Dia is mhuire diobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my report.
It’s great to be packing and going off on holiday, but alas coming home is never easy. The tiredness sets in and is in no hurry leaving. But the memories of a wonderful trip never go away and with a few pictures and leaflets to sustain special moments, you can’t go wrong. Fifty three senior citizens climbed aboard Darren Keely’s super bus in the West End on Monday June 9 and for the next five days it was enjoyment all the way. We were booked into the beautiful Arklow Bay hotel in County Wexford. It was ad lib breakfast every morning and a four course dinner on our return in the evening. Our days were full and varied. We went to Glendalough and Powerscourt House in brilliant sunshine. Also the National Park in Wexford and boarded the infamous Dunbrody Famine Ship in New Ross. There was time for shopping and a visit to a lovely four acre Lavender Farm where we were treated to fresh scones and tea/coffee on the house. Everywhere we went we were shown videos of the places we were in and guides to make sure we got the most out of our stay. The weather was delightful and the scenery was sublime. Wicklow is a beautiful county. All along the way the lust green fields and crops made you say a silence prayer to thank the Good Lord for it. Their landscape shows no evidence of damage by wind and rain, it is easy to see that they get much less harsh weather than we do. We were alerted to Irelands biggest bridge just on time to view it properly as our coach moved over it. The Rose FitzGerald-Kennedy Bridge spans the river Barrow between Counties Kilkenny and Wexford. It is awesome, different to any we’ve seen so far in Ireland. The enjoyment continued on into the evenings when after dinner some took scenic walks of the local area, others who were not so adventurous enjoyed a game of forty five but all were into the ballroom to finish the day with music, song and dance.
Our organisers Mary Sheahan and Kathleen Flynn left no stone unturned to see that the trip was made so enjoyable for all those who went and Darren Keely excelled himself with the care and attention that he took of his charges. His courtesy knew no bounds and the comfort of his super bus didn’t go unnoticed. Every cost and expense was included in your ticket, which made it easy for everyone. On behalf of all on board I want to thank them for their wonderful care and attention during our wonderful trip to Wicklow.
The Active Retired Association is very important for the hotels and tourist attractions around the country. We met many other coaches like ours as the week went on, fifty or sixty on board. We had dinner at the Talbot Hotel in Midleton both when we were going and on our return. We had stops along the way for ice cream /coffee, toilet. All adding to the life of businesses and communities throughout the country.
Now what have you been doing since we were out? The garden had a lot to offer by way of flowers and shrubs in bloom and grass crying out for the lawnmower. The flowers in the town look beautiful well done to all those who put them up every year and in spite of a heavy downpour that greeted us it was great to be back on terra firma on Friday evening.
Many congratulations to Fr. Paddy O’Byrne on receiving a beautiful embossed scroll, from Pope Leo for the 65th anniversary of his ordination. The Holy Man wants you to know that he is open for Mass Cards and for Confessions at his home in the West End, Millstreet. Fr. will say Mass at Tubrid Well this Thursday evening. Ever since he went to take up his Mission in far away Nebraska Fr. Paddy came home every year and one of the highlights of his visit home was to say Mass at Tubrid Holy Well. He called it his Lourdes. Fr. Paddy knew Tubrid before it was ever developed into the beautiful place of prayer that it is to-day. As a young lad, he remembers when Fr. Griffin was fundraising to get it developed in grateful thanksgiving for the cure that he got there for the bad speech impediment that he had. And as it happened it was Mrs. Byrne, Fr. Paddy’s Mother who gave Fr. Griffin the last five pounds a lot of money then, to get the work done. Please turn up in large crowds to join with him in celebrating his sixty years a priest this Thursday evening. Unfortunately due to a previous engagement I can’t be there.
On next Sunday the Feast of Corpus Christi will be celebrated, and an invitation is extended to all parishioners and especially children who received their First Holy Communion and their families to join in. After 11.30 Mass all will assemble outside the church and parade to the town square where there will be Benediction and return to the Church for a blessing and special Prayers. Please support it well.
We wish the organisers of our Busking Festival the very best of weather for the extravaganza of music in the town on Saturday next, June 21st. Please come out and play or watch or dance to this delightful mid-summer day of music in our town. Thanks to the wonderful hospitality of Tommy and Breda Sheehan the helpers will be treated to refreshments at their residence, al la Mary Cronin’s Paper shop in the Main Street. Tommy and Breda who are avid traditional music lovers are at present on their annual trip home from Australia and we wish them a most enjoyable stay.
Here are the Results of this week’s lotto draw which was held on Sunday. night. Numbers drawn were 5.,10,17,28 and the Jackpot was not won. €100 went to Joan Moynihan, Killarney Rd. The seller was Centra West End and they got €50 sellers prize. €50 went to Eileen Dunne, Claracleagh. €20 each to Eilish Dunne ,Bolomore c/o Centra. O’Donovan Family Inniscarra c/o M Twomey, Patrick Murphy ,Banteer, Shane Browne c/o Centra West End, Peggy Murphy,Drishane View, c/o Tom Carroll. Jerry O’Mahony, Inishleagh c/o Jerry OMahony, Lude c/o O’Leary Butchers, Sexy Maria’s c/o Michelle Whelan. Next draw June 22nd. Jackpot €12,000.
Eucharistic Adoration every Tuesday from 10.30 am to 7.30 pm .
Friends of Millstreet Hospital Church gate collection in Millstreet and Ballydaly June 21/2, please support it well.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who are sick or worried about their health and many congratulations to our brilliant students who did their exams. We wish them a safe and carefree summer following all their hard work.
Slan is beannacht De libh go leir.
