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Christmas is fast approaching and we, here at The Ballagh Advertiser,
 have immersed ourselves in the festive spirit – decorations, music,
the ever-important Christmas Party. It is a fact that there is nothing
more entertaining than watching the groovy dad dance. Keep those eyes
peeled and I’ll guarantee you that you we’ll spot more than a few perpetrators
over the holiday period – there are at least two guilty parties here
at The Advertiser! It is easy to forget amidst all the tinsel, Christmas pud, presents and selection boxes that the core of Christmas is family.
It began thousands of years
ago with
one family and that meaning still prevails. Some have argued that the
family as a unit does not exist in today’s society. That naïve statement
could not be further from the truth. Family still exists; it has merely
changed with our changing society. What is family but people who love
you, unconditionally, even when you’re being a drama queen? Parents,
siblings, extended family or friends – they are all part of your family
and Christmas is a time to truly appreciate and spend time with them.
Decorating the tree, cosying up to watch a film, wearing those ridiculous
paper hats at dinner (a bona fide family bonding exercise) or the heart-warming
sight of their faces light up as they unwrap their gift. These are the
moments you will treasure and remember long after that ipod has bitten
the proverbial dust.
This month’s edition is full of jovial Christmas cheer. We look back
at the Tibohine/Fairymount Christmas Party and find the spirit of Christmas
is alive and well in the Tibohine/Fairymount Bohar branch with their
donation of a dozen heifers to Rwanda. Jim O’Kelly gives us a heads
up on the financial front in 2008 while Liam Hunt provides some valuable
advice on safety during the winter season.
We extend our congratulations to Monsignor
Brendan Kelly upon his appointment as Bishop of the Achonry diocese.
And may we be the first to bid a fond farewell to Bishop Thomas Flynn,
who has faithfully served this diocese as Bishop for many years. Read
further on for our profile of the new Bishop. We also, on behalf of
the Christmas Light Committee, send out a plead to save Ballagh’s Christmas
illuminations. And join our regular columnists in their musings on December’s
current events and the approaching holidays.
Merry Christmas to all our readers, new and old, and
we wish you every joy for the New Year.
Eat, drink and be merry and we will
see you all in 2008!!
News
and Views
Diary of a
wandering emu
A few weeks of ups and downs. A big occasion in Rome. Was sure
I’d be sent as an observer, but someone called Patsy something from
Barrack St. was sent. Alisdair Crannóg, my spin doctor tried to
comfort me. Its all to do with alliteration he said…BARRACK ST.,
BASILICA, BIRETTA etc. He meant well and for the first time I leant
my head on his manly shoulders and sobbed into my feathers.
Anyhow, Cavan people are lovely and it’s not true that they eat
their dinner out of a drawer. The people who told me that eat chips
off their dashboard and keep a pool of ketchup in the glove
compartment. Wait until you hear this…25% of Irish men use hair
straighteners and moisturisers. I don’t need any of that, my
feathers are fluffy and moist and organic. Stop writing about
yourself said Alistair.
News from Boherbee – a reindeer has landed. Nobody knows from where.
He is happily grazing with some cattle in a field. There was a piece
about inclusiveness in the animal kingdom in the Farmers Journal
recently. Perhaps there is a connection! Parents are telling their
children that the reindeer has his eye on them coming up to
Christmas. Speaking softly and the big stick never went out of
fashion. Disney studios called again. We’ll put Crennane on the map
if I say yes. My old sparring partner the Llama softened his
attitude towards me when Patsy was sent to Rome instead of me, and
has promised me a Vicuna blanket for Christmas. It’s not all bad.
Rumours about swans landing. Will investigate. Reindeer, swans Lir,
Emus: what a happening place. Glad I didn’t go to Termonfeckin.
Emu
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