By Kathleen Mullane

“Out and About”

This weekend sees the annual Church gate collection in aid of St. Ita’s, Newcastle West taking place. As we all know St. Ita’s do great work helping their resident patients as well as those who go in for after hospital and respite care. You are asked to give generously.

Congrats to Duane Herbert of Templeathea who celebrated his 21st birthday along with family and friends on Saturday night last at the Top of the Town. An enjoyable night was had by everyone.

Sincere sympathy is extended to the sisters of Paudie Shanahan, Nora and Margaret, along with his nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends. Paudie passed away tragically last week at his farm in Dirreen. Paudie was a “gentle soul” in every sense of the word. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. May the light of Heaven be his.

Well, the Fair of the Village will take place on Saturday, November 8th. It’s always a great day where people come out for the day, meet and chat with old friends, do a bit of haggling and have a great fun day. We look forward in anticipation and hopefully a nice dry day!

A reminder that the gala West Limerick Fashion Show in aid of the invalid section of the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, takes place tonight, Wednesday 15th at the Devon Inn. Tickets at €10 are available at the door. The show starts at 8pm with a cheese and wine reception beforehand. There will be great spot prizes as always. Your support would be welcome.

“Doctor in the House”, the new programme which started this Monday night, gave us the frightening statistics of obesity in children in Ireland at present and indeed among families in general. It showed just how, in eight weeks of sensible eating and exercise, a 12 year old boy and his parents turned their lives around and added years onto their lives going from obese to healthy.