By Kathleen Mullane

“Congrats” 

A few congratulations are in order this week. Firstly we congratulate Paddy Moore of Hillside Drive who celebrated his 90th birthday at Brown Joe’s over the weekend. Family and friends enjoyed the night and what a great age. Many more years of health to Paddy.

Birthday wishes are extended to Hannah Kelly, Church Cross, Templeathea, who celebrated her 18th birthday at her home on Saturday night last. Family, relatives and friends had a great time.

Paul Mullane, son of Ita and Ta, the Knockdown Arms, was home from Australia to marry Brid Wallace of Ballyguiltenane on Friday last. The wedding took place in Castlemartyre in Cork where everyone had a lovely day. Many friends had also made the long trip home from Oz to be present at the wedding. The after party continued in Knockdown on Sunday evening. Congrats to the newly-weds and safe journey back to everyone who came for Paul and Brid’s special day.

Congrats to Kathleen Liston of  Dirreen, the recent winner of the Lucky Numbers Community Council jackpot of €4,400.

Congrats and well done to Shane Ambrose and James Ryan who both were members of the Limerick County Football Team who recently took part in tournaments, both doing the club proud. “watch this space” – no doubt they will go from strength to strength and , who knows, we could be shouting for them in the not too distant future as they reach senior level !

Sincere sympathy is extended to the Vaughan family of Upper Dirreen on the unexpected death over the weekend of Margaret (Peg) at a relatively young age.

Preparations are well underway for the first “Athea Parish Festival” which will take place in mid August. Meetings continue weekly to organise matters. There are going to be soccer and football tournaments, a céilí, a 5K run, barbecue, fancy dress parade, amusements, darts tournament, music in the pubs and lots more entertainment in and around the village. We look forward in anticipation to the festival.

I’m sure many enthusiasts have really enjoyed the last month of World Cup games, however, on the other hand, many households are delighted the have their TVs back to watch their own favourite programmes.