by Kathleen Mullane

‘Out and About’

Well a great day was enjoyed by all the children and their parents at the Annual Sports Day on Sunday last up at Pairc na nGael. Despite the blustery cold conditions, thankfully it remained dry for the duration of the Races. We congratulate not only the winners but everyone who took part  and especially the ‘Mother’s and ‘Fathers’ who as always put on a great ‘display’.

Last week’s hall meeting had to be cancelled and it’s now taking place on tonight Wednesday 18th, all committee and fund-raising members are asked to attend. Our Scrap Fund-Raiser is going very well and two loads of cars have been removed from various corners of the parish and taken to the Scrap dealers. Presently we are negotiating to get the best price for our heap, which is still growing. We are so thankful to everyone who has helped us and given us their scrap, especially people from outside the parish. So all we can say is ‘keep it coming’, the Hall is ours and will benefit the entire community – especially your children and hopefully “your children’s children”. Every Euro raised will lessen the debt on the hall, as the interest on the loan and the running costs really do cost a lot.

A reminder to please give your support to Denny Mulvihill of Colbert Street who from 13th – 18th June will cycle along with about  10 others from Malin to Mizen Head – a total of 640 km. They are doing this tremendous cycle as a fund-raiser for “Aislinn” the drug rehabilitation Centre for young people who are troubled by alcohol, drugs and gambling, his own son Conor having benefited greatly from the centre when he was troubled. “Even a little will help so much”.

Sympathy is extended  to John Hunt of Chicago on the death of his wife Kathleen recently. They were regular visitors to Athea, where they have connections and also spent time in Ballybunion, which they loved. ‘May the light of Heaven be hers’.

A teacher asked her class of young children to draw a crayon picture of the Old Testament Story which they liked best. One small boy drew a man driving an old car. In the back seat were 2 passengers. “It’s a nice picture” said the teacher “but what story does it tell?” the young artist seemed quite surprised by the question “well” the young boy replied “doesn’t it say in the Bible that God drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden’?

Congratulations to the U-17’s Soccer team who beat Rathkeale in Clounreask in the final at the weekend (2-1).