by Kathleen Mullane

 “Happy Days”

Well this Bank Holiday Weekend is going to be a ‘Busy one’ for more reasons than one. Firstly this Saturday March 17^th we celebrate St Patrick’s Day. Hopefully the weather will remain fine for the parades which will take place in nearby Abbeyfeale, Askeaton and Rathkeale and on Sunday 18^th in Newcastle West – the parade being led by the Artane Boys Band. No doubt many parents along with their children will head to view the parades and of course we will have the grand parade from Dublin on TV full of colour, excitement and attracting many nationalities – wasn’t St Patrick a great man! Hopefully Irish Eyes will be smiling after the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday.

Then on Sunday it’s a day of’ ‘REST, PAMPERING’ and all that goes with it for all Mothers on the very special “Mother’s Day”. So all you young people out there and indeed husbands don’t forget – “the breakfast in bed “– the cooking of the dinner and the wash up etc. For all your Mothers as the lines go

‘Mom – My Friend’

“At first you know her simply as a Mother

Somebody good at taking care of you

At teaching and protection and defending

And watching over everything you do.

At first you know her simply as a Mother

But something lovely happens through the years

For every time she warms you with her kindness

Every time she has a hand to lend

You come to know her just a little better

To know her as a person and a friend” 

More “Happy Days” for Jennifer Scanlon, Upper Athea who on Saturday night last celebrated her 21^st Birthday along with her family and friends at The Top of the Town – a great night was enjoyed by everyone. Also on Saturday night Joseph Vaughan of Templeathea celebrated his 30^th Birthday – Congratulations all round.

It was a ‘Happy Day’ on Sunday last for the Athea Vixens U-14 Basketball team when they had a great win 41 – 30 over Tralee Imperials. It was a hard fought game that saw both sides on their toes and with deadly speed throughout. Well done to all the girls and of course their trainer Trish Phillips Aherne.

Friday last saw some very ‘Happy Faces’ on the 5^th and 6^th class boys and girls from Athea NS when they received their Confirmation here in Athea Church  with Canon John O’Shea of Abbeyfeale confirming them.  It was a beautiful ceremony with the NS Choir singing their hearts out, led by Claire Chawke. Each and every  one of the Confirmation Class had a part to play in the ceremony from singing, Prayers of the Faithful, bringing up the gifts etc. Well done to them all and especially to their teachers who had prepared them so well and of course their parents. Hopefully they all had a lovely day.

Thought for this week – “never judge an athlete by how high they have climbed on the ladder of achievements but judge them by the obstacles they have overcome to get there”.