PROLOGUE: "That the birds of worry and care fly over your head, this you cannot change, but that they build nests in your hair, this you can prevent." Chinese Proverb
DEATH: Sincere sympathy to the family of the late John O’Connor Veterinary Surgeon, Knocknagoshel whose sudden death occurred recently. Sympathies too to the family of the late Mrs. Dan O’Sullivan, New St. on her recent death. May they both rest in peace.
BIRTHDAY WITH A ZERO: Congratulations and best wishes for many more years to Nora O’Riordan, Main St. on her recent birthday.
LOURDES SAGART GATHERING: There will be a Lourdes reunion at the Woodlands House Hotel, Adare on Friday, February 6 next. Meal served 7.30pm sharp. .Music by Jimmy Connery. Tickets €20 euro and available from Mary Murphy 087 7919414. Anyone wishing to stay overnight there is B&B available at the hotel for €35, contact the hotel directly for same.
PRESCHOOL: Teach Mhuire Montessori Pre School have part time places for immediate start. They are also taking bookings for the free preschool year for 2015.
FEALEFIT: Fealefit Running / Adventure race & Tri Athlon training every Saturday, all the training is free of charge and geared towards enabling people achieve goals they never thought were possible. Contact Shane 087 2891015 or Kadie 087 7771552 for details. Seewww.Fealefit.com for all details on training / classes & upcoming events.
AFTERNOON TEA DANCE|: Brendan Laffan from Co. Limerick who lost his sight at the age of 2 after developing a brain tumour is currently studying for an ECDL in computers and is a volunteer presenter with WL102fm at the station in NCW in his spare time. His greatest wish is that he would get a guide dog to enable him to live independently – go to the shop, cross busy roads, take the bus – things that we all take for granted. Brendan said recently that as well as helping him to become independent a guide dog would be company for him and would be invaluable in every way. To help Brendan get a little closer to his goal of having his own Guide Dog volunteers with WL102fm have organised an afternoon tea dance in Fr, Casey’s Clubhouse, Abbeyfeale on Sunday, February 8 from 3-6pm with music by Mike Condon. Teas will be served and a raffle will be held. All monies raised will go to Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind – Brendan’s chosen charity – which is Ireland’s national charity dedicated to helping persons who are blind or vision impaired.
DONKEY DERBY IN AID OF UNDERAGE RUGBY: Saturday, January 31 at 9:00pm
The Winners Circle Abbeyfeale. Please support.
SUE RYDER: As the cold weather threatenes remember we still have a large selection of coats and scarves here at Sue Ryder, Abbeyfeale. Our books are still only €1 and get 4 books for €3. This week we also have some brand new uniform jumpers for Athea National School. 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. Thank you for all your donations of paper bags. We definitely won’t run short any time soon but we would still appreciate it, if you continue to keep them for us.
Thank you for your continued support.
WEST LIMERICK TOASTMASTERS: Toastmasters hold their meetings in the Desmond Complex on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from September to June from 8.30 – 10.30pm. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, February 4. Further information from Bill on 087 9079223.
GATHER BY THE FEALE: We had our first meeting for 2015 and the agenda included fundraisers to get us going again and to help fund the very exciting programme that is planned. Three in all– the very successful 2nd annual pampering day is booked for the Devon Inn on Sunday, March 22 and will make a wonderful gift idea for Mother’s Day, birthdays and Valentines. Abba Delicious – Europe’s No. 1 Tribute Band are coming to the Railway Bar on Easter Sunday night for an evening of ‘ Knowing me, knowing you, ‘ Lay all your love on me’’ Gimme, Gimme a man after midnight’ and much more and then on the May Bank Holiday w/e we’ll be doing bag packing in Tuohigs Supervalue. This is a festival for all the family from the toddlers to the grandparents so plans include a night in the Glorach, the hugely popular family fun day, Guinness and Oyster night, battle of the businesses, and a celebrity concert. As the weeks go on I’ll be bringing you the finalised programme and as always if you’d like to get involved or have ideas about how to improve the festival then please call to Bridget in Mary Dan G’s. Be sure and keep the weekend of July 17-20 free and invite all the relations home – the craic will be mighty. Follow us on Gather by the Feale facebook page, twitter @GatheringAfeale, our blog gatheringabbeyfeale.blogspot.ie or our webpage abbeyfealefestivals.wordpress.com
MEENKILLY N.S. CARD GAME: Winners with 13 games: Gobnait Scanell, Dick Fitzgerald Sean O’ Connor. Runners up with 12 games after a play off. Billy O’ Connell. Breda O’ Connell, Mary O’ Connell. Table prize: Maureen Fitzgerald, Kathleen McCarthy, Billy Lane. Door prizes; Sheila Breen, John Lyons. Tickets; Jer Roche, John Quirke, Julia Murphy, Billy Lane, John Lyons and Larry McAuliffe.
