By Peg Prendeville

We are having better and more pleasant weather now than we had during the so-called summer. In July and August we had 122.2 mm and 129.4 mm rainfall whereas in October we got 60.8 mm and heat to match. It seems to be completely out of season but we will not complain. It has been so lovely to be able to be out and about admiring the beautiful autumnal colours without getting cold or wet or blown away. We are threatened with a long cold winter but we will wait and see. It might not be so bad at all.

Sympathies to our former PP Fr Gerard O’Leary on the death of his father, Arthur O’Leary from Limerick last weekend. Many parishioners from Loughill/Ballyhahill attended the funeral on Sunday and Monday.

It is good to hear that Fr Pat Moore of Duagh parish is ready to return to his parish in Duagh after battling cancer all the year. Fr Pat has endeared himself to many around the country with his love for poetry and drama and seeing the good in everything including his sickness. I wish him well.

Congratulations to Jim O’Brien, Ballyhahill who got a bronze award for his Aged Cheddar cheese at the National Cheese Awards in Ballymaloe recently. Since setting up his Cheese business on The Hill, Ballyhahill Jim and his family are really making their name for quality cheese. Well done. Another successful local business is thriving almost next door to Kearney’s Home Baking.

On Sat. Nov. 7th from 1pm beidh fáilte mór romhat to the Desmond Complex, Gortboy, Newcastle West (behind the Fire Station/Library) for an afternoon of nostalgia, conversation and exercise to mark the Silver Jubilee of the Great Southern Trail Greenway. A video presentation entitled “Journeying from a Railway to a Greenway” will be launched tracing the history of the GST. You are also welcome to share your memories/photos etc. and to meet old friends. Refreshments will be provided. Then, at 3pm the Mayor of Limerick City & County,  Liam Galvin, will officially start a walk from the Desmond Complex to Ardagh (5Km-3Miles) along the route of the very first walk in 1990. More refreshments and chat will follow at Neary’s Bar before return to Newcastle West courtesy of Coach House Travel at about 5.30pm. All welcome.