PROLOGUE: A man should never be ashamed to own that he has been in the wrong, which is but saying… that he is wiser today than yesterday."
Jonathan Swift
DEATHS: Sincere sympathy is offered to the wife and family of the late Jimmy Galvin, Ballaugh. May he rest in peace.
GLORACH BINGO IS BACK: There will be flashing, hooting and hollering a plenty at Fr. Casey’s Carpark from 2.30pm on the Sundays of September 13, 20 and 27 next when the Glorach Bingo returns in a new outdoor setting. All Covid restrictions will apply. Prize Money – a Minimum of €3,050 will be paid out on the day. Double Book €20 – inc. of 2 Sheets for Jackpot Game. Single Book €15 – inc. of 1 Sheet for Jackpot Game.
SOUTHERN REGION GARDAI APPEAL: “We are appealing for everyone to be extra vigilant regarding bogus traders and cold callers. Over the last two weeks Gardaí on patrol have had over 30 incidents of people canvassing members of the public offering illegitimate home repair services. Between these incidents, and as a result of checkpoints with Social Welfare Officers, approximately 70 people have warranted further investigation by Social Welfare for suspected fraudulent claims. We have identified up to 50 people who we believe travel around the city with the sole aim of trying to defraud people by offering services such as building work, repairs and gardening. If you are offered services from someone who cold calls to your door, and you don’t believe they are genuine, call us. If you do wish to you avail of their services, ask for a brochure or documentation so you can carry out checks and verify their credibility. This should include a contact number and a V.A.T registered number. If you are satisfied that the company or individual(s) are credible and you want to make a purchase, ask for an itemised written quotation for the exact goods/services being offered. Always seek comparable estimates for services. Never engage a person who insists on a cash payment as it is untraceable. Genuine trade’s people won’t be offended by any queries that you or Gardaí may make. If anyone feels like they, or someone they know, paid for building work or other services that was not carried out or that was substandard, to call any Garda station and report the matter. There is nothing to be embarrassed about and we will carry out a full investigation. For more crime prevention advice on the topic please see https://www.garda.ie/en/Crime-Prevention/Bogus-Traders-Callers.pdf If you can also tell elderly neighbours, friends and family.
ABBEYFEALE ABLAZE: Abbeyfeale Community Council has been blazing a trail over the past few years when it comes to the funding and implementation of various Projects throughout the greater Abbeyfeale area. This week was no different with the donation of almost 1,000 Philips and Energetic branded LED Light Bulbs to a number of locally based Voluntary Community Groups who themselves interact predominantly with the elderly population throughout the greater Abbeyfeale area.
The Groups chosen to receive a significant consignment of LED Bulbs were the Abbeyfeale Guild of Irish Countrywomen’s Association, Abbeyfeale Active Retirement Group, St Ita’s Housing and Daycare Centre, and Abbeyfeale Community Alert Group. All of these Groups helped Abbeyfeale Community Council in the initial research stages of this Project and were duly rewarded for their efforts.
Maurice OConnell – Chairperson of Abbeyfeale Community Council commented “ We are delighted that this project was fully backed by the SSE Airtricity Community Fund. hopefully it should be of benefit to several households in their efforts to reduce their respective electricity costs while also playing a small but important role in helping the environment and saving our planet”.
WEST LIMERICK COMMUNITY RADIO PLAYING THEIR PART: WL102fm has provided a great service throughout West Limerick since the lockdown began. Advertising and fundraising pay their expenses and like everyone else they need money to survive. Please buy a ticket for their weekly draw and help them stay on air – it’s as simple as that – you’ll never miss the water ‘til the well runs dry. Tickets on sale at Ann Lyons’s, The Square for €2 each. Please be generous in your support. They are also need volunteers to help run the station.
ARE YOU PLANNING TO GET MARRIED SHORTLY: For those who are getting married in the next few months and due to the current restrictions, please send an email to info, to find out the current procedures and to book your pre-marriage course as soon as possible.
SICAP FAMILY SUPPORTS:For free support and guidance for parents and caregivers contact Mary O’Connor 087 938 2883 or email moconnor; Stefanie Jaeger Liston, 087 398 2925 or email sjaeger
WEARING OF A MASK IN ENCLOSED SPACES MANDATORY: You are also reminded to wash your hands for 20 seconds frequently and to observe social distancing.
CLASSES TO RECOMMENCE AT THE ADULT ED. CENTRE: Classes starting shortly for the Autumn. Contact Tech in Mountmahon on 06831198.
SELLING ONLINE – MOVING YOUR BUSINESS ONLINE: This free three-hour course will provide you with all the information required to create a business plan for moving online with your business. There are two course dates available, Wednesday, September 9 and Wednesday, October 7, from 10am to 1pm. Delivered by Talent Pool and supported by Limerick Local Enterprise Office, it is open to all new and existing businesses operating in the West Limerick area. This training will be carried out through Zoom and pre-booking is essential. In relation to one-to-one, group meetings and the current situation regarding Coronavirus, please see Notice to Public above. For further information and to book your place, please contact Aimee Grigg at West Limerick Resources on 069 66295 or email agrigg
CHURCH NEWS: The church is now fully reopened and will seat 50 in the body of the church, 42 in one side aisle and 39 in the other. Face coverings are mandatory. All Masses will be stewarded and the church will be fully sanitised after each Mass. Mass on Monday at 7pm, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 10am except if there is a funeral then Mass which will be private will be at 11am. There will be a Vigil Mass on Saturday evening at 6.30pm and Sunday Masses at 10am and 12 noon.. If the church is full then people are welcome to park on the Grotto side of the car park as Mass is broadcast there on loudspeakers and Holy Communion will be distributed at the Grotto by a Minister for the Eucharist.
