PROLOGUE: "In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on." Robert Frost
DEATHS: Sincere sympathies are offered to the families of the late Connie Harnett, Collins Park, Tom Doody, Kilconlea Upr., Mary Jo O’Connell Kilconlea Upr and Ciss Curtin, Meenheala, all of whom died this week. May they rest in peace.
FEALESBRIDGE SOCIAL: Fealebridge and Headley’s Bridge Co-Op are holding their 45th Annual Social at the Devon Inn Hotel, Templeglantine on Friday, December 5 at 8.30 pm. Music is provided by Heart and Soul, and there will be plenty of spot-prizes on the night. Tickets are available at both creameries and from staff and committee members.
CEILI: West Limerick 102fm are holding a Great Céilé Night on Friday December 5 in Knockaderry Community Hall. Music By: Donie & Maura Nolan. Tea & Coffee served. Admission €10.
NIGHT VIGIL TO KNOCK: Sunday, December 7. Book your seat on 087 3966399 (9-6pm).
AFTERNOON TEA DANCING IN MONAGAE: Dancing to Tim Joe and Ann in Monagea on Sunday, December 7 from 3-6pm.
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY: Noonan’s Wonderland will host their annual childrens Christmas party on Saturday, December 6 at 5pm. Carrickerry Wrenboys will be on hand to escort Santa to his Grotto. The newly crowned Munster Senior Hurling team will also be present as will Fr. Casey’s and Ballylanders with their cups. All welcome.
FRITE NITE: Abbeyfeale & District Search & Rescue, Fr. Casey’s G.A.A. Committee, Abbeyfeale Christmas Lights Committee and Abbeyfeale Town Park Committee wish to thank all those who supported our second annual FRITE NITE. Though the weather was inclement you turned out in large numbers and we appreciate the effort you made. We also wish to thank all the volunteers who helped stage the event. We will be back, bigger and better than ever in 2015.
SINGING CLUB: Chris O’Shea writes “West Limerick singing club monthly traditional singing session on Thursday, December 4 in the Ramble Inn bar Abbeyfeale @ 9pm. This is a special night with all the proceeds from our raffle on the night going to our chosen charity which is the Noonan family Christmas lights in Templeglantine who collect large amounts of money every year for local charities. Lots of spot prizes on the night, please come along and support.”
MEENKILLY N.S. CARDS: The game was cancelled last Tuesday night as a mark of respect to the late Connie Harnett, Abbeyfeale.
FEALE FIT NOTES: Fealefit’s annual Festive 5k Run / walk is this coming Sunday December 7 @ 10.30am from Fealefit, Mountmahon and is a great way to kick off the Festive season, Pre-registration this Friday night 6 – 6.30pm at Fealefit. It will be a first 5k for our latest Couch to 5k group and we want to wish the best of luck after all their hard work. Fealefit Xmas party December 13t in The Winners Circle at8.30pm. Have you ever dreamed of completing a 10k / half / Full marathon or Triathlon, if so contact Shane 087 2891015 for details, training commences in the New year and is free of charge.. Check out www.Fealefit.comfor all details on Classes.
CANTATA IN PARISH CHURCH: Scoil Mháthair Dé will perform their Nativity play at 11pm and Cantata at 7.30pm on Thursday, December 11 in the Church of the Assumption. 1(A cantata (literally "sung", past participle of the Italian verb "cantare") is a vocal 1composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often 1involving a choir. Wikapedia)
CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE: Come to Abbeyfeale parish church to celebrate the Joy of Christmas on Sunday, December 14 at 7pm with our parish choir. Everyone welcome.
FUNDRAISER FOR CHERNOBYL CHILDREN: An Afternoon Tea Dance will take place at Fr. Casey’s on Sunday, December 14 with music by Blue Moon. Dancing 3-6pm. Raffle and teas served.
BEE KEEPING COURSE: The course with tutor Seamus Quinlan of the Kingdom Beekeepers has commenced and will run until Christmas. It is being held at the Adult Education Centre Abbeyfeale every Tuesday from 7-9pm and we welcome new students. Further information 087 6866450.
ADVENT GIVING TREE: Take a leaf off the tree in the sanctuary and bring back a gift next week. These will be distributed to the elderly of the parish by the youth of the parish before Christmas.
