GRANAGH to GAZA:

CHURCH NEWS:

For Gaza: Sunday 3rd: All monies collected on Sunday will be sent directly to Trócaire, to aid the suffering & starving families.

Cemetery Masses:    Thanks to all who arranged equipment & chairs, our readers and Eucharistic Ministers and Kathleen.   We were blessed with dry evenings on both occasions.    As Fr. Tom said, it is a lovely tradition to remember our deceased family and friends and those who may have nobody to pray for them. 

CAMOGIE CAMP:

Skills camp running Wednesday to Friday, 20th, 21st & 22nd Aug, in Ballingarry, 10am-2pm.   Register online.

Open to girls from junior infants to U14. Coaches from the club, Family rates available.

The next Split-the-bucket draw takes place Mon 4th Aug.

CRAFT  FAIR:

Sat 2nd Aug; 10-2pm:  Join us at Lough Gur for the Lughnasa Craft Market, a fun outdoor event featuring local crafts, live music, storytelling, and children’s activities.   Set by the lake, the market offers a mix of handmade goods, creative stalls, and family-friendly entertainment - perfect for a summer day out.

THE GOOD DOCTOR:

I saw a lovely piece on the 'Rockhill/Bruree Memories' page on facebook about the inimitable Dr. Tom Quane.    Many people of a certain era, in the wider south Limerick area will fondly remember him for  his sometimes 'organic cures'.    For many years, he was the beloved dispensary doctor in Bruree.   Respected for his medical knowledge and renowned for his eccentricity.  The following obituary was penned by Marie Hurley, Charleville, following his death on 20/1/1988, at his home.   

" Dr. Thomas Quane was a 'paradox of parts', one friend recalls.   He was also  a sportsman, amateur historian, raconteur, a pioneer of vitamin B12 therapy and part time eccentric''.    An old style GP with his apothecary of pills and potions, he conformed to few of the traditional country doctor's conventions.    He was born in Garyarthur, outside Mitchelstown, at the start of the century and attended the local CBS.   He qualified in UCC as a doctor in 1923.   He later claimed that Michael Collins was shot by Emmet D'Alton and the body brought to the British Medical Hospital, saying he himself was in Cork at the time..!

He started his career in London, keeping in touch with Frank Ryan of Kilmallock - who went with the Connolly Brigade to fight in the Spanish civil war in the 30's  and with Billy Aherne of Mitchelstown - then C.C. of the IRA.    One rumour was that Dr. Quane acted as courier between Ahern and the Russians.   At the start of the Second World war, he expressed the opinion that 'there's no point fighting for John Bull' and returned home.    

He bought a farm in Kilmallock and worked as dispensary doctor in Newmarket-on- fergus for a few years before settling in Bruree.    Vet Michael Murphy, recalls the time Dr. Quane stayed in his family's hotel in Bruree for a few months, while the county council took great care in renovating a house for the new GP.

When Michael visited his home later, he discovered that the Doctor was rearing 4,000 day-old chicks in the basement..!!  Michael believed that the Doctor was the first medical man to promote B12 for vitality as he was of the opinion that liver extract and iron promoted good health.   The Doctor published two books in the 50's, claiming that B12 could cure everything from diabetes to cancer.   Michael continued to use B12 himself, but was a bit dubious about the claims.  

The Doctor used to bring his typewriter, covered in feathers, to Ted Hurley at the Oriel Press, Charleville to be re-ribboned.    He wasn't an expert in marketing so he transported the fowl in his car, with medical supplies, giving many patients a surprise free dinner.

Dr. Quane thought all creatures great and small needed help and there was no discrimination among species in his treatments.   His greyhound ' Smackhattle' won many races.   Later he owned horses like  Ballyarle, Rod Ragusa who ran in the Irish National and a great mare 'Tully Lake'.

There are many anecdotes about his humour and how he could laugh at himself.   Again, Michael heard that the Doctor got a bad heart attack & so called to see him.  His valet ' Johnny Quinn' said mournfully ' he got an awful belt this time '.   Michael found him prostrate on the sofa, unable to move, so he crept away quietly.  " He's finished this time' Quinn echoed as he left.   A few days later in the pub, in walks the Doctor as good as new.   He drank four whiskeys and ate a fine meal.   Michael queried how he was?   "It's like this" says he " I had a cold and put my hand in my pocket for some antibiotics.   It was the wrong pocket..... I pulled out a fist of sleeping pills instead.  I couldn't get up for a week !!"     Everyone had a story about  Dr. Quane.

INVASIVE PLANTS: 

Did you know there are some plant species which cause havoc in our environment and it is  now an offence to sell, keep or breed these.   You have heard of the Giant Hogweed (Heracleum), Giant-rhubarb (Gunnera tinctoria),Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), Himalayan Knotweed (Koenigia polystachya), Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) and Rhododendron ponticum.

Others may look innocent, but delight in the prospect that as soon as we bring them home, they are all too happy to jump garden fences to make new homes in the wild.  The invasion of these plants has a significant impact on ecosystems, particularly due to their competitive edge against Irish native plants. Once established, they dominate local flora, preventing native plants from developing, they colonise the surrounding area, smothering ground cover plants and inhibiting indigenous seedlings.

Don't be tempted to buy any of the following:- Hottentot-fig (Carpobrotus edulis), the Mile-a-minute weed ( Polygonum perfoliatum). Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis), Sea-buckthorn( Hippophae rhamnoides), Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica) and the Three-cornered leek (Allium triquetrum).    Of course they have bright colourful flowers to attract us, however, they do cost us a lot in terms of loss of our local species.   

Some plants not regulated under Irish law - meaning they can still legally be sold - but are considered invasive are the Bamboo, some Cotoneasters, Cherry laurel, Butterfly bush, Montbretia ( Crocosmia), Old man’s Beard (Clematis vitalba), Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) and Himalayan honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa).

DID YOU KNOW:

26Jul,1987 - Stephen Roche, the first Irishman to win the Tour de France.

27Jul,1866 - Completion of the first submarine cable link underneath the Atlantic, from Valentia Island, to Trinity Bay, Newfoundland. 

28Jul,1954 - Birth of Mikey Sheehy, Kerry footballer. Winner of 11 Munster titles, 8 All-Irelands & 7 All Stars.

29Jul, 2001 - Michael Flatley announces his retirement in Dallas at the last show of his Feet of Flames World Tour.

30Jul,1947 - The Soviet Union blocks Ireland’s application for entry into the UN. 

31Jul,1893 -  Gaelic League is founded by Douglas Hyde and Eoin MacNeill.