PROLOGUE: "I think, at a child’s birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift should be curiosity."
Eleanor Roosevelt.
CONFIRMATION: Confirmation will take place in the Parish on Friday April 24 @ 11am. The Church car park will be closed on Friday morning to facilitate parking for the ceremony. Confessions for Confirmation children, their families and Sponsors will take place on Wednesday @ 7pm in the Church. Sponsors are requested to attend for a practice with children.
PARENTING POSITIVELY: Why not come along to a one night seminar on the challenges facing parents today? Delivered in a relaxed, informal manner, this aims to equip parents with ‘know how’ on some of the challenges facing teenagers. Open to all parents. No booking necessary. Delivered by Anthony O Shaughnessy. Anthony has been working as a counsellor and therapist for over twenty years in areas such as relationship issues, family issues, addictions, anxiety, depression, abuse, sexuality, childhood problems and bereavement. It’s on Thursday, April 23 in Coláiste Ide agus Iosef from 7.30 -9pm.
TOWN PARK NEWS: The first clutch of moorhen chicks of 2015 has hatched in the park. They are sheltering on the island in the pond and can be seen swimming in that area following their parents. The chicks are gorgeous, black and fluffy, a wonderful sight for young and old. This is also the time of the year when you will see the newts late in the evening. The newt is like a tiny crocodile, about 2 inches long, and is one of only three native amphibians, the others being the frog and the natter jack toad. The Annual Town Park Dog Show on Sunday May 10 is fast approaching. The students of all the primary schools in the area are preparing their pets for the show. We hope for a large turnout on the day, along with sunshine. Please note that for the summer months the town park gate will be locked each night at 9.00 p.m.
GATHER BY THE FEALE BAG PACKING: The final fundraiser for the festival taking place July 17-19 next is our bag packing in Super Value May 1 and 2. It takes a huge pot of money to run a festival with so many events, we have to cover stage and sound hire, security and insurance so if everyone who will benefit from a weekend of fun, frolics and general mayhem gave a small amount then it would make our job so much easier. If anyone would give us a couple of hours bag packing we’d be delighted too, contact 087 6866450.
MEDITATION FOR WELLBEING: Meditation for Wellbeing starts Monday April 20 from 7.30- 8.30pm for 6 weeks in An Cliabhan at the back of Glorach Theatre. This is a gentle, guided, beginner’s meditation to help you relax and take time out for you in your everyday life. This is free programme is a gift for those who are or have being caring for a loved one in their home or community. This is funded by The Light on Stone Project for Abbeyfeale supported by Milford Hospice & WLR. Contact Mary on 087 9382883/087 2237363.
APOSTOLATE OF EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Pilgrimage to Knock Sunday next April 26. Bus will leave the church at 7am sharp. Contact either Kathleen 087 7758503 or Teresa 087 2673663 by Friday to book your seat.
EASIER PARENTING PROGRAMME: West Limerick Resources will be offering an eight week programme to help parents develop skills to be more effective managing pre-teens and teenagers, running Tuesdays from April 28- June 16 between 10.30am – 12.30pm in Room 10, Community Education Centre, Abbeyfeale. Parents will explore encouragement & motivation, managing behaviour, developing good communication skills and cooperative problem solving. FREE to those in receipt of rent allowance or any social welfare payment. Booking essential. Contact Mary on 087 9382883 or Nora on 068 31198. This programme is funded under SICAP 2015-2017 which is funded by the Irish Government and co-funded by the European Social Fund and includes a special allocation under the Youth Employment Initiative.
UNWANTED WOODEN FRAMES REQUIRED: Unwanted/unused wooden picture frames are required by West Limerick Resources Back2New Community Upcycling Project based in Newcastle West which provides work placements for long term unemployed individuals. Donations of other unwanted furniture also welcome (unfortunately we cannot take sofas, beds or woodworm!) Please drop small items into Reception at West Limerick Resources Main Office on St. Mary’s Road, Newcastle West or alternatively contact Michaela on 087 2727742.
