Sincere congratulations and good wishes are sent to Pauline Kelleghan of Knocknagorna who celebrated her 70th birthday over the weekend, previously having had a combined party with her grandson Chris Finucane of Tarbert who was 21. A great night was enjoyed by family and relatives.

Birthday wishes are also extended to Patsy Cusack of ‘Galeview’, Athea who celebrated her 18th birthday over the weekend along with her family and relatives.

Sincere sympathy is extended to the Brouder family of Coole East on the recent death of Maggie Brouder wife of the late Patsy R.I.P. Many paid their final respects at Finucane’s Funeral Parlour. Burial took place in Templeathea cemetery on Saturday. ‘May she rest in peace’.

Well done to Pat and Bernie Higgins who ‘braved the elements’ on Saturday last and climbed Croagh Patrick as part of the Naomh Ide cluster (a combination of Athea/Abbeyfeale/Tournafulla/Mountcollins and Templeglantine parishes). It was quite a tough climb with the rain and wind. Mass at the top in the little church was also attended by members of the pro-life group. The Naomh Ide cluster extends sincere sympathy to Canon John O’Shea on the recent death of his mother. ‘May she rest in peace’.

Following the recent unexpected arrival of a man in a baseball hat in the Church Sacristy last week Fr. Bowen has urged all parishioners to be alert and vigilant. If anyone sees anyone suspicious around or a strange vehicle you are advised to take the Reg Number or to keep the main details in your head. Neighbours are always asked to look in on the elderly and those living alone and as a Community to be ‘Alert’ at all times.

Well everyone agrees Athea is “looking stunning” at the moment with the tremendous amount of work that has been done on the approach roads and in and around the village. And isn’t ‘Mullane’s old shop’ really beautiful having been painted etc. It reminds one of “The Olde Curiosity Shop” , you are just hoping to look in the windows and see the big jars of sweets and big tins of biscuits or ‘Peggy’s legs’ and much more – who knows wouldn’t it be nice to see every business opened once again in our little but beautiful village.

Just looking at the abandoned animals showing on the I.S.P.C.A programme on T.V. “Voiceless victims of the recession” it’s terrifying to see the conditions especially horses were left in – if you can’t take care of an animal don’t have one.