by Peg Prendeville

The landscape in Knockdown has had a transformation in the past week when the shop, which had been burned down last June, was levelled and taken away. We all hope to see a new one in its place before long but I do not know if that is the plan. The shop is badly missed so I hope for the best. It is about forty years since the shop was built by Ta. Of course Danny Mullane always had the shop in the dwelling house before that. We, in Knockdown, have been privileged to have had such an amenity in the area all our lives. Please God we will again. No pressure, Ta!

I am now remembering the excitement back in the 60’s when Danny Doherty’s van used to come up the avenue to our house every Friday evening. He had every grocery neatly compartmentalised in the van. We looked forward to the fresh panloaf for tea and Dad loved to get the Leader. We always had a list made out for Danny who, I’m sure, knew it off by heart as it was routine stuff every week but one evening we forgot to write down the Leader and Dad was in a huff all night without it! I often think of Danny Doherty now when I see the Dunnes and Supervalu vans on the roads every day. The same thing only preordered and paid for online.

The AGM of the Abha Bhán Drama Players will take place in the Parish Hall on Thursday February 8 at 7.30 pm. All members are encouraged to attend. Meanwhile rehearsals continue for those involved in “A Tomb with a View”. It is hoped to stage this before Easter. More details later.

This weather has us dizzy. Between rain, wind and frost we do not know which we will have each morning when we wake. As I write this on Monday night is is freezing hard again after a few mild days.

Covid is still doing the rounds and many people knocked out with various flus and colds. The time of year, I suppose.