Prendeville Peg, Glenbawn, Ballyhahill….winner of the All Ireland ‘Short Story’ competition, entitled ‘Childhood Memories’ on June 15th,,1992, organised by the I.C.A. Limerick Leader Sat July 4th, 1992. irishnewspaperarchives.com
Prendeville Peg, Poem – Have You Ever in, W/O Wed May 10th, 1995. Poem – On a Summer’s Morn, W/O Wed May 17th, 1995.
Prendeville Peg..Is Santa Real W/O Dec 11th, 1996.
Prendeville nee Faley Peg, Glenbawn, Ballyhahill….reply to my questionnaire of Feb 17th, 1997.
Prendeville Peg.….first Knockdown News in A.P.N.
Prendeville Peg, Poem The Race Night in Knockdown W/O Nov 18th,1998.
Prendeville Peg..……The Gang From Knockdown.
Prendeville Peg...Knockdown news Jan 1999.
Prendeville Peg, Knockdown News April 17th, 1999
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Prendeville Peg…March 28th, 2023… Knockdown News
Somebody in the Knockdown Vintage Committee has a strong link to the weatherman. They could not have got a more pleasant day, last Sunday, for their annual run in aid of their three chosen charities, Dromocllogher Respite Centre, Friends of St. Ita’s and Abbeyfeale District Search and Rescue. From early morning bikes, cars and tractors started coming, together with throngs of people, some laden down with food, all eagerly looking forward to a great day. And so it was. To me, an onlooker, it looked to be the biggest yet with all parking spaces used up in no time at all. They stretched from Ta Mullane’s house over past the shop, pub and on to the Spa hill junction. Everybody was in good humour, some meeting up with people they had not seen since this time last year. All were offered tea, sandwiches and goodies. There was music, raffle prizes, auctions and banter, all adding up to a great day for the area. Great credit goes to the hardworking committee who puts in hours and days of hard work to ensure success. Long may it continue.
On May 2nd, 2023…Says Peg Peg Prendeville in her column, Knockdown News, in the Athea & District News – I was delighted to hear the cuckoo loud and clear during the week. A real sign of summer, I think. As we enter into summer my mind always goes back to the summers I spent in Athea with my Aunty Mary and all the Falahees. Aunty Mary’s birthday was April 30th, May Eve, so with her in mind I include the following poem which I wrote years ago although I am aware I have used it a few times….
Summer Memories
Oh the memories come flooding back and my eyes fill up with tears
At the thoughts of those summer holidays with my cousins through the years.
Tea in bed on Sunday morning – Auntie Mary was so kind,
How I loved my days in Templeathea, they’re forever in my mind.
To replenish the spring water to the well we used to go,
With a bucket on each handlebar so we travelled nice and slow.
We picked blackberries by the gallon as we walked along the way,
Sure we made our own small fortune when we sold them in Athea.
Once a week we took a walk to the Graveyard and Holy Well
To say a prayer for all the souls whom we knew would never tell
Of all the laughs we used to have between the headstones playing hide,
Sure we often broke the silence there, bringing smiles to those who died.
Drawing home the wynds of hay brought the greatest of delight,
That we could scarcely sleep with excitement on that night,
At the thought of all the fun we had with that lovely horse and float
Our legs dangling at the back, as we sang our glad hearts out.
And in the very hot days to the river we would race,
Having begged poor Auntie Mary ‘til she gave in just for peace.
Our clothes off in a jiffy we took no notice of the cold,
As we paddled, splashed and kicked around. ‘Twas worth more than any gold.In the evenings after milking to the ‘Bridge’ we went along
With a pint of milk for Breege and Jose, God rest them now – they’re gone.
And if there was a sudden downpour, then Uncle Peter hurried down
To make a dam outside their door for fear that they would drown.
In the evenings we gathered round the fire and looked forward to a stroll
From any of the neighbours who might have stories to be told.
They thrashed out the price of turf and hay and gave out about the weather.
We young children listened, eagerly, not caring which nor whether.
