burn your fingers. Well I wasn’t playing with fire, but I was cutting some nettles with the secateurs why I didn’t use something with a longer handle I’ll never know, well anyway I got stung, and my fingers are throbbing.   But maybe it’s not such a bad thing. Long ago people suffering from ‘the pains’ often patted the affected area with these unwelcome plants. We had an elderly neighbour one time who suffered from backache and she’d gladly lie on a bad of nettles to drive her ache away. How much success she had I’ll never know. So who knows my experience today may ease my arthritic paws. If not I still have the hope that the ones now soaking in water will nourish my plants in the weeks ahead.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 30th May”

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

The unpredictable wafts of cold breezes go a long way to cool the lovely May sunshine but it doesn’t prevent us from hoping for more settled weather in the near future. For those of us who can choose our time and the right spot  can still find little nooks and crannies where we can sit and enjoy a warm spell. On the other hand younger folks can speed up their pace of life, move a little faster and beat the cold breeze at it’s own game. I spent most of last week with a friend enjoying the hospitality of other family friends in Youghal. The name of their place in Rathmore House, a magnificent edifice which was built by a Rathmore man by the name of Walsh in 1929. It commands a clear view of the sea but a safe distance from the wild ocean waves which bombard the rows of other stately ones nearer the sea.   Recent development of the promenade have been extended by a modern board walk, inviting you to go further. Plans are afoot to continue the board walk all the way to Midleton, surely every walkers dream.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 16th May”

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

The scene from my window is getting more dense day by day but I’m well compensated by the leaves as they flourish and grow and swell blocking my view. The multicoloured wide expanse always gives food for the eyes and the mind. The wind and the sun and the rain, each having it’s own say in the look of things. The couple of sunny days that we got were a strong temptation to run off to the nearest garden centre and buy bedding plants to wake up our world from it’s long winter sleep, but we have to brace ourselves for as long as I can recall there is danger of frost until the end of May. So we must be patient. Find something else to shake off the winter’s unrest for just another little while. A dry hour now and then gives us the chance the wander around the garden and take stock. As well as admiring the lovely lilac and the laburnum starting to send out its show of tendrils and the Rowan already in flower, there is the chance of hearing the cock pheasant in the near by meadow giving off his well-known call as he searches for a mate.  Butterflies and bees and nesting birds are well worth a moment of your time and nowadays they are much more interesting because of all the Nature programs that we see on tv. Their antics and movements are more meaningful and enjoyable.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 9th May”

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

Fondest greetings and welcome to the merry month of May. The Month of Our Blessed Lady herself. The very sound of the name gives you a lift at the  thought of sunny days ahead and the world around full of light and promise. Did you think to bless your bounds ditches on Sunday night on May Eve? For as long as we can remember this ritual has been kept up and strictly adhered to in order to ward off the ghouls and makers of pishogues,who were reputed to be able to bring misfortune down on you and yours.  Some people back in the day believed that those who came round on May Eve with their evil charms  had the power to bring bad luck. The Holy Water blessed at Easter which always seemed clearer and purer than some you had in for some time was the favourite fluid which was used at this special time. Stories were told around the fires at night of some local crafty being who was seen early on the morning of the first day of May furtively crouching around where waters met and working their evil intent before the sun burned away the May Morning Dew.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 2nd May”

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

This is the Day, this is The Day that I’ve reached my 90^th birthday. It was a long haul by any standards but also with a long list of reasons to be thankful. My eldest brother, Denis,(RIP) always told me that on that fateful day April 24^th in 1933, at evening time he was told to go down to town (on foot) and tell Bridgy Reardon to come up. Bridgy Reardon lived in with Maggie Long and her son Jerome who had a  shop in lower Pound Hill. It had a fire place at the off end and the counter and shop at the other of the same room. There was always a nice fire burning in the grate and people would sit there and talk to Maggie while she got their purchase for them. Sometimes on our way home from school, we’d drop in if they’d asked us at home to bring something. A loaf of bread or a box of matches or so. Bridgy could often be there resting by the fire as we came and went. Middle aged, comfortable looking . My brother had no idea why he was to tell her to come to our house for but just did as he was told. She went on foot with her bag at least I never her saw her having a bike like other nurses as I can recall. Anyway it seems that I arrived at sundown on that day 90 years ago.  I want to continue thanking all the kind people who are sending well wishes and I want to wish the popular Joanne O’Riordan a very Happy Birthday today, also Johnnie Mc Avoy who share this day with me.

