Meitheal is just the job
MIDDAY on a Saturday in mid May and all roads lead to a house near the famous nature reserve at Lough Ine close to Skibbereen. From Durrus on the Sheep’s Head peninsula, from nearby Tralispean, from Leap and from Skibbereen, a varied group has come to offer a neighbourly hand to whatever the task-in-hand involves. This is a living example of the ever-growing lend-your-neighbour-a-hand activity known as a meitheal. Increasingly popular all over the country in these straitened times, volunteers can get that job done for you at no cost except for your own abilities returned as a favour. Meitheal Mara in Cork city has been an ongoing success for years in the boating world.
The meitheal group centered around Skibbereen comprises locals and internationals who have made their home there. Italian Paola Vais, a chef by trade, is joined by Nicholas from England, a horticulturist, and Eve from the US, an architect. Numbers are fewer today but the group collectively shrugs and gets on with it. Paola explains numbers can vary from three to 12 and their group primarily concentrates on gardening jobs but is willing to tackle other suggestions any member may have. The group loves going to Paola’s place as she cooks up Italian feasts and serves them around a huge old table.
