by Peg Prendeville

Congratulations to Jennifer Quinn, Glenbawn, Knocknaclugga and Niall Kelly from Lyrecrompane, who got married in Carrigkerry last Saturday. We wish them many years of happiness in Kilkishen, Co Clare where they will live.

Happy Birthday wishes go to Paddy Faley who will be 92 years old next Monday the 25^th.

In the midst of the doom and gloom there is nothing like poetry to calm the soul and forget all worries. Éigse Michael Hartnett succeeded very well in doing this at the festival in Newcastle West last weekend. It was a most enjoyable few days with lots of poets and singers at the various events. A huge crowd gathered under a warm sun on Saturday at 2pm for the unveiling of the Michael Hartnett sculpture. It is a great piece of art and I would encourage all of you to stop and say hello to him when passing. It is based at the edge of a lump of rock signifying the isolation of a poet. His feet are just peeping out over the edge as a symbol of how he lived life on the edge and he is in a thinking mode facing towards Maiden Street where he first lived. Underneath are two lines from one of his poems

“This head is a poet’s head

This head holds a galaxy”.

His friend Paul Durcan gave a very moving speech before he unveiled the statue and it was touching to see him whispering something personal into the ear as he took off the cloak which has been draped over it. Michael’s son Niall also spoke and announced that the next generation of Hartnetts is due to be born as he and his wife are expecting their first child. A pleasant weekend.

Fr O’Leary will visit the sick and the housebound on this Wednesday in preparation for Easter. The 11 am Mass in Ballyhahill on Easter Sunday morning is being offered up in memory of Ciss and Dan Faley RIP.

The Loughill/Ballyhahill Parish Annual will be on sale before all Masses this coming weekend. Even though it has four pages extra, 76 pages, the price of €10 is the same as last year. It is produced by the Parish Hall committee who will appreciate your support. Thank you.

It is nice to see new families moving into the parish and so I wish many happy years to Lisa and Diarmaid Daly and their baby son Noah who moved into their new home in Dromagarraun, Ballyhahill last Friday.

A meeting will be held in the Knockdown Arms on this Thursday night at 9.30 to arrange a vintage day in July. All welcome.

Wishing all readers a very Happy Easter. I hope the sun dances on Sunday morning!