By Peg Prendeville

It is September and back to school or in some cases first time to school; either way the summer is over and the year is moving on. It is nice to hear that the Montessori school in Ballyhahill has a full class this year promising good things for Scoil Naomh Mhuire next year. I was watching the news on Monday night where it was stated that there are more junior infants starting now than there were ten years ago. But what they are not saying is that all these schools are in big towns and cities while country schools are being closed down due to lack of numbers. Soon our country will be like many where the majority of the people will live in cities and towns and the country will be abandoned. It is a pity if that will be the case as there is nothing healthier than growing up in the country with plenty space, fresh air and freedom.

I extend sympathies to the Cleary family on the death of Tom Cleary, Templeathea on Monday last. May he rest in peace. Tom is a nephew of Peg O’Grady, Glenbawn and cousin to Tom O’Grady and Kathleen Burke.

There was a great two days fun in Ballyhahill last weekend when the Gerald Griffins Ladies organised the 3 Counties Cycle and the 5/10K walk. There were novelty events laid on for the children also and it was a lovely occasion for people to meet up and have fun. It was very well organised. Well done to them all.

On this Thursday night the parishioners of Loughill/Ballyhahill will come together to bid goodbye to PP Fr O’Leary who is taking a sabbatical for 12 months. Fr Gerard has been with us for 7 years now. Mass will be celebrated in Ballyhahill Church at 7pm and this will be followed by tea and refreshments in the Parish Hall. All are welcome.

Limerick is the National City of Culture for this year 2014 and has been holding many cultural events all year to celebrate this. But by far the biggest event will be this coming weekend when a giant grandmother will walk through the city. The seven-and-a-half metre tall granny will wake up in Sarsfield Army Barracks on Friday morning, September 5, before spending the weekend exploring the city. Gardaí said they expect around 200,000 people to attend the spectacular event. The half-Irish/half-Breton giant will roam 19km around Limerick, enthralling crowds with her magical fairytale movements. Outlining a major traffic and security plan, Chief Superintendent David Sheahan said the city would become “pedestrianised” from 9am-10pm each day. It would be a pity to miss this event as it is a once off in Ireland so hopefully the weather will be fine enough for all families to enjoy it. Be there.