PROLOGUE: "Some people come into your life as blessings, others come into your life as lessons." Mother Teresa

DEATH: We offer sincere sympathies to the Flynn family, Banard on the recent sudden death of their mother, Mary. May she rest in peace.

TOWN PARK NEWS: Bird watchers are flocking from all over the country to see the pair of Little Egrets who have taken up residence on the River Feale. Little Egrets began to breed in Ireland in the late 90s and have gradually spread throughout the country. They are large snow white birds of the heron family, have long black legs with yellow feet and long black bills. Jim O’Connor and the town park staff have worked long and hard to clear a large viewing area in the park. You are all very welcome to visit this ideal place to see these magnificent birds. This is the first time this species has been recorded in the area and because they have been with us for the past number of weeks, we hope they are here to stay. The viewing area is just 200 metres down from the car park, along by the picnic tables. The birds are regularly seen close to this area, along by the bend in the river.

GLORACH NOTES: PRO Lorcan Curtin writes “The countdown is on to our opening night on March 10 when we present our hilarious comedy, Family Fever by Sam Cree. The set is up and painted and we’re as busy as ever in rehearsals, fine-tuning various scenes and attempting to stop ourselves from laughing as we go about the serious task of bringing months of hard work to fruition and give audiences a night they won’t forget.”

NEW CYCLING CLUB: Are you interested in forming a cycling club in Abbeyfeale. Come to Feale Fit, Mountmahon Wednesday at 8pm. All ages and all levels are welcome.

OPEN DAY: Scoil Mháthair Dé Tuesday, February 17 from 1-3pm.

LAUNCH: The Scoil Mháthair Dé Performing Arts Society will be launched in conjunction with the Open Day Tuesday, February 17 from 1-3pm.

YOUTH CLUBS: Abbey Legends are in the church on Friday 7.30 to about 8.15pm. The Yolo club and Teens Together are having a disco at the Grove starting at 8.30 – 10.30pm.

VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT: If you are thinking of volunteering and seeking an opportunity to make a difference, The Brothers of Charity Services Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale invites you to contact them. You may have a skill or interest which you can share to help enhance the lives of adults we support. Equally you will be enriched by the experience. If you are a walker, a listener, have a sense of fun, enjoy going to the cinema, are involved in sport or willing to partake in individual or group activities, Contact Saretta O Mahony 087 9476047 or Noreen O Malley 087 2785446. Training for volunteers will be in Newcastle West Day Service on 23rd February and 2nd March from 10 am to 12 pm. You will be glad you took that first step.

OPENING SOON – SPACE FOR JOBSEEKERS: Are you out of work? Are you looking for a space to share, vent, learn and socialize with people in the same boat? West Limerick Resources are starting new ‘Space for Jobseekers’ in Abbeyfeale. Group will be meeting on a weekly basis and will include training, information sessions etc. The group is open to old and new members of all ages. Please join us for a cup of tea or coffee at our first open space in the Old Tech, Room 10 on Monday, 16th February at 2.30pm. If you are interested in coming along to find out more, please contact Ivana at West Limerick Resources on 069 61316, or simply turn up on the date.

WANT BETTER COMMUNICATION: West Limerick Resources is offering a short programme in Effective Communication skills which will run each Tuesday Morning (2.5hrs) for eight weeks starting this February. The course will cover what blocks us from communicating effectively, types of Communication, different levels of listening and areas of difficulty in effective communication. Free for adults over 21 years living in West Limerick. To register contact Theresa on 069 79113

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.

