PROLOGUE: "Common sense and a sense of humour are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humour is just common sense, dancing."
William James.
100 YEARS A GROWING: Meenkilly N.S. is holding its Centenary Celebration on Saturday, June 13. The celebrations will start with the celebration of Mass by Bishop Brendan Leahy at 12 noon and will be followed by light refreshments and live entertainment. This is a Community Celebration and all present and past pupils are invited as well as members of the wider community. The organising committee have made every effort to contact all past pupils. Apologies for any omissions so please accept this as your invitation.
KEYS FOUND: A set of keys were found at the front of the Parish Community Garden, the keys look like safe keys. Contact Fr. Joe.
REMEMBERING ZOE: The first annual remembering zoe w/e was a huge success thanks to the weather, the volunteers who helped, the people who provided the food, entertainment, marshalling, all those who donated spot prizes, sponsorship or their time. We cannot forget all the cyclists who took part in the first ever Cycle Challenge events and whom we look forward to welcoming back next year. We will have a full report in the coming weeks.
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: Just 9 weeks to go until the third annual Gather by the Feale kicks off on Thursday, July 16 with A Cradle of Swans at the Glorach Theatre – a mix of music, visual art, drama and the spoken word. As well, the Carnival will open in the Square, the Bat walk takes place in the Town Park and the Darts Run gets underway. Then on Friday the Food and Craft Fair on the Cobbles on Friday will be followed by a visit to Fitzgeralds Stables for the under 13’s, the children’s novelty fancy dress motor parade down the Main St. takes place from 6.30pm and will be followed by the Battle of the Feale, the Carnival in the Square and the Cinema under the Stars as well as entertainment in various pubs around town. Saturday is a packed day with The Race for the Title setting off at 10am, the Soapbox Derby down the Hill Road starting at 2pm and continuing until 6pm, Spin City in the Square, Hermitage Green in the Marquee at the Grove supported by No Direction and Sound as a Pound and all that will be followed by live music in various pubs. Sunday brings the festival to a close but not before the Family Fun Day in the Grove which will include the All Ireland Tug of War and Sheaf Tossing events, Zorb soccer tournament, Berge Motor Track, Bouncy Castles, face painting, arts and crafts, games and all the things that go to make a family have a fun day out. To round off the evening we have the much anticipated Battle of the DJ’s in the festival Marquee and of course the town will be buzzing with music in the pubs. Stamina will be required in bucket loads!
COMMUNITY MEETING ABBEYFEALE: West Limerick Resources, in cooperation with the Abbeyfeale Community Development Association (ACDA), is holding a public meeting in the Glorach Theatre Abbeyfeale this Thursday May 21 at 7.30pm to consult with the Community on developing the most appropriate community structures in Abbeyfeale to assist with the implementation of the recently prepared Community Enhancement Plan. West Limerick Resources has agreed to facilitate this meeting which will examine what is currently in place in the town and help assess and implement any changes required. This meeting is your opportunity to have an input into the final format of this structure and to play and active role in enhancing Abbeyfeale for the benefit of all. All are welcome
LIMERICK BEEKEEPER ASSOCIATION: Membership details can be found on the following website: http://www.limerickbees.net
SPACES 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? Join ‘Spaces for Jobseekers’ in Abbeyfeale. Group meets on a weekly basis and are open to old and new members of all ages. Activities include training, information sessions etc. The times are as follows: Abbeyfeale, The Old Tech, and 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.
YOUTH CLUBS: All clubs meet in the town park at 7pm- 8.30pm on Friday evening, weather permitting. Friday is last chance to pay for anyone that wants to go to Oakwood or Jamie Knox or the Burren. Registration for the first year club is on Thursday 21 from 7.30-8pm in St. Ita’s Hall. All young people must be accompanied by an adult and due to a limited spaces its first come first served. Registration is €10.
