There is hardly a person in the country let alone our parish who is not aware of the recent disaster which has befallen the people of Haiti. To help out the survivors, the basket collection taken up at all masses this weekend Saturday January 30th and Sunday January 31st, will be sent directly to those working in Haiti. While many will be anxious to see that all relief gets to Haiti as quickly as possible, it should not be forgotten that organisations like GOAL or Concern are already emptying their funds to provide relief and like the water supply when demand comes on, it, the reservoir will have to be filled up again.
Maybe that is where we come in. It is never too late to refill some of the money already spent. Some parishioners were extra quick off the mark and contributions were in the baskets last weekend. The big effort comes next weekend and we take this chance to tell people so that they will be prepared. A special contribution would not go astray. In these days when trust may be in short supply, it is comforting to know that local contributions will find their way directly to those who are helping the unfortunate people of Haiti. Remember everything in the baskets next weekend goes directly to help the victims of disaster. Please be generous.
Special effort
The pupils of St. Michael's N.S., Mullinahone are holding a cake sale in aid of the Haiti Disaster Fund in the school on this Friday morning January 29th at 9.30am. Cakes etc as well as buyers are welcome. If you had your breakfast early, you might be lucky to get a morning cup of tea. Every little helps and well done to the girls and boys.
Christmas Raffle
The local Playschool Christmas Raffle was a great success. The local committee are very grateful to all who took part. Winners in the raffle were: 1st Prize: Breda Brennan, Mullinahone Co-Op, 2nd Prize Dan Casey, Cahir, 3rd Prize: Michael Bourke, C/o Mulcahy's. Other prizewinners were Deirdre O'Halloran, Nora Fanning, Olive Lynch, Sean O'Connell, Eamon Phelan, Yvonne Rowan, Jordan Denn, Kevin Haycock, Ian Maher, Ali Cuddihy, Alison Holohan, Francis Webster, Kieran Rowan, David Lonergan, Claire Treacy, Sophie McGowan, Margaret M. Power-Bergin, John Dennihy, C/o Bulmers, Linda Brett and Tobyn Lawless. Thanks also to all who donated prizes and to Bretts Hardware for display.
The Story of Mullinahone's Land
For the four centuries prior to the time of Cromwell c1650, the land in the vicinity of Mullinahone was under the control of the Norman Tobin Family. At times up to 25,000 acres was theirs. The area of the modern Parish of Mullinahone is about 16,000 acres. During the Cromwellian Wars, the Tobins took the side of the Royalists and because the Royalists lost the Tobin lands, became forfeit. The lands were then given to investors who had advanced money to Cromwell or they were given to Cromwell's soldiers in lieu of payment.
Among those who obtained land were; Eliah Greene (Killaghy), Matthew Pennefather (Clonagoose), the Butlers, John Wood, the Earl of Anglesea and Lord Kingston. Others to be given lands were Thomas Cleere and Andrew Lynn. Very few of these planter stock stayed on locally and over time some sold out their lands. Greene and Pennefather were exceptions. Other names to appear in the area as landowners in time, were Sankey, Ayre, Bry(e)an and Gald. The Down Survey 1654 and the Hearth Money Rolls List of 1666 give an idea of local land ownership. These landowners became the "Ascendancy" of the next 100 years. Many were "absentees" and employed "agents" to administer their estates. Most of the "Ascendancy" were absentee landlords living mostly in England.
This system of administration led to abuses. Some Catholics managed to lease land at high rent, but they had no "fixity of tenure" i.e. their leases were short term. This led to the struggle for leases so well portrayed in Kickhams "Knocknagow". The three popular demands of the tenants became the three F's (a) Fair Rent (b) Fixity of tenure (c) Free to sell. These demands became even more critical in the days of the Land League. The Great Famine 1845 - 1847, helped to break many of the Ascendancy Landlords and the way became clear for the tenant farmers to acquire long term leases and eventual ownership of their farms. Very few if any of our local farmers became owners of their farms until well after the various Land Acts of the UK Parliament in the 1880's and 1890's. Indeed, place in land matters didn't come to the village until the land (property) court cases were concluded in 1909. It was then by and large the 20th Century before nearly all our "tenant" farmers became "Land owners". To examine this area in detail, read Mick Larkins "Mullinahone: It's Heritage and History".
Local Lotto
The last draw in the Local Lotto took place on Monday January 18th. The numbers drawn were: (1, 4, 23, 28). There was no jackpot winner, but there was a Match 3 winner who received E150. Congratulations to Alma Vaughan, Carrick Road. The next draw will take place on Monday February 1st, when the jackpot could be worth E1,750. However, if you are not in, you wont win.
