PROLOGUE: "In order to keep a true perspective of one’s importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him."
Derek Bruce.

DEATH: Sincere sympathy to the parents and family of William Riordan, Upper Purt who died recently. May he rest in peace.

EVENINGS OF REFLECTION: This year during Lent the Unit of Parishes (Abbeyfeale, Athea, Tournafulla/Mountcollins, Templeglantine) have organised two evenings of reflection to be held in Templeglantine on Thursday, March 7 and Thursday, March 14. We are privileged to have a woman who has made a remarkable journey in terms of Geography and Faith. She started life in South Africa as a Reformed Presbyterian “with a Baptist mother” and lead by the providence of God, human curiosity and a deep desire to be faithful, she came to work and live in Ireland, and then, followed three of her family into the Catholic Church.

Dr Jessie Rogers lectures in Scripture at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.

WEST LIMERICK SINGING CLUB CONCERT: Saturday, March 9 at Fr. Casey’s Clubhouse at 8pm. Ella Marie O’Dywer, Nora Butler, Philip Enright, Daisy Kearney, Frances Kennedy, Kileedy Comhaltas, Templeglantine Junior Plearacha Group and many more.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY AT GLÓRACH: On Friday, March 8 we will be celebrating International Women’s Day at the Glórach Theatre with a concert from the group Cúisle, that comprises Susan Browne, Dan Sheahan, Catherine Horgan and Kevin McCarthy. A themed night, entitled ‘Iconic Songs, Iconic Women’, it will be a fantastic acoustic celebration of International Women’s Day with a wide ranging set of all time favourites such as Cyndi Lauper, Mary Black, The Cranberries, Barbra Streisand to name but a few. Tickets are going fast and can be booked at 0871383940.

IRISH SPEAKING CLASSES: Abbeyfeale branch of Conradh na Gaeilge are starting Adult Irish Speaking classes, commencing on Wednesday, March 6, tosnú 7:30pm at Leens Hotel. The main aim of these classes is to promote and encourage Irish Speaking in the locality from a very basic level to more advanced. We encourage anyone with an interest on brushing up on “na cúpla focal” to attend. The classes will run cost €30 for 6 weeks. Mar a deireann an sean fhocal “Is fearr Gaeilge briste ná Béarla cliste”. For more information or to book your place contact Dónal on 068 31661 or email donalbox

HEALTH CARE: “Communicare Healthcare are looking for Healthcare Assistants in the Abbeyfeale area . Flexible working hours with excellent rates of pay. Contact Communicare today on 094 9259100, email maria.dixon or check out our website www.communicare.ie.”

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ST. PATRICK’S DAY: Preparations are underway for this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade. A meeting will be held in St Ita’s Hall next Monday, March 4 at 7pm to discuss details of same. Everyone welcome. The parade will depart from Mountmahon at 4pm and continue down along Main Street and past the reviewing stand in The Square before dispersing in the council car park. Prizes will be awarded for the Best Float, Best Decorated Window and Best Youth Entry. Participants are reminded that they are responsible for the insurance of their individual vehicles and will be required to sign a waiver to this effect. Further details of the parade will be announced in the local notes in coming weeks.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2019: West Limerick Resources will host a ‘Free Home DIY & Basic Car Maintenance Demonstration’ on Thursday, March 7, at 7.30pm, in Feohanagh/Castlemahon Community Hall to celebrate International Women’s Day. On this evening we will bring women together, in a fun and interactive environment, giving them the chance to broaden their knowledge and feel confident when it comes to Home DIY & Car Maintenance. Free Raffle & Refreshments on the night. Booking essential by calling/texting Damien on 087 9042477 or Brenda on 087 7669952 or emailing damien.ahern or bheath

FR. CASEY’S CARDS: Winners prize divided between three teams with 11 games each were; Eamon Scannell, Teddy Sullivan, Sean O’Connor. Liam Murphy, Joan Murphy, Jerry O’Connor. Willie McAuliffe, Mickie O’Connor, Mick Leahy. Door prize; Jerry O’Connor. Table prize; Sean Harnett, Dan Dillane, Tom Murphy. Raffle winners were; Tom Lenihan, Bill Blaire, Tom Lenihan, Eamon Scannell.

ST ITA’S FAITH CAMP: This year our camp takes place in St Mary’s Boys school from Monday, July 29 –Thursday, August 1. We will need volunteers -adults 18yrs +and also youths aged 14 –17 yrs. Info: -087-2788834.

CONRADH NA GAEILGE/GAELIC LEAGUE; a branch has been re-established in Abbeyfeale. Members welcome. Further information Éamonn 086 3903244.

