PROLOGUE: “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
DEATH: We offer our sympathy to the family of Tomas Broderick, Killarney Road whose funeral tookplace on Thursday. May he rest in peace.
OPEN DAY AT MARY I: Mary Immaculate College’s Open Day at MIC takes place on Friday next, April 29 from 9.30.a.m -12.30p.m. A special team will be on hand to advise the Ukraine community on study options.
BLAGUARDING ON THE GREENWAY: It seems that thumbtacks are being spread on the track so if you find them please report to the Garda Station 068 30010.
FLEADH BY THE FEALE: The Fleadh kicks off with a night of Caint agus Ceoil in TJ O’Connells, New St. Thursday night .Then on Friday following the Street Busking starting at 7pm and entertainment on the Gig Rig in the Square and the Singing Club in Philips we’re delighted to have the Striolán Ceilí Band playing for our set ceilí which will take place in Fr Casey’s GAA Club from 9.30pm.. Saturday it’s a packed agenda with workshops in the morning, Youth Trad Session in Donal and Anne’s from 2.30pm and then a Sliabh Luacra session in Thomas T. J’s at 5pm. After a stop for the Traditional Mass with choir at 6.30pm it’s across the road to the Glorach Theatre for the celebrity concert with Donal Murphy and Sliabh Notes and downtown afterwards to one of the numerous sessions that break out spontaneously. Sunday from 3pm it’s a feast again between Eoin O’Sullivan in Leens and Storytelling in St. Ita’s Hall and the bones display on the Gig Rig at 5pm. The winners of each category in the busking on Friday evening will be asked to perform on stage on Sunday afternoon after bones display on stage in the square Donal Murphy CD launch and tribute to his Dad in Murphy’s Bar and the Lost Souls on the Gig Rig at 8pm. Our Bones workshop on Monday 2nd May at 3:30pm in leans hotel is being taught by our American senior bones competitors, James Yoshizawa, Dean Robinson, Skeff Flynn. The class is open to everyone young and old and costs €10. We will have bones available to use at the workshop. We are also looking for any young players who would love to take part in our junior bones competition that night. It doesn’t matter if you are only starting, we would love to have you and if you take part in the competition you will be left keep the bones (which are made in America by Steve Brown… Steve won the senior bones a few times). Also, any seniors taking part in the workshop and playing bones for a few years are welcome to take part in our senior competition at 8pm the same night. (Our senior competition is not open to total beginners) The All Ireland Bones competitions kick off at 8pm and are preceded by entertainment on the Gig Rig from 7pm. I have tried to give a taster of what’s happening in Abbeyfeale for the May Bank Holiday w/e but the above is not the half of it. Without a doubt it’s the place to be and don’t forget there’s a great weather forecast too.
FUNDRAISER FOR CRUMLIN: In memory of baby Layla McKenna, 23/02/’21 to 28/02/’21, lines are being sold locally in aid of Crumlin Hospital. Your support would be greatly appreciated.
NATIONAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DAY: Gardai and the IFA are combining to host an National Community Engagement Day here in Abbeyfeale at the Mart at 11am on Wednesday 27th April. An Garda Síochána, supported by the IFA and the National Rural Safety Forum, are inviting local communities to a ‘meet and greet’ opportunity at over 300 venues across Ireland. The venue for Abbeyfeale and surrounding districts is here at the Mart. All are welcome.
GLÓRACH BINGO; The signs on the approach roads to Abbeyfeale seemed to have done the trick with large crowds attending our indoor Bingo at the Glórach, every Monday night starting at 8 pm.
SLIABH NOTES AT THE GLÓRACH: It’s been three long years but with a packed itinerary it will have been worth the wait for the Fleadh by the Feale Festival that takes place in town over the weekend. Looking forward to all the events, but in particular the main festival concert, which will be Sliabh Notes, who play at the Glórach Theatre on Saturday, April 30th. Consisting of one of Abbeyfeale’s finest exponent of accordion playing, Donal Murphy, who is joined by the famed Matt Cranitch on fiddle and Tommy O’Sullivan on guitar, it promises to be a night of exceptional entertainment. Tickets will be available from Sheehy’s Hardware Store, Slice of Life or direct from the Glórach at 0871383940. Doors open at 7.30, the gig starts at 8 pm, don’t put it on the meár fhada and regret missing a great night of music.
