By Kathleen Mullane
“Happy New Year”
Well, Christmas is all over for yet another year and I will start by wishing each and every reader of Athea Parish Newsletter a very happy and prosperous New Year, filled with good health and happiness
Business was brisk in Athea in the lead up to the festive season. The biggest crowd that I can ever remember attended the Christmas Eve Mass here in Athea. The choir from Athea N.S. sang carols before Mass and were truly amazing and of course the adult choir added to the Christmas liturgy. Canon Tony Mullins concelebrated with Father Duggan and they gave selection boxes after Mass to the children’s choir and the altar servers. Well done also to Anne Mulvihill and Carol O’Connor , sacristans, who did great work in the Church and Hannah Mai Collins who organized the flowers. In all a beautiful Christmas ceremony.
St. Stephen’s Day was another lovely, dry day and it was nice to see some of the younger batches well able to play the bodhráns and various other instruments. It’s great to see the Wren Boys still going well.
News filtered through over the Christmas period of the sudden death in England of John Hanrahan, formerly of Lower Dirreen. Sincere sympathy is extended to his sister Helen and twin brother Dan. ‘May the light of heaven be his’.
Sincere congratulations and good wishes are extended to Louise Byrne of Templeathea (daughter of Bertha and the late John) who has become engaged to Colin Naughton, Ardagh/Reens, on New Year’s Day. Wishing them all the very best.
Tickets are going like ‘Hot Buns’ for the huge GAA fundraiser on February 4th at The Devon Inn Hotel. It’s going to be a fantastic fun-filled night – full of surprises and some great acts. You are advised to get your tickets early to avoid being disappointed.
Wedding Bells rang out for Stephen O’Sullivan, Knocknagorna (son of Margaret and Johnny) who was married last weekend to Amanda Kennedy – the ceremony took place at the Rose Hotel in Tralee. The best men were William Cotter, Shane O’Sullivan and Joe Vaughan. The bridesmaids were Margaret Cotter, Anne-Marie Lyons and Orla O’Keeffe. The junior bridesmaids were Katie Cotter and their own little girl Ava. A great day was enjoyed by everyone
The wedding took place in Abbeyfeale Church on Friday last of Tracy O’Brien (daughter of Joan and Tom, Templeathea) to Chris Brosnan of Mountcollins. The bride was assisted by her sisters Lorraine and Yvonne and cousin Elaine Hartnett. The best man was Jamie Brosnan and the groomsmen were Bobby Brosnan and Liam O’Brien. A brilliant day was enjoyed by everyone at The Rose Hotel in Tralee. Congrats and best wishes to the newly weds.