FLEADH BY THE FEALE: Celebrity concert this year by The Kilfenora Ceili Band. Takes place May 2-6, concert Sunday, May 5. Great interest this year in the Bones playing competition so all you aspiring world champions out there – get practicing.

COMMUNITY ALERT NOTES: I have heard of two instances recently of people forgetting that they are wearing the panic button when they receive a shock, as in a fall or in another case, where their partner had a heart attack. It might be an idea to press the button once a week and speak to the operator and get you into the habit of using the device. You are paying for the service so use it. There are several scam phone calls on the go at the moment, the safest way is to invest in a whistle and when the caller is in full flow telling you that your credit card/bank account has been compromised or that you are owed money by the Revenue or that your phone is going to be cut off, blow as hard as you can and with as much wind as you can muster. Whatever you do, divulge no numbers, pass words or dates of birth, if possible don’t answer any number you don’t recognise, they’ll leave a message if they want you, remember what your mother told you about silence being golden and zipping the lip. Neither the Revenue or the phone companies or the banks will ever ring you so start using that whistle. If someone calls offering to clean your gutters, paint your chimney, replace ridge tiles on the roof or any number of other jobs tell them that you only deal with RCCN (Housing ) Ltd., the not for profit company based in NCW 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. Senior Help Line is a free confidential listening service provided by trained older volunteers on 1800804591and its open daily from 10am – 10pm. I downloaded the following from their website; ‘ Seniorline is a national confidential listening service for older people provided by trained older volunteers. Lines are open every day from 10am to 10pm, 365 days a year, including Christmas Day, St Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Day. Seniorline remains open when many statutory services are closed, and is recognised as a primary health care service helping to support older people in their community.’ So if you’re older and want information or just to hear a friendly voice then give them a call. You can also register with WLR 069 62222 who provide a locally based service. The phone no. for Abbeyfeale Station is 068 30010. If the Gardai on duty are out on patrol the call will be patched through to NCW who will call the car back to town. Keep an eye on our FB page which is updated daily with all the latest on scams, money making rackets and fast ones. 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 provided that you are over 65. 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 of €66. Please note that this fee is payable in a lump sum each year after year one. Should you not have a landline the installing company Task provide a sim card at a rate of €7.50 per month payable from day one. If someone comes to the door that you are not comfortable with you can use the panic button to summons help. 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.

FASHION SHOW; Spring /Summer Fashion Show – Community Hall Glin – Wednesday, March 13 – Prosecco & Glin slim (alcoholic free cocktail) with food tastings -.Fashions by;

Brides Boutique Glin, Esthers Boutique Abbeyfeale, Annette’s Adare, Mc Conell, Killaloe, Coco, Listowel, Bella Sola NCW, Caroline Mitchell limerick, menswear by Gatsby Newcastlewest., Caroline Mitchell Limerick, Menswear by Gatsby NCW. Modelling by the Holman Lee agency. Doors open & Reception @ 7pm. Show 8pm. Door prize, spot prizes. Best Dressed Lady. Tickets €15available from school 068 35344 or Maura 087 7539926.

POST BOX; There is a second post box in town – at the side of O’Donoghue’s Flower shop on Convent St with a collection Monday to Friday at 4.45pm each day.
HERITAGE PLAQUE UNVEILED AT PURT CASTLE: It’s been in existence for over 600 years and has been central to some of the most significant events affecting history in Abbeyfeale, Limerick, Kerry, Munster and Ireland as a whole. Built in the early – mid 1400’s by the powerful Earls of Desmond it has seen its fair share of Loyalty, Love, Slaughter, War and Famine. Its ruling FitzGerald family were adored and hated with equal intensity which only adds to its historic allure.One such love story is that of Thomas FitzGerald, 5th Earl of Desmond who was forcibly dispossessed of all his lands and his Title in 1418, by his uncle James FitzGerald, after Thomas fell in love with and married Catherine MacCormac of Abbeyfeale, a daughter of one of Thomas’s dependents – William “The Monk of Feale” MacCormac. The marriage did not comply with the “Statutes of Kilkenny” – a series of laws which severely and forcibly restricted relationships between those of Norman descent and those of Gaelic descent. Thomas and Catherine’s love for each other and subsequent marriage broke “every law in the book” and cost them their entire fortune. They were forced to flee to France where Thomas died two years later. He was so highly regarded that both the King of England and King of France attended his funeral in Paris. The poet Thomas Moore wrote a love ballad entitled "Desmond’s Song" which began; By the Feal’s wave benighted, No star in the skies, To thy door by Love lighted, I first saw those eyes. Some voice whisper’d o’er me, As the threshold I cross’d, There was ruin before me, If I loved, I was lost. On the other extreme such as what happened on 16th March 1580, when Sir William Pelham and his Army acting on behalf of The Queen of England camped at Purt Castle in their search for the Earl of Desmond. Unable to find him and locals not knowing where he was, Pelham and his Army destroyed both Purt Castle and the Old Abbey in Abbeyfeale. Three years later and with 30,000 people dead throughout the Province of Munster, the last Earl of Desmond – Gerald FitzGerald – wrote to the Queen looking for a truce in the on-going wars. It was signed; Abbeyfeale, 15th April 1583, Garret Desmond. The Queen did not acknowledge and Gerald was killed a few months later on 11th November 1583 between Ballymacelligott and Tralee in Co Kerry. A plaque was unveiled at the site last Saturday by the Chairman of Abbeyfeale Community Council Maurice O’Connell accompanied by Zara O’Driscoll West Limerick Tourism and members of the Mens Shed who cleared the site

