Archive for August, 2016

News-31/08/2016

Gibbons, Niamh O’Connell, Laura Curry & Ashling O’Shea

Gibbons, Niamh O’Connell, Laura Curry & Ashling O’Shea

Grace Leahy, Athea, Igor Teixeira, Abbeyfeale, Corinne Gibbons, Athea, Niamh O’Connell, Athea & Micheal Danaher, Athea.

Grace Leahy, Athea, Igor Teixeira, Abbeyfeale, Corinne Gibbons, Athea, Niamh O’Connell, Athea & Micheal Danaher, Athea.

Athea Drama Group AGM 

Athea Drama Group AGM will take place at the Con Colbert Hall, Athea on Monday September 5th at 8.30pm.  This is an important year for our group as we celebrate 25 years. New members most welcome.

 

 

Car Boot Sale & Indoor Market

West Limerick 102 FM are holding their next car boot sale and indoor market at the Community Centre, Newcastle West on Sunday 4thSeptember from 8am. To book a stall contact the Station on 069-66200.The gates open at 7.30am and all the proceeds will go towards the running of the station.

That Time of Year

The other morning dawned with the first hint of frost in the air. I know it wasn’t much but it was enough to remind us that the fall of the year is fast approaching and summer is over. There may be good weather in September and October but the day is getting short and good drying is gone. There were some very important activities that took place in September long ago (some of them still do), the All-Ireland finals, the annual holiday in Ballybunion and the Listowel races. It was a time for relaxation after the hard work of the bog and the meadow. Harvests were later than they are today because the meadows would not be cut until July and, depending on the weather, it could be into September before everything was in the barn or the turf shed.

Saving hay was the main summer activity and so important to feed the cows throughout the winter. It all depended on the weather and we must remember that there were no weather forecasts in those days so farmers had to look for signs in the sky and in the movement of birds and wild animals to foretell what the following day would bring. Some were really good at this and of course it was handed down from father to son. My neighbour, Mick “Phil” Woulfe was very good at reading signs. He would put his thumbs inside his braces, study the evening sky and say something like “ we will have rain tomorrow but not until after dinnertime”. He would be right. Very little machinery in those days so the hay was turned with a pike, made into “crowers” (phonetic spelling!), made into cocks and then piked into a horse cart to draw into the barn where the pike was used again. Hard work so when the harvest was finally over it was time to relax and rejoice. There was great interest ion the hurling and football finals, especially if Limerick and Kerry were involved. Some were lucky enough to be able to go to the matches but the majority listened to them on some neighbour’s radio.  Radios were scarce so those who were lucky enough to own one had to welcome a big crowd on All-Ireland day. I remember listening to Micheál Ó Hehir doing the commentary and he could create great excitement as he described every kick and catch with such detail that it took very little imagination to close the eyes and be by the pitch. The week after the football final was the week of the races. This was like a local holiday and almost everybody made their way to Listowel for one of the three days at least to join in the festivities. “Going to the races” did not always mean actually attending the race course. Many people, especially those with families never went beyond the Market Yard where the amusements were. It was a great treat for the children to get rides on the various contraptions that seemed like magic at the time. Many is the man who went to “the races” , went into the first pub he met ant never left it!  Others were racing enthusiasts and enjoyed the actual races but everybody had a good time and talked about it for days afterwards. We, as youngsters, made money for the races by picking blackberries. There was a factory in Brosna that made fruit juices and they bought the blackberries from the local shops. We picked them into gallons, it took such a long time to fill one, and took them to Leahy’s shop by Cratloe creamery where we might get a shilling or more depending on the weight. The money didn’t last too long in Listowel but we had a whale of a time.

The more affluent farmers went for a weeks holidays to Ballybunion. They stayed in various establishments but, unlike today, they were not fed and found, oh no, they brought their own food with them. They would arrive laden with spuds, bacon, cabbage, turnips, carrots, parsnips, bread, eggs and anything else they fancied and the landlady did the cooking for them.

One of my neighbours was a bit late finishing the turf one year so he let the ladies go on ahead  and he would join them in a day or two. He got a lift to Ballybunion on the back of a motorbike owned by Mossie Wrenn. He took a goose with him which he kept under his arm. They drove on and when he arrived in Ballybunion Mossie looked behind him but the passenger had disappeared. He turned around and headed  back for Listowel. He met his man, not too far from a humpbacked bridge between Lisselton and Listowel. He had taken the bridge too fast and dislodged the poor farmer who picked himself up and was walking away to Ballybunion – still holding on tightly to the goose!

