We all need good neighbours
Even celebrities know the value of good neighbours — even someone as independent as Kilkenny hurling manager Brian Cody.
He told Macra, “Neighbours are crucial, as people need the support and security offered by their neighbours. When people know each other, they are more likely to help each other.” Ireland’s most successful hurling manager lives in St Patrick’s Parish in Kilkenny, locally known as ‘The Village’.
“The community spirit here in the village is terrific. I have a huge involvement in James Stephens Hurling Club here, and this is made up of families in the community. We are all neighbours, and when something goes wrong, you can always rely on your neighbours.”
This is the “official” Know Your Neighbour (KYN) weekend — but events can be held anytime around this weekend.
It was July 4 when Clodagh Macra in North Tipperary organised a KYN ice-cream fun day at the Templederry GAA ground, and a great crowd enjoyed the bouncing castles, welly throwing, target hurling, a bale run, penalty shootout, basketball challenges, and tug-of-war (in which five teams competed).
Thanks to the fine weather, people enjoyed interacting with their neighbours — which is what Know Your Neighbour is all about. And Down Syndrome Ireland benefited from the event. Macra have joined with The Wheel this year to promote KYN. Go to the www.wheel.ie/directory website, if you want to find a deserving cause and have a donation bucket at your event.
In Co Limerick, Croom Macra’s KYN get-together is on Sunday, in the local scout centre, featuring games for kids and refreshments from 12 noon to the evening.
Typically, neighbours have organised picnics, barbecues, parties, fun days and a variety of other social get-togethers.
The newly reformed Mitchelstown Macra club hold their first KYN event on Saturday.
It’s a community coffee morning for everyone from Mitchelstown and the neighbouring villages and towns. It will take place in Ballygiblin Old School, from 10am to 1pm.
Berrings Macra host a barbecue Saturday in Reen’s Bar, from 8pm to late. Along with the food, music and fun, it will incorporate the Dancing at the Crossroads, which Berrings Tidy Towns have been successfully running.
*For details of other KYN events, go to the knowyourneighbour.ie website.
