by Kathleen Mullane

Sincere congrats and good wishes go to Caroline Kiely (daughter of Maudie & Paddy, Templeathea) who last weekend was married to Gerard Lyons (son of Maudie & John, Ballyguiltenane) here in Athea Church by Fr. Tom Crawford, Glin. Everyone had a great day at The Malton Hotel in Killarney. Here’s to their future happiness.

Congrats to Catherine & Haulie Liston on becoming first time grandparents, their son Ian  and his wife Bridget in Finuge having been blessed with their first baby, a little boy they are naming J.J.   Sincere good wishes to the proud parents.

Congrats to Johnny O’Sullivan of Knocknagorna who recently celebrated his 60th birthday with a party at the Top of the Town. A great night was had by all.

Well done to all those who organised the annual Coffee Morning in the hall last Thursday in aid of Milford Hospice and all those who baked the gorgeous cakes and buns as usual. I met John Hunt there who had come from Ballybunion with Gerty Danaher (Mulcaire).  He pays his usual visit to Ireland and stays in Ballybunion and he’s a fit and sprightly 92 years old !. Incidentally he loves keeping in contact with Athea and reads the Parish Newsletter every week and thoroughly enjoys it. I said “ aren’t you marvellous to visit Ireland every year from Chicago”. He made the statement “the savage loves his native shore”. Here’s continued good health and many more visits John !

The Listowel Races are over for another year and the onset of the darker (I won’t say wetter) days is with us. However they were lucky in that it seemed to stay dry for the duration of the races, Ladies Day being a beautiful day with feathers, head pieces and higher than high heels being the order of the day. Teady Hunt remembered being with his father, Jack Hunt, at the races well over 60 years ago when he was a young boy and having to meet him at a specific place in the racecourse after each race. He said he was so happy last week to be alive and to meet up after each race with his grandchildren at the very same place as he did with his father those many years ago. Memories are wonderful and even the simple things in life can mean so much after many years.

Congrats and well done to all those who completed the Tomathon last weekend. It seems the €100,000 will be well met. A real figure will be with us shortly when all the cards are in. Pieta House will benefit hugely from this marvellous fund-raiser and save many lives.