By Peg Prendeville
I heard the cuckoo on Monday morning. It is always a delight to hear him and is a sign that summer is near – hopefully! Now all we need to hear is the sound of the turf machines.
Loughill/Ballyhahill Strictly Come Dancing takes place this Saturday night in the Devon Inn starting at 8pm but I would be there at 7 pm if you want to get a seat. It promises to be a great night of entertainment. The dancers are as follows:
Breda Mullane and David Hayes, Amie Woods and Haulie Finucane, Ciara O’Grady and Damien Finnerty, ( wouldn’t Damien’s Nana Mary Brouder be so proud?) , Dymphna O’Brien and James Hynes , Maura Ambrose and John Mullane, Nuala Sheeran and James Chawke, Teresa Stack and Johnny Cronin, Bríd Curtin and Donal, Karina Walsh and Declan Looney, Margaret O’Shea and Tony O’Shaughnessy , Deborah Dalton and Ross Fitzsimons. Best of luck to them all.
The Éigse Michael Hartnett festival was well supported and enjoyed last weekend in Newcastle west. There was something for everyone who is interested in literature or poetry. Brendan Kennelly the poet from Ballylongford was 80 years last Sunday and there was a special celebration in Listowel on the day to mark his birthday. It is such a pity that his mind is not as sharp as it used to be but he has given so much joy to poetry lovers during his lifetime. By the way next Thursday 28th April is Poetry Ireland Day. Go on, read a poem on the day.
If anyone wishes to contribute food or toiletries to the Mid-West Simon Support for the Homeless there is an opportunity to do so on Thursday mornings this week and next. Drop it into Ceol Corbrai Community Hall, Glin on this Thursday 21st or next Thursday 28th April, where it will be collected and delivered to Mid-West Simon Support in Limerick City. Thank you. Hours for drop off are 10 to 12 noon ONLY.
Thanks to the locals who spent a few hours on Monday cleaning the roadside rubbish around Knockdown and Glenbawn. It is a job nobody wishes to do and it should not have to be done but sadly many people still continue to throw their rubbish out the car windows and expect others to pick it up.
Congratulations to Helen and John Sheehy, Dromagarraun on becoming grandparents when their son Mikey and Tanya gave birth to a baby boy this week. We wish them all much happiness.