When, too soon, the night was over and it was time for bed,
After a slice of bread and tea the Rosary was said.
We all knelt down to say our prayers and thank God that life was good,
We looked forward to the day ahead and more fun to be had.
But now alas we have grown up and those times are in the past
We’ve left behind those carefree days, we knew they couldn’t last.
I know that times are better now than when we lived hand to mouth,
But, I feel sorry for the children now, as I think they’re missing out
Peg Prendeville… May 30th, 2023 wrote the following poem.
Sounds of Summer
Rocking in my garden seat, Creaking gently to and fro
Watching life continuing on, Like a stream in constant flow.
Listening to the chirping birds, Busy at their daily tasks
The leaves are whispering in the breeze, A honey bee goes buzzing past.
A tractor drones in a neighbour’s field, Boasting of a busy day
Taking advantage of the sun, Cutting silage, turning hay.
A cow concerned for her calf, Calls him back with a gentle moo
The clothes are flapping on the line, Peaceful times like this are few.
Children play out on the lawn, Sending out their squeals of joy
Laughing, singing, cheering on, Their playmates in a rugby try.
I close my eyes to appreciate, The restful sounds that I can hear
It’s easy to believe in God, When His presence is so near!
Prendeville Peg, Glenbawn…..Poem…
On a Summer’s Morning
The curlew calls way up in the sky,
The cuckoo’s song comes back in reply,
The cattle are lowing on their way to the barn;
Sounds on a summer’s morning.
The perfume of hay just recently cut,
The scent of the flowers as they open up,
The sterile fresh air as it sweeps in the dawn;
Smells on a summer’s morning.
The rustle of leaves in the pure gentle breeze,
The chirping of birds making nests in the trees,
The turf machine promises “I’ll keep you warm;”
Sounds on a summer’s morning.
The cloudless blue sky with its streamers of white
Whispers to us of its traffic all night,
The gorse all ablaze, the spray of whitethorn;
Sights on a summer’s morning.
Flower gardens resplendent in colours so bright,
Grasses all glistening from the dew of the night,
Bathed in brightness, all lovely and warm;
The world on a summer’s morning.
Heart light and airy, the world’s at peace.
With each breath of air all my worries cease,
God is in Heaven – the devil I scorn
Thoughts on a summer’s mornin
Prendeville Peg…taken from her Knockdown News column on Athea & District News of Feb 20th, 2024.
A bit of poetry this week to get away from the troubles of the world at the present time.
Recently I wrote the following poem:
Home by the Kerryline
The Kerryline from Glasha to Blaine
Feels like home to me
As I travel along this country road
I am swamped in memories
Of growing up in the Mountain Home
The house where I was born
Where the Faleys lived for many years
And worked hard from early morn.
A small thatched house with two bedrooms
No water or electric light
A well down in the meadow
Water drawn home before each night.
Three generations were born here
And thrived in the mountain air
All happy and contented
With no time given to despair.
Memories keep coming
As I pass by Glasha Lake
My mother at the open fire
Baking me a birthday cake.
The murmur of people in the bog
Footing on the famed round bank
Or pikes of dried hard black ciarans
Heaved into the lorry of Mick “Gol Dang”.
Oh yes I’m carried back the years
To this place where I belonged
I think of Higgins, Langans and Falahees
Windles, Daltons Lynches and Longs.
So as I drive though this Kerryline
It brings solace to my heart
And tho I left it years ago
I never really did depart.
For in this little valley
With hills on either side
It’s like I’m wrapped in mother’s arms
And it’s here I want to hide.
Safely cuddled in her embrace
With kind neighbours all around
Their gentle presence is still felt
In this sacred boggy ground.
I sent it to George Langan who replied in verse as follows:
(we will include George’s reply next week)
George Langan’s reply to Peg’s poem from last weeks issue
Ah yes indeed Peg, the sweet Kerryline
Where oft-times we roamed, in the sweet summertime
Down the bog road, from your old mountain home
Where times long ago, the memories were sown
In that whitewashed house, humble and clear
Echoed the sounds, of laughter and cheer.
