by Kathleen Mullane

Out & About

Well as I write my few lines this Monday night – the wind is “howling” outside and of course the rain comes with it. It seems we are “plunged” into Autumn very quickly. My garden furniture, I’m afraid, can be put away for the Winter as can the barbeques etc and I’m sure it’s the same for every household – they were ‘never’ used this Summer or if so ‘very little’. Then again I suppose we shouldn’t complain considering America experienced an earthquake followed by a hurricane shortly afterwards. If every other Listowel Race week is anything to go by some late sunshine should be on the way as usually they are very lucky with the week – we live in hope.

We congratulate two happy newlywed couples this week. Firstly good wishes are sent to Sydney in Australia to Gerard O’Connor (son of Julie and Gerard of Gortnagross) who has recently married Cristy Fallon of Sydney. Family and relatives travelled the long journey for the great event.

Also this past week Tim O’Keeffe, son of Peg and the late Timmy of Coole, was married to Claire Hayes of Caherconlish. A great day was had by everyone at The Armada Hotel in Spanish Point. Here’s to their future happiness.

Trish Phillips is inviting all newcomers, especially ladies, to come along to the Hall this Thursday evening before 9pm to register for the forthcoming basketball season. It is hoped to form a ladies team this year. Further details from Trish on 087-6591655.

All members of the Fr. Gerry Roche Memorial fundraising committee are asked to attend the meeting at the Credit Union office this Wednesday night at 9pm in order to discuss the forthcoming erection of Fr. Gerry’s bust for his anniversary.

Another two distractions from my writing now, firstly a very sad programme “Behind the Walls” showing the amount of people who ended up in psychiatric institutions here in Ireland in the early 1940’s or so. Men and women ‘unloved’ – ‘outcasts’ – committed to mental hospitals and lunatic asylums never again to be left out – a lot of them not really needing to be in such a place. It was so sad.

Then the re-showing of 9/11. no matter how many times you see it, it horrifies you. The two planes crashing into the Twin Towers, everyone running, screaming. People in the World Trade Centre throwing themselves in hundreds from the burning buildings. It really was “The day that changed the World”.