Family Provide Guard of Honour:-

The death took place during the last days of January in St Josephs Hospital, Clonmel - now South Tipperary General Hospital - of Elizabeth Gayson of Kickham Place known to her many friends as "Cissy". The late Mrs Gayson had celebrated her 80th birthday earlier in the month. Cissy was born Elizabeth Tobin in Ballydavid in January 1925. She married Andy Gayson and they moved to Coalbrook, Ballingarry for some time before returning to Ballyduggan where a new cottage had been built for her and her family. Her first next door neighbours were the late Paty and Mamie McCormack. Cissy and Andy had a large family and they were devastated when Andy passed away in 1973 still in his late forties. Cissy carried on with the difficult task of bringing up her large family of seventeen children. Though times were often difficult Cissy never became down-hearted. She became seriously ill herself sixteen years ago but took this too in her stride. Cissy moved for most of this time to her final home in Kickham Place. She spent much of her time visiting her children scattered around Ireland and also in Britain. She also enjoyed her membership of the local Knocknagow Social Club and also went on all their outings. Her remains were waked at her home in Kickham Place and then reposed at Kennedys Funeral Home. She was then removed to St Michaels Church, Mullinahone and after requiem mass next day she was interred in St Michaels Cemetery Killaghy. Fr John McGrath PP attended to her final obsequies. On the evening of her removal to St Michaels a guard of honour around the altar was provided by all of her eleven daughters and six sons. Many people may have been accorded guards of honour but none that I know of has had a guard of honour comprised totally of her own family. Seventeen candles were also lighting on the altar at the time. Before her funeral mass a special family tree of Cissy and Andy which had been prepared by two of her granddaughters for her 80th birthday was held aloft by her two grandsons Shane Gayson and Niall Cronin. Cissy had in her time enjoyed a very small flutter on the horses. Her grandson Paul Gayson showed a brass horse, another grandson Gary Cronin showed a very large cake of brown bread. A family of seventeen needed a lot of feeding. Her love of her extended family was shown by the showing of a wall plaque entitled "Grandma" by her granddaughter Tara Gayson. The readers at the mass were Cissys sons Andy and John while the prayers of the faithful were recited by Darren Gayson, Karen Cronin, Robert Moss, Michelle Matthews and Shane Gayson (all grandchildren). The offertory gifts were presented by her daughters Kathleen, Bridget, Bernie and Eileen. Music during the mass was provided by her granddaughter Linda Walsh and her friend Eileen. They were assisted by John Bermingham. Many years ago the late Andy Gayson had worked on Berminghams farm. As the cortege left St Michaels Church Linda Walsh, granddaughter sang !A song for Ireland" an old favourite of Cissys. During her life Cissy was a great supporter of her grandchildren when they played games for the local club and was not pleased when her short cut into the local GAA sportsfield was closed up. However like many other setbacks in her life Cissy also took this in her stride. An older sister of hers May Dorney RIP passed away five weeks previously. Cissys death means that only the two youngest members of the Tobin family still survive, her sister Nelly Bolger, The Square and her brother Michael Tobin, Ballydavid. We extend our sympathy to all the members of the Gayson family each of whom was able to be present at their mothers funeral. Our condolences also to her 54 grandchildren and 48 great grandchildren, her sister and brother and to her friends who all regret her passing. May the soul of Cissy Gayson rest in peace. Ni Fheicfimid a leitheid aris ann. Cissys complete family is: Billy (Glanmire, Co. Cork), Kathleen Veale (Manchester), Mary Curran (Galway), Ann Henegan (London), Betty Foley (Mullingar), Bridget Dillon (Portarlington), Maurice (London), Patsy (London), Bernie Walsh(Dublin), Geraldine Lawden (London), Patricia Matthews (Dublin), Theresa Gayson (London), Andy (London), John (London), Eileen Cronin (Ballyduggan), Maggie McMann (London) and Timmy (Ballyduggan).