BURSARY: Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Mary Immaculate College (MIC). The Nano Nagle Bursary Scheme includes 10 bursaries valued at €8,000 each, which are available for students participating on the MA in Christian Leadership in Education programme at MIC. The bursaries are funded by the Presentation Sisters (Northeast and Southwest).
Applications will close on 1 June.
SLIABH NOTES AT THE GLÓRACH: Despite the feel of ‘scairbhín’ weather, a sense of the summer is slowly emerging, amplified by longer light in the evenings, Limerick hurlers fine win in Cork and the Fleadh by the Feale festival returning in a physical sense for the May Bank Holiday weekend. The main festival concert will be Sliabh Notes, who play at the Glórach Theatre on Saturday, April 30th. Consisting of one of Abbeyfeale’s finest exponent of accordion playing, Donal Murphy, who is joined by the famed Matt Cranitch on fiddle and Tommy O’Sullivan on guitar, it promises to be a night of exceptional entertainment. Tickets will be available from Sheehy’s Hardware Store, Slice of Life or direct from the Glórach at 0871383940. Doors open at 7.30, the gig starts at 8 pm, don’t put it on the meár fhada and regret missing a great night of music.
MOYA FESTIVAL 2022: Meditation, Ocean, Yoga, Art May Ban Holiday weekend on 29th April to 2nd May. Bookings by Text: 087 7837448 Facebook: @moyaballybunion ; Fr. Sean Hanafin will be holding a talk on the Spirituality of the stained Glass windows as part of the festival on Monday 2nd May at 2 p.m. All welcome.
ROSARY FOR MAY: Rosary at the Grottos, The Rosary will be prayed each day during the month of May at hundreds of grottos around the Island of Ireland. For details http://www.coastal rosaryireland.ie.
WEST LIMERICK SINGING CLUB: Delighted to announce that the club will reopen in Philip Enrights’ Ramble Inn on Friday, April 29 for the Fleadh by the Feale and then the regular monthly club will take place on Friday, May 6 at 8pm.
NEW SKILL: There’s a course starting shortly at the old Tech, Abbeyfeale on how to convert a van into a working camper van. Ring 068 31198 for all the details.
NEW MABS OUTREACH CLINIC: On Friday, March 4th and on every second of Friday of the month thereafter (excluding bank holidays) a MABS Outreach Clinic will be held in St. Ita’s Hall from 9am -12.30pm. The contact number for appointments is 0818 072210 for the North Munster MABS Limerick Office. Those wishing to make an appointment must make the call themselves due to GDPR.
SPRING CONCERT IN TRALEE FOR RECOVERY HAVEN: Kerry Choral Union Spring Concert at St Brendan’s Church, Tralee on Sunday, May 8th at 7.30pm. to raise vital funds for Recovery Haven Kerry. Tickets on sale from Recovery Haven’s Tralee at 5 Haig’s Terrace or at the door on the night.
A CHANCE TO WIN TWO GARTH BROOKS CONCERT TICKETS: PRO of the Christmas Lights committee Wioleta Kelly has been in touch: Hi, I’m Wioleta and I’m messaging you on behalf of the Abbeyefeale Christmas Lights Committee. We have a raffle where you are in with a chance to win 2 tickets for the Garth Brooks concert this September. All money from the raffle will go towards buying more lights for our town. Here is a link to our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Win2xGarthBrooksConcertTickets
SPRING RACING: Killarney Races MayFest takes place from Sunday, 15th to Tuesday 17th.May.
CARERS AVAILABLE: Affordable Live-in Homecare provides live-in carers for the elderly in your area. If you are looking for a live-in carer for your relative, please call Eileen or Tom today on 087 991 6791 or 087 744 0729. Website is www.alhomecare.ie
JOBS ON LOUGH DERG: A number of Seasonal employment opportunities at Lough Derg for this summer. Application Forms are available: hr.
KERRY FLEADH ; It will take place over two weekends, 11th/12th June and 18th/19th June and will be held in the Dúchas Comhaltas Centre in Tralee.
| North Kerry, West Limerick: Smart Villages, Stronger Communities – Make Your Voice Heard!
