CHRISTMAS FESTIVE

It is now Christmas festive time in the Maigueside district and the town of Croom is like 5^th avenue, New York.  The Christmas Tree can be seen on all the approach roads to the town.  The lights shine clearly gaily-coloured, lights up the night sky and indicate that Christmas is close at hand.  The bridge is also decorated with Christmas lights and the lights reflect on the river Maigue .

 

New Video Added 04/01/08 : Sunset over the Shannon Region  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDwboKfGKjw 

New Videos added 26/12/07 Christmas Day Swim Limerick http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCwVbNRxFQA,

 

and Fun Run on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y29lRqF8__M

New video 24/12/07 see below on this site Christmas in Croom,Limerick and Adare.

Happy Christmas

Photo By Danny Quain

Photo Gallery below Christmas in Croom 2007.

Video Croom,Limerick City & Adare 

 

The Bridge In Croom

 

St.Stephen’s Day, “The Wren,The King of all Birds”

 St. Stephen’s day was a day when many participated in hunting the Wren with music and singing at every door in the district.  This tradition part of Irish life has now gone.   Green Park was four days of racing and Croom a centre of blood stock and a prominent interest in the racing world.  No doubt many of the local punters will make their way to Greenmount, Patrickswell Limericks new racing centre. 

The Wren Boys’ song : The wren, the wren, the king of all birds,
On St. Stephen’s Day was caught in the furze,
Although he is little, his family is great,
I pray you, good landlady, give us a treat. My box would speak, if it had but a tongue,
And two or three shillings, would do it not wrong,
Sing holly, sing ivy–sing ivy, sing holly,
A drop just to drink, it would drown melancholy. And if you draw it of the best,
I hope in heaven your soul will rest;
But if you draw it of the small,
It won’t agree with these wren boys at all.

Christmas Homecoming in Past Times ,A Cead Mile Failte.

 The Turkey,The Ham and Pudding.

In past times the festival of Christmas time was a big occasion especially for our emigrant community people from the Maigueside district who left our shores to make a new life for themselves in distant lands. Many took the boat from Hollyhead or Rosslare, the emigrant ship from Cobh, but the homecoming whether by ship or by AerLingus with their landing at Shannon. The enjoyment of mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters seeing their loved ones ascending from the sprightly green aircraft and the shamrock logo on its sides and tail of the aircraft was a sight to be seen.  Regrettably the landing strip from Heathrow to Shannon is no more. The competitive commercial era of the modern way of life has changed this with the decision of the Irish airline Aer lingus to discontinue the Heathrow/ Shannon routes.  . 

MASS TIMES

The masses for the Christmas period St. Mary’s Church Croom, Monday morning 9.30 a.m. (the morning mass) Christmas Eve Mass 7.00 p.m. Tuesday 25^th December Christmas Day Masses 9.30 a.m. 11.30 a.m.  Wednesday 26^th, Thursday 27^th, and Friday 28^th 11.00 a.m. each day.  Sunday 31^st December the Feast of the Holy Family, Masses at usual times in Croom and Banogue.  St. Peter and Paul Banogue Vigil Mass Christmas Eve 7.00 p.m. Christmas Day 10 00 a.m

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

To our readers at home and abroad the Croom correspondent wishes them a very Happy Christmas.A special Christmas presentation can be seen on the recently launched Croom Website www.croom.wordpress.com  There will be a two-week lapse of Croom and County Notes during the Christmas and New Year.

ANNIVERSARY MASSES

Jack Moloney St. Mary’s Church Croom Saturday last. John Daly Ardagh, Sunday last.  Dermot Creegan, Caherass.  Bridget and Christopher Marks, Margaret and Martin Hayes.

WEDDING

The wedding took place at St. Mary’s Church, Croom of Sue Galvin, Carrigeen Castle. Daughter of John and Helen Galvin and Anthony O’Brien Lothragh, Bruree son of Michael and Mary O’Brien.  Celebrant: Fr. Joe Kennedy P.P.  Croom. Bridesmaids: Kate Galvin, Shirley Hennessy.  Bestman: Michael O’Brien Groomsman: Frankie Nolan. Readers: Catherine O’Brien, Lisa Halpin.  Gift bearers: Helen Galvin, Mary O’Brien. Prayers of the Faithful: Louise O’Brien, John O’Brien, Elaine Field, Rory Brennan, Evelyn Carroll, Ursula Carroll.  Reflection: Jenny Carroll.  Ushers: Shay Galvin, John Galvin.  Music: Anne Luddy

SANTA CLAUS

Santa Claus will be visiting all the homes on this Christmas Eve Night.  Santa has taken up residence at Santa Village, Buttercup Farm and will go on his journey from Santa Village on Christmas Eve.  Hundreds of young children have visited Santa village at Ballygrennan over the past three weeks.  Santa’s village has been a hive of activity with the Elfs and Mrs. Claus very busy wrapping parcels and presents.  Full compliment to the Moore Family in providing enjoyment and fun for the young children.  The Santa Village commenced over thirteen years ago and has attracted thousands of children to Buttercup farm. 

CHRISTMAS TREE

Having a break for tea in erecting the Christmas Tree and installing the lights.

Micheal O Shea (Rigger),Pakie Fitzgerald(Project Manager),Peter Lawlor(Electricial Engineer,lighting),Donie Lynch (Director of operations)

The Christmas tree lights were turned on, on Saturday last when the hard working team of Packie Fitzgerald, J.J. Lawlor, Peter Lawlor, Donie Lynch, Michael O’ Shea brought the 30 ft. Christmas tree from the local forestry where they erected it in the Market Square.  This team of workers had been looking after the installation and lighting of the tree and the bridge lighting for well over 20 years.  The Church gate collection for the maintenance of the lights and tree was taken up after all masses last weekend.  Anybody still wishing to contribute can contact any member of the Christmas tree committee.