Here are the results of this week’s lotto draw which was held on Sunday night. Numbers drawn were 1,18.25,27 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to John Twohig Castlecor, Mallow, the seller was Colemans and they got €50 sellers prize. €50 went to Denise Smyth c/o Michelle Whelan. €20 each to Kevin Murphy, c/o The Bush Bar, Joan Corkery c/o Mary O’Connor, Mary Lynch, Kilcorney, Martina O’Donoghue, c/o Colemans, Breda Sheehan  c/o Tom Carroll, Tim Healy Murphy’s Terrace, Linda & Mary Coleman c/o Colemans, Catherine Cleary c/o Healy’s Bar.

Next Draw Bank Holiday Monday May 1^st. Jackpot €8,000.

In closing I want to wish you all a very Happy and enjoyable Bank Holiday  Weekend. Please drive with extreme care.

Agus sinn abfuil a cairde Slán is Beannacht Dé libh go léir.

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

Heavy  rain and high winds, normal enough for the sort of weather that we are accustomed to in these modern times. But of late we’ve been getting a mixture of hail, which leaves lots of people very surprised, worried even, Well what next. But in my young days ,hailstones were a common occurrence in April. It sticks in my memory because April being the time of year when fowl of all kinds were put down hatching. Hens mostly because they were capable of bringing out many other species as well as their own. Hatching hen eggs of course was natural for a hen, and took three weeks to mature, while duck eggs took a month, meaning that the unfortunate bird would be stuck in the nest for a week longer. Geese and turkey eggs the same. Usually the hatching was done in an empty and peaceful loft ,away from the other distractions of the farmyard. They were roofed with galvanised sheeting and when the hailstones came hard and fast as they often did in April. it was a cause of great worry. The danger was that the pounding noise would kill the young life as it formed in the eggs under the hens. As the weeks progressed the worried bean-a-tighe would take out an egg here and there and hold it up to her ear longing for the faintest sound of life. To check if they were fertile she’d hold the egg up to the light ,and look through the shell,  if there was a little sack of light showing at the top then it was good. But if not it was sure to be a glugger and a glugger was bad news, the contents rotting away in the shell with the passage of time. The woman would take it away as soon as she was sure that there was no chick growing away inside. As children we’d be given the glugger to discard it. How we loved to take it away and throw it at some distant stone or ditch, thus filling the air with the most foul smell in all the world. People ask us today, what we did for fun in our young days, now there’s one example. There was nothing as cranky as a hatching hen or indeed any brooding bird, they fought to the death to protect their clutch. A few times a week each would have to be forceably taken out of the nest to have some exercise, toilet, food and drink and to dust themselves. Dusting to a hatching hen or any bird would be comparable to any of us having a bath. The heap of ashes after the fire, or a heap of dry earth or sand was heaven to them.  Crouched down, they wallowed in it using their sharp claws to throw up the dust and mix it into their feathers and flap their  wings in a wild frenzy. Then just as fast they were on their feet a quick shake of the body and wasted no time in returning to the nest as soon as possible, plumage askew and clucking, clucking loudly as she went and anything that stood in her way got the vent of the loud screech or a dig of her claws. Back in the nest she gently nudged her clutch of eggs into the right position and carefully sat down on them. Not everything went to plan of course there were losses and disappointments but never sure if was human error or the dreaded hailstones in April.

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

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

Greetings all and I wish you  the very best as we head out on to the rest of the year. Religiously we are well prepared with the newly blessed palm hanging up beside the picture of the Sacred Heart where it replaced the withered specimen of last year.  Withered or not the piece of Blessed Palm  never fails to give us that feeling of  security against fires and other calamities for the whole year. Our Easter ceremonies were beautiful very meaningful and very well attended. Easter brings Lent to a close and a time when Trocaire Boxes are filled and handed in where the proceeds will go to help the needy.  It all helps to give us that ‘feel good’ when Lent is over.

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

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

Is there anything nicer than to see a herd of milch cows going out on a lush green field of grass for the first time in the season. There is something noble and tranquil about a milch cow. Dry stock are like teenagers all their life, for one thing they never lose their youth because they are bred to produce beef and it has to be tender so they are never allowed get old. On the other hand the milking cow lives on, the young buzz goes out of her. She has a calf every year, which develops a maternal instinct in her and because she lives on the farmer and herself get acquainted. They don’t all age in the same way. Like ourselves they differ in their temperament and ways. Some like to have you near them in the hope of getting a nice pat on the rump as they make their way to or from the pasture, others never trust you and will stay well inside the body of the herd where they obviously enjoy the safety of numbers. In our time there was no other way but to open the gap after milking and release the herd out on to the field where they often showed their glee but galloping off, especially if the field was sloped, how they loved to take advantage of it to enjoy a moment of freedom before starting to graze. Thus ruining a lot of the fine green grass. Thanks to modern methods and modern thinking, that is all changed now. Pastures are divided up into manageable paddocks and roads built where the animals will walk in formation, until they reach their goal. Even then a large paddock can be sectioned off by electric fencing , which is moved on as required, so that the precious feed is  not soiled or wasted. When they first reach the pasture ,it’s as though their eyes are bigger than their bellies and they feed voraciously  for a short while  and then as if by some unknown order they all lie down and contently chew the cud and after a brief sojourn they’re up a feeding again. This goes on all day, with the milk building up in their udders, until they answer the call to return to the milking parlour to shed their load.  But I still miss the sight of the herd galloping off into a field of fresh grass and throwing their tails in the air showing to all a sundry, their obvious relief at being relieved of many gallons of  heavy, creamy milk. God is Good.

