|
A week is a long time ....
Just after we had put last week's issue to bed, the new pope was announced, to much excitement in the media. While Pope Leo X1V, was the star of the show, and many recounted their previous acquaintances with him, Lucan's Eoin Gormley appeared on our screens!
A former pupil of Scoil Mhuire, Woodview, and Confey College, Leixlip, Eoin is studying at the Irish College in Rome, and he recalled having dinner with Cardinal Robert Prevost, not so long ago. He is pictured above with Fr. Paul Finnerty, head of the Irish College, and RTE presenter, Sharon Tobin.
And then we had some more local interest, when Fr. Alan Hilliard, formerly of Divine Mercy Parish, and a regular caller to the Newsletter office back in the day, turned up on the news programme, and also on Prime Time that evening.
There's a good chance that Pope Leo will come to Ireland, as in the not-too-distant future, 2032, we will be celebrating 1600 years since St. Patrick returned to Ireland to put us all on the straight and narrow. No doubt there will be exciting plans ahead!
More head scratching in the village!
Do you ever think you're seeing things? That's what happened Birdie this past week, when chalked markings were spotted at the entrance to Sarsfield Park (the only entrance to Sarsfield Park!), and it looks like the entrance is to be narrowed, similar to the entrance to Lucan Heights / Esker Lawns. At least these latter two estates have other entrances ....
Darkness Into Light!
One of our team headed off on the local Darkness Into Light walk, on Saturday morning last, capturing some photos as they weaved their way through St. Catherines Park.
Well done to all those who took part!
Use by dates on Milk!
Has anyone noticed that the dates on milk on the supermarket shelves are not as long-life as they used to be. Time was when the shopper could purchase the milk for the entire week ahead - now it would appear to be only for three or four days at most ....
St. Mary's Camera Soiree
This week Donal was out west and sent us in photos of Connemara ponies asserting their authority over the local horses. The Connemara Breeders' Society runs an annual pony show and the Show in Clifden from 19th to 22nd August will mark 100 years of the show.
Brendan got a closeup shot of a bluetit taking grubs to the nestlings in his garden. The bluetit is one of Ireland’s top 20 most widespread garden birds. Brendan also submitted a beautiful still life photograph which I found very reminiscent still life painting from the golden age of Dutch painting in the 16th and 17th century.
Michael was in Bettystown and submitted a photo of the magnificent beech there at low tide. There has been racing on this beach since 1868. Up until 1995, racing was run at distances between five furlongs and two miles with a U-shaped turn at Bettystown where the horses made a sweeping return before heading back to the Laytown finish. The next meeting is on 4th September.
He also came across a poster for a dance in Kells back in November 1946. The admission charge was 5 shillings equal to about 15 euro today. The dance was held on 'Holentide Night'. As far as I can make out 'Holentide' is a Manx version of Halloween/All Saint's Day and marked the first day of winter and also the first day of the Celtic year. What it has to do with Kells I don't know!
Until next week stay safe!
| 
