PROLOGUE: Research has shown that laughing for two minutes is just as healthy as a 20-minute jog. So now I’m sitting in the park laughing at all the joggers." Author unknown.
COMHALTAS: The Limerick County Fleadh is taking place in Athea this holiday weekend starting with a storytelling night with Frances Kennedy tonight, Wednesday in the Top of the Town from 9pm.
ROSARY AT HOLY WELL: The rosary will be recited for the final time this May at the Holy Well in Killenagh at 8pm on Friday night.
CROWNING OF OUR LADY: Duagh church this Wednesday evening at 7.30pm.
UPCOMING CHURCH GATE COLLECTIONS: Sr. Consilio Fitzgerald of Cuan Mhuire, Bruree will be holding her annual church gate collection in Abbeyfeale next weekend . Cuan Mhuire offers a comprehensive, structured, abstinence based residential programme to persons suffering from alcohol, narcotics and gambling addictions. The following weekend Adapt who run the largest refuge in the country providing emergency accommodation for women and children who have to leave their homes because of domestic abuse will hold their annual collection.
LISTOWEL’S WRITERS WEEK PRESENTS: Ard Cúram Fundraising Choir Concert – Thursday 30 takes place in the Community Centre, Listowel . An evening of music with Fr Ray Kelly of Britain’s Got Talent fame and North Kerry’s very own Ard Ċúram Community Choir conducted by soprano Mary Culloty O’Sullivan and accompanied by Kieran Finnegan on piano. The Ard Ċúram Community Choir comprises over 100 members who are all over the age of 55 and hail from every area of North Kerry. Ard Ċúram is a voluntary charity body which provides Day Care Services for the older people of the region and is currently in the process of building a new purpose-built Dementia Day Care Unit in Listowel. The proceeds from this concert will go towards the cost of this new Dementia Centre . Tickets €20.00 for above can be purchased at Listowel Parish Office.
OPEN PUBLIC AA MEETING: There will be an open meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous in Duagh N.S. on Bank Holiday Monday at 8.30pm. All Welcome.
ABBEYSIDE PLAYERS: We would like to congratulate our Assistant Director Angeline O’ Donnell on providing a guided tour of the Heritage Centre to President and Mrs. Higgins during their trip to Listowel last weekend. Writers Week begins this Wednesday and Abbeyside Players will present some extracts of the Chastitute on Thursday night in various pubs in Listowel starting at 8pm in the hotel. We’d love to see a few familiar faces so please come along and support us.
HOST FAMILIES WANTED: Wanted host families for French students for 2 or 3 weeks during the summer. Contact Catherine at 0876255679 or email me at hostfamilies17 Rosary every Friday evening during May.
CLEAN UP: Reilig Ide Graveyard every Tuesday from 7-8pm. More help is always appreciated as the graveyard is quite large. In order to help with this families are encouraged to maintain their own graves and one near yours if that family is no longer able to. We appreciate any help you can give.
COMMUNITY GAMES: Abbeyfeale Community Games will be holding their Athletics Evening on Wednesday, May 29 in the GAA Club, Abbeyfeale. Registration from 6pm with the Athletics starting at 6.30pm sharp. Age is of July 31. Races from Toddler to U 16. Long jump and Shot Putt will also be held on the night. There will also be fun Novelty Races, weather permitting. For any enquiries contact Maurice Cullinane on 087 6315169.
LAUNCH OF WEST LIMERICK BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION PLAN: Takes place Tuesday, June 4, at 7:30pm, in the Desmond Complex, Newcastle West. All are welcome to attend. To register your attendance please contact Elaine, at West Limerick Resources CLG, edillon or call 069 66296.
MISSING MAN: Delighted to report that Mr. Dan Sheehy a valued member of the staff of Castleisland Mart has made contact with his family.
TRAVELLER PRIDE WEEK EXHIBITION: West Limerick Resources SICAP programme, in conjunction with the Primary Healthcare Project, are working together to prepare an exhibition for Traveller Pride Week 2019. Seven individual lampshades are currently being crafted by members of the Travelling Community aiming to shine a light on the positive contribution of Traveller Culture and Travellers in Ireland. The lampshade exhibition will be launched at Abbeyfeale Library on Tuesday, June 4, at 11.30am, where healthy refreshments will also be served. All welcome to attend
WEDNESDAY CLUB FUNDRAISER; A tea dance will take place at Fr. Casey’s Clubhouse on Sunday, June 9 with dancing to Paddy Quilligan. Proceeds to Recovery Haven and Kerry Hospice Foundation.
CONCERT AT THE GLÓRACH THEATRE: Having given an impressive performance on his Abbeyfeale debut at the Glórach Theatre in 2017, Steo Wall returns to the esteemed venue with fellow musicians Trevor Sexton and Ger O’Donnell under the collective name, Hearts of Men. Combining folk, traditional and original numbers, as well as three very distinctive vocal styles, Hearts of Men will be playing at the Glórach Theatre on Thursday, June 13 at 8 pm. A concert not to be missed, be sure to book at 0871383940 to guarantee a seat on the night. Bingo every Monday night at 8.30pm.
BREAKING TRAD: Back by popular demand Irish Music 3 piece Breaking Trad are returning to St Johns Arts Centre, Listowel on Thursday, June 6, doors 7:30, admission €15, ph 068 22566 for bookings. The band features Abbeyfeale accordionist Donal Murphy, Armagh fiddle maestro Niall Murphy and amazing Mike Galvin on guitar & vocals. This promises to be a great night of music & song. A night not to be missed.
