While resident at Killusty he enjoyed regular visits from a number of his old neighbours. Willy's passing means that the only member of his family still living is his brother Peter who is now approaching 80. Originally there were seven children in the Cody family in Ballylanigan. The boys were Jack, who was a tailor in Dublin, Paddy, Willy and Peter all of whom remained at home and worked in the local area. The three girls were Josie who also lived in Dublin, Mary O'Brien and Biddy Treacy. Statia Neary nee Treacy, was the only member of the next generation of the family. Statia now lives in Glanmire. It is remarkable how the Cody name has passed out of existence in Ballylanigan within a generation. Perhaps this is only a sign of the way life in Ireland is going to be in the years to come.

Willy Cody was unmarried. He spent his life working on the land in such farms as Commins (Ballytowhill), Basil (Gurteen) and helping out his neighbours. He was a man who was happy to enjoy the simple pleasures of life and this included working. He was fond of hunting on Sunday afternoons and he also enjoyed a sociable bottle from time to time in some of the local pubs. He was a supporter of the local GAA teams especially when they were more noted as footballers. Willy was highly respected among his neighbours and was a most inoffensive man.

His remains were brought to repose in Brett's Funeral Home in Mullinahone and then to St Michaels Church, Mullinahone. Requiem Mass was offered the following day by Fr. John McGrath. At the Mass the readers were his grandnieces, Danielle and Cathy (daughters of Statia Neary). The prayers of the faithful were said by family friends Margaret Smyth (nee Costello) and Teresa Fehilly, while the offertory gifts were presented by his only niece Statia Neary and family friend Teresa Fehilly.

The remains were conveyed after mass to the family plot in Kilvemnon for burial. While the number of family surviving Willy was small the number of friends and neighbours was great. Our sympathy is extended to his brother Peter and to his niece Statia and her family. We also extend our sympathy to his brother-in-law, Patrick O'Brien and Willy's extended family.
On a personal note sympathy is extended to one of Willy's great friends over the years Denis O'Brien of Ballylanigan, whose helping hand to Willy over the years was a symbol of the kindness displayed by many of his neighbours. May the soul of Willy Cody rest in peace. His month's mind Mass will be on April 14.

 

Easter ceremonies – The Easter Ceremonies in St Michaels church got off to a most successful start on Sunday evening when the penitential service was very well attended. Eight priests took part as well as the local young people who are preparing for confirmation in Mullinahone on April 17. Tonight (Wednesday) at 8pm we have a Mass of anointing of the sick. The Easter Ceremonies proper begin on Holy Thursday night at 8pm with Mass of the Last Supper. On Good Friday we will have The Passion of the Lord and Holy Communion at 3pm, while at 8pm that night we have The Stations of the Cross.

On Saturday night at 8pm we have The Easter Vigil and Mass of the Resurrection. Masses on Easter Sunday will be at the usual times of 9.30am and 11.30am. As mentioned previously the sacrament of Confirmation will be administered in Mullinahone on April 17 at 11am.

Weather news – Everybody was pleased with the way local weather dried up over the last few weeks. This meant that only 79.1mm of rain fell on 17 days during March. This figure was somewhat less than the rain which fell in March 2006. For the third month in a row rainfall has been below the monthly 100mm (4") figure which is helping land to dry up after the very wet end to 2006.
Reverting to old ways and old signs we would expect the weather in April to be some-what showery as we used to believe that "April showers bring forth May flowers". The two big natural signs that the older people will now be looking out for are the arrival of the swallows back in Ireland from Africa and the hearing of the cuckoo. Over then to our bird watchers and our listeners. It is reported from parts of the country that swallows have already arrived earlier this year because of a somewhat milder winter.

Boxing news – Our best wishes go this week to local hurler and footballer Jack Shelly, who next week will be seeking to win an Irish juvenile boxing title for Callan Boxing Club and Mullinahone in the National Stadium. Jack will be boxing in the Boy One (under 11) class. He has qualified to take part in the All Ireland championship because he recently won the Leinster title in Newbridge. Best of luck Jack.

 

Local lotto – The local lotto jackpot was not won on March 26. The winning numbers were, 7, 11, 25 and 26. We did have one match 3 winner of e150. Our congratulations to Brigid Phelan. Next draw will be on Tuesday, April 10, due to Monday next being a bank holiday. The jackpot could be up by then to e4700.
hurling success – St Michael's NS took part in the first round of the INTO hurling sponsored sevens which took place in Mullinahone last Wednesday. Also taking part were Fethard and Grange Schools. After a close day of contests St Michael's came out on top and now advance to the next round. This will take place after the Easter Holidays.

Underage Gaa – The South Tipperary Championships have begun for our underage club. Our under-12's have had two games, losing to both St Patricks and Killenaule. In an under-14 game our lads went down heavily to a strong Kilsheelan side. Both our under-12's and under-14's are somewhat top heavy with under-11 and under-13 players this year, so at the moment prospects are not too rosy. At under-16 level Sean Curran was on the South Tipperary team which went down to North Tipperary in the Garda Cup hurling final. One of the selectors on the South Tipperary team is Mullinahone's Martin Cody.

Looking back – Last week we brought our review of the events of 2006 as seen through the pages of the parish newsletter, up to the end of July. The early days of the month saw the road at Mullinoly closed for a week due to the construction of a cattle tunnel under the road. The Kickham Country Weekend took place in Mullinahone. Louise Croke was looking for recruits for The Big River. Sr Josephine Healy, Little Sisters of the Poor, came back to Mullinahone to celebrate the golden jubilee of her profession. William O'Dwyer of Ballydavid married Olivia Sinnot in Clongeer, Co. Wexford. Our minor footballers defeated Ballingarry in the South Tipperary final 4-5 to 2-8 in injury time. Willie Egan and the Anner Players brought The Winter of 69 to the stage of the Watergate in Kilkenny. Grainne O'Meara, Killaghy married John Dunne, Killenaule while Martin and Myra Holland celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.
Mullinahone's under-21 hurlers qualified for the county final by defeating Eire Og and the Slievenamon Vintage Tractor club gave notice of its annual round the mountain run. "Slievenamon Idol" began in Mullinahone with a heat in Bretts. Niall Brennan set off for Mosney to represent Tipperary in the community games art competition. The last week of the month brought unwelcome notice from (horror of horrors) schools. The local barracks had evening opening to facilitate gun holders, while the local lotto jackpot had by now climbed to e7450.
reflection – Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you'd have preferred to talk.