By Peg Prendeville

A very gentle, kind lady has left Glenbawn. My neighbour Nora Wallace died last Saturday after a very short illness during the previous week. She was buried on Tuesday in Glin cemetery. Her daughter Maria and sons Mossie and Tom will miss their mother dearly as she was always there for them. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Dick and sons Gerard and Jimmy. Nora, who celebrated her 90th birthday last Christmas, did not go out much in recent years but always had a welcome for neighbours who called to visit. She loved to hear of the local news and always asked about the young generation and how they were getting on. Though having been greatly challenged in life through loss and physical ailments she never once complained but rather thanked God for being able to get around and do her household chores. Tom, who now lives in Feoghanagh, calls every month to see his family and loves his visits home. Nora had a great outlook on life and her solid faith helped her through all her trials. She was always grateful for Fr Austin’s First Friday visits. I am quite certain that Nora is enjoying her new life now in God’s presence having met up with her fond husband Dick and her two sons Jerry and Jimmy and she will continue to look after her three surviving children too. May she rest in peace.

A great crowd attended the presentation of the Knockdown Vintage/Macra  in the Knockdown Arms last Saturday night. The beneficiaries of the 2017 event were as follows: Ballyhahill/Loughill Going Strong- €1,750. Athea Community Arts Group -€750. Glin Going Strong- €500. Ballyguiltenane National School – €500. The groups were very appreciative of these unexpected gifts. Both the Vintage and Macra thank everybody who helped make the day such a success. They cannot wait for next year to come so that they can do it all over again. It is nice to see such community spirit in the area. Well done to all.

Ta Mullane had a surprise birthday party sprung on him last Thursday night to celebrate reaching pension-age. Not that he looks a bit of it! Ta, like the rest of us, is still young at heart and had no notion of growing old. It was a good night of fun. We look forward to many more years of celebrations in the Knockdown Arms.

Best of luck to Gerald Griffins in the County Intermediate Football Championship Rd2 on Saturday May 6th as they play Mountcollins in Ncw @ 7 pm.

I hear that the cuckoo has arrived but I have yet to hear him myself.