Congratulations and good wishes are sent to Maura Hayes, Fairy Street, Templeathea, daughter of Rose and Mike, who celebrated her 21st birthday on Friday night last with a great party at the Top of the Town. A huge crowd of friends joined the family and relatives and all had a very enjoyable time.

Best wishes are extended to Diarmuid and Áine O’Riordan who have extended their pharmacy business with the opening of their new premises in Ballingarry. We wish them well.

Fr. Seán McGrath, a very good friend of Fr. Jerry Roche R.I.P., said Mass here in Athea on Sunday afternoon last. As Fr. Jerry’s second anniversary was fast approaching it was a really opportune time to have Mass offered in his memory. Fr. Seán teaches at the top Notre Dame University, USA, and was holidaying in the area with his mother and father. Family, neighbours and friends attended and it felt that Fr. Jerry was truly “in spirit” in the Church with the congregation. Erin Stack and Margaret Carroll sang beautifully throughout. Fr. Jerry built a church, a school, a clinic and had a farm in each of the seven parishes he had served in overseas. Fr. Seán stated that Fr. Jerry had such an influence on him as a 7 year old, who had attended one of his missions, that he had never looked back. In all a truly spiritual experience.

Once again Athea Utd Soccer Tournament is taking place on St. Stephen’s Day and is a charity fundraiser and also the UTD Schoolboys will benefit. It will be played on the Astro Turf and entry is just €10. Names should be given to John Hunt, Kevin O’Keeffe, Tim O’Riordan or Pat Walsh. This is always a great fun day with some laughs.

On this Sunday, November 25th at 7.10pm on TG4 Athea Community First Responders will feature. There will be different views of Athea and Dr. Murphy and Timmy Woulfe will speak “as Gaeilge”. Don’t forget to tune in – it’s great to see Athea on the map.

Charlie Chawke’s pub in Adare is the place to be on this Friday night, where the final presentation cheque will be handed over to Joan Freeman of Pieta House, following the recent fundraising Tomathon and the recent big Music Night at the ‘Red Cow Inn”. The Wrenboys from Carrigkerry will be there on the night. Everyone is welcome and it promises to be a “Spectacular Night”.

The people of Carrigkerry and the surrounding areas were delighted to see the shop and filling station re-open on Thursday 8^th November. We welcome the Moloney family from Abbeyfeale, to the village and we hope they will enjoy a very successful stay. The shop first opened on the 8^th of October 1984 under the ownership of Pat, and Kathleen Nally from Ballyloughane.  It provided a very good service to the local community and the passing public, until it closed on 13^th May this year. The village has been very quiet in the last six months, since the closure, with people having to travel to other outlets to get their groceries and fuel. Best wishes to the owners, and staff in the future, and all local people are encouraged to give their support and business to their local and convenient shop.

Congratulations to Catherine Aherne, Glensharrold, Carrigkerry and Scoil Mhuire Askeaton who was the overall winner of the 2012 Super Valu West Limerick Tourism Schools Photography Competition, held over the recent months. The competition was open to all secondary school students attending the following schools in the West Limerick area. Scoil Ide & Iosef, Abbeyfeale, Colaiste Mhuire, Askeaton, Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher, Desmond College, Newcastle West, Scoil Mhuire agus Ide, Newcastle West, Salesian Secondary College, Pallaskenry, Colaiste Na Trocaire, Rathkeale, Cresent College Comprehensive, Dooradoyle, Photographs could be entered in five different categories, Super Valu Tidy Towns & Villages. History Culture & Heritage, Landscape, Natural & Built. Adventures Attractions and Activities, Sport. The presentation of prizes was held at the Woodlands Hotel Adare on Thursday 8^th November. West Limerick Tourism Chairman David Fitzgerald, and Super Valu representatives presented the prizes to the six winning students. Congratulations also to Sean McElligott Kilcolman and Desmond College, Newcastle West, who was a category winner, History Culture & Heritage, and he received an iPod nano. Catherine as the overall winner received an Apple iPad. Colaiste Mhuire, Askeaton, won the overall school prize of €500 worth of art supplies.

The following are the Lottery results from the Thatch Bar Newbridge, on Monday 12^th November. The numbers drawn were 13,16,20,22, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners. €100. Vincent Cronin, Carrigkerry. €60 Jack Kelly c/o Curley’s. €60 Padraig O’Riann c/o Bus Eireann. €60 May and Iris Kennelly c/o Neary’s. €30 Mike Liston Glenastar. €30 Peter Donovan c/o Foley’s. €30 Lisa Mackessy, Coolanoran.  Next week’s draw takes place in Peadar’s Bar Ardagh, and the Jackpot will be €20,000

We extend sympathy to Mary Geoghegan, Glensharrold and extended family members, on the recent death of her brother Joe Geoghegan in Manchester, England.

Sympathy also to Kitty Meade and family Carrons, Kilcolman, on the recent death of her brother Patsy Stubbins, late of Effin. May he rest in Peace.

