‘Out and About’

Well on Sunday last about 40 of us including men, women and more importantly children headed off to Ballymac and met up at ‘O’Riada’s’ between Castleisland/Tralee. It was a horribly wet day – however ‘spirits were not dampened’ as everyone donned the rain gear, boots and had brollies at hand, walking sticks, ‘water’ etc. Ray Enright thanked everyone for coming considering the day that it was (Father’s Day) coupled with the rain and Caroline O’Connell was on hand as everyone gave a donation into the bucket before starting out on the walk.

It was uphill and a steep climb in parts and then going downhill which was quite slippery underfoot in parts with ‘a sigh of relief’ and of course ‘the midges’ didn’t help the situation! What a lovely walk with streams gushing throughout – spectacular views from a height and little bridges to be crossed, along with the wooded areas of pure tranquillity. We came across the remains of a little stone house owned by a ‘Bourke family’ who had 10 children with presumably very little in the middle of nowhere years ago. However, one could imagine the fun they would have had splashing in their “swimming pools” – which were the little streams around their small house and the ‘hide and go seek’ – where they could be lost no doubt for hours on end. And no doubt they were ‘happy’ and not ‘bored’ or looking for the latest phone or computer. Everyone agreed these type of walks /climbs do children a great amount of good – besides being stuck inside watching TV or likewise – they acquire a love of the countryside getting out and having a bit of fun.

We thank everyone who supported the walk for our Community Hall and a total of €343 was collected on the day. If anyone who couldn’t make the walk would like to donate they can still do so, every little helps to pay the bills.

Congratulations to the 6^th class boys and girls of Athea NS who on Saturday night last had their graduation Mass here in the Church. They all had an input into the ceremony from singing to doing the readings and Prayers of the Faithful and bringing up the gifts etc. Well done to the teachers who prepared them, to Margaret Carroll for the music and the parents. We wish them all the very best as they prepare for Secondary School and the nest step up the ladder in their young lives.