By Kathleen Mullane

‘Out & About’ 

Well it was indeed a weekend of “out and about” over Saturday and Sunday last. Saturday had us enjoying a temperature of 17° in some places and doesn’t everyone have a “spring in their step” when the sun comes out! And it puts everyone in a much happier state of mind. On Saturday night as the clocks went forward everyone was relieved – its so much better than when they ‘go back’ and the dark evenings.

Hopefully all the mothers in the parish and beyond had a lovely Mother’s Day on Sunday and were pampered to the last! Many families went to nearby Ballybunion and walked to the mouth of the Cashen, others doing the cliff walk and aren’t we so lucky to have such a beautiful beach and so near us.

The death took place during the past week of Ellen O’Keeffe, wife of the late Michael and mother to Kay, Joe and Kevin. Many came to pay their last respects at Kelly’s funeral parlour on Saturday evening last. Sympathy to her family, relatives and friends. ‘May the light of heaven be hers’.

Thanks is extended yet again to all who came along to support the Coffee Morning on Wednesday last in the hall. The money raised will go to the Lourdes Invalid Fund. In all between the church concert and the various other fundraising events it is hoped to send 3 to 4 invalids from the parish along with the youth volunteers which is great. It was remarked the other day that since Christmas our little parish has raised around €40,000 for the Autistic Unit at the school, the debt on the GAA pitch and the Lourdes Invalid Fund. This is an unreal amount and everyone must be thanked and complimented.

Also on Friday night last a great crowd attended the quiz in Knockdown which was another fundraiser to help towards the cost of the Athea Vixens Basketball group going to Barcelona in April. All further help would be greatly appreciated.

A hand-rail has been put up on both sides of the footpaths up to the church. This will be a great help for the elderly especially in bad weather conditions.

The A.G.M. of the Con Colbert Community Hall was held on Wednesday night last, attended by Auditors Dooley & Co, NewcastleWest along with the committee of the hall. It was stated that the hall was in a good financial position and thankfully is being used for bingo, sporting events, drama, parties, meetings, yoga, dancing etc which is needed to keep the bills paid.