PROLOGUE: "It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer."
Albert Einstein.
LIGHT UP ABBEYFEALE. Secretary of the Christmas Lights committee Hilary Collins says; “Our great switch on is at 5.45pm on Friday, December 1. We have 2 young local high achievers doing the honours for us – Kori Goad and Chris Smith. After that, Santa will arrive and he and Mrs. Claus will meet local children in the Grotto. That night, in Mick’s Local, there will be a big Christmas Party to start everyone off for the festive season. The committee would like to thank everyone who made donations or who fundraised to light up the town this Christmas and invite everyone to take part in the big switch on this coming Friday evening.
SUPPORT OUR OWN: Just a timely reminder that in order to keep money circulating in the local economy we need to shop locally, socialise locally and eat out locally over the festive season. Keep our money circulating in our community and help Abbeyfeale to become great again (to paraphrase Mr. Trump!).
CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE: The annual Carol Service in The Church of the Assumption, Abbeyfeale takes place on Sunday, December 3 at 7pm. There will be a raffle for hampers with proceeds to the Youth Ministry in the parish. Everyone welcome.
COOKERY DEMONSTRATION AT TODDY’S: Are you tired of overcooking or undercooking your Christmas dinner? Not sure how to properly cook a roast to the exact temperature to achieve maximum results every time. Well don’t worry, come and join us for formal information evening in our premises on Convent St. Wednesday, November 29 at 7:30pm. Everyone will receive a digital thermometer probe worth €25, gift bag for everyone plus a draw for a free €50 voucher. The evening will cover all aspects of the Christmas dinner. Cost of the evening will be €20 each. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. To reserve a place, phone or text 0872029395 or just call in and let us know.
NOONAN’S LIGHTS: Children’s Christmas party Sunday, December 3 at 4pm. All welcome. Santa has promised to make an appearance too.
CHRISTMAS WALK: The annual Christmas Walk along the Great Southern Trail Greenway will take place on Wednesday, December 27 at 12.30p.m.. Assembly is at the newly opened Longcourt House Hotel (formerly the Courtenay Lodge), St. Mary’s Road, Newcastle West. The hotel is on the N21 and the public bus services stop alongside it. Walkers will be transferred by courtesy coach to Barnagh from where they will walk the 6 miles [10km], all downhill and mostly along the old railway, back to the Longcourt House where they can enjoy seasonal mince pies, whipped cream and tea/coffee at their leisure. All walkers must wear visibility vests as the final section is through the streets of Newcastle West and involves crossing the busy N21 which must be crossed at the zebra crossing close to the hotel. Cyclists, with visibility gear, helmets and lights, are also welcome and we suggest that they also meet at the hotel at 12.30p.m. and cycle outwards along the Greenway for approximately one hour to Barnagh or beyond and then return in time to enjoy the refreshments. Beidh fáilte roimh gach éinne ar an lá.
GREAT SOUTHERN TRAIL HISTORY: As Christmas is coming a nice gift to oneself or to family/friends would be the Great Southern Trail Limited’s newly published "Limerick & Kerry Railway: Twilight Years" by Liam O’Mahony which is laden with information about the Greenway’s railway history. It is not alone a personal memoir by Liam of the 1950’s to 1980’s railway finale but also reproduces several historic documents. These include a list of the 300 or so shareholders (many of which names are still to be found locally) in the Rathkeale & Newcastle Junction Railway Company which built the line to those towns 150 years ago. Another historic gem which is included is a chapter from "Through the Green Isle"; a Victorian era travel guide which extolled the historic attractions of Adare, Askeaton, Foynes, Ballybunion and Ardfert along with the then newly operational Lartigue railway in Listowel. Liam’s book is very well illustrated with thirty of the photographs being in colour. Twenty full colour railway posters advertising excursion trains to Dublin, Thurles, Cork, Killarney, Knock Shrine and Listowel Races during the 1950’s to the 1970’s will bring back memories to many. Copies of the book will be delivered throughout all of Ireland for €15 (inc.postage). Orders from all of Britain will be £17stg and from all other countries €20 due to overseas postal rates. The book has 187 pages including a 32 page colour section. Enquiries to Liam O’Mahony, 9, Bishop St., Newcastle West, Co.Limerick V42HT66, Ireland to whom cheques should be made payable[or phone/text 00353876471956]. If payment by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) is preferred please email your name and address to lomahony@hotmail.com and you will be provided with the bank BIC and IBAN. Please remind the bank to include your name on the EFT. The book is also available for €15 at the following outlets: Sheehan’s(Post Office), Templeglantine; Pat Buckley’s Shop, Devon Road; Ann Lyons’ Shop, The Square, Abbeyfeale;
ABBEYFEALE FOR AFRICA CAKE SALE: The annual cake sale for Fr. Tim Galvin’s Mission in South Sudan takes place on Sunday, December 10 from 10-1pm at St. Ita’s Hall. All donations of home baking are very much appreciated and can be left at Batt Harnett’s, The Square. Otherwise contact any of the committee to arrange collection; Lorcan Curtin, Mairead Daly, Carina Prendeville or Marian Harnett.
