by Peg Prendeville

Ger White, Peg Prendeville,  Helen Martin and Bridie Murphy. Four Faley  sisters meet up recently.

Last week I had the opportunity to take a week away from home thanks to daughter Sarah, home from Dubai, who took over the reins. It was good to be able to come and go as I pleased, take naps when I wanted and get up when I liked. I spent a few days with daughter Maura in Abbeyleix taking in a day at the beach in Tramore. It was over 50 years since I had been in Tramore and that was as a young adult who spent a week there with friends. Obviously it has been modernised and expanded since then. I had not realised how big the beach is and I enjoyed a lovely walk along the prom. It was not sunny but pleasant for walking. My time with Maura included a hospital visit to the Mater with Lucy who is still waiting on the Spinal surgery. It seems that more tests have to be done before she is cleared for the operation which is major. But we hope and we trust. I went from Abbeyleix to Athlone for a meet up with three of my sisters which was fun. Unfortunately the fourth could not get away to join us. The final leg of my travels was a trip to Dublin from where I had booked a day trip to Belfast and the Giant’s causeway which I’ve always wanted to see. This worked out very well, thanks to the Wild Rovers Tour bus. Thanks to my neighbour Rita O’Hagan who offered me a bed to lay my body on after the day before returning home the next day. All my travelling was done by public transport and I have to say I was most impressed. If one is not tied to time one can get either a bus or train to any part of the country. Having free travel is the added bonus of course. All arrived on time with no hassle at all. I really enjoyed the “Black taxi” tour of Belfast and was both fascinated and saddened by all the murals and peace walls (more like dividing walls!) in the Catholic area of west Belfast. Our guide there, who was from the Nationalist side, informed us that the gates through these walls are closed every night to prevent travelling from one side to the other. So, I thought, there is no real peace yet, but it is a bit better than what it was. My impression of the bit of city I saw was a bit dismal with the only colour being the many murals on the walls. From the city we continued travelling north to Dunluce castle and the Giant’s Causeway. We’ve all seen photos of the Causeway but it was nice to be there. Lots of stones for climbing if one is young and flexible but with a daughter at home with a broken ankle I decided not to tempt fate so I just sat and admired and watched the adventures of others as I realised I had travelled from the bottom of the country in Tramore right to the top of Antrim. I appreciated the free time I had but at this stage was ready to return home and take up my caring duties again. And Jim was glad to have me back!

I had a call from Michael Dillane from Listowel. Michael, originally from Clounleharde, wishes to thank the many people who attended the funeral of his son Kevin recently. He had not the chance to meet everybody but wants people to know he appreciated their presence.

The Old Burial Ground of Ath na gCorp in Clounlehard, Ballyhahill (near Gary Flavin’s house)  is the site where 400 men, women and children were slaughtered by Elizabethan forces on March 12, 1580. The official opening of the memorial plaque which has been erected to honour the lives lost in that battle will be held on Sunday August 18 at 3pm. All welcome