by Peg Prendeville

Happy 92nd Birthday to Patie Geoghegan, Turraree, who is now in St Ita’s Hospital. His kind neighbours gathered round him on Saturday to sing Happy Birthday to him and to help him cut the cake.

There was an afternoon of traditional music and dance at the Milk Market in Limerick last Sunday afternoon. Cllr. Michael Sheahan, Mayor of the Metropolitan District of Limerick had invited Comhaltas groups from all over Limerick City and County to take part. Delighting the large audience was World Champion Dancer Niamh O’Brien and the Pat O’Dea set dancers as well as students of Tradtime – the Comhaltas Schools Outreach programme. It was good to see Ardagh and Glin branches represented. There was an air of celebration about the place and cafés did brisk business. There was seating for all under the dome but many just ambled about and enjoyed the holiday atmosphere even though there was a bit of a nip in the air. The Mayor specifically wanted to celebrate the achievements of our many artists who work on a voluntary basis to preserve our traditional cultural heritage. It might start a trend.

It is just over a year since we had the storm which knocked so many trees in the area on February 12, 2014 . Many people, nervous of falling trees near their homes, have cut some down in the meantime which has changed the landscape of the country a bit. The forest in Behane’s place is being cut at the moment allowing light in once again. But the trees at the edge of the road which are overhanging and dangerous are still there; hopefully it is the plan to take these out too. We wait and see.

Lovely to hear that the Athea play will be produced again this Thursday and Sunday. It is a tonic from start to finish. The group deserves big audiences after all the hard work rehearsing over the winter months. Go and see it.