RECENT DEATHS: Sympathy is extended to David McMahon of Pallaskenry on the recent death of his sister Eileen Mulcahy of Carrons Kilcolman, in Milford Hospice. Predeceased by her husband Dan, her passing is also regretted by her sons and daughters and extended family. Her funeral took place to Ardagh cemetery following Requiem Mass in St. Colman’s church on Friday, June 29.
CHILDREN’S ART CAMP: Cathy O’Sullivan local art tutor is holding a ‘Kids Art Camp’ at the Kildimo GAA clubhouse in August. The course will run from Tuesday August 7 to the following Friday inclusive and from 10 am to 2. 00 pm for a fee of €50. Enquiries to Cathy at 086 6038288.
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”.
PALLASKENRY GARDA STATION: While the news has been made public that there is no danger to the status of the Garda Station in Pallaskenry, a large gathering of concerned citizens were present at the public meeting in the Community Centre Pallaskenry on Thursday June 28. Michael O’Sullivan of the local Community Council chaired the meeting accompanied by invited guests Chief Superintendent David Sheehan and Inspector O’Neill. Following the Chairman’s history of Garda presence in the locality from the inception of the force, submissions were made by the various heads of local bodies, all stressing the necessity of a full-time Garda presence for the good of the community. The response of the Chief Superintendent to this outpouring of concern was very positive. He gave strong assurances that his plans for policing in the locality included two full-time Gardaí based in Pallaskenry station. This response has to be evaluated in the context of the continual re-organisation of the Garda force in the light of non-recruitment and the vacancies resulting from retirement that will not be filled. The opinion of the Superintendent was that the best use of trained Gardaí would be served by civilians to man the desks and phones and look after office work. If the recommendations of Superintendent Sheehan receive a positive response from the Commissioner and the Minister of Defence, then the ‘blue light’ that Tommy O’Shea wants to see burning at Pallaskenry Garda Station is in no danger of extinction. However, as the Chairman of the meeting Michael O’Sullivan suggested, this matter will be re-evaluated at another public meeting in December.
BANTRACHT NA TUAITHE: Kildimo ICA members extend their congratulations to the Gortlomáin guild, near Ennis, Co Clare on celebrating their 100th Birthday last week-end.
Founded in 1912, they have the distinction of being one of the oldest guilds in the country with an unbroken record and Veronica Rowe, daughter of the founder, planted a tree in memory of those intrepid women who kept things going there down throughout the years.
Go mairidh sibh cead eile.
COMMUNITY LOTTO: ‘Jackpot Numbers’ drawn on June 26, for a Jackpot of €11,450 were 2, 20, 22 & 23. As no punter predicted this combination, ‘Lucky Dips’ of €20 each were drawn by Johnny Gavin, Con Downes, Marie O’Shea and Liz Peter Jamie and Eimear Hickey.
GAA LOTTO: The new Jackpot is now approaching €2,400 and the numbers drawn on Monday June 25 were 6. 15, 17 & 22. As no member predicted this combination, €50 Lucky Dips were drawn by Hugh O’Donnell, Pat Meehan, Peggy Fitzgerald and Patrick Madigan.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP RAISE AWARENESS OF DIGITAL SWITCH:
West Limerick Resources is now seeking volunteers to help raise awareness of the switch to digital television which take place on October 24. Help is needed to identify older people living alone, those with literacy and other learning difficulties and those with few social networks who may to be aware of the change or who may need basic information on how to make the switch. The Community Outreach Digital Switchover Programme is heavily reliant on the Irish tradition of caring for our neighbours and we are asking communities to look around and help identify those locally who will need a little assistance and make sure that they get it. For further information contact Clint at West Limerick Resources on 069 62222.
THOMOND HISTORY SOCIETY OUTING: If you’d like to join as a guest of this society and enjoy the company of other historically-enquiring minds then the guided tour of the People’s Park is for you. If you don’t know the west limerick man who tops the pillar in the park, then you need to be at the Art Gallery on this Wednesday evening July 4 at 7.00 pm. Further details from Elsie O’Connell at 087 6115212
WEST LIMERICK LOCAL: The free magazine, Issue 22 for June 2012, is available at local shops. Apart from the very useful list of advertisers, there’s a receipe for making free drink, lots of gardening hints, a puzzle page for the children and should you wish to adopt donkeys all you need to know on the matter.
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