By Peg Prendeville

Ballyhahill Parents Association sent me the following: “Thanks to everyone who has bought lines for our Christmas Raffle so far. All students have sheets where you can buy a line for €2 or they are in all the local shops too, as well as online this year at

http://www.idonate.ie/raffle/BallyhahillPAChristmasDraw

There are great prizes up for grabs so please support. Thanks a million.”

Sincere sympathies to Breda and Val Mullane on the unexpected death of Breda’s mother, Eileen Farrell of Tinekilla, on Sunday. Eileen was a lovely, gentle, hard working lady and will be missed by all her family and friends. May she rest in peace.

Just for the season that’s in it I include a poem I wrote years ago for my youngest at the time. She wanted a poem about Rudolf.

Rudolf’s Red Nose

You know I suppose about Rudolf’s red nose

But do you know how it got there?

Just sit back a while and I’ll make you smile

When I tell you what happened his hair.

Now Rudolf, one day, got bored with his play

And decided to dye his long hair

He went to the shop, there wasn’t a drop

So he had to go to the fair.

Says he to the man who had the red van

“Will you colour my hair a bright red”

“Begor”, said the man, “I’ll do what I can

But if your mother sees it you’re dead.”

So with his face in a frown Rudolf sat down

While his hair was lathered with paint

He looked in the mirror and froze with the terror

And nearly fell down in a faint.

To the man in the van he said “Do what you can

To get it all off my head

I can’t go home now or there will be a row

Come on, hurry up” Rudolf said.

So the man got some soap and muttered “you dope”

And started to wash Rudolf’s hair

It flowed down his face and all over the place

There were puddles and soap everywhere.

Rudolf started to cry when it got in his eye

And out of the chair he arose

He looked in the mirror and started to shiver

When he saw the red paint on his nose.

To Santa he ran, away from the man

Crying Santa my nose is all red

Now Mam will be mad, and say I am bad

Oh Santa please save me he said.

“Oh ho ho ho” laughed Santa, “you know

It shines like a light in the snow

Now drink up your tay and we’ll fill up the sleigh

All the children are waiting you know.”