FEALEFIT: Fealefit will commence Couch to 10k training this coming Friday April 24 @ 6.15pm at the Railway Abbeyfeale. Training is free of charge and open to all levels of fitness, this is a beginners program to allow you first conquer the 5k and progress to 10k and all in preparation for our Festival 10k on July 18 – Gather by the Feale’s ‘ Race to the Title ‘
Contact Shane 087 2891015 or Kadie 087 7771552 for details. See www.Fealefit.com for all details on training & Upcoming Events! Any Volunteers for the Remembering Zoe Fun day Sunday, May 17 please contact Shane 087 2891015.
I.CA.: Bridie O’Shea P.R.O. reports: At our meeting on Tuesday April 7 we selected the candidates for national office whom we’ll be voting for at the Federation Meeting in Adare on Wednesday April 22. We hope to have a Pilate’s session on Tuesday May 12. The following week, on Tuesday May 19, we will be holding an auction in order to replenish our coffers. Sister de Sales, who previously showed us how to make the St. Brigid’s cross with rushes, will be our guest speaker for Tuesday June 2. Our annual outing is scheduled for Monday June 15 and arrangements are in hand for that at present. New members will be welcome at our meetings which are held at the Community Education Centre, Mountmahon, commencing at 7.30 pm.
REMEMBERING ZOË: .Margaret Curtin from the Glorach Theatre says; "As part of The Remembering Zoe Weekend there will be a very entertaining ‘Variety Show’ held at the Glórach Theatre, Abbeyfeale on Friday, May 15 starting at 8pm sharp. It will include a lot of the activities that Zoe loved to do. She loved Irish dancing and Traditional music and the show will also include songs from Zoe’s favourite group ‘One Direction’ and much, much more. Also performing on the night will be Zoe’s friends from Scoil Mhathair De. Adults are €10 and Children €5. There will also be a raffle on the night. To book tickets please contact me on 087 7565361". Then on Saturday the 105km cycle of 8 parishes as well as the shorter circuit of Abbeyfeale parish will take place and if you would like to register please contact John Collins. (087) 2258808 or Tom O’ Shaughnessy (087) 6820506. Later that evening, Michael Collins and his band will provide the entertainment 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 has already been made to the Hope Foundation.
ABBEYFEALE COMMUNITY GARDEN: The garden is looking terrific these days under the care of Tus worker Micheal Scannell. Do call in to see it. The Brothers of Charity from Mountmahon have been setting seeds in the tunnel with Lorcan Curtin, Ann McEnery and Margaret McKenna and getting classes in Beekeeping from our resident Beekeeper Seamus Quinlan. Tesco, Abbeyfeale have named us as one of the recipients of their community fund so please everyone put your blue token in our container and help us gather some funds.
NATIONAL QUIZ FINALS: Could you answer the following questions; It has the atomic number 33 and is not good for you if exposed to it. What is it? What is the name of the first ever Postage Stamp? Who was Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu better known as? Answers: Arsenic, Penny Black and Mother Teresa. These are just some of the wide ranging questions that Under 11 and Under 13 boys and girls from around the country had to answer at the Credit Union sponsored National Quiz Finals held recently at the RDS in Dublin. Four 6th class boys from St Marys Boys National School were the first pupils ever to represent Abbeyfeale at the finals in the competitions 25 year history. Shane O’ Connell, Shay O’Sullivan, Jack Leonard and Eoin Semple were the team of four who won the selection process held within the school. They then went on to win a Local Round held at Shanagolden, Co Limerick and then went all the way to a tie breaker in the Regional Round held at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel in Tralee, Co. Kerry. This saw them qualifying for the National Finals in Dublin which was attended by their proud parents along with representatives of St Marys Boys National School, Master Sean Woulfe, Mike Sullivan with wife Barbara and Margaret Collins, Manager of the Abbeyfeale Credit Union Branch. Although they didn’t win the finals they all had a good day out including having their photos taken with Brian Ormond – Quiz Master on the day – and did their parents and Abbeyfeale’s St. Marys Boys National School proud. Well done boys!