BECOME A BIODIVERSITY LEADER IN YOUR COMMUNITY WITH WEST LIMERICK RESOURCES: We are now taking applications for an online training programme to help you become a Biodiversity Leader in your community. The training is free of charge and will be held as a series of webinars taking place on Wednesday evenings, beginning September 16, and running for eleven weeks. A certificate will be awarded to each participant who completes 75% or more of the course. Three trainers will cover different aspects of Biodiversity. Places are limited to 30 and participants will need access to internet and a smart phone or laptop. Due to Covid-19 the entire course will be held online through Zoom and assistance can be given to show participants how to link in. For further enquiries or application form please email Fran at biodiversityleader
A COMPLAINT TO EIR: Forget about ringing, send an email to eir.ie/complaints. If you receive no reply over 5 days then email comreg.ie
HELGA IS BACK IN THE SQUARE: She has a fine selection of locally grown vegetables which are chemical free.
ABBEYFEALE COMMUNITY ALERT: We are still accepting donations of €10 to help run our text alert system as the funds we raised some years ago have now run out. If you are the owner of a dog please be aware that there are gangs of people going around searching out dogs and stealing them for puppy farms or as bait for dog fights or to be sold on as family pets. They sometimes mark house piers or fences or gates with chalk or cable ties so keep an eye on your property if you own a dog. If you don’t own a pet why not rescue a dog from one of the many dog rescue organisations if you have decided to get a pet. If you are the victim of domestic abuse the Gardai ‘have a pro – arrest policy where a power of arrest exists to protect spouses or partners and your family so please contact 068 30010 if you feel threatened. When 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. There may be some confusion over the word free – the equipment which costs in the region of €400 is provided free of charge by Pobal as is the first year of monitoring but after that you will be charged by the installing company for the monitoring. If you fulfil the criteria for a panic button the installing company will drop the gear to your door and then let you set up the connection yourself with assistance over the phone from their staff. I have been assured that it’s only a matter of connecting a cable and anyone can do it. I have not included the phone numbers of the committee in this notice but if you want to get a panic button then ring Abbeyfeale Garda Station on 068 30010 and they will contact one of us. 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. Then, in year two you will also receive a bill for the monitoring fee so in year one the bill will be €90 and in year two and every other year after it will €162 approx. If you wish you can arrange a direct debit and pay this amount off monthly. We recently received a query about the application of VAT to the monitoring charge, your bill shows VAT but it is included in the cost not extra to it. Committee members are Michael O’Kelly N.T., Seamus Stack, Mossie Gleeson, Kathleen Collins, Mary McArthur, John O’Sullivan, Billy Quirke N.T., Cllr. Francis Foley, Catherine Daly, Maurice O’Connell, Marian Harnett.
WEST LIMERICK RESOURCES: The Offices of West Limerick Resources remain closed to the public but all staff are available to contact. Please ring 069 62222 with any queries and you will be directed to the appropriate staff member.
SICAP RURAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (RES) / YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (YES): If you need support job seeking and feel that you are a little lost in deciding what you want to do, then you should contact the RES / YES which offers 1:1 support and career planning around education, training and employment opportunities. To find out more contact Finn on 087 759 1951 or email ffitzgerald or Eddie on 087 653 5156 or email eoshaughnessy or Dee on 087 918 5557 or email dcollins or Adrienne on 087 277 3294 or email aoconnell. Check out the RES Facebook page for the latest in employment and training opportunities in County Limerick & beyond www.facebook.com/RES-144618922850869/
FURTHER EDUCATION: Even in these difficult times it is good to make positive plans for the future. If you hope/intend on going to college in September 2020 WLR can support you with your SUSI Grant Application Form. Leaving Cert Students, Mature Students and Parents are welcome to contact Adrienne on 087 277 3294 or email aoconnell for advice and guidance. The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018-2022 is funded by the Irish Government through the Department of Rural and Community Development and co-funded by the European Social Fund under the Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020
HELPLINES: Jigsaw support line is now up and running on freefone 1800 JIGSAW (544 729). It will provide free mental health support and advice to young people aged 12 to 25 years old, and parents or concerned adults who live in the Republic of Ireland.
Men suffering domestic abuse operates 36 hours a week on 1800816588. Men’s Aid (Amen) 01 5543811 Monday – Friday 9-5pm. 24 hour helplines for women suffering domestic abuse 1800 341900 or Adapt 1800 200504. Limerick Social Services: 061-314111. AA 061/311222 Al-Anon 086/8143425. Parent Support worker 068/31019. Accord NCW 069/61000. BEREAVEMENT SERVICE: A new national freephone bereavement support line has been launched by the Irish Hospice Foundation in conjunction with the HSE to assist staff and the public during the Pandemic.. The national freephone service, 1800 80 70 77 is available Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm. 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 affected by mental ill health) 01 860 1620 061 – 412111 or Free phone 1850609090 A.A. 061-311222. ACCORD; are now offering over the phone counselling for couples, Individuals & family members during this time of unprecedented stress & pressure during these weeks of COVID-19. Call: 01 5313331.
Al-Anon 086-8143425 Bereavement Support: 068 / 31203 068/ 31262 068/51984 St Vincent De Paul Tel 087/1213560 . Counselling Appointment 061/314213. ALONE; has launched a national support line and additional supports for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to the outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Professional staff are available to answer queries and give advice and reassurance where necessary. The support line is open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm, by calling 0818 222 024. Hours may be extended to meet the demand.
Abbeyfeale Gathering Festival 