By Peg Prendeville

I told you some time ago to be expecting loads of babies in the autumn and sure enough it is happening. Congratulations to Maura and Pakie White on the birth of Devin White recently, a son to their son Joe and wife Vicky.

Congratulations too to Tina and Noel FitzGerald Ballyhahill whose son Barry and wife Ashley in Listowel gave birth to a baby girl, Caragh. All are doing well. It is always lovely to see new life coming along.

Ballyhahill Parents Association Informs me that the school is still collecting bags of unwanted clothes and shoes so if you are doing a spring clean in the autumn please drop them off to the school at any time and they will gladly accept them. Closing date November 23rd. the committee is also doing the annual Christmas Raffle shortly so please keep an eye out in the local shops for it! All support will be appreciated I am sure. 

This week marks both my mother’s birth-day and death-day. The following poem is in her honour.

The dark days of November

are a fitting reminder of your anniversary.

Your grave holds no comfort for me

as your spirit

could not be contained

by any clay.

I hear your laugh

and see your merry eyes dancing

as you dragged hoarse music

from an old accordion.

On hearing Dad’s footsteps at the door,

you handed it to Jack, our neighbour,

and sat back to see Dad’s reaction

to the lively hornpipe

that now filled the room.

Your laugh and humour

has never died.

It continues to ring in my ears

inviting me to dance in your memory.