PROLOGUE: "All I ask is the chance to prove that money can’t make me happy."
Spike Milligan.
DEATH|: Sincere sympathies are offered to the Walsh family on the death of Mrs. Mary Ann Walsh and to Ms. Lily O’Keefe on the death of her sister Mary. May they both rest in peace.
WEDDING BELLS: Congratulations to Ciara Cahill, Knocknasna who married Micheal Woods last Saturday. We wish them many years of happiness together.
ANNUAL MASS IN ST. MARY’S GRAVEYARD; Thursday, September 3 at 7pm. All welcome.
ABBEYFEALE DRAMA GROUP: The AGM of the group will take place on Thursday, September 3 at 8.30pm.
CRAFTSMEN OF ABBEYFEALE continued:
‘Twas a fine sight to see the quilt makers of old
As they skilfully stiched at the frame.
In the kitchens, their workshops, toiled Widow Forde
And the wife of Mayo Tip Keane.
We were proud of our nailers, James Fetton and Histon
And at last a clan’s man of my own,
The famed Danny Con who composed his fine songs
And fixed fiddles outside his front door.
My story is over, they all have passed on.
Now they serve in a far better place.
Where their labours rewarded, their handiwork blessed.
Do they wonder who’s taking their place?
Are they sad when they see a cold heartless machine
Do the work which they did so grand?
Whisha! Progress is fine but can never compare
With the touch of a craftsman’s hand.
Margaret O’Shea 1978.
ABBEYFEALE YOUTH CLUBS; Child protection training on Thursday, September 10/17 from 7-9pm for the new leaders. Contact Kate Murphy on 0876210490 or Anthony Scannell on 0872264023.
FEALEFIT: Fealefit will commence Half Marathon Training August 29, training is free of charge and open to all for Listowel half marathon November 14.
ABBEYFEALE COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTRE: As our so called summer comes to an end we delight to announce that this Autumn we will be running FETAC accredited courses in Computers, Business, Horticulture and Furniture restoration. For further details call 06831198.
GREAT SOUTHERN TRAIL: The Directors of the Great Southern Trail Ltd have decided to cease managing the Greenway as and from Sunday, November 8 next. Their licence with C.I.E. who are the owners of the Greenway will also cease.
ABBEY HERITAGE PROJECT; The project will hold an open day in St. Ita’s Hall on Tuesday, September 8 next where full details of the yearlong full time course that is on offer will be available.
THE WEST LIMERICK MAN WHO WROTE A DICTIONARY:" The book of the above title by Seaghan Mac an tSionnaigh is now available in the following local stores: Ann Lyons, the Shop, Square, Abbeyfeale., Supervalue,Bridge St. Abbeyfeale., Edmond O’Donoghue, Convent St. Abbeyfeale, Pat Buckley, Devon Road Cross, Templeglantine. The Irish Language equivalent "Focail agus Foclóireacht T.O’Neill Lane" is available from: www.coisceim.ie or Éamonn Ó Liatháin at 068 30925.
NEW SEASON OF TOASTMASTERS: If you hate the thought of standing up to speak at a meeting or getting a point across in company then Toastmasters could be the club for you. In it, you’ll get the chance to practice speaking in public within the confines of the group of people who attend the club and who are all on the same wavelength as yourself. Meetings take place on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday at the Desmond Complex in NCW from 8.30pm – 10.30pm. There’s always a cup of tea on offer and it’s a social night out with a chance to learn a skill that will carry you anywhere you want to go. Further information Charles 087 7972855. First meeting takes place on Wednesday, September 2.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR AFTERSCHOOLS CLUBS: West Limerick Resources is starting an afterschool club in Abbeyfeale this September for primary school children. The club will run two afternoons a week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) from 3 – 4:30pm. Working with West Limerick Resources staff, volunteers are being south to help children to get the additional support they need to succeed at school including supporting them to complete homework and take part in activities including art/play/physical activities. Training will be provided along with references for volunteers who commit to one or two hours a week for an agreed time period. Garda vetting is required. Contact Irene on 069 66298 or email iocallaghan.
SUPPORTING CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES: Learn how to support children with learning needs at school. The workshop will cover understanding sensory processing and motor coordination and useful strategies to incorporate into the classroom environment to improve a child’s concentration, organisational skills and handwriting. FREE Open to parents, teachers, SNAs and childcare workers living/working in West Limerick. Venue: Newcastle West Family and Community Hub (Upstairs Newcastle West Community Centre) Date: Tuesday September 29th Time: 7:30-9:15pm. Booking not required. Entrance Free. All are Welcome! For further information: Contact Theresa on 069 79113.
