PROLOGUE: Nothing in nature lives for itself. The rivers do not drink their own water; the trees do mot eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself and flowers do not shine spread their fragrance on themselves. Living for outhers is a rule of nature.
DEATHS: Sincere sympathy to the family of the late Pat Collins, Clash whose funeral took place on Tuesday last. Sincere sympathy to the family of Jim OConnor, Klmorna whose funeral took place on Thursday last. May they rest in peace.
NOONAN’S LIGHTS: Noonan’s Christmas lights for charity will finish on Sunday January 8th at 10pm. Tony, Hannah and Siobhan say “On that day from 4 pm to 6 pm we will have live entertainment with the one and only Mike Solo. So an open invitation to everyone to come along. Just to say a million thanks to everyone who has supported us since we opened, it’s unbelievable the generosity of all concerned”.
BLOOD DONATIONS: The Irish Blood Transfusion Service has put out a call for at least 10,000 donations over the next 3 weeks. They will hold a clinic in the Devon Inn this Wednesday from 16.45 – 20.00. Please ring 1800 222 111 to book a slot.
SEISIÚN: Rockchapel Comhaltas will host a “Seisiún” in Bruach na Carraige, Rockchapel on Nollaig na mBan January 6th at 8pm.
CELEBRATE UKRANIAN CHRISTMAS in St. John’s Church Ballybunion Saturday morning, January 7th at 9.30 a.m. All welcome to join the celebration.
DEATH: The community of Abbeyfeale will be forever diminished by the recent death of Jim O’Connor from Rahoran, Kilmorna. Jim was an environmentalist long before it was popular and his work in the Town Park, from when it was a green field site, included an attempt to sow a wild flower meadow under the tutelage of Sandro Cafolla of Design by Nature. Unfortunately, he was before his time and the value of this work was not always appreciated in the early years, with the result that the field got mown down in the interests of tidiness but the stand of native trees he planted will remain as testament to his passion. Jim was always to the fore when volunteers were needed and he leaves a fine legacy especially with his work on the Gathering Schools Reunion and the Harnett Reunion and working alongside his wife Anneke clearing the scourge of the invasive Japanese Knotweed from the river banks. After his terminal diagnosis Jim wanted to do a fundraiser for the cancer bus which he travelled on but time ran out and instead he participated in the Bare Essentials Calendar with the sale of each copy raising €10 for the Irish Cancer Society. It is surely true that his likes will never be seen again. The following poem was read at his funeral and it was a fitting tribute to the man known as Long Jim:
“ For this one farmer the worries are over, lie down and rest your head, your time has been and struggles enough, put the tractor in the shed.
Years were not easy, many downright hard but your faith in God transcended, Put away your tools and sleep in peace. The fences have all been mended.
You raised a fine family, worked the land well and always followed the Son, hang up your shovel inside of the barn, your work here on earth is done.
A faith few possess led your journey through life, often a jagged and stony way. The sun is setting, the cattle are all bedded, and here now is the end of your day.
Your love of God’s soil has passed on to your kin, the stories flow like fine wine, Wash off your work boots in the puddle left by blessed rain one final time.
You always believed that the good Lord would provide and He always had somehow, Take off your gloves and put them down, no more sweat and worry for you now.
Your labour is done; your home now is heaven, no more must you wait,
Your legacy lives on – your love of the land – and we will close the gate.” Close the Gate (For Dad) by Nancy Kraayenhof.
THE VISIT OF BISHOP BRENDAN LEAHY TO ABBEYFEALE: The 10am Mass on New Year’s Day in Abbeyfeale was broadcast on Wl102FM and was celebrated by Bishop Leahy. Bishop Leahy brought a gift to all the congregation of the book he had compiled of ten short insightful messages shared by Pope Francis during his Irish visit as part of the World Meeting of Families 2018. The booklet is entitled ‘Ten Points for Families.’
