Knockanure Notes – 21st December, 2008

WELCOME to all our visitors, this year we remember families who are unable to do their usual trip home. A safe and pleasant trip to the few who will travel from home this Christmas to be with relations in this country or abroad.

HAPPY Christmas to all our readers, this is a hard time for some people, if we are unable to do a kind deed ourselves, we could prompt somebody else to bring the Christmas spirit.

Householders have their decorations big and small on view for Christmas some have collection boxes for charity in the vicinity of the super displays.

GREAT to hear that the Great Southern Trail is being upgraded, it will provide a useful amenity for those interested in green and healthy living .

HOLLY’S Foodstore are participating in the Gala pledge to give a quarter of a million euro to charity this year, they are supporting the 12 days of Christmas Campaign in aid of The Jack& Jill Foundation now.

JOBS: Young educated people by their thousands are disappointed with their chances of gainful employment. Planning is delaying jobs and often attempting to reduce what little employment that is left in this part of the country. Ban on mobile masts by the Council within 1km of dwellings sends a message that they are fetish about progress. News reports say that a former Wall Street banker is accused of a $50 billion fraud and on the individual level Bette Greenfield who is 71 years has lost her life’s savings in the Madoff scandal. Hard working private pension holders will suffer most. It is time to freeze bonuses given over recent years and use the money to provide useful jobs and training for people who are willing to do honest work.

TRAINING for back to work at E20 per week, details from 066 718 5775.

HOUSING: Now is the time for the State to take over unfinished houses in partnership with local groups to provide housing at reasonable prices and give jobs.

SAMARITANS have their usual collection on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

LOCAL children from Knockanure School went to St John’s Theatre, Listowel on Monday last 15th to watch Little Red Riding hood’s Christmas Adventure presented by Centre Stage Theatre Co., Belfast.

DINNER: Samuel Pepys in 1662 had a mess of brave plum porridge and a roasted pullet and a mince pie for his Christmas dinner; Barclay Fox on St Stephen’s Day had roast beef and plum pudding in 1842. It is a shame to see so much good pork being dumped over the recent scare, at least it could be given away and a donation could be given to charity.

THANKS to all the people who helped with the notes during the year. Thanks also to all who shared their photographs.

CAR PARK at Listowel Emmets is of little use to shoppers; its benefits will be found only when shopkeepers and workers park their cars there and walk to work.

EVENTS: Live Crib will be in Duagh again this year; Christmas Day Swim at Ballybunion in aid of Sea Rescue begins at noon; Christmas Morning Goal Mile is being held in various locations again this year; North Kerry Harriers will have a Novice Day in Ballybunion on Dec. 26th and they will be in Ballylongford on Dec. 31st ; Tarbert Community Centre Night at the dogs is on Tuesday Dec.23rd; Brosna Rambling House is open on Christmas Day at 7pm, details from 068 44109; Lartigue Railway is open from 2pm to 4pm on the 27th and 28th Dec.; Abbeyfeale United are holding a charity match at Riverside Park in aid of Crumlin Hospital on Saturday 27th at 5pm; Annual North Kerry PTAA Social will be held at the Lanterns on Friday January 23rd; Causeway Comprehensive School will celebrate its Golden Jubilee on Jan. 17th `09, details from 066 311 97; Traditional Music and Set Dancing Weekend will be held at Ballyroe Heights Hotel from Jan. 23rd to 25th, details from 066 712 6810; Garda Youth Achievement Awards will be presented at the Brandon Hotel on Friday Jan. 23rd `09; Public information evening community sustainability will be held on January 28th `08, details from 066 7180 190;

BUSH gets a very poor reception from the press; Truman was not cherished in his time also.

NEW Credit Card is available from the Post office at Postbank no fee is charged except E30 government tax, details from 1890 3030 40.

PLANTS: Christmas Plants are now available in our Garden Centre at the Kerry Parents & Friends, Cliveragh, Listowel; The Garden Centre is opened Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm.

WRENBOYS were scarce last year, it is hoped that the tradition will continue as it gives musicians, entertainers and householders a chance to have some fun.

RACING in Limerick from 26th to 29th Dec. and at Leopardstown from 28th to 30th of Dec. `08.