SAFETALK: This half-day alertness workshop will prepare people to become a suicide-alert helper. Safe TALK helps people to identify persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid resources. Following a safeTALK workshop you will be more willing and able to perform an important helping role for persons with thoughts of suicide. Suitable for everyone over 15, who wants to help prevent suicide including front line workers, clergy, volunteers, parents, teachers, citizens etc. Where: Askeaton Community Centre When: September 3rd 2015. Time: 4:45 – 9pm. Cost: Free. Please Note: This course will only run if there is sufficient interest in the area. Places need to be reserved. Call/ text Irene on 087 4477338/ 069 66298.
COMMUNITY SPORTS PROGRAMME: Limerick Sports Partnership is running a Community Sports Programme for Job Seekers 2 days per week in Newcastle West starting mid-September in Newcastle West. This is open to people who have been unemployed for 12 months or over and will run for 14 weeks. Upon completion, participants will receive Introductory Coaching Certificates including Active Leadership, Coaching Children, Disability Inclusion & Kick Start 1 (FAI) as well as a Level 4 certificate in Career Planning. Where possible, transport will be provided for participants from Askeaton, Rathkeale, Abbeyfeale or en route from these locations. This course will include a 28 hour work placement in a community setting. Contact Liam or Kathleen in the LSP at 061-333600. Alternatively, call Irene in West Limerick Resources at 06966298. Applications are to be received by August 26. Places are limited to 12.
SINGING CLUB: West Limerick Singing Club are now holding their monthly singing session on the first Friday of each month in Philip Enright’s Wander Inn, Church St., Abbeyfeale at 9pm.
MEN’S SHED: The Men’s Shed is open every Monday evening from 6 -9pm. New members are always very welcome.
SAGART PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES: The annual pilgrimage takes place on from September 22-27. Contact Fr. John or Fr. Joe.
ABBEYFEALE PARENT & TODDLER GROUP: Abbeyfeale Parent & Toddler continues to meet across the summer months in St. Ita’s Hall every Tuesday & Thursday 11.30 to 12.30pm. New parents and babies/toddlers are always welcome.
GATES CLOSING: Please note that for the summer months the town park gate will be locked each night at 9.00 p.m.
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 Helen Buckley, Limerick and Banard. Saturday 11am William and Nora Murphy, Sunday 9.30am Jerry Foley, The Hill Rd. 12 noon Chrissie Collins, Ballaugh, Con Lane, Abbeyfeale Hill.
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. The church Webcam is now officially switched on and broadcasting live. Almost anyone in the world can now view live broadcasts of events in Abbeyfeale parish church by logging onto www.churchservices.tv/abbeyfealeparish. A direct link from the parish website has been set up.
NATIONAL GRANDPARENTS PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK: Sunday, September 13 with chief celebrant Bishop Brendan Leahy.
CO. LIMERICK DRUG AND ALCOHOL DROP IN CENTRE: If drugs or alcohol are a problem and you are over 18 then free help is available with no appointment necessary at the Hospital Family Resource Centre, Knockainey Road, Hospital. The service which is staffed by HSE Drug and Alcohol Outreach workers will be available on Wednesday, August 19 and every second Wednesday thereafter from 10am – 12 noon. For further information contact Geraldine on 086 6076573 or Deirdre on 086 3840526.
HERITAGE WEEK AT GORTBRACK FARM: Come and meet the ducks, donkeys and all the wildlife on the farm; includes farm nature trail, pond dipping and much more! Taking place on Sunday, August 30 from 11-1pm. Admission €5 per person or €15 for a family of 4. There will also be a Mushroom Foraging Workshop on Saturday, September 5 from 10.30 am – 4pm with Jonathan Spazzi – A one day course on identification and foraging of mushrooms, includes basic identification skills and a foraging trip to the local woods. Admission €60. Then on Saturday, September 12 there will be an Organic Gardening Workshop from 10.30-12.30 noon with Ian McGregor; Growing under cover through the winter and seed saving. Please email to book places or call Cathy Eastman on 085 7782289.
DAY OF PRAYER: A bus will leave from the church on Sunday, August 30 at 9.50 approx. and travel to Holy Cross, Thurles to celebrate a day of prayer in honour of Our Lady of Fatima. To book your seat contact Phil 087 1445072/Maureen 0879066476.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Athletes and Volunteers will be returning to training in the Community Centre, NCW on Tuesday, September 15 at 7pm. Congratulations to everyone on the success of the World Games recently.
CARERS ASSOCIATION: A level 5 Fetac award in Activities of Living Patient Care Module will be provided in Limerick on Tuesday, September 1. More information 05793 70221.
