PROLOGUE: "Just like gold, which has to weather very high temperatures to achieve the sheen and shine it finally gets, so also every person has to go through struggles in his life to achieve success." Kailash Kher
DEATH: Sincere sympathy is offered to the Finucane family, St. Ita’s Terrace on the death of their sister Margaret Ryan in New York recently.
EXTENDED DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS RE: FUTURE OF ABBEYFEALE TOWN PARK: It has been decided to extend the deadline for submissions since this is the prime holiday season and many people are away. If you walk in the Park, spend time in the reflective spaces, visit the 1916 memorial garden, enjoy getting close to nature or have children who visit the playgrounds, who like to run free in a safe environment, who have the choice to attend camogie classes on the pitch, play basketball or soccer or just want to visit the ducks and hens or the fairy village then you should have your say on Abbeyfeale Town Park. After all it is of the community and for the community. If you like to see nature protected with several species of bats roosting in the trees there safe in the knowledge that the organic ethos that is central to the management of the park means that no chemicals are going to poison them, if you’re interested in seeing the forest grow and develop and would like to have your say in the future development of Abbeyfeale Town Park then why not spend a few minutes and put your ideas about how it could be further utilized i.e. used as an outdoor education centre, have an interactive app to guide visitors, guided walks, exercise machines etc. This is your chance to make a difference so send your submission to Gerardine O’Brien, Secretary to the Management Committee before Monday, August 30. Submissions can be sent by post to Ballaugh, Abbeyfeale or handed in to Little Rascals, Church St. or emailed to thelittlerascals@mail.com
BUS TO THE NOVENA: A bus will be going from Abbeyfeale on either Tuesday or Wednesday next to Knock. Please give names into the sacristy. 068/51915 during Mass Times. Times and details next weekend.
WEDDING BELLS: Maria Flynn and Timothy Walsh, Ciara Ward and David Hartley, Mairead Reidy and John Finnegan, Lizanne Murphy and Mark Kozlowski, all of whom were married recently. Congratulations and best wishes for long, happy and healthy lives together.
ST. ITA’S FAITH CAMP: Now in its fourth year the faith camp is going from strength to strength under the direction of its founders Lorraine Woulfe and Martina O’Sullivan. 74 children attended this year, aged from 4 -12 and had a most enjoyable week with Fr. Patrick and his team.
SPIRITUAL FAREWELL GIFT: As all in the parish know, our well beloved parish priest is being moved by the Bishop and a suggestion has been made that we should each give him a farewell gift of a spiritual bouquet of an hour’s adoration in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. A card will be available in the chapel on Tuesdays and Fridays which are full days of adoration each week until 10pm and you are invited to sign your name, date and time of making the visit.
NIGHT AT THE DOGS: Fr Casey’s GAA Fundraising Night at the Dogs will take place on Saturday, August 13 at Limerick Greyhound Stadium. .All proceeds in aid of field development. Your support will be greatly appreciated. A bus will leave Abbeyfeale from Fr Casey’s Clubhouse on Saturday, August 13 at 6pm sharp.
WORLD YOUTH WEEK: The young people from Abbeyfeale (and it must be said there were some who are getting nearer the book than youth) who travelled to the be with the two and a half million pilgrims at the world Youth Week in Krackow, Poland wish to thank all who make the trip possible. Rumour has it that apart from praying there were quite a few mosquito dances done too! It was a great week and people have said that they made everlasting friendships and memories in Krackow.
CHARITY DANCE: A dance in aid of Millstreet and Kanturk Hospitals will take place at the Edel Quinn Hall, Kanturk on Friday, August 12 with music by Noel Cronin,Barry O’Halloran Band, Heart to Heart, Blackwater Sound, Ger Healy The Singing Jarvey, Billy O’Brien and Shine Band and special guests Mary Desmond and Laura Dunlea. MC for the night is Benny McCarthy, Duagh , a presenter on WL102fm. Doors open 8pm with dancing from 8.30 – 12.30pm. Admission €10. Further information 087 9735113 and on Facebook.
