By Peg Prendeville

The summer is going well and people have a chance to sit out and enjoy the weather. Children have school holidays and parents are doing their best to keep them entertained and away from the TV and Nintendos etc. The Summer Camp which was held in Ballyhahill school last week was a great success from what I hear. A lot of the activities were held outdoors thanks to the continuing fine weather. Thanks to Sharon Griffin, Rosemary O’Connor-Bray and helpers who provided a fun week for over 30 young children – including seven of my grandchildren!

Thanks to all the children who have joined the Glin library reading challenge which is to read at least 8 books during the school holidays. They will be rewarded with a medal and certificate when eight books have been read. Reading can be done outdoors too under the sun in the shade of a tree. It does not need bad weather at all!

The summer is always a busy time down in Glin. This weekend they had the Estuary Swim and the Cycle race and next week the launch of the Glin Public Realm and Tourism plan will be held in Glin Library after 7pm Mass on Saturday night. Refreshments will be provided as well as face painting for children. All welcome. Following that Glin Castle will host an Open day on Sunday 29th July with tours of the Castle and Garden every hour from 12 noon to 6.00 p.m. Refreshments included which will be served in the Castle. Admission €10.

The Abha Bhan Drama group is as enthusiastic as ever with weekly rehearsals. Sive is the play that will be presented in November. I went to see Big Maggie, by the Corofin Drama group, in St John’s Theatre on last Saturday night. The Manager Joe explained that it would have been John B’s 90th birthday but though he has died he still lives in his powerful plays and writings. I wrote the following poem on the day that John B Keane died on May 30, 2002 when I was spending a few days in Bray, co. Wicklow. They say the same thing.

A Tribute to John B. 

Walking along Bray Esplanade

Even the waves seem to whisper

The sad news that John B. has died.

But in their quiet sadness

They continue their even pace

Gently sloshing over the pebbles

Re-assuring me that “It’s OK,

Yes, that witty genius

Is gone from your sight

But his words will continue

To lap against the shores.

For the tide can never go out

On such wisdom and wit.

And on the stormy days

We will shout the words

He was not afraid to shout

As we blast the rocks

With our frothy anger.

The waters of his native river Feale

will carry his words

to the oceans of the world

and his hearty laugh

will always be heard

as long as the tides ebb and flow.