The Bilberry Goats Of Waterford City

While driving up to Dublin last week, I listened to a fascinating program on RTE about the Bilberry Goats of Waterford City. The herd of some 28 wild goats in Waterford is the last of their species left in the world. The shaggy-haired creatures grazing on a patch of grass in the heart of the city are unlike any other known breed, say experts. The ancient herd, which has only five females, may face extinction, unless there are efforts to protect them and increase their numbers, they say. The Bilberry goat herd, named after the cliff-top area of the city where it lives, is believed to have arrived with the Huguenots 300 years ago. The goats, which are unlike any other Irish or British breeds, may be related to Maltese or Cashmere goats. Ancestors of local people always remembered them as children, where they were known as the French Goats. Martin Doyle, the secretary of the Irish Society for the Welfare and Preservation of the Wild Goats of Ireland, said: “They are the last of their kind and they are very vulnerable. They got lost in a time warp. Experts who came in recently from Germany, Holland and the UK believe they came here from Northern Europe with the Huguenots.”
The hardy wild goats are bigger than domestic goats. A report by 21 European goat experts, entitled The Goats of Bilberry Rock Waterford City, said they were “amazed to see a primitive herd still living in the wild”.
Robert-Jan Prins, from the Dutch Landrace Goat Breeders’ Association, which published the report, said the goats were a “unique ancient breed”.
The society is trying to get the land where they graze, which is currently zoned for low-density housing, turned into a protected area for these prehistoric animals. The children in the local area all have their own pet names for goats, which are quite friendly, unless they are protecting their kids. Female visitors shouldn't get too close, because as you can see from the pictures, they are quite horny.

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Hegartys For The Olympics!!

News is coming in of two family links to the Olympics. Our very own Michael Hegarty, a former international Handball star, has been made coach of the British Handball side for the Olympics in Beijing in 2008. Michael and his family have recently returned to Halewood, Liverpool, where they spent many years of their childhood. They will also be close neighbours to George and Irene McKay. Michael, has been heavily involved in talent scouting for the British Team, and was a natural choice for the job. Well done Mick! But that's not all ... sister Catherine, who was instrumental in forming the Deaf Signing Choir several years ago, has been spotted on television performing with choir by a member of the Olympic orgainsing committee, and I quote from her brother Kevin: " Well you know her, she took the news very calmly in a professional manner....not! The house was screamed down as were all our telephone lines." Watching the Deaf Signing Choir is something special and very emotive. I know she was up in Barrow with the choir and was witnessed by some of the cousins who said it was very moving. (Cathy, let me know if you have any links I could add for the choir)
Other Heagrty news: I hear Tony is having his 60th birthday in the IOM in September, but I was asked not to mention his age! Happy Birthday Tony!
Congratulations to Michael, Catherine & Tony! And best wishes to all the Hegartys!

British Handball Association

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An Amazing Lady - Mary Johnston

This was sent to me by Catherine Morris, Marie Cannon's daughter.

The photo is of Mary Johnston (née Pender) when my mum, Kitty and I visited her in New York City in April of this year. Mary is a "double first cousin" of the Murphy sisters and brother. Her mother Kate was a sister of Michael Murphy, and her father, Robert Pender, was a brother of Mary Murphy (née Pender).
Mary was born in Liverpool and then moved to Mullaghbawn for a period with her grandmother and brother. She emigrated to the United States aged 14 with her grandmother and brother, to join her mother who was already working in New York. She started off her career in New York at the age of 14 as a child model in the Saks-Fifth Avenue store and then went onto further and higher education to forge a successful career with the New York Telephone Company. She has lived in New York since the age of 14. Her brother, James Pender, passed away in San Francisco last year.
Mary has a great love for her aunt and uncle, Michael and Mary Murphy, and has great affection for all her first cousins, to this day she holds them in great esteem. She is greatly interested in the news of the extended Murphy family who are now located all over the world.

Much appreciated Catherine - Thank You!

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Recognising a Stroke - Important Information

Francis Cannon passed on this very important information - it only takes a minute to read, and yet you could save a life.

During a barbecue a woman stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) as she said she just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening. Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital (at 6:00 pm, Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the barbecue and no one was able to identify it. Had people known how to identify the signs of a stroke perhaps Ingrid would have been alive today. It only takes a minute to read this. A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. The neurologist said that the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed and getting to the patient within 3 hours. RECOGNIZING A STROKE: Thank God for the sense to remember the "3" steps. Read and Learn! Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.Now doctors say that anyone without medical training can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

1. Ask the individual to SMILE.

2. Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

3. Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (coherently) eg ..."It is asunny day today".

If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call the emergency nos. immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could identify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems, researchers urged the general public to learn the three questions.They presented their conclusions at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting last February. Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage. A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this information sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved. BE A FRIEND AND SHARE THIS ARTICLE WITH AS MANY FRIENDS AS POSSIBLE, youcould save their lives.

Thanks Francis.

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Twins for the McKays! Born Evertonians!

We are happy to announce the birth of twin boys Joseph and Jack, born to Anita and Alec McKay on April 21st 2006. Apologies for the delay in reporting the happy event, but the Pony Express was on strike, and no mail was getting through. Alec, son of that infamous bandido, Ian McKay was delighted with the twins, and was amazed that they were both attired in the blue of Everton during delivery. One can only assume: BORN EVERTONIANS! Heartfelt Congratulations to Alec, Anita and the boys and all the extended McKay family!

STOP PRESS: More Mckay news - Cathy, daughter of George & Irene will be getting married to Stephen O'Brien (Finbarr's dad) on the 23rd September 2006 at Our Lady of the Annunciation in Childwall. Again we wish them warm congratulations to both of them, and to their brothers and sisters, and mums and dads, and we hope they have a smashing day.

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Cork and San Franscico - Sister Cities!

Last year James Herlihy visited Cork and went to Holy Trinity Church (mentioned in earlier posting) which was founded by Father Mathew the Temperance leader. His statue is on Patrick Street in Cork. San Francisco and Cork are sister cities. Jim's grandmother was from Shanballymore, North Cork, near Mallow. Because of the family connection, the Mayor of San Francisco appointed Jim to the 'sister city' committee. Click here for some more information

http://www.sfgov.org/site/visitor_index.asp?id=7717