by Peg Prendeville

My sister Bridie Murphy is getting all excited at the prospect of going to the Oskars in the Devon Inn on Saturday night. This is a fundraiser for St. Kieran’s football club and I understand that there are four parishes involved in the making of 7 films. It promises to be a fun night. Lots of work has taken place in recent weeks to ensure it is a success. If you haven’t already got your tickets it may be too late.

I was admiring what we call Tigh Neidin in Knockdown recently. It is always beautifully kept. I wrote the following in 2004 when Mike and Marian owned it but they since sold it on. We all have great memories of watching TV for the first time in that house. In fact my mother had the pleasure of seeing television there before she died that same year of 1962.

Tigh Neidín

Uair amháin, fadó fadó

Beside the fireside’s orange glow

Con and Molleen reared their family

Sona, sásta from year to year.

Trathnóna amháin in sixty two

They bought a TV – it was brand new

Tháinigh na sluaite for miles around

When they saw it they were spellbound.

So gach trathnóna tar éis an tae

The neighbours gathered without delay

Con and Molleen smiled on in glee

With a fáilte for all, ba iontach iad.

The first to come sat on the chairs

While the buachaillí hung off the stairs

Na páistí óga sat on the floor

Ag féachaint ar an scannán an t-am go leór.

In later years their son came home

And Ned lived in the cottage on his own

Until do dhíol sé do Mike and Marian

Who renewed it le grá. ‘Nois tá sé go h-álainn.

So to those who dwell in this house tonight

Think of them all as you quench the light

That you may be as happy in Tigh Neidín

As was the couple – Con and Molleen.

Peg Prendeville 2004