The local community were both dismayed and surprised recently to learn of the death of Patrick O Brien of Tinakelly. Patrick, who was born and lived just outside the border or our parish, was as well known un Mullinahone as in his native parish. For many years Patrick attended religious ceremonies in St Michael’s Church along with his late wife, the former Mary Cody.
Patrick’s death which was most unexpected took place in South Tipperary Hospital, Clonmel. He was in his 83rd year which came as a surprise to many who were used to seeing him travel around the area, be it in van or car. Patrick was a great man to visit people and have time to talk to them, he was also a most helpful neighbour and over the years he was most obliging in carrying out a myrid of little household tasks for others. Patrick saw many people getting older but never thought of himself in that light. During his working life at one stage he had a mobile shop and also he spent many years in the building industry.
His remains were removed to Brett’s Funeral Home in Mullinahone where they reposed. They were then removed to St. Michael’s Church, Mullinahone, which he had attended so often. His funeral Mass was said by Fr Lambe PP, Mullinahone. The readers at his funeral Mass were his grandnieces Natasha O Brien and Tracy O Callaghan. The prayers of the faithful were recited by his grandnieces, Tina, Michelle, Elaine and Pauline.
After Mass Patrick’s remains removed to Cloneen for burial. Here he was interred with his late wife Mary who passed away early in 1996. Patrick’s removal, funeral Mass and burial were all well attended, proof indeed of the esteem in which he was held by all and sundry. He his survived by an older brother Jimmy in Harlow, England, and by two sisters Mary and Phyllis. It was only in more recent years that Patrick met his sister Mary whom he hadn’t med for over fifty years, though they had kept in regular contact. Patrick is survived by his brother in law Peter Cody,
Mullinahone and by his sister in law Peg O Brien, Cloneen as well as a host of nephews and nieces and other family members. Two extended family members of whom Patrick was very proud were the late Peter Ward and the late Willie O Brien, who were both shot within a very short time of each other while serving with UN Forces in the Lebanon. Patrick will be missed for his kindness, his quiet conversation, his helpfulness and his ability to trace both people and events.
His month’s mind Mass will be celebrated in St Michael’s church, Mullinahone, on January 6th 2008, the same day as the anniversary Mass of his late wife Mary.
May Patrick’s soul rest in peace.
Credit Union AGM
About forty members attended the AGM of Mullinahone Credit Union in Knocknagow Centre, Mullinahone on Wednesday night last. The report of the board of directors presented to the meeting told of further progress during the last year. Three members were elected to the board of directors to serve three year terms.
Congratulations to Marie Cuddihy, Knockroe, Drangan, John Skehan, Kickham St, Mullinahone and Tommy Rochford, Fethard St, Mullinahone. Following the AGM the following officers were elected for the coming year: chairperson, Margaret Kennedy, Clonagoose; secretary, Eleanor Quirke, Gurteen; treasurer: Tommy Rochford, Fethard St. Committee: Magaret Morris, Marie Cuddihy, John Skehan and Geraldine Kelly. The auditor elected on behalf of the members for the coming year was Jamie O Hanlon.
The three people to serve as the supervisory committee again on behalf of the members for the next year were Rita Curran, Kilvemnon, Ann Needham, Ballinacloghy and Miriam Slattery, Ballyduggan. The usual draw took place among the members present. The principal winners were: Hamper, Breda Keating; thirty euro each: Annie Hickey, Breda Rochford, Margaret Skehan and Nellie Bolger. Well done to all. As Christmas falls on a Tuesday this year it is unlikely to affect opening hours in the Credit Union on Thursday and Friday nights, December 20th, 21st,27th and 28th.
Mullinahone Net
The new Mullinahone website which can be found on the internet at Mullinahone.net is up and running. During the month of November, the site had 562 visits. This represents nearly 19 visits every day. While about 60% of the visits were from around Ireland another 30 % were from the United States and United Kingdom. The remaining 10% came from 12 other countries.
You can extend the range of communication by sending the address of the website to family members, friends or extended family members overseas. Just imagine someone in China being able to read the up to date Mullinahone notes on a Thursday afternoon or even earlier in the week. Well done to John Quirke on getting the site up and running.
CJ Kickhams AGM
The Agm of the CJ Kickhams GAA club hich was fixed to take place last weekend will now take place on Saturday at 8.30pm. After the AGM the club will have a new chairman. At the close of nomilated for the position of chairman. The two are John Croke, Jamestown and Jackie Bolger, Poulacapple, who is the current PRO of the club for much of the last ten years.
Nominated for the position of runai is Martin Cody. Martin served for seven years as runai of the juvenile club. The curent runai Oliver Vaughan has indicated both last year and this year that he wished to step down from the role. 2007 wasn’t a very successful year on the playing fields for Mullinahone’s adult footballers and hurlers. In the centenary year of the South Board, Mullinahone didn’t reach a football or hurling final at minor, under 21 junior or senior level. This was a pity in such a historic year so we all hope for better results in 2008.
Local Lotto
The local lotto jackpot was not won on Monday night last, December 10th. The winning number drawn were: 8, 16, 24 and 27. We did have two winners who shared the match 3 prize of €150.
Congratulations to Eddie and Frances and to Rose Grant, who came out of the hat in the draw for Christmas meat vouchers.
The two who shared last weeks match three draw were Carmel Gahan and Pat Webster.
Congratulations to them also. Next draw will be on Christmas Eve, December 24th, when the jackpot would be €4,400. Remember if you are not in you can’t win.
Modern Communication
To illustrate just how far modern telecommunication has come, I hear of three cousins who were having a chat on the phone lately. One of the three was in Edinburgh, another in Sydney and the third in Cork. The three could also see each other as they talked and as the conversation was via computers over the internet it was only charged at local phone rates. However, such service needs broadband so Mullinahone will have to be left out of that sort of link up until broadband is brought to Mullinahone.
Christmas In Church
The Christmas season in St Michael’s got off to a good start with a well attended Penitential Service on Sunday evening. Mass on Christmas Eve will be at 8pm. It is well that all young people will be home and in bed before Santa arrives. Masses on Christmas Day will be at 9.30am and 11.30am.
Anniversary Masses next weekend, Sadurday evening 8pm; December 22nd: anniversary: Peter Hally, Ballycullen; Sunday, December 23rt: anniversary11.30pm: Paddy Brett, Oakfield; Monday, December 24th: anniversary 10am: Martin Phelan, Bellevue.
Greetings
The correspondent would like to extend to all his readers his good wishes for a happy and a holy Christmas.