CARD GAME: Meenkilly school card game every Tuesday 9pm sharp.
GLÓRACH NEWS: There is just one final performance left in what was a very successful run of the Glórach Players comedy ‘The Two Loves of Gabriel Foley’. We’ve been talking for years about Dick Woulfe from Cratloe and how he should have trod the Abbey stage, well he has an able successor in his neighbour Donal Woulfe who stars as Gabriel Foley and who, with a very strong cast provide a lot of laughs to brighten these long winter nights. The final night is tomorrow night, Thursday, November 30 at 8pm and if you haven’t been to see it then don’t miss out and book your seat immediately on 087 1383940.
GLÓRACH NEWS: Bingo continues every Monday at 8.30 pm at the Glórach. Great crowds have attended so far, and once again, thank you all for your support. The classic film screening returns on Wednesday, December 6 with our showing of the 1968 version of Romeo and Juliet. Rated by many critics as one of the finest film adaptations of the Shakespearean classic, the film starts at 8 pm and all are most welcome.
SOCIAL FARMING: West Limerick Resources is delighted to support the development of Social Farming in the region – Limerick, Tipperary, Clare and parts of Kerry and Cork. Calling interested farmers & farm families who would like to hear more about Social Farming please contact Stefanie, at West Limerick Resources, on 087 366 3842 or 069 66290. We look forward to hearing from you.
FEALEBRIDGE AND HEADLEY’S BRIDGE SOCIAL: Fealebridge and Headley’s Bridge Co-Op will hold their 48th Annual Social on Friday, December 1 at The Devon Inn, Templeglantine. A great night is in store as always. Music will be provided by Ui Bhriain, and there will be plenty of spot prizes to be won on the night. Tickets are available at both creameries and also from staff and committee members.
RAMBLING HOUSE: The last Rambling House at Fr. Casey’s for this year takes place on Monday, December 4 at 9pm. MC Benny Thade McCarthy has issued an invitation to all singers, dancers, musicians etc to attend.
DESERT DAY: You are invited to a quiet peaceful few hours away from your busy schedule to enter more deeply into the Advent season and to prepare for Christmas.
The day will consist of quiet prayer, reflection and will conclude with the Eucharist. Venue: Westbourne, Ashbourne Avenue on Saturday, December 9 from 10 – 5.15. Booking is essential as places are limited. For details and information contact Sr.Phyllis Moynihan at 0879636893 or Bernie at 0876803883 or Email: phymoy
MEENKILLY CARD GAME: Three teams finished level on 12 games: Julia Murphy, Catherine Collins and Con Lenihan: Christina O Donoghue, Eileen Finnegan and Maureen Roche: Liam Lane, Con Lane and Danny O Connell.
Table Prize: Billy Broderick, Sheila Breen and Paddy O Sullivan.
Door Prize: Marian Quirke.
Raffle Tickets: Mary Mc Carthy, Maurice Collins, Jack O Sullivan, J.J. Lenihan (x2)
The card game continues every Tuesday at 9pm.
SUPPORT GROUP FOR BEREAVEMENT: Abbeyfeale Bereavement Support Group Tel. 068/31230 or 068/51984 or 068/31262.
CHRISTMAS RAFFLE: Tickets are on sale for a mega raffle in aid of Recovery Haven at Esther’s Main St. and Ann Lyons’s, The Square. Prizes include tickets for Nathan Carter at the INEC, Afternoon Tea for two at the Hayfield Manor Cork, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast in the Silver Springs, €50 fuel voucher from Moloneys and much, much more. Tickets €10 each or three for €20.
MONAGAE TEA DANCE: Sunday, December 3 from 3-6pm with dancing to Declan Aungier. All welcome.
FR. LIAM LAWTON IN CONCERT: Newcastle West and District Lions Club present Fr. Liam Lawton in concert (with Desmond College choir) in The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Newcastle West, on Thursday, November 30. Doors open @ 7.30; concert @ 8.00pm.
