AMAZING DAY FOR AMANDA:

'Granagh Backs Amanda' will not be forgotten for a long time ! Words are inadequate to express our gratitude, delight, amazement and thanks for the generosity shown, by so many, towards our fundraiser. The generosity was not only financial but the help that was given behind the scenes, helped make this wonderful event happen.

A lot of time and work was involved but the result was so uplifting, it made it all worthwhile.

We started the morning at 8.30 with the arrival of members from the North Cork AC club, who did a 5k run, to be part of the day.

We were thrilled to see so many cycling clubs making their way to Granagh from all parts of the county - Newcastle West Club, Kilmallock Club, Southside Wheely Wheelers, Team Dave Riordan, Patrickswell, Adare, the VCRV Club, Limerick Ladies club, Abbeyfeale club, the Mass Rockers and individual cyclists. They were so generous and even their members who could not come actually donated online. Thanks to Jimmy, Kay & Brian for coordinating this.

The number of vehicles in the Tractor/Truck/Bike & Car Run was unbelievable, forty seven trucks, one hundred and seventy six tractors, sixty one cars and fifty seven motorbikes. Granagh never saw the like of it before. Only for the cooperation of Conor Curtin and John Bennett, whose fields were used, we could not have catered for this number. Thanks to the Rock Bar for providing food for all the drivers. Richard, Michéal, Shane and their gang of helpers did trojan work organising such an efficient run. Thanks to Greybridge Club & the many Vintage Clubs for their support. Thanks to our new Bangardá for calling over on the day and manning Chawkes' Cross for the duration of the run. Thanks to each and everyone who helped in any way and those who took part on the day, it was some sight to behold.

Everyone was delighted that Amanda, Dan and the family joined the car run, it made our day.

Over one hundred and twenty signed up for the 5k walk, plus some adorable doggies, they took off shortly after one and were back in no time, it seemed. Anne, Kyra, Ann & Janet were looking after the registration.

Meanwhile, in the Hall, the Cake sale was in full swing. Most beautiful home baking of all kinds along with jams, honey, Xmas pudding was donated and it all disappeared. Niamh and Natalie were kept busy setting up and pricing. Backup arrived with Theresa, Bridget, Eileen along with the young helpers, Alice, Izzy, Aoileann, Chloe, Ellie and Roisín, who made up a deadly team.! The Raffle sellers were probably the busiest bunch, non stop selling all day. It was no wonder, as we had 86 prizes on display, most generously donated by businesses and individuals, from all over. We had Merlee, Patsy, Joan, Rena, Marie, Laurie, Ann, Mary & Paul, they did a mighty job in all the mayhem. Grace McCarthy, superwoman and her team of helpers have to be mentioned here. They spent two weeks canvassing businesses everywhere, sold tickets and were responsible for procuring most of the spot prizes. Her helpers included, Anne, Frances, Merlee, Valerie, Kay, Marie, Lisa, Sarah, Connie and of course John. A formidable team of people, whom you couldn't refuse. !! She even dropped tickets to Dan in The Cosy Kitchen and his customers very kindly supported us also. Thanks a million.

Selling tickets for the Mercedes Benz we had Breege & Hannah outside the pub, the poor girls said their extremities would probably never again warm up. At the Hall we had Mary & Louise who had a queue of little people examining the truck and mammies wanting to win it. We sincerely thank Ger and Funstuff.ie for this marvellous prize, it was unbelievably generous. From the hundreds of tickets, we were all jealous of the winner, who was Nora Fitzgerald, Castletown.

The gang in the Kitchen were ran off their feet all day. Keeping burcos topped up, plating up the cakes, buns, sandwiches, washing etc they had their work cut out for them to keep the hungry fed. And when they thought they were finished they had another influx from the tractor run, who didn't leave a morsel go to waste. Well done to Eileen, Marian, Simone, Claire, Joe and John. Our local shops were most accommodating and allowed us to hold bucket collections, thanks to O'Gormans and O'Grady's. Thanks to the people who did bucket collections at the matches - Grace, Gerry, Jim, Connie, Janet, Alex, Jason and Mary. The Hall was beautifully decorated, thanks to Sinead, John and Mike. Niamh set up the 'gofundme' page and this time we had help from Shane McCarthy and his company VRM Social, who set up the facebook page. This really made a huge difference and got the message out far and wide. It was invaluable helping us to connect, sending out thank you's and keeping everyone updated. Technology has its good points, thanks Shane.

The Auctions were great fun with Jim Chawke as MC. The Limerick Jersey was the highlight and the lucky owner is Niall Fitzgerald. The freezer-ready lamb will be heading to Paddy Tierney's freezer. The health hamper was purchased by John Sheehan. The Henry Morgan print is now hanging in Pat Herlihys'. The Louise Barrett painting is my early Christmas present from Mike O'Regan. The Sexton DLeval Hamper was bought by Peter Fitz. The gents bike was purchased by Seamus Hanrahan. The drinks hamper was bought by M. Scanlon. There were also eight sealed boxes for the fun auction. I don't know how Jim managed, there were hands waving at him from all angles. Thanks so much to the purchasers- Claire Mac, Andy, Donal, Stephen, Brian, Dan, Steven and Bridget. Thanks to John Kelly Doorluss, for coordinating this, it was a great success.

I'm sure there are more people to thank, and some I have left out but we will be putting up the full list on our web page in due course. Our brains were getting addled towards the end but everything is written down, just to go through it. We still don't have a final total, it may take another week or so. Our committee did a wonderful job in pulling it all together, over a period of four weeks. We are still on a high, bowled over and immensely grateful. The drone footage taken by Ger gave a wonderful overall view, Granagh was looking good !! It's up on our facebook page - granaghcommunitynews.

GRANAGH SEC: Thursday 28th: Open Meeting, Community Centre at 7.30pm re, Sustainable Energy Communities. Due to covid, this project has been completely delayed. Energy audits have been done on the Hall, School, Parochial House and a number of private dwellings. Any queries you have on your audits, how to apply for grants etc will be answered at the meeting.

CHURCH NEWS: Sunday 31st - 10.30am Mass. Monday 1st, All Saints Mass - 7pm. Tuesday 2nd, All Souls Mass - 7pm. Sunday 7th - No morning Mass. Annual Mass for the bereaved, at 7pm.

SHOE BOXES: Closing 8th Nov: Team Hope’s Christmas Shoebox Appeal delivers gifts straight into the hands of children affected by poverty. Often these shoebox gifts are the only gift that a child will receive at Christmas and the joy that they bring is incredible. Since 2010, with your help, they have delivered over 2.1 million Shoebox gifts to Vulnerable Children across the world. You can fill a box online also. DEALZ in the shopping centre is a collection point for the boxes.

CONGRATULATIONS: They hardly had time to celebrate, with all that was going on ! Kay and Richard O'Donoghue celebrated their Silver wedding anniversary, twenty five years, on 18th Oct. She is a great woman to put up with him ... at least she gets to see him on Tv if not in person !! Meanwhile on the 20th, Janice and Seamus Twomey celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary. Wishing you all good health and happiness into the future.