STAR GAZING: It seems, according to the Astronomy Ireland website, that Thursday night will be a great night for viewing showers of shooting stars which will continue until dawn so if you’re feeling romantic why not invite your significant other outdoors for some star gazing.
CHARITY CYCLE; Abbeyfeale Cycling Club will hold a charity cycle on Sunday, August 14 in aid of St. Gabriel”s School & Centre. Each cyclist will choose to tackle either a 60k or 110k route on the day. Registration for the event will take place from 8:00am at Fr. Casey’s club house in Abbeyfeale. To take part the prices are as follows: • €25 for Cycling Ireland members • €28 for Non-Cycling Ireland members. The participants will leave Abbeyfeale at 10 o’clock sharp, and cycle through many of West Limerick’s scenic routes. Funds raised will go towards the building of a new Children’s Respite House for children with disabilities and complex medical conditions. For further information, contact Brendan on 087 6931385, or visit Abbeyfeale Cycling Club Facebook page. St. Gabriel’s School & Centre is a not for profit children’s disability organisation and a registered charity located in Dooradoyle on the south side of Limerick City.
FUNDRAISING DANCE: Mike Condon will be providing the music at a fundraiser for WL102fm – our local community radio station in Monagae Community Hall on Friday, August 19. Tea and Coffee will be served. Dancing 9 till late. Admission €10. Raffle. Our local station which has been in existence since 2005 is struggling under its license provisions which insist that it must raise 25% of its running costs in the community it serves with the remaining monies coming from advertising and grants. It would be a huge loss if the radio went under so please support our local community radio which helps to remove the scourge of rural isolation, keeps local communities in touch and gives volunteer presenters an opportunity to build their skill sets thereby increasing their chances of getting employment.
AWARE OPEN EVENING: Abbeyfeale Family Support Programme and Aware will host an open night on Tuesday August 16 in the Further Education and Training Centre, Abbeyfeale at 7.30pm to highlight the services Aware offers in Limerick and to introduce Aware’s Life Skills programme which will run in the town each Monday from September 19 to October 24. Aware’s Life Skills programme is based on the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which has been shown to be an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression, stress and/or anxiety. Further information and registration is available on www.aware.ie. The programme is free of charge but a refundable deposit of €20 applies (not applicable for students, OAPs, unemployed, medical card holders). Aware also offers a weekly support group meeting in the Redemptorist Community Building, Mount St. Alphonsus, South Circular Road, Limerick every Wednesday at 8pm for people with experience of depression or bipolar disorder.
REILIG IDE NAOFA MASS: The annual Graveyard Mass will take place on Thursday, August 18 @ 7.30pm, weather permitting. Clean up takes place every Tuesday to tidy up if you are available some evening please call all help is greatly appreciated as the graveyard is quite large and needs constant weeding. So come along and join the group, a great workout!!! All are welcome.
WINDOW ON THE PAST: On Saturday, August 20 the West Limerick Heritage Group proudly presents at the Glórach Theatre, Convent St., Abbeyfeale "Window on the Past: All Changed, Changed Utterly". This event will have a country kitchen of 100 years ago on display as well as the performance (by local singers) of some songs from the era. Guest speakers are Felicity Hayes-McCoy, author of A Woven Silence: Memory, History and Remembrance and The House on an Irish Hillside. Felicity’s talk will focus on the role of women in social history at that time .Local historian Tom Donovan will talk about local involvement in the Uprising, particularly the fascinating story of Abbeyfeale native Patrick Leen. Free event – all are welcome from 8pm – 10pm. Please contact Margaret on 087 751 1241 for more information.
COMMUNITY ALERT: Irish Water are warning customers not to click links in an email purporting to be from the company. Customers have received an email in recent days advising them that there is account maintenance underway and they have to log in through the email. This, however, is a phishing email. The company confirmed that it had not sent any emails requesting personal details.