Carrig Celtic defeated Killeaney 3-0 at home in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday 11^th November. Seanie King, John Doyle, and Sean McSweeney scored the goals. Old Mill and Carrig Celtic B had no games.

In Ladies soccer Kilcolman Rovers lost 2-0 away to Rathkeale in the Premier Division, and Carrig Celtic drew 1-1 at home to Breska Rovers, in Division 1 with Elaine Finucane scoring.

Saint Kierans defeated Kenmare Shamrocks by 1-11 to 1-7 in the Munster Junior Club Championship semi  final at Fitzgerald Stadium Killarney on Saturday last 17^th November.

Congratulations to Bill Downes and Mick McQuinn, prizewinners  in the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday 7^th November. Cards every Wednesday night at 9.pm and all are welcome.

The Croagh Patrick climb for charity on 29^th / 30^th September was an outstanding success and to date has raised over €78,000 for two charities, TLC4CF and Irish Autism Action.  We congratulate Liam Woulfe, a native of Dunganville, Ardagh, and Mike Aherne, Adare, the organizers of the event, and all the other people that fundraised and that did the climb.  The presentation of cheques to the two charities took place in The Woodlands Hotel Adare, on Thursday 15^th November.

Airtricity which is powered by SSE, would like to invite applications from community based projects in the locality of its Tournafulla, Rathcahill and Dromada Wind Farms in West Limerick. Applications will be accepted within a 20km radius of each wind farm for projects that have an energy efficiency or sustainability theme. Preference will be given to projects within 5kms of each wind farm.  Carrigkerry Community Centre was awarded a grant towards attic insulation and cavity wall insulation under the fund in 2011 which was much appreciated. The closing date for the 2012 Community Fund is Friday 30^th November 2012. The successful applicants will be informed in early January 2013. To find out more about how to apply, please contact their Community Liaison Officer Anne Reynolds.

Telephone 01-6556556 Email [email protected]  or visitwww.airtricity.com

Desmond Foxhounds recently announced the venues for their forthcoming Sunday meetings which commence at 11am, 25^thNovember. Castletown Conyers, 2^nd December Ballinvirick Cross, 9^th December Newbridge, 16^th December Milltown Cross Ballysteen, 23^rd Conigar Cross Creeves.

The arrival of Winter and old time can be a difficult time for many but a welcome time for book lovers to engage in one of their favourite pastimes. The month of November sees the arrival of the annual Old Moore’s Almanac, The Cork Holly Bough and Ireland’s Own Anthology along with the many parish journals and magazines. This is the third year of the Ireland’s Own Anthology which includes the prizewinners from their annual short story competition. It is a very interesting publication with 190 pages of interesting stories along similar lines as the weekly Ireland’s Own Magazine. It can be ordered by post or by bookshops and details are to be got in the weekly magazine. This year we also saw a number of local books launched which would make ideal gifts or presents to give in the run up to Christmas. The Saint Molua booklet is available to purchase in Curley’s Shop in Ardagh, for €3 or from the author Mary Kury  Ardagh, by post for €5.

The sean nós dancing continues every Thursday night in Ardagh Community Centre with kids and teens at seven, and adults at eight. All can join in the happy hour at nine with adult step dancing, waltzing, jiving and sets, and lots more. It is a great way to have a laugh, to meet new friends and burn off a few pounds in the process and all are welcome.

The Feohanagh/Castlemahon Parish Annual will be launched in Castlemahon Community Hall on Saturday 24^th November at 8.30pm. The launch will be performed by Jerome Scanlon, Chairman of Limerick County Council who is associated with the area. The launch night is always a very enjoyable occasion and all are welcome to attend.

West Limerick Community Radio is holding their next Car Boot Sale and indoor market on Sunday 25^th November, from 9am to 3 pm at Newcastle West Community Centre. It will give people a chance to do a clean out of their home, hire a stall and to sell items they may no longer need. Bargains will be there to pick up coming up to the Christmas period. The Radio provides great entertainment to so many at present so all support will be much appreciated.

An afternoon of tea dancing will be held in Carrigkerry Community Centre, on Sunday 25^th November from 2pm to 5pm. Music by The Premier Blue Boys. All are welcome.

Saint Ita’s Community Hospital Remembrance Mass for deceased patients/residents will be held in the hospital chapel on Sunday 25^th November at 2.30pm.  Family members and friends are invited to attend.

The West Limerick Scór na nÓg finals will be held at Saint Molua’s Hall, Ardagh, on Sunday 25^th November at 2.30pm. All clubs in the division are asked to compete and to keep the great tradition of music song and dance alive in West Limerick.