CHRISTMAS FEST: There will be an evening of food, crafts, talks and music at the Organic College, Dromcollogher on Thursday, December 11 from 5-8pm. All welcome.
CARD GAME: There will be a 41 card game in Cryle View Bar, Church St. on Sunday, December 7 at 7.30pm, with proceeds to Fr. Tim Galvin in South Sudan.
TIMOTHY O’NEILL LANE 1852 -1915: Timothy O’Neill Lane was born in Gurteen, Templeglantine. His father was a native of Knockcoolkeare, Mountcollins and his mother a native of Ahane Cross, Brosna, hence the O’Neill in his name. He was a famous lexicographer, a primary teacher, a journalist with The Times of London and a writer of travel books. He is especially famous for his compilation of two English-Irish dictionaries (1905 and 1915). The Coiste Timothy O’Neill Lane Committee has been set up recently to commemorate appropriately this outstanding man and his contribution to the Irish Language and to the Nation. This committee includes Éamonn Ó Liatháin(chairman), John Joe O’Sullivan (secretary), Tadhg Ó Maolcatha(treasurer), Larry Begley, Séamas Ó Súilleabháin, Michael Lane(Templeglantine),Liam Ó Léanacháin, Séamus Lane and Lorcán Mac Curtáin. The Coiste is organising a book launch in the Public Library, Abbeyfeale between 6.30-8.00p.m. on Thursday, December 11. The book in question is a biography and a critique of O’Neill Lane’s work as lexicographer. Author: Seaghan Mac an tSionnaigh Book: Focail agus Foclóireacht T.O’Neill Lane. An English language version will be made available in the New Year. Refreshments will be provided at the reception. Fáilte roimh chách. An Oíche Cheoil with top local traditional musicians including Dónal Murphy will take place afterwards on that Thursday night in Murphy’s Bar Main Street, Abbeyfeale. All are welcome.
CONNIE HARNETT MEMORIAL SWIM: The first annual memorial swim in aid of St. Ita’s Day Hospital will take place on New Year’s Day at 1pm. Further information as it comes to hand.
SUE RYDER: In Sue Ryder this week, we have an extensive array of winter clothing, including hats, scarves and children’s coats. We also have a limited selection of perfume and soap sets that make ideal stocking fillers for Christmas. We have just started to sell raffle tickets for our Christmas draw. The 1st prize is one of our fantastic doll’s houses (worth over €140) and the 2nd is a child’s building tool set. A strip of tickets costs €2 or get 3 strips for €5. We are always delighted to receive donations of clothing, footwear, bags, working toys and bric a brac. We regret that we are unable to recycle old duvets, pillows, broken toys or electrical items. Also we desperately need paper or plastic bags. so when you are doing your Christmas shopping over the next month, please remember to save the bags for us. Thank you for your continued support.
YOUTH CLUBS: Abbey legends are in St.Ita’s on Friday 8 – 9.30pm. Leaders are asked to be in St. Ita’s on Friday at 7.15pm. The Yolo club are in St. Ita’s on Saturday and Teens Together are in the Complex on Saturday night from 7.45 – 9.15. Disco slips have to be back this weekend. A great night was had at Thomond Park on Friday night.
I.C.A.: Our Christmas Dinner will be at the Seanchai Centre in the beautiful town of Listowel on Wednesday, December 10 which we are all looking forward to very much. Fans of the Brennan Brothers on television should look out in January for a programme on their visit to An Grianan, the further education Centre in Co. Louth.
ABBEYFEALE FOR AFRICA: The annual cake sale will take place in St Ita’s hall on Sunday December 14 from 10am– 2pm. Everyone welcome. Come early. Funds in aid of Fr. Tim Galvin`s mission. We hope all our usual bakers will support this worthy cause. New bakers always welcome.
COMMUNITY ALERT: We have been asked to try and keep all our Christmas shopping local, do less shopping on line and keep money in our local economy. Spending money locally keeps it circulating in the area and everyone benefits.
WREN BOYS: King of the Wrenboys, Paddy Finnucane has issued an appeal for musicians, singers and dancers to join with St. Ita’s Wrenboys on their annual fundraising outing on St. Stephen’s Day. He can be contacted at McElligotts Furniture, Main St.