Credit Union Quiz:-

The Mullinahone section of the Credit Union National Quiz for Primary Schools was held on Saturday afternoon last. The venue was the Knocknagow Community Centre Mullinahone. The Question master was Kevin Keating. He was assisted by Deirdre McGrath and Paul Meehan. All represented the local credit union. Two competitions took place one at under 13 level and the second at under 11 level. In both competitions victory went to teams representing Mohober N.S. to whom we tender our congratulations. Also among the fifteen teams who took part the teams representing Mullinahone NS, Poulacapple NS, Kilvemnon NS and Drangan NS. Mullinahone credit union would like to thank all the girls and boys who took part in the quiz and also all the teachers and parents who prepared them. The quiz was originally to have taken place on Sunday but was brought forward to avoid clashing with an open day at Presentation Convent Ballingarry. The winning teams will now go forward to represent Mullinahone credit union at the chapter final in Kilkenny on March 4/5th or 6th but which of these dates is to be confirmed. the winning Mohober NS under 11 team consisted of Sarah Lawlor, Emma O'Dwyer, Lorraine O'Shea and Avril Collins. The winning under 13 team was Alan Casey, Kate Collins, Claire Barry and Timmy O'Donovan.

Laochra Gael:-

The meaning of the Irish words "Laochra Gael" is Gaelic or Celtic Warriors. It is the name of a TV programme produced by Nemeton, a Ring or Dungarvan based company for TG4. Each week the "Laoch" or warrior featured is from the world of Gaelic games. Many famous footballers and hurlers from the past have been featured in what is a half hour TV programme. On this Wednesday night February 9th at 10pm on TG4 the career of local player John Leahy is featured. The programme will be transmitted in repeat format again on TG4 on Friday night February 11th at 11.40pm. A preview or premiere of the programme was presented in the new assembly hall of St Michaels NS on Friday night last. Present from among the world of GAA at the preview were the patron of the GAA Dr Dermot Clifford who features in the programme and Liz Howard former PRO of Tipperary County Board. Having seen the preview one would have to say that Nemeton have done an excellent job and that John Leahy is a good subject as a Laoch Gaelach. Of particular interest are the comments of former Clare Manager Ger Loughnane who himself fits into the same type of mould. Sports fans should be very interested in the programme which is both bilingual and subtitled. Coming up in a few weeks is another Tipperary hurler of the past Michael Babs Keating.

Sympathy:-

Sympathy is extended to Ann Sheehan, Ballydavid on the recent death of her mother Mary Morris of West Street, Callan. Sympathy also to Mary O'Halloran, Glenwood on the death of her brother Donncha Kirwan. Donncha was a regular in our church for many years while residing with his sister. The months minds mass of Peter Hally, Ballycullen will take place in St Michaels Church on Sunday next February 13th at 11.30pm.

Local Lotto:-

The local lotto jackpot was not won on Monday night January 31st. The winning numbers drawn were 1,12,15 and 26. Three match 3 winners shared EU150. The jackpot on St Valentines Day should be again in excess of EU2000.

Reflection:-

This reflection is specially for those with a mathematical turn of mind "If you add to the truth, you subtract from it".

Ladies Club:-

A meeting of the Ladies Club will take place on Thursday night February 10th in the Knocknagow Centre at 8.45pm.

Missing:-

Missing from the recent senior citizens party was one of the principal organisers Peg Bermingham of Ballycullen. Peg would like to thank sincerely all those kind friends who visited her during her recent spell in hospital, those who sent mass bouquets and get well cards as well as telephone messages. peg is on the mend and appreciates the kindness displayed. The holy sacrifice of the mass has been offered for the intentions of all.

A Spring in Your Step:-

Step into Spring with Fit and Slim classes every Wednesday in Drangan. For further details phone Mary at 052-31578.

Anniversary Mass:-

Next Friday February 11th will be the feats of Our Lady of Lourdes. Mass at 10am that morning will be the anniversary mass of the late Canon Nash RIP who was our parish priest for many years and was most highly regarded in the parish.