ABBEYFEALE’S CONNECTION TO NEWGRANGE AND THE WINTER SOLSTICE: Professor Michael J. O’Kelly was born in Abbeyfeale, County Limerick in 1915. Although he was christened as Michael, his family called him Brian. He was one of Ireland’s most prominent archaeologists, having studied at University College Cork. His legacy is long-standing and his body of work is incredibly well respected in the field of archaeological academia. Shortly after graduating with his MA, he was appointed to the role of curator at the Cork Public Museum, a position which he retained for over 20 years. He also replaced his great mentor Seán O’Ríordáin as head of the archaeology department at his alma mater, UCC. Newgrange is largely regarded as his life’s work, his magnum opus as it were. His name has become synonymous with the monument. https://www.irelandxo.com/ireland/meath/news/chronicles-insight-newgrange-and-winter-solstice?ct=t%28Newgrange+and+the+Winter+Solstice%29
STORY OF THE BUTTER ROAD TO CORK: Joe Harrington’s recent book, ‘Once Upon a Road’, is now in its second print run having become a best seller in some bookshops. It is now available in Harnett’s Gala on the Killarney Road out of Abbeyfeale. It can also be ordered by post from Joe who can be contacted at 0872853570 for more informatio
LIVE CRIB IN DUAGH: The Live Crib opened on Sunday 18th December after Mass in Duagh and will remain open until January 6.
SUPPORT: Anam Cara Kerry, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding its monthly Parent Evening for bereaved parents on Tuesday 10th January at 7:15pm in the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee Co. Kerry. This event is free and open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death, or whether their death was recent or not. We also offer an online
support group and you can get further information on this by contacting us in info
EXCITING NEW VENTURE: Best wishes to Eamon McElligott, of Brown Joe’s Abbeyfeale Road, Athea who has recently opened his newly renovated kitchen and upstairs dining room which is now available for Christmas bookings..
CAREGIVERS: online course, ‘Building Better Caregivers’ due to begin in January which will offer valuable support and practical advice to those supporting a loved one through cancer treatment. The free course, is given over two and half hours, one day a week, for six weeks and will cover topics such as communication skills; staying well and getting a good night’s sleep; tools for managing fatigue; dealing with challenging emotions and behaviour and getting help and action planning. For more information, please ring Reception at Recovery Haven on 066 7192122 Recovery Haven Kerry – Cancer Support House. https://www.recoveryhavenkerry.com
EDUCATION & TRAINING CENTRE, MOUNTMAHON, ABBEYFEALE: The following free courses will be starting in January 2023: 1. Healthy eating made easy: This course is packed full of hints and tips for the home cook, and will allow learners to take their cooking to the next level. 2; Everyday cookery skills: Learners will explore a range of classic recipes aimed at healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner options with a dish to suit everyone’s taste. 3: Cookery for blokes: Men, this class is for you. This class will allow you to develop your everyday cookery skills in a modern, purpose-built culinary fun setting; 4. Grow your own vegetables: This practical course will also cover a range of useful tips and ideas suitable to your own gardens at home. You will be based in our large polytunnel on-campus which comprises a variety of raised beds and gardening equipment. Please call the office on 06831198 for more information, Email: fetabbeyfeale or register at www.collegeoffet.ie/abbeyfeale
RELAUNCH OF “A SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF RE. WILLIAM CASEY P.P.:”Copies of the relaunched book are on sale in Batts and in the Siopa Milsean at a very reasonable €8. Every household should have a copy so that the children will gain an appreciation of where they come from and the hardships suffered by those who went before them.
ST PIO: Fr. Brian Shortall the Capuchin Franciscan Order Superior in Ireland, is coming to Castleisland to present Fr. Brick with a glove worn by St. Pio. The presentation will be made on January 17th at the 7:30pm evening devotion.ST. PADRE PIO: Fr. Brian Shortall the Capuchin Franciscan Order Superior in Ireland, is coming to Castleisland to present Fr. Brick with a glove worn by St. Pio. The presentation will be made on January 17th at the 7:30pm evening devotion.
