By Peg Prendeville

At last we are having the most pleasant autumn weather. The full moon lights up the night sky while we have pleasant sunshine by day. Did anybody see the Blood Moon on Sunday night? I set the clock to get up at 3 am to see it, as it has not been seen for 40 years and won’t be for another 14 years. If one did not know the science of it, one could think that very strange things were happening; it seems many of our ancestors did and used to think that it was an omen of bad things to come. But now we know that during a lunar eclipse with a full moon Earth comes between the sun and the moon so that all or part of the sun’s light is blocked from the moon. It is the earth’s sunrises and sunsets that give the moon the orange glow. The world is a magical place.

Many locals travelled to the Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co. Laois last week. Thankfully the weather behaved itself making it more comfortable for all those 281,000 people who attended. It was a pleasure to be able to walk through the ploughing fields without muck up to the ankles or knees like we have to experience in west Limerick sometimes. Such a contrast in land. It was a very enjoyable day out and being only a half hour away from my daughter’s place made it even more convenient.

I have been asked to remind you that there is still time to get tickets for the Dieselman’s Ball which is being held on Saturday 7th November in the Devon Inn where you will be treated to a 4 course meal and music by The Michael Collins Band for only €30 per head. These events are being run to raise much needed funds for The Cliona Foundation, providing financial assistance to families of sick children. All support would be very much appreciated. For more, contact Pat White (086-8170600) Anne Dullea (086-7760269) or Elaine White (086-3895382).

There will be a visitor count taking place in all libraries during next week so it would be nice to see all regulars and maybe even some lapsed members back for the winter months. Of course, I am thinking of Glin library but all libraries would like your visit. Monday 5^th to Friday 9^th. By then you will be hooked anyway and will continue! Libraries are such a great facility in any town or village and all are FREE.

The next gathering of delegates for the Diocesan Synod  takes place on this Saturday October 3rd in The Limerick Strand Hotel from 10.30a.m to 4.30p.m. It will be a busy time from now til next April. We will see what the outcome will be.