AROUND THE DISTRICTS
AGHINAGH
GAALOTTORESULTS
There was no jackpot winner numbers drawn were 2, 23, 31. €50 Dan Coakley, Rahalisk. €20 Cathal and Aisling Rea, Ballinagree. €20 Helen Kelleher, Aghabullogue online. €20 Anthony Hubbard, Inchalea. €20 Braken family, Mount Bolus, Co. Offaly. Next week’s jackpot €5,950.
RECENT BEREAVEMENTS
Sincere sympathy to Martina and the O’Leary and Quinlan families, Clondrohid and Macroom to her friends and work colleagues in Care Choice. May her gentle soul rest in peace.
To the O’Connell family, Coolnadane on the passing of their aunt Mary. Ar dheis De go Ainm deilis.
PASSING OF A FAMOUS BOX PLAYER
It is with deep sadness that I read about the passing of Joe Burke, Loughrea, Co. Galway during the week. Around 25 years ago Joe and his wife Anne were headlining a concert held in a marquee in Ballinagree School yard organised by Aghinagh Heritage. Contact was made by Theresa Dennehy, Rylane, who has family in Loughrea and neighbours of Joe and Anne.
What a lovely down to earth friendly couple they were, and they had their dinner in my house before the concert. There was a packed marquee that afternoon.
Sympathy is extended to his wife Anne. Go raibh agat Joe leaba agus ceoil agus craic i measc na Naomh.
A MISTAKE
A story told about a very prominent political figure, who was fond of a drop of the creator. He was a guest of honour at a diplomatic banquet and had taken a few too many. When the orchestra started to play he thought that as guest of honour, he should be the first out on the floor to dance. He stood up and looked around for the most beautiful Lady in the room.
Approaching his choice he said ‘My beautiful Lady in red, will you do me the honour of dancing with me?’ ‘I’m sorry’ came the reply ‘but I’m afraid I cant.’
‘And why not? ‘Well, there are three reasons. First, I can’t dance. Second this is not a dance music, It’s the Russian National Anthem. And third, I’m not a beautiful Lady in red. I’m the Papal Nuncio.
BOHERBUE
QUIZ
Boherbue National School stage an on-line fundraising quiz on this Friday night.
The proceeds will go towards the provision of an all-purpose room at the school. Details are available on the School’s website.
Cost is €5 per individual child or €20 per family. Contact the School mobile if nessary on 087 4443780.
VACCINE
Dr Leaders surgery will this week commence with vaccinating the over 85 years age group on Friday.
The surgery will telephone everyone to make an appointment.
Tis will mean disruption to the normal surgery services but for an emergency call 029 76003 for an appointment.
Provisional dates for other groups are as folows:
Age 80-84 Friday, March 12. Age 75-79 Friday, March 26. Age 70-74 Friday, April 9. A wheelchair will be available at the surgery to transport those who require it and a wheelchair taxi service is available from Michael Curtin on 087 9086693 or Donie Fitzgerald on 087 6959947.
LOTTO
The numbers were as displayed locally. Lucky dip winners €50 Ena Dugdale, Aneenagh.
€20 Eileen Ankettell, Gneeves; Peter Hannon, Gneeves; Nora Marie and Lillian Breen, Gneeves. On-line prize Kieran Leahy, Isle. Sellers prize: Charles Ankettell. The online quiz on Friday last was again a great success with winners as follows:
First: Alan Lynch; 2ndf Kiara Linehan; 3rd Denny Lane.
Fastest finger prizes went to Orla Murphy and Noel Fitzgerald.
CILL NA MARTRA
WALKING IN CILL NA MARTRA
Coiste Forbartha Chill na Martra, with the help of Daithi and Seán Mac Suibhne published a booklet with four historical walks within our parish some time back. There is also a board with a map showing the four routes directly across from Oifig a Phoist.
This week let’s look at Walk 1, a 4km loop. Beginning at Oifig a Phoist, it stands in the centre of the village since 1883 and has been operated by the Murphy family for three generations. Across the road is the An Chrois pub and it is believed to be over two hundred years old. The Ordinance Survey map of 1842 shows the old Mass House nearby, probably built after the Penal Laws were eased.
Passing the Toy Soldier factory, we come to the house, where the famous Seán Ó Síochán was born. Although it looks small, it housed a family of six, a cobbler’s workshop and a shop. It was also a popular scoraíochting house. Turning right up Cathair Daithi hill, we pass the Seanscoil, now the Ionad Pobail. This school opened in 1897, replacing an older building in the graveyard.