SUMMER CONCERT: The Annual Broadford Summer Concert takes place on Friday, June 7 at 8.00 p.m. preceeded by a wine reception from 7.15 p.m.
PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK: The Legion of Mary annual Pilgrimage to Knock Sunday, June 9. Bus leaving the Church of The Assumption Abbeyfeale at7.00 am sharp. €20, must be paid beforehand to ensure a seat. Please contact: Bernard Broderick 068 31565, Sean Broderick 068 31213, Michael Lane 068 32757, 087 298084, Gerard O’Callaghan 087 2980841 and David Davy 087 0994272.
BOOK FLUID FORMS – LIAM FLYNN: Two weeks left of our campaign and, thanks to our funders and supporters, we have reached 161% of our funding target. At this point our focus is on honouring Liam’s memory by distributing Fluid Forms widely. We anticipate launching Fluid Forms on December 5 at Oliver Sears Gallery, Dublin. You can pre-order the book on our Fund:it site (40 euro/copy) @
YOGA CLASSES: Yoga classes every Wednesday evening from 7 – 8.30pm. Yoga is a great activity; it gives you strength, flexibility and mind-body awareness. Contact Mike 087 2732591.
HARNETT REUNION: 5 weeks to go. Confirmation received this week of four Harnett speakers giving presentations on family genealogy including one on the Indian connection. Carina Prendeville is currently working on our magazine and is looking for family pictures, stories, histories. You can contact her on harnettreunion2019
We have a full programme organised for our visitors but it is also open to anyone to join us. Free admission on Friday, July 12 to the Genealogy workshops and the Patie Boy Historical Collection in the Devon Inn. Tickets for the variety concert in Tournafulla on Friday, July 12 will be available on the door. Brian Harnett Tenor has confirmed that he will be performing. Tickets for the Gala banquet and bus tour available from Batt Harnett or Ann Lyons. 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.
HELPLINE FOR MEN SUFFERING DOMESTIC ABUSE: A new helpline has been set up and will operate 36 hours a week on 1800816588.
COMMUNITY ALERT: There have been several alerts about vans calling to yards and houses offering to sell gates, power washers, paints, etc. We are always advising people to only purchases these goods from your local creamery or hardware shop as there is no guarantee following purchases such as these. When you shop local, you keep money in circulation, you keep your area vibrant and most of all you are protected from ending up with faulty goods. Drop the phone if you answer the phone and it’s an automated message, it seems if they can get you to stay on the line it gives them time to either place a trace or to search through your personal details. Do not employ causal labour to do jobs around the house or yard without consulting with family members or neighbours who will put you in touch with reputable people. 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 €72. Please note that this fee has increased by €6 and 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. Committee members are Sean Broderick, Michael 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.
SUMMER CAMP:The Bruach Na Carraige Summer Camp for Children between 6 and 15 years will take place from July 15-25 next.
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.
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 CONFERENCE AND DAY OF PRAYER with Sr. Briege McKenna Saturday, August 31 in Neptune Stadium, Cork. Tickets €20.00 available on Eventbrite.ie . Enter discount code EARLYBIRD for discount price of €15.00 available until May 31. All tickets purchased included in entry for free pilgrimage to Medjugorje from Cork or Dublin. Booking fees apply. Contact Sean O’Shaughnessy 0862959380.
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. Fr Shoji Vargihese 089/4431922 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 Mary Ita McCarthy, Shanbally. Saturday 11am Hannah O’Connor, Bogmount . 6.30pm. Mossie & Lily Colbert, New Street. Maurice, Margaret & Jerry O’Connor. Sunday 9.15am. Margaret & Tim Finucane & Michael & Margaret USA 12noon Timothy T Tady O’Connor, Kilmanihan 2nd Anniversary. Mary Ita McCarthy, Shanbally .
Mass cards are available in the sacristy during Mass times 068/ 51915. An Evening of reflection & prayer for Abbeyfeale Parish will be held at Ardfert Retreat Centre on Tuesday, November 26 from 7.30 – 10.30pm. Contact is Rita Horgan 086 3738626.
PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE AND SAN GIOVANNI Leaving Dublin September 15 for 6 nights (3 nights at each shrine). Contact Michael Clifford (085 1309835) or Marian Pilgrimages (01 8788159).
RAMBLING HOUSES: Monagae 2nd. Monday of the month. Knockalougha, Duagh on the third Tuesday of every month. Knockanure Thursday, May 2 at 8pm.
WEST LIMERICK SINGING CLUB: Meet every First Friday in Philip Enrights The Ramble Inn, Church Street from 9pm.
ROSARY FOR FAITH AND LIFE: Each day in May 2019, thousands of people from all around Ireland will gather at their local Grottos to recite the Rosary for Faith and Life in Ireland. To see the locations visit www.coastalrosaryireland.ie
LOUGH DERG PILGRIMAGES: Friday, May 31 – Sunday, June 2, Tuesday, July 9 –
Thursday July 11 or Friday, August 9 – Sunday, August 11. Fare €140 including coach, boat and island. To book you seat contact Fitzpatrick’s of Listowel on 087 3966399 (9am to 6pm).
PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND led by Fr. Pat Crean-Lynch. September 24—October 2. For further details contact Fr. Pat Crean-Lynch on 087 220 0114.
Abbeyfeale Gathering Festival 