Most New Zealand locations are not that far away from the coast and in Ireland this is a similar story. The slideshow starts in Cork, remembers the Titanic, stops at an old church site along the way, reaches a costal village, then arrives in Dublin. James K Baxter uses the beach and sand hills of New Zealand as a metaphor for exploration – walking along the seasidesandstones is a popular pastime anywhere. We enjoy the healing powers of the water but some of these images also remind us that the sea provides and also takes away – “they said it was so watertight that it would never sink…“ The final shots provide the pre-production stage of the musical Once that is all about the power of music and the universal invitation to follow your dreams. Dreams are free but the follow through may be a long and winding road. Cue the Irish poet WB Yeats: Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths, Enwrought with golden and silver light, The blue and the dim and the dark cloths Of night and light and the half light, I would spread the cloths under your feet: But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.  And that path may best be the unknown one as Robert Frost wrote: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by. And that has made all the difference. This clip, (taken from where we sat), shows the cast in an on-stage warmup before the start of Once – no filming of the show though!      

Life, land and literature are closely related. Today, a real Irish location, (Sandy Cove), is visited and its links to arguably the most famous 2oth century novel are briefly opened. If you identify the novel from these opening lines before the end of the passage is reached – rejoice. If not, its never wrong to be a late bloomer. Stately, plump Buck Mulligan came from the stairhead, bearing a bowl of lather on which a mirror and a razor lay crossed.  Solemnly he came forward and mounted the round gunrest. He faced about and blessed gravely thrice the tower, the surrounding country and the awaking mountains. He was raving all night about a black panther, Stephen said. Where is his guncase? A woful lunatic, Mulligan said. Were you in a funk? I was, Stephen said with energy and growing fear. Out here in the dark with a man I don’t know raving and moaning to himself about shooting a black panther. You saved men from drowning. I’m not a hero, however. If he stays on here I am off. He mounted to the parapet again and gazed out over Dublin bay, his fair oakpale hair stirring slightly. God, he said quietly. Isn’t the sea what Algy calls it: a grey sweet mother? The snotgreen sea. The scrotumtightening sea. Stephen stood up and went over to the parapet. Leaning on it he looked down on the water and on the mailboat clearing the harbour mouth of Kingstown. They halted, looking towards the blunt cape of Bray Head that lay on the water like the snout of a sleeping whale. Stephen freed his arm quietly. He walked off quickly round the parapet. Stephen stood at his post, gazing over the calm sea towards the headland. Sea and headland now grew dim. Pulses were beating in his eyes, veiling their sight, and he felt the fever of his cheeks. The Prattler has featured Putaruru writers from time to time, all of whom take inspiration from life around them. Interestingly, author James Joyce wrote most of his ground breaking Ulysses while not living in Ireland, but its structure describes a day in Dublin as lived by the characters. During the novel, Joyce not only uses almost every writing style up to the time of publication but ends with the invention of a new one – stream of consciousness, that was to impact on writing for ever. [Editor: These photos were taken at the exact location that James Joyce lived in briefly and where he wrote the opening lines of Ulysses. The text is exact but some lines and character exchanges have been omitted from this post.]

The International Cheese Awards at Nantwich, England, is the biggest cheese show in the world. This was its 120th year. There were a total of 5685 entries from over 50 different countries, including the UK, Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.  Over 250 expert judges were involved with tasting and testing all the entries. And Over the Moon won the Best New Zealand Cheese Outright Award, (The Reefer 90s Award). And where is Over the Moon cheese produced? Right here in Putaruru! Congratulations team – that’s just the right motivation to have a taste right now.

We are all familiar with the concept of markets so our personally shot video today shares ‘The Milk Market’ which operates in Limerick, Ireland. A major difference is that number of cakes and the like are all on open display and not covered in any way. We of course did some tasting of the huge variety and range, especially of meats and cheese. Sadly we aren’t bringing any  of this food home – but we did enjoy it on your behalf!