NATIONAL NOVENA: The Novena to Our Lady of Knock will take place from August 14-22. The theme for this year is ‘Merciful like the Father’ in keeping with the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Daily ceremonies will be held in the Basilica at 3.00pm and 8.30pm and workshops will take place at 12 noon and 6.00pm. The 2016 novena will begin at the National Marian Shrine on Sunday, August 14 with Bishop Michael Smith, Bishop of Meath, who will preach on the theme ‘Merciful like the Father’. On Saturday, August 20 Bishop Philip Boyce, Bishop of Raphoe, will preach on ‘The name of God is mercy’. On Sunday,August 21 Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin, will preach on ‘The Joy of the Gospel – no easy recipe’ and on the same day Father Richard Gibbons, Rector of Knock Shrine will preach on ‘Knock, an engagement with mercy’. For more on this year’s novena see www.knockshrine.ie
SUE RYDER: Our sale had started! That means half price on all items marked €2 and over. Call into our shop on Main Street, Abbeyfeale, find yourself a bargain and only pay half the marked price! The sale includes clothing, footwear, toys and bric a brac. Books are still only €1 each with 4 books for just €3. Sue Ryder is an Irish, registered, not for profit organisation that enables people aged 65 and over, to live independent but secure lives. The charity currently helps over 300 people around Ireland. Thank you for your continued support.
JOBS AVAILABLE: There are CE Positions available at Fr.Casey’s GAA Grounds and Abbeyfeale Town Park. Positions Include Groundskeepers, Gardeners, Caretakers, Forestry and a Research Assistant. Working Hours Flexible. Opportunity for upskilling as per DSP Guidelines. Apply through local DSP Office, Fr.Casey’s GAA or the Town Park. Contact 068 31799 or 087 928 2322
PHONE CONNECT SEEKS VOLUNTEERS. The Phone Connect project is a free community based telephone support service offered to older people in the West Limerick Area empowering them to remain independent in their own homes. The weekly service provides a listening ear to the elderly allowing them to share any worries or concerns and to be informed of any local events or services. West Limerick Resources, in association with RCCN (Housing) Ltd., are now seeking volunteers to make these phone-calls from a dedicated space where a mobile phone and credit will be supplied. Training will also be made available. If you would be interested in volunteering or require more information, we would be delighted to hear from you by calling Damien at West Limerick Resources on 087 9042477 or Stefanie on 087 3290483.
ABBEYFEALE’S SINGING CLUB: West Limerick singing club monthly singing session take place on the first Friday of every month in the Ramble Inn Bar, Abbeyfeale. The next session will take place on Friday, September 2 at 9.30pm. All are welcome to come along and join in the singing, tell a story, or just listen to the performers.
COURSE IN PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT: A course in personal development runs one evening a week from September to May and seven Saturdays or Sundays through the year in Tralee, Killarney and Limerick. It is organised by SHEP (The social and health education project). For further information contact Helen O’Grady 085 8626844.
SEISIÚN: The Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann sponsored traditional entertainment programme for the summer season has started. Thursday nights at the Devon Inn Templeglantine a host of musicians, singers and dancers combine to present a top class show of Irish traditional entertainment for visitors and locals alike. Towards the end of the night, time is allowed for audience participation. The Templeglantine Seisiún takes place at 8.45pm. There is also one in Rockchapel on Tuesday nights.
SAGART PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES: A five day pilgrimage to Lourdes will travel to Lourdes on September 22 and return on September 27. Further information from Canon John O’Shea or Fr. Joe Foley.
TIDY TOWNS: Members of the committee meet in the Square every Wednesday evening from7pm for an hour and along with the Tus staff are responsible for the resplendent display of roses, pots and tubs around the town. More help would be appreciated.
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. Masses: No morning Mass Monday, evening Mass at 7pm. . Mass Tuesday – Saturday at 10am except in the event of a funeral when Mass is 11am. Mass on Saturday 11am. Mass Intentions; Wednesday 10am Jim White, Killarney Road. Thursday 10am Margaret Woulfe, St Ita’s Terrace. Saturday 7pm Michael O’Donnell, Bogmount. Mary & Maurice Nash Kingland and their daughter Ita & son Michael. Timothy Murphy, Caherlane. Sunday 12noon William Ahern, Ballaugh. Monday is the Feast of the Assumption 9.30am Christine & Bobby McGinn & family. 12noon Pro Populo . 7pm Breda Walshe. Thomas Collins, The Hill. Procession after Mass for the Feast Day followed by Rosary at the Grotto.
