Chairman of Limerick County Council, John Sheahan presenting the awards to Athea Tidy Towns committee members, Thady Hunt, Margaret Scanlon, Damien Ahern, Henry Moran, Eileen O’Sullivan and Mick Ahern

Major Success for Athea! 

 Last Wednesday night was a very proud night for Athea as we gathered at the Woodlands House Hotel, Adare together with 43 other communities from right across Limerick to hear the results of the Limerick in Bloom Competition. Limerick County Council, in conjunction with sponsor JP McManus Foundation, once again hosted this year’s competition which serves as a motivational mechanism for small local-based groups throughout the County to enhance the visual impact of their settlements by means of flower, tree and shrub planting.

Limerick In Bloom adjudication took place during July and considered such factors as colour, size, variety, location and appropriateness of the various planting schemes along with the management of litter.

Category 1 for community groups in towns and villages with a population of under 300 was won by Ardpatrick Tidy Towns followed by Kilteely Tidy Towns and Knockainey Tidy Towns in Second and Third Place respectively. Category 2 representing towns and villages with a population of 301-700 was won by Athea Tidy Towns Committee followed by Broadford Development Association (2nd), Pallasgreen Residents Association and Oola Tidy Towns (Joint 3rd).

Having won Second in our category in 2012, we were delighted to receive first place this year, in only our third year in existence.  We were then  presented with a certificate,   glass trophy and a cheque for €1000.

Next came the announcement of the overall winner of the Limerick in Bloom Competition for 2013. As we waited to hear the result, we never expected to beat such high performers as Ardpatrick and Adare which are very high scorers in the Tidy Towns Competition. It is true to say we were absolutely speechless when Athea Tidy Towns was announced as the overall winner of the Limerick In Bloom Competition 2013. We were then presented with a further cheque for €500 and the Magnificent Limerick in Bloom Trophy.

As we lifted the trophy with pride, we took a moment to think back on the many nights of planting, weeding, watering and of course the midges!

This was indeed a huge achievement for our parish and something we should all be very proud of. Big thanks to everyone who contributed towards this success and we look forward to even better things in 2014.

Our trophies were on proud display at our Church gate collection last weekend where the fantastic amount of €1,325 was raised. Once again your generosity surprised us all. Mile buíochas le gach duine

New Junior Citizens

Congratulations to Timmy and Joanne Aherne, who live in their beautiful home across the Kerry border near Gale Bridge, on the birth of their first child, a son, whom they are naming T.J. Also congratulations to the new baby’s grandparents Dr. Kieran and Val Murphy, Westbury House, Upper Athea who are celebrating the birth of their first grandchild as well as the other granddad, Timmy’s father, Ted Aherne, Upper Athea. Best wishes to them all. May their new boy bring them all much happiness.

Congratulations are also extended to Gerry Finucane and his wife Julie Marie of Village Living, Athea who recently celebrated the birth of their little girl whom they have named Kayleigh. Her two brothers Brandon and Dylan are delighted with their new sister. Congratulations also to the grandparents Mary and Denis Barrett, Templeathea.

Congratulations also to Michelle and Eoin Nash who recently celebrated the birth of their first baby a little son whom they have named Noah. Congratulations to the first-time grandparents Bill and Bridget Mulvihill, Upper Athea.

Athea Fair

All roads lead to Athea this Saturday for the annual Fair which is being held there. There will surely be a plentiful supply of cattle, horses, ponies and donkeys as well as fowl of various kinds. As well as that there will also be the stalls where people can browse around in search of some good bargains.

New Book Launch

A book by Tom Wall was launched at the South Court Hotel recently by the Chairman of Limerick County Council, John Sheahan. “The Boy from Glin Industrial School” is the title of the book. It extends to 300 pages and 67 photographs. In this very interesting book Tom outlines his experience during his time in this institution and the hazards which many of the boys who attended there went through.