YOUTH DAY 2016: World Youth Day Cracow 2016 World Youth day is a Catholic youth festival which take s place roughly every three years and is attended by 3-5 million young people. There are various events and celebrations during the week ranging from workshops to concerts and it all finishes with a pilgrimage walk, and overnight vigil and an enormous outdoor Mass with Pope. Participants must be aged 18 or over at the time of travel. For information please contact Aoife/ Chris in the Limerick Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Limerick 061/400133. awalsh
"MARY WENT IN HASTE", this is the title of a Catholic Young Adults Conference being held in All Hallows College, Dublin on August 29/30. It is open to young adults aged between 18 and 40. The Legion of Mary in the Kerry Diocese wish to sponsor 2 young people to attend. More information from Patricia on 087 9048659
OUTING: Thomond Archaeological & Historical Society trip takes place to Northern Ireland on Monday, September 14 & returning Thursday, September 17. Visit includes briefly, Downpatrick, Belfast Titanic Experience, Stormont Castle, Antrim coast drive, Carrick-a-Rede, Bushmills, Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle, Armagh. Staying in the Carrickdale Hotel, Dundalk. For further details contact Pat O’Donovan PRO by August 7 to ensure your place. Tel: 087 9977340.
JOE HARRINGTON’S RADIO PROGRAMME: Internet radio programme on www.irishcountrymusicradio.com Every Saturday 9pm to midnight (Irish Time). Country and Irish Music presented by …Joe Harrington
click on www.irishcountrymusicradio.com
It’s also on every Tuesday 8 to 11pm (Irish Time).
IRISH TV: Check out local stories on http://www.irishtv.ie/
TRAINING PROGRAMMES: If you’ve experienced a personal setback, long-term illness, have a disability or are an early school leaver one of National Learning Network’s full-time Courses will give you the confidence to open up new opportunities for further training or employment. Our FETAC Courses range from Catering to I.T., P.C. Maintenance to Employer Based Training and our Employability Skills Programme is aimed in particular at early school leavers. To find out more: ring Val or Trish at 061 229777 or look up www.nln.ie
MATING SEASON: Day Trip to Lisdoonvarna on Wednesday September 16, leaving Newcastle west 12.30pm, we will not be too late returning. Cost for the trip just the bus fare, everyone sort out their own refreshments. We will have lots of time for dancing to the various bands in the different hotels. We will pick up en route Rathkeale, Croagh, Adare, and the South Court Hotel. For more information and booking contact Maureen 087 9845102. Maureen has also plans for a weekend break during October and a shopping trip to Blanchestown Shopping Centre on Sunday, November 22 so if your life is looking dull and dreary she’s the woman to get you out and about.
SUPPORT MEETING: Aware Depression Support Group meets: Killarney – Mondays, KDYS at 8pm,Tralee – Tuesdays, meeting room at rear of St. John’s Church at 8pm .Aware Support Groups are free to attend, no referral necessary. www.aware.ie
CHILD PROTECTION TRAINING: West Limerick Resources in conjunction with Barnardos is offering a one day Child Protection Training Course on Saturday September 5 in Newcastle West from 10am to 4.30pm. The aim of this training is to equip community groups involving children with the skills and knowledge necessary to deal with child protection issues in line with the Children First Guidelines. After taking part in the training, participants will understand their legal responsibilities and be aware of the need and procedures to record concerns appropriately. Free of charge to members of community groups (excluding sporting organisations) operating in the West Limerick area. To register contact Suzanne on 069 79114 or email srowley.
KILLARNEY LEGION OF MARY ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK SHRINE: Sunday, September 27 from the Church of the Resurrection Park Road, Killarney. The bus leaves at 6.15 a.m. Price €20. This year we coincide with the National Eucharistic Congress which is being held the same weekend in Knock. Early booking advisable. Chief Celebrant Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam and the homilist is Archbishop Charles J. Brown, Papal Nuncio. Contact Patricia 087 9048659.
YOUTH 2000 PRAYER MEETING meets every Friday at 7:30pm in Church of the Resurrection in Killarney. All young adults aged 16-35 are welcome. Ring/text 085 2053647 for more information.
EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS: Are you between the age of 18 and 24 years? Not in Education? Not in Employment? Not in Training? Not really sure what to do next? Great news – there’s a new opportunity to move forward! Join a group of people like yourself to explore your options, express your ideas, share your experience, acquire new skills, learn about yourself, look into training & education paths and meet employers and find out where you fit into the labour market. Starting on August 31st, the group will meet in the Community Centre in Rathkeale and Newcastle West twice a week for a few hours. For more information or an expression of interest form, please stop by WLR’s Rural Employment Service office, Round House, St Mary’s Road, Newcastle West or phone 069 61316. Email ikolic. NOTE- If you are in receipt of a Social Welfare Payment, it will not be affected.These initiatives are funded under the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (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
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UPDATE FROM FR. PAT MOORE: There was a wonderful event in Ballylongford last Friday night. A bust to our local poet, Brendan Kennelly was unveiled in the Church Grounds. A huge crowd attended, unfortunately I couldn’t be there. Our local minister Jimmy Denihan spoke and later in the Parish Hall there was memorable poetry and music.