CONCERT: West Limerick singing club are hosting a traditional fundraising concert on Saturday, March 14 in Fr Casey’s, Clubhouse in Abbeyfeale. It will include top class Musicians, Singers Dancers and storytellers. So please come along and support. Starting at 8pm sharp and admission is only €10. Spread the word.
ATHEA DRAMA GROUP: Athea Drama Group presents the hilarious comedy ‘It’s The Real McCoy’ By Tommy Marren at the Con Colbert Memorial Hall February 5, 7, 8, 12, 14 and 15 at 8pm. at 8pm. The play is directed by Annette O’Donnell from Abbeyfeale and stars her Auntie Angeline.
CLOTHES COLLECTION FOR ABBEYFEALE UNDER AGE RUGBY: Please dig deep and clean out any unwanted clothes, household textiles (Curtains/bed linen) bags and shoes in Aid of Abbeyfeale Underage Rugby. Black bags can be dropped to the Rugby Club Monday to Friday between 10am – 12 Midday or during any training session or home games. Final collection date is Saturday, January 31 at 12 noon. Your support is greatly appreciated.
LOCAL RADIO: The very popular A Story and a Song series on West Limerick 102FM is now in its 5th. year On this coming Saturday from 3pm-4pm and repeated on Sunday morning at 7am A Story and a Song will feature an interview with Donncha O’Dulaing and will also have well known singers Robbie McMahon RIP, Gary McMahon RIP, Murt Downes RIP, Ella Marie O’Dwyer, Annmarie O’Riordan, Willie Relihan etc.
Anyone who would like to take part in this programme please contact Pat O’Donovan on 087 9977340.
REMEMBERING ZOE: Little Zoë Scannell’s tragic death last June caused a sense of shock and disbelief to descend over the parish of Abbeyfeale and surrounding parishes. Now as we come to terms with her sudden loss the parish has decided to remember her with a weekend of activities that she would have been at the heart of – had she lived. All funds raised during this weekend will be donated to Brú Columbanus who offer ‘home from home’ accommodation for the family of seriously ill patients in Cork hospitals, and to FirstLight who offer support to suddenly bereaved parents and families. A donation will also be made to the Hope Foundation. During the ‘Remembering Zoe’ memorial weekend on May 16/17 two cycling events are planned for Saturday 16th. The main cycle will start at 10am, setting off from Fr. Casey’s GAA Pavilion and travelling 105km through the 8 Parishes that surround Abbeyfeale. Then, at 1pm a second group will set off on a fully controlled 35km circuit of Abbeyfeale. Refreshments will be provided before and after both events with a food stop provided in Mountcollins Community Centre at approximately the half way point of the 105km route. Water stops will also be provided at designated locations along both routes.
Shower and changing facilities for participants will be available at the GAA Pavillion.
If you would like to participate in either of these cycling events please contact the cycle organisers: John Collins (087) 2258808, Tom O’ Shaughnessy ( 087 ) 6820506.
I.C.A: Due to the inclement weather it was necessary to cancel the meeting scheduled for Tuesday January 20tIt has been rearranged forTuesday February 3rd at the Community Education Centre, Mountmahon, and weather permitting, of course. New members welcome.
An Grianan, the ICA Education Centre in Co. Louth has had a makeover by the Brennan brothers, of the "At Your Service" fame. Members all over the country have been waiting avidly for news of the screening, which is going to be announced during the week commencing Sunday January 25. . An Grianan comprises a 17th century house and grounds with 53 bedrooms, a 120 seat dining room, a function room, a bar, six self-catering cottages, an unused spa and a small shop. The centre is available to ICA members, also to non-members for holidays, functions, courses etc.
GLÓRACH NOTES: PRO for the Glórach Theatre Lorcan Curtin writes “ Busy in rehearsals all the time as we come nearer to the stage where we will soon dispense with scripts. Good mixture of experienced thespians and enthusiastic newcomers as we look forward towards March when we will be taking to the stage with the Sam Cree comedy,Family Fever.”