RAMBLING HOUSES: Ita McQuinn holds her monthly Rambling House on the 3rd. Monday of the month in Monagae Community Centre while Mick Sheehys Rambling House, Knockalougha is held on the 3rd. Tuesday of each month from 9pm.
MARIAN’S DANCING: There will be no further classes until after Christmas.
LISTOWEL FOOD FAIR: The Farming Seminar has been put back to Monday, December 8 in the Listowel Arms Hotel with Minister Simon Coveney as the guest of honour.
REILIG IDE NAOFA: Access to the graveyard will be pedestrian only for the next few weeks while the wall at the top of the graveyard is being built.
ABBEYFEALE PARISH CHURCH NOTES: Parish office 11-1pm Tuesday-Friday 068 31133. Parish Support Worker 068/31019. Counselling Appointment 061/314213.Church 068/51915, Canon John O’Shea P.P.: Tel: 068 – 31157 : 087 – 9708282, Fr Joe Foley CC: Tel: 087 – 2618412. Mass Tuesday – Saturday at 10am except in the event of a funeral when Mass is 11am. Mass Monday at 7pm, Mass on Saturday 11am followed by Confessions, Vigil Mass 7pm, Sunday 9.30am and 12 noon. Mass Intentions: Wednesday 8.15am Mary Costello RIP. Wednesday 10am Jack Broderick. Thursday 10am Jim McGill, The Hill Months Mind. Saturday 11am Maura Gallahue nee Leahy Millstream. Saturday 7pm Sonny Mc Carthy, Caherlane. Emmet Leahy Millstream. Sunday 9.30am Phyl O’Kelly, Killarney Road 1st Anniversary. Patie Lane, Kilconlea and his sister Nora Bolt who died in England in October. 12 noon. William T Flynn. Next Friday is the First Friday.St Anthony Novena takes place each Monday at the 7pm evening Mass. Adoration on Tuesday and Friday from 10am – 10pm and on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 6-8pm. It is now the responsibility of family members and relatives, if they require a visit, to let the priest know when people are in hospital.
BINGO BUSSES: Eoin 087 2522402 leaves for Castleisland from outside Tuohig’s Supervalue at 7.40 pm every Tuesday and Dinjoe goes to Shanagolden.
BRIDGE: Abbeyfeale Bridge Club every Thursday at 7:30 pm at the Railway Bar. Visitors welcome. Anybody interested in Bridge Lessons contact 087 3344909.
BUS SERVICE: Cork Colleges Bus Service: Fitzpatricks of Listowel & Abbey Coaches. A bus will serve Abbeyfeale (5.20pm), Newcastlewest (5.40pm), Dromcollogher (6pm) each Sunday evening and will return on Fridays at 1.30pm and 6pm. €10 per seat, Call 087 3966399.
ADAPT: There is a support worker in Abbeyfeale each week to meet women one to one by appointment. The worker can listen to women and support them in keeping themselves and their children safe. Ring Sheila on 061 412354 for more information or to make an appointment.
ABUSE OF STIMUNANTS: For support around drug and alcohol use the HSE Drugs & Alcohol Helpline is available Monday to Friday, 9.30am and 5.30pm. This confidential service has both a freephone Helpline helpline).
WEST LIMERICK TOASTMASTERS: Afraid you’ll freeze, choke or faint during a speech? Toastmasters is the best place to learn, to build your confidence, and to push yourself outside your comfort zone. It’s a safe place where there is no penalty for failure! If you would like to learn more then why not come along to the next Toastmasters meeting at the Desmond Complex on Wednesday, December 3 at 8.30pm. Further information from Bill on 087 9079223.
BEREAVEMENT SUPPPORT: The local group can be contacted at 068- 31230/51984 /31262.
USEFUL WEBSITE: OneStepUp.ie provides local contacts and useful resources for those looking for a particular course or information on further education and training opportunities in Ireland. The website which has been especially developed for use on a smartphone tablet or PC also includes Frequently Asked Questions and video testimonials from adult learners who have returned to education. Another feature of the new website is an online calendar which provides information about lifelong learning events and allows people to subscribe to hear about events taking place in their own area.
Abbeyfeale Gathering Festival 