PARENT AND BABY INFORMATION EVENT: West Limerick Resources CLG, in connection with the Newcastle West Library, are hosting a Parenting and Baby Information Event on Thursday, March 7, from 10.30am-12.30pm. This is a Free event and open to all parents, babies and expectant mothers. Join us in the Library to find out about supports available in West Limerick. The morning will include baby massage & yoga demonstrations and advice, kids’ activities and much more. For more information please contact Niamh, at West Limerick Resources, on 069 62222.

NOVELTY FUNDRAISER: Duagh’s Unique Generation! On Friday April 5 next, Duagh Sports and Leisure Complex Committee will hold a novelty fund raising event. This will entail the showing of the popular film Despicable Me 3 in the sports hall – but with a twist! The power to operate the film projector will not be taken from the national grid. Instead the power will be generated by local cyclists working, and pedalling- in teams of eight and hoping to supply between 80 to 100 watts of power.

KERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA from May 10 -17. Led by Fr. Noel Spring. Enquiries to Maureen Harty 066 7131328.

SECOND YEAR YOUTH CLUB: Meet every Friday night from 8 – 9.30pm.

ABBEYFEALE SPORTS COMPLEX BOOKINGS; The newly refurbished hall is available for bookings Monday – Sunday. Ring the office on 068 31799 Monday to Friday 9 -4.

CONGRATULATIONS: Delighted to see that Scoil Ide agus Iosef are in the regional final of this year’ Junk Kouture competition. Log on to the site and vote for them and let’s try and bring the honours back to Abbeyfeale.

POST STROKE SERVICE: Ard Chúram Day Care Centre, Listowel is operating a Post Stroke Day Service with Physio and Nursing supports on Monday’s. This is a 8 to 12 week course which includes physiotherapy programme, nursing support, physical and mental stimulation programme. Morning tea and mid day meal provided. Cost €10.00. information Tel.Louise Harnett (Nurse Co-Ordinator) on 068 22986.

CALLING PARENTS: Abbeyfeale Parent & Toddler Group: 11am – 12.30pm every Tuesday and Thursday, St Ita’s Hall. New people always welcome. Contact Mary on 087 9382883.

MASS TIME: Mass Times in the Pastoral Area Unit; Abbeyfeale – Saturday 6e.30pm and Sunday 9.15am & 12noon. Athea – Saturday 7.30pm and Sunday 10.30am. Mountcollins – Sunday 11am. Templeglantine – Saturday 6pm and Sunday 10.00 am. Tournafulla – Saturday 7.30pm.

ABBEYFEALE PARISH CHURCH: Fr Tony Mullins PP 087/2600414. Fr Brendan Duggan 087/0562674. Fr Denis Mullane 087/2621911. Parish Church 068/51915. Parish Office; Open 11:00 – 1:00 p.m. Tues. – Fri. (068) 31133 Email: fealechurch Limerick Social Services: 061-314111. AA 061/311222 Al-Anon 086/8143425. Parent Support worker 068/31019. Accord NCW 069/61000. Samaritans Freephone 116123 or text 087/2609090 or email jo Aware (Depression & Anxiety) 1980 303 302 National Suicide Helpline (Pieta House) 1800 247 247 Irish Advocacy Network (Peer advocacy in mental health) 01 872 8684 Pieta House (Suicide & self-harm) 01 623 5606 IACP (Counselling & Psychotherapy) 01 230 3536 Shine: (Supporting people effected by mental ill health) 01 860 1620 061 – 412111 or Free phone 1850609090 A.A. 061-311222 Al-Anon 086-8143425 Bereavement Support: 068 / 31203 068/ 31262 068/51984 St Vincent De Paul Tel 087/1213560 . Counselling Appointment 061/314213. Masses: No morning Mass Monday, evening Mass at 7pm. Saturday Masses 11am and 6.30pm. Sunday 9.15am and 12 noon. Mass Intentions: Thursday 10am Larry Corbett, St. Ita’s Terrace. Saturday 11am Maureen Woulfe. 6.30pm Pat Lyons Killarney Rd. Sunday 9.15am Danny Harnett, The Hill. Nora, Patrick and Betty Collins Meenkilly. 12noon Johnny Lane, New St. Ted Mulcahy, Dromtrasna. Monday 7pm Betty Reidy, The Hill 1st Anniversary. Confirmation Tuesday, March 5 at 11am.