PILGRIMAGE: To Medjugorje Spiritual Director: Fr Francis Nolan. 6 – 13 September
2023. Return flights from Cork to Dubrovnik. Book before 19 December and save €100
per person. For details & bookings contact: Group Leader – Maura O’Keeffe
Harcksen (Tralee),Tel: 066 7127143 or 087 1517696.
ABBEYFEALE’S NIGHT AT THE OSKARS: The DVD’s and the USB sticks did finally arrive and are on sale at the Day Care Centre, Toddy Mc Mahons, Batt’s in the Square and An Siopa Milsean . The DVD’s will retail at €10 each and the USB sticks at €15. Contact Jane at the Day Care Centre on 068 51850.
.CHURCH NEWS: Abbeyfeale is part of the parish pastoral unit that consists of Athea, Templeglantine, Tournafulla and Mountcollins. Contact numbers are as follows:
Fr Willie Russell Tel 087/2272825. Fr Tony Mullins Tel 087/2600414 Fr Denis Mullane Tel 087/2621911. Fr Dan Lane Retired Tel 087/2533030. There is always a priest from one of the other pastoral areas on emergency call on Sundays and his name and number is published on the parish website and also on the weekly newsletter. Mass intentions: Thursday, January 5th. Vigil Mass for Nollaig na mBan 7pm. Friday, January 6th Holy Day of Obligation 10am Nell Lenihan. 7pm Purgatorial. Saturday 6.30pm Eileen Broderick Purt 2nd Anniversary. Timmy Daly, Dromtrasna. Jimmy Quirke, Kilconlea Upr. John Collins, Ballaugh and deceased family members. Tom Enright Rathorna. Tom Aherne, Glenashrone 1st. Anniversary.
Sunday 10am Michael and Dan McCarthy, Purt. Jim Joy, Ballaugh, Peg Joy Convent St. Anniversary. Bertie and Jeremiah Moriarity, The Hill. 12noon. Julie O’Connor, Anniversary. .If you are interested in either being a Reader of the Word or an Eucharist Minister contact Fr Tony Mullins or the sacristy before or after Mass. 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 12 noon Mass. Contact the Sacristy 068/51915 during Mass Times
BRIDGE CLUB: Abbeyfeale Bridge Club meet at St. Ita’s Day Care Centre every Thursday from 7.30pm. New members welcome.
CARA: Cara are all about the Creative Arts Raising Abbeyfeale – a dedicated group set up to promote and showcase Abbeyfeale through the arts. The idea is to use the arts to lift the profile of Abbeyfeale on a local, regional and national level. The calendar “Abbeyfeale – The Bare Essentials” is their first project. Calendars on sale throughout the town and are currently making their way to ex pats all over the world through caraabbeyfeale If you are looking for an unusual gift for your loved one who is far from home this Christmas this will surely put a smile on their face and they will make a collector’s item in time to come. Sales will not only benefit the Irish Cancer Society but will enable CARA “to create a dedicated fund for future artworks and creative projects in the Abbeyfeale streetscape”.
GLÓRACH BINGO: Returns Monday, January 9th. All welcome.
ABBEYFEALE YOUTH CLUB: We are hoping to have the Parish Youth Club up and running very shortly. There is a need for parent volunteers to help with the running of the club. If you have some time and are willing to help contact Noreen Cullinane on
Messenger on 087-2353306.
ST. ITAS DAY CARE: Open to visitors every Tuesday. Morning Coffee and scones. Lunch, music and dancing. Contact Jane on 068 51850. Meals on Wheels are available and can be booked in advance.
REOPENING OF ABBEYFEALE MART: A sale is held every Saturday so please support. For further information 087 6903172/ 087 9480484.
NEW MABS OUTREACH CLINIC: On the second of Friday of each month (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.
