by Kathleen Mullane

‘Congratulations All Around’

Sincere Congratulations and good wishes go to Lorraine O’Brien (daughter of Joan and Tom, Templeathea) who got engaged to Paddy Horgan (son of Doris and John Horgan) recently. Wishing them all the very best for the future.

We congratulate Helen and Mike O’Halloran of “O’Halloran’s Nursery” on their beautiful new building which incorporates a lovely tea/coffee shop, outside picnic area and toilets. It’s indeed heart-warming to see some new venture opening in the midst of all “the doom and gloom”. A perfect place to go in and sit down, near a lovely warm stove on cooler days, or outside on the warmer days and enjoy the refreshments on offer as well as admiring the ‘lovely decor’ and incidentally there are a few paintings on the wall of individuals who you may recognise! Added to that there are the wonderful animals, which indeed the kids love – the pot-bellied pigs being my favourite. Well done to them.

Wedding congratulations also abound this week – on Friday last Caroline Sheehy (daughter of Mag and Pa, Lower Dirreen) was married by Canon John O’Shea to Paudie Murphy of Templeglantine at the Church of the Assumption in Abbeyfeale. A great day was enjoyed by family, relatives and friends at Ballygarry House Hotel in Tralee.

Also on the same day Caroline Moran (daughter of Henry and Mary) was married here in Athea by Fr Paddy Bowen to Mark Melbourne of Dublin. It was off to the Devon Inn after the Nuptial Ceremony where everyone had a great time. Best wishes to the Newly Weds for their future happiness.

Congratulations to Michelle and Declan Carroll on the birth of their new baby, a little boy they are calling Alex. We also send congratulations to the proud grandparents Anne and Ned Carroll of Templeathea. 

Congratulations to the U-13’s Athea Futsal team who recently took part in the Community Games Competition held in Croagh against St Kieran’s. This was their 1^st time playing in a Futsal Competition. So well done to them.

A reminder that the Annual ‘Coiste na nOg’ Church Gate Collection will be held before all Masses this weekend. You are asked to please support the club which caters for our young boys and girls throughout the year. Many parents volunteer to coach and help out with our young players during the season overseeing their games, travelling with them to matches and much more. What would our young people do if they hadn’t ‘Sport’?  And some of these young players are really enthusiastic already and showing great skill etc.

Thought for the week – “Hear twice – before you speak once”