TRIP: Listowel Downpatrick friendship group will celebrate their 25th anniversary next year, the Listowel group will spend 14th, 15th and 16th of March in Downpatrick, details from 068 21400

AWARE helpline 1890 303 302, Aware course called ‘Beyond the Blues’ begins in Jan. details from 068/32244

ST JOHN’S Youth Theatre present Scrooge/ The Naughty Christmas Elves on Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd, Tuesday 30th A Thomas Lyndon Memorial Foundation event; details from 068 22566.

SIAMSA have a Christmas Panto on Dec. 28th, 29th and 30th and also on Jan. 2nd, 3rd and 4th, details from 066 7123055.

STAMPS can be left in special box in Listowel Church.

WALK: A 4-mile Christmas walk will take place on Friday, December 26th in aid of the Palliative Cancer Unit, Tralee departing from Kirby’s Brogue Inn at 11.30am. Leader: Fr Sean Hanafin, cards available from Michael ‘Fox’ O’Connor – 087 9833075.

FISHING: Regional Fisheries Boards are proposed to be scrapped and replaced by a central authority by August `09.

NEW Moon is on Dec. 27th, Newgrange which goes back 5,000 had a special ticket day on Dec. 21st to view the rising sun, the event can be viewed at www.newgrange.com/webcast_08 ESO website have pictures of the sky near the Christmas Tree star cluster.

PRIESTS: Our Priests deserve our thanks for all the duties they perform day in day out they have to cope with us often when we are at our lowest, it is later we appreciate them, they deserve our praise and help. Eighty-seven seminarians are now at the Archdiocese of Boston’s St. John’s Seminary, this double the number in 2006.

THOUGHT: A saint’s life is in the hands of God as a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see; He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says, I cannot stand any more. But God does not heed; He goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly, Oswald Chambers.

JOURNALS: All the local Parish Journals are now in the shops; The 31st edition of the Ballyguiltenane Journal is again packed with items from Kerry and Limerick. Pat Brosnan gives an eyewitness account of the Newcastlewest floods at the end of July `08, Pat is also involved in song writing and some of his works are included. Pat also gives an account of Ceol Luiminigh which is a group of people who entertain for the fun of it for the past 12 years. Tom Aherne reports on the retirement of local born teacher John Looney who was teaching for the past 37 years, John was appointed Principal at Carrigkerry N.S in 1988, Tom recalls the Flying Boats at Foynes and Fr. Casey of Abbeyfeale; he also pays tribute to wrenboys Jackie O Connor and Paddy McCarthy who died recently. Patrick Sheahan DMP who received a certificate of gallantry in 1905 is profiled. The Rose of Birmingham in 1960 Rose Clifford is remembered by her cousin. Jer Kennelly gives snippets from the past. School Reunion at Skeheenarinka is recalled with a letter from a 92 year old past pupil. Michael D Ryan gives a glimpse of life in a retirement village. Peg Prendeville discussed Skellig and climbing 670 steps. Nearer to home George Langan give us a short history of the Langan Family, Brendan Kennelly is a descendant of Sarah Langan who married Patrick Boland in 1844, Tom Langan was born at Knockanure 1787 and died there in 1871, Eileen Langan married John Ahern from Knockanure in 1860, John Langan born 1856 joined the army and served in India from 1882 to 1889. Joe Quille gives a mixed bag of happenings, superstitions and home cures. Tim Griffin reviews devotion to Our Lady. This is the 140th anniversary of the finding of the Ardagh Chalice by Paddy Flanagan is discussed. Trips back home by the Griffin and Long family is recalled. The late John Sheehan of Kilbaha reflects on Pilgrims Pocket Book. Ballybunion Castle history which was destroyed in 1582 is researched by Dan Houlihan. James O Donoghue reports on his trip to Budapest which has a population of 1.8 million. Fear an Floclora Padraig O Duinnin is recalled in Irish by Sean O Cearnaigh. We are all grateful to the Editor of the Ballyguiltenane Journal T.J. O Donoghue for keeping such a thriving journal going for the past 31 years.

BOOK called Leaving Ardglass is receiving great reviews it is written by Fr William King of Kilflynn his sister lives in Moyvane.

DEATH took place on December 7th `08 of Peggy Scanlon (nee Bunce) of Pollough, Listowel. She was predeceased by her husband Danny Scanlon and is survived by her son Martin and daughters Mary, Bridie, Margaret, and Theresa. Peggy Scanlon was laid to rest at St Michael’s Cemetery Listowel on December 11th `08 following Requiem Mass in Listowel Church .