HOT DESK: Work Base E-Hub at Old Bank Building on Main Street is open for Business. For full details and pricing on Private Office Suites, Meeting Room, Hot-desks etc contact Ken Tobin on 086 816 2105.
45 CARD DRIVE: The 45 Card Drive continues in Raheenagh Hall every Tuesday at 8.30pm. All welcome.
RAMBLING HOUSES: Every 1st Thursday of each month there is a Rambling House in the Community Centre in Knockanure.. All musicians, singers’ dancers and storytellers are most welcome to attend. Knockalougha on the 3rd. Tuesday of the month..
Ita McQuinn, Monagea Rambling House is on the third Friday of the month at the Desmond Complex, Newcastle West at 8pm. Listowel Rambling House takes place on the last Thursday of every month from 9.15 pm in the Seanachai Centre.
SET DANCING: With Timmy Woulfe Monday nights at 8pm in the Marian Hall, Moyvane, There are also Set Dancing Classes at Fr. Casey’s Club house Wednesday nights.
LEARN TO DANCE: Social dancing classes in the Plaza Hall, Listowel every Monday night for beginners 7.30 – 9pm. Waltzing, Jiving, Quick Step, Foxtrot. Everyone welcome.
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PRAYER MEETING: Janice Carrig holds a prayer meeting in the Desmond Complex on the last Sunday of the month.
GREENWAY: Limerick Council will start work on a new Greenway car park at Station Road, Newcastle West in early 2023. Design teams have been appointed to design Greenway Hubs at the Ardagh Stationhouse and the Abbeyfeale Railway Goods Shed.
EDUCATION: Clinical Pastor Education (CPE) Programme at University Hospital Kerry starting January’23. 12 weeks, modules involving education, supervision, and a clinical placement. For further information contact Dr. Margaret Naughton 066-7184000 or email margaret.naughton2
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LISTOWEL BINGO: Bingo is back Sunday night in the Plaza, Church St, at 8.30pm. Welcome back to all old and new players.
VOLUNTEER WITH LIMERICK WEST SPECIAL OLYMPICS CLUB: Limerick West Special Olympics club are seeking volunteers to accompany adult athletes on a bus from the Abbeyfeale area to Bocce training in Newcastle West and home again on Tuesday evenings. We are also looking for volunteers to assist with bocce training (similar to bowls) each week. Our athletes have competed at both regional and national level so you could learn a fun new game with a great group of people! If you have some time to spare on a Tuesday evening we would be delighted to hear from you. Drop in to the Community Centre, NCW at 7pm to meet us or ring Deirdre at 0863628629 for more informati n.
COMMUNITY ALERT: Don’t leave the house without a Hi Viz Jacket. Keep warm, eat well and avoid unnecessary travel. You should eat regular hot meals and drink plenty of fluids, this will keep you warm and will give you energy to keep active . Ensure you have sufficient supplies of food and of any prescription medicine you may need, Keep active indoors, practice standing up from your chair without using your hands for leverage. Have sufficient fuel supplies to maintain adequate heating in your home.
Ask your relatives and neighbmd ours for help if you need it. Keep their phone numbers on a list beside your phoneLearn your Eircode – if you have to call for help it will take the services straight to your door. Write ICE before your next of kin’s number in your phone so if you cannot communicate the services will be able to contact your next of kin. If you suffer from a gambling addiction there is a counsellor/psychotherapist available at the Listowel Family Resource Centre. Further information from 068 23584. 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: Senior Line Friendly Listening Service 1800 804591. If you are feeling vulnerable contact Pieta House 061 484444/ Samaritans 116123/061 412111. Bodywhys Eating Disorders Associations of Ireland 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. Mental Health Ireland – Helpline 01 2841166. Alzheimers Society, Information and Emotional Help – 1800341341.AMEN( male victims of domestic violence) 0469023718. 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. 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. TeenTxt-Text: TEEN to 50101.
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 