PROLOGUE: The simplest toy, one which even the youngest child can operate, is called a grandparent."
Sam Levenson

LOURDES PILGRIMS: It is estimated that over six million people go on pilgrimage to Lourdes every year. Over the years parishioners from Abbeyfeale both young and old have been part of the Limerick Diocesan Pilgrimage or travelled with other pilgrimage groups, such as the SAGART Pilgrimage in September, now the Limerick Autumn Pilgrimage or in Youth Pilgrimage Groups. Abbeyfeale parishioners have a strong devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes and to St Bernadette. Lourdes is a very special for people who are ill. Each year through the financial support of parishioners we enable people who are sick to travel to Lourdes with the Diocesan Pilgrimage. This coming weekend, the annual church gate collection in aid of the Abbeyfeale Lourdes Pilgrim Fund will be taken up at all Masses. You are asked to be as generous as you can.

HARNETT REUNION: Preparations are now in full swing for the reunion in July. Many Harnetts are travelling from overseas, with bookings already secured from New Zealand, the U.S.A., Italy and the U.K. We would love to include all Harnett families in West Limerick/North Kerry in this event. Please contact us on Facebook of by email : harnettreunion2019 for information. All welcome. Abbeyfeale will be decked out in the blue and gold Harnett colours for the festival. There will be genealogy, bus tours, a concert, a gala banquet and a memorial Mass, all at different venues around West Limerick/North Kerry. Please spread the word far and wide. The event is open to everybody, whether Harnett, Hartnett or other. For our previous reunion in 2012 we published a magazine with the family stories and histories, along with photographs and articles of local interest. We would now like items for this year’s magazine. Do you have any photographs or stories that you would like included? It is important that all families are represented. So please, take a look in your attic or the chest under the bed and see if you have an item for publication and use the email address or Facebook to contact the committee. We will need the items in good time for publication and we are willing to photocopy documents and return the originals immediately.

IRISH LANGUAGE CLASSES: Abbeyfeale branch of Conradh na Gaeilge kick started Adult Irish Speaking classes on March 6. As a result of the large numbers signed up for the classes, the venue for the classes have moved to St Itas Hall, Convent St, tosnú 7:30pm to 8:30pm. There will be 2 classes, a Bun rang (beginners) & an Ard rang (more advanced). The main aim of these classes are to promote and encourage Irish Speaking in the locality. For more information or to book your place contact Dónal on 068 31661 or email donalbox

OPEN DAY: An invitation has been issued by the Board of St Ita’s Sheltered Housing to their Open Day on Saturday April 27. There will be a cup of tea in the Day Care Centre following the unveiling of a plaque in honour of the late Canon Neville whose brainchild the Sheltered Housing was. The evening will conclude with music by Lost Souls at The Winners’ Circle.

LEXIO DIVINA: It is hoped to have Lexio Divina after Friday’s 10am Mass. Traditionally, Lectio Divina has four separate steps: read; meditate; pray; contemplate. First a passage of scripture is read, and then its meaning is reflected upon. This is followed by prayer and contemplation on the Word of God. Everyone welcome.

LIAM FLYNN COMMEMORATION AT GLÓRACH: On the evening of Friday, April 5 we will be holding an event commemorating the late Liam Flynn, a renowned master of the craft of woodturning who achieved worldwide fame in his field. There will be an exhibition of some of Liam’s work and a short film made of Liam in his workshop in Abbeyfeale in 2011, documenting the process of woodturning. We are delighted to be hosting this event, especially as Liam was a great supporter of the Glórach Theatre, and hopefully in celebrating his work we may offer inspiration to budding local artists.

FRANKIE COMES TO THE GLÓRACH: Frankie Gavin (of De Danann fame) and his band will be making their way to the Glórach Theatre on Friday, May 3 for what should be a fantastic night of music. For bookings or enquiries, please call 0871383940.

AFTERNOON TEA DANCE: Mary MacArthur in association with the Wednesday Club is holding a Tea Dance in memory of Mary’s late husband Hughie, in Fr Casey’s GAA Hall, Abbeyfeale from 3 – 6pm on Sunday, April 14. All proceeds to Milford Care Centre. Music by Mike Condon. Tickets €5 from 087 6377310. Raffle. All donations gratefully accepted.

RATHKEALE & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY will hold its final meeting of this season on Friday, March 22 at 8.30 pm. in the Community Arts Centre,New Line, Rathkeale. Topic: “REVISITING THE LORE OF WEST LIMERICK”. Speaker: Maurice O’Keeffe, who travelled the highways and byways of West Limerick and other regions twenty years ago, meeting and talking to people on the way, which has resulted in thousands of hours of audio material being compiled into oral history collections. All are welcome. Admission Free.