The ‘North Kerry, West Limerick: Smart Villages, Stronger Communities’ project is an initiative jointly led by North, East and West Kerry Development (NEWKD) and West Limerick Resources (WLR) in association with KPMG Future Analytics and University College Dublin. Theproject addresses the unique challenges facing Ireland’s rural regions today. With support under the Rural Development (LEADER) Programme 2014-2020, this project aims to unlock innovative new solutions for the sustainable growth and development of rural communities within the North Kerry – West Limerick region. The next community workshops are scheduled to be held in person in Kerry and Limerick this coming April and May 2022, and will include:
Book your place for Wild Work in Broadford and Abbeyfeale. Join us for a FREE Introduction to Wild Work training programme, where you will explore biodiversity in the Irish landscape. Our trainers will bring you into nature to experience West Limerick wild spaces first-hand. Here you can learn through seeing, touching and interacting with the natural world. The course has 6 sessions that will run on the same day at the same time over 12 weeks. No previous experience or qualifications are required to take part. Any questions contact Maeve or Caitriona in West Limerick Resources info LEADER OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: The LEADER Transition and EURI Programmes are now open for applications for eligible community and enterprise projects. Grant aid for capital works is currently available to all at a rate of 75% to a maximum €200,000 however funding is limited and will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis. Funding is also available for eligible training and A&D projects. Please note conventional retail, agriculture, childcare, healthcare and on-going running costs are among the areas ineligible for LEADER funding. For more information or to discuss your ideas please contact one of our development officers: Caitriona Scully (Enterprise, Tourism and Food Projects) – cscully or Aimee Grigg (Community Projects) agrigg PREPARING A SAFETY STATEMENT FOR YOUR BUSINESS Tuesday, May 3 from 10am-1pm a free training workshop will be delivered at the Longcourt House Hotel for small sole trade businesses to ensure that their business is meeting current Health & Safety requirements by having an appropriate Safety Statement in place. This training workshop delivered by Health, Safety & Emergency Solutions (HSES) will be tailored to the suit the types of businesses attending the Workshop. On completion of this Training Workshop, business owners will be able to identify and understand risks and hazards associated with their business, set up and implement the Health & Safety Authority (HSA) online BeSmart system and prepare and manage a Safety Statement for their business as required by law. Pre-booking is essential by contacting Brenda Heath on 069 66297 or by email to bheath Priority will be given to those who have been supported by SICAP at West Limerick Resources to start their business or to unemployed individuals who are thinking about starting a new business. FREE SOCIAL MEDIA FOR SMALL BUSINESS START-UPS Tuesday, May 10 from 10am to 4pm at the Longcourt House Hotel. This interactive training workshop delivered by Sandra Hennessy of BeDynamic will be tailored to the suit the types of businesses attending. Sandra is a recognised and award-winning training facilitator having won Best Digital Marketing Training Provider in 2020,2021 & 2022. Training is suited to small business owners who already have a basic knowledge of Social Media platforms and may include topics such as Facebook for Business, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok. Participants must set-up the Social Media Accounts relevant to them in advance of the training and must bring a fully charged Laptop with them on the day. Pre-booking is essential by contacting Brenda Heath on 069 66297 or by email to bheath Priority will be given to those who have been supported by SICAP at West Limerick Resources to start their business or to unemployed individuals who are thinking about starting a new business. FIRST AID WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS & GUARDIANS: Wednesday, May 4 6.30pm – 8.30pm at Abbeyfeale ETB Campus (Old Tech, Mountmahon). Places are limited. Please register by contacting Mary on 087 938 2883. SICAP RURAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (RES) / YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (YES): If you are currently unemployed or work part-time, the Employment Service offers 1:1 support and career planning around education, training, and employment opportunities. To find out more contact Finn 087 759 1951 or email ffitzgerald, Eddie 087 653 5156 or email eoshaughnessy SICAP SELF EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS: If you are considering Self Employment and would like to know more about the process involved you should contact our Enterprise Support Officer Brenda Heath 087 766 9952 or email bheath WEST LIMERICK JOBS: Follow facebook.com/WestLimerickJobs for daily posts on job vacancies and training opportunities throughout West Limerick. 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 sjaeger SICAP LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS: West Limerick Resources provides ongoing support to Local Community Groups in the West Limerick area. Should your group require any support, guidance, or training contact Damien on 087 904 2477 SOCIAL INCLUSION AND COMMUNITY ACTIVATION PROGRAMME (SICAP): The SICAP initiatives are funded by West Limerick Resources CLG under the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018-2022, which 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. 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 invites 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 Eadaoin, at West Limerick Resources CLG, on 087 366 3842 or email her eoconnell |
CAMPA MHUIRE: Free online Catholic Faith Camp for children aged 5-12. The four day Summer Camp running from July 27th – 30th, Tuesday to Friday will include Music and Action Songs,
Arts and Crafts, into the Deep Bible Stories, games, drama, live streamed daily Mass and more. No need to register, check out www.holyfamilymission.ie/camp-mhuire-mhathair
DAY CARE CENTRE: Now open to visitors every Tuesday. Contact Jane on 068 51850.
