Melting Moments with my Dad Competition Winners

Congratulations to Lena Culhane, Co. Limerick who wins €1,000 and Sinead Flanigan, Co. Tipperary who wins a €250 One4All Giftcard

 

Winning entries

Lena Culhane, Co. Limerick - As a young girl living in a rural part of county Limerick and in the days before I began primary school, my father and I would often take a leisurely morning walk to the local shop. Often, as we passed a local farm en route, I would hear music coming from the milking parlour. Being a curious child, the mysterious music began to intrigue me. One particular morning as we had just embarked on our daily stroll, I turned to my father and said, ''Dad, what''s that music?''. Without hesitation my father (being a humorous man!) replied ''the farmer is dancing with the cows!'' ...for years I truly believed that the farmer was partying with the cattle and had images in my young mind of the farmer walzing and twirling with his animals as the music played..... when obviously he was listening to the radio as he milked the cows!

Sinead Flanagan, Co. Tipperary - As I reach for the low fat spread in the mornings, my dad always says to me;''Ah have a bit of real butter, sure aren't you a pure model anyway'' and my heart melts like the butter on my hot toast. Who'd bother having cereal when you could get a compliment that makes you smile all day in school :)

 

And a little taster from some of our many other entries:

Co. Clare - My Dad, was a real countryman and absolutely loved butter. While making hay or cutting turf, he would bring a loaf of bread and a half pound of butter to the meadow or garden with him. He would first butter the bread and then slice off the buttered slice and relish the taste. He would then butter a slice of bread for our dog and the furious wagging of the tail would indicate the dog's enjoyment of the moment too.

Co. Donegal - My Dad didn't cook very often, but he used to say "sure it's nothing to it .. all you need is lots of butter and love".

Co. Laois - My dad is the best he always does fun stuff with us. Last week he brought us to our GAA blitz and watched us for ages even though it was lashing rain, he likes to bounce on our trampoline with us and it's great fun because when he bounces it makes us bounce even higher. Some day he said he'll bounce us so high we could touch a cloud.

Co. Kildare - My dad was like millions of other dads in the World, just "ordinary". Yet he was, in all his ordinariness, an exceptional person. He was simply always THERE. He was there to work hard to provide for us, he was there to encourage us in our trials and tribulations, there to give advice. He taught us how to cope with problems and generally how to be happy with what you have, to be content. A precious gift.

Co. Dublin - My dad - best coach, taximan, and grandstand supporter! Over my years as a juvelile athelete, throwing the hammer at regional and national level, it was my dad who brought me out to train, stood in the rain and shine as i practised, drove me across the country for championships, and cheered from the sidelines while I competed. All the medals are just as much his as mine!