ADULT SIGN LANGUAGE: A class in Adult sign language class has commenced in St. Ita’s Hall and will continue every Tuesday from 7.30pm – 9pm. This is a basic course for beginners to be followed by Level 1. For further information contact Breda on 087 7715734.
LADIES REQUIRED: There are classes in jives, waltzing, foxtrots etc every Tuesday in the Railway – there are any amount of men attending but quite a shortage of women so ladies please come along and show the men the one, two, three. Wednesdays in Fr. Casey’s you can learn sets from 8.30 – 10.30pm. Further information from 087 09267037.
FOURTH ANNUAL CONNIE HARNETT MEMORIAL SWIM: The fourth annual swim takes place in Ballybunion on Monday, January 1 at 1pm. Funds raised will go to the Cardiology Unit in Crumlin Childrens’ Hospital with donations being made to the Hope Foundation and the Lourdes Youth Group. There will be a raffle on the day and hot food will be served in Thomasins, Lisselton.
FUNDRAISER FOR FR. MARTIN MCCORMACK: An Afternoon Tea Dance will take place at Fr. Casey’s Clubhouse on Sunday, January 14 to raise funds for Fr. Martin McCormack’s Projects in Swaziland. Fr. Martin, who is from Ballydesmond is a member of the Salesian Missionaries based in Pallaskenry. Music will be provided by Sheila Fitzgerald and Mike Sheehan, Ted McCarthy and also the Nightingales so a great afternoon’s dancing is assured to shake down the excesses of the Christmas. Admission is only €5 and a raffle will be held.
MY SILVER RIVER FEALE: The debut CD by talented local singer Eibhlin Broderick is available for sale in Ann Lyons’s The Square.
WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES 2018 ‘The Gospel of Family’ as we look forward to the visit of Pope Francis and families from all over the world in August. Limerick diocese invites you to visit the Gospel of families Icon which will be in Co Limerick from Monday, December 11th – 19. It will visit St John’s Cathedral Monday December11-13, St Peter & Paul Kilmallock on Thursday December 14 – 16 and the Immaculate Conception Newcastle West on Sunday December 17 – 19.
WEST LIMERICK HERITAGE NETWORK JOURNAL: The Networks second journal is now on sale in local shops and pubs. This Journal would make an ideal gift, especially for family members, far from home this Christmas. It comprises 32 articles relating to local history and local people. A good read is guaranteed.
READING GROUP: St. Ita’s Reading Group will meet in the adoration chapel after 10 am Mass on Wednesday November 29. All welcome.
CHRISTMAS RETREAT: Youth 2000 Christmas Retreat invites all young people between the ages of 16-35 to a Catholic Weekend Retreat in the Newbridge College Co. Kildare from December 8-10 next. Free meals and accommodation on site. Free buses will also be picking up from various areas throughout the country. For more information or to book your place go to www.youth2000.ie or call 003523 (01) 6753690.
CHRISMAS MARKET: There will be stalls in the Square from 6pm on Friday, December 1 with mulled wine, Christmas decorations, cakes, puddings, jams, marmalades and much more so hopefully if the weather obliges we will create a real Christmas atmosphere with a special Market while people wait to meet Santa and his Missus.
FINBAR WRIGHT CONCERT: It’s 50 years next year since the Church of the Assumption was opened and to celebrate the Jubilee Year we are having Finbar Wright in Concert on Friday, February 9, 2018. Tickets available at the following outlets in Abbeyfeale, Moss Harnett’s Spar shop,Twohig’s Supervalue, O’Donoghue’s Spar shop, Ann Lyon’s, The Square and Sean Broderick’s New Street. Kathleen Foodstore in Convent Street. Tickets are also on sale in Templeglantine at Pat Buckley’s shop and at the Post Office in Templeglantine. Tickets are also on sale at All Seasons Ladies Fashions, Bridge Street, Newcastle west and the butcher shop in Ardagh. Contact 089/4356981and leave a message if you wish to order tickets. The tickets would make an ideal Christmas present and a special gift envelope is available.
ABBEYFEALE COMMUNITY ALERT: Scam Alert! Live Line on RTE 1 would shock you with all the scams that are on the go especially now coming up Christmas – there was a lot of talk today about men calling to estates offering to clean gutters. Can I make a suggestion to those of us who are over 60, there’s a not for profit company based in NCW called RCCN (Housing ) Ltd who provide a cost effective housing maintenance, small repairs and adaption service principally for the over 60’s or disabled in West Limerick. Services offered include; roof maintenance, outside maintenance, carpentry and flooring, painting etc. For further information contact Kathleen on 069 69315.
