by Pat Brosnan

Spring Weddings

The marriage took place at St Mary’s Church, Carrigkerry of Niall Kelly, son of Christy and Mary, Lyreacrompane, Co. Kerry and Jennifer Quinn daughter of John and Gretta, Glenbawn. The ceremony with Nuptial Mass on April 15th was performed by Fr Gerard O’Leary P.P. Loughill/Ballyhahill. Bridesmaids were Edel Quinn, Tina Magner, and Sheila Collins. Liam Kirby was best man and the groomsmen were Danny Kelly and Patsy Kelly. The flower girl was Katelynn Bourke and the page boy was Joshua Feury. The reception was held in the Devon Inn Hotel, Templeglantine where an enjoyable time was had by all the guests. Congratulations and best wishes to Niall and Jennifer who will now reside in their new home in Kilkishen, Co. Clare.

 

The marriage took place recently in St Carthage’s Church, Brosna of Michael Shine, son of Dan and Mary, Kilconlea Upper, Abbeyfeale and Bridie Doyle, daughter of Joe and Ellen, Brosna. The ceremony with Nuptial Mass was performed by Fr Anthony O’Sullivan assisted by Fr Tim Curtin. Denis Shine was best man and the groomsmen were Seamus White and Michael Scanlon. The bridesmaids were Ellen Scanlon, Lisa Shine and Sheila Scanlon. The flower girl was Laura O’Connor and the page boy was Eoin Doyle. The reception was held in Ballyseedy Castle Hotel near Tralee where all the guests had an enjoyable time. Congratulations and best wishes to Michael and Bridie who will now reside in their home in Coole East, Athea.

 

Death of Ellen Scanlon

The death occurred on Monday April 18th at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick, of Ellen (Ellie) Scanlon (nee Windle) of Knocknagorna, Athea. Deceased who was in her late eighties had been in failing health for some time and had spent some months in different hospitals in both Dublin and Limerick, including St. Ita’s Hospital, Newcastle West  where she was well cared for more recently. Ellie was a highly respected and well liked member of the local community and will be very much missed, not alone by her immediate family but also by extended family, relatives, friends and neighbours. She was originally a native of Carrigkerry before she married Bobby Scanlon and came to live in Knocknagorna. Bobby and herself raised a lovely family of 2 girls and 4 boys who all played a part in local activities in social and sporting circles including tops of the parish and other competitions. The Scanlon boys were also prominent Gaelic footballers; Henry captained the Athea team that won the County Junior Championship some years ago after 2 draws and a second replay against Drom/Broadford. Ellie was a kind generous person and anybody who visited the Scanlon home would never leave without being treated to the tea and a tasty meal, whether they were children or adults. Ellie was a particularly good friend with our own late Mary as they were both from Carrigkerry and their families were friendly before either came to live in Knocknagorna. Ellie and her sister Maggie Moore often referred to our Mary as Gracie Mai, a name by which she was known when she lived in Carrigkerry. We will all miss Ellie Scanlon, as it was a home that was lovely to visit and where Bobby, herself and the family treated visitors with courtesy, kindness and hospitality. The removal from her home to St Bartholomew’s Church, Athea was attended by many from near and far who called to pay their respects. Her Requiem Mass on Monday afternoon and her funeral afterwards to the local cemetery were also well attended. Sympathy is extended to her sons, daughters, grandsons, granddaughters, sister, her in-laws, nephew, nieces and other relatives. ‘May her soul rest in peace’.

 

Republican Commemoration

The Annual Republican Commemoration took place on Saturday afternoon in Athea when a parade led by a colourful party and attended by many prominent Republicans from Kerry and Limerick set out from the Colbert Memorial Hall to Patrick “Doc” Dalton’s grave in Holy Cross Cemetery where the Easter 1916 Proclamation was read by Caitlin Ni Irishmor. Coireál MacCurtán presided at the graveside and a wreath was laid on “Doc’s” grave. The oration was delivered by Martin Ferris T.D. who declared that the main objective of the Republican movement was the big achievement of a United Ireland. The big attendance then proceeded to Templeathea Cemetery to the grave of Paddy Dalton who was murdered in Gortaglanna in 1921 by British Forces. A wreath was also laid on the grave of John Mulvihill, a local Republican from Lower Athea and Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim who died back in the 70’s. The wreath was laid by John’s wife Mary who attends the commemoration each year in Athea.

 

AA Meeting

A good attendance was present at the Colbert Memorial Hall on Friday night for the Annual Open Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. The four speakers were from Kerry and they gave a very detailed rundown on their problems with alcohol addiction and the effort which was required to come to terms with it and finally to overcome it and stay sober. There is no doubt that the members of AA and Al Anon are very brave people and it takes an awful lot of courage to come out on a stage before a large audience and relate some of the harrowing personal stories that are associated with alcoholism. Such people are an inspiration to all of us and deserve our respect. Canon Patrick Kelly and Dr Kieran Murphy also spoke at the meeting

 

Nursing Home Concert

Ceol Luimnigh Traditional Group will hold a concert for the residents and staff of Cahermoyle Nursing home, Ardagh on this Friday evening April 29th starting at 7pm. The concert will as usual be sponsored by Newcastle West Red Cross branch. All the Ceol Luimnigh members in Athea and other areas of West Limerick are requested to assemble at the reception area of the Nursing Home at 6.45pm.