Recent Deaths

The death occurred at St. Ita’s Hospital, Newcastle West during the weekend of Catherine (Kit) Shine of Dalton Street, Athea. Deceased, whose maiden name was Fitzgerald, was a native of Keale North but lived most of her life in Athea. She was pre-deceased by her late husband Dan Shine several years ago. Kit, who had reached an advanced age, was a very religious person and a regular attendant at the Masses in her local Church. She also visited Lourdes and many pilgrimages. Up to a few years ago she could be regularly seen out on her bicycle cycling through the village or on the way to visit her brother Tom in Keale. She was a member of a well known and highly respected local family and will be very much missed by her family members, relatives, neighbours and friends.

The removal took place from Kelly’s Funeral Home on Saturday evening and was attended by a large number of people who came to pay their respects and offer their sympathy to the family. There was also a big congregation at the Requiem Mass on Sunday morning and at the funeral afterwards to Holy Cross cemetery.

Sympathies are extended to her family members, extended family members and other relatives. May her soul rest in peace.

It is only a short few weeks ago since her daughter Breda Carey died and whose death was also widely regretted. She was married to retired Garda Jerry Carey who was a native of Galway. Sympathy is extended to Jerry and their family, brothers, sisters and other relatives. May her soul rest in peace.

Sympathies

Sympathy is extended to Mary Dalton, her husband Patrick and their family on the death of Mary’s aunt Bridie Meade of Kilmorna, Duagh which occurred during the week. Deceased, who was in her nineties, was in good health up to a few years ago but had been resident since then in Listowel Community Hospital where she was well cared for. The removal took place from Duagh Funeral Home after Requiem Mass in St. Bridgid’s Church, Duagh. Her funeral was taken to the local cemetery at which a big number of people attended. Bridie was a member of a well liked local family and her death is widely regretted. May her soul rest in peace.

Bodhrán Competition

The result of the Bodhrán competition for the Sheehy Trophy held at the Top of the Town bar in Athea recently were Open competition: Winner-Mike Barrett, Monagea, formerly Rooskagh.

Ladies competition: Winner-Mary Theresa Buckley, Moyvane. Confined competition: Winner-Jimmy Kelly, Athea.

Council Tenants Rent Increase

Over 4,000 of our Kerry neighbours who happen to be Council tenants with Kerry County Council and Tralee, Killarney and Listowel Town Councils are expecting that they will next year have to pay a combined property tax and a rent increase of €100 for houses that are not even their property. It has been reported that Sinn Féin County Councillor Teireasa Ferris has been quoted as saying “they weren’t asking us should rents go up – they were telling us”. It’s an absolute disgrace for Kerry County Council to even suggest such a thing not to mind thinking of implementing it. Kerry County Council is believed to be facing one of the toughest financial years in over a decade and business owners as well as other rate payers are also expected to be hit with an increase.

Shoe Boxes

This time of the year it is usual for children from across West Limerick including Athea to fill a shoe box with gifts for children across Eastern Europe and Africa, who, without this effort may not receive any Christmas presents at all. The local children have been busy these past few weeks filling the shoe boxes with all kinds of toys, books, writing materials, sweets and articles of light clothing such as caps, hats and scarves, which are then delivered to Team Hope collection points. Then they are sent across the world to reach the children in these countries in time for Christmas. While most children are interested in doing everything possible to help fill the shoe boxes, the important thing is to obtain these boxes as soon as possible so that they will be sent to deserving children in good time for Christmas. This is a very worthy objective and not alone will it be a great benefit to the poorer children, but it also will be a source of satisfaction and achievement to those children at home who take part in the project.

Obesity Problem

Being tackled recently Micheál O Muircheartaig, the well known Kerry GAA broadcaster and greyhound racing commentator, launched the Kerry Education and training board project Student’s Fitness programme in Castleisland Community College. It appears that Kerry is leading the battle against obesity, which has now become a major problem throughout the country. With recent statistics showing one out of every three children of the population overweight. By all accounts up to 400 students will participate in the initiative involving two fitness sessions being conducted in November and February. The Scoil Ghniomhach programme has been jointly developed by Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership co-ordinator Cora Carrig and Joe O’Connor of the I.T.T. who is fitness coach with the hurling All Ireland champions, Clare. As we are all aware obesity is a major issue that is not often addressed until health problems arise, when the children become adults, because of habits developed at a younger age.