It Says in The Bridge: July 06
This issue is the summer one, and The Bridge is taking August off, so there won't be another until September.
The other picture previews the travel this week to New York of Donnelly's Arm, lent by Josephine Byrne for an exhibition about 'Fighting Irishmen' taking place in the autumn. That story too is reported on the inside pages.
It is a big photographic issue, and there are many images from the Scoil Bhride Field Day, which raised some €7,000 towards the purchase of equipment for the school. The Dunshane Camphill Open Day was another magnet for the photographer's lenses, as was the the local Coomunity Games events for the youngsters, with a page of winners featured.
There are a couple of congratulatory pages too, for recent weddings, anniversaries, and the 80th birthday celebrations of Betty Domican and her twin brother Billy Byrne. And, of course, the 'Party on the Green' at Cnoc na Greine is extensively reported and pictured.
The schools pages include a picture from the Golf Classic fundraiser held by the Parent Teacher Association of St Joseph's NS in Halverstown, while the winners from the 'Write a Book' competition in Scoil Bhride are also pictured.
In news pieces we see that local actor Dafydd O'Shea and his motley crew are appearing soon in yet another of that Amstel TV ads, filmed this time in South Africa. There's also an update on the Operation Restore Hope project in Nairobi, with Trevor Talt thanking all those who helped him and his family raise funds towards it.
The report from the recent Blood Donor Clinic notes that there were 125 people who gave blood at the event, including 14 first-timers.
Business profiles this month include an introduction to Kilcullen's new optometrist, Nichola Kennedy, and to Keith Jones and Elaine Hanlon who are operating the new dry cleaners at Hillcrest. Writer Pat Behan also sets out selected events through the years and centuries from the month of July ... and warns against anyone jumping up and down on the 20th of the month this year.
In the regulars' slots, Sean Landers writes what might be one of his last 'Letters from Taiwan' ... he may be moving to South America. His article, though, is very much about home, with a farewell to his long time friend recently passed on, Marie Berney. He also congratulates Ben Atkinson of Brannockstown on achieving his 100th birthday. In his historical piece, Sean this month produces an extract relating to Carnalway from George A Birmingham's autobiography, 'Pleasant Places'.
Billy Redmond goes 'Off the Cuff' on the subject of women and their pervasive presence in all our lives, in the nicest possible way, of course. Paul Aspell goes 'Over the Bridge' on how things have and have not changed in our lives in the last 20 years, also on the injury dangers from watching the World Cup. He notes too the difference riches can make to how you are treated after death, even if you have been a crook and a liar.
There are many sports reports, including the 'blistering' pitch and putt played by sisters Marian and Chrissie Byrne in the National Ladies Matchplay Championships. Kilcullen GAA highlights the local girls under 14 team gaining their champions status.
Finally, a note about Berney's Chemist shop, which is to open for extended hours now that there is increased competition nearby. Bernard's report of his 'extraordinary general meeting' to decide on this is wonderfully simple and witty. He and his staff have looked after our pharmaceutical needs for a long time now, and we expect they will do so for quite some time to come.
Brian Byrne.