It’s getting near closing time for your 2017 Putaruru Business Awards voting so this is a friendly reminder to make your choices now. The Business Award categories this year are: 1 Professional 2 Retail 3 Non-retail 4 Trades and Manufacturing 5 Rural 6 Food and Hospitality 7 Manufacturing, Industrial and Logistics Voting  categories: Best Person 1  Who gives the best and most consistent service in Putaruru? 2  Where does this person work? Best Business 1  Which business in Putaruru gives the best and most consistent service?   You can download this form and hand it in at the PiP Office, 2 Overdale Street or complete your survey on-line at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L2WS9G9

Bunratty Castle, built in 1425, is said to be the most complete and authentic medieval fortress in Ireland. It was restored to its former medieval splendour in 1954, and now contains mainly 15th and 16th century furnishings, tapestries, and works of art, capturing the mood of those times. Bunratty Castle is built on an ancient historical site, a Viking trade camp from 970. The castle standing today is the fourth of this defensive building to stand on the site. Robert De Muscegros, a Norman, built the first defensive fortress, (an earthen mound with a strong wooden tower on top) in 1250. His lands were later granted to Thomas De Clare who built the first stone castle on the site. About this time Bunratty became a large town of about 1,000 inhabitants. In 1318 Richard De Clare, son of Thomas was killed in a battle between the Irish and the Normans. His followers were routed and the castle and town were completely destroyed. The castle was restored for the King of England but was laid waste in 1332 by the Irish Chieftains of Thomond. It lay in ruins for 21 years until it was rebuilt by Sir Thomas Rokeby, but was once again attacked by the Irish and the castle remained in Irish hands thereafter. The MacNamara family built the present structure around 1425 but by 1475 it had became the stronghold of the O’Briens, the largest clan in North Munster. They ruled the territory of North Munster and lived in great splendor. The castle was surrounded by beautiful gardens and it was reputed to have a herd of 3,000 deer. Under Henry VIII’s ‘surrender and re-grant’ scheme, the O’Brien’s were granted the title ‘Earls of Thomond’ and they agreed to profess loyalty to the King of England. The reign of the O’Briens came to an end with the arrival of the Cromwellian troops and the castle and its grounds were surrendered. Bunratty Castle and its lands were granted to various Plantation families, (the confiscation of land by the English crown and the colonisation of this land with settlers from Great Britain). These Plantation families left the castle in 1804 allowing it to fall into disrepair. Bunratty returned to its former splendor when Viscount Lord Gort purchased it in 1954. Extensive restoration work began with the help of the Office of Public Works, the Irish Tourist Board and Shannon Development. How does this relate to Putaruru today? In Putaruru we have no ancient past like Bunratty to preserve, but we should ask the question, “what are we doing about the preservation of our present buildings?” Do these have features that are deserving of  being maintained for the future? Do property owners concern themselves with this type of question, or is the “take, use and leave” occupation we mentioned in a previous post?

King John’s Castle in Limerick serves as a great interactive tourist attraction today even though the castle was started in about 1212 and took decades to complete. 800 years ago the courtyard would have been bustling with people getting on with their daily lives. The castle has been through many turbulent times and most of the castles and other important buildings were destroyed by the English in an attempt to gain control of Ireland in centuries past. But the Irish are still here and events of the past can be recalled by respecting the present through the artefacts that are now preserved. The on-line Prattler has filmed this video for you and will post other related items over the next few weeks.

  Putaruru, Sunday afternoons are usually quiet, but in Thurles, (population about 8,000), Ireland,  it’s a different story. The town centre is painted red by the colours of the local hurling, (often called Ireland’s national sport), team supporters. It’s fine, warm and friendly as whole families prepare themselves for the night game ahead at which 30,000 are expected. Cars are parked bumper to bumper 5km – 6km from Thurles on every access road. All feet will be heading to the stadium just a few streets away from the town centre, but of course there’s plenty of time and bars at which to party before the evening hurling is underway. This carnival atmosphere is repeated many times during the hurling season.

        The week began with their bus getting stuck in the mud and ended with the Tritons winning the 2017 Gwynne Shield Tournament. The team was undefeated in round robin play right through to the final. There were a lot of sideline comments made about how well drilled the team was. Congratulations Caelys-Paul for winning the Tritons MVP Award and the Country Team Player of the Tournament. A big ‘well done’ to the team and supporting adults on your great result – from the Prattler.

On a wonderful clear sunny day around 200 plus people attended the Mr G mural reveal at Farmlands Putaruru. People are stoping  just to take photos as it is the only Farmlands on State Highway 1 which has a mural. This is the application submitted by Kate Campbell, (Putaruru Farmlands Manager), that won the store Mr G’s second New Zealand mural. In our little town, our store does sit, Parellel to State Highway 1 And every day 10 thousand cars flit Past the store, on their daily run.   Our store has presence, our store has pride, Our town is a winner too. A mural on our wall applied, Would makes heads turn askew!   We have water, cows and cheese, These are our claims to fame. A mural for our wall. yes please! Would give our store such fame!   So please consider Putaruru Branch, As the second branch for the world to see, A Farmlands Co-operative partnership, With the amazing Mr G!