Domhnall de Barra

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Kathleen’s Corner-31/08/2016

By Kathleen Mullane

Congrats All Around’

Congrats and well done to Timmy Flaherty (grandson of Joan and Donal Carroll, Dirreen) who won the All Ireland banjo playing competition at the recent Fleadh Cheoil in Ennis.

Congrats and good wishes are extended to Eibhlín McGrath (daughter of Mary and Oliver, Lower Athea) who was recently married to Conor McKenna. The bridesmaids were Michelle Mulvihill, Maireád Doherty and Anna McKenna and the bestmen were Michael McKenna, Brandon O’Shea and Derek Campbell. The couple were married in Crecora Church and everyone had a great day at The Bunratty Castle Hotel.

Last Saturday saw Áine Geaney (daughter of Margaret and Jim, Toureen) marrying Maurice O’Connor (son of Nora and Pa, Carrigkerry). The Nuptial Ceremony was performed by Fr. Paddy Bowen. The bride was assisted by her sister Maireád  and Antoinette and Patricia O’Connor. The best man was John O’Connor and the groomsmen were Paul Cussen and Tom Mulvihill. The flower girl was Freya Cussen. Everyone had a great day at The Devon Inn Hotel. The newlyweds are spending their honeymoon in Las Vegas and Mexico.

Wishing both couples all the very best for their future happiness.

Congrats also go to Dan Sullivan of Knocknagorna who recently celebrated his 60th birthday along with his family. Best wishes go to Dan on this very special occasion for him.

We also congratulate Joe Carey of Gortnagross who celebrated his 70th birthday recently along with his family at Tralee Greyhound Track, Joe being an avid greyhound man.

Mike Woulfe (formerly of Keale, Athea and now residing in Adare) tells us that there is going to be a huge cycle passing through Athea on September 18th. It’s the mid-west cycle in aid of Parkinsons – Alzheimers. All details are on facebook under eventsA@Pwestlimerick challenge. Details also from Mike on 085-1681144.

Sincere sympathy goes to Conny and Patie O’Sullivan of Lower Athea on the recent death of their brother Sean in New York. ‘May he rest in peace’.

Well it’s ‘back to school’ this week for everyone and despite not having a great summer, everyone agrees that it has flown by. And this year the Listowel Races are starting early on September 11th and once they are over, the nights start to close in. But you know what – there’s nothing like sitting beside a big fire on a cold night – so whatever the season – “Enjoy”

 

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Knockdown News-31/08/2016

By Peg Prendeville

Jack is back and had a great time with his daughter in the UK. He got to meet his sisters and brothers and all his nieces and nephews. Sadly one of his sisters, Mary Cregan, passed away two days after he meeting her. We offer sympathies to all the O’Grady family. May she rest in peace.

Tom O’Grady has finished up at Brown Joe’s. He wants to thank all who supported him in his five years working there. We wish him well in his future endeavours.

Congratulations to Gerard Barrett, who, along with Pat Short, featured in Miriam O’Callaghan’s TV show last Saturday night. He was introducing us to his new series – Smalltown – which will be televised on TV3 on the next three Thursday nights at 10 pm. Great credit to Gerard, son of Joe and Peggy, who is making great strides in the film world. Fr Pat Moore also spoke to Miriam and said he always recognised the fire in Gerard and is his constant support. We wish Fr Pat the best of luck and good health as he is undergoing more cancer treatment. It was great to see him live on TV.

Congratulations to Áine Geaney, Toureendonnell and Maurice O’Connor, Carrigkerry who were married in Athea last Saturday. A great day was had by all their friends and family.

Killeaney Lotto has reached the €26,000 mark without being won. Keep buying the tickets. Great work has been done in draining the training pitch in the past week. This work could not be done without the funds from the lotto every week. The Killeaney club is justly proud of the facilities in Knockdown and thank you for your support.

Gerald Griffins September monthly meeting will take place in the clubhouse on Thursday, September 1st at 8 pm.

Good luck to all the children who are back to school this week. Most of them are actually looking forward to the routine. It is the teachers who are more lazy about returning.

 

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