Our Rambling House Diary, May to December 2025

Christmas wreath making at Moygownagh Rambling House ‘connect cafe’ event with (left to right) Teresa Munnelly, Stephanie Jennings, Mary Heffron and Ann Finnerty with theresa finnerty (seated) and pauline mahon (below).

Thursday May 22nd

The Moygownagh Rambling House Group took their summer vacation for the months of June, July and August. We planed our return to the Learning Forum for Thursday September 4th at the usual time of 7.30pm. Thank you for all the support we received over the months, leading up to our vacation, it was much appreciated. We hoped that everyone would enjoy a happy, safe and peaceful summer.

Thursday June 26th

Members of the Rambling House Group organised a day trip to Leenan, including a sightseeing cruise on Killary Fjord, an afternoon visit to Westport Town, rounding off their activities with an evening meal at The Gráinne Uaile Pub in Newport.

According to feedback, an enjoyable day was had by all who took the trip. Although being very involved in it's prepeation: I, myself, refrained, as I had been there, done that, on past occasions; therefore, I didn't feel the need to rinse and repeat.

Thank you to Crossmolina Community Council CLG, for the use of their TFI Locallink Community Bus, Siobhán Gough for her guidance, Maureen Granaghan for transport coordinaton, and to driver, David Strong for his professionalism throughout the journey.

Thursday September 4th

Returning from our extended summer recess, tonight's attendees at the Rambling House Group's first "Connect Cafe" event had a jovial evening, participating in banter and refreshments, whilst practitioner, Mary Loftus, shared her own witty stories, as she demonstrated the Bowen technique, together with the use of essential oils as an alternative remedy for the many ailments highlighted by the guests, to whom Mary generously gifted her blended aromatic oils.

Thursday October 2nd

Moygownagh Rambling House Group, through its recent "Connect Cafe" event, hosted Joe Greaney, in the Learning Forum on Thursday night, where refreshments were available in abundance.

Mr Greaney captivated his audience with his own story telling style, together with readings as Gaeilge, from his father's memoirs, dating back to his school days. This body of work has been compiled and published by Mr Greaney's brother.

Making sure that his seemingly rapt audience was alert; Mr Greaney, translated his material, as he progressed through the book, then tested their memory recall, by asking them to repeat some of the funny names listed in the readings, adding another dimension to the night's entertainment.

Thursday October 16th

Varying in ages from six to ninety, covering a wide demographic from Moygownagh to the US: a large gathering of people, including a group of seven Ramblers from Moygownagh, joined other like minded folk in the Moy Hotel, on Thursday night last, to participate in the "Foxford Traditional Weekend"

Music: supplied by a diverse set of instruments, ranging from the simple tin whistle, drums, accordion, concertina, guitar; to the more classical harp, uilleann pipes and hammered dulcimer, bound together by singing, set dancing, traditional Irish step-dancing, sean nós dancing and recitation; whiled away our night in a most enjoyable atmosphere.

A poignant moment was reached when one gentleman played Mise Éire on his harmonica, in tribute to his beloved sister, who's death occoured in the recent past.

Thank you to Áine and Billy for the car pool, to the Foxford Traditional Weekend organisers and the Moy Hotel patrons for an impressive night's entertainment.

Thursday October 30th

Tonight's Rambling House event was not billed as anything special: mearly, our chatty catch up, getting out of the house; partaking of refreshments and a pleasant evening spent in the company of neighbours.

However, on this occasion, a visit to Ballina Arts Centre took priority, for the four Ramblers, who were attending a show; some individuals had family home on holidays, whilst others still, were put off by "A Rainy Night in Moygownagh" Three stalwarts made the journey.

Standing around in the more than nippy atmosphere, contemplating what to do next, I decided a cup of tea would be a start. As our conversation flowed from one topic to the next; the door suddenly burst open - it was Hallowe'en after all! - with their faces full of hopeful anticipation, Joe Neary, his wife Kathleen and a friend walked in, expecting to be greeted by huge crowds, after seeing the amount of cars as well as two buses in the carpark.

To say that they were taken aback, when they spotted us three, huddled in one corner with our cups of tea and biscuits, is an understatement.

The visitors were expecting to be entertained by a speaker, who had been and gone, one month previously. Mistakes do happen, even at Ramblers!

Everyone settled in for a catch up, and more refreshments, whereby, we, the hosts extended an invitation for the visitors to participate in our upcoming January musical night. In return, Joe entertained us with one of his many humorous recitations.

Our visitors resumed their onward journey. We were delighted about how this surprise encounter, had turned our mundane night, into the Rambling House event it was always meant to be.

Thursday November 27th

November's "Connect Cafe" event, hosted by Moygownagh's Rambling House Group and supported by HSE National Lottery Funding Scheme 2025, was delivered by local Teagasc Advisor, Thomas Kelly and his colleague Kieran Gunn.

Born and raised on a progressive farm in our parish: with first hand knowledge of Moygownagh's terrestrial ecosystems, the main ones being, grassland, peatland and woodland, together with an awareness of the advantages and disadvantages facing farming families living in rural isolation, throughout the surrounding localities; Mr Kelly is ideally placed to deliver concise and relevant agricultural information benificial to all. Similarly: PhD candidate, Kieran Gunn was raised on a mixed livestock enterprise in Co. Cavan. Recently, having progressed into the Organic sector on his farm, Mr Gunn was capable of giving a different farming perspective to his attentive audience.

Both advisors spoke about animal husbandry, farm safety, the availability of grants and the effects of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement, with emphasis on over reliance on antibiotics, effecting farming in Europe generally and Ireland in particular.

Rounding off the discussions, attendees were allowed ample time to debate points of interest, ask questions relating to their own specific enterprises, or offer opinions on farming matters in general.

Thursday December 4th

On this December night, a warmth of reception was extended to Blossoms Floral Boutique proprietor, Eilish Egan, by The Rambling House Group as she executed our final "Connect Cafe"in-house tutorial.

Her Christmas wreath, mini tree and tablecentre decoration, demonstration, was both informative, intresting, and fun.

Sharing her expertise on  recycling of pre-loved decorations, hedgerow foraging, together with other floristry tips and tricks; Eilish tried to instil motivation into her listenership, in the hope of liberating their imagination to run free.

Congratulations to Margaret, Stephanie and Pauline on winning her exhibits, which Eilish donated to our raffle, whilst Caitlín won a tin of biscuits generously donated by fellow Rambler, Mary Mc Andrew. Thank you to everyone who made our event successful.