Field of Rapeseed at Glenlohane outside Kanturk in April 2024

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I was at Cian’s First Holy Communion

On Saturday April 27 2014 I was back in the church where I was married, St. Mary’s in Castlemagner. I’m from Kanturk but from the parish of Castlemagner which stretches right into the town of Kanturk.

The church is small but very well cared for. This is the Easter altar display.

When you attend a family occasion back in your old place you inevitable meet old friends and neighbours. Will Collins came from Donegal for his niece’s communion. Will’s parents, Peggy and Willy are dear neighbours to my Kanturk family.

I met Catherine Fitzpatrick and Abbie Kelly, two ladies I had not met since my schooldays.

The man of the moment, Cian Ahern with his dad, William, and his grandad, Pat, my brother.

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Sports Writing

As followers of Listowel Connection will realise, sport is not a topic I touch on often. It is well outside my area of expertise.

Good writing is something I always appreciate. Some of the best writing is often found in sports journalism.

I love this witty snippet from Joe Brolly on the dangers of calling your child after your favourite song.

If you have no idea what Joe, from Derry, is talking about, then just move on.

I found this book in the library swap box. I only know a small bit about this ex footballer and pundit but I thought he might have something interesting to say. He does but a lot of it is delivered in a very critical tone. However, this next piece is pure poetry so I’m sharing it with you.

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Fr. Kieran O’Shea R.I.P.

from Knocknagoshel Phoenix 2007

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Babóg na Bealtaine

In a very old may custom a May Baby was fashioned from straw and decorated with rags and ribbons and used to decorate the May bush. The May Bush was never a whitethorn even though this shrub was usually in full bloom in May. The whitethorn was thought to be unlucky and people did not bring it indoors.

The May Bush could be a furze or other flowering shrub. Yellow is the colour of May and many of the flowers that bloom on May are yellow- furze, buttercups, marigolds, primroses and cowslips.

The beautiful rapeseed fields in Glenlohane are a modern take on the yellow theme.

Everywhere you look here is a sea of green and gold.

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A Fact

In 1752 The British Isles moved from the old Julian calendar to the Gregorian one. In that year September 2 was followed by Sept. 14.

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