Gaelic for Mothers and Others workshop
Enniscrone Kilglass Gaelic4Mothers&Others really enjoyed trying out the new fun activities as part of the G4M&O initiative. They extended thanks to Vinny Whelan Ladies Gaelic Football for organising and facilitating the workshop.
Llyod Wilkinson of the Rocks, Sydney, Australia and formerly of Carrowmore, Lavagh and Corhownagh, Ballisodare, Co Sligo, died uexpectedly in Mexico City on November 1. He is deeply grieved by his heartbroken family, his parents Ben and Christina, brother Ian and sister Hazel, his aunts, uncles, cousins, his colleagues at E Lab Consultants, Sydney, and a wide circle of friends. Llyod’s remains reposed at his family home at Corhownagh on Wednesday, November 15. Removal took place on Thursday morning, November 16, via Coolaney to The Church of the Sacred Heart, Mullinabreena, where Requiem Mass was celebrated for the repose of his soul at 11am, after which funeral took place to Court Abbey where he was laid to rest. May he rest in peace. Ar Dheis De go raibh se.
Our forefathers planted hawthorn trees in the fences in their time and it seems it was the custom to do so back whenever time began. Then there were no buildings or shelters of any kind so the animals sheltered under the hawthorn and in woods. In deep winter the ground was dry and warm round the hawthorn roots and animals found comfort lying there. People also built clay habitats and surrounded them with hawthorn. These places were known as fairy forts.
Now though the hawthorn had thorns it was much sought after and regarded as a mystical tree. It was tough and hardy and easily grown. In the month of May clusters of white creamy perfumed florets covered the entire tree and come autumn the branches were loaded with bright red haws which fed the birds and probably people betimes.
The hawthorn was known as the sceach. Some of these sceachs lived for hundreds of years if not more. The twisted trunks covered with rugged bark were fashioned into shape by animals grooming their bodies. These trees had folklore attached for it was believed that fairies lived in and around the Fairy thorn. The fairies or sideogs were little people, colonies of spirits of the past that lived there. They danced, drank from their jugs, and held parties at night in the fairy forts and people out late, often heard their merriment and crossed themselves with fear as they passed by. Hardly anyone wanted to make contact with them and the mention of their name gave rise to instant trepidation.
However there were exceptions as some believed they had crocks of gold for the taking, while others held the belief that they could perform magical acts if approached in the proper manner.
In the townland of Gort na Skeiche there dwelt two men who lived separately in thatched cottages side by side. The men were old and both had humps. Their names were Mici and Tomas. Micki liked to play cards in the winter nights while Tomas didn’t. One late night Mici was on his way home from a game, and when he was passing the fairy fort he heard the fairies singing and dancing inside. The music was getting to him, so he began to chant ‘Dia Luain, Dia Mairt, agus Dia Ceadaoin’ at the top of his voice, so as to drown out the fairy music. There were others listening and aware of his presence and he soon realised he wasn’t on his own. Suddenly he felt a pull on his coat tails and was unable to move. He glanced round only to behold the King of the Fairies holding him back. He was instantly struck with terror. ‘That’s a nice song you have Mister’, said the King. ‘Where did you learn it?’ ‘Oh I just made it up’, said the trembling Mici. ‘Well then’, said the King, come on into the lios, you must teach it to us, and so in he went among them. ‘Sidheoga’ said the King listen to this it’s the best I have ever heard’ and to Mici ‘Get cracking’, so Poor Mici had to sing, repeat and repeat ‘Dia Luain, Dia Mairt, Dia Ceadaioin’.
