PROLOGUE: "Self-pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never do anything wise in this world."
Helen Keller
DEATH: Sincere sympathy to the family of the late Paddy O’Loughlin, Dromtrasna Collins whose death occurred recently. May he rest in peace. We also offer our sympathies to Fr. Joe Foley on the death of two of his uncles recently.
REMEMBERING ZOE: It’s here at last – all the meetings, all the planning, all the preparations have come to fruition and the Remembering Zoe weekend kicks off next Friday night. The weekend starts at the Glorach Theatre at 8pm and features Zoe’s friends, the songs of One Direction, comedy, traditional music, song and dance and much more. Tickets are at a premium with only a few remaining so contact Producer/Director Margaret Curtin on 087 7565361. Then Saturday morning the Cycle of the 8 Parishes sets off from Fr. Casey’s at 10am followed by the Circuit of Abbeyfeale at 1.00pm. There will be entertainment and food provided at Fr. Casey’s all day for the cyclists. Later that night Michael Collins and his band are the star act at the Benefit Dance in the Sports Complex at Fr. Casey’s – tickets €10 available from committee members, Ann Lyons, The Square and on the door. Sunday will bring the weekend to a close with something for all the family at the GAA grounds from 2pm. There will be a Dog Show, camogie blitz, athletics, an obstacle course, basketball blitz as well as bouncy castles, hair braiding and all followed by a kiddies disco from 6 – 7.30pm. If you have any energy left Ivan Ryan will perform in the Clubhouse from 7.30pm – 10pm thus bringing the first annual Remembering Zoe weekend to an end. The committee have received wonderful spot prizes including two tickets for Ed Sheerin, a child’s bicycle, a night in the George Hotel, a voucher for Bellisimo, signed jerseys and much much more so a raffle will take place over all the weekend with cards available in local shops and at the different venues. The proceeds of the weekend will be divided between Bru Columbanus and FirstLight with a donation already made to the Hope Foundation. Plans are already in train for this weekend to become an annual event thus ensuring that little Zoe will remain at the heart of this community and never be forgotten.
CAR BOOT SALE AND INDOOR MARKET: The monthly car boot sale in aid of WL102fm will take place at the Community Centre, Newcastle west on Sunday next May 17. Gates open at 7.30am. The station will shortly be celebrating 10 years on air and the car boot sale is an integral part of the fundraising effort to help it stay on air.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION: The gates of the churchyard will be locked next Friday evening to allow for parking for First Holy Communion next Saturday, May 16 at 11am.
ROSARY AT KILLEENAGH BLESSED WELL: The Rosary will be held at the Holy well every Friday during May at 8pm with Mass on the last Friday in May.
CLASS CEILI: Josephine O’Connor will be holding a ceili at Fr. Casey’s on Saturday, May 30 from 9pm for all her students.
THIRD ANNUAL GATHER BY THE FEALE JULY 16-19: We are just finalising the details for the planned festival and have confirmed Hermitage Green – the acoustic folk rock group from Limerick as our headline act for the Festival Marquee on Saturday, July 18. Other highlights will include A Cradle of Swans at the Glorach Theatre – a mix of music, visual art, drama and the spoken word, the annual Food and Craft Fair on the Cobbles in the Square, the Family Fun Day, the first annual Race for the Title (Athletics Ireland 10k Road Race and mini athletics), Cinema under the Stars, the first annual Soapbox Derby down the Hill Road, Spin City amusements in the Square, a darts run and much, much more.
Guaranteed loads of family entertainment so be sure and mark it in the diary because Abbeyfeale will be the place to be next July.
WESTMEATH BEATS WEXFORD WITH AID OF LIMERICK MAN: James Birmingham son of Helen Finucane from St. Ita’s Terrace plays centre back on the Westmeath minor hurling team which beat Wexford by 3 points last Saturday. Helen is the sister of Paddy Finucane who is the Chairman of the local Fianna Fail cumann and King of St. Ita’s Wrenboys.
BANK OF IRELAND NATIONAL ENTERPRISE WEEK: We are having a ‘Digi Awareness’evening with late opening on Tuesday May 19 (6 to 8pm) and will have some members of the Banks social media Team on hand with sample devices to demonstrate use of Tablets/ smartphones as well as the Banks website. While our focus is how these items can be used to make banking easier we would welcome general enquiries (”bring along your own new smartphone!”) and interest as we all get to grips with the myriad of new options arising. The following morning on Wednesday, May 20 we will host a Business Networking Coffee morning 10 – 11am in branch and the social media team will be on hand to talk about social Media including Facebook /Linkedin Twitter etc. We would like to extend the invitation to local business people to call by and get some useful practical pointers. The hope is that a similar networking and exchange of contacts could take place at another venue later in the summer. The twice yearly Show Your Business opportunity for businesses to showcase in branch will this year be available each Thursday and Friday through May.
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.
YOUTH CLUB: No clubs this weekend due to Remembering Zoe w/e. Registration for the first year club is the on Thursday 21 from 7.30-8pm. All young people must be accompanied by an adult and due to a limited spaces its first come first served. Registration is €10.
