By Kathleen Mullane

“Remembering”

Well what a few weeks it has been since Christmas with all our good parishioners passing to their eternal reward, many of them living in the same area of our parish. Donal Shine of Dirreen passed away in the loving care of the staff of St. Ita’s recently. Donal drove for many years taking workers to Shannon from Athea and the vicinity. Sympathy to his wife Ita, daughters and sons. ‘May he rest in peace’.

My fellow correspondent for many years, Pat Brosnan of Knocknagorna also passed away at St. Ita’s last week. Pat and myself often shared notes and bits of news items over the years and of course he was always there to take the results of the Athea Community Games at the GAA pitch. The two of us on many an occasion getting drenched and blown away! Many came to pay their last respects at Kelly’s Funeral Parlour on Friday evening. Requiem Mass was concelebrated on Saturday by Fr. Paddy Bowen, Canon Kelly and Fr. Mike Cussen. Pat was laid to rest afterwards along with his good wife Mary. Sympathy to his son Sean, daughters Breda, Sheila and Tina, relatives and a large circle of friends. ‘May he rest in peace’.

Yet again another icon “Brown Joe” passed away at his daughter Anne’s residence in Croagh over the past week. Everyone knew Brown Joe, a man who loved a good game of cards. He was pre-deceased by his wife and his daughter Mary Dee. A big crowd came to pay their final respects on Saturday night at Kelly’s. The following day Fr. Tim O’Leary concelebrated Requiem Mass followed by burial to Holy Cross cemetery. Sympathy to his sons and daughters, many relatives and a huge circle of friends. ‘Go ndeana Dia Trocaire le na hanam’.

Vincent Barrett of Knocknagorna, as I write is laying in peace at his home and will be laid to rest on Wednesday. Vincent was a brilliant flute player and he bore his being wheelchair-bound with dignity and courage for so many years. Sympathy to his wife Noreen, daughters Fiona, Rebecca and Norita and son John Henry. “Eternal rest unto him”.

Congrats to Mary Healy, daughter of Mary and the late Martin of Clash who was married recently to Mike Daughton of Duagh by Fr. Pat Moore in Duagh. The reception was held at the Devon Inn Hotel where everyone had a great day.

Despite the replay of the U21 footballers not going their way on Saturday last in Tournafulla they should be proud to have got this far. Well done to them all. Once again it was great to see the massive support for Athea/Mountcollins Rangers  – it means a lot.