Log onto www.churchservices.tv/abbeyfealeparish. for the church webcam. A direct link from the parish website has been set up. You are asked to use car parking spaces in the Church car park before you start parking in the middle of the yard.
DAY OUTING: On Saturday, August 27 a coach will depart from the Market Yard, Newcastle West at 8 a.m. to visit the Kilmeaden to Waterford City section of the new Déise Greenway. Walk options of 4 or 6 miles will be available, all downhill as the route is alongside the river Suir. Afterwards, there will be ample time in the afternoon for a couple of hours exploring Ireland’s oldest city. This will provide an opportunity to visit the museums and Waterford Glass centre or simply to enjoy the afternoon open-air musical recitals provided as part of the ‘Summerval’ festival. There will be a stop for breakfast in Tipperary Town before continuing along via the Suir valley to Kilmeaden.
A full four course evening meal will be provided in Waterford before returning home. Arrival back in Newcastle West at about 10.30pm. Booking is with Pat Condon, Upper Maiden St., Newcastle West 069 62344 (3-6pm preferably). The cost is €50 which includes breakfast, evening dinner and coach travel but not museum admissions. Our initial visit to Waterford was on the May Bank Holiday when we walked the seaside portion of the Greenway near Dungarvan on what was a most enjoyable day; with many participants expressing the wish for a similar outing in late summer. Therefore, early booking is advisable and all monies must be received by Friday, August 19. Cheques should be made payable to "GREAT SOUTHERN TRAIL LTD." who are organising the tour. Beidh fáilte romhat.
FAMILY FUN EVENING: Love Listowel Marketing Group will host a free Family Fun Evening in The Square, Listowel on Sunday August 14 from 5 to 7 pm. Includes live music, dog show competition, bouncy castle, face painting and much more. All are welcome.
‘YOU CAN IRELAND’: is a national support network for people who have had a cancer diagnosis in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. The vision of You Can Ireland is that ‘ young adults with cancer should have easily accessible and age appropriate supports and networks to guide them and their families through the cancer experience’. ‘You Can Ireland’ will be holding an open day in Recovery Haven (Cancer Support House) in Tralee on Saturday, August 13 from 2-5pm. Please come along and meet the ‘You Can Ireland ‘Team and other young adults who have experienced a cancer diagnosis. There will also be a guest speaker. For further information please contact 066-7192122.
TEAM LEADERS AND COLLECTORS REQUIRED: Barnardos Children’s Charity is looking for volunteers to help collect funds during our national collection day “Buckets for Barnardos” taking place on Friday September 16, with an organised bag pack, or on the streets shaking buckets in locations throughout Limerick. Contact Mary on 1850 217 217 or email buckets
PILGRIMAGE: 3 day Pilgrimage to Knock and Lough Derg from August 22- 24. All in package includes visit to Knock, day retreat on Lough Derg, Coach for 3 days, Breakfasts, Evening meals and Accommodation in Bundoran. Early booking is advised due to waiting lists from previous pilgrimage in May. Deposit secures booking. Contact Cormac O’Connor Coach Tours on 023-8849196, 087-6167835 for further details.
MAUREEN IS ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Visit the Italian Gardens on Garnish Island in West Cork on Sunday, August 21, leaving NCW at 8.30am. We will as usual have our full Irish Breakfast and choice of dinner menu. For more information and booking Contact Maureen 087 9845102.
THE UNCOUNTABLE LAUGHTER OF THE SEA: Screening at the Cinema in Killarney every Tuesday at 7 p.m., until the end of August. This is a 50 minute reflective film featuring the landscape and culture of Kerry in which Msgr Pádraig O Fiannachta RIP had a major involvement. Worth seeing on the big screen.
LEGION OF MARY: A conference for young adults between the ages of 18-40 will take place on Saturday, August 20- Sunday 21 in All Hallows, Dublin. The theme of the conference is "Mary inflames the embers…are you ready?”.
Abbeyfeale Gathering Festival 