Soon they were all singing and making merry. ‘Can I go now?’ asked Mici. ‘Well certainly’, replied the King ‘but before you depart, you must accept a little gift, for we fairies are generous beyond measure. We can give you whatever you ask’. Mici thought quickly for he was in a hurry to get away from them. Can you get this hump off my back asked he? ‘Oh!’, said the King ‘that’s nothing, it’s the least we can do for you’, so he commanded 2 ‘Bring me my wand’. The wand was sent for and with one stroke the hump disappeared. Mici was delighted ran off down the road and into his own house. Next day he was out at the crack of dawn and his neighbour Tomas noticed the hump was gone. ‘How did you get rid of it?’ asked he, and Mici up and told him about his encounter with the fairies in the lios, and the new hit he had for them. How many times did you sing it enquired Tomas. ‘Oh I don’t know just kept on until they got in on it.’ ‘Well’, said Tomas I will do the same ‘and so he went down to the lios the next night and waited until he heard them tune up inside, Dia Luain Dia Mairt and Dia Ceadaoin’. So he up and started to chant the same outside the lios. It wasn’t long until the king was out with followers and seeing Tomas he said ‘You, what right have you to sing our song and ruin it, in with you and explain yourself’. So they frog marched him in and ordered him to sing a better song. Tomas was in a tight spot as he had no better one so he thought he might please them by adding Amarach to the Dia Luain, Dia Mairt, Dia Ceadaoin rendition. The king and fairies listened but instead of being pleased were enraged ‘You have gone and ruined our lovely song and for that you must pay’, so they caught him, pulled Mici’s hump out of a closet and stuck it on top of his own and sent him on his way. Moral in the story is don’t try to improve on what is already perfect.
In real life nobody ever interferes with a fairy hawthorn, cut it down, or take branches from it, for if they do they know retribution will surely follow. We might call it superstition but such is the belief. Up on the southern slopes of the Ox Mountains here and there are mounds where hawthorn trees bent over by the winds and age still grow. As for their age, nobody has a clue but there they stand, silent sentinels of distant times. The mountainy sheep and lambs rest and frisk round the grassy knolls and the fairies live in peace.
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The death took place at Sligo University Hospital on Tuesday, November 14, of Patrick Joseph Killoran, Boyle. Sympathy is extended to his wife Mary, nee Tighe, his daughter Patricia Langan and family; to the Killoran family and Tighe families of Taverane, Cloonloo. Interment was in Templeronan Cemetery last Friday. May he rest in peace.
The death took place at North West Hospice, Sligo, on Saturday, November 11, of Charles Joseph (Joe) Gallagher, City View, Sligo Town and formerly of Cuilmore, Gurteen. Predeceased by his parents Mary Ellen and Thomas, brother TJ, sisters Kathleen,Josie, Una, Carmel and Angela.
His remains reposed at The Foley and McGowan Funeral Home on Wednesday evening with a celebration of Joe's life and a private cremation service after. He is survived by his family; Joseph, Fiona, Michaela, Kerry and Shallana and their mother Kathleen, grandchildren, great granddaughter, his brother Christy, sister-in-law Christine, nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends to whom deepest sympathy is extended. May he rest in peace.
Gurteen Community Care are organising the Christmas Party for Sunday, December 3, in the Dapper Duck, Gurteen. Music will be by Mary Rose and Enda and doors will open at 1pm with dinner served at 2pm. To book your place telephone; Madeline 086 3315713: Paddy 087 7870013: Pakie 086 2380375 or give the name into Gurteen Day Centre. To avoid disappointment booking is essential.
Ballymote and Gurteen Garda are organising a Community Christmas lunch in the Coach House Hotel, Ballymote, on Monday, December 4, from 12-5pm. This is a ticket only event cost €10. Tickets can be got from Gurteen Gardai at 086 8579970.
North West Hospice extended thanks to Mark, Seán and the Tansey family, who on October 13, the first anniversary of the death of Phyllis Tansey, presented to North West Hospice with a cheque of €18,166.50, proceeds from the concert organised by Mark in Gurteen Hall, on Saturday July 22. They sincerely thank, all singers, musicians, security men, sound and lighting men, everyone who donated and helped out in anyway, and to everyone who came and supported on the night.
The launch of the book ‘Moygara Castle and the O'Gara's of Coolavin' will be launched in the Coleman Irish Music Centre, Gurteen, on Friday, December 1, at 7pm. The book is edited by Kieran O'Conor, senior lecturer in the School of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies UCG. On sale at €40.
The Eastern Harps 50/50 draw on Monday night with a jackpot of €570 was won by Josh McHugh Keash.
There was no winner of the jackpot of €6,600 on Sunday night last and the numbers drawn were 4, 11, 17 and 18. The winner of the €50 was Fiona Lavin, Knochshammer, Gurteen, The latest draw on Sunday night, November 26, in O'Dowd's Monasteredan had a jackpot of €6,700.
