Wed 2nd Sep 2026
School Bus Service Debacle:
In 1968, I believe it was, that we seen the introduction of a free school bus service in Ireland, a major leap forward particularly for families in rural Ireland. For those who remember that long ago, the country was on it’s knees, we were a basket case economy, but we still seen the value of education for all, regardless of where you lived in this country.
Leap forward to 2026, the countrys’ economy is booming, we are in a position to put billions away each year for a rainy day fund, but we can’t fund a free school bus service for students in rural Ireland. Remember students in cities and large towns can avail of public transport, but yet again we see the divide as rural Ireland is treated differently.
Last week I commented on the passing of Fr. Tom O’Connor, a man before his time who seen the rural decline and fought against it. We need more like Fr Tom to make a stand for rural Ireland and it’s people today if we are to maintain a worthwhile life in rural areas.
Surely in a time when we are awash with money, we can provide a free school bus service for our young people, it says a lot about how officialdom treats us if we are denied such basic services. We were able to have it in 1968 when we had very little.
Below please see a piece from parents who have been denied this service:
As a group of concerned parents and 11 students who have been refused school bus tickets for the 26/27 school year despite all having had tickets last year, we wondered if you could highlight our plight in your newsletter. Everything we have tried so far has fallen on deaf ears and today is the first day of school for most of these kids with the bus passing the Crossroads. It is a 30 seater. If Bus Eireann put on a 45 seater it would have solved the matter.
Incredibly we had a 52-seater bus on these roads for decades, now it seems we can only accommodate a 30 seater even though the roads
have improved so much over these same decades. When will commonsense make an appearance in these parts again.
Cashel GAA Lotto Results:
Lotto draw held on Monday 31st August 2026
No's drawn: 06-11-14-27
No jackpot winner.
Draw winners:
€30 €5 envelopes to Pauline Harper
€30 to Packie Feeney
€20 each to Aine Casey and Kathleen Casey.
Next weeks draw will be held in The Local on Monday 7th September and the Jackpot is €4,000.
You can play Cashel GAA weekly lotto for as little as €2 per week in the following link.
You can also set it up as a recurring weekly ticket.
https://member.clubspot.app/club/cashel-gaa/fundraiser/tickets
Lotto team on next week's draw is Ronan Muldoon, Ray Moynihan and Paddy Killian
Thanks for your support.
Cashel GAA Results:
Full time score from Ballymahon, Sunday last,
Cashel 0-12 Mostrim 1-18
It wasn’t to be for Cashel unfortunately. We now head for the relegation play-offs which sees us play 3 relegations games against Killashee, Killoe B and Fr. Manning Gaels to fight for intermediate status. Mostrim advances to the semi-finals.
Welcome Back:
We welcome back Fr Kenny, following his recent illness and we hope he has returned to full health. You were missed by all. Here’s to continued good health for many years to come.
All Schools Back:
All good things come to an end, and all students are back to studies after a fantastic summer of fine weather. I noticed a few tears on Thurs
morning of last week in Cashel as the junior infants’ class arrived for their first day in “big school”. Mind you it was Mammy tears as the little ones headed off, without a care in the world.
Cashel Afterschool Facility Fundraiser:
The countdown is officially ON!
4 days until our Ball Race fundraiser!
For just €10, you can sponsor a ball and have it entered into our exciting Ball Race — with the chance to win!
And remember… the more balls you buy, the more chances you have!
Every €10 ball helps us raise the funds we need to set up our new afterschool facility and create a fantastic space for local children.
€10 = 1 ball, €20 = 2 chances €30 = 3 chances.
Who’s getting their balls in the race?
Please support, our parish needs such a facility.
Wise Words: Food For Thought
The one and only Dolly Parton gave fans food for thought with these words:
“Don’t get so busy making a living, that you forget to make a life”.
How very true is that, chasing the material things in life, we miss the important things/events as our lives slips by.
Local Honey:
Many of you may have noticed that the law has changed regarding the sale of honey. Up to June this year you would see in supermarkets labels showing it contained honey from the EU and outside EU, very vague at best, now it has to state countries and percentages.
Example of this:
Tesco Clear Honey, 95% China and 10% Argentina
Healy Family 100% Organic Honey, 90% China and 10% Tanzania.
Boyne Valley Honey: 71% China, 21% Spain, 8% Argentina
All with zero Irish honey, and one with 21% Spain.
It was time the law was tightened as these companies flaunted the guidelines/laws.
Local Honey is the best you can buy, it is seen as excellent for allergies and you know there are no chemicals/pesticides used, we care for our bees as if they were family.
A great statement I seen recently sums up the discussion on honey prices, “Real Local Honey is not cheap, and cheap honey is not Honey”
If you are interested in sourcing locally produced honey you can contact the following local producers:
Rico Bishop on WhatsApp 089 253 0454
Geraldine Greene on WhatsApp 087 619 0134
Liam Finnegan on WhatsApp 086 2585656.
Crafting Between the Lines:
A new craft group will be held on Wednesdays from 10.20am - 12.30pm in Ballymahon Library.
Everyone is welcome, any craft, any ability!! Just bring along any craft you’re working on or want to start and join in!
WhatsApp Yvonne (086) 851 7037 for information.
Rally Success:
Congratulations to Reece Kenny, Derrydarragh who took part in the Galway Car Rally over last weekend.
As navigator to driver Shane Maguirein in a Honda Civic they came in a credible second in the junior category, well done Reece, here’s to more success.
Liam Finnegan.