By Peg Prendeville

We are all enjoying these lovely Autumn days which compensate for the cold wet summer that we had. It is so lovely to be outside these times. I was talking to my son in Darwin where it is the Spring season and already it is 35 degrees and summer has not started. I think I prefer the cold!

Sincere sympathies to Derek Murphy and family, Knockdown, on the recent unexpected death of his father Christopher from Cobh, Co. Cork. May he rest in peace.

Mary Brouder is delighted to hear that one of her grandchildren Gavin Brouder won his 1st pony race in Ballylongford last weekend. Gavin is the youngest son of Gerard Brouder RIP. His three sons Gearóid, Kevin and Gavin are all jockeys. We wish them all the best of luck.

Liam O’Mahony of the Great Southern Trail want to remind you that on Saturday 7th November from 1pm to 3pm there will be an ‘Open House’ at the Desmond Complex, Gortboy, Newcastle West to celebrate 25 years of achievement by the GST. A DVD will be launched which provides a pictorial compilation of the many stages in the campaign which resulted in the old railway being converted into a greenway in Co.Limerick (with the effort still ongoing in Co.Kerry). All supporters and activists are invited. It will be a relaxing afternoon for a chat with old friends along with a cupán tae and refreshments. Then, at 3pm the Mayor of Limerick City & County, Cllr. Liam Galvin will officially start a 5km (3 mile) walk/cycle from the Desmond Complex along the GST Greenway to Ardagh. It was in May 1990 that the very first organized walk along the old railway took place along the exact same route.
At Ardagh there will be further refreshments at Neary’s Bar and return transport to Newcastle West will be provided courtesy of Coach House Travel. Beidh fáilte roimh gach éinne ar an lá.

This nice reflection, by Michel Quoist, was included in the Loughill/Ballyhahill Parish notes this weekend.

“If each note of music were to say, “one note does not make a symphony”, there would be no symphony

If each word were to say,” one word does not make a book”, there would be no book

If each brick were to say, “one brick does not make a wall”, there would be no wall

If each drop of water were to say, “one drop does not make an ocean”, there would be no ocean

If each seed were to say, “one seed does not make a field of corn”, there would be no harvest

If each one of us were to say, “one act of love cannot save mankind”, there would never be justice and peace on earth

Begin now, why are you waiting?”     –  Michel Quoist