Another Title?
Last week, we published a list of the County and South Tipperary titles won by Mullinahone in football and hurling since the foundation of the Club, 125 years ago. We may have omitted one South Tipp title from the list. Let the reader be the Judge. In 1958, the South Tipp Junior Football Championship was divided into two sections Junior and No. 2 Junior. The local Club entered it's best team into the No. 2 Junior Section and won it out. For winning the Championship (section), our lads were awarded winners medals. In the play off between the No. 2 winners and the Junior winners to decide who would advance into the County Junior Championship, we were heavily defeated by Cahir. I suppose the No.
2 Junior was an older equivalent of the present "Junior B", so maybe it was yet "another title".
Parish News
Collection at next weekends masses will be in aid of the Haiti Earthquake Disaster Fund. Please be generous.
Condolences to parishioners Josie Maher on the death of her brother Tom O'Shea and to Frances Hickey on the death of her father John Delaney.
On next Wednesday February 3rd, the feast of St. Blaise, there will be a special Blessing of the Throats Ceremony at masses at 10am and 8pm.
Anniversary masses this weekend:
Sunday January 31st11.30am Anniversary Paddy Ryan, Kyleaduhir.
A bible study course lasting for 7 weeks will begin on Thursday February 11th in the Pallotine College Thurles. Each session is from 7.30pm to 9pm and could be a Lenten discipline.
Get Fit Fast
You have plenty of choice. A vibrating plate is available in Art of Beauty on the Square. We are told ten minutes of plate is the equivalent of one hour of exercise. In the Sports Hall, you have circuit training for men and ladies training on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. With it all there wont be a bit of flab left in the parish.
Looking back
Our newsletter in June last year started off with good advice "If you wouldn't write it and sign it, dont say it". Notice was given of a soccer 7 aside on behalf of the Richie Quirke Fund and our young girls and boys competed in Templemore in the Community Games County Finals.
Sympathy was extended to Claire Direen, Clashbeg on the death of her father and to Davy Keating, Ballydonnell on the death of his sister. The Jack Brett Golf Trophy was arranged to take place in Slievenamon G.C.. Eddie O'Meara MCC and Jimmy O'Brien MCC thanked the people who supported them in the early June Election. The local lotto fell at E6,200 while parishioners were asked in the local newsletter to keep an eye open and note the registrations of strange vehicles behaving oddly around the parish. The month of June drew to an end with our under 16 footballers qualifying for the County Final. This drew a large crowd of Mullinahone supporters to New Inn, but more anon. As we conclude our review to the end of June, we note that two more editions of the newsletter will complete seven years of publication.
Mullinahone GAA Club:
Club Membership 2010.
Every effort is being made this year to register as many members as possible in our parish to mark our 125 year anniversary. All members who pay their membership before 31st March this year will be entered into a draw for one nights B&B in the Red Cow Inn, Dublin and one years free membership of the club. Membership can be paid to Secretary Eddie McCarthy who will issue you with a special edition 125 membership card. Players 50 Euro, Students and Minors 25 Euro, Senior Citizens 15 Euro and general public 30 Euro.
Vodafone Club:
As I mentioned last week this is an ideal and simple way by which you can help your club financially and at no cost to yourself.
All you have to do is register your Vodafone mobile number with the club and a percentage of your monthly bill will be refunded to the club. To register send your name and number to Victor Direen on 086-8254074 or on-line at www.supportyourgaaclub.ie. Your support will be greatly appreciated.
Gym and Complex:
Membership of the gym is now due. Single member 120E and Couples 170E. If you are not renewing please return your keys to Jackie Bolger. To facilitate your renewal an open registration night will take place this Friday night at 7-00pm.You can view the gym and sportshall and have all your questions answered. Contact Jackie Bolger on 086-8341843.
Juvenile Presentation Night.
Following another successful year a presentation night will take place following Mass this Saturday night in the complex. We invite everybody to attend and light refreshments will be served.
Grant Aid For Community Sports Hall
We are delighted to announce that we have received grant aid from The South Tipperary Development Company for the provision of table and chairs and a Public Address system for the complex. This will allow us to provide an excellent service to the community for future funerals and functions and allows us to develop the complex into the future.
Votes of Sympathy:
The Maher family on the death of Tom O'Shea. Michael and Ned Cahill on the death of their brother Noel and Francis Hickey on the death of her father John Delaney. May they all rest in peace.