And, to top the weekend off Kerry won the double and we have another day out in September to look forward to, thanks to the dedication and skill of so many. (Abridged)
ARDFERT RETREAT CENTRE: Certificate in Spirituality – This course which will be run in the Autumn is designed for adults to share the Word of God in family life, parish life and the wider community. On successful completion of the course, the participants will have a deeper understanding of their own faith and a willingness to share it with others. Application forms and details available at www.ardfertretreatcentre.org or phone 066 7134276.
SOLO IN SOUTH SUDAN: Helena Quinn from Purt has returned to work with Fr. Tim Galvin on his Mission in South Sudan and this week tells us about her day out in town. “Let me tell you about our day at the market in Kapoeta last Saturday.
Fuel is a rare commodity here now. There is no diesel and we have heard that a permit is now needed to move fuel outside of the capital.
We had heard that there might be fuel in Kapoeta that morning so Fr. Matthew and I went to see if we might be one of the lucky ones who managed to fill the tanks that day. Of course, once wind of the word got out that a car was going to Kapoeta…it was full! We had some teachers from both the primary and secondary schools, all of whom had business to do in the town that day. Tim was busy here working on accounts and making things ready for his trip to Narus this week.
We set off after breakfast. It was already hotter than hell even at 9:30am in the morning. The drive is about an hour and as we crossed the dry river bed we met many villagers who were on their way to the market. Mainly women carrying jerrycans of milk or waragi (the illicit local brew), charcoal or firewood on their heads. The men of course were busy sitting under the trees playing dominoes.
When we arrived, we deposited our passengers and drove out to “the junction” to see about diesel. We were out of luck I’m afraid. The truck had been stopped leaving Juba. I daren’t presume what might have happened to the fuel.
Having failed in our mission to fill the tanks, we decided to have a soda at the bar across the street from the fuel station. One beer for Fr. Matthew and I was more excited that one probably should be about the prospect of a nice cold Coca Cola. The girl brough the drinks and I didn’t notice at first but soon realised that the syrup I was given was not Coca Cola but Juba Cola! To say I was disappointed would be a huge understatement.
Because the South Sudanese Pound is now almost worthless, it is very expensive to import from Kenya. Furthermore, the customs officials at the borders seem to operate a set of rules that change weekly. For example, it is possible to move metal across the border but not wood. It is not unusual for a lorry to be held at the border for weeks. For that reason, some clever entrepreneurs in Juba have started bottling something that looks vaguely like Coca Cola but tastes like the nastiest own brand cola one can buy. Devastating!!
Afterwards we had some errands to run at the market. We went to the bakery where we picked up some bread and then to the veg market where we were again unlucky. No fruit and no eggs. Try again next week they said.
The market is also where currency exchange happens. I had Kenyan Shillings but very few South Sudanese Pounds. Tim had told me that I should expect about 130 SSP for 1000 KSH. In all honesty, the rate is a little higher than this but I wasn’t about to argue. These traders are providing a service and if they cream a little comission off the top then thats more than fair. I wanted to share around a little bit so I asked 5 different traders to change 5000 shillings for me. I expect each trader made about 20SSP from the transaction. I do love a little honest capitalism!
Once our business was done, it was time for lunch. Well, I have no idea what it was but it was delicious! I think it is called angeli which is an Ethopian dish. The restaurant came highly recommended by Tim but I was rather nervous on entering.Itwas a ramshackle tin building and I’m fairly certain that any health inspector would have had a coronary immediately on entry. I decided I was brave though and ordered the dish from the very handsome Ethopian proprieter. He returned with water and a large tray of some kind of stewed meat with rice, pasta and something orange served on a bed of fermented bread. I think its fair to say that I’ve eaten in some pretty incredible restaurants all over the world but this was right up there!!
It reminded me of my lunch with Tim and John Marren at “The Ritz” in Kapoeta on my first trip here in 2013. Tim and John still laugh at the colour I turned when I walked out the back to find them skinning a goat right beside the latrine. I pride myself on a fairly sturdy constitution but this was enough to make this girl green…and to give the boys something to really laugh about! Since then, we have called that place “The Ritz”.
Abbeyfeale Gathering Festival 