Mullinahone.net

Experience needed to sail stormy seas
A Political Meeting of sorts took place in a local tavern over the Bank Holiday weekend. No doubt the appearance of candidates on cars and election posters on poles reminded people that Local and European elections were on the way.

Some even thought that the elections were even closer than June 5th. They were of the opinion that election posters could not be displayed until a month before the Election Day. The imminence of wage and income cuts now that May is here also galvanised the political ideas of those present at the meeting. While there was little or nothing that the group could do about the May "pain" at this stage, they felt that it was time to send a sharp message to the Government and would be Government parties. One man with a long memory reminded the group that our own parish had not elected it's own member to the County Council between 1928 and 1999. It was felt that this was a slur on the parish and should never be allowed to happen again. The last ten years 1999 – 2009 have been good for the parish.

No-one disputed this. Some said that this would have happened anyway, but the vast majority were of the opinion that having a local Independent voice at the Council table was a great help. Party people are answerable to their parties while independents are only answerable to their supporters. Party people must also answer for the actions of the party or indeed sometimes for their lack of action. They will tell you that their hands are or were tied. Sometimes one has to walk away from the system and stand on one's own two feet. This certainly happened locally in 1999 and Mullinahone has benefited since. The meeting felt that the major Political Party would take a bit of a hammering in June but some said that local elections were only local. That may be so, but when it comes to politics, experience in getting things done and knowing who to approach is a vital ingredient. The consensus of the meeting was that what we have we should endeavour to hold.

If there is to be change, it should not be at our expense. We were far too long without political influence. One person at the meeting spoke of a ship now sailing into choppy waters and even storms ahead. Now, she said was not the time to be changing the crew and putting inexperience in charge. We need that experience that is there to help the ship get through the present storm. The most telling points made at the meeting were made by those who were old enough to remember the many years when elections came and went and we had no say. It would be an awful pity to see those days return. Every politician will make promises but in the end, politicians will look after their own houses or obey party orders. The moral of the meeting was "you'll never miss the water until the well runs dry".

Local Lotto
The last draw took place on Monday April 27th. The numbers drawn were (9,19,21,25).
We didn't have a Jackpot winner but there were two Match 3 Winners who shared the prize of j150. Congratulations to Tom Ryan and Liam O'Brien.

Next draw will be on Monday May 11th when the Jackpot could be worth €5,600. Remember to win, you must first be in.

Thank You
The Irish Cancer Society would like to thank those who subscribed to their churchgate collection last Sunday. Your support was appreciated.

Community Playgroup
Mullinahone Community Playgroup are now taking enrolments for September 2009. To ensure a place in the group, please call into the Playgroup behind the Knocknagow Community Centre between 9.15am and 1.15pm, before June 1st. You can also contact the Group by phoning 052 53622 during the above hours. Thanks to all and the Group looks forward to meeting some of you.

Community Council Draw
The results of the local Community Council Draw for April 2009 were: é150 Nancy Egan, Ballydonnell, €70 Aine Brett, Ballydavid, €25 Nellie Shelly, Clonagoose , €25 Mari Mina Pharmacy, Kickham Street, €20 John Webster, 3 Blackthorn Walk.

Juno and the Paycock
This great Sean O'Casey play will take place in Cloneen on May 15th, 16th, and 17th. The play presented by the Fionn Mac Cumhaill Players is set in tenement central Dublin in the early 1920's. This play caused more than a stir when it first opened in Dublin. It will hardly have the same effect in modern days in Cloneen. The play is regarded as an O'Casey tragedy but will certainly be enjoyed with a laugh or two or more. Tickets €10 each. Enquiries to 086 8871647 or 086 0834208.

La na gClub GAA 125
The local GAA Club in conjunction with the whole GAA family will celebrate La na gClub GAA 125 on Sunday next. This year, the GAA will be around for 125 years on November 1st. C. J. Kickhams GAA Club Mullinahone has been around for 124 of those years. On Sunday next, the Club will celebrate those 125 years.

It will be a tribute to those people who in the last century and a quarter have brought us to where we are today. Many of those people will be remembered in the Mass for deceased members in St. Michaels Church at 11.30pm on Sunday next. Representative groups, many in Club colours, will march into the Church behind the Club banner. These groups will include among others the golden oldies i.e. those who represented the Club up to fifty years ago, the Club administrators past and present, the teams who led us into the modern era, our lady footballers, the juveniles from under 6 to under 16's. It is hoped that the final group will be those who brought us to glory by winning the County Senior Hurling title in 2002.

After the Mass, the teams will parade to the local Sports Hall where a special 125 plaque will be unveiled by the Chairman of the South Board. Afterwards photos and items of interest will be on display in the Sports Hall. Exhibition games of hurling and football involving our younger players will then take place.

The Club P.R.O. who has arranged refreshments will be served. La na gClub is a day dedicated to our Club involving the past, the present and the future. Come along to make it a success.

Reflection

Your religion is what you do when the sermon is over.

Parish News
The Rosary will be said at the Grotto each weekday evening Monday to Friday at 7.15pm during the month of May. First Confession this Friday night May 8th in St. Michael's Church at 7.30pm.

Anniversary masses this weekend

Saturday May 9th
8pm Mary and Pat Gannon, The Lodge, Harley Park

Sunday May 10th
9.30am Anniversary Denis Quirke, Gurteen and 11.30am Anniversary Tom Lanigan, Fethard Street.

Congratulations
Congratulations to Sean Curran of Kilvemnon on recently representing Tipperary Minor Hurlers in the Munster Championship. Sean lined out against Limerick in Limerick in a first round game which Tipperary won handsomely with Sean contributing 0-3. Tipperary now move on to the Munster Semi-final against Cork and we feel sure that Sean will again be chosen. Sean's appearance on the Tipperary Minors marks the first time in 10/11 years that a new Mullinahone name has lined out in the Minor Championship for Tipperary. In 2000, Eoin Kelly lined out while the previous year both Eoin and Sean's brother Paul were on the team. Paul and Eoin had both made their debuts with Tipperary even before that. In spite of all the Club success in the last decade this representative honour is the first at Minor level in that length of time and makes a stark contrast with the Minor record of the 1990's. Well done Sean on breaking the duck.