COUNTRY MUSIC CONCERT: All roads lead to Duagh Sports & Leisure Complex on Thursday, April 4 for The Irish Country Music Concert presented by Mike Gardner of Country Corner – Clare FM. A fantastic line up comprises The Ryan Turner Band, Louise Morrissey, Gerry Guthrie, Cathy Durkin, John Hogan, Michael Collins. Following on from the great success of last years "Showbands concert" this promises to be an event not to be missed. Doors open 7.30pm and Concert starts @8.30pm. Tickets €25 available from 087-2684540 or any committee member. Lots of Spot prizes, full bar facilities as well as Tea/Coffee.

CONCERT: A Variety Concert in aid of the Athea Lourdes Invalid Fund will take place in St Bartholomew’s Church, Athea on Sunday, March 31 at 7pm. Tickets €10.

BINGO AT THE GLORÁCH: Bingo every Monday night at 8.30pm

FR. CASEY’S CARDS MARCH 15: Winning prize divided between two teams with 12 games each were; Paddy Sullivan, Dan Reidy, Jerry O’Connor. JD Foley, Christine O’Donoghue, Gerard Murphy. Table prize won by; Dan Brosnan, Nora Lyons, John Lyons. Door prize; Bridie Collins. Raffle; Paddy Sullivan, Dan Dillane, Eamon Scannell, Dan Scanlon, Mike Leahy.

ABBEYFEALE ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE: The annual Abbeyfeale St Patrick’s Day Parade was well supported last Sunday and large crowds lined the route to cheer on the parade and the participants. Templeglantine Comhaltas kicked off proceedings with a lively session of music in The Square which had the appreciative audience tapping their feet and clapping their hands in time to a variety of jigs, reels and hornpipes. It set the tone for the rest of the afternoon.The parade was led by the ever popular Rathkeale Brass Band who have become something of a St Patrick’s Day fixture in the town in recent times and always receive a warm welcome. An assortment of floats, vintage cars, tractors, bicycles, motor bikes, musicians and various local and youth organizations followed on in an imaginative display of pageantry and entertainment.Prize for best float went to FitAll Shopfitting while the best decorated window was won by Kathleen’s Foodstore The youth award went to Templeglantine GAA. The organizing committee would like to thank the following for their help and support; Main parade sponsors, Twohigs Supervalu, Abbeyfeale, for their generous support again this year. All of the participants without whom there would be no parade. The people who decorated their windows so tastefully. The crowds who gathered along the pavements and offered their support and encouragement as the parade passed by. Everyone who contributed to the recent church gate collection. All Star Deliveries for supplying the stage, and The Fáilte for the loan of the steps. James Kennedy for the sound system. Kathleen Collins of Jack Foley’s Bar for supplying food and refreshments. The local Gardai who kept the traffic running smoothly. The various stewards and all who assisted on the day. A big thank you to everyone concerned.

TRIP TO CONNEMARA: On Bank Holiday Monday, May 6, a coach will depart from the Market Yard, Newcastle West at 7a.m. to visit the Connemara Greenway. Our first stop will be for breakfast in the Forge, Moycullen. The Connemara Greenway is planned to run all the way from Galway to Clifden but our visit is to a 6km section which was only opened in 2018 (http://connemaragreenway.ie/about-2/). It is very scenic and includes wonderful lakeside stretches. Our walk/cycle ends near Ballynahinch Castle which also has its own parkland and walks. In the afternoon we will continue deeper into Connemara to the Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel for tea and scones with time to relax. A full four course dinner at the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis will be provided en route home. The cost for coach travel and the three food stops is €60 which is payable to Pat Condon, Upper Maiden Street, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick. (Tel: 06962344 from 5-6pm). As our previous excursion was oversubscribed we recommend early payment to guarantee your reservation. Beidh fáilte romhat!

LOURDES: Limerick Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place this year from June 20 -25. All Assisted (Invalid) Pilgrims applications to be submitted to Lourdes Office before the end of April. Details and cost will be on the notice board at the entrance of the Church.

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 who are celebrating 120 years on the road. The fleadh 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: Sgt. Ber Leetch was out with the ICA recently. She gave a great presentation and loads of ideas about people’s personal safety. Wear a cross body bag when doing the shopping or travelling, do not put the bag in the boot just wear it in the car. Always lock the car door once you’re inside. If you want to take money out of an ATM go inside the bank or shop. When making purchases online use a Visa Credit Card. Invest in a chain for your door and leave it on when answering the door. You could also open a window and say you can’t find the keys. Keep back door locked so that a second person can’t come in while you are distracted. The greatest sign of occupancy is lights followed by a man’s Wellingtons outside the door and a dog bowl outside even if you have no dog. Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers, if they want you they’ll leave a message. Senior Help Line is a free confidential listening service provided by trained older volunteers on 1800804591and its open daily from 10am – 10pm. ‘So if you’re older and want information or just to hear a friendly voice then gives 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. If you hit the button by mistake and the monitoring company answer it’s what they are paid for and you do not have to apologise. 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.