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

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

The hour we lost at the weekend when we moved our clocks forward is already giving us brighter evenings, or as we used to say long ago more lightsome. It’s a long time since we heard that word and in other words also such as lonesome, troublesome, tiresome and others as well which don’t come to mind just now. Instead we now say lonely, troubled, weary etc. Funny how we change without even knowing it.  In the past they had a word or phrase for everything. Arising out of some simple statement that somebody let fall off the tip of their tongue on some occasion. For example, ‘Too Late says Puller’, the horse is dead, is a statement that was used over and over when it didn’t even apply to a horse being dead. I never heard of the true origin of it, but I can barely recall a man of that name who lived in the town. Apparently the help or vet didn’t make it on time to save the horse’s life and it died but the words of its owner lived on and on. It was applied to just about every situation after that.   In a case of perhaps someone not making up the hay before the rain came, “Too late says puller” said it all. The list goes on, it rolled off the tongue so easily when the occasion arose. “Too late says Puller”.

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

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

It was indeed an action packed weekend starting with St. Patrick’s Day on Friday, Six Nations Championship on Saturday and Mothers Day on Sunday coupled with the wonderful Parade in Carriganima in honour of our Patron Saint. The bad weather forecast on the previous days left the organisers on tender hooks in many places, but the Luck of the Irish was on us and there wasn’t an umbrella in sight as our parade made it’s way through the town. It was indeed a multiracial event, with a variety of nationalities taking part. There was a large representation of Ukrainian people of many ages, they stood before the reviewing stand, sang a song of their own country and despite the language barrier expressed their gratitude in the best way they could  as they passed along. Many other nationalities also took part. There was a very good attendance and as always the food outlets, bars and other services did a lively trade. Our Pipe Band played us into the church for 11.30 Mass. The lovely Choir sang very appropriate hymns, the priest blessed the shamrock, Band member Michael McCarthy read the lesson beautifully as Gaeilge and as a finale, their rousing recital of Highland Cathedral filled our huge church with music. On my way down the church I met an elderly lady who came to live in Millstreet in her retirement, she was overawed by it all as everybody was and said to me “haven’t we everything here, oh, the lovely uplifting band”. Needless to say I smiled in agreement. Following the Mass the band  had to beat a hasty retreat to play in Killarney before making it home for our own parade at five. Yes we are blessed.

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

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

St. Patrick’s Week, or should I say the week with St. Patrick’s Day in it. We are already half way through the season of Lent and St. Patricks Day always gives us a little break. A day when we feel that we can partake of some of the things we’ve given up for Lent. Here in town our Community Council and all their helpers are going to pull out all the stops to make this years Fest a good one. We know now what it was like during the long years of Covid when we were not allowed out to vent our feelings for our National Patron. Time to make up for lost time now. Also out in the  picturesque village of Carriganima they will do it and on the following Sunday March 19^th.v They come to us and we go to them, well in keeping with the wonderful relationship that has existed between our two places since time began. So it will be all systems go in Millstreet on Friday afternoon for our 4.45/5 o’clock start. Once again the sprawling car/truck park at the Green Glens will be the preparing and starting point .The ever popular Peter Lane on Blackwater Sound Fame will entertain the crowds at the reviewing stand in the Town Square and will herald in the items for our grand parade 2023. Fine prizes are there for the best of each category and the Hotel and all the our other food outlets will guarantee that no one goes home hungry or thirsty. For application forms for the Parade contact any Community Council Member.

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

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

Heart warming scenes on our website this morning of the great celebrations by our GAA enthusiasts as they laud their stars and our historic Wallis Arms Hotel accommodating them in style. Many congratulations to all involved.