Where once was a bog-hole, there’s now a bright lake
The sign of the times, how my heart it dot break
And the well in the meadow, we can no longer see
Surrounded by spruce, and the conifer tree
God rest your dear gran, she was Bridge Faley White
Who worked like a beaver from morning till night
And the lads cutting turf, on the famous round bank
Bill, Paddy, Mick, Danny, and Danaher ‘The Yank’
Higgins and Langan’s, and the Falahee boys,
The Lynch’s and Dalton’s, those familiar eyes
Many years have since passed, since you moved away
But your heart still remains, where the grouse once held sway
Many neighbours are gone, but their presence remains
In that haven of peace, where love it sustains
And as the Kerryline carries us, both on our way
Within our young hearts we long for to stay
We remember the ‘Bard’, see the imprint of his toes
Inspiring us daily, these lines to compose.
George Langan
Abha Bhán Players
Nights are busy in the Parish Hall
As preparations are under way
Setting up the stage and checking lines
The cast of ten are busy
And a little nervous too
Preparing for the opening night
Of a The Tomb with a View.
It is a comic thriller
With many funny lines
Be prepared for twists and turns
As you sort out the crime.
Guaranteed you will go home
With stitches in your sides
From laughing at the antics
Of this group from Abha Bhán side.
Bookings will be ready soon
So make sure and mark the date
Of the four shows in April
And be warned, don’t be late!
The first two weekends in April
Are the dates to book
So spread the word and get there fast
To find out who’s the CROOK.
“A Tomb with a View,” written in the 1970s by Norman Robbins
Just imagine a dark evening in late autumn. Rain and fog restrain the view, you can hardly see a couple of inches far. At the end of the long driveway that you are passing, a stately mansion, surrounded by a huge, old garden, is rising. It occurs to you quite soon that this pleasant garden with its rosebushes and marigolds holds a couple of dark secrets. The garden belongs to Monument House, which is the residence of the venerable Tomb family. After weeks of waiting, the time has come: The will of Septimus Tomb, the deceased head of the family, is to be read out.
You will have to be present in Ballyhahill Hall to find out what happens afterwards. April 5,6,12 and 13, 2024.
Prendeville Peg…February 28th, 2024, Knockdown News…..
In Knockdown all the background work is taking place in preparation for the Patrick Langan Memorial Run on March 24th. This successful annual vintage day promises to be bigger than ever this year to honour Patrick who, with Dave Noonan, was the founder of the club. This year the proceeds are in aid of two very worthy charities:
Mid-Western Cancer Foundation UHL and Parkinson’s Association of Ireland. (Mid-West Branch). All support will be appreciated.
The Kerryline is getting great attention this past week. Mike Ruttle, at the Ballyhahill Rambling House last week sang a song Paddy Faley wrote about The Sweet Kerryline. This was on top of my own attempt followed by George Langan’s poem. It seems it is dear to the hearts of many.
Prendeville Peg….Knockdown News, March 26th, 2024, taken from Athea & District News.
by Peg Prendeville
In spite of the miserable weather last Sunday a huge crowd turned out for the Patrick Langan Memorial Vintage Day. As usual there was a great atmosphere, tons of food, loads of prizes as well as all the tractors and cars. No doubt there will be lots of photos and reports in the local papers. Well done, once again, to the small, but totally dedicated, committee for all the hard work put into the preparation.
I attended the play in Athea last Saturday night and was very impressed with the acting. There were great laughs and a few interesting twists in the play “Turning Mammy”. Very enjoyable.
It is all systems go for the Abha Bhán Players as they put last minute touches to the set for their play which is totally different in content but has many laughs also. The group recently purchased and installed permanent stage lights in the Hall which will be there for future events and productions. These make this great facility in our parish even more precious. Tickets are selling fast for the four performances of A TOMB WITH A VIEW on April 5, 6, 12 & 13, so if you have not already booked your ticket do so now on
086-8458821 or 069 82106 ( business hours)
Cash only. No card.
Prendeville Peg....Poem….Glin Library, W/O Oct 29th, 2025,
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