RING OF KERRY CYCLE: It’s back – the Ring of Kerry Cycle and will take place on Saturday, July 2.
LOUGH DERG: Sunday 1st May this year’s Pilgrimage season opens with a full Pilgrimage programme and booking is now live on our website! This includes the One Day Retreats, the Three Day Pilgrimage from 1st June – 15th August and the new Pilgrimage experience along the Lough Derg Pilgrim Path. One day retreats will also take place during the months of August and September. Three Day Pilgrimages will commence in July and continue in July and August. Saturday, August 13 is the last day for pilgrims to begin the Three-Day Pilgrimage. Easter Monday, April18 is Pilgrim Path Day. Join the Prior and Lough Derg Team for a guided walk on the lakeshore around Lough Derg. This is one of the events marking Pilgrim Path Week in Ireland. Registration essential. For further information log on to www.loughderg.com or ring 071 9861518.
SOCIAL DANCE CLASS: Fr. Casey’s Clubhouse every Tuesday from 8.30 – 10.30pm. Further information from 087 7206449. Timmy Woulfe has resumed classes in Moyvane Hall every Monday night at 8.30pm.
ORCHARD FOSTERING: Ireland is experiencing a shortage of foster carers, and we need your help. If you would like to help support a child or young person in need, contact Orchard Fostering today on(021) 2038332 or visit www.orchardfostering.ie
HOT DESK: WorkBase E-Hub at Old Bank Building on Main Street is now open for Business. For full details and pricing on Private Office Suites, Meeting Room, Hot-desks etc contact Ken Tobin on 086 816 2105.
RADIO MARIA IRELAND: Catholic Radio with a full programme, daily of catechesis, prayer, daily Mass, rosary, Stations of the Cross, Angelus, etc. You can listen by tuning into Saorview on your Television Channel 210 / Internet: www.radiomaria.ie
CITIZENS ADVICE: They are available to deal with queries Monday to Friday between 9.30am – 4.15pm and can be contacted by phone on 0818075780 or by email limerick
CHURCH NEWS: Fr Tony Mullins 0872600414, Fr Dan Lane (Retired) 087/2533030, Fr Denis Mullane 087/26219. Fr Dan Lane will be on call every Wednesday. Fr Mullins will not be available on Wednesdays. Fr Lane can be contacted on 087-2533030 fealechurch Church Sacristy 068 -51915 Parish Office 068 -31133. To book a |Mass intention contact the church before or after Mass on 0668 51915. Mass Intentions: Saturday
6.30pm Sean O’Mahony6.30pm Jeremiah Collins, Clash 8th Anniversary. Sunday10am Denis & Ellen Collins, Purt and deceased members of the Geary Family. 12 noon Ann Romaine Anniversary. The local Pastoral Area includes the parishes of Abbeyfeale, Athea,Tournafulla, Mountcollins and Templeglantine. Fr Denis and Fr Tony are assisted in the overall running of the five churches in the pastoral area by the Pastoral Area Council. The Pastoral Area Council is comprised of representative of the five churches in the area along with the priests of the area. There are 16 Pastoral Areas in the diocese. In the very near future there will be just two priests serving in each pastoral area in the diocese. Some of the changes taking place in the parish of Abbeyfeale include new arrangements for funerals and baptisms.
After consultation with the Pastoral Area Council, and the parish councils in each of the five parishes, it was agreed, that due to the number of Sunday Masses celebrated in the five
churches in the area, it will no longer be possible to have funeral Masses on a Sunday. This has been the case in the diocese of Kerry for some years. We are also asking families
who are bereaved, where possible, to continue with the practice of bringing the remains of the deceased to the church on the morning of the funeral Mass, rather than the night before. Over the coming weeks we will see a greater involvement of lay people in the leading of the prayers at funerals, such as the prayers for the deceased in funeral homes, in the family home of the deceased and at the burial ceremony. Adoration will continue in the Blessed Sacrament chapel each Friday from 11am to 8pm. There is a chart behind the Tabernacle where you may fill in your name and the time you will cover. New Arrangements for the celebration of Baptisms: From the first weekend in June the following will be the
arrangements for baptisms in Abbeyfeale and Athea churches. Baptisms in Abbeyfeale will be celebrated on the first Saturday of each month at 5.00pm. Also, on the second Sunday of the month after the 12noon Mass. Baptisms in Athea will be celebrated on the third Saturday of the month during the summertime at 2.30pm and the third Sunday of the month in wintertime at 12noon. Baptisms booked in prior to these new arrangements will
be celebrated on the date they are booked for. To book in a baptism in Abbeyfeale call to the sacristy after Mass at 10.30a.m Tuesday – Friday or after any of the weekend Masses. Ring 068/51915 during Mass time. We thank parishioners for their understanding and support in these new arrangements.