ABBEYFEALE DISTRICT SEARCH AND RESCUE: PRO Helen Broderick writes; “ADSAR celebrated its tenth year of existence on Sunday, February 1. It was a wonderful day of celebration and the organisation also held an official opening of its newly extended Head Quarters. Cutting the ribbon on the extension was Chief Superintendent Dave Sheehan who also spoke highly of the group and the work of Search and Rescue voluntary units. Nicky Cotter, chairman of ADSAR thanked all the members of the group and all the people who had supported it through the years, especially West Limerick Resources and Limerick County Council. He invited guests to speak including Superintendent Matt Niland and Sgt Brenda Fields from Missing Person Garda Division of Phoenix Park, Dublin, Eleanor McLoughlin from West Limerick Resources, and local council representatives. Nicky ended by once again thanking everyone for their attendance, his committee, and the members of ADSAR for their hard work and dedication. Refreshments were served from the marquee. A most enjoyable afternoon.”

FEALEFIT: Join Fealefit in Tralee this Sunday, February 15 for the Tralee Valentines 10 miler. 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. Fealefit Easter Midterm Kids Camp March 31- April 2. Contact Shane 087 2891015 or Kadie 087 7771552 for details. See www.Fealefit.comfor all details on training / classes & Upcoming Events.

SUE RYDER: 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, February18. Further information from Bill on 087 9079223.

ANNUAL TOWN PARK DOG SHOW: PRO James Harnett writes “The biggest and best Fun Dog Show in Munster takes place on Sunday May 10 in Abbeyfeale Town Park. A great day out for all the family – this is a fundraiser for the upkeep of our beautiful town park and is our major fundraiser of the year.

ABBEYFEALE HARRIERS: Annual Hunting Festival Sunday, February 15 – O’Connor’s Bar, Knocknagoshel, Co. Kerry. Joint Meet of: Dungannon Foxhounds & Minerock Harriers. Monday, February 16 – O’Shanahan’s Bar, Strand, Co. Limerick – Macroom Foxhounds. Tuesday, February 17 – Fleming’s Bar, Scartaglin, Co. Kerry; Joint Meet of: Grallagh Harriers & Rockfield Harriers – Memorial Meet for John O’Connor. Wednesday, February 18 – Ploughman Bar, Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick; Carraigshane Harriers – Memorial Meet for Jackie O’Grady. Thursday, February 19 – Cunniffe’s Bar, Currow, Co. Kerry; Joint Meet of: Rooves Bridge Harriers & Mossgrove Harriers. Friday, February 20 – Faha Court, Faha, Co. Kerry – Togher Harriers. ALL MEETS AT 11.00 a.m. Food kindly sponsored by Publicans. (Hunting is on foot and the quarry is Fox – Cap €10.00 per meet). Enquiries: Doug Mc Guinness (Hon. Sec. Abbeyfeale Harriers) 087 682 9044. Paddy O’Grady 087 625 8933. Supported Charity – The Irish Cancer Society.

SHANNON HOUSE A’TEA DANCE: The Nightingales are the band for Big Maggie’s monthly afternoon tea dance in Foynes, Sunday February 15 from 3-6pm.

I.C.A.: P.R.O. Bridie O’Shea reports; “Our first meeting of the New Year was held on Tuesday, February 3rd at the Community Education Centre, Mountmahon. A very busy and varied programme of events is planned for the forthcoming months, kicking off with instructions on how to make the St. Brigid’s cross. Members are reminded to bring a supply of rubber bands, rushes, and a pair of scissors to the next meeting, on Tuesday, February 17. New members are always welcome. At last we have news about the showing of the makeover of An Grianan by the Brennan brothers of "At Your Service fame. You can watch it on RTE One on Sunday March 1 at 8.30pm”

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CAFÉ CONVERSATIONS: You’re invited to join us for a cup of tea and a chat at The Community Education Centre, Abbeyfeale first ever Compassionate Communities Café Conversations on Wednesday, March4 from 11am to 1pm.The theme for the morning is ‘Why is it important to talk about death, dying, loss and care? To book your FREE place contact Mary-Mobile moconnor The conversation is facilitated by Dr. Kathy McLoughlin Milford Care Centre Limerick.

The Compassionate Communities Project ‘Light on Stone Project for Abbeyfeale’ is an initiative of Milford Care Centre Limerick, Glorach Community Theatre, Town Park Abbeyfeale & West Limerick Resources.