Eucharistic Adoration: Parishioners who are interested in spending some time in prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament are invited to fill out one of the Invitation cards and drop it into the box at the front of the altar.

GLÓRACH: Bingo continues on Monday nights at 8.30 pm.

KNOCKANURE RAMBLING HOUSE: Community Centre, Thursday, March 7 at 9pm.

BOOK ON SALE: The Treaty Triumph celebrating Limerick’s All Ireland Hurling win is on sale at Ann Lyons’ in the Square.

GROW COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH MOVEMENT IN IRELAND. Meet on Wednesday’s at 8pm in the Seanchaí Centre, Listowel. This programme is open to all and is free of charge. No introductions needed. Just come along. For more information, contact Jerry, 086 0271990.

MEDJUGORJE PILGRIMAGE May 28 – June 4 ex Cork. 15 places remaining. €725.00 half board. €200.00 deposit secures place. Staying in locally owned Hotel Leone, 3 mins from St. James Church. Spiritual director Fr. Sean Corkery. Contact Sean O’Shaughnessy 0862959380.

UNDERSTANDING YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH Is a one-day interactive workshop for those working or volunteering with young people. The workshop is designed to provide participants a deeper understanding of the factors that influence youth mental health. Examples will also provided of the signs of youth mental difficulties influencing safety Participants will also learn about help seeking patterns amongst young people. The programme is designed and run by Jigsaw. The programme runs at Listowel Family Resource Centre on March 21 from 9.30am-4.30pm. Contact 068 23584.

FIRST FRIDAY & ST. PADRE PIO EVENING: Friday, March 1 in Listowel. Beginning with the Rosary at 6.45 p.m. Evening Mass at 7pm. followed by the Padre Pio prayers & Benediction.

WEDNESDAY PRAYER: Parishioners are invited to gather in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel on Wednesday afternoon at 3p.m to recite the Divine Mercy Chaplet for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life. This prayer meeting will take place every Wednesday.

RAMBLING HOUSES: Monagae 2nd. Monday of the month. Knockalougha, Duagh on the third Tuesday of every month.

‘AT LAST’: The book is for sale in Ann Lyons’s, The Square. It tells the story of Limerick’s long wait for All Ireland Hurling Glory.

PARENTS ‘PARENTING WHEN SEPARATED PROGRAMME’: A six week free ‘Parenting When Separated Programme’ starts in Newcastle West, Wednesday, March 27 to May 15, (excluding Easter break) from 10am-12.30pm, in the Family and Community Hub (in Newcastle West Community Centre, opposite Aldi). The programme aims to solve co-parenting problems, help parents to help children cope with the impact of separation, both emotionally and practically, and to enhance communication between the parent and child and the child’s other parent. To find out more, please contact Niamh, at West Limerick Resources CLG, on 069 62222.

BACK2NEW COMMUNITY UPCYCLING / RE-DESIGNED FURNITURE: Are you spring cleaning your home or workplace? We are currently looking for sound items of office & home furniture; large shelving units, large desks, under desk storage, storage cabinets, occasional tables, plant pots, garden benches, garden chairs, coat stands. Quirky items are welcome. Our re-designed and re-purposed furniture store is open every Monday (9.30-1.30pm), Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday (9.30am-5.30pm) at The Weigh House, Market Yard, Newcastle West. Call in and have a look around our community retail store and you will be amazed at the unique furniture items for sale. We also provide a re-design service. For further information, please contact Michaela Donegan on 087 2727742.

SOCIAL FARMING: Social Farming is the practice of offering activity on family farms as a form of Social Support service. In Social Farming the farm remains a working farm at its core but invited people to participate in the day to day activities on the farm. Interested farmers & farm families who would like to hear more about Social Farming please contact Rosemary, at West Limerick Resources CLG, on 087 366 3842 or 069 66290.

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