by Kathleen Mullane

Congratulations

Congratulations and well done to the Tidy Towns Committee who are doing tremendous work in and around the village. What a difference a few flowers make and a general tidy up! The Bridge looks beautiful with the Begonias and Marigolds planted on top, along with the Hanging Baskets. And only today I noticed the window-boxes on the upstairs windows of the apartments opposite the Church, along with more flowers planted here and there around the village. Unfortunately I haven’t had a minute to go in and help with the Tuesday evening clean-ups- however myself and my grandchildren picked empty cans left down by the river under the bridge the other day.

I feel it’s everyone’s obligation to do their little bit and help out. After all ‘Athea’ is our little town and should be our pride and joy and if everyone lends a helping hand we surely will get on well in the Tidy Towns Competition. And it’s not only the competition  that should “spur us on” – it’s the look in general of ATHEA that help everyone feel good and proud. And now with many out of work and students finished school what better way to pass time than to help.

I better send congratulations to my own daughter Emma and Dave Mulvihill of Barragougeen, Moyvane who were blessed with their first baby a little girl they are calling Ava. Congratulations to Anne and Noel Mulvihill also the proud grandparents on the Kerry side!

Congratulations to all the “Nuns” both “Male Nuns”  “Women Nuns” and “Children Nuns” who broke the Guinness World Record on Saturday last having the largest gathering of people dressed up as Nuns in Listowel all in aid of Pieta House. There were “smoking Nuns”, “Lipstick up to the ears Nuns” etc all enjoying the day for a great cause.

Trish Phillips Aherne thanks everyone who gave so generously to the Basket Ball Collection on Sunday last and to all those who helped with the collection, it was much appreciated.

To end on a sadder note – the passing of Maura Dalton so suddenly left Athea devastated last week. Maura was a “Lady” and despite her illness over the past few years, she always had a smile and a few words for everyone. She had some really good friends, even from her schooldays, and in later years all the friends she had made while working in Tarbert Comp School, all having nothing but tremendous praise for her. Gifted with her hands and Art she made some beautiful cards for people. We offer our sincere sympathy to her husband Mike, her son Kieran, daughter Shauna, her mother Joan, brothers, sisters, relatives and many friends. R.I.P.