Thanks to the parish where people still matter

I WISH to thank the people of Bartlemy and surrounding parishes in Co Cork for their support and friendship following the tragic death of my brother, Paddy Roche.

It was heartwarming to see that country folk still continue to offer such wonderful support to the bereaved and are so willingly to make time to attend the funeral and internment of ordinary members of the parish. It made me feel proud to be Irish and a member of such a community.

From the bottom of my heart I say to the people of Bartlemy, and to all who attended the funeral, a very big thanks for your support and sympathy during this tragic period. A special thank you to the clergy who organised the ceremony and to John Arnold who took time away from his farming duties to transport my wife and me around the parish and to fill in the gaps in my knowledge since my departure more than 50 years ago.