ABBEYFEALE SEARCH AND RESCUE: ADSAR are ten years in operation in February. To mark the occasion, there will be a ceremony to open the new extension to the Headquarters in Killarney road, and a gathering of people on Sunday next, February 1st at 3pm.
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BEE KEEPING COURSE: The course with tutor Seamus Quinlan of the Kingdom Beekeepers has finished for this year. It was held at the Adult Education Centre, Abbeyfeale every Tuesday from 7-9pm and will resume on the first Tuesday in February. Further information 087 6866450.
ARRA PLAYERS NCW: First night of "The Memory of Water" by Shelagh Stephenson is the story of 3 sisters and their partners who gather at the home of their recently dead mother, and revisit the past in poignant and often hilarious way. Running from Thursday, January 29 in the new hall in Castlemahon. Tickets are €10 at the door, and for that you get a token to choose which charity gets your money. The 4 charities are Cystic Fibrosis, St. Vincent De Paul, Brothers of Charity, and Rathfredagh Cheshire home NCW. Your money, your token, your choice, and enjoy a great play.
MEN’S SHED: The Men’s Shed is open every Monday evening from 6-9pm. New members are always very welcome.
MAUREEN’S TOURS: Spring Break Friday, April 24 – Monday, April 27. Visiting the Giant’s Causway, Newgrange, and much more. Staying in Drogheda which has much to offer in sightseeing. It is important to give in your name as soon as possible as the hotel has to be booked. For more information and booking contact Maureen 087 9845102.
.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.
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:
St. Anthony Novena takes place each Monday at the 7pm evening Mass. Adoration resumes Friday, January 9. 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.
RAMBLING HOUSE: Listowel Rambling house will take place in the Seanchaí Centre, The Square on Thursday January 29 from 9.15 pm. Admission free, tea/coffee served.
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).
BEREAVEMENT SUPPPORT: The local group can be contacted at 068- 31230/51984.
WIN A TRIP TO CROKE PARK: Limerick Youth Service has the perfect New Year’s ticket for every GAA supporter-a trip to Croke Park for the next 10 All Ireland hurling & football finals for €5! The prize is part of a New Year’s fundraising initiative by Limerick Youth Service that includes two tickets to the football and hurling finals, including accommodation, until 2019! Spend €5 on a ticket to enter into a raffle for this amazing prize that includes overnight accommodation at a top Dublin hotel. Run in partnership with Youth Work Ireland, the New Year’s raffle also includes excellent runner up prizes including an Apple iPad and €500. The raffle is a major fundraising opportunity for Limerick Youth Service with funds raised going to local youth clubs, groups & projects. Closing date for entry is Saturday, January 31 with the draw taking place on Saturday, February 7 at Youth Work Ireland, Dublin.
For more information please visit dermott or at 083-1726898.
WORLD WETLANDS DAY: there will be a free public event at 2pm this Sunday, February 1 at Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre. Dr David McCormick, centre ecologist, will be giving a tour of the wetland, on foot and by boat, as well as giving a short talk on the ways that wetlands are vital to our future. For further information please visit the centre website education.
GRANAGH PLAYERS: Their new play is ‘The Buds of Ballybunion’ by John B. Keane and it will be performed in Granagh on Friday, January 30. The Play is a musical comedy based on the farmers’ annual two week holiday, when the harvest was completed. This particular motley bunch have been meeting for the last thirty years. They stay in a lodging house where they were offered a room and a fire or stove to cook on.
PANTO: Jack & The Bean Stalk performed by the Killorglin Players for one night only in the I.N.E.C. on Sunday, February 15, leaving Newcastle West at 3.30pm. picking up at the bus stop outside the church in Abbeyfeale. Seats must booked and paid for in advance. We will have time for refreshments before the panto commences at 6pm. For booking and more information contact Maureen 087 9845102.
PPN: The Inaugural Meeting of the PPN will be held on Thursday, January 29th, 6pm-9pm, in the Limerick Racecourse, Patrickswell, Co. Limerick. Registration commences at 6pm, with tea/coffee & food being served. The meeting will start at 6.30pm. It is important for you to attend because the 2015 Plan for the PPN will be decided by the people at the meeting.
Please note that a maximum of two people from each member organisation may attend.
Abbeyfeale Gathering Festival 