When you see this up close and know the man that is a local all his life, it is tough and shocking. He will remain nameless here, thanks to the local Gardai who tried to help, and gave him the tent. Another local got that tarpaulin, to help cover the tent because the rain was getting through, also giving him duvets. I know he approached a few local politicians, lets hope his situation changes soon and that of anyone that has to live like that up and down the country.

Paddy Dinnegan, Longford, County Longford, Ireland. Passed by this gentleman so many times, we both make great use of the Royal Canal in Longford Town. Chatting to him for a few minutes he was telling me, he spent most of his life as beef farmer, and for twenty years worked in a factory. Day evening and night shift, at Burlington, Tarmon, that made denim jeans. He did not mind the transition as a farmer, the natural life of being on a farm to factory, was quite proud of the factory work he did. Likes to walk almost everyday on Canal near his home, and also told me Dinnegan is a great name around these parts there is quite a few of us he said in Longford.

Ballinamore Cemetery, County Longford, Father Michael McGrath performed the mass for all those interred at the cemetery and the families and friends associated with them. the mass was celebrated on the 2nd of Sept 2022, the second mass to have happened since its revival. the first one was on the 29th Sept 2019.

A ceremonial mass was celebrated in honour of the squadron’s deceased, organised by the Peter Keenan Branch of ONE, Longford. There was a laying of wreaths at the memorial garden of remembrance, across from County Council offices, Little Water Street. Led by local Longford pipe band and St Brigid’s pipe band from the Curragh. It was also an anniversary of when the Squadron first arrived into Connolly Barracks Longford Town. The mass was led by Father Shannon, army chaplain. Thanks goes to the Longford County Council and Louis Herterich’s Pig Lane Market, both helped with this event greatly.

Mary Carrig I have come to know over the last few years, meeting at various charitable events. Always offers her time for her beliefs she holds dear, with a quiet stoicism that impresses me. Always there in the background, helping with the gift of her time, with a humble strength Our Lord would praise. From Gortletteragh, County Leitrim, originally, before moving to Longford through marriage. Worked many years in tractor sales, for tractor motors that once was a business out the Dublin Road, Longford, where Brian Fallon Hardware is now. Like myself a Prolife advocate, but Mary is much more, a great campaigner for Prolife, traveling great distances, marching peacefully, helping to raise awareness of a great sorrow of our time. Shocked me with the idea of one loss of a child, that if lived, that one child could create life to the end of time. Below is a helpful link for anyone that may need of it, help, guidance and unjudgmental, before or even after care, do not suffer alone, and reach out

Martina Hussey, was very concerned in regards to her father’s health, who had an appointment he had to get to in Tullamore, they live in Longford Town. It was arranged that he would have been brought over by an ambulance. I was told to ring back the day before the appointment to confirm, when I rang back as I was told, they said would get back to me, that they had to talk to another patient, that had been arranged to travel in the same ambulance. They rang back and said because the second person had cancelled there appointment, and that they could no longer provide the lift, unless two people were to avail of an ambulance, it would not be used. Outside of that I would have to find own way over, it was hard trying to organise a lift, in such short space of time. It is not tell you need it, that you realise how much of a need it is, a transport system to a medical hospital you are sent to. Surely if you are a pensioner and have an appointment, you have go get to it. We all know and understand that these places are at a distance, but where is the foresight and obvious question of the inevitability of transport. The nurses doctors we all know do amazing heroic work, everybody agrees. Where is the necessity of transport for people who need it. We hear there is a lot of new ambulance drivers needed, as there is not enough to cover what is needed in the current system. Surely that would be a priority for a ‘distant’ health care system. We ordinary people are not in power, if you know there’s a credible need, something has to be done, the longer this goes on, it is obvious the more people it will effect. I hope and pray that nobody suffers anything real life threatening because if the lack of medical transport.

Step by Step ten year anniversary walk for Mary’s Meal Ireland. Dublin to Knock walkers arrived in Longford Town today. Met by local Mary’s Meals group, and Longford Pipe Band, and the lovely Patricia Friel joined in the welcoming main Dublin to Knock walkers. Louis Herterich of Herterichs Artisans Butchers, who is a firm supporter of Mary’s Meals. Louis welcomed the walkers, and all the local helpers who were bucket collecting in town today, to his new Pig Market Lane, with food and refreshments. Thanks also has to go to Kiernan Structural Steel for there support also, the t-shirts and bibs they kindly donated them.

#marysmeals #longfordmarysmeal #marysmealireland #pigmarketlane #herterichartisanmeats

Always have a nice chat with Josie Dolan anytime I bump into her. A lovely sweet lady, she did not mind my photographing her. Told me she worked in St Josephs as an Attendee, working alongside nurses. Remembers working under the nuns when they had run it, as with life, some were nice and others not so but always got on with her job. She was only meant to spend a month there, but after a few years, never thought of leaving, what else would she do and spent her career at it. Fond of the music as well, big fan of her name sake, Joe Dolan no relation she tells me.

The one and only Liam Fenelon bucket collecting for Mellon Education push in Longford Town, on the 5th of August. The Mellon charity usually push every year to build better infrastructure in poorer communities in Africa, and this year they want to help educate. Liam is a big believer and helper with the charity, he would wish there was more help, today I will be collecting for 9hrs, he said it is tough, if anyone would like to give hand you will see him again on the 6th of Aug collecting.