Setting out from Abbeyfeale on the Great Southern Trail which was officially opened on Saturday last by Minister Leo Varadkar

Athea Tidy Towns

We held a very successful AGM on Monday night where there was a good attendance. Our chairperson Lal Browne thanked the committee for their dedication and commitment throughout the year. The community were also thanked for helping us out with our clean ups during the summer and supporting our fundraising draw. Henry Moran gave a detailed breakdown of our finances, which prove to be in a healthy state. A run down on our planned projects for 2013 was discussed with great excitement. It was great to see that the handball alley is currently being restored, the giants garden is being painted, hedgerows are being trimmed and that work is also due to commence this week on the construction of flower beds. This will allow us a good head start for the competition.

Lal Browne was elected Chairperson, Kathleen Barrett -Vice Chairperson,  Henry Moran was elected Treasurer, Margaret Scanlon vice Treasurer, Damien Ahern was elected Secretary and Thady Hunt was also nominated for the honorary position of President.

We will commence our weekly clean-ups this Saturday, meeting outside the Memorial Hall at 10pm. Please come along and help improve our great village!!

Congratulations

To Tim O’Keeffe (son of Peg and the late Timmy, Coole West) who was recently promoted to Garda Sergeant. Timo is stationed in Tralee.

Minister Varadkar officially opens Great Southern Trail

Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick. – Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar today (Saturday, 23 February, 2013) officially opened a new section of The Great Southern Trail in Abbeyfeale, County Limerick.

The 3-kilometre walking and cycling trail runs along the old Limerick to Tralee railway line from the West Limerick town to the Kerry County boundary at Kilmorna, and represents an extension of the existing 38km of trail that runs to Abbeyfeale via Newcastle West and Rathkeale.

The Great Southern Trail has been developed by Limerick County Council and the Great Southern Trail Group Ltd. with support from various public bodies including the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport, Fáilte Ireland, West Limerick Resources and CIE.

Speaking today, Minister Varadkar said: “It’s great to see the local community and various organisations coming together to develop this facility. Cycling and walking are increasingly popular, and an off-road trail like this is a fantastic facility. It encourages people to get out and about for their own health and enjoyment, and is important for the rapidly-growing activity tourism sector. This extension was completed after Minister of State Alan Kelly announced €290,000 in funding for the project last year. Congratulations to everyone, and I look forward to further developments.”

Councillor Jerome Scanlan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council said the development “will reap significant health, social and economic benefits for the wider community.”

“The extension of the Great Southern Trail will enhance the recreational opportunities for children, youths and adults in the community. The fact that the Trail conveniently passes through such population areas also presents a wonderful opportunity to showcase what else West Limerick has to offer as a visitor destination. This will encourage domestic and international visitors to stay longer in the area, which can only have positive knock-on effects for the local economy,” he added.

According to Mr. Conn Murray, Limerick City & County Manager: “The Great Southern Trail puts West Limerick on the map in more ways than one. Along with being an important piece of recreational and tourism infrastructure for the local community, it also has the potential to tap into the increase in recent years of tourists interested in walking and cycling activities.”

Figures show that there has been a 40% increase in overseas participants in hiking and hill walking to the Shannon Region since 2006 and a 35% increase in tourism revenue from walking activities in the same period.  Cycling holidays are also on the up amongst domestic and foreign tourists alike.

Mr. Murray explained: “West Limerick is now well placed to take advantage of this growing market and position itself as a leading tourism trail destination. This will be achieved through the joint co-operation of all tourism stakeholders in the development and marketing of the Great Southern Trail and wider area. The Council is committed to enhancing the role of Abbeyfeale as a tourism destination, being located on a major tourist route, and as a base for tourism for the wider West Limerick area.”

The existing sections of the Great Southern Trail are maintained by workers on a Rural Social Scheme administered by West Limerick Resources Ltd., a Local Development Company. The 3km extension is maintained by the Scheme with assistance from Limerick County Council.

‘Congratulations’

 Sincere congratulations and good wishes go to Yvonne and Eamonn Roche of Templeathea on the birth of their first baby a little girl they are calling Sarah Catherine. We wish the proud grandparents Josie and Patrick Roche of Templeathea and Nancy and Paudie O’Connor heartiest congratulations also.

Well its ‘HAPPY DAYS’  – Paul Collins of JP’s shop here in Athea has just got engaged in Dubai to well-known Radio Kerry  person Audrey Galvin of Finuge.

Another happy couple are Tracey O’Brien (daughter of Joan and Tom) of Templeathea who got engaged in Australia to Christopher Brosnan of Mountcollins. Congratulations to the newly engaged couples. 

Congratulations to Tim O’Keeffe (son of Peg and the late Timmy O’Keefe) of Coole who has been promoted to the post of Sergeant. Tim is stationed in Tralee Garda Station.

You are asked to give as generously as possible to the Community First responder’s collection which will be held this Saturday 2^nd and Sunday 3^rd March before all Masses. Always have their phone number at hand 087 2737007, they work 365 days of the year and you never know when you may have to call on them in case of an emergency.

All U-12’s and U-14’s girls are asked to come along to their 1^st training session at the pitch on this Monday evening from 4.45 – 5.45 pm. All new players are especially welcome.

Sincere sympathy is extended to the Quaid family on the sudden death of Teady (Tim) Quaid of Ballybunion and formerly of Dirreen, Athea. He was laid to rest in Knockanure after Requiem Mass on Sunday last. ‘May he rest in peace’. 

This Thursday night at 8pm in the hall ‘Airtricity’ will present the cheques to no less than 29 groups/organisations from in and around the West Limerick area. No doubt the money will be very much appreciated by all those who will be very happy to receive it to help with the running and improving of their various clubs etc.

Don’t forget to support the fund-raising Fashion Show for Tarbert Comprehensive School which goes ahead at Ceol Corbraí in Glin on Friday March 8^th at 8pm. Tickets can be got by parents, students etc from the Parents Council or by phoning Anne on 087 2715367. There is a Cheese and Wine Reception and Spot Prizes galore and a great door prize.

Photo of Patie Geoghegan and Den Lane in the Knockdown Arms. Both these men were 90 years old recently.

We all know that Sean Óg O’Ceallacháin died recently. May he rest in peace. George Langan tells me that he was a native of Newcastle West. His uncle was D.J. Madden Fine Gael T.D for Limerick West during the 1940’s/50’s and he worked alongside George’s grandfather Paddy Langan who was a Labour Co. Councillor at that time. He also told me that Sean Óg’s mother was Frances (Fannie) Madden from Ballyhahill.  Thanks to George for all that interesting information. George is a great man for recording present day history and has some of his articles on his website as follows: www.langangeorgedotcom.wordpress.com .

There will be a talk on “Finding Christ in Brokenness” by Sr. Helen Culhane in Loughill Resource Centre this Thursday night at 8pm. It deals with how grief and loss affects adults and children alike and should be very interesting. Admission Free and all are welcome.

A public meeting was held in Glin on Monday night to deal with the intolerable vandalism which hit the town the previous week when cars were stolen and burnt out within the town area. This is very frightening for everybody but especially the elderly and those living alone.

This is the last week for registering for the Clounleharde School Reunion. Drop names and money to any of the following committee members e.g. Maura, Peg, Marian, Carol. The committee needs to know how many are coming so that arrangements can be made for food and accommodation on the evening. Thanks to all who have responded so far. It promises to be a great night.