FLEADH BY THE FEALE: Celebrating its 21st year, the Fleadh by the Feale kicks off on Thursday 30th of April and runs until Monday 4th of May in Abbeyfeale. A weekend full of music, song and dance it is a vibrant and wonderful traditional Irish music weekend. Abbeyfeale town extends a warm welcome to all to join us for what promises to be a great weekend. With a full calendar of events from the famous Busking competition on Friday evening at 7pm, to the master workshops for musicians seeking to fine tune their skills in a range of instruments including Fiddle, Flute, Accordion, Concertina, Banjo and Singing. Open air entertainment is available all through the weekend on the gig rig in the Square and music session take place in most of the pubs in town. Storytelling takes place in St Ita’s Hall with the gifted and entertaining Daisy Kearney at 3pm on Sunday. The All Ireland Bone Playing competitions for junior and senior takes place on Sunday afternoon & Monday evening respectively. The celebrity Concert sponsored by Kostal Ireland brings the iconic Kilfenora Céilí Band to town on Sunday evening at 8pm in Coláiste Íde & Iosef. Tickets cost €20 and are available from Slice of Life Main Street Abbeyfeale 068 32655, Abbey Tiles Main Street on 068 31109, John O’Sullivan on 086 3165848 and Celine McNally on 087 7697672. Don’t miss out! Further details on the weekend are available at the above numbers or at www.fleadbythefeale.com. A warm welcome awaits you in Abbeyfeale this May Bank Holiday weekend.
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 10am Michael Ahern. Friday 11am Confirmation Friday 7pm Michael Walsh, Dromtrasna Month’s mind. Saturday 11am Adrian Doyle, Colbert Terrace. Intention for next weekend 7pm Richard Tobin, Main Street, John C Jackie Daly, New Street 50th Anniversary. Sunday 9.30am Josie Doherty, Tournafulla. Will Joe & Mary Collins and their son Billy. 12noon Johnny Nash, Knocknasna. Andrea Costello. Mountmahon. Monday, April 27 @ 7pm Frankie Noonan.
. St. Anthony Novena takes place each Monday at the 7pm evening Mass. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena each Friday morning at 10am. 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.
USES OF THE PARISH OFFICES: Narcotics Anonymous meet every Monday night @ 8pm Al-anon meet on Tuesday evening @ 8pm. A.A. meet every Wednesday afternoon @ 3pm Friday night @ 8pm and Sunday mornings @ 10am. These organisations are a great voluntary support to many people and we are happy to host their meetings in our parish office.
DARKNESS INTO LIGHT: Registration for Darkness into Light, Newcastlewest takes place at Feale Fit, Mountmahon, Abbeyfeale (opposite Kostal) on Saturday, May 2.
Registration fees are: €25 per adult, €15 OAP/Students/Jobseekers, €65 family (2 adults, 2 children) €20 per person for a group of 5 or more people. Children under 14 go free but must be accompanied by an adult. For anyone who has already registered online, you can bring along your print-out and collect your t-shirt.
YOUTH CLUBS: Abbey legends are in St.Ita’s on Friday from 8 – 9.30pm. Teens together are in St.Ita’s on Saturday night from 7.45 – 9.15pm. The yolo club are in the complex on Saturday night from 7.45 – 9.15pm. Leaders training continues on Thursday night from 7-9pm. More male leaders are wanted, anyone interested contact Kate Murphy on 0876210490 or Anthony Scannell on 0872264023.
