By Peg Prendeville

There was a great buzz around the Lime Tree Theatre in Mary Immaculate College last Saturday on the opening day of the Synod2016 which Bishop Leahy has convoked for the diocese of Limerick. This is not to be confused with the Rome Synod. Over 300 representatives from parishes and groups around the county and city gathered in a spirit of enthusiasm and maybe a little bit of trepidation with not knowing what was in store. The word synod, Bishop Leahy told us, means journeying together and he said this next year and a half will be a journeying together as we try to discern how our church will go forward. He reminded us that all that is necessary is to rely on the Holy Spirit and remain faithful to the Gospels. Jean O’Rourke and I were representing Loughill/Ballyhahill. Saturday was a day of introductions and attending lectures on the significance of synods. If nothing else it is a little bit of history in the making as it is more than 70 years since a synod was held in the country and longer still since Limerick had one.We will see how it progresses.

Killeaney AFC had a very successful annual social in Knockdown on Saturday night where awards were given and food and fun was in abundance. Congratulations to the following:

Player of the year: Cathal Cummane

Supporters of the year: Bridget and Martin McSweeney

Clubperson of the year: Don Hannon

Hall of Fame: Shane Adams.

The club would like to thank all the sponsors of the raffle and all who attended. Everybody was delighted to see Mikie Woulfe win the lovely hamper so Mikie is all ready now for Christmas.

On entering the shop in Knockdown the other day I noticed a jar of Ballyhahill Honey for sale and it impressed me at how many local entrepreneurial people live in the area. We will never go hungry in Knockdown as long as we have O’Briens Cheese, Kearney’s Bread and Scones, Novelty Cakes by Lisa, Home baking by Maire Reidy McIntyre, Puddings and Sausages by Brouders, Honey by McClellan in Lime Kiln Cottage not forgetting the Knockdown coleslaw which everybody craves. I wish success to all. No doubt there are many more such little industries so apologies if I do not know them but I am inviting you to remind me.

Don’t forget to send contributions, if you have any, to the local journals. We would miss them if they were not there every Christmas.