Dull November

There are many people who consider that November is the most cheerless and the most dreary month of the year and there are many sound reasons why this is so. The golden leaves of late Autumn have all been blown off the trees which now look cold and bare apart of course from the hedgerows which still provide a little shelter from the cold rains and early winter blasts. Also the early evening darkness comes to remind us how the daylight hours have shortened and that the long winter nights are upon us as we await the shortest day in the year coming up just before Christmas. Somehow or other November appears to be the longest drawn out month of the Winter even though December and January both have an extra day there are reasons no doubt for this line of thought. First of all from the start of December the build-up to Christmas with all its rush and excitement seems to make the time go faster and then of course the Christmas and New Year festivities brings us well into January. From that on there is a stretch in the evenings as the daylight time gradually grows a little longer and if there is ever a fine or sunny day from mid-January onwards it brings with it a promise of the Spring to follow.

So now as we approach the last week in November we will be hoping that the weather will remain as mild as it has been through the weeks of November we have now left behind. Certainly we have had plenty rain and all the damp, fog and mist that are usually typical of November.  Bogs and fields are sodden after all the wettings even the roads are full of water pools wherever one looks. God be with the days when the County Council workers including both gangers and their other men kept the roads free from flooding when they opened all the drains and water tables with their shovels and pitchforks.   So far this November even though it has been as wet and damp as we ever remember, at least up to now we have had no very cold weather and no worthwhile frost or early snow.  That in spite of all the rain is indeed something to be thankful for, at least people can travel the roads without the risk of ice, because after the two winters of snow and severe frost on two consecutive years people are very tired of arctic conditions and are hoping that there will be no such repeat this winter.

Many farmers are low in fodder for their livestock this winter after a usually disappointing summer and autumn and there are even some who have had to buy outrageously expensive animal feeding materials to tide them over the long winter. Then of course there are those who were unable to get their turf home from the bogs again because of the weather throughout the summer and the turf saving season.  Buying more expensive fuels to keep the home fires burning is also going to be costly this winter. So if those who think that November is a long and dreary month it is to be hoped that we will see no worse weather that we have had between now and next March.  Last winter in the overall was comparatively mild so let us all hope that for everyone’s sake that this too will be a mild winter.

In spite of the fact that November might often be regarded as a dark and rather lonesome month, with the summer and mellow autumn days now left far behind, it is nonetheless known as the month of the Holy Souls, a time when we remember our loved ones who have died in recent times and indeed all the family members, relatives, friends and neighbours who have gone before us. For myself personally November is a month of many memories, some joyful others sad. My birthday occurs in early November and by an extraordinary coincidence my son-in-law Pat’s birthday. occurs on the same day. Not alone that but we also share the same numbers in our dates of birth. Our wedding Anniversary is on November 19^th the date on which Mary and myself were married in 1960.  Sadly Mary died on November 11^th 2009 which is just over 3 years ago and which is another Anniversary that our family always will remember with both sadness as well as so many happy memories of the dear one who has left us. Another November memory is of the time that the wonderful surgeon and staff of Croom Orthopaedic Hospital fitted me with a new hip, may God bless them all. November might be a month that is often cold, wet and dreary but it is also a time to love and remember times of the past from Halloween to New Year’s Eve.

So during those short November days as we look out our windows we occasionally see a beautifully coloured bird coming up to our window boxes where all the flowers of summer and late autumn have now faded. And when there is a sudden burst of winter sunshine lighting up the dreary and black November sky, we might sometimes ponder that after all things are not too bad and we know that the dark winter days as well as the present recession will pass in time just as we are sure that the bright days of spring always follows the short, dark winter days.

Rural Bus Service

According to recent media reports a senior planner in public transport has been informed that many areas of County Limerick have no bus service at all and that there is only a token service in other parts of the country. This apparently came up at a meeting of the County Council’s transport committee.  Committee members apparently complained that private bus operators who used to stop at some villages and towns in and out of the city no longer do so, as they have started using the new roads and motorways to get to their destinations faster. Councillor Liam Galvin has been quoted as having said that “some places have only an infrequent service, but at least that is better than having no service at all.  Councillor Galvin is also reported to have drawn attention to the transport or lack of it in Athea and has been quoted as having said “Athea village, which has the numbers to merit a direct service, has no service at all. All the buses are going down the N21. Not one stops in Athea” he said. We in Athea ought to be grateful to Fine Gael Councillor Liam Galvin for once again drawing attention to the way in which Athea has been so badly neglected so far as public transport is concerned. The fact is that all calls for a proper daily bus service from Athea to Limerick City and to Tralee has been ignored by Bus Eireann which puts our village and our parish into a position of being twenty miles from nowhere which is surely something that the people of our area do not deserve.

Some years ago big efforts were made by a local committee to get a daily bus service from Athea which would also include taking in Moyvane, Knockanure and Carrigkerry.  We even got to the stage where some of us highlighted the public transport neglect of our area in an RTE programme. We also got hundreds of signatures from people around the local areas calling for a much needed public transport service. Unfortunately however it was all to no avail, they still continues to ignore our demands. We hope that Councillor Galvin will have better luck in the matter.