POETRY and art classes for children aged five to twelve years will be held in the Thatched House at the Cross, Finuge, during the month of April to mark Poetry Day Ireland which takes place on April 28th, contact 086 8883217.
HI DIGITAL Learn essential skills at Hi Digital. It’s a step by step course designed for anyone who needs a bit of help developing their digital skills, particularly those who have rarely or never been online ( often 65+). It has been developed as a free online course by Vodafone Ireland Foundation, in partnership with Active Retirement Ireland and ALONE. To register email hidigital @ activeir.ie or freephone 1800203030.
COMMUNITY ALERT: COUNSELLOR / PSYCHOTHERAPIST (GAMBLING) David McSweeney, Listowel Family Resource Centre, Ballygologue John B. Keane Rd. Listowel. 0873684490 / 06823584. An Garda Siochana will be holding a community engagement event in conjunction with IFA at the Mart on Wednesday at 11am. They will be showcasing the property marking machine that the Co. Council have purchased. The rollout of Garda body cameras in parts of the country is to begin over the next year. The introduction of body cameras was recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing in 2018 and is supported by many gardaí. However, the recommendation also prompted privacy concerns from civil liberties campaigners. According to sources familiar with the development process within the Garda, the system will involve frontline gardaí wearing a highly visible camera on the chest that can record video and audio. Gardaí will have the choice whether to turn recording on or not. Under the regulations being considered, gardaí will be likely to have to signal whenever they are about to record, and will have to justify the decision afterwards. This will be similar to the process for the use of force. Situations where the use of a camera would be justified include public order matters, searches and other potentially confrontational incidents, sources said. The pilot programme will see gardaí in a select number of divisions being issued with body-worn cameras as part of an evaluation process ahead of the full rollout. This will be followed by a full rollout to all frontline gardaí over the course of 2023. Gardaí have issued a warning about a member of the public who had paid a £500 deposit for a motorbike which was advertised on gumtree. He then attended the address to only to discover he had been scammed and the residents knew nothing about a motorbike for sale. Never send any money until you have seen the product and are content the seller is legitimate. This is a common scam and an easy way to get money out of trusting people. This is similar to the one that happened with my brother in Longford where a neighbour contacted him to say that her family abroad had been planning a trip to visit her and looked up our area on air b/b and found his new house pictured under his name but with a false telephone no. Very luckily for them they contacted their daughter first before paying a substantial deposit and then arriving to find the house occupied by it’s unknowing owner .
If you are 65, you 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 or if you spend long periods of the day on your own 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. 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 with a deposit of 6 months payable on the day of installation. 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. Committee members are Michael O’Kelly N.T., Chairman Seamus Stack, Secretary Mossie Gleeson, Assistant Treasurer Kathleen Collins, Assistant Secretary Mary McArthur, John O’Sullivan, Billy Quirke N.T., Cllr. Francis Foley, Catherine Daly, Maurice O’Connell, Assistant Treasurer Marian Harnett.
HELPLINES: Bodywhys Eating Disorders Associations of Ireland www.bodywhys.ie Email:
alex 01 210790. If you are experiencing domestic abuse, supportmail A helpline for 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. Samaritans Freephone 116123 or text 087/2609090 or email jo National Suicide Helpline (Pieta House) 1800 247 247or text HELP to 51444. 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. . Milford Care Centre, Castletroy, Limerick. Tel: 061 485 800 Email: info
Children’s Grief Centre, Limerick. Tel: 061 224 627 Email info@childrensgriefcentre.
DO YOU HAVE NEWS: If there is something you’d like covered in the Abbeyfeale notes please contact me on 087 6866450 or email me on marianharnett1
.
Abbeyfeale Gathering Festival 