ATHLETICS EVENING: Abbeyfeale Community Games will be holding our Athletics evening on Tuesday, May 26 in the GAA field. Registration at 6pm with races starting at 6.30 SHARP. There will be events from toddlers to U16. Children must be from the Abbeyfeale Community Games Area. There will also be novelty events on the night. Any adult or youth who is willing to help out or for further information please ring Maurice Cullinane on 087 6315169.
DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE: Limerick Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will takes place from June 21 -26. For further details contactpilgrimage
WEST LIMERICK TOURISM: West Limerick Tourism is a voluntary organisation established to raise the profile of tourism in West Limerick and to foster a spirit of support and co-operation among the tourism and hospitality trade in West Limerick. West Limerick Tourism has a committee of nine drawn from various sectors including accommodation, visitor attractions, retail & pubs, visitor services and heritage. West Limerick Tourism has a membership of approximately forty but would like more businesses to get involved. The annual membership rate is €30 and a membership form can be obtained by e-mailing visitwestlimerickmedia. Please note that accommodation providers must be Failte Ireland approved.
SUMMER BRIDGE: Abbeyfeale Bridge Club “Summer Bridge" will be starting Thursday May 21 at 7.30pm in the Railway Bar, Abbeyfeale, members, beginners and visitors all welcome. Abbeyfeale Bridge Club, "Club Championship" was held over the last two Thursday nights, results:-1st Marian Flannery and Betty O’Leary, 2nd Ann Eggleston and Gerardine Ward. 3rd Maureen Dillane and Mary Moloney. Our sincere congratulations to all winners.
ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY: The Wednesday club wishes to thank everyone who supported their tea day, on behalf of above society, at the Adult Education Centre, Abbeyfeale. The total amount raised was €473- 52.
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.
GRADUATION MASS IN COLÁISTE IDE AGUS IOSEF: Mass at 7pm. Congratulations to all students who are graduating and best wishes for their new lives starting from mid June when the exams will be done and dusted.
LOUGH DERG PILGRIMAGE: Saturday May 30 – Monday June 1. Fee €120. Bookings 087 3966399.
CLEAN UP: Please come to St. Mary’s Graveyard at 11am on Saturday morning next to bring it back to its former glory.
TOWN PARK NOTES: Please note that for the summer months the town park gate will be locked each night at 9.00 p.m.
EASIER PARENTING COURSE: The Adult Education Centre every Tuesday. Booking Mary 087 9382882.
I.C.A.: 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: Thursday 10am James and Mary Scully, Mountmahon. Friday 8.15am Joan Broderick, Shanbally. Friday 10am Eileen, Micheal J and deceased family members of the Broderick family.Saturday 11am Nora Moloney, Knocknasna. 7pm Kathleen Wren, New St., Denis Barry, Clash Road. Sunday 9.30am William and Eileen Healy, Ballaugh, 12 nooon Nora Flynn and deceased family members. Denny Ann O’Connor, Kilconlea Lwr. Monday 25 7pm Mary Ita McCarthy, Shanbally.
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.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL PREVENTION SEMINAR: Towards 2016 – A Drug and Alcohol Prevention Seminar. SAVE THE DATE! Wednesday June 17, 2015. The Mid-West Regional Drugs and Alcohol Forum and the Western Region Drugs Task Force in partnership with the Diploma in Drug and Alcohol Studies at the University of Limerick want to hear your voice! Join us for the big THINK IN…An interactive seminar to consider good practice and the future direction of prevention work in the drug and alcohol sector. HAVE YOUR SAY.
RAMBLING HOUSE: Listowel Rambling House will be held in the Seanchaí Centre, Listowel on Thursday May 28 from 9.15 pm. A great evening of traditional music, song, dance & storytelling is guaranteed. Admission is free, tea/coffee served.
CLASSICAL DELIGHTS: On Wednesday May 20 St. Mary’s Cathedral Killarney welcomes the Eastern Kentucky University Choir with a classical repertoire. All welcome, admission free, concert begins at 8 pm.
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.
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.
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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.
Abbeyfeale Gathering Festival 