COMMEMORATION FOR TIMOTHY O’NEILL LANE: The Commemoration will take .place on Saturday, May 9 with the Blessing of the ancestral grave in Brosna, County Kerry @ 3.00pm by An t-Athair Mícheál de Listiún. An unveiling of a display table will take place next to Hall Inse Bháin in Templeglantine after the ceremony in Brosna. A reception will be held in Halla Inse Bháin afterwards.
HORSE AND PONY RACING: For the continued success of this meeting we urgently need new committee members. Anyone interested can contact Toddy McMahon on 0872029395, or Vincent O’Connor on 087 1470013.
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, May 6. Further information from Bridget on 087 2343227.
ST. ITA’S FAITH CAMP: This annual camp will take place on August 4-7 in the Boys N.S. If you would like to help out please contact Lorraine on 086 3765751 or Martina on 087 2788834.
YOUNG PRIESTS SOCIETY: Sr. Anne Collins, Diocesan President, St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society, wishes to let you know that the Vigil of Prayer for Vocations will be held in St. Nessan’s Church, Raheen, on Saturday, April 25. The Vigil will commence with Holy Mass at 6.00pm and conclude with Benediction at 9.00pm. Rev. Leslie McNamara, Director of Vocations, will attend during of the vigil.
GREAT LIMERICK RUN: The 6th annual Barrington’s Hospital Great Limerick Run (BHGLR), is taking place on Sunday May 3. Because of the increasing numbers taking part (13,000) traffic restrictions will be in place throughout the core city centre and parts of the suburbs.
SPECIAL SERVICE IN N.C.W. CHURCH: Healing of Silent Memories: – for the naming of babies/children who have died as a result of miscarriage, still birth or sudden infant death takes place in Newcastle West Church on Wednesday, April 22at 8.00pm. All parents, siblings, grandparents and others affected by the loss of a baby/child are very welcome to attend regardless of whether the loss was recent or long ago. If anyone would like to remember a baby/child, please write their name in the Book of Remembrance at the display in the church and they will be remembered at the service.
ATHEA DRAMA GROUP: DVDS of our production of ‘It’s the Real McCoy’ are available to buy at Brouder’s Shop Athea and Ann Lyons in Abbeyfeale.
BEREAVEMENT SUPPPORT: A support programme for Adults is held every Thursday night from 7.30 – 9pm in St. Ita’s Hall. The local group can be contacted at 068- 31203/31262/31741/31322 or 51894.
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.
SUE RYDER: Donations for the shop and recycling are always welcome and appreciated. We can recycle clothing, shoes and bags. Unfortunately we are unable to accept electrical items and duvets or pillows. Thank you for your continued support.
DAY TRIP TO BLOOM: Day Trip to Bloom 2015 Festival of Gardens on Sunday, May 31. If there is sufficient interest we will take a bus. Concession tickets for Senior Citizens booked on line €15 each – if booked on site on the day €17. Each person would be responsible for booking their own ticket. If you are interested please contact me as soon as possible. Maureen 087 9845102.
DARKNESS INTO LIGHT: Walk/Run will take place in Newcastle west on May 9 @ 4.15am in aid of Pieta House.
MEN’S SHED: The Men’s Shed is open every Monday evening from 6-9pm. New members are always very welcome.
DAY TRIP: Maureen Finnegan NCW says” Monday, May 18 – we have a sweet treat for everyone as we are going to the Skelligs Chocolate Facotory in Kerry. We will be takiing in all the beautiful scenery and many places of interest. Breakfast and four course dinner in the River Island Hotel, Castleisland. Going to print we have a few seats available so immediate booking is advisable. Contact Maureen 087 9845102.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Ireland’s Annual Collection – Friday, April 24- Volunteers needed. The money raised on the day will be used to ensure its promise of offering people with an intellectual disability the opportunity to participate in sport in their lives. If you can spare one hour please contact Ann McCarten 086-849437 or Maureen Finnegan 087 9845102. Thank you.