ONE 4 ALL GIFT VOUCHERS: Be very careful when buying these vouchers from the Post Office, they need to be used within a time frame. They start to reduce in value by approx. €1.50 per month after the first 12 months.
ST. ITA’S DAYCARE CENTRE: The Day Care Centre located near the Church and beside the Glórach Theatre hosts two open days every week. An open invitation has been issued to anyone who would like to join them for a four course lunch on Tuesdays and Wednesdays followed by dancing, bingo, cards and afternoon tea. The cost is just €10 per person. They also say that the Day Care Centre Bus and care are available to provide transport where possible.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SHOP: If you have an hour or two to spare why not consider volunteering your time to help the work of St Vincent de Paul. If you are interested contact Fr Tony on 087-2600414. The Abbeyfeale shop will open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday each week between 10-4pm. Further information 087 1213560.
PUBLIC ORDER: Should you be affected by or witness an anti-social event – on the street, in your property, at your business, in the Town Park etc. – it is recommended that you call the 24 hour line in Newcastle west on 069 20650 to log your complaint. This type of low level nuisance crime needs to be reported so that the Gardai can be made aware that it is happening. So, if someone walks out in front of your car, or you see someone in your garden or on your wall make the call. Limerick County Council also operate a 24 hour free phone number 1800 283 064 dedicated for Anti Social Behaviour reporting.
ABBEYFEALE CRAFTY CORNER: Meets every Tuesday evening in the West Limerick Resources Hub Room based in the Further Education & Training Centre Abbeyfeale, from 7pm to 9pm. New members are welcome. Contact West Limerick Resources on 068 31198 or Madeline on 087 9707989.
FOOD BANK OPENS: The Street Life Food Bank will provide food for families and individuals in West Limerick. The Bank will be open on Fridays at the Newcastle West Bible Fellowship, North Quay from 10am. If you or someone you know is struggling to feed their family then the Street Life Food Bank is there to help. Further information from 086 2157975.
PADRE PIO DEVOTIONS: Devotions on the first Tuesday of the month in Monagae Church at 7pm. Blessing with 1st. class relic.
WEST LIMERICK 102FM: Every Monday evening from 7pm to 7.30pm tune into a little bit of Heaven with Fr. Kevin.
WEEKLY DRAW FOR YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY RADIO: West Limerick 102fm are holding a weekly fundraising 50/50 Draw with the raffle taking place live on air in the West Limerick 102fm. Studios. Each week the pot from the sale of the raffle tickets will be divided equally between the person whose ticket is drawn and the station. Tickets only €2 each are now on sale in Ann Lyons, The Square and Kathleen’s Quick Pick, Convent St. Call 06966200 for further information. Books of 12 tickets are available from the station for €20 so two free tickets to the seller.
COMMUNITY ALERT: If you have been a victim of crime call the crime victims helpline on Freephone 116 006 between 10—5.30pm Monday to Friday. Once you reach the age of 65 and live alone or with a person/s aged over 65 you are entitled to receive a monitored alarm system. But if you have younger people living in the house who are out for long periods of the day then because you are spending hours alone you are also entitled to the system. The free equipment is provided by Pobal following an application from Abbeyfeale Community Alert, there will be a monitoring fee to be paid from the second year of installation to the installing company, this fee includes insurance against breakages and is currently €80. If you do not want the insurance cover then the fee is €65. If you do not have a land line the company will organise a sim card for a mobile phone for a quarterly fee of approx. €56. This works out cheaper that the rent of the landline which is currently €25 per month. The installing company are required to provide identification on their equipment, their vans and their staff and before you admit anyone to your house you should ask for this identification. The company also offer a button which can be installed near the front and back doors for a once off payment – this is nothing to do with either Pobal or Abbeyfeale Community Alert and is just between the installing company and the client. The idea is that it offers extra security when answering the door. If you leave the house turn lights on and maybe invest in a timer for them. Now is the time to prepare for winter so make sure you have draught excluders around windows and doors, outside lights working, a supply of batteries, a couple of hot water bottles, know where the stop cock is for the water supply and above all get your chimney cleaned. We constantly update our FB page with local alerts and information on keeping safe so do keep an eye on that. Committee members are Sean Broderick, Micheal O’Kelly N.T., Seamus Stack, Mossie Gleeson, Kathleen Collins, Mary McArthur, Buddy and Brenda Barry, John O’Sullivan, Billy Quirke N.T., Cllr. Francis Foley, Mary Jo O’Connell, James Joy, Denis Collins, Marian Harnett.