At the top of the hill there are fine examples of ringforts. The Cathair has stones in its construction whereas a Lios in enclosed by an earthen bank. Take a moment to enjoy the spectacular view of the Sullane valley from the Paps on the left to Mushera on the right.
At the foot of Cathair Daithi hill we see an Dá Thiompán or two standing stones on our right. It is not known exactly what they mark, but suggestions include an energy source, a battle site, a burial site or just for cattle to scratch.
Turning right at the four crossroads, we see the remains of Molly’s Platform on our right. These crossroads were a natural gathering place, so football, bowling and dancing were common on Sundays. We continue about a mile on the Straight Road, turning right at the Crosseen. Immediately, we pass the site of Shaughnessy’s Old Creamery on our left. It was a private enterprise and faded away when a branch of Clondrohid Creamery opened in Cill na Martra in 1926.
Soon the climb back up to Cill na Martra begins and turning right at Prohus Cross we climb Nora Mhór’s Hill. Soon we pass the site of the Creamery, now a sheltered housing development. Next door is Brown’s garage, formerly a dance hall and once known as the Sycamore Ballroom. Last, we see the well maintained, intact Forge, run by the Manning and Lyons families. Passing Cois Cille day centre, we are back at Oifig a Phoist.
SYMPATHY
Cill na Martra lost a great parishioner on January 28, when Mary Creedon, Cnoc Sathairn died after a short illness. Born in 1933, the late Mary enjoyed remarkable health, out and about and driving her distinctive Mazda till recently. An active parishioner, the late Mary looked after the altar flowers, promoted St Martin magazine and was one of the leaders of the Rosary after daily Mass. She was laid to rest in Reilig Lachtaín Naofa following Concelebrated Requiem Mass. Sympathy is extended to her six daughters, Jane, Marie, Theresa, Anne, Gobnait and Josephine, 20 grandchildren, six great grandchildren, sisters Peggy, Eileen and Catherine, brother Colman and sons-in-law. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.
TRÓCAIRE BOXES
An tAhair Joe is encouraging us to collect the Trócaire boxes from both churches. While we are feeling the weight of Covid, we are safe in our houses with food and heat, unlike the ladies from South Sudan pictured on the Trócaire box. Awut and Ajak had to flee from conflict and are struggling to feed and care for their children. All support most welcome.
VACCINES ON THE WAY
We are surrounded on all sides by Covid fatigue at present, but hope is on the way. Vaccinations have been given in the local hospital, the nursing homes and in the sheltered housing in the Macroom area, including Cois Cille. Residents from the houses in Cill na Martra, Baile Mhúirne and Béal Áthan Ghaorthaidh were vaccinated at Sullane Haven, Macroom recently. It is such positive news.
FREE MOUNT
45 DRIVE
The weekly 45 Drive in Freemount Community Centre has been cancelled until further notice.
AROUND THE FIRE SIDE
The next programme of Around the Fireside will be broadcast on C103 Local Radio on Monday night next March 1st at 10.06pm. Next week, as usual Jimmy will look back over the past 30 years of Around The Fireside to produce a programme from the archives each week while the present restrictions continue.. Make sure you tune in on Monday night next.
ST MICHAEL’S CHURCH
Weekly morning Mass will be celebrated every Sunday morning at 10.30am in Saint Michael’s Church, Freemount, during the present covid 19 restrictions. This Mass is live streamed by clicking on “Freemount Church live stream”.
Mass on Ash Wednesday morning (February 17th) in St. Michaels Church Freemount at 10.30am. Ashes will be blessed at this mass and will be available to collect during the day. Bring your own spoon and envelope. Mass as usual will be live streamed.
COMMUNITY FOOD SERVICE
Duhallow Community Food Services at The James O’Keeffe Institute, Newmarket provides a home delivery meal service for the eldery or those isolating ,in quarantine or cocooning .Meals can be booked on a long or short term basis.
Dinner and Dessert cost €7.50 per day delivered to your door Monday to Friday. Menu changes daily and special diets are catered for. Chilled meals are also available for you to heat up at home when required. For further details, contact Orlaith /Olive at 029-76375
SCHOOL ENROLMENT
Freemount National School is now taking enrolment for the 202122 school year. If you are considering enrolling your child please email the school for an enrolment form at freemountns@gmail.com. On receipt of your email a link to an informative online padlet page will be sent to you. This was created as an alternative to an enrolment evening which is usually held in March. Looking forward to hearing from you.