TOWN PARK NOTES: It was with deep disappointment and great regret that due to the extreme weather conditions our Annual Dog Show had to be postponed on Sunday last. We apologise for any inconvenience caused but the good news is that we have re-scheduled the event for Sunday June 7 at 2.00 p.m. We hope for a good day next time. The latest arrival to the park are rabbits. They are usually seen early in the morning or late in the evening just below the basketball court. So if you walk quietly along the path you will see them in the grass. . Please note that for the summer months the town park gate will be locked each night at 9.00 p.m.
FEALE FIT: Well done to all the Fealefit crew who came out and supported Darkness into light 5k run / walk last Saturday morning at 4.15am.Great turn out for a great cause. Fealefit Couch to 10k training every friday. 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 July 18, Gather by the Feale’s ‘ Race to the Title ‘ Training continues this Friday @6.15pm at the Railway Abbeyfeale. 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 Funday May 17please contact Shane 087 2891015
I.C.A.: Due to unforeseen circumstances it became necessary to switch our activities for the meetings on Tuesday May 12 & 19. . We are now holding our auction on Tuesday May 12 and our final session of Pilates on Tuesday May 19. Our meetings are held at the Community Education Centre, Mountmahon. New members are always welcome.
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: Novena to St. Joseph Monday at the 7pm evening Mass. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena each Friday morning at 10am. Adoration every Tuesday and Friday from 8am – 10pm and Monday, Wednesday 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. The Rosary will be held at 7.30pm every evening during May.
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT: A support programme for Adults is held every Thursday night 7.30 – 9pm. The local group can be contacted at 068 31203/31262, 31741, 31322 or 51894.
MEN’S SHED: The Men’s Shed is open every Monday evening from 6 -9pm. New members are always very welcome.
IRISH DANCING: The popular Irish Step dancing and Sean Nos Dancing classes continue in the Top of the Town each Thursday evening with step dancing at 7pm and Sean Nos following at 8pm. Beginners most welcome.
UPDATE FROM FR. PAT MOORE: It is a long time since I wrote an entry. These weeks have been filled with a lot of sleep, huge awareness of the activities in every part of my body and the weakness that follows. Nothing readies you for it but life is lived forward and understood or felt back ways so often. I have been singularly blessed in being able to accept a new pace of life and able to find that there is so much so close. I have been drinking through a straw, had no appetite for food, no taste buds. To a meal I bring a deck of cards to play solitaire a few times (I prefer cards to the iPad, it doesn’t allow you cheat!). Last week I thought the taste for ice cream was back after seeing an ad for a white magnum, but alas it wasn’t for the ice cream! Why am I telling you this, because I was able for it and it wasn’t that hard as I felt my way through it? I find a great willingness in me to trust and this is a blessing too. Being surrounded by positive people and ideas helps, I’m thinking now of John Moriarty’s story. The old woman who lived out her final years alone, by her fireside, between her table and bed hardly ever leaving home “and I have only two teeth left in my head, but thank God, isn’t one opposite the other”!!
CALLING ALL FARMERS: Willie O’Regan Farm Consultant 087 9796914 is available to help with applications for the Glas scheme.
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 20. Further information from Bridget on 087 2343227.
MAUREEN’S JUNE DAY TRIP: We are going to the beautiful Glen of Aherlow on Sunday, June 21 which will be at this time of year a blaze of colour. Also we will go to Swiss Cottage in Cahir and we will be having our breakfast and dinner in Kilfinane. Names are being taken now so if you’re interested in a good day out now is the time to contact Maureen 087 9845102.
DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE: Limerick Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will takes place from June 21 -26. For further details contactpilgrimage
IRISH COUNTRY icmrrequests
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.
GREEN RIBBON EVENT: Limerick Mental Health Association is a non-profit organisation, which aims are to promote positive mental health awareness, to reduce the stigma that attached to mental health and to support people who experience mental health difficulties. In May, ‘See Change’, the National Stigma Reduction Partnership is rolling out a month long national green ribbon campaign to get people talking openly about mental health problems. Limerick Mental Association are holding a Green Ribbon Event on Sunday, May 17 in the Limerick Milk Market with information stalls, music, and children’s entertainment as it is so important to promote open conversation of mental health and challenging the stigma of mental health problems. If you would like to learn more or get involved, please contact Amanda at No: 3 Sexton Street, Limerick. Telephone: lecheilelimerick
TRIP TO BLOOM CANCELLED: Bloom Garden Festival on Sunday, May 31 has been CANCELLED due to insufficient numbers. Bloom Garden Festival runs from Thursday, May 28 – Monday, June 1 in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. For those who wish to make their own travel arrangements take the train from Limerick to Hueston Station and there is a free shuttle bus service direct to the park.
HAVE YOU A SPECIAL RECIPE: Do you have a recipe with the wow factor that your family and friends love to see you cooking for them? If so, you could see it on the specials’ boards in one of Listowel’s finest restaurants during the Listowel Food Fair and win €200! All you have to do is email the recipe details to info The organisers of Ireland’s longest running food festival, which takes place 18-21 June, will shortlist eight recipes and the chefs in four of Listowel’s restaurants will include two of them on the menu during service on Saturday 20 June. The owner of the recipe used to create the dish that is ordered the most will be crowned the culinary champion. Entry deadline is next Monday 18 May 2015 and full details are on the Listowel Food Fair websitewww.listowelfoodfair.ie Bon Appetit!
Abbeyfeale Gathering Festival 