A beautiful Monday with the sun shining and the washing waving in the breeze and a yellow warning of snow and cold winds in the forecast. It’s a recipe for making the most of the remaining hours of this lovely day. It was a race against time last week when Clara Mountain above us was set alight, just days before the end of season. The huge inferno made a great impression on all who saw it. Controlled burning has been part of life for those  who own sections of Mountains and rough land. From experience they know when the time is right, taking  into consideration the direction of the wind and the proximity to local forests. Over the years we always loved to watch once we knew that nothing was in danger. The scene never failed to get us all excited at the wonder of it all. Sometimes it happened at night when the dark skies were lit up for miles around. In our young days local  farmers with rushy land with patches of furze growing on it would put a match to it and we’d all enjoy the bonfire-like occasion. The heat of it and the smell of burning furze stays with you all your life.  In the days before handy chainsaws and other mechanical trimmers, people made much more use of fire. This time of year when cows would be eating their way through the new fresh grass, fences had to be opened to let them into new pasture. Gates were scarce and gaps were often over grown with briers and weeds.  My Dad being a pipe smoker was never without a box of matches in his pocket and one flick made short work of opening a gap as the flaming vegetation filled the valley with a gentle wave of smoke and gave off a beautiful smell  that filled the evening air.  One you’d never forget.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 7th March”

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

The last day of the second month of 2023, the cold winds of last week gave way to a beautiful mild sunny start to this week.  Having woken early, well early for the likes of me, just before 8 am,  I decided that’s enough of that  for now, I’ll get up. On drawing the curtains I was blinded by to strong morning sun shining in. Donned my dressing gown and in a short while I was out in the garden. The beauty and peace all around me was there to be enjoyed. I think that the birds like it when we go outside and spend some time in their world. The little robin flitted from one branch to the other and twitted his lovely song for me while many more fed greedily on the peanuts. In the morning sun the buds on my Camelias were  plain to see, daffodils springing up all over the place and also wild garlic and coming into flower, the old fashioned shrub, the flowering current which has followed me  through the years, from the place  where I was born  at Liscahane to where I  spent so many happy years in the shadow of Kilmeedy Castle to my present abode in peaceful Geararoe. It’s funny how we like to bring the past with us when we have to move. We made no wonder of these  at the time. It’s only when we see them after we leave that we want to have them in our own place and share them with the family when they too move on. It forms a sort of an invisible thread which binds us all together.

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

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

I love Pancake Day, it gives us an opportunity to have a party. There were few sweet things when I was a child, my Dad was a savoury person, always sticking to the plain unsweetened foods. Except at Christmas when he would make a huge cake, put a few currents in it and loads of margarine to make crumbly and delicious. But that was it then until shrove Tuesday and pancakes. Our cook, Pete had very few culinary gifts, but he would try. In summer if we could steal a few apples from the neighbours orchard, we’d bring them home and he would cut the up and put them into the mix of the everyday soda bread as a treat when the Da wasn’t around. No sugar added in case it would be missed. But sour and all as it was we’d eat with relish. The thought of having an ‘apple tart’ gave us a great sense of pride. The mix for the pancakes was easily got. Eggs, of which there was plenty and the same went for the flour and the milk. We never heard of lemons, at pancake time, but the good blessing of sugar made it all go down well and that was it. Pancake day over. But when my Father married again our step mother came, she would continue to make pancakes for my Dad for a few more days after Shrove. Never a lady for the open countryside, she’d still make her way to the tillage field where he would be ploughing the land in readiness for the Spring sewing. Plate in hand and a gallon of hot tea, she spared no effort to please her new man. The horses taking advantage of the break would as it were, switch off close their eyes and dip the head their lower lip flapping slightly up and down as if in prayer, until tea time was over and then it was back to the task in hand. It really was a beautiful time of year back then. So full of promise and the program was the very same year in and year out. Same horses, same plough, same harrow, same everything that was handed down from Father to Son to continue the same work and methods of work that their forefathers did for generations in the past  right up through  the 40’s.  They say that many new inventions come after a war and looking back I think that it was in the late 40’s and early 50’s that we saw the first signs of change. New methods began to appear and since then nothing seems to stay the same.  Primitive and all as they were, we still remember the old times and customs  with love, they never fail to bring a smile.   Enjoy the  pancakes.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 21st February 2023”

Dia is mhuire diobh go leir a cairde and welcome to my weekly Report.

I’ll mention it first in case you forgot to get a gift for the one you love and you may be able to save yourself at the last minute by going off and grabbing a life-saver for yourself at the last minute. St. Valentines Day surely puts a stir on things in February when all around us is looking out for a little bit of escapism. There was very little talk about St. Val’s Day in our youth,  a wink or a nod would go a long way to send the message . It’s a long way from the commercialiasion of today when online shopping can deliver the most exotic creations to your door at a price that anybody can afford. Or a quick phone call could get flowers delivered hey presto. So I wish you all the joys of the day that’s in it.

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