PRIDE OF PLACE: Limerick City and County Council are currently seeking expressions of interest from communities interested in taking part in this year’s Pride of Place Competition. Pride of Place is an all-island competition that acknowledges the work that communities are doing all over the island of Ireland. Its focus is about people coming together to shape, change and improve daily lives in their communities. Entry is by way of county, city or district council nomination only. http://www.limerick.ie/council/pride-place-2015
ENROL IN SCOIL NAOMH PÁDRAIG: The country, co-educational, catholic primary school located at Knocknasna, Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick is now accepting enrolments for September 2015. Come and visit us to meet our teachers and see our facilities. Arrange an appointment for a time convenient to you. Tel: 068 32121 Mobile: 087 9601506 Email: knocknasnans Website: www.knocknasnans.ie
RAMBLING HOUSE: Listowel Rambling House will take place in the Seanchaí Centre on Thursday, April 30 from 9.15 pm. Admission free, tea/coffee served.
LECTURE: The Seanchaí Centre will host a lecture on ‘Herbert Horatio Kitchener’ by Padraig O Concubhair on Tuesday April 28 and Dr. Declan Downey will give a lecture on ‘Aspects of North Kerry’s dimension in the struggle between Napoleon & Wellington’ on Wednesday April 29. Both lectures commence at 7.30 pm.
DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE: Limerick Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will takes place from June 21 -26. For further details contact 061/314111 email pilgrimage
CYCLE AGAINST SUICIDE: Saturday, May 2 next, over 500 cyclists will arrive into Limerick as part of a 14 day awareness cycling event. We are a voluntary organisation and are looking to the community for help in welcoming these cyclists to our city & county. There are a number of ways we need your help from an hour decorating to providing a Homestay bed for weary cyclists. If you’d like help us or would like more information please contact Martin or Lorraine at 087-4484278 or email Cycleagainstsuicide.limerick
LIMERICK BEEKEEPERS: For information on beekeeping classes contact our Education Officer, Donal Cooper (087 2742916) or any other member of the Committee. Membership details can be found on http://www.limerickbees.net
SPACES FOR JOBSEEKERS: ‘Spaces for Jobseekers’ in Abbeyfeale meet on a weekly basis. Activities include training, information sessions etc. The group meets in the Old Tech, Room 10 on Mondays at 2.30pm. If you are interested, please contact Ivana at West Limerick Resources on 069 61316, or simply come along and check what it’s all about.
DOMESTIC ABUSE SERVICE: ADAPT has a 24 hour Freephone helpline 1800 200 504 and 24 hour access to safe refuge in Limerick. Services ADAPT offers are available to women over 18 years of age and their children and are free of charge.
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.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.
BINGO BUSSES: Eoin 087 2522402 leaves for Castleisland from outside Tuohig’s Supervalue at 7.40 pm every Tuesday and Dinjoe goes to Shanagolden.
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.
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).
COUNTRY MUSIC ON THE INTERNET: Joe’s Country Kingdom www.irishcountrymusicradio.com Saturday 9pm-Midnight (Irish Time)
Tuesday 8-11pm (Irish Time) features Irish Country Music, Irish traditional music, humorous stories and Cowboy Corner.
FETAC TRAINING: Broadford Sports Programme is currently taking registration of anyone who may be interested in joining the course this September. The programme offers FETAC Level 5 Sports Recreation & Exercise Full Major Award and is based out of the Broadford Enterprise Centre. The programme is aimed at those that are unemployed and a training allowance is provided for those in receipt of a social welfare payment. For more information or to register your interest please phone Tony – 0877515692, Julieanne – 0877505431 or Adrienne – 0872773294.
RALLY OF THE LAKES: Plans are at an advanced stage to create a motorsport festival on the streets of Killarney town during the annual Rally of the Lakes – the three-day event will begin with a ceremonial start in the town centre on Friday evening at 7pm May 1.
Abbeyfeale Gathering Festival 