MOUNTCOLLINS

A YEAR TO FORGET

The year of 2020 will be one to forget for many reasons. All schools and colleges are now closed until September, no leaving cert exams for our hard working second level students, no club or county GAA activities until the Autumn and many more social and cultural events cancelled. The Covid 19 has brought suffering to many families who have loci loved Ines through the pandemic despite the best efforts of our frontline workers and the general public. We look forward to the future easing of restrictions this Friday.

FACEBOOK PAGE

The Mountcollins Parish Notes Facebook page continues to generate interest from home and abroad and features a wide variety of old photographs. The many photographs featured on the page have bought back many happy memories, created much discussion and rekindled long lost friendships.Anyone with old photographs who would like to share them can message the page of email them to, mountcollinsparishnotes@yahoo.com or contact John Lyons at 0684485 of Sean Lyons at 0863102783. We would be delighted to publish them and any photographs handed in will be returned immediately. We have had a number of inquiries about photos of the St. Patrick’s Day parade and the Mountcollins Féile Cheoil if any are available.

LOOKING BACK

The local National School was built in 1948 in Caherlevoy, about two miles east of the village. It replaced the old school which was in the lands of Danny Lenihan. The idea of building the school away from the village was to keep it in the centre of the parish and make it accessible to pupils from all parts.

For many years the school accommodated up to one hundred pupils but sadly this fine building with all its modern facilities had less than twenty in attendance today.

The creamery was built in 1897 but went through some turbulent times in its early years, the arrival of Frank Moran as creamery manager bought much needed local employment to the parish. Milk from local suppliers was processed and its butter production received recognition in many parts of the world. Cream and pasteurised milk was also sold to the general public and surplus was supplied to the Cadbury’s factory in Rathmore. A large store supplied the farming community with flour, meal and cattle feeding supplies. The complex had a saw mill and concrete blocks were made for local builders. Pigs were slaughtered and the meat sold to the farmers. Prior to Christmas, turkeys were plucked and prepared by night workers for the festive season.

Mountcollins creamery had two branch creameries, one in Rockchapel and one in Glenlahan. Milk suppliers came from Mountcollins, Abbeyfeale, Brosnan and Rockchapel. Today, the Kerry owned Agri store supplies manure, cattle feed and general hardware. A hive of industry in by gone days in now confined to the history books.

CHURCH OPENING

The Church of the Assumption, Mountcollins will be opened daily from Sunday next, May 17th. People can visit the church and adjoining cemetery in their own time for personal prayer only as no mass or ceremonies will be held until later due to the ban on large gatherings.

People who wish to light candles can do so but will need to bring their own lighter or matches due to the risk of infection. If this is not possible candles can be left nearby and will be lit by the Sacristan in the afternoon. The Church will be sanitised on a daily basis and your cooperation is appreciated.