Dr. Kathy Mcloughlin will also attend the Lenten Talk March 4 at 7.30pm in the GAA Club-house Abbeyfeale. She will give the background and ethos of the Milford Care Compassionate Communities project and she will also facilitate the group to explore what are the hallmarks of a compassionate community and how can we develop our own parish community towards ever greater compassion in our time and in the future.

GATHER BY THE FEALE: 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 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. 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

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 12, 14 and 15 at 8pm. at 8pm. The play is directed by Annette O’Donnell from Abbeyfeale and stars her Auntie Angeline.

DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE SICK IN HONOUR OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES: The novena to Our Lady will be recited at Mass until February 11. Anointing of the sick will take place Wednesday, February 11 at 10am Mass.

REMEMBERING ZOE: The Glorach Theatre will be the venue for the opening event of the ‘Remembering Zoe’ memorial weekend on May 16/17 with a variety concert planned on the Friday night May 15. On Saturday two cycles will leave from Fr. Casey’s GAA Pavilion, the 105km 8 parish cycles leaves at 10am. 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 Pavilion. 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. Micheal Collins and his band will provide the entertainment that night for a benefit dance in Fr. Casey’s and then on the Sunday a family fun day encompassing a dog show, athletics, kiddie disco, basketball and camogie blitzes as well as loads of surprises will bring the weekend to an end. All proceeds will go to Bru Columbanus and FirstLight, both of these organisations have been of inestimable help to Alisha and the Scannell family. A donation will also be made to the Hope Foundation.

FASHION SHOW: Friday, March 6 at 8pm in Tintean Theatre Ballybunion in aid of Tarbert Comprehensive School. Cheese and wine reception with musical interval. Door and spot prizes. Tickets €10 Mary Chute 087 6986744, Maxine Brown 087 6268503 Listowel, Rita O’ Shea,087 7941471, Glin,Pat Noonan 087 2331568, Loughill,

IRISH COUNTRY icmrrequests

BEE KEEPING COURSE: The course with tutor Seamus Quinlan of the Kingdom Beekeepers will resume on Tuesday, February 24 at the Adult Ed. Centre, Mountmahon from 7-9pm. Further enquiries 087 6866450.

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: Thursday 10am Joe Murphy, Clash. Saturday 7pm Peter Scannell Clash Rd. Jim Ahern, Shanbally. Sunday 9.30am Nell O’Mahony Collins Park, Eily O’Connell, Meenkilly. 12 noon Kevin McNally who died recently.

St. Anthony Novena takes place each Monday at the 7pm evening Mass. 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.

Limerick Beekeepers Association

LIMERICK BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION: The first meeting of 2015 will take place on Thursday, February 12 at Mungret GAA at 8pm. Membership details can be found on the following website: http://www.limerickbees.net Guest Speaker: Eamon Magee (FIBKA President)Topic: Labelling of Honey Eamonn Magee is president of FIBKA. He is guest speaker at Limerick Beekeepers Association on ‘Labelling of Honey’ on Thursday, February 12 at Mungret GAA at 8pm. Eamonn has been keeping bees since 1970. As a boy he learned the basics of beekeeping in Glendalough, County Wicklow, from an uncle who kept his bees in old butter boxes. In 1970 he attended Gormanston Summer School and sat his preliminary beekeeping exams. The following year he gathered a few swarms and with a little DIY produced his first crop of honey. He took a few years out to concentrate on family life and returned to beekeeping in 1998. He completed the senior examinations and lectureship with the Federation of Irish Beekeepers’ Associations (FIBKA).

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.

THE MATING SEASON: The Abbeyfeale Drama Group present The Mating Season on Tuesday, February 17, Thursday 19, Saturday21, Sunday 22 and the following week on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday:

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).

BEREAVEMENT SUPPPORT: The local group can be contacted at 068- 31230/51984.

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.


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