By Peg Prendeville

I have been busy over the last two weeks taking in a visit to Bloom in Dublin and a little mini-trip to the “sunny south east” with two of our grandchildren. It poured all the time in sunny south east so I was not in the least impressed. However, despite the weather, we found interesting places to visit like Johnstown Castle and Gardens, the Irish National Heritage Centre and Secret Valley Wildlife park. I was very conscious of the greenery of the land as we drove along and how healthy it looked in spite of the grey cloud hovering overhead. It is such a pity that we cannot depend on fine weather as there are very lovely places to explore in all corners of our country.

Traveling with a child who is wheelchair bound is not always easy and makes me aware of how inadequate some of our facilities are – even the wheelchair friendly toilets. While there are baby changing facilities in most hotels and public places there needs to be sturdier benches made for children who are no longer babies but who are growing children who have no control over their bladder and bowel and who need to be changed regularly like babies. A large toilet with a not so clean floor is not acceptable. I was never aware of all of this before now and am learning as I go. We have a lot to learn to ensure that all people, no matter their special needs, are treated with respect and dignity. Wheelchair parking spaces should always be kept free for those carrying a wheelchair permit. While this is usually the case it is not always observed, sadly to say.

The Loughill/Ballyhahill Parish Outing will take place on July 9th to the National Stud and Japanese Gardens and Newbridge Centre. The fare of €60 includes breakfast, dinner, bus fare and entrance fee to the National Stud. The bus will leave Ballyhahill at 8 am picking up in Loughill and Foynes. Breakfast will be in the Hibernian Hotel in Nenagh – returning there at 6 pm for dinner. People from outside the parish are also very welcome to join us on the day. It would be appreciated if the fares were in not later than the weekend prior to the outing. Any queries to Lizzie Woulfe at 087 7435267 or Eileen O’Farrell at 086 3439036.

Continued good luck to all those who are still doing exams.

Micheál Long’s month’s mind is on in Glin this coming Saturday night at 7 pm.