Well Easter is over for yet another year and thought it was a bitterly cold spell it was nice and dry and thankfully our temperatures didn’t plummet too low like other countries. Lots of people made it home to spend Easter with their families here in Athea and this was great. The Easter Ceremonies were well attended and the Easter Vigil Mass was particularly uplifting with the choir doing a great job and the Athea N.S. children partaking also. Well done to them all and to the clergy.

Sincere sympathy is extended to John Redmond of Lower Athea on the recent death of his mother Joan in Mallow. ‘May the light of heaven be hers’.

The death also took place over the past week of Bridie Anne Shine of Gortnagross. Many would remember her, having run her shop for many years, she was a very well liked member of the community. ‘May she rest in peace’.

What a great job Damien Aherne and his father Mick along with the Athea Tidy Towns group did in power-hosing all the stone walls and bridge area last week, they are doing tremendous work and we should all do our own little part in keeping our own roads and areas near our homes free from litter.

This Sunday evening sees the first parochial get-together, for all those who help in any way in the Church, at the hall at 7.30pm. All names attending should now be given to any of the committee members.

Well done to all the ‘Athenians’ who took on the Ballybunion run on Easter Saturday. Everyone admitted it was tough going with the bitter cold wind blowing against them uphill. I was talking to Joe Aherne of Templeathea who once again was taking part. Joe did brilliantly also in completing the walk with Tommy Moran to Dublin. Elaine O’Keeffe came in 3rd of all the women – a great achievement in the 10k. Denise O’Riordan and Carol O’Connor, alias “Dot” from the Athea Drama, did the 10k within the 60 mins – Pat Hunt, home from Germany, did very well and took on the 20k. With the new jogging/walking club starting this week at 8pm on Tuesday nights – now doubt Athea will have a great contingent participating next year.

Thought for the week:

“Nobody really cares if you are miserable, so it’s as well to be Happy”