AUNCH OF THE STUDY ON SOCIAL ENTERPRISE POTENTIAL IN WEST LIMERICK: West Limerick Resources will be launching our Study on Social Enterprise Potential in West Limerick on Monday, March 25, at 7.30pm in Áras Ide, Kilmeedy. The study sought to analyse the gaps in the provision of services to West Limerick communities in order to identify potential for the development of new and enhance existing social enterprises. Social Enterprises are not-for-profit organisations providing identified services and products within communities which are currently not being provided by the private or public sector. The plan will be launched by Deputy Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Councillor Michael Collins. A presentation of the findings of the report will be provided by consultant Tom O’Leary. All are welcome. A presentation of the findings of the report will be provided by consultant Tom O’Leary. All are welcome. for

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.

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.

RURAL SOCIAL SCHEME RECRUITING POTENTIAL PARTICIPANTS: West Limerick Resources CLG have a number of vacancies on the Rural Social Scheme (RSS). Participants on the scheme work 19.5hrs/week and receive a top-up payment from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. To participate on the scheme you must fulfil the following criteria: Be actively farming over 1 hectare of land; Have a valid herd number; Proof of application for the EU Basic Payment Scheme for the current year and be in receipt of Farm Assist, Jobseekers Allowance or other qualifying payments. Spouses, children, brothers and sisters of the herd owner can also join the scheme if they meet relevant criteria. One person allowed per herd number only. For further details contact Tom or Michelle, at West Limerick Resources CLG, on 069 61316 or E-mail: rsswlr. Successful eligible candidates will be placed on a panel from which vacancies will be filled.

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: Saturday 6.30pm Kitty Fitzgerald, Railway bar 8th Anniversary. Paddy & Kit Donovan and deceased family members. John Brennan Senior & Junior USA & Killarney road. Sunday 9.15am Ita O’Connell, Kilmanihan. Fintan & Mary Ann Collins Knocknasna. Monday 7pm Peggy Moloney, Knocknasna. Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine – we live in one another’s shadow Lectio Divina Will take place during Lent each Friday morning at approx. 10.20 after the 10am Mass. Reading and meditation on the gospel for the following Sunday with the aim of making the gospel a reality in our lives. All are welcome. Stations of the Cross will take place before Mass each Friday 9.45am during Lent. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Adoration recommences on Monday at 8am for 13 hours 8am –9pm Monday to Friday. The chart is beside the tabernacle if you wish to sign for an hour. There are some places vacant on the chart. Lourdes Invalid Collection will take place on March 23/24. Schools Collections will take place on March 30/31. Lent a season of Grace; Lenten reflections Special Programming Throughout the Lenten Season, reflection on the Gospel reading of each Sunday in Lent from the parish church of Ardagh in Carrickerry, Sundays at 11.30am Monday at 7.30-pm Wednesdays at 10.30am Saturdays at 12.30pm ( 30mins) Available on SKY 588, Virgin Media 815, eircomeFibre 589 or watch online wwwewtn.ie

GLÓRACH: Bingo continues on Monday nights at 8.30 pm.

PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE AND SAN GIOVANNI Leaving Dublin September 15 for 6 nights (3 night at each shrine). Contact Michael Clifford (085 1309835) or Marian Pilgrimages (01 8788159).

LECTURE: The next lecture to the Thomond Archaeological and Historical Society is ‘Museums as Community Resources’, and will be given by Mr Tony Candon, who is a Kilkenny man and Keeper of Irish Folklife in the National Museum of Ireland. He is also Manager of NMI’s Museum of Country Life-Ireland’s National Folk Museum in Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. Tony has spent his working life studying, thinking about and interpreting Ireland’s heritage across a number of disciplines. Aspiring to be a historian of medieval Ireland, economic necessity (and interest) forced him into work as an archaeologist in Cos. Cork and Tipperary. From there he moved to Co. Tyrone where he built and ran The Ulster History Park, an open-air archaeological theme park near Omagh. Later, he became the Curator of the four museums of Derry’s Heritage and Museum Service. Tony joined the National Museum of Ireland in March 2007 and there he still is…
The venue for this lecture is Room T.1.17 Tara Building, Mary Immaculate College, South Circular Road, Limerick at 8.00pm on Monday 25 March 2019. MEDJUGORJE PILGRIMAGE May 22nd – May 29th ex Shannon. €695.00 half board including return bus fare to Airport. Contact Pamela 087 9819242 or Catherine 087 9282421

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.

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 be 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.

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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