DEATH has taken place on December 13th `08 of Kay Shanahan of Raheen, Limerick, she is survived by her sister Margaret, nephews Fr Peter, John and Desmond Coates. Kay Shanahan was laid to rest at Mount St Lawrence Old Cemetery in Limerick following Requiem Mass at Raheen Church on Tuesday 16th of December `08.

ANNIVERSARIES: Michael Collins, Jer Horgan, Nora Mai Broderick, Paddy Healy, John Joe Sheehy, Ted Brosnan, Bridget Finucane, Bridie Hanrahan, Vincent Dillon, Sean Broderick, Fr. Willie O Brien, Jim Kelly, Edward Walsh, Kit Ahern, Sr. Gregory Dillon, Catherine Kennedy, Michael Kissane.

SORRY the notes to be prepared for Thursday night, I am unable to provide more anniversaries and Mass times as the Parish Newsletter is not available, late news will be available on the Newtownsandes on line site over the weekend.

CREAMERY Office and Store open on Tuesday Dec. 23rd, closing Wednesday 24th at 1pm, reopening Monday 29th at 9am, closed Thursday Jan. 1st and closed Jan. 6th. Milk intake 9 to 10am each day on Tuesday 23rd of Dec., Saturday 27th of Dec., Tuesday 30th Dec., Friday 2nd Jan, Monday 5th Jan. and Friday 9th of Jan.

LOCAL Man Pat Sweeney had the official opening of his butchers shop in Tarbert carried out by the Colm Cooper on Sunday December 21st, the Prise winners of the Christmas Draw will be in next weeks notes, details from 087237 8052.

Results for the Knockanure Lotto were not available for the deadline of Friday 19th at 1pm.

ALERT: Community First Responders are available 365 days contact number is 087 2737077.

CONGRATULATIONS to Athea dancers who recently qualified for the Munster Final of Ceol an Gheimridh competition, their coach is John J Tierney. Last Saturday night they had a fundraising dance at the Top of the Town.

DEATH has taken place on December 18th `08 of Nancy Daly (Nee Magner) (Riverlawn, Rathkeale, Nancy was predeceased by her husband Mort Daly who was a native of Duagh; she is survived by her sons Tom, Pat, John, and Paul and daughters Moira and Rita, grandchildren Aoife, Michelle, Alexandra and Sean. Following Requiem Mass at St. Mary’s Church, Rathkeale on Saturday 20th `08 Nancy Daly was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.

CHRISTMAS Eve Mass Wed. 24th 7.30pm in Knockanure and 9.00pm Moyvane; Christmas Day Mass Thursday 25th Knockanure 10am and Moyvane 11am; Mass on St Stephen’s Day at 7.30pm for Con Flaherty; Saturday 27th Mass in Moyvane at 7.30pm for Johnny Quinn; Sunday 28th Mass at 10am in Knockanure for Michael, Joseph and Margaret Collins and the 11am Mass in Moyvane is for Maureen McSkane. Communion Rounds in Knockanure in the morning and Moyvane in the afternoon on Wednesday 24th Dec. 20, 08 ADORATION in Moyvane on Sunday from 4pm to 5pm and Knockanure on Tuesday from 10am to 6pm, no Adoration in Moyvane this Wednesday 24th Dec.

READERS: Vigil Seline Mulvihill & Bridget Mc Carthy; 11.00am Ciara Healy & Amanda Coulson and Knockanure 10.00am Mary Flaherty & Siobhan Fitzgerald.

COLLECTORS for January; Vigil Eddie Flaherty & Michael Scanlon; 11.00am Eddie Stack & John Ahern; 10.00am in Knockanure Margaret Carmody.

VISITING Priests will be available for Confessions on Tuesday at Knockanure at 7.30pm and Moyvane at 8pm. CHOIR practice and rehearsal for the Christmas Eve Mass will be held on Monday December 22nd in the Knockanure Church at 8pm.All Singers and Musicians are requested to attend.

STUDY: The Priory Institute, run by the Dominican Order, is offering by a full programme of theology through distance learning, supported by a network of study centers throughout Ireland. This programme is made up of 15-week modules which can be studied for academic credit (leading to an accredited certificate diploma or degree in theology) or simply for personal interest, further information from The Priory Institute, Tallaght Village, Dublin 24, on (01) 4048124.