By Peg Prendeville

A new year begins and we hope that this year will see the last of the COVID. We are all truly worn out from it, even if only listening to the ongoing news reports on the matter. Thankfully it has not come into our house so far.

It was great to see and hear the Carrigkerry wrenboys in Knockdown on St. Stephen’s Day and it almost made us think that life had returned to normal. I think the group should repeat the performance next year. It was a great idea to play outside where all people could see and hear – from their cars if they so wished. So maybe a new tradition has started.

Some of you may have seen the photo in the Weekly Observer last week of my grandchildren and their cousins  who enacted the Christmas Nativity story in the farmyard in Glenbawn. I had synopsised the story in poetic form and they learned their lines and dressed up for the part and all enjoyed it. One of Santa’s helpers paid a surprise visit afterwards so it was another cause for excitement. The adults enjoyed it even more!

The Abha Bhán Players will meet on Thursday night in the Hall in Ballyhahill at 7 pm to resume and continue rehearsals for The Buds of Ballybunion which it is hoped will be staged around Easter time. The cast of 15 is being expertly guided by Director Eleanor McSweeney.

Mass in Ballyhahill last Sunday was offered in memory of Miriam Reidy, Ballyhahill, for her 11th anniversary.  A little robin joined the congregation and hopped around the altar for all of the Mass. I like to think that Miriam was letting us know she is still nearby.