Kildimo Community Notes W/E June 30 2012

 

Kenry Kilbreedy Outing Sun June 24 2012

RECENT DEATHS:  Profound sadness pervaded the locality when the news broke of the sudden death of Fr. Ned Nealon, Holy Ghost Father.  Ned was on a visit to his home in Middlefield when he expressed concern for his health and sought medical assistance.  Alas, this did not come in time to offer intervention, to the shock of his immediate family, neighbours and friends and his confreres in religion in Ardbraccan Co Meath and elsewhere.  A large part of Fr. Ned’s pastoral energies was expended in Brazil among the marginalised and dispossessed with whom he empathised and whom he sought to aid by the development of their faith to achieve justice and effect land reform.  The Holy Ghost Provincial who led the concelebrated funeral Mass paid tribute to his unfailing zeal during a lifetime of ministry both as missionary abroad and as promoter of mission at home.  Ned’s love for his native place was expressed by his visits home and in care for  the thatched cottage that nurtured him and his priestly vocation, and it was fitting that he should end his life while visiting Middlefield and be waked in that same home.  His funeral took place on Saturday June 23 to the local graveyard where his remains will mingle with his ancestors in the soil that gave him nurture. 

‘A Mhuire Mháthair ‘tá lan de ghrást, Go raibh tú taobh liom Ar uair mo bhais ’

ANNIVERSARIES:  Past and cherished members of the community who are remembered at this time include Máire, Mary, and John O’Sullivan, Maureen Barrett and Michael and Kitty Rogan.

TRADITIONAL SEISIÚNS:  On Tuesday evenings at 8.30 pm until August 7, the Heritage Centre in Adare is promoting Irish nights at their venue.  An ideal evening out for your visiting tourists away from  the rain.

KILDIMO GUN CLUB:  The club is currently enrolling new members who must be over sixteen years of age.  If you’re interested contact any of the following, Mick Sheehan, Brendan Gallagher or Conor Guinane.

KENRY HISTORY SOCIETY:  A sunny afternoon favoured the tour of Kilbreedy and its environs on Sunday June 24.  John Nash who’s  ‘seed and breed’ have a long relationship with the area from their residence at Kilbreedy House, led the guests through the townland with his wealth of history and folklore.  John’s knowledge of the area and its inhabitants living and dead is a treasury of local history and folklore.  The tour began at St. John the Baptist’s Church Kilcornan, on the feastday of the Saint and the builders of the church and the earlier place of worship in Old Stonehall were recalled.  The local family of Foley who has given more than one priest to the ministry, is commemorated on the tablet on the front wall of the present church, the Father Foley so mentioned said the last Mass in the old church and the first one in the present structure.  This latter structure is largely credited to the generosity of John Waller of Castletown, a colourful family that contributed many chapters of local history through their military and religious zeal.  Across from the church John pointed out the earlier Fair Green that was a notorious venue for faction fighting between local families.  Much of the family rivalry stemmed from the importance of the availability of seaweed on the Shannon shore in the Ballysteen area and the reluctance of families to share this valuable fertilising asset in an era before artificial fertilisers.  John recalled many characters from the past as he led the way towards Kilbreedy crossroads.  The history of the popular Holy Well dedicated to St. Brigid and still frequented by devotees was outlined along with the generosity of the local landowner who belongs to the reformed church.  Among the more famous personages to come from the area were the runner Michael O’Neill and the noted Dublin builder Michael Meade who left a rich heritage of prestigious buildings in Dublin and elsewhere.  The builder’s cottage is in ruin but the O’Neill house is still inhabited.  The runner retired from his sport, because as John recalled, he said that “there were no more runners to beat”. 

BANTRACHT NA TUAITHE: Congratulations to Maeve Bradley, Ballydoole whose short story ‘The Mystery of the Missing Taste Buds’ is included in the recently  produced booklet by ICA of entries to National Short Story Competition 2012. Maeve has had other successes in this field and future works from her pen are eagerly anticipated.

COMMUNITY LOTTO:  ‘Jackpot Numbers’ drawn on June 19, for a Jackpot of €11,350 were 6, 15, 18 & 27.  As no punter predicted  this combination, ‘Lucky Dips’ of €20 each were drawn by Mary Rogan, Paddy Kelly, Jim Conway and Sarah O’Dea.

POSTCARD COMPETITION:  Róisín O’Keeffe and Cathy O’Sullivan are still taking entries for this competition to produce a postcard that might best represent Kildimo.

BIRDWATCH:  An outing for members is scheduled for Sunday July 8 to the Dromada Hills in Athea, meeting opposite Athea National School at 9.00 am.  You are advised to wear warm clothing and strong footwear.  Geoff Hunt will lead the event and it is hoped to encounter the elusive Cuckoo, Raven, Red Grouse, Skylark, Reed Bunting, Merlin and Hen Harrier.  Geoff is available on 087 7656439 if you have any queries.

REACHING OUT:  West Limerick Resources are delighted to announce that John Joe Conwell from Ireland Reaching out Headquarters will hold an information session on Thursday June 28 in the Rathkeale House Hotel at 7.30pm.  Offering an opportunity for individuals and communities to learn how they can get involved and benefit from the initiative, the event is free of charge and open to all.    Ireland Reaching Out is an Irish government sponsored initiative established to connect people of Irish heritage abroad with the parish where their ancestors originated from Ireland.  It will offer local parish communities an extraordinary opportunity to extend the numbers of people committed to their parish by inviting its own Diaspora worldwide to become involved in their place of origin.

PALLASKENRY GARDA STATION:  There are fears locally that the future of the Garda station that served this area, may be under threat of closure.  To address this important issue and to lobby for the continuance of the service a Public Meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday June 28 at 8.00 pm in the community centre Pallaskenry.  It is important to show your interest in this matter by attending the meeting and voicing your concerns on this serious issue.