Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.
‘Tis the weather that makes it. No matter what your interests or hobbies may be, the weather can make all the difference. How blessed we are at the moment by this spell of beautiful ,warm sunny days. May Day was made all the more pleasant by the warm weather. Ireland is at it’s best in May. The native furze is in full bloom and all the shrubs and plants are vying with one another to see who can put on the best show. Silage fields wave in the breeze and there is beauty all around. Every year at this time the massive crab tree across the road from Connie Joe’s Fort on the Macroom Road puts on a great show of blossoms but this time it excels itself. It’s leaves almost invisible among the pink blossoms as it hangs over the road as far as the white line. The crop is never picked and in the latter end of the year our road will be strewn with mini apples of many colours. Our gardens get more interesting all the time. At my age I find the best place for me to enjoy it is in my car and as I sat there on Sunday I learned an awful lot about what goes on outside my back door. From the comfort of my seat I discovered at least four birds nests. Not seeing me in my car they flew in and out of the same bush giving the secret away. Overhead a wily Hawk hovered in the hope that one of the parent birds would make a blip and it could swoop down for a meal. In my open shed I could hear the gearcucs pleading for more from their cosy home inside a cavity concrete block. The parent birds made no secret of their comings and goings and each time they brought food they had to take away excrement from the nest, a full beak coming and a full beak leaving. I have a pair of Gold finches here and they go around like an old married couple. You’d never kill a dandelion again if you saw how they relish them. With the changing of the light I can turn my car to the best vantage point, maybe nod off for a moment and continue to wallow in the wonders of nature that only a fine day can bring.
Still with the fine weather, the sun shone brightly on the fine crowd of friends who gathered on Drishane Road on Saturday afternoon for the unveiling of a beautiful bench in memory of the late lovely Ann Keane who passed away five years ago. As a young lady, Ann came to Millstreet and took up a career as domestic economy teacher at the renowned Boarding School for girls in Drishane which was run by the French Order of nuns called the Sisters of the Infant Jesus. Many of her colleagues as well as her three sisters who came from Cove, Waterford and Co. Clare were there to see this wonderful tribute being made to a lady who endeared herself to so many over the years. Being very active in many of voluntary bodies, The Twinning Project, Parish Choir, Traditional Music and dancing which she loved to pass on to others. We had people there who represented them all. Liam Flynn gave an interesting speech about Ann and what she meant to the people on Millstreet and what Millstreet meant to her. Her Sister Ruben reiterated his words before the three seater bench was unveiled bearing her name. It is in an ideal place, a resting place for walkers, now that the footpath has been extended all the way to the Coole Cross. Sean Radley and John Tarrant took many pictures to copper fasten the joyous occasion. The group were then invited to tea at the lovely West End Café.
Another prestigious event was held on Saturday evening following the 6.15 Mass when the Pipe Band was out to laud our wonderful Quiz team , Jerry Doody, John Tarrant Pat Sheehan and Connie Healy on their outstanding success at the final of the All Ireland Comhaltas Quiz Competition. A gala reception was held in their honour at the GAA/Community Hall. With every speaker congratulating them and saying the words of praise that was in everybody’s mind. During the week they visited the schools and even brought the ice cream van to the utter joy of the children. They did us proud and gave our little rural town a badly needed lift. Many Thanks to them.
The Members of our Active Retired Club were bathed in sunshine on bank holiday Monday morning when they gathered at our Holy Tubrid Well where the Holy Rosary was recited and many of our old familiar hymns were sung. Annabel O’Sullivan led the prayers and everybody was in good voice for the hymns. The ones they have known since their youth and which we still love to sing. (It was uplifting to have one sung at the end of the 11.30 Mass last Sunday.) But all the while the birds almost outdid our efforts as the sang their loudest ever as if to say ‘welcome and now we’ll all sing together’. Following the prayers there was time to chat but not for too long as many other people were coming in to pray. The Holy Rosary will be recited at Tubrid Well every Monday & Friday evening at 8 during the Month of May. Mass there on Friday May 30, at 7.30. All welcome
It must be summer when the International Summer Horse Show is coming at the end of the month. Once again the massive horse carriers will be rolling into town. It’s a far cry from days past when there would be an all out call for accommodation and stabling. Back then our highways and byways would be a flurry of horse boxes delivering their charges to farmers who would have vacated their cowhouses and silage sheds to make room for the cream of the visiting bloodstock. Along with that the Bean a Tighe would be busy preparing every possible space to make room for the horsie people who flooded our lives for the duration of the Horse Show. We loved the excitement of it all and the extra few bob that we made was always welcome. These days the horse carriers that come have room for horse but also living quarters for the people who come with them. On board they have sleeping quarters second to none, complete with fridges and freezers to hold their food from home plus washing machines and driers. The plains of Drishane look resplendent at the moment and we hope the weather will be kind to them when the multitudes come rolling in at the end of the month.
I want to wish Gods blessing on all the little children who will make their First Holy Communion here next Sat. It’s a big day in their little lives and God Bless them all.
Next Saturday also marks the time of Darkness to Light fundraiser. Please turn out in large numbers in support of this very worthy cause.
Kerry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Rome May 19,to 23, 3places available, contact Nora, 087 931 8976.
Rosary at Aubane Grotto every Thursday night in May at 8 pm.
Millstreet Active Retired Tea Dance at the GAA Hall on Sunday May 11 at 2.30. Music by Lee Sound. Please support it well.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament every Tuesday from 10.30am to 7.30 pm. Legion of Mary meeting every Tuesday at 7.30 in the Parish Centre all welcome.
Please come out and support Darkness into Light on Saturday May 10th.
Here are the results of this weeks lotto draw which was held on Bank Holiday Monday night. Numbers drawn were 3,6,21,25 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to Donal & Bridgelle Cronin, the seller Cronin Centra and they got €50 sellers prize. €50 went to Eoin O’Callaghan c/o Tom Carroll, €20 each went to Catriona Twohig, c/o Guerins, Ballydaly, Jerry Heineken c/o The Bridge Bar, Catherine Cleary c/o The Bridge Bar, Eugene O’Callaghan c/o Tom Carroll, Tim Healy c/o Paula Healy . Pat Coakley Rathcoole c/o Colemans, Mike Keane c/o Cronin’s Centra, The Murphy Family Rathduane c/o Pat Murphy.
Slán is beannacht Dé libh go léir.