CHURCH NOTES: Canon Anthony Mullins 087/2600414. Fr Joseph Foley CC Tel: Mobile: 087 – 2618412. Parish Church 068/51915. Parish Office: Open 11:00 – 1:00 p.m. Tues. – Fri. (068) 31133 Email: fealechurch@eircom.net Limerick Social Services: 061-314111. A.A. 061-311222 Al-Anon 086-8143425 Bereavement Support: 068 / 31203, 068/ 31262, 068/5198. Parish Support Worker 068/31019 St Vincent De Paul 087/1213560. To book a Mass intention telephone the church 068/51915 during Mass times. Counselling Appointment 061/314213. Accord NCW 069/61000. Samaritans: 061 – 412111 or Free phone 1850609090 A.A. 061-311222 Al-Anon 086-814342551984 Console 061-306792. Masses: No morning Mass Monday, evening Mass at 7pm. Mass Tuesday –Friday 10am. Saturday 11am. Vigil Mass 7pm. Sunday Masses 9.30am and 12 noon. Mass intentions: Thursday 10am John & Susanne O’Brien. Confessions following Mass for First Friday. FIRST Friday 10am Purgatorial. Friday 7pm Dee Harnett, Kilconlea Upper. Saturday 11am Lena & Paddy Flynn, Craggane. Rosalie O’Callaghan, Kilmorna.
Intentions for next weekend 7pm Nell & Donal Fitzgerald and their son Patrick, Knockbrack. Sonny McCarthy, Caherlane. Noreen Flynn, Mountmahon Month mind. James O’Grady, Meenkilly. Sunday 9.30am Pat Moloney, 4 St Ita’s Terrace. Mary & Hughie Masterson. 12noon William Flynn and deceased family members. Bridget & Timmy Connell the Hill and their son Tim and daughter Mary.
Lectio Divina scripture meditation on the following weeks Sunday gospel will take place during the four weeks of Advent. Starting on Tuesday, November 28 from 8.15 – 9pm. This is a good way to prepare for Christmas spiritually.
Novena prayers to St Anthony on Mondays during the 7pm Mass. Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Fridays during the 10am Mass. Adoration takes place each Monday, Wednesday & Thursday from 6-8pm and on Tuesday& Friday from 8.30am to 10pm. As due to data protection laws, priests can no longer go to the reception desk in local hospitals and get a list of parishioners who are patients, you are requested to contact Fr. Tony if you wish him to visit. Faithcast is the new weekly podcast from catholicnews.ie, the news source for the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Presented by Brenda Drumm, Faithcast is a mixture of interviews and news snippets from the Catholic Church in Ireland. It is published every Monday and is available on catholicnews.ie. Counselling takes place every week in West Limerick Tel 061/3147213 for appointment. To see the daily readings you may log on to www.abbefelaeparish.ie and click on daily reading on the home page. Log onto www.churchservices.tv/abbeyfealeparish for the church webcam. You can now watch all services from home if you have access to a computer. You are asked to use car parking spaces in the Church car park before you start parking in the middle of the yard.
ST PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP Listowel is on the first Friday of every month. The ceremony begins with the Rosary at 6.45 pm, followed by Mass at 7pm.for Saint Padre Pio with Exposition of Blessed Sacrament and Benediction after Mass.
KNOCK Night Vigil: December 7/8 departing from Dero’s, Main Street at 3pm on December 7, €33, Contact 064 66 31251
ST PIO MASS & HOLY HOUR in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kilcummin, Saturday, December 2 @ 3pm. Relic available for blessings after.
SEANCHAÍ CENTRE: A talk on ‘Songs of People & Places of North Kerry’ by Peter Kelly will take place in the Seanchaí Centre, Listowel on Thursday November 30 at 8 pm. This will be followed by Listowel Rambling House from 9.15 pm. Come along and enjoy an evening of traditional music, song, dance & storytelling. Audience participation is welcome and tea/coffee and refreshments are served. Admission is free to both events.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT THE CATHEDRAL: Liam Lawton and Special Guests, in aid of the Kilcummin N.S., on Sunday, December 17 at 7pm. Tickets €20 from Killarney Parish Office, Killarney Outlook, Kilcummin N.S, Kilcummin P.O. Also contact Tom 087 2890630.
TOMMY FLEMING CONCERT, The Friary Church, Killarney Thursday, December 14 at 8pm. Tickets at The Friary or www.tommyfleming.com
MAGICAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT WITH THE THREE TENORS: Tuesday, December 19 at 8pm in Castleisland Parish Church. Tickets €20.
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Abbeyfeale Gathering Festival 