New Life
I always look forward to this time of year as all the beautiful sights and sounds of the Spring begin to bloom. Snowdrops and daffodils are showing their colours while calves and lambs are welcomed into the world.
Here in Kilmeaden we take the new birth of Spring very seriously as we welcome two new little cousins into the area. Eoin Fitzgerald and Irene Carroll, Carrickphilip welcomed their beautiful new baby girl Aoife and are very lucky to have big sister Caoimhe at home to help and show them what to do. Grandparents John and Martha Fitzgerald and Nanny and Grandad Carroll in Inistioge are delighted with the new arrival.
Down the road in Blacknock Eoins cousin Elaine Phelan(nee Leahy) and her husband Mark welcomed their baby son Paudie into the world. Nanny Breda is truly over the moon as are Nanny and Grandad Phelan in Glenmore and there is no doubt in the world that a very proud Grandad beams with delight from the heavens above and will walk with Paudie through life.
Birthday Time
February is a very popular month of birthdays and I heard tell of a few local ones this week. Jamsie Power in Blackknock celebrated his special day and I’m sure his wife Renee made sure he had a lovely relaxing day. The famous Declan Power in Ballyduff also celebrated his birthday last week and we hope he enjoyed his day.
The end of January and the first few weeks in February are very busy in my own family. My parents in law Mick and Joan Spillane celebrated 49 years of marriage at the end of January so big celebrations next year please God.
My son Adam celebrated his 14th birthday on the 3rd and we celebrated as best we could. My Uncle Sean Power celebrated his birthday on the same day in the beautiful Ballymacmague. My brother Neil is a February 10th birthday boy while my lovely brother in law Eamonn O Leary, Kilmagemogue is February 12th. My parents Noel and Nancy O Sullivan will celebrate 55 years of marriage on February 12th also.
A special mention to my good friend Kieran Foley in The Munster Express who is also a February birthday boy. Hope you had a brilliant day Kieran.
Last Few Days
For the next week or so our soccer club are still hosting their fundraising clothes collection. If you are clearing out wardrobes etc and have clothes, towels, bed linen, curtains, shoes, handbags or soft toys that you want to get rid of then please drop them to the dressing rooms at Ballyduff Soccer Club any day between the hours of 11am and 4pm.
Parish Facebook
If you can please log into the Parish of Portlaw/Ballyduff Facebook page. Fr Richard is doing a wonderful job with prayers, masses, novenas, readings etc. It is also a lovely way to feel that connection with fellow parishioners as we join together to share mass etc
Telly Fame
When you turn on the telly at home you don’t expect to see local people pop up on the screen. This happened to me last week. While making dinner the other day I had the telly no on in the background and heard Daithi and Sinead from the Today
show speak about the art of making St. Bridget crosses and who pops up on screen but my dad Noel O Sullivan. Thank you to our neighbour and good friend Helena Power who sent in the photo of daddy. He is still signing autographs.
I tuned into Operation Transformation the other night in the hope of grabbing any spare will power or determination that might be lying around . Kathryn Thomas spoke of their 5km challenge at the end of their journey and how they were delighted to see so many people from around the country and other countries join up to take on the challenge. With messages from around the world , up pops local Ballyduff lady Ciara Lyons and her boyfriend who were joining in the fun from Sydney, Australia. Great to see you looking so fantastic Ciara.