REBELS’ BOUNTY DRAW
Cork GAA has replaced the County Board Draw with a new draw known as the Rebels’ Bounty Draw. Under the Rebels’ Bounty Draw, the prize fund has been increased substantially with a total prize fund of €500,000 including a top prize of €100,000 in the December draw. All the prizes will be in cash and the first draw will take place on March 25 and will incorporate the draws for January, February and March.
The annual cost of a ticket is €100 and payment of this can be spread over the year.
This draw is a great opportunity for Freemount GAA to raise funds in these difficult times as the full cost of €100 for each ticket will be payable to Freemount GAA once the club has sold its quota of 35 tickets If you would like to join the draw, please contact any club member or our Draw Coordinator, Jim Guiney on 087 2599462.
GAA CLUBAGM
The AGM of the Club was held by Xoom on Thursday night last with a large number of members participating. The following is a list of Officers elected for 2021:
Chairperson Liam O’Flynn. Assistant Chairperson Michael John O’Regan. Secretary Kate Keane. Assistant Secretary Páidí Collins. Treasurer Willie Murphy. Assistant Treasurer Willie John O’Flynn. PRO Paddy Collins.
Field Chairperson Michael O’ Regan. Development Delegates Michael O’Callaghan, Michael O’Regan. Cultural Officer Edel Browne. Children’s Officer Nicholas O’Connor. Duhallow Board Delegates Liam O’Flynn, Vincent Fehin. County Board Delegates John O’Flynn, Pat Curtin. Insurance Officer Michael John O’Regan. Catering Manager Jimmy Guiney
Junior B Selectors–John O’Flynn & Micheál Walsh, John McGrath. Football Selectors–Vincent Fehin, Wilie John O’Flynn & John O’Flynn, TP O’Connor, John O’Connor. Under 21 Hurling Selectors–Johnathon Morrissey & Shane O’Callaghan. Under 21 Football selectors–Michael O’Callaghan
GAA LOTTO
Numbers drawn last weekend were 3, 12, 17, 36.There was no jackpot winner. Lucky Dip winners were: 1. Barry McCarthy, Knocknamuck, Freemount. 2. Jack O’ Brien, Liscarroll 3. Ted Lenihan Meelin 4. Willie O’Regan Glouney commane, Freemount. 5. P.J. & Betty O’Sullivan, Concealment, Freemount.
CLONBANIN AMBUSH
A 70 page history book on the famous Clonbanin Ambush on Saturday 5th. March 1921 is available at Casey’s Shop Price €10.
ANY NEWS
Items for these notes should be with the correspondent each Monday night before 8pm E-Mail osullivanpj38@gmail.com
WESTERN DUHALLOW
THE EXPLORER
It was certainly interesting if not mind boggling to rear in the paper that Corkman Pat Falvey, the accomplished explorer has been appointed as performance coach with the Kerry senior footballers.
Now, I didn’t get Old Moore’s Almanac myself this year, tried for a copy today (Monday) but they were sold out, as it was always recognised as a great guide to the yearly forecast.
Kerry manager Peter Keane being a shopkeeper himself no doubt got a copy, and with the appointment of Mr Falvey we must be in for snow and ice around championship time.
Having climbed the highest peaks in five continents he is an expert in that field and what he will bring to the Kerry table will be awaited with interest.
One thing, he will bring for certain is keeping ones eyes open at all times is a must in any sport and indeed in any walk of life.
So, in that case its unlikely that any snowballs or footballs will land in the Kerry square uncontested by the defence in the year ahead.
That no doubt will be a disappointment for some counties, especially Cork, who availed of their generosity in last year’s Munster semi final?
Situations like that are unlikely to occur this year as the new performance coach will have his boys prepared for all eventualities.
This appointment, no doubt, will create some wide ranging discussion among not alone the Kerry supporters but GAA folk throughout the land.
If his plan works it will have been a master stroke and if not and it melts away like the snowman all that will be left are the two slices of cucumber which were the eyes of the said snowman and a stump of a carrot which once was a look-a-like nose.
“Time will tell!”
SUSPENSION
The suspension of Cork football manager Ronan McCarthy which was upheld by the Appeals Committee was the correct decision. The assembly at Youghal should not have occurred so, he who calls the tune has to pay the piper!