By Peg Prendeville
Sincere sympathies to Mary Condren, nee White, and her family in Ballingarry. on the death of her husband Jackie last week. Mary White is a sister to Pakie from Knockdown.
It was like old times at Mass in Ballyhahill last Saturday night with a packed Church. It was Paddy Dalton’s month’s mind as well as the confirmation pupils and their families being present also. Jacqueline Mangan and friends made up the choir. It was an uplifting ceremony with Fr Mikie Dalton and Fr Austin concelebrating. It would be good, but alas unlikely, to keep up the momentum. A novel idea by Limerick Diocese takes place on April 17th, when young adults, ages 18 – 35, are invited to ‘Prayer and Pint’. It begins with 7:30 pm Mass at the Dominicans’ in Limerick and is followed by a pint (or beverage of choice) at Jerry Flannery’s with the former Man United player Father Philip Mulryne, OP. While at Flannery’s Father Philip will speak about his experience and his choice of the priesthood. It will be interesting to see how it goes.
Geraldine Cahillane. Daisy Kearney. Pauline Sharp. ICA Ballyhahill/ Loughill
It was a rather poignant occasion in the Parish Hall in Ballyhahill recently when the Ballyahill/Loughill ICA group met to officially close down their guild. After thirty eight years in the parish the lack of numbers and the age profile helped the members to face reality. So four of the founding members, Daisy Kearney, Mairead O’Connor, Geraldine Cahillane and Peggie Kelly together with Peg Prendeville, Majella O’Connor, Maureen Long and Pauline Tee had their “last supper” on Wednesday night 11th April when the guild was officially closed by Federation President Mary Moloney. The strength of the guild, down through the years, lay in the humour and camaraderie among the members as well as their commitment to get involved in competitions and Federation events. Over the years it had competed in Made & Model, Set Dancing, Drama, Creative Writing, Art, Lace work, Quizzes, Photography, Knitting & Crochet. There was always room for stories and song and lively conversation around a cup of tea and tart after the business of each meeting was conducted. The guild had achieved Arts Awards and National Awards in Jacobs Creative Writing Competition and the Elenora Gibbon Irish Drama with their play “Litir O Mheiricea” written by a member of the guild to commemorate the Famine. The sense of fun and laughter was prominent always and friendships were forged that will last forever. Maybe in time the younger generation might start it up again?
There is a FREE TALK and TASTER evening on “The Benefits of Mindfulness Practice” in Glin Library on Wednesday 25th April at 8 pm with Ali Burnard, a Mindfulness & Meditation facilitator and Gestalt Psychotherapist. All welcome.
A six week course for beginners on Meditation and Mindfulness is starting in Cloverfield in Glin on Thursday May 3rd to June 7th from 7.30 pm to 9 pm. Learn how to slow down and experience the peace of a relaxed mind. Booking is essential as group size is limited. All welcome. Call Ali on 087 6452227 to book the 6 week course. Cost = €80.