Autumn Wedding

The marriage took place on last Saturday, October 26th at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Glin of Tomás Mullane of Knocknagorna, Athea (son of Mary B. and Conor Mullane)  and Eleanor Stackpoole (daughter of Patsy and Catherine) of Tullyleague, Glin. The ceremony with Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr. Tom Crawford P.P. Glin. The chief bridesmaid was Cathriona Stackpoole, sister of the bride, and other bridesmaids were Joanne Stackpoole, Ailish Ahern and Alice Fitzgerald. The best man was Sean Mullane, brother of the groom, and the groomsmen were Padraig Mullane, Conor Mullane and Stephen O’Sullivan. The readers were Eamon Stackpoole and Catherine O’Sullivan. The Prayers of the Faithful were read by Patrick O’Sullivan, TT. Mullane, Helena Collins, Sean Stackpoole, Johnny Barrett, Denise Geoghegan, Catriona Ryan. Reflection: Trisha Keane. Offertory Gifts: Cathriona Stackpoole and Mary B. Mullane. Musicians: Cadenza.

The reception was held in The Malton Hotel, Killarney where an enjoyable evening was held for the families and guests. The honeymoon is being spent in Cork and Tomás and Eleanor are planning a trip to Malaysia and Australia early in the New Year. Good luck and every happiness is extended to the newly married couple in their married life.

Recent Death

The death occurred recently, unexpectedly, in Dublin of Eileen Kirke, sister of Joe Aherne of Glenagore, Athea. Joe and his wife Betty have conveyed their thanks to all who sympathised with them in their bereavement. Special thanks to  all those who travelled to Dublin. Go ndeana Dia trócaire le na h-anam

Church Gate Collection

Fergus Scanlon, on behalf of The Friends of St. Ita’s, Newcastle West, would like to extend thanks to everybody who contributed so generously to their recent Church gate collection. A total of €757.44 was contributed. Thanks is also extended to all those who helped in any way with the collection.

First Responders

Athea Community First Responders (CFR’s) will hold their AGM on Monday, November 4th at 8pm in the Memorial Hall. Everyone is welcome and the officers will give a run down of the year’s events. Those who attend will learn from the officers activities throughout the year.

Many Congratulations this week – I suppose firstly we should start off by giving a huge “Congratulations” to the Athea Tidy Towns Committee who last week were totally ‘gobsmacked’ when their name was announced by Limerick Co. Council having won “Limerick in Bloom” competition. There were 46 villages and towns vying for the prize!! Adare had won it for the past 2 years and were hoping for a “3rd in a row” – however John Sheahan – Cathaoirleach, presented them with 1st in their category and 1st overall winners. A beautiful black stick trophy plus 2 glass plaques and a cheque for €1,500 were presented to Athea Tidy Towns and deservedly so, with the amount of hard work that they put in over the past months.

Well done to each and every volunteer. The amount of goodwill and appreciation for the work was also shown over the weekend when their church-gate collection realised the great sum of €1,325. No doubt 2014 will be another “Blooming” year for them all – Well Done

We congratulate Mary T Mulvihill who, on Friday night last, celebrated her ‘60^th’Birthday, with a gathering of family, relatives and friends at The Top of the Town.

Then on Saturday night it was the turn of Christopher Barrett who had his 30^th Birthday at Brown Joe’s – enjoyed along with all his relations etc.

Bill Hunt, who is in the Nursing Home in Listowel, celebrated his 79^th Birthday last week and was visited by friends for the occasion. Here’s to next year for Bill & the BIG “80”!!

Congrats also to Tomás Mullane (son of Mary B & Conor) of Knocknagorna who on Saturday last married Eleanor Stackpoole (daughter of Catherine & Patsy) of Tullyleague, Glin. A great day was had by family, relatives and friends at ‘The Malton Hotel’ in Killarney.

Congrats also to Joanne and Timmy Aherne of Gale Bridge who were blessed with their first baby, a little boy they are naming T.J. Congrats also to the proud grandparents Val & Dr. Kieran Murphy and Ted Aherne also.

Don’t forget this weekend sees the Annual Graveyard Collection for both Holy Cross and Templeathea cemeteries